both to him and his Kingdom Philip King of Spain seemed forsooth at first to disapprove and disswade it but it was observed by the wiser sort that he was not reall in the business as promising much and performing little yea and somtimes instantly denying his promises Thuan. lib. 65. 2. King Philip of Spain by his Emissaries the Jesuits deterred Henry successor to Sebastian aforesaid as well by menaces as other perswasions from his purpose of subrogating John Duke of Braganzia in his place in respect of his age howbeit all the Nobility of Portugall favoured the said Duke yea and he also wrote Letters to the common people of Lisbon to debauch them and gain them to himself which he at length in his Npehew Anno 1640 atchieved Thuan. lib. 65. sub finem 3. None have ever more sharply resisted free election for want of Male-issue and in a dubious right of succession to the Crown of Portugall then King Philip and his adherents Thuan. lib. 69. 4. Philip by Ferdinand of Castile deterred Henry King of Portugall from marriage that by his dying a Batchelour he might more easily come to the Crown of Portugal Thuan lib. 69. 5. Thuanus saith that Philip intended to prosecute his right to the Kingdom of Portugall by way of Arms as putting more confidence in his might then in his right or in the opinions of his Lawyers 6. Philip made many large promises to King Henry and the Portuguezes by the Duke of Ossuma his Embassadour to make him King which afterwards were not half performed Thuan. lib. 69. 7. Whilst the suit was still depending and King Henry yet living King Philip armed himself against Portugal which Henry perceiving began to boggle as being perswaded by Leo Euric a Jesuit that he would merit heaven if he would appoint Philip for his Successour Thuan. lib. 69. 8. The matter being come to blowes Philip referred the businesse to the Divines the Jesuits and the Franciscans to be discust at leasure A fine way of proceeding and proving his cause For they excluding the Popes authority because it was a meer earthly business c. gave their votes for Philip. Thuan. lib. 69. And howbeit the Pope indeed first by Sega his Nuntio and afterwards by Alexander Riario were urgent with Philip to desist from war til the business were composed yet could he effect nothing at all with him See Thuan. lib. 70. Anno 1580. but put off the Conference with various reasons delayes and excuses 10. The Duke of Alva took Cascaio by force and although before it were done the besieged put forth a white Colour and desired a Parley the Spaniards notwithstanding in hope of prey stormed the Town and put Diego de Meneses whom they found there together with Enric Perei ra Governour of the Castle with some others to death Thuan. lib. 70. 11. An. 1581. King Philip of Spain at his coronation gave the Nobility of Portugal a general pardon for what was past but the event answered not their expectation for not onely Antonio Prior Francisco Portugallo Count of Vimioso and Bishop Juan Garda brother to the said Count together with fifty more principal men of the contrary faction and all religious men were excluded from it Thuan. lib. 73. 12. Philip readily granted the Portuguezes all such of their requests as were of almost no moment but such as were of any concernment he either flatly denied or answering them ambiguously in the margine eluded Thuan. lib. 73. In the same manner he also denied the requests of the Nobility 13. How Philip gul'd the demands of such of the Portuguezes as had rendred him faithfull service in the acquest of the Crown Thuan teaches lib. 75. saying That either the Kingdom of Portugal in right belonged to him and then they were bound in justice to help him get it or not and so they were traytors to their own Countrey but whethersoever it were of both he owed them nothing and that it ought to suffice them that he had given them their lives 14. How inexorable and severe Philip shewed himself to some sacred persons who were against him in his acquisition of Portugal see by the Letters above Chap. 2. for two thousand of them perisht in that war Thuan lib. 72. 15. Immediatly after Philip got the Kingdome of Portugall he utterly outed the Portuguezes and preferred Spaniards in the government thereof Whereupon Thuan. lib. 78. Anno 1583. It troubled the Portuguezes that Francisco Villefanga a Castilian and not a Portuguez was made high Treasurer of Portugall 16. Michael de Vasconcellis the Spanish Kings Secretary shewed himself so proud and insolent in the said Kings Councell at Lisbon that he forbore not to strike some prime persons who came to him upon businesse Others of the chiefe Nobility he condemned and sent to the Gallies and used other insolencies Ex Relationibus Portugalliae Anno 1640. 17. Comines neer the end of his fifth Book of the Neapolitan warre sayes that the Spaniards do naturally hate and contemn he Portuguezes CHAP. IX The Praevarications of the Spaniards against the Low Countreys TIme the greedy Readers expectation require me now to return out of forraign parts into our Low Countreys and shew what things have been cruelly perfidiously trecherously and lecherously both done suffered then by the Spaniards before and after this war which hath already been begun and with no lesse variety then heat and courage of the parties contending continued since the year 1566. But in regard there is so great a cloud and bulk of them that one my sooner grasp the sky in ones hand then relate them either with tongue or pen Besides that there be many other Authors extant of both Religions who have collected them with as much faith as care and have inserted them in their Histories according to the series of years I will forbear to tire my pen with setting them down There are few who have not seen the History of Emanuel Metterano together with the continuation of William Baudert written in Low-Dutch as also the Relations of P. Boorn of the same War besides the