Ships under the conduct of Captain Matelifen one of the Governors of the Indian Company In the interim Carden whom we mentioned before to be sent to Brasile returned with a very great booty Among the Neighbors although the name of Peace yet continued yet many fierce commotions were believed to tend towards War for the Citizens of Aquisgrane the City having alwaies been coveted by the Dukes of Brabant had new Governors put upon them Imperial Decrees made against them and which then was buried in silence but afterwards was manifested by the confidence of a private League with Albertus all the Ceremonies of the Reformed Religion were both publickly and privately forbidden they who had before born the Office of Magistrates were not onely accused as guilty of Sedition but as being illegally chosen were contumeliously used and fined their Accusers were of the choicest sort and whoever undertook their defence were joyned with them in punishment The Bishop of Colen's Legates to whom the Emperor had given that in command under pretext of Reconciliation publickly declared that profession faulty upon their bended knees and afterwards laied pecuniary mulcts upon all they denounced guilty in the name of costs and charges and upon most the fine exceeded their ability yet if it were not paid part were thrown into Prison others removed their habitations whose Banishment was followed with care and hatred of the Commons against the Great men and pity towards the poor But by how much at the present they were oppressed by so much the more violently they would in the future break out In France besides the rest of the Spaniard's treacheries it was discovered that Monsieur Merarges sent from Narbon to exhibite the desires of that Province to the King had agreed with Don Balthazar Zunica King Philip's Embassador privately for the delivery of Marseilles concerning which he and one Brunelle a Netherlander Secretary to the Embassador were apprehended and with them were taken palpable demonstrations of their Treason When the Embassador required his servant according to the Law of Nations the King on the other side set forth the unworthiness of the fact and how the right belonging to Embassadors was by himself violated The Embassador replied If any thing had been done contrary to friendship that ought not to be attributed to him for the French King contrary to the Peace made at Verbin had openly given assistance to Rebells and the Enemies of the true Religion nor had he onely tempted to corrupt the Counts Heremberg and others in the Netherlands but had stirred up the Moors to invade Spain With which reproof the King being more enraged answered That the Roman Religion was more indebted to him and his ancestors then the Spaniard that being untruly reported to be the cause of the War in the Netherlands because in truth that contest was about Dominion And if he either would pay what money was due to the Hollanders or the French who are a people impatient of ease would in these parts make War under a famous General as in the farther Hungary and with the Archduke how much would that resemble so many treacherous designes intended against Cities and the tempted fidelity of so many great men Then he repeated particulars protesting those things spoken concerning the Moors to be false and confessions extorted by force And if it were unlawfull for him to allure the Count Heremberg and others who were not Low-country-men but Germans to unworthy actions what did they merit who by large promises had drawn away Terral not onely a Subject but a Member of his House and family But these were small matters But if haply an Embassador dived into the secrets of State-affairs by politick means it ought mutually to be dissembled and pardoned but counsells of cruelty and such as tended to the hazard of lives ought by him to be refelled Zunica praising the King of great Britain that although he differed in Religion yet he observed the Peace with great reverence the French King answered Their friendship with the Spaniards was but of a new date but a short time would make appear what it would come to But at last the Embassador was glad to pacify the King's anger which began to break out into threats saying there should be no need thereof as well the vertues as the wisedome of Henry the Fourth being generally known to most men But at last Merarges being brought to condigne punishment the Secretary was restored to the Embassador his Master it being proved to the King that it would be better to repay subtlety with policy then to seek to revenge it by War About this time a horrible Conspiracy was discovered in Britain contrived by some who valued their own safety and fidelity and all Laws both divine and humane less then their Zeal to the Roman Religion for because they could not by Petition obtain liberty for the exercise of their Rites hiding a great quantity of Gunpowder under the Parliament-house they decreed at the first assembling of the Parliament to blow up the King the Prince and the Peers of the Kingdome And the chief Fathers of the Jesuites being consulted with by the authors of the Plot whether it were lawfull in so great a number of guilty persons to destroy some innocent ones they answered that for the great good of the Church some wel-deserving persons might suffer confirming their opinion by an argument of besieged Cities But one of the more consciencious of them admonishing his friend that he should not come to the Parliament at the appointed day the Letter of advice being mistakenly delivered first gave notice of the designe and afterwards the place being found out both the Treason and the Traitor himself were found out Upon knowledge whereof the Conspirators in the farthest parts of Britain broke out into open Rebellion one Oldcorne a Jesuite incouraging those that were afraid lest they judged of the goodness of the cause by one unprosperous event That God did many times deny success to undertakings well approved by himself that he might make trial by adversity of his servants constancy and perseverance But at the very beginning of the same they were apprehended brought to trial and executed Father Garnet also who had formerly attempted many things against Queen Elizabeth being wont highly to extoll the Pope's authority over Kings and Kingdomes that no faith or obedience was due to Princes by him interdicted averring that subjects if they were commanded ought to oppose them with Armes even to the hazard of their lives From whence all in power and authority may learn who neither stand in awe of the Roman Religion nor Fleets nor Armies that they are by Ecclesiastical authority most violent inciters of the common people to Rebellion They added also another pestilent opinion That one might answer to any questions proposed by the Magistrate evasively ambiguously and with mental reservations to that purpose setting forth Books in print which in defence of a lie they inscribed with
some small Villages All the great Guns both from the Ships at Land were levelled at the Castle but afterwards Captain Molly looking at the matter nearer hand reported that there was a passage through the ruines whereupon they violently run on and though beaten back both by shot and fire thrown among them yet they came on afresh Then did Molly seeing one Torry a Spaniard rushing upon him with a Javelin gently avoiding the stroke catch him in his Arms so that they both fell down together upon the ground where as they lay strugling he called to his next Associate bidding him to shoot the Spaniard in the Head while he held him in his Arms striving which was presently dâ—ne yet but seven being able to get into the Castle they were forced to Retreat in which Captain Molly being found with his Thigh broken was by his Companions carryed off though a long time he resisted it crying out that they should again and with greater valour assayl their Enemies their care of him at present being to no purpose for if they took the Castle they might relieve and take him up at their pleasure when by chance a Tower wherein was a quantity of Gunpowder being shot with a Bullet the Powder took fire and destroyed threescore Portugueses In which affright the Assaylants afresh coming on took the Castleâ— The Women and Children fled into the Rocks which were unpasseable by Armed men but all Victuals and Water being stopped from them they were forced to yield and together with the men that survived the taking of the Castle were transported into the Philippines Thus were the Portugalls driven from their Dominion in the Molucca's save only they had yet one small Fort in the Island Timosa The Hollanders gave not only the King of Tideris his life but granted him all his power lead thereto rather for their Honours than Securities sake But He dissembling amity with the Hollanders made a League with the King of Ternata having no other hopes and then continually laid plots which in time he hoped to bring to pass desiring in the interim as the best means to secure the liberty of the Island that the Castle might he demolished which ought rather to have been kept up and augmented At this time also other Ships returned from the Indies which had been sent thither by several Merchants before they were united into one Company nor did they come without good booty for they had intercepted a Carack coming from Machao at the Island Patany which then a Woman Governed who maintaining that the spoyls taken in Her Kingdom belonged to her made the Hollanders divide the prey with Her which afterwards they redeemed again Part of the Indian Commodities especially Silk is brought out of China a potent and flourishing Empire where it hath ever been esteemed a part of Prudence to forbid an entrance to strangers and the Portugalls residing at the utmost Borders thereof by many Policies affrighted that suspicious People advising them not to admit the Hollanders who were valiant and powerful at Sea to come within their Borders but while by the favour of Neighbour Kings a harmless Voyage was sued fot in the interim by the Merchants of China that frequented Java and other places they participated of the same Commerce Moreover the Hollanders sent to the Indies Paul Carden with Eight Ships the Ninâ—h by chance being burned before it went out And lest their Neighbours should seek to convert to their own uses that Commerce which they had gotten with so much labour and defended in the uttermost parts of Asia the United States did by an Edict declare That no Native of Inhabitant should go into those parts either from home or out of other Lands except such as were Commanded by the Indian Company lately erected in Holland wherein all Objections were answered by the necessity thereof and the like Example and afterwards in following times the same Company was much augmented by new Cautions and severe punishments against offenders as any deceitful practices were detected This Year were Celebrated some Solemn Funerals as of Philip Hohenlo one of the Noble Persons among the Hollanders who dyed among them and of John of Nassau who deceased in Germany Hohenlo was a Man well skilled in War and of an undaunted Resolution but of no great fore-sight in Command although during Prince Maurice's Youth he was wont to lead the Forces but when he saw by the Princes maturity that there was no use of Him at length partly with grief and trouble of mind and partly by the Gout caused by two much repletion he had a slow and lingring death which is very grievous to a valiant mind But Nassau dyed of old Age he was Brother to William Prince of Aurange and with Him shared the antient Inheritance of his Predecessors the Prince enjoying all in France and the Netherlands and He what belonged to their Family in Germany He assisted his Brother with Money while the necessity of his Affairs required it and in the greatest distraction of his business he was not wanting in Counsel He was for a time Governour of Gelderland and the chief Authour of the Trajectine League which was in its time exceedingly necessary Afterwards returning to his own Patrimony he was a continual Assistant to his Sons supporting by Arms his Allyes and Friends of whom Count William Governing the Frizons and Count Ernest about that time marryed to the Duke of Brunswicks Daughter only survived the Counts Philip and Lewis dyed in the War nor was his Off-spring at home any whit less of either Sex Now also dyed Justus Lipsius a Man famons for Learning among the Noblest Wits after he had obtained great Renown from the Precepts of Wisdom and the Roman Gravity and also from a new and concise kind of writing perpetuated the same in his publick Narrations of Halle and Aspricoll And whether He deferred or contemned to answer those Books set out against him his Death so soon following hath left questionable however as well the Hollanders as the Netherlanders did not omit to Celebrate the memory of this worthy Person both in Verses and publick Orations About this time also was a Marriage in the Nassavian Family Solemnized between PHILIP Prince of AURANGE and a Virgin Daughter of the Prince of CONDE of the BORBONIAN Stock by which Affinity the KING as Obliged to Him restored the free Possession of the Town and Principality of AURANGE although the PARLIAMENT of DAUPHINE averred part of the same to be subject to their Jurisdiction and part in general to the Kingdom Before I begin to enter a Work disagreeing to the former discourses I will declare how the Hollanders Affairs were turned from so sharp and long a War unto thoughts of Peace in this year what part of Europe was at Peace and what at War what private or publick motions and inclinations of mind among themselves or their Neighbours when and how that time became every where as it were fatal
Language wherein he said that he did not use to set aside Ministers of State without hearing and perpending their cause of Complaint but if he could not have his Revenue upon whose payment he did depend he would that some of them should come to him from whom being present he would take cognizance of the whole matter They earnestly write back again That it was not for them to lay crimes to any ones charge but they believed it was a part of his duty rightly and truly â— have informed his Prince but whether he had so done or not the imminent danger if they should be silent would speak and they hoped that their Births and Merits would gain no lesse credit â— their betters than their words but now chiefty when the absenâ— of Governours from their Charges could not be well admitted The King was much moved at these lines but finding necessary a little to yield he sends secretly to Grannell whom now these fore-going passages began to vex partly aâ— a by-stander and partly as being guilty to himself of the deadly hatred of the people towards him commanding him to depart into Burgundy whither he was ordered to retire for avoyding the danger of his life so much fought and layd wait for by his enemies And a long time after he kept all the Netherlands or the greatest part in fear of his return but few joyning with him in his hopes till at length either by Command or his own free will he went to Rome There they who hitherto had been kept out of office were at the Request of the Regent Margaret recalled in the Senate of Assembly and that they might give some proofs of themselves they begin with all diligence to advise and take notice of choice things of others there was no great need And the praise and thanks of dissembling their Crimes was so much the greater towards them by how much he would divert them from the sense of their evill so that now acting wholly as Victors they had taken all things into their own hands whether belonging to publick accounts or to the Law saying it was the Soveraign pleasure of the Senate and that to it all the other Assemblies ought their Service and Obedience But how many faults do attend where some few bear the Sway and in how little time do they grow ripe The Kings Revenew neglected the Authority of the Law among potent discords laid aside the greatest Crimes and villanies unpunished Honours given for favour either much done through ambition by such as coveted the praise of all or else evils never to be remedied overcharge the Credit of the great ones They dissembled less in point of Religion maintaining it was better taught by perswasion than compulsion till at length they found what they supposed as remedies proved rather food to nourish the Disease But when they granted this in favour of the People whether it were out of their own disposition averse from cruelty or that they suspected under the veil of the Inquisition that there lay hid slavery or danger to the valiantest men I will not undertake to discover But this is most evident that they themselves did not depart from the Ceremonies of the Church of Rome and he who was the chief in all these Consultations in his own Principality of Aurange would suffer nothing in matters of Religion to be changed Besides this and for other weighty Causes Egmond was sent into Spain to pry into the Kings nature and affections and is there received with so much Honour and such high Gifts as no man before him ever had the like Here Philip protests much of affection to the Netherlanders and that he may prevent any desire of his return to them again he sayes he hath resolved in himself for the Turkish Warre and likewise gave him some hope that he would moderate the rigour of the Sentence and Edict of the Bishops least either by severity or impunity he might provoke the Secturies licentiousness whereas in truth he intended to make it far more strict For when first he came into Spain and found there many and some of the chief of the Covent of St. Isidore to think otherwise than they ought of the received Rites and Doctrine he was not onely content to have commanded into the fire Learned men and noble Women but rejoyced to see the same with the terrour whereof having appeased the discords there he believed either the sloth or timidity of his Judges hindred if not envyed him the like success in the Netherlands And at this time Elizabeth his Wife Sister of Charles King of France being sent together with the Duke of Alva to â—ajon whether the same Charles and his Mother Medicos met at a Conference for rooting out innovators and disturbers of Religion he bound himself by some private Covenants to be assistant equally therein The like League was made between Henry and Philip after the Peace of Cambray and this being by the imprudence of Henry discovered to the Prince of Orenge in his Embassy into France as he was by chance â— hunting made him often assert with Protestations that he onely feared those Counsels which were concealed Egmond was scarce returned full of his vain hope but the Kings Letters immediately followed cruelly commanding the Inquisitors to execute judgement upon violators and novelties in Religion adding certain other Assistants to the number of the Judges and though Viglius and many with him perswaded the contrary presently they were published to the great trouble of all mens mindes and shortly after were the Decrees of the Councel of Trent put forth by whom nothing being amended either in Doctrine or Ceremonies some whole Nations separated and fell off from the Church of Rome onely there was a Decree made for reformation of Priests Lives and Manners wherewith indeed they were offended but never cured And truly in the Netherlands those mens lives were most vicious who being admitted into the Sacred Order of Priesthood got nothing thereby but the name and Revenues yet were these men most fierce for the publishing of these Decrees which in some places were obeyed but with exception underwritten to which Philip had consented that they should not derogate from any mans right which was added by reason of Patronages of Churches and bounds of Jurisdictions But the Brabanders with one free consent went further First their Cities and afterwards the Senate or States of their Nation did Declare That this Custome of the Inquisition insensibly creeping in daily in a high manner into their Countries was against the Law by which all their Judgments should be directed and which should set Bounds to the Priesthood wherein they should walk The Constancy of these was followed by others but especially the Common People were infinitely perplexed with the Terrible Rumour of the Spanish Inquisition whose Authority with the King though manifest and its Usage and Example in all Kingdoms how profitable and though commended by the French yet the
Multitude of the common People while others after the old manner of Mourning in a vowed Habit promise and swear Never to cut their Hair untill they had revenged the Blood of those Noble-men The Prince of Aurange with many others are cited by a Proclamation to appear and because being absent and out of their reach he laughed at their Threats of Punishment all his Goods are confiscated and his Son which was bred up at Levain in the Study of the Arts is seized upon and carried Prisoner into Spain It was a very sad thing to take notice of the Desolation and Wast that was here made partly by Slaughters and partly by Flight Some few whose exceeding Poverty would not bear out their Banishment retired into the Woods and there hiding themselves where they lived like Salvages upon the daily Spoils committed upon Priests not taking Notice of the Magistrates who came to suppress them by Force but robbing and killing them as they could find advantage until at last they were destroyed and driven away by the greater and more powerful strength of Alva So also at the Rivers Maze and Rhene a few unadvised persons being scatteredly met together and having sworn the Dukes death at the very first Rencounter were all overcome and slain And to cut off all thoughts of hope the Messengers and Curriers from Spain brought word that then was nothing of moderation more to be expected from the King than from Alva for that a publike punishment was there inflicted upon Montaigne who was sent thither in vain bearing with him the Name of an Embassador as to Enemies which among all Nations is sacred and not to be violated for it was not thought fit for Subjects to treat or deal with their Prince after such a manner and so positively denied The Marquess of Berghen by a seasonable Death prevented to himself the like Fate though not without Suspition of Poyson But the very Thoughts of such a thing was condemned as a Crime because Alva had a hand therein There was about the same time a louder though more mystical Rumour of the Death of Charles the Kings Son It was evident that he though the Heir of so many Great Kingdoms was put into Ward whether his too much forwardness in his Youth had raised a Suspition of him that he was ambitious of Rule as if his Care for the Netherlanders had been too great for his Interest there or whether the same Crime were laid to his Charge which had taken off his Step-Mother is uncertain But this is sure that shortly after he died though still very dubious what Causes could so provoke the Fathers Wrath to that heighth as to work his Sonne death The Exiles who now though at distance were every where against their Wills and in Poverty being much grieved at the Oppression of their Country did earnestly sollicies the Prince of Aurange to take up Arms which of his own accord he was not at all propense to do willing rather the the Spaniard should over-un all until all his Counsels were laid open and there might be hoped a more safe Opportunity for the Distressed to gather and unite a Force while the King should for the most part be taken up with other Wars Nevertheless some of the Exiles at present being drawn together under the Leading of Lewis of Nassâ— brake into Frizeland There by the Death of Arembery there slain whom the heat and reviling of his Souldiers compâ—lled to fight though he thought it more Prudenceâ— weary them out by Delays by the Rout and Overthrow his Forces became Conquerours but staying with a fruitleâ— Expectation of some Towns falling off to them their Moâ—eâ—fell short for the Souldiers Pay so that all Discipline was neglected when suddaintly by the Surprize of Alva they were almost all slain Adolph the Prince of Aurange his Brother and Lewis his also being killed in the former Skirmish they had tincted the War alternately both with their own and their Enemies Bloud The Prince of Aurange being throughly moved with this Carriage of Affairs that he might be the better able to relieve his Parties both by strength and the Justice of their Government he sets forth in Books a Narrative the Reasons Causes and Justice of their taking up Arms refuting at once both the Judge and the Crimes objected against him not dissembling That now being taught better things he had lâ—ft the Church of Rome yet calling God to Witness That he took Arms for the Publike Weal and freeing his Countrey from Slavery That this was the Duty of every good Citizen much more of a Noble-man Of Philip he spoke honourably whose Goodness he said was perverted by the Spanish Counsels and that he did not yet despair but that he would at length resume better thoughts of his faithful Subjects and uphold their sworn and setled Laws In the mean while according to the Law of Brabant in regard of his many Errours in Government Obedience was due unto him as to their Soveraign Lastly that which seems to make most for the Justice of their Cause was this The Brabanders as they had a more special and wary care than the rest for the maintaining their Liberty so likewise to prevent the Incroachmâ—nt of their Princes who under pretence of the Publike did not stick somâ—times to break up and dissolve their State-Conventions they used to Covenant of their own proper Right that when any Prince infringed the Laws they should be free from the Bonds of their Fidelity and Obedience to him untill the Wrongs so done should be removed and satisfied And this confirmed by many Examples of their Ancestors who when formerly some of their Princes either through their own weakness or the Delusions of Flatterers had been drawn away they drew to more moderation among whom the most remarkable was John the Second of that Name either by Force or strong Decrees by them drawn up which before they would conclude any Peace they made the Princes freely promise That they would without any violation confirm and establish the same Now the Prince of Aurange though born in Germany yet had obtained many most Noble Heriditary Jurisdictions in Brabant to the Lords or Possessors whereof antient Custom had given the Dignity of being a Peer or chief Governour by which Right he urged That is did belong to him not onely to see the Laws well executed but also to defend and maintain them But here it is not to be omitted that the same Right was claimed by the like Customs by divers other of the Netherlandish Provinces and also that the Decrees of Maximilia of Austria and Mary of Burgundy were to be taken notice of which had made them by the same Sanction of the Laws individually equally with the Brabanders themselves And this appears by what the People of Frizeland Utrechâ— and Gelderland did in the time of the Emperour Charles their Prince when among many other peculiar Agreements and Covenants there was this one common and
the Netherlands and spend his Old Age quieâ—ly in Germany But besides the other cause of Diffidence his Mind that never was greedy after Wealth and in that respect unsullied and upright was greatly satisfied to perceive with what great Expence the Spaniard would gladly free himself from the Dread of him The Treaty at Colen being ended Areschet and some Priests fell off to the King from some of those Parts whence Legates had come for understanding that they must for the future else be Enemies to the King being reconciled by Letters and accepting the same Articles which they of Artoys had But all those Councils either of War or Peace which they had Registred and taken Notice of were scorned by the Spaniards and by that Nation that never likes any Forreign Thing made a meer May-Game of In that Treaty it plainly appeared how great a Difference there is between the Aims and Intentional Designs of the Prince and the People Of old time when first the Nobility here made Insurrections for fear of Forreign Lords and Tyrants the Evil was not incurable But afterwards being more obstinately oppressed they drew the Commons into Parties under pretence of Religion and the Vulgar Rout learning that they were they that kept Kings in awe or made them to be Reverenced and that they could be caught by nothing but Credulity presently imagined that Despair of Pardon was the firâ— Step to Liberty Hence they did not act indifferently or moderately but would onely do such things as were too fool to admit of Repentance and going back and by this means they arrived at that height that afterwards they would debate the Commodities of Peace but never mind the Hazards of Warre They go beyond the wonted Custom with Domestick and Intestine Arms while thence ariseth and springs the unlimitable Thirst of Rule and Revenge This makes a kind of Pleasure even in Danger and there is somewhat of Honour in the Depth of Misery But then surely there was not one general Army but the Warre was scattered here and there by small Parties and every several Nation almost had his own distinct Warriers This Fault of the Commonwealth did quickly shew it self for there not being a Soveraign Power vested in one chief City as there was in the Antient States both of the Greek and Romans and is at this day in most flourishing Dominions but an equal Power residing among many Cities itit comes to pass that what should be properly the care of every one from the Nations Industry exercised in the getting and keeping of Riches under the false Name of the Publike the Common Benefit is perverted and carryed into a wrong Channel Thus Moneys could very hardly be gotten by reason whereof the Netherlands might have been in great danger had not the Enemy been infected with the same Disease for Portugal eat up all the Kings Money as well by War as by seeking to win the Love of the Nobles For Sebastian the King being lost in the great African Battel and his Successour Henry being dead the People had Elected Anthony who was sprung from the Royal Stock to be King because they were infested by the Castilians according to the Evil Custom of Bordering Nations But Philip advancing the Propinquity of his Bloud among and before others sent thither the Duke of Alva with an Army to conquer and bring into subjection by Force those that would not submit willingly and at last by his Endeavours the Kingdom of Portugal was added to the King his Master By whom before he had lost the Netherlands so much more easie was it to win a Kingdom Nor indeed could any thing have fallen out more happily for Philip not onely because all Spain was now reduced under one Government but because the Portugeze who had by long Navigations compassed the greatest part of the World possessed the great Islands of the Mediterranean Sea and by Command or Traffike was Seated and Inhabitant on trie Coasts both of Aethiopia and the Indies By the Event hereof the Netherlanders who might hope for some Ease to themselves while the Wars in Portugal lasted besides the increase of their strength found also another greater discommodity which was That the Spaniards would now hinder all the Trade thence wherein the main Wealth of their Cities did consist for although hitherto the Ports of the Kingdom of Castile had not forbidden or denied them as if there had been no cause of Arms or War out of the Bounds of the Netherlands yet there was from the Clergy great danger and injurious detentions of Ships sometimes used by Kings even toward Strangers dis-incouraged them which the Portugezes had promised they would never do Nay more there was Provision made that they should be bound to appear in Judgment before suspected Judges or forced to any long Suits But after both Kingdoms were joyned in one and yet the Necessity of the one not at all lessened by the enjoyment of the others Trade both having the same King by various Names of Extortion and Force the Sea-men and Masters of Ships were defrauded of the greatest part of their Gain but yet not by a continual Trouble but by such Intervals and Breathings that under hope of amendment and by the unconscionable Avarice of the Merchants to get all ever some new Booty came in afresh In the mean time by reason of the want of Money there hapned many Seditions on both Sides in the Netherlands But the Spaniards had the advantage in the more easie appeasing and suppressing those on their part because in lieu of Pay they gave them Licence to do what they would and Impunity for the same However the Duke of Parma got some small Towns in Henalt which the Confederate Prâ—virces had Garrison'd and not long after surpriz'd Courtray in Flanders Altpen delivers Breda also to him the Castle on a suddain whence he easily set upon and got the rest Lanove on the other hand to whom the chief Care of the War in those Parts was committed regained from the Enemy Nienove and other places in Flanders At this time it fortuned that some eminent and brave men were taken prisoners as Egmond and Selley in Towns that were taken and contrarily Laâ— himself who was taken at an unhappy Fight in a Siege before a certain Castle and was esteemed by the Enemy of so great quality that they would not exchange him for 〈◊〉 others The English who were in Pay with and fought for the Vnited Provinces took Mechlin by Storm whose Avarice was so prophanely expressed in their Victory that they did not spare the very Sepulchres of the Dead the Stones whereof they took away and afterwards openly sold them in England Many other Counsels and Resolutions of suddâ—n Actions the more powerful Enemy diverted very few Tokens of Victory remaining to the Dutch by reason of the penury of them that fought in their Defence At this time the Duke of Parma's Mother came to her Son at Namar being
