nothing he caused an high caualier or mount to be made on the North side from the which they might discouer and see any thing that was done in the towne whereby the Flemings did much annoy the besieged through the fauour whereof Guy gaue another assault which continued from morning vntill night where the Flemings were so valiantly repulst as hauing lost almost 2000 men they were forced to retire The inhabitants finding that they were retired went downe into their ditches and carried away the straw reeds and wood they found there with the which straw they fed their cattell as long as the siege continued There was a smith within the towne who found the means to set fire on this high caualier that was made of wood the Flemings running to quench this fire were charged so thicke by the besieged with stones and arrowes as there was no meanes to saue it and the flame therof mounted vp so high as it was seen at Schiedam in Holland wherby some did coniecture that the towne of Ziricxee had been taken and fired During this siege William earle of Ostreuant prepared an armie of Hollanders and Frisons to raise the Flemings from thence He had before written to Philip the Faire king of France and craued succours from him against the Flemings the which he granted sending him 350 ships rigged at Calais with men and al other equipage for war the which being conducted by the admirall of France arriued on S. Lawrence day and ioyned with Cont Williams ships beeing resolued to goe and fight with the Flemings and to dislodge them from Ziricxee The Flemings to trouble these two armies at sea being ioined together filled a great hulke full of fagots mixt with pitch rozine salt-peter brimstone and oyle the which hauing set on fire they let it float with the tide that it might fall among the French and Hollanders that by the meanes of this vnquenchable fire it might burne them or at the least disorder disperse them but the wind turning contrarie it was carried by the tide into the middest of the Flemish ships The French and Hollanders seeing this went to charge them and this furious combat continued both at sea and at land a whole day and a night with such obstinacie violence as they heard the fearefull cries of men fighting wounded drowning and dying three leagues off In the end the Flemings were so wearied and tyred as of themselues they fled and the Hollanders pursued them with al violence killing and casting ouer boord as many as they could incounter Guy of Flanders was taken there and sent by the admiral into France to keep Guy of Dompierre earle of Flanders and his other brethren that were prisoners companie There died in this battaile of them that were slaine and drowned a hundred thousand Flemings besides the prisoners The earle of Ostreuant sent eleuen hundred of their ships and ninetie verie rich tents and pauilions into Holland Then after an absolute and assured victory he entred into Ziricxee where hauing intelligence that there were yet six thousand Flemings remaining in the downes he sent the inhabitants of the town which had not been at the great battaile to incounter them but the Flemings seeing them approach lifting vp their hands made a signe that they would yeeld and not fight neither had they had ships to carrie them out of this island so they were all taken prisoners and carried to Ziricxee with the which they recouered all the Hollanders which the Flemings had taken in Holland during the wars and by this exchange they were sent backe into Flanders They were wont to make an annuall commemoration in the towne of Ziricxee of this notable and famous victorie against the Flemings Those of Ziricxee for that they had carried themselues so valiantly during the siege obtained goodly priuiledges from their prince The verie day of this victorie there appeared in heauen a great crosse of a purple color which they held as a presage of the said victorie The Hollanders hauing thus freed Ziricxee and woon this goodly and famous victorie against the Flemings by the which they did free all Holland Zeeland being returned into their countrey they made hast to go and besiege Iohn de Renesse within the towne of Vtrecht whom they prouoked all they could burning certaine mills in the suburbs thinking that Renesse would make some sally forth vpon them but hee fearing in the end to bee betrayed went secretly out of the towne to passe the riuer of Lecke and fearing to bee pursued hauing for his shorter way put himselfe and his traine into a little boat the weight of their armes and the great number of them that were in it made it to sinke and so they were all drowned This seignior of Renesse being valiant of his person wise iudicious did much harme vnto his prince for that he had refused him a passeport with the which he might haue gone and iustified himselfe of the accusations that were falsly suggested against him he which Cont Iohn of Holland by the instigation of his enemies refused him wherein hee was verie ill advised for the which both himselfe his successors and all their countries haue smarted It is a question which hath euen at this day beene debated Whether an absolute prince without diminution of his greatnesse and honour may giue a safe-conduct to his vassal to come vnto him to iustifie himselfe which otherwise he durst not do by reason of the malice of his enemies In my opinion he may how meane of qualitie soeuer the vassall be for by that safe-conduct and secret conference of the vassall with his prince great affaires may sometimes be discouered which may be the cause of great good or the preuention of great mischiefe for those that possesse the eares of princes and that make the greatest shew of their faith and loyaltie are not alwayes the most faithfull And therein the prince ought not by the persuasion of some priuat persons enuying it may be and malicing him that demands the safe-conduct against whom it may bee they themselues haue suggested something vse seueritie and rigour for hereby he shall assure himselfe of the partie accused by mildnesse and gentlenesse and not as king Lewis the 11 of France and Charles duke of Bourgoigne did vnto the earle of S. Pol nor the emperour Sigismond to Iohn Hus and Ierosme of Prague whose safe-conducts were but to intrap them neither can they be held other than fraudulent and deceitful impugning and blemishing the honour and greatnesse of a prince yea a prince ought not to make difficultie to heare any subiect were he a poore handicrafts man in priuat or any one that were guiltie of any crime although it were to sue for grace for by that meanes oftentimes great secrets are discouered As for example I will omit the safe-conduct which ought to be of greater consideration if the duke Charles of Bourgoigne would haue heard Cyffron a gentleman of
a better opportunitie and season In the yeare 1415. On Saint Katherines day as Iohn Lord of Arckel returned from the funerall of Anthonie of Burgongne Duke of Brabant passing by Arpenburgge he was surprised in a certaine Ambuscado which Didier vander Merwen Lord of Seuenbergen and Philip of Leckâ—… had layd for him leading him into Holland couered with a white cloake of the Order of the Dutch Knights to disguise him the better Cont William was very glad of this prize came to the Hage whether they said Lord was brought vnto him who sent him prisoner from thence to the Castle of la Goude who afterwards was brought to Seuenberghe with a straight gard where he was ten yeares a prisoner Those of Brussels hearing that the said Lord of Arckell who was their Bourgeois had been eâ—… taken vp on the iurisdiction of Brabant would with the help of other townes of the countrie from whence they drew some men go and take him away by force out of his prison at Seuenberghe but Duke Iohn of Burgongne their Prince would not suffer it nor enter into quarrell with the Earle of Holland his sonne in law for that Lords sake during the time that the said Lord of Arckel was a prisoner he was sometimes carryed before Cont William and his Councell before whom hee did protest it to bee true and declared by what meanes and by whom the Earle should haue beene deliuered prisoner vnto Duke William of Geldres The which the Earle dissembled for some reasons keeping it secret in his breast vntill it was time to discouer it As it was a common brute who should deliuer him during the time that the Earle and Duke were in warre one against another the kinsfolke and friendes of the Lordes of Egmond and Yselstein hearing that this imputation was laid vpon them vpon all their house would for the preseruation of their honors purge them from so foule an infamie as a thing that toucht them neere both in body and goods Iohn Lord of Egmond complained that therein they did him great wrong knowing himselfe innocent of that wherewith hee was generally taxed Yet he protested to be alwayes readie to iustifie himselfe before the Earle of Holland his Prince so as he might haue accesse vnto him vnder safe conduit The Earle being returned from a voiage which he had made into England with the Emperor Sigismonde to mediate a peace betwixt the Kings of France and England the kinsmen of the said Lord of Egmond intreat him that he would grante the said safe conduit that hee might purge himselfe of those crimes in his presence and before his Councell The which the Earle would haue him do and therefore commanded that he should be adiourned to appeare in person within fortie fiue dayes to iustifie himselfe of such matters as should bee layed against him The Lord of Egmond being thrice lawfully adiourned and appearing not was vppon the third default for his contumacie condemned by the Earles councell to bee attainted and conuicted of treason for the crimes and attempts obiected against him and to forfeite body and goods According to which sentence all his goodes landes and Seigniories were seazed on to the vse and profite of the Earle and of the Countie of Holland an attachment granted for his person and in case they could not finde him to be then banished for euer out of the countries and iurisdictions of the Earledomes This Lord of Egmond seeing himselfe thus intreated retyred vnto his brother William of Egmond into his towne or castle of Yselstein with some souldiers which he had at his deuotion Soone after the Earle sent some Deputies of his Councell to summon the said towne and castle to yeeld vnto his obedience the which being refused he presently caused a small armie to be leuied whereof he sent the one halfe before Yselstein and with the rest he went ouer towards Schonhouen from whence he went to ioyne with the other part that hee might besiege the castle on the other side but the Lords Iames of Gaesbeck Hubert of Culemburch and Iohn of Vianen neerely allyed vnto the house of Egmond fearing that they would be the cause of the ruine of their house did labor for their reconciliation with the Earle the which they obtained vpon condition that the said Lordes of Egmond should depart with their goods out of Yselstein and out of the Counties of Holland and Zeeland whether they might neither goe nor come without the Earles expresse leaue which towne and castle of Yselstein they did yeeld vnto him absolutely with the Seigneorie appurtenances and dependances In consideration whereof the Earle should pay yearely vnto the said William of Egmond sixe hundred Crownes of the Sunne and to the Lady Yoland their mother 800. crownes more yearly the paiments to remaine to their heirs for euer of the which authenticall letters were drawne And so Cont William was disposest of the said towne castle and Seigneorie of Yselstein But since it was restored to the said house of Egmond of the which Maximillian of Egmond Earle of Buren was the last Lorde of that name whose daughter and sole heire William of Nassau Prince of Orange tooke to his first wife by whom he had Charles Philip of Nassau now Prince of Orange Earle of Buren Cont of Iselstein Saint Anneland Saint Martins Dyck c. and the Lady Anne of Nassau his sister Contesse dowager of Hohenloo sister by the fathers side to Prince Maurice of Nassau at this day Gouernour Generall and Admirall of the vnited Prouinces of the Netherlands Cont William of Holland considering that being two and fitie yeares old hauing no heire but one onely daughter called Iacoba or Iaqueline married to the Dolphin sonne to Charles the sixth King of France assembled the Estates Gouernours Bayliffes and Officers of all his Prouinces landes and Seigneoris of whom hee required a promise othe that in case he should die without heires male that they should not acknowledge any other but the saide Lady Iaqueline for their Princesse and soueraigne ladie whom they should defend maintaine in this qualitie against all The which the Barons Nobles Knights and all the Estates in generall of his Countries did promise and sweare whereof an â—…nsturment was drawne in writing with the seales of some of the chiefe Noble-men and Townes in the yeare 1417. The Dolphin of France husband to the lady Iaqueline of Bauaria was sent for by the King his father to come to Paris the Earle of Holland his father in law conuoyed him into Henault where he should attend the kings men to conduct him to the Court But before he went he was poisoned and dyed soone after Some hold that it was in putting on a shirt of Male which had been giuen him He was 20. yeares old and Iaquiline his wife 19. when he dyed the fourth of April 1417. his bodie was carryed to Paris Soone after the last day
Noblemen to court among others the Earle of Saint Pol Anthonie and Baldwine his bastard brethren braue Kinghts and the most of the Duke his fathers counsell to whom hee sayde My maisters and friends I cannot nor will not conceale from you any longer my heartes discontent but will presently deliuer vnto you that which I haue kept long secret I would haue you know that the Lord of Croy with his kinsmen and Allyes are and so I repute them for my greatest and most mortall enemies Then he made knowne the causes vnto them the which hee sent in writing to all the good Townes of his fathers countries Hauing spoken thus vnto his friendes hee gaue notice vnto the Siegneor of Quivarin who was chiefe Chamberlayne to the Duke his father by two or three Knights that hee should retier himselfe from the Duke his fathers seruice and that he should be packing with as little brute as he could without aduertising of his Father least he should be disquieted The signior of Quieurain was much perplexed at these newes beeing loath to leaue so good a house whereas all his kindred had growne great and rich but hee feared to offend the Earle Hee therefore without taking aduice of any one went the next daie in the morning to the Duke and falling downe vpon his knees before him thanked him most humbly for the good and honour hee had receiued from his greatnesse beseeching him to take his poore seruice in good part crauing leaue to depart seeing that the Earle his Sonne had sent him worde that hee would kill him if he retyred not The Duke hearing him speake in this sorte was exceeding wroth and hauing commanded him to stay he tooke a boarspeere in his hand and went out of his chamber full of rage saying to them that were about him that he would goe see if his Sonne would kill his seruants Those that were present seeing him in that estate caused the gates to bee shut and the Porter to bee hidden so as the Duke could not get forth whilest they sought for the keies the duchesse of Bourbon his Sister and many ladies of his house came with Anthonie of Bourgongne his bastard who vsed such milde perswasions as they did some what pacifie his rage and he returned into his chamber During this trouble the Signior of Quieurain got out of the Court and departed with one with him as secretly as he could The Earle knowing that his Father was much displeased with him was euery day in counsell as well with his owne as with the Dukes cheife Councellors seeking all meanes to pacifie him euery man imploying himselfe all he could in that good seruice In the ende it was thought good that the Earle should write vnto all the good townes of his Fathers Countries what his heart thought and the reasons which mooued him to discharge them of Croy from the seruice of his house which letter should be red publikely in all places that euerie man might be aduertised thereof The like letters were sent vnto all the cheife of the Nobilitie the tenor whereof is to bee red at large in my great chronicle the which I omit here for breuities sake they were dated the two and twenty of March 1464. The same month of March the Signior of Roubais with good troupes went by the Earles commande to seaze vpon the towne and castell of Lanoy thinking to finde the lord of the place there beeing Nephew to the lord of Croy who was then Gouernor of Lille and baylife of Amiens but they neyther found him nor his wife nor children there for beeing aduertised of Roubais comming hee had retyred himselfe with all his gold siluer and richest mouables into the towne of Tournay two leagues from thence then held by the French The Earle gaue the sayd towne and castell of Lanoy to Iames of Luxembourg brother to the Earle of Saint Pol withall the prouision that was found within it the which was verie great both in poudred flesh meale and other prouisions and munition of warre At that time Charles duke of Berry brother to Lewis the leauenth the French King being about eighteene yeares olde whome the King kept in his Court simplier and in meaner estate then hee had beene in the time of their Father Charles the seauenth one day he made shew to goe a hunting with ten men onelie and fled for refuge to the Duke of Brittaine the discours of all the troubles which followed after in France being called the warre of the common-weale is written at large in the Inuentorie of the Historie of France to the which I will referre the Reader for that it doth not properly belong vnto our subiect The Earle of Charolois writ letters to them of Arras sending them word that he was aduertised that the lord of Croy and his friends did leauy men to lead them out of the duke his Fathers countries that the Earle of Neuers was gone with the lord of Croy to molest the sayd countries the which he ment to preuent and therefore hee commanded them to make publicke proclamations in all their iurisdictions that none should presume to serue his couzin of Neuers nor them of Croy without the duke his Fathers leaue vpon paine of confiscation of bodie and goods The twelfth day of Aprill 1465. which was the day of our Redeemers passion a great diuine preached at Busselles in the chappell of the Court in the presence of the duke and of a great and noble assembly In his sermon hee discoursed at large what clemency and mercy was that he might mooue the duke to remit the discontent hee had against his Sonne by reason of the lord of Chimay the which vntill that daie hee would not do The sermon being ended many knights of the golden Fleece went vnto the Duke and beseeched him humblie that according to the Preachers exhortation he would pardon his sonne the offence which hee had committed The next day about noone the Earle went to present himselfe before his Father vpon his knee saying My most redoubted lord and father I beseech you for the honour of the passion of our Lord Iesus Christ that it would please you to pardon mee that which I haue misdone for what I haue done hath beene to preserue you and my selfe also from death and for the preseruation of all your Countries and subiects as I will giue you to vnderstand at large hereafter And hauing spoken other wordes wisely and humbly to the great satisfaction of all the hearers The duke holding him by the elbow and looking still in his face sayd vnto him Charles my Sonne all that euer you haue misdone vnto this day I pardon bee a good Sonne vnto mee and I wil be a good father vnto thee In speaking of which words the teares stood in the dukes eyes the which mooued the hearts of all the company so as some could not forbeare weeping This reconciliation made betwixt the Father and
imperfit This Duke Charles Earle of Holland Zeeland c. His fathers funeralles beeing finished hauing setled his estate and the affaires of his house went in person to take possession of all his Countries and Siegneories Frist at Gaunt to bee inuested in the Earledome of Flanders The Regents and chiefe of the towne went to meete him receiuing him with great honor and state acknowledging him for their Prince and naturall Lord Earle of Flanders Entring into the towne he was followed by about 800. banished men whom he tooke into his protection and remitted their banishment Hauing receiued the possession of the towne the next day the people did mutine both against him and the Magistrate pressing to haue a certaine imposition vpon the corne freed and to haue their priuiledges restored which the Duke his father had taken from them with other demands comming armed vnto the market place with their Enseignes crying out that they would not part from thence vntill the Duke had granted what they demanded Duke Charles seeing this and knowing with what people he had to deale after he had spoken vnto them seeing they departed not he strooke saile and yeelded to all that they demanded dissembling his conceptions vntill hee was freed from them This trouble thus pacified the Duke parted from Gaunt and went to take possession of his other Prouinces then he came to Brusselles whether the deputies of the mutinous Ganthois came vnto him crauing pardon for the excesse committed by them against his greatnesse carrying him backe the letters which they had forced from him and offring to make any reparation he should please The Duke pardoned the offence and would aduise of the reparation The deputies departed with this prouisionall pardon Two yeares after the duke did intimate vnto them that for a reparation of their offence the Ganthois should teare in peeces all the Enseignes Banners and Standards of their companies and trades the which was put in execution in the towne of Brusselles whether they were brought And as for their Immunities and freedomes hauing perused and examined them according vnto reason some were abrogated others confirmed and some moderated granting them some new according to his good pleasure A while after those of Macklyn rebelled against their Gouernor and Magistrates whom they chased out of the Towne The duke went thether with a resolution to ruine the towne if the Nobilitie and best Bourgeses had not sued for mercy and obteyned it vpon condition that they should deliuer vp all their priuiledges into his hands repaire the house of Iohn Muse Knight which they had ruined and restore that which they had taken and more-ouer to pay him for a fine thirtie thousand Lions of gold whereby the duke was pacified The Liegeois brake the peace not-with-standing the 300. Hostages deliuered to the duke of Bourgongne the last yeare taking a small towne called Ligny and chasing away all the inhabitants after they had vtterly spoyled it In the meane time Lewis the eleuenth the French King laboured all he could by goodly offers and promises to drawe the duke of Bourgongne from the allyance of Francis duke of Brittaine and in that respect he would abandon the Liegeois that were newly reuolted the which duke Charles refused The King insisting still vpon the same demand sent the Earle of Saint Pol Constable of France and the Cardinall of Balue his Ambassadors vnto him To whom the duke made short dispatch telling them plainly that hee would not doe any thing and in the presence of the sayd Ambassadors went to horse-back to goe and make warre against the Liegeois marching directly with his armie before Saintron A little before they were in councell to determine what should bee done with the 300. hostages whether they should put them to death or not Some among others gaue their opinions that they should dye But the lord of Humbercourt giuing a more modest milde and wise censure to preserue the dukes honor and reputation and for some other respects said that the best course was to send them back and at their departure to let them vnderstand what grace the duke had done them hauing their liues in his power that they should labour to draw the people to a good peace and in case the Liegeois would not yeeld vnto it yet at the least acknowledging the grace which he had done them they should promise neuer to carrie armes against the duke nor against their bishop his cousin who was in his company This aduise of the lord of Humbercourt was followed and the hostages did promise at their deliuery To whom it was said that if euer any one of them was prisoner in the warre that without any mercy he should loose his head And so they departed ioyfully to haue made so faire an escape The duke being camped before Saintron ready to batter it in the which there were 300. souldiars Liegeois and one Knight their captaine Those of the towne of Liege to the number of 30000. men good and bad fiue hundred horse and great store of Artillery aduanced to raise the seege and about two of the clocke in the morning came vnto a village that was strong of it selfe and partly inclosed with marish groundes called Bretan The campe was aduertised thereof hauing a generall alarme giuen them The duke knowing them to be so nere him put his army in battaile and after that hee had disposed of them that should gard the campe hee placed 1200. men on eyther side of the village of Bretan and hee himselfe stood right against them with about eight hundred The lord of Rauestein leading the vant-gard with some men at armes and Archers and certaine peeces of Artillery marched vnto the foote of their trenches But he was so valiantly repulst as hee lost about 500. men and his Artillery al the vant-gard wauering as if it had beene halfe defeated But the duke aduancing with his battaile led by the lord of Creueceur hee had soone put the Liegeois to rout and defeated them whereas their died some 9000. men and if night had not approched as many more had beene slaine for the flight was confused being pursued by the dukes horse but the darkenesse of the night saued them The duke beeing a conqueror returned the same night vnto his campe before Saintron with his whole army two daies after this battaile the Liegeois babling was well cowled for the beseeged imagining that the defeat had beene much greater then it was yeedled the towne leauing their armes they deliuered ten men at the dukes pleasure such as hee would choose whose heads he caused to bee cut of among the which there were sixe which had beene of the Hostages This towne being yeelded hee went to beseege Tongres an ancient towne sometimes the chiefe of the Realme of Tongres which comprehended the Country of Liege Lembourg Valkenbourg c. the which at the first made shew of resistance yet
forsoke him The Constable being well aduertised that all his dissignes and practises had beene discouered and that his enemies had beene negotiators in the Truce hee begunne to bee much amazed sending to the Duke of Bourgongne to beseech him to send him his letters of safegard to goe and conferre with him of some matters of importance which touched him very neere whereat the Duke making some difficultie in the ende he sent them This man who was wont to be great in credite and authoritie did then study which might be his best course to flie and saue himself holding many consultations with his friendes vpon this point in the ende hee resolued to goe to the Duke of Bourgongne and went to Mons in Henault with some twenty horse whereas the siegnior of Aymeries his deare friend was great Baliffe and stayed there attending newes from the Duke who was then in warre against the duke of Lorraine for the causes before mentioned The King aduertised that the Constable was gone into Henault seazed vpon Saint Quintin to preuent all reconciliation with the Duke who hearing of these newes sent to the Siegnior of Aymeries to appoint a good gard in Mons that hee might not goe foorth and that commandement might bee giuen him not to depart out of his Inne the which was done Then the King sent the Lord of Bouchages and other Ambassadors to the Duke to presse him to deliuer the Constable or to performe the contens of his letter and promises the which he delayed vntill he might see an end of the siege of Nancy yet fearing least the King should hinder him in his enterprise of Lorraine hee writ vnto his Chancellor and to the Lord of Humbercourt both mortall enemies to the Constable that they should goe vnto Peronne and at a certaine day deliuerer the Constable to such as should bee sent by the King commanding the Siegnior of Aymeries to deliuer him to them The Constable according to the commandement giuen by the Duke of Bourgongne was deliuered at the gate of Peronne to the Bastard of Burbon Admirall of France and to the Lord of S. Pierre who carryed him to Paris where hee lost his head This deliuerie was held dishonourable in a great Prince that had giuen him his safe conduit but hee soone after reaped the fruites of his treacherie in the same place where he had falsefied his word to ruine him God sending him an enemie that was yong weake and of small experience with a seruant of his own in whom he trusted most who became a traytor besides being growne suspitious of his subiects and good seruants which were all preparatiues of a ruinous change yet he neuer fainted The Duke of Bourgongne leauing Lorraine being angry went to bee reuenged of the Swisses for that they had headed Duke Sigismond of Austria to recouer the Earldome of Ferrette executed the siegnior of Hagenbach otherwise called Arquembault in the Towne of Basill taken much land from the Earle of Romont and the Towne of Granson from the Lorde of Chasteau-Guyon The Swisses hearing that he came to assaile them sent twise vnto them to make great offers of submission the which he reiected and being resolutely determined to ruine them went to besiege Granson the which hauing battred furiously they yeelded simply to his mercie whom he put all to death The Swisses being in armes but in no great numbers for they made haste to succor this place marching in field they were aduertised that the towne was yeelded and that all their men had beene slaine The Duke contrarie to the opinion of his counsell at warre resolued to goe and meete them at the entrie of the mountaines beeing in a place of great aduantage for him He sent a 100. Archars to gard a certaine passage of these mountaines and he himself aduancing incountred the Swisses the greatest part of his army being in the plaine The first ranke of his Troupes meaning to retyre and ioyne with the body of his Armie the foot-men which followed thinking they had recoyled began to flie In the ende the Swisses marched still on came to the Bourguignons Campe where they made no resistance but all fled The Swisses tooke their campe the artillerie and all the Dukes Tents and Pauilions with other infinit wealth for they saued nothing but their persons the Duke hauing lost all his great Iewels and plate but there were fewe prisoners taken for that both he his whole armie fled This was the first disgrace which the Duke of Bourgongne euer had for in his other interprises he alwayes reaped honor and profit This happened through his owne wilfulnesse contemning the aduice of his Counsell Such as the day before temporized with him and seemed to bee his friendes became sodainely his open enemies And all this quarrell grew for a poore cart-loade of sheep-skinnes which the Earle of Romont tooke from a Swisse passing through his countrie Without doubt if God had not depriued the Duke of Bourgongne of sense he would not for so small a matter haue runne into so great a danger against so poore a nation whereas there was neither honor nor profit to be gotten One of their Ambassadors making sute vnto the Duke to diuert him from this warre sayde vnto him That there was nothing to he gotten from them their countrey being most poore and barren that he should haue no good prisoners there and that hee did thinke the bits of his horses and the spurres of his armie were of more value then all the goods of the Inhabitants of the Countrey or the ransome of them all in generall if they were prisoners could amount vnto After this defeat the Duke was carefull to gather together his scattered Armie so as in 3. weekes he recouered a great number of those that had been dispersed the day of battaile remayning at that time in Losanne in Sauoy where hee fell sicke for griefe of his disgrace and losse Hauing recouered his armie and growing obstinate as before he went and planted his campe before Morat a small towne neere vnto Berne belonging vnto the Earle of Romont The Cantons of Swisses with the forces of Germanie went and lodged neere vnto him being come to fight with him or to raise the siege They were 11000. pikes 10000. halberts and 10000. harguebuziers and 4000. horse the Duke of Lorraine was there also with some small troupes comming before the battell and both armies were in field ready to ioyne the Cantons being wearie with lying three dayes so neere the Duke idlely for that hee kept himselfe in a place of strength But in the end a battaile was giuen and the Duke againe defeated and put to flight he sauing himselfe by swimming on horse-backe through the Lake the which is as broad as the Riuer before Antwerp But it fell not out with him heere as at the battell of Granson whereas hee lost but seuen men at Armes the reason was for that the Swisses had