History of Eberhard Raid to be silent of the noble Historian Jacobo Augusto Thuano the Livies of the French Kingdom by whom both the beginning and successe of the Low-Countrey-war are written with great elegancy and integrity where we may also see what plots were contrived against the Noblemen and especially against them of the house of Orange both Father Son how many Towns taken and miserably plundred and the Inhabitants more then barbarously treated how many rebellions raysed by the Spanish Souldiers and how miserably the subjects and Citizens especially they of Antwerp and Mecklin were abused and pillaged yea how many thousands died by the Hangmans hands excluding such as perisht in the warres To which may also be added the Martyrology of Corvinus and the Apologie of the Prince of Orange besides the speech of Ansellus to the German Princes together with other Apologetick writings
The KING of SPAINS Cabinet Councel Divulged OR A DISCOVERY of the PREVARICATIONS of the SPANIARDS With all the Princes and States of Europe for obtaining the Universal Monarchy LONDON Printed by J. H. for J. S. and are to be sold by Simon Miller at the Star in St Pauls Church-yard 1658. The Contents of the severall Chapters CHap. 1. The hatred of the Spaniards towards the Protestants and their Religion pag. 1 Chap. 2. The prevarications of the Spaniards in order to the Pope and his Elections pag. 9 Chap. 3. The prevarications and excesses of the Spaniards towards the rest of the Catholicks pag. 17 Chap. 4. Of the Spanish Inquisition pag. 24 Chap. 5. The prevarications of the Spaniards against the Empire pag. 30 Chap. 6. The prevarications of the Spaniards against the Kings and Kingdom of France pag. 40 Chap. 7. The prevarications of the Spaniards against the Kings and Kingdom of England pag. 48 Chap. 8. The prevarications of the Spaniards against the King and Kingdom of Portugal pag. 54 Chap. 9. The prevarications of the Spaniards against the Low Countries pag. 59 Chap. 10. The prevarications and excesses of the Spaniards against the Kingdom or Principate of Catalonia pag. 62 Chap. 11. The prevarications of the Spaniards against the Kingdom of Aragon pag. 69 Chap. 12. The prevarications against the Kingdom of Naples pag. 73 Chap. 13. The prevarications of the Spaniards against Italy and the Common-wealths thereof pag. 77 Chap. 14. The prevarications of the Spaniards against other Kingdoms pag. 80 Chap. 15. The Spaniards ardent desire of Monarchy and rule pag. 87 Chap. 16. The Ambition Arrogance boasting and scorn of the Spaniards pag. 94 Chap. 17. The Spaniards perfidious violation of Leagues and Promises pag. 97 Chap. 18. The Spaniards Hypocrisie and Dissimulation pag. 101 Chap. 19. The ingratitude of the Spaniards toward such as oblige them pag. 104 Chap. 20. What the Spanish succours are pag. 110 Chap. 21. The tricks of the Spaniards in contracting Marriages pag. 114 Chap. 22. The hatred of the Spaniards towards the Germans pag. 117 Chap. 23. How the Spaniards treat and keep peace pag. 120 Chap. 24. The Briberies and pecuniary Corruptions of the Spaniards pag. 123 Chap. 25. The Spaniards are Murtherers pag. 126 Chap. 26. The Cruelty and promiscuous Tyranny of the Spaniards pag. 129 Chap. 27. The Cruelties and Barbarities of the Spaniards in America pag. 132 Chap. 28. The rapacity avarice lust adultery and other vices of the Spaniards pag. 137 Chap. 29. Other Arts and Tricks of the Spaniards to work their designes pag. 145 Chap. 30. The various Apothegmes and Observations concerning the Spaniards pag. 151 The Conclusion pag. 157 Courteous Reader These Books following are printed for or sold by Simon Miller at the Star in St Pauls Church-yard In Folio THe Civil Warres of Spain in the Reign of Charls the 5th Emperor of Germany and King of that Nation wherein our late unhappy differences are paralleld in many particulars A general History of Scotland from the year 767 to the death of King James The History of this Iron Age. Dr. Lightfoot his Harmony of the N. Testam In large Quarto John Barckley his Argenis Translated by his late Majesties special command The Prose by Sir Robert le Grise The Posie by Tho. May. In Quarto The Harmonious consent and Confessions of Faith of all the Protestant Reformed Churches professed in all the Kingdoms Nations and Provinces of Europe published with Authority to prevent the spreading of Errors and Heresies Camdens Remains concerning Britain with many choice Additions by W. D. Gent. Christ tempted the devil Conquered being an Exposition on part of the fourth Chap. of St. Mathews Gospel by John Gumbledon Rector of Coyly in Glamorgan Abrahams faith or the good old Religion proving the Doctrine of the Church of England to be the only true faith of Gods Elect By J. Nicholson Minister of the Gosp The Anatomy of Mortality by George Stroad Aynsworth on the Canticles Paul Bayne his Diocesans Trial. The Supream Power of Christian States and Magistracy vindicated from the insolent pretences of Gulielmus Apolonius By E. Gralle A Treatise of Civil Pollicy being a clear decision of 43 queries concerning prerogative right and priviledge in reference to the supreme Prince and the people By Samuel Rutherford Professor of Divinity of St. Andrews in Scotland Politick and Military observations of Civil and Military Government containing the birth increase decay of Monarchies the carriage of Princes and Magistrates Mr. Pinchin his meritorious price of mans Redemption cleared Astrology Theologized shewing what nature and influence the Stars and Planets have over men and how the same may be diverted and avoided Large Octavo The Reconciler of the Bible wherein above 2000 seeming contradictions are fully plainly reconciled A view of the Jewish Religion with their Rites Customes and Ceremonies The History of England Illustrated with the Lively Effigies of all the Kings and Queens since the Conquest Small Octavo Ed. Waterhouse Esq