private ends the People that it to say the States rightly â—â—sembled have power to judge thereof and to punish the same Nor were most Kingdoms any otherwise subject 〈◊〉 their present Kings unless that the People tyred either wiâ—â— the injuries or sloath of the former have translated them 〈◊〉 other hands How much more then should these things prevail in the Netherlands to whom the very name of King is unacquainted and their manner of obedience such that they never took any Oath unless the Prince had first obliged himself according to their desires to maintain the Law It is the Law of Nations that mutuall Obligations are dissolved by the tricks and wickedness of either party And having laid aside Philip they would seek them another Prince And they needed not to doubt those things which would easily be maintained against the Spanish greatness by their Wealth There was need of a present Captain and of such a one who when mischief raged every where would though with the neglect of his own safety incourage the Netherlanders That he had clearly cast out of his thought all hopes from Germany There remains then but one thing and that is that Francis of Valois be chosen to the Governments whom they could not deny already to have given 〈◊〉 certain proof Nor was it a little material to their advantage if that young Prince who was next Heir to the highest Fortune should begin his growth from hence In the Interim he was sure of the Brother-hood of France and in probability the good affections of England would not be wanting against whom the Spaniard of â—aâ—e had prepared a Fleet which partly by Tempest and partly by the Portugall Warre had been destroyed and further he had newly given ayd and incouragement to the Rebels in Ireland nor had the English spared him in the new World of America the Wealth which they took there from the Spaniards and brought into their own Country having laid the foundation of a future Warre After a long doubting and much hesitation the Counsel was approved with a greater fear of the Spaniard than affection or confidence in Mounsieur Francis and Philip for violating and infâ—inging the Laws by the States of the Provinces of the Union is thrown off from the Government and nor that sentence is brought forth wherewith if we may speak the truth the Warre had now been in labour for the space of nine years but thenceforth was his name and all marks of Honours utterly left off and denyed and the words of their solemn Oath made to him absolutely altered so that thereby he who had of late been their Prince was now declared an Enemy The putting in execution of this Counsel was to Neighbour Nations guilded over with the severall excuses of necessity and the severall fruitless Requests they had made to him yet the Spaniards did not cease highly to Brand it as infamous it seems altogether forgetful that their own Predecessors had deposed a King from his Kingdom for his too great cruelty and that they preferred before him a Bastard slip-sprung from an unlawful coition We will not mention old Examples of the like kind is France nor any of fresher memory transacted in England nor those newest of all of the Danes and Swedes laying aside their Kings But to return to the purpose Matthias was dismissed with much affection and great Rewards And this being a matter of so great concernment neither did the greatness of the action it self nor the Authour remain unknown to the Spaniard whence perceiving that the life of one single Person was the onely obstacle to his desired greatness therfore though he had fair Law against him in the field yet he in the first place proscribes him and then by the habits of Wealth Honnur and impunity as well of all forme faults as of that invites some body to assassinate him Against this new fashioned Edict the Prince of Aurange makes his Defence in a Book on purpose set forth as well to the States of the Netherlands as to other Princes of Christendom which Book was penned by the help of Peter Villier a Frenchman who having the Study of the Laws wherein he had been bred up first fell to be a teacher of the new Religion and thence came to be admitted into the secretest Counsels of the Prince of Aurange The Declarations on both sides are yet extant full of equall bitterness wherein after repetition of the Crimes relating to the Cause on the Kings part is objected to the Prince Ingratitude and Treason he on the other side retorts on the Kings Treachery and Tyranny and so intermixing many true and some false Relations at length they directly fall to terms of scurrility like scolding Women for because the Prince of Aurange being seperated from his Saxon Wife for Causes well approved by all her Kindred and having marryed the Daughter of Montpensier who had been devoted for a Nun was accused both as an Adulterer and Sacrilegious Person On the other greater Adulteries were objected to Philip nor was he forgotten to be charged with the severall deaths of his Wife and his Son from the guilt whereof not yet cleared he had married his Neece in blood for the then Wife of the King was the Emperour Maximilians Daughter by the Kings Sister which Conjunction the Pope by his Authority though many judged contrary to the Divine Law confirmed Nor was it smothered in silence how formerly he attempted by his great Minister of State Granvell to have poysoned Maximilian himself being his near Kinsman by the Fathers side but then his Father in Law Whereupon the States contemning both the malice and insinuations of Philip who layed the fault of this great defection onely upon one by publick Testimony vindicated the Prince of Auranges innocency adding moreover for the safety of his Person a Troop of Horse to the old Guard The Embassie of the Netherlanders was most acceptable to Francis of Valois being thereby called to the Government and very pleasing to his Mother who endeavoured by forraign Honours to indulge her Sons already too ambitious by their over-swelling hope But the Kings Ayd and Consent was requested before it was convenient and so did not answer their expectation onely the King wrote to them that he would not have a respect to his Brothers greatness but would also give help and succour to himself and all those which were under his Dominion which that he might more readily perform he wished to his own Kingdom Peace and to his Brother all happiness and prosperity The present necessity forced the United Dutch to rest satisfied onely with words and only to hope for the rest And presently Valois that he might the more strongly work himself into their Affections understanding that Cambray besieged by Horse and Foot and fortified in their Camps had undergone great hardships and extremities He sets forward thither with an Army for the maintenance whereof Queen Elizabeth had supplyed them with a great sum
own his Brothers Cause but if he could not do that yet that he would at least assist with men and money and that he should stop all the passages from France into the Enemies Country Which if they might request they did not fear to foretell to the King thereby a future Succession in his Kingdom so that he should according to the Laws of France for many Ages not want an Heir of his Body to govern the same But these Communications were shortly after quite broken off by the badness of the following times and the death of Francis de Valois He over-lived his Honour and disgrace not above seventeen moneths brought to his end as some thoughâ— by his lusts others by poyson but most believed he dyed with grief of mind the common end almost of all who either before or after him took a pride to aggravate the miseries of unfortunate people His Fune all was not attended with any Ensigns of his Belgike Government all his actions there with himself passing in oblivion while the King his Brother avoyded to incense with such toyes whom he durst not move with realities As soon as Valois was departed from Dunkirk the French Companies left there in Garrison accepting their pay marched away not daring to trust a People whom they had so mischieved Whereupon the Duke of Parma sends his inferiour Captains to besiege the Town thus destitute both of Souldiers and Shipping and anon after comes himself with an indifferent Army to strengthen the Siege Biron was commanded to follow the Enemy and fight him But the Gauntoys out of an old grudge they bore to Valois and making a shew of tumult denyed him passage alledging that it was unjust and unreasonable to use his Forces whom they neither took for their Prince nor scarcely their friends By the stubbornness therefore of those men Dunkirk came into the Spaniards power by which meanes the Sea ever after became dangerous and troublesome for upon that shore where there were no Havens or Ports there was scarce any refuge for small foysts hence as they saw it convenient or for their profit observing the passage out the Pyrates were wont to set upon the Dutch Ships as they sailed by either to fishing or with Merchandize where England being directly opposite doth narrow and streighten the Sea and they could easily escape by flight from the great Ships of Warâ—e either by their lightness and swiftness on the open Sâ—â— or else by helps of the flats and Sands whereof that part of the Ocean is full yet this losse of so eminent a Town could not mitigate or take away their dissentions but it was necessary that Biron with his Army should be sent out of the Country though the Prince of Auraage most earnestly urged the contrary for fear least they should betray the Common-wealth to their Enemy now in heart and attended with success so much mistrust had all of the French Nay the Prince himself was scandalized for them so that at Antwerp they all 〈◊〉 to their Arms upon a lye that was divulged that the Prince had brought the French into the Castles on purpose to be near to and command the City But he to whom nothing was so unusual and bitter as to live feared of his Citizens could not bear their changed countenances and suspitious ill boding silence instead of joyfull acclamations but leaving the place having lived there six years he went to Zeland and the more assured places of the Common-wealth thereby exempt from many eminent dangers and free from their ingratitude But the Duke of Parma having gotten spare 〈◊〉 for Conquest gained by surrender and otherwise Nempâ—â— scituate on the same shore but to the right hand of Dunkirk and more inward upon the Land Dixmuyde Voorne and Berghen that are called Winow Thence in Flanders the peoples hatred so increased against the Warre daily and many so highly resented the late actions that they would even take part with the Spaniards against the French About this time there was a certain base Fellow he was generally called Hog that by Discourse and Writing began to trouble Holland who notwithstandidg his Mothers vileness and his own mishapen Form yet vainly boasted the Honour and Greatness of his Bloud as being from his own Relation Son to the Emperour Charles Hence fed up with a foolish hope by some Spaniard that Philip would acknowledge him for his Brother he withdrew some led away with Novelties and others that were not pleased with the present ordring of Affairs from their then Principles to a hope of Peace and Submission to the Austrian Family But the Conspiracy being yet green and but in the Bud was by the punishment of its Author quickly nipped Now also a War did begin in the Jurisdiction of Colen which was offered together with the Bishoprick to Ernestus of Bavaria for the Marriage of Truxiors For being Bishop of that place before and being taken exceedingly with the Love of a Noble Woman had made hast to lay aside his Vow of single Life for by the Rules of the Latine Church no Priest may marry which in the Heat of his promiscuous Lusts was easily connived at Wherefore setting Humane Decrees in opposition to Divine Laws and finding himself unfit for such Charges by Casimire and Nienar Count of Nursa both Generals for indifferent Armies keeps the Cities until by his Enemies Forces and his own Mens Treacheries most of his Garrisons were taken from him and then making a League with the Dutch he fled to the Prince of Aurange whence he revenged him as well as he could by laying wast the Country And this War brings on a greater wherewith the Spaniard was well pleased because he might thereby the more colourably involve the Frontier Towns of Germany which were old Receptacles of Netherlandish Fugitives in the same And this every day augmented the growing Fortune of the Duke of Parma especially one Tasso a Captain winning by Surprize the Town of Zutphen held by a weak and ill agreeing Garrison and that by the help onely of one common Souldier that was his Prisoner From hence all the Country between the Rivers Issel and the Rhine were daily infested and harrased by Spanish Incursions nor could they at any time be hindred in their going off and the City it self was besieged but in vain Thus did the Netherlanders at this time lose both their Forces and other Opportunities And as a further mischief many of Noblemen and Chiefs utterly despairing any Remedy privately sought their own Security from the Grace and Pardon of the King which they knew was not to be hoped for by some heinous Adventure Therefore William of Heremberge who by Marriage of the Prince of Aurange's Sister was the sole Companion of his Hopes and Dangers inconsiderately and without Reason Resolved to deliver up Gelders which he then Governed to the Conquerours But his Treachery being prevented and Promise taken for his Fidelity he was dismissed yet notwithstanding he fled to
much intention break in by War upon those Discording Provinces A great Design against England had taken his Thoughts and Endeavours it being accounted a more noble and less difficult Enterprise Most of the great Souldiers who had fought for the King of Spain looked upon that Island as the amends of their Merits and the Reward of their Labours and as it was near to France and Germany upon occasion of War so the Counsel was That being a Transmarine Kingdom it should be gotten by War But these Counsellors every one by his own Fortune or by Death hindred at this time as it were by the Justice of Revenge after a League concluded Aid sent openly to the Rebels in Ireland A great Fleet was prepared in Spain against the next Summer The Duke of Parma prepared all his Garrisons against that time to man it and so far did his hopeful Imaginations carry him that he concluded this English Expedition would be a worthy Catastrophe of his Ten Years Victories and make his Name equal in the Register of Honour with those of the most famous Emperours But the Spaniard endeavoured to stifle the Rumour of this imminent Danger with the Noise of a pretended Peace For the composing whereof the Dane as a Mediator came to propound Mediums and Cains Ransovius sent to the Duke of Parma whom the Souldiers of Holland intercepted by the way as he passed with a Warlike Train and not distinguishable among those that fought But the King adjudging that they wittingly had contrary to the Laws of Nations violated his Ambassador and chiefly because his Letters were broke open took so sharp a Revenge that he laid an Arrestâ— Restraint upon seven hundred ships that were passing backward and forward in Trade for Corn by which means â— the people then living in these parts were wonderfully terrified with the fear of Famine having never before by any like Example been disturbed But this Scarcity was helped by necessary Counsel that French and English Vessels coming from the same Seas should go to the Ports and Markers of Holland Thus was that Danger escaped onely with the Expence of some Money forced from them by the Danes which notwithstanding and for that the King would not vouchsafe to give Audience to the Embassadors sent to him stuck highly in the Stomachs of many who thought it very hard that the Lesser Dominions should still be obnoxious to Damage at the will and pleasure of the greater While these things were doing there there was likewise a kind of Treâ—y with the English in King Philip's Name because the Queen was looked upon as the onely Support of all the Low-Country Affairs to this purpose That all Jealousies and Fears should be thrown away in the laying down of Arms if the Provinces which had Rebelled would return to their pristine Obedience Thâ— as she took off all things concerning Religion in England so in the Netherlands Religion should be ordered according to the Mind of the Spaniard though there had been taught a pernicious Doctrine that Matters relating to Religion were to be determined by other Judges than Princes This proposed Pacification was listned to by Queen Elizabeth with no less Subtilty than it was offered chiefly aiming that by this Pretext of Compounding Business she might spin away and divert the time of danger for she now had Intelligence of the Fleet. And dissembling her Fear she onely pretended a pious desire of Peace and Commerce among and with the Provinces and to that end sending some so instructed out of England to command the Hollanders that they should without any murmuring hearken thereto and that they would draw upon themselves so great Envy as to be esteemed by their cruel Obstinacy the Authors of perpetual War and Bloud-shed But they revolved with themselves and a fresh remembred all the Treachery Blandishments of the Spaniard for what Event had the Treaty with Requesens but that all the Forts being taken the more considerable Cities might the easilyer be besieged At the Pacification at Colen how was the hopes of a reall Peace blasted by solliciting so many Provinces to Revolt and so was Flanders by the like kind of Colloquies betraid And at last the Enemy got so much Recruit of strength while he fallaciously promised Tolleration of Religion that now he dares absolutely deny it Now to speak of Peace when there were such Civil Discords among the Citizens were just to strike their Arms out of their Hands that others might as they saw convenient submit to what they pleased but let heed be taken that they used not more hast than good speed And though things might be composed upon equal Terms yet neither the League made at Gaunt nor John's Treachery could be forgotten That to Kings whom the Bishops of Rome would dispence with or absolves from the Sacred Tye of an Oath every Covenant made with Subjects would be reckoned all one as a Victory And there would never be wanting men that would seek to raise themselves and their Fortunes by the slavery of their Country And in these things every one openly as doubtful spent the time because they saw she perswaded to Peace that might compell And as often as the Queen perswaded them not to delay they beseeched her That she would not cast off that Cause of God and Men and leave Threescore Cities and a People ready if their present Treasure were not enough to increase the Publike Stock with their private Wealth a Prey to the Malice and Avarice of the Treacherous Spaniard Hereupon the Cities unanimously agreed for this Consultation was related to every particular City That no Embassador should be sent to the Enemy Onely the Queen Winter growing on apace sent into Flanders to make if she could a Peace though not suitable to her Wishes Here while they discourse of the place of the meeing and of their Commissions the English asking a Truce the Duke of Parma defiying Three Moneths are elapsed Queen Elizabeth demanded for the Netherlanders Pardon their Antient Laws and Governments of their Cities for her Self the continuance of the Old Leagues the Re-imbursement of all her Charges and Security for the same the Souldiers on both sides being disbanded But as to Religion and the Form of Worship she moved so faintly as if she would seem not to meddle therewith For now she was come to this That she onely desired two years for the performance of her Demands As to the Towns which the English held either by Covenant or other Occasions she refused not to deliver them upon the Receipt of her Châ—rges The Spaniards while they utterly deny any Tolleration of Religion and will have all Affairs of the Netherlands left to King Philip's pleasure objecting instead of payment of the English Disbursements That thereby the English had been the cause to them of greater Expence and as they extenuate that they amplifying other Things did now appear plainly to the World that though they sought a Treaty yet they
in it self not at all intricate England was assaulted by Spanish Forces and France greedily thirsted after not with a covetous Eye or vain Wish onely but by the sad Threats of a Malicious War It cannot be denied but that his Treasury is exceeding great yet not sufficient to maintain so many Wars at once from hence becoming sensible of all the Evils of Poverty During this time both the Minds and Forces of the Low-Countrymen had some ease and respite Leagues and Alliances were begun with several Kingdome and in part again broken off There the Praefects and Governours often changed and at last the Regent himself Confidence not resting assured in the meanness of her Guard and Treacheries most ignoble abounding every where Whereas here by the Vigilance and Ingenuity of one Captain not onely Danger was escaped but Arms advantaged the Navall and Maritime Power increased infinitely and at once in Strength against the Enemy and in Reputation amongst others so that now it might credibly be believed that in the Equality of both Parties the War would now grow doubtful for this time made it appear that the smallest things might be waited on with humane hope and that it was never too late to be helped by a Miracle I am about to publish according to the Method of History what things have certainly been seen and heard nor am I ignorant how odious it is afresh to being in mind these things among them whose Hatred is yet raging where by the positive and impartial Assertions of Truth you may happily by the Enemy be accused of Flattery and to your own Side not seem altogether free from untruths But the Judgment and Reward of my Fidelity will proceed from Posterity And if God have in Mercy appointed any End to this grievous and bloudy War it may chance there will be some who drawing Arguments from hence may give an Account thereof with greater Security and more Eloquence In the interim let it be for the benefit of such as being far remote from the knowledge of our Troubles may know the value of their own Peace from the Evils suffer'd by others and may hence learn Documents of War whereof though not in Civil Discords they may the more fortunately make use of against a Barbarous Enemy But it is very difficult to set down Things as they were really done because the absent many times are quite forgot and the present too much praised As that most offends the Reader so this makes the Writer more blame-worthy Besides the following Age doth many times either out of forgetfulness or the potency of the Conquerour leave out or at least fall short of the exact Discovery of their Knowledg But if it be necessary for those Things to be publikely mention'd it will be advantageous to the Writer that he lived among those who may well be ashamed if they allow not to him that Liberty which they promised to all Adde also that many of the Events happen'd hereabouts and he hath the greater advantage and reason to admire the mean beginnings of this increasing Common-wealth THE Great Year according to the Account of Christendom One Thousand Five Hundred Eighty and Eight and which Astrologers had sore-told to be the last of the World was now come Certainly either that Art is vain and it must be reckon'd among the Follies of our rash Credulities that we suppose our selves able to comprehend Futurity or else it is an Errour of such who do not rightly understand the many vast Intriques of Destiny As a part of the Caelestiall Threats the Spanish Great Fleet was looked upon which while he had Peace with the Turk and saw France embroiled in a Civil War at Home he made great hast to set out For it was not enough that they who had been Conquerors of so many Kingdoms and subjected the New World so long should win a little Nation to their Empire by mutual Conflicts unless with Scandalous Language they abused the Government thereof by a Woman But the Englishmens Confidence encouraged the Low-Country men and the Bulwark of the Sea made the English-men confident to repell Force by Force for they had not yet forgotten the Names of Saxons Danes and Normans nor were insensible that whoever entred an Island seldom failed to win the possession thereof For the Kings of England because they had been troubled with Civil Wars to prevent future danger in time to come upon like occasions dismantling all Garrisons Forts and Castles had laid the Kingdom open to Forreign Invasion Then besides what signified their weak Bodies and Minds made effeminate by a long Peace and Luxury being without Leaders without Cavalry against the well-disciplin'd Power of the Spaniard and those that under the Duke of Parma's Conduct had for so many years been Victorious Thus did they threaten Revenge to such as should not assist them but the rest some Respite should be given to Now as it is the Custom of greedily ambitious and covetous men promising their Hopes a larger and more extended progress they destin'd to themselves the interdicted and excommunicated Kingdom of Scotland and Denmark intending afterwards to make use of English Forceâ— and withall of their Natural Hatred against France at such time as that Kingdom should be embrewed and even lye wallowing in her own Bloud As for the rest of Europe divided among so many Petty Princes and never like to be united or cemented by any good Correspondence or Harmony it would of course become a Prey to their Conquering Swords But men of more serious and modest Judgments could not believe they were so vain as to promise themselves so great Success though but in Imagination but rather supposed they might endeavour to try their Fortune at Sea against all Nations on the Coasts thereof and to spread abroad among all People a great though not a certain Terrour of them or else for a time to compell all Pyrates to keep within their lurking Places and themselves to bear away all commerce And the Pope whose name at this time was Sixtus the 5th had encouraged set on the Spaniard by his Bulls to Conquer England which the Simplicity of some of her former Kings had made Tributary as was said to his Triple-Crown He therefore following the Examples of many Popes his Predecessors who first by the Discords of Princes had usurped a Right over Kingdoms and then over Kings themselves exposed England to the Conquest of whoever would undertake it as if Queen Elizabeth had taken the Government thereof without any Right and detained the same by the Slaughter of the Nobles and the slavish fear of the People urging moreover besides the Crime of her Heresie the stain of Bastardy as being born in Adultery which had been endeavour'd to be concealed with the Veil of a Divorce These and many other things were mention'd in the Ball inviting all men to be assistant to such an Expedition and absolving from all Tyes her Subjects whether of Oath or
few fled and escaped with their Captain Vere having given this famous Testimony of his Valour and Judgment was shortly after prefer'd to the highest Dignitie to his great Renown Varembunius laid the blame upon Charles Mansfield for he was present also for the greatest part of this loss though he had brought to him at the time of this Fight some Companies out of the Isle of Bommell because lately both of them suing for the same Command wherein Charles being denyed and the other preferred it was said he now deserted him a emulous of his Glory But by this means the Conquerour-afterwards brought in safely to the Besieged all their Carriages both with Provision and Men they also having near the same time made a lucky Sally into the next Quarter of the Enemies Leaguer and this done returning through by-ways they escaped any danger intended to them by the Enemy And now the Besieged were in so good condition that they slighted the Enemies Forces though of late much recruited until the Spaniard had by force taken a Castle near to Rees that was their onely hopes of Succour and supply of Provisions Three Months after this in the next year the Winter continued when the Hollanders considering seriously with themselves that they had not Forces enough to relieve a place so far distant from them as occasion would require came at length to this last Result That the Town should be surrendred upon Honourable Conditions And thus the Duke of Parma obtained Berck and not so contented he clandestinely sought to get Bonne and Nuisse Cities belonging to the Dutchy of Cleves and this he did with the more Confidence in regard of the Prince's Age and Infirmity having also won many of the Nobles to be his Pensioners Thus he got Possession of Arnhem not far from the Rhine Not was Aquisgrave a free City of the German Empire let alone at peace among so many broils for Philip claiming the Custody of that City as antiently belonging to the Princes of Brabant for he endeavour'd to hide his Ambition of being Lord under the Title of Guardian thereof by his Edict banish'd many of the Inhabitants who had forsaken the Roman Religion But their stay being bought off with a Sum of Money given to the King's Commanders content onely to have wasted and forrag'd the Fields left the City until many years after the Fury of several Parties falling upon Germany this City among the rest was seized under the pretence of Right While the Armies thus range about the Maes and the Rhine and meeting Parties skirmish and fight every where the Mauricians got exceeding much Booty for the Hope wasted all the Enemies Country with Fire and Sword carrying away all manner of Provisions having either kill'd or driven away all those â—hat defended it But notwithstanding all this the most cruel Battails were at Sea because the Hollanders being stronger there had absolutely taken away all things that were wont to be Chaffer between Equals in Power by which means the Spaniard had lost all benefit of Exchange After this if any Enemies could prevail so much in strength as to infest all that Traded at Sea by Robbery they were called Pyrates Hence it came that the Flâ—drians provoked by their frequent Losses and such as fled out of the Hollanders Ships conscious to themselves of any great Crime as such men generally are fierce out of a desire both of Revenge and Prey put to Sea and not onely seized unarm'd Trading Ships but many times indanger'd the more able Many times it fell out and it is not to be forgotten because it equall'd the greatest Adventures of Antiquity that when any one part had by Boarding the others Vessel intermingled their Companies they in danger rather than be taken would with Gun-powder blow up both themselves and the Enemy so much do they care who despair of Life not to dye unrevenged The Kingdom of Spain which hitherâ—o had been undisturbed in the midst of all her Neighbour's Troubles now first began to be sensible of a War brought Home to her for the English accompanied with the Hollander's Ships and Souldiers advenâ—urously Forage all the Sea-Coasts of Gallicia afterwards they re-settle Don Antonio in his Kingdom pitching their Camp about Lisbone The Queen sent out six of her Ships on this Design the rest being One Hundred and Twenty Sir Francis Drake Commanded General Norris had the Conduct of the Foot Souldiers the Prey taken to be divided between them And so great was their good Success at the beginning that Albertus of Austria who was Governour of the City in the Name of King Philip had prepared himself for flight But by the Advice of some private persons in regard of the doubtfulness of the Portugezes Allegiance the small Provision they had of things necessary and that several Diseases raged among them springing chiefly from intemperate Drinking they went away and left all things unsetled whether because King Antonio was not able to perform the vain Promises he made of the Peoples Affection to and the Moors Assistance of him or that their too suddain Departure spoiled the Design is yet in doubt But sure it is the Hollanders were not hearkned to who had both offered and shewed themselves ready to defend and keep all the Castles and Forts on the Sea-Coast as well as the Entrance into the Kingdom As soon as ever the Siege was broke up presently all who had at this time been observed by the Spaniard to wish for a Change were very severely punished But the English did nothing more unless that they made appear the weakness of the Spanish Grandezza in that they were never hindred by them either at their Landing or during their stay nor ever resisted them in the Demand or taking of their Forts or Castles and a Fleet of Germans coming from the Baltick Cities being met and taken as Prize gave occasion to those People by Legates and Writing to contest among themselves whether Provisions wherewith People being at Peace with them do help the Enemy may rightfully be taken as Prize and disposed of accordingly And now France divided into parties was ingaged in â— like quarrel after the King had caused to be slain the Duke of Guise the head of that publike defection nor did the King long survive Guise being soon after assassined by a Monk he was the last of the name and Family of Valois in whose revenge as also of the Duke of Guise the whole Kingdom was divided into Arms. Without doubt by the Customs of France the right of Succession belonged to the Family of Bourâ—â— But Henry the head thereof Prince of Bearne who was called by the name of King of Navarre though hardly enjoying any thing besides the name for that the Spaniard had violently wrested it away he I say professing the Religion which they call Reformed though he promised equall Justice to both had drawn to him all the Nobility but the Cities and Towns would not receive or
