From thence they proceeded to Tumults from Tumults to Rebellion and from Rebellion to a cruel War The unquenchable fire whereof hath now burnt above these forty years and how oft to bring it to an end to boot by the way of force have you used treaties of concord But still in vain so unappeaseable hath the double rebellion of the Flemish proved against the Church and against your Crown and so very much have they continually been fomented by their neighbours on all sides insomuch as Holland and Zealand and many other of those Provinces which are up in Arms grow every day more obstenate in resolving never to return under the obedience of Spain Then if you who have lived whole years in those Provinces with such experience of their own particular affairs and of the affairs of the whole world with so many Forces and so many valiant Commanders when France was most grieved with inward wounds and England apprehended the like sufferings under a woman have not been able to shun such great losses in Flanders why should we not fear that your successors may yet suffer every day greater So as at last which God forbid this Crown may be wholly deprived of those Provinces How much better souldiers do those Rebels daily grow And how much better may France and England foment them now then they could have done formerly France being at peace within it self and England which daily expects the King of Scots for their King The vils which Spain suffers from Flanders reacheth even to the Indies it is to be feared they may indammage you more in the West-Indies then they have hitherto done in the East As a Canker in any one member of a mans body works upon and consumes the vigor of all the other members So the ulcerate part of Flanders makes the body of your whole Empire daily languish The gold of the Indies the people supplyed from Spain from Italy and those which for the like end are continually raised in Germany are not sufficient as by experience is found to maintain that war The hunger of that ravenous Beast is still increased by food and how much do mutinies devour Which are now grown so Domestick that as one ends another begins and often teo much to our loss divers happen at one and the same time This is the condition of Flanders and this is the state of the losses which the Crown of Spain hath thereby suffered till now and of what they may suffer hereafter My opinion therefore is that your Majesty shall do well to give the Low-Countries in Dowry to the most Illustrious Infanta whereof framing a principality in your daughter and honouring the Cardinal Infanta your Nephew with her by making him her husband the Flemish will by this means have at last a Prince of their own which is that which they at all times have so thirsted after If the marriage of these new Princes prove fruitful as it is to be hoped it will the yet obedient Provinces will continue their obedience to the Church and Austrian blood at least if not to the Crown of Spain Nor is it to be doubted but that the same good and profitable correspondency will pass between that branch and this as hath past betwixt this and that other established in Germany And to say truth of what use may such an example be In which it is seen that the Emperor your father in great wisdom would there agrandise that Austrian branch because he thought it impossible that the greatness of that and this joyned together should continue here in your Spain though the chief branch but too far remote from Germany Their neighbours will then rejoyce at this new Flemish Principality and will assist it as much hereafter for seeing it dismembred from this Crown as they have been formerly averse thereunto for that it was joyned to your Majesties Kingdom Jealousies will be succeeded by assurances instead of having the wars fomented from those parts friendly offices will be done for the introducing of Peace And the Flemish race being by this marriage established why should we not hope that at last even the rebellious Provinces should by degrees reunite themselves according to the ancient form with those which are obedient In sine either is this the remedy which remains to heal the wounds of those Countries or we shall never finde any sufficient to effect it When Moura had spoken the other Councellors gave their opinions Jovanni d' Ideaques a Councellor likewise of great authority with the King joyn'd with Moura Idiaques as we have told you upon another occasion had been Ambassador in Genua and Venice and after other imployments being returned to Spain did now exercise a place of the greatest importance belonging to that Crown But there were divers others of the Councel who adhered to Fuentes his opinion Wherefore the King was for a while in doubt what to doe yet at last those reasons prevailed with him which first inclined him to give the Low-Countries in Dowry to the Infanta his eldest Daughter He considered and foresaw how France would grow daily greater in power That the Queen of England being now very old was to be succeeded by the King of Scotland who would unite that Kingdom to England and of them both make but one of all Great-Britain That from those parts the Rebellion of Flanders would still be more and more fomented and still he should be in greater danger of losing all those Provinces He likewise foresaw the dangers wherewith the Indies might be continually threatned and thought that if Flanders were reunited under an Austrian Prince the Maritime Provinces returning again to enjoy as formerly the Commerce of the Indies in that of Spain they would no longer think of their new so long and so expensive Navigations But the King seemed to be chiefly affected with the losses which the Church had already suffered in Flanders and which they might again suffer at the same time together with him And lastly it was believed that to boot with the reasons formerly touched upon this consideration swayed much with him That in case his onely Son should dye and the Infanta being in such a case to succeed him he should doe wisely to give her a Husband who was already so well known already becom a Spaniard and who would cause no alteration in the affairs of Spain The King being thus fully resolved he caused the Articles of Marriage to be drawn up the chief whereof were these That he gave the Provinces of Flanders together with the County of Burgony in Dowry with his Daughter which she was to enjoy joyntly together with her Husband That either Males or Females which should proceed from that marriage should succeed the men being notwithstanding to be preferred before the women and still the first-born sons or daughters That if the inheritance should rest in a woman she should be bound to marry either a King or Prince of Spain That be the Heire
discuss affairs with an intention to come to a perpetual peace if it were possible The Vnited Provinces offered one Article in the first place wherein they pretended that the King of Spain and the Arch-dukes should acknowledge them to be absolutely Free States and should at large renounce all right or claim which might be pretended unto by them or any of their successors to or over those Provinces with an obligation not to make use of their Arms or Titles or whatsoever other appearance This last addition appeared too arrogant to the Catholick Deputies who complained very much thereof to the Ambassadors of France and England with whom from the beginning they had had communication in what concerned the Treaty alleadging That it was an usual thing amongst Princes still to retain the Title of States or Kingdoms though they were lost or but pretended to whereof there was examples in the greatest Kings of Christendom That the Catholick King stiled himself King of Hierusalem and Duke of Burgony the King of France King of Navar and that the King of England did still keep the Title of King of France That the Vnited Provinces would be they alone who would introduce new Laws in the world and not content to pass from rebellion into liberty would pretend as it were by usurpation to such and so rash advantages in fine that this was a cause common to all Princes and wherein they were all by this one act injured The answer which the Catholick Deputies gave hereunto was that they had no Authority to admit of the Article in manner as was desired That they would acquaint the Arch-dukes therewith and expect their Answer but the Ambassadors thought these their complaints to be artificials they imagined that the Catholick Deputies meant to indear the said renuntiation as much as they might that they might the easilyer induce the Vnited Provinces to give way on their parts in other things in which opinion they were confirmed by the Answer which came from Brussels which was that the Arch-dukes would consent to the Article in the same manner as it was propounded if the Vnited Provinces by acknowledgement of so great a benefit would in lieu thereof abstain from their sayling into the Indies The Vnited Provinces seemed to be as much moved by this answer and their Deputies made equal complaints thereof to the Ambassadors of their Confederate Kings and Princes What do the King of Spain and the Arch-dukes grant said they more then what the Vnited Provinces do already possess that what should be granted by the King and Arch-dukes was nothing but wind and a bare Title whereas if the Vnited Provinces should give over their sailing to the Indies they should deprive themselves of the principal and most important part of their Traffick That they had begun and would continue that their Navigation which by the Laws of Nature and right of Nations is allowed to all men That some other thing might be thought upon which in this point might give reciprocal satisfaction to both sides But that they should exclude themselves from sailing into the Indies was neither to be thought on nor hoped for and why ought not the spoiles of that new world be common to all That it was of that immence vastness as more thereof was undiscovered then discovered as yet and that the right of the occupiers in those parts differed only in the better knowing how to manage what they possess Both parties argued this point touching the East Indies with great stifness and pertenacity nor would the Catholick Deputies ever discede from their first answer At last the Deputies of the United Provinces made three Propositions The first that according to the nature of all peaces Commerce might be free both by sea and land to both parties The second that for the space of seaven years the United Provinces might continue their Navigation to the Indies and that one year before the expiration of those seaven years some new composition might be made The third that upon the insuance of peace and due observation of all things on this side the line the Vnited Provinces might at their own peril continue their Navigation on the other side The Catholick Deputies were not pleased either with the first or the third Propositions Not with the first because it left the Vnited Provinces absolutely free to Traffick in the Indies Not with the third because they saw a peace mixt with hostility was not likely to last They did not appear to be totally averse from the second so as they would now agree that when those seaven years should be ended the United provinces should for ever forbear from their Navigation to the Indies To this their Deputies would by no means consent this point of the Indies was much stood upon and the difficulties thereof inlarged by the particular Company of Merchants in the Vnited Provinces which traffick into those parts The Company was chiefly composed of the Merchants of Amsterdam and of Midleburgh and one was sent in the name of that Company to the Hague to shew how great the gain was which they made by their trafficking in the East Indies and how much the continuation thereof did import in other respects They alleadged that they had already introduced Commerce in sundry parts of those Countries that many were the frienships and confederations which they had established there and that those seas were already frequented by above 150 of their Vessels and by above 8000 of their Mariners and Souldiers that great was the gain of particular men and the advantage no less which the publick received thereby that to keep so many of the baser sort of people imployed who would be alwayes troublesome when at quiet what was it but to purge their Publick of so much ill bloud ready to grow corrupt That the Navigation of the United Provinces into the Indies had already made Lisbon groan that the Merchant Towns of the Portugueses in those parts went to wrack and that their ships were seen to go and come much possest with fear and apprehension and were inforced to be at much greater expence then formerly for they had wont not to be greatly vigilant in that their Voyage not meeting with any contestation save from the seas and wind These and many other considerations were represented by the Company to keep the Vnited Provinces from consenting to the Spaniards demands touching the Indies So as both parties adhering to their opinions nothing was done therein The Catholick Deputies resolved therefore to send Father Neyen into Spain to acquaint the King with what past and particularly to receive Orders for what they should do concerning the Indies having first declared to the other Deputies that they had no Commission to conclude any thing in that business They told them also how that the Commissary should be back within two months whereupon he suddenly took his journey for Spain and I to shun the tedious prolixity of the less important affairs
King of Spains power And none of them were well pleased to see the Provinces of Flanders joyned to his Crown which by reason of their situation circuit and opulency were of such consideration as when they were only in the hands of the house of Burgundy had oft-times reduced France to great straits and troubled England and the near adjacent parts of Germany more then once In France after the unfortunate mischance of Henry the second who was wounded as he was running a Tilt and died at the celebration of his daughters marriage with the King of Spain and his sisters with the Duke of Savoy Francis the second succeeded in the Crown whilst he was yet a child The Government of the Kingdom was therefore wholly in the hands of his mother Catherine of Medicis but so distracted and so full of factions as it could not be in greater disorder nor more confused Heresie which was first in secret and fraudulently crept into France shew'd it self now bare-faced And her Fautorers hiding their own ambitious ends under the deceitfull visard of conscience proceeded from their first Court-contentions to the taking up of arms to the great detriment of the whole Kingdom Those hereticks were called Hugonots nor is it well known from whence that word proceeded and Lodovick of Burbone Prince of Conde made himself the chief head thereof he was brother to Anthony King of Navar first Prince of the bloud-royal and his chief rather guider then follower was Jasper di Coligni Admiral of France who proved afterwards the plague of that Kingdom and at last his own ruine But the chief heads who maintained the Catholick cause were not less suspected and especially those of the house of Guise out of a received opinion that under the specious zeal to religion they hatched divers designes of bringing themselves to greater power France whilst thus afflicted within her self could not contribute much to the afflictions of others Yet it was evidently discerned that what fomentation from thence could be expected to the troubles of Flanders would never be wanting especially by the instigation of the Hugonots In England the succession of that Kingdom and of Ireland was fallen to Elizabeth daughter to Henry the eight Queen Mary who was wife to Philip King of Spain dying without issue Mary was not more resolute in restoring the Catholick faith in England then Elizabeth was in resuppressing it incited thereunto by the example of her mother Anne of Bullen and for fear lest by the Laws of the Church her succession might prove illegitemate from which fear she thought her self secure under the Dogmata of heresie Elizabeth making Religion thus subservient to State Interest would have heresie to be received throughout all England and Ireland And detesting the Pope and King of Spain by which two she might be the most indamaged she likewise endeavoured to prejudice them as much as she could She therefore persecuted the Church infinitely in England and was very intent upon all those sinister successes which might befall the King of Spain especially in Flanders where his power was nearest unto her and from whence she did most suspect it From those parts of Germany which lie nearest to Flanders all those heretick Princes who were there Masters of any States or Dominions shewed the same disposition against the Church and the King of Spain But the most considerable amongst them and of whom the greatest fear was had for that he was more amidst the Austrian Forces of Germany and Flanders was the Prince Elector Palatine of Rhine 'T was therefore much to be feared that from these external parts all the inward commotions of Flanders were upon all occasions to be fomented This was the condition of Affairs and the disposition of minds in Flanders when the King was there and upon his departure for Spain I will take my rise in the History which I undertake to write from hence after having with as much brevity as I could acquainted you with what hath already been said The King was resolved to go for Spain to the which he was moved not only out of his particular natural addiction to those Kingdoms as out of mature wisdome and advised choice He saw his vast Empire hardly well setled and consolidated after the so many voyages and great pains of his Father and finding it composed of so many members and so far divided one from another he thought it expedient that he should share out and disperce the vigor and spirit of government from out the principall part thereof as doth the heart in humane bodies and certainly Spain was to be reputed not onely the most important but the fittest place for this purpose there wanted not moreover many other urgent necessities which required the Kings presence and particularly those which were occasioned partly by the danger of Heresie which was already begun there and partly by jealousies of the Moors wherewith Spaine was greatly infected and with whom it was greatly feared that upon any intestine commotion the neighbouring Moors of Africa would joyn themselves The chiefest business which before the Kings departure was taken into consultation was to whom he should leave the government of Flanders in his absence Two Ladyes neerly allyde unto the King by blood were taken into consideration the one was Christierna Dutches of Loraine who was daughter to a sister of the Emperour Charls the fifth and the other Margaret Dutches of Parma naturall daughter to the same Emperour great was the contestation before it was resolved which of the two was to be preferred Christierna was the elder very well known in Flanders by reason of the neighbor-hood of Loraine praised for her great wisdom in having worthily discharged the Government of that State remaining still a Widdow and the afore mentioned Peace of Cambray which by her means she being there present in person was managed and concluded had very much increased her reputation By which successe Flanders being freed from the molestation of Arms she won more upon the affection of the Flemings Orange was chiefly for her out of the hopes he had of marrying one of her Daughters and therefore labored her Election as much as he could hoping also by that marriage that the government of Flanders might be more sway'd by him then by Christierna But the Kings inclination bore him at last to like best of Margaret as she who had been born and bred up in Flanders and who having her Husbands Estates of Parma and Piacensa in midst the forces of the Dukedom of Millan in Italy and resolving to send her onely son Alexander to the Court of Spain promised a more absolute dependency upon the King where on the contrary the house of Loraine by reason of the condition of the Country and more in respect of interest was inforced to depend almost wholly upon the Crown of France besides the great desire which the Flemish themselves shewed to have Christierna for their Regent made the King Spanish officers
with him was Orange who treated with him at large in that City and many Articles were agreed upon by which he bound himself to govern The first was That the Prince of Orange should be given unto him for his Lieutenant All the rest tended to make his Authority subordinate to that of the States General so as he could not in any whatsoever manner do any publick action without their will and consent The States and the said Mathias did afterwards by their Letters to the King endeavour to procure his approbation of that Election endeavouring to honest it in manner aforesaid and by divers other colourable pretences But this mean while the States forbare not to prepare forces and they turned them chiefly towards Vaures a Town between Brussels and Namures as hath been elsewhere said here they resolved to make their Rendesvouz resolving to befiege Namures So as when they should have possest that Pass towards Italy as they had already done the other of Mastrick towards Germany there might be no passage left for the Kings men who were to enter into Flanders either by the one or the other in an hostile manner This was the resolution of the States General and this was Orange his particular opinion who governed all things then according to his own will But when Escovedo was come to Spain and the other news of the novelties happened in Flanders being likewise advertised continual consultation was had there touching what was to be done in the affairs of that Country The King considered on the one side that to return to arms again would be to return to the former vast expences and excessive difficulties and that his enemies and those that envied his greatness desired nothing more then that he might re-enter upon a War of which he should never have an end and wherein he was to spend the flowre of his Militia There were not wanting some in his Councel who did no approve of Don Johns retreat to Namures and of his surprising that Castle as if he had done it not so much out of necessity as out of choice that he might have Forces in his hands and gather thereout more advantage to himself then to the Kings service But on the other side it was considered that if Don John should not be presently succoured and that with powerfull forces the Kings affairs in Flanders would be utterly lost the plots which were practised to that purpose both within and without being too apparent To boot that there was no way seen whereby to come to a peaceable agreement but by preparing with all possible power for a new War These opinions being then justly weighed it was resolved in Spain that Orders should be given to all the Kings Officers in Italy immediately to send back those forces into Flanders who were some months before come from thence and who were now almost all of them in the State of Milan or in the Kingdom of Naples At the same time Commissions for the raising of horse and foot were sent from the King into Burgony Lorain and the nearest parts of Germany And it fell out luckily that Count Charls Mansfield son to Count Ernestus did then lead back a body of 4000 foot from France which he had formerly brought into that Kingdom for the service of that Crown So as the Kings Forces began to found aloud in divers places which afforded the Flemish sufficient matter to think upon Their chief designe was as we have a little before said to besiege Namures and to be Masters of that Pass which was of such importance Wherefore the States endeavoured with all diligence to bring their men to the Rendesvous in Vaures And Commanders were already provided for the Army which was a gathering They had made the Lord Goygni Camp-master-general the Count de Laleigne General of the foot the Vicecount of Gaunt General of the horse and Mr de la Motte Master of the Artillery But the strength of their forces did not as yet answer to the eagerness of their design and therfore they labour'd very hard to get potent succours from their neighbours abroad and to advantage their Cause as much as they might These endeavors were had as we have formerly said in Germany France and England From Germany the Palatine John Casimire promised to bring a great strength of men if they would send him mony to pay them In France that King would not meddle with the revolt of Flanders they having been too busie in the Domestical troubles of his own Kingdom Nor could the Duke of Alanson much favour the Flemish by his own Forces They therefore placed all their chiefest hopes in the Queen of England And doubtlesly they might be better helpt from thence then from any other part both with men and mony Wherefore they turned their chiefest endeavours thither and to give it the greater weight and reputation they sent a solemn Ambassy to the Queen the head whereof was the Marquis of Haure The Queen her self desired that this clamorous appearance might be made to the end that she might the better honest unto the King of Spain any aid that she should give them through the publick complaints of the Flemish A firm Confederacie was by this means made without much difficulty between the Queen and the Belgick States the substance whereof was That each side should assist other interchangeably with proportionable Forces by Sea and Land The Queen obliged her self thereunto with present effects and with declaring that she would not suffer Flanders to be opprest And on the contrary the States promised to assist the Queen whensoever she should be molested by the common enemy She suddenly sent an express Ambassador into Spain to justifie this action of hers unto the King and sought to honest it by making known how much her interest was concerned in not suffering her Neighbours to be opprest especially the Flemish with whom the English had alwayes kept good correspondencie She shewed the King that he ought rather to be well pleased then offended with what she had done in their assistance for that otherwise they might peradventure through despair have thrown themselves into the hands of some other neighbouring Prince She exhorted him speedily to send some other Governour of his own blood in stead of Don John but chiefly to comply with the Flemish in their so just demands and fairly to compound the affairs of those Countries to which purpose she offered on her side to use her best and most powerful mediation When she had satisfied this her palliated respect to Spain she failed not readily to perform her true designs on the behalf of Flanders she suddenly raised the monies which were needfull to raise the intended Forces in Germany under John Casimire which were to be most of them Horse and gave order that a good number of Foot should be sent out of her own Kingdom The monies being received John Casimire was not slack in using such diligence as was behovefull Nor
titular Command and Orange who was wholly taken up with Civil negotiations could not take upon him the Military government So as the management thereof lay chiefly on Monsieur de la Nue a French-man and Colonel Norris an English-man but the authority and estimation of the former was much greater then the others Their Forces being of this condition the military affairs proceeded but very slowly on both sides Each of them could rather withstand then overcome and each of them hoped for better success in time The year 1580. came now in which brought with it one of the most memorable events that ever the war of Flanders produced through the resolution which the Rebels then took of chusing a new Prince and of continuing no longer under the King of Spains obedience The Prince of Orange had driven on this design before now and being between Despair and Hope he could no longer resist their violences On the one side despair assailed him setting before him all the greatest and most dreadful dangers which could be expected from the wrath and power of the King of Spain being then made greater by the accession of the Kingdom of Portugal And on the other side he was highly invited by hope desire making him believe that new greatness would be added to his fortune by a new Principality He argued within himself That at least the two Provinces of Holland and Zealand would be well-nigh wholly at his disposal And wherefore in such a case might not greater good fortunes befall him since it might easily happen that the Flemish being again angry at or weary of a foreign Prince might at last resolve to choose one of their own Nation And if so wherefore should not he hope to be preferr'd before all others He then without any further delay having first prepared mens minds in every Province by his Adherents of which he had great store in each of them He I say caused the proposition of change of Prince be put and made all such things be suggested as might facilitate the business The Rebels had no more weighty affairs at this time then this was Therefore that they might treat and resolve thereof with such maturity and honour as was needfull it was thought necessary to call a meeting of the States Generall wherein they might afterwards come to such a resolution as might be best for the whole Country This advice was chiefly given by Orange and Antwerp appointed for the place of meeting Here then about the beginning of the abovesaid year the Deputies of the Provinces met and Orange was there himself so they began to fall close to the business The Heretick Deputies of which the greatest part of the Assembly did consist such industry and means had Orange used in causing them to be chosen inclined to choose a new Prince as also still to strengthen Heresie Yet they differed within themselves in their votes some of them were for the Queen of England and some for the Duke of Alanson the one holding they might receive more advantages from England the others from France The City of Gaunt in particular was much inclined to the Queen of England which was the chief City of all those that then followed the rebellion of the Confederate Provinces Wherefore James Tayard the Deputy thereof together with some others who represented the peculiar Province of Flanders that is to say the Flemicant part one day when the business was hottest in agitation spake thus When I consider most worthy Deputies how much France is at this time divided and afflicted within it self I confess I cannot be perswaded to preferrre the Duke of Alanson before the Queen of England in the subjecting of our Provinces under a new Principality Every one knows what the unhappy agitations of that Kingdom at the present are it totters on all sides amidst mighty dangers The several Factions strive who shall rend it most The King hath only the shew of a King and is forced to use intreaties much more then commands How often and with what prejudice to his authority hath he been inforced rather to yield to the will of others then to use his own So perverse under the variety of their specious pretences are they sometimes grown who favour the Catholick religion and sometimes they who follow the Reformed in causing one revolt after another all tending to the great diminution of the Royal majesty and splendor France being then in so low a condition what ease or advantage can Flanders expect from thence Our end is to put our selves under a Prince who who may by his Forces strengthen ours that we may the better defend our selves against so powerful and so bitter an Enemy as is the King of Spain Then tell me I pray you what State what Forces what advantages can the Duke of Alanson bring with him that should make him be desired for our Prince Doth he enjoy any thing else in France save the bare Title of being the only Brother to the King with other such Prerogatives much greater in shew then substance Hath not the King treated him sometimes more like a Prisoner then like a Brother hath not the Duke sometime gone from Court in form of a Fugitive endeavouring by all means to protect Faction but rather to receive assistance from thence then to give it To boot his being the Kings only Brother bears with it a condition which we may very well suspect For if he when he shall be our Prince shall peradventure succeed his Brother who is childless in what condition shall we be then what dangers will our Provinces be then again in we shall be under so great a King who peradventure may treat us so much worse then the King of Spain now doth by how much the Forces of France are nearer us and more ready to oppress us From what I have said against France I shall now come to what may be taken into consideration as making for England States doe then most flourish when they are mâ—st quiet which may easily be seen by the happiness which that Queen now enjoyes Her Kingdom enjoyes full Peace and her people strive who shall most witness their obedience to her An obedience notwithstanding which she hath very will deserved of them For what Princess was there ever seen of a more masculine spirit who indued with more excellent vertues She hath nothing of woman but the appearance She is born to Empires and to command those chiefly which require most merit to enjoy them It is confest her Kingdom is â—et a little divided in point of Religion but the Catholicks are so few and 〈◊〉 so low as they can in no sort weigh against the Reformed She maintains these and by these is she maintained her pleasure is that only their Religion shall be profest in England according to the custom of that Country and with this her pleasure hath the Authority of the Estates general met in Parliament often joyned And how much doth this
make for our advantage For the most of us having resolved to imbrace the Refoâ—med religion doubtlesly the Queen of England will in that respect much more concur in our defence then will the Duke of Alanson who is a profest Catholick Together with this advantage in matter of Religion we shall also receive from her all other things which we stand most in need of her Kingdom abounds in People nor wants she Mony proportionably How much ought we to esteem her so near and so potent Maritime forces We may by that means expect at all times all manner of Aid in a very few houres and by that means that Country will be joyned to ours as well as if we were both one firm land And how much is England and our Province already joyned in Commerce May not the English-House here in Antwerp be envied by their own hamber of London And if we consider the Form of Government how much more conformable to ours is that of England then that of France For in France the Kingly power may be said to be almost absolute whereas in England it is so limited as in al affair of greatest weight the Princes there can resolve of nothing without the supreme authority of Parliament Which ought to make us expect a much more moderate government certainly from the Queen of England then from the D. of Alanson who hath already too much drunk in the too haughty and Kingly spirits of France This my short comparing of the present condition of these two Kingdoms doth sufficiently discover my opinion touching the business now in hand Yet all private opinions ought to submit to the publike interest And so shal I do when the contrary shal be approv'd of by this most wise Assembly for I have no consideration of any foreign good which is not altogether subordinate to what concerns our selves This discourse wrought very much upon the Deputies But the Lord of St. Aldegonde one of those that was deputed for the Nobility one of the best esteemed amongst all those of the Flemish Union took upon him to defend the contrary opinion And spake thus I wish it had pleased God most worthy Deputies that our calamities had not clearly taught us what the remedy is to free us thereof This remedy consists in having one for our Prince who being amongst us in person may rather with a Fathers then Princes affection imbrace maintain and govern the concernments of these our Provinces as if they were altogether his own And to pass by the more ancient examples let each of us consider what happiness they enjoyed in more modern times 'T is very well known to all how they flourished under the House of Burgony And that out of no other respect but for that the Princes did then of themselves and in their own persons steer the Government and shewing themselves from time to time in almost every of our Provinces did both give and receive such satisfaction as was most to be desired by each in each of them The Government then altered and began to grow worse under the House of Austria nor was it to be otherwise expected by reason of the many States and Nations which fell under the Empire thereof A great bulk cannot long maintain it self and when one part thereof is wrested all the rest are usually out of frame So in States which are too far divided a sunder the good of Government not being able to be joyntly united in them all the most remote must needs suffer therein and afterwards those that are nearest joyned will rescent it But notwithstanding in the times of Maximilian of Philip the first and of Clarls Flanders enjoyed such a share of their own personages and presence as look how much it sometimes suffered by reason of their absence it reaped other whiles as much advantage by their being present And each of them did still retain as well the sence as the bloud of Germany and Flanders Countries both of them almost alike seated and of the same nature The â—ow King being afterwards born in Spain and being become a Spaniard more by will then by birth he resolves to keep there and not to absent himself in any manner from thence What our miseries have been since then and what those in particular which we have suffered through the pride and cruelty of Spanish Governours we may all very well know since we have all too well tryed it Then to conclude as I said at first that the only help for these our Provinces consists in having here a Prince of their own to govern them I confess I cannot see who can be fitter for that purpose then the Duke of Alanson The Dukes of Burgony descended as it is well known to all from the Royal bloud of France then since Fortune presents us again with a new Prince of the same bloud wherefore should not we greedily imbrace the occasion of receiving him would not the very Government be by this means rather continued then any other of a different Form instituted How great a part of our Provinces do yet retain the French tongue and the Customs more then the tongue Are not all the confines of the Walloons and half the Province of Flanders it self called more by the word Gallican then Flemican so as in respect of the conformity of nature 't is clearly seen that the French are much more conformable to us then the English who had never any dominion over us That France is now in great turmoyls cannot be denyed but what better remedy then this can be found out to rid her of them to wit by drawing Alanson himself out of her and with him so many others who at the present do molest that Kingdom In which case it is not to be doubted but that the Duke will abound sufficiently in Forces and that the King his brother will largely maintain them in so just a Cause Every one may clearly see how much better these of France will be then those we should receive from England France doth over-abound with people every where especially in gallant Cavalry The coming from thence into this our Country can receive no impediment neither by the seas nor wind since both their confines by land joyn together And how opportune for us ought their neighbourhood now to be thought since almost the whole Walloon Provinces being re-united to the King of Spain the French Forces will prove very commodious on that side to force that Country to return to their former Union with our other Provinces and to joyn with us in chusing the Duke of Alanson for our Prince For what concerns all the other rubs me thinks they may be easily removed As for the Kings having no children his age is such as may certainly promise enough The mean while the Duke his brother will likewise marry and have sons of his own to succeed him but say that the Duke were to succeed unto the Crown wherefore may not we in such accse oblige