his Discourse of piety and charity A view and defence of the Reformation of the Church of England very usefull in these times Mr. Peter du Moulin his Antidote against Popery published on purpose to prevent the delusions of the Priests and Jesuits who are now very busie amongst us Herberts Devotions or a Companion for a Christian containing Meditations and prayers useful upon all occasions Mr. Knowles his Rudiment of the Hebrew Tongue A Book of scheams or figures of heaven ready set for every four minuits of times and very usefull for all Astrologers Florus Anglicus or an exact History of England from the reign of William the Conqueror to the death of the late King Lingua or the Combat of the Tongue and the five Senses for Superiority a serious Comedy The Spirits Touchstone being a clear discovery how a man may certainly know whether he be truly taught by the Spirit of God or not The Poor mans Physician and Chirurgeon Duodecim Doctor Smith's Practice of Physick The Grammer Warre Poselius Apothegms Faciculus Florum Crashaw's Visions Drexelius School of Patience Helvicus Colloquies The Christian Souldier his combat with the three arch enemies of mankinde the world the flesh and the devil In 24. The New Testament The third part of the Bible FINIS The Causes of the Publick Hatred of the King of Spain and the Spanish Nation CHAP. I. The hatred of the Spaniards towards the Protestants and their Religion TO shun the suspition of fancying to write Iliads after Homer I will not now make a large Martyrologie which of it self were enough to fix a Title to this Chapter nor will I compile Histories of the Belgick or Low-Country War especially of that which was waged by the Duke of Alva for those are both sufficiently known and there is store of them to be had This I shall only say and this for their sakes who think the Spaniards will prove milder to them because they imagine to themselves that they are
howbeit they had made peace and league with Charles the eighth yet by privat dispatches of letters and Agents to all parts and especially to Venice they brake it and instantly made war upon the French as Comines testifies lib. 5. belli Neapolitani p. 926. 23. An. 1614. Francisco Suarez a Spanish Jesuit set forth a scandalous Book against the State of the kingdomes of England France which was publickly burnt at Paris by order of Parliament howbeit the said Book was set forth by the approbation of Joan Alvarez Provincial of that Society CHAP. VII The Praevarications of the Spaniards against the Kings and Kingdom of England VVE have staid long enough in a continent let us now passe the Sea and see whether the King of Spain have shewn himself more faithfull to the English then to the French and others Not a whit Read what follows and you will find with me that a Wolf is every where a Wolf Attempts against Q Elizabeth and would as well take and devour the markt as unmarkt sheep And to begin with Queen Elizabeth it cannot be denied but that the Spaniard used all possible means to deprive her both of her kingdom and of her life Thuan testifies lib. 44. Anno 1569. that Mary Queen of Scots by the instigation of the Spaniards and others endeavoured to innovate things in England and to that end Rudolphus Robertus came into England to solicite the English to disloyalty and promise them great matters from the Pope and the King of Spain and he was employed by the Queen as her chief Minister and Assistant 2. That the Spanish Ministers by their Emissaries the Jesuits induced the Duke of Norfolk Anno 1572. to undertake dangerous designes against Queen Elizabeth was not doubted of by the wiser sort of those times yea and he was brought to lose his head for it Hist Belg. 3. In the year 1601. the King of Spain by the instigation of Garnet Robert a Jesuit endeavoured to trouble affairs in England but that enterprize being detected vanisht into smoak Metteranus lib. 27. 4. That the King of Spain did direct all his enterprises that by the Jesuits he might molest the affairs and innovate Religion in England so many reiterated designes but most of them being frustrated the writing made against the Jesuits in England 1602. in which among other titles they have this name that they are the King of Spains Trumpeters I cannot forbear to speak of that stupendious Fleet which was sent against England and the Queen Anno. 1588. 5. The King of Spain trecherously thinking to destroy Queen Elizabeth and to possesse himself of the English Nation provided a mighty Navy consisting of one hundred and thirty ships where of Galeasses and Galleons seventy two goodly ships like to floating Towers in which were Souldiers 19290. Mariners 8350. Gally slaves 2080. great Ordnance 2630. On the twentieth of May they weighed Anchor from the River Trigas but were by tempest so miserably disperst that it was long ere they met again But they sent before to the Prince of Parma that he with his Forces consisting of fifty thousand old Souldiers should be ready to joyn with them and with his shipping to conduct them into England and to land his Army at the Thames mouth But God so ordered that partly by distresse of weather and partly by the valour of the English they were driven back with infinite loss and disgrace 6 Fontano a Spaniard with a vast sum of money to wit 50000 Pistols corrupted Doctor Lopez to poyson Queen Elizabeth as the said Lopez himself together with Emanuel Ludovicus Tinotius Stephanus Errera freely confest Thuan. lib. 109. 7. Ibarra attempted the same plot upon the said Queen by Edmond of York Cousin german to him who perfidiously betrayed the Fort of Zutphan to the enemy as also by Richard Williams besides another youth and other complices for which he promised them 40000 Pistols 8. Anno 1601. the Spaniards were brought into Ireland by Hugh Earle of Tiron but were but scurvily entertained there Thuan. lib. 125. 