and to al our good subiects of the said countries of Brabant and beyond the Meuse and to their successors firm and stable after the decease of our lord and father and neuer to do nor suffer to be done any thing contrarie whatsoeuer And in case that we our heirs and successors should or would do any thing to the contrary by our selues or by any other in all or in part in any sort whatsoeuer in that case we consent and grant to our said prelats barons knights townes and liberties to all our other subiects that to vs our heirs and successors they shall yeeld no seruice duetie nor obedience in any matter whatsoeuer wherein we should haue need and would require them vntil the fault be repaired and that we haue fully desisted For the effecting whereof wee will command and declare that all officers that shall be made contrarie to this our Ioyous entry shal be presently displaced and moreouer that all that shal be hereafter attempted contrarie to that which is aboue said shall bee of no force And all without fraud In witnesse and perpetuall confirmation wherof we Emperor and Prince haue caused our seals to be set to these presents Giuen in our towne of Louvain the 5 of Iuly in the yere 1549. Of the empire of vs Charls the 30 and of the realms of Castile others 34. Signed Charls and Philip and vnderneath By the audiencier and chiefe Secretarie Verreyken The earle of Hoochstraten produced all those articles of the order of the Golden Fleece of the Ioyous entry and priuiledges of Brabant to iustifie his declinatory exceptions against the citation and vnlawfull proceeding of the atturney generall and to shew what wrong the duke of Alua did vnto the honour and reputation of the king his master and to his owne as knight of the said order hauing sworne the articles to suffer and to command the atturney generall to vse such kind of proceeding as well to his person and the prince of Orange as to the earls of Egmont Horne prisoners and carried directly against the said priuiledges out of the countrey of Brabant to the castle of Gand in Flanders At that time certain Italian merchants sent towards the Netherlands from Francfort maâ—…t certaine balles of silke in the which there was a hundred fiftie thousand crownes in money appointed for the duke of Alua. This was discouered to Frederic prince elector Palatin of Rhin who staied them vnder colour that the customs vpon the riuer were not duly paid the merchandise was restored but the money kept whereof complaints came vnto the emperour yet hee was glad to agree with the said prince Palatine The prince of Orange and the earle of Hoochstraten hauing as we haue said published their iustifications the which were neither publikely answered by the said atturney generall nor yet produced in their processe but they proceeded against them and their goods by contempt hauing no other meanes of defence but to go and submit them vnto the mercie of the duke of Alua the said prince vnderstanding also in what manner his sonne had beene taken from the Vniuersitie of Louvaine and transported into Spaine contrarie to the priuiledges and notwithstanding the protestations of the said Vniuersitie He aduised what was best to be done for the recouerie of his goods and sonne And by the aduice of his kinsmen in Germany he would seek the mildest way if haply by the intercession of the emperor and princes electors he might obtaine any thing Hee therefore presented a petition to his imperial Maiestie by the which hee laid open at large the wrong that was done him by the duke of Alua in his extraordinarie maner of proceeding against the statutes of the order of the Golden Fleece the priuiledges of the country and by indirect waies contrarie to all equitie and true course of iustice as wel in his hehalfe as of the earle of Buren his sonne He besought his Maiestie that he would be an intercessor for him to the king of Spaine that at the least he might be heard in his defences iustifications according to the said statutes priuiledges and not to suffer his processe to be so made by men so il qualified and insufficient as was the said atturney general and his adiuncts Or els that the king would grant that his processe might be made by judges that were not suspect princes of the empire and other noblemen and commissioners in Germany The emperor who would gladly haue seene affairs managed after another sort writ verie honourably to the king and the duke of Alua and so did the princes electors in like manner but neither intreaties nor admonitions could preuaile the duke alwayes insisting that hee should come and purge himselfe in person The prince seeing there was no other meanes and that it was his head they sought for beeing loth to expose it so good cheape to the will of the duke of Alua and of his new erected counsel and seeing that he must needs hazard it hauing taken the aduice of his kinsfolkes he was resolued to hazard it with more honour repelling force with force and opposing himselfe couragiously against the dukes attempts Hauing therefore demaunded succours from all his friends both in Germanie the Netherlands and in France shewing them the force and violence that was done him hee commaunded cont Lodowic his brother to leuie men in all parts and to frame a goodly body of an armie and so to enter ioyntly together into the Netherlands for to recouer that by force which was wrongfully detained from them so as in May men came vnto them as well out of France as of those that were fled out of the Netherlands in great numbers besides the bodie of the armie which was leuied in Germany the which cont Lodowic led into Friseland carrying in their ensignes this deuice Recuper are aut mori The lord of Villers of the house of Longueuille brought him 3000 French foot which the Protestants of France sent to his succours who went to make an attempt vpon the towne of Ruremonde in Gelderland scituated vpon the riuer of Meuse thinking to surprise it and to take it without any resistance But finding them within vpon their guards they fired the ports thinking to haue it by force but they defended themselues so well as the lord of Villers fearing that if hee staid longer he might be compassed in behind was forced to leaue it retiring towards Dalem The duke of Alua hearing that the priuce was in armes and that his forces increased daily sent the earle of Lodron and the colonel Sancho d'Auila with a small armie to keep the lord of Villers from attempting any thing vpon that quarter of the riuer of Meuse and to keepe him from ioyning with the rest of the princes troups who meeting him betwixt Dalem and Erckelens with his troups they charged and defeated him Villers and the seignior of Dhuy were taken prisoners a great number
no answer vppon the receipt of this letter the Prouinces vnder the Kings obedience assembled at Brusselles vpon the first of Ianuary 1595. only the Clergie the Nobilitie but not the Townes Where at their first cession the Arch-duke made a declaration in Spanish the effect was that the King had written vnto him and charged him as his good Brother and Cousin that hee should indeauour by all possible meanes to vnite the countrie by peace and to free it from the spoiles and miseries it had so long indured for which cause alone hee had left his ease and was come thether to effect his Maiesties good desire as appeared by the letters written with his Maiesties owne hand the which so moued him as hee could not but summon the Estates to appeare there before him to impart these good newes vnto them and that they had considered vppon a very good course to attayne there-vnto Where-with they should bee made acquainted the next day following by the President Richardot There were present in this Assemblie Stephano D'ybarra and Don Diego de Varra but the Earle of Fuentes came not for that the Duke of Arschot had protested hee would not giue him the place next to the Archduke which honour the Emperour and his Maiestie had giuen him the which hee would not suffer a stranger to take from him Where-vppon the Earle of Fuentes and Charles Earle of Mansfeldt who tooke the Dukes part therein meeting togither they beheld each other without any salutations on either part But nothing was done at all the first daie the which was spent in complements after the high Dutch manner VVhereat many of the Assemblie especially the Bishops and Clergie murmured The next day the Duke of Arschot laid open the generall necessities of the countries of Arthois and Henault and the miseries they indured by reason of the French inuasions and how requisit it was his Highnesse should prouide some speedy remedie for these mischiefes the which for many vrgent considerations ought not to bee deferred Saying that they had long since vnderstood his Maiesties good will the which should bee apparant to all the world if they might once taste the fruites thereof which it seemed the Archduke would indeauor to procure them but when it was in manner too late the whole country beeing readie to reuolt if they once swarued in the least poynt of seruice concerning their indifferent duties They had long since complained and made their great wants and necessities knowne vnto the King who by the lawes of nature was bound to heare them and to defend and protect his subiects And that if their cries and complaints vnto his Maiestie could not bee heard by reason of the great distance betwixt him and them nor the imminent dangers and mischiefes which now threatned them much more then the forepassed bee preuented they should bee forced to take some speedy course therein themselues and that hauing brought the same to passe they would yeeld such reasons of their Action vnto his Maiestie submitting themselues therein to the iudgement of all Christendome and calling them to witnesse as no man should haue iust cause to charge them that they had done more then what nature and necessitie had taught them The which they had resolued to shew in effect if they did not hope for some speedy helpe by this present Assemblie Hauing deliuered these wordes very eloquently and plainely all the Clergie cryed out Amen saying that it was their whole intent and that it required a very speedie execution There was also many Noblemen as the Prince of Chymay the Dukes Sonne the Earles of Arembergh Bossu Solue Barlaymont Ligni and others who all consented heerevnto togither Then the Duke of Arschot made further complaint in the behalfe of the Prouinces touching the great burthens which were laid vppon them by strange soldiers especially by the Spaniards who were countenanced and incouraged by the Earle of Fuentes and other strangers which ought to giue place to the naturall borne subiects of the country and follow the councel of the Nobility thereof who were best acquaihted with the affaires o◅ the same or else they would with-draw themselues both frō the Kings and the countries seruice and regard their owne particuler with many other reasons all tending to a peace with the vnited Prouinces the which the sayd might easily be effected if the forraine soldiars might bee sent away into Turky thereby freeing the vnited Prouince from all suspition and so they might treat with them as with neighbors and not as Rebells The Archduke Ernestus seeing the Estates to presse him thus vnto a peace hee let them vnderstand how much hee had labored to reconcile the vnited Prouinces who would by no meanes harken vnto it and that he could not proceed any further therein without some preiudice and blemish to his Maiesties authority and honor And therefore hee desired their aduice in three points First whether the necessity were so great as the King must of force doe it The second if it were fit and conuenient to offer more vnto the enemy then had beene already offred as to referre the conditions of peace vnto their owne discretions The third whether any other treatie of peace were to bee made and how that might bee effected Wherevnto the Estates made a full answere in writing shewing that peace was both reasonable necessarie honorable and easie to bee concluded Wherevnto the Archduke as it seemed consented promising to recommend it in such sort as hee doubted not but the King of Spaine would bee easily perswaded therevnto And that hee would also mooue the Pope and Emperor therein who had alreadie demaunded the opinions of diuers learned men who were well acquainted with the question of the Netherlands and among the rest of the learned councellor Wesenbeeke as then remayning in Wittenbergh what they thought thereof wherein all Christendome seemed to consent and agree desyring them in the meane time to persist in their accustomed duties and ancient vnitie vntill that hee receiued an answere from the King concerning the same but notwithstanding all these good words and faire hopes the Archduke Ernestus letters sent vnto the King of Spaine in September beeing intercepted by the vnited Prouinces contained nothing els but that there was not any thing to bee done in the Netherlands but by force and violence To the like effect were the letters written by Don Guillaume of Saint Clement from the Emperors Court the which were intercepted that the rebels should bee brought to that extremitiy as they must bee forced to seeke and sue for a peace c. But their resolution pleased not the Archduke neuerthelesse his seeming to consent and his faire promises satisfied the assembly for that time so as by reason of his death which followed not long after all alterations were preuented The French King seeing that they of Arthois and Henault did not vouchsafe to make any answere to these his letters hee caused
the fifteenth of August they had audience in the counsell of warre before the said cont Vander Lippe Otto Van Starchedel lieutenant of Cassel for the landtgraue of Hessen Isaack Craft for them of Brandebourg Christopher Conincx Merck for the duke of Brunswic doctor Amandus Rutterscheir chancelor of the said armie At which audience of Bruninck and Vander Meulen there were propounded foure points the first was The restitution of Grauenweerd the second was The reparation and restitution of dammages which the Estates men had done vpon the territories of the empire the third Libertie of commerce and cassation of licences and the fourth was Caution that hereafter there should bee no more oppressions nor incursions made by their souldiers To all which points there was an ample and pertinent answer made by the Estates deputies Three of them were but faintly maintained by the Generall and his assistants yea it seemed they were reasonable well satisfied with the allegations of the said deputies But the reparation of damages and oppressions was disputed with great vehemency for the Estates commissioners did lay before them did aggrauat the great damage and losses which the Estates of their vnited prouinces had receiued from the enemy by the land of the empire who not onelie vsed it for a passage but to ease his country where he commanded and to entertaine his armie there for many monethes making it his rendez vous and the seat of war wherfore the Estates could do no lesse than to seeke the enemy where he was That if by any such occasion their men had at any time exceeded that they were sorie for it and had done what they could to redresse it causing restitution to be made punishing the offenders but that which the Spaniard had done was with a purposed intent The imperiall deputies maintained That if the Spaniard did ill in seazing vpō the land of the empire yet the Estates shold not do the like but they should haue attended their enemy in their own limits Wherunto answer was made That the lands held by the enemie was not the empires so long as they held them and that it was against reason to bind them to hold that place as neuter which made war against them that it was not for the Estates to dispute by what title or with what authoritie the enemie had vsurped the said places but it did belong vnto the said imperiall deputies who hauing taken order for the dislodging of the enemie the Estates would let all their neighbours see by the effects what difference there is betwixt their neighbourhood and the Spaniards But the deputies of the Estates did coniecture that vnder colour of these restitutions and reparations of damages the German did hope to draw some money from the Estates but there was no mention made there of any restitution of places held of the empire and vsurped by the emperor Charles 5 nor of the towne of Emden neither yet of the countesse of Moeurs which as yet seemed serued but for matter of cauillation wherof mention is so often made in the letters written by the said imperiall deputies to the vnited Estates The Estates had a day or two before the arriuall of their deputies at the imperiall campe deliuered vp vnto the Germans the fort of Tolhus the towne of Seuenter and some other forts there abouts as afterward the Spaniards to shew some willingnes of their parts abandoned but it may be being forced thereunto knowing the preparations that were made for the towne of Genep The Deputies of the Estates hearing that the German army was leuied but for three monethes the which being expired might perchance be continued three moneths longer they did represent vnto the earle of Hohenloo for the duke of Brunswic to the earle of Solins for the landtgraue of Hessen and to the baron of Creange for the marques of Ausbach the difficulties which would grow by this continuation the small likelihood there was for them to win any honour and to assure the credit and the Estates of their princes without the coniunction directly or indirectly of the German armie with prince Maurice whereby they should haue meanes to ruine the enemie and to settle Germanie at quiet but there was need of a speedie resolution for that all hope of good successe consisted in celeritie and that not making this coniunction in time to purpose they might loose both their charge and paines making them soon subiect to reproches slanders wherfore they shold do wel not to loose any time but to send speedily vnto their princes to aduertise them of the true estate of the affairs and of their danger in case they suffered themselues to be abused by any treatie with the enemie The said generall and imperial commissioners did importune the commanders of the Spanish armie with cōplaints no lesse than they had done the vnited Estates vpon the same points of reparation of damages restitution of places held by them libertie of commerce vpon the Rhine and caution for the preuenting of such oppressions hereafter Whereunto the Spaniards made diuers euasions In the mean time the general approched his army neere vnto Rees Doctor Yenburch was sent by the Spaniards vnto the general and the imperial commissioners on the 16 of August at his arriuall he talked to euerie man of the reparation of damages and the charge he had to deliuer vp Rees but the next day he denied all saying That hee had no such commission intreating them that they would giue him three dayes time to aduertise his masters euery man knowing that the Spaniard sought nothing but to win time so as they were discontented with this kind of proceeding yet after they had disputed much against him and threatned him with the coniunction of the Estates armie with that of the princes circles of the empire in the end they granted him these three daies for there was no shew that they would begin to force the towne of Rees hauing no preparation but what the Estates had lent them and sent them besides the iealousies and distrusts which were in the said camp were the cause that they imputed those things to practises and malice which haply proceeded from the ignorance and want of experience of the generall being accused of some as if from the beginning he had had a bad intent that in leading the armie vp and downe here and there hee had caused them to spend two moneths and aduanced nothing and that he had a meaning to dissolue the armie and make the companies disband and that him selfe had solicited the emperor to be imployed in a treatie of peace Others spake wel of him that he had a good mind and that they did what they would with him but they complained of his insufficiencie which was the only cause of these disorders the which after the retreat of the army were better known In the mean time all agreed That there were some dangerous people
her selfe vnder his charge else he would denounce warre against her He had drawen vnto his faction William of Arckell Iohn of Egmond William of Yselstein by whose fauour and assistance he thought to doe wonders promising them also to restore them to their lands that were forfeited to Cont William father to the Contesse Afterwards Iohn of Egmond found means to surprize the Towne of Gorrichom in the name of Iohn of Arckel his cousin The Lorde of Brederode and other Barons which held the Contesses partie seeing the towne thus surprized retyred themselues presently into the castle which Cont William had caused to be built William of Arckell ariued soone after being accompanied with many Knights and Gentlemen where he was restored to his siegniorie but the castle held good againg him Iohn of Bauaria went secretly to Gorrichom conferred with the said noblemen then returned to Dordrecht The Contesse being aduertised hereof drew what forces she could together out of all her countreys and with the assistance of them of Vtrecht and of Amersfort accompanied by her mother sayled vp the riuer of Merwe and went before Gorrichom The chief of her armie were Walrauen of Brederode then Lieutenant to the said Ladie in Holland Zeeland and Friseland Where the said Princesses being arriued they were welcommed into the castle and their armie camped round about The night following their men went to the Sapp and made a breach betwixt the castle and the towne the which was so great as they might enter with their armie in battell The Lord of Arckel seeing this breach put his men suddenly in order beeing about 4000. The Lord of Brederode hauing disposed of his troupes aduanced to enter but the Lord of Arckel had suddenly cast vp a trench betwixt the Towne and the Castle so as they could not passe nor easily approach Notwithstanding they of Vtrecht and Amersfort hauing lept ouer the ditch marched brauely in battell into the towne The Lord of Arckel hauing his troupes very resolute went boldly to incounter them the charge was furious and very bloody the one striuing to conquer the other to defende But in the end the Lord of Arckels men beginning to faint hauing no hope of any supplies and seeing the Contesses forces to increase hourely they turned their backes and fled there was the lord of Arckel slaine and with him the Earle of Osburch the siegnior of Pettersen Henry bastard of Arckell Allard of Buren Splinter the bastard of Nyenrood Otto of Gelechom Otto of Ghemmen William of Appeldorn about a 1000. other gentlemen Bourgeses and souldiers Amongst the prisoners were William Earle of Vernenburch the Earle of Hulberch Henry of Hoemoet the baron of Batenburch Didier of Lyenden Arnold of Ordange and Raes his brother Didier of Heumen The siegnior of Orflot Arnold of Egmond sieignior of Marestein Otto of Buren Iohn of Heteren Iohn of Oyen Arnold of Craenhem and Arnold of Haerlaer all Knights Those of Vtrecht had the Lord Iohn of Egmond and aboue a 1000. prisoners of all sorts Of the Contesse Iaquelines side their died Walrauen Lord of Brederode her lieutenant through the negligence of his seruants the which was a great losse for that Princesse which caused her to mourne This battell was giuen in the towne of Gorrichom the first of December The lord of Brederode left two sonnes Renold lord of Brederode and Ghysbrecht cathedrall Deane and afterwards elect bishop of Vtrecht of whom wee shall speake heareafter Pope Martin by his bulles of the 22. of Nouember of his owne authoritie notwithstanding the refusall of the councell of Constance dispenced with the marriage of Iohn Duke of Brabant with the Lady Iaqueline Contesse of Holland without ◅ny respect to the proximitie of blood sending the Bull secretly to the Duke by his Ambassadors The which being come to the knowledge of Iohn of Bauaria her vncle he made his complaint to the Emperor Sigismonde who taking it ill sent to the Pope letting him vnderstand what quarrels and Factions might growe thereby among Christian Princes the which did mooue the Pope to reuooke this dispensation of which reuocation Iohn of Bauaria sent an authenticall Coppie to the Duke of Brabant thinking to terrifie him therewith that hee should not proceed any further in this marriage But the Duke seeming not to know anything the 13. of Ianuarie 1418. sent cont Engelbert of Nassau Lord of Leck and Breda with Henry lord of Berghe vpon Soome to the Lady Iaqueline being then at the Hage in Holland with his Bull. The 8. of March following the Duke accompained with many Earles barons knights and Nobles his friends and vassals came to the saide lady Countesse at the Hage to aduise of their marriage The bishop of Tournay with other Noble men Ambassadors to Duke Iohn of Bourgongne were there present with the chiefe of the councell to the Countesse the Duke of Brabant and the Deputies of the Townes of Holland Zeeland Henault and Frezeland where they did view and examine the Bull of dispensation and the coppy of the reuocation the which not being found authenticall all well considered they concluded to proceed in the consumation of the marriage according to the ordinances of the church and so were accordingly married the fourth of Aprill by the Deane of the chappell at the Hage in the presence of the old Lady her mother of Philip vicont of Leyden lord of Waesenare Henry of Leck and many ladies and gentlewomen among others the lady of Saint Martins Dyke the lady of Ameyden the lady of Steenbergen and others The Duke of Brabant was 16. yeeres old and the contesse Iaqueline about 18. when as they were married by the which their patrimoniall inheritances were greatly fortified one by another A while after Pope Martin did write vnto the duke giuing him to vnderstand that the reuocation which he had made of the dispensation came through feare of the Emperor and the importunitie of Iohn of Bauaria and for no other cause that without any scruple of conscience they might liue freely in that state of mariage The which the Patriarke of Constantinople and the Cardinall of Ostia confirmed by their Bulles And so Iohn Duke of Brabant was receyued and acknowledged in the countries of Holland Zeeland Henault Friseland c. for their prince as husband to the said lady their princesse except in the Towne of Dordretcht and the Iland of Bryele As also the said Contesse Iaqueline was receiued with great honor in the Townes of the Dutchie of Brabant And for that Iohn of Bauaria through the trecherie of them of Dordrecht would not onely attribute vnto himselfe the gouernment of Holland but did also take vpon him the title of Earl and procured great troubles to the Contesse his Neece the Histories of Holland haue put him in the number but without rancke of their Earles the which we follow and will describe his gouernment as succin̄tly as wee can and the
these spoiles and thefts which the Hollanders of the Cabillautin faction holding the part of Iohn of Bauaria did commit vpon their friends of Vtrecht and Amersfort they held it their best course to make open warre and to that ende they allyed themselues to these Lords William of Brederode Philip vicont of Leyden the vicont of Montfort Iohn of Heemstede with all the rest of the Hoackins faction that were chased out of Holland against the lords of Egmond and Gerrard Boel lord of Hemskerke cheife counsellors to Iohn of Bauaria and against all their Allyes The yeare following Iohn of Bauaria and his faction did ruine many of their aduersaries castels in the quarter of Woerden Suylen Houthorst and Nessen On the other side the lorde of Broderode the vicont and the siegnior of Hemsted ioyned to them of Leyden did also burne some of the Cabillautins castels as Zuyck Raphorst Rhinburch others running as far as the Hage but they only spoiled it sparing the fire in respect of the Princes court palace the honor of the earls that had built it In the same yeare Iohn of Bauaria tooke the castle of Poelgeest situated in the village of Coekerke by assault causing all their heads to be cut off that were within it from thence hee went to the castle of Does the which was yeelded vnto him then he besieged the castle of Waert in the village of Leyrdorp the which hee battered and tooke by force killing most of the besieged then razed it to the ground he in like sort wonne that of Zyl by Leyden whereas there dyed many men and then hee ruined it Hauing taken all these castles and gathered together greater troupes hee went and besieged the towne of Leyden the space of nine weekes so as in the ende he forced them to yeeld vpon composition by the which it was agreed that all soldiers strangers and namely they of Vtretch should depart with bagge and baggage and that Iohn of Bauaria should be receyued into the towne without the oppression of any man The which being thus concluded the vicont Philip and the inhabitants did onely acknowledge him as Gouernor of Holland The souldiers of Vtrecht thinking to retire safely vnto their towne the lord of Egmond lay in wait for them at a passage and pursued them vnto their gates On the other side Iohn of Bauaria against the said Accord forced the vicont of Leyden to resigne and yeeld vp his viconty vnto him and not to retaine any thing for himselfe nor his successors but the castle the Toll and the Gruytte whereas before a vicont of Leyden had a great command and prerogatiue in the Towne as the placing of a Bayliffe foure Bourghemasters and seeuen Sherifs Henry the viconts eldest sonne held at this siege the part of Iohn of Bauaria against his father who also made session of the said Viconty This towne being thus yeelded to Iohn of Bauaria they went with them of Dordrecht to besiege the Towne and castle of Gheertruydenbergh whereof Didier vander Merwen was Chastelaine or Gouernor whom in the ende hee forced to yeeld to haue their liues and goods saued That yeare 1420. Iohn Duke of Brabant came from Antwerp into Zeeland at the request of Iohn of Bauaria and landed at saint Martensdyk whereat the pursuite of the siegnior of Aschen they assembled without the priuitie of the Contesse Iaqueline in the house of Floris of Borssele where the duke of Brabant did ratifie and confirme vnto Iohn of Bauaria the gouernment of Holland Zeeland and Frizeland for seuen yeares longer and moreouer did yeeld vp vnto him the towne of Antwerp and Marquisat of Herentael The duke of Brabant being returned to Antwerp by the aduice of Euerard Tserclaes his steward discharged and put away all the Contesse Iaquelines ladyes of honor and maydes and quite altred and changed her estate and traine giuing her the contesse of Moeurs the lady of Weesmael Asschen and others to attend on her The which did wonderfully displease the lady Marguerite of Burgongne Douager of Holland mother to the Countesse who departed presently with her daughter towards Brusselles and comming to the court to the Duke and his councell shee sought to perswade him to dissolue this new estate or traine The which not able to obtaine shee departed discontented and went to her Inne called the Looking glasse The Contesse her daughter followed her weeping with one only Page the which did breed admiration and pittie in all that beheld her The next day the mother and the daughter retyred themselues into Henault where they liued at Quesnoy le Conte Whilest these things were acting the barons nobles and townes of Brabant held an assembly in the towne of Louuaine where it was decreed to displace Euerard of Tserclaes steward to the Duke and the siegneor of Asschen whereunto the Duke opposed firmely for that they were his two mignons and chiefe councellors Whereupon the Estates of Brabant sent to Paris to Philip Earle of S. Pol brother to duke Iohn intreating him to come into Brabant to gouerne the countrey and to rule his fathers inheritance complayning that Duke Iohn suffered himselfe to bee ruled and gouerned by a companie of flatterers and pick-thanks who sought nothing els but to set diuision betwixt the Nobles and townes of the countries and their Lorde and Prince Although the Earle were loth to vndertake this charge yet at the intreatance of the king himself he went into Brabant where hauing saluted the duke his brother at Brusselles hee went to Louaine there hee vnderstood the causes of the complaints made by the state and the reasons of either partie which being heard he went to Quesnoy from whence hee brought the Contesse Iaqueline and her mother to Louvaine Then hee appointed an other assembly of the States on the 29. of September at Vilvoord whereas the sayde Earle being present with the two Ladyes Princesses mother and daughter and all the Deputies of the Estates of Brabant they attended the Duke onely who counterfeited himselfe to be sicke hauing expected him there some space hearing that he went from Towne to towne to auoid this Assembly the States by the aduice of the Ambassadors of the King of France and duke of Bourgongne resolued to create the Earle of S. Poll Reuward of Brabant which election was made the first of October Duke Iohn of Brabant hauing beene perswaded by William lord of Bergen vppon Soome his chiefe councellor and Euerard of Tferclaes to make Iohn of Bauaria gouernor of Holland and Frizeland hauing also beene the cause of the changing of the Contesse Iaqueline his wiues traine The Bastards of Holland beeing incenced for this cause slue the lord of Bergen in the Duke his masters chamber On the other side the Duke hearing that Cont Philip his brother had the title of Reuwart of Brabant and had displased and changed the magistrates of Brusselles came before the