own him But when he declared himself a Catholike the face of Affairs were on a sudden very much changed for the fault of the defection from and aversion to the Kings Name and Title was wholly call on the other yet was not Philip terrified by this example but that he now assisted the Duke of Guise his Brother who made use of a double pretence of Piety not in private but in the view of the whole World not that he so loved him but that he might keep involved in discords that Kingdom which lying between him and the Low-Countries had formerly been very dangerous and troublesome to him and if his designs were crowned with success he would commit the same to some one of his own Allyance with a fiduciary Power And the Reason by him pretended for this was because he marryed Isabella the Daughter of Henry the Second King of France by whom he had a Daughter a Person most fit to govern that Kingdom either in regard to her Fathers Merits or her Mothers Blood and so much the rather because the Dukedom of Bretaigne as severall other Principalities of France were known to have been fortunately ruled by a Woman's hand On the other side the Duke of Savoy the Spaniard's Son in Law enlarged his Borders to the very opening of the Alps The Queen of England being informed by a particular Envoy that the Duke of Parma had sent Lamot into France with an Army both of Horse and Foot forthwith ordered a supply of mony to the King of France together with four thousand English Souldiers Neither were the States of the United Provinces backwards in granting him Assistance for first they sent Ships with Provisions and all other necessary Munitions for War then adding thereto mony far more liberally than the present exigencies of their Affairs would permit and this only in hope of a future benefit It was certainly a noble and an honourable act and that raised an emulation towards their moderated Liberty that they having so newly erected themselves into a Commonwealth should yet by their Riches support and help a Kingdom the success thereof proving no less advantagious to the French than distructive to their Enemies while the Walloons Country to whom formerly they committed their cause lying open and exposed to the mischief of War was equally damnifyed whether assaulted by the French or their own Souldiers Afterwards the Spanish Forces France putting a stop to their victorious times lay open to the Hollander who for eight years together increased their Treasury enlarged their bounds and augmented their Armies untill the Bourbonian by his own vertue and valour waded through all the threatning billows raised against him by his obstinate adversaries and himself at last becoming a Catholike brought under his subjection all parties rather laying aside his Arms than the memory of that Pristine League It seems here very convenient now we are relating the French Affairs to search as far as humane Reason can direct us how the Belgick troubles having the like beginnings should yet have so different a Progress For a Peace being setled formerly between King Philip and the King of France these two Princes seemed to be of one mind having concluded a mutual League to extirpate all Religions which had begun or increased either by impunity or War But the French Peers hating the Guisian Potency that they might not become contemptible as the Netherlanders to the Spaniards took occasion to draw the multitude now contending about Religion into Tumults and Arms but the Events were most unlike for there the Subjects obedience was preserved entire and consequently the Roman Catholique Religion carryed the day but so only as to keep under not oppress the other But here the old Form of Government is altered the differing Rites grow insociable neither allowing the other and so between Servitude and liberty become divided The cause whereof I suppose may be that the Guises or Lorraines being by themselves in private but weak did afterwards receive from abroad such small help as might indeed follow but not force their Fortune So that the main of their strength either consisted under the pretence of the Kings name or the affections of the vulgar which are mean supports and of no duration where there is any experiment of utility on the other side And the Kings of France have within themselves the whole strength of that one People so that they diminish their own Authority by tyrannizing and wholly loose what is spent in revenge And the very Commons though highly offended with the differences in Religion yet when once they became sensible of the miseries of War were not so desirous of revenge as Peace Hence proceeded those Edicts of Peace so often hastned so often withstood by the now divided affections of the People who might rather be said to lay aside War than to make and observe a Peace for being weary of a long War they were driven to force and treachery by the impulse of others not their own obstinacy and being always accustomed to a Kingly Government they might have been composed before if the one King famously knowing in the Arts both of War and Peace had tempered himself and his Laws according to the strength and prevalence of parties They who were newly gotten into power being ignorant how to use the time nourished discords by variety of evill deeds while they of a more active Spirit or such whose Riot incapacitated them either got or lost all and this was the only hindrance of Peace But on the other side the Spaniards having a King that wished the same things in hatred to the Belgick liberty and who was now grown old in the enjoyment of his Territories by the keeping abroad so great Forces never feared the Netherlandish Solitudes especially having Presidents both in Italy and America that where they could not subject into Provinces they should settle Colonies But the French were highly offended with the pride avarice and cruelty of this forraign Nation the very Catholikes themselves who had never faltered in point of Religion disliking their Customs some of whom having been before circumvented and deluded with the hope of better things becoming an example to the rest that they would with all violence exercise their malice as mistrusting the breach of Peace under that notion to hide their revenge Thus a War no less cruel than civill Wars use to be continued but still looked as forraign But Count William in Frizeland straitned the City of Groning not able to resist the greatness of his endeavours by scarcity and death having wasted all their Provision about the Country he got also Reide a Peninsula of a very convenient Scituation between the River Eâ—mes and the Bay of Dullart The City being suspected for this mischief cast it upon Verdugo because he had refused a Garrison from thence being both recruited this with a new addition of Foot and Nassau with more Horse sometimes with mutual fear sometimes taking opportunities
if it should either rain or snow because the natural moysture and marishness of the ground would be exceedingly increased wherefore the Prince returning Victor into Holland loaden with honourable fame even among forraign Nations he was received by the 〈◊〉 even with an excess of joy The people of old were wont to rejoyce at their Princes good fortune as from Command not obliged by duty They had known the former Prince of Aurang onely in disguise under the Cloud of adverse fortune And in the Earl of Leicester's time they were perplexed between private discords and publick murthers Now only they saw their bounds enlarged by Arms and their Government setled by Rivers and strengthned with fortifyed Towns and yet their Leader requiring no other satisfaction for all his pains and labour than the glory thereof the benefit of the success being wholly left to the Country which looked not only with hope â—ut adâ—â—tion at his youth as if it had been on purpose set apart by the divine Providence for such weighty undertakings And then again casting their unsatisfied eyes upon his countenance they gratefully reverenced that tender Age and 〈◊〉 Blood which had so often thrown it self upon dangers for their defence And without all doubt the Princes good fortune was much forwarded by celerity besides he had learned the exquisite Arts of Fortification both as to the of sensive and defensive part the besieging or defending Towns and as far as the present Age was able to instruct him was well practised in the encamping of an Army The Enemies were nothing so industrious their confidence as it is generally observed breeding carelesness and slouth and sometimes overweening Temeriâ—y They who are weakest in power are for the most part strongest in Counsel as ayming to supply by prudent Resolutions and Industry what is deficient in strength Fame also is a great assistant where the first happy events are multiplyed to the great supportation of liberty But the mayn of all was the strength of Shipping among so many Rivers without which the rest would have profited but little According to Custom the Souldiers wintered in Garrisons from whence many times small parties going out wiâ—h various success brought in booty or were circumvented by the Enemy During which times also stratagems were frequently used for getting of Towns such were they whereby here Gertruydenburg Maestrict and Scluys were offered at and in another part Breda was endeavoured to be taken but the Ambushy being discovered the Armies marched back frustrate of their designs Now was the Sea scowned from Pyrates and the Duke of Parma being for France received joyfully an Embassie sent from the Emperour to mâ— and mediate a Peace But the United Provinces suspected it as they had reason but chiefly because they had intercepted Letters from the King of Spain written concerning it wherefore they shut their eâ— against those old deceits warned by the fresh example of the Arragonians who while they unwarily discoursed of liberty were surprised by craft and drawn into slavery and ruine These People of Spain of old called Tarraconia now â—â—garly Arragon first getting possession of that part of the Country by Arms which barbarous Nations from the other side of the Sea had invaded by the Counsel of such as weâ— esteemed wise among them erected a Commonwealth At the beginning Kings that name and honour being given to a limited power were chosen here by the suffrages of the people afterwards by the Custom of several Nations their Heirs were admitted by Succession to the Government yet obliging them to the observance of the Law whereby they who were then eminent as foreseeing the inconveniencies of a Kingdom conveyed some power to the people whose Authority was to be used in publick Counsels and gave a priviledge of Supreme Magistracy even over the Kings themselves and these boundaries were well observed as long as the Princes were careful to do Right and Justice and made use of no Forces to defend Crimes But afterwards there happening a Conjunction of Kingdoms and all Spain by that means becoming subject to King Philip all mens patience was tryed by the severity of the Inquisition and every thing by new forms of Judgment was disposed and they rather fitted to the pleasure of the Court and Courtiers then squared by the Rule of the antient Law or Prescript order of Justice The Case of Anthony Perez was greatly commiserated by the People who having been employed by King Philip about Eâ—oâ—vedo's death was yet by him falsly accused of but an ordinary fault for which deprived of all Authority and flying from Castile he was yet prosecuted by the Kings rage into this Region for the King hated him because he had been active as a procurer in matters of Love And when he Instruments of wrath impudently opposed the Laws and would by no means suffer Justice they were resisted by force and the first commotions being provoked by force were afterwards nourished by gentle endeavours and dissimulation And as the Tumults begun under a malevolent constellation so the City was perswaded under pretence of the French War to suffer the Kings Army to come through its Borders and to march through Sarragosa the Metropolis of that Region and so to go over the Pyrenean Mountains But instead thereof the Nobles were murthered and every one that either with Tongue or hand had been forward to advance liberty was by revenge marked and for the future nothing remained but a prospect of Tyranny and slavery Although these things are not suitable to my purpose yet I have not neglected to insert them here at such times as they happened that Posterity may compare their fortune and the Netherlanders together that as well the faults of Princes may be known as the People may be instructed that many times the cause is no less to be minded than the Forces of a King While these Transactions were a foot otherwhere the King of France being recruited with German Souldiers and English Auxiliaries besieged Roan Queen Elizabeth desiring that he would inclose the Enemy between the River Seine and the British Ocean this made the French Confederates with Parma take his long stay the worse who being slow in making ready his Warlike preparations or else consulting of some higher design how to augment the dangers at last though late in the year having first received the Town of Fer in pledge he drew near to the Borders of Normandy There were in his Army several new raised men and those Regiments which had lately fallen into a mutiny but now were restored to their Colours being full of booty and having also received their pay which the Duke of Parma very hardly extorted by the encrease of Tributes and selling the right of Commerce to the Enemies the Netherlanders not without cause complaining that their Borders were left naked and their mony and strongest men carryed away to help strangers Pope Gregory sent also Assistance to the French Rebels â— thing not used by
or lust That it was not possible for the Vnited States to enter into Articles with that Enemy whom they were forced to abandon and renounce for their King and indeed such Covenants would not be called a peace but a yielding The malice of that Tyrannizing people is implacable and there is no question to be made how he would use his power is peace who stretcheth it so in time of War That time and the â—icissitude of Affairs would bring many things to passe which were but vain to hope for at present But how should they ever give credit to him who thought it lawful to set to sale the Heads of his most merited Enemies That they would not rip up old sores or 〈◊〉 into President former transactions since all men remembred his Father the Prince of Aurange and himself When Liesveldt acknowledging himself to owe the Prince of Aurange all Honour and respect began further to say that is performance of Netherlandish Lords to him neither they 〈◊〉 the Spaniards were consenting to those Counsels The Prince forewarned of his intent putting his hand into Liesveldts bosom he pulled out the Writings whereby Fontayne gave him license to come thus by an evident demonstration confuting specious words Thus the Embassey was dismissed because they had not power of treating unless in the Kings Name This form of new answer was variously descanted upon not onely by the Tongues of the vulgar but of the more prudent sort part of whom got both Honour and Wealth by the War and the other part wished for peace onely because they earnestly desired it The Spaniards and such as followed them thought it was a sufficient offence against the Majesty of the King if he to whom the care was committed since these disastors sitting at the Helm were called to treat upon their own accounts should pardon them What was the Event say they of such Embassies to the Union but onely to make them more intollerably proud for having but from mean success gotten courage they take the confidence not onely themselves to shake off all Reverence and Obedience but they instruct other Provinces to do the like to enter into Treaties and do any thing without the King yes they should go again and hear the rebellious Hollanders proposing Laws whereby they would make themselves Conquerours of King Philip And if it were hitherto doubted yet now certainly it was manifest that they despised nay hated Peace And according to the Example of Switzerland waiting if any others would throw off their Allegiance to their Princeâ— Government that they might grasp within their own fifts There is but one kind of peace to be had with them and that they must be compelled and beaten into by Arms and certainly that would not be long about if the Netherlanders have no less courage for duty and obedience then is in the Union to maintain the contrary But others and they of the moderator sort would by no means that peace so far promâ—â—ed should now be lost for what marvel is it say they if the Hollanders had rather yield to the rest of their Brethren of the Netherlands than the King whom they conscious to themselves of their guilt towards him dreads as a terrible revenger That nothing was demanded contrary to Religion or Soveraignty and the very particular concerning forreign Souldiers was consonant to the desires of all and is well advantagious to the War as necessary for the Peace That the Embassadors might be appointed and instructed by the Kings Order whose name soever was used in the sending them and that the Netherlanders Fidelity was not so untryed as to suppose they would annihilate that Power by Articles for which they had so long maintained a War That the Prince might far better connive at and bear many things then absolutely grant them And if at last expectation was not answered it was lawful for the King to recede a little from the extremity of right for publick advantage That be ought to cast an Eye of pitty upon their misery and how many people lay even at the last gasp ready to expire That the fortune of the War had been various which had been waged on this side by doing on the other by suffering damage Out Enemies have Pastures Manufactures and the Fishing-Trade to maintain their vast number And besides whit is infinitely more then that not onely Rivers and great floods besides their efflux and return thither as to their Head but the boundless Ocean is traversed for advantage Hence is that multitude of strangers and that whole Nations are included with their narrow bounds They who rightly know them say 't is necessary for them to have War But on the other side of the Hispaniolized Netherlands are robbed of the Stock of their Fields have a dry shore and dangerous to Shipping yet are their burdens and the scarcity of all things hardly to be remedied or made amends for by any gain Moreover all places are made wast and exhausted and whatever remains is never free from discords and trouble It might be disputed indeed whether Peace can be made the same needs not be questioned as to War At last after all this there was another fear added lest the People of the United Provinces vexed with the endless toyl of their miseries should choose a new Prince wherein 't was uncertain whether they would admit a forreign Power or content themselves with the Vertues and Valour of some Domestick there was yet some hope that a vacancy in the Common-wealth should not be admitted but if they once pitched upon a Prince the War would either be inexplicable or peace if ever gotten attained with loss and infamy In these varieties of Judgment and Discourses some there were that applauded a Truce averring That the Hollander's Affairs stood hither too upright by their Vnanimity and Concord and that their Concord was supported by Fear These being once removed the Vices of Equality would quickly succeed and Emulation of Cities which they could hardly restrain even among all the dangers of War In the interim with people covetous of Wealth there must be a Traffick of Minds and the great ones being corrupted the Commons according to their Nature beginning once to love would quickly cease to hate Neither would they be willingly brought under the Burthen and Hazards of Warre again if they were but once mollified by the immunity of some smal time of peace In brief the Word would quickly pass for Kings The Hollanders being thus brought under among whom is the chief strength Councel and obstinacy It will be easte for Philip to determine in what manner to order his Forces against the laceâ—ated and torn Body of France and the Womanlike Kingdom of Britaine when that should onely support the War with consumed Wealth and this fight only for fear This Counsel was confirmed by Lipsius with many examples out of antient History However Taxis believeâ— the greatest damage would accrue to the Netherlands under the
League took example either to imitate or revenge the humour For if men follow after their profit nor more out of necessity than Wisdom or Policy while the Enemies Affairs were very unprosperous and themselves had most advantagious Trading and the French War raging that time certainly called for their more vigorous endeavours and not to cast off all to a season when the people being more impoverished must through the mercies of unprosperous events yet run the hazards and bear the burthen and heat of the day Neither did the successes in Lutzenburg answer expectation for though several Forts and Castles were assaulted rashly and taken yet neither was the Enemy much damnified or the Victors any thing advantaged thereby But after King Henry by making a great Progress in Burgundy had drawn thither the Forces of his Kingdom the Earl of Bulloyns Forces being exhausted who by an ostentous defiance had brought the Spanish Army against him he was not onely not able to perform his threats but also unable to defend himself he saw the French Borders pillaged himself being only able to assist them with a helpless and sorrowful look By the irksomness whereof and because the Souldiers began to grow insolent through hunger and thirst having nothing but water to drink Philip of Nassau much against the Earl of Bulloyns will made hast to return but by a contrary way to that he went out for that the Enemy had blocked up But the Foot being commanded to go back by the way where France is encompassed by the Sea that so they might sail into Holland himself with the Horse came into Gelderland through Germany And Fontayne by how much he held a spited Government by so much be the more earnestly studied that his Adversaries might have no cause to accuse him for any thing besides his greatness His chief care was for the Souldiers to strengthen the old and to recruit them with a new Militia and well knowing the Revolt of the Italians and whatever miseries followed thereupon was accounted his fault for the mitigating the envy he had contracted he supposed to reduce them to obedience would be his readiest way wherefore hastning the conclusion of the Agreements begun by Ernestus but interrupted and broke off by his death in regard monies did not yet arrive he gave them pay from day to day and pledges for performance of what was agreed Notwithstanding which being Commanded to take possession of Tilemonte they refused to follow their Colours yet they made an advantage of it averting the use of those Souldiers which they themselves wanted even against the Enemy and shortly after divided them some under new Officers others into Garrisons The King of Spain's Forces were hardly at any time greater or more numerous than now yet being far dispersed in several parts were never able to compass any great matter In Burgundy under Velasius was a strong Army In the Confines of Artois and Picardy after the departure of Charles Mansfield Varembonius was quartered to bridle Cambray and by making excursions into France to revenge Rapine by Rapine Mondragonio attended Prince Maurice to observe his motions and in time to meet or prevent him In this lying about Hulst there were four thousand Armed men Verdugo with six thousand Foot and fifteen hundred Horse being Commanded drew near to Ferte to drive the Earl of Bulloin who had less Forces out of Lutzenburg and to recover the Towns by him taken The Walls of this Town of Fert by continual Batteries and breaches lay open yet a great power of the French being sent to help the Town by a fierce and violent Assault did repress and beat off the Besiegers But this Town thus freed from the Siege being soon after by accident for the greatest part burned and spoyled by Gunpowder by the Earl of Bulloyne himself was dismantled and ungarrisoned In the interim Verdugo turning his strength against weaker places after a few Assaults by a growing Disease and the accomplishment of his Fate dyeth report also being both doubtful and suspicious about his death for he merited a name of Honour although in the unsuccesful Government of Frizeland as rather wanting opportunity and strength then Valour and Industry He was faithful to the heighth of Religion and eloquent beyond the mode of a Souldier His nature was full of urbanity and thereby easily distinguished from other Spaniards who generally do not use so prayse-worthy a quality and because he was raised from nothing to great Honours being born of a House not ignoble though impoverished he remembred his former Fortune as much as was necessary The Cities of the Netherlands made it their general Request to Fontayne at last that he would stick close to the Siege of Cambray offering him a great sum of money and also Souldiers because while neither the City was closely besieged nor the Spanish Army reduced thereto from their lying scattered up and down they were spoiled by both But he of his own accord that the time of his Government might not passe away without something memorable and that be might supply the empty Treasury he sends to Varembonius his Camp and increaseth his Forces to make them up twelve thousand Foot and two thousand Horse With this Army he secured all the adjacent parts from the French and that done he took Castellat being first much weakened by Battery and afterwards forced them to surrender who had retreated into the Castle This is a Town in Vermandois near the Head of the Scheldt which another Henry King of France had appointed for a defence to Cambray and if any invasion should happen out of the Netherlands for a frontire Guard to the Kingdom About the same time Hanen a Town in the same Borders was taken by force with such variety of chances as have made the Relation wonderful and brought it almost within the compass of fabulous The Governour thereof was one Gomero one Of those Frenchmen who under pretence of the Roman Religion had sought to win foreign favour to his advantage This man at what time the greatest Affairs in those parts were turned against the King of France his Fortune Covenanting with the Spaniards for a great sum of money delivered up the Town only retaining the Castle while the Articles were performed But by the Policy of Fontayne drawn out he was overcome together with his two Brothers his Mother and his Kinsman Orvillier still remained to the Garrison with the danger of which dearest Pledges they were threatned unless they forthwith departed The Woman between fear and affection consented but Orvillier being nearer to the incensed French by secret Messengers sent to the Earl of Bulloyne and the rest of the Kings Commanders who then resided in Picardy who coming and being admitted into the Castle all the whole day after there was a sharp conflict with the Towns wherein there were twelve hundred Souldiers Spaniards Walloons Germans and Italians nor was the Dispute ended without the loss of some Noble Blood
of future Right and Jurisdiction if the Pope's Authority and Consent were obtained and he who never bestowed gratis upon any man so much as words gave to the Kings of England the Dominion of Ireland but so as he should be a Feodary of the Church and pay to the same a certain Tribute But the following Kings refused to make any such Payment pretending That the Peers of the Kingdom of England had never consented to it At last King Henry the Eighth despising the Name of Lord for till then the Kings of England were onely call'd Lords of Ireland first took to himself the most Noble Title of King by his own power assuming that Honour which his Daughter Queen Mary afterwards chose rather to receive from the Pope But although Ireland where it is most civiliz'd hath by little and little learn'd to receive and indure both the English Laws and Governours yet it remain'd in other parts which are fuller of Woods and Bogs a Lover of its pristine and Natural Liberty For by that Name the Licentiousness almost of all which in other places is forbidden was called Among the rest the Family of Oneal is very eminent of which one first challeng'd the Principality of Ulster and soon after of all Ireland These Irish under such a Head gather'd Courage especially because England was at that time miserably torn by the Bloudy Dissentions of the two Royal Families of York and Lancaster But Henry the Eighth ruling peaceably yet with a severe Hand compelled the Heir of that Stock intitled Con Oneal to abjure the Name and Title of Oneal which was presently swallow'd up in the Honour and Dignity of the Earl of Tyrone Some believed that Matthew was Son to this Man but others suppose the same Matthew to be the Son of a Black-Smith But his Grand-Father Con exceedingly loved his Wife and therefore suffer'd to be obtruded upon him either a strange or an uncertain Issue This Man was slain by John who affirm'd himself the lawful Sonne of Con yet before his Murther had a Son call'd Hugh who was partly bred at Home partly in England and by the Favour of Queen Elizabeth had both the Earldom of Tyrone and whatever belonged to Con the afore-named John being kill'd in his Rebellion and all his Goods and Estate confiscated but under such Conditions as for the future took from him all possibility of doing a prejudice He was a Man very knowing in matters of War and being intrusted in many Affairs faithfully performed his Duty to the Queen until in the year 1588. when that most notable Spanish Fleet being beaten and scatter'd some of the Commanders therein with some Vessels were cast away upon the Coast of Ireland at which time holding private Conferences with him they stirred him up to recover the Right and Title of Oneal Yet however he might then fix his Resolution he discover'd no sign thereof at the present But others being risen in Arms mov'd thereto either out of Zeal to the Roman Religion or by the Injuries received from the English he a long time covering his Hostile Mind with the Veil of Obedience denied the guilt of any Crimes with no less Confidence than they were objected against him However without doubt it was a great failing in the English who would not when they might put into safe custody a man of so fierce a Nature whom they supposed guilty But he first casting into Prison the Children of John that he might not be impeded by any Domestick Quarrel and this year having heard that General John Norris a man famous in the Belgike War and then employ'd in French Bretaigne was called thence with the old Souldiers to appease the Irish Commotions put himself in the Head of the Rebels but yet not omitting with most humble words to desire peace and pardon throwing the cause of the Quarrel upon the cruelty of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland By this kind of Policy and by Truces he endeavour'd to protract the War until the Assistance promised from Spain might arrive And there his Devices and Intents were much forwarded by the Discords between Russel Deputy of Ireland and Norris who was appointed General of the War Their Enmity growing to that heightâ— that whatever seem'd fit to the one the other would not consent to because the first liked and for no other Reason But the Queen after the breaking forth of this Rebellion began a more fierce War Not for her Allies as before was pretended but for her own sake And therefore she sent out out Drake a person well known in the Western World with a great Fleet prepared partly at her own Charges and partly at the cost of private Men with hope to seize and take the Wealth gather'd together and laid up in Porto Ricco But the News of their coming being gotten thither before them all the Wealth being carryed thence more into the Land the Port it self was inclosed and stopp'd up by the Spaniards Wherefore Drake wasting all the other places of the Canaries going from thence to the American Streights he spoiled the Town of Nombre de Dios that lyes between two Seas where himself together with many of his men either by the untemperateness of the Air or with grief of mind that the Success of his Voyage answer'd not his Desires dyed About which time also another English-man Sir Walter Rawleigh Captain of the Queen's Guard entring the River Orenoco came to Guiana a place never conquer'd by the Spaniards of which he made a discovery from his own sight and knowledge But as to the Amazons and those whose Faces are in their Breast having onely been heard of but never seen he left the finding of them out to others I should deprive Posterity both Foreign and Domestick of the profitable and no less delightful part of the History if I should not set forth at large the Voyages at Sea whereby it is brought to pass That the Hollander's Felicity even in the midst of their Troubles hath not onely exceeded the happiness of others in peace but also of themselves For these being as it were born Sea-men have from thence raised the chief if not the sole support of their War not studying to divide the World or caring to be subject to the Bishop of Rome's Rules who hath ascribed to the Spaniard the greatest part of his Nature whereby under the Cloak of Religion he might oppress the Liberty of the whole World The antient Bounds of Merchandize and Trade for which these Nations through many Ages were famous besides a few Islands were two Narrow Straights and the Seas within them This Way towards the Sound That Way towards Hercules Pillars and the Islands of Gades There is between these a middle Coast of the Ocean where all the Profit arising to the Traders upon one side grows by their Selling or Battering the same on the other side for they the Dutch have a want of Corn nor indeed have plenty of any other
