yet shewed themselves again so distinctly that they were able to discerne the Ropes and Cables Last of all they saw the great Vessels again which they had discovered first These visions lasted about three houres A Lyon on the North side of the Ships performed the last Act under which there appeared animals of different shapes which turned into Ships The Parliament of England being grown formidable by Charles Stewarts expulsion whom they quite expelled the Island and by the conquest of the Kingdom of Scotland was much intense upon War and desirous to diminish the traffique which hath inriched these united Provinces as by taking the Ships which they met either at Sea or came into their havens and then by giving Letters of Mart. The begining by Letters of Mart. Whereupon the complainrs of the Holland Marchants obliged the States to send their Embassadours to acknowledge them for a Free Common Wealth to renew friendship and to redemand their Vessels taken The first point pleased them and the second was payed with silence and the third differred as never to be granted The Propositions which they made the said Embassadours were so high and beyond their expectation that the High and Might Lords resolved upon War Whilest these things were in agitation there hapned an encounter betwixt General Blake and Admiral Tromp about striking The first attak wherein Tromp was so briskly received that he had much adoe to get handsomly off leaving two ships behind him in the possession of the English This action hastened the returne of the Embassadours and set the States on work for the fitting of a second Fleet which was retarded by the wary Hollanders out of hope of composing the difference by representing the necessity of a good harmony betwixt the two Nations They wanted neither strength courage nor convenience to hurtâ— but other considerations made them seek an accommodation which these new Republicans rejected Mousieur Spiring the Embassadour of Sweden used all diligence to prevent the States Embassadours departure Every one goes into England to acknowledge the Parliament and encouraged them to acknowledge England for a Free State The Title in his Letter of Credence not being well adjusted he met with some little difficulty yet nevertheless obtained Audience but death taking him soon away deprived that State of a great friend After the Spanish Embassadour had acknowledged them every body hastened to the Offering as fearing to be the last Only France seemed not much to care but after having suffered a very rough check she at last came as we shall shortly demonstrate But we must yet make another great circuit before we conclude our Work CHAP. XIII The miseries at Sea caused by Pirats The present state of Norway Denmark Sweden Poland Hungary Germany Italy Spain and France c. HItherto we have seen the wars begun and caried on first for the authority and occupation or seazure of Countries under the princtpal pretext of Religion and then there hapned so great a Hotchpot and such a confused variety by the shuffling together of so many different Allyances and deceiptful practices that this precicus Cloak being grown quite thred-bare could be no longer worne and therefore the hatred of Nations and old quarrels must now be brought upon the Stage Indeed if according to the saying of Tertullian by forging so many Religions there grow at length to be none at all left with the like foundation may I also say that by making so many various Allyances which are so easily broken and so dexterously patched together again there is no Allyance at all I have to do said a certain Monarch with a bordering people which never keep their Faith but when they perceive no occasion to hurt me By this it is that there is so much trouble to make a peace and they who labour to joyne the two Parties finde so much difficulty and repugnance in regard of the indelible distrusts and jealousies between them that they cannot accomplish it Sea-Rovers Besides that there have alwayes been Sea-Rovers who as The The eves hidden in the Woods and Forrests have surprized passengers and laid wait for the Merchants Ships and at present we see whole Fleets the Sea loaden with Vessels to attacke not by stealth but open force the said Merchants Ships and the men of War also which accompany them Some years agoe the Sea was free and safe enough but now there are more and greater dangers there then there ever were by Land Let us passe through the North and end our Carrer in England The Kingdom of Norway being secured by its poverty feared not the year before nor this present year neither the war wherein the King of Denmark seemed ready to involve himself Thirty English Ships stopt in Denmark For he redemanded the Portion of his Aunt Anne Queen of England which being refused he stopped and confiscated some thirty English Merchant Ships and made a streight Allyance thereupon with the States of Holland for their Common Interests That Libell which was made in Sweden being washed and wiped off with the blood of the Authours thereof all was there in good order and diligence was used for the setting out of a little considerable Fleet which gave the bordering parts so much jealousie that King Frederick sent his Embassadours thither who returned with a good answer A Spanish Resident at Stockholme There was then a Spanish Resident at the Court of Sweden who treated secretly and the affairs of the last Assembly were conducted there so occultly that there was no light at all to be found thereof But true it is that Silence is the Soul of great Expedtions Livonia was well guarded against the invasion of the Polanders and the Treaties at Lubeck between them and the Swedes produced no good operation at all so that the Embassadours retired to the great displeasure of such as meddled in them The Muscovits did nothing in a long time which deserves to be noted here But the Polanders felt as well as the rest of the Nations of Europe the Rod of the Almighty by pestilence inundations and wars which continue even yet against the Rebellious Cossacks under the direction and authority of King Casimir The accidental fire which was like to burne the young Princesse was taken as an ill augure by such as were curious but the Kingdom is yet in vigour and the Armies in condition to ruin their enemies The Turks and Tartars made some irruptions into Hungary which gave both dammage and fear by the marching of some Troops but at present the Peace is exactly kept The Empire enjoyes the Peace made at Munster and every Prince labous by the offer of fair Priviledges to revive both his Country and the Religion he professes The Emperour who shewes that he took the redresse of the Empire more to heart then the preservation of his own life assembled all the Electors the last year at Prague The Electors at Prague 1692. and courted
Citizens who were killed by Musket-shot was like to have put that illustrious City into a deplorable confusion The English not content with taking their ships attacked and took also many other vessels which go every yeare to catch Herrings and other fish so that they hurt and do yet hurt this Republick by all the means and ways they could or can devise The Propositions of the English not receivable The Propositions which they made our Embassadours were so high and unequall that they sufficiently evidenced their design against this Common-wealth the principall whereof was this That we should enter into a League Offensive and Defensive with them and that we should make all their enemies ours c. Points of most dangerous consequences But let us go further CHAP. XVI The English attack the Convoy of the Fishers Tromp returns to Sea and findes Blake The Tempest separates them and he comes back into Holland De Ruyter attacks Ascue Van Galens Victory before Ligorne The English take all without distinction Tromp safely conducted the Fleet into France Divers combats Tromps death Cromwell and his Exploits The Diet at Ratisbone The Election and Coronation of Fetdinand the Fourth King of the Romans VVhen Nations cannot be reconciled by all kinds of reason and justice war must be endured The Astrologors foretold this in the observation of that Comet of the year of 1618. and that of the year before and advertised us that the wrath of God was not appeased The States having received the troublesome news of the taking of those ships of war which accompanied the fishermen gave order to attack the English by way of retorsion The Fleets at Sea Tromp departed in July with