estate and traine appointed him as if he had beene the Dukes owne Sonne In the yeare 1460. died the sayed French King Charles the seauenth called the Gentle The Duke of Bourgongne being aduertised thereof assembled all his Barrons and cheife Nobility to conduct Lewis Daulphine of France and to see him take possession as the eldest Sonne of the deceased King of the Realme and Crowne of France The King being crowned by the helpe of the Duke of Bourgongne being desirous to shewe himselfe thankefull for so great a seruice hauing as it were led him by the hand vnto the Crowne gaue him great thankes and to recompence him in some sort he gaue vnto the Earle of Charolois his Sonne certaine townes and castells in France with a yearly pension The King would haue make an exchange with the Duke of some townes but they could not agree so as many yeares after the King discouered a spleene and dislike which hee had conceiued against the Duke and that before hee had confirmed the donation made vnto the Earle of Charolois of the sayd townes and castells The Earle of Charolois besides his seigneuries of Bethune Chasteau-Bellain Archel Putten Streyen and the Country of Goyelandt receiued in the yeare 1461. by Adrian of Borselle his Atorney in that behalfe the possession of the moeity of the Seigneury towne and castell of Aspren by reason of a certaine murther committed by one William van Buren vpon Rutger of Boetselaer lord of the other moeity And in the yeare 1462. the sayd Earle was receiued lord of the towne of Henkelom being but a quarter of a league from Aspren by the forfeiture of Iohn of Henkelom and Otto his Sonne who in the ende did resigne it vnto him by agreement And so this signeury of Henkelom returned to that of Arckel from whence it issued at the first At that time there fell out great troubles in the Duke of Bourgongnes Court for the causes which followe Iohn lord of Croy had in his youth bred vp a poore boye in his house named Iohn of Koestein whome hee aduanced to be first an assistant and then a groome of the Dukes chamber who carried himselfe so loyally and vertuously as the duke esteemed him very much giuing him great meanes and hauing made him knight hee was his taster for his drinke By which aduancements both in goods and honours hee grewe so proude and arrogant as hee beganne to contemne others yea Barons so gracious hee was in the Duke his Maisters fauour as hee seemed to bee the onely man to mannage his most important affaiers At the same season Iohn of Croy and Iohn of Lanoy Gouernor of Holland conceiued a secret hatred against the Earle of Charolois the dukes Sonne their Prince for that hee had obtained of his Father the countrie of Arckel the which the Duke had giuen a little before vnto the sayd lord of Lanoy and the gouernment of Namur and Boulenois to the lord of Croy who had inioyed it manie yeares for which guifts the Earle had growne in hatred of these two Noblemen who notwithstanding did wholie gouerne and possesse the dukes person who by their means shewed his Son the Earle of Charolois no good coūtenance The Earle finding it left the duke his Fathers Court and retired himselfe into Holland hoping that this dislike would passe and die Some of the cheife Noblemen of Brabant and Flanders came vnto him and furnished him with all that hee had neede of These two Noblemen of Croy and Lanoy full of spight to see his traine so great and the cheife Noblemen runne after him consulted for the better maintenance of them selues how they might supplant and ruine the Earle the which they did impart vnto Iohn of Koestein who fearing likewise to bee disgraced and put from his Offices after the dukes death beeing also wholie bound vnto the lord of Croy for his aduancement gaue ◅are willingly vnto them and tooke the charge vpon him corrupting a poore younger brother a Bourguignon with the promise of a great sum of money and sending him into Piedmont to buy poison descouring vnto him to what ende it was This gentleman called Iohn d'Iuy hauing performed his voiage and brought this poyson to Koestein demanded that which he had promised him the which he not onely refused to pay him but also abused him with iniurious words ◅Iuy discontented at this answere complained to an other gentleman of Bourgongne called Arguenbant and discouered vnto him the whole secret This Arguenbant being wonderfully amazed aduised Iuy to goe speedily and discouer the whole truth of this matter vnto the Earle of Charolois saying that if he went not hee himselfe would goe and accuse him Iohn of Iuy without any farther stay went vnto the Earle and casting himselfe on his knees before him he beseeched him humbly to pardon him the offence which he would reueale vnto him and then layed open the whole truth of the matter The Earle being much amazed thereat went presently to the Duke his Father to descouer vnto him all that hee had heard of this villanous practise crauing iustice of the Author thereof naming Iohn of Koestein The duke hauing promised to do him iustice the Earle went vnto his lodging commanding Iohn of Iuy to goe vnto Rupelmond and to attend him there as he did The next day morning Iohn of Koestein beeing a hunting in the Parke at Brusselles the duke called him commanding him to go with the lords of Aussy and Creueceur to Ruppelmond to make answere to a gentleman that did greatly taxe his honour Koestein answered him proudly after his accustomed manner that hee feared no man liuing whervpon he pulled on his bootes and went to horse-backe with fiue seruants and so went to the lord of Aussy whome hee found on horse-backe with the lord of Creuecaeur with fifteene or sixteene Archers of the Dukes garde Being come to Ruppelmond soone after arriued Anthony bastard of Bourgongne the Bishoppe of Tournay with the lords of Croy and Goulx The Earle of Charolois came also and caused Koestein to bee put into a Tower of the which hee him-selfe kept the keyes so as no man might speake vnto him but in his presence These foure Noblemen made the processe of the sayd Koestein after that hee had beene confronted with Iohn of Iuy declaring him guilty and condemning him to loose his head and his bodie to bee cut in foure quarters Beeing brought to the place of execution which was vpon one of the highest Towers of the castell hee disired to speake with the Earle of Charolois who went vnto him and heard him long in secret which made them presume that hee accused some one namely the sayd lords of Croy and Lanoy the which the Earle dissembled Hee intreated that his bodie might not bee quartered the which beeing graunted him hee lost his head This done Iohn of Iuy was called of whome the Earle demaunded if Koestein had kept his
promise with him and payed him the somme as hee agreede vpon whether hee would then haue reuealed the fact the poore foole answered no and therefore hee presently caused his head to bee cut off About that time Lewis the leauenth King of France made a proclamation throughout the Earldomes of Flanders and Arthois that none should presume to inrowle him-selfe in the seruice of Edward King of England nor any way assist him He would also haue raised an impost vpon the sault in Bourgongne the which had neuer beene practised before But the duke would not admit of the one nor the other for hee was a friend and had made a truce with the King of England Wherevpon hee sent the lord of Chimay to the French King to shewe him the causes why hee could not allowe of such innouations in his countries and to intreate him to forbeare But the sayd lord was long at Court before hee could haue audience Seeing one daie that they fed him still with delaies hee attended so long before the Kings chamber as in the ende hee came forth When the King had seene him hee asked him what manner of man the duke of Bourgongne was Is hee of an other mettell then the rest of the Princesse of my Realme yea my Leege answered Chimay beeing a bold man and of great courage the Duke of Bourgongne my Maister is of an other stuffe then the Princes of France or of all the Countries about for hee hath kept you nourished and supported you against the will and liking of the King your father and all others whom it did displease the which no other Prince would nor durst doe At these words the King held his peace and returned into his chamber Afterwards the sayd Lord of Chymay returned making his report vnto the Duke The French King being resolued to pay vnto the duke of Bourgongne 450000. crownes and redeeme the townes which were ingaged vnto him in Picardie on this side the riuer of Some by the treatie of Arras he gathered together great store of treasure from all parts of his kingdome for there was no Abbay Chanonlerie nor riche Marchant that was esteemed to haue money throughout all France but did eyther giue or lend him And hauing recouered the sayd summe hee sent it to Abbeuille to the Duke of Bourgongne from whence the Duke caused it to bee brought to Hesdin where hee then kept his court Soone after in the yeare 1463. the king came thether in person the Duke went to meete him and receiued him with great honour and state and lodged him in his owne lodging in the Castell where hee promised to accomplish all that remained of the Treatie of Arras but hee fayled afterwards in some points During his aboad at Hesdin the duke sent diuers messengers to the Earle of Charolois his sonne being then in Holland to come and doe his dutie vnto the king But hee refused to come saying That so long as Ihon of Bourgongne Earle of Estampes and the Lords of Croy and Lanoy should be about the King hee would not come holding them for his mortall enemies for these Noblemen had left the Dukes Court and retired them to the kings seruice for hee knew well they were of his secret councell charging them with the practise of Ihon of Koesteyn and to haue councelled the Duke his father to accept of the money for the redeeming of the aboue named townes The Duke was wonderfully discontented at his sonnes refusall and would not for a long time after see him The King parting from Hesdin the Duke intreated him to confirme those seruants which hee had placed in the redeemed Townes in their offices Hee granted it but hee performed little changing all the Gouernours Captaines Prouosts and Magistrates thereof appointing and committing in their places such as hee thought were not greatly affected vnto the duke as the Lords of Lanoy Croy and Estampes The discontentment betwixt the Duke and the Earle of Charolois his sonne continued so long vntill the States of the Netherlands to whom the Earle had made his complaints especially of the lord of Croy had reconciled them together according to whose aduice the Earle accompanied with many Noblemen Knights Gentlemen and the chiefe Deputies of the sayd States came to Bruges where the Duke was All the chiefe Noblemen of the Court and the Magistrates of the Towne went to meete him conducting him to the Duke his fathers lodging where hee lighted and went vp vnto his chamber as soone as hee saw him hee kneeled downe three times and at the third time he sayd My most honored Lord and Father I haue vnderstood that you are offended against me for three things declaring the same three points which hee had made knowne vnto the deputies of the States whereof he excused himselfe Notwithstanding said he if I haue in any other thing moued you to anger I most humbly cry you mercy As for all your excuses answered the Duke I know the trueth speake no more of them but seeing you are come to aske forgiuenesse be you a good sonne and I will bee a good father to you then hee tooke him by the hand raised him vp and pardoned him all This done the Deputies tooke their leaue of the Father and the Sonne being glad to haue performed so good a worke The same day that this reconciliation was made the Lord of Croy parted early in the morning from Bruges and retired to Tournay to the French King who was there then In the moneth of Iune 1464. the French King came to Amiens and from thence to Saint Pol where hee found the Duke of Bourgongne The Earle of S. Pol feasted them with great state then they went together to Hesdin whereas the king required him to yeeld vnto him the gouernment of Lille Douay and Orchies satisfying him the sum of two hundred thousand Liuers and paying him 10000. Liuers of yearly pension for which summes of money hee said the sayd Gouernment had beene ingaged by a King of France long since to an Earle of Flanders Wherevnto the duke answered that when his Grand-father duke Philip called the Hardie sonne to Iohn King of France tooke to wife the Lady Marguerite daughter and onely heire to Lewis of Male Earle of Flanders the said Chastelenies were giuen to him and his heires males for euer by the King and in case he had not any then to returne vnto the Crowne for the sayd summe and yearely rent The King made certaine other demands vnto the duke but he would not hearken vnto them for that they were vnreasonable The duke for his part made three requests vnto the King the first was that he would receiue the Earle of Charolois his sonne into his grace and fauour for that he heard the King had beene displeased with him The second was that he would not force the Gentlemen his subiects and resident in his countries holding any fees
speech and yet subiect to choller high minded and not willing to be braued of any how great soeuer as hee did often shew to King Charles the 7. and Lewis the 11. of France he was very curious to entertaine peace with his subiects whom hee loued and sought their quiet so in his time all his countries flourished in wealth and aboundance Hee was a wiseman discreet charitable and a great Almes-giuer by reason whereof hee was called the good but full of reuenge and very ambitious desiring to make himself great by what means so-euer as appeared by so many fals bounds which he played to the contesse of Holland his cosin He exceeded all his Predecessors Dukes of Bourgongne in riches Seigneories greatnes of state and pompe so as in his time there was no Christian Prince that for his qualitie might be compared vnto him He tooke pleasure to breed vp and nourish sundry strange and wilde beasts He had a Gyant and many Turks among his houshold seruants which he had caused to be baptized The Duke being dead the Earle of Charolois his onely sonne and sole heire called for the Seales the which he presently brake This done after that he had giuen order for the dead body vntill his returne he tooke poste and went to Lille where he sealed vp the chamber and the cofers of his fathers treasure appointing gardes that none might touch them then he returned presently to Bruges where hee perfourmed the funeralles of his father with great pompe and state his heart was buried in the Church of Arras and his body was layed in a coffin of leade and left in the Church vntill that it should be transported from thence to Ierusalem and interred neere to the holy Sepulchre hauing giuen great giftes to the Couent of Fryars of the said Sepulcher The Lady Isabel his wife dyed the 17. of December in the yeare 1471. in the towne of Aire and was interred in the cloyster of Nunnes at Gouvay by Bethune afterwards her bodie and the duke her husbands were carried to the Chartreux by Digeon in Bourgongne where as they lie vnder a stately tombe of brasse guilt richly curiously wrought About that time the art of Printing was inuented wherof those of Harlem in Holland challenge the first honor yet afterwards it was brought to perfection at Mentz by one that had been seruant to Laurence Ianson of Harlem the first inuentor and ranne from him to Mentz with his tooles they write his name was Iohn Faustus as they of Harlem do constantly affirme Carolus Dux Burgund CHARLES THE WARLIKE THE 1. OF that Name the 31. Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Frizeland Duke of Bourgongne Brabant Lembourg Luxemburg Earle of Flanders Arthois Henault and Namur Lord of Salins and Macklyn Of so many goodly Countries successor to my father Of three wiues I had but one only heire At Montlehery I defeyted the French brauely At Macklyn I erected my heigh Parliament Being incensed I made the Liegeois feele my splene If against the Cantons I had not taken Armes I had beene more happie and cruell death Had not shewed his force against me at Nancy The Argument of the fourth Booke CHARLES Duke of Bourgongne in the life of his father the good Duke Philip was called Earle of Charolois the 31. Earle of Holland c. At his first entrie into Gant the Inhabitants maintayned against him but he brought them vnder The Liegeois breake the peace and entred into warre against the Duke he defeats them in Battaile wherevpon the Towne of Liege yeelded The Duke of Bourgongne makes a peace with the French king who comes to the Duke to Peronne hee was in feare there least the Duke should haue detained him The Liegeois arme a newe against the Duke of Bourgongne he forceth King Lewis to go with him to the fiege of their Towne the which he ruines practises to ruine the house of Brederode The Duke makes war against the Frisons He entertaines many Princes with the hope of marrying with his daughter The french king the Duke of Bourgongne seek to deceiue one another The Constable of S. Poll growes odious to thē both they resolut to ruine him He seeks to reconcile the duke of Gelders his son besiegeth Neuse The motiue of the war against the Swisses A truce for nine years betwixt the Duke and the French king they sweare the Constables death who in the end is beheaded at Paris The duke makes war against the Swisses he is defeated by them first at Granson then at Morat wherewith the Swisses were inriched the Duke besiegeth Nancy where he was slaine in battaile by the treason of the Earle of Campobachio an Italian Marie of Bourgongne his only daughter succeeds him and was the 32. commanding in Holland c The French Long seazeth vpon the townes of Piccardie and Arthois with an intent to ruine her this Princesse being in the Ganthois power suffers much putting her cheefest seruants and Councellors to death the Flemings defeated and the yong Duke of Gellers slaine A marriage betwixt Maximilian of Austria the Emperor Fredericks sonne and the Lady Marie of Bourgongne CHARLES of Bourgongne called the Warlike for that hee had been so great a Warrior succeeded vnto Duke Philip of Bourgongne his father in all his Estates Siegneories was Duke of Bourgongne Brabant Lembourg and Luxembourg Earle of Flanders Arthois Henault Bourgongne Holland Zeeland and Namur Marquis of the holy Empire and Lord of Friseland Salins and Macklyn His father hauing left him great treasures of Gold and Siluer hee bought or as some write had in morgage of Sigismond Arch-duke of Austria the Earledome of Ferret in the Countrie of Elsatia neere vnto Basill in Swisserland vpon the Rhin somewhat neere to the Dutchie of Bourgongne and too farre from Sigismond to defend it from the incursions of neighbour Princes Hee was 33. yeare olde when hee succeeded all these goodly Estates Katherine the daughter of King Charles the 7. of France was first promised him to wife but she dyed yong before she was married Afterwards hee married Elizabeth daughter to the Duke of Burbon his cousin by whome hee had one daughter and onely heire called Marie This Dutches Elizabeth being dead he marryed Marguerite daughter to Richard Duke of Yorke and sister to Edward the fourth King of England by whom hee had not any children His father gaue him in his youth to maintaine his estate the Earldome of Charolois which is in the Contie of Bourgongne otherwise called Franch Contie with the Siegniors of Bethune Arckel and Bellain In his fathers life time he wanne from the Sea a great circuit of countrie opposite to Rotterdam causing a Village to be built there the which hee called with the whole countrie by his name Charolois and so it continues vnto this day Hee had begunne a great fort in the towne of Gorrichom vppon the Riuer of Wahal but it remained during his life
diuers others to the ende that after the peace concluded hee might go to Compiegne and that hee would cause the Liegeois to make reparation of the wronges which they had done if not that hee would declare himselfe against them This night which was the third the duke neuer vnclothed himselfe but onelie layed himselfe downe twise or thrise then rise againe and walked vp and downe his chamber as hee was accustomed to do being in choller In the morning hee seemed more transported then euer vsing threates as if hee had beene readie to execute some great desseigne Yet hee came againe to himselfe and grewe more calme saying that if the King would sweare the peace and goe with him into the countrie of Liege to aide him and the bishoppe his couzin to bee reuenged of the wronges and affrontes which the Liegeois had done them hee would rest satisfied And so parted presently from them and went to the Kings chamber to say as much vnto him The King had some friend who they say was the lord of Argenton that gaue him present intelligence of the dukes resolution assuring him that if hee did yeeld vnto those two points hee should haue no harme else hee should runne into the greatest danger might happen vnto him When as the duke came into the Kings presence his voyce trembled hee was so mooued and full of discontent Hee made an humble reuerence but his carriage and his speech were lowder and harsh demanding of the King if he would hold the treaty of peace which had beene written and concluded and if hee would sweare it Who answered I for there was nothing altered of the treatie of Conflans in regard of the Duke of Bourgongne Then the Duke asked him if hee would not goe along with him to Liege for the causes aboue mentioned alledging the proximity of bloud that was betwixt them two and the bishoppe of Liege who was of the house of Bourbon Wherevnto the King answered that when the peace was sworne which hee sayd hee desired hee was content to goe with him and to carry as many men and as fewe as he pleased This answere did much please the Duke and the Treatie of peace was presently brought the which was solemnly sworn then the bels did ring and all the Towne reioyced This peace thus made the next day the King and the Duke parted from Peronne towards Cambray and so into the countrie of Liege It was then entring into Winter and a very bad season yet the Duke burning with a desire of reuenge hauing called a counsell made his armie to aduance and commanded the Marshall of Bourgongne to goe and lodge in the cittie of Liege with all his Troupes and if they refused him the entrie that he should force them if hee could The people went out armed to incounter him but they were soone defeated their Bishop during the combate escaped and retyred to the Dukes campe There was within the town a Legat from the Pope to pacifie the troubles and to examine the controuersie betwixt the Bishop the people who stood yet vpon tearms of excommunication This Legat in stead of pacifying them hoping thereby to make himselfe bishop prouoked them to armes and to commit stranger follyes But seeing this siege approch and the apparent danger into the which he was like to fall thinking to flie away was taken with 25. of his men well mounted The Duke being aduertised thereof willed them that had taken him prisoner to make their profit of him as of a simple marchant without making any shewe that the Duke knew it But when as they which garded him were growne into some question for his spoile and ransome and that they came to him to be iudge betwixt them being at dinner he sent for him doing him great honour and causing them to restore all that they had taken from him The Dukes Foreward marched directly towardes the cittie thinking to enter but thrust on by couetousnesse they desired the spoile rather then to accept of the composition that was offered them thinking it needlesse to attend either King or Duke who were 8. leagues behind them They aduanced so fast as they arriued confusedly at night in one of the suburbs ioyning to the Port which was somewhat repayred Iohn of Vilet a knight and some other Captaines of the towne seeing their disorder issued foorth by their ruined walles and other places vppon them killing about 800. men at armes and had done them much more harme if the Bourgongnons had not had foure peeces of Artillerie making three or foure vollees into the streat by the which the Liegeois came forth to skirmish Vyllette was slaine there and three other of their Captaines The Duke hearing of this disorder which was made greater vnto him then it had been posted thether with a part of his armie forbidding them to say any thing vnto the King and approching neere the Towne he went to lodge in another of the suburbes The King followed and lodged neere the Duke which put him in some iealousie either that he would enter into the cittie or else that he would flie away before it were taken or being lodged so neere him he would doe him some wrong For the preuenting of all mischiefe he layed 300. men in aâ—…great Barne that was betwixt both houses Those of the Towne gaue them some Alarmes but they were nothing till in the ende seeing how straightly they were besieged they resolued to make a desperate aduenture once for all which was the 600. Franchimontois led by the Host himselfe of the Dukes lodging should issue forth and come vppon the backe side of the Dukes lodging about ten of the clocke at night they charged his quarter slew some Skouts and Sentinells with their net and went directly to them that were in the gard at the King and Dukes lodgings who neuer were in greater danger yet the resistance was so great that the Host of the Dukes lodging and other leaders of these Franchimonts were slaine and those of the towne which issued forth to succour them beaten beacke into their Ports The King and the Duke hauing escaped this danger not fore-seene held Councell the next day what was to be done touching the assault whereon they had resolued The which did much trouble the King fearing that if the Duke should faile to take it all the mischiefe should fall vpon him and he should be detained prisoner On the other side the Duke was iealous of the King fearing that he should depart make warre against him in some other place Whereby we may discouer the miserable estate of Princes who can neuer be sufficiently assured one of another These two Princes had made afinall peace not 15 dayes before yet they could not trust one another The duke hauing resolued to giue a generall assault the next day the King propounded many great doubts and discreet considerations very pleasing to the Dukes counsell for euery one feared