of November he set forth an Edict wherein declaring with many Circumlocutions the grievousness of the Usury he suffer'd insomuch that Husbandry ceased and Merchandizing was left off That the Customs of the Kingdom the Tenths of Priests granted to him by the Pope and the Tributes of several Nations were all detained by most unjust Covenants which the fear of worse Evils had extorted And in regard that ail his many Labours in behalf of Christianity would be perverted unless some speedy course were taken to supply or prevent those Necessities Wherefore without any other pretence of words he declared That whatsoever had been by him pawned or laid to pledge was absolutely free from every such Obligation So that he presently laid hold of all his Possessions leaving to the Usurers at the present nothing but hopes Adding withall this Proviso That whatsoever had been paid above lawful Interest should be deducted from the Principal In the mean while a great many were stripped of their Wealth though some under a false pretence of Poverty abused it to great advantage And this same Calamity for the like Reasons fell also upon some in the Netherlands The Arch-Duke hereby was surprized with such a want of Money that the next year he suffer'd by it most inexplicable Damage So that at last all came to his wonted course not so much for shame of the Creditors who cryed out There was no Faith left if the Royal Power would take upon it self the infringement of Covenants as because the Names of the Revenues coming in were various and where hence Money should be brought the Ways were infested with Thieves and the Charges of the War required a present Remedy But this could not be obtained before the Promises and Engagements were renewed by the Restauration of the Pawns and promise to pay every Moneth Eighteen Thousand Duckets and adde to the old Bank Four Hundred more the Third Part of which to be paid in Spain and the Residue in the Netherlands by Bill of Exchange But among the Hollanders as the Dearth and scarcity of Provision in Italy decreased so did their Revenues both publick and private For supply whereof the Hollanders besides their old Taxes lately increased an Eighth Part imposed a new one whereby they might restrain Riot and Excess daily increasing or else bring the Gain thereof to the publick Advantage There was a Rate set upon all those that sold Silk and other such like pretious Commodities for Garments But when as the Collector began to put in Execution the said Tax at first the People began to rail with scurrilous Language but afterward they fell to open force and blows They who without grudging underwent the burden of daily Provision for Extraordinaries yet strove against this as if it had bin for their Liberty But this seem'd a Reproach not a Tribute for the Contumacy of some so witstood the publick Authority that it appear'd unsafe to incline to the contrary But in Frizeland they who had the charge both of the Cities and the Country not yet agreeing while every one defends his Possessions against the payment of Tributes they made it evident with what Diseases chiefly the Common-wealth may be afflicted where there is not likewise a common profit But the chief care of the Nobles was bent to settle and confirm a League between themselves and the French and English for hitherto they had given Assistance one to the other at request and their own pleasure which had sometimes been the cause of Complaints among them and on all sides produced Threats tending to the breach of Peace But the Hollanders who had perpetual cause of War and as for the most part such Alliances overstrain the Inferiours while their Forces were at War in France or at Sea with the English lost Hulst and all the Tributes growing out of Flanders no man caring for their Griefs or Losses In the mean while the French not dissembling concerning Calais and the Succours sent too late complainad That the King's Confidence was deluded who lying at the Siege of Fayer with his own Forces fear'd the danger of no part less than of the Sea-Coast And their Courage was heightned from de Maiu and others of that Faction who had preferred the King's Pardon before the Commerce of Foreign Pride And now the great Council of the whole Kingdom of France being summon'd at Roan there appear'd the lawful Face of a Kingdom Nor was there any great aversion in King Philip from hearkning to Pacification which as it was true so that he should marry the King of France his Daughter was first onely a Spanish Device a little after strengthned with a false â—umour But Queen Elizabeth the Counts of Bulloin and Sancy being sent Embassadors to her from France at such time as Albertus had taken Calais at first shew'd her self very strange towards them as if she could very ill spare to lend them five and twenty thousand Scutes But shortly after taking a nearer view of the danger of her own accord she not onely kept the Embassadors with her but treated with them of a more setled League the Conditions and Articles whereof were then begun to be discoursed of In the interim the talk of Peace more and more increasing the King signified to the Vnited States and by that Name they being much troubled that the King had changed his Religion that he was so high in the Pope's Favour that he accepted of him to be a Moderator and Reconciler of Differences in Religion nor was it a wonder if he endeavour'd to win the Minds of the Vulgar by the pretence of Peace But if the League was confirm'd he would be ready to invade the Borders of Artois with 8000 men which was beyond the strength of his Nobility But for all this great ostentation when at the Siege of Hulst a little after such an Action would have been most acceptable the French never so much as made an offer to stir And besides Count Bulloin being return'd home and again to be sent into England for conclusion of the League was detained Three Moneths And there was at this time a Truce agreed between the Garrisons of Calais and Bulloin all which Things the French excused thus That they were not able to bring forth their Army because the French Nobility are always wont to rest themselves from all Actions Military in time of Harvest and not onely so but the Netherlandish Border also were visited with the Plague That the League was delay'd onely while it might be fully deliberated in all the French Parliaments and that the Truce was quickly broken off But the Hollanders had more to do with Queen Elizabeth who now for two years together had required them to come to an Account and re-imburce her Money enumerating the Successes of the War not without a shew of Emulation and the stately structures of their Cities And on the other side declaring her own Necessities which she could not supply with continual Veins
lessned To the performance of this League the Queen was sworn And the Earl of Salisbury went to see the King take the like Oath on his part From hence the Count of Bulloyn went into Holland to receive their consent and submission At the confirmation of this League were present there Paul Busanual who was the King's continual Leiger with the States and George Gilpin an English-man and an Assistant in the Senate by the old League After Prince Maurice and the Senate's Advice had the United States were also included within the same words onely there were added these peculiar Things That the King of France at the beginning of the Spring shall have Souldiers ready upon the Borders of Artois and Henalt and on the other side the States shall have ready 8000 Foot and 1500 Horse that the lying as it were in the middle may be divided in his purposes what to do in so doubtful a case Therefore the States will add to the two Auxiliary Regiments which they sent at their own charge to aid the King two Regiments more but if for all that the Enemy should turn his whole strength upon them that it shall be lawful for them to recall those Forces And the French King for his part shall at his best conveniency send as many Regiments to the Hollanders as also 1000 Horse That each shall have the chief Command in his own Country What hath formerly been agreed and is not by this present League renewed or altered to be and remain as they were That the King have great Care and Honour to the Confederate Cities and the Subjects within this League and above all other to the House of Nassau for their everlastingly famous Merits towards the Commonwealth That all Journeys backward and forward and all Trade be free on both sides That neither of them impose heavier Tributes upon the Subjects of the other than upon their own Citizens That all the Laws which confiscate the Estates of Strangers be cut off and invalidate between them and that the Right of Succession and making Wills and Testaments be restored That all Booty takâ—n at Sea shall belong to them who first invaded or set the Enemy That the Hollanders may sail whither they will even into the Western Kingdoms That there be no demands nor distresses made for a publick debt upon privat persons That it shall not be lawful for any to retain any ships either in their passage by or coming to the Shore to unlade or to expose them to sale The publick Instruments of this League were signed the last day of October which were solemnly attested with publick Joy wherein there was nothing omitted to make it compleat For besides that it was for the settlement of peace It also conduced much to the Honour and Majesty of the Common-wealth much envyed for its new rising that it was looked upon by Kings in Honourable Leagues which that it might be brought to passe the French King had exceeded while he esteems it convenient and agreeable to his own Affairs and the benefit of the Hollanders even against themselves although Queen Elizabeth had laboured that these her old Allyes should be comprehended under her Patronage affirming that it was enough there being no cause why Cities falling from a strange Government should be inserted among Names of Princes of the highest Rank There were some who would have repeated former seuds how the Franks of old passed the River Wael and seated themselves in that part of the Country which is called Gelderland that they possessed the Isle of Holland from whence their Kings took the name of Meronee That Governours were sent out of France into Holland Then also that the English confess them of Frizon original by the idiom of their Tongue Shortly after their Princes were obliged to both the Kingdoms by Marriage and that a great while before when the Roman Power carryed all before it the Hollanders were famous for Arms fidelity and honest liberty so that they were called the Emperours People Brothers and Friends When the Romans renounced all right and fair dealing these choosing themselves a civil Leader opposed them making a confederacy both with Germany and France O hers took notice of the vicissitude of their Affairs neerer hand as particularly that now the King of France had made a publick League against the Spaniard with them whose Deputies but a few years before for fear of the Spaniard they durst hardly hearken to But the Regiments which the Hollanders by the League were bound to send were not sent but according to the King's desire money instead thereof which he rather wanted than men But this the English took amiss nor did the Queen vouchsafe to send any person to go to the German Princes together with the Holland and French Embassadus and certainly there was nothing proved a greater hindrance of others to joyn in that Allyance then that Emulation from hence the French conceived a deadly suspition that the English desired to have a perpetual War with them Nor with any other mind was the Queen desired to forward the making a Peace between the Turk and the House of Austria And not long after there being a Conference appointed at Diope to consider what course should be taken for carrying on the War the next year There again the French were offended at a Request made by the English to wit that if they could recover Calais a Garrison might be put into it for the Queen But they had rather the Spaniards should keep it hoping that they might in the future extort it from them either by force or by Article which they much doubted if once the English should get it About the same time it was desired of King Henry That the Professors of several Arts which had been taught at Leyden by ingenious persons bred there might be allowed in France The Prince of Aurange had formerly chosen this place for a Seat for the liberal Sciences least for fear of charge the People at a great distance and being bred and born among Arms should grow rude and barbarous And by this means also the City was repaired and the ruines which it had suffered by a Siege amended for being famous for fidelity and constancy it rather chose this Reward of Learning than to be free from Taxes which was offered to it The main motive hereto was Religion the prop of their party the gift of expounding whereof had hitherto been assumed by Artificers or of the unlearned and illiterate common people while the labour it self being without hope of preferment and certainly attended by poverty was the cause of penury both in the teachers and learners In a short time although the Frizons also had to the like purpose ordained Franecre this School of Holland by the fame of the Instructors and the flocking thither of much youth both of their own and foreign Countries got the preheminence The Teacher of the study of the Civil Law was Hugo Donnell who following the
Affairs of the Country they were called Hovet-men according to Custom should be chosen by the City Senate which the House of Austria had preserved entire in Gelderland the rest of the same Court by the States As to Merchandising it was thus moderated That whatever was of the Growth of the Country or Manufacted there should not be exported till it had been first brought to Groeningen Market neither might they use any other Drink then what was brewed there in Groening this Ale there made is of Water boyled with Barley the common Drink of Germany and the familiar use there made this the more easily accepted by both but for foreign Merchandises free liberty was allowed Many other things there were of like nature composed which although at first moved with high Contests yet coming short of the intent aymed at it irked to perform But now the contention of the Hollanders with those of Zeland was so much the more grievous by how much the Unity of the entire Body was maintained by the Wealth of these The difference was about Customs which were raised by Transportation of Commodities either to Foreign Nations or the Enemy This the several Provinces looked upon not as a peculiar Propriety but the common Stock of the League for bearing the Charge of the Naval-Affairs which if it fell short by any means they were for the publick good to make up out of their private Purses The Zelanders stretched this further compelling all sorts of Commodities that were brought out of Holland and passed by their Islands to other places to pay another part of Custom with them which because it could not be hindred was by a temporary Agreement between the two Provinces confined But the Hollander renounced this Convention relying upon an Edict of the United States which declared that where Carryage was taken in there the freight ought to be payd Besides this the Zelanders were accused that by diminishing the Customs and punishments they had reduced the common Stock into their hands as of right and by that meanes and the like deceits they had converted all forreign Trade and the advantages thereof to themselves against the Faith and Agreement of so necessary an Allyance whereto when they answered that the Hollanders by their Covetousness obtruded the name of the States as otherwhere the name of the Prince and Senate that they intermingled in one many Controversies Nor did they both cease to prefer their own merits in the management of the War before those of the other objecting to each other sloath and neglect and if the League should be dissolved they could among themselves have sufficient strength to maintain and defend their private Affairs Nay to such a height was the Zelanders fury risen that they denyed to pay any Tribute to the League which afterward other meaner and less considerable People taking into example it was scarce agreed at length that some Commodities of Zeland being relinquished for the future their Authority should be preserved in the great Counsel of the General States While these things were in Agitation several Forreign Embassies were heard where were at large discoursed the benefits and prayse of Peace with the miseries and complaints of War the Spaniard in the interim taking care not so much to obtain Peace as to throw the Odium of the War upon the States as denying and being averse to peace Among these Embassies the ingrateful Speech of Paulus Dialius sent to them from Sigismund King of Poland was taken notice of who in a Latine Speech thundring aloud when he talked much of the duties of Subjects towards their Princes he threatned to the Hollanders certain ruine from the Spanish greatness unless they acknowledged their fault and desired Pardon offering the King his Master as a Mediator but on the contrary he highly extolled King Philips goodness and fidelity and that before the Sons and Kinsmen of the Prince of Aurange and Count Egmonde no less were the names of Christianity and that the Turkish Power though at such distance hung over their heads with terrour the hither Poland to redeem its fear thereof with Peace having withdrawn it self from the common War Nor was it unknown to the States how the Polander and Spaniard were linked together both by necessity and Allyance and which was the nearest tye of all the Jesuites residence in the Kings Court. To this it was modestly answered as to cause and danger of Peace and that the Spaniard waged more cruel Wars against the Christians than the Turks cut of an excessive ambition of Soveraignty Whereof Sigismund ought rather to take care before any domestick Conjunction And when He notwithstanding this yet grew more cholerick as if he intended to break off all commerce they who treated with him affirmed that they were in no more need of the Polanders Harvest if the Laws of humanity should be violated then the Polanders were of their money At this time also the Emperour and Princes of Germany and the chief City sent to require Audience of a most magnificent Embassie which the States suspecting the preparation of so great an Authority excused whereupon they sent other Letters by Charles Nutselius questioning with some bitterness whether that were the Reverence they bore to the Germane Allyance and whether they would return this thanks for all the benefits they had received to deny to them their Friends what was granted even to Enemies among all Nations Nor would it be sufficient for the Embassadors onely to treat of Peace which yet that it might be without Fraud and secure if any occasion should be given they should diligently take care but also of many other weighty Affairs which concerned the Hollanders no less than the Germans This Nutselius interpreted to relate to the restauration of the old Leagues protesting not without threats that no man should despise the Majesty of the Empire unpunished To this the States with great Humility replyed that they did this onely out of Honour and Reverence to the German name that they might be premonished lest they should put themselves to the trouble of a vain and fruitless Embassie There being no persons in the World that could better understand their Affairs and what was expedient for them then themselves With a little more seriousness came from the King of Denmark Arnoldus Witfeldius the President of that Kingdom and Christian Barnicavius the same King as was believed by most doing this rather because he could not refuse it than of his own accord for he had been a Fatherly Friend both to the House Nassau and the People of Holland and besides prosessed the sincere and reformed Religion and therefore would require nothing that might seem fraudulent either to that or them But because in Peace God might be more purely worshipped and both publick and private Affairs consisted more safely without the chances of War he hoped they would not look upon him as an unacceptable or uncapable Authour of so great a good To these so
when he saw the profuse Largesses towards the French and that his Armies sent against them were destroy'd that what he hoped for was vanish'd and his hopes punish'd with so much severity that he was thrown out of the possession of much which his Grand-Fathers enjoy'd Nor was it displeasing to King Henry to recover his own that he might once enjoy in peace that Kingdom which he had obtained by War and that he might settle by good Laws all those Things which for the space of forty years had been corrupted and run to Ruine And this way moved also all the Catholikes formerly a Faction onely averse to him but now the chief men in favour More over 〈◊〉 all places as he passed there still met him Crowds of poor People humbly supplicating him to hearken to Peace The honour of counselling and advising these two Kings fell to Alexander Medices the Popesâ—egate â—egate and Bonaventure Calatagiron a Sicilian the Chief of all the Order of Francistans who omitted not to shew to the French King That among the Allies of War the Reward of it always came to his Lot that first laid hold of Peace Yet for all these perswasions be would not hearken to a Treaty until he had Assurance given him That the Articles of the Peace should be such that he might thereby not onely claim but enjoy the whole Kingdom of France Fraught with this hope the Mounsieur's Belleur and Brularde from the French King and Mendosa Taxis Richardâ— and Mariensarde from Alterius to whom King Philip had given full power concerning this Peace met at St. Quintins where they proceeded in a very procrastinating manner In the mean while Henry that he might not seem irreligiously to break the League with England sends thither his Embassador to declare That by this slow kind of fighting France did not us formerly decay but die That all the Noble Families were exhausted by the War the People brought to Poverty the Towns lay wasted and burnt and the Fields unmanured which must needs yield to the King a sad Spectacle of Misery And the Extremity of all these Evils was aggravated by this That they wanted Remedy Wherefore unless he were furnished with an Army speedily at the Charge of his Allies so as he might therewith even at once put an end to the War What should he do when even they fought Peace who must thereby lose the Reward ef their Arms and Valour however he would endeavour that whatever Peace â—e made both the Queen and the rest of his Allies should have equal benefit thereof but if they should not think fit thereof yet it with no wonder if he dealt one way with those who sought Prey and Safety from War and another with such as sought nothing but certain Ruine And that Queen Elizabeth might have the less to accuse the King's Infidelity this was added That by the League she had promised to send him 4000 Auxiliaries but 〈◊〉 of â—aâ—e by the guilt of some few Persons he was fain to be conâ— with 2000. and those also in a manner extorted from her At which the King of France had sufferedâ— while he desired to retain the Noise of her fruitless Alliance yet could not forget the Injury against the Hollanders He had no such plausible Pretence however he sent Mounsieur Buzanvale to let them know what small helps he had either from their Promises or Performances and that they had received and carryed more out of France by Pay than they expended by thâ— Charges of their Assistance Both these People were sensible of the King's Arts in this Management of his Affairs that he was weary of the War though he would not seem so But Queen Elizabeth calling to memory the great Charges she had been at in behalf of the Hollanders and considering Ireland which although at that time infested by Rebels though indeed their strength was broken yet detained there John Norris and Thomas Borrage formerly famous Captains in the Low-Countries and there also emulous of each other had destroyed the Rebels by War indeed but not by fighting Upon these Considerations therefore the Queen reâ—urned this Answer That as she had not been wanting to her Ally while he proceeded in the War so if Peace were made she would willingly be present at the hearing of the Conditions Onely the Hollanders easily perceived that they were the persons that were by Peace to be distinguished from those against whom a common War was to be waged For between the Kings this was one certain Rule leading to Peace For the future to abstain from dâ— any further Injuries and both to give and take Indempnity for alâ— former Actions Besides they well knew that if a man undertake to reconcile a Prince and People he will find that the one must enjoy his Will in all Things and the other must suffer for the Offences of both Whereupon they were not ignorant how hard a Task they should undergo if the whole strength of Spain were turned against them they thought fit to hint both at the Force and Fraud of their Enemies thereby to deter others yet themselves politikely to offer any thing And as to the King of France who was now advancing against Nants besides the Regiments of the League they offer'd as many ships as he would towards the shutting up of the Loyre and greater â—â—ds then all that if any of the Netherlanders should invade the Borders of France But behold as a prevention of all these intended Designs they themselves are attempted by new Allurements viz. King Philip had two Daughters the younger was marryed to the Duke of Savoy the Elder named Izabella Clara-Eugenia be had kept at Home thereby the better to insnare and Tantalize many with the hopes of so great a Marriage For the truth is she was looked after by the late Emperour Rudolphus Eruestus and the Duke of Guise though this last had spent the principal part of his Age in an unfruitful Coelibate but now at length is betrothed to the Arch-Duke Albertus of Austria not without the heavy displeasure of Rudolphus the Emperour as many reported that the honour of marrying with her should be refused to him having formerly so earnestly sought after it But Philip not minding that proceeded to the New Marriage promising in Dowry with her Burgundy with the Netherlands not onely that by this division the right Heir msght be provided for against her younger Brother but also for the reconciling and winning the Affections of such as had Rebelled if perhaps the Name of Austria should be more acceptable to them than that of Spain whose fresh Injuries would make the others former Benefits be remembred and well resented But all these Endeavours vere vain and to no purpose with People who would neither be perswaded out of their Fear or Liberty but weighing all the Necessaries and Pretences of that House who even by force usurped the Name of the Balgick Empire they suspected every Thing proceeding from thence But