munite it on the one side and to Mandragone on the other Mansfield therefore fortified the Village of Cowstein from whence the counterdike was thrust out and that Fortification was called the strong House he inlarged and heightned the counterdike where it was most needfull he planted a little Fort upon the one side which was called La Motta because Signor de la Motta had the command thereof He made also another on the other side and named it Palata because for want of earth it was made of pales which want was found almost every where in fortifying the counterdike so as they were fain to supply it with fagots and other such like materials Where the counterdike joyned afterwards with the chief dike of the river Mandragone raised a Fort and called it the Cross in relation to the position of the place which was almost of the same form and because 't was doubted that the enemy might make a great cut in the chief bank of the river beneath Lillo which might have more prejudiced the counterdike Fernese caused three Forts be raised in that place which for that they were triangular were called the Forts of the Trinity All these Works which we have named were made from time to time according as need required which we have here set down the better to present them before your eyes and to give you the clearer intelligence thereof The Prince had shut up the Passes towards the land side about Antwerp which coasted upon Brabant by Garisons which were placed in Hostrat in Herentales in Breda in Lira in Diste and in divers other Towns by which Antwerp was kept from being relieved on that side Particularly the horse scoured the whole Country every where not only out of a bare intention of incommodating the Antwerpians but to keep them from having any communication with those of Brussels or Malines so to make both them Towns fall the sooner into their hands The fiege being thus ordered on each side the river it remained totally to block up the same river which was the chief business and which brought with it not only the greatest advantage but also the greatest necessary and met with greatest opposition The Marquis of Rubays General of the horse was of great authority and esteem in the Kings Camp Wherefore Fernese gave him the chief care of the bridg and gave unto him likewise the command of a great many men of War which were a preparing to facilitate the enterprise Rubays was not wanting in acting his part in all these imployments He was in action both day and night he uncessantly divided his labours now on this side now on that with infinite industry and valour So as by his dilligence all necessary provisions for the building of the bridg did in time so increase as all the Army began to hope to see their work soon brought to perfection Whilst the Kings Camp was amongst these labours and difficulties the besieged within the City were not agitated with less uncertainty and perturbances From the very beginning of the siege they had sent expresly into Holland and Zealand and to the rest of the Confederate Provinces to desire the best and speediest assistance which could be sent them from those parts But knowing that they could not receive sufficient succour from thence they had sent particular personages into France and into England to do the like in those Courts and endeavoured to interest both those Crowns again if it were possible in their cause They had good hopes from France but the effects were not answerable That Kingdom was still full of troubles and that King would not more irritate the King of Spain who was already too much incensed for what the Duke of Alanson had done in Flanders They received greater hopes from England and might much more easily come by them But the Queen after Alansons death willing to make such advantage of the Flemish as she could not do before made them believe she would assist them but was very slow in doing it It appeared at last that her end was to see them reduced to such necessity as they should be inforced to throw themselves into her hands and contenting her self at first with a bare title of protection she might come more easily afterwards so to be totally master of them These practises from abroad proceeding but very flowly and with much ambiguity the Antwerpians hopes consisted chiefly in succours from Holland and Zealand Provinces which were nearest them and which by their naval forces might best disturb the siege especially by way of the river Nor were these parts wanting in doing what possibly they could to this purpose But the work about the bridg advancing every day and the Forts of the Kings Camp being already increased on both sides and Rubays having commanded his barks to withstand those of the enemy victuals could not so freely be brought to Antwerp by water as formerly And all passes by land being shut up they had less hopes of any relief from thence Their wants therefore still increased But the Inhabitants were chiefly afflicted to see that Commerce began already to fail and that by continuation of the siege they were likely to be totally deprived thereof And peradventure not without danger of new plunder and firing which was that that they most apprehended calling to mind what they had undergone not many years before in that kind by the Spaniards A great part of their people especially of meaner sort lived upon Merchandizing and Traffick wherefore they began to complain very much of their already sufferings and of those yet greater which they daily feared more and more And those who were of better condition were not well pleased to see themselves thus incommodiated And those that were of the best condition and wealthiest amongst them the more they feared to lose so much more did they desire to avoid the danger thereof And though they did all of them abhor to return again under the Spanish Command especially those who were most infected with heresie yet well weighing all Interests they preferred that of their lives and estates before all other respects The meaner sort of people began already to speak freely of these inconveniences and dangers and whispers were heard to the same purpose amongst the more civiliz'd people So as wavering thus in their minds it appeared that they could not but grow very cool in sustaining such a siege so vigorously as they ought to do Il Signor di Santa Aldegonda was chief of the Magistracy which governed the City by the Title of Burgamaster Before Orange his death he was put into that Office that he might particularly advance Orange his ends as he had always endeavoured to do and as we have often told you And when Orange was dead there was not any one that more partially maintained his memory nor his passions with more vehemency then did Santa Aldegonda Wherefore occasion being one day offered when the Magistracy was much
Treaty of accommodation in the Affairs of Flanders Which it may be believed she was chiefly perswaded unto thereby to try whether she could avoid the Tempest of Arms which the King of Spain already threatned her withall She thought the King of Denmark might be a fitting Instrument for this purpose wherefore she turned her self to him Nor was he backward therein but readily imbracing it sent John Ronsovio forthwith to Brussels who was well received by the Duke of Parma and was afterwards well approved of by the King of Spain The Schools from whence the negotiations of Princes proceed are always full of deep mysteries And though it be desired their hidden and reserv'd ends either cannot or ought not to be penitrated into It was notwithstanding conjectured that the Queen and King desired interchangeably to delude one another in this kind of negotiation so as those provisions which were making on both sides might be a little slackned The United Provinces seemed most averse to this kind of negotiation For their answer to Leicester who had sundry times made several proposals to them about it was resolutely this That they would never return again under the King of Spains obedience and that though the Queen should abandon them they would not notwithstanding desist from doing what they could in their own defence even till the last gasp But whatsoever should come of it or what ever the end of this Treaty might be the King and Queen resolved to set it on foot and chosing Burborg a little Town between Dunkirk and Gravelin for the place they sent some perticular Commissioners thither to that end In the Kings name there did intervene Count Aremberg Knight of the golden Fleece Mousieur de Campigni Lord Treasurer and John Richardotto President of the Councel of Artois And for the Queen the Earl of Darby Knight of the Garter and two others of her privy Councel whilst arms were handled in Flanders in one part and this Treaty was in hand in another many frequent consultations had been had and were yet had in Spain touching in what manner the King should rescent the injuries done unto him by the Queen of England The King had been provoked long before this by the Queen of England by her continual fomenting the troubles of Flanders yet he thought he might dissemble the offence because she dissembled the injuries But the King was so moved at this last action wherein she had by so many helps so openly revived the rebellion of Flanders when it was almost extinguished as he thought he could no longer forbear shewing how ill he took it by declaring open war against her Yet openly to make war upon England was of great consequence to the affairs of Spain so as the King before he would resolve thereupon would have it very well disputed by his ablest ministers of State Alvaro di Bassano Marquess of Sancta Croce a Personage very much cryed up for Naval Militia was one of those that perswaded him most to this enterprise he bore a great command at this time over the Kings Fleets in the Ocean and by reason of his imploymenr hoped it would fall to his share to be the prime man in this famous expedition Wherefore whilst they were treating one day of this business in presence of the King he spoke thus When I consider most mighty Prince the glory and advantage of the proposition in hand and the hopes of seeing it happily effected I confess I cannot forbear exhorting your Majesty with all the power and efficacy I have by all means to lay hold of it your Majesty may chiefly glory in the August Cognomen of most Catholick and that you have much more made it good in your actions then used it in your Title What greater glory can you then desire then in the first place to restore so great and so noble a Kingdom as is England to due obedience to the Church and to the ancient veneration of the Altars And what greater renown then to beat down Heresie there where her most rebellious ensignes are raised up that Island being made as it were an inexpugnable Sanctuary thereof How much hath Piety and Religion flourish'd formerly in that Kingdom How many Catholicks are there yet there And how do they long to see an end of that bitter persecution which they suffer there And to proceed to the advantage of the proposal It is well known that Spain can reap no greater advantage then in being no longer opposed by England From thence are the Indies infested and your Fleets threatned From thence is the Rebellion of Flanders fomented and the manifest usurpation of the Dominion therefore aspired unto And finally From thence proceeds all the greatest damages which the Crown of Spain suffers at this present and from thence will the greatest evils alwaies derive which shall at any time hereafter befall it And for the happy success of the enterprise why should not your Majesty assure your selfe thereof Your Forces at Sea have formerly been most powerful How much more formidable wil they be made now by the addition of Portugal And your resent succession to that Kingdom does plainly denote that God hath been thereby pleased the more to facilitate this enterprise 'T is then to be beleeved that the Spanish Fleet by Sea will be of that Potency as it will not to be withstood by all the maritime Forces of England though assisted by Holland and Zealand The Army by land which the Duke of Parma hath lately increased in Flanders may at the same time correspond with the Fleet which shall come from Spain When the Channel shall be possest by your Fleet the Army may be easily conveyed over into the Island where when it shall be landed and all your Majesties Forces joyned what shall withctand them from entring suddenly into the heart of the Kingdom For it being an Island nature defends it onely by situation no use being made to fortifie it by industry When this shall be once done and England 's fomenting be ceased it is not to be doubted but that the Rebellion in Flanders will soon cease likewise Fire lasts as long as do the materials where with it is fed when those fail the greatest fires go out and end in ashes John Idiaques one of the Kings Officers most imployed in Court at that time appeared in Councel to be of a contrary opinion Idiaques had been for many years Ambassador first at Genua then at Venice and after his return to Court the King had always imployed him in managing the most important affairs of the Crown He spake thus The first thing that is to be taken into consideration most mighty Prince is in my opinion the difficulties of the undertaking which is now in dispute And to speak my mind freely I think them so great as there is but very little hope of good success England as every one knows is so situated hath such Forces such Inhabitants and is governed after so peculiar a
manner as it will be too hard a matter for any Foreign Nation to land there much more hard to keep there when they are landed That Kingdom is inclosed and fortified on all sides by the Sea the Havens there are but few and any Fleet may be easily kept from entring thereinto The English yield not to any Nation of the world for skill in maritime affairs and their maretime Forces together with those that will be added to them by Holland and Zealand may without doubt oppose whatsoever Fleet Spain can set forth at least by way of defence But say that our men were landed in the Kingdom how can we hope to establish them there Usually in the making of Conquests some internal disposition is required and there is a continual necessity of external aids to maintain them There can no safe correspondencie be hoped for from the English it being a Nation which will suffer no other Government then its own And succours from elswhere will be so hard to be effected so expensive and so uncertain as the Forces of Spain which are already so distracted will never be able to supply them Hath not your Majesty experience by your marriage with Queen Mary how much the English doe hate all manner of Foreigners and how contrary all the Laws of the Kingdom are there unto Is not the Rebellion of Flanders sufficient to let out the best blood of Spain without adding thereunto that which you shall suddenly see arise in England Then since there is so little hope of any good success in this affair methinks it were better to let it alone and so to resent the wrongs done unto you by the Queen as fighting with her at her own weapons not to come to open war upon her States If war shall be made and the design not succeed how much more will she oppress the Catholicks of England and of Ireland How will she foment the troubles in Flanders nourishing still her own desire of usurping the government thereof And how much more justly shall she plot all manner of mischief with the Hollanders and Zealanders to the Crown of Spain in the Indies and in all other parts So as by this enterprise no glory or advantage will redound to your Majesty but shame and loss Let your Majesty therefore bend all your might to end the Rebellion of Flanders The Duke of Parma's Army being reinforced by Land and the Provinces of Holland and Zealand being set upon by Sea with the same Forces which would be imployed against England your Majesty may safely believe to see that Rebellion subdued and the Church restored to its former right as also your Royal Crown If in the mean while the Queen of England shall continue to aggravate her offences yet more against your Majesty then may you resent your self against her in open war with more expedition more advantage and more happy success The former success will doubtlesly very much help the other where as on the contrary if the design of assaulting England misgive as it is to be feared it will for my part I fear and I wish my fears may prove false the Rebellion of Flanders will never have an end The Duke of Parma being desired to signifie his mind in this point seemed to incline to this second opinion And howsoever if the business concerning England were to precede he said that some Port or Haven in Zealand was first to be won and this out of two very important reasons The one that upon any occasion the Spanish Fleet might have some safe and near refuge and the other that the Kings Havens in the Province of Flanders might not be hindred by the Hollanders and Zealanders in the Duke of Parma's transporting his Army into England The King staggering between these two opinions was a while in dispute with himself which of them to follow But in fine it appeared that the securing of England did so absolutely draw with it the putting an end to the Rebellion of Flanders as it was resolved in Spain to make all the speed and all the greatest preparations that might be for the execution of this enterprise The King was afterwards the more encouraged herein by the disposition he found in the Pope not only of approving but of favouring the design Sixtus Quintus was then Pope who appeared very zealous in maintaining the universal cause of the Church In the particular of England he considered what had befaln in the time of Pius Quintus by whom he had been made Cardinal When Pope Pius found that the Queen of England grew still more perverse in prosecuting the Catholicks and to doe all ill to Religion both at home and abroad he at last published an Apostolical Bull wherein was contained such punishments against her as the Church in like cases had alwayes wont to inflict But instead of being thereby bettered the Queen grew more cruel and impious Nothing was seen or heard of in that Kingdom but a perpetual irremissible fury against Catholicks some were banisht others imprisoned others deprived of their goods together with their Country and many bereft both of goods and life The Priests were chiefly persecuted and Heresie triumphing over their punishments and to see their Ministery already wholly routed out 't was thought the Queen intended fully to extinguish all the remainder of Catholick Religion and all the footsteps of that Piety which for so many Ages had so exceedingly flourisht there Nor was her hatred towards the Church bounded within her own Dominions it was known how greatly and how continually she fomented the Heretical factions of Germany France and Flanders to nourish troubles there and particularly to beat down the Catholick religion by her means likewise Scotland was greatly subverted and her beheading of the Queen of Scots who had been alwayes very zealous in the Catholick cause was generally detested by all the Catholick Princes of Europe and in particular had caused much horror in the Pope Wherefore joyning this with many other actions whereby the Queen did so cruelly afflict the Church and disturb the publike peace almost every where he considered he was not to let slip the occasion now presented of favouring the King of Spains aforesaid enterprise thereby to advantage the Catholike cause universally over all Europe and particularly in England and Ireland To this purpose he thought it fit to make a Subject of England Cardinal and this was Doctor Allen who was one of the antientest and most qualified Ecclesiasticks both for learning wisdom and goodness of all those of that Nation that were abroad Allen was then at Rome and the Popes intention was to send him into Flanders and then into England in case the design should succeed there to exercise such Ministerial duties as should upon such an occasion be most needfull for the service of the Church and particularly for those Catholicks The Pope being thus minded the King applied himself with all fervencie to the business and to make very
exceeding great preparations both by Sea and Land He gave the care of the maritime preparations to the Marquis de la Croce and destin'd him to the Naval command As for the Land he would have the greatest Forces be raised in Flanders and that the Duke of Parma should carry that Army which was under his command over into England and that he should have the chief command thereof as also of all the rest who were brought in the Fleet to land in the Island These Orders being given out by the King the noise thereof began to be heard throughout all his Kingdoms each of them strove which should provide most ships greatest store of victuals and warlike ammunition in so great ampleness as so high a design did require Great preparations of all these things were made in Sicily in the Kingdom of Naples and in all the maritime Coasts of Spain and especially in the building of great abundance of ships whereof the Fleet was to be composed Such men as were necessary for the service were also raised in all parts and in fine the resolution was to make an Armado so powerfull in all conditions as the like had never been known at any time to be upon the Sea The Duke of Parma's diligence in making preparations in Flanders in behalf of the enterprise was this mean while no whit less After the getting of Sluce he went to Bruges and kept there as in the fittest place of all the Province of Flanders to dispose of all things necessary for the transporting of his Army into England To recrute it with men the King had given order that Biaggio Cappizucchi in Italy should raise a Brigado of Foot in the State of Urbin and that Carlo Spinulli should do the like in the Kingdom of Naples That the Marquess of Brogaut brother to the Cardinal Andrea d' Austrea should raise another in Germany greater then ordinary That the rest of the German Nation that were on foot should be filled up and that the like should be done amongst the Burgonians and Walloons That a good body of men should be sent from Spain to recruit the old Brigadoes That in in fine the field Army of Flanders should be composed of 30000 Foot and of 4000 choise Horse all of which or at least the greatest part were to be imployed in the expedition for England An infinite provision of things was required to transport such an Army and to provide it with all things necessary to lead on the enterprise successfully on that side They purposed to embarke the men at Newport and Dunkirk and a great number of vessels was necessary to transport them And though these were rather to be for burthen then war and rather low built then high yet the assembling so many of them brought with it both great expence of time and monies and amongst other things a great number of Artificers were requisite to be had to do the workmanship and of Mariners to govern them The Duke of Parma had great scarcity of both these and was likewise jealous of them by reason of such mens being inclined to follow rather the Hollanders and Zealanders in whose Seas they were for the most part born and bred up then the Kings party where their profession was but little practised insomuch as the Duke was glad to send for some from the Baltick Sea and to make provision of them in divers other parts of the lower side of Germany The aforesaid Vessels were most of them built in Antwerp and many in Gaunt Newport and Dunkirk Those of Antwerp were to be brought by the Scheld to Gaunt and from thence to Bruges by a Channel cut by hand which goes from the one City to the other And upon this occasion the Duke cut another channel likewise from Bruges to Newport to the end that the Vessels might fall the more commodiously into the sea and there joyn with those of Dunkirk During the noise of so great preparations made in all parts of Italy Spain and Flanders to assault England that year ended and the year 1588 commenced which was particularly remarkable for this enterprise sake The designe was not notwithstanding publickly declared but the King striving as much as he could to conceal it made it be given out that so great a preparation by land and by sea was intended against the Rebels in Flanders And to keep them likewise in suspence he caused the begun negotiation between him and the Queen touching the accommodation of the Affairs in those parts to be continued Other reports were given out that the King intended a good part of the Fleet by sea for new designes which he had upon the Indies Some times the preparations seemed to cool But at last they grew to such a greatness and so many signes appeared of their being precisely destin'd for England as there was no room left for doubt The Queen seeing her self threatned by so great a tempest betook her self to make all such preparations likewise on her part as might be necessary to withstand it She gave order to Charls Howard Admiral of England a Lord of a very Noble Family and of great imployment that he should powerfully reinforce her usual Fleet and that he should make all other such provisions as were needfull to furnish it with Souldiers Mariners Victuals and Ammunition of War But she gave unto him Sir Francis Drake for a particular assistant herein one that was then the most esteemed amongst all the English for sea affairs and famous likewise thorowout all other Nations for many memorable sea-voyages which he had made and for many enterprises which he with great boldness had effected Such a preparation required great expence and a great inclination of the Kingdom to effect it Wherefore the Queen called a Parliament without the Authority whereof the Kings of England cannot receive any supplies of monies upon any extraordinary occasion The Parliament being met at London the Queen would one day appear there in person and went thither in the greatest glory that might be Where being placed under her cloth of State and having so composed her countenance and other gestures of body as might most take the Assembly she spake thus What a weight of war my Lords and you my beloved of the House of Commons is threatned against me at this time by the King of Spain each of you who know the preparation will easily believe the designe nor is the pretence less apparent That King complains that I have always favoured his Rebels as he is pleased to term them of Flanders And especially with so many forces and so openly in these their last necessities I confess the action and do still more commend the advice given unto me therein by my Councel Since in effect I could do nothing which was more praise worthy for Justice or more necessary for convenience Every one knows the near Confederacies which past between the Kings my predecessors and the house of Burgony whilst
And doubtlesly there was not any one of the Spanish Nation who was as then highlyer esteemed in the Military profession This Fuentes opposed himself with all his might to the propounded marriage with the cession of the Low-Countries But on the other side Christoval di Moura Count of Castel Roderigo who was in great authority with the King did stiffiy maintain the contrary opinion Moura was come out of Portugal many years before the devolution of that Kingdom and came to Madrid with the Dowager Princess Donna Jovanna the Kings sister being in a very good place about her and after her death he was suddenly taken into the Kings Court where he was entertained in many noble imployments When the devolution did afterwards happen the King imployed none more then Moura in the occurrences of that so important Negotiation in so much as the differences which were therein met withall were soon overcom by the Duke of Alba with Forces on the other part and by Moura his negotiating on the other part wherby Moura stil increasing in favor merit and authority with the King none shared more thereof then he in these latter times The King being willing therefore to put on his fall resolution touching this business sent for his Councel one day into his own bed-chamber where for the most part he lay in bed by reason of his great years and the gout which he was troubled withall and where ount Fuentes spake thus The advantage is so great most powerfull Prince which those so many members whereof your Majesties Empire is composed do receive from Flanders as to bereave it of so noble a member now cannot in my opinion but be of great prejudice to the rest Wheresoever the run goes it looks upon some one of your Kingdoms But though the world reverence you in so many parts and bow unto you it is notwithstanding seen that your Enviers and Enemies respect your Greatness and fear it more from that of Flanders then from all the rest What and how great the opportunities of those Provinces are none knows better then your self There were you put into the Inheritance of that so glorious Emperor your Father before you were yet his Heir by that his so memorable Renunciation There you began to take the conduct of so eminent and so painfull a Government And tarrying there afterwards about a year you your self had still better occasion to know how much the possessing of those States did import your greatness together with the rest of your Empire By the Arms of Flanders you did then make an advantagious Peace with the King of France with those Arms you have ofttimes succoured the Catholick Cause in that Kingdom and maintained your own with much honour in these last times against the now present King And how oft have you from thence assisted the Catholicks of Germany and in what a terror from that side more especially did you put England not many years ago The world turns round with perpetual vicissitude and is continually producing new things And therefore it is to be believed that by the occasion of past times other the like will arise in times to come insomuch as the Arms of Flanders are likely to be no less necessary hereafter thereabouts either for the good of the Church or of this Crown or of them both their welfare being seldom severed I know not withstanding how much those Provinces are lessened and confess that dangers may daily grow greater there by the obstinate home-Rebellion and by the malignant correspondencie which hath always been had there from neighbours Yet when you shall well weigh the remainder of the yet obedient Provinces of Flanders and shall add thereunto the other Forces which your so powerfull Monarchy will be able to subminister thereunto wherefore may it not be hoped that your Majesties so just cause may be thereby bettered or at least be secured from growing worse If the wars in those parts should cease by reason of this new propounded Principality and that the expences should likewise cease there this Crown would doubtlesly be thereby much eased and in such a case it might the better be without those Provinces But it being to be believed that War will grow hotter there then ever through the love the Rebels have taken to Liberty and Heresie and through the hatred which they consequently bear unto the Austrian blood and especially to this Kingdom from whence the new Principality is to proceed will not the burthen of the Forces and Expences lie still upon this Crown If otherwise To what purpose should a new Principality be erected if it were not to be maintained by the Forces of Spain So the prejudice which would redound to your Monarchy by the one side would not be recompenced by any benefit from the other And so wanting that advantage which it hath always received from the Flanders Forces it might receive thereby such prejudice as might every day peradventure prove worse Let Spain then keep Flanders and let that your Empires Magazine of Arms be preserved Great Empires cannot be without Arms nor can Wars be made without Souldiers nor Souldiers be bred but amongst Arms. And what more flourishing Seminary of Souldiers can Spain desire then that of Flanders which she hath for so many years enjoyed and doth still enjoy My opinion therefore is that your Majesty shall not doe well to mutilate those so important Provinces from your other Dominions Your Majesties greatness and infinite wisdom will not want other means whereby to accommodate the Illustrious Infanta according to her own high worth and her exalted degree But the Count of Castel Rodorigo was of another opinion and spoke thus I should never be of opinion most glorious Prince that your Majesty should diminish any the least part of your Kingdoms and Dominions if I should not think that that diminishing should tend rather to the advancement then prejudice of your greatness The marriage of the most illustrious Infanta is now the business in hand every one know what and how sublime prerogatives both of blood and of merit meet in her Highness Now if out of the immense body of so many States which your Majesty by Gods goodness are Master of her Highness may be endowed with some of them by the parting wherewith the rest may rather be bettered then impaired wherefore should not your Majesty willingly give way thereunto And this being granted it is not to be doubted but that your infallible wisdom will presently point out unto you your Provinces of Flanders They are most remote from all the rest of your Empire the most differing both in tongue custom laws and all things else It is they who more then all the rest abhor to fall under the Government of Foreigners as they term them and consequently do most desire to have a particular Prince of their own Out of all these reasons hardly was your Majesty gone from thence when Heresie began to creep in amongst them
the first into Holland the truest and most intrinsecal end whereof was that he might have a share in what was to be done and specially to cause jealousie in the Spaniards and by this means to induce them to make use of him and to make him Arbitrator in the differences The King of France was then in his chiefest greatness and prosperity and enjoying his Kingdom in perfect peace and honour after having arrived thereat through many difficulties all which he had overcome with incredible constancy and valour He considered the Affairs in Flanders after several manners on one side he could have wished that the war might continue and that thereby the affairs of Spain might still be impaired even till at last they might lose whole Flanders On the other side he saw himself well stricken in years his children very young and that in case he should fail fresh troubles might in a short time arise in his Kingdom which might chiefly be fomented by the Spanish Forces of Flanders that the disorders of those Forces were not so many but that if the war should continue very necessity would force them to finde out a remedy nor the danger of their losses such as might not be evaded by the power of so great a Monarch which made him desire to see Flanders without war and the Spaniards without Forces so near at hand Neither did he like that the United Provinces who were already become so formidable at Sea might by their growing too great be as dreadful at Land For the Hereticks of his Kingdom could from no part else be better fomented to rebel The King amidst these various considerations had his eye fixt upon these passages of Flanders and because his authority was very great in the United Provinces he beleeved they would never come to any accommodation with the Spaniards without his consent At the first he seemed to be averse to the affairs in hand though to say truth he did not well know what he had best to do but he did this of purpose to enforce the Spaniards to put the Negotiations into his hands Great dexterity and cunning was requisite to the leading on of these designs He therefore chose for this so important affair the President Jannine a man of great experience and abilities and one who was then chieflyest employed by him in State affairs He sent Mr. de Rosse along with Jannine who was then extraordinary Ambassador into Flanders to continue afterwards his ordinary Ambassador in the United Provinces Having both of them exercised their Offices in the entrance into the affairs spoken of they stayed in Holland Jannine did diligently observe the whole carriages and wrought himself every day more and more into the affairs which still increased the jealousie of the King of Spain and the Arch-dukes who then began to see clearly that it behoved them to have recourse to the King of France his mediation who already had complained to the Commissary General in his return to Flanders that the King of Spain and the Arch-dukes had proceeded so far without his knowledge in the aforesaid business Almost the like passions and artifices appeared in James the first King of England who was newly come to that Crown The same reasons appeared in him for desiring the continuance of the war in Flanders as did in the King of France for the King of England being strong at Sea and confiding in the strength of all his Kingdoms situation as also in the conformity of his ends with those of the United Provinces in favouring heresie he could not much fear their Forces though they should grow greater He was the more secure likewise by having Flushing and the Ramechins in Zealand and the Brill in Holland Sea Towns of great importance in his hands as pawned for monies lent by Queen Elizabeth to the United Provinces and for that their chiefest strength consisted in English and Scottish souldiers who were in their Army He foresaw he should have greater cause to be jealous of the Spaniards if being free from the war of Flanders they might endeavour to molest him in any part of his Dominions especially in Ireland an Island which is almost wholly Catholick well-affected to them and much dis-affected to England Out of these reasons it was believed that the King of England desired the war in Flanders might continue But being a great lover of Quiet and much given to Hunting and to his Book and wholly fixt in warring by writings with the Church it was therefore judged he would not at last shew himself totally averse to see the affairs of Flanders in some sort pacified To boot that not being able for scarcity of Monies to give any considerable succour to the United Provinces his power would be but small in perswading or counselling the continuance of war since he could not much assist it by his Forces Yet it very much imported those Provinces to preserve his friendship were it onely that they might raise souldiers out of his Kingdom Wherefore they entertained his Ambassadors which were sent into Holland at the beginning of this Negotiation with very much respect and treated with them with all confidency The King of Englands end in sending of them was almost the same as was that of the King of France To wit that he likewise would have a share in the business which was in hand and to enforce the Spaniards to make use of him likewise therein The King of Denmark sent likewise Ambassadors to Holland as also the Prince Elector Palatin the Elector of Brandenburgh the Lantgrave of Hesse and other German Heretick Princes who all of them seemed to shew their good affections towards the united Provinces in so important an occasion These businesses which were thus begun grew very hot in Holland every thing was in motion and great was the expectation what the united Provinces would resolve as well touching the second ratification come from Spain as also whether they would continue or break the Treaty But of all others Count Maurice of Nassaws thoughts were most busied at this time His father the Prince of Orange being dead he being yet but a youth of sixteen years of age had got into all his fathers Military and Civil employments with the great good will and approbation of the united Provinces And encreasing no less in valour then in years after so many enterprises and prosperous successes his authority grew daily greater amongst them He had won it by arms and he thought he could best preserve it by arms And by means of the publick trouble of war he hoped some favourable conjuncture might the easilier be opened unto him of making himself one day Prince of those Provinces It is not to be doubted but that his ambition carried him thus high for his Father was very near attaining thereunto and his own deserts being added to his Fathers his hopes ought rather to be augmented then diminished To boot with the Supreme Government of the Army he had
sentence and for the most part the justice of the cause gives the victory It imports but little then whether their ends be sincere or fradulent in case of agreement for then they cannot oppress us by their forces We must above all things endeavour to secure our selves from this danger which necessarily consists in one of two remedies either in continuing the war out of hope that their necessity will daily grow greater or else in ending it by some accommodation after which our affairs might be better secured And from hence I come to the second point I deny not but that their present disorders and necessities are great but I cannot think them past remedy so far but that if the war in ure the Spaniards may finde sufficient Forces to do it I for 〈◊〉 own part finde the Monarchy of Spain to be the same thing that it hath alwaies 〈◊〉 during the whole course of this war nay rather increased in this interim by the addition of the Kingdom of Portugal and of the East-Indies which depend thereupon I finde it to be very strong both at land and sea Where hath the formidableness of their forces been better seen then here in Flanders What other power hath at any time maintained so long so far distant so hard and so expensive a war And shall we believe that the Spaniards cannot still maintain it And that they are not likely to finde a remedy for their disorders in these parts and for any hazard they may run in the East-Indies The very necessity of making war will doubtlessly furnish them with means enough to continue it So then we are again engaged in war in a new and more obstinate war then the former and what security can we have that fortune will alwaies favour us We have likewise our necessities and if they be at present great amongst the Spaniaads remember I pray you that they have been greater amongst us and that all humane things being subject to alteration and the events of war usually very uncertain the time may prove propitions again to them and averse to us Do not we know how much our war depends upon the aids from France and England May not the King of France die Is he not already very old May not the Kingdom afterwards alter And shall we not then be deprived of all succour from thence Do not we likewise know upon what fickle terms the affairs of England stand The King being a Scotch-man a stranger in that Kingdom and there being many other occasions which may cause some fear of alteration on his side How much would the affairs of Spain be bettered by any of these accidents How much worse would ours be We ought then to be taught by all reason and by all the rules of good Government not to let slip this happy conjuncture of coming to some good agreement with the Spaniards Fortune is flitting inconstant disdainful and exceeding apt to be provoked 'T is now the time to know how to lay hold of her So as my opinion is that by all means we ought to accept of this ratification come from Spain and proceed on to some Treaty of agreement I confess it is not alwaies in the power of man to enjoy the happiness of peace but I verily bel eve it is now in our power to shun the dangers of war which in my opinion ought by all means to be indeavoured and certainly we may hope for great advantages from the Spaniards by this accommodation which they do so much desire to make with these our Provinces in this their present necessity As all Pilots prefix the haven for their end all Travellers their Country and all motion rest so all war hath peace for its end wherein consists means chiefest happiness and shall the wa◠of Flanders be the onely thing which shall never have an end And shall all our most advantagious successes depend alwaies upon the so uncertain event of war We shall be free from the uncertainties and from so many dangers which troubles brings with them by reducing our selves at last to a quiet condition we shall then much better re-order the Government of every of our particular Provinces and of the intire body of the union when we shall be in a quiet condition This our Common-wealth will then break forth from out the duskishness and horror of arms which how wounderful a sight will it be and what unaccustomed praises will it produce in the Theatre of the Universe When it shall be seen how our Provinces do unite themselves in one body with what sort of Lawes and Magistracy they conspire together how unwounded the Liberties of each of them remain and how uninjured it passeth through every one of them as through so many veins to the intire body of their general Union We shall have Ambassadors sent to congratulate with us from all parts who will return rather envying then rejoycing at this our so great felicity We shall pay the debts we have contracted abroad we shall ease our selves of those we have here amongst our selves and we shall enrich our treasury by taking off so many and so grievous expences our people shall then know that they are truly free when they shall enjoy liberty without any contestation and being once got into such a condition what need we fear to be at any time reduced under the yoak of that proud cruel and tyrannical Spanish Government Barnevelt was listned unto with much attention and the reasons alledged by him appeared to be so weighty and wisely grounded as after some other consultations it was at last resolved on by the States General that they would accept of the ratification yet there was much ado before Zealand could be brought to joyn in this Vote so absolute Authority had Count Maurice in that Province whereof he was not onely Governour but had a great estate there and enjoyed such prerogatives as he appeared rather to be Prince then Governor of that Country The Arch-dukes were then acquainted with this the States Generals resolution and 't was almost in the same words which were used in the answer which was first given to the Commissary and Verreychin when they brought the ratification into Holland And because the term for suspension of Arms was already expired it was by both sides prorogued and continued to be so from time to time in new terms till the end of the Treaty which was after concluded I thought good to insert this in this place to shun the tedious repetition of the same things sundry times Now all the eyes of Flanders were fixt upon that Deputies the Arch-dukes would chose to send according to the first agreement into Holland The greatest weight of the Spanish affairs which were agitated in Flanders lay upon the Marquess Spinola Camp-master-general of the Army and upon Manchichidor the Spanish Secretary of War and as for the Arch-dukes business John Richardotto President of the Privy Councel and Verreychin so often named before