this assault for the great multitude of people that was within the oittie and for their great courage All which difficulties they reported to the Duke from the Kings mouth The which hee tooke in ill part saying that the King did it to saue them but he would not faile to giue an assault in the morning as he had resolued foding the King word That if it pleased him to goe to Namur vntill the Towne were taken he was contented but for his part he would not goe from thence vntil hee had seene the and of it The King answered That hee would not goe to Namur but would be present the next day with the rest for without doubt where there was honour to be gotten hee would not 〈◊〉 taxed of Cowardice Euery man rested himselfe a little being armed day being come and drawing neere to eight of the clocke the Duke caused a Canon and 2. Serpentins to be discharged to aduertise them of the Vantgard who were quartered on the other side farre from him they heard the warning and prepared themselues for the assault The Dukes trumpets began to sound and the Coullors approched the wall The King was in the street well accompanied When they came to ioyne they found no resistance and there were but 2. or 3. men in gard euery man being gone to his home not thinking they would giue an Assault on the Sunday they found in euery house the cloath layed and the table couered There was as little resistance whereas the Fore-warde charged who entred first All the people being retyred beyond the bridge of the Riuer of Meuse towards the Forrest of Ardenne and other places where they thought to be safe In all there dyed not aboue 2. hundred men euery man hiding himselfe in Churches or houses The King marched softly for he saw well there was no resistance the whole armie entred into the towne on 2. sides being in all 40000. men The Duke being farre aduanced into the Cittie turned sodainly to meete the King whom hee conducted to the Pallace then presently retyred and went to the great Cathedrall Church of saint Lambert where his souldiers would haue entred by force to spoile it vnder a colour to take prisoners And although he had set some Gentlemen of his houshold to gard it yet could they not be maisters but they offered to force the 2. doores The Duke seeing this out-rage slew one of his houshold seruantes with his owne hands the which kept the sayd Church from spoile yet they drew foorth certaine Burgesses that were fled into it with their goods The most part of the other Churches were spoiled in seeking for the Townes men that were fled into them The towne being thus taken about Noone the Duke went to the Pallace to the King who had dyned shewing great signes of ioy for this prize and commending highly the dukes great courage and resolution thinking that those words would bee reported vnto him After dyner the King and Duke were seen very ioyfully together and if the King commended his valour behinde his backe hee extolled him more to his face wherewith the Duke was much pleased The King being very desirous to retyer himselfe spake vnto the Duke saying that there was no more to be done and if he had any vse of him that he should not spare him but he had a desire to goe to Paris to cause the accord betwixt them to bee published in the Court of Parliament The duke consented but somewhat vnwillingly vpon condition that the treatiâ—… of peace betwixt them should be read and ratified againe by the King the which he did wherevppon the King tooke his leaue of the Duke and he conducted him halfe a League The King being gone the Duke commanded the towne to be burnt reseruing only the Churches and the Chanoins houses in the which there were 4000. of the Countrie of Luxembourg imployed He caused a great number of poore prisoners to be cast into the Riuer of Meuse this done they went to ruine the Countrey of Franchimont whence are drawne the brauest souldiers of all the Countrie of Liege and was no sooner out of the Cittie but it was fired all along the Riuer Hee lodged that day 4. Leagues from thence where they might heare the cryes and lamentations of poore people as if they had beene within the Cittie The desolation contynued the next day vntill it was quite burnt except the Churches and some 300. houses of Chanoins and Priests which was the cause it was so soone re-edified for the people returned with the Priestes and other Church-men The country of Franchimont being spoyled and burnt hunger forced the Dukes troupes to retier who went to Namur and from thence into Brabant where he was receiued as a victorious Prince Those of the towne of Aix la Chapelle within eight leagues of the cittie of Liege had during these warres giuen some aide and assistance vnto the Liegeois the duke meaning to bee reuenged threatned them But the Regents of the towne went to him to Maestricht to aske him forgiuenesse offring him all seruice in time to come and promising to pay him 80000. florins of the Rhine in three years and so the duke was pacified In the yeare 1469. at the sute of the bishoppe and Chanoins the duke consented to the restauration of the towne of Liege whereas hee placed for Gouernor Guy of Brymeux lord of Humbercourt kinsman to him whome the Liegeois had slaine at Tongres and the signior of Wit-hem for his Lieutenant The duke hauing stayed some time in Brabant came into Zeeland and from thence he went to the Hage in Holland whether many great Princes and Ambassadors came to visit him Among others Sygismonde duke of Austria Brother to the Emperour Frederic The Prince of Trebisonde in Greece the Palatin of Rhine the Marquis of Ferrara The duke of Cleues and the lord of Rauestein his brother the duke of Somerset an Englishman and many other great Noblemen Barons and Knights The bishoppe of Liege Vtrecht Tournay Pouille and Salerne the dukes confessor The Popes Ambassador which was his Nephew his Sisters Sonne accompanied with the duke of Mantoua one from the Venetians and an other from the Archbishoppe of Cologne Duke Charles accompanied with all these Princes writ vnto Adolph Prince of Geldres who kept his owne father in pryson intreating him that all excuses set aside hee would come and honour that Noble company with his presence hoping to perswade him to deliuer his father out of pryson But this Prince doubting the worst excused himselfe vpon his Nobility and townes intreating the duke not to take it in ill part if hee came not for certaine speciall causes At that time there fell great contention betwixt the duke of Bourgongne and them of Vtrecht the duke demanding of them the country of Goyland and all the goods lands and signeuries belonging vnto the deceased Iames of Gaesbeke the which quarrell was
the duke of Bourgongne beyond that of Collogne which was on the other side of the riuer of Rhine towardes Duisseldorp to cut of the Dukes vittells The Emperour beeing planted before Nuys hee presently sent to the French King to requier him to keepe his promise and to send the 20000. men But the King fearing the English would inuade France laboured to make a peace with the duke of Bourgongne brother in lawe to the King of England or at the least to prolong the truce The King of England on the other side did what he could to drawe the duke from Nuys and presse him to keepe his word and to make warre against the French King But the duke excused himselfe vpon his honour which hee sayd should bee interessed if hee should rise There was an Apostolike legate with the Emperour who went euery day from one campe vnto an other to mediate a peace The King of Denmarke came also himself in person and lodged at Greuenbrooke in the country of Iuilliers who labored what hee could But the duke would giue no eare to any contynuing still obstinate at this siege doing what he could to take it The Duke being thus obstinate there was warre attempted against him in two or three places One was by the duke of Lorraine who had sent to defie him at the siege of Nuse and did him much spoile in the Dutchie of Luxembourg but by the other side duke Sigismond of Austria with the helpe of the Swissee and those of Strausbourg tooke the contie of Ferret made warre in Bourgongne tooke Blaumont and besieged the castle of Hericourt belonging to the Marshall of Bourgongne of the house of Neufchastel The Bourgongnons went to succour it but they were defeated and the Swisses returned into their countrie laden with spoyles In the beginning of the year 1475. the Duke holding yet his siege before Nuise the truce ended betwixt him and the French King the which the King would willingly haue prolonged but seeing it could not be he made open warre in Picardie tooke the towne of Roye Montdidier Corbie the which after that he had spoiled he caused to be burnt as he did many other places betwixt Abbeuille Arras Those of the garrison of Arras made a Sallie vppon the French but they were repulst euen into their ports there were many slaine and of their chiefe men taken prisoners as Iames of S. Pol Brother to the Constable of France the siegnior of Contay heire to the old Lord of Contay the Lorde of Carenchy and other Gentlemen The French King had intreated the Emperour to make a mutuall promise not to make a peace with the Duke of Bourgongne one without another councelling him to seaze vppon all his landes which held of the Empire as Brabant Gelders Lembourg Luxembourg and that he would seaze vpon those that are held of the Crowne of France as Flanders Arthois Bourgongne and others Wherevppon the Emperor answered wisely to his Ambassadors telling a Tale of two companions which soulde the Beares skinne to their Hoste before the beast was taken as if he would say come as you haue promised wee will take the man and then diuide his goods The Constable was much grieued for the taking of Iames of S. Pol his brother but this mischance came not alone for at the same instant the Earle of Roussy his sonne Gouernour of Bourgongne for the Duke was taken and there withall dyed the Constables wife a vertuous lady and sister to the Queen of France who had been a great support to him After these three mischances he was neuer assured liuing in contynuall feare swimming betwixt two streames to entertaine himself equally in the King and Dukes fauor which these Princes could easily discouer The Duke hauing contynued his siege a whole yeare before Nuise 2. things prest him extreamely to rise the first was the warre which the French King made against him in Picardie the second was the goodly and great army the King of England made at his request hauing alwayes perswaded him to come into France and could neuer induce him vnto it vntill that time and now the King of England and his Nobles were much discontented for that the Duke stayed so long before Nuise and came not to ioyne with them vsing threates vnto them considering their great expenses and the approaching winter The Duke of Bourgongne held it for a great glory that this great armie of the Emperour and the Princes of Germanie which was the greatest that had been seene in the memorie of man or long before could not raise him from this siege The Legat past dayly from one Campe to another vntill in the ende he made a peace betwixt the Emperor the Duke of Bourgongne the Towne of Nuise was deliuered into the Legats hands to dispose thereof as the Court of Rome should decree the which had yeelded to his mercie through famine if hee had continued but tenne dayes longer but he was forced by the threatnings of the English to make composion and to raise his Campe. In the meane time the Constable of France was much perplexed thinking of the wrong he had done to the Duke of Bourgongne touching S. Quintin and hee was out of hope of the King who prest him to come vnto him which he would not do vnlesse the King would sweare vppon the crosse of S. Loup of Angiers for his safetie which he refused to doe which draue him into dispaire At this time the King of England past at Calais with his armie and the Duke of Bourgongne raised his siege from before Nuys and went to the English with a smale companie sending his Armie to refresh it selfe and to bee reuenged of the Duke of Lorraine in the countrey of Barrois what happened during the abode of the English armie in France vnto the conclusion of the peace of Piqueny and their returne into England I leaue to the Historie of France who relates it at large for it concernes not our subiect After the English beeing repast the Seas the French King retyred to Vervins vppon the fronters of Henault The Duke of Bourgongnes Chancellor and other his Ambassadors were at armes in Henault The King desired now to haue peace with the Duke and vppon some difficulties that were propounded would himselfe treat personally with the said Ambassadors in the ende a peace was concluded for nine yeeres But the Ambassadors beseeched the King that it might not bee so soone proclaimed to saue the Dukes oath and that it might not seeme that he had accepted the same Truce which the King of England had made This Truce beeing made the conclusions of Bouvines betwixt the French King and the Duke of Bourgongne against the Constable were reuiued where it was resolued that hee that could first lay holde on him should execute him within eight dayes or deliuer him to his companion Those which followed the Constable fearing these practises
did much anoy the Geldrois within the circuit of Tyel and Bomel by spoiles and ransomes and among others he ruined the great village of Dryell On the other side Robert of Aremberghe being in garrison at Naerden as Gouernor of the contry of Goylandt did no lesse vpon the Velawe and contry there abouts To conclude all this warre was nothing but the ruine of the Contry-man and of some priuate Gentlemen In the yeare 1505. the truce betwixt the Duke of Saxony and the Groningeois expired and not being able to agree the warre reuiued The Regents for so we will call those sixe men which duke George had lefâ—… for the Gouernment of the Contry of Fresland did presently put 400. men into the fort of Auâ—…ert The Duke sent them also for a supply the seignior Vit van 〈◊〉 with some troopes who did also lodge in Auwert And then the Earle of Emden in the Dukes absence tooke vpon him the charge of Geneâ—…all of all the army and of the campe which he planted before Groningen willing the Regents to send him 600. men well armed wherein he was presently obeyed He caused a foâ—…t to be built vpon the territorâ—… oâ—… Ouerissell to keepe all succors from entring into Groningen on that side whereof the townes of the said Contrie of Ouerissel which are of the Dâ—…ocese of Vtrecht complained vnto their Bishop for otherwise they would willinglâ—… haue succored them but the Bishop pacified them and touching the succoâ—…s he diuided the Townes some desiring it others not so as in the meane time the fort was finished the which was called Wâ—…ert dâ—…n bras wherby the Groningeois were frustrate of the succors which they expected from them of Oueryssell The Emperour Maximiliâ—… being then in the contry of Gelders the towne of Groningen and the Townes of Ouerissel sent their deputies vnto him to make their complaints of the duke of Saxony and of the Regents which hee had commited for the gouerment of Frisland whervpon there was a day appointed in the towne of Hatem in Gelders whether came the saâ—…d dâ—…puties on the one part and the Earâ—…e of Emden with some of the 〈◊〉 on the other part Euery one deliuered his reasons which were well heard Bâ—…t the â—…mperour fauoring the dâ—…ke more then the rest the Groningeois and those of 〈◊〉 preuayled nothing In the same yeare died the Lady Isabella Queene of Castilâ—…e 〈◊〉 to the King Don Fernando of Arragon mother to the Lady Iane Arch-duâ—…hesse of Austria wife to the Archduke Phillip remayning their onely daughter so as now she was their onely heire and succeeded in the realmes of Castille Leon Granado c. Whereof she and her husband were crowned King and Queene in Brusselles whither the Crowne was sent them out of Spaine Cont Englebert of Nassau had alwayes disswaded the Archduke from making of warre against the duke of Gelders for being a wise Noble-man and knowing whereon he grounded his right hee did fore-see what the issue would bee after his death Some of the Archdukes counsell newly King of Castile perswaded him that before hee went into Spaine with his wife to take possession of her Kingdomes he should conquer all the Dutchie of Gelders and the Countie of Zutphen where-vppon hauing made a great preparation he went and besieged Bommel the which hee battered for a time then hauing but two Forts to keepe them in hee marched with his armie towards Arnhem the chiefe Towne and Chancerie of the Dutchie the which hauing besieged long and battered vntill it could endure no more in the end it was yeelded paying to the souldiers to redeeme the assaults 8000. Florins That of Harderwyck which is a sea Towne belonging to the duke of Gelders yeelded in the like maner then the Towne and castle of Hattem vppon the Riuer of Yssell where as the Earle of Suffolke an English-man was taken Then the Townes of Elburch Doesburch Dotecom Grolle Tyell Bommel Lochem and other small townes yeelded There was also many Gentle-men Geldrois which tooke the Bourguinons partie for so the Archdukes men were called Among others the siegnior of Bronckhorst Wisch Scheeren berghe Otto Scenck of Wachtendonck a braue knight who did much anoy the Geldrois with some others who went to serue the Archduke The duke of Gelders affaires were then reduced to that estate as if the Bourguignons had then pursued their victory they had wholy conquered all the duke of Gelders country During the Earle of Emdens siege before Groninghen there grewe some diuision betwixt him and the Germaine Collonels and other chiefe Officers of the duke of Saxonies wherewith the Earle was so discontented as without speaking of any word hee retyred to Dam the which his men held 3. leagues from Groninghen which the Germaines did little regard assuring themselues of the taking of Groninghen which was then brought to extremitie and could not long hold out hauing beene besieged almost a whole yeare so as they not onely had neede of victuals but of all other prouisions and munitions for warre Wherevpon the Groningeois both gentlemen and Bourgesses assembled vppon the place before the Counsell house to aduise of that which should be most expedient for them to doe for the auoyding of the totall ruine of their Towne and that they might not bee â—…orced to yeelde vnto the mercie of the Germaines In the ende it was resolued to call Vytt van Draecksdorâ—… one of the chiefe commanders of the duke of Saxonyes armie next vnto the Farle of Emden and to capitulate alone with him of their redition hoping that in offering him that honour seeing that hee had the chiefe command ouer the Saxons and Germaines they should haue the better composition But as this was thus decreâ—…d and that they were ready to send their deputies to him to Auwert Behold there came into the towne a Bourgeois and his wife whilest the inhabitants were yet together so villanosly entreated and dissigured as all men had horrour to behold them for beeing prisoners and hauing no meanes to pay the raâ—…some which they demanded Collonell Vytt caused their noses and eares to be cut off sending them back thus dissigured to the Towne who by their â—…ryes and lamentations did moue all the cittizens to pittie and furie against Vytt and all the Germaines resoluing to set fire on the Towne and consume it to ashes rather then to veeld to such tyrants and so they entertained themselues in their pouertie for a while But hearing afterwards of the dislike that was betwixt the Earle of Emden Collonel Vytt theâ—… writ secretly vnto the Earle to know his minde If he would not receiue them vndâ—…r his hereditary protection as wel for him as for his successors These Letters did wonderfully please the Earle who sent the Messenger backe with an answere as pleasing to them of the Towne which was That they should send their Deputies with full power and ample commission to treat with him The which they did
his speech Frederic duke of Saxony spake next who hauing shewed that the French King was excluded by the lawe and that Charles was a Germaine Prince hauing liued in Germany and spake the language hee concluded that the common-weale had neede of a mightie Prince and that he knewe not any comparable to Charles Therefore it was most conuenient to choose him Emperour but with certaine lawes and conditions so as Germany might remaine at libertie and that they might anoyde those dangers which the two Archbships sayd were to be feared After that the rest had approued his speech the Archbishoppe of Treues sayd I fore-see the destinie of Germanie an alteration at hand yet seeing it pleaseth you I must yeeld vnto your willes And for that it was then late they retired themselues Pope Leo the tenth was much troubled and in a worde feared the election of one of these two Princes for both were alike suspect vnto him To the ende that hee might preuent both of them hee labored to haue a third man chosen Wherein hee sought to imbarke the French King putting him in dispaire euer to attaine vnto it himselfe But hee feared also this third seeing no man so apparent and likelie as Frederic duke of Saxony a fauorer of Martin Luther who was his mortall enemie yet all these deuises and practises turned to smoke and so did all the solicitings guiftes presents and promises made by the French King the election of Charles remayning firme and constant The next day after the sayd election the Princes Electors beeing assembled they beganne to treat of the conditions they should giue and prescribe vnto Charles the which was debated some daies togither and in the ende all beeing concluded they sent the lawes and conditions in writing to Charles his Ambassadors remayning at Mentz After they had receiued them they put in writing the voices of euery Elector according to the custome with his hand and seale The day before the sayd Election they had presented the Empire to Frederic duke of Saxony but hee refuzed it with a Noble resolution excusing himselfe vpon his age hauing as wee haue sayd alreadie giuen his voice vnto Charles This done the Noblemen were called and admitted in then the Bishop of Mentz going vp into the pulpit in Saint Bartlemewes Church declared that Charles the fift of that name Archduke of Austria duke of Bourgongue c. Earle of Flanders Holland Zeeland c. and King of Spaine was chosen King of Romains in the place of the Emperor Maximilian deceased Then the Ambassadors which were come within a league were sent for Beeing come a councell was held for the gouernment of the common-weale and the charge was giuen vnto Prince Casimir to leauie men and to put them in garrison for feare of some Innouation The Electors did write vnto Prince Charles and sent an Ambassage vnto him to certifie him of all that had beene done the chiefe of which Ambassage was the Pallatin Frederic who arriued in Spaine in the end of Nouember with Letters intreating him to accept of the Empire which they offred him and that hee would make hast to come into Germanie King Charles hauing setled his affaires in Spaine hee gathered together a great fleete of ships and gallyes and taking leaue of his Princes and Citties hee imbarked and landed in England where hee was ioyfully entertained with great state by King Henry the eight and by the Queene his Aunte and by the French Queene married to the Duke of Suffolke the Kings sister who had beene promised to him in marriage she gaue him a very kinde and louely welcome Hee was very honourably intreated there for some dayes then being imbarked againe with a prosperous winde he past soone ouer to Flessinghe and from thence into Brabant where he was ioyfully receiued by all his subiects The Princes Electors hearing that hee was arriued in Brabant they sent other Ambassadors vnto him to haue him prepare to receiue the Crowne of the Empire with the accustomed ceremonies MARGVERITE OF AVSTRIA PRINcesse widow of Castille Dowager of Sauoy Aunte to the Emperour Charles the 5. Gouernesse of the Netherlands MARGARITA AVSTRIACA DVCISSA SABAV GVB BELGICAE From Daughter to an Archduke I became An Emperors Daughter to King Lewis sonne I first was promised with pompe and Fame But my place in his bed another won The Prince of Arragon was my first Pheere But being left a widdow I did wed For second Duke of Sauoy he being dead I from my Nephew did the gouernment beare THe Lady Marguerite of Austria daughter to the Emperour Maximilian and to the Lady Mary of Bourgongne was first married to the Prince Don Fernando of Arragon the onely sonne of Don Fernando King of Arragon and of Isabella Queene of Castile which Prince died soone after leauing no children Afterwards the said Lady was married againe to the Duke of Sauoy with whom she liued not long before he dyed Returning into the Netherlands after the death of her brother Philip King of Castile in the yeare 1508. she was by prouision admitted by the Emperor her father during his absence in Germanie and the warres in Italy to the gouernment of the Netherlands with George Duke of Saxony So as this yeare 1520. King Charles her Nephew went into Germanie to receiue the Crowne of the Empire leauing the said Lady his Aunte Gouernesse in his absence The Emperor elect parted from Brussells with a great and honorable traine came the 20. of October to Cologne where the Princes Electors did attend him and from thence they came to Aix la Chapelle At his entry into the towne the Knights of the order of the Golden-fleece marched first euery one in his ranck according to his antiquitie in the said order After followed the Princes Electors first the King of Bohemias Ambassador the Archibishop of Ments either of them with 700. horse The Archbishops of Cologne and Treues either of them with 600. horse the Cont Pallatin of Rhine the Duke of Saxony and the Marquis of Brandebourg euery one of them with 600. horse There were besides other great Princes which followed to do him honour and homage for their Seigniories being accompanied with many Nobles and great traines As the Duke of Iulliers George Duke of Saxony the Marquis of Baden the Dukes Henry and Erick of Brunswick brethren euery one of them with 600. horse the Bishop of Leege the Duke of Lunebourg father to the Duchesse of Geldre the Earle of Emden and his sonne the Lord of East-Friseland the young Prince of Cleues who was alwaies with the Emperor the Earle of Saint Pol and many others with a stately traine Then the Ambassadors of the Kings of England Poland Hongarie and Denmarke of the Venetians the Dukes of Sauoy of the Knights of Rhodes and of the great Maister of Prussia The Lady Marguerit his Aunte was in the traine with a goodly company of Princesses Countesses Ladies and Gentlewomen euery
king Philip his sonne and giuing him his last blessing hee imbraced him and bad him farewell as hee did all the princes and noblemen then he imbarked with the two queenes his sisters and sayled towards Spain where they arriued in a short time hauing a prosperous wind Hauing rested some dayes in the citie of Valladolit he made choice for his retreat of a Monasterie of S. Ierosme the Hermit situated in Estremadura not farre from Placence an vnfrequented place and fit to meditate on heauenly things being retired from all wordly cogitations whither he caused himselfe to be conducted to passe the rest of his daies there which were not aboue two yeares spending his time in holy and godly workes and giuing himselfe wholly to a contemplatiue life And for that he would bee the better able to spend his time in prayers and the seruice of God hee would haue his sisters liue from him at Valladolit that they might not trouble him he reserued but 100000 crownes a yeare to himselfe whereof he imployed only 4000 for his diet and entertainment the rest he appointed to marry yong maids to relieue widowes and orphanes and for other workes of charitie as befits a good and Christian prince D. GShilippus Rex Catholicus PHILIP OF AVSTRIA THE SIX AND thirtieth Earle of Holland Zeeland c. the second of that name duke of Brabant c. Earle of Flanders c. By true and right discent of Holland I am Lord And of the wealthie Netherlands vnited by accord But cruell counsell of th' Inquisition Was cause that did procure their woe and great destruction Loue burning in my brest did me his subiect make And moued me foure seuerall wiues one after other take My cousin last of them a sonne onely did leaue Of tender yeares when cruell death did her of life bereaue THE EIGHT BOOKE The Argument THe birth of Philip the second of that name king of Spaine Pope Paul the fourth seeks occasions to make war against him who sends the duke of Alua for his generall King Philip giues the order of the Golden Fleece at Brussels A great famine in the Netherlands in the yere 1536 1537. S. Quintines besieged by the Bourguignons the French thinking to releeue it are defeated The â—…onstable of France and many noble men are prisoners and in the end the towne is taken by assault Ham and â—…hastelet yeelded Calais besieged by the French and yeelded by the English to the duke of Guise with Guines â—…hich was taken by assault and the castle of Hames abandoned Theonuille yeelded to the French Aaclon taken and burnt by them with the townes of Winox-Berghe and Dunkerke The same French men vnder the marshall 〈◊〉 Termes are defeated in battaile neere vnto Grauelingue The death of the emperour Charles the fifth to when his brother Ferdinand king of Romanes and Hungarie succeeded About the same time died the queens Dowaers of France and of Hungarie the emperours sisters with Marie queene of England to whom her sister Elizaâ—…eth succeeded A peace betwixt France and Spaine by mariages The king of Spaines mariage turned into teres by the death of Henry the second the French king ¶ Marguerite of Austria bestâ—…d to the emperour Charles the fifth duchesse of Parma succeeds the duke of Sauoy in the gouernment of the Netherlands The kig of Spaines last departure out of the said countries The death of George of Egmont bishop of Vtrecht to whoâ—… succeeded Frederic Schenck of Taulenburch who was the last bishop A subtill bringing in of the Spanish Inâ—…isition into the Netherlands by the creation of new bishops An abstract of the life of cardinall Granuellet A diuision betwixt the chiefe noblemen of the countrey The earle of Egmont sent into Spaine touching the trobles that were like to grow and what answer he brought Letters from the Gouernesse to the counsellors of the pouinces touching the edicts and the Inquisition The prince of Oranges answere to the Gouernesse The first beâ—…inning proceeding and effects of the Inquisition An enterview of the noblemen of the countrey A discourse â—…ewing the meanes to redresse the troubles An assembly of the nobilitie at the mariage of the prince of Parmain Brussels and afterwards at Saint Truden to preuent the troubles their compromise and confederation A petition made by them of Brabant to the king of Spaine to preuent the troubles A petition made by the nobilitâ—… against the bloudie edicts and the Inquisition The Duchesse answere thereunto and all her practises to circumâ—…nt them and disioine them as she did The first defeat of the Protestants in the Netherlands Tournay made sâ—…biect by practise Valenciennes besieged battered and yeelded The defeat of Austruel The negotiation of the lord of Brederode in Amsterdam who retires into Germanie and so dothe the prince of Orange The death of the Marques of Berghen in Spaine An apologie made by the Protestants of the Netherlands touching the cause and beginning of the troubles PHILIP of Austria the thirtie sixth Earle of Holland and Zeeland the second of that name Lord of Vtrecht Friseland Ouerissell and Groningen the onely sonne of Charles the fifth Emperor of Romanes and of the lady Isabella daughter to king Dom Emanuel of Portugall He was borne the 21 day of May in the yere 1527 at Valiodolit in Spain where he was nourished and bred vp for the space of twentie two yeares vntil that in the yeare 1549 the emperour his father sent for him to come into the Netherlands to haue made him aswel his successor in the empire if it had been possible as of all his other kingdoms and Belgicke prouinces whereof the emperour as we haue said in the former booke disrobed himselfe and put him in full possession thereof in his life-time The emperour beeing retired into Spaine to a solitarie and a contemplatiue life king Philip his sonne began to order and settle the gouernment of the Netherlands making Eâ—…nuel Philibert duke of Sauoy lieutenant-generall of his armie And hauing sent thomaâ—… ques of Pesquaire before to take possession of the realme of Naples in his naine hee 〈◊〉 â—…oice of Dom Fernando Aluares of Toledo duke of Alua to be his viccroy there And foâ—…ch aâ—… at that time the war against the French began to grow more violent he commanded the dukâ—…â—…o depart presently out of the Netherlands and to go into Italie giuing him charge to stay soâ—…e time at Milan and to dispose of matters concerning the warre In the which the duâ—… of Alâ—… as generall for the Spanyard and Francis of Lorraine duke of Guise for the French king wâ—… small honor and reputation This war of Italie was attempted by king Philip against the popâ—… in whose succour Henry the 2 the French king sent the duke of Guise with an armie whiâ—… war for that it doth not concerne our hystorie of the Netherlands we will omit and refer tâ—… curious reader to them that treat of that subiect This Summer