to fight in his Defence This Lady had also two other Sisters the one marryed to the King of Poland the other to Sigismund Battor Prince or Vayvod of Transilvania but both very unhappy in their Husbands both their Countries being afflicted with worse than Civil Wars For He of Poland following the Jesuits Counsels by means of his Uncle whose Name was Charles was beaten out of the Kingdom of Sweden the Antient Inheritance of his Fathers And the other perswaded by the same Authors to deny the payment of Tribute to the Turks soon after being unable to defend his Territories was forced to transfer his Principality to the Emperour who gave the Government to his Brother Maximilian That was He who when he possessed the Kingdom of Poland made a Journey against the Swede onely for Forage sake and being afterwards taken Prisoner and quite forsaken by all would yet retain the Name of a King But Batler under the Name of Exchange was sent into Silesia and moreover being Robbed of his Wife as if unable to get Children being soon weary of his wandring Life and mean Fortune he returned to his own Country and at once received both his Old Dominions and his Wife threatning all that durst resist with the Turkish Power which would come in his Aid The Mother of this Margaret was a Bavarian and being the Emperour Ferdinand's Niece had marryed his Son Charles from which Marriage proceeded this Issue So that having 〈…〉 Father and great Uncle by the like Reason she might have a Husband to whom the same great Uncle might be Father Pope Clement being come to Ferrara for he claimed this City the Family of Atesti being extinct and subjected the same rather by Threats and Devotion than Arms when one Caesar by Name but the Off-Spring of an unlawful Bed challenged it and the Proxies of King Philip and his Sister Isabella being ready by Solemn Rites of Marriage he Conjoyned two Leagues by one Nation Going thence to Mantua and Millain they met the Duke of Savoy who also was come to salute his Kindred Thus was one whole Year spent in Italian Complements then they went to visit Sacred Monuments passing frequently by great and rich Cities where the Affections of Friends and Subjects contesting with great Cost and Art the Austrian Greatness was excellently decipher'd in shews and Albertus his own Victories represented to him in Effigie But by reason of the Journey into strange parts yet not absolutely divided from us I will make a short digression and before I repeat the Expedition to the Rhene remember some Things about the Borders which at this time were more than usually troublesome by some occasions of difference among Themselves Edsard Earl of Frizeland beyond the Eemes being offended with the Covenants made at Delfeziel as extorted by Force had appealed to the Emperour The Emperour who could neither approve Forein Decisions in German Affairs not saw the Issue of them which should be adjudged against the Will of a City found yet this Expedient That abrogating the Delfezylian Laws he himself would command in a manner the self-same thing The Earl being thus frustrate of his hope when now he had a great while expected an Augmentation of his Power this Year attempted to sow Intestine Discords in the City already so exhausted by Troubles and Charges that it could not pay the Money owing by Covenant and other necessary Things but by the Assessing of New Taxes Wherefore sending two of his Sons into the City to foment the Tumults they sought out some among the Vulgar that should gather together more who were offended at the Assessments for of 19 Fraternities two refused or else such as differ'd from the Publike Religion with Directions That they should at the Gates resist the Souldiers that were to come in and whom he had sent for to that very purpose though pretending other matters But the Conspiracy being set afoot the Magistrates angry with the Earl's Sons complained of the Father's Treacherous Dealings and putting to death those whom they found guilty of raising the Tumults they banish'd the rest of the popular part of the Faction or else fined them One of the principal Leaders in this Sedition was Gruny a man famous in his Family and of great Alliance being Kinsman among others to Count William He was of Kin by the Father's side to John Funquio who formerly had presided the Belgick Affairs for the Spaniard and not long since under pretence of private Business had come among the Hollanders But being detected to have brought Albertus his Commands to Edsard and asked what they were answer'd Nothing else but to desire Passage for the Spanish Forces through that Country Although it was believed and indeed more congruous to received Judgments that he came to treat of an Exchange concerning the very Right of that County with others in Burgundy or else of Goods in Luizenburg For this cause he being for a while diligently kept at length he was let go upon payment of his Ransom as a Prisoner of War because he had violated the Publike Faith But at this time some of the Funquio's Letters to Edsard were found wherein he was advised That he should not look after Germany or other remote and lingring hopes wherewith he had been so often vainly eluded for nothing but the Spanish Power would ever restore him to his Government but a Reward must be given to the Society that at the time appointed they might have leave to pitch their Camp in the Country and that a Fleet should be brought into the Mouth of the River and the next Bay with which he should sufficiently revenge himself upon his Rebels For which Causes Count William the Governour of Frizeland was desired That he would have in readiness a strong Force to help them in time of need whereof he took Care accordingly And in the interim from the adjoyning Parts commands a Party of well-armed and disciplin'd Souldiers to take an Oath to he faithful to him and then as if they had bin discharged by him he causeth them to go into the City and then to learn what more they could But now the Concord of the Citizens being grown more firm because the Conspiracy was Reported to intend Fire and Slaughter and they were fearful and not skilled in the use of Arms and so wanting the help of a Forein Garrison they Listed and took into Pay 300 men But the Earl as if he had receiv'd not given an Injury of his own accord summons the City to plead their Cause before the Imperial Senate complaining there of many Things as particularly That the Holland Souldiers wasted his Fields that they had inflicted extream punishments upon innocent Persons against whom they ought not to make any Legal Process without him that they had unworthily dealt with his Children and compelled the Youth to make New Promises whereby they should lay aside their Allegiance due to their Prince Thus in words they seem'd onely to mind Legal
out went their Companions who either partly refused or at best were very slow in following the Example The Zelanders chiefly refused to advance their proper Charge by reason of some new or late Losses and among those beyond the Rhine there were used many Evasive Circumlocutions while part study rather the Peoples Favour than the Publike Good and applaud those Impositions which they hoped would be easie for themselvs though they fell heavy upon their Neighbors Others there were who would not be silent when others being quiet they had all the Care of the Commonwealth although the Hollanders winked at it except it were seriously debated in Common-Council they would leave the Care of the out-lying Parts looking onely to their own nearer Necessities and the possession of the Sea Some Comfort was received from the German Princes who as yet having a Suspition and Jealousie of the Spaniard offer'd them continual Aid and Money The Count Palatine excited the rest of his Allies of the same Religion both by Words and Example Shewing to every one of them what Alva had done of old and what Mendosa now and that the Hollanders could not bâ— overcâ—me without the destruction of their Neighbours but if they flourished they would be a great help to many to this for the Defence of Prussia to these of the Possession of the Dutchy of Cleves and to all against the Bishop of Rome and his Followers by whose cruel Hatred and Faction all are oppressed But all this was little hearkned to for the Duke of Brunswic converted his Arms against a City that had assumed too great a Liberty the rest acknowledging themselves unable to maintain the War But Charls Duke of Sudermannia Uncle of Sigismund King of Poland who taking little Care of his Antient People of Sweden and for his earnest Affection against the Romane Religion suspected of Innovation first opposed him in Arms and afterwards in a Publike Assembly when the Kingdom was taken away from him a long time shunning the Name of a King yet usurping the Authority by other Titles when he voluntarily desired the Alliance of the States because he desired some present help and that his hopes were uncertain his Kingdom poor and Forces far distant he was for a time put off with Delays yet because it was an offer'd Friendship it was accepted because he seem'd as it were to fight for Religion making an Excuse That some Holland Ships without any Publike Command had given Aid to Sigismund The Ninth BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES THE New Year which closed up a Century as it produced immediatly great Events so it did seem to portend great Changes of Affairs for a long time The Affairs of the Netherlanders under the Princes were in a bad Condition and full of Trouble and so wasted as was hardly to be seen in other places But the Goodness of the Princes as New They in Authority being present and the very greatness of the Distemper hastned to apply Remedies The United States to whom but newly redeem'd from Servitude was accrewed an Ample Dominion made all their Dangers to be but stricter Bonds to connect them being deliver'd by successful Arms although they had since that been reduc'd to no small Necessity out of their Old Discipline retrain'd their Courage against their Enemy but not equally their Concord and Modesty On both Sides then were great and strong Endeavours while for above the space of Thirty Years they contended to put an end to their Labour with which hope they have prosusely wasted their Forces even to Extremity as if Victory had stood before their Eyes promising Reward to them that could hold our longest And first of all the Winter being Frosty the Hollanders escaped great danger by reason the Rivers were all passable upon the Ice from the Enemies seditious Mutinies which they turn'd to their Advantage For Lewis of Nassau marching with great privacy out with a select Party of Horse and Foot broke into Wachtendone a Town not far from the Borders of the Dutchy of Cleves formerly taken by Count Mansfeldt after a Two Moneths Siege when the Duke of Parma had drawn the States Forces another way The Horse which had lately been added to that Garrison for the preserving thereof were then by chance absent forraging about the Borders of the Bishoprick of Colen yet there were theâ—ein 800 Souldiers but the Ice of the Trenches was not broke and the Situation of the Town far from an Enemy and among Cities associated in Frienship made them more secure than usual Therefore a few seizing the Rampire with a small slaughter they open'd the Gates to the rest Then Geleno both Lord and Governour of the Town fled with some few into the Castle in hope of Aid which he had sent to intreat and there endur'd the Terrour both of Granadoes and Bullets thundred upon him until Lewis his whole Party approached and brought Scaling Ladders to the Works and yet some resisted and among them a Woman well grown in Years not without the hazard and Wounds of those that opposed them But at last overcome by Multitude they yielded this place which was not of a contemptible Situation among the Marishes and then was full of good Booty because many of the Boors had betook hither Themselves and their Wealth because the War raged all about those parts After a few days the Souldiers brought in sufficient of all Things both as to Victuals and Defence Among the French that fought for the Hollanders was one Breautee a Gentleman of good Birth and Bloud in Normandy who vaunting in his Youth had challeng'd to fight 20 of Grebendoncks Troop the chief of whom were infamous for the Treacherous Delivery of Gertruydenberg and therefore certainly this was an unbeseeming Contest for a Person of Honour Each of them with an equal Number came out into a Field not far from Shertogenbosch the Grobbendonkians being better Armed but Breautee more exact in his place and order At the first Charge Breautee kill'd the Enemies Leader who was named Abraham but was known in the Camp by the Nick-name of Cook and so sharp was the Fight and the Shot directed so rightly opposite that in the first Conflict on both Sides the one half of the Contenders fell but by the flight of the French whose Courage began to fail in the continuance of the Danger Breautee being left alone having oftentimes changed his Horse and afterwards fighting on foot at last overpressed with a multitude of Enemies yielded himself The French affirm he articled for his Life against which the Brab under say That by Agreement the Conquered were to expect nothing but Death But certainly being Prisoner he had prevail'd much when some sent out of the City kill'd him with 30 Wounds while he onely begg'd they would let him dye Armed and like a Man A Wickedness fit onely to be committed by such ignominious Persons and yet a good Lesson for magnanimous Youth That they should not
great Forces wherewith all the people round about suspected the Spaniard would make War in Italy because also from hence sometimes designs were laid against several Venetian Castles otherwhile new plots were discovered upon some Cities of Low Germany But a sudden peace put a stop to all the Alpine troubles it being agreed That for the Marquisate of Saluzza the County of Breseia in the borders of Lions in which is the bridg of Roan should he delivered to the French adding an exception That it should be lawful to the Spaniard to lead over the said Bridg his Forces either into the Netherlands or Burgundy And now King Henry that after Peace abroad and dissentions in Religion setled at home and ordered by good Laws he might establish his Kingdome in a right Heir desires that the Pope would suffer him to be Divorced from Margaret Valois long since disaffected by him having been of no good fame and besides that for many years barren which was soon granted and he Marryed to Mary the daughter of Francis late Prince of Etruria a Lady of excellent disposition and which by her more mild temper should purge out of France all envy against the Name of Melices And the same Prince confirmed a League of Amity with England by new Conditions wherein was concluded That the boldnese of Pyrats should be restrained by severe Judgments and Pledges The Tenth BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES IN this year one thousand six hundred and one The Armies being recruited and augmented did threaten grievous and terrible things for the great Captains lay as it were at watch and fixed in expectancy of the manifestation of each others counsels The whole Winter and Spring was spent in Stratagems and Foraging before the restrained violence of War burst out with greater Force And first of all a Souldier born in Brabant urged by the perswasions of the Jesuits and hired with money that under the pretence of bringing in several prisoners to Gertruydenbergh he should open the Town to the Enemy was apprehended before his design could take effect Soon after some Mauritian Horsemen suddenly forcing a certain Castle in Limburg brought thence a great prey and many Prisoners About the sâ—me time one Captain Cloet was sent to take the Castle of Cracow which is in the Jurisdiction of Meurs and together with the City and Country by gift of the last Earl came to Prince Maurice but had been held by granâ— from the Duke of Parma to Salentine Count Isenborg by the said Count until that time the same Cloet took beyond Wachtendone three hundred Horse and some Foot which being understood one Dulquio Governour of Straten a Town hard by marching out by the Archdukes command with above four hundred Foot and a few Horse in the darkness of the night fell upon the Enemy ere they were aware of him And now he had taken about thirty and killed some before the rest awaked with the noise could make themselves ready but as he retreated through the narrow passages Cloet going another way through the open fields met him who being inferiour to Cloet in Horse the Village being seized he was forced to surrender Thus being Conqueror and hastning about what he was sent he found the trench of the Castle full of Ice and not broken as his spyes had brought him intelligence so that easily comming to the Gate which he forced open with Gunpowder he drove out the Garrison Albertus hitherto had Covenanted with the Souldiers in Hamont that leaving that more inferiour fear they should have the Town and Castle of Waert from whence both the Countreyes of Leige and Gulick were exposed to their plunder whereat the neighbours were grievously troubled But all their frequent Messages and Complaints were slightly passed over because it was known of old to be a kind of gain under the pretence of sedition to maintain War at the charge of others So also were the people of Cleves vexed with the Garrisons of Berck and Geldre and the misery of that people who had deserved better was increased in that the Hollander assessed as much money upon them as had been withdrawn by others saying That it mattered not whether by force or voluntarily they increased the Enemies Wealth since they could not defend themselves from it And because they heard of a Fleet preparing in Spain and that the Duâ—kâ—kers infested the Sea with more then ordinary boldness a greater Navy of Ships was sent to Sea yet for all that some Pyrats appeared still who in the sight of Scheveling which is a Village upon the Sea-Coast of Holland near the Hague they exposed their Captives and received their Ransome But soon after bâ—ing circumvented by some Fisherboats wherein some Souldiers were put they gave satisfaction for their audacious attempt by their usual and deserved punishment Some old Ships also were sent to Dunkirk Haven where being full of stones they were sunk on purpose to choak it up But as oft as the Sea ebbed the wood being cut away with Axes by the Towns-men at the flood by the violent beating of the Waves the place was again cleared of all And some Merchants Ships going into England were taken and made Prize by Spinola's Galleys the Ship of Warr which was to be their Convoy after a long fight with the Enemy a great number of whom was slain by some fire thrown into it utterly perished The same also thought to have set upon Flushing some within the Town being corrupted to have set fire thereon but one of the Conspirators falling by chance sick and by the terrour of approaching death repenting and making confession thereof to his ghostly Father the whole Plot was detected and punished In the interim new Mutinies and Seditions arose among Albertus his Men And the Antwerpers pacified a Man of Warr that lay in the Schelde and made a Mutiny by giving them part of their pay And the Walloons that kept the Forts about Ostend raged even to the wounding and killing of their Officers yet were largely indulged because by the Hollanders Promises they were like to be dâ—awn off from their Obedience and being perswaded to go from their Garrison they passed to Montz After these things the United States setting an Asseâ—sment upon all Chimneys and being assisted with Souldiers out of England and Moneys out of France again fell in Debate upon another Expedition into Flanders but for that all the hopes of that Design lay in the speedy execution thereof and therefore that it was necessary first to divert the Enemy to some other part it was thought sit to make a shew of Warr in the furthermost Borders To which purpose Prince Maurice sending before some Souldiers under pretence of a Marriage between Count Lewis of Nassau and Count Broakens Widow himself came to Arnheym and then making no delay he speeded to Bercke with above a hundred Companies of Foot and Thirty Troops of Horse of which Place Jeronimo Lopez had the Government by the
purpose for so much were they contemned that they published an answer filled with many souldierly taunts objecting to Albertus his fear of a battel and that Grave had been in vain looked after long before their recess and finding fault that while the Army was ready to starve he feasted and revelled at Court without any moderation of charge and repeating on the other hand the praises of such Commanders as were courteous and affable to their souldiers But what wonder could it be if after so many others they required what was due to them for their service or fled to such assistences for recovery thereof which though unseemly in themselves yet were made just by the laws of a fatal necessity Subjoyning at last that they were and would be safe against the punishments of that cruel Edict partly by their arms and partly by their poverty Octavio Frangipane the Pope's Legate endeavored to appease this Sedition but they would hearken to no condition untill that ignominious Edict was revoked and made null And now the greatest part of Autumn being past and Winter approching Prince Maurice having dismissed his German horse disposed the rest of his forces into Garrisons the like did Albertus whose Army was grown thin by frequent runnings away to the other party and the Italian souldiers decay being but fresh-men through the extremity of labour Yet part of the Army was sent into the Camp before Ostend so were Spinola's ships in part sent to those parts where either the Enemies forces or the mutineers designs were feared and the citizens of Venlo who had hitherto with pertinacy refused a garrison now were persuaded to admit souldiers because of the near-adjoyning danger of Grave About this time Mendosa departed into Spain where he was somewhat strangely received King Philip the father being dead and the son prepossessed by others who accused him for his unfortunate managery of the war and that he had neither sufficiently taken care for Peace nor undertaken or avoided battells as the necessity or contingency of affairs required Upon the forces departing into winter-quarters it fortuned that fourteen troups of the Hollanders fell upon eight of Albertus his troups that were without their officers lying somewhat carelessely not far from Mâ—estricht where they surprised and took most of the Horse in their beds together with five Corners or Horse-colours which were hanged up in the Palace at the Hague and a great number of horses At winter when the seditious began to incroach upon other parts Count Lewis of Nassau was sent with three and thirty troups of horse and twelve hundred foot to wast all the farther parts of the enemies country that denied to pay contribution where he took the town of S. Vâ—t and for a whole moneth together ranging all about burning the Villages and spoiling the Country he did no small damage to the Province of Lutzenburg At this time also the Hollanders had very good success at Sea Fredericks Spinola was coming out of Spain with eight new galleys and Martin Padilia being made Admiral of the Sea was said to be preparing a great Fleet which was suspected to threaten England or Ireland whereupon the Queen sent forth some ships to watch their actions and wait upon their motions and as occasion should offer it self either sink or take them and accordingly they burned two of Spinola's galleys and utterly made them useless at Sesymbra a town of Portugal giving to the slaves therein their liberty and to the rest their lives But for the future to prevent the like damage a great ship of Portugal of the same sort with those they call Carracks was opposed against them laden with precious Merchandises which while the English assaulted and soon after took the rest escaped by flight And Frederick Spinola being long detained in Spain untill he could have his covenants with the King confirmed with his six remaining galleys wherein were nine hundred souldiers and fifteen hundred slaves that rowed in the moneth of October set forth towards Flanders upon news whereof the Queen ordered three Ships to wait upon the English coasts and in the narrow Seas to which the Hollanders joyned four of theirs besides those which guarded the coast of Flanders The English first getting sight of these Galleys gave notice to their Companions but the Galleys making use of the cloudiness and calmness of the weather went so near the English shore that some of the Slaves throwing off their chains leaped into the shallow waters but the Hollanders pursuing the vessels sometimes by the shore other times in the narrow Sea not farre from Graveling with their great Guns sorely bruised two of them and twice or thrice being pressed with the vast bulk of their own Ships they were broken to pieces the Masts Oars and residue of the Ships being torn in pieces floated upon the Sea but their main bulks were swallowed up in the waves Almost two hundred of the men were saved and more of them might have been but that mercy was banished by fear lest the conquered should become more in number then the Conquerors Besides one other of them suffered Ship-wreck at Calais by the unskilfulness of the Pilots two others of them were much shattered with bullets and falling upon the shelves in that coast of Flanders got into Newport the sixth wherein Spinola himself was sailing up and down in the Sea of Zeland at last not without great hazard and throwing over-board much of their lading the slaves being incouraged with hope of liberty arrived at Dunkerk When then Frederick Spinola had joyned these three with the rest which he had before at Scluys aiming to repair both his credit and fortunes from the spoils of Walcheren he was with-held by winterly and contrary blasts of wind and because the Arch-duke being vexed both with forein and intestine Warre refused to denude his Garrisons for the refurnishing those Vessels At this time the Fame and Trade of the Hollanders increased in the Indies to the great detriment of the Portugueses who of old having been the first Finders had now for one hundred years quietly enjoyed those Navigations and out of reverence of the Pope's Donation made to them had extorted and kept the same from the beginning against both the Castilians and other Christian Nations defending themselves therein by force of Arms. These therefore make address to King Philip as the onely column and support of that flourishing Kingdome that he would with an extraordinary Fleet defend those revenues which belonged as well to himself as to the People From hence it came to pass that the Warre which had hitherto been contained within the Netherlands was now passing into another World for the managing and conduct whereof Don Andrew Hurtado Mendosa was chosen who then by chance had beaten Cunala an Indian Pirat about Malabar having used those parts above fifty years and was now with great applause ennobled with a Royal Commission This man being furnished with divers great Galeons and lesser
Ships to the number of twenty and upwards wherein were eight hundred Portugal Souldiers besides a great number ot above fifteen hundred Indians he resolved to make exemplary according to his Commission all such whether Kings or Subjects that had admitted the Hollanders to trade freely and Bantam a City of Java was the first destin'd to this destruction It fortuned by chance that at the same time being the beginning of the year five Holland Ships under the command of Wolfard Herman were in those parts trading they carried about three hundred men and were upon that account far unable to meet with the Portugal Fleet whose Admiral alone exceeded the whole Dutch Fleet both in largeness of bulk and number of men yet the fear of losing the Trade for the future and the hopes of getting honour and favour among those Eastern people drew them not onely to fight like men hand to hand but to undertake the Combat with their great Guns wherewith the Hollanders being very well accommodated did their Enemies very great mischief because being onely driven by the winde and able to retreat draw off as they listed by their quickness of motion they frustrated all the intended violence of the Portugueses Thus they fought for some daies even without intermission until some of the Enemies Ships being sunk and two of them taken the Spaniard daunted with the novelty of such an unexpected mischief departed steering towards Amboyna where without danger there being none to resist they wasted the Town Iton and whatever place else adhered to the Hollanders with fire and sword and the cutting down of several odoriferous plants But the Conquerors in the City of Bantam which they had rescued from so imminent a danger after a festivous reception there soon after went to Banda whence come the best Nutmegs and undertaking the defence of that Island made a league with the People for they have no setled Government That they should not sell their spices to any other people That they should not be injurious one to another concerning Religion but should leave the judgement thereof wholly to God That every one of them should use their own Laws but neither of them should receive any fugitives from the other According to this form in progress of time they contracted friendship and society with other Kings and People that stood in fear of the Spanish tyranny The chief of all the Cities of Sumatra is Achem the King of which place the Portugueses four years before that were most potent in the Court by bribes gifts and false accusations of the Hollanders had drawn partly that he would kill all such of them in their Ships as under the shew of friendship admitted them into them and partly that he would dispatch all such as should come into the City and according to this design a great many were slaughtered the Ships that lay in the harbour knowing nothing thereof moreover the drink of that Country so consternated their minds that they seemed mad nay so farre did the treachery proceed that the Ships were hardly preserved But the King shortly after repenting the cruelty of the fact the Hollanders which afterwards came thither making certain covenants concerning the sale of spices discovercd again that the Portugueses had been buying the King's faith from them whereupon when they found the Agreements they had made would not be observed the Arabian Ships being gone out of the Harbour in revenge of the injuries received from the Indians they sent ashore some Forces which thing being dissonant to the Laws of those Nations afterwards gave the Enemies matter wherewith to recriminate the Hollanders But the Zelanders afterward returning when the King was somewhat estranged from the Portugueses they cleared themselves from that objected crime and beseeched the King that he would send some of his people with them that they might see they were not a company of Pirats as they were aspersed among such as knew them not but that they were a people famous for wealth and fidelity having no enmity or warre with any besides the Spaniards This advice pleased the King that for the future he might be more certain whether he might with more safety incline to the Spaniard or Hollander In this voyage near the Isle of S. Helena these Zelanders espying a great Portugal Carrack loaded with Pearl and other precious commodities and putting themselves between it and the shore after a hot conflict they forced it to surrender itself being first much battered with the great Guns The men that were in it they set ashore upon the coast of Brasile The chief of the Embassadours from Sumatra whose name was Abdutzamar died in Zeland and was buried with a very decent funeral having a Monument exquisitely raised to his memory The rest that survived went to salute Prince Maurice then encamped at the siege of Grave giving him Presents from their King When they saw the great number of the Horse and Foot and the Works of that bulk as was not onely unknown to the Barbarians but such as exceeded those generally in use among us they were even amazed with admiration The Treaty held with them was by the name of Arabians And the report of these things coming as it were into another World made them not onely shake off all vain suspicions but was prevalent with many rather to entertain the Hollanders friendship then to be kept in subjection to the Spanish tyranny The King of Ternate which is one of the Molucca's publickly owned the Hollanders for at his request Necken invaded the Portugueses in the next Island named Tidoris But when he was about to assault those in the Castle being ready to make defence some darts and shot being spent on both sides being lamed by the loss of his hand and having lost some few of his men he put off the fight In Patau also and the coasts of Cauchin-China and elsewhere their coming was very acceptable but in Ceilon one of the bigger Islands where grows the best Cinnamon they found the King who is called Fimala a great enemy to the Portugueses by whom he had formerly been taken and carried away and Spilberg informing them of the Dutch affairs perceived them very desirous both of friendship and society The King of Jora also this is a Kingdome in the region of Malacca daring to rip up old injuries against the Portugueses incited Jacob Hemskerk then having with him two Holland Ships to set upon a Carrack of an immense magnitude that lay in the Streights between Malacca a Portugal colony and Sumatra which he accordingly did the said King being both the author and witness of the Victory The Hollanders contented with the booty which was very great spared the lives of all the persons in it being near seven hundred of all sexes and ages although there yet appeared many fresh examples of the Portugal cruelty That Ship came from Macao a Town in the Empire of China which the Portugals possess by the courtesie of