9. When in the year 1603. certain Engglish were taken and executed for a conspiracy against the King Carolus Ligneus Count of Aremberg who was then Embassador there from the Archduke Albert was suspected to have conspired with them Thuan. lib. 129. 10. The King of Spain not long after the death of Mary Queen of Scots ordered the Duke of Parma then Governor of the Low Countries to promise in his name the King of Scotland both men and mony against the Queen of England thereby the more easily to revenge his mothers death And to that end the said Duke sent Robert Bruss a Scotch Gentleman into Scotland with a great deal of money Besides that the Scotch King was put in hope to marry the Infanta of Spain provided that he embrac'd the Roman Religion which was proposed by one William Crichâ—on who then belonged to the Popes Nuntio and had formerly been Rector sometime of the Jesuits Colledge at Lyons and he endeavoured to perswade Bruss either by force or fraud to kill John Metelan High Chancelor of Scotland and because Bruss abhorred so wicked a fact Crichton accused him to Fontano who clapt him up in prison for fourteen moneths together See Hospinian 11. How cunningly some of the Spanish Emissaries endeavoured to perswade James then King of Scotland and afterwards of England too that it was necessary for him to have a league and friendship with the King of Spain saying that it would much advantage him to have the favour of the Spaniards Thuan. lib. 83. 12. The dangerous designes of the Spaniards by the Jesuits and their Emissaries to destroy both the Queen and Kingdom of England Anno 1596. is described by Thuan and others in the English Complaint to Pope Clement the eighth 13. Divers outrages and Acts of hostility have been committed by the Spaniards against the subjects of England in their Colonies of the West Indies 14 Anno 1605. Certain English men being on the North side of Hispaniola were enticed a shore by a Priest named Father John on promise of secure trading were inhumanly and barbarously murthered by the Spaniards The Master was tied naked to a tree and most cruelly pinched and stung to death 15. An. 1608. The Richard of Plimouth trading to Virginia was assaulted by the King of Spains ships and notwithstandding the Master produced the Broad Seal of England he with all the men were condemned to the Gallies where some were with much cruelty beaten to death 16. With what tricks and juggles the Match in Spain between the late King Charles and the King of Spains daughter was treated prolonged and at last quite eluded is sufficiently known to such as were employed in that business So that Spaniards are every where Spaniards CHAP. VIII The Praevarications of the Spaniards against the King and Kingdom of Portugall WHen Sebastian King of Portugall Anno 1578. resolved to undertake that Expedition into Africa fatall
conceived For to this end were there so many matches proposed for the Infanta Isabel and the Crown of France so impudently as it were put to sale to this end were the seditions raysed in Scotland c. The same craft was used in the Bishop of Strasburghs cause and in the Dutchy of Cleve Gulick and the Imperial Citie of Aquisgrane Ordines ad Ernesti Lit. anno 1594. apud Thuan. lib. 109. 5. The Spaniards hold this as a Delphick Oracle and most infallible prophesie That the last Monarchy shall be fixt in Spain and that for this reason that in regard it came in order from the East to the West out of Asia into Greece and returned for a few years into Asia again under Alexander and his successors at length out of Greece to Rome therefore it necessarily followes that it must be establisht in Spain as being the most Westward of all other Countreys Thuan. lib. 133. 6. The Spaniards for the setling of their Monarchy by warres fraud and other plots destroy as many as are able to oppose them as Anno 1584. when Andino according to most mens opinions was poysoned whereof he being dead the Prince of Orange was also forthwith killed by one hired of the Duke of Parma and the Queen of England aimd at by the same Arts at the same time lib. 79. 7. That the kings of Spain labour for nothing more then by subduing all other Kings and Princes to make themselves Monarchs of the whole Christian world Ancellus teaches in his speech to the Princes of Germany Anno 1597. apud Thuan. lib. 118. 8. At the election of Charles the fifth Anno 1519. one of the Episcopall Electors said That the Spaniards having once gotten the Empire would hardly restore it again to its liberty Sleidanus 9. The Spaniards for the better security of their Monarchy do not only permit but allow and perswade even incestuous marriages lest by the division of kingdoms forsooth their Monarchy should suffer an eclipse Thuan. lib. 107. 10. Moreover for the greater assurance of their said Monarchy they labour to destroy the Noblemen of their Provinces to streighten their priviledges liberties to impose new taxes and to reduce the inhabitants from their old plenty and riches to poverty and misery Ordines Belgici in responsione Schwartzenburgio Legato Caesario data anno 1575. Thuan. lib. 60. 11. Another earnest endeavour of the Spaniards is to take off all free Elections which was done Anno 1570. in the kingdom of Portugal and at present in the election of the Emperours and in the kingdomes of Bohemia and Hungary yea and by the exclusion of the right heirs to advance their own Kings to kingdoms as in the said kingdom of Portugal Thuan. lib. 69. 13. When Philip the second had married his daughter Isabel to the Archduke Albert and had assigned him the seventeen provinces for a portion his son Philip was troubled at it as if he had not had kingdomes enough even without those Provinces which when the Father observed he comforted him saying Quidvis promittas quid enim promittere laedit That he had indeed promised those Provinces but that there were many by-wayes and tricks to be found out to shun the performance Speculum Hisp Tyran in Belgio p. 108. 