to see For although they brag of their bountie and zeale yet the end will alwaies discouer what it is But for that your wisedome doth duly weigh and consider all things wee hope that your Maiestie will iudge more fauourably of your subiects than they doe by their wicked discourses which are void of all humanitie We know that some among them will say as they haue done that strangers shall not be subiect to the Inquisition but onely your naturall subiects so as they be tied to certaine conditions the which might bee easily done and your subiects might as easily thereby escape the Inquisitors hands hiding themselues and colouring their goods by the names of strangers But it is not your subiects entent who desire alwaies to liue your subiects as they haue done now so many yeres for the which you haue often thanked the princes noblemen and officers which are there by your authoritie as well at your departure as by letters since your absence If then they shall giue your Maiestie to vnderstand that they are readie to doe you all dutie and seruice both with their liues and goods and yet that they haue no entent to be subiect to Inquisitors who would vse all rigour crueltie tyrannie and inhumanitie ouer them and their families we doubt not if your accustomed mildnesse and clemencie doth not abuse vs but you will yeeld that grace and fauour vnto your subiects in regard of their continuall seruices for the preseruation of your greatnesse and dignitie But in the meane time it would seeme strange at the first that which they say that they would not doe that which you command expressely and in truth it were very likely whereby some would seeke to incense you against vs and iustly in regard of the peoples fault But if the prince regarding onely his owne assurance and the keeping of his countries draweth an enemie into them who is a disturber of the publicke quiet hindering the course of traffique his subiects profit and the aduancement of his owne glorie this people should haue some reason if it were made knowne vnto the prince The which was apparent in a matter of much lesse moment when as Antipater at that time lord of Athens which in former times had beene so famous and renowned had put Menillius a mild and tractable man in garrison in the fort of the citie which they called Munichie yet he called him from thence againe at the request of the Athenians and the admonitions of Phocion But these are no Menilles no quiet spirits entertaining peace but seeking warre in the middest of peace shedding of bloud where there is no wound opposing themselues by their troubles to the common quiet pouring forth their rage vpon a number of poore men vnworthie oftentimes of such torments This is not the complaint of one of your subiects alone but of all in generall to the end that if the prayers and supplications of one be not able to confute the slaunders disperse the hatred and diuert your Maiesties heart from so great a mischiefe and make you tast this great and excellent good which we attend of you yet let the cries and common consent of all in generall make you apprehend this pretended mischiefe for the which we hope your Maiestie will prouide when it shall be made knowne vnto you Besides when as al your well affected subiects come vnto your Maiesty for so great a good which they desire should be entertained in the countries of your obedience the mischiefe which they seeke to preuent with your aid and succours it is not their authoritie which they bring it is not their will they would haue serue for a law it is not their owne pleasures which they respect and follow but it is your Maiesties authoritie your will and pleasure whereon they relie and the which you haue once promised them by a contract and an accord which they haue made with your Maiestie the which you sealed by a solemne oath the firmenesse whereof is well knowne vnto vs. For otherwise if you should haue any such conceit if they should seeke to make you apprehend it and to put it in execution where were then your Maiesties honour and grauitie Where were the assurance of your subiects when as for certaine vaine and idle considerations yea preiudiciall to your subiects these things are propounded against vs and our quiet the which we haue long enioyed vnder your commaund and your predecessors What is become of the honour of those great and mightie Emperours Maximilian king Philip and Charles the fifth and the dukes which haue gone before them in these gouernments if your honour bee confirmed by so contrary an act They contracted with our fathers as your Maiestie hath done they did also take a solemne oath they gouerned their subiects in peace as you haue done hetherto and they maintained the rights and priuiledges of the country inuiolably according to their promises These are the two points we expect from you and we beleeue that you also desire it and will shew it by experience with the hâ—…lpe of God if not either the dishonour of your auncestors shall be published by your honour if it may be in such an act or els your dishonour which God forbid shall be laid open by theâ—… honour which shall continue by reason of the integritie and equitie of their gouernment But if any one would now say that this honor wherofwe speake doth contradict the good profit and aduancement of your dignitie it seemeth that he will vse no other Armes but a dagger of lead as they say which turneth againe on it selfe For what man of iudgement doth preferre his wealth before his honour for the which so many vertuous men haue so willingly spent their blouds and abandoned their liues Moreouer is it not the true point of honour when one is adorned with truth constancie and perseuerance the least of which vertues exceedeth all the treasure and possessions in the world But let vs allow them that priuiledge which couetous and wretched men do hold That temporall goods ought to be prefâ—…d before honour and that there is no dishonour but should be vndergone to get wealth What haue they gotten by this thrift let them shew how your Maiesties reuenues shall continue firme putting their goodly designes in practise the which we maintaine shall bee taken from you seeking to force your subiects to follow this good counsell But say they the faithful subiects will remaine yea if they may haue the liberty commodities before mentioned Heretickes shal be chased away that were much and more than the auncient emperors could euer doe But I pray you what heretickes the Gospellers and Anabaptists The modestie of the first hath been so well knowne in so many places and their patience so well tryed in your countries as we are amazed The furie and rage of the others hath been manifest in some places but here it is vnknowne to vs God be thanked If you thinke
king of Spaine and the duke of Alua his lieutenant to cease their persecutions But the duke made no account of it continuing his course as before so as after he had put an infinit number to death of all qualities and sexes and that he had in his conceit subdued al the Netherlands of which conquest Alonso d'Vlloa hath written the hystorie to the honor of the duke as the greatest conqueror in the world holding himselfe after the retreat of the prince of Oranges armie to be a conqueror finding himselfe now quiet without any enemies that had experience in war hauing a conceit that he had restored the countrey to their former peace he began to study how he might at the peoples charge entertaine a great number of souldiers both Spaniards Italians and Germans To which end there were sundry impositions exactions and extraordinarie taxes inuented among others the tenth and the twentieth part of all marchandise generally throughout the Netherlands for euer meaning therein to imitat princes or tyrants who by force and violence haue gotten estates realmes and seigniories who after their conquests impose vpon the vanquished nations some tribute impost or some extraordinarie custome in signe of their victories So the duke of Alua in witnesse of his conquest for it was his vsuall speech that the Netherlands did not belong any more vnto the king by title of inheritance but as hauing conquered it by his armes of the successe of which imposition we wil hereafter speake In the beginning of this yeare 1571 there was erected in the Netherlands by the commandement of the duke of Alua who had propounded to settle a new order both in the iustice and the gouernment after his owne inuention a manner of proceeding in criminall causes which was extraordinarie the which he would haue obserued for a law and perpetuall edict notwithstanding all vses statutes customes priuiledges and ordinances to the contrarie with a new forme of othe for all judges and other chiefe officers of the kings gift About that time Herman of Ruytter a valiant and an aduenturous man belonging to the prince of Orange borne in Boisleduke found meanes with a few men to surprise the strong castle of Louvestein right against Wadrichom in the corner of an island which makes the seperation of the riuers of Wahal and Meuse ioyning vnto Gorricom the which hee resolued to hold for the prince expecting succours which the earle vanden Berghe had promised to bring him The duke of Alua caused him to be summoned to yeeld which he would not do so as the castle was besieged battered and taken by assault he being retired into a hall defended himselfe long with a two handed sword but the number of his enemies increasing in the end he was ouerthrowne valiantly slaine euery man wondering at his great resolution and valour His head was caried to Boisleduke and in contempt set vpon a gibet to vexe greeue his kinsfolks and friends seuenteen of his men were taken and afterwards hanged except two which were broken vpon the wheele The duke hauing in anno 1568 ouercome and driuen the prince of Orange and the earle Lodowicke his brother out of the Netherlands and hauing need to pay his souldiers and to keepe a great garrison besides the yearely pentions in Germany hee thought it conuenient to reape the fruits of his victories and to imploy all his wits power and authoritie to get and gather money and that by a continuall taxe perceiuing that by reason of the great number of fugitiue and banished persons together with the hatred conceiued against him within the land that he was to expect diuers troubles and vproares and for that cause hee determined to send for the generall states of the Netherlands to Brussels and to mooue them to consent to giue the king the hundreth penie of all their mouable and immouable goods and besides that the tenth peny of all their mouable goods that should be bought and sold with the twentieth peny of their immouable goods without nominating any time how long those taxes and exactions should continue Whereunto the generall states and the officers of the treasorie vnder them made answere and shewed what troubles rose in anno 1556 vpon the raising of the hundreth penie for that the common people would not consent that it should be known what money euery man had in his chest and how much they were worth Touching the tenth and twentieth penie in Spaine called Alcoual they shewed him what difficultie would thereby arise not only for the newnesse therof but for the burthen that would thereby fall vpon the people as also the trouble that would ensue about the collection thereof in regard of the great deceit that would bee vsed by the buyers and sellers to the great costs and charges of the collectors and officers therunto appointed and that the same would bee a great hurt and hinderance vnto the Netherlands getting their liuings most part by trade of merchandise for that thereby all kind of handiworkes would be very deere and by that meanes must of force bee sold deerer in other forreine countries and that therefore the inhabitants would leaue the Netherlands and seeke worke in other countries and so all handicrafts and occupations would cease and bee left off shewing by examples how euerie thing would thereby be made deerer as namely that many things before they could be brought to full perfection should thereby pay the tenth peny in the verie material substance thereof at the least 5 6 or seuen times as clothes saies mockadoes tapistries and such like wares as first in buying of the wooll then the yarne then the weauing the dying and lastly selling and buying and so forth as there should bee occasion to vse diuers kinds of stuffe and the same to be oftentimes sold and brought to the market and that the foreine merchants bringing their wares into the Netherlands would sell them the deerer who for that cause would much complaine and some confederated princes and potentates would alledge the said inhauncing of the prices of wares to bee contrarie to the contracts and intercourses made with them pretending to bee free to deale and traffique in the Netherlands as they were accustomed to be paying their antient customes and charges Whereunto the duke alledged That it was a small matter for the seller to pay the king the tenth penie as long as he kept nine for himselfe and that if that summe did amount to a great yearely value the townes and the prouinces might therby receiue all their debts and dammages and be vnburdened of all interests paid for money transportations poundages heard monies and such like burthens as also that it would be a means to vnburthen the kings rents and reuenues for that without due and conuenient contributions the king should not haue the meanes to pay his souldiers nor yet to defend the countrey Hee said that hee had heard the emperour Charles often
stood firme for the space of foure houres thinking the Spaniard should issue forth and to prouoke him to fight he sent him some great shot but the duke mouing not answered him sometimes with the like and yet in the meane time did not discontinue his batterie against the towne so as at one instant the besiegers and the besieged were battered The duke sometimes by the fauour of the hedges and bushes and along the banks and ditches that were drie sent foorth harguebusiers to skirmish against the princes men but they were charged so neer as they were alwayes forced to retire The prince seeing that he could not draw the duke to battaile and that it were too great a hazard to offer to force him in his trenches he went and camped at Carillon where he found small store of victuals for that the Spaniard had carried away all The next day he made a bridge vpon the riuer of Genep to passe his armie to aduertise his brother of his comming and to aduise together what was fittest to be done but the duke had sent before twelâ—…e hundred horse to the other banke where he should passe so his designe was broken and of no effect Salentine bishop of Cologne came to the duke of Aluaes campe with two thousand horse and daily men came to him from all parts so as the duke had in his armie 12000 Spaniards and Wallons and aboue sixteene thousand Germans This bishop would willingly haue charged the prince with a thousand hoâ—…se onely to prouoke him to battaile but the duke had no desire saying That he was come thither but to win the towne and to keepe the prince from succouring it but not to fight if he were not forced so euery one retired that night into his lodging The prince seeing that being so farre from his enemies hee should profit little he went and lodged neere vnto the enemies campe whereas hee continued some dayes seeking all opportunities to fight The two first dayes by reason of the continuall raine hee did not any thing then hee tooke counsell of his colonels to present himselfe in battaile and to call the duke to fight the which was well liked of whereupon he went and planted himselfe by the mills where hee attended fiue howers hoping that they would trie one anothers forces but this day past onely in small skirmishes the duke beeing loath to hazardany thing or to leaue his trenches The prince being retired sent some of his troups to Niuelle the which the Spaniard vnderstanding the night following he gaue a camisado to the princes campe on the Germanes quarter where hee slew foure or fiue hundred before they could come to succour them and so the Spaniards retired with small losse The day following the prince did rise and went to Macklin where he staied three dayes leauing there at his departure twelue hundred Landtsknechts and fiue hundred Reisters besides two thousand and fiue hundred bourgers well armed the which he held sufficient for the guard of the towne The rest of his armie he dismissed with thanks but beeing vnable to pay them and they discontented he was in great feare and danger to be taken by them in a mutinie and deliuered ouer to the duke of Alua his mortall enemie Wherefore hauing made choyce of the flower of all his troups in whom he trusted most he passed the Rhine and returned into Holland whither he was sent for and attended with great deuotion WILLIAM OF NASSAV PRINCE OF Orange Earle of Nassau of Vianden of Catzeneleboghen Diets c. Gouernour of Holland Zeeland and Vtrecht 〈◊〉 D. G. PRIN. AVRAICAE 〈◊〉 NASSAVI GVB BELGICAE In youth I was instructed taught and fostered In true Religion for the which my bloud I often shed Maintaining it against all tyrans crueltie And the most bloudie Wolfe of Rome and all his subtiltie From Spanish yoke I set Holland at libertie And Zeeland with the Prouinces that now vnited be And hoped them long time in peace for to maintaine If so dainly a murtherer had not me strangely slaine But my most valiant sonne the worthy Prince Maurice Supplying their defect therein tooke on him my office And my posteritie shall them alwayes defend And crosse the purpose of their foes what euer they pretend WILLIAM of Nassau Prince of Orange hauing often presented battaile taile to the Duke of Alua before Mons in Henault who would not fight being called by the States of Holland and Zeeland into his old gouernement of the said countries whereas the king had placed him before his departure for Spaine and from whence he absented himselfe at the comming of the Duke of Alua into the Netherlands came at that time into Holland to assist them with his counsell and meanes to defend themselues against the Spanish tyrannie The duke of Alua was much incensed against them of Macklyn for that hauing refused the Spaniards they had receiued the prince and his men but hee dissembled his discontent vntill that he had preuailed ouer cout Lodowic to whom the prince had written before his departure That he should endure an assault or two and if afterwards the enemie were obstinat at the siege he should make his composition with the most honourable conditions that hee could When these letters came into the towne the earle was in his bed sicke of a violent feauer the colonels and captains hearing it read were out of all hope of succors from the prince and were content to capitulat with the duke vpon such conditions as were receiuable To this end the seigniour of la Noue Seuarpont and Siracourt were deputed the which pleased him verie well thinking he had woon honour ynough to haue brought such commaunders vnto reason considering also that it would be a great benefit vnto the king his master for that so many townes did daily reuolt from him the which he did hope to reduce vnder his commandement So as the capitulation was made the one and twentieth of September by the which the captaines and gentlemen subiect to the French king should depart with their armes and baggage and onely one horse the souldier with his armes a bullet in his mouth and a march light and that cont Lodowic should be conducted in safetie into the teritories of the empire In this manner the town of Mons in Henault was deliuered vp to the duke of Alua. He tooke no reuenge of the bourgers for that it was not found that any one remaining in the town had beene confederat with the prince but they had beene surprised and were forced to obey him whilest he was there Many haue wondred why the duke would yeeld to such honourable conditions knowing they were almost at extremitie seeing they had procured him so much harme toyle and trouble But they said he was moued thereunto for two considerations the first was for that the prince did then hold the chiefe towne of Holland Zeeland and Friseland and daily more inclined to his partie whose aduancement
lieutenant vnder him than the prince of Orange See what the taking ransoming murthers and massacres committed by the duke of Alua and Dom Frederic his sonne in the towne of Harlem were for the succouring whereof the prince of Orange had done his best endeuours I will forbeare to speake who was the cause of it for my meaning is not to taxe any man but long resolutions and slow executions are oftentimes the cause of great mischiefes letting slip all good opportunities that bee offered which the Spaniards could fitly imbrace and yet the siege of this towne was longer than the strength of the towne did seeme to require The siege of Harlem hauing endured seuen monethes although the Spaniards had the victorie yet notwithstanding it much diminished their credit and reputation beeing found to bee able to bee withstood and not inuincible although the duke of Alua called his three regiments of Spaniards that he brought with him the one Tales quales the second Inuincibiles and the third Immortales and gaue the townes of Holland time to resolue and prepare to defend themselues and the rather for that the duke of Aluaes souldiers at Harlem were at contention and strife amongst themselues for that the souldiers that stayed without the towne would haue their part of the money that the townes men were to pay as well as they within beeing eight and twentie monethes behind hand with their pay for which cause they draue their captaines and commaunders from them and would come to no agreement before they had money Which mutinie and contention continued amongst them six weekes before they were paid and the mutinie ended whereby they besieged Alcmar too late Summer being past During this siege of Harlem many complaints were made against the lord of Lumay earl of Marke before the prince of Orange and the States of Holland for many oppressions and cruelties committed in diuers parts especially against church men priests and monks whom hee persecuted with all sorts of cruelties to reuenge said hee the death of the earle of Egmont his cousin whereof hee accused the clergie to haue beene the cause Whose tyrannous and cruell acts were displeasing to all good men of what religion soeuer for the which the States committed him to prison and had not the respect of the prince beene who sued for his pardon and promised amendment hee had beene punished Yet the earle did euer after that time hate the prince of Orange as if he had beene the cause of his imprisonment Beeing freed from prison and dismissed from his charge he retired himselfe out of Holland much discontented yet he had afterwards a regiment of foot in the States pay at the campe of Gemblours against Dom Iohn of Austria but being retired before the battaile of Gemblours and returned to Liege he died in the yeare of our Lord 1578. Some said that hee was poysoned The duke of Alua finding with what toyle charge and losse of men hee had won Harlem and hearing that some of his troups were in mutinie for twentie eight monethes pay hauing yet many townes in armes against him and thinking to begin first with Alcmar hee thoght good first to see if he could win them by a proclamation which he caused to be made and printed at Vtrecht the six and twentieth of Iuly 1573 offering the kings grace and fauour to all as a good father to his obedient children forgetting and forgiuing all that was past knowing that their offence grew more by the suggestion of others than of their own natures and dispositions and that the king had not shewed any rigour to such as had willingly subiected themselues and not attended his force and power and yet they continued still obstinat notwithstanding he sought to gather them together as the hen doth her chickens vnder her wings for their owne safeties Praying them therefore to bethinke themselues and without any further delay to yeeld themselues into his ministers hands and not to attend the wrath and furie of his armie giuing them assurance for the enioying of their liberties and Freedomes And contrariwise if they seemed to neglect and contemne his offered mercie and grace hee would haue them to know and to assure themselues that they were to accept all kinds of rigour and crueltie that might be inuented by famine sword and fire so as there should be no memorie of them left to posteritie and that his Maiestie would cause the country to be made desolate and to be inhabited by strange nations for that otherwise the king could not rest satisfied that hee had fulfilled the will of God nor yet content his owne conscience if hee should suffer such rebels to liue vnpunished they knowing him well â—…o bee the most gratious and mildest prince that euer liued and appointed to bee their soueraigne Not doubting but that they knew the kings armie which was great with all ordnance and munition fit to bee at their doores readie to destroy them and that in the end the king would bee master c. This proclamation was published in all places During the siege before Harlem the duke of Alua had procured the earle of Bossu to write out of the campe vnto one Huych Ianson bourgmaster of Delft persuading him not to let slip so good an occasion of obtaining peace from the king as to procure some meanes to haue the prince being there to be taken and sent to the duke of Alua which if he would doe saying that he aduised him thereunto vpon meere loue he bare vnto the towne of Delft hee assured him not onely to purchase their pardon but also promised vpon his faith and honour to procure them such freedoms and liberties as they should desire and that therfore they should bee resolute and carefull to performe this worthy and meritorious act whereby they should not onely purchase peace and quietnesse for their towne of Delft but also for all Holland which otherwise would be ruined and made desolat This letter beeing interrupted by the way was brought vnto the prince He also sent letters of the same tenor to them of Amsterdam and to moue them to receiue a Spanish garrison but the messenger being taken was sent vnto the prince The duke of Alua hauing taken Harlem and as he conceiued daunted the Hollanders courage thinking the prince of Orange and the States to bee vnable to mannage and fortifie any place like vnto it and it may be presuming that his crueltie extended vpon that town would terrifie any other garrison who would not willingly aduenture the hazard of a siege he resolued with his counsell of warre to attempt Alcmar as one of their strongest townes which being taken the rest or most of the other townes would yeeld Whereupon he sent Dom Frederic his sonne with Chiapin Vitelli campe-master generall before Alcmar the one and twentieth of August and with him the baron of Noircarmes lieutenant to the generall with Dom Gonsaluo of Braccamonte Dom Pedro of Velasco Dom Pedro of
made betweene the Duke of Aniou and the States their power hauing so great an army and mony like wise to maintaine the same saying that he might depart with honor when as his departure should be procured by the Mediation and intercession of the Emperor the King of France and the Queene of England which dying they said hee might assure the Netherlands vnto their naturall Prince and by that meanes procure the maintenance and furtherance of the Romish Catholiks religion touching the said articles the Ambassadors had many conferences and meetings betweene them the estates and Don Iohn speaking with Don Iohn him-selfe at Lovuain and there abouts but it was al in vaine for that Don Iohn would haue the states to giue ouer their armes to send the Prince of Orange into Holland and then he said he would harken to a peace yet telling them plainely that hee would permit no new religion and many things else and yet hee made a shew as that in regard of the miseries of the country hee would haue consented to a truce for a time that so hee might deale further about the conditions of peace propounded but this was done onely to winne time and in the meane while to gather more forces and to make the States weary but the States there affaires not permitting it would not harken to it Don Iohn likewise for his part hauing gotten more soldiars and being aduertised that the States men wanted pay at the last he made answeare to the Ambassadors that the King of Spaine had referred the whole dealing for the peace vnto the States only to whome full power and authority should bee giuen for the same being indeed some-what iealous of France and England and to that end hee shewed them lettters so thanking them for their paines hee tooke his leaue and departed and by that meanes that treatie of peace proued frutelesse The generall estates thinking verely that they had well secured and assured the Catholike Romish Religion by the new publication of the pacification at Gaunt found it to auaile them little for that they were forced neuer-the-lesse to satisfie and content the mindes of the peolpe in euery place thereby to maintaine the warres and that they had need of such soldiers as they might trust which they esteemed to be Hollanders and those of the religion and therefore in euery place they put such as were of the religion into offices within the townes as knowing them thereby to bee bound not onely for the loue and good will they bare vnto their natiue country but also in regard of the religion to bee faithfull trusty and true obseruing that it was not onely the meanes for them to defend their bodies liues goods wiues and children but chiefly for the honor of GOD as they were perswaded whereby many being of the reformed religion and aduanced to offices in diuers places of the Netherlands were forced by all the meanes they could to further the said religion although some through simple zeale dealt vnaduisedly therein From these and the like causes it fell out that they of the reformed religion imbouldned them-selues to present a request vnto the Arch duke Mathias and the generall estates bearing date the twenty two of Iune therein shewing that they desired to liue according to the reformed religion and that they had separated them-selues from the Romish Church for many causes as it appeared by diuers bookes put in Print containing the summe and contents of their faith which many had sealed with their bloods and that the more it had beene persecuted the more it had spred abroad and increased as it appeared by the tiranie of the Duke of Alua that had put eight-teene or nine-teene thousand persons to death by the hand of the executioner after whome followed Don Loys de Requesens the great Commaunder of Castile who also had driuen an innumerable number of good men out of the Netherlands and caused all traficke and good handycrafts wherein the chiefe riches of the land consisted to be caried into strange and forrene countries by which meanes the warres began shewing the Spaniards practises and desseignes and their reddinesse and willingnesse to defend their natiue country and that yet neuer-the-lesse they feared that they should bee once againe put to the slaughter after that the countrie should haue made vse of them and by expence and losse of their liues and goods gotten the victory which must of necessity procure great vnwillingnesse from whence many difficulties were to bee expected by nise vsing liberty amonst the Burgers and the townes men which difficulties and inconueniences by meanes of the free permission of the reformed Religion would be let and hindered where-as to the contrary the refusing and deniall thereof would bee the originall of all euill intents and of such enterprises which neither the Protestants would like of nor they them-selues bee well pleased withall They likewise showed that they were content to put in securitie to them of the Romish religion that they desired not to roote them out nor yet to take their goods from them nor to doe any thing that should bee contrary to the duties of good Townes-men and fellow Burgers but alwayes to bee ready for the common cause to defend and maintaine their natiue countrey whereby all discord beeing layd away a perfect peace might bee established They likewise hoped that touching the reformed religion some order would before that time haue beene taken by the generall estates which by many hinderances had beene put off and chiefly by the meanes and practises of the enemy or else by some that hoped the enemy being ouercome once againe to roast the Protestants at a fire and therefore they desired that no credit might bee giuen vnto such men as reiected the pacification of Gant thinking that two religions could not bee maintayned in one kingdome and that there could bee no securitie giuen to the spirituall persons saying further that the enemy had manifestly broken the pacification of Gant and that for as much as it concerned the land they might by common consent breake mitigate expound and declare the same for the good of their natiue countrey thereby to resist and with-stand the secret practises of the enemy yet they desired that it might not bee broken but that rather according to the contents thereof the point concerning the free exercise of their religion might bee discided by the generall estates Shewing further by their request that two religions might well bee indured in one countrey by examples of the first Christians and their Emperors and after that in our times permitted by foure Emperors and by the Kings of France Poland the great Turke and the King of Morocus and others yea and by the Pope himselfe that permitted the Iewes to haue their Synaguogues And touching the securitie for spirituall persons they desired that the States would set downe an order for the same and that they were ready according to their