sent to assist Embden which entred the City at the same time when Enno drawing near with his Forces hoped to have been admitted by those of his Faction but now being kept out thence he entreth the Villages round about and erects several Forts for the shutting up of the City and the River The States being informed thereof and now after the taking of Grave having some leisure to consult about their neighbours affairs at the request of the City sent Warner Dubois a Colonel of Horse thither with some Troups of Horse and almost nineteen Companies of Foot He within a few daies assaults and wins all the Forts and sets free the City from those rude and ignorant maintainers of Warre Enâ—o that he might remove this disgrace out of his sight with as much envy and bitterness of language as he could invent disputed the Hollanders incroachments upon the rights of anothers dominion of which the States being conscious they published in Print the cause of that action of theirs and the danger that was like to have fallen not onely upon themselves but all Germany by the Count's deeds The Twelfth BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES THE Hollanders being oppressed with the French Peace were attended with a greater evil which was the death of Queen Elizabeth about this time whereby they were more deeply plunged in a Warre yet had lost that assistence which as it was the first so had it continued unto the last She died the third day of April being by the length of daies arrived to the toils of life from whence she supposed her old age which she had spun out even to the seventieth year now grew contemptible and that the hopes and counsels of those in whom she had put her greatest confidence were turned towards her successor It was a long reign for a Woman and famous not onely at home but abroad which produced many various censures some conjecturing at the future according as they were led by fear or hope others from the memory of former actions reckoning what prosperity and adversity she had seen during her long life Here was remembred the beheading of her Mother and that for no small fault but onely the supposed crime of Adultery whence arose those many bitter taunts of her Enemies as if she had been the Issue of an unknown Father Soon after when her Sister fate in the Throne she was cast into Prison Which was no small affliction of so great a spirit until by the means and intercessions of Philip King of Spain to whom she owed her Liberty if not her Life she was freed from thence though afterwards she requited his kindness with a long and sharp Warre Besides her Reign was accounted cruel by the execution of so many Noblemen for no other pretence but that they professed the Romane Catholick Religion and also in that no less novel then odious example to all Princes though indeed excusable enough from the necessity that by the command of a Woman not onely a Woman but a Kinswoman and she a Suppliant not as a common person but a distressed Queen was put to death Also there were some that stuck not to exprobrate the divulsions of Ireland and seditions of the English Souldiers in the Low-Countries as if they had been commanded Certainly it was the greatest of her misery that she lived so long without a Husband from whence came the incertainty of her Heir and very various were the several opinions concerning her many objecting her love to the Earl of Leicester and after him her endearments of Essex whose hot and over-hasty youth together with his contempt of her decaying and aged beauty was punished with the loss of his head though soon after her minde was more changed from hatred to repentance then before it had been from love to hatred so that it was by many judged to be the main cause of her sickness and death On the other side it was said that the long continuance of her Government and life manifested the same to be well-pleasing to God and that instead of the customary evils of youth she had shewed great prudence in her carriage and behaviour in the enjoyment of both good and bad fortune Nor was it so great a wonder that her security was established by the death of some Rebels and by Warres as that a Woman's Government after four and fourty years had not onely made England safe but flourishing nor had she at any time taken Arms but for most just causes Religion was by her reformed to the example of King Edward not by force or according to her own fancy but upon debate of the matter in the great Council of the Kingdome and in a lawful manner Nor did she rage with cruelty against those that were of another judgement unless it were when it was too late when by the doctrine and instruction of the Jesuites they had thrown off all reverence love to their Country and Government at once By her help Scotland was vindicated from the French the Prince of Conde's Party from their adverse faction and much of the Netherlands from the Spaniards And although she had so many great allurements to increase her Dominion yet she remained content with her own not desiring from all her victorious atchievements any other thing then the liberty of that Religion by her promoted and to set limits to power that was or might be defervedly suspected Thus did she restore the Towns which she possessed in France preserved Scotland for a Child and rejected the desires of the Hollanders intreating her to take the Dominion over them And now lately the old Garrisons in Ireland being taken and new ones fortified some of the Nobles being taken here some there their faction was so infeebled and the very strength and pretence thereof so weakned and Tyrone himself so broken that falling upon his knees before the Lord Lieutenant he humbly requested pardon of all his offences For that excess of Honour happened to him a little before his fall She had been courted to Marriage not by the English onely but by Charles of Austria brother of the Emperour and by Henry and Francis brothers to the King of France as also by some Kings themselves to wit Philip of Spain and Ericus of Sweden That she was thus sought was her happiness but that she refused all was her prudence because as it was unfit for her Greatness to marry a Subject so the Subjects of England were afraid she should marry a Foreiner The reproches that were spred concerning her took their beginning from her sex and the elegancy of her beauty together with the customary liberty of Princes and could onely be refuted by manlike care and diligence Nor was she onely well skilled in the arts of Government but was learned in the ancient and modern languages an excellency rarely found in Women of a private fortune which made her Name and renown great and famous and not onely terrible to and
admired by her neighbours but courted by Embassadours even from the Moors and Sarmatians No man hitherto doubted but that great Commotions would have arisen in England upon the death of the Queen who had never declared any certain Successor for it was believed that although James King of Scotland was the next in bloud yet the ancient hatred of the inhabitants and the private fear of those that had consented to his Mother's death would be an obstacle to him there being several ready in England who boasted themselves to be descended of Royal bloud Then also the power of the English Catholicks was feared lest they should hope for that by Troubles which they could never expect while the setled Authority of the Queen remained the Pope also instigating them as unwilling that a King of the new Religion should be admitted although he were next in bloud Nor was that hope onely grown in the Spaniards who lay at watch for the peoples commotions but the Hollanders also although they had by many good offices before-hand pre-engaged King James upon the connexion of Religion yet by tacite wishes did guess that the imputation of their alliance with him would transferre part of the Warre into Britain But it happened beyond hope and expectation that presently after the decease of Queen Elizabeth the old Councel of the Queen and as many of the Bishops and Magistrates of London as were at present at hand and in readiness proclaimed King James not waiting for the authority of a Parliament for the danger of delay and because Interregnum's do many times in the future by new Laws and Covenants diminish the grandeur and power of Authority Thus without any contradiction the King of Scotland got the possession of England and was the first that within the known Records of any Annals enjoyed the whole Island of Great Britain in one entire and undivided Government The United States did not omit forthwith to send an Embassy to congratulate him for his new access of magnitude having first sent some gratulatory Letters The Embassadours sent by them to the King were Count Henry of Nassau Prince Maurice's brother then a Member of the Councel of the States and General of the Horse next to him was Walrave Brederode thirdly John Olden Barneveldt and lastly Jacob Valcken who died before he returned from this Embassy When they were admitted to audience they spake in this manner We are come hither Great King divided in our selves between Grief And Joy for we have lost Her whose goodness and benefits to us we are not able to express in words but we have found You as the Heir of Her Kingdome so the Imitator of Her Vertues That which formerly we desired and since that by publick supplications decreed to the most happy Messengers of Your new-begun Dominion that now in Your own presence with hearts and voices we beseech and begge of God that this Your reign may be happy and prosperous to Your Self to Posterity to Great Britain and to Vs We begge of You Sacred Sir one thing That You would not suffer the insulting Spaniard to trample upon the necks of the Netherlanders and from thence by degrees to incroach upon the Dominions of others his Neighbours It suits with Your Religion to save so many Assemblies of pious men from that Kingdome of sanguinary Superstition it agrees with Your Justice to defend a Cause allowed of by so many Kings and it is an act becoming Your Prudence to drive away those underminers of Kingdomes and supporters of the Papacy by whose judgement all that You now possess is given to them as a Prey Your Predecessor Queen Elizabeth did this and so we hope will You and that with the greater ease by how much You are in the prime of Your age have a more man-like Authority a more ample Power and a House well setled upon the happy foundation of a hopeful Issue Our fidelity shall in part supply Your Work and Charge by whose prosperity and adversity it hath been made evident that the Spaniards could be conquered 'T is true Peace is a most excellent Jewel and worthy of high estimation among Christians but that that is made with Tyrants and treacherous people is little better then Warre If all they that are joyned in the Cause would unite their wealth he would be deprived of the Netherlands and if that punishment would not yet make him wise he should be driven out of the Sea and all his maritime Dominions which would be no hard matter for the Hollanders and English to effect and this certainly would make him glad to come to a true Peace the best maintainer whereof was equality of Forces Now is the siege of Ostend protracted unto the third year so that having endured so long a misery we humbly intreat You to aid us with supplies for relief thereof for which purpose you may make use of those ships which by the Queen 's command were furnished and instructed with Armes and provisions by us being eleven in number and now wait for nothing but your Royal command Hereto the King very courteously answered as to the matter of friendship but as to the rest he excused himself by the infancy of his Dominion but in time he would see what was best to be done in the interim not concealing that as much as he could he would prefer all counsells tending to Peace for hitherto he had had no difference with the Spaniard and also Philip had voluntarily offered him his assistence if any dispute should have arisen concerning his Kingdome and himself being of a mild disposition and well grounded in all kind of Literature had spent his time in studies rather inclinable to Peace then War And the Archduke being supposed to have made war with the Queen not with the Realm had by Edict forbidden any damage to be done to the English sending home besides all Prisoners they had that were that Countrey-men and soon after he sent Charles Prince of Arenberg Embassador to the King as also the Spaniard sent Don John Baptista Taxis to the same for the promoting a Peace concerning which the year following there was an agreement When the Embassadors of Holland saw they could not prevent it they endeavored to delay it and to give the King some hopes that they likewise might obtain Peace together with their Liberty if the King by procrastinations or delay would suffer the Spanish counsells which yet depended upon the event of a few years to grow towards perfection And this was the discovery of Olden Barneveldt who was throughly versed in all the secrets of the United Provinces producing the Duke of Brunswick's hand whom the Emperor Rudolphus had acquainted with that affair But King James his hast was not at all slackened in making that Peace whereupon the Hollanders onely contended that if they could not obtain a shew of assistence yet that they might not be denied right These their desires were seconded by the French King who was very
sollicitous for the support of his allies and to that end he had sent into England Maximilian de Rohan his chief Treasurer and a Privy-counsellor At last this Medium was found That whatever moneys the French should lay out in behalf of the Hollanders the third part thereof should be charged to the English and all accounts to be discharged wherein France impoverished by her Warrs was indebted to Britain The States were content herewith although they were offered by Sir Ralph Winwood the King of great Britain's Orator to be comprehended in the Articles of the Treaty if they pleased which they refused with great thanks The rest of the year King James spent in performing and receiving the Solemnities of the Kingdome and in viewing his new Dominion of England giving audience at Intervalls to the Embassadors of other Kings and the gratulations of his own subjects Tyrone himself the great Captain of the Irish Rebells coming and upon his humble submission obtaining pardon Concerning Religion several complaints were offered by two sorts of people The one in England are called Puritans being a people that do not esteem the Ecclesiastical State or Church-government there to be sufficiently orthodox and sincere but requiring therein more purity from whence sprung the original of that hated name of Separation These find fault with many Ceremonies retained from custome and antiquity as the Orders of Bishops some Ceremonies added as they say in the Sacrament of Baptisme and others things more tending to Discipline then Doctrine A change or at least an amendment of all which they now hoped from hence because the Scots had already rejected the same On the other side the Catholicks with high applauses magnifying the antiquity of their Religion as well in Britain as elsewhere and setting forth their fidelity both to the King himself at present and heretofore to his Mother petitioned that if he would not give them publick allowance which yet in France the King allowed to dissenters that at least they might privately and without fear of punishment worship God according to the custome of their Fathers But the King rejected both these suits suspecting the Catholicks for no other cause but that the Pope claims power over Kings but the King was offended at the Puritans because by men of the same Faction under pretence of Ecclesiastical authority he had irreverently been used in Scotland Whereupon also he accused their perverseness and obstinacy publickly set forth in Print for he would have each Nation be free to use their own Rites which were not contradictory to the Divine Law but the supreme Authority even in matters Ecclesiastical should continue in the King Yet something was setled according to the desire of the Catholicks viz. That the Sacrament of Baptisme should not be administred by women or private persons that many Ecclesiastical promotions should not be accumulated upon one person and that Church-censures should be strict and severe both in the inquisition and punishment of errors either in the life or doctrine of the Priesthood But the words of the Puritans became so offensive that many of their non-conforming Ministers were punished by Imprisonments Banishment and abjuration of the Realm Notwithstanding which some of the Romanists associating others with them who were desirous of novelty conspired to set up to the Government the Lady Arabella a Virgin sprung from the bloud Royal dividing among themselves the chief places of honor and preferment through the Kingdome The authors of this Treason were punished with the losse of their heads the accessories thereto and such as had concealed the same were cast into prison and the fear of imminent death was reckoned to them for a sufficient punishment the King being prone to win repute to his new Government by the fame of his Clemency While these things were doing in England Enno Count of Friesland beyond Eems having really learned that he might easily obtain from the Emperor both words and threats against the City but that he could not give him a power to put the same in execution he resolved to try the favour of them that were most potent among the Hollanders and to that purpose he went to the Hague urging many things both privately and publickly in his own defence and objecting many things against the Embdoners as being of a wavering temper in their fidelity not well knowing either to govern or be governed At the same time were present some Deputies from Embden behaving themselves with much obstinacy and notable irreverence towards their Prince then present At length after many long debates the United States not doubting the fidelity of the City towards them bent all their resolutions for the security thereof and it was concluded that the Delphzilian agreements should be observed whereto besides were added That for the future there be an Edict of Indemnity and Oblivion for all things already done nor should the Count exact the Penalties set by the Emperor's Decree That both should be restored to their houses and lands all prisoners be released and all instruments of war and other received profits be accounted for And that Enno should endeavor to set free all strangers being really such nor should deny his safe conduct in writing to all Ships going from the City That the Tributes imposed upon the City the third and the fifth year before should all be made null and that there should be a consultation had in the Senate of the Transamasians for the settlement of new the right of summoning which should be in the Count but if he neglected to doe it then they might meet by themselves and consult of their common affairs That it should not be lawfull to denounce a War or levy souldiers without the decree of that Councel onely the Count might retain as many as should be sufficient for the guarding his Castles and strong holds and likewise that the City might raise seven hundred souldiers for the defence thereof and maintaining their works That the Transamasians should maintain the souldiers the charge of the works should be born by the Townsmen and what goods were within a Town should be equally distributed and whatever was inclosed within any fortifications should enjoy the same priviledges with the City it self That the Magistrates of Embden should be created by the Senate of the City and that the Count to that creation should adde his authority When therefore the Count and the Deputies of the City had agreed upon these conditions it remained that the whole Magistracy of the City and the States of the Transamasians should allow of and ratify the same which was very likely to have been done the Nobility being afraid of War as that which would wast their Lands and some being sent by the United States to enforce force such as should offer to delay the same the greatest part of the garrison also was withdrawn that the fade of affairs might appear more peaceable But new hopes from the Emperor changed Enno absolutely insomuch that
assault Sand-hill and though the first of them were scattered by the force of gun-powder out of a Mine yet Barlaymont drove on the rest until they attained the top of the place From hence they went by secret waies under ground into the old Town sometimes the besieged sallied and in stead of the Works which they had lost they raised new ones more inwardly which out of a vain humour and conceit of the long continuing of the siege they named Troy For the fresh ground being in it self loose and not sufficient to resist the shot though it was in the midst of Summer as often as the wind blew off from the Sea all things were laid open to ruine Insomuch that now the States themselves began to consider the infinite charge and the losses of the Souldiers not much inferiour to the greatest Battels and that Ostend it self being so inclosed with Forts could be of no use Besides whether they looked at honour or profit they had gotten more of either in three months in the winning of Scluys besides Berck and Grave then Albertus would get by Ostend which he had contested for so many years And now the greatest part of Autumn being spent time was past for the Enemy to undertake any thing else and Winter was coming which was both dangerous and dreadful to the besieged And if they should goe thither with an Army first the way was full of water and in the middle was Damâ— and Blankenbâ—rg Garrisons of the Enemy besides by length of time the Camps were well setled the Forces united and both Commanders and Souldiers were used to fight all which threatned great hazards to such an attempt Therefore command was given to Colonel Marquette that he should set an end to that tedious conflict upon as honourable terms as he could which was accordingly done And first of all the Ships and other Vessels were sent away with part of the Artillery Then Commissioners were sent who desired that all in the Town might freely march out with their Arms and four Cannon and that all Prisoners should be exchanged which Spinola easily granted either out of an high esteeâ— of their approved valour or to prevent other uncertain events which time might produce Three thousand marching through the midst of the Enemie's Camp came to Scluys to the Prince who received them not as overcome but gave them praises and thanks as Conquerors The Arch-duke with his Princely Spouse came to see the place for which they had offered up so many vows and been at so infinite an expence of money time and bloud themselves protesting the loss of fifty thousand men and that a greater number of the besieged was killed They found nothing but an empty and confused plat of ground here full of rude and mis-shapen heaps there falling into great and uneven holes with such confused remains of Fortifications that by looking thereon one could scarce imagine which were made for the defence or which for the assailing the Town The Townsmen that lived there before went thence to Scluys and although the Arch-duke granted many Privileges to the place yet of a long time none would inhabit it looking upon it as a place of horrour and defiled with the bloud and bones of dead men which is generally repugnant to the nature of most men Besides those Embassadors which I mentioned before King Philip and the Arch-duke sent into England more to wit this sent Don John Richardot and Don Lewis Verrcikem but he Don Ferdinando Velasco Constable of Castile and Don Alexandro Roverti a Senator of Millaâ—n both of them very desirous of Peace not so much out of fear of the English as that they might draw the Hollanders to reason by taking away their props and supporters Nor wanted there some in that warlike Nation that persuaded to Warre repeating in the English Parliament which was then met the ancient alliances with the Hollanders the many leagues and marriages long before Philip Duke of Burgundy unjustly drove Jacoba married to a Britan out of her Principality And the reason given for this amity was that without it the Sea could be safe to neither and it would grow from thence that Trading would be full and free On the contrary the Spaniards had no need of Peace for Warre was more beneficial to them And it was chiefly to be provided that the Hollanders should not by extremity be compelled to joyn either with the French the ancient Enemies of Great Britain or the Spaniards Enemies for Religion sake and the thirst of Dominion It hath been evident by too many examples that who had the dominion of the Sea would easily be Master of Britain But the King not at all moved herewith and supposing there was strength enough both in Britain and Holland for that to maintain Peace and this Warre thereupon refusing the society of Arms offered against the Spaniard he agreed to a Peace Besides the Articles usual in Leagues there were added certain concerning free Navigation such as was before the Warre and upon paiment of the same Customes Nothing was spoken of America or the Indies because the English would not endure to be excluded and the Spaniard was obstinate to admit none so that matter was left to the decision of him that was most potent Concerning Religion it was agreed That the English should not be compelled in Spain to goe to their Churches That when they met the consecrated Host they should doe reverence thereto unless they chose rather to goe out of the way These that follow pertained to the Hollanders viz. That neither of them should help the others Enemies or Rebels nor should suffer them to be helped by any of their Subjects That the facts of private persons should be answered for by themselves but the publick Peace not be hazarded thereby But the Britans denied to deliver the Briel or Flushing to the Spaniard affirming it was contrary to the faith contained in their Articles in the interim the Souldiers that kept those Towns should be unconcerned in the Warre but should doe their endeavours for pacifying the Hollanders and if that were delaied yet that at least there should be an open and free passage for the Netherlanders and English in point of trade That there should not reside at one time in the Ports of either above six or eight of the others Ships of Warre That the English should be forbidden to carry the Hollanders Commodities into Spain or the Spanish Merchandises into Holland Thus that Warre being ended King James that he might take away the cause of all intestine discords by obliterating the names of Scots and English would have both to be united and grow up into one Kingdome by communicative Laws and to be called Britain undertaking herein a difficult matter and which was agitated with great contentions while the yet fresh differences and emulations would hardly allow thereof as the foundation of a solid good to posterity Soon after according to these agreements with Albertus
he requires the Hollanders not to prohibit the Britans to come out of the Sea into the Scheld to pass to Antwerp paying Customes equal to their Subjects But they excused it by shewing that they had good reason for their Decree that none should goe to the Enemy unless they first changed their Ships that so they might the more certainly have knowledge of all things Nor ought he to take it ill that they imposed Laws upon a River within their own Jurisdiction when the Spaniards durst deny the passage of the Seas even to their friends And so that he might convert the English who were accused as infamous for Piracy to innocent gain he forbad any to fight at Sea under a forein command but conniving at any that went hither or thither to a land Warre By another Edict the Jesuites and all other Ecclesiastical persons that received not sacred Orders according to the custome of the Kingdome of Britain were banished thence setting out for cause that that sort of men taught that the Pope might absolve Subjects from their obedience to Kings of another Religion then which there is not any opinion more dangerous to Government But at the same time the same Jesuites were restored in France upon some conditions from whence they had formerly been banished when by their instructions a young man fought to murther the King But now the monument was destroyed which kept the memory of that fact fresh together with the Jesuites infamy the Parliament of Paris crying out that by that one work the authority of the most honourable Order and the security of France were subverted together But the King with his own great danger as many ominously feared unterrified merely to gratifie the Pope admitted and favoured these stout defenders of his power Between this King and the Spaniard arose some new causes of hatred upon old discontents Monsieur Villeroy a person highly entrusted and favoured by King Henry had a servant named Hostius whose industry and ingenuity himself being much imployed otherwise he used in the decyphering and reading of Letters and private Characters This man being hired gave intelligence of all the greatest affairs of State to one Monsieur Raffee a French-man but banished and living in Spain who discovered them to King Philip's Counsellors by which having such insight into all the private counsels of France it was easie for them to guess at all things else Some things also being discovered to the King of Britain had ingendred animosities and jealousies This Treason being detected by Raffee Hostius first by flight and afterwards by a sudden death prevented further inquisition There was also at this time another matter stirred up by a Woman which was this Henrica the daughter of Monsieur Interaque was esteemed among the first for her beauty and pleasantness of wit wherewith the King being allured to whom there was hardly any other crime to be objected then these loose Affections the better to compass the end of his unlawful desires had promised her marriage if she bare him a Son and this promise he confirmed to her by writing After Medices was preferred before her in marriage she was compelled to pacifie the Queen to deliver up this writing of the King 's Whereupon dissembling higher designs under the pretence of solitude and Religion she aimed to compass forein wealth wherewith she might secure her Son against the Queen's anger and malice and not onely so as she publickly declared and as others interpreted it but also that he might therewith assert his right and claim to the Kingdome The King of Britain refused to give any ear to them for the disturbance of another's Kingdome but the Spaniard approved her cause and promised largely to assist her therein When these things first became known the Lady her self her Father and Brother the Count of Auvergne were taken but King Henry pardoned them acknowledging his own misdemeanour in their crime But Philip fearing lest Henry enraged with these things should from thence take a cause to make Warre he ended the quarrel begun about the Customes which he had lately raised by Edict and turning his fury against the Hollanders commanded all of that Nation to depart out of his Dominions and all Merchandise afterwards brought in to be forfeited This year was celebrated in the Netherlands a solemn Funeral pomp for Count Peter Mansfelde who for fourty years had faithfully served the Spaniard in the highest Commands being then President of Lutzenburg who though all his life conversant in Warre had yet by rare fortune lived even to the extremity of old age And among the Hollanders died Lewis of Nassau being but a young man yet emulous of the glory of his Ancestors and in whom there appeared great hopes of a noble and circumspect Vertue The Fourteenth BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES THE charges of the now superannuated Warre increasing every year and that great demonstration of their equal Forces appearing at Ostend restored to some that hope which they had a long time laid aside to wit that the extreme fury of the Warre would at length conclude in a Peace hence every one as their hopes or desires led them delivered their opinions both in discourses and Books Such of the Netherlanders as affected the Austrian Government believed and so said having great emulation to the Cities of Holland and malicious inclinations that they would fall under the weight of that Greatness they had drawn upon themselves or else would become a prey to forein Princes unless they returned to their old obedience whereof for so many ages they had had experience onely with these additions to the old Laws That the Netherlandish Government should not revolve to the Spaniard That the right of Commerce should be free and indefinite That Religion should not be forcibly or with punishments urged in hope of making a more united Concord That as well the forein Souldiers as that plague of mankinde the Jesuites faction should be expelled That the chief honours should remain in the Citizens and all affairs of greatest concernment should be handled in the General Councel of the Provinces which liberty would continue more substantial if it were used with moderation On the other side some in France persuaded the Netherlanders to separate themselves from the House of Austria That the name of Archduke was but a vanity without power without authority his Forces being consumed by the Enemy his Authority swallowed or devoured by the Spaniard and when the Netherlands should be exhausted and Spain impoverished what hopes had they of protracting the Warre certainly onely this one the wealth of the Indies which also in time would fail them and become a propriety to him that is most prevalent at Sea That the twenty several Mutinies and Seditions of the Souldiers have made Albertus his Government infamous and if while those jealousies and hatreds encreased among them the French should have stirred they might have lain upon the Country and