Truce 447. They come to the Hague ibid. their Negotiations 448. They meet in Antwerp 457. those of the United Province to intervene at the Treaty aforesaid 447. their Negotiations ib. Characters of Philip 2. 347. Of Archduke Ernestus 414. Of Verdugo 317 Of Mandragone 331. Of Campmaster Rosne 345 D A Description of Geertruydenberg 299. of Groninghen 305. of Cambray 324 of Calice 336. of Ardres 339. of Hulst 342. of Amiens 353. of Ostend 400. of Sluce 416 of Linghen 422. of Groll 427. of Reinberg 428. of a fierce Assault made upon Dorlan 323. of another made upon Ostend 403. of St Andrews fort 383. of Schincks-sconce and the Countrey about it 377. of the battail of Dorlan 322. of the battail of Newport 396. of the United Provinces and their form of Government 438 A Declaration of liberty pretended to by the United Provinces 437. how interpreted by the Archduke and Spanish Ministers of State ibid. Ratified in Spain 438. the first Ratification therof not admitted in Holland 439. How the second was afterward accepted of 446 Dorlan besieged by Count di Fuentes 323 taken by assault ib. The Duke of Sessa by way of Proxie acts the part of the Infanta Isabella for effectuating her marriage with the Archduke Albertus 372 The Duke du Main recruited from Flanders 296. he takes in Noyon 297. he concludes a Truce with the K. of Navar for three months 298. he endevors to relieve Laon 308. his memorable Retreat 310. he comes to an Agreement with the K. of France 334. His Opinion that they were not to tarry in their Trenches for the Spanish Army 361 E. ELector Ernestus of Bavaria makes suit at Brussels for the recovery of Huy 316. the dammage done to his Estate by the quartering of the K. of Spains Army upon it 375 The Elector Palatine of the Rhine 375 F. A Fight of great consequence before Laon between the K. of France his Forces and the army of the League 310. between Count Maurice and Mandragone 330. between Marshall Biron and the Marshal of Barambone 347. between the K. of Spains men and those of the United Provinces 348 betwixt Marquis Spinola and Count Maurice before Sluce 418. and afterwards at Bruch 424 Frederico Spinola 407. Commander of some Gallies in Flanders wherewith he indammages the Enemy ibid. he goes again into Spain for a greater number ibid. he loses five 408. is slain 410 La Fera besieged by the K. of France 334 Relieved 335. yielded 340 Forts erected by Spinola upon the Rhine 421 Forts raised by the United Provinces upon the banks of the Wael and the Ysel 426 G. SPanish Galleys in Flanders 407 Gaspero Mandragone relieves Lyra 331 The Grave besieged by Count Maurice 408. It is yeilded up to him 409 Groll besieged by Spinola 42â— it is yeilded ib. Count Maurice strenghtneth it 430. It is relieved by Spinola 431 Groninghen besieged by Count Maurice 305. It s description ib. t is yeilded â—07 Geertrudembergh besieged by Count Maurice 299. The description of it ib. It is yeilded up 301 H HAn a Town in Picardy yeilded up to Count Fuentes 319. Recovered by the Marshal of Bulloigne ib. Hernando Teglio Portocarrero Governour of Dorlan 350. He projects the surprisal of Amiens ib. The order in which he disposed of the enterprise ib. His oration to the souldiers 351. He seizeth on the City 352. He craves a supply of men 354. His diligence in defending the Town 355. He sallies out upon the French Camp 357. He is slain 359 The Hollanders and Zealanders put for a shorter navigation into the East-Indies 312. How they got into the West ib. Their ends for the aforesaid navigation 313. The difficulties they met with therein ib. Hulst and its scituation described 342 Besieged by the Catholicks 343. It yeilds 346 Huy a Town in the Country of Liege seized on by the United Provinces 316. Recovered by Count Fuentes ib. I JAmes Maldereo Commissioner for Zealand 452. His oration ib. James King of Scotland succeeds in the Kingdom of England 406. Stiles himself King of Great Britain ib. comes to an accommodation with the King of Spain and the Archdukes ib. His ends in the war of Flanders 441 John of Balen in Groninghen 305. his oration to the Townsmen 306 John Guzman brings relief into Amiens 355. his death 357 John Barnevelt Advocate of Holland and his oration in behalf of the negotiations for peace 444. His opinion prevails beyond that of Count Maurice 446 Infanta Isabella Philip the second his eldest daughter 364. her singular qualities 365. She parts from Madrid 386. comes to Brussels ib. presents her self to the Army on horseback and makes a speech to the souldiers 392 Her constancy in entertaining the Archduke wounded in the battel of Newport 398. She comes with the Archduke to see Ostend 418 Frier Inico di Brizuela the Archdukes Confessor sent into Spain 457. He returns to Brussels 458 The Intelligence that Count Fuentes held in Cambray 328. that the King of France held in Amiens 355 Italian mutiners in Sichen 311 They seek to hold intelligence with Count Maurice ib. Besieged by Campmaster Velasco ib. withdraw into the enemies country 312. come to an agreement with the Archduke ib The Journey of Albertus upon occasion of going to fetch his wife into Flanders 399. Of the new Princes in coming thither 386 K KIng of England see James King of Scotland The King of France declared a Catholick 302. He besieges Laon 308. and carries it 310. comes to an open war with the King of Spain 316. Is fully reconciled to the Apostolick See 326 Besieges La Fera 334 and takes it 340. How much he was vexed at the loss of Amiens 353. He concludes a League with the Queen of England 354 Goes over to the siege of Amiens 355 What Intelligence he held there ib. His affability to the souldier 357 He routs some troops of the enemies horse 360 Enters Amiens in triumph 362. makes a peace with the Catholick King 364 His Interests in the affairs of Flanders 440. His authority with the United Provinces ib. He sends an Ambassador extraordinary into Holland to assist the negotiations of peace or a Truce 441 The King of Spain Philip the second and his ends in the affairs of France 296 He sends the Duke of Feria to Paris ib. He makes peace with the K. of France 364. His intention to marry the Infanta Isabella to the Gardinal Archduke 365. which he puts in execution 368 His death 369. his character ib. The King of Spain Philip the third resolves to make up an Army apart to be commanded by the two Spinolas 410 He approves of the Archdukes designes against the enemie 425. he resolves to give way to an Overture that shall be made for an accommodation with the United Provinces 437 L. ALeague between the K. of France and the Q. of England 354. Between the K. of France and the United Provinces 451 A Letter from Archduke Ernestus to
to send a Commander in chief thither with a foreign army They said that the King would find greatest obedience they sought to honest as much as they could the Covenant and the Petition and though they detested the popular insolencies against the Church yet they would make it be believed that it was done out of ignorance or levity but not out of infidelity That therefore the King should come himself in person and that imitating his father and his fore-fathers in his benignity he might expect answerable effects in their obsequiousness from the Flemish The King himself had long nourisht this opinion of his going into Flanders and such a speech was spread abroad in Spain and such was the preparation of ships which were built in Biscay to make that voyage as it was given out as all Europe did firmly believe it and to say truth the aforesaid reasons being well considered it could not be judged but that the King had some such thought but oft-times those councels which are advisedly taken are out of necessity past by The consequences which made against it being therefore put into the contrary scale it appear'd almost impossible for the King to resolve upon such an action And first to keep a long time aloof off from the heart of his Monarchy bore with it those important considerations which were toucht upon in the beginning when it was shewed for what reasons the King resolved to make his residency in Spain And a double fear did still continue as well of the Moors who were spread thoroughout all those Kingdoms as also of some dangerous infectious heresie which might be brought amongst those people But suppose the King had been free of those suspitions how should he have gone into Flanders by sea or by land with or without forces by sea he must depend upon storms and wind and upon the meer will of fortune which useth to make her greatest sports of the most eminent amongst mortals And the King himself not many years before had experienced the danger of sea-voyages in his return from Flanders and had not his own example been sufficient that of his Grandfather Philip was yet very fresh who by the violence of the winds was thrown upon England and detained by force many days in that Kingdom Upon which occasion he notwithstanding received all fair entertainment and Courtly hospitality from Henry the seventh which the King could not exspect from Queen Elizabeth who did rather conspire with his enemies to his prejudice On the other side the journey by land seemed very difficult for the King was of necessity to pass through the Countries of several Princes and would depend with too much danger upon their wills The King of France would peradventure consent that he should pass through his Kingdom and would perhaps have received him with no less friendly demonstrations then King Francis had done the Emperour Charls the fifth but the hereticks wherewith all the parts of that Kingdom were then almost infected would have opposed his journey and would doubtlesly have made the event prove dangerous It remained then that he must land in Italy and afterwards take his way either through Savoy or by the Switzers so to enter into the Country of Burgundy and Lorain and from thence into Flanders On both which parts he was likewise to pass through the Countries of strangers and to coast so near upon France and Germany as he must needs be subject to many sinister accidents which easily might have befaln him These were the difficulties which were taken into consideration if the King were to pass into Flanders either by sea or by land with only his Court attendance But how much greater were to be feared if he should pass with an Army since carrying with him so great a â—ne as the occasion would doubtlesly require all States would be jealous of so great Forces and peradventure would have raised Forces likewise and instead of friends have become enemies lest that which was termed a passage might turn to an oppression Then the Councel of Spain not thinking it fit that the King should go himself in person into Flanders for the aforesaid reasons it remained to see whether it were better to send some warlick Commander thither with an Army or laying aside all asperity endeavour to compose the affairs by fair means The King was much at variance within himself upon this point He was naturally given to love quiet he loved the Flemish and would rather have been beloved then feared by them knowing very well how much securer the Garison is which Princes have in their subjects hearts then those of Citadels or Cities moreover that he might be very uncertain of what the event of his forces would be against a people by nature so fierce so far remote from all the rest of his Dominions and who were invironed on all sides by the Crown of Spains greatest enemies and enviers But on the contrary he saw how little good fair means had done as yet since the authors of the begun disorders had rather been incouraged thereunto then otherwise by too much tolleration and might likely if unpunished grow worse and worse Nor were the Kings Councelless at a stand then the King The Councel of Spain was then full of many eminent personages Amongst the rest Ferdinand de Tolledo Duke of Alva and Gomes de Figheroa Duke of Feria were in great esteem both with the King and Councel Feria chiefly for Civil affairs and Alva for Military actions who was so excellent therein as the first place in the profession of Militia was unquestionably given to him by all Spain These two were of differing opinions Feria thought it better to reduce the Flemish to their duties by fair means and Alva by force Upon a certain day then when the King himself was in Councel to resolve what was to be done in this so important business The Duke of Feria spake thus The cure of an evil most glorious Prince lies chiefly without all question in knowing what it is Cities and Monarchies are born and die grow sick and are cured as humane bodies are so as if diligence be used in the private indispositions of one onely man how much more necessary is it to be used in the publick maladies of whole Kingdoms To provide then for the evils wherewith Flanders is afflicted 't is very necessary first to know their causes And this without all doubt ought chiefly to be attributed to the terror which the Inquisition and the Edicts have infused into that Country The Flemish have apprehended and do apprehend now more then ever to have their consciences violated by such ways and to undergoe all other greater affliction and misery and this it is which hath made them fall at last into so many and so hainous outrages That under which Flanders doth at the present labour is if I may so call it a Frenzie of fear which is fomented by such as are ambitious and turbulent that they
of the Covenant Petition and of the violences used against the Churches and the Catholick religion He forthwith accompanied the terror of his Threats with the severity of Punishment He caused the Prince of Orange his brother Lodovick Count Hostrate Brederode and Colemburgh and the rest of the prime men who were gone out of Flanders to be publikely cited to appear before him within a certain prefixt time upon pain of rebellion and the loss of their goods in case they did not appear He caused a great many others of all sorts to be imprisoned in sundry parts of the Provinces who were fallen into the aforesaid faults and they were in so great numbers that all the prisons throughout the whole Country were on a sudden full of them To imprisonment he added Death and made the market-places the places of execution to the end that the publikeness thereof might infuse the greater terror At the same time he designed divers Citadels and began to lay their foundations where he thought either the situation of the Towns or the condition of the Inhabitants did most require it The first was placed in Antwerp with five royal Bulwarks upon the Scheld upon which River the City is seated to hasten the which he went in person to Antwerp and made the City contribute towards the expence thereof giving them assured hopes that as soon as the Citadel should be put into a posture of defence Lodroneas Regiment of High-Dutch which were there in garrison should be removed He began to build a Fort in Flushing the chief Haven of Zealand and which opens and shuts the entrance into the Scheld He designed another in Groninghen upon the confines of Germany and another in Valentiennes which lies towards France But unless it were that of Antwerp the rest were not built for so many troubles arose from so many parts as the Duke had not fitting opportunity to doe it He notwithstanding secured the Frontiers on all sides by good garrisons against all innovations which might be endeavoured from abroad and within he disarmed many of the most suspected Cities and distributed forces in divers parts where he thought it most needfull to curb the Flemish more straightly This so rigorous a beginning of Government put the Country every where into such fear as it was on a sudden abandoned by a great number of people of all sorts they were reported to be above thirty thousand Those who were no wayes concerned were affrighted to see the faults of others so severely punished and they groaned to see that Flanders which was wont to enjoy one of the ealiest governments of all Europe should now have no other object to behold but the Terror of Arms Flight Exiles Imprisonments blood death and confiscations The people fled to the neighbouring parts of Germany to France and England But those of best quality retired to Germany drawn thither by Orange who encouraged them more then all the rest to follow his example and run his fortune And who from thence did answer the Dukes citation in writing refusing to submit himself to his Tribunal as to that of a Judge too much suspected and of too inferior a condition to take cognisance of such a cause saying that he was a free Prince of Germany and therefore in the first place a Subject to the Emperour and that being a Knight of the Golden Fleece he was only to be judged by the King himself who was the supreme Head of that Order Hostrat answered almost in the same sort save only that he left out the reason of being Feudatory to the Emperour for he had no estate in Germany Horn had some estate of that nature and therefore his Mother when he was imprisoned had suddenly recourse to Caesars Authority and had from thence procured favourable offices in her sons behalf to the King and Duke of Alva The like is done by divers Princes of Germany in Orange his behalf and those that were joyned with him in the same cause for indeed the Catholike Princes were no less displeased then were the Hereticks of those parts with the Dukes severity and that such an alteration should be made in the Government of Flanders with which Country they had such conformity both in language customs and laws The King promised all fair intreatment so as the Citation might be obeyed But none of those that were cited daring to trust and the time of citation being already elapsed the Duke proceeded to punishment and amongst other things he made Colemburghs house in Brussels be pull'd down to the ground in memory of the detestation of the seditious practises which were there chiefly woven and concluded Orange was Master of divers fair Towns in sundry Provinces of Flanders The Principality of Orange is in France though not subject to that Crown and of a great many likewise in the County of Burgundy in Brabant amongst others he had Breda a noble pâ—ace having a stately Castle in it and of such consequence as the Duke of Alva would suddenly secure himself the better thereof by putting a garrison into it To the confiscation of his goods the Duke added the retension of the Count di Buren a Youth of twelve years of age who was the Prince of Orange his eldest son and who was then at the University of Lovain following his studies and under pretence that the King would have him follow the same studies and exercises in the University of Alcala d'Enares he sent him well guarded into Spain Orange and his companions together with other Nobles who were fled from Flanders exasperated at these proceedings did what they could to shew their resentment Their chief end was to raise Forces and lead them into Flanders hoping assuredly that when any Forces should appear from without they that were within the Country would suddenly rise This was therefore hotly endeavoured and it was managed by their Adherents in almost all the Provinces of Flanders The Duke of Alva's government infused horror into them and by all dreadful exagerations they endeavoured to make the people abhor it From without they themselves endeavoured by all possible means to draw other Princes to favour their cause From England 't was known the Queen had a great inclination to foment whatsoever novelties which might happen in the Low-Countries She considered that if the King of Spain should possess them peacefully his Forces would be too formidable both by sea and land throughout all Europe That she in particular was greatly to apprehend his Forces by Sea since England and Ireland would be as it were invironed by the Fleets which might be maintained on the one side in Spain and on the other in Flanders That the King would not be backward in molesting her having opportunity to doe it as he who knew she sought to indamage him as much as she might as he had already had several experiences These outward dangers appeared unto the Queen to be the greater when she considered also those within She saw
the Heretick government which she had introduced within her Kingdom began to totter that a great many Catholicks were still in England that Ireland was almost wholly Catholick and that to cause innovations in those parts particularly in matters of Religion no Prince would be more forward therein then the King of Spain She therefore desired to see her neighbour Countries involved in Heresie hoping that people withdrawing themselves from the obedience of the Church would the easelier be perswaded to doe the like from that of their Prince and that one rebellion added to another affairs should be so imbroiled in those parts as there should be no design of troubling her To this purpose the Hugonot Faction in France was at first favoured by her and now more then ever who joyed to see the progress thereof so great in that Kingdom But her design in this point was chiefly upon Flanders for from thence by reason of the vicinity of those Countries unto hers both before and much more after the Duke of Alva was entred there with his Forces grew the greatest suspitions which she had of the King of Spains power Wherefore she graciously received all those who fled from Flanders to England and nourisht the complaints which they made against the Spaniard and much more the hatred and ill will which they bore them Nor content to favour them in her own Dominions she did the like with the Hereticks of France and Germany with whom she held continual correspondencie and bore great sway But though these offices did help yet were they more then needed either for the one or the other faction That of the Hugonots was already so increased in France as they designed to ground a popular Commonwealth upon the ruines of the Monarchy The government in Religion which they had imbraced was of this form And desirous that their Politick interests should be guided by the like they pretended that the King should permit them to meet in the general and in the particular Assemblies and to treat of what concerned their body apart which was to make a total separation from the State within the State King Charles was then got out of his minority and shewed himself to be both generously and piously given But by reason of his youth the government was still managed by the Queen his mother who set upon by the ambition of the Hereticks and almost no less by the like of the Catholicks did temporise amongst so many and so fierce storms and sought to shun danger since she knew not how to oppose it Arms had already been several times both taken up and laid down and the King had endeavoured to allay the fire of Civil wars by divers Edicts of Pacification as they termed them since the times would not suffer him totally to extinguish it But the Edicts served but to little purpose to restore quiet to that Kingdom since the factions were more inflamed then ever Nor were Arms laid down but that they might be taken up again with more advantage To this end the Hugonots held close intelligence with the Queen of England and with the Hereticks of Germany And because the King of Spain assisted King Charles and did integrally favour the Catholick cause and especially by the Flanders Forces therefore did not the Hugonots omit to foment the Flemish in their bad inclinations Secret intelligence had ever past as we have already said between the Prince of Orange and Coligni the Admiral of France But after Orange his retreat to Germany their practises grew hotter The one of them plotted the ruine of France which was already begun the other the ruine of Flanders which was shortly to begin Nor is it to be said how much the Hugonots desired to see the like troubles ensue in Flanders as France did already suffer under that they might have companions abroad and to make but one cause of two to the end that it might be so much the better defended by common forces and honested by reciprocal examples So that Coligni and the other Chieftains of the Heretick faction used all possible diligence to make the Flemish who were fled into France suddenly endeavour the like novelty which they greatly desired to raise up of themselves in their Country From Germany likewise the Heretick Princes and the Hans-Towns of the same Faction seemed for the same reasons to have the same ends in the affairs of Flanders Yea before the rise of Luthers Heresie all the Princes and the Hans-Towns of Germany which together with the Emperor their head doe compose the body of the Empire were not well pleased to see that the House of Austria first by the addition of Flanders and then by that of Spain should be so much exalted Till then they had looked upon the fortune of that House with an envious eye When Charles the Fifth was come to the Imperial Crown they turned their envy into open fear lest from being Head of the German government he might become absolute Prince of that Empire They saw that how great soever his design might be his Forces were equivalent in greatness thereunto And their fear in this point was rather increased then diminished by the entry of Heresie into Germany For they apprehended lest under the colour of reordering the affairs concerning Religion he might intend to advantage his own Authority the more easily in those which regarded the State Hence in a great part were occasioned the troubles of those Countries hence their so many Dyets and particularly the Accords which insued in point of Religion And though when Charles dyed the House of Austria was divided and that the greatest power thereof remained in that Branch which was transplanted into Spain and that on the other side the Hereticks had great Forces in Germany yet feared they much the neighbourhood of Flanders They suspected that the Forces of that House might upon all occasions be on that side united against them to boot that by the opportunity of that situation they saw too great advantages arose to the Austrians in Germany to continue the enjoyment of the Empire and that in stead of being elective it might become hereditary in that Family and that the possession might remain in the Catholick part with the exclusion of the Heretical They therefore fauthor'd by all the means they might the Novelties which had insued in Flanders in the Government of the Dutchess of Parma They favoured Heresie fomented Sedition counsell'd their chief Leaders and endeavoured by all other means to cause such Troubles in those Provinces as that the King of Spain might either wholly lose them or not quietly enjoy them They termed Flanders the Lower-Germany and reputed it as joyned to the body of their own Upper-Germany by reason of the connexion of Countries the conformity of speech and manner of living and by the community of Traffick and Rivers of which 't is arguable whether the Rhine be more commodious to higher Germany by the longer course thereof or
river side and without much gainsaying quickly put them to the rout Many of them were drowned in the river many slain and many taken prisoners Amongst others Hostrat was wounded and soon after died of his wounds This action put a period to all Orange his hopes of seeing the Countrie rise and to the like of the Flemish malecontents of ever exciting any He was the more troubled at this success because his hopes were much increased at this time by advertisements that he had received of great succours sent from the French Hugonots which were at hand They were led on by Monsieur Genlis and sent by the Prince of Conde out of the abovesaid ends which the Hugonots had to foment the neighbourghring revolutions of Flanders that they might the better establish their own in France Orange thinking now on nothing else but how to put himself into some safe condition left Brabant and went into the Contiguous Provinces of Namures and Hennault to meet the French succour which he did and so make his retreat the surer Genlis had about some 4000 foot with him and 1500 horse Orange was somewhat inheartned by the coming of these men for many of his own men were missing and many ran away every day and the rest being ill disciplined and worse paid and threatning continually to mutiny he thought to return back the same way to Germany But finding the Mause at that time very high and greater opposition then before in the Legeiois he turned again into the Province of Hennault From thence he continued his retreat towards France and having in vain tryed the Castle of Cambray before he quitted Flanders being still close pursued by the Duke of Alva he at last went out of Flanders and staid near St. Quintains at the entrance into Picardy Here according to the diversity of designes he divided his men and those of France into several parts The High-Dutch quite spent by hunger and hardships returned to Germany Orange staid a while in France to renew the former practises with the chief Hugonots and his brother Lodovick tarryed there afterwards for the same end till their second coming from Germany and France against the Duke of Alva as shall be said in its due place The Duke having gotten so important a Victury without the loss of almost any one of his Army or rising of any place he distributed his soldiers into their several quarters and about the end of the year returned as in triumph into Brussels And for that it appeared he had merited no less for his service done to Religion then to the King Pope Pius Quintus sent him soon after the Helmet and Trunchion which are presented only to great Princes and particularly to such who by some famous action have deserved well of the Church This mean while these prosperous proceedings of the Spanish forces in Flanders were looked upon with a clean contrary eye by the Queen of England She had hitherto assisted the troubles in those parts rather in secret then barefaced but when she saw that those of Nassaw were driven out and that the King of Spains forces were now more potent there then ever she returning to her former fear of having them so near at hand resolved to let slip no occasion whereby she might more openly prejudice the Kings affairs in those parts There were two of her privy Councel who then bore great sway with her The one was Robert Dudly Earl of Lester a Gentleman of Noble descent and great imployment And the other William Cecil her Secretary of State who being but of mean bloud though of great wisdom passing through divers Court-Offices to the managing of State-affairs had drawn almost the whole Government of the Kingdom upon him Both these had chiefly perswaded the Queen still to establish the heresie of England and consequently to indamage the Catholick Church and the King of Spain as much as she could for those respects which have been formerly spoken or She persecuted the Church cruelly in her Kingdom And watching for an opportunity whereby she might still more incommodate the Kings affairs in Flanders it was not longere she met with one of very great consequence which was this The King by means of means of Givers Genua Merchants had raised a great sum of money for the affairs of Flanders whereof 400 thousand crowns were sent by sea to Antwerp the ships which brought this money met with some Pyrats so as to save themselves they were forced to fall in upon England The Spanish Ambassador who was then with the Queen hearing of this apply'd himself presently to the Queen that the money might be freely carried to Antwerp and received answer from her sutable to his desire But she being resolved within her self and councelled thereunto by Lester and Cecil to detain the money so as at one and the same time she might accommodate her self and disaccommodate the King of Spain let the Ambassador know that being informed that those monies were not really the King of Spains but that they belonged to some Italian Merchants she had resolved to make use thereof her self allowing them just consideration The Ambassador laboured to make it appear that the money belonged unto the King and sent by his direction to Flanders and to strengthen this the more he made the Duke of Alva write to her about it But she feigning one difficulty after another gave such delatory answers as it was plainly seen she had no mind the money should goe into Flanders The Duke stormed mightily hereat and presently dispatched away Assonville to London about it who with much earnestness renewed what the Ambassador had formerly prest for But look how much the Duke made his need of the monies appear the greater by his so earnest desiring them so much the more did the Queen by the interposal of new and subtill Impediments on her behalf deny them He being thus deluded in his Negotiation and being by nature inclined rather to overcome then to sweeten difficulties resolved at last to see if he could bring the English over to his will or no by reprisals He therefore first made the goods and the persons of such Merchants of that Nation be detained who did in great numbers traffick in the Low-Countries and made it be known unto the Queen that the like should be done in all the King of Spain's other Dominions unless the monies of Spain were set at liberty which were so unjustly detained in England The Queen was not inwardly displeased hereat but growing the bolder by such a pretence to make good the mony-business she began to pretend satisfaction in stead of giving it and complained bitterly of the Duke of Alva to the King himself To her complaints she added resentment on her behalf she commanded that the same reprisals should be made in England against the King of Spains subjects And appearing much incenst against the Duke of Alva's person she publikely threatned to indammage him as much as she
as they could and wisely to prevent greater necessities lest they might unfortunately be prevented to their shame But it was again alleadged on the contrary That upon the success of this siege the consequences of future sieges did depend That it was not to be believed that the obstinacy of the Rebels in Holland was to be allay'd by this alone How much would other Cities be encouraged if they should see the siege basely raised from before this That the injuries of the season were not eternal that the worst weather was succeeded by better And that from the natural humidity of that Climat it might be hoped that some one night the ice would be quite dispersed That new men would quickly come from Spain and new Levies might be sooner made in Flanders That then the siege might be laid closer and care to be had for the advancement of provisions for the Camp That succours being cut off the town would soon fall into their hands neither could the Kings losses be so great upon this occasion but that they might be largely recompenced in future atchievements Frederick represented these different opinions to the Duke his father desirous to know his opinion which he would fully observe The Duke quickly answered in terms which might make it doubtfull whether his paternal or Military Authority swaâ—'d him most That he should be sure to pursue and finish the siege unless he would shew himself unworthy of Spanish bloud unworthy of his bloud and of having the Command of these Forces which when they should have reduced Holland would without any difficulty do the like to all the rest of Flanders That the hardest enterprises were always the most glorious And that in great sieges the number of days was not to be considered but the advantagious consequences That he should now endeavour that by Famine which hitherto he could not effect by the sword and to this end he should use all diligence to keep the town from being relieved from any part That this might be done by new men who should be suddenly sent him That all places must yield at last if not succoured and that in such a case the most obstinate defendants become usually the most abject That the event of this siege would serve for an example to all the rest of Holland And that finally he should set before him a victory wherein it would be questionable whether he â—ould have done more service to God and to his King or won more glory to himself and to his Family Frederick finding himself as well shent as admonished by his Father grew more hot then ever in the enterprise And when the Dukes answer was made known to the Army it cannot be said how all their minds were inlivened Frederick together with all the other Commanders resolved with redoubled diligence chiefly to study how to keep victuals from the City And in the interim Bernardino di Mendosa was dispatched away into Spain to procure Orders from the King to the Governour of Milan to the end that the two old before mentioned Spanish Brigadoes which were in that State should be sent from thence together with some Number of Horse into Flanders as soon as possibly might be This is that Mendosa who did so nobly write the War of the Low-Countries in his own language during all the time that he staid there and who passing from the managing of Arms to the like of Civil affairs was imployed by the King in Ambassies to England and France The affairs of the Siege went on thus when on a sudden about the midst of February the season grew more temperate and the cold turning into moisture the waters returned to their former being and with the change of the weather the whole order of the war began to change At first the ice would not suffer the water to be distinguisht from the dry land and therefore it might be said that all that was done then was done by land But the ice being thaw'd the chiefest future actions were to be done by water by reason of the commodiousness which the Enemy would receive of being relieved by the means of that great Lake before spoken of and of the necessity the Kings men would be put to of hindring them by the same way It was not long ere the events were seen on both sides Hardly was the ice gone when many Vessels might be seen to appear upon the Leyden meer which fell into the Harlem meer and entring from thence into the river of Sparen brought good relief to the City The River where it fals into the Lake forms a little Island wherein the Harlemists had wisely built a Fort which was called the Fort of Fico foreseeing how much it would avail them to be masters of that place Here then as in a safe Haven they received those succours which came usually from Leyden and from another Town not far from thence called Sassene But the Kings men did not defer opposing them Count Bossu prepared suddenly many Boats in Amsteraans and quickly entred the Lake also with a good Naval strength His ships as likewise those of the Enemy were not very deep in the bottom by reason the Lake was shallow Each of them had likewise built some in the form of Gallies which being the easelier guided by Oars were more serviceable to the rest which used only sails Thus the whole balk of the Siege was brought to conflicts by water and to endeavour that way interchangeably to bringin or to keep out succour At first they were but Parties but at last when the Vessels on both sides were increased they turn'd to Battels fortune and valour making the successes alternate sometimes the one side sometimes the other getting the better The Kings party did notwithstanding prevail for the most part which being furnisht from Amsterdam with whatsoever Bossu could desire and he performing his part gallantly the Harlemists began to be in scarcity of victuals Bossu had placed some Forts on the East side of the Lake under the shelter whereof his ships might lie they were not far from the little Island where the aforesaid Fort of Fico stood Here did the skirmishes oftnest happen But the Kings men could not so much binder the Enemy but that some of their ships stealing from the conflicts might get in safety under that Fort and from thence might fall into the River and come afterwards very safely to the City to which purpose the Harlemists had fortified that side of the River which was nearest the Town with other Works The Kings men made then no longer delay they likewise raised some works on the contrary side the better to disturb the passage of the Enemies With how much cruelty of mind most worthy Citizens the Spaniards have begun continued and now ended this siege their actions Have too clearly demonstrated in their undertaking it they made use of false pretences desiring only that obedience from us to the King which was grounded upon the arbitrary