but to God onely For this cause and for the pitie they had of the poore people the chiefe of the nobility in the country did in the yere 1566 exhibite certaine admonitions by way of a petition beseeching him that for the pacifying of the commons and to auoid all tumults and seditions it would please his Maiesty shewing the loue and affection which as a mild and mercifull prince hee bare vnto his subiects to moderate the said points and especially those which concerned the rigorous Inquisition and the punishments for matters of Religion And to informe the king more particularly thereof and with more authoritie and to let him vnderstand how necessary it was for the good and prosperitie of the countrey and for the maintenance of peace and tranquilitie to abolish and disannull those innouations and to moderat the rigour of publicke Edicts for matter of Religion the said marquesse of Berghes and baron of Montigny at the request of the said lady Regent the counsell of Estate and the generall Estates of all the countries went into Spaine as embassadours whereas the king in steed of giuing them audience and to preuent the inconueniences deliuered by them the which for that they were not remedied in time as vrgent necessitie required began in effect to discouer themselues throughout the whole countrey among the commons by the instinct persuasion and aduice of the counsell of Spaine he hath caused all them to be proclaymed rebels and guiltie of high treason and to haue forfeited bodie and goods that presented the said petition And moreouer thinking himselfe to be fully assured of the countrey by the forces and violence of the duke of Alua and to haue reduced them vnder his full power and subiection he had afterwards against the lawes of nations the which haue beene in all ages inuiolably obserued yea among the most barbarous and cruell nations and most tyrannous princes imprisoned and caused the said noblemen embassadours to be put to death confiscating all their goods And although that all this alteration which had happened in the yeare 1566 vpon the foresaid occasion was in a manner pacified by the Regent her counsell and that the greatest part of them which had presented themselues vnto her for the liberty of the countrey were retired or chased away and the rest brought vnder obedience yet not to loose the oportunity which the counsell of Spaine had long expected as it appeared plainly the same yeare 1566 by letters intercepted which were written by the embassadour Alana to the duchesse of Parma to haue meanes vnder some pretext to ouerthrow all the priuiledges of the countrey and to gouerne them rigorously by the Spaniards as they did the Indi◅ and other countries which had beene newly conquered by them he by the instruction and counsell of the said Spaniards shewing therein the small affection which he bare vnto his subiects of these countries contrary to that whereunto he was bound as their prince protectour and good shepheard sent into these countries the duke of Alua very famous for his rigor and crueltie and one of the chiefe enemies of these countries with a counsell of the same humour and disposition And although that the said duke of Alua entred with his army into this coūtrey without any let or opposition was receiued of the poore inhabitants with all reuerēce and honour expecting all mildnesse and clemencie according vnto that which the king had so often promised by his letters fainedly written yea that he was resolued to come himselfe in person into the countrey and to order all things to euery mans content the said king hauing besides all this at the very instant of the duke of Alua his departure caused a fleet of shippes to bee armed in Spaine to bring him hither and another in Zeeland to goe and meet him as the bruite was to the great charge of the countrey the better to abuse his poore subiects and to draw them more easily into his snares notwithstanding the sayd duke of Alua presently after his arriuall although hee were a stranger and not any way of the bloud royall gaue it out that hee had a commission from the king of chiefe captaine and soone after of gouernour generall of the countrey the which was quite contrarie to the priuiledges and antient customes thereof and discouering his designes plainely he sodainly put garrisons into the chiefe townes and forts of the countrey and then he built citadels in the richest and strongest townes to keepe them in subiection And by commaundement from the king as they said he friendly called vnto him as well by letters as otherwise the chiefe noblemen of the countrey pretending that hee had need of their counsell and assistance for the seruice of the king and the good of the country after the which he caused them to be apprehended who hauing giuen credit to his letters were come vnto him whom contrarie to the priuiledges he caused to be carried prisoners out of Brabant where they had bin apprehended causing their processe to be informed before him and his counsell although they were no competent judges and before any due proofes were made and the noblemen that were accused fully heard in their defences they were condemned to haue committed rebellion causing them to be publikely ignominiously put to death Others who for that they were better acquainted with the Spaniards dissembling were retired and kept out of the countrey were declared rebels and guiltie of high treason and to haue forfeited bodies and goods All which was done to the end the poore inhabitants should not aid themselues in the iust defence of their libertie against the oppression of the Spaniards and their forces by the helpe and assistance of these noblemen and princes besides an infinit number of gentlemen and rich bourgers whereof some he hath put to death others he hath chased away and forfeited their goods oppressing the rest of the good inhabitants as well by the insolencie of the souldiers as by other outrages in their wiues children and goods as also by diuers exactions and taxes forcing them to contribute for the building of new citadels and fortifications of townes which he made to oppresse them and also to pay the hundreth and the twentieth penie for the paiment of souldiers whereof some were brought by him and others newly leuied to imploy them against their countreymen and them who with the hazard of their liues sought to defend the liberties of their countrey To the end that the subiects being thus impouerished there should be no meanes to hinder or frustrat his designes for the better effecting of the instructions which had beene giuen him in Spaine which was to vse the countrey as newly conquered to which end in some places and chiefe townes he changed their forme of gouernment and of iustice and erected new consuls after the Spanish manner directly contrarie to the priuiledges of the country And in the end thinking himselfe free from all feare he
the prince of Espinoy and liues at this day a priuat solitary life in Holland It was then time to fortifie Audenarde lying neerest vnto Tournay of any towne that held the States partie and to man it with a strong and sufficient garrison The which the vnwilling or vnaduised bourgers refused saying they were sufficient of themselues to defend the towne By reason wherof the seignior of Mansard a gentleman of Tournesis who had alwaies followed the prince of Orange being gouernor of the place sought by policy to draw in souldiers for the prince and States Which the bourgers discouering after they had done him many affronts and indignities hauing besieged him in the castle in the end they forced him to forsake the towne with his company of foot refusing to acknowledge him any more for gouernor neither was he The prince of Parma hearing of this mutinie and meaning to make his profit thereof he sent certaine horsemen who approaching neere vnto the towne presented their seruice but they would not hearken to them which made the prince of Parma to goe and besiege them as we will presently shew About the end of this yeare captaine Sale gouernor of the towne of Bourbourg in West Flanders for the Spaniard hauing intelligence with captaine Bouffart of the States partie promised to the prince of Orange and the said States to deliuer them the town to make his peace with them and to purchase his reconciliation Captaine Bouffart with some French men of the regiment of monsieur de Villeneufue were sent for the execution of this exploit who with part of his men past ouer the towne ditch in a certaine place where there was least water the rest which should haue followed him loosing their way by the darkenesse of the night remained behind Bouffart thinking that he had beene followed and seconded by the rest marched on entred the towne where the seignior of la Motte pardieu gouernor of Graueling was at that time At his entrie which was not without bruit Sale and his followers went to ioyne with him giuing an hot alarme la Motte his people comming to incounter them there was a cruell fight whereas Bouffart for want of being followed was slaine and all they that entred with him were either slaine or prisoners Sale was also slaine desiring rather to die than to bee taken prisoner And so this enterprise failed On the fifth of December the seignior of Bersele sonne to the lord of Gaesbeke brother to the seignior of Heze marquesse of Berghen in the right of his wife who was daughter to the lord of Petershem of the house of Merode hauing vntill that time carried himselfe a Neuter and liued in his castle of Woude a league from his towne of Berghen vpon Soom hauing gathered certaine troups together with the seignior of Haurepenne gouernour of Breda they made an enterprise vpon Berghen thinking to wrest it from the States and to reduce it vnder the king of Spaines obedience For the effecting whereof hauing some intelligence within the towne they caused foure hundred men to approach whereof a part entred into the town by a hole ioyning to the Sluce although there was a centinell placed there the which at that time was halfe deafe besides the fogge was so great as they could not discerne three paces off the which did wonderfully fauour their enterprise But two hundred of those vndertakers being entred without discouerie by chance a souldier of the town guard walking vp and down met them and knew them so as he presently cried to armes the which staied the rest that wold haue haue entred finding also some other stop Yet those that were entred marched in good order through the towne vnto the market place bending towards the port of Woude which they thought to breake open by force and to'draw in the horse which were there attending The French garrison which was within the towne of la Gards regiment was at the first much amazed with this sodaine surprise but colonel Allein and captain Durant arriuing they took courage and charged the enemie with such furie as they had no means nor leasure to breake the said port all flying to the rampar to cast themselues downe into the ditch and so to saue themselues Whereof there were some seuentie slaine and about an hundred prisoners among the which was captaine Paulo Boboca captaine la Riuiere was slaine and there were not many escaped but were hurt See how by this enterprise which succeeded not the marquesse of Berghen declared himselfe an enemie to the States and so hee carried himselfe vntill his death which was two or three yeares after In the meane time the affaires of Flanders were nothing pleasing to the prince of Orange for the repairing whereof he was much troubled and yet preuailed little parting in December from Gant he returned to Antuerpe where on the twentieth day of the moneth the generall Estates being assembled he gaue them to vnderstand That by the voluntarie departure and retreat of the archduke Mathias whose lieutenant he had beene in the gouernment of the Netherlands he was in like sort discharged of the said office and therefore they should otherwise aduise for their affaires Whereupon hee was intreaâ—…d by the Estates to continue his charge vntill the end of Ianuarie following when as they attended the comming of the duke of Aniou Whereupon he made answer That seeing for his honour for the good of the countrey and for their seruice they found it conuenient it should be so he would in the meane time put them in mind of things which had happened the yeares past for want of their good gouernement And although said he that the enemie being master of the field had in a manner done what he would which they could not hinder yet God be thanked he had not won all seeing that with all his forces dispersed here and there hee had not much aduanced in Friseland and Guelderland nor yet in Brabant but had been forced to imploy his chiefe power of men and artillerie in Arthois and Henault for the warre which the townes of Cambray and Tournay made him hauing spent a whole yeare about Cambray without whose great endeuours Tournay could not haue so long subsisted and the enemie would haue beene far aduanced in Flanders He said That a yeare before to preuent those losses he had giuen the deputies to vnderstand being then assembled that they must haue three thousand horse and two regiments of foot of increase That they were to render thanks to God and after him to the duke of Aniou for the deliuery of Cambray the which they had no meanes to succour no more than Tournay and all by their own fault for if they had those three thousand horse and the supply of foot with their other troups and had ioyned with the duke of Aniou without doubt they had chased the Spaniard out of the countrey being yet to be feared that by their negligence delayes and
weake resolutions they would fall the yeare following into greater inconuenience than before The which would happen said he for that not any one of them in particular did thinke that this warre did concerne his life goods wife children and posteritie seeking rather their priuat profit than the publike and withall euerie man refused to furnish money according as he is taxed without the which neither he nor any man liuing can make warrè Not that he demanded the mannaging of the money which they knew hee neuer had nor euer desired wherewith some calumnious persons whose knowledge is better would taxe him but he had thought it good to admonish them hereof that they might discerne and prouide for that which was common to them all seeing it hath beene hitherto obserued the which they could not preuent that not only euery prouince but euery towne hath his counsell of warre his troups and his treasure apart True it was they had appointed a generall and head counsell but without authoritie or power for where there is neither authoritie respect nor obedience how is it possible to settle any good order in militarie discipline in the reuenues treasure iustice or policie and in all other things concerning an estate Being impossible that such a counsell can haue any authoritie or respect when as they cannot dispose of a penie as neither he nor that high counsell neuer yet could To conclude said hee behold the fault and the inconuenience which had hitherto detained them and wherein they continued the which as he had formerly prophesied vnto them would be the cause of their ruine if God by his mercie did not preuent it He therefore intreated them to consider well of that point and to call them that vnderstood it to the end the blame might not be laid vpon him But if they would take a good course and foresee it in time they shold find by the effects as he is bound that he would not spare any thing that is in his power Wherein they should striue the more seeing that his gouernment extends but to the end of Ianuarie and that for the present there was no other to gouerne but himselfe and to order all things with all conuenient speed This speech of the prince although it were truly and sincerely deliuered yet wrought it small effect some prouinces being of opinion the warre should be referred to the prince and the counsell of State others said that they must stay their resolution vntil the comming of the duke of Aniou For the hastening whereof the seignior of S. Aldegonde and doctor Iunius bourgmaster of Antuerpe were sent into England The princes of Orange and Espinoy with the other chiefe noblemen of the countrey going to attend him at Middlebourg in Zeeland there to receiue him In the meane time the townes of Doccum Sloten Staueren with the Nyeuwe-zyel in the countrey of Friseland being fortified for the Estates the seigniour of Merode gouernour of that quarter thought it good to giue order for the seuen Forrests and to hold them better assured Whereupon hee commaunded monsieur Nienwenoort a knight to fortifie the Borough of Oldenborne and to lodge there with six companies of foot Colonell Verdugo gouernour of Groningue for the king of Spaine went therefore the 24 of Ianuarie thinking to dislodge him but seeing himselfe so roughly entertained by the sallies of them of the garrison hearing of the preparation which the Estates made to succour it he retired not without losse for the knight Nienwenoort fell vpon his rereward the which he defeated his men carrying away a great spoyle and many prisoners Some time after the places of Brouckhorst and Keppel yeelded to the Spaniard Colonell Norris who was then in Friseland besieged them but hee preuailed nothing The duke of Aniou as we haue said gone the first of Nouember into England beeing accompanied by the prince Daulphin sonne to the duke of Montpenser the earles of Laual son to the lord d' Andelot S. Aignan and Chasteauroux the seigniours d' Espruneaux Feruaques Bacqueuille Cheualier Breton Theligny and others whither also came the seignior of Inchy gouernor of Cambray He was entertained with great pompe and state by the Queen where hauing spent three moneths in great pleasure and delight hee departed from London the first of Februarie being accompanied by the Queene who conducted him towards Douer And the eight day following after leaue taken and that the Queene had recommended the affaires of the Netherlands vnto him counselling him to gouerne them mildly and aduising him aboue al to win the hearts of the people and of the nobilitie and to vse their counsel assuring him that in so doing his estate would haue a good foundation and be durable In the end he imbarked in the Queens ships which attended him being accompanied in his voiage by the earle of Leicester the lord Charles Howard admirall of England and the baron of Honsdon all three Knights of the Garter and of her Maiesties counsell To whom she gaue charge to say vnto the prince of Orange and other noblemen and the Estates of the Netherlands That the seruice they should do vnto the said Duke shee would hold it and repute it as done vnto her owne person There were also many other English noblemen in his companie as the lord Willoughby Sheffeld Windsore and many knights as Sir Philip Sidney Shurley Parrat Drury and the sonnes of the lord Howard with diuers other knights and gentlemen of account with a goodly traine of seruants richly appointed with the which the Duke arriued at Flessingue the tenth of Februarie whereas the princes of Orange and Espinoy and the chiefe nobilitie with the deputies of the Estates went to receiue him after that they had long attended his comming The said princes and noblemen put twice to sea in a small boat to goe and salute him but they could not get aboord his ship nor come neere it so as hee tooke his long boat to go to land whereas the prince of Orange imbracing his thigh said That hee held himselfe verie happie to see that desired day when as he might offer vnto him his most humble seruice all his meanes his person and his life hoping that he should be the only cause that the Netherlands after so long sufferance should in the end be freed Whereupon the Duke hauing imbraced him the prince of Espinoy and the other chiefe noblemen answered in few words and very modestly Thanking them verie heartily for the honor they did him I did obserue at his landing being then present an houshold seruant to the prince of Orange that the duke going out of the boat to step on land tript a little with the right foot and might haue fallen into the water if he had not beene held Some discoursed afterwards of this small mishap and tooke it for an ill presage Being entred into the towne of Flessingue when he could not in a maner see any thing for the
smoke of the canon which was discharged from the town and ships he was conducted to the towne-house where his lodging was prepared and dinner readie staying there vntill the next day from whence after his repast being then exceeding cold hee wenton foot with all the princes and noblemen to Middleburg which is a good league distant from thence where he was receiued very honorably without the town gate by the deputies of the Estates of the countie of Zeeland the bourgers being ten ensignes were in armes wel appointed both without and within the towne to guard him The next day hee had a very stately banquet made him at the towne-house the which was the most rare and sumptuous considering their small time of preparation that had been made him in all the Netherlands which made him admire the riches and sumptuousnesse of such a towne seated in so small an island besides the goodly presents which the magistrats made vnto him hauing staid vntill the 17 day he departed to go vnto Antuerpe and lodged that night in the fort of Lillo vpon the riuer of Escault FRANCIS DE VALOIS DVKE OF ANiou of Brabant c. Earle of Flanders c. Protector of the Belgicke Libertie FRANCISCVS VALESIVS D G DVX ALENSON ET BRABANT COMES FLANDRIAE PROTECT BELGICAE By royall race I was the sonne of valiant Henrie The second king of France and did behold with wofull eye The massacre that in my youth in Paris once was made Whereat I was in heart sore grieu'd and great compassion had The warres in France once finished I did then vndertake To aid the Netherlands that me their soueraigne prince did make Where peruerse counsell of such men as enui'd my estate Seduced me and made my actions proue vnfortunate For seeking Antuerpe to subdue in their defence They did become my mortall foes and draue me out from thence So deadly hated of them all in France I then retir'd Whereas in Chastean Thirry death my vitall dayes expir'd THE twentie ninth of Februarie the Duke of Aniou to make his ioyfull entrie into the towne of Antuerpe where hee was attended in great deuotion with an incredible preparation all his ships of warre hauing their pauillions and standerds flying with a wonderfull noyse of trumpets drummes and canon shot he sayled along the towne whereas all the kayes were full of men in armes and landed beyond the castle in the suburbe beyond the towne whereas the salt pits be called the Kiel At which place there was a great scaffold made and richly hanged where being mounted there was read vnto him in the vulgar tongue and interpreted into French the priuiledges statutes and ordinances of the duchie of Brabant of the towne of Antuerpe and of the marquisite of the holy empire which belongs to the same towne and the iurisdiction thereof The which he sware and promised to entertaine vpon the holy Euangils in the hands of the seignior Theodore of Lysfeldt chancellor of Brabant As in like sort the chiefe noblemen gentlemen and others there present his vassals by reason of the said duchy and marquisit tooke their othe and did him homage all with great ioy of the people and of all the assistants Then was hee attired by the princes of Orange and Espinoy with the dukes robe of crimson veluet surred with Ermins the prince of Orange saying Let vs make fast this button that the robe may not be pulled away Then was the hat put on his head the prince Daulphin saying to the prince of Orange Brother set it fast on that it fly not off All was performed with great pompe and ceremonies the which continued almost two howers there being all that day aboue twentie thousand men in armes as well within as without the towne All these solemnities of his reception inuestiture othes and homages being ended the pentioner of the towne of Antuerpe called M. Iohn vanden Werke made by commandement of the magistrat a speech vnto the people shewing That the Duke would in like sort take a particular othe for the marquisite of the holy empire and that they should pray vnto God that by such solemne acts redounding to his honour and gloire the countrey might flourish in all happinesse and prosperitie This Oration being ended the Duke tooke the said othe in the hands of the seignior of Stralen Amptman of the towne who in signe of acknowledgement and obedience presented him a golden key the which the duke returned him backe againe and commaunded him to keepe it safely These solemnities being finished the heralds with their coats of armes of Brabant Lembourg and Lothier bare headed began to crie God saue the Duke of Brabant and the trumpets sounding they cast among the people many handfuls of gold siluer On the one side of the coynes was his picture with his name and titles and on the other his deuice drawne from the vertue of the Sunne with these words Foâ—…et discutit that is He doth nourish and chase away This done the Duke going from the scaffold with the princes and noblemen that did accompanie him went to horseback being mounted vpon a goodly Neapolitan courser and so went towards the towne Before him there marched in goodly order first the sergeant maiors the officers of the town house the trumpets of the towne merchant strangers Dutch and Easterlings all in white and well mounted the English in blacke veluet the colonels and captaines of the towne then many gentlemen as well of the Netherlands as French and English after followed the magistrats and chiefe officers of the town as the Amptman Bourgmasters Sherifes Pentioners Secretaries Treasurers Receiuers and other officers beeing followed by the trumpets of the Estates Then marched in order the deputies of the Estates of euery prouince first they of the duchy and nobles of Brabant after whom followed the chauncellor of Brabant and with him cont Lamoral of Egmont as baron of Gaesbeke then his guard of Switsers being followed by many gentlemen of the countrey French and English after whom came the Duke in his ornaments hauing before him first the Markgraue of Antuerpe bare headed carrying his long rod the marke of iustice then the baron of Merode seignior of Petershem who that day supplied the place of marshall of Brabant carrying a naked sword the said nobleman marched in the middest of three of the sworne companies of the towne that is of crossebowes archers and harguebusiers with as goodly armes as could be seene seruing him as a guard then followed his French guard on horsebacke carrying petronels attyred in crimson veluet laid with silke and gold lace the Duke marching in this pompe towards the towne At the port there were six gentlemen carrying a canopie of cloth of gold richly embroidered who attended him vnder the which hee rode alone through the citie vnto his palace At his entrie he found a triumphant chariot of the vnion on the which was set a faire virgine richly adorned representing
their horsemen did not second them fainted and fled to saue their liues of the which there were about two hundred slaine and taken prisoners The second of May there was a generall fast commanded by the duke and the generall Estates throughout all the vnited prouinces to giue God thankes for the prince of Orange his health and that they had obtained a good prince in making choice of the duke who did defend and maintaine them against the Spanish tyrannie The lady Charlotte of Bourbon wife to the prince of Orange hauing first conceiued an exceeding griefe for her husbands hurt and afterwards by his recouerie an incredible ioy being deliuered of child she fell into a continuall burning feauer whereof she dyed the fifth of May leauing vnto the prince six daughters who had all great marriages Shee was buried in our ladies church in Antuerpe with a stately funerall pompe The eight of Iune following there also dyed in the same towne the lady Mary of Lalain wife to Peter of Melun prince of Espinoy Seneschall of Henault c. and was buried in the Quier of the Church of S. Michaels abbey in the same towne without the Romish ceremonies About that time the Seignior of Hautepenne sonne to the earle of Barlamont made a rode with six hundred horse about Antuerpe from whence he carried a great bootie in prisoners cattell and other goods Captaine Alonzo a Spaniard who serued the duke a braue souldier being in garrison in Liere wâ—…â—…forth with his troupe of horse and charged them but he was hurt and taken yet he wâ—… pâ—…ntly rescued and carried backe into Liere where he remained sicke in his bed of this wound vntill that hee was traiterously sold to the prince of Parma by a Scottish captaine as you shall presently see At this time the duke of Aniou his men made another enterprise vpon the towne of Arschot with some troupes of horse and foot but being entred a good way into the towne they were repulsed with the losse of thirtie men All this Summer was spent in enterprises on eyther side but few succeeded yet the garrisons of Dyest and Herental surprised Tillemont in Brabant for the Estates in the which there were three companies for the prince of Parma lodged in a cloyster which they defeated in their retrenchment then they sacked the towne and abandoned it The prince of Parma keeping then his court at Tournay went to Namur to receiue the troupes which the earle of Martinengues and Dom Iohn of Manriques de Lara brought vnto him The duke of Aniou and Brabant about that time made certaine proclamations for his greater assurance and brake quarter with the men of warre commaunding them not to take any enemie to ransome He also brake the licences which are certaine customes and tols imposed vpon all marchandise passing from one countrey to another not suffering that any thing should be transported either by water or land vnto the enemie and generally not to traffique nor to haue any correspondencie with them by exchange or otherwise in what sort soeuer The foureteenth of Iuly the duke being accompanied by the princes of Orange and Espinoy and all their traine departed from Antuerpe to go into Zeeland from whence on the sixteenth day he went to Scluse to make his entry the next day into Bruges The bourgers went forth of the towne well appointed in armes to meet him along the riuer which goeth from Bruges to Dam hauing some number of the sworn companies of crosse-bows harguebusiers and archers in very good equipage appointed for his guard They of the towne of Antuerpe of the same qualitie did attend him thither and then returned home The duke entring into the towne was receiued with great humilitie by the foure members of Flanders and was conducted through the streets with all the honour they could deuise hauing triumphant arches liuely representations made vpon scaffolds artificiall figures painted statues pyramides porches with such like and diuers kinds of flames and artificiall fires flying in the aire whereby they made shew how pleasing and acceptable his comming and entry was vnto them receiuing him for their prince and lord as earle of Flanders The duke being in this towne of Bruges there was a great treason discouered inuented by a Spaniard or a Spaniards sonne called Nicholas Salcedo of one Francisco Baza an Italian of a horseman of Fernando of Gonzagues companie and of one Nicholas Hugot called La Borde a Frenchman who were corrupted and set on by the prince of Parma or his counsell in the name of the king of Spaine to murther the said duke and the prince of Orange both together or apart in what sort soeuer as it appeared by the confession and processe of the said Salcedo and by that which happened to Francisco Baza This Salcedo had beene at the dukes request saued from the gallowes at Rouan being accused of coyning being after that retyred for a time into Spaine he returned into Lorraine where he came into the dukes seruice at the victualling of Cambray and so followed him continually vnto Antuerpe thinking to be there employed and to haue some charge but he was alwayes held in iealousie by the prince of Orange And as the said Salcedo was very familiar with the Seignior Amoral afterwards earle of Egmont whom the prince loued not onely for the good remembrance of his father but for that the Countesse his mother had recommended him and all her other children vnto him at the houre of her death in Antuerpe and also for that the said Seignior Amoral made profession of the Protestants Religion and receiued the Communion these reasons made the prince to aske him once in secret what great acquaintance and familiaritie he had with the said Salcedo Hee answered him That hee had none but for the loue of Alchimie whereupon the prince replyed That hee feared some worse matter aduising him to beware of him and not to conuerse any more with him wishing him withall not to discouer any thing of this aduertisement to Salcedo Yet notwithstanding this young nobleman whether it were of lightnesse or for that it is the nature of man to affect that most which is most forbiddeâ—…â—…im at his first encounter with Salcedo he discouered all vnto him Vpon certaine aduertisements and strong presumptions Salcedo was apprehended Francisco Baza was without the court attending for him and seeing that he came not in the end he asked for him and so was in like manner laid hold on La Borde fearing or discouering something saued himselfe Salcedo and Baza being examined vpon the aduertisements and circumstances which they had to confirme the presumptions of their fact they did confesse and signe it that their designe was to haue murthered or poysoned the duke and prince in what sort soeuer The young lord Amoral was in like sort examined who confessed presently that he had bewrayed vnto Salcedo all that the prince had said vnto him touching the conuersation and familiaritie he