the Netherlandish Nobles Therefore Albertus notwithstanding the waving of his consent permitted the Provinces severally to meet cherishing those that were discontented in minde with the hope of money from the Indies which the wealthy and successful Spanish Fleet had brought or else of an approaching Peace if the Warre were more eagerly followed for a little time The beginning of the year among the Spaniards was spent in idleness and repose among the sweets and blandishments of mirth while Don Ambrosio Spinola having now the whole command of the Warre he was but newly come from Spain where he had consulted with the King concerning the method of managing thereof had likewise bestowed on him the honour of the Golden Fleece and before the King of Great Britain's Embassadour was sworn to the peace with Albertus Now also was the settlement of the Kingdome of Spain upon the Male issue celebrated with pompous Shews and publick Prayers and Thanksgivings At the height of the Spring and not before Prince Maurice having gathered together his Forces by the direction of the States he undertakes a great work for he went to Antwerp of old the most flourishing City of all the Netherlands and now the general Trade being gone to the Hollanders retaining their formerly-gotten wealth and renown A great hope of glory incited him to the gaining thereof for about twenty years before in the Duke of Parma's time while the Affairs of the Union were wholly unsetled by a long and difficult Siege scarcely grown into a full success yet such was the Victor's vainglorious ostentation as made the World believe that in that one City he had gained the possession of the whole Netherlands It was serious and considerate advice to shut up this large and spacious City with small Forces by overflowing all the adjacent plain Fields with the River Scheld and pitching their Camps on the higher ground but there appeared no sufficient reason of seising the opposite bank of the River on the edge of Flanders Some advised to send Souldiers through the Country by night-marches out of Cazant but Prince Maurice himself chose rather to goe by Ship which while it was preparing with great endevour as fortuned the Enemy immediately grew jealous and gave out in speeches that Antwerp should be attempted This News was received with various affections of the Townsmen part of them rejoycing as if their Liberty was drawing nigh others imagining a scarcity would follow presently began to inhance the price of Victuals and many gathering together their wealth and riches thought to betake themselves to flight But Spinola sending thither some Horse encouraged such as were afraid the same Horse behaving themselves modestly and without injury of the Citizens then viewed all the coast of Flanders which situate over against Antwerp is called Waesenland and left there three thousand foot-Souldiers in Guard that were to wait upon the Enemie's motion for he was not ignorant that the Enemy could not possess the River unless by drowning the Fields and placing Guards he made that coast also his own Wherefore chusing a particular day Prince Maurice with a strong Party went to Bergen op Zoom and Count Ernest of Nassau bringing the rest of the Souldiers in the Fleet out of Zeland came into the Scheld and first of all passing with good success all the Hollanders Forts when he came near Antwerp among the Enemie's Sconces although in the night he could not pass unseen but was forced to assail the Flandrian banks through all the Enemie's Shot but they which kept Guard in those parts being stirred up by the noise of the bullets and covered by the interposition of the banks following the fails Count Ernest the wind beating back the Ships into Brabant was hindred to come and joyn his Forces where he was commanded being otherwise engaged to fight at disadvantage with a resolute and well-provided Enemy However to try his fortune in small boats he transports almost four hundred men that were easily routed by the first shock of the Enemy and other part of them were taken Colonel Dorpen by the violent pursuit of the Enemy leaping armed into the River escaped one danger with another Count Ernest being driven back into Brabant Prince Maurice disappointed of his design compells the Castle of Woude situate not farre from Berck within five daies to surrender which was too mean a prize for so great an Army to look after and too small a reward for them that had before them so great hopes yet some satisfaction it yielded for from thence the Enemy infested the Rivers with Piracies But these great threats happened not onely to be in vain but to fall out quite contrary so that the Hollanders had not of a long time a more unfortunate year While Prince Maurice staid at Woude Spinola though at that time the Court there was full of mirth concerning the English Embassadour was not slow to take into his thoughts more serious affairs among those pleasant diversions but made a Bridge over the Scheld that went towards the Enemy which way soever he should turn by which means he was ready to pursue and therefore was the more severe to those that surrendred Woude as guilty of an over-hasty and cowardly fear so that he punished some of them with death Nor did the United States a little waver and grow afraid at the report of these great Forces approaching with Spinola not resolved whether they had best assault or defend but the Prince persuaded to remain about Rhine lest the Enemy that way should invade the undefended parts of their Dominion And his opinion prevailing command was given to goe into Flanders and to call a Councel at Scluys And now they thought fit to besiege the t'Zas not farre from Gaunt where the waters running from thence fall into the Hont and so into the Sea which if they brought to pass with good success they threatned some Cities but if not yet they would retain there Spinola's strength threatning the cruelty of a grievous Warre to other places Not farre from Ysendike Prince Maurice sate down with his Army which he had brought by Ship to Waterfleet whom Spinola sending some part of his Forces before immediately follows and at a place called Bucholt which was between him and the t'Zas settles himself as a fit place either to oversee or repress the Enemie's endevours Thus they remained a great while in view of each other without any thing done by either save a few light skirmishes of the Horse One time Pompeio Justiniano by Spinola's command entred the marishes in hope to have burned the Sutlers Boats which lay hard by Prince Maurice's Camp but being espied by the Sentinels he was soon met and repulsed In that Region over against Walcheren lies the Fort Patientia in the assault whereof Prince Maurice intended to drive away idleness but Spinola took a little Fort that lay in the middle of the way and joyned it to his Camp with a continued Breastwork but
lying Titles And whatsoever was related to them in Confession ought to be kept secret and to disclose the same was a sin although it tended either to the destruction of Prince or people and in pursuance hereof they named all manner of conferences among themselves Confessions It was not doubted but these hopes of Treason were nourished by the Spanish wealth and the rather because long since some Societies of English Jesuites were maintained by them purposely to disturb the Peace of that Kingdome But some that were knowing herein betraied all those forms of private counsells abroad lest they should still continue unknown but they that continued faithfull to Rome and Spain wanted no convenient supplies from thence upon all occasions And it was told to the Constable of Castile when he was Embassador in England that if the new King would not allow or suffer the Roman Religion he would find some ready to exact the same by force And the Archduke fomented jealousies and suspicions denying to deliver to King James requesting the same such English-men living in those parts with whom the Prisoners confessed they had participated counsells the chief of them being sent away into Spain Yet did not King James take that either as an affront or injury publishing by Proclamation that he was satisfied of the innocency of forein Princes in that business Nor did King Philip omit to congratulate his delivery from so great a danger by Don John de Mendosa both in countenance and serious forms of speech to that onely purpose made The Fifteenth BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES THE Defence of Antwerp one of the principal Cities of the Netherlands the taking Towns so strongly fortified and carrying the Warre into the Enemie's Country while with less danger and more hope he might have fought elsewhere added very much to Spinola's honour and renown he being the first that seemed to put new life and courage into and to restore the fortune and discipline of that side which for fifteen years before had been decaying Therefore which way soever he went among the Netherlanders there were great exultations and applauses attended him and when he came into Spain as his custome was every year he was privately envied by the Lords but publickly and with great honour favoured by the King But the many actions of the former year had so drained the Treasury that by the emptiness thereof the present Counsels of the Warre were much retarded and he but slowly obtained pay for both his Armies refusing to undertake the charge of the Warre without it and if he had it boasting he had in a manner already obtained the Victory determining as before he had passed the Rhine so now he would goe over the Wael and the Yssell and so penetrate into the very bowels of the Hollanders Therefore he consented to help the King 's decayed credit with his own and his friends wealth which with what damage to himself it was done will be commemorated towards the end of the year On the other side the Vnited States long foreseeing the approaching evils which Armies are wont to draw along with them increasing their Forces that were at distance and they were infinitely vexed with the vast charges of the Garrisons resolved the following year to give way to that violence which they imagined would not endure long being content to defend their Borders until the fury thereof began to be asswaged Beside the new Levies intended were hindred in France by the Warre of Sedan and in Germany by the troubles of Brunswick Sedan is a City lying hard by the Maes in the confines of the French and Belgick Dominions and was a place of great concernment if at any time the Warre came towards those parts Of old it was possessed by the Family of Le Marque but Henry de Turre Viscount Turein marrying the Daughter and Heir of the Bulionian Family gained the inheritance of the Town and took the name of Bulion and although his Wife was dead retained it by virtue of her Testament but often undermined by the French greatness while the affairs of the House of Bourbon were yet but private He was reckoned among the chief Captains during the unsetled estate of that Kingdome But after the King had changed his Religion and for defence of the Kingdome new Taxes were found our which gave cause of complaint and the great multitude that professed the Reformed Religion had their eies chiefly upon Bulion he being famous in Warre and the frequent author of resolute counsels he was believed to have caused some commotions When he was called to answer his offence at the same time as Marshal Biron was put to death excusing himself against the violent animosities of his Enemies and challenging many of his suspected Judges he departed into Germany And the Prince Elector Palatine being asked that he would remember his Affinity for both of them had married Prince Maurice's Sisters sent some Embassadours to the King to appease his wrath but it little prevailed it being alwaies a thing detested by Kings to have forein Powers interpose themselves for the reconciling their differences Hereupon the matter was undertaken by Prince William's Widow and indeed the Woman's sollicitation proved most effectual but the King required the custody of Sedan as a pledge of his fidelity Bulion offered to deliver both the Town and Castle to the patronage of the Kingdome of France and for performance of that agreement consented that as well the Governour as the Souldiers therein should be bound by Oath and besides this he offered other things while yet he was not removed from the possession and in the interim prepared all things for enduring a War if he should be compelled thereto by necessity This boldness of his together with the potent Enemies which he had lately made himself and besides being a man greedy of honor and impatient to be excelled forced the King that marching out that Spring with a great Army he came with his Camp as far as the Maes Thus did this great King threaten with the fury of a destructive War not the Spaniard nor the Burgundian as heretofore but his old friend the Lord onely of one poor Town But a meanes being found to make Peace Bulion was redeemed from that imminent danger and the King freed from such an inglorious contest The King placed a Governor in Sedan for four years and at the end of that time the custody of the same was to be redelivered to Bulion By that agreement it was forbidden for any to inquire into his former actions and if hereafter he should change his allegiance the Townsmen swore they would chuse them another Prince This Peace being made he was restored to his wonted favor with the King who as he was easily angred so he was ready and free to pardon all men wondring to see him that lately was an Enemy now be at the King's elbow and inseparable from him both in his cares and recesses The
chose among these Trebizond for a new Seat of another Empire the Trade was drawn thither through the Caspian Sea by a way not so much used as known to the Romans of old as Pliny teacheth us out of Varro and afterwards the Turks Power encreasing thereabout it was carryed thence by Camells and Dromedaries to Aleppo But the Sultans that possessed Caire restored it again to the Red Sea and Alexandria After this the Portugueses having searched many parts of Africa and Asia and planted Colonies in the Year One Thousand Five Hundred and Twelve came to these Islands whereby force and Arms prevailing partly by the differences of the Kings there and partly by the strengâ—h of their Shipping easily made themselves Lords of the Trade of Cloves spoyling and destroying all Ships that by chance at any time came thither either from Persia or Arabia and stopping up all the passages into Egypt Thus did the Sultans loâ—e no less than the yearly Revenew of fourscore Thousand Ducats At that time the King of Ternata was Boloif the Son of â—rgeo who was looked upon among his Subjects as a Prophet the King of Tideris was Almansor these were at variance between themselves a long time only out of a desire of increasing Dominion which was the Original and cause of their slavery The Portugueses preferred the friendship of him of Ternata as having the larger Government and as if they believed any thing lawful to be done against Mahomitans they poysoned Almansor disobeying their Command for which cause his Son and Heir Raxamira submitted himself to the obedience of the Castilians who eight years after publickly came into those parts as if with an intent to take possession thereof averting that their Ancestors and Magellane had discovered those places before the Portugueses and besides they so interpreted the method of dividing the World and the several positions of places with such incertain dimensions that they would include these places within the bounds of their Empire Hence it came that when those two distinct People Spaniards and Barbarians were intermingled they had sharp but no long conflicts because the Emperour Charles the Fifth who Reigned in Castile wanting money and not rightly understanding of what great concernment the matter in agitation was accepting from John the Third King of Portugall Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Duckets He pawned to Him all His Right in the Mollucca's from whence the Portugueses have since claimed a free Trade there without interruption sending all their Cloves to Goa from whence the Persians Turks Chinoys and Africans fetched them yet scarcely so much by a third part as is vended to the European Nations Therefore it was no wonder that out of the Molucca Islands and Amboyna which is not far distant and brings forth the same Fruit and Banda where the best Nutmegs grow which bears a Flower that is called Mace the Kings of Portugalls had a yearly Revenew of Two Hundred Thousand Duckats Pepperâ— and Ginger growing every where are esteemed vile to these so also is Cinamon Now as the Wealth of these barbarous Kings increased so also did the injuries offered to them for that which at first was but an allyance after became and was turned into publick Tyranny and what before was the Obligation to Fidelity now was converted into designs of Treachery After the Death of Bolcif his Son Bajan that succeeded Him in the Kingdom was taken Prisoner and after Him his Brother and King Dayall These by some means or other being dead one Arrias took the Kingdom who also was Himself first Imprisoned and afterwards slain for no cause but out of envy to His greatness for He was unspotted in His Fidelity insomuch that many Islands about which had formerly been Governed by the Noblemen in admiration of His Vertues submitted themselves to His Government so that He had under His Command above seventy Isles and no small parts of the Celebes Country Mindanao and Gilolo His two Elder Sons were so terrified with that sad Example that they refused the Name of King and so escaped the danger The Third named Babus ventured to take the Crown and promising to revenge the former facts it was admirable to see how much Affection both His Subjects and Neighbours shewed to him In His Reign the English first came out of Europe under the Conduct of Captain Drake in the Year One Thousand Five Hundred Seventy and Nine and disturbed the Possession of the Portugueses Babus expected ayd a long time from these but being frustrate of His hopes and the Courages of the Barbarians beginning as is usual by little and little to languish and hearing that the Wealth both of Castile and Portugall were united in King Philip He sent some to him to excuse the revenge He had taken for His Fathers murther and promised for the future Faith and Obedience But he was eluded with ambiguous Answers â—â—til soon after dying together with the Kingdom He left to His Brother Zaida instead of hopes of Parâ—on His hatred against the Spaniards ready to burst out upon any occasion given There was also one Molee who after Raâ—amira Succeeded His Father Guna slain by Zaida and his Brother Gâ—apabaguna uncertain by whom poysoned in the Government of Tyderis who to oblige the Portugueses by good Offices was envious of their adversaries These were they the Hollanders found when first as we have before related they came into that World In the Year One Thousand Six Hundred Zaida first with joy beheld the Hollanders Arms able to cope with the Portugall Power against whom He joyned with the other with so much Courage that He not only defied the Spaniards as Enemies but slighted the English who desired Commerce and Trade with them but calling the Hollanders his Allyes and Confederates and the deliverers both of Himself and the Sea from tyrannous oppressions On the other side the King of Tyderis permitted the Portugueses to Erect a Castle in their Territories And before Cornelius Sebastian came thither the English once more arrived there with their Ships boasting to the Portugueses That there was a Peace between Spain and England They that accounted all Foreigners Enemies yet then counterfeited Friendship to the English although the fear of the Hollanders was more prevalent Nor was gain onely diminished by these and the number of Merchants lessened but the English resisted them that prepared for War against Tyderis that they might sell Gunpowder to the Portugalls by the scarcity whereof they were much pinched but by perseverance in Counsell it was agreed between Zaida and the Hollanders that He should only make a shew of War while they brought over their Army into the Island of Tyderis That the Hollanders only should perform the Assault of the Castle because the Barbarians are carryed â— rather by fury than advice and being once broken off suddenly loose all their Courage The Marriners therefore first of all climb up and assault two Caracks lying near the Bay then setting fire on
in so great mutations and of what advantage Forreign Affairs were to Ours or Ours to them The whole North which consisted of Kingdoms of old replete with many Priviledges and Liberties was broken out into Arms almost for the same causes that the Hollanders War began for Sigismund following the Dictates of the Jesuites had lost Sweden with great difficulty retaining Poland For in Sweden Charls laying aside he name of Duke and by the Decree of his Nobles taking the name of King and repairing his Forces after the loss he had received at the Siege of Riga approached near the borders of Livonia In Poland Amoseius the Chancellor of that Kingdome while he lived had by his Wisdome and the reverent esteem that was had of him prevailed both with the King and Nobles for the observation of Peace and support of the Law But when he was dead first discontents and hatred arose which afterwards broke out into open Force And some there were that said The Nobles were advised soon after his Funeral that their Liberty had been attempted with many artisices That he had left the Commonwealth in as good a Condition to those that survived as it was when he first received the Charge of it and therefore now They should take care that nothing therein might go amiss either out of Ignorance or Sluggishness And in truth not long after the chief of the Noblemen that are there called Palatines broke out into Arms accusing the King That after the death of his first Wife without the advice of the States of Poland he had marryed the Sister of his deceased Wife thereby at once polluting the Kingdome with Incest and by a private League obliging himself to the House of Austria and that in the disposal of Honours he carried not an equal hand but preferred Romanists before Protestants they desired also that the Jesuits might be expelled out of the Jurisdiction of Craâ—ovia and that the contentions growing among Priests should be decided by Domestique Judges and not at Rome whither they must make long Journies with vast charge And thereupon the Great Council of that Kingdome being summoned they called the King before them to purge himself of his Crimes adding threats That unless he appeared they would transfer those Imperial Ensign of Majesty the Crown and Scepter which by the Custome of the Countrey they had the keeping of to another But the King collecting his Army and winning to him many by gifts although at first he was answered with divers successes yet preferring Peace a League was concluded at Sendomir whereby the Old Laws were strengthened and confirmed by New But for all this it might rather he called a laying down of Arms then a taking awâ—y of Offences for as he contemned the Subjects as Conquered so their impunity made them again grow confident so that the Peace was neither safe nor durable Besides these faults before mentioned this also was objected That without the consent of the Publick he intangled Poland in a war by sending aid to Demetrius This Demetrius after Boris had invaded the Dominion sought to slay the Son of the most noted Basilides by cruelty and after him enjoyed Muscovy professing himself the Brother of Theodore another being put into his place that should be killed while he was carryed into Poland where he long dissembled the Nobility of his bloud but at last prevailed in the over-perswading many by shewing upon his body divers private marks But he managed his Arms unfortunately against Boris who was now grown old and experienced both in the Arts of War and Government When he dyed he left a son named Theodore whom we mentioned before in his tender age to be left to his Mother but a great part of the Russians who equally hate the Government of Women and Children fell to Demetrius and presently the common people let him into Mosco the Principal City slaying in favour of their new Lord both the Widow and Son of Boris But the Fortune of his Kingdome was short for the Priests were offended at the Authority of the Jesuites by whose perswasions it was reported That he had sent to the Pope with intent to change the Greek Ceremonies for the Latine Nor were the Noblemen less enraged because he chose for the Guards to his person Foreiners and made use of none but Polanders both in his Court and Privy Counsels But the common people who hate or love not voluntarily but as they are lead and instructed were provoked by common report That he was not the Demetrius as was supposed but a Fugitive Monk instructed by Magick Art and but a slave sent by the Polanders to disturb the Affairs of Russia At the time of his Marriage which he celebrated with a young Polonian Lady the daughter of the Palatine of Sendomer a great tumult arising Demetrius or whoever else he was for even after his death it remained a doubt in vain striving to avoid his ruine by leaping from on high to the ground being weakned by the fall he was presently killed And his death was attended with a great slaughter of Polonians while one Scutskye that had raised this commotion seized the Empire at first indeed very unstable and tottering while their minds were astonished with the cruelty and being very slowly drawn to consent to a new Prince but afterwards it was soon setled by fear add punishments as is usual among Barbarians Now also had the sedition of the Imperial Souldiers involved Transilvania and the parts adjoyning upon Hungary in great troubles which were also increased by the Rapines of the Governours and debarring the Protestants the liberty of their Religion the envy of the War here also being thrown upon the Jesuits as the daily fomenters of mischief At this time also broke forth divers long concealed complaints That they plainly saw they were slighted for the Prince violated that antient Custome of his Predecessors of being present in their Assemblies and hearing the Requests of his People But Robolfus keeping himself within the Court kept the chief maâ—agety both of Arms and Counsels in the hands of Foreiners which is a thing very grievous even to such as are enslaved and therefore the more intollerable to them whose Laws and Foundations of Government are so confirmed to them by the Oaths of their Kings that it is accounted to them neither disgrace of Crime to resist all that would make an infringement thereupon And thus on a sudden they fell to fighting and besieging of Cities to the great rejoycing of the Turk from whom the Crown and Scepter of Hungary was sent to Steplxn Botscay a chosen Captain of the Malecontents who was besides the Publick inflamed with private injuries yet he persisted to refuse the same contenting himself with Transilvania and the Title of Prince But Peace set an end to this short War of which this was the third year The Turk being weakned by the Persians Victories and a new Rebellion in Asia and Botscay endeavouring nothing further
then the preservation of Liberty The Emperour Robolfus being too weak for two Enemies Granted Transilvania to Botscay and to the Hungarians Native Governours of their own appointing his Brother Matthias who had been heretofore concerned in the Low-Countrey Affairs their Regent and setling Laws whereby the Jesuites Wealth should be restrained and agreeing the Turk should keep what he possessed Thus Arms being laid aside Botscay not long after was poisoned by some about him yet even at his last gasp when he despaired of life taking care for the Publick Commending to the Hungarians and Transylvanians a strict Unity and Concord frequent Assemblies in Counsel and while the Laws remained in force to hold a firm Peace with Caesar But his dying without Issue when by the Laws the Principality reverted to the Emperour straight was Transylvania involved in new troubles impatient to be ruled by a Forreign Prince Germany also was now full of differences concerning Religion and at Brunswick Patelborn Embden although they had not an absolute War yet their differences came as near to a War as might be between those Princes and Cities the former being too greedy of Dominion and the later unapt and unwilling to obey The Venetians yet defended themselves by Books whose Authors at the prescribed day wont not to Rome pretending many casualties in the Journey and that their nominated Judges were malicious against them in the interim Commanders Armies and Fleets were with all expedition hastned forward Nor did the Spaniard dissemble in promising the Pope aid whereof the King of France having notice sent to Rome to tell his Holiness That his Ancestors had so well merited of that See that in all dangers the Church ought not to seek redress from any other hands then those of the Kings of France but if the Pope should declare himself ambitious to dilate the Spanish Greatness He ought with great reason to suspect the same and therefore in a manner should be compelled to take part against him With these threats the Italian was terrified whose Countrey was never pierced with Forreign Arms without great damage because the Body of the Countrey being divided into small Dominions would easily become a prey to the Conqueror But the French as he feared not War too much yet he rather chose Peace Wherefore now He advised the Venetians then the Pope That they would reconcile their Differences which otherwise would break out to the Publick Ruine Himself strengthening and corroborating His Domestique quiet both by Laws Money and League Brittain after the Discovery of that Horrid Conspiracy formerly mention'd was full of Jealousies and Suspitions which the Pope increased by setting forth Bulls Forbidding 〈◊〉 to take the Oath prescribed by the King maintaining that it was contrary to Religion because they swore thereby to continue faith and Allegiance to the King though the Pope denyed it which the Catholikes themselves very hardly believed And this Declaration of the Pope's was receiv'd with great variety of Opinion as Either the Love of the Country or the imbibed Principles of Religion prevail'd with every one The English also made many Complaints because Right was not equally administered to the Merchants in Spain But in Spain the Netherlanders there abiding were with great Cruelty persecuted whose Trade with the Hollanders and chiefly with the late â—â—rected Indian Company was connexed The Treasury also was taken Care for with great Diligence all whose Fidelity in managing the Affairs of Money was suspected being apprehended and call'd to Question But the Remedies were too small for such overgrowing Evils although the King was daily pressed with Petitions of the Portugezes That he would not please to set an end to their Misery For why would he suffer 〈◊〉 near at hand to be exhausted and spoiled while he onely â—ded the War with the Hollanders at a greater distance Why would he permit so many Ships the onely Wealth of that late flourishing Kingdom to be taken and burned The Ports of Spain 〈◊〉 to be beset and now the Molucca's to be torn from him Besides the War made by the Castilians was very burdensom which â—ing the late Times had cost the Spaniard no less than Three Hundred Thousand Scutes Monethly without any hope of an 〈◊〉 and especially because the danger of the Ships coming from America grew greater and greater The Expences moreover had so far increased over the Annual Income that the Seditions of the Souldiers could not be avoided even by the exactest Care and Diligence of Spinola and what was gotten by the War did in no wise tantamount it being on the other side known by Experience how firmly the Enemies had fortified their Rivers â—â—d strengthned their Works how secure they keep their Sea â—â—d how uncertain and letigious the Passage of our Souldiers hath been through the Borders of other Dominions so that if the Venetian War should grow on the Belgick not yet ended it must needs reduce Us not onely to Poverty but to absolute Beggery The King was a young man unexperienced in Matters of War and who measur'd rather the Greatness of his Kingly Dignity by the Excess of his Pleasures than the Extents of his Dominions unless he was drawn thereto by Advice was not very forward to ingage in a War Besides He was possessed with great Fears by an addition and intermixture of Truth and Falshood not without great Policy of those who had the chief Management of Affairs in Holland that they might drive Spain of it self full of Procrastinations into more speedy and reall Motions for Peace For a Rumour was spread abroad That the French King strongly labour'd to 〈◊〉 the Hollanders to become Subjects to his Kingdom under sâ—â—â— prescribed Laws and that Flanders being Conquer'd should be the Bounds between them But it was more tolerable for the Spaniards to give the Hollanders their Liberty than by the Damage of his own Empire to increase that of another and him especially his chief Emulator and some hope yet remained against them when they should have nothing to do either by forgetfulness of Offences by Discord among themselves or with the Kings by whose Wealth they flourished which would for ever be lost if they were employed Besides Fortune favouring them in the Indies a New Company was prepar'd by the Hollanders and Zelanders that should with a strong Fleet carry at once both War and Merchandise into America and should drive away thence the Enemy both by Sea and Land with hope of as great Booty as would make amends for the Charge of the War Anon after another Report was spread abroad That as formerly the Turk had passed the Hellespont by the help of the Genoways so now the Moors were by the Hollanders Assistance and Fleet â—â—gain Granado and other places possessed by their Ancestors Albertus also and Isabella this as a Woman that as a Man 〈◊〉 up in Religious Studies began now to be weary of the War 〈◊〉 burthensom to them by its long continuance And the