resolution to make the English repent their having neglected and slighted the Hollanders friendship and espying Sir George Asene in the Downes with a Squadron of Ships was not able to bear up with him by reason of the Calme and so going to seek Blaks in the North where some Vessels which came from the Great Indies were to pass he discovered him The prayers were said and the Onset begun A storm dammageable to the Hodanders 1952. but a great wind separated the two Fleets made the English retyre into their Havens and some of our Ships perish upon the Rocks and the rest were saved in Hitland and about forty came home with the Admirall Thus the Calme and the Tempest parted them two several times but de Ruyter going to convoy the Marchant-Fleet with forty Ships met Asonâ— with his Squadron and faced him so stoutly that he was constrained â—o â—â—treat into England and give him passage General Badiley bravely defended himself against twice his number of Ships in the Streights but being over-powred lost the Phanix which was after wards recovered by Captain Cox The Victory obtained afterwards before Ligorne by Admiral Van Galen was successful Van Galens Victory before Lavorno for three Vessels were taken and some other burnt yet was in some manner otherwise the said Admiral receiving his deaths wound in the engagement It very often chances that they who gaine the Battel have not the greatest booty for there are some who go out in Party and sometimes make their Fortune The Capes of Grip are certain particular persons who go to Sea with small Vessels set out at their one charge and they make huge profit and they lie at present about the Coast of England and cause much danger The conjunction of Vice-Admiral Witt Wittenson was rendred infructuous by the Cowardise of some Holland Captains who forgot their duty whilest the English performed theirs with great advantage by taking the Spanish mony which was destinated to pay the Armies in the Low-Countries and carrying it to London where it was stop't The English detaine the mony which comes from Spain and rever restored because there were some Holland Marchants Goods or Wares in the Vessels and albeit the instances made by the Arch-Duke Leopold and the Spanish Embassadours were heard they yet took no effect whereupon some have believed that they were but faigned but however it were they kept the mony and have served themselves of it The Rendeznous of the Ships near Rochâ—l 1653. The States considering the greatness of the danger gave all the Marchant Ships order to assemble themselves in a General Rendeznuous before the Isle of St. Martin near Rochel and there expect the Navy consisting of seventy six Men of War and eight Fire-Ships which departed the first of December under Admiral Tromps orders to convoy home the abovesaid Merchant Ships which were above three hundred all loaden with Commodities The English approached but came off with losse and returned into the Thames and so the Fleet arrived in France without any dammage But during these great Attacks the little War was carried on with much partiality and prejudice to the Marchants For the mitigation of Gods wrath and the diversion of his scourge from the United Provinces the States ordered prayers to be made every Weducsday at four of the clock in the afternoone all Shops to be kept shut and all negotiations forborne during the time of the Sermon Thus was the War indirectly mennadged upon this blew Element between the two most potent Nations that are at present or ever have been in all the North for the Dominion of the Ocean and for the retention of Trade None but the Sea-Monsters are able to render an account of all the brave Actions which are done there as being Spectatours of them The said States being advertised of the great preparation which their Enemies were making to attack Tromp in his return with the Marchant-Fleet gave order for the speedy equipaging of some other Ships to go to meet him but they were hindred by contrary windes The Navall Battel which lasted three dayes 1653. Tromp being arrived near Bolein discovered the English Fleet and a little after began a Battel which continued three dayes the most furiously that could be Nothing was feen but fire and flame and one would have said that the Ocean was become combustible and had taken the nature of the contrary Element The Land had been already sufficiently steeped in blood and now the Sea must be also coloured with it The indignation of that just God extends it selfe upon all the Elements malediction is upon the Land and upon the Water The end of the Combas was that Tromp retreated into Calais Road and brought back the most part of the Fleet into Holland all which the English thought to eatch though they were faine to becontent with the taking of some Marchant Ships and some Men of War and with letting the Hollanders see that they had to do with most generous and redoubtable Enomies But our Admiral had two difficulties to overcome the one to charge the Enemies in their retreat and the other to guard the Marchandise When a Shepherd sees many Wolves coming to attack his flock he keeps it behinde him and cannot serve
and caused him to be published for an Heretick He besieged Paris but was unhappily stabbed by a Monk whereof he died having already declared Henry of Bourbon for his true successour and Heyr to the Crown to whom he also left a third Dispute for the kingdome of Navarre This stab extinguished the Race of the Valois ended the life of the Prince and there with also the desire he had to inflict a rigorous chastisement upon the City of Paris CHAP. XI Disturbances in the Low-Countries and why The Peace of Vervin followes The donation of the Low-Countries to the Infanta THe King of Spain was in no lesse trouble about the Low-countries for the conservation whereof he spared not his Treasures brought him from the Indies nor followed lesse the Counsell of Cardinal Granvel then the Roman Catholicks of France did that of the Cardinal of Lorraine But the Prince of Orange assisted by the Protestants of Germany eluded their care in such sort as that neither the wise conduct of the Duchesse of Parma nor the rough proceedings of the Duke of Alva nor the very presence of King Philips Brother himself no nor the inimitable valour of that Great Italian Alexander was able to prevaile so farre but that seven Provinces untied themselves from obedience to the King and formed a potent Common-wealth amongst themselves by the change of Religion without which it is very probable that neither the situation nor the Rivers not all that which could hurt the Spaniards would have been able to secure or defend them against the potency of Spain But now from whence came all these disorders Who laid the first stone and fixed the foundation of so dismal and fatall a Warre There are many causes and divers pretexts thereof to be noted We will therefore go to the fountain since the streams are sufficiently known Under the General Title of Low-countries are comprised seventeen Provinces so rich so well peopled so full of fair Towns and big Villages together with the situation and strength of the Inhabitants that if they were united together I know not who would presume to attach them how powerful so ever he were either by Sea or Land But plenty doth not more disunite people then want and the winde of ambition raises not lesse storm then ill-taken zeal in Religion These Countries have been almost a whole Age the Theater of a most sad and dreadful Warre caused by the two aforementioned Passions which have brought them to this state wherein they are seen at present They had every one their Prince or Goâ—ernour apart but by little and little as well by Marriages and Successions as other means they grew to be devolved under the House of Burgundy and afterwards under that of Austria as we have noted already For during the Warres of the Emperour Charles the sift and Francis the first they were governed by the Queen of Hungary Sister to the aforesaid Charles In fine this good Prince having with an unparallelled example of resolution transferred all his States upon his sonne Philip and the Empyre upon his Brother Fordinand so to retire himself into a private condition the said King Philip his sonne before his departure gave the government of the aforesaid Provinces in generall to his Sister and in particular to some certain Knights of the Golden Fleece who had faithfully served both his Father and himself in the Warres against France Now the Order