being intrencht with Cartes and Wagons and hauing two field peeces yet the Spaniards went to charge them in their trenches and as at the first charge the horses which were in the carriages were amazed and terrified at the great noyse of the shot being vnacquainted with it they began to run and breake their fort wherevpon the Spaniards charged them verie furiously and put them to rout whereof part of them saued themselues in the Church of the village and afterward yeelded vpon ransome Of the Protestants there died in this charge fiuehundred fourescore and sixe and about some three hundred taken prisoners Of the Spaniards verie fewe some sayd but fiue and twentie Amongst the which Olswald one of the Earles of Vandenbergh lost his life in the flowre of his age Captaine Hendricke van Delden a braue souldiar was also slaine Among the Protestant prisoners was captaine Stein Malte a Dane Lieutenant to Count William of Nassau who was then at the Hage at the reception of the Earle of Leicester This Gentleman had bin sent for by his King and had taken leaue of the Estates and was richly rewarded by them so as hee was now vpon his departure but by reason of the Earles absence the Spaniards being thus sodenly entred into the country ouer the yce he was intreated to doe this seruice the which for the loue honor and respect of the said Earle he would not refufe At the same time Collonell Martin Schenck being in Venloo he sallyed forth vpon eighty Spanish horse hauing past the riuer of Meuse whome hee defeated yet withsome losse of his oâ—…emen A little before he had defeated some forty Italien horse of the company of captaine Appio Conti of the which eighteene were slaine and twenty two prisoners The King of Spaine hearing of the succors which the estates had gotten from the Queene of England sent more mony by diuers meanes to the Prince of Parma for that as then his soldiars began generally to mutine And at that time also the King sent downe the Marquis of Guast and of Pescara the last being of the house of Aualos with many others this Marquis was by the Prince of Parma made Generall of the horse The seauenteene of Ianuary they of Antwerp appointed a day euery yeare of sollemne procession for the expelling and killing of the French three years before the which they called the day of the French fury in perpetual remeÌ„brance of the Duke of Anious ouerthrow being at that time Duke of Brabant in the which action the Catholiks did challendge the greater honor but they of the reformed relligion gaiâ—… said it In the beginning of February some soldiars of the garrison of Nuys went disguised like marchants to the towne of Zybrich these men hearing that their troupes approched went vnto the castle knowing well that the captaine was not there and intreated his wife all the country as they said being full of Freebooters to giue them a gard to conduct them vnto Cologne the which being refused they stayed a while betwixt the ports looking of euery side then being resolued they slue the Porter and seased vpon the Castell The captaines wife seeing that they were enemies cried out murther They to giue a signe to their men to make hast hung an enseigne out of one of the towers And being busie to open them the castell behind the Bourguers being in armes came running thether the vndertakers quitting all defence fled into an old tower to make some defence But they of the towne fearing that their long delay might be hurtfull vnto them they set fire of the said tower and forced the soldiars to yeeld They had with them a glasier of the same towne and his sonne who were carried to Bonne and there quartred About the end of February Collonell Schenck and captaine Cloet who commanded within Nuys past the riuer of Rhine with certaine troupes of horse and foot marching towards West-phalia to make an enterprise vpon the towne of Werel On the 27. day being come by fower of the clocke in the morning before the towne they set fire of a house ioyning to the port the which flew into the towne The townsmen ran thether from all parts to quench it on the other side Schenk with his men gaue a sodaine scaladoin one part farthest of from the castell and hauing past the rampar they went to the port the which they opened so sodenly as their horsemen were vpon the market place before the Bourguers did knowe the towne was taken There was with in the towne a castell which Herman van Weda some-times Bishop of Cologne had caused to be built to keepe them in awe The Bourguers fled with such feare towards the castell and in such a throng as the garrison fearing that the Protestants would enter pel-mel with them shut the ports against them letting none in but Gerard Brandt the bourguemaister and the Lieutenant of the Castle The towne being thus taken was kept very straightly that none might come in nor get out to carrie news thereof The castell was sommoned but the Gentleman that held it called Iohn Verminkhâ—…uysen refused to yeeld This place was of great importance whereon depended the preseruation of all the country of Westphalia The Captaine sent a messenger withall speed to Cont Euerard van Solms Marshall of the country of Westphalia giuing him to vnderstand the estates of the towne and castell intreating him to send him some succors for that hee wanted men to maintaine a long seege and also to haue some victualls and munition for warre The Marshall sent him presently certeine wagons conducted by two hundred and fifty foote the which entred into the Castle without any incounter Whereof the Captaine retained onely a hundred and sent backe the rest In the meane time the Marshall made all the speed that hee could to raise men in the countrey and to get the Nobility to horse-back as it is their manner when they are interressed so as hee made a little armie the which he brought and conducted neere vnto the Castle of Waterlap halfe a league from Werell whereof the greater part of them were footemen and all in a manner peasants with soâ—… which were the fewer part horse-men Collonell Schinke and Captaine Cloet knowing their enemâ—…s to bee so neere would goe with all the speed they could and skirmish with them on the Sonday the second of March putting their horse-men into three seuerall squadrons which went and charged them of Westphalia which were but three score horse at the most who hauing with-stood the first charge wheeling about according to their customes to récharge their Pistols the peasants thinking they had turned their backs to flye and that they must pay for all fledde away presently as fast as they could among whom Schincks horsemen fell and made pittifull slaughter of them among the which there were thirty souldiers harguebuziers of the garrison of Arensbergh the which carried them-selues very valiantly
would some secretly some openly forsake the religion and so stay within the country The King of Spaine being once receiued and acknowledged for Lord within three moneths he will haue most of the officers and magistrates of the townes and prouinces at his deuotion to doe what-soeuer he should command them The chiefe of the Estates of Holland shall be the Earle of Egmont the Earle of Aremberg as Baron of Naeldwike the Earle of Ligny as Baron of Wassenare and many such Lords of the enemies faction These and such like wil draw the other noble-men and gentle-men vnto them and the Magistrates of townes will depend vpon them as it hath beene alwayes seene time out of minde In the first three moneths there will be a hundred occasions offred to reuenge themselues for matters past as well vpon the inhabitants of these countries as vpon her Maiestie and her subiects to the apparent ruine of religion not only in these countries but also in England and in other nations And the warres continuing the affaires in France concerning religion may be the better secured The King of Spaine may dye and after his death a better peace may happily be obtained In maintaining this iust and vpright cause we ought aboue all things to relie vpon the grace and assistance of God maintaining his honor glory and holy word and the rather for that we haue so often felt his gratious helping hand during these troublesome warres Besides these reasons there was at the same time a booke set forth in Print intituled A necessary consideration upon the treatie of peace with this sentence as a most assured meanes to deale with the enemie to haue him in Iealousie Vna salus victis nullam sperare salutem In which booke the Author besides many ancient Histories produceth the examples of our time of the Protestants in Germanie the Duke of Saxonie and the Lansgraue of Hesse and of the Protestants in France all which were circumuented by their too much trust and confidence on the contrary side they which opposed themselues valiantly in armes trusting in the power of God and the equity of their cause as those of Magdebourg and of Rochell not onely held and maintained their religion but also were the causes of the restoring of religion both in Germanie and France He shewed likewise that kings and Princes do not easily forget nor forgiue such as haue borne armes against them and these Prouinces haue not only borne armes against their King but haue reiected and wholy forsaken him altered religion and haue dealt with other Princes against him with many other reasons which hee set downe to disswade them from all treaties the which for breuities sake I ommit councelling the Netherlanders in his conclusion to be true and vnited among themselues and not to trust any man but to pray constantly vnto God and so to hope for a good issue About the same time the Estate minted a certaine coyne for a perpetuall memorie vpon the which there was a Lion grauen tied to a piller whereon stood the image of the Duke of Alua with a coller termed the inquisition the which a Mouse gnawed in peeces with this inscription Rosis Leonem loris mus liberat that is the Mouse sets the Lion at liberty On the other side stood the Pope and the King of Spaine with signes of peace flattering him to stand still vntill he were tied againe but the Lion refuseth it with this Motto Liber vinciri Leo pernegat which is the Lion wil be no more bound the armes of the Netherlands being most Lions of diuers collours These declarations afore sayd notwithstanding the Queene of England prest the Estates very earnestly by Sir Henry Killegry to haue their resolute answere who desired them on the second of March to send their deputies to Ostend to meet with her Maiesties Ambassadors who were already gone thether to treat with the Duke of Parma he shewed them likewise that her Maiesty tooke their long delaies in euil part for that she could not with her honour protract it any longer nor excuse her selfe any more vnto the Duke of Parma as if shee had mocked him Shee gaue her Ambassadors expresse commandement to treat of a good peace for the sending away of forraine souldiars the permission of Religion and the continuance of the preuiledges and liberties of the countrie And this was her resolution and although the Estates sent not their deputies thether yet would shee discharge her conscience and honour therein both before GOD and the world The Lord Willoughbie also gaue them to vnderstand on the fifteenth of March that if the Estates would liue in vnitie among themselues and leaue to molest them of Medenblick and others well affected to her Maiestie who did but make shewe of their thankeful mindes if the King of Spaine would not yeeld to a good and an assured peace as well for those countries and the inhabitants thereof as for her selfe then would shee continue her aide and fauor to wards them as she had done from the beginning Thus was the Queene of England resolued to treat of a peace mooued therevnto by certaine perswasiue reasons and it may be doubting of the countries abilitie together with the dislike shee had of the diuision that was betwixt the Estates and their soldiars who peraduenture made their case more desperate then it was finding also that the charge would grow very great to continue her aide hauing beene in hope at the first by a good defensiue warre to make a speedie end of their troubles On the other side the peace which shee should make would bee profitable for the trade of marchandise and shipping in her countries But the chiefest reason that mooued her therevnto was the earnest motion made vnto her by the Duke of Parma with whome she had proceeded so farre as she could not with her honour refuse to giue him audience The Duke for his part like a good practitioner in the art of dissimulation sought to lull the Queene a sleepe and to make her secure land carelesse to prouide her forces to resist the King of Spaines great armie or els through the feare thereof to force her and her subiects to drawe the Netherlands to a peace against their wills hauing foure principall sea townes in his hands with the assistance of the Hauens vpon the coast of England which hee ment to vse for the releefe and harbour of that great fleet for the conquest of the vnited Prouinces but to treate of a particular peace with England alone it was no part of the Duke of Parmaes meaning as holding the conquest of England easie light and assured the which was contrarie to the Ambassadors deseigne who sought rather to make a priuate peace for England The English sought to sound the Duke of Parmas meaning so by a parle of peace to alter their deseigne for the sending of this great Armado or at least to stay the proceeding
but the English had the aduantage being better of saile and could easelier wind and turneabout them going close vp to them and discharging their broad sides and so continued the fight with their great and smale shotte all the day long vntill their poulder and bullets began to fayle them so as they thought it not conuenient to board the Spaniards in regard of the greatnesse of their shippes and for that they kept themselues so close together being content to haue driuen them from Callis and Dunkerke and from ioyning with the Duke of Parma but especially for that they had forced them to sayle before the wind and to passe a long beyond their coast That day the Spiniards receiued great hurt both in their shippes and losse of men by reason that many of their shippes were shotte betwixt wind and water In all these fights the English lost not one shippe nor any man of quality nor aboue a hundred men in all There were so many of the Spanish shipes shotte vnder the water as in the night and the next day two or three of them sounke among the which there was a great shippe of Biscaye whereof some of the men were saued who shewed that the commanders of that shippe had stabbed one another for that one of them perswaded the rest to yeeld so as the other thrust him into the body with his poiniard whose brother reuenged his death in stabbing him and there-with the shippe sounke presently The same night two great gallions of Portugall of fourteene or sixteene hundred tonnes a peece were forsaken by the fleet the one called Saint Phillip the other Saint Mathew being shotte so vnder water as they could hardly keepe them-selues vpright In the Saint Phillip was Don Francisco de Toledo brother to the Earle of Orgas and one of the 5. collonels with other gentlemen whose mast being shotte downe they sought to saue them-selues in Flanders but finding it impossible the cheefe men escaped in boats and the shippe was taken by the Flusingers In the Saint Mathew was Don Diego de Piementel an other of the Collonels being brother to the Marquis of Taueras with many other gentlemen and Captaines hauing a great leake before Graueling the Duke of Medina sent a boat for him and some of the cheefe to saue themselues but he to preserue his honor resused it then he willed him to stay by him the which he could not doe by reason that the water came in the night time so fast into the shippe as they were forced to keepe fifty men continually at the pumpe to keepe the shippe aboue water but at the last seeing him-selfe forsaken by the Admirall he sought to runne her on ground vpon the coast of Flanders and to saue his life desiring ayde of the fishermen but being descried by foure or fiue shippes of warre which lay vpon the coast they made towards him bidding him yeeld which he refusing they all shotte at him and slue aboue fourty of his men so as hee was forced to yeeld him selfe into the hands of Peter vander Does who brought the shippe into Zeeland with the other the which when as most of the goods were taken out of them through negligence sunke vnder the water An other small ship being forced to run a shoare about Blankenbergh in Flanders Sir Iohn Conway manned out 2. or 3. fisher boats for that the Spaniards were already gone out and had taken forth two peeces of ordinance and brought them on shore to take and ransacke the shippe who draue the Spaniards from her and brought the spoyle into Ostend On Monday the eight of August the Spanish armie being in this sort assayled they thought it best hauing done as much as they had in charge to retire themselues so kept togither with small sailes vntill they were past Dunkerke being followed by the English the next day hauing gotten some-what before they set on more saile seeming to haue more desire to flie then to fight wherevpon the Lord Admirall of England sent the Lord Henry Seymer with the small shippes backe againe to ioyne with the Netherlanders who lay before Dunkerke to keepe in the Duke of Parmaes forces and hee with the greatest shippes followed the Spaniardes but the winde rysing and the Spaniards bending their course towards Norwaye making shew as if they sought meanes onelie to get away and to commit themselues to a dangerous Northerne nauigation the English fleete wanting both poulder and shot returned backe into England leauing some small pinasses to follow them and to bring aduise what course they tooke The Spanish fleete being in the North seas tooke a fisher boate of Zeeland with twelue men in her who were carried into the Admiralls shippe and sailed with them into Spaine at their returne home they reported that whilest the English fleet followed them they saw a white flag preparing to bee set vp in the poope in token of yeelding or at the least to parle fearing to passe through the Northerne seas but beeing disswaded by certaine Clergy men and seeing the English desist from following them they changed their resolution Those fisher men also reported that in the Dukes shippe there was a place made Cannon proofe wherein the duke himselfe with twelue persons more remained all the time of the fight and that of 1200. men that were in the shippe there were 300. slaine and hurt Thus the Spanish fleete hauing lost ten or twelue of their best ships with foure or fiue thousand men hauing many sicke and wounded aboard their ships wanting many necessaries for their ships despayring of any aide from the Duke of Parma who expected their returne and continued still his preparation they resolued if the winde would serue them to saile home into Spaine behinde Scotland and Ireland hearing that they should finde small releefe in Scotland and that Norway could not supplie their wants they tooke all the English or Scottish fishermen they could to serue for pilots and doubting they should want fresh water they cast their horses ouerboard and so they past betwixt the Orcades and faire Island landing in no place but sailed so farre Northwards as they were vnder three score and two degrees and two hundred and forty miles from any land Being there the Duke of Medina commanded all the shippes to take the best course they could for Biscay and he himselfe with twenty or fiue and twenty shippes which were best prouided of fresh water kept his course very high into the sea which brought him directly into Spaine but the rest being aboue forty vnder the leading of the Vice-admirall held their course neerer vnto Ireland making towards Cape-Clere hoping to refresh themselues there but the winde being contrary a great storme arose out of the South-west about the second of September and cast most of them vpon the coast of Ireland where many of them perished and amongst others the Gallion of Michaell d' Oquendo one of the foure great Galliasses two
and so got through certaine iron grates and windoes into a house which they tooke from whence they thought to ceaze vpon the market place beeing not farre from thence in the meane time the rest of the shippes came on and shot into the towne and they of the towne at them The townsmen beeing in armes beganne to assaile the house a farre of but to small pourpose vntill they had brought two field peeces before it wherewith they shot into it and with that the souldiars and then the Bourgers got in and draue Schencks soldiars out againe the rest being not yet come In the meane time the horsemen with some footemen were busie to gette open the Hessenche gate but they beganne to late for before they had beaten of the lockes and bolts it was day light so as they within the towne casting stones and other things vpon them forced them to leaue it This succeeding so vnfortunatly on euerie side for that they came too late and were descouered by the day-light euerie man yea the women of the town being in armes al the ships with the men being not come forward Schenck with his men were forced to retire back againe vnto their ships which retreat was with such confusion disorder and feare as euery man sought to saue himselfe as speedely as hee could wherevpon there leapt so many into foure or fiue great boates that were neerest as three of them sonke with the waight thereof so as such as could not swim were drowned whereof Sir Martin Schenck himselfe was one who was opprest with the waight of his Armor and could not helpe himselfe The shippes that were laden did driue downe halfe a mile beyond the towne by a village called Ostenholt where they cast Anchor missing their Commander One of their great Puntes or boates full of men did driue before the streame to Saint Huberts Tower from whence they could not get but were slaine in great numbers with stones throwne downe out of the sayd Tower some leapt into the water to saue themselues and in the meane time foure more of their shippes full of men stood and beheld that Punt but by reason it was a calme they could by no meanes passe by but at the last two of them escaped awaie and the other two fell into the enemies hands but the souldiars got away within the towne there were not aboue eight or nine found dead and wounded but without there were a hundred at the least This vnfortunate mischance happened vpon the leauenth daie of August Corn. llis Zeghers and Iacob Ween beeing Bourguemasters of Nymeghen The townsmen of Nymeghen beeing somewhat eased of their feare by this victorie tooke certaine scutes and boates and went to see if they could with their nettes and hookes get any men or bootie out of the water where amongst the rest they found a man with a faire armor and well appareled which beeing brought to land they knewe it to bee Sir Martin Schenck by the markes hee had about him as a wounde in his head which hee had gotten before Steenwicke an other on his side which hee had at Arnham and the third on the for-head and after that they had hanged two prisoners which they had taken the Bourgers in reuenge powred out their rage vpon his dead caâ—…case the which they quartered and hung vp ignominiously at the foure corners of the towne and his head was set ouer Saint Anthonies gate but not long after they were taken downe againe by commandement from the Marquis of Varembon Gouernor of Gelderland for the King of Spaine for that many poore Townes-men of Nymeghen were slaine and murthered for it in manie places and so the head and quarters were layed in a coffin and kept in a Tower till that the towne was taken three yeares after by Prince Maurice and then it was buried verie honorably and with great sollemnitie after the manner and order of a souldiar and laied in the great Church before the high Altar in the Dukes of Gelders tombe Prince Maurice and all his traine accompanying the body Thus did Sir Martin Schenck of Nydeck one that had tried his fortunes on both sides to his great honour and reputation end his life beeing one of the most resolute valiant and polliticke captaines in his time which his worthie enterprises and exploites doe well witnesse as his many victories his releeuing of the castle of Blyenbeâ—…ke where hee beseeged the beseegers and forced them to leaue the seege His stratagems were likewise notable as the winning of Nymeghen and Breda from the Duke of Parma but beeing badly rewarded for his seruice hee left him and went to ayde the Elector Trucses and his adherents In his youth hee was fiâ—…st page to captaine Enchuisen and after that to the Earle of Iâ—…elsteyn whome hee with other captaines beseeged in a sconse before Goore and there hee tooke his maister prisoner Hee did winne Werle in Westphalia and behaued himselfe pollâ—…tickely and valiantly in the taking of Bonna with many other memorable enterprises which deserue an honorable remembrance hee was made knight by the Earle of Lecester when hee died hee was but young hee was verie stronge and hardie and alwaies brought vp in the warres a great enterpriser and actiue beyonde all measure and soden in his actions for when as the enemie thought him to bee dronke and fast a sleepe hee would bee manie times either vpon their walles or before their gates hee was liberall and well beloued of his souldiars His verie enimies would confesse and say of him that hee knewe how to take townes and fortes but hee could not hold them when hee had them but that was no disgrace nor any blemish to his reputation beeing but a priuate Gentleman and no King nor Prince for hee left the keeping of them to his captaines Being high minded some-what willfull and rough of behauiour he was many times held in disgrace with the Estates but at the last hee applied himselfe to the time and for that the Marshall Villiers died not long before it was thought in time hee should haue beene aduanced and preserred to that same place After the death of Collonel Schenck the Fort which hee had built called then the spectacle or the Foxes hole and nowe Grauenward although most commonly they call it Schenkes-sconse which during his life-time had beene kept in verie good order and discipline mutined for their paie the which they sayd resolutlie the would haue or els they would finde them that should pay them And it was giuen out that they had alreadie begune to treate with the Duke of Cleues to yeeld it vnto him But the Earle of Meurs comming thether the fifteenth day of August pacified al promising them vpon the word oâ—… an Earle they should bee paied and satisfied making it his owne debt In the beginning of Sommer William Earle of Nassau Gouernor of Friseland for the Estates made a certaine enterprise