arise on all sides and from thence troublâ— The Queen of Navar passeth by the Frontiers of Flanders towards France Don John goes himself in person to receive her and to carry her to Namures Upon which occasion he makes himself Master of the Castle of that City The States complain hereof unto the King They resolve to call the Prince of Orange into 〈◊〉 and receive him with unusual honours Which causeth jealousies in the â—â—st of the chief Nobility who therefore determine to offer the Government of Flanders to Archduke Mathias He accepts of the offer and comes thither privatly Orange his opinion and the opinion of the States General touching his coming They resolve to accept of him for the Governour of the Country The Flemish take up arms on all sides against Don John And endeavour to besiege Namures The Kings men return speedily into Flanders And a battel insues thereupon near Geblurs wherein they have the victory The proceedings of the Kings Forces Preparations on the behalf of the Flemish do encrease continually more against them To this end an Army is raised in Germany by the Palatine John Casimere And the Duke of Alanson prepares another in France John Casimere moves first and being come to Brabant takes Diste The Flemish quarter themselves strongly in the fields to expect the arrival of all the foreign fâ—râ—es Don John marches with all his men towards them but cannot draw them forth to battel His hopes of seeing the enemies foot soon dissolve By favour of the he etical aids the Flemish sectarists demand a general liberty of conscience and obtain it The Catholicks are much scandalized hereat A new action of the Malecontents Some accommodation of the affairs of Flanders is again endeavoured by tht Emperour by the King of France and by the Queen of England but in vain Alanson exters the Country with his Army Orange doth all he can that the Flemish and the foreign forces may joyn Don John fals sick dies And leaves the Prince of Parma in the administration of the Government The Prince of Orange was as the Oracle of the Provinces after the agreement made between them so as he was the main wheel upon which all their resolutions were turned wherefore the Councel of State and Deputies of the States General desired to know his opinion concerning the coming of Don John and in what manner he would have him received into the Government before they would take any resolution therein Whereupon Orange began a long discourse the substance whereof was this That the larger Don Johns promises were the more they were to be suspected That it was apparent the Spaniards end was to cheat the Flemish and to lull them asleep that they might the more easily oppress them That Don John was not to be received day otherwise then upon such terms as their obedience always preserved unto the King the former Government might be restored unto the Provinces That therefore in the first place all the Spaniards should be expelled That the Citadels should be all demolished and put into the hands of the Flemish That no Authority at all should be granted to Don John not so much as over the Militia of the Country That the States General should retain the prerogatives due unto them That to this purpose they might have a power to meet once or twice a year to preserve the priviledges of the Provinces And that Don John should resolve on nothing without the Authority of the said States General That it better behoved him to trust the Flemish then the Flemish him And that howsoever it was not to be believed that the King would ever pardon them since he held himself too much injured by them That therefore they ought to consider his anger together with his forces and put themselves into such a posture as since they could never secure themselves from the one they might not at least be opprest by the other This was Orange his opinion which he desired to distill into all the Flemish And this was the foundation which he even then laid of that Commonwealth of the United Provinces which hath been since so formed and established in these our times by powerfull forces and of which we formerly sent a particular Relation from Brussels to Rome which together with some other writings of ours touching the affairs of Flanders were afterwards published by Ericio Puteano our very good friend and the worthy successor of Justus Lipsius no less in learning then in place and in the Inheritance of his fame no less then of his labours Orange hoped by this means to make himself Moderator and Arbitrator of the Government and assisted by the present conjuncture of time to make himself at least as good as Prince of Holland and Zealand if he should not arrive at the Principality of all the Provinces joyned together in one body And peradventure he would not have missed in his designe had he not been slain as shall be said in its proper place and so had the thread of his life as well as that of his hopes cut off This answer increased such jealousies in the Flemish as not thinking themselves sufficiently united by the agreement made at Gaunt they resolved to make another union which should be more strict and more efficacious They therefore drew up a Declaration in the name and Authority of the States General wherein repeating the calamities suffered by the Spaniards they did again confirm the confederation of Gaunt promised to observe it inviolably and declared all such to be Traitors and infamous persons who should in any whatsoever manner countervene it This Writing or Declaration was afterwards signed and sealed in every Province by every Magistrate and Governour and was imbraced with great applause by the whole Country And because Orange had chiefly minded them that the States should put themselves in Arms shewing what danger they were again to expect from the Spaniards therefore the States General betook themselves to raise new men which they brought together in a good body under the command of Count Di Saleigne of the Vicecount of Gaunt and Monsieur de la Mota to Vaures a Town between Brussels and Namures very opportunely seated especially to withstand Don John The States General made likewise divers expeditions into Germany France and England to pray aide in all those parts and to make the cause of the Flemish common with all their neighbours A considerable sum of money was sent from the Queen of England who under hand shewed her self well inclined to greater demonstrations On the part of Germany the greatest confederacy was had with John Casimere one of the Count Palatines of Rheine and the thing desired was to furnish him with monies whereby to raise men in that Nation and lead them into Flanders On France's side they did not only endeavour to raise the Hugonot Faction but to draw likewise the Catholick party to be of the same mind under the Duke of Alanson brother to
of novelties wind the people in those parts as he pleaseth and make them sencible of the evil of deceit before they can discover that they are deceived Flemish natures use to erre on this hand which if they ever did at any time 't was when they so easily believed what was suggested to them at this time in prejudice of Don John and to make the Spaniards seem hateful to them Don John was rather abandoned then put into the Government of the Country he enjoyed the bare name of Governour but not any authority at all The Spaniards were gone the Germans were to be gone and which imported most all the Castles were already in the custody of the natural Flemish and yet they returned as easily to their suspitions as if the Duke of Alva had been again at their gates with a more powerfull Army then before Don John endeavoured notwithstanding diligently to free them of them he made use of the abovesaid reasons and many others which he represented in confirmation of the Kings good will and his own towards the Nation But such endeavours availed but a little for there were too many deceits woven to the contrary and those who wove them wrought their end too easily One of the chiefest Articles which was established at Gaunt and afterwards confirmed at Marks was that as soon as the Foreign Souldiers should be gone the States Generall should be assembled with all solemnity just as they were the last time in the reign of Charles the 5. and that then it should be determined what should be thought most convenient in point of the Catholick religion in Holland and Zealand When Don John was admitted into the Government he prest the execution of that Article and the Councel of State seemed as if they would do the best they could with Orange But were it either that the endeavors were too cold on the one side or that the answers were more obdurat then usual on the other there could be nothing concluded therin The States did then resolve and did therin particularly request Don John to send the Duke of Arescot in their name into Holland as also the Lords Hierges and Viglierval and Doctor Leonino and the Treasurer Schets Lord of Grobendorick in the name of Don John to endeavour again to perswade Orange and the two aforesaid Provinces to joyn in one and the same opinion with the rest Which if it should not succeed Don John thought their obstinacie and pertinaciousness would the more evidently appear Upon this occasion Orange and the Deputies of Holland and Zealand came to a more determinate answer They said those two Provinces could not change the reformed religion which was now received throughout them both They complained with various interpretations that the Agreement made at Gaunt was not observed as it ought to be That the new Forts should of right be demolished and particularly that of Antwerp thereby to take away all occasion from the Spaniards of re-entring there Orange demanded the free redelivery of his Son And pretending complaints upon complaints they could not be satisfied because they would not be satisfied Ariscot returned to Brussels with a Non est inventus the States did not so much resent it as Don John expected they should But Orange his faction growing still more strong his adherents endeavoured to justifie boldly and to the very teeth of Don John every action that came from that Party Heez walked through the streets of Brussels with a particular Guard as if he acknowledged no other Command but his own in that Town and the People laying aside all reverence to Don John committed divers misbecoming actions to his Family the most hair-brain'd of all the meanest sort of people not sticking to give out insolent speeches tending to sedition For all this Don John dissembled and in many things seemed as if he either did not take notice of them or did not regard them He endeavoured all he could to win Ariscot and the other chief men and to divide them and Orange and to make them aware of his artificial designs shewing That they tended apparently to aggrandise himself with popular Authority by the abusing of all the other States of the Country That being already become an Heretick he had consequently made himself an Enemy to Church-men and did he not by making himself the Peoples prime Protector declare himself to be the chief against the Nobility To shew his greater confidence in Ariscot the King had put the Castle of Antwerp into his hands and had given him his eldest son the Prince of Samai for his Lieutenant And doubtlesly there was great emulation between Ariscot and Orange who should be the greater But the former was of an open and voluble nature whereas the other being a man of great knowledge and deeply subtile and already of so great repute both in Flanders and elswhere had too great advantage on his side in all things To this was added That the Popularity enjoying so great a part in the Government of Flanders especially in Towns and Cities for that the Monastical Abbots and the Nobles did usually live in the Country riscot nor no other Governour of any Province would distaste that sort of people upon which their chief attendance and authority in the Country did depend To boot that all the Nobility and amongst them those that were the greatest desirous to shew their zeal in favouring the welfare of the Country they could not vary much from those opinions which Orange appeared to be of since they were too speciously coloured over to that purpose The Viscount Gaunt was likewise then in great esteem who was afterwards Marqnis of Rubais and who in the divisions which fell out between the Provinces did afterwards serve the King very faithfully in military imployments of very great weight Don John desired likewise to make him his friend So as to shew his confidence in him he sent him into England to give account to the Queen of his being received into the Government and to keep all fair correspondencie with her at least in appearance since for other things he could not be ignorant that the Rebels in Flanders had in former times ever been most fomented from thence and were likely to be so more then ever in the future The States this mean while sollicited the payment of the German Souldiers that they might rid the Country likewise of that sort of Foreigners that yet remained there But the business proved very difficult for the States knew not where to find the mony which were greatly exhausted by reason of the so many past expences for what they had lately disbursed for the sending of the Spaniards away They liked therefore very well the Vicount of Gaunts being sent into England and thought to have intreated the Queen by him that she would furnish them with some monies to that purpose They owed her other sums of money before and peradventure she would not have been unwilling to have
sight of their own works and under the shelter of their own Canon might easily repress the violence of the Spanish souldiers whereas the others not having any of those helps must trust only to their courage and to their swords Don John knew this very well and advancing with all his squadrons in order to give battel he staid a while to try again whether the enemy would accept of it But failing in his designe he caused a retreat to be sounded and withdrew his foot in good order from the fight This action was on the first day of August it lasted many hours with equal valour and slaughter though the Flemish pretended to be victors and that the Kings men not being able to compass their ends were worsted Don John departed then from thereabouts and resolved to put himself wholly upon the defensive part in some strong situation which might joyn his quarters with the City of Namures hoping that the tempest of so many contrary Forces would soon vanish and that then he might have his share of the advantage He considered that though the ends of England Frrnce and Germany were the same in general either to make the King of Spain lose the Low-Countries or at least to keep them troubled with war yet their several particular ends did very much differ The Queen of England aimed at some particular conquest of her own especially in those Maritine parts of Holland and Zealand and she could not any ways tollerate those advantages which were to redound to France out of the ruining of Flanders The French on the contrary were very jealous of those aids which were lent unto the Flemish by the English The Germans ends were rather plunder then purchase who when they should have overrun the Country wanting mony to maintain themselves they would soon be inforced to return to their own homes Amongst the Flemish themselves Orange had likewise his particular ends The Archduke Mathias had his ends also and the whole body of the Provinces was greatly divided in its parts as well in point of Religion as in their obedience to the King For those parts which were infected with heresie seemed well inclined totally to throw off the Spanish Government and those which remained Catholicks desired to be rid of the Spaniards and other foreigners but yet still to remain in their obedience to the Crown of Spain So as amongst such diversity of ends Passions and Opinions Don John verily believed that this machination prepared and plotted against him would soon dissolve and that he might afterwards meet with many happy occasions whereby to maintain the cause of the Church and King with honour and advantage And really at that time the two Provinces of Hennault and Artois began to fall out with the Province of Flanders and particularly with the City of Gaunt which is the chief Town thereof The two abovesaid Provinces had always kept firm to the Catholick Faith together with the rest of the Walloons Country which contains all that large Frontier which lies along the whole body of Flanders towards France In the Peâ—ce of Gaunt which was so solemnly concluded by the States General and which was afterwards confirmed by Don John in his agreement with them the Walloon Provinces had laboured more then all the rest for all advantages to the Catholick Religion nor were the people thereof ever inclined to forgoe their obedience to the King so long as they might enjoy their ancient Priviledges and he according to the form of their former Government On the contrary the two Provinces of Holland and Zealand had still fomented the new Sects and the more the Country was troubled the more did they labour to make the evil thereof be felt every where These were Orange his inward drifts and his efficacious Councels And to his industry in knowing how to give them the favour of the times had added great Authority in him to make them be received Briefly his end was to increase the heretical faction and still to alienate the Flemish further from the Spaniards out of those reasons that we have often mentioned Wherefore minding the conjuncture of times he thought it now a very fitting season to bring together the two Armies which came from Germany and France the one of which was composed almost altogether of Lutherans and the other in a great part of Calvenists The Sectaries were not then idle in Flanders Some of them joyned together and presented the States with a Petition in the names of them all wherein under the most specious pretences that they could find out they desired that liberty of conscience might be permitted throughout the Country There wanted not those who opposed this request but the contrary side prevailed Nor had Orange forborn tacitly to infuse a great fear suggesting that upon the coming up of so many Forces who profest the Reformed Religion it was not good to deny that to the pressures of intreaties which might easily be afterwards gotten by force of arms And because the peace of Gaunt made against this the sense thereof was so wrested as that the peace was judged rather favourable then contrary to this sort of concession Yet the Provinces of Hennault and Artois and the rest of the Walloon Countries were firm for the sole exercise of the Catholick Religion But the Provinces of Brabant and Flanders did for the most part give way to the liberty of conscience This mean while the Palatine John Casimire was come as hath beeen said and Alanson drew still nearer on the other side Whereupon the Sectaries boldness increasing not contented with many Churches which were assigned to them but resolute to have the best and the greater number they brought affairs to that pass as on a sudden there was hardly any Churches left for the Catholicks And because one presumption usually cals on another after they had usurped the Churches they came soon after to the driving out of Votaries and their fury and madness grew to be such as there was hardly any safety to be found for any Catholicks Those who had any zeal of true religion in them were therefore highly scandalized hereat and the Walloon Provinces fell particularly into such commotion by reason of these novelties as they began to separate themselves from the rest first in their Councels and then in their executions The Flemish souldiery was maintained by the Countries contribution mony And by the same moneys provision was to be had in a great part for the pay and other necessaries of the foreigners The Provinces of Hennault and Artois becoming therefore refractory to this contribution the States began to be in great straits for money and to foresee the disorders which would quickly insue hereupon They used all means industry and authority to overcome the aforesaid difficulties but they increased rather every day for the occasions thereof did so likewise The Catholicks in those parts stormed mightily complaining That under false pretences of liberty Flanders was now faln
into greater slavery then ever That Arms were taken up for driving out the Spaniards but not for that the Country should be more tyrannized over by the Flemish themselves To what other end did Orange his ambition tend What other designe had his adherents That Arms were at first taken up in Holland and Zealand under spetious pretences And finally it was not enough that the Inquisition should be hindred but that in lieu thereof the new sects of heresies should have defused their venom throughout all those parts should have alienated those Provinces from the Church and begun manifestly to alienate them also from the King That the former disobedience made way for the second the one not being to be severed from the other That in the interim Orange under the name of Governour did retain almost the whole authority of Prince That by the same cunning he had rather forced then gotten the Government of Brabant That now under fals pretences liberty of conscience was demanded thorowout the whole Country And with what intent unless it were to make Liberty fight against Liberty to wit the unjust Liberty of Heresie against the legitimate Liberty of the Church to the end that the latter being opprest the people might the easilyer withdraw themselves from their Allegiance to the King That it was time now to dive into the knowledge of such ends and not only to know them but to break them Let Brabant and Flanders be of another opinion and let those other Provinces joyn with them the Country of Walloons would still continue in the sole Catholick Religion and with safety to its Priviledges in their sole Allegiance to the King of Spain These words full of indignation were soon accompanied with acts as angersom For the two Provinces of Henault and Artois would not assign over Landresy Quisnoy and Balpema to the Duke of Alansons men as was ordered in the agreement made between him and the States and with the same resolution denied to pay their share for the Souldiery This commotion of the Walloons made those of Gaunt rage horridly as those who were naturally most given to revolt and had more readily received Liberty of Conscience allowing all advantage to Heresie amongst them and taking up Armes they resolved to use force against the Walloons John Casimire after having spoken with the Archduke Mathias was at this time gone to Gaunt In this his coming his chief aim was to get money for his Souldiers who not able to move for want of Pay did not at all advance but talked rather of mutinying then of fighting The Gaunteses did in part satisfie his desires and favoured by him took so much heart against the Walloons as they resolved more then formerly to force them to joyn with them The Province of Flanders is divided into two parts The one and which is the greater part and wherein Gaunt and the other chief Towns and Cities are contained is called by the name of Flemicant because nothing but Flemish is spoken there The other which is the lesser but which hath in it likewise many good Towns is called Gallicant because the French tongue is commonly used there The former lies towards the Sea and the other towards the Walloons Country The Flemicant part of the Province went hand in hand in all things with the Gaunteses and the Gallicant inclined towards the Walloons as being more addicted to the Catholick religion then to Heresie As soon as the Gaunteses had taken up Arms the Walloons did the like and divers acts of hostility were committed by both sides in particular the Walloons entred the Town of Menin situated upon the River Lisa which divides the Flemicant part of Flanders from the Gallicant and here they began to fortifie themselves and to prejudice the adverse Country The Walloons would not notwithstanding for all this their difference with the other Flemish either acknowledge Don John for their Governour nor any wayes adhere to the actions of the Spaniards which caused some of them to take unto themselves the name of Malcontents This was a name taken at the first by some of the prime Nobility from them it spread abroad into divers of meaner quality and was finally used by every one of that Country Many of them wore a Chaplet of Pater-nosters and of Ave-Maria's about their necks to shew that they would keep good Catholicks and all of them did generally declare that they would continue loyal to the King when they should be restored to their former Government This was the so famous Faction of Malcontents which afterwards proved very advantagious to the Kings affairs as shall be seen in the pursuit of this Story Orange was not this mean while so blinded in endeavouring his advantage by Heresie but that he clearly saw how great a prejudice such a division might work He desired the Heretick Army might prevail but yet that the Catholicks should have all their due rites for the satisfaction of those that would not abandon them Wherefore he failed not to use all possible means as also his own and the States authority to compound the aforesaid differences To this purpose the Lord S. Aldegond went with some other personages of quality to Gaunt but the people there listening more to their Ringleaders who were seditious and for their own private interests more inclin'd to foment then to finish the begun differences would by no means be brought to alter their resolutions Thus stood the affairs of Flanders when the Duke of Alanson came in with his Army which was more expected then well received by Orange his own faction for he brought not so many with him as he was tyed to do and those but ill provided of what was necessary for their own maintenance Alanson had found it more easie to raise men then to raise money for he had little or none of his own And the King his brother being neither able nor willing to assist him openly for the reasons touched upon before his hopes fell very short likewise on that side And the King of Spain had again renewed his complaints to the King of France for this business of Alanson He had likewise done the like in very sharp tearms with the Queen of England for the assistance she had given the Rebels in Flanders And for Germany he complained likewise of the Emperour because he had not used more effectual means to hinder John Casimires expedition and all these complaints wrought this effect that express personages were sent from each of them to see if it were possible to bring the Affairs of Flanders to some good agreement The King forbare not to make great preparations for War but he would much more gladly have seen peace in Flanders so as it might have been done without prejudice to Religion or to his honour Nor were there wanting some of his Councellers who interpreting Don Johns actions worse then before thought him to be in a great part the cause of all the new Tumults
which had happened since the so solemn agreement made between him and the Provinces as if that he had desired to govern rather armed then unarmed and that he believed he might compass some of his own ends easilyer by troubles then by quiet So as by reason of these jealousies which were had of Don John and which had got a little rooting in Spain peace in Flanders was the more desired by the Spaniards Wherefore about the end of August all these Ambassadors met in Antwerp The Count Zuarzemburg from the Emperour President Belliure from the King of France and from the Queen of England Walsingam her first Secretary and with him another called Gobham But it was soon seen that Cesars endeavours wanted authority and the rest candidness For both England and France did sufficiently desire to have the troubles and disorders wherewith Flanders was afflicted continue Nor did this opinion prove vain The meetings were more for shew then substance and their endeavours ended almost as soon as they were begun to boot that in very deed the difficulties which were met with on all sides were very great Each party would justifie all they had done and all that they pretended to Wherefore all Treaty of Agreement being suddenly broken they continued in their former heat of preparing for war The Flemish regained Ariscot and Nevile and tryed but in vain to recover Lovain On the other side the French entring into the Province of Henault besieged Bins and after some assault took it and put it to the plunder But these were businesses of small importance in respect of what the Rebels hoped for from the union of so many Forces which they had received to side with them from all parts Orange laboured more then all the rest to bring them together and herein his adherents used likewise their best diligence Miserable Flanders every where so full of Arms and so lacerated as it was questionable whether she were more afflicted by her own or by foreign Forces and whether those or these in seeming assistance bore the most spetious title Don John this mean while kept with his men within his quarters which he had fortified without Namures to withstand the assaults of the enemy These Fortifications were about two miles and a half in compass and did so much the more shelter the City so as that passage towards Germany and Italy was very well secured and his Army very well provided of all things necessary for the maintenance thereof Wherefore Don John hoped shortly both to receive powerfull aid and to see those disband which the enemy had assembled together for their service These were his designs these were his hopes when in their very hight he fell sick his malady so increasing as he died within a few days When he was near his end he sent for the Duke of Parma and after having in a very affectionate manner recommended the Kings service to him he substituted him in his own place not any ways doubting but that by the so many Prerogatives both of bloud and valour which met in him the King would suddenly confirm him in that Government Thus dyed Don John not being yet full thirty three years old The Emperour Charles the Fifth was his Father and Madam de Plombes a Lady of noble birth in Germany his Mother The Emperour before his death gave the King his Son great charge of him who at first had in his private thoughts destin'd him to an Ecclesiastical life but afterward changing his mind bred him up in the Military profession Wherein by three memorable enterprises he eterniz'd his name In the first he bridled the Moors Audacity in the second the Ottoman Pride and in the third the Fury of the Flemish In each of these his successes did much exceed his years He overcame the Moors when but yet a Youth he abated the edge of the Turk at the very entrance into the flower of his age and he did so master-like suppress the Belgiques as greater skill could not have been shewn by any whatsoever antient and most perfect Commander He had in him very excellent gifts both of body and mind In his aspect Majesty and Grace strength of Body to undergoe labour He was affable with the Souldiery vigilant answerable to his Command wise in the greatest difficulties but having a heart much willinger to encounter then to shun them Many could have desired that he had been less amorous and not so easie to believe reports He was so greedy of Glory as many judged it to be an aspiring after Empire Which made him at last be envied and so far suspected as made his service to the King doubtful as if from being Governour he had aspired to be Prince of Flanders and that to this purpose he had held private correspondencie with the Queen of England and proceeded more secretly to express negotiations of Marriage Which was cause why his death was thought to be rather procured then natural But whatsoever the business was wherein truth might be overclouded by Calumny He dyed with the fame of singular valour and great applause Worthy assuredly to have lived longer and not less worthy to have proceeded from a Conjugal bed and to have commanded rather as absolute Prince then as a subordinate Officer Finis Partis Primae THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF FLANDERS Written by CARDINAL BENTIVOGLIO The Second Part. BOOK I. The Contents The Prince of Parma is confirmed Governour of Flanders by the King The Prince thought first to draw the Walloon Provinces to side with the King by the way of negotiation but in the interim he applies himself with all fervor to the management of Arms. He stands at first upon his defence The Foreign Forces vanish Alanson returns for France and John Casimir for Germany The Prince here upon passeth from the defensive part to the offensive He resolves to besiege Mastrick The description of that place The Royalists endeavours in oppugning it and the resistance made by the Defendants The Royalists at last prevail and the Prince is master of the Town An agreement between him and the Walloon Provinces It is endeavoured to reconcile all the other Provinces likewise to the King but in vain Small successes of War on all sides The Flemish think of choosing a new Prince and to cast off their obedience to the King of Spain This is chiefly fomented by Orange Their Deputies meet together in Antwerp to this purpose and there is much consultation about it Some of the Hereticks are for the Queen of England other some for the Duke of Alanson The Catholicks opinion in this point The Assembly leans much more to Alanson The Deputies depart and return to their own Provinces to make each of them severally resolve fully upon the choise The war continues this mean while on both sides The King would have the Dutchess of Parma return to Flanders and why She is not well come thither when she earnestly desires to go back to Italy which
she obtains leave to do The whole Government of the Country remains therefore in the Prince her son The Flemish Rebels agree in their former resolution of chusing the Duke of Alanson for their new Prince What followed thereupon and with what conditions THe Kings Army was much afflicted for the death of Don John it is hardly to be believed what sence of sorrow was shewed for it for many days throughout the whole Camp The news thereof coming to Spain the King staid awhile before he would confirm the Prince of Parma in the Government of Flanders He very well knew the Prince his Military worth But then again he feared lest that his warlike spirit might not rather make him desire the continuance of the war then to see those Provinces restored to peace which the King desired above all things always provided as hath been often said that all due obedience were given to the Church and the like to his Crown Moreover the King had had it often formerly in his thoughts to send the Dutchess of Parma back again into Flanders if it should prove needfull to remove Don John from that Government He called to mind what satisfaction her former Regency had given unto those people and to make it prove the better again he thought to place her son the Prince of Parma with her for the part of Arms thinking that the Government being thus tempered the people would be much better pleased and his service might on all sides be better done The King therefore was a while doubtfull what to do in this case But because speedy remedy was to be applyed to the evils of Flanders and for that the King could not doubt but the Prince of Parma would with all loyalty and devotion do as he should be by him directed therefore without more adoe he approved of Don Johns Declaration and confirmed the Prince in the Government of those Provinces The Kings Army was greatly rejoyced to hear of this choice thinking that by the proximity of his bloud and by his greater resemblance in valour Don John might seem to live still in the Prince Wherefore Fernese applyed himself wholly to the Government committed to his charge His first resolution was To endeavour by all means possible to draw the Walloon Provinces over to the Kings side He considered of what importance it would be to have so great and such Catholick forces within the Country side with the Church and with the King And that on the contrary Rebellion and Heresie could not be weakened by any means better then by this He therefore began to endeavour this by several ways He treated chiefly with the Nobility who enjoy particular prerogatives in the Walloon Provinces and to whom the vulgar sort do usually adhere when the States do meet But notwithstanding this overture of a Treaty did not at all allay his ardency to War Putting on therefore Don Johns resolution he determined likewise to keep within those quarters wherein the Army was fortified about Namures and to expect there till the enemies forces should vanish especially the foreign aids which out of the reasons formerly alleadged he thought would not be long a doing Nay his hopes thereof were the more increased for that the dissentions grew every day greater amongst the Flemish He therefore attended the guarding of his quarters the keeping of his souldiers in perfect good discipline and did at the same time very much sollicite the King that he would speedily provide moneys for the necessaries of the Army and send over new men This mean while the disorders grew daily greater amongst the Flemish Rebels For divided in divers sorts amongst themselves both in affairs of Religion and in other things which respected the State of one common cause they had made many particular ones and every Province having its own particular ends few of them joyned any longer in their resolutions as they ought to have done with the rest The chiefest contestations were between the Walloons and Gaunteses as hath been said nor was it ever possible to find any means how to accord them Whence falling from words to blows neither of them paid their Contributions first agreed upon to the common Cause being kept from doing so by the necessity of converting it to their own peculiar uses The Faction of the Malcontents grew this mean while still the stronger for almost all the Nobility of Henault and Artois had wound themselves thereinto The Gaunteses and their adherents received their greatest indammagements from this Faction nor could there be a greater contrariety then was between them The Malcontents seemed more resolute then ever to continue in their Catholick purity and their due Allegiance to the King and the Gaunteses shewed themselves full as resolute to have only the contrary exercise in point of Religion and in all other things shewed their abhorrition of the Soveraignty of Spain So as by reason of this variance between the Confederate Provinces their first Union was mightily weakned Together with their want of money they began daily to be wanting in their Souldiers and not being able to maintain their own home-Souldiers much less able were they to maintain those very many that they had received from abroad Wherefore the French and German Aids did no more service but instead of easing the Country ran out licentiously on this side and that side and failing of their Pay paid themselves with large usury by Rapine insomuch that it was doubted whether they might not fall from tumultuary Free-booting to some downright Mutiny This necessity and these dangers were represented to the States by Casimir and Alanson who desired instant remedy But such evils could not be helped unless provisions were had first for the discords which were the occasion thereof which by reason of the aforesaid difficulties were become irremediable though the States and in particular Orange used all possible care and diligence to compose them It was clearly seen that the greatest novelties arose from the Gaunteses wherefore at the States desire John Casimir went again to Gaunt and used all the most efficacious means he could to reduce the Gaunteses to a more moderate sense But all was lost labour especially by reason of the obduration of those Ringleaders who for their own self-interest did the more willingly nourish sedition in that City This was the cause why John Casimir by Orange his advise resolved to go himself to England to perswade the Queen to be more firm in favouring the Flemish with her assistance especially in point of monies But the Queen after having received him very honourably were it either that she would not further offend the King of Spain or that she could not really be at further expences sent him away with bare terms of good Intention and with ambiguous hopes which were soon after resolved to the negative John Casimir being returned from England to Flanders without any good issue in his Negotiation found many of his men already disbanded and the