14. The Duke of Larma heretofore made a speech to an Assembly of the States of Spain in Arragon wherein he told them in most eloquent words That the King of Spain had free power either by right or wrong to get and occupate other kingdomes that so he might come to the long hop'd for Monarchy For it was fâ—r that since there was but one Head namely the Pope in spiritual affairs so there should be also but one namely the King of Spain in temporal and that he was therefore called Catholick because he ought to be the universal Monarch of the world Now the wiser sort do justly conceive these are the words of Ancellus to the Princes of Germany Anno 1597. That the inexpleble covetousnesse of the king of Spain was not to be contained within the limits of the Rhine and that they were reputed his enemies by him whosoever should endeavour to stop or hinder his designe to fix the Monarchy of the whole world in his family Thuan. lib. 118. 15. The Spaniards are so much inflamed with desire of Power that they never fail in all their kings dominions to change their Native Officers and Ministers of the said dominions with all kinds of calumnies and lies to the King till they work him to deprive them of their employments and offices and substitute Castillians in their places which more disgusted the Catalonians then any thing else as may be seen up and down in their complaint anno 1640. where they beseech the king to be more circumspect in this point and especially chap. 34.35 16. Antonio de Leva charged Francisco Sfortia with various grievous calumnies to the Emperour and used all means possible to get him thrown out of the government of the Dutchy of Milan and himself put in his place Paul Jovius lib. 6. Elog. 17. Charles the fifth was excessively earnest with his brother Ferdinand to abdicate the Roman Empire and transfer it upon his son Philip or at least to make him his Deputy of Italy and the Low Countreys But Ferdinand answered him That he was called Augustus or the enlarger of the Empire and therefore he could not grant ought thereof to any other Zniegrefius part 1. Apotheg p. 112. 18. It being asked why the king of Spain had an ambition to be preferred even before the Emperour and answer being made That Europ was like a mans Body and that Spain represented the Head And for this reason the King of Spain would go before the Emperour Livius Fink Graecensis replied If so then Germany wins the day for she is like the Belly and it is clear that the Belly rules all and all obey the Belly Znicgrefius p. 1. Apotheg p. 309. CHAP. XVI The Ambition Arrogance Boasting and Scorn of the Spaniards AS it happened to C. Caesar and Cn. Pompeius that the one could not endure a Superior and the other an Equall so is it also with the Spanish Nation For conceiving themselves only to be Eagles and to fly above the clouds they look upon all others as Dolopes or creepers as they frequently testifie both by their words and deeds When Anno 1579. the difference arose about the Successor to the Crown of Portugall the Spaniards to terrifie the Portuguezes boasted thus That there was no power equall to that of the Spaniards who as often as they had had warres had vanquisht France led the Princes of Germany in triumph put the Turk to flight and freed Maltha from the Barbarians Thuan. lib. 97. 2. King Philip the second after the seizure of Portugall whether justly or unjustly I say not caused money to be coyned with this Inscription Non sufficit orbis Luckius in Nummis p. 279. 3. When the
Spaniards besieged Leyden they said That the starres in the Firmament would be pulled down with ones hand before that Citie would be freed from the siege Olerus in Lauro Nassovica pag. 30. 4. The pride of the Spaniards is such that if they see themselves reduced to streights they will not first ask conditions of peace but seek it by some second or third hand as they did anno 1597. when they suborned the Emperour and he the king of Denmark to move the Princes to a pacification Thuan. lib. 119. 7. A certain arrogant and proud Spanish Count asked a certain Gentleman coming out of the Court what was said of him in Court The other answered Nor bad nor good The Count being angry cudgel'd him and presently after gave him fifty Ducats saying Go thy wayes now to the Court and tell what I have done to thee to wit both bad and good Florista Oratione de gloria The Duke of Alva used to say That he would bring the Low Countrey people to obedience in despight of Heaven and Earth and also that the Sun and Moon should lose their light before hâ— would remit or take off the tax of the tenth penny Metteran And Juan de Vergas that bloody President of the Councell was also wont to say Vergas habet virgas Vergas has Rods. 9. When the Professors of Lovain complained to him for having taken Prince Philip of Orange out of the University and violated the priviledges of the said University he answered Non curamus vestros privilegios Such as himself vvas such was his Latin 10. That Navy vvhich vvas sent against England 1588. the Spaniards termed Invincible and compose these verses upon it alluding to the Queen of England Tu quae Romanas voluisti spernere leges Hispano disces subdere colla jugo Thou who the Roman Lawes scornd'st to obey Shalt learn to bow thy neck to Spanish sway But hese words were indeed but Wind and Smoke 11. The Duke of Alva caused a most magnificent Trophie of Brasse to be set up at Antwerp vvith various Elegies of his own exploits as Thuan describes it lib. 44. Anno 1569. upon vvhich the Duke of Areschots jest may be seen beneath cap. 33. Apotheg 12. The Spaniards after they had so miserably used the Indians were wont to brag that God had given them those victories because they made so just a war against Barbarians and Infidels Bartholomaeus de Casa CHAP. XVII The perfidious violation of Leagues and Promises NO wonder that this vice is common to the Spaniards with the Africans