given to pluck up the tender plants of new opinions in Religion was by such as hunted after a Change in State interpreted for the Spanish Inquisition and the retardment of the forraine Militia for the maintaining thereof The introduction of new Bishops made a double operation by giving an Alarme as well to the Clergy as to them who had embraced the profession of a Religion which excluded both Old and New The Governesse notwithstanding the coldnesse of some prime Ministers stopped the disease with agreeable nutriment and a sleight bleeding and so rendered a superficial kind of health to this Body so much stuffed with ill humours But King Philip irritated by the contemp of his authority and commandments had recourse to the arms of Justice which by violent proceedings applies both Sword and Fire amazes the Good represses the audacity of others inexorably punishes the bad and by demanding the tenth penny reversed or overthrew all that which was no more then shaken before Thus have you the seeds of the Evills which gave birth to those long warres which have had divers qualifications and various successes under many Governours who like unskilfull Physitians either performed not their care or else prescribed all things contrary because the Disease was incurable Some make William Prince of Orange Authour of all those troubles and others impute it to the cruelty of the Duke of Alva But be it what it will this People being very intense upon the conservation of their priviledges and most prone to jealousie motion and surprise was more agitated by the passion of others then by their own so that Ambition urging them to act under the pretence of priviledges and liberty of conscience and rigour falling upon them to make them unseasonably stoop to the commandments of their Master urged them to fly to the Sword Insomuch as sometimes neither naked Justice nor Treaties of Reconciliation were able to soften their exasperated and irritated Hearts And such of these Provinces as are nearest the Sea shewed then another kind of countenance both to the Church and Government and being succoured by their jealous Neighbours continued this warre with much advantage The King gives the Low-countries to the Intanta his Daughter The King therefore being tired with so prolix a warre made over all the the Provinces to his Daughter Isabell but it was after he had sent Alexander twice into France to relieve the Leaguers or Confederates which much advanced their Affaires and gave them meanes to lay about them for the settlement of their Common-wealth And this was the state of things in the Low-countries towards the end of the Age. Now Cardinal Albert was sent from Spain to govern the aforesaid Provinces who brought the Prince of Orange with him and falling in his Enterprise upon Marseilles through the vigilancie of the Dake of Guise he took possession of his aforesaid Government by the resignation of the Conde de Fuentes who had not long before seised upon Cambray and Dourlens Albert hearing that La Fere was streightned by King Henry resolved to make a diversion which might either be able to raise the siege or at least to recompence the losse of the said place in case it were taken Wherefore he sent Monsieur de Rosne to besiege Calis which he quickly took together with the Town of Ardre notwithstanding the succour from England and Holland La Fere rendred it self at the end of seven months siege and that which happened afterwards of most importance for the good of the Crown of France was the Reconciliation
without granting his souldiers who were tired with their long march so much leisure as to breath But Maurice having drawn back his fleet into the main thereby to hinder his souldiers from flight and obleige them rather to die honourably The Battell of Flanders then to seek a shamefull retreat made a generous resistance and won a glorious victory The Mutiners gave a remarkable account of themselves Gotten by Maurice and the first of this Age. and almost all lost their lives in the dispute The Admirall was taken prisoner and many Officers of note And this was the first battell of this age which proved favourable to the Hollanders who conferred all imaginable honours upon their victorious Prince by shouts of joy Bonefires c. The Archduke having tasted the bitter fruits of bad counsell forthwith reinforced his army and sent troops into all the forts about Ostend in such sort as that Maurice finding no gap of advantage imbarqued his foot and repassed into Holland La Bourlotte killed Collonell La Bourlotte going to defend Fort Issabell was killed there by musquet shot and his death much regretted by the Archduke he having given great characters of himself in divers actions and occasions of his service as the taken of many towns and fighting of many battels His life He was a Gentleman born in Lorraine ascended to very high military charges by his huge courage esteemed one of the greatest Captains of his time Henry the fourth endeavoured to disingage him from the service of the Arch-Duke in case there happened a good agreement but he being too passionate for the service of the House of Austria would not hearken to it at all Now the warre was continued by enterprises which for the most part issued to the dammage of the undertakers and almost ever of the Treaties The greatest incoveniences were by Sea where the Dunkerkers who were snapt were hanged without mercy who likewise often repayed the same coyn to the Herring-Fishers and others The Zelanders continually complained of the mischiefs they received from Spinola's Gallies at the Sluce which indeed were neither small nor insensible But this thorn was quickly taken out of their sides and the said Town taken by famine whilest the Spaniards were engaged at the siege of Ostend Rhinl eâ—gh taken by agreen â—nent Rinbergh was besieged by Prince Maurice 1601. and well defended by the Garrison which was strong But the relief coming too late and sinding the Hollanders well intrenched durst not venter and so the Governour D'Avila was constrained to yeeld up the place not without having performed the action of a valiant Captain upon honourable conditions about the beginning of August the same year And Meurs likewise followed the victorious Chariot of Prince Maurice CHAP. IV The Siege of Ostend Maurice attempts the surprise of Bois-le-Ducque and besieges and carries the Grave ALbert importuned by the States of Flanders to free them from their ill neighbours and those Birds of prey at Ostend in regard that the Forts thereof could not stop their occasions nor hinder them from fixing their cluches in the flat Country suffered himself to be induced to that high and most difficult enterprise partly to draw Maurice from Rinbergh and animated also partly by the vast summe of monies which the said States undertook to furnish at different terms for this work For their interest urged them to unnestle those enemies and it belonged only to the Eagle to make so high a flight But a place which hath alwayes one Gate open and where so many neighbours pretend an interest is not so soon gotten The said Town was ever very carefully conserved and kept as well by the Queen of England as by the confederated States so to draw great contributions from it It was before the troubles but a very small paltry place a Retreat for Fishers but very well known since by the most famous and memorable siege that ever was The siege of Ostend begun thes of July 1601. It was invested as much as possibly it could be in the year 1601 upon the 5. of July and first revictualled afterwards by an English Knight called Veer and above three thousand fresh souldiers of his country sent by the Queen In the month of September Admiral de Varniont came with a hundred and seventy Sayl of Ships loaden with all kinds of Munition both for wat and mouth for the winter so that all was better cheap there then even in Holland it self This made the Prince resolve about All-hallown-tide to go and attack Boisle-Due And the Arch-Duke well knowing the importance of the place sent an Armythither and put some colours into the Town But the coldness of the weather proved the strongest enemy and forced him to pack up his Baggage and march another way In the monoth of September aforesaid the Queen of Spain was delivered of a Daughter and the Queen of France of a * The title of the eldest son of the Crown Dolphin who by a happy destiny were afterwards joyned together in marriage as we shall shew in fit place Prince Maurice finding his