him to leave us one of his sons to be our Prince in his stead As for Religion every one knows how great a freedom France enjoys therein Wherefore it is not to be doubted but that the Duke will allow a greater liberty therein in Flanders For though our intentions be that the Reformed Religion should be the most prevalent yet it will behove us to allow of the Catholick there being so great a part of our Provinces which is obstinate therein and chiefly the Walloon Countrys to the regaining whereof we must with all our industry apply our selves And as for what authority the Duke may assume unto himself by the example of what the Kings of France enjoy in their Kingdom May not we limit it as we shall please so as he may know he hath the Flemish to Govern and not the French and that he must use our Laws only without any participation of theirs I therefore conclude that all the reasons considered in this present affair make much more for the French then for the English And this is likewise my opinion The which I am not notwithstanding so far in love withall but that I shall be ready to quit it when I shall hear a better None shall be more ready then I to adhere unto the sence of this most vigilant Assembly nor be more willing to endeavour the fulfilling thereof after it shall be maturely advised upon This opinion of Aldegonds bore great weight with it And to enjoy a Prince who was in his own person to sustain the Government and the Interest of the Provinces was a business exceedingly considerable This so important business was not agitated without the Catholick Deputies For though those of the Walloon Provinces were wanting and that there was no respect at all had to the Ecclesiastical Orders yet were there a great many Catholicks in the Provinces who leaned more to heresie wherefore in this Assembly there were divers Catholick Deputies chosen together with the Hereticks The Propositions which were made by the others were generally very ill rescented by these For though they did likewise greatly hate the Spaniards yet they thought it a too desperate business to treat of changing a Prince and almost altogether Religion They shewed How much the King would be irritated by both these That if he would never tolerate any liberty at all of consequence in Flanders how much less then would he suffer heresie to domineer every where And what more unworthy thing could there be then to make Religion subservient to the State the ancient Church to the new Sects and the Piety for so many years professed in those Provinces to rescent Doctrins which had involved almost all Europe in mighty troubles To this injury which should be done to the Church and which certainly the King would own as his own how much would the other add which belonged wholly to himself of bereaving him of his due soveraignty which after so long a succession of his ancestors was past into him and so strictly acknowledged and solemnly sworn unto by the Provinces That therefore it was to be believed he would rescent both these injuries with the whole Forces of his Kingdoms That his Forces had been formerly formidable but how much more now that he had gotten the Kingdom of Portugal That there could no relyance be had upon those of France by reason of the divisions by which that Kingdom was at the present so terribly rent in pieces And say the King of France could he would not assist his brother lest he might thereby draw upon him the Forces of the King of Spain That the Catholick Faction in France held already great correspondency with the King of Spain And now having so justifiable a pretence how much more might that King foment it and how many foreign evils might he add to those home-bred ones That from England they could not receive the benefit of a Prince of their own So as the administration must pass by the hands of Governours And what certainty was there that the English would give better satisfaction then the Spaniards especially in a new Principallity wherein they would never proceed so far by fair means but that they would much more use force That the same King had great commodity of making diversions likewise against the Queen and to incite England to some insurrection either by open war or under-hand practises and much more easily Ireland a Country which was almost altogether Catholick greatly devoted to the Church and well affected also to the Crown of Spain And thus the Provinces having no foreign helps would be wholly exposed to the indignation and forces of a potent and injured enemy from whom they were afterwards to expect the greater punishment in that they had given so just an occasion thereof For these reasons the Catholick Deputies past on to this opinion That above all things an agreement between the Provinces should be endeavoured for that if they were well united their own union might furnish them with sufficient Forces at least to defend themselves That they should never lay down their Arms till the ancient form of Government were first restored by the King That touching Religion the peace of Gaunt should be observed which was so maturely handled and concluded by the full consent of the Provinces That if things should be brought to that necessity as that the Provinces of Flanders must needs be severed from the Crown of Spain they should procure as it was most reasonable a Prince of the House of Austria or one of the Kings sons if he should have more then one or some other body who should marry with a daughter of the Kings upon whom the Dominion of those Provinces might be transferred And that at last if they should fail of all these means the Provinces should take the Soveraignty into their own hands In which case it was not to be doubted but that they should have a much better Cause more justifiable to the world better made good by their people and more favoured by their neighbours But the Hereticks did so far prevail in this Assembly as there was little regard had to this opinion of the Catholicks so as the question remained between the other two But at last that which Aldegonde had maintained in the behalf of Alanson was preferred Orange out of some private considerations of his own to boot with what concerned the Publick leaned more willingly likewise to this side For his Principality of Orange lay in France his wife was at that time of French bloud And great correspondency was had as had always been between him and the chief of the Hugonot Faction in that Kingdom Yet by reason of the weight of the Affair the ultimate conclusion was not at that time taken but the Deputies departed that they might first acquaint each Province with their Opinions and to bring from thence an integral resolution This mean while the business of War past on but coolly on both
in the King his brothers Court the Nobility ran from almost all the parts of the Kingdom to be with him upon such an occurrancy Wherefore the Duke having in a short time gathered together a gallant Army of 12000 foot and 3000 horse he marched towards Cambray to relieve it and free it from the straits wherein it was Fernese knew he could not withstand so powerfull a strength having so few Forces as he could neither incamp himself in face of the enemy nor sufficiently fortifie himself about the walls of the City Wherefore forgoing the Forts he resolved to retreat Some slight skirmishes happened upon this occasion between the two Camps and the Country being finally left wholly free to the French the Duke had leasure to relieve the City and to furnish it aboundantly with all things necessary He himself entred thereinto and being solemnly received he made a large Declaration that he was come into it as into a City of the Empire and that as such a one he would keep it and defend it He upon this occasion took likewise the Castle of Cambresis From hence he suddenly returned to France though he was earnestly desired by the Flemish Rebels who were now become his Subjects to come further into the Country and make good use of the so many Forces as he now had upon that occasion But because they were really to be esteemed rather lent Forces then any of his own being hastily and tumultuously gathered together and be not having monies to maintain the Army any longer at that time he could not satisfie them in their desires but made such excuses as were necessary He assured them notwithstanding that he would be suddenly with them with good Forces And that to that purpose he would not only use all possible dilligence and industry with the King his brother but go himself if need should be into England and use all other efficacious endeavours with his neighbours These Forces of Alansons being vanished sooner then it was believed they would be the Walloons took courage again and hoped for good success Yet was the Prince of Parma very much troubled within himself as well by reason of his retreat from Cambray as also for that he verily thought he should never do any thing of consequence by the sole help of those Countries who kept loyal to the King He had upon divers occasions endeavoured to make this known to those who were of greatest power amongst the Walloons and had dexterously suggested unto them how much they themselves ought to desire not only for the Kings service but even for the good of their own Country that the foreign souldiers might again return But he could not so represent the necessity thereof but that they had their equal jealousies for all the Country desired very much to be free of Foreign Forces The Prince found not therefore such a disposition in them thereunto as he desired The Marquis of Rubays was in great esteem amongst the Walloons as you have often heard And doubtlesly he deserved to be so by reason of his bloud valour and adherency of friends The Prince had contracted a particular friendship and trust with him wherefore he resolved to use all the means he could to draw him over to his opinion of fetching back the Foreign Souldiers into Flanders He therefore took him one day by the hand and after a Flemish familiarity joyn'd with a Military Authority he spake thus unto him How weak the Forces are most valiant Sir which we have now here in the Kings Service cannot be better known to any then to your self who have so great a share in the Command thereof The Agreement made with the Walloon Provinces hath certainly been of great advantage to the Kings Affairs It is every day seen that their Forces can neither be more faithfull nor more valiant But every day likewise confirms that which was then feared that their forces alone would not be sufficient to carry on the Warre And to descend to particulars tell me I pray you What thing of consequence have we done since the taking of Mastrick wherein the Foreign Souldiers did intervene Have we ever been able to take the field with any considerable Army or by any sufficient Siege forced any place of importance rather how shamefully have we been compelled to rise from before Cambray and also with how much loss The French before our eyes have not only relieved the Town but fully taken possession thereof which was the strongest out-work your Countrey had towards their Frontiers How much is the union of the Rebeis also encouraged by our weakness Is not their rash perfidiousness come now to the greatest height what more execrable thing could they devise to do then so affrontedly and by their own sole authority to chuse unto themselves a new Prince Then since reason requires that such enormous faults should be punished and that this cannot be done by the sole forces of the obedient part of the Country why should it not be thought necessary to be done by strangers Why should not the former souldiery be suffered to return again and an Army be thereby made which may be worthy of our King worthy of the Cause which he maintains and by which this still renewing Hidra of Rebeliion may be tamed When this wicked Monster shall be corrected and Peace and Loyalty shall be every where established throughout the Country it is not to be doubted but that the King will presently of his own accord remove all foreign souldiers and leave the Custody of the Country to their own Militia And thus when the Kings forces shall be returned hither in their former vigour how great shall our advantages be together with his Then when we with a flourishing Army shall be able to be Masters of the field storm all places win all battels and compass all our desires I who am the Commander in chief and you who next to me have the chiefest Command what shall our share of glory be in all these successes what rewards are not we to expect from the Kings bounty and goodness and how triumphant shall we be in the Church by suppressing Heresie Out of all these considerations Sir I most heartily desire you that you will be pleased particularly to interpose your endeavours and your Authority where need shall require it that the foreign souldiery may return hither again with the good will of the obedient Party Your desert was certainly highly valued by the King when you reconciled your Provinces to his Royal Crown but how much will it now be increased and how glorious shall I make it appear And I already pawn my faith unto you that if this may be done the King shall acknowledge it chiefly to be your work for what remains you know the friendship that I have promised you which you may be sure shall be inviolably observed by me in fine either I shall be of no power in this Government or your part therein next mine own
should receive a full pardon from the King That the Citizens should return to the true obedience of the Church and King That those who would not live after the Catholick profession might enjoy their goods any where out of the Country That the souldiers should be suffered to march out with theirs Arms bagage and Colours flying That the City should pay 20000 pound to keep from being sackt And that the Princess of Espenoy might be suffered to go freely whether she pleased with all her wealth goods substance and family Thus was Tornay yielded and the Princess at her coming forth was received with such applause in the Kings Camp as it might be judged she came forth not as Conquered but as Conqueress The news this mean while continued that the Duke of Alanson would be quickly in Flanders and that without returning to France he would come directly from England and land in Zealand The Archduke Mathias had till this time kept in the Low-Countries and agita ted with many hopes could never fix upon any From the beginning he could not be Governour there by the Kings approbation He had enjoy'd nothing but likelyhoods in the Rebels Government and nothing but the Title in the management of the Militia yet he thought he merited by suffering Wherefore discovering the Rebels resolution of changing Prince he flattered himself mainly upon that occasion with new and ardent hopes He omitted not to make those things be suggested which might make most for his advantage and particularly his Austrian bloud of Germany which for so many years and with such satisfaction to the people had Governed Flanders But being but little listned unto and less considered and afterwards excluded out of all he was fain to be content and to return to his friends and former condition in Germany VVhen therefore it was noised that Alanson was in England and that he would be speedily in Flanders Mathias tarryed no longer but going by Cullen past over the Rhine and returned to his usual abode in the Emperours Court This year ended with his departure and with the Signior d' Altapenna's indeavour to surprise Bergen ap Zome which Town he was very near surprising for he and his men had already won one Gate and were begun to get more inward when the Garison betaking themselves to their Arms and the people flocking from all parts the Royalists were forced to go out many of them being slain and many wounded In the beginning of the year 1582. certain news was brought to Flanders at last that the Duke of Alanson was departed from England with intention of landing in Zealand After having been entertained many days with much feasting and honourable treatment he went from London and within three days came to Flushing The Queen made him be attended with a great Fleet of her ships which were commanded by Charls Howard Lord Admiral of England and would have him waited upon by divers of the chiefest Lords of her Kingdom amongst which was the Earl of Lester who was then in great Authority and favour with her When Alanson was come to Flushing he was received by Orange Espenoy and a great many other personages of quality who were come thither to that purpose They brought him from thence to Midleburg where staying a few days he came to Antwerp attended by above 50 Flemish ships gloriously trimed he landed upon the banks of Scheld near the Citadel and was met with an incredible applause and concourse of people After the wonted ceremonies of interchangeable oaths he entred on horseback into the City which was every where set out with triumphant Arches and other publick demonstrations of joy for his arrival Alanson being thus brought into his new Principality it was not long ere he began to know that hardly was the appearances or shadow thereof left unto him On the other side the Flemish began quickly to comprehend that he had brought with him nothing but the outside of vain hopes and of spetious titles He could not obtain any Forces of consequence from the King his brother and from the Queen of England such and so many only as by his means the Dominion of those Countries might rather be taken from the King of Spain then enjoyed by himself Wherefore the heat of that first welcome quickly cooled and the Inhabitants of Antwerp began to take some distaste at the Duke in point of Religion The Hereticks were already so prevalent there as but very little share of exercise remained for the Catholicks who had recourse unto the Duke to remedy the oppression which they received On the contrary the others endeavoured by all means to continue their advantages and though some satisfaction was at last given to the Catholicks yet were not they therewithall quieted nor did the Hereticks on their sides seem to be satisfied But an untoward accident which happened not long after had likely to have given him an â—ll favoured welcome and to have indangered his life Which was this A young Spaniard of mean birth in Biscay having resolved to kill Orange and taking bothtime and place fitting for his purpose in Orange his own hous discharg'd a musket in his face and wounded him so as at the first he was thought to be dead The noise being heard many hasted thither and astonished at the spectacle without further adoe slew the offender The news of this flew suddenly from the house to the Piazza and from the Piazza to every least corner of the City Nor is it to be said what a commotion it caused amongst the people Every one ran with anxiety from one place to another to know the truth thereof and lamenting one another and as if not only the Father of the Country but even the Father of every particular Family had been slain they bewailed the privat and publick misfortune which they thought had befaln them In this agitation it was whispered that the French had been the authors of this misdeed that they might rid their hands of Orange and thereby make the Duke of Alansons Authority the more free The baser sort of people turning their commisseration into fury ran headlong to Alansons house intending to kill all the French that they should find there and peradventure not to spare his own person In this interim the first fear was seised in Orange his house for the wound being searched was found not to be mortal the bullet had only past through both his cheeks beaten out some of his teeth and occasioned the loss of much bloud which for a while hindred his speech But when he knew it was a Spaniard who had shot him and heard what danger the French were in and even Alanson himself he writ some Tickets with him own hand and sent abroad divers in his own name who cleared the business and freed the multitude of their suspitions When all tumults were ceased they fell to search into the fact that they might make the juster resentment The most common opinion was
Churches which were ruined either before or upon the occasion of this siege That the City should be fuly restored to her antient priviledges and to all her former liberty and prerogatives of Traffick That in the mean while she was to pay 40000 pounds sterling to help to relieve the Army for the so much pains and expence which it had been at in that siege That the Antwerpians should give way to the receiving into the City and longing of 2000 foot and 200 horse in Garison till it should be seen what resolution should be taken in Holland Zealand and the other confederate Provinces of turning to the Kings obedience which if they should do the Prince promised to free the City of all Garisons and not to remake the Citadel as it was before That prisoners on all sides should be set at liberty except Monsieur de Tiligni concerning whose person the Prince was of necessity to receive some particular Orders from Spain and that the Signor de Aldegonda should promise not to bear Arms against the King of Spain for the space of one year These were the chiefest Articles of the surrender to which many others were added touching the restitution of Goods the restoring of Traffick and Merchandizing to the City and divers other petty interests which respected the accommodation and satisfaction of the Inhabitants This agreement being made the Prince for his greater applause in having made such an atchievement received the Order of the Golden Fleece which the King had sent him a little before The Ceremony was performed in the Fort St Philip accompanied with all the greatest Military celebration of joy and Jubilee and 't was done by Count Mansfield one of the antientest of that Order in all Flanders The Prince entred afterwards solemnly into Antwerp not only as a Conqueror but in Triumph he appeared in stately Arms on horseback many horse and foot in arms went before him and many in the like sort followed him Long files of armed foot were on each side And a little before him was all the flowre of the Nobility on horseback whereof there were very many then in the Army Thus he entred by the Cesarian Gate where he was received by the Magistrate by the heads of all the Orders of the City and by an infinite number of common people He found many Arches many Statues many Colums erected in divers parts with whatsoever else of glory could be shewn upon the like occasion by the conquered to such a Conqueror He then returned all due thanks to God in the chiefest Church and being still accompanied with both Military and City-like acclamations he lighted at the Castle and staid awhile in Antwerp to put in order such things in the City as stood in most need thereof THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF FLANDERS Written by CARDINAL BENTIVOGLIO The Second Part. BOOK IV. The Contents The Cities of Gaunt Brussels Malines and Niminghen return to the Kings obedience The Confederate Provinces are hereupon in so great straits as they offer the Queen of England the Soveraignty of their Provinces that they may the more freely enjoy her protection The Queen accepts not of the offer but takes upon her their defence much more then formerly In lieu whereof she hath some of their Towns deposited in her hands The Earl of Lester arrives in Holland sent by her as Supreme Head of the Confederate Provinces The Prince of Parma resolves to march into the field He besiegeth Graves and takes it He continuing his victories takes Venlo Nuys passes the Rhine and succours Zutfen Lester looking on Distastes between Lester and the United Provinces The Duke of Parma continues his acquisitions takes Sluce a place of mighty importance During the heat of War an endeavour is moved between the King of Spain and Queen of England to accommodate in some sort the affairs of Flanders but the endeavour is thought but artificiall on both sides The King this mean while considers whether he ought to make open War upon the Queen or no. Consultations had hereupon in Spain The King at last resolves to set upon England with most powerfull forces Preparations made hereupon in Flanders and in Spain Preparations made by the Queen The Spanish Fleet begins to move and with an unhappy beginning is detained many days by a great tempest it comes to the English Channel The English Fleet hasts to incounter it The Spanish ships begin to suffer prejudice Fire-boats like those of the siege of Antwerp The Spanish Fleet is afraid of them and grows into great confusion At the same time the sea grows rough and makes the disorder the greater Some of the Spanish ships are lost and the rest at last are forced to return for Spain A horrible tempest ariseth which occasions the loss of many of their ships as they return and their whole Fleet is parted torn and shattered by the fury of the sea THese were at this time the advantages of the Kings Forces We told you before that ere Antwerp was taken Gaunt Brussels and Malines were reduced And not to interrupt the siege of Antwerp we forbore as then to acquaint you with what befell them if at least they may be called sieges For they were taken by only stopping up their Passes and keeping the Cities from victuals on all sides We will now briefly relate the several successes together with what insued in other parts during the siege of Antwerp After that the City of Bruges was faln into Fernese's hands Gaunt began to suffer great scarcities especially of victuals The Confederate Provinces held two places of very great importance on that Maritine Coast of Flanders to wit Sluce and Ostend And because relief might be sent from thence to Gaunt Fernese after the getting of Bruges endeavoured to possess himself of all the Passes thereabouts so as there could no communication be had between Gaunt and those two places and the success was answerable to the designe Those of Gaunt not being able to receive any help from abroad fell suddenly into great necessities yet they continued still to be contumacious And persisting in their opiniatracy against the Church and King they seemed as if they would rather undergoe any thing then submit themselves again to the Kings obedience and to the Catholick Religion On the other side Fernese though already busied about Antwerp ceased not to use all diligence to reduce those of Gaunt to the utmost necessity of Famin. Wherefore scouring the Country round about with his horse and destroying all every where he kept those Inhabitants from receiving any help or security from without their own walls There were not wanting many in the City who were well minded towards the Church and King Famine increasing then every day more and more those that were better inclined took occasion to lessen the obstinacy of the most contumatious which Fernese had formerly indeavoured to moderate by many gratious offers And so finally to keep from falling into greater mischiefs the
Gauntesses resolved to come to an agreement which followed about the end of September the preceding year They obliged themselves to give all due obedience unto the King to admit onely of the Catholick profession as formerly to rebuild the Castle which was slighted on the side which lay towards the Town and to pay twenty thousand pound for maintenance of the Kings Army and Fernese on his part did in the Kings name grant them full pardon they were restored to their former priviledges and those who would not profess the Catholick Religion had two years space allowed them to be gone and to carry away their goods whether they would That in the first place their Provinces did in all integrity of soul thank her for her having been so gratiously pleased to favour them and protect them against the King of Spain 's violence since the very first time that he used any against them That be continuing more then ever to oppress Flanders and those Provinces not being able of themselvs to defend themselves from so powerful and cruel an enemy were inforced to seek for necessary protection elsewhere That therefore they had resolved to fly unto her for it A Princess so conjoyn'd to them in territories so united in religion and so interested in the cause That to say truth they were then in a very low condition that notwithstanding they were yet possest of Oestend and Sluce in the Province of Flanders which were both of them Maratine Towns of great concernment That Holland Zealand and Freisland Provinces which lay all of them upon the Sea were yet wholly free from the Spaniards and that within land there were yet many of the most secure places under their union and a great part of the best of the Country That they doubted not but that so puissant a Princess as she would Patronise their defence much more out of magnanimity then out of Interest so as leaving the first part to her and considering themselves the second they represented unto her how great an advantage the addition of such Provinces and particularly those of the Maritine Coast would be to England And what doubt could it be but that these two Naval Forces being joyned together would give the Law by sea to all the Western yea and Northern parts That they then offered to submit themselves wholly to her Soveraignity so to injoy not onely her ordinary protection but to be defended by her absolute authority as by their Princess hoping that she would be pleased to admit of such an offer under such fair and reasonable conditions as their people were to enjoy according to the moderate form of their ancient Government for what remained she might assure her self that the Flemish would alwayes vye for Loyalty towards her with the English in readiness in concurring to all her greater exaltations and in joy to see all her ends effected according to her own desire This was the substance of their Proposal Having said this by word of mouth they presented it in writing to the Queen who graciously received it and did in as gracious a manner reply That she would with all attention study to send them back as speedily as might be to their Provinces well satisfied That such an offer bore with it matter of great conseqnence and that therefore she would take particular care that it should be diligently discust by her Councel The English had at first seemed very much to desire this But as usually seen things move more then such as are but meerly imagined so when the weight of this affair was seen nearer hand the Councels differed much in their opinions concerning it Some more boldly were of opinion That so fair an offer was by all means to be imbraced That the United Provinces had already lawfully made themselves their own Soveragins out of their so requisite necessity of not being able to suffer the King of Spains so great oppression They might therefore lawfully dispose of that their Soveraignty as they should best please That they had once already confer'd it upon the Duke of Alanson and wherefore might they not now confer it upon the Queen The King of Spain would undoubtedly be scandalized hereat and would peradventure make war again upon England But how oft had he already offended the Queen Were not the Insurrections in Ireland fomented by him had he not a designe to do the like in England Did not he favour the Queen of Scots Cause as much as he might and did not he upon all other occasions shew his ill will to the English That if he would fall into open war with the Queen it was to be considered how greatly her usual strength at sea would be increased by this new Maritine addition of Flanders Let therefore the King of Spain assault England when he should please he should finde it as secure in forces as inexpugnable by situation But there wanted not those that were of a contrary opinion They said It was the common concernment of all Princes that their subjects should keep within their due obedience what a ruine would it be to Principality if the rendering or denying of obedience should be at the Subjects pleasure That hitherto the Queen had favoured the Flemish not as free people but as those that were opprest that she might still without proceeding any farther do the same justly for the future but to acknowledge a Soveraign power in them and then to accept of that Soveraignty offered by them was an action of bad example for other Princes and particularly of very dangerous consequence for the Queen her self How much more just reason would the King of Spain have in such a case to make her taste of the same evils at her own home How great a disposition was there generally thereunto in Ireland And how great in the so many Catholicks which were yet in England By her example the King would doubtlesly pass from fomenting secretly into open invasion To his Temporal Forces the Pope of Rome might likely enough add his Spiritual ones And it would then be seen what would be got by making so uncertain an acquisition in neighbouring Countries when by doing so certain hazard must be run at home in her own Dominions Amidst these two contrary opinions there was one in a middle way between them which was That the Queen without accepting of the Soveraignty or using any other title of Protection should assist the Flemish with a good strength of men That for security of the expence which she should be at in assisting them they should put some good Town of Zealand into her hands and some other also in Holland And that the Forces which should be maintained by the United Provinces should be under his command whom she should send in Chief with her men Thus having gotten footing in those Maritime parts and her Authority likewise being in the above said manner extended further within Land the Queen might wait for what time would produce who is the
Enemy of that advantage This was the condition of the Siege when the Earl of Leicester being sent by the Queen who had agreed the business between him and the Flemish as well as she could returned from England He arrived in Zealand about the middle of June and brought with him a good recruit of English Horse and Foot When he came to Flushing he met Count Maurice there likewise who had left Hollack to grapple with Altapenna and Vasto When they came to treat of relieving Sluce the resolution was to endeavour it by Sea To this purpose as many ships as was needfull being provided about 5000 Foot and 600 Horse were put aboard them with all other necessaries to secure the City when they should have brought in the succour Within a few houres the Fleet appeared in the Channel and Leicester within sight of the besieged strove to encourage them and signified to them by signs that for certain he would relieve them But having discovered further into the Channel he found that passage so blockt up and so secured as he thought it was impossible to be overcome The Fleet stood in suspence three dayes in the same place between their desire of effecting the succour and the difficulty of doing it at last weighing anchor he steered towards Ostend the Councel having resolved to endeavour the succour on that side by land Fernese being aware of the designe forthwith reinforced the Fort of Blanchemberg with some foot and horse which obstacle was to be removed by the enemy before they could relieve Sluce And so they resolved to do as soon as they had landed their men to whom they added the whole Garison of Ostend they marched against the Fort of Blanchemberg The loss thereof was of as great consequence to Fernese as the getting of it was to them wherefore leaving the siege every where well provided he himself together with all the rest of his men marched towards the enemy They were already ready to play upon the Fort but when unexpectedly they saw the Kings men in their faces after they had awhile consulted whether they should fight or retreat they would not at last joyn battel but withdrew again to Ostend From thence they returned again with the same Fleet to the same place where they were formerly near Sluce But Fernese returning likewise suddenly back gave them no greater hopes of succouring the besieged So as they fell off again and appeared there no more The hindring of this succour did much incourage the King men and though it had the contrary effect upon the besieged yet did they not omit to make resistance The Kings men had not as yet made any formall batteries The work of the Trenches was prolonged longer then they thought it would have been by reason of the condition of the ground of the opposition made by the enemy and divers other things But at last the Trenches were advanced as far forward as was requisite wherefore they delayed no longer to play upon the Town This could only be done as hath been said on the part towards Bruges They raised but one only battery marry it was one of the greatest that hath been seen in as many sieges as hath been made in Flanders For 40 great pieces of Canon were planted thereupon And at the first bout in the space of eight hours they made above 4000 shot as was particularly counted which made a breach in the wall nearest the gate of above 20â— yards long The breach being made before the Royalists resolved upon the assault they saw that the defendants had raised a great half moon behind the wall and that they had so fortified themselves there that it would have cost them much bloud to enter by assault Nor were some defences wholly taken away which were thrust forth from out the wall that was plaid upon So as Fernese thought it better to advance by the wonted way of filling up of ditches with mathooks and mines and spare his souldiers bloud though he were somewhat longer in getting the Town By which way at last after the enemies had made all possible resistance in defending the ditch in meeting with their Mines and in all other manner of opposition the siege was brought to an end and the Town surrendred upon all the most honourable conditions that could be desired The 2000 of the Garison that were in it were reduced to little more then 600. and more of the Kings men were lost in this siege then in the three preceding ones of Graves Venlo and Nuys This mean while the before mentioned diversion was made by Altapenna and Vasto but the motion was afterwards turned to necessity for the enemy thinking likewise to raise the siege from before Sluce by diversion had assembled a good strength of men about Balduke and threatned that City The Kings men being then past from Brabant into Ghelderland had no other end but to wait upon the enemy and rather to hinder their proceedings then to make any further progress themselves They notwithstanding advantaged themselves by getting the Town of Ghelders which by Treaty was delivered up to Altapenna Colonel Paton a Scotchman was Governour thereof who fearing lest Lester would take that Government from him and bestow it upon some Englishman would by this act of persidiousness prevent the act of injury at least by him so reputed But the Royalists on the contrary received two great losses The one was that Altapenna as he would have relieved the Fort of Engelen received a mortal wound whereof he died the next day The other that the Count of Hollack did within a few days take that Fort. The name whereof was afterwards changed to Creve-coeurc alluding to the sorrow which the loss thereof would cause in the Kings men they were both really great losses For Altapenna was a Gentleman of much valour great command and of very great fidelity and that Fort guarded a Pass over the Mause which was of the greatest importance for the service of Balduke of any that was thereabouts The Duke of Parma having taken Sluce would presently have besieged Ostend But the enemy had so well munited that place and it was so difficult a business to keep it from being relieved by reason of its situation as the Duke forbore doing it at that time Moreover the resolutions which the King of Spain had put on against the Queen of England summoned him to other designes The loss of Sluce had this mean while caused much quarrelling between the Flemish and the English each blaming the other for not relieving it The Flemish imputed it to Leicester as having endeavoured it too late and Leicester complained of the Provinces for that they had not time enough furnished him with requisite provisions Wherefore the Queen weary of hearing so many complaints as also of being at so great expence or rather finding her self disdeceived in her hopes of coming to greater Authority amongst the Flemish she thought it better to move some