For in regard that they are for the most part their successors they seem to be also heirs of their vices amongst which perfidie was not the least and therefore I have thought fit to shew some examples thereof that so this Chapter may have credit True it is that King Philip sometimes promised the United Provinces pardon for what was past and made proclamation therof but the States being taught by the examples of others were not so credulous as for that reason to lay down Arms or consent to a wily fallacious pacification For so an 1576. Don Juan de Austria feigning conditions of peace vvith the States vvas convicted of fraud by that that amongst the Letters of Hieronymo Rhoda there was found one That he should first court his Countrey-men with fair words and by other means and assistance reduce Holland and Zealand and then he should punish the rebels according to their merit mean while that he should carry himself warily and conceal his design with exquisite Art Thuan. lib. 62. 1. How true and faithfull the Spaniards be to their Associates the case and end of Gomeron may shew whom Fontano cunningly enticed to Brussels cast him his two brothers in prison afterwards beheaded him in the sight of Hanâ—e which Orvilliers would not yeeld up to him without any respect to the Noblenesse of his Family or that he served the Henoticks who yet were most zealous to the Spaniards c. See Thuan. lib. 112. Anno 1595. Nor did they deal much more faithfully with Mercuriano chief Captain after Metuanio of the Legists for they endeavoured by all means to alienate the Nobility from him and force him to live as they pleased Thuan. lib. 113. 7. How the Spaniards have performed their promises to such as had done them any kindnesses the example of the Portuguezes shewes Thuan c. 3. lib. 78. 8. Don Juan de Austria Anno 1577 being put in mind of the Contract made and signed by the States said That the States must shew more prudence then to complain if the Kings interest were advanced by the breach of conditions 9. It is the Spanish Maxime That the promises of Princes made to their rebellious subjects are not binding 10. Lewis the 12. King of France said That the perfidie of the Paenes and Carthaginians was anciently much celebrated but that now the Spaniards sufficiently supplied their places 11. Anno 1577. Don Juan de Austria renewd the pacification of Gant with king Philips Provinces and tooke away the Spanish Souldiers but forthwith brought them back again and so made the later worse then the former And vvhen he resolved to cut off the head of Peter Pan of Mecklin and was informed that it was against the Pacification he answered That the pacification only concerned such as were banished and not such as remained in their Countrey A fine interpretation Speculum Hisp Tyran in Belgio p. 106. 12. Howbeit the Spaniards made a peace with Charles the eighth King of France and many other magnificent promises yet they sent private Letters and Agents to various Princes and chiefly to the Venetians and made war against him not onely by themselves but by others also Comines lib. 5. Bello Neopolitani 13. The Duke of Ossuna the Kings Deputy in the Kingdom of Naples Anno 1617. presumed to maintain 1. That Agreements and Oathes obliged Princes of smaller Countreys to keep them but not his King because forsooth he was the greatest and most potent of the Christian world 2. That all the Kings promises and engagements ought to be accommodated to the resolutions of his Councels and the variations of times 3. That the Kings Ministers were not bound to what the King commanded but to what was advantagious to the King and Kingdom Baudart lib. 38. Anno 1617. CHAP. XVIII The Spaniards Hypocrisie and Dissimulations AS the Spaniards fall short of no nation in the breaking of Promises and Engagements so do they also excell in the Art and skill of Hypocrisie and dissimulation whereof there be many old and modern examples amongst which that great one of Philip the second may be noted who when Anno 1579 he invaded the kingdom of Portugall with his Army and knew well enough notwithstanding what sinister reports went up and down of him not onely in Portugal but even in Italy too finding it fit to indulge Fame a little by a dissimulation very familiar to him as if he
and provide for the Indians there is nothing more sure then that God will most grievously punish if not quite overthrow Spain Thus writes thinks and foretels a Spaniard of the Spaniards And his authority ought to be so much the greater in regard he was an eye and not an eare witnesse thereof 9. Thomas Campanella in the last Chapter of his Discourse of the Spanish Monarchy copiously complains of the tyranny avarice and cruelty of the Spaniards in both the Indies CHAP. XXVIII The rapacity avarice lust adultery and other vices of the Spaniards POpe Julius the second was wont to call the Spaniards Volucres coeli Birds of Heaven alluding to their pride and ambition to outstrip and soar above all others But since he was pleased to call them Birds why did he not rather name them Stymphalidas or Harpyes since the rapacity theevishnesse and greedinesse of that Nation is so well known by extruding lawful heirs from their kingdoms and unjustly and violently invading seizing and impoverishing them By contaminating all things sacred profane private and publick and hooking them into their clutches Witnesse the Kingdomes of Naples Navarre and Portugal besides their rapacities and thefts in the Low-Countries where it is reported by some Historians worthy of credit that the Duke of Alva drew yearly fourscore tuns of gold out of the confiscated Estates besides the ordinary tributes insomuch as that in six years time he extorted 52 millions of gold from those provinces 2. The exaction of the tenth penny upon all vendible commodities sufficiently shewes their greedinesse of gold for when the States so earnestly beseeched the said Duke