enterprise upon Boisleduc crossed and that the Spaniards continued their siege raised more souldiers the year following and towards the end of Iune with a terrible train he marched down into Brabant The Arch-Duke informed of his great preparation enabled by some money from Spain and the reasons for the continuation of the siege in which the Honour of the House of Austria was engaged and all difficulties well ballanced by that most cautelous and advised nation resolved for his part to make a great defence It is in trouble that vertue shines with most luster He sent the Admirall into Brabant to stop the progresse of the Princes who having some Italian Regiments with him intrenched himself near Tirlemont a Town grown famous since by her deplorable misfortune and buried in her own ashes The Hollanders not being able to draw the Spaniards who were yet mindful of their losse received before Newport to a generall decision diverted their course and incamped themselves before Grave which Town being well fortified was two moneths after surrendred upon conditions Grave yeeld upon agreement Mutiny The Spaniards seaze upon Hoochstrade And the Admirall not able to raise the siege was constrained to retreat neither could he hinder the disbanding and mutinies of some of his Souldiers who seazed upon the Town of Hoochstrade and began a new policy amongst themselves The Arch-Duke hastens thither and the Admiral drawes his stake out of play and retires himself into Spain But Albert instead of water cast oyle into the sire and contrary to the advice of the States under his obedience proscribes them and declares them Rebels Traitors attainted Mecauban and convicted of High Treason in a superlative degree c. But it is in vain to be angry without strength and the weak Lawes yeeld to the unjust violence of Armes The Squadron of Mutiners remained not
and would have killed him if a Count had not hastened to the stirre and taken him out of their bands His Majesty seemed much displeased herear and all issued to the confusion of the one and the glory of the other The year following Prince Maurice had an enterprise upon the Dike of Antwerp from whence he retyred with remarkable losse before the Castle of Wowde which he took by capitulation The Arch-Duke on the other side disgusted at the losse of Sluce and desiring to keep Flanders free from contribution sent Spinela to the said place whose credit was already much augmented amongst his enemies as well as amongst them of the Spanish party But Maurice having prevented him and put all things in good order he found himself fain to seek the same way which the Count de Bucquoy had taken with a flying Camp towards the Rhein which he passed and took Oldenzeel and Lingen and if he had prosecuted his business with the same ardor and promptitude wherewith he began it was very probable he might have seased upon Coeverden Groening yea Embden it self and so have taken footing in Freezland Warre about the Rhein in regard that he would have found no great resstance for want of men especially coming upon an exploit both unforeseen and unexpected There was yet another very dangerous encounter towards the Rhem where Prince Henry had incurred great hazard of being killed or taken if he had not been seconded by his Brother wherein he was more happy then in the enterprise of Guelders The Designes upon Grave and Bergh upon Zoom were hurtfull to the undertakers and served for an advertisement to them upon whom they were practised to keep themselves upon their guard The Count de Buequoy quickly brake the garrisons of Wotchtendone and Cracaw and so winter was as a trumpet which sounded a retreat to both armies The morning is never so fair but that there appears some cloud upon the Horizon before the day be quite spent France is never so well at rest but that there is some stir either in one corner or other or in the middle For they are people of a fiery spirit and enemies to quiet The conspiracy which was discovered in Provence at that time and the author whereof was a gentleman of that Country who was appreheded at Paris together with the Secretary to the Spanish Embassador caused the the said Embassadour to complaine and reproach that the Peace was not well kept to which the King answered by other objections which were the seeds of the contrariety since between these two nations who yet by different wayes seem to have both but one object for their end The birch of Philip the fourth King of Spaine theâ—â— of April This very yeer 1605 upon the 8 th of April was born Philip the 4 th who holds the Spanish Monarchie at this day And the same year died Pope Clement the 8 th and Theodore Beza and the year following Justus Lipsins Professour of the University of Lovain CHAP. VI The difference which happened between Pope Paul the fifth and the Republick of Venice and why The peace made The Duke of Brunswick endeavours to take the Town The King of Denmark goes into England The continuation of the wars in the Low-Countries VVHiles the war was thus hot in the Low-Countries there happened a spark of division in Italy between the Pope and the Venetians which if neglected might have caused an emborasment no lesse perilous then that the one namely the Romane Catholicks ministring all kindes of means and reasons to quench it and the Reformates all sorts of invention to kindle it The knot of the controversie was that the said Republick had made a Law prohibiting all the Ecclesiasticall persons to buy or receive by Will or Testament any immovable goods or other inheritances This Order being ill taken at Rome caused a Bull which was published against the said Republick with the thunderbolt of excommunication in case it were not revoked within the tearm of four and twenty dayes interdicting the Priests to say Masse The difference between the Pope and the Venetians under paine of the same excommunication The Senate protests against it and so from words to blows Italy was instantly in armes The King of Spaine ofters assistance to the Pope and Henry the fourth as much but under condition that he being eldest son of the Church his Holinesse would receive no ayde from any other but himself This proposition together with the information which he had that the King of England and the Hollanders enemies to the holy See had presented all kind of help to the Venetians and being also moved by his own prudent goodnesse and the evident danger to which the Catholick States would be exposed caused him to hearken to the perswations of the two Kings and take off the excommunication whereby the businesse was appeased Taken away by the intercession of the two Kings and all the Ecclesiasticks who were gone out of the City during this fogg had leave to return except onely the Jesuites who carried the whole burthen and were banithed for perpetuity The Jesuites banished out of the Common-wealth of Venice nor have all the intercessions and addresses which have since been made in favour of them by the King of France and many other Potentates served for any thing but to renew the said order of banishment against them The Protestants their capitall enemies have not failed to serve themselves of this occasion as also of many other to cry them down every where by accusing them of some conspiracies against the said Common-wealth whereof yet there is no clear mention made at all For they make profession to be forbidden by their rule to meddle with State business But a good Game good Gaine They are not without fellowes for England furnishes them likewise with matter enough Now these animosities being appeased there returned a calm to all Italy which we will now leave to come back into Germany and Holland For here it is that men are alwayes in action both by Sea and Land whilest the rust of Christendom are at rest It is true that the Duke of Brunswick seeing Spinola with a great army neer Lingen took a pretext to raise one to but it was in effect to attack the chief town of the Dutchy An attempt upon Brunswick His forces seized upon one of the gates and the wall without much trouble but they weakly desended those advantages which they had gotten and so were shamefully beaten oft He besieged the town twice but the Emperour interposing his authority all was quickly accommodated Enterprines never snoceed well but by the courage of the under takers The King of Denmark goes into England The King of Denmark went to see his brother inlaw King James and his sister where having been regaled the space of a moneth he returned toward his own Kingdom not without admiring the pomp and magnificence of the English