before they could get thither and afterwards in their return for Spain some of those ships perished unfortunately and amongst the chiefest and best qualified Spaniards which were there lost was Alonso di Leiva Generall of the Gallies in Sicily who chose to quit that Command and to be a Voluntier in this so famous Enterprise It would be too long to relate how many others of Quality perished in this imployment It will suffice to say that there were not any parts of the English Scotish or Irish coasts which were not innobled either by shipwracks or by the death or imprisonment of some of the choisest and best born Personages of all Spain Some other ships came up to the Admiral Ricalde in Ireland but all of them so shattered as they had much adoe to recover Spain and in the remainder of that voyage many of them perished The place whereunto the rest came for refuge was St. Anderos where Ricalde within a few dayes dyed as also another chief Commander at Sea called Oquendo together with divers other persons of quality who through their so great sufferings at Sea dyed almost as soon as they came to Land The Duke of Medina Sidonia after having together with the common dangers fallen into many particular hazards of his own arrived likewise about the end of September at the Port of St. Anderos from whence he acquainted the King with his arrival and gave him a full account of the whole success of that expedition This was that which befell the Spanish Armado which was sent to assault England Few enterprises were ever longer premeditated few ever made with greater preparations and none ever executed with greater misfortune So fallacious doe the designs of Mortals usually prove And thus the Divine Providence doth often in the secret Decrees of Heaven determine things contrary to what Humane wisdom hath in her pride determined here below THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF FLANDERS Written by CARDINAL BENTIVOGLIO The Second Part. BOOK V. The Contents After the unfortunate success of the Spanish Fleet the Duke of Parma goes from the Province of Flanders into that of Brabant The situation of the Enemies new Fort called Schinck-Sconce What was the occasion of making it and how prejudicial it is to the Kings affairs and those of the Archbishop of Colen in those parts At the Archbishops desire the Prince of Samay is sent by the Duke to recover Bona. The Duke hopes to get Bergen ap Zome by secret intelligence but is deceived He sends Count Charles Mansfield to besiege Vachtendonch who takes it S. Getrinburg is delivered up unto him by the Garrison thereof The mean while he again straitens Reinberg Schinck dyes in attempting to surprise Niminghen Reinberg soon after is surrendred A Spanish Brigado mutinies to Fernese's great displeasure which is increased by the loss of Breda Count Maurice raiseth a Fort-Royal against Niminghen The Duke of Parma prepares to go into France The King of Navar and Duke of Parma compared together in Military qualities The Duke goes from Flanders comes to Meos finds Paris reduced to the greatest extremity of famine resolves to use all means to succour it The King of Navar opposeth him with all his Forces The Dukes stratagem in shunning Battel when he seems most desirous to fight The mean while he unexpectedly assaults and storms the Town of Lagny upon the Mearn and relieves Paris with great store of victuals The King of Navar retires much incenst from thence The Duke of Parma besiegeth and takes Corbel upon the Sene. From thence he returns to the Low-Countries The King follows him and endeavours to discompose him But the Duke marches in so good order as with ut receiving any considerable damage he leaves France and returns to Flanders THe Spanish Fleet being departed with so unfortunate success the Duke of Parma went presently with his Army from Bruges Whilst he was in those parts attending the expedition for England he had not omitted to do what was fitting for the service of the affairs of Flanders We told you before that at the instant intreaties of the Archduke of Colen the Duke had recovered the Town of Nuys and besieged Reinberg both which places appertain to that Church Being diverted from Reinberg and drawn to relieve Zutfen he could not as then do more in service of the Archbishop This mean while things went very much the worse for him Schinck was never quiet Neither was it well known whether the vivacity of his understanding or his vigorous proceeding was the greater The Rhine after having run for a long space in one only Channel not being able any longer to keep within its own bounds falls into two Currents which become almost as capacious as the first By these two is the Island of the antient Battavians formed and the same name though somewhat corruptly is at this time preserved there Schinck thought it would be very convenient to build a Fort upon that point which the two arms of the river make Wherefore presenting himself before Count Maurice he spake in a Military manner thus Since my fortune was not most illustrious Count to serve under your Fathers Ensignes I will wholly dedicate my self to you who are left in his place And doubtlesly you will imitate him much more in valour then in bloud What Martin Schinck is his actions have already shewn Being ungratefully dealt with by the adverse side I will never be at quiet till I have revenged my self To this end I beseech you hear a Proposal of mine Why do not we fortifie that point which is made by the Rhine where it divides into two branches How much advantagious will it be to raise a Fort there All Vessels which pass from the one or the other part will be inforced to strike sail and to pay Tribute to it It may be called the Bridle of the Rhine And from thence may the banks thereabouts be overrun and still new progresses be made and those already made the better confirmed In fine no fort can be more advantagiously seated I desire no more but the trouble of building it and of keeping it and that it may be called by my name that I may be the more obliged to defend it Either my Military industry deceives me or the enemy cannot receive a greater blow then this upon the banks of Rhine Count Maurice though he was yet very young knew that Schincks proposal must needs be of great consequence and he represented it so unto the States as they resolved it should be done And it was not long ere the Fort was made defendable with such flanks every where as the situation most required It was afterwards munited with a good Garison and with all things else that was thought necessary for the security thereof This is the so famous Fort called Schincks Sconce possest for almost fifty years together by the United Provinces but which is of late years so much in every mans mouth by reason that
far from Venlo but the low situation thereof and the Fortifications which the Enemy had made about it made it considerable and the neighbouring Country was thereby much indammaged The Count went and having past the Manse at Venlo he sate down before Vachendunch the men that were with him were almost all of them Germans The Souldiers that were in the Town though they were but few seemed notwithstanding resolute to defend it Wherefore when the Count drew near those within failed not in making all necessary defence Yet the Royalists advanced every day till at last they might come to their Batteries Then entring into the Ditch and falling to work with their Mathooks ahd Mines they proceeded so far as the Defendants not being able to hold out longer were inforced to surrender the Town With the end of this Siege did the Year likewise end and the next of 1589. began The Kings Army was this mean while mightily diminished The Marquis of Borgaut with the most of his Germans was gone from Flanders and all the Souldiery of the other Nations were much lessened The Pay grew likewise every day scarcer insomuch as it was feared some disorder might happen by way of Mutiny to avoid the which the Duke had been still very carefull And though he had acquainted those in Spain with the danger yet he found but little remedy by reason of the excessive expence the King had been particularly at in the late expedition for England Fernese was much afflicted to find himself in this condition but chiefly for fear lest the King should quickly send him to succour the Catholick League in France to the so great prejudice as doubtlesly it might be feared of the affairs of Flanders To these afflictions of his mind the like of his body was added The Duke had abstained from all sorts of wine from his first coming into Flanders for fear lest the Gout a disease hereditary to his family might make him the less able for military exercise In his strongest dayes he might have suffered such an abstinence but increasing in years his blood began to be corrupted and some signs of a Dropsie appeared in him which being increased by his labours and sufferings grew to that pass as it brought him as you shall shortly hear irrepairably to his end Now to return to the new Year and to relate the successes of the beginning thereof The Duke had an occasion of making an acquisition of great importance but which soon drew with it a much greater loss Edward Lanzavecchia a Souldier of great experience and who of the Italians was well esteemed by the Duke was Governonr of Breda Breda as a place of great consequence in Brahant not far from St. Getrenberg a place likewise of very great concernment In St. Getrenberg was a Garrison which was almost wholly English who being ill paid and but badly satisfied in divers other things made it be feared that some novelty might happen there Count Maurice knew how affairs went there and sought to appease the Garrison with some Pay but the Souldiers having received part of their monies grew more earnest to have all the rest wherefore growing again importunate they came from desires to threats nor was it long ere they broke forth into open mutiny They said notwithstanding that they would maintain the Town for the Queens service Nor could Colonel Norris a gallant Countryman of theirs who was sent to them by Count Maurice and told them that the Queen would be offended at this action of theirs prevail any thing with them The mean while Lanzavecchia would not lose this opportunity From the very first time that the Garrison had begun to be in commotion he had underhand used all means to increase it and to bring them at last to deliver up the Town to the Duke of Parma To this purpose he offered them large rewards in the Dukes name and particularly that whatsoever Pay was due unto them by the States should be forthwith paid them and five Payes more by way of donative Such a practice was shamefull and would admit of no colour to honest it yet the Garrison kept it still on foot till growing more familiar with infamy they resolved privately to consent thereunto and to put it presently into execution Count Maurice was this mean while upon his march with a considerable strength to force the garrison to their due obedience On the one side he had taken a certain Bank whereby to draw nearer to the Town which is seated very low and had provided certain ships in the Channel by which the Town is watered on the other side from which he prepared to play upon them with his Canon The Garrison delayed then no longer The intelligence being soon discovered they opposed Count Maurice every where and made the Kings men march at the same time that they might deliver the Town up unto them The Duke himself would be present at this success wherefore leaving Brussels and gathering the Garrisons of the neighbouring Towns hastily together he suddenly marched towards St. Getrinberg resolving to inforce Maurice either to fight or to retreat Maurice was not strong enough to oppose the Kings men by land and his men who were in the Channel could not easily be brought to joyn with those on land So as drawing off from the Town the Duke entred thereinto and causing full satisfaction to be given to the Garrison according to the agreement made by Lanzavecchia he put a Garrison of the Kings thereinto and returned again to Brussels St. Getrinberg about the midst of May fell into Ferneses hands who left the same Lanzavecchia there for Governour continuing him still notwithstanding in the government of Breda All the Souldiers who had surrendred the Town past immediately under the Kings Colours and the States made a severe Proclamation against them for so detestable and perfidious an act A little before this the Archbishop of Colen was come himself in person to the Duke of Parma and had very earnestly desired him that he would by all means besiege Reinberg again The Duke seemed willing thereunto and gave order to the Marquis of Barambone Governour of Ghelderland that he should immediately straiten the Town but rather with intention to hinder the Garrison from making excursions at the present then to make a formal siege before it The Marquis of Barambone was one of the chief Lords of Burgony and had the command of a Regiment of that Nation He then went his way with that his Regiment and with some other Regiments of Walloon Foot and some Troops of Horse Schinck had fortified a little Village near Reinberg called Bliembech from whence the Enemy might the better make excursions into the neighbouring parts Wherefore Barambone resolved first to take this place from them Yet he had a tough business of it he was forced to batter it and to spend some time before it till at last the Enemy agreed to come forth and the Kings men entred the
side Idiaques and Cajetan's Foot coming in to assist Basti's Horse a very hot skirmish had likely to have been had not the King considering his disadvantage made his men retreat in a warlike posture The Dukes men pursued them no farther least they might break their establish'd order of marching And here did end the King of Navar 's assaults all the molestations which Fernese till then had suffered by them Who being come with all his Army safe into the confines of Flanders he and the Duke Du Mayne parted He again confirm'd more then ever hopes in the Duke Du Mayne of new and potent succours in assistance of the League and assured him that he himself would very speedily be their Conductor The mean while he left with him about 4000 Foot and 500 Horse thinking that such a recrute might serve for the present to boot with a Regiment of Germans which was formerly maintained in the service of the League and defray'd by the King of Spain under the command of Count Colalto The Duke passed forward and distributing the souldiery into Garisons to rest themselves after so great labours he came about the beginning of December to his winter quarters which was usually in Brussels THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF FLANDERS Written by CARDINAL BENTIVOGLIO The Second Part. BOOK VI. The Contents The Duke of Parma after his return from France findes the Kings affairs in Flanders but in ill condition Advancements made in many parts by the Enemy They take Zutfen and Deventer both of them places of great importance The Duke incamps before the Fort opposite to Niminghen does all he can to take it from the Enemy Count Maurice draws neer it with great Forces to relieve it This mean while Fernese receives precise orders from the King to prepare suddenly to return again to France he therefore immediately raiseth his siege Maurice maketh use of this occasion He goeth to before Hulst a Town in the Province of Flanders and quickly takes it From thence he goes to before Niminghen and hath the like good fortune there The League in France does this mean while decline daily Their danger of losing the City of Roan which is straitly besieged by the King of Navar Wherefore the Duke of Parma presently enters France The Army of the League joyns with his They march towards Normandy to relieve Roan The King of Navar marches to oppose them A noble fight between both the Camps at Umaile wherein the King is hurt and in danger to be taken The Army of the League advances draws neer Roan and puts some succour into it It then falls further off and the King reinforceth his siege But at last the Duke of Parma forceth him to quit it The Colleagues enter forthwith into the Peninsula in the County of Caux and besiege Caudebeck In discovering the Place the Duke is wounded and is much disturb'd in continuing his command The King makes use of this occasion He possesseth himself of the entrance into the Peninsula and reduceth the Colleagues to great scarcity of all things The Duke that he may not be forced to fight upon too much disadvantage resolves to secure his Army by passing over the River Which he fortunately doth He then leaves France and returns with speedy march to Flanders New successes on that side to the advantage of the enemy and to Fernese's great grief His affliction is increased by his growing every day worse and worse in his health And yet he is again commanded by the King to return with all speed possible into France To this purpose he goes to Arras and deligently prepares for his third passage into France But his sickness increasing still upon him he dies WIth the Dukes return to Flanders we will return to our former narration though we shall be soon diverted from it by the new necessity put upon the Duke of returning again into France Great had the sufferings been which he had undergone in his first journey wherein those of his mind were more then those of his body He had learned by experience how hard a business it was to joyn the Kings designes together with those of the League That the King after the vast expence he had been at in his late expedition against England did now consume himself in these disbursments which he was at for the League of France And that in the interim his own Territories of Flanders was but ill furnished with men mony and almost all things else in so much as doubtlesly much damage was to be expected thereby To boot with the men that were left with the Duke Du Mayn it was necessary to place many on the Frontiers which lay towards France to encourage the League nearer at hand and that they might be ready to march in the behalf thereof when it should be needfull at any hours warning So as the Kings Garisons in Flanders were much lessened even in the most important places And the Towns themselves left but slenderly provided with victuals or warlick ammunition to maintain a siege if the enemy should sit down before them Which they knowing their own advantage were not long adoing as we shall successively relate Amongst other things which had mightily afflicted the Duke of Parma whilst he was in France one was the mutiny which happened at that time in Emanuel de Vega's Spanish Brigado which remained in Flanders which the Duke after his return did very much rescent at both the Mansfields hands they not having been diligent enough as he thought in preventing it And the disorder grew so much the greater because it was above a year before those people could be paid and reduced to their former wonted service At the beginning of the year 1591. the enemy did not delay seconding the good conjunctures on their parts Colonel Norris an English man of whom we have often spoken was in Ostend who with that Garison which was then very numerous by reason of a new recruit of men which the Queen of England had newly sent thither overran all the parts thereabouts Yet the Fort of Blanchemberg which lies between Ostend and Sluce as hath been said was a great obstacle in his way Resolving therefore to free himself thereof he assaulted the Fort so unexpectedly and upon such advantage as he soon took it and it was soon after dismantled This happened in the Province of Flanders about the midst of February Not long after the enemy made two other surprisals in Brabant The one was of the Castle of Westerlo and the other of Turnehaut which is one of the greatest Villages in all Brabant There is likewise a Castle in this Village into which as also into the Village some souldiers did enter in country attire as having something to sell and without any difficulty made themselves Masters of them both But these were but slight acquisitions in respect of others which Count Maurice intended to make and which he sufficiently did that year as you shall
Calis afford less opportunity to offend so noble a part of the Kingdom by sea And what would Europe think of a King who contented with his only home-victories should suffer himself to be thus overcome by Forreign Forces How much would the Malcontents of the Kingdom be hereby incouraged to set the League on foot again perhaps which was or too lately supprest or not yet fully extinguished Thus did the King of France with great anger storm against himself for the surprisal of Amiens Being then thus agitated by these considerations he speedily removed from Paris to Co bie a Town standing upon the banks of Some not above three leagues from Amiens Here he together with Marishal Biroun and other Commanders in war resolved immediately to incamp before that City and not to leave any thing undone whereby to drive out the Spaniards and to free Picardy from all their Forces Biroun Commanded the Kings Forces who being naturally very haughty thought it redounded much to his own particular dishonour that the Spaniards should daily make such advancements in those parts The King therefore commanded him that mustering together as many of the French souldiery as might be had from the neighbouring Garisons he should begin to begirt Amiens and to take a particular care that no fresh men should enter into it This order being given and such others as were requisite upon such an occurrency the King went again to Paris to sollicite such Forces and preparations from all parts as were requisite for such an undertaking The River Some runs a long course through Picardy and cutting it as it were through in the middle fals afterwards into the British Sea Upon the Banks of this River stands the chiefest Cities and Towns of the Province But Amiens doth flourish there beyond them all as well for the antiquity of its foundation as for the beauty of its buildings and for the quality industry and number of Inhabitants The Some enters it with many Branches and washing the wals in many places makes the circuit thereof stronger on those sides then on the others it is also well provided of Curtains Flanks and Ditches but that part which looks towards Flanders as being most subject to danger is best fortified And because the Spaniards in likelyhood would have endeavoured to relieve the City on that side and especially from Dorlan the Marishal Biroun did therefore incamp himself on that side and began to break up the ways to possess himself of the Passes and to design out his quarters for the future siege Portacarrero had this mean while sent back Francesco d' Arco to Brussels to advertise the Cardinal of his happy success and to desire him to send some new recruits of men with all speed Great store of Artillery Ammunition and Victuals was found in Amiens Portacarrero did therefore for the present only desire a recruit of men that so he might make good the Town till such time as the Cardinal might come to relieve it with a compleat Army The Cardinal shewed such signes of joy as became such a purchase and sent back the same Francesco d'Arco having first honoured him upon this occasion with a Company of Spanish Foot to assure Portacarrero that he would speedily send him some good succour and that he would forthwith muster the whole Army with which he himself would come in person and undoubtedly raise the siege On the other side the King of France being fully resolved to continue it went perpetually from one place to another to raise what moneys he could what men and what provisions as were requisite for such a purpose A Renovation of League was then in Treaty between him and the Queen of England which he very much desired might be effected And he Treated likewise with the United Provinces of Flanders that they might make some considerable diversion against the Spaniards and that in particular they might send him some aid for the business of Amiens The mean while Marishal Biroun prosecuted the already begun works he had thrown a bridg of boats over the uppermost part of the River between Corbie and Amiens and another over the lower part thereof where the Village Lompre stands to the end that he might have free passage from the one side of the River to the other and might at his pleasure joyn the Kings Forces on either side He drew a Line in compass from the one bridg to the other of well Flank'd Trenches towards the City but of much greater compass towards the field-side All these Works were made on the side towards Flanders as hath been said because the besieged were to be succoured from thence Nor did he forbear beleaguering the Town in such sort as was fitting on the side which lay towards France It is not to be said with what ardency and eagerness Biroun behaved himself adding a rigid imperious command to his innate pride and making it evidently appear in his Military haughtiness that he would bequeath the siege in such a condition to the King when his Majesty should come thither as he should acknowledg the good success thereof chiefly from him Thus had Biroun laid the siege but at the same time he hoped to make so important a surprise on the neighbouring Frontiers of Artois as the Spaniards should be so much the more hindred from the freeing of Amiens To this purpose he did so unexpectedly assault Arras by night which is the chiefest City of Artois with 4000 foot and 1200 horse as he indangered it He planted a Petard luckily his men began already to enter the Gate but the people thereof which are numerous and warlike taking up Arms the French were so on repulst wherein Count Bucquoy's valour did very much appear who being in Arras had the fortune to signalize himself more then any other upon that occasion Biroun being returned to his quarters about Amiens attempted another surprise by sealado against Dorlan but failed therein also So as quite forgoing these secret machinations he applyed himself wholly to the siege which he had begun No less vigilancy was in the interim used on the Spaniards behalf The Cavalier Pacciotto an highly esteemed Italian Ingenier and brother to the other Ingenier Pacciotto who was slain at the assault of Calis was by stealth gotten into Amiens and had brought Captain Lechiuga with him a Spaniard who very well understood the management of Artillery These two applyed themselves diligently the one to better the Fortifications where it was most needfull the other to dispose of the Artillery where they might be of greatest annoyance to the enemy And Biroun not having as yet fully finished his Trenches the Cardinal Archduke had given strict command that some endeavour should be made to put some new recruit of souldiers into Amiens from the Frontiers of Artois Count Bucquoy was to this effect in Dorlan with 4000 Walloon foot and John de Gusman with 300 horse And because it was afterwards feared that such a body of
homes in so much as it was requisite to have an Imperial Proclamation and likewise to use force to extirp that malady which had so easily taken root every where The effecting of the promised hope was not after omitted by the Kings Party for the Town of Res was put again into the Duke of Cleves hands and whatsoever else of his was holden in those parts and in the other neutral Countries all things were returned to their former condition Thus ended the movings of the German Camp and the effects thereof proved as it is usually seen in other Leagues greater in appearance then in reallities few joyning in the Government of Chieftains as the Interests of Princes are seldom alike and which use to last as long as each that is interessed may compass not the ends of others but their own intents Whilst the aforesaid affairs were in hand the Archduke Albertus and the Infanta Isabella having consummated their marriage in Spain and tarryed some months with the King had at last taken their journey to come and enjoy the new Principality of Flanders They Imbarqued at the beginning of June in Barcelona in 24 Gallies commanded by Prince Doria and within a few days-arrived safely at Genua Coming from thence to Milan they tarryed in that City almost all July where they were honoured with an Ambassy from the Pope who to that purpose sent the Cardinal Piechtristain a German to them From thence passing the Alpes at Piemont and going through Burgony and Lorain they entred into the Province of Lucemburg and about the beginning of September they came to Brussels having first staid two days at the Town of Hall which is three hours journey from that City where at the same time Cardinal Andrea was who having given them an account of the affairs of Flanders took his journey presently towards Germany as his brother the Marquis of Burgaut had done but a little before Preparation was had this mean while in Brussels for the receiving of the new Princes with all solemnity and upon this occasion there was already an infinite number of Foreigners in the City They made their entry on the 6 of September which was full of extraordinary pomp and magnificence as well on the Cities behalf which erected many Triumphant Arches all richly adorned and which added thereunto all other demonstrations of joy as on the behalf of the new Princes who came attended by a most flourishing Court and who took pleasure to make it appear so that day Being come into Brussels the Archduke began to take the administration of Government into his hands the Infanta having thought it fit he should do so though the chiefest Prerogatives of the Principality were in her The first business was to form the reciprocal Oaths which were in the first place to be taken by the new Princes and by the States of those Provinces which were under them Nor were the difficulties small which arose therein by reason of the wonted jealousie of Priviledges wherein the Countrey would be maintained But all impediments being removed the new Princes went about the end of November to Lovain which holds the first place of all the Cities of Brabant as that Dukedom does amongst the Provinces of Flanders and here the ceremony of Swearing was performed in such manner as gave best satisfaction to all sides The like was afterwards done in the nearest Cities and the City of Antwerp in particular did receive the new Princes with more splendid and sumptuous demonstrations then upon the like occasion had been known The like was done in many other Provinces where the Archdukes for so would the new Princes be stiled thought it fittest to shew themselves And having given and received all possible satisfaction in all places after having made a large progress they at last returned to Brussels which was to be the ordinary abode of their Court. THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF FLANDERS Written by CARDINAL BENTIVOGLIO The Third Part. BOOK VI. The Contents The new Princes being come to Flanders their affairs proceed but ilfavouredly many of their Souldiers mutiny and other disorders happen in their Army Count Maurice fails not to make use hereof He surpriseth Vachtendonch a place of importance in Ghelderland and then by open siege takes the Forts of Crevecoeur and St. Andrea Some Ambassadors from Caesar come to Brussels and passing afterwards into Holland a Treaty of Agreement is commenced by them between the Archdukes and the Confederate Provinces but proves at last bootless The like endeavours between the King of Spain's and the Archdukes Commissioners on the one part and those of the Queen of England on the other proves vain likewise Count Maurice marcheth this mean while into the field with great Forces He exters into the Province of Flanders and incamps before Newport The Archduke goes himself in person to obviate him A Battel insues between the two Camps and Maurice gets the Victory He returns to besiege Newport but cannot get it Wherefore he returns to his quarters And the next Spring marcheth into the field besiegeth Reinberg and takes it The Archduke resolves to incamp before Ostend The situation and description thereof It is begun to be straitned on sundry sides What progress is made therein and what vigorous opposition In this interim Count Maurice goes to before Balduke The Archduke relieves the City and Maurice retires The siege of Ostend continues and the Town is bootlesly assaulted A new Treaty of Peace is reassumed between the King of Spain and the Archdukes on the one side and the Queen of England on the other The Queen dies nothing being concluded She is succeeded by James King of Scotland GReat were the demonstrations of joy which were shewed by the Catholick Provinces upon the coming of the new Princes to Flanders But the adverse Provinces continuing more then ever in their formerly taken resolutions and more then ever confiding both in their own Forces and in those of their Confederates they omitted not to prepare diligently for war The year 1600 was already begun wherein the Archdukes new Principality had but unfortunate successes They were not well come to those Provinces when their Souldiery in the retiring from the field began to break forth into divers mutinies The first arose amongst the Spaniards who coming in small numbers at first into the Village of Hamont upon the State of Liege and fortifying it did soon make up a body of 2000 Foot and 800 Horse The Garrisons of Germans and Walloons who kept the two Forts of Crevecoeur and St. Andrea followed this example and generally the Army in all parts for their want of Pay and by being so long used to this abuse was so inclined to doe the like as had not the Commanders particularly minded the danger it was to be feared the disorder might have proceeded to a general Mutiny It was endeavoured to appease the Spaniards and they had the Town of Diste in Brabant assigned over to them with such
the United Provinces they seemed to desire nothing more then the peace and tranquility of those Countries affirming that for their part they would never be wanting in contributing their best endeavours thereunto Having thus declared their Commissions first to the Archdukes the Ambassadors went afterwards into Holland and there did the like to the Deputies representing the States Generall of the United Provinces Touching the novelties happened in the Neutral Countries the Deputies answered with all obsequiousness towards the Emperor and Empire and complained bitterly of the Spaniards As for Schinks Sconce they endeavoured to justifie the success thereof with divers reasons And the Ambassadors giving assured hopes that if the United Provinces would restore Emrich they would make the Archdukes restore Reinberg the Deputies promised that that Town should be restored as it soon after was In the point of the Treaty of Agreement the Ambassadors found great reluctancie in the Deputies who said That the United Provinces would never confide in the Spaniards that therefore they would not enter into any Treaty with them and that the Archdukes by the form of their new Principality did wholly depend upon the King of Spain Notwithstanding all these difficulties the Ambassadors did so work it as at last the United Provinces gave way that their Deputies should meet with those of the obedient Provinces to make if it were possible some good agreement between both sides and the Convention was agreed upon to be at Berghen-ap-Zome a Town belonging to the United Provinces and but a short dayes journey from Antwerp Thus was this Conference occasioned by the means of these Ambassadors though no good came thereof it being broken almost as soon as begun as shall be related in its proper place About the same time almost another Negotiation was put in hand to bring the affairs to some good correspondencie between the King of Spain and the Archdukes on the one side and the Queen of England on the other Cardinal Andrea had laid some ground-works hereof whilst he had yet the Government of Flanders Nor did the Queen shew herself averse thereunto When the Archdukes were come to Brussels they took occasion to continue the friendly offices begun by the Cardinal and the Queen did the like with them Wherefore these demonstrations proceeding from both sides by letters and particular personages it was believed that the Treaty might hold on and that they might come to some good agreement Not long after the Town of Boloign in France which lies upon the English Channel was chosen for this end Where about the beginning of May Baltazar de Ziniga who was Ambassador for the Spanish King in the Court of Flanders and Fernando Cariglio came in behalf of the King of Spain and with them the President Richardotto and the Audienciarie Verrechin on the Archdukes part And on the behalf of the Queen of England Sir Henry Nevil who was her Ambassador at that time with the King of France Sir John Herbert and Sir Thomas Edmonds But all these being met in Boloign such difficulties arose in point of precedencie between the Spanish and the English Agents as it was not possible to reconcile them wherefore they came not to any agreement at all but departing almost as soon as they were met the Negotiation was put off to a better conjuncture of time Count Maurice was by this time ready to march into the field It was thought he would go against the peculiar Province of Flanders for he imbarqued his men in the maritime Gulfs which were nearest that Province and therefore it was judged that his principal designs tended thitherward Nor was it ill imagined For about the midst of June he landed all his Army about the Fort Sasso which consisted as it was commonly said of 15000 Foot and 2500 Horse Divers Rivers run through Gaunt which is the chiefest City of the Province of Flanders one of them streams out in a large Channel which falls into the nearest maritime Gulf to that City and which afterwards joyns with the rest which doe incompass the Islands of Zealand Here stands the Fort called Sasso of Gaunt as not being above five leagues from that City This Fort was very carefully guarded by a Spanish Garrison especially for the securing of some Sluces by which the water of the aforesaid Channel might either be raised or let down and drown all the fields thereabouts Neer this Fort upon the brink of the same Gulf two lesser Forts were placed Maurice assaulted these and easily taking them it was thought he would have assaulted the great Fort of Sasso but he fearing he should be entertained there longer then he could be dispenced withal by his other greater designs he went from thence and marched with all his Army towards Bruges and past almost by the Gates thereof It was thought that having many in that City who sided with him he hoped that upon occasion of his being so near the Town they might occasion some tumult which might happen for his advantage But failing of his expectation he pursued his march with evident signs that he would lay siege to Newport a Town near the Sea and not far from Ostend At the same time as he march by land those many ships waited on him by sea which served to land his Army in the Province of Flanders When he was entred into Ostend he publickly declared his resolution of besieging Newport The Archdukes had divers Forts to withstand the excursions which were made by the souldiers of Ostend and in particular three called St. Albertus Snaescherch and Bredene and there was another between Ostend and Bruges upon the pass of a river in a place called Audemberg Maurice turn'd first upon these Forts which were but weakly garrisoned and munited and meeting but with little resistance possessed himself speedily of them all He thought that the Catholick Camp would not adventure to relieve Newport unless they had first recovered those Forts and that if they should not recover them all the sooner he might the mean while take the Town which was neither very great nor very strong nor sufficiently provided of men nor of other things requisite to make defence With this design and these hopes he drew near to Newport and being still followed by his Maritime Train by means whereof his Army might continually be largely furnished with whatsoever he wanted he began to straighten the Town both by sea and land Newport doth not stand fully upon the sea-shore but very neer it on the one part thereof there runs a little River which though it be but of a mean Channel yet where it fals into the sea makes a considerable haven and especially at high tydes Upon the first news of Count Maurice his being moved and of his Armies being landed in the Province of Flanders the Arch Dukes went presently from Brussels to Gaunt the better by their presence to secure both that City and the other Towns of that Province Where mustering as many
those that assailed them and came the better to where their help was required They also soon discerned that they were all false Alarms that were given without and that the true Assault was made only in one place To this was added that Count Bucquoy not finding the water of the aforesaid Channel so low as he believed he could by no means pass over them Yet the Catholicks did for a long time continue their assault but the Defendants advantages still increasing the Assailants were at last forced to give over with great loss for there were above 600 slain and wounded part of them being Gambaloita's men who was slain himself and part belonging to Durango who was sorely wounded Nor did those within let slip the occasion of prejudicing yet more the Catholicks as they retreated For plucking up some of their Sluces by which they both received the Sea-water into their ditches and let it out again they turned the water with such violence into the Channel which the Catholicks had passed over before they came to the assault and which they were to pass over again in their retreat as many of them were unfortunately drowned John Bentivoglio Knight of St. John's Order our Brother who was but a little before come from Italy after having served the Emperor some years in Hungary was in this action and therein gave such trial of himself as the Archdukes not long after honoured him with a Company of Lances The year 1602. was already begun and with so bitter cold weather as many advised the Archduke to give over the siege of Ostend as a business which might be despaired of But he would not be perswaded thereunto thinking the Kings honour and his own too much engaged not to continue that siege still and bring it to a good end Wherefore he resolved to raise a great Platform in St. Alberto's quarter which might command the Town as much as might be possible on that side and gave new orders that Bucquoy should from St. Charls his Fort advance with all possible speed that great Bank which was designed to command the Channel of Bredene as we touched upon before Having given out these directions and leaving the Spanish Campmaster John di Rivas a valiant and well experienced Souldier to have the chief government of the Siege the Archduke retired to Gaunt to make such provisions against the Enemy as were requisite who on their side made very great preparations that they might be early in the field with great Forces The Treaty of Agreement which had been formerly on foot and almost at the same time broken as we told you then between the King of Spain and the Archduke on the one part and the Queen of England on the other was this interim continued by many means Great desire of coming to some good correspondencie appeared on both sides And the Queen being now very full of years did particularly shew her self every day more and more inclined thereunto When in March she fell very sick of which sickness she dyed after she had lived 70 years and reigned 4â— Thus dyed Elizabeth Queen of England and Ireland who so much afflicted the Church and who so long and by so many wayes fomented the War which we describe She was Daughter to King Henry the Eighth by Queen Anne of Boloign After the death of her Father being bred up in Heresie she was much made of by her Brother King Edward the Sixth who was likewise a Follower of the new Sects which were formerly introduced by his Father But Queen Mary who soon restored the antient Religion succeeding him Elizabeth ran hazard of her life and was either imprisoned or confined all her Sisters Reign who dying without issue the Crown came to Elizabeth The marriage of her Father with Anne of Boloign was always detested by the Catholick Church wherefore she openly maintained Heresie and persecuted the Catholicks And to secure her self the better in her Kingdom she was not content to favour Heresie in her own Dominions but still joyned with the Heretical Factions of Scotland France Germany and Flanders endeavouring thus to keep her neighbouring Countries still in turmoils that she might be the more quiet at home For what remains it is not to be denyed that by Common opinion such gifts both of body and minde concur'd in her as would have been worthy of the highest praise had she so much illustrated them by the true Religion as she did eclipse them by false worship a comliness of Aspect graceful behaviour weight in her words or a winning speech and a pleasing greatness both in her private and publick actions She was endowed with a rare understanding and wit which made her be a great friend to learning to the choicest and most delightful whereof she applyed her self she was particularly so ready in the Latin tongue as she was often pleased publickly to make use thereof and therein to receive the applause of the most learned in both the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge it may be no marriage was ever more coveted then hers Many Princes in several parts of Europe did for a long time strive to be her husband hoping that the refusal of the one might facilitate the pretences of another and she very cunningly still nourished hopes in them and endeavoured divers waies to honest her excuses thinking her self so much more worthy by how much the more she was pretended unto Coming at last to her declining years those seeming appearances ended and then it was clearly seen that she being full of haughty thoughts not caring for issue would never receive a Companion in her Bed because she could not admit of a Companion in her Throne She exercised her greatest enmities with the Pope of Rome and King of Spain as may have been seen in this our History she kept good correspondencie with all the other Potentates of Europe and was by the most of them continually much honoured She was a woman of a manlike spirit infinitely intent upon Government and desirous of retaining the chief hand in managing thereof as she had the prime authority Great were her expences both within and without her Kingdom It is not to be credited how much she spent at home especially in keeping England well munited with Naval forces being ofttimes used to say That her well arm'd ships in that Island were her Armies and her Citadels She enjoyed good health and that so long as none of her Predecessors lived so long as she and but few reigned so long And although she detested the Queen of Scots whom at last she put to death yet she was pleased that her Son King James who was likewise fallen into Heresie should succeed her and unite the Island of England and Scotland into one body which whilst divided had formerly for so many Ages been cause of so many discords wars and calamities on both sides THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF FLANDERS Written by CARDINAL BENTIVOGLIO The Third Part. BOOK VII