to forbear that Tax he answered That he would not remit it though all the Low-Countreys were sunk thereby and though Heaven and Earth came together And this was not the last and least cause why the States took Arms and renounced their obedience to the Spaniard Many other examples there are as of the plunder of Antwerp and Mecklin their proceedings in Portugal and the Tercera Islands the new Taxes against the priviledges of the kingdoms of Naples and Sicily and the like which are not necessary to be repeated here in regard they have been cited before in various chapters of this book But amongst other causes of the publick hatred of the Spanish Nation their lusts and promiscuous adulteries are not to be omitted though yet because they may seem to be excused by some by the common example of military exorbitances and in regard also that there be too many of them to be comprized in this short Discourse it shall suffice to remit the Reader to these Authors Thuanus Metteranus Everardus à Raid and others however it will not be tedious to recite some few of those which were committed by them in the Low-Countries 1. Anno 1598. When Don Francisco de Mendoza devasted the Dutchies of Gulick Cleve and Mounts the Spaniards amongst other things plundered the Monastery of Schlehenhorst stript the Nuns crowded them together and ravisht them Thuan. lib. 121. 2. At the same time they bound the Judge of Dussimont in a Cellar and seven Spaniards lay with his wife before his face 8. In the village of Giffick they endeavoured to ravish a Woman with child who when she had long resisted them they thrust a sword into her womb and kild both her and her fruit 4. At Bulcholz they attempted to force the Burgomasters daughter and her father coming to help her they kild him and then tied her to his dead body and ravisht her Ibidem 5. The same Author lib. 66. recounts a generous revenge taken by the daughter of John Milet a Countrey man upon a Spanish Captain who had violated her chastity and instantly after he brings another how a Lawyers daughter revenged her self upon a Spaniard who vitiated her by stabbing him with his own dagger and how at his death he left her his heir 6. How libidinously they carried themseves in the Indies with all sorts of persons yea even with Queens themselves Barth de la Casa shewes at large in Spec. Tyran Hisp The Spaniards are also naturally in respect of other Nations great lovers and cryers up of themselves and contemners of others 1. Thus Pedro Roycio Mauraeo a famous Spanish Poet at that time to wit 1548 being once with Langius a German and king Ferdinands Embassador and hearing his servants waiting at table speak Dutch with a hard and affected kind of tone and pronunciation jeeringly said The Germans do not speak but thunder and turning towards the Embassador I believe quoth he that God out of his indignation made use of this Thunder-bolt when he threw our Forefathers out of Paradise To whom Langius answered And I think it very likely on the other side that the Serpent used this smooth and flattering Spanish tongue when he cheated Eve Mordamus in vita Langii 2. The presentation of the Golden Fleece was studiously and craftily invented by the King of Spain to feed mens vanitie Illicium Thus the Emperour in king Philips name presented Sigismund Bathorius with the Golden Fleece at Prague anno 1567. 3. So great is the insolency of the Spaniards that even in extream necessity they cannot shew their want which the Count of Mont-major in Sicily found with sad experience Anno 1604. For when he was speaking to the vice-king in the behalf of the Sicilians to moderate the exportation of Corn thereby to prevent a scarcity or dearth which he well foresaw was suddenly like to follow the said vice-king took him scornfully up as if he had spoken too sawcily to him and caused him to be killed by his Guards before his face Thuan. lib. 3. an 1604. Many other vices of the Spaniards we have already demonstrated in other chapters of this Book and therefore forbeare to recapitulate them here however it be not amiss to reiterate some few examples of their falshood and juggling in regard that this is the main hinge upon which their most important designs depend 1. It is the Spanish fashion easily to complain of others when themselves are onely guilty as Don Juan de Austria did Anno 1577. when by his Embassador he accused the States of Holland to the Emperour the Electors and the Queen of England that they had not kept the peace when himself had broken it before Thuan lib. 94. 2. Barth de la Casa against Sepuluenda sayes That it is not true that the Spaniards as they write in the Indies converted every year so many thousand men from Gentilism to Christianism But this sayes he is true indeed that the Spaniards since their coming to the Indies have butchered and sacrificed more Indians for avarice and rapacities sake then the Indians had done to their Idols in a hundred years together And that the Spaniards did falsly accuse the poor innocent and simple Indians to the King of such crimes as whereof the most wicked in the world could not be guilty 3. The king of Spain promised Saladin Count of