the Enemy and retyre himself as fast as he could gallop to Wolfenbottel This was a great and bloody Fight and the Imperialists remained entirely victorious in it The Victory of the Imperialists and the death of Generall Fucks Brave Generall Fucks who had disswaded the Battell lost his life in this occasion and gave the King sufficient testimony that it was not through basenesse of heart or cowardize but upon strong arguments that he desired him not to precipitate Many other Officers were also slain together with above six thousand Souldiers Thirty Pieces of Canon three thousand Prisoners fourscore and ten Colours adorned the Conquerours Chariot and all the booty was given to the Souldiers in recompence of their Valour This was that famous Battell of Luther which happened upon the 27 th of August whereby the Emperours authority and the joy of his Allyes was much augmented and their Enemies fear redoubled and after this there followed a continuall thred of Victories and taking of Towns even to the very sea-side Favour flatters Fortune and when there is no more meanes lest to make open resistance against the storme the sailes must be taken in or the Vessel steered for safety to the shelter of some Wood or Rock The Duke of Brunswick quitts the League The Duke of Brunswick followed this Maxime by making his Peace and renouncing the League with Saxonie Tilly lost no time seized upon Rotemburgh and many other places whilest the King recollected the fragments of his Army and put it in Equipage during the Winter but to no purpose For this vessell was too much tottered to do any more service at all In conclusion Tilly having taken Nontheen drew neer the River of Elbe which was also to be conquered after the conquest of so many enemies But we leave France too long in Peace which yet was not all this while quiet CHAP. II The prosecution of the second Warre against the Hughenots The Peace made by the undertaking of the King of England the Venetians and the Hollanders Warre between France and England and why The beginning of the third and last Warre against the Hughenots Cardinall Richelieu makes himself known admired and feared The siege and reduction of Rochell The Duke of Soubize takes some shipps WE have already shewed how the Peace was made in Italy as well upon the request of the Pope as to put a remedy to the inopinated Invasion of the Duke of Soubize who against all expectation and in full peace launched with a Fleet from Rochell came before the Port of Blavet and seized upon some ships which he found there But the Duke of Vandosme who was Governour of the Province transported himself thither with so much promptitude that he hindred the aforesaid Duke from making any farther progresse and forced him to retyre with two or three great Vessels and some of a middle burthen In such sort as that by this invasion The peace is broken the Peace which was made in the year 1622 before Montpellier was broken in that of 1625 and the Duke of Rohan his brother recommenced the Warre in earnest both in High and Low Languedock under pretext that the Treaty of Peace had been ill observed The King sends an Embassadour to the Hague This surprize so much displeased the King that he forth with sent all those Troops which were destinated for Italy towards Brittany and an Embassadour to the Hague to summon the States to his assistance with twenty ships according to the tenour of the Allyance made betwixt them But the Embassadour found some repugnance in the Colledge of the said States in respect of Religion though yet when he had remonstrated to them that the businesse was onely to humble the Kings subjects to their obedience and threatened them also with a breach in case of refusall they granted his demand My Master sayes he is of the same Faith with the King of Spaine and yet he maketh no difficulty to assist you against him And will you in a Warre of State expresse an inconsiderable zeale of Religion He obtaines twenty shipps Soubize being beaten retyres into England Hereupon the States dispatched Admirall Hantain who being joyned with the Kings Navie carried himself like a Mediatour of a Reconcilliation and obtained a Truce of three dayes which yet was ill enough kept by Soubize who hoped to draw some advantage from it but his Fleet was defeated and he forced to retyre into England with six or seven vessels and so the French took the Island of St. Martin and built two Forts there The King upon the intercession of the States pardoned them of Rochell but the Zelanders did not pardon Admirall Hautain who had for his recompence his house demolished by the people which were mad at the losse of the said Place But these were ruled by the passion of Religion and those by that of the preservation of the State The reason why Monsieur de Soubize brake the Peace was because the King had differred the demolishment of Fort Lewis raised near Rochell which served for a bridle to the Town and a Prospective to the Townsmen But the Governour indeed refused to do it upon some informations which he had received from the Town of some sinister designes In fine the Fort still remained entyre for all this and was to prove fatall to the Party illustrate the Kings Majesty throughout all France and cut off the root of all Religion It was believed that the Duke of Rohan had begged succour from the King of Spaine in this discord of the Reformates and his own and his brothers disaster but being pressed by the King of England the Venetians the Hollanders and the Savoyers he expected not the return of his Embassadour The Peace is made by an allyance against the Emperour and so upon the instance of the aforesaid King and States who could not indure the ingrandishment of the Imperiall Majesty in Germany the Peace was renewed the same year thas it was broken and the League was knit up in Denmark as we have lately said in the year 1625. But before that warre which was fatall to the Danes was finished began the disorders which thrust themselves in between the French and English the reason whereof as also of the third warre which consummated the ruine of the Reformed Party you shall forthwith understand King James a peaceful Prince King James jealous of his Royall authority and more prone to study then fight could never be induced to assist the Hughenots in France But after his decease King Charles his sonne by the reasons of Monsieur de Soubize and his Favourite the Duke of Buckingham suffered himself to be perswaded to it manifesting thereby in imitation of his Brother in Law that that Friendship which grew from the allyance of marriage was weaker then that of interest There wanted no pretexts as well of Religion as otherwise and the English being already pricked against the French and these
the Princes The Duke of Boüillon and the Duke de la Rochefancant raised a great Army But by the intercession of the Duke of Orleans all such as acted for the Princes The Accord made at Bourdeaux 1650 were pardoned Arms laid down every body restostored to favour and the Dutchess of Boüillon delivered There was none but the Princess Dowager of Conde who could not digest this bitterness for taking the detention of her children too much to heart and the repulse of her suits The Princesse Dowagers death she grew at last to yeeld under the burthen of her afflictions and left this vale of misery to go and take possession of the holy Jerusalem The King made his entrance into Bourdeaux the first day of October in a most sumptuous and stately Gally which was sent him by them of the Town where he was received with all testimonies of joy and a Generall Vive le Roy where he passed And the seventh of the same moneth he departed for Paris Cardinal Mazarin seeing the number of his enemies increase resolved to stop their monthes with a glorious action which proved usefull to the State and served for an evidence to all Europe that his Ministery was advantagious both to the King and kingdom of France He puts the Militia in order gave the souldiers money conducted the Army straight to Retel and after having given it three Assaults Mazarin retakes Retel made the Spaniards march out The Vice-Count of Turenne being a brave souldier for whose valour some certain Towns in Germany had declared themselves for him forthwith brought his Troops into the Field hastened to succour the Place and gave the besieged an advertisement of the reliefe but too late He advanced with six thousand