The Contents An Agreement is made between the King of Spain and the Arch-dukes on the one part and the new King of great Britain on the other The siege of Ostend continues and with what success Frederick Spinola comes into Flanders with a Squadron of Gallies And his brother Marquess Ambrosio Spinola comes thither likewise with 8000 Foot raised in Italy Both their intentions to advance themselves by the military profession But Federick is slain not long after in a Sea fight Count Maurice prepares great Forces besiegeth Graves and takes it A new mutiny in the Catholick Camp The Arch-duke resolves to turn his Forces against the mutineers Maurice comes into their aid and secures them from all danger With their Forces and his own he besiegeth Balduke The Arch-duke goes in person to relieve it whereupon Maurice retreats from thence Slow proceedings about Ostend The siege thereof is put into the hands of Marquis Spinola Who with great fervency embraceth the managing thereof Maurice the mean while incamps before Sluce Spinola marcheth to relieve it but not succeeding therein the Town is lost Spinola returns to the siege of Ostend and at last ends that enterprise He goes afterwards into Spain and returns from thence made Camp-master General of the Catholick Army in Flanders He opposeth divers of Count Maurice his proceedings then suddenly passeth the Rhine goes towards Friesland and there takes Oldensel and Linghen And soon after Count Bucquoy takes Vachtendonch Spinola goes again into Spain and is sent back by the King into Flanders with addition of Honours He passeth again with his Army towards Friesland takes Groll and Reinberg and forceth Maurice afterwards to raise his Siege from before the same Town of Groll JAmes King of Scots succeeding Queen Elizabeth came forthwith to London which is the Metropolitan City of England where his arrival was celebrated with great demonstrations of joy the Scots and English contending by usual and natural emulation who should glory most the one for having given a new King to the English or the others for having got him from them But amidst these mirths the Catholicks were much afflicted who soon lost all hopes of being better treated in matter of Religion as the new King in the latter time of the Queen to make them well disposed towards him had made them believe they should be For even from his very first coming to London they found they should suffer no less bitter persecution under him then for so long a time they had done under her That he might unite the two Nations together as much as it was possible the new King would be stiled King of Great Britain comprehending thus both the Kingdoms under one Title and endeavouring by all other means according to the Form of that Heretical Government to establish himself at home in all security He then applied himself to Foreign Correspondencies knowing how much the well grounding of these would contribute to his own domestical affairs He renewed the Confederacies which the late Queen had with the King of France and the United Provinces of Flanders And with the like inclination which she had shewed a little before her death of coming to some agreement with the King of Spain and the Archdukes he heartily gave himself to continue the Negotiation wherein the King of Spain and Archdukes did not refuse to correspond on their behalfs So as the business growing every day nearer an end it was not long till they came to mutual splendid Embassies by which such correspondencie was at last established as the so contrary Interest between them in point of Religion and matter of State could admit of Which we have thought fit to touch upon only here not to digress too far from the particular affairs of Flanders Then that we may return to the Narration thereof the chief business which did then depend in those Provinces was the Siege of Ostend The greater the difficulties appeared of bringing it to an end the more resolute was the Archduke to endeavour it by all possible wayes being particularly instigated thereunto by the Province of Flanders which shewed it self very ready to continue all the largest Contributions which to that purpose could be thereby subministred The Archduke when he came from that Siege had left the care thereof as we told you to the Campmaster Rivas who failed not to use all diligence in daily advancing the Works The most important whereof were two The one the great Platform in St. Alberto's quarter which was raised as fast as might be to annoy incessantly the Old Town of Ostend from thence by many Peeces of Artillery And the other the great Dike already begun in Bredene quarter with intention of leading it on so far as it might command the great Channel and so hinder the continual and large succours which by means thereof were received into the Town from the Sea To make this Dike a great quantity of those Sauceges which we spake of before were made use of and were much greater then the former To the first and largest foundation which was well incorporated with wet sand and other condense matter others of the like sort were added till the Dike was grown to the height it ought to be and the breadth thereof was very extraordinary great To boot with the ordinary Plain thereof upon which two great Canons might stand abrest there was a great Parapet raised in it against the Town to shelter the Souldier and which being in divers places furnished with Artillery did greatly indammage the Enemy likewise on that fide This work was made in a sandy and low situation and whither the Sea at full Tide came so as it cannot be said with how much expence labour and loss of blood this work was advanced Whilst such diligent work was had by Land touching the Siege of Ostend Frederick Spinola did continually scoure that Sea-coast with a Squadron of Gallies which he had a little before brought from Spain Frederick was come to be trained up in Arms in Flanders in the Duke of Parma's time And though he had not then any particular Imployment yet was there generally great hopes had of him in all those occurrences wherein his wit industry and capacity did plainly appear He had learnt by experienced men that by maintaining a good Squadron of Spanish Gallies upon the Coast of Flanders the Hollanders and Zealanders might be very much prejudiced in their usual Navigations in those Seas and Gulfs It was considered that those Vessels which frequented those parts were either Fisher-men or Merchants that the Gallies by their nimbleness might continually infest that passage that to boot with the great prejudice which the Enemy might receive thereby by Sea they might peradventure receive more damage by Land for the Gallies might at all times run into the nearest Sea-gulfs land men pillage their Villages and upon good success attempt some important surprise whereby they might get footing in Zealand Which if it should so fall
two peeces of Artillery and in it were twelve hundred choise souldiers picked out of all the Nations and this he assigned to Camp-master Antunes who was one of the valliantest and oldest souldiers of all Flanders A little behinde this followed two other Battalions of Foot with two peeces of Artillery likewise in the Fronts of each of them the one Spaniards under Camp-master Menesses the other Italians under the two Camp-masters Justinian and Branchatchio These two Battalions stood on equal brest but at a befitting distance one from another After these came another greater Battalion of Foot and because it was the last it had two peeces of Artillery on the Rear thereof and it was led on by Count d' Emden a German Camp-master and by Monsieur d' Ashshurt a Walloon Camp-master The Horse were placed on both the Flanks divided into divers Squadrons two whereof which were the greatest and which were called the reserve as being reserved for the greatest need were commanded by Cavalier Bentivoglio and Luca Cairo both of them Italians and who were the ancientest Captains On the Front of the Cavalry and in the Van stood Velasco their General on the right hand and Melzi Lieutenant General on the left And because the Enemy were much superior in Horse their wings were sheltered with long and redoubled Files of Carts which were likewise furnished with some Files of Musketteers and with a peece of Artillery on each side Spinola chose no particular place for himself that he might be at liberty to turn whither he listed This was the order of the Catholick Camp and in this manner they still drew nearer the Town and though they had all a great desire to fight yet Spinola to confirm it the more in them by shewing his own forwardness added such incitements as upon such an occasion was most requisite he told them That the preservation of Groll was not onely in dispute now but even the like of all that they had purchased at the price of so much blood and labour on the other side the Rhine That therefore they must either dye or relieve it But that he believed though the Enemy were more in numbers then they yet they would not come to the tryal of a battel That it was not numbers but valour that got the victory And had they not newly tryed even in those very parts that Count Maurice would still keep sheltered between Ditches and Rivers not ever coming forth to open battel And more of late at Reinberg when did he shew any true good will thereunto Let them then according to their custom play their parts valiantly That he would not fail on his behalf nor would he forget to let the King and Arch-dukes know their several good services and endeavour their reward But these exhortations needed not For Count Maurice were it either by express orders from the Confederate Provinces or for some particular sense of his own or that in reason of war he being so great a Commander it ought indeed to have been done he would not lead forth his Army into the field nor put himself upon the trial of a Battel And not being sufficiently fortified to attend the Catholick Camp within his Trenches he resolved to retreat and first staying in a certain place where he was safe on all sides he afterward withdrew from the Town and led his Army into other parts And Spinola after he had furnished the Town with what was necessary for the defence thereof did the like And sending his souldiers to their Garrisons he himself past back again over the Rhine and came to the Arch-duke at Brussels Spinola's designs had then been really very great as may be gathered by what we have said And though by reason of the unexpected difficulties which arose the success did not correspond to expectation yet these two affairs of Reinberg and Groll proved such as doubtlessly the one may be numbred amongst the noblest Sieges and the other amongst the most famous Reliefs that the War of Flanders had till then produced THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF FLANDERS Written by CARDINAL BENTIVOGLIO The Third Part. BOOK VIII The Contents The opinion of the Popes of Rome in advantage to the affairs of Flanders A suspension of Armes insues in those Provinces They then fall to a setled Treaty that they might come either to a settlement of a perpetual Peace or of some long Truce The reasons why the King of Spain and the Arch-Dukes do incline to bring the Affairs to some accommodation Great consultations hereupon had in the Confederate Provinces The Emperors King of France and King of Englands sense therein Count Maurice his declared opposition yet the Treaty proceeds and Deputies on both sides meet The Businesses are propounded Great difficulties in those of the Indies and afterwards in other things Whereupon all Treaty of Peace soon ends They therefore enter upon the second Consideration Viz. Of a long Truce The Ambassadors of France and England labour hard therein Count Maurice does what he can again to interrupt it Yet the Treaty is held on foot by the said Ambassadors And the Ambassadors of France doe particularly stickle very servently therein Divers difficulties arise on the Spanish side And great diligence is had to overcome them Which at last is done and a Truce for twelve years is concluded IN this condition were the Affairs of Flanders when the year 1607 began the forty sixth year wherein those miserable Provinces had been so long and so surely agitated with the troubles of war was now on foot Nor for as many Treaties of agreement as had been begun was it ever possible to bring any of them to a good result The hottest negotiation was that of Cullen wherein Gregory the thirteenth had imployed an extraordinary Nuntio as was then shown that those Provinces might take into consideration the prejudice which the Church had suffered in Flanders by occasion of the Wars And on the contrary what benefit she might reap by the introducing of some sort of accommodation His successors did still retain the same sense And more modernly Clement the eighth in his having endeavoured and procured a peace between the two Kings did amongst his other ends ayme at making so good a corrispondency between them as that France might for the time to come afford all favorable assistance to the new Principallity of Flanders and might reduce the affairs of those Provinces to some peaceful end Leo the eleventh who succeeded Clement in the Pontifical See did abound yet more in the same sense as he who being imployed as Clements Legat in France had been the chief instrument of making that peace But being suddenly snatched away by death he could not witness it by his endeavours After him Paul the fifth was Pope a Prince very zealous in exercising the Pontificial office endowed with great worth and goodness and who being make Cardinal by Clement had drunk in the same sense of labouring peace in Christendom
together with some other of our writings concerning the Affairs of Flanders and that even since then we had a thought of composing this intire present History of the War which happened in those Provinces till by the Truce Arms were laid down we will therefore here insert the same Relation though it were formerly printed it being a member which ought also to be joyned to this body in this place and which will now fully compleat it The Command of the Catholick Army being past into Marquis Spinola's hands great were those designes as you have heard which he brought with him from Spain to Flanders to make the chief seat of the War on the other side the Rhine and to straiten the enemy the most they could in those parts To this purpose were the extraordinary Forces in the two last fields raised But though great advantages were gotten thereby yet fell they far short of the conceived hopes It was seen that Spain could not continue to maintain so excessive an expence That for want of money a new Mutiny had again happened That another might insue and that one of these disorders did much confound and distort the whole body of the Army Spinola was so troubled with these and some other reflections of importance as he at last fell upon those very considerations which already divers of the gravest and best experienced State-Ministers both of Spain and Flanders had faln upon touching the difficulties and dangers which the Warre of Flanders and the going about to weaken or subdue the Enemy by force of Arms brought with it They discoursed thus amogst themselves That all the good they had reaped by forty years War was their having made the Enemy the more strong more resolute to defend their usurpt liberty more firm in the union which they had established amongst themselves and better united to the forein Princes whho sided with them That Nature's self might be said to have fought always for them by their Bulwarks of Sea and Rivers and their strong scituations in all other parts and that where nature was wanting there industry together wih their so many well munited places did make amends That their power by land was verygreat in all things else and their power as sea so great as that the Crown of Spain had been much indamaged thereby even in the East-Indies and was in danger of being a greater sufferer by them in the West-Indies also What amass of strength on the other side and money must it cost the King to maintain the War of Flanders That doubtlesly his Empire was very large but much discunited Flanders the most disunited member of the whole body of his Dominions both by sea and land That the sea was blocked up by the Enemies ships That their passage by land did depend upon many Princes which alwaies caused great difficulties in their sending of aid and destroyed their men more by their marches then by their bickerings Then how many corruptions and disorders had been rooted in their Army and how could they be remedied during the War they being the effects which so long a War had inevitably produced That instead of obedience strife reigned amongst the Nations That there were now more wives then souldiers more mutinies then years that their own Forces were almost as dangerous to them as those of their Enemies And mutinies growing so familiar now of one now of another Nation and ofttimes of many Nations at once what a sad day would that be when the whole Army should mutiny together a day which would bring the Kings affairs in Flanders to their utmost danger as also the Cause of the Catholick Religion for the defence whereof the War at first was chiefly made and hath been so long maintained by the Spanish side If then by so many reasons and so long experience War against the Enemy were to be esteemed so fruitless is it not better said they to come to some fair agreement with them is it not better to order our Army anew and in the mean time to get strength and laying down Arms except what with time would make most to the Spanish advantage Arms being laid down the King of France already grown old might in this interim die and with him that assistance might chance to cease which was subministred to the Enemy by a Prince of such power and repute That after his death the affairs of France might peradventure change face their King being so young the like might be expected in the affairs of England their King being a new King and a Scotchman but ill looked on by that Kingdom the Enemy having likewise received considerable succours from Scotland And in case any of these things should happen how much would the affairs of Spain be bettered But above all it was to be hoped that even peace it self might turn to a secret war against the Enemy That the fear of the Spanish forces was the bond which fastened their union closest so as this fear ceasing through the enjoyment of quiet some domestick evil might arise amongst them which might break the union and some opportunity in favour of the King and Arch-dukes of regaining some of the Rebelious Provinces by underhand-dealing and of subjugating the others afterwards by force These reasons were doubtlesly very weighty and of great consideration and had been oft-times argued in Spain whereupon the King had at last resolved that if he could not effect his ends by arms all possible means should be used to come by some convenient Treaty of agreement with the Enemy in Flanders and the affairs of Flanders may be said totally to depend upon the King For the marriage between the Arch-duke and the Kings sister proving barren and the Provinces of Flanders being consequently to return unto the King again he had therefore chiefly maintained the War with his Forces and consequently all Treaties ' of agreement were chiefly to depend upon his Authority The Arch-duke inclined also very much to bring things to some accommodation he being a Prince naturally given to love his quiet and full of years and experience might comprehend better then any other the dangerous consequences which the War of Flanders brought with it but it was very hard to find out a way how to treat of accommodation A while since the enemy seemed to be quite averse unto any such Treaty and still swelling with prosperity and success they resolved never to listen to any whatsoever Treaty till such time as the King and Archdukes should first publickly declare that they treated with them as with Free Provinces and States unto the which the King nor Arch-dukes made no claim nor pretence whatsoever wherein the Arch-duke found great repugnancy in himself and foresaw the like in the King He thought that to declare those now to be a free people against whom they had fought as against rebels would be to confess that their former war had been unjust and that to seem now so willing to put an end
unto it would be likewise a declaring that they were no longer able to maintain it what honour should they lose herein how could they with credit treat of peace or truce with their own rebels and how dangerous a president would it be to make liberty the reward of rebellion for such an example in favour of those Provinces which had rebelled would be an invitation to such as yet kept their obedience to doe the like This preparation of the affairs of Flanders was in the beginning of the year 1607. Father John Neyen a Franciscan Fryer was then at Brussels he was born at Antwerp and after having taken upon him that religious habit he had staid awhile in Spain to pass the course of his studies there and by that reason was well acquainted with the affairs of that Court He returned from thence to Flanders and being become Commissary General of his Order in those parts he kept very much at Brussels He was very religious of an eloquent tongue very well fitted to the nature of his Countey and therefore as well acceptable in private discourse as in the Pulpit and much versed in the negotiations of the age The Commissary had some acquaintance in Holland and by chance a Holland Merchant who was a friend of his was then in Brussels This Merchant was very inward with divers of the chiefest that sate at the Helm in the United Provinces The Arch-duke being at privat councel with Spinola and some others of the Kings Officers in Flanders 't was thought expedient that the Commissary should dispose the Merchant to go to the Hague in Holland to endeavour some new overture of Treaty The Merchant went but he found no ear would be given thereunto till the abovesaid Declaration of their being Free-States were granted and that this should precede all other things The Arch-duke was sencible of the aforesaid repugnancies in condescending thereunto yet all the former considerations being again weighed it was at last judged that it was best to yield to the present necessity and that all means should be used to procure a cessation of Arms and to enter into a Treaty of accommodation If the Treaty should have good success the success would sufficiently applaud the Treaty if it should not succeed well but that they must be forced to continue the war the making of such a verbal Declaration would not import much 't was added That to declare that they treated with the United Provinces as with Free States unto which the King and Arch-dukes laid no pretension was alwayes to be understood by way of supposition to wit as if they were free not signifying a true and legitimate liberty which they by their rebellion could never justly come by nor justly enjoy which being so manifest neither did the King nor the Arch-dukes lose any right which they formerly had to the United Provinces though they should make a Declaration thus limited Sudden advertisment was sent to Spain of what had been discovered by the Merchants means and all things were again represented unto the King which were thought likelyest to induce him to give way that some Treaty of agreement might be had with the United Provinces in such manner as hath been said The reasons which prevailed in Flanders did so likewise in Spain in perswading the King to give way to the Treaty which was desired Whereupon the Arch-duke resolved to send the Commissary General in person into Holland to endeavour once more some fairer way of commencing a Treaty and to yield at last if there were no remedy to what the United Provinces pretended unto The Commissary took his journey about the end of February and being come to the Hague he soon perceived there was no hopes of ever being heard in any thing whatsoeever unless the abovesaid Declaration should precede whereupon being admitted into the Councel of the States Generall which is the supreme magistracy by which the whole body of those Provinces is represented he opened himself thus unto them That the Arch-duke Albertus and the Arch-dutchess the Infanta his wife had alwayes desired to see the Low-Countries once free from civil wars that so many and so bitter calamities of war might be turned to the enjoyment of a happy peace That peace was the end of war which not being to be had but by the way of Treaty they did consent on their side that the Declaration of Liberty which they knew the United Provinces do pretend unto should precede that it became all good Princes to endeavour all means whereby to cause quiet unto their people and that to justifie this their so just and religious end to the world they had willingly descended now to an overture of Treaty and to second the success thereof would be as willing to do any thing that might tend to the good of the weal-publick This Proposition being well discust in the Councel of the States General they thought that whatsoever could be desired made then for the advantage of the Low-Countries whereupon they resolved to accept of the offer and before the Commissary departed a suspension of Arms for eight months was agreed upon which was to begin the next May and it was likewise concluded that the Treaty should begin the next September The Commissary went from Holland with this answer Not long after the Arch-dukes declared by a particular Edict or Proclamation that they came to suspension of Arms with the United Provinces as with Free Provinces and States unto which they did not lay any pretence the States-General did also the like on their side the Commissary did likewise promise that the King of Spain should by the Arch-dukes procurement ratifie the same within three months and he did likewise desire in the names of the Arch-dukes that the States would inhabit all hostility by sea promising that the Arch-dukes would oblige themselves that the King of Spain should do the same to the which the States after some difficulties condescended all this was afterwards published by the United Provinces to their people with great demonstrations of joy and they gave an account thereof to their Confederate Princes but more particularly to the King of France and King of England from both of which Ambassadors were forthwith sent to congratulate with them The affairs of Flanders were at this pass when I came to Brussels which was on Saint Laurence his eve 1607. It cannot be exprest how all men on all sides did rejoyce in expectation of what the event would prove Soon after my coming to Brussels the Kings ratification came to procure the which as also to give a more particular account of what had past the Arch-duke had dispatched away Commissary Neyen The ratification came in general terms and so pen'd as it was to be doubted the United Provinces would not allow of it yet Lewis Verreychen chief Secretary of State to the Arch-dukes was suddenly sent with it into Holland The United Provinces shewed strange arrogancy in these negotiations and particularly
a great suspition of being over-reached by the Spaniards whence it was to be beleeved that they would interpret all that should come from that side in the worst sense You have heard what the number and Government of the United Provinces are and how they are seated How Holland and Zealand are seated in the bosome of the Sea and the other five lie more inwards into the land these therefore did more willingly give way unto the Treaty at the first and did afterwards appear more inclined to continue it The principal and Fundamental Law of their union is That in resolutions appertaining to the common interest the Votes of all of them must equally agree so as their businesses proceed but slowly they being to be treated of apart in every several Province and alike uniform consent to be gathered from them all by long and tedious perswasions as their liberty is in all of them alike The Kings ratification being then sundry times consulted on and with great jealousies these difficulties were objected by the United Provinces That the ratification came in general terms that it did not contain the essential clause touching their liberty but that the King still styled the Arch-dukes Princes of the Low-Countries that the King writ himself I the King as he used to do to his own Vassals that it was written in ordinary Paper and not in Parchment as is usually done in things of great importance and finally that it was sealed with a little seal and not with a great one as ought to have been Verreychin being afterwards sent for in these difficulties were propounded unto him and exaggerated rather in an insolent then free manner and it was at last concluded that the United Provinces would by no means accept of the ratification in manner as it was by him presented The common peoples madness is alwaies very great but more when they are smiled upon by Fortune They are full of arrogancy and rashness in time of Prosperity and as base and abject in adversity So as a multitude must either not be treated with at all or these alternate defects must be patiently born withal Verreychin used therefore such dissimulation as was requisite and endeavoured to remove their suspitions He assured them that such a ratification would not have been sent from Spain did not the King intend to make it good that his intentions were excellent and that he did vie therein with the Arch-Dukes he prayed them to allow time for another to come that he did again promise in the the name of the Arch-Dukes to cause another ratification bee sent in same form as was by them desired The resolution put on in Holland was that the Arch-Dukes should procure a new ratification to be sent from Spain within six weeks which should contain word for word the same Declaration of Freedom Which the Arch-dukes had made in their instrument that it should be written in Latine French or Dutch and should be subscribed by the King with his own name and to the end that no more errors might be run into the form thereof was given to Verreychin in all the three Languages Father Neyen was this mean while returned from the Court he acquainted them how hard it was to procure the King to send the former ratification though in general terms yet he affirmed that he did verily hope that a second would come in particular terms The Spaniards knowing what necessity there was to commence a Treaty thus with the United Provinces since no other way would be admitted of The Arch-Dukes did again signifie this necessity so as not long after the second ratification came from Spain but it was so penhed as it was feared the United Provinces would raise new seruples in admitting it it contained the pretended declaration of liberty and all the other clauses that were desired But in the conclusion this was added by the King that if the matters of Religion should not be agreed upon as well as the other points his ratification should signifie nothing and affairs should still continue in their former posture It was also written in Spanish subscribed as usually I the King and in all things else according to the former manner Yet it was believed that these last rubs would easily be removed by the example of the Kings having done the same in the two Peaces which were lately concluded with the King of France and King of England The other difficulty touching the new added clause was thought the greater And that word Religion seemed to be immaturely put in since it might raise jealousies in the United Provinces as if it were already determined in Spain to make propositions against the liberty of their Government and against that declaration which the King at the same time made in form aforesaid The Commissary and Verreychin were sent both together with this second ratification into Holland who in the presenting thereof made large professions to the States general again of the great good inclinations of the King and Arch-dukes towards the common good and how desirous they were particularly of the Low-Countries welfare The States took time to give their answer and after much consultation their answer according to their wonted arrogance was thus That the Kings ratification was not answerable to the form which they desired and that amongst other things the new added clause could not be allowed of since the King knew very well as did also the Arch-Dukes that the United Provinces were free Provinces and would alwaies be so though no agreement were made That notwithanding the States would acquaint every Province with the ratification and would within six weeks make their resolution known But with this protestation that they intended not that by vertue of such a ratification any thing should be propounded which might tend to the prejudice of the freedom of their Government in case the Treaty went on This answer being given the Commissary and Verreychin returned to Brussels Whilst affairs were thus negotiated in Flanders divers interests passions and ends were upon this occasion discovered to be not onely in the neighbouring Princes but almost in all the Princes of Europe In Germany the Emperor Radulphus the second pretended that no Treaty of agreement could be made in Flanders without his participation and consent taking for granted that the Low-Countries did depend upon the Empire and therefore no separation could be made therein without his Authority Wherefore he had written some Letters to this purpose to the Catholick King the Arch-duke and the United Provinces The King and Arch-duke answered him in general terms as did also the United Provinces save onely that they added a long justification of their cause and of their war against the Spaniard till the present Neither was there any more news heard of the Emperor in the whole progress of the Treaty But Henry the fourth of France was not so negligent in the consideration of these passages He had sent Ambassadors upon this occasion at
were chiefly trusted therewith These four were chosen for Deputies and Father Nyen was added for a fift as one who had hitherto had a great hand in the business Marquess Spinola was already got into great Authority by reason of his so many Imployments and Trusts He was Camp-master-general and Governor of the Army Administrator or Pay-master-general of the Kings monies of the Councel of State in Spain and through his hands all the Kings affairs in Flanders as hath been said did chiefly pass and the Arch-duke likewise seemed to put much confidence in him Indeed a States man of singular judgment and valour of incredible vigilancy and industry in the managing of whatsoever business either Military or Civil and indowed with so many other gallant parts as he had reason to be esteemed one of the greatest States-men that the Crown of Spain hath had these many years The Secretary Manchichidor was likewise highly esteemed of for his long experience in the affairs of Flanders for he had been Secretary of war even from the time that the Arch-duke whilst he was yet Cardinal was come to the Government of those Provinces In the affairs which belonged properly to the Arch-dukes the President Ricardetto was no less esteemed of he had for a long time been the man chiefly imployed in affairs of greatest importance by the Duke of Parma and other Governors and the Arch-Duke being made Prince of the Low-Countries chose him particularly to employ in making the last Peace with France and the like with the King of England so as almost all the important business of the Country passed through his hands Verreychin was likewise present at the making of the two above named Peaces and had long before exercised the place of first Secretary of State and was alwaies held a man of great wisdom and integrity Enough hath already been said of the Commissary-general and of his endowments But when the Spaniards who were in Flanders understood who the Deputies were and that they were to go to the Enemies own homes to treat of agreement with them it is not to be believed how much they stormed and how much they complained of the Arch-Dukes in particular Are the affairs of Spain said they come to so low an ebb that our King must abase himself thus hath so much time bloud and treasure been spent against the traâ—terous rebels to bring things to this end That the affairs of Spain were now in as glorious a condition as ever but that there wanted fitting instruments in Flanders to manage them That the Arch-duke had alwayes shewed himself to be better at peace then at war and that now that he saw himself not likely to have any children his only desire was to spend the remainder of his days in peace and quietness That it was impossible so great a Monarchy should be without a war nay it was to be desired that it should alwayes have an Army in the fields for its service And what other more fitting Theatre could there be found for the seat of its Arms then Flanders a place so opulent and of such extent and placed in the midst of Spains chiefest enemies and maligners That if the war could not be alwayes so plentifully maintained their Forces might be lessened and consequently their expences That thus the vigour of so great a Monarchy might be preserved even to eternity The Spaniards broke forth into these complaints and sent them from Flanders into Spain but to no purpose for it was then seen as also during the whole Treaty that the King and the Arch-duke did always jump in their opinions and â—s for the Deputies going into Holland without all doubt it might seem in all appearance no wayes to agree with the Kings and Arch-dukes dignity but the form of the Government of the United Provinces considered no other manner of negotiation could well be had for their Deputies were so many that Commissions so bounded and so many sendings to and fro as they were inforced to make Orders to receive new Orders and new Consents from every Province which if it had been to be done out of their own Country the Treaty would never have had an end and though afterwards as you shall hear it was concluded in Antwerp 't was because all things were already digested so as they went thither as it may be said to a business already concluded The Deputies departed about the end of January 1608. and being come into the United Provinces they were received by the Governors of their Frontier Towns with all honour and bravely lodged in all places They came to the Hague the first of February and were met half a league without the Town by Count Maurice of Nassaw accompanied by the other Counts of his House and all the chief men of those parts The Second BOOK of the TREATY of the TRUCE of FLANDERS HOLLAND is the greatest richest and best peopled Province of all the United seaven Nay it so far exceeds all the rest as it furnisheth half the monies which are issued out by the whole seaven Provinces It is made by the Sea and sundry Rivers a Peninsula it is incompassed on many sides by the Sea cut through in many parts by Rivers many Channels cut by hand joyn with these Rivers and there be many lakes within it so as it may be doubted whether it consist more of land or water Besides it doth so abound with shipping of all sorts as it may likewise be questioned whether the number of moveable habitations on water or of houses fixt on the land be the greater This Province is full of Cities and of a great many lesser Towns Amsterdam is its chiefest City and here is the greatest Traffick not only of Holland itself but almost of the whole North of all its Towns Hague is the principal an open Village but so large so well peopled and so delitious as it may compare with many Cities Here did the Counts of Holland formerly build a Palace for themselves to live in which the Vnited Provinces do now make use of for the meeting of their Councels which depend upon the Vnion Here likewise the Councel of the States General do meet almost every day wherein things of greatest importance are agitated and resoved by the Deputies of the whole seaven Provinces The chief affairs of the whole Vnion are then handled in the Hague and here staid the Catholick Deputies to give a beginning to the Treaty Before they arrived the Vnited Provinces had likewise chosen their Deputies one was chosen for every Province and two of the best of bloud amongst them in the common name of them all And these were Count William of Nassaw full Cousin German to Count Maurice and Min here Bredrode for Holland Barnevelt was named and by him the business on the behalf of the Vnited Provinces was chiefly to be agitated At their first meeting nothing was done but the producing of the credential Letters on all sides they then began to