Isenburgh at the taking of Mounts in Hennault that if he would be ruled by him he would not only make him Archbishop of Colein but that the Citie of Colein her self should settle him as her Lord. But falsly all Fruchchessius in Literis ad Colonienses apud Thuan. lib. 179. 4. A certain Franciscan Fryar to prevail with Ferdinand king of Spain for the expulsion of the Jewes secretly made a Table of lead wrote what he thought good therein touching the said expulsion with threats c. if it were not done hid it in a sacred place and caused it three years after to be digged up by a Comerade of his as if it had been some divine thing and a Prophesie but the king observing the fraud neglected it Majolus in Canicularibus 351. 5. Howbeit envy seem to be a vice of prosperity onely and proper to the rich yet are the Spaniards so much possest with it that it seems to be as it were hereditary to them as Thuan. lib. 75. sayes of the Duke of Alva That he was most ambitious in confidence of his own merits A Detractor of the vertue of others and by the vice of his Countrey contumelious towards other Nations and imperious and severe to such as were just And by and by The envy and hatred of the Duke of Alva sayes he made Charles the fifth deal so ungratefully with Gonzaga Ibid. CHAP. XXIX Other Arts and Tricks of the Spaniards to work their Designes THe other wayes which the Spaniards use for the acquisition of Kingdoms are very many but chiefly six 1. Perswasions to the people and mercenary sermons especially of the Jesuits Thus was it carried in that French League against Henry the third and Henry the fourth and in the acquest of the kingdom of Portugal by the Jesuits 2. Force of Armes 3. Bribes and Corruptions 4. Marriages and Alliances 5. Presentations of the Golden Fleece to various Lords of the Spanish Vnion 6. If they suspect any one to destroy him as they did Egmund Horn and the Battenburghs c. Or if that cannot be done to send him by all means out of their Territories as they intended to do Mansfeldt and Prince Maurice of Orange by making them Generals against the Turk with large praises of their valor and prudence Thuan. lib. 120. 1. The Spaniards ever have and still do take extreamly ill the Confederation of the Swissers with the French and therefore when Henry the fourth Anno 1602. desired to renew it Fontano Governour of Milan moved every stone to hinder it Thuan. lib. 129. 2. It is a very familiar thing with the Spaniards to hinder Leagues and Confederacies thereby to obtain their ends Thus Pedro Guzman Toledo Fontano Vice-king of Lumbardy Anno 1605. to disturb the confederation contracted between the Venetians and the Swissers made severe proclamations at Milan wherby he inconvenienc't the commerce of both and at an appointed place viz. a Rock five miles from Nova-Camo having Clavenna and the Veltelin on each side built a Castle with five Forts Royal and called it by his own name to hinder the importation of Corn to the neighbouring parts yea and he sowed so many seeds of dissention amongst the Swissers that it was like to have proved their utter ruine Thuan. 134. 3. Charles the fifth seeing Genua to be a convenient place as well for other causes as chiefly for the transportation of Forces out of Spain into Italy and therefore intending to fortifie it could never bring Dory either by threats or promises to give way to the building of a Castle in it that is to the putting of a yoak upon his Countrey wherefore he thought fit to take another course to bridle the Citie which was to borrow the Genuezes money which is upon the matter their whole support at what rate they pleased conceiving that thereby he should quickly by degrees draw the wealth of those greedy men to himself and so have the Citie in his debt that is the affections of the Citizens at his disposal Which trick his son Philip in imitation of his fathers example being involved in the Low-countrey war which was hugely expensive used and took occasion to draw vast sums of money of the principall of the Nobility for which he paid huge interest and assigned the chief taxes of the Indies and Spain for the paiment thereof Thuan. lib. 61. 4. Anno 1577. Some letters of Don Juan de Austria to king Philip were intercepted wherein amongst other things they advised him to sow discord between the Gentry and Commonalty of the Low-Countries about Religion and liberty of conscience lib. 64. It was the Maxim of Escovedo and now of the Spaniards in general to breed and cherish dissention amongst the Princes of the world that so since they could not check them altogether they might check them apart 6. The Spaniards permit no Councels or Assemblies amongst their Noblemen because they hold them very prejudiciall to their affairs and therefore they flatly prohibited them to the Lords of the kingdom of Portugal Thuan. lib. 78. Anno 1583. 7. Another of the Spanish practices is to take lawfull heirs out of the Dominions of their ancestors as they did Anno 1583. when Augusta Philips sister under colour of visiting a Monastery of Nuns took away Julian of Lancaster Heiress to the Principate of Avern to the high displeasure of the Portuguezes who conceived themselves by this example to be hurried into a wretched captivity to the Castillians Thuan lib. 78. 8. The Spaniards in the Duke of Alvas time made it their business to provoke the Low countrey men to novelty and war by diminishing and taking away their Priviledges and Immunities yea and they openly boasted that that was the onely thing they aimed at that so they might have a fairer pretext to rifle the goods and estates of the people and destroy Cities and Provinces Spec. Hisp Tyran in Belgio p. 35. Thus the aforesaid Duke stript the Citizens of Vtrick of their priviledges Anno 1571. And thus also did the Spaniards in this age of ours serve the Catalonians c. Status Barcenonenses Catalauni in quer sua Cath. hinc inde imprimis c. 8.12.29 9. The Spaniards if at any time any Commander or Governor of theirs commit any remarkable crime to save themselves lay hold of some poor innocent and undeserving Souldier or other and sacrifice him to the Hangman to satisfie for their wickedness One example wherof is related by Janus Duza Satyra 40 sub finem and the like was also done heretofore in the mutiny at Vtrick and at the firing of Duiburgh in Cleve 10. Thomas Campanella Disc de Monar Hisp c. 14. sayes Care must be taken that the sons of such Lords and Noblemen as live in Kingdomes distant from Spain and under the Spanish Government may have Spaniards to their Tutors to Hispaniolize them in habit manners and customes and when they are grown potent they must be humbled and under pretext of honor be