horse for his foot could not follow but he was charged by the Marshall of Prastin and after a resistance which cost much blood defeated The Spaniards beaten The Spaniards recollected themselves in the Province of Luxemburgh and the Conquerours went to take up their winter quarters in Normandy and Lorraine where the Count of Lignevills progresse was soon stopped And the Lorraines for being beaten by the Marquis of Seneterre he was compelled to march away with the losse of about nine hundred men and four pieces of Canon This year the Deputies of the Cantons of Swisserland arrived in France to present their complaints and they were contented There needed no lesse then a whole Army to force the Leidgers or people of Leidge to open their purses and the Swedes having obtained the tax of Contributions repassed the Rhein The Princes demand the Investure The evacuation being finished in Germany and the Embassadours retyred the Princes sent an Embassie to the Emperour to demand the Investure of their Fief The King of Denmark asked it for the Dutchy of Holstein by Monsieur de Rantzow who returned with the honour of the title of Count. After these honours followed the Reformations almost every where I would to God that abuses andill customes were also reformed with as much zeal The Goods of the Swissers arrested since the precedent year caused many complaints and menaces which produced a meer restitution only Let us take a turn into Spain with the Emperours daughter newly espowsed to the Catholick King who was every where received with magnificent pomps and honours but principally at Madrid where there was at the same time an Embassadour from the Grand Signor The Embassadour from the Turk in Span. who being brought to a most stately Audience adorned with Diamants and precious stones first condoled the Queens death then congratulated the new marriage and demanded a private audience for his Commission The tenour of his letter of credence was To the most Glorious of all Christian Princes from Aly Solyman Lord of the House of the Ottomans c. First He offered the Holy Sepulcher Secondly True Commerce without further exercise of Piracy Thirdly He proposed a match between Don John of Austria and the Sultanesse of whom we formerly spake and who was now become Catholick at Maltha promising him a kingdom under the Turk And Fourthly and lastly That all prisoners might be released on both sides The Presents were rich and noble and the Embassy in apparence faire but the issue thereof declared that all was but Complement The Residents of the Parliament massacred at Madrid and at the Haghe Mr. Anthony Ascam being arrived at the same Court in the quality of Resident for the Parliament of England found his Tragicall end there as Doctor Dorislaw had already found his at the Haghe Charles Stewarts Embassadour being introduced to his Audience fell forthwith a weeping and thereby moved the King to compassion The King of Portugal by favouring Prince Robert caused the English Fleet to come and lye before his Havens which put him to so much dammage that both he and his subjects had leasure to repent themselves of having offended that Parliament CHAP. VIII Blakes Fleet in Portugal Charles Stewart in Jersy The Kings Lands and Goods sold The aforesaid Charles goes into Scotland The English go thither with an Army The Scots are beaten The continuation of the war in Candie War by the Pen. The Spanish Embassadour at London The Chineses turned Catholicks IT is in the Britannick Islands that Bellona now exercises her rage for she hath established her sear there and looks as if she would stay some time Charles was in the Isle of Jersy where he distributed Commissions to fall upon the English ships and spoyle their Trade But upon a certain advice which was given him General Blake before the River of Lisbone The Kings Goods sold he departed and Generall Blake went and shut up Prince Robert in the River of Lisbone whilest the Kings Goods were sold at London as namely his three Crownes his Scepter the Golden Garter all the Jewels Pictures Images Rarities and whatsoever else of price and value Some put the Crownes upon their Heads the Garter about their Legs and took the Scepter in their hands saying Look how well these Ornaments become me Who would have imagined such a change The mony which was made of these said Goods was employed upon the States service They passed yet further they brake down the Kings Statue upon the old Exchange and set up this Inscription Exiit Tyrannus Regum ultimus The Parliament searing lest Charles through some good success should come and disturb the Peace of England by means of some Creatures of his there laboured to prevent him and Fairfax having surrendred his Commission to that most renowned Captain Generall Cromwell he marched with an Army of sixteen thousand men to face the Scots who were above five and twenty thousand killed above three thousand of them upon the place Cromwels victory over the Scots and took above ten thousand prisoners for the rest run away to publish the glory of the Nation Indeed he had as good success as Don John of Austria who lost
died the the seventh of this moneth of Iannary and the Cardinals after a long deliberation in the Conclave and the colluctation of the French and Spanish Factions elected Cardinal Ghisi to the See Cardinal Ghisi elected Pope who took upon him the name of Alexander the Seventh The States of Austria upon the twenty sixth of February did homage to the young Arch-Duke Leopoldus Ignatius Son to the present Emperour which was performed with great State The Treaty being ratified between the King of Sweden and the City of Bremen the said City disbanded many Companies and gave Generall Conninxmark passage over the Bridge The Duke of Newburghs forces so much much streightned the Lorrainers in their quarters that they had much adoe to subsist there and the difference lately hapened betwixt the Electour Palatine and the Electour of Mentz not being yet ended but referred to the Assembly now here at Frankfurt the orther two Ecclesiastical Electours kept a small Army on foot to be able to stand in readinesse upon all occasions The Governour of Theonville who had boasted upon a certain time that he would be in Arlon at dinner the next day having notice that the Prince of Simay who is governour of Luxemburgh was marching with a considerable strength to meet him changed his design returned to Theonville and sent his men into winter quarters The Factions in Hungary about the chusing of a Palatinate being grown very high the Emperour resolved to go thither as well to allay the said troubles as also to have his Son Leopoldus Ignatins crowned King of that Country at Presburgh The Emperours Sonne Crowned King of Hungary which after many difficulties and some satisfaction given by him to the States and people of the Kingdom was performed with the accustomed Ceremonies An Insurrection in England There was a great Insurrection of the Cavalier-party in various parts of England against the Lord Protectour and present government which had it not been seasonably discovered and dissipated might peradventure have involved the whole Nation in a most fierce and bloody war One Party of them was under the conduct of Sir Joseph Wagstaffe and was routed neer Salsbury in Wilishire many principall persons taken prisoners amongst whom was Mr. Penruddock who with some others was alterwards tryed and executed at Exeter but Wagstaffe himself as also many others made their escape beyond-sea There were many of the said Plot taken in divers others parts of the Nation About the same time a Gentleman of great quality of the Country of Provence in France was arrested and imprisoned upon suspicion that he kept correspondence with General Blake then at Ligorn and that he intended to have betrayed the Port of Tonlon together with the ships therein to the English but after the said Generall was gone with his Fleet towards the Coast of Barbary he cleared himself so well of that charge that he was set at liberty and his said accusation found to be but a meer suggestion of some enemies of his The Polanders beat the Muscovits and Cossacks The Polanders obtained a great victory over the Muscovits and Cossacks near Vsman where after a shrewd fight of three dayes they put them to a totall rout and killed about fourteen thousand upon the place themselves losing not above two thousand save only some persons of condition The booty and spoyle they got was very great besides seven hundred Waggons