will here mention only things of greater moment wherein their differences consisted The King of Spain and the Arch-dukes to shew their ingenuity and the more to honest all conclusion of agreement desired that the exercise of Religion might be left free throughout all the United Provinces towards which I had not been wanting but particularly before the Deputies went for Holland had prest the Arch-dukes much therein and certainly the United Provinces should by all rules of good Government of their own accord have endeavoured to give the Catholicks who were in no small numbers amongst them satisfaction but the hatred to the Catholick Religion prevailing on the one side with the leading Hereticks and the suspition that this was the more to oblige the Catholicks which were amongst them to the Spaniards on the other side it was to be believed they would not consent to any thing in favour of the Catholicks The second chief point was that which concerned Commerce The United Provinces would have had it absolutely free and the King and Arch-dukes would have the Indies excepted and desired that many insufferable Taxes might be taken off to which the Merchandizes were subject in Zealand which were necessarily to pass from thence to Antwerp and which every day much lessened the Traffick of that City The other chiefest affairs consisted in the exchange which was to be made of divers Towns and other places which the one side were Masters of in the others Country in the adjusting of confines in contributions which were paid in several parts by those whose habitations confin'd on both sides to free themselves from Military incursions in the restitution of goods confiscated in the time of War and in other the like things of Justice They treated sometimes of one of these sometimes of another but very leasurely for great difficulties were met withall in all of them without coming to any resolution The point of exchange of places was in particular much argued The United Provinces were possessed of Sluce in the Province of Flanders together with the Island Cassant which is but of small circuit but commodious for the unlading of Goods having in it some Forts They likewise were Masters of Breda Bergen-ap-zome and St. Getringberg all of them strongly scituated both by Nature and Art in Brabant together with some lesser places fortified likewise On the contrary the Arch-dukes had Linghen Groll and Oldensel beyond the Rhine toward Friesland Linghen is a very strong Hold and the other two places of good consideration The Arch-dukes would have desired to have changed these three places with those which the United Provinces had in Brabant and Flanders And because that which was possest by the United Provinces was much the greater and better part it was thought that the Arch-duke to make the change more qual would willingly have quitted unto them all the rest which they were Masters of in Ghelderland or at least the greatest part thereof Long dispute was had upon this Article but to no purpose for it was not possible ever to agree upon it And with the same difficulties and prolixity they proceeded likewise in the other affairs This mean while the time was expired wherein the Commissary was to return from Spain who did not only not appear but not any news was heard of him whereupon the United Provinces grew very jealous and their Deputies began publickly to complain thereof The King of France was all this while very attentive upon the proceedings in Holland and to make the Spaniards the more jealous he was easily perswaded upon this occasion to make a new League with the United Provinces The Contents whereof was That in case the peace now in Treaty should succeed the King of France should be bound to assist the Vnited Provinces with ten thousand paid Souldiers to make the Spaniards the better keep it and that they on the other side should give the King of France five thousand paid foot in case the Spaniards should make war upon him The Spanish and Flemish Ambassadors which were at Paris quarrelled with the King hereupon but he justified it with divers pretences and shewed how that the King of Spain and Arch-dukes should rather be beholding to him therein as a business which might the easilyer facilitate the peace of Flanders which was in Treaty These artifices were not unknovvn in Spain and it was every day better seen that no agreement would ever be made with the Vnited Provinces without the King of France his interposition and authority To the end then that he might obtain his mediation upon this occasion the King of Spain resolved though upon other pretences to send Don Piedro de Tolledo or of the chief Lords of Spain into France And this was thought then the fitter to be done because the King of France at the-same time had sent for President Jannines to Paris with whom advising upon the affairs of Holland and the King resolving upon the forementioned things which might make him desire to see the affairs of Flanders setled he sent him suddenly to the Hague But Jannines grew quickly to dispair of seeing any Peace concluded He found the business more perplext with difficulties then before and the mindes of both Parties more exasperated The United Provinces could not tollerate the Spaniards slowness for the Commissary did not appear at all nor was there any news heard of what he had done in Spain Whereupon their Deputies resolved to know directly the King of Spains final intention touching the Indies which when they should not know presently to break off the Treaty and this they prest upon the Catholick Deputies with much inconstancy who made them this Answer That the King desired a happy end of the begun Treaty and that he would at last condiscend to that renunciation which they desired and in manner as was by them propounded But that on the otherside he expected that in requital of so important an Affair they should forbare going to the Indies and that moreover they should permit liberty of conscience to the Catholicks within their Provinces That the Commissary was already dispatched from the Court with this answer and that they had already received orders to acquaint them the United Provinces therewithal This Answer quite overthrew all hopes of Peace The United Provinces had put on an unalterable Resolution neither to abandon the Indies nor yet to admit the Catholick Religion amongst them Whereupon having heard this they in Writing did presently declare the Treaty broken and presented the writing to the Catholick Deputies The Treaty of Peace being thus faln to the ground it remained to see whether they might the easilyer compass a long Truce The King of England had all this while seemed rather averse then otherwise to the Negotiation in Holland and having the same ends which the Kings of France had to raise jealousie in the Spaniard as hath been said he also made use of the same means In imitation of the King of France and
almost after the same manner he had at this time made also a new League with the united Provinces and though his Authority was nothing near so great with them yet was it such as it might much impede the proceedings of the new Treaty for a long Truce and he had already complained to the Spanish and Flemish Ambassadors who were resident in England that the King of Spain had sent Don Piedro de Tolledo to Paris putting thereby so great an esteem upon the King of France and that he had made no manner of address at all to him For these respects the King of Spain resolved to send likewise Don Fernando Girone who was then in Flanders and who was one of the chiefest Commanders in his Army to the King of England who seemed to be very well satisfied therewith and made large promises to intercede for the continuing of the negotiation in Holland being thereunto perswaded by his natural addiction to peace as also for the aforesaid Reasons Before the Catholick Deputies departed from Holland the Ambassadors of France and England began to set again on foot this new Treaty of a long Truce insomuch as the Ambassadors meeting one day Jannines in the name of both the Kings made this insuing Proposition in the Councel of the States General That both their Kings had alwaies considered the affairs of the United Provinces as their own particular concernment having maintained them all this while as such by their Councels and defended them by their Forces but that the end of War must be Peace That to this purpose the United Provinces had been assisted by both of them and that both of them were therefore much troubled to see the Treaty of Peace which was begun thus broken and that they thinking it howsoever much better for the United Provinces to enjoy a commodious and honorable quiet then to return to the former difficulties and dangers of war were pleased to propound unto them by their Ambassadors joyntly a long Truce instead of Peace That notwithstanding in this Truce in the first place and before all other things it should be declared both by the King of Spain and by the Arch-dukes that it was made with the united Provinces as with free Provinces and States unto which they made no pretence at all and that they should be left Free in point of their Navigation to the Indies That both their Kings did believe that the United Provinces might be content with a Truce which was to bring with it such important advantages for them and not onely these but peradventure some others also That greater difficulties were to be foared on the other part but in case the war were to continue by reason of the Spaniards fault the Forces of the United Provinces would be thereby the more justified and both their Kings still the more obliged to mantain their Cause The States General took time to advice upon the whole with their Provinces The Ambassadors with like conformity applyed themselves to the Catholick Deputies who having lost all hopes of Peace did very much desire to come to some other accommodation or composition so they willingly listned to this new proposal of a long Truce though they thought many difficulties would be met withal in Spain touching the form thereof They promised the Ambassadors notwithstanding to use all the diligence they could to overcome them and having received assurances from the Ambassadors that they would do all good offices for the continuation of the Treaty and especially from Jannines on whose means and authority they did chiefly relye they at last went from the Hague after having been eight months entertained there and went to Brussels The Negotiation of the Truce lying then chiefly on Jannines hand he did all he could to perswade the United Provinces to allow of it in the same manner as had been propounded by him and the English Ambassadors Those Provinces seemed well inclined in general toward the Truce though they wanted not some amongst them who would have had the King of Spain and the Arch-dukes make the same renunciation in the Treaty of Truce as they pretended unto in that of Peace but the wiser and more moderate men amongst them considered that this would be too unjust a pretention due regard being had to the difference between a Truce and a Peace This difficulty proceeded chiefly from Zealand and was Fauter'd by Count Maurice by reason of his abovesaid power in that Province and the almost absolute dependency which Maldereo the particular Deputy of Zealand had upon him Maldereo had been a menual servant of the late Prince of Orange and to say truth the Interest of Zealand did accord with Count Maurice his particular ends for the Traffick and wealth of that Province was greatly increased by the war the choice Marriners who had served and did as yet serve in the voyages to the Indies were likewise Zealanders and next unto Holland certainly this was the chiefest and most considerable of all the United Provinces The same difficulties out of the same reasons were insisted upon by the City of Amsterdam in Holland but it was thought that at last the rest of that Province would prevail over the particular opposition of that City in a favourable acceptation of the Truce which Zealand did still pertenaciously resist And Maldereo very zealous in the cause endeavoured to make those words suspected wherein the King of Spain and the Arch-dukes were to denounce the United Provinces to be Free-States in form abovesaid Whereupon one day that this Clause was treated on he with great fervency broke forth into these words Are we Free-men or still Subjects If we be Free-men why ought we not to be publickly acknowledged for such Shall it depend upon the Spaniards to allow us what sort of liberty they please now that they cannot impose that slavery upon us which they would To wit a liberty more servile then our former servitude since it must depend upon the interpretation of their own words Do not we know what interpretation they have already given to those words Do not we know that they take them in such a sense as doth not take from them any pretended right to our Provinces At this rate we shall get nothing more by this long Truce then what was had in the bare suspension of Arms And yet this Truce shall rather look like a Peace and it may so fall out as by often prolongation it may at last be insensibly turned into the nature of a Peace Then as in the Treaty of Peace we did pretend in the first place That that absolute abnegation should be made by the King of Spain and the Arch-dukes which is now Treated of so ought we still to pretend unto it and in that form which may clearlyest declare our Provinces to be Free and Soveraign Shall not he ackowledge them when all the world Treats with them as such To what corner of the Earth or of the Sea is it that
at last effected and all of them concurring now in the same resolution the Ambassadors began again to labour to overcome the difficulties in dispute Continual correspondency was had by Letters between Jannines and Richardotto so as the Negotiation of what was needful past between them but the King of Spain needed no less labouring to be brought to give way to the Truce news was sent to the King of Spain of the Proposition made by the Ambassadors of France and England and of the new Negotiation introduced by their means The King would have been well enough pleased with the Truce had it been according to usual form and all things left in the same terms on both sides as they were at present but to declare the United Provinces to be altogether free and to suffer them in express words to traffick in the Indies seemed to put too great a difference between the present Treaty and ordinary Truces yet 't was seen that 't was impossible ever to come to any accomodation without this Declaration of Liberty and that if the United Provinces had stood so absolutely upon it before they would be brought to a bare suspention of Arms for a few months they would now be much more resolute in it in a Truce which was to endure for many years The Arch-dukes who saw the difficulties and dangers of the war in case it should be continued at a nearer distance were easilyer induced to give way to the Proposal made by the Ambassadors and Jannines both by word of mouth and by Letters had endeavoured to perswade the Catholick Deputies that to declare they made Truce with the United Provinces as with free Provinces and States unto which the King and the Arch-dukes made no pretence at all did not any waies prejudice the right which the King or Arch-dukes might pretend to have over them He had shewed how that it was a general Declaration that the word as bore with it a sense of similitude and not of propriety That in the declaring of one mans being friends with another 't was never said I hold him as a friend that the adding in the last words not to pretend unto any thing had reference to the ambiguity of the former words And finally that such a Declaration could not admit of any interpretation save onely during the time of the Truce That then the King and the Arch-dukes ought to be content to make it since it was involved in words which might satisfie both parties First The unskilful multitude of the Vnited Provinces for the outward appearance of their pretended Liberty then the King and the Arch-dukes for the true substance which was retained in them of leaving their former right still unhurt Then opening himself more freely Jannines said My King in such a case would not make any difficulty in granting this Declaration for if the Vnited Provinces when they shall betake themselves to Arms shall not have better Canons and Muskets words and interpretations will avail them but little In this manner and by these wary and wily waies Jannines as a good mediator endeavoured to draw both sides to a Truce to which the Arch-dukes were easily perswaded and endeavoured to bring the King to be so likewise shewing that by this neither they nor the King should do any thing more then what was yeilded unto at the first suspension of Arms much repugnancy did notwithstanding appear in the King 'T was thought in Spain that the Clause wherewith the Vnited Provinces were to be declared Free States though it were limited vvould generally be interpreted in savour of their Liberty and that vvhen they should have got their desires in that behalf the King vvould not obtain leave for the exercise of the Catholick Religion in their Country vvhich he vvas resolved to have by vvay of interchange and moreover if the Article concerning the Indies should be condiscended unto how much would the King be thereby damnified How much reputation would he thereby lose To which difficulties the Archdukes replyed shewing that when the King resolved to have the abovesaid requital 't was onely to be understood if the peace should be concluded and that the King and the Arch-dukes having absolutely renounced all their right the Vnited Provinces were absolutely free that the present Negotiation of the Truce did differ very much by which the King nor the Arch-dukes could not lose any piece of their former right that it was not to be doubted but that a clause so general and so limitated would be interpreted rather in favour of them then of the contrary party That the Ambassadors themselves thought so as also divers of the Inhabitants of the Vnited Provinces who were against the Truce as that which would be no whit more advantagious for them then was the bare suspension of Arms. And as for the point of the Indies they seemed to have hopes to end it so as it should be no considerable prejudice to the King These reasons were not taken as fully satisfactory in Spain but on the other side the King did very much desire the Truce and that the so great and so unnecessary expences of Flanders should cease The Duke of Lerma was then in great authority with the King and having gotten the sole power over the King by such arts as were available in peace he was unwilling to share it with them who might gain it by such means as war affords which made him from the very beginning very earnest in endeavouring the Negotiation and he did now no less labour that it might come to some good event of agreement the same desires were known to be in the Arch-duke who therefore resolved to send his Confessor to the Court of Spain to answer all the difficulties which were insisted on in Spain the which was thought necessary also to put an end to so long a Negotiation wherein above two years had already been spent which had so tyred the two mediating Kings as they began already to protest that they would meddle no more therein if it were not all the more speedily ended Father Inico di Brazuela of the Order of the Dominicans was the Arch-dukes Confessor a very learned and upright man and one who had been long experienced in the affairs of Flanders so as men hoped well of him and of his fidelity that he might reconcile affairs with the King and State-Officers he being a Spaniard a Votary and of a very noble Family and commendable life He was particularly to take all scruples from the King in the point of pretending by way of interchange the exercise of the Catholick profession in the time of Truce whereof he was to press the necessity even for the cause of Religion it self By representing That if they should return to Arms again manifest hazard would yet be run of losing more then formerly on the King and the Arch-Dukes behalf in Flanders and consequenly of quite losing the Catholick Religion in the yet obedient Provinces instead of
as hath been shewed above and in the rest divers resolutions were contained touching the affairs of Justice and concerning rather particular then publick interests Thus did this Negotiation of Flanders end at last the issue whereof was so long expected throughout all Europe And truly at this Truce as if it had been at an universal Quiet all Europe seemed to rejoyce which had seen for so many years and amidst so many fatal and dreadful spectacles the blood of all her Nations run upon the Theatre of Flanders FINIS A TABLE Of the most remarkable things contained in this FIRST PART A ABBOTS monasticall in Flanders complain against the new erection of Bishopricks 11 Adolphus Oranges brother slain in Battail 57 Alcmar in the Rebels hands 109. Besieged by the Kings party ibid. Alexander Farnese prince of Parma in Flanders upon oceasion of his marriage with Mary princess of Portugall 21 Alst in Flanders seâ—zed by the Mutiners 141 Amsterdam 96. A City very faithfull to the Church and the King ibid. Infested with the other Towns of Holland ib. Again molested by them 1â—0 Anne daughter to Maurice Elector of Saxony 19. Married to Orange ibid. Anne the Archdutchess daughter to Maximilian the Emperor married to the Catholick King 71. Is accompanied by the Archdukes Albertus and Wenceslaus her brothers ibid. Anthony Stralen a principall man in Antwerp 46. Is executed 58 Antonio Pittore endeavours to seize upon a passage and hinder victuals from being brought to the Kings Camp 102 Is routed slain and his head thrown into Harlem by the Spaniards ibid. Antwerp is threatned to be sacked by the Mutiners 122. Contributes a sum of money to satisfie them ibid. Taken by the Kings men 14. Sackt 147. The Commissioners from the Emperour from France and England meet there 177 Archduke Albertus and his praises 71 Archduke Matthias 162. passes secretly into Flanders ibid. Made Governour of the Countrie by the Councel of State 163 Archbishop of Colen in the Kings Army 86 B THe Baron of Battembourgh seeks to relieve Harlem 105. Is routed and slain 10â— The Baron of Erberstein makes a secret agreement with the States 142. Receives their men into Antwerp 143 Drown'd in the Scheld 147 Bartholomeo Campi Ingineer to the Kings Camp 99. He is slain 105 The Battel of Friesland 59. Of Geminghen 62. Between the Kings men and the Hugonots of France near Mons 8â— By Sea in the Lake of Leyden 104. By sea in the Gulf of Zuyderzee 110. In the Scheld between the Kings Forces and the Rebels 113 The Battel of Mooch 117. Of Geblours 1â—8 Berghen-ap-zome and its scituation 76 Bernardino di Mendozza sent into Spain by the Duke of Alva 103. He wrote of the Wars of Flanders 104 Was sent by the Commendador to Mastrick 115 Breda a Town belonging to Orange 23 What passed among the Confederates there ibid. Brederode makes himself Head of the Petitioners 24. His Oration to his Companions ibid. He presents a Petition to the Lady Regent 26. raiseth sedition 39 goes into Holland to set up Tumults there ibid. Seconds Orange in every thing ibid. Dies miserably ibid. Brill taken by the Geuses 73. Fortified by Lumay 74 Buren a Town confining upon Holland taken and sackt by the Kings Party 132 The House of Burgundy soveraigne over all the Provinces p. 1 C CAmbray raised to an Arch-bishoprick 9 Captain Plumart 91 His Proposition to Avila and Mandragone ibid. He finds the Food by which they were to go for the relief of Tergoes ibid. Capitulations between the Duke of Aianson and the States 172 Charls the fifth son to Philip the first 2 He peaceably enjoys Flanders ibid. Born in Gant 3. His favours to the Flemings ib. How much he was loved and reverenced among them 4. A comparison between his nature and that of his son Philip ib. The Castle of Gant besieged by the States 145. It is surrendred 148 The Castle of Antwerp besieged by the States 145. It is aemolished 147 The Castle of Namours seized by Don John 159. The Catholicks and hereticks in Antwerpt come to an agreement 39 Christophoro Mandragone Camp-Master goes to the relief of ter-Goes 91 Enters the Town and succours it 93 Is Commander at the defence of Middleburgh 108. Sends very earnestly for relief 112. Yields up the place 114 Seizeth upon the Isle of Finaert 133 Wades through the Channel of Scowen under Ziriczee 136 Coligni Admiral of France Head of the Hugonot Faction 83. His negotiations with Orange ib. The Commendador Maggiore of Castile sent to govern the Low-Countries comes to Brussels 111. Prepares two Fleets for the succour of Middleburgh 113. Sees one of them routed ib. Much troubled at the new expedition of Count Lodovick 115. Goeth over to Antwerp to appease the Mutiners 122. His designes upon Holland and Zealand 132 His perplexity about attempting the Ford from Filisland 134. He dies 139 His Character ib. A Confederacy in Flanders which they call a Covenant 22. Subscribed by a great number of the Nobility ib. The Confederates come to Brussels 24 They meet in the Count of Colemburghs Hourse ib. Admitted to the Lady Regents audience 26. They take upon them the name of Gueses 27. many of them goe in one Livery ib. their Licentious actions 28 The Conference in Breda for a Treaty of peace in Flanders 129. It is dissolved without coming to any conclusion 131 The Councel of State and its authority with the Lady Regent 9. What their opinions were concerning her designe for taking up of Arms 34. It enters upon the Government after the Commendadors death 139. Prepares for War against the Spaniards 141. Much daunted at the coming of Don John 150. They send Commissioners into Holland and Zealand 155. Their jealousies of Don John 157. They storm at his surprizing of the Castle of Namours 159. Writes to the King a Letter against Don John 160. Their practizes with foreign Princes 16â— Publishes an Edict against Don John 165 Declares it will not acknowledge him for Governour 170. Dispatcheth away a very solemn Ambassy to the Duke of Alanson 173 A Consultation held in Brussels upon matters of religion 21. what is resolv'd upon it ib By Frederick di Toledo whether the siege of Harlem should be prosecuted or given over 103. by d' Alva whether the Kings Forces should be imployed upon the siege of Mons or against Holland and Zealand 81. In Spain whether the King should go into Flanders 41. In Spain about the innovations in the Low Countries 164 Count Egmont a Flemming born 5 His nature and Customes ibid. Governour of the particular Province of Flanders and of Artois 12 Goes over into Spain 20. Returns well satisfied by the King 21. Is committed to prison 46. Is condemned 58 Count Horn Admiral of Flanders 12 Inraged against Granvel ib. His opinion that the people ought to be stirred up to innovations 36. Is attached 46. Is sentenced to death 58 Count Peter Ernestus Mansfield raises men to secure the Lady
Regent in Brussels 3. Offers to pacify the Spanish muciners but in vain 141. His opinion concerning Don Johns retreat to Namours 158 Count d'Aremberg 34. Sent against Lodovick of Nassaw 56. Cannot keep the Spaniaerds from falling on ib. Is slaine 57 Count di Bossu enters the Lake of Leyden with a Fleet 104. Overcomes the Harlemers there ib. Assaults the enemies Fleet in the Gulfe of Zuiderzee 110. Is routed and taken prisoner 111 Count of Swarzenburgh Ambassador to Flanders from Maximilian the Emperour 129. His negotiations with Orange and after with the Commissioners at the Conference in Breda ib. He returns into Germany 131 Count di Barlemont imprisoned by order from the States 143. His councel to Don John concerning his retreat to Namours 157 Correspondencies of Orange and his brother Lodowick in Germany 35 Their designes in Holland and Zealand ib. D THe Deputies for the States General relate to the Provinces the Duke of Alva's Proposition who make great complaints against it 68. What conditions the Kings Deputies offered in the Conference at Breda ib. What answers they had from the Rebels 69 A Description of the havock made in Churches by the heriticks in Antwerp 30. Of Mastrich 55. Of Friesland 56 Of the Battel of Friesland 57. Of Raremond and Liege 65. Of the Battel of Ceminghen 62. Of the Duke of Alvas Statue 71. Of Holland and Zealand 73. Of Mon. 83. Of Zuidt Beverland 90. Of Ter. Goes 91. Of Harlem 98. Of Alcmar 109 Of the sea-fight in the Gulf of Zuidt-Beverland 110. Of the Battel of Mooch 118. Of Leyden 124. Of the Castle of Antwerp 145. Of the taking and sacking of Antwerp 147. Of the City of Namours 158. Of the Battel of Geblours 168 Disorders caused by the hereticks in Antwerp 31 Don John of Austria comes into Flanders unexpected 150. His personal qualities ib. What Orders he had from the King at his parting ib. He gives the Councel of State notice of his arrival ib. His Declaration that he will send the Spaniards out of Flanders 151. He sends out the souldiers of Foreigne parts 153. His enlrance into Brussels ib. he endeavours to draw the Provinces of Holland and Zealand to some accommodation ib. His endustry to weaken Orange his Faction 154. The people in Brussels shew themselves very averse to him 155. Designes upon his person ib. He adviseth with the Counts of Mansfield and Barlemont ib He removes to Namours 159. He makes sure the Castle there ib. His demands to the States concerning his return to Brussels ib. He writes to the King in justification of his proceedings 160 Designes of his on foot in divers places 161. He gets the day at Geblours 168. Takes Nivelle 169. And after that Philippeville 169. Falls upon the Flemish Camp 174. Quarters his Army in a place of great strength near to Namur ib. He dies 177. His Character 178 Duke of Alva design'd by the Catholick King for Flanders 45. He comes into Italy the number and qualities of the men he brings with him into Flanders 46. He is made absolute Governor thereof 48. He frames a new Councel for examination of the late Tumults ib. His rigorous proceedings ib. He secures Ruremond 50. Is much troubled at the defeat in Friesland 58. His Maximes in War 59. The order of his march against Count Lodovick 61 He comes off Conqueror 62. His preparations against Orange 64. He gets the better of him 66. He returns to Brussels in Triumph ib. Laies new Impositions upon Flanders 67. Erects his own Statue in the Citadel of Antwerp 71. Besieges Mons 81. His memorable sayings 86. He hinders Orange from succouring Mons 87 And drives him the second time out of the Country 88. He resolves to relieve Ter-Goes 91. His resolution for continuing the siege of Harlem 103. He relieves Middleburg 107. Composes the Mutiny at Harlem 108. Goes to Amsterdam 110. Returns to Brussels 111. Gets leave to quit the Government of Flanders ib. And departs out of those Countries ib. D. of Alanson prepares to enter Flanders 172. He comes in with his Army 177. The Dutchess of Parma Lady Regent of Flanders 9. Her answer to the discourse the King had with her 10 Displeased at the actions done in contempt of Granvel 14. Sends Egmont over into Spain 20. Publisheth a new Edict in behalf of Religion 22. Is perswaded to take up Arms 23. Her answer to the licentious Petition of the Covenanters 27. She is troubled at their meeting in Geertruydenberk 30. Thinks her self not safe in Brussels 31. Declares in favour of the Petitioners that all use of the Inquisition should be taken away ib. Takes up Arms against Valentiennes 37. Seeks to compose matters in Antwerp 39 Defeats the seditious there and settles the Catholick Army ib. Her solemn entrance into that City 40. Not privy to the imprisonment of Egmont and Horne 47. Displeased at it she craves leave of the King to quit the Government ib. She departs with much sorrow to the Flemmings ib. Her praises ib. E THe Ecclesiasticks in Flanders do not well like the Kings courses 5 Edicts published in Flanders by Charls the fifth Emperor 4. Confirmed afterwards by Philip the second ib. Those of the King in favour of the Councel of Trent meet with great difficulties amongst the Flemings 18. An Edict of Rebellion against the Spaniards 143 An Elect a head set up by the Mutiners 120. Wherein his Office consisted ib. How strictly every Decree of his was observed ib. Elizabeth Queen of England 6. Gives courteous entertainment to the Low-Countrey fugitives 50. Is troubled at d'Alva's prosperity 66. Causeth a great sum of the King of Spains money to be stopped in England 67 Secretly cherishes Lumay a Low-Country runagate 73. Sends him souldiers to the Brill 89. Will not openly discover her self an enemy to the King of Spain 105. Justifies her self in Spain for concluding a League with the States in Flanders 165 F THe Fight between d' Alva and Orange 88. Between d' Alvas Camp and Count Lodovicks 62. Between the Kings men and those that were besieged in Mons 84. In the Lake of Leyden between the Kings men and the Rebels 104. Between the Spaniards and the States men near Lovain 144 Frederick of Toledo the Duke of Alva 's son commands the foot 64. Endeavours by the Amsterdammers mediation to bring over the Harlemers to the Kings side 97. Grows much inraged with those of Harlem and besiegeth the Town 98. He routs Lumay 99 Reinforces the siege of Harlem 103 Will not receive the Town upon Articles 106 The Flemings hold King Philip too much Hispanioliz'd 4. They speak against the Inquisition 8. They shew much contentment at the departure of Granvelle 17 Their extream sorrow for Egmonts death 58. Their bitter complaints against d'Alva for the new Impositions 68 Routed at Vicenac 144. They draw up a new form of agreement among themselves 151 The Flemish hereticks demand liberty of conscience 175 Flushing and the Haven thereof
Flanders 140. see the Councel of State 102 The Sufferings of the Kings Camp before Harlem 102 T TOrney and the Country thereabouts infected with heresie 28 A Treaty of accommodation between Don John and the States 153 Tumults how they began in Flanders 2 A popular Tumult in Brussels 140 A Throne set up in Antwerp by the D. of Alva 71 V VAldes a Spanish Campmaster hath the principal charge of the siege of Leyden 124. He takes two Forts from the enemy ib. He shuts up all the Avenues about the City 125 Valentiennes riseth 37. Is surprised by the Hugonots of France 8 Vargas a Spanish Captain relieveth Mastrick 145 Vahelius President of the Privy Councel follows the opinion of Granvel 11. Opposeth Orange and for what reasons 19. shews himself contrary to the new Impositions 69 Utricht an Archbishoprick 11 W WAlcherin an Island 76 The Walloons take up Arms against the Gantois 176 Seditious Writings against the Inquisition 22 Z ZEaland opposeth d'Alvas Impositions more then all the other Provinces 70 Zirickzee a principal Town 135. It s scituation ib. It is besieged 137. Is yeilded up 138 Zutphen and its scituation 94 Besieged by Frederick di Toledo ib. stormed and sackt ib. A TABLE Of the most remarkable things contained in this SECOND PART A ADolphus Count de Meurs Commander in chief for the Flemish opposeth the Kings party 237 Altapenna surpriseth Breda 199 Mortally wounded before the Fort of Engelen 247 Antwerp in danger of being surprized 210. It s description 217. Besieged by the Prince of Parma 218. What diligence the Townsmen use to get in relief 222. Their uproars for the streightness of the siege 223. They contrive fireboats to annoy the Bridge made upon the Scheld 224. Their great ship called the Wars end ib. Their new designe against the Bridg 228 They resolve to surrender 233 Arch-duke Matthias returns into Germany 204 The Arch-bishop of Rossano sent to Collein for the accommodation of Affairs in Flanders 187 ALexander Farnese See Prince of Parma Army of Farnese before Mastrick how quartered 183. How placed about Antwerp 220. Of the League and its strength 281 B BErghen-ap-zone attempted by Farnese but in vain 260,261 Bona surprized by Skinck 259. Recovered by the Prince of Simay 260 Breda surprized by Altapenna 199. and with a stratagem recovered by Count Maurice 265 Bruges taken by the Kings party 213 Brussels comes in to Farnese The Bridg before Antwerp and the description thereof 220. What mischief the fire-barks did to it 227 C CAmbray straitned by Farness 198 Relieved by the Duke of Alanson 200 Cardinal Allen 251 The Cardinal Infante takes Skincks Sconce 259 Christophoro Mandragone Campmaster where quartered before Mastrick 183. How gallantly he plaid his part in defending the Counterdike 231 The Conference held at Colein for accommodating the affairs of Flanders 187 A Consultation held by the Prince of Parma Whether Antwerp or Mastrick should be first besieged 181. by the same about building a bridge upon the Scheld 219. by the Queen of England upon the proffer of the soveraignty over the United Provinces 237 238 by the King of Navar whether the siege of Roan should be suspended or continued 282. in Spain concerning the manner of expressing their grudge they bare to the Queen of England 248 The Count of Aremberg forceth Hollach to retreat from the siege of Zutphen 214 The Count della Laigne Governour of Henault 186 The Count di Berg turns to the Kings side 198 Count Herman di Berg besieged in Deventer 278. is wounded ib. yeilds up the Town ib. Count Charls Mansfield taketh in Eyndoven 213. Assaults and routs Marshal Biron ib. Besieged the Grave 240 Relieveth Nimegâ—â— 265 Count di Fuentes sent into Flanders 292 Count Holack at the siege of Groninghen 198. Made Count Maunce his Lieutenant 217. Assaulteth the Counterdike 229 Count Maurice put into the place of the Prince of Orange his father 217 Commands the Militia of the United Provinces 245. Surprises Breda 265 Raises a Fort against Niminghen 266. Makes himself Master of Zutphen 278. And then of Deventer ib. Takes in Niminghen 280. Takes Steenwick 292. and the Fort of Coverden ib. Colonel Norrice surprizeth Brankemberg Fort 277 Colonel Vere relieves Reinberg 264 Count Peter Ernestus of Mansfield left by Farnese to govern Flanders 267 The Count of Reinberg turns to the Kings side 198. He besiegeth Steenwick but is forced to retreat 199. His death ib. The Counter-dike of Covestein 221 Defended with four Forts by the Royalists 229. Assaulted by the Rebels but in vain ib. Assaulted again by the same 231 Complaints of the Flemish Rebels against the Duke of Alanson 207. Of the same against the English 244. Of the Commanders of the League against the D. of Parma 273 Of the Army of the League for want of victuals 290 The Catholick Commissioners of the Flemish Union what opinion they were of in point of changing their Prince 193 The Character of Alanson 214. Of the Prince of Orange 215. Of the Duke of Parma 292. Comparison between the King of Navar and Duke of Parma 267 D A Description of Mastrick 183. of Antwerp 217. of the Bridg built upon the Scheld at the siege of Antwerp 225. Deventer won by Farnese 244 It falls back into the hands of the United Provinces 278 The D. of Alanson returns into France 181. Comes into the Low-countries as their Prince Elect 193. Upon what condition he 〈…〉 of the Government 195. He 〈…〉 the City of Cambray 200. He goes over into England and thence to Zealand 204. His solemn entrance into Antwerp 205. He receives his expected forces â—08 He is perswaded to establish his new Principality by force ib. and he attempts the surprisal of Antwerp 210. but with bad success ib 211. He goes away into France 213. where he dies 214 His character ib. The Duke of Medina Sidonia made Commander of the Spanish Armado in the place of the Marquiss of Santa Croce 254. His unfortunate expedition 256 The Dutchess of Parma comes over into Flanders 194. Her Letter to the Catholick King ib. She returns into Italy 195 The Duke of Parma 242. See Prince of Parma The Duke du Main gives the Duke of Parma a meeting 267. His opinion that the victory of Aumale should be followed 285. He exhorts Farnese to keep aloof from Roan 287. He continues Generalin the Camp of the League 288 He carries a supply of men into Roan 291 E THe English rout the Spaniards before the Grave 241 The English Fleet 255. The advantages it had of the Spanish ib. F THe Faction of the Malcontents what it pretended to 181. It seizeth upon Alst 188 Monsieur di Feruaches and his speech to the Duke of Alanson 209 Francesco Verdugo Governor of Friesland 199. Takes in Embden ib. Surprizes Zutphen 213 The French in danger for Oranges wound 205. They run up and down Antwerp in hostle manner 210. But are repulsed by the Inhabitants 211 They