questions which haue not beene decided as it was then agreed there shall be deputies and arbitrators appointed of either side to that effect as hath beene resolued by the said treaty who shall assemble within sixe moneths in places appointed for the same if the parties agree if not they shall appoint some other place 18. And for as much as in the diuision of the lands appointed to the diocesses of Arras Amiens Saint Omer and Boulogne there are some villages of France vnder the Bishopricks of Arras and Saint Omer and other villages in the countries of Arthois and Flanders belonging to the Bishops of Amiens and Bologne so as often-times there growes disorder and confusion it is agreed that hauing the consent of the Holy father the Pope commissioners of either side shall be deputed who shall assemble within one yeare in some place appointed to resolue of the exchange which may bee made of the sayd villages to the best commoditie of the one and the other 19. All prisoners of warre being deteined of either side shall be set at liberty paying their charges what they may otherwise iustly owe without being tied to pay any rāsome vnlesse they had first agreed promised it and if there be complaint made of the excesse therof the Prince in whose country the prisoners are detained shal moderate it 20. All other prisoners subiects to the sayd Kings which through the calamitie of the warres may be deteined in their Maiesties Galleys shall be presently deliuered and set at liberty without any delay vpon what pretext so-euer demanding nothing for their ransome nor charges 21. And there shall be reserued vnto the said Catholick king of Spaine and the Infanta his eldest daughter and their successors all their rights actions and pretensions which they pretend to belong vnto them in the said realmes countries siegnories or elsewhere for any cause whatsoeuer the which neither he nor his predecessors haue not expresly renoūced to make his pursute by an amiable course of Iustice not by armes 22. And touching that which hath bin said by the Catholike kings deputies that to attaine vnto a perfect peace it was requisite that the most excellent Prince and Duke of Sauoy should be comprehended in this treatie The Catholike king desiring and affecting the good and preseruation of the said Duke as his owne for the neernesse of bloud and the alliance he hath with him The which is also signified by Gaspar of Geneue Marquis of Lullin councellor of Estate Chamberlaine and Collonel of the sayd Dukes guards his Lieutenant and Gouernor in the Dutchie of Aoust and the citty of Vrce his Deputie as appeares by his commission here-vnto inserted that the said Duke his maister hath the honor to be issued from the brother of the Christian kings great grandfather and from a cousin germaine to the Queene his Mother that his intention is to giue the king contentment and as his most humble kinsman to acknowledge him with all honor seruice and obseruance of friendship to giue him better satisfaction hereafter of him and of his actions the which time and occasions past would not giue him the meanes to doe and he promiseth vnto himselfe of the sayd king that knowing this his good affection he will vse the same bounty and shew of loue vnto him which the last foure kings did vnto the deceased Duke his father of happy memory 23. It hath bin concluded and agreed that the said Duke shall be receiued and comprehended in this treaty of peace And to signifie the desire which he hath to giue the most Christian king contentment he shall restore the towne and castle of Berra within two moneths after the date of these presents faithfully and without delay or difficultie vpon any pretext whatsoeuer and the said place shall bee deliuered by the Duke to him or them that shall be deputed by the king precisely within the time and in the same estate it is now in without demantling or weakning it in any sort or demanding re-inboursement for any fortifications made in the said towne and castle nor for that which may bee due vnto the soldiers being in it leauing all the artillerie that was within the place when it was taken with the bullets that shall be found therein fit for them and they shall haue liberty to retire those peeces which haue bin brought in since if there be any 24. It is also agreed that the said Duke shall disauow and abandon Captaine la Fortune being in the towne of Seure in the county of Bourgogne and that he shall not giue to him ◅nor to any other that shall vsurpe the said towne against the most Christian kings will neither directly nor indirectly any ayde or fauour 25. And touching all other questions differences betwixt the most Christian king and the said Duke of Sauoy the said deputies in their name do agree for the good of the peace that they shal be referred to the iudgment of our holy father Pope Clement the 8. to be decided by his holinesse within one yeare from the daye of these presents according to the answere giuen by the sayd King in writing the fourth day of Iune last beeing hereafter inserted And whatsoeuer shal be decreed by his holinesse shal be fully executed and accomplished of either side without any delay or difficulty or any pretext whatsoeuer And in the meane time vntill they shal be otherwise decided by our holy father matters shall remaine in the same Estate they are at this present without any alteration but as they are enioyed of either side not beeing tollerable to extend themselues any further to impose or exact contributions out of the territories of those places which are held by either party 26. And according vnto this it hath beene agreed that from this present there shal be a firme and stable peace amitie and good neighbor-hood betwixt the sayd King and Duke their children borne and to be borne heires and successors realmes countries lands and subiects one of an other without any breach vpon what pretext soeuer 27. The subiects and seruants of either side both Clergy and temporall although they haue serued a contrary party shall returne and enioy all their goods offices and benifices as hath beene sayd for the subiects of the two Kings the which is not to bee vnderstood of Gouernors 28. As for prisoners taken in the warres they shall bee intreated as it is agreed betwixt the two Kings as it is before expressed 29. And the treaties made heretofore with the most Christian Kings Kenry the second in the yeare 1559 at Chasteau Cambresie Charles the 9. Henry the 3. and the said Duke of Sauoy shal be in all points and articles confirmed but in that which shal be derogated by this present treaty or by others and according vnto this the said Duke of Sauoy shall remaine with his countries and subiects a good neutrall Prince and common friend to the said Kings And from the
day of the publication of the sayd treatie the commerce shal be free and assured betwixt their countries and subiects as is contained in the said treaties and hath beene vsed by vertue thereof and the orders contained therein shal be obserued especially in regard of the officers which haue serued the said Kings although it were derogated by any other treatie 30. Notwithstanding there is reserued vnto the said most Christian King and to his successors al their rights actions and pretensions which they challenge to belong vnto them by reason of the said realms countries and signeuries or els where for any cause soeuer the which he nor his predecessors haue not renounced to make his pursute by any amiable course of Iustice and not by armes 31. In this peace shal be comprehended by a common consent of the most Christian and Catholike Kings if they will be comprehended First on the Catholike Kings part our holy father the Pope the holy Apostolike sea the Emperor of Romaines the Arch-dukes his brethren and cousins their realms and countries the Electors Princes townes and Estates of the holy Empire obeying him the duke of Bauaria the duke of Cleues the Bishop and countrie of Liege the Hans townes and the Contie of East-Friseland And the said Princes doe renounce all practises promising hereafter not to make any neither within nor without Christendome that may be preiudiciall vnto the said Emperor nor vnto the Estates of the Empire but they shall procure with all their meanes the good and quiet of the same so as the said Emperor and Estates of the Empire carrie themselues respectiuely and amiably to the most Christian and Catholike Kings and do nothing to their preiudice And in like manner shal be comprehended the Cantons of the Suisses of high Germany the Cantons of Grisons and their Allies the Kings of Poland and of Sueden the King of Scotland the King of Denmarke the duke and signeury of Venise the duke of Lorraine the great duke of Tuscane the commonweales of Genoa and Luca the duke of Placentia the Cardinal Farneze his brother the duke of Mantua the duke of Vrbin the chiefe houses of Colonne and Vrsins the duke of Salmonette the Lord of Monaco the Marquis of Final the Marquis of Massa the Lord of Plombin the Earle of Sala the Earle of Calorino to inioy in the like manner the benifit of this peace with an expresse declaration that the most Christian King may neither directly nor indirectly by himselfe or by any others molest any of them And if the most christian King pretends any thing against them he may seeke it only by law before competent Iudges and not by force 32. And on the behalfe of the most christian King shal be comprehended if they please the Pope the Apostolike Sea the Emperor the Princes Electors Clergy and Secular townes and commonalties of the holy Empire and especially the Cont Palatin Elector the Marquis of Brandenbourg the duke of Wyrtenberg the Landtsgraue of Hessen the Marquis of Hansbac the Earles of East-Friseland the Hans townes according to the ancient alliances the king and kingdome of Scotland according to the ancient treaties allyances and confederations which are made betwixt the Realmes of France and Scotland The Kings of Poland Sueden and Denmarke the duke and signiory of Venise the thirteene Cantons of Suisses the three Cantons of Grisons the bishoppe and Siegneury of the countrie of Valays the Abbot and towne of Saint Gall Clottenberghe Mulhausen the countie of Neufchastell and other allyes and confederates of the sayd Cantons The duke of Lorraine the great Duke of Tuscan the Duke of Mantua the common-weale of Luca the bishoppes and chapters of Merz Thoul and Verdun the Abbot of Gozzo the signior of Sedan the Earle of Mirande Prouided alwaies that the consent which the catholike King giue to the comprehension of the Earles of East-Friseland bee without any preiudice to the right which the catholike King pretends to their countries as in like manner the defences rights and exceptions of the sayd Earles against it shal be reserued all with declaration that the sayd catholike King may not directly nor indirectly by himselfe nor by any others molest them And if the catholike King pretends any thing against them hee may pursue it by lawe before competent Iudges and not by force in any sort whatsoeuer 33. And there shal be also comprehended in this present treaty all others which by common consent of the sayd Kings may bee named so as within sixe monethes after the publication of this treatie they giue their letters of declaration and bond as is requisite in that case 34. And for the greater assurance of the peace and of all points and articles contained therein this treaty shal be veryfied proclaimed and registred in the court of Parliament at Paris and in all other Parliaments of the realme of France and chambers of accounts of the said Paris as in like manner it shal be proclaimed verefied and registred in the great councel and in al the courts and chambers of accounts of the sayd catholike King in his Netherlands after the same manner as it is contained in the treatie of the yeare 1559. whereof expeditions shal be giuen of either side within three monethes after the publication of this present treaty Which points and articles aboue mentioned and comprehended with all that is contained in euery of them haue beene treated accorded past and promised by the deputies in the names aboue mentioned The which by vertue of their commissions haue promised and do promise vpon bond of all the present and future goods of their said Maisters that they shal be by them inuiolably entertained obserued and accomplished and also that they shall deliuer one vnto an other autenticall letters signed and sealed whereas all this present treatie shal be set downe word for word and that within one moneth after the date of these presents in regard of the most christian King the Cardinal the Archduke and the duke of Sauoy which Archduke shall promise to procure the like letters of ratification from the catholike King within three monethes after And moreouer the deputies haue and doe promise in the sayd names that the letters of ratification of the most christian King Cardinal and Duke beeing made The said most christian King Cardinal and Duke shall sollemnly sweare vpon the crosse the holie Gospel and canon of the masse vpon their honors in the presence of such as it shall please them to depute to obserue and fulfil fully really and faithfully the contents of the said articles and the like oth shal be made by the catholike King within three monethes after or when he shal be required In witnesse of which things the sayd deputies haue subscribed this present treatie in their names at Veruin the twelfth of May in the yeare 1598. The Cardinal Albertus of Austria to whom the Infanta of Spaine was promised and had beene of a long time appointed
dueties in all they may do for the aduancement of the German estate And we haue in like manner written vnto the generall Estates of the vnited prouinces That for their parts they should depart out of the limits of the empire and forbeare to attempt any thing against it the which is to be hoped By reason whereof wee that are seated vpon the Rhine by the knowledge which is giuen vs of these disorders are forced openly and without dissimulation to beseech your imperiall Maiestie to interpose your authoritie after full information of all That it would therefore please your imperiall Maiestie whereunto wee know you are wholly inclined to seeke to pacifie these dangerous inconueniences and to remember how earnestly and with what zeale the generall Estates of the empire did propound it and intreated you at the last diet at Ratisbone as also that the voluntarie contributions were not graunted to any other end but to preuent all courses passages lodging and spoyles And that against such violences your imperiall Maiestie should vse authoritie that the holy empire fall not into contempt to haue abandoned the countrey to the spoyle of strange souldiers and that beeing sodainely surprised it should come to ruine and desolation but that it would please him to deale so by mild meanes as these poore afflicted countries may bee freed from their intollerable miseries And besides that all the other prouinces of the empire may bee preserued and assured from such inuasions And as wee remember that your imperiall Maiestie and the generall Estates of the empire had an intent heretofore to send embassadours to both parties that make warre wee would now make the same prayer and instant request and will most humbly beseech your imperiall Maiestie not to neglect it but to seeke by all meanes to suppresse such extraordinarie insolencies hoping that God will put to his blessed hand and send vs a more happie season than we haue hitherto had and that therby there may follow a good peace as wel for the holy empire as for the two parties that make warre The which for the care wee haue of the good and quiet of the empire wee could not forbeare to shew vnto your imperiall Maiestie with all humilitie hoping you will not take it in ill part but rather will excuse vs by reason of the importance of the cause and that of your imperiall clemencie you will prouide for this publike mischiefe so as the poore countries afflicted may bee relieued and eased that the generall reputation of the holy empire may bee kept to the protection of those prouinces that depend thereon And seeing that the Estates of the circle of Westphalia by vertue of the imperiall constitutions haue required vs and the princes electors of the vpper circle of the Rhine to assemble our selues on the tenth day of Ianuarie nextcomming in the citie of Cologne to resolue vpon these important affaires Wee therefore most humbly beseech your imperiall Maiestie that you would bee pleased at the same time and place to send if it be possible your Maiesties gratious resolution or declare if that wee with the aforesayd circles may not aduise and seeke by all possible meanes to diuert this mischiefe And in case wee may not haue this charge and commission and that a more ample declaration from the holy empire bee required that it would please you to aduise the deputies of the deputies of the sayd Estates in case they bee required by them that are oppressed or others to call vnto their succours or counsell the other circles and giue charge to the deputies touching that matter for the next assemblie wherein your imperiall Maiestie shall doe a worke worthie of his clemencie the which may serue for the assurance and quiet of the afflicted countries and of all those of the Empire Praying God c. In the meane time and before these letters were sent vnto the emperour M. Charles Nutzel seigniour of Sonderspuhel commissioner and counsellor to his imperiall Maiestie being come by his commission to preserue the countrey of Cleues to haue all things restored and to treat of the dukes mariage with the princesse of Lorraine he writ vnto the admirall the last of October from Cleues By the which hee complained That according vnto the promise which he had made vnto him in the towne of Gueldres to restore the towne of Orsoy to the duke that was lord thereof within ten twelue or twentie daies at the most and that after he had taken the towne of Rhineberck all his troupes should bee sent out of the countrey yet hauing trusted too much vnto his promises and the word of a prince hee found himselfe circumuented and deceiued hauing receiued nothing but words full of ayre and seene the effects full of hostilitie reproaching him that hee had gone in person from one towne vnto another ransoming them some for great summes of money others for victuals and munition the which hee sayd hee had seene with his eyes Being a question how this will bee taken by the emperor in whose name he said he remained there to preserue the countrey and not onely of the other princes of the empire but of all Europe whom it doth concerne in generall the which they may easily conceiue who hauing their lands and iurisdictions thus afflicted would gladly see them freed and assured hereafter That the houses of Cleues and Lorraine were now presently allyed by mariage and that of Lorraine with the crowne of France besides other alliances with other neighbor princes all which will be amazed and great wounds which are not yet well cured will be reuiued all which being well affected as he said vnto the Spaniards be brought into consideration That now a Catholike prince who with all his meanes with a Catholike zeale hath preserued and maintained the Catholike Religion should bee in that sort troden vnder foot yea in a manner deuoured quicke when as leauing the enemie at rest they come and powre out all the discommodities of warre vpon the kings owne kinsmen when as churches are abused religious women forced and all that was consecrated vnto God prophaned when as they offer force and violence to embassadours who by the lawes of nations should bee free and assured as it is said did happen vnto other embassadours of the duke descending downe the Rhine to come vnto the towne of Cleues who would not say but as this tends chiefely to the preiudice and contempt of religion and of that which doth most concerne the honour and reputation of the house of Austria the which according to the saying of Hystorians through mildnesse and sinceritie haue beene happie in their enterprises and successe procuring with all their meanes the which not friends onely but enemies will confesse that they might not bee taxed to haue raysed or mannaged an vniust warre to blemish them and to make them odious and contemptible to all the world And not onely to prouoke the wrath and vengeance of God against
break the league and friendship that hee found his kingdome to haue made with them neither was it for him to censure the errours and faults of the Estates if there were any nor to make answere for them shewing him further that hee was not restrained by the contract from giuing audience vnto any of their seruants in what quality or howsoeuer they would name him leauing that to their discretions and that he would shew himselfe vnto them as he had been accustomed to doe and that it was no wonder if hee followed the example of other princes who would not doe any thing that was inconuenient and not beseeming their mutuall friendship who had already receiued their seruants by the names of embassadors and sent theirs vnto them with the like titles With which answere the Spanish embassador contented himselfe This yeare in May Peter Ernest earle of Mansfeld gouernour of Luxembourg died in the Netherlands a man who in his life time had been in many honorable employments and for that he was one who had managed many causes in the Netherlands I thought it fit to make a briefe relation of his life He was borne in the yeere 1517 and brought vp in the court of Ferdinando king of the Romanes and afterwards emperour at 18 yeres of age in the yeare 1535 he was with the emperour Charles the 5 at the siege of Thunis and was caruer to the emperour in the yeare 1543 he came into the Netherlands and commaunded a company of horse before Landresie in the yeare 1544 he was made lieutenant colonel of 1000 horse vnder the baron of Brederode and had a company of 200 horse for himselfe in the yeare 1545 he was made gouernour of the dukedome and earledome of Chiny and Namur in the yeare 1546 he was made knight of the order of the golden fleece Not long after in the French warres hee ouerthrew 1200 French foot and horse hauing but 50 horse in the foreward of the emperours army before Aspremont and afterward tooke the said castle of Aspremont in the yere 1552. being sent by Marie queene of Hongarie regent of the Netherlands as Generall of the army into Fraunce he tooke the townes of Astenay Montfalcon Grenu Pree and others after that being in the towne of Iocoy he was besieged and wounded and the towne being taken he was led prisoner into France where he remained fiue yeares and in the yeare 1557 he was set free vpon a great ransome The same yeare he was sent embassador from the emperour to an assembly of the princes in Germany Hee was made marshall ouer the Dutch regiments before Saint Quintins where in that battaile he gaue the first charge and ouerthrew the enemy where he was twise shot in the thigh some hold opinion that if he had not been the battaile had not been giuen nor yet won in the yeare 1558 he was marshal of the field in the king of Spaines armie before Dourlans where the king of Spaine was himselfe in person In the yeare 1565 he was sent by the king of Spain with a sleet of ships into Portugall to fetch the prince of 〈◊〉 bride from Lisbon whom he brought into the Netherlands In the yeare 1566 in the beginning of the troubles in the Netherlands he was by the duchesse of Parma made gouernour of Brussels and was a meanes to moderat the said troubles In the yere 1567 he pacified 〈◊〉 troubles in Antuerpe and continued gouernor there vntill the comming of the duke of Alua after which time he did conuey the duchesse of Parma vnto Plaisance in Italie In the yeare 1569 he was sent into France by the king of Spaine to aid the French king against the Huguenots where he won great honour at the battaile of Montcounter where he had his right arme lamed In the duke of Aluaes time he had the charge of 2000 horse in Luxembourg when as the prince of Orange was before Berghen in Henault In the great commanders time he was marshall of the campe and commanded ouer 2000 horse at such time as Lodouike earle of Nassau was slaine at Mockerheide In the time of the Estates gouernment he was with others of the counsell of estate taken by the tumultuous people and committed to prison where he remained fiue moneths with great hazard of his life beeing in danger to bee murthered by the multitude In Dom Iohn of Austria's time when as a peace was made and the Spaniards to depart out of the Netherlands he had charge to conuey a great number of them into Italy After that the peace being broken he tooke part with Dom Iohn and so continued vntill his death In the prince of Parma's time he was marshall of the field at the siege of Mastricht and after that he went with some troups into Gueldres then he was sent into Henault and made gouernour of Arthois Henault Ryssel and Douay vntill that the prince of Parma had performed the contract made with them where he tooke Cortrick the castle of Quesnoy Mortaigne Saint Amant c. In the said duke of Parma's time hee was sent thrice to field and tooke Bouchain Niuelles Villeuoorden c. Hee was with the duke of Parma at the siege of Antuerpe and did helpe to recouer Coesteins dike from the Zeelanders who had taken it from the duke of Parma He was twice chosen lieutenant gouernour and generall of the Netherlands and of Bourgoigne and was gouernor generall after the duke of Parma's death wherein he continued by commission from the king of Spaine vntill the comming of Ernestus archduke of Austria after whose death in the yeare 1594 he was againe made gouernour for a time And in the yeare 1597 vnder cardinall Albertus gouernment he was made marshal of the field the which he did execute although he had beene gouernour himselfe Being very old he retired himselfe into his gouernment of Luxembourg and there dyed being 87 yeares old His bodie was buried in his chappell by the old cloister of Saint Francis in the towne of Luxembourg He maried with Marguerite daughter to the baron of Brederode by whom he had three sonnes and one daughter the first was Charles earle of Mansfeldt a gallant souldier who dyed in Hongarie seruing vnder the emperour against the Turke without issue His second sonne was slaine in a quarell betwixt him and the vicont of Gant The third sonne was Octauius earle of Mansfeldt who was slaine before Knodsenbourg sconce His daughter maried against his will with Palimedes bastard to Rene of Chalon earle of Nassau who was slaine before Saint Desir and in his mothers right was called prince of Orange and of Chalon This Palimedes had two sonnes both which serued vnder the archduke the one dying of a wound which he had receiued and the other being a colonell was in suit with the bastard son of Peter Ernest earle of Mansfeldt touching the inheritance This yeare during the winter time the prouinces vnder the archduke sought to haue
apprehend their forces for that you haue not to do with the Duke of Alua with Don Iohn nor the Duke of Parma whose wise conduct experience in armes diligence and fortune was to bee feared whome you neuerthelesse haue valiantly withstood but with yong and vnexperienced Commanders and Leaders vnder whose gouernment you may already marke an alteration in the enemies marshall discipline and counsels and consequently in his proceedings whereas to the contrary you are blest of God with such a generall of your Armie as you neuer had before whose seruice the Empire of Rome requireth against the Turke and such a one as the King of Spaine with all his treasure although it were ten times greater cannot equall You haue the fauour and good will of all neighbour Princes and Potentates who although they aide you not with open armes yet they wish your good for the feare they haue of the Spaniard so as all furtherance is on your side The enemies Prouinces lye open to you and yours by meanes of the riche water land and strong townes shutte from them His hauens in Spaine Indies Brasilia and America are knowne vnto you and easily to bee sayled vnto so as at your pleasures you can enterprise any thing against them but hee hath prooued and tryed that your Hauens and Sea-townes need not to care for his fleetes Sea-faring meanes for money experience of the warres and authoritie are increased amongst you and decayed with him your cause the longer the more it is fauoured his from yeare to yeare is worse because hee incenseth first one and then another as not many yeares since hee did vppon the Lords of the Empire Besides all this you are to put your trust in the equitie of your cause and in Gods fauour who here-to-fore hath sundry times assisted you in greater necessitie whom you besides incurring the shame and disgrace of all the world both to you and your posteritie shall offend and make him with-drawe his fauours from you if that forgetting his benefits and distrusting his fauour now without cause either to spare your purses or vpon an immagined further rest and ease you will leaue and forsake his word and true religion as the Gargasens because of their Swine intreated Iesus Christ to depart out of the countrie for that as God and Belial cannot agree together so cannot you by meanes of the true religion at this time obtaine a peace with the King of Spaine the Arch-duke Albertus and the Infanta whome I place all in one degree but through your valiant resolution and continuance in armes you now remaine assured of religion and your freedome and in time are also to hope of a good peace with Spaine and all his friends no lesse then that which the Switzers obtained from the house of Austria where-vnto God almightie send you his grace with wise counsell and mutuall loue and vnitie And you Romish Catholikes amongst whome I know that there are many that wish and desire the freedome of your natiue countrie bee not perswaded that in regarde of your religion your burthens and charges vnder the Spaniards gouernment shall bee any thing diminished for there will bee still some cause of offence found against them that haue any thing to loose as beeing friends and wel-willers to Protestants were it onely but for that they haue not done their indeuours made resistance nor borne armes against their neighbours and kinsmen This is the crime of omission for the which the whole nation of the Netherlands were condemned by the King and the Spanish Inquisition and the execution thereof committed to the Duke of Alua as the Histories written by Catholikes themselues in honor of the King sufficiently declare This is that which Vergas President of the bloudie councell in the Duke of Aluas time sayd Heretici fraxerunt templa Boni nihil fecerunt contra ergo debent omnes patibulare that is The heretickes brake downe the Churches the good did not seeke to hinder nor let them and therefore they must all bee hanged For these reasons Iohn Baptista Taxis in Anno 1595. wrote vnto the King from Brussels that his Maiestie ought by no meanes to consent by any contract of peace that the Spanish garrisons should depart out of the countrie for that it would bee a blemish to his authoritie for sayd hee your Maiestie cannot build vpon those of the Catholike religion in regard that deuotion is onely found amongst a few old men and women which cannot fight the rest will altogether thrust their heads into one hood And although Taxis had not so plainly shewed this distrust which is had of you vnto the King and his counsell yet the deeds themselues declare it for all the world knowes that the Noblemen of the Netherlands notwithstanding their reconciliation with the King are not trusted but with hearts griefe must see yea and frette that the Spaniards are preferred not onely to bee Councellors but to the highest dignities to gouernment and other preserments and they despised reiected and badly dealt withall It preuailed Lamorall Earle of Egmont nothing at all that hee laboured to chase away the Preachers and that in all things hee shewed himselfe to bee a deuoute Catholike for notwithstanding all this hee lost his head His sonne who to winne more credit with the Spaniards openly sayd that his Father had his iust rewarde being in prison was despised and after long imprisonment was at last hardly released by the King in exchange with a Gentleman called Mounsieur la Noue and others likewise were released by the like vnequall exchange And when as the Baron De Selles Champigni the Bishop of Ypre and the Lord of Auchi were prisoners to the Estates the Duke of Parma was so slowe in seeking their deliuerie as the Barron De Selles dyed in prison with melancholie and griefe complaining that he and his brother the Barron De Noircarmes seruices were badly rewarded The Barron Van Hese was beheaded vpon a surmised crime many others were made away here and there in diuers places as Vrias was and little lamented Charles Earle of Mansfield had such strong Pepper giuen him by the Spaniards that hee left the Kings seruice in the Netherlands and went to serue against the Turke in Hungarie where hee dyed It is needlesse to rehearse many examples you see before your eyes how that they of Antwarpe Gant and other places haue gotten nothing by liuing like faithfull Catholike subiects vnder the King for that notwithstanding they must bee slaues to the Spanish nation and beare the intollerable abuses wrongs molestations iniuries of the Spanish garrisons yet their complaints cannot be heard nor any iustice done vpon the offenders which may serue for an example and fore-warning vnto all Catholiks that haue dwelt in the vnited Prouinces vnder the command of hereticks as the Spaniards Iesuits call them what good intertainment they were to expect if the Spaniards were absolute maisters yet they haue a strōger