and near a hundred Colour of Horse and Foot Whilest the Cardinals were busie in the Conclave about the Election of a new Pope An Anti-Pope chosen at Ascoli there met seaventy two Archbishops and Bishops with some Abbots at a certain place called Ascoli upon the borders of Neaples where after some dayes conference they chose one of their Members to be Pope rendring him all the usual honours even to the very worshipping him This Anti-Pope called himself Eugenius But the news thereof coming to the Conclave at Rome it so much startled them that they sent to the General of the Church-Militia to march speedily thither with some Forces to secure the Chief Authors of this great Schisme but they having notice thereof to prevent being apprehended brake up and parted and the new Anti-Pope fled The Tinkish Emperour Crowned There was such a concurse of people at Constantinople to see the Coronation of the young Emperour that lodging was hard to be found there and provisions were also at an excessive rate the Cossacks according to their old custom having so wasted and spoiled the Country on that side near the Black-Sea that it made them very scarce The Dogi or Duke of Venice being dead the Forty one shut themselves up according to custom and after some debate unanimously elected the Lord Contarini heretofore Embassadour Plenipotentiary at Munster and one of the most ancient Senators who was Crowned with the Dukes Crown with the wouted Solemnity the five and twentieth of March. The Queen of Sweden widow to the great victorious King Gustave having lain long sick of a Quartan Ague followed by a strong Rheume which fell upon her breast died the last of March in the Town of Niccoping The Duke of Savoy cast a cruel persecution upon the Protestants in the Vallyes of Angrogna The persecution of the Protestants in Piedmont Lucerna and St. Martins by sending the Marquis of Pianella together with the Count of Quince one of the French Licutenant Generals who set upon them beat them our of the said Vallyes and forced them tofly to the Mountains where they suffered much hunger and cold The news hereof coming into England the Lord Protectour being moved with compassion The Lord Protectours charity to them and charity dispatched one Master Moreland one of his own Gentlemen by the way of Paris to the foresaid Duke to mediate with him in the quality of Agent in behalf of the said distressed Protestants sending them also some relief of monyes out of his own Treasury and animating the people besides to contribute and collect publickly in the Churches considerable summs for them which accordingly was performed with remarkable zeal and remitted them as they have at large acknowledged by a most humble and ample Letter of thanks which they wrote to his Highness the transcript whereof would be too long to set down here and so would that of the King of France to his said Highness in answer to his to his Majesty wherein the King clears himself of having had any hand in the persecution of the said Protestants and friendly assures his said Highness to intercede with the Duke of Savoy in favour of them So that in fine after many debates the difference between the aforesaid Duke and his said Subjects is accommodated and Master Moreland returned Upon the two and twentieth of June there hapned such an extraordinary Thunder A Tempest at Gulick and Lightning at Gulick or Juleers that it pat all the people in excessive fear and there fell a Thunderbolt
heard or at least requited with excusing the necessity of times and affaires For the sea was too much agitated by the windes and hatred of them who would have this potent house in obedience to the feeble commands of this * The Vnited Provinces living by the windes and waters Aeolus In brief they who spake to the States of peace were as welcome at the Haghe as they were at Venice who spake for the Jesuites notwithstanding their propositions were just and equitable and could not be rejected but upon meer distrust But what is impossible to man is facil to God and all fruit growes ripe in time Let us now see the reasons of this resistance The States could not imagine that the King of Spaine would ever renounce the Soverainty of so many and so illustrious Provinces and again they who were become Masters had lost the will of returning to obedience They were grown powerfull by the allyances of France and England by the trafique of the Indies by the picoryes or spoiles which they had made upon Spain and the obedient Provinces with which they offered to make an agreement and allyance by excluding the King and his heirs but by no means with his Majesty whereto the other could not listen as to a thing impossible and shamefull and which checked the oath of fidelity which they had taken The summons which the Infanta gave them of her arrivall at Brussels moved them not at all either to acknowledge her for Lady or induce them to peace or truce In fine in the yeer 1607. Great storms at Ester 1607. memorable for the great storms which happened throughout all the Low-Countries towards Easter this resistance began by little and little to grow warm and this ice to thaw For they opened their ears to the charming perswasions of that worthy Prelate and their hearts to the great successes of Spinola who surpassed or equaled all his Predecessors in military science So that the reverent father Iohn May Provincial of the order of the Franciscan Friers was a worthy instrument of this holy work who by his infatigable care and most painfull journeys sometimes from Brussels to the Haghe and sometimes from thence into Spaine by Brussels brought the two parties to a truce of seven moneths which grew afterwards to be prolonged CHAP. VIII The defeat of the Spanish Armada The Design upon Sluce failed A continuance of the Treaty Spinola arrives at the Hague The Treaty again broken was renewed at Antwerp where the Truce was made for twelve years The Flect beaten at Gibelaltar DUring these goings and comings to and fro Admiral Heemskerk went to attack the Spanish Fleet designed for the Indies which he defeated in the Streights of Gibelaltar to the great amazement of the Spaniards to see that people which they had so often beaten and so often despised come to assault them even in Spain it self a strange quipp of Fortune Times have their turns And so the first fruit which Spain tasted of a Cessation of Arms was the calling home of the Ships of the said Common-wealth which much incommodated her Costs and lay as snares to snap the Gallions coming from the Indies with some whereof they very often met slighting the danger for the advantage of the booty The enter prise upon Sluce failed for want of courage But before we sheathe our sword and hang it upon the naile let us speak a word of that memorable Enterprise upon the Town of Sluce which was in the year 1606. The Spaniards being advertised by two souldiers of the State of the Garrison of the Gates and of the Wall of the aforesaid Town sent three thousand six hundred men with that renowned French Gentleman Du Terrail who was since beheaded at Geneva for having but so much as thought of an Enterprise upon the City Now this valiant Cavallier had promised the Arch-Duke either to deliver him the place or die in the Attempt And so he marched with his Troops through the Drowned Lands without being discovered approached the Town set three * An Engine to force Gares Petards on work about the Gate the last whereof got it open but the hearts of the souldiers grew so cold that they durst not venter in Never was there an Enterprise of importance more easie to be effected without either danger or resistance and never was there any which more loosely fayled for want of courage and good command so that it proves most true that a Coward can never do a good action Du Terrail not having authority enough to animate these Cowards to enter the Town was constrained to retyre with them and ask leave to withdraw himself from them to a Nation which never failed in any occasion for want of courage as being more apt to offend in the other extreme Besides that danger urged him away in respect of the execution of three Captains who paid the score dear enough for all the rest Thus God disposes of all things contrary to the expectation of man Let us now come back to the begun Treaty The arrivall of the Arch-Dukes Depaties at the Hague Spinola Richardot Mamicidor Father Iohn Nay and the rest of the Deputies arrived at the Hague and were received there with many complements and tieated according to the dignity both of their employments and their persons and chiefly at the Court The Prince and the Lords of prime quality went to meet them at Riswick where after the ceremonies were performed the Marquis went into the Princes Coach A strange Metamorphosis to see the two chief Captains of the world most bitter enemies a litle before court one another now with true respect and draw the eyes of the people to admire thew Persons of honour and glory may be hated by the wicked but vertue never Now because it is not my design nor can this History permit me to particularize all along upon what passed in this illustrious Assembly I will content my self with saying that the demand of the said Embassadours concerning the forbearance of Traffick to the Great * America Indies and the reduction of the exercise of the Roman Catholick Faith had almost broaken off this Treaty In effect some advices from other parts and the retardment of the Provinciall aforesaid in Spain moved the States to sen forth a Protestation containing their finall intention And the Embassadours of the Princes who were Mediatours between them counselled the States to hearken at least to a Truce since there was yet no room for Peace They retire But they sticking fast to their resolution and the Embassadours of Spain likewise persisting within the limits of their Commissions there was no means at all to make them joyn or come to a conclusive Definition And so in fine they parted from the Haghe not without Protestations on both sides of the sincerity of their intentions for the good issue of the said Treaty each casting the fault upon the other But after their
departure the States were advised by the Kings of England and France with both whom they had made a most streight Allyauce for the maintaining of the Peace in case it were concluded to renew the Treaty of a Truce And to this effect it was again taken into deliberation by the said Embassadours at Antwerp in the moneth of March The Treaty renewed at Antwerp whether the States likewise sent their Deputies namely Count William of Naffaw and the Lord of Brederode the â—5 of the same moneth and they concluded a Truce for twelve yeares upon the ninth of April 1609 which caused great rejoycing every where as well amongst the Neighbours as the Parties themselves concerned Truce made and the Embassadours were regaled and honoured with great presents During this Treaty many libels were made and dispersed some with reasons to countermine this sweet Peace and others to advance it Birds of mischief seck the dark and like Owlas blame the light as hurtfull and discovering their actions And so their fluttering was despised And here we see the end of this war for a while which sprung up at the beginning of the reign of King Philip the second and that upon divers pretexts as namely that of liberty of conscience and priviledges and under various Governours of different humours fomented by ambition Religion and diffidence under the Princess of Parma the Duke of Alva Don Lewis Don Iohn of Austria on the one side and Prince William and the States-Generall on the other the latter whereof made a strong union amongst themselves at Vtrick the Articles of which namely for the free exercise of the Roman Catholick Religion have been much altered They formed their Common-Wealth under the Arch-Duke Matthias and the Duke of Alanson under the Prince of Parma they begged the assistance of the King of France and the Queen of England They continued the Warre with much success against Count Mansfeld and Cardinall Andrew They repaired what was amiss in their Republick by the factions which arose under the Earl of Leicester They valiantly defended themselves against the Arch-Duke Albert and the Brave Spinola even till the very publication of the Truce We will now stay awhile and repose our selves in the rest of the Low-countries which we so much desired as being the part where the War was so long time carried on with so much expense and no lesse industry then good discipline though it were often disturbed by the frequent mutinies of the Spaniards for want of pay from whence the Confederares knew how to draw most considerable advantages CHAP. IX The State of France The King goes to Sedan Troubles in Austria and Bohemia A Conjuration discovered in Spain and the Mores banished thence THe hast we had to see an interruption of the misfortunes wherewith the Belgick * The Low-countries Lion had been tormented above fifty years together and his roaring heard throughout the whole Universe to the astonishment of all the greatest States of the world made us slight the reasons of them who partly out of hatred to the House of Austria and partly for the Roman Catholick Faith the utter abolition whereof they passionately desired endeavoured to hinder the Truce We will therefore turn back a little towards France which flourished now as if there had never been any warres at all Courtesie the essential vertue of that Nation together with the Beauty Bounty and Fertility of this kingdome founded upon most excellent Lawes fine Sciences and laudable Exercises attracted the Nobility of all Europe thither as to a School of vertue and glory In effect there was no remarkable Commotion able to give any apprehension or disturbance to the Publick Rest For the Warre of Savoy and the conspiracy of the Marshall Biron were almost as foon smoothered as known It was a kind of Terrestrial Paradise where they who were enemies about the difference of Doctrines lived in friendship by the authority of their Master who maintained peace both abroad The death of Charles Duke of Lorraine and at home Charles Duke of Lorraine a Prince loaden with age adorned with singular vertue and piety lest his Sonne Henry his Heyre to retire himself to the Coelestiall lerusalem in the yeare 1608. The King of France goes to Sedan with an Army In brief the fruits of Peace were most delicious when the King suddenly raised a great Army and conducted it to Sedan For there were some misunderstandings between him and the Duke of Boüillon which were taken away by the intercession of the forrain Embassadours However this Cavalcada gave no small jealousie to the Spaniards who found themselves obliged thereby to put strong Garrisons through all the country of Luxemburgh and the Confederates reaped great profit from it For it made men believe that it was but a fiction or rather a prelude of that huge preparation which we shall shortly relate However much talke there was of it and great indagation into the reasons thereof by men of curiosity The Duke of Boüillon feeling the pulse of the Protestant Princes his neighbours judged it not necessary to draw blood yet and that which was differred shall be found in sit time LEWIS THE XIIII KING OF FRANCE AND NAVARR Now these divisions between Brothers and Cousin-Germans of the same House were taken by such as meddle not a little to pick out the actions thereof but for artifices or tricks and men said it was the only right way to preserve Hungary Moravia Bohemia and other Provinces depending upon the said kingdome from falling into the hazard of a new Election A conjecture grounded upon probabilities of consideration enough Spain in the mean while looked not only upon the troubles of the Low-countries and means to bring them to an end but she had likewise a particular care to steer her Indian Fleets into a good Port For as for the rest there had in some years passed nothing which could disturb the tranquility of that kingdom But in the year 1609. there was discovered a Conjuration which had it taken effect would have involved it in a totall ruin supplanted Christian Religion and reduced the King to fly for Sanctuary elsewhere But the greatest storms are those which often do least hurt and are diverted by slight causes Yea a gentle rain often allayes the most furious windes The Mores implored the assistance of the Grand Signior The Conjuration of the Mores discovered in Spain and other Mahometan Princes the Doctrine of whom they followed in effect though in apparence Christians and they had also for a long time been heaping up Arms and with the slight succour of twenty thousand men they being already at the least a hundred thousand in Spain combatants they promised themselves to bring all Spain under their subjection But being detected They are banished into Africa the King of France having refused them his ayde they were all embarked in the kingdom of Valencia and transported into Barbary by the Kings