suspected in regard it was unknown what design they intended To all these were added the French Ambassadors then very averse to Peace because they said it was evident to them That the nature of the Spaniards was never officious but when they studied mischief but they had scarse resolved to consult of that matter which before they began to agree to that they would neither send provisions nor supplyes to the Fleet by which means it might be compelled to return by necessity which is stronger then any command Thereupon matters were brought to that pass that Olden-Barnevelde should in the name of the States make answer That the Instruments brought out of Spain were not congruous to what was promised and therefore the States drew up the same is the Latine and French Tongue which were to be in like manner perfected within two Months by the King if he hoped any further to continue the Treaty which pattern he was to deliver at the same time And because some delay happened thereby the States prorogued the space for deliberation after the Instruments were anew confirmed from that present time until the first of September yet it was granted in honour of the Archdukes against whose will these neglects seemed to be committed that the Fleet should be recalled and that after six weeks from that day all things whatsoever that were taken should be free and not taken as Prize But they would keep the Kings Letters till better were brought chiefly for this purpose to maintain the cessation of Arms Nor in the interim faith he can we enough wonder if this Affair be cordially and with uprightness managed to what purpose serve these great Rewards Behold the Diamond See the Chain Look upon Spinola's hand and here they were all produced These cannot be so without suspition in the givers but that they who received them by publick command cannot yet be free from the undeserved envy of the people Be not deceived for it is not here as in Kingdomes where two or three rule all things at their beck and the rest of the people are slaves but We Govern and are Governed by turns And if this Councel this Senate be not sufficiently guarded against your bribes We will encrease their number Carry back your gifts to their Owners which you need not give to obtain Peace and would be a high wickedness in Us to receive in prejudice of our Liberty Verreike being on a sudden surprised had nothing to say but that if any such thing were offered it was without the Archdukes knowledg nor was it a wonder if Monks that are a covetous sort of men look upon others to be such as themselves Now was the appointed time of six Weeks past when the Fleet was recalled out of Spain and also Naya and Verreike having their desired safe conduct are come and bring with them out of Spain another Writing which contained almost the same words prescribed by the States with this only difference That the King professed himself ready to Treat with them as a Free People in any place and that he would challenge nothing against them adding That he asserted this as well for maintaining the Credit and Promise of the Archdukes as for confirming a Peace or long Truce which when it was agreed upon He would fully perform all other things that might be desired for the sanction thereof but that it should be Treated of and concluded in that League as concerning other desires of Parties so also of the business of Religion Wherein if there were no Settlement and Conclusion then his Right should not be prejudiced in any thing by this Writing but all things to remain intire as before to both parties They that were more curious observed That a business of so high concernment was carelesly written in Paper and not engrossed in Parchment for the perpetuating thereof and that the Name of Philip was not subscribed as to Equals but like a King according to his Custome in writing to His Subjects The Odium of all these things Naya foreseeing the same attempted to mollify with good words declaring That he himself as best knowing the desires of the Archdukes and the States in relation to Peace went into Spain and informed the King in what condition the state of Affairs on both sides was and how necessary Peace was to the Netherlands There the matter was debated in Council That whatever was to be Treated of and concluded might be more firm and lasting and that not only the King who is mortal but the Kingdome it self which cannot dye should be bound by those Agreements He protested also with much earnestness and high asseverations That the King was very desirous of Peace and that he intended to walk in the right and plain way to attain the same and therefore had so clearly declared his mind in writing which he might have concealed if he had had any intention to deceive After him Verreike highly applauding the Archdukes faithful dealing he made an excuse That King Philips expressions were not Written in Latine or French but in the Spanish Tongue In this Tongue he converseth with Christian Princes in this he Treats with Free People nor was it equal for them to take from him this Liberty who had hearkned to the States speaking in what Tongue they pleaâ—â—d At this time dissimilitude of thoughts began to discover great variety of affections in the United Provinces the Prince suspecting Treaties and some Cities both in Holland and Zeland hoping a greater advantage from the War then they could expect from Peace and therefore he most moderate and collected minds and those that were unanimous in their desires looked upon these things with more then ordinary displeasure for the acknowledgment of their Liberty with the only esteem whereof being filled they began to â—â—arken to those dangerous discourses of Peace might easily be recalled and indeed it seemed very little if any thing at all unless the Faction of the Romanists should be divided from the Commonwealth by the hope of some favour from the Enemy But Naya and Verreike being showed what the States seemed to find fault with in the Spanish Writing openly professed That it was but labour in vain to expect any thing more since if any thing remained dubious either to the League of Peace it self or in the Truce it might be â—â—pounded and made manifest in more clear and fitting at arms So much confidence had they gotten by observing that a great part of the United Provinces were weary of the War and knowing it would be much more beneficial to the Spaniard to make an Agreement with them severally then all United and conjunct But the States taking the Prince's Counsel together with the advice of the French and British Ambassadors at length agreed in this Opinion That they would declare to the Archdukes Ambassadors That the Letters brought out of Spain were not answerable to the first Promises because the last words would seem to bear such an
unknown by whom Murthers were commended and with whom the greatest Thief is most honourable And how horrid is it in these who obtained their Honour not by the Nobility of their Bloud or Merits but by his or Queen Elizabeth's Favour to shew such an Ingratitude of Mind such a Conscientiousness of their Treachery that they would again attempt what they had bin once pardon'd solliciting a whole Province to Defection and Rebellion and contrive a Conspiracy to the slaughter of all the English Nor were there wanting Priests and Jesuits the usual Authors and Promoters of such wickedness to foment their Designs But the Assistance of Forein Power being in vain implored by them their impious Attempts left no safe Refuge but in flight The Seventeenth BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES THat the Enemies Embassadors delay'd their coming this Years most sharp Frost and worthy to be remembred among the Rarities of the Time was a main cause or else it was a part of the Spanish Pride to be long expected In the interim the States transacted with their Friends That they might try what might be hoped from them in Peace or War Then did the Affection of the French clearly appear eminent towards this Commonwealth there being hardly any found that would imitate their Pattern For they made a League wherein it was agreed That the King should give Assistance against the Violaters thereof that either offer'd publike Injuries to the Hollanders or being warned had by dissimulation done any private Offences and to that end should send to their Aid Ten Thousand Foot If the King a Kingdom of France suffer'd any Hostility from an Enemy The States were to help him either with 500 Foot or so many Ships as should equiballance that Number If either â—d any thing beyond this for the other it should be owed 〈◊〉 till the end of the War and then to be re-paid That either should make any Agreement with the Enemy without as Allies Consent And in point of Commerce the Hollanders should be free among the French as Citizens and the French equal to the Citizens of Holland But the Brittains that they might not make the like League first of all renewed the old Controversie concerning the Trade of Clothing which only one Society among the English would â—ave and afterwards they demanded That before all other things the old Debt of the States should be more narrowly treated 〈◊〉 The Germans a Nation full of delay from whom as also from the Landgrave of Hessen Embassadors came pretended That their Princes desired nothing more than to confirm the League upon mutual Assistance each of other yet that they had received no certain Power and Authority to settle that Affair In 〈◊〉 interim these in effect were the Things which they â—ommended to the States if Peace were concluded to wit that Care might be taken for the Indempnity of the House of Nassau That the Spaniard should make satisfaction for the Daniaâ—â— Mendosa had done in Germany That no Liberty should be parted to any within the States Jurisdiction to use the Romane rites in matter of Religion That in the disbanding of Souldiers â—â—tion should be used that no damage should accrue thereby to the Neighbours And that all Taxes upon Provision should for the future utterly cease At length in the beginning of the Month of February arrived the Embassadors from the Enemy which were Spiâ—â—la and Mancicido a Spaniard the King's Secretary for Military Business Afterwards Richardot Verreik and Naya being drawn in Sleds over the Frozen Waters enter Holland then indeed open and not shewing any of the natural strength and beauty of its Rivers Where ever they passed they were courteously Treated by the Governours of Cities and were not far from the Hague when Prince Maurice went out to meet them On every side was an infinite company of men whom the greatness of that unusual Sight had drawn together and to behold a Thing the Year before believed by no man that the two chief Commanders of that great War who lately had led such Armies mortally hating one another now unarm'd mutually embracing each other and instead of the Violence of Arms and Stratagems of War contesting onely who should most exceed in Humanity Spinola passing in Prince Maurice's Coach and some Discourse begun each of them received great Advantage from the others Vertue one expert Enemy giving a true Judgment of his Opposite But after the Italian General provided of Lodgings according to his Dignity began to set forth his pretious Houshold-stuff and all other Things prepar'd for Ostentation It is wonderful to tell what vast concourse of men daily flocked thither from the utmost parts of Holland meerly to see the order of his Service the furnishing of his Table and chiefly his Person Indeed many were drawn thither with the desire onely to satisfie and feed their Eye but others came thither who not onely owned but boasted their Affection to the Romane Religion Nor was He nice in shewing himself to all Comers nay more then that he supposed it a becoming thing sometimes to speak first to many by an Interpreter or else thereby he fancied to himself a hope of gaining the affection of the Commons against the Nobles At the Request of the Enemies Embassadors a more solemn meeting than ordinary was granted where before the Prince and the Senate after Salute and Complements passed they declare to what purpose they were sent And now some were chosen that should treat apart with them first in the Name of the whole Council of the United States were appointed William of Nassau and Walrave Brederode then â—ery single Province added one as Gelderland Cornelius 〈◊〉 Holland John Olden Barneveldt Zeland Jacob Maleree Vtrecht Nicholas Bercke Friezeland Gelly Hellaman Over-â—ssell John Sleethen and Groening Abâ—l Cunderten The first dayes were spent while each inspected and argued the others Commands and Instructions King Philip in his Letters styled the Arch Dukes the chief Princes of the Netherlands and speaking of the liberty of the United Provinces he recited that clause which formerly he had mentioned that it should be then of full force when the Peace was concluded wherein also there were Instructions concerning Religion and other matters in controversie The Arch Dukes in their Epistles set forth the words whereby Philip of late had ratified whatever Agreements they should make upon any the States Demands the States nevertheless often averting and complaining of the contrary Besides when Philip gave power to the Arch Dukes of making Peace either by themselves or those whom he had delegated to that business The Arch Dukes Instructions did not plainly enough speak and declare the right which they had received from King Philip to be transferred by them to their Embassadors To all which Objections the Spaniards plâ—usibly excusing the rest promised that they would take care that nothing should be wanting in the making perfect their Commission yet on the other side they argued that the States
Instructions to their Commissioners by a new example had bound and tyed them up by secret and private orders To which it was answered that that should in no manner hinder the business in regard the States themselves were present who as any one Head or Article of Peace was agreed on should immediately confirm the same by their Authority for it was consented to by both that all things should not be proposed at once in general but each thing particularly as the same was to be decided or debated The Hollanders insisted on this that they might try the Enemies minds at the beginning by the most difficult things whether they only desited a Treaty or really intended a Peace But the Spaniards were for a more dilatory way and that they might avoid any concessions they should be forced to as often as they thought fit The Spaniard offered either a Peace or a Truce a long time keeping secret what at last almost too late was known that they could not indure a Peace upon equal tearms but would consent to such a Truce On the other side the States from the very beginning professed they desired to put an end to the War and not only to give an intermissive Cessation thereto for it was manifest that the exhausted Forces of the Spaniard would in time reâ—â—â— and in the inâ—eriâ—â— the Neighbour Kingdoms might grow evilly affected towards them besides many other things were spoken against a Truce which we shall hereafter commemorate Wherefore at this very time they began to Treat about a Peace the first branch whereof was about the confession of the liberty of Holland upon which matter the Debate being begun Don Richardot said In matters not to 〈◊〉 if they please to make themselves a Kingdom 〈◊〉 he desired them that the Covenants might be so made in such words at might do least prejudice to the Kings Honour The Confederate States desired that the King and Arch Dukes should in their own Name and the Name of their Heirs and Successors for ever desist from their Claym of the Seven Provinces and Lingen and Trent and whatever else they possessed so as for the future they should not use either their Arms or Titles But the Spaniards grievously complained both to the French and English of this contumelious demand as they pleased to call it protesting that it was a devestable thing that harder â—aws should be imposed on them by that People then Kings are wont to prescribe to Kings The Kingdom of Navarre is possessed by the Spaniard yet the antient Inheâ—â—tors thereof retain the Honour of the Title The King of Great Britain entitles himself to France yet neither is the French offended with this or the Spaniard with that for the Spaniard himself hath nothing of the Kingdom of Jerusalem but the Name whereto when the Hollanders replyed That Kingdoms were supported by their Majesty But free People could never be wary or cautelous enough and that the loss of a few words would be no great matter in the great and swelling Titles of the House of Austria at last the Spaniards did admit the condition so as all other things might be likewise concluded This easiness of the Spaniard was suspected by wise men not was it without Reason at that time conjectured that they had speciously consented to that demand being so popular and pleasing to all because there remained other things which being within the words of their conceded liberty would destroy both their Power and Wealth or else things not equally common with them and the Confederates would involve them in dissentions In the progress of the Treaty the Solemnity usually in Leagues concerning the Oblivion of all acts of Hostility and the prohibiting making of Seizures took up little or no debate But when they came to the point of Commerce the Spaniards declared that the Hollanders must abstain from going to the Indies and other long Voyages by Sea as not used before the War and that this was the main Reason that moved Philip to hearken to Peace Nor was their liberty of so small concernment to them as that they would refuse to give such a price for it especially no damage accruing thereby since instead thereof they should have the benefit of the Spanish Trade which is nearer to them and more safe which while it formerly continued free to them they never once thought of the Indies Adding further that by the Treaty of Verbin neither the French nor the English by the Treaty made at London were admitted to go into those parts which the Castilians and Portugueses alone had for so many years challenged to themselves as the first finders thereof But the Embassadors of France and England refelled this affirming what was lawful by the priviledge of nature and not prohibited by any League they esteemed it unquestionably permitted and by that right they used it But these things during the time of the Treaty were debated in Books and Writings wherein was set before them the love of their Country and the private gain from the Indies to be preferred before the Spanish Dominion that was unjust how great therefore was the necessity of the Hollander who having nothing but a barren Soyl and full of Marishes gain Wealth and Glory from the Sea wherein with their own strength they are able to cope with their most powerful Enemies Nor would the adjoyning Seas that lie near about them be sufficient to maintain so great a multitude There being used in the Voyage to Guiny 20 good Ships to the Islands of Salt fourscore to the rest of the Coast of America almost twenty and to India only 40. wherein and whereby were imployed no less then eight thousand Seamen from all whom by such a League they would take away their Livelyhood or in effect command or rather compel them to flight a thing ignoble in every Citizen but odious and abominable towards them who deserved so much and so well of the Common-wealth As well private as publick Utility should be something respected it being well known how mightily in a short time the gain of the Indian Trade was increased and it might easily be collected by the profit thereof for these last fifteen years what might be hoped for from them in the future there yet remained Cambaya Malabar Crilon Narsinga Coroâ—iandell and certain other places hitherto unknown and but slightly enquired after Now what if that of China and America opposite to the other Ocean should he looked after and the yet undiscovered World under the South Pole should wait to be made known by the Hollanders let the Spanish and the Indian Trade be divided between them yet the last will not be admitted to be lost hitherto â—ince it hath still been used by the French and English this in effect is no other then to seek the recovery which may be continually lost and in the mean time certainly to loose what can never be recovered for a Society once dissolved cannot by any means
be re-united Besides the Indian Ships are fit and ready for War whereof some are always at home â—it for suddain Service and without any publick charge would be a publick Fleet But what would the Spanish Fleet nothing but at pleasure take booty from their Enemies Let the gain thereof here be shared with their Enemy and let him there also partake of their most plentiful advantage and by that meanes the Spanish Wealth now too great to let the World enjoy peace will be lessened And that it may be the better discerned what ought to be denyed to King PHILIP it is to be observed what he most earnestly demands which may be imagined the cause of his desiring peace Those antient LORDS of that poor Kingdom are beholding to India and America for the great raising of their Fortune which at this time hath made them so proud as to despise Kings for herein is concerned the cause of most neighbour Princes to whom by the loss of the Sea the Hollander would be of no use If we look upon the Enemy aright we shall find him bend all his endeavours thither that he may be able to do injuries when and where he pleaseth The Hollanders labour for this only that they may not be compelled to suffer If either Justice or power be sought they have on their side all Laws both Divine and Humane who have given to all a right of Navigation and Merchandise as Nature hath disposed to all an equal share both of Ayr and Earth Although before the Wars the Hollanders did not sail to the Indies yet that they had a right and might have done it nor can the longest possession prevail against the Authority of the Law of Nations They that would shut up the Sea and challenge Merchandise to themselves alone what other thing do they then Pyrates and Ingroffers of Provision Antiquity averred Arms to be justly taken up against them who excluded any from their Harbors how much more then against them who would drive them from the Ports belonging to others Peace without Trade is not Peace but a perpetual hostility where the right of Defence is utterly taken away And now the hitherto unspotted fidelity of the Hollanders could not be sullyed by a more no able example then if they should leave and betray the Indian Kings and People confederate with them to the Spanish cruelty If the Spaniards resolve to perform what shall be agreed on let the business now be perfected as it will be when the Hollanders are declared Free and when they have agreed then that each shall quietly enjoy what at the present he shall possess for nothing ought to be limited to Freemen and Traffick admitted in all places whereof they have Possession But that they should set so high an esteem upon Philip for yielding up a part of his Dominion there was little reason truly for the same since it was not a gift but a confession of the truth without which there was no hopes of concord It were more honourable for him to give or take Peace then while his Affairs succeeded so well to sell it which if he would not believe he should eft-soons experiment it The fruit of forty years bloudshed would be utterly lost and in vain were Arms taken up for Liberty and against that terrible bugbear of Commerce the tenth raised by Alva if now as great a slavery should be voluntarily admitted to and they suffer themselves to be deprived of the greater part of the World by their Enemies which they â—ould never have endured from any Prince These things were urged by them A few on the other side averred That this was private business and ought not to hinder the publick Peace at leastâ—ise that the cause of some Maritime people ought not to be handled alone when the evil of War extended to all Lastly where the Spanish Negotiation was short and safe it â—â—ticed Seamen by their good will to avoid long Voyages which are frequently obnoxious to diseases Upon mature consideration of the matter by the United States these things seemed to them to be just causes why they would not desert and quit the Indies yet that they â—ight not leave any thing untryed for the ending the War after much dispute they offer the Spaniards their choise either that they would make a firm Peace with freedome of Navigation or else according to the example of France and Brittain all beyond the line should be left to the decision of Arms or else to conclude a Peace here and only a Truce â—â—ere But the Spaniards would neither permit that negotiation saying that Peace and War mingled resembled a Prodigy but at last they gave hopes of a Truce in the Indies if when the time thereof was elapsed they would abstain from any further Navigations to those parts But the States that abhorred those conditions revived the Counsels of the American society lately laid aside if perchance they could work upon the Enemy by fear But they quickly understood these were but threats nor indeed did that matter proceed any further while they who were desirous of Peace among the Hollanders were afraid to be severe towards dissenters Without doubt this state of Affairs was very prejudicial to the people of the United Provinces Arms being only forbidden as uncertain whether there should be Peace or War whereupon many of the common people who got their living by War were not apt to apply themselves to any other business and so were afflicted with two evils idleness and penury and therefore the States esteemed it more convenient to hasten the end of the Treaty to this purpose they advised the Spaniards That they should on both sides propose the chief heads of what was to be insisted on They alledged it to be an unusual thing to make new Proposals before the former were concluded yet at length they consented not that they would distinctly and plainly offer the particulars but only the chief points in general and that in obscure tearms for they said there remained yet to be treated of concerning their limits the restitution of goods Forreign commerce money and those immunities which were granted to the English or others in the Netherlands as also of Religion and Neighbouring Princes Being asked when they mentioned Religion since the same was contained in King Philips Letters whether this were their meaning That they which passed up and down should not be infested under pretence of Religion or whether they would prescribe Laws to the Hollanders whereby Divine matters among them should be ordered They answered This was a matter concerning which they would advise with their Prince and after the other things were seâ—led when they came to that they would more clearly procure and produce their determination On the other side the States delivered not a few and those ambiguously contrived but eight and twenty branches or heads contained in plain words such as usual for the confirmation of Peace or taking away the injuries of War
from the League made at Gaunt The Switzers that took Arms for the like Causes laid them down upon a Truce and have now for a long time retained their Liberty being defended by their Foot Souldiers chiefly and the heights of their Mountains And wherein I pray are you less able to defend your selves being so powerful at Sea and having the Ocean for a Guard Some indeed fear lest you should return to your Arms more weak and effeminate for the lives of Princes that favour you say they are uncertain But let them know that the causes of Allyance and Friendship doth not decay with the Kings but remain as immortall as the Kingdoms themselves This is that makes Allyes live and flourish and let this prevail to stir you up not to let slip so reasonable a time to acquire peace This Advice prâ—ceeds from Kings your Friends whose careful providence chiefly ayms at this that you may be safe More might be said to this purpose but I think it prudence to say no more Let every one answer for himself only let not the Authours of the contrary Opinion overcome us in the liberty of saying what they please The next day he sets upon them again their minds being already moved with the former Oration and runs over the principal Heads of the League one by one that he might convince them that there was nothing couched therein either unjust or deceitful and when he had so done added that They were the first of all People to whom that Honour had been granted to confirm their liberty by the Confession of the rejected and abjured Prince The Switzers could not obtain so much nor could the like be forced by the Victorious Danes from their King Christierne though a Captive to them and thereupon he grievously blamed them with accusations of ingratitude and falsity because they had whispered that by the coming of Don Pedro de Toledo into France the King was become averse to the Hollanders Commodity But His Majesties good will to them was more firmly setled then to be changed by the desires of their Enemies or any thing else save the contumely of such as dispersed abroad such falsities Winwood also thought it a part of his duty to commend a Truce to the Senate whereof he himself was a member affirming that his Master the King of Great Britain would not perswade them to any thing but what he himself would give an Example of Those Arms are just that are necessary and those not onely pious Kings but God himself would favour but they are not necessary to which there is a way open to an honourable end If they subsisted by extraordinary succour yet they ought not to refuse the making of a League since both their Religion Liberty and Commerce might be preserved But now it was to far distant to conjecture what would come to passe after a Truce by how much they could not discern the nearer dangers of War It was a wonder to see with what greatness of mind the business was transacted at every Assembly and new Books were daily set forth as it were to sow and foment discords for now they spared neither of the Kings as if the chief of their hopes had consisted in the miseries of the Confederate States But the chief of their envy was vented against Oldenbarneveldt as the Inventor of such things He being grown odious to men of the greatest quality and most eminent degree by his excessive Authority much less could his Equalls endure to see him so far in Honour above them insomuch that there were some Letters found wherein he was not obscurely destined to slaughter Whereupon He in the Assembly of the States of Holland protesting that he had not feared to draw upon himself the malice of the most potent men nor shunned any dangers so as He might serve his Country being fraught with the Solace of a quiet Conscience against all scandalous Rumours and unlucky accidents But when he saw a thing in it self displeasing to him yet nevertheless be aggravated to make him odious He beseeched them that for expediting those things they should see fit in the Common-wealth they would appoint others to officiate that were less hated which said immediately he departed from the Assembly Some of the Lords were sent after him to desire him that he would not in this nice Juncture of time desert the Common-wealth which he had hitherto assisted with his faithful Counsels Hereupon returning to his accustomed charge sometimes extolling the benefits and Authority of the Kings anon explicating and laying open the charge of the War he confirmed such as wavered and refuted them without anger although they were very sharply contradicted and Amsterdam it self a long time resisted at length he brought all Holland to one mind which also five other of the Provinces soon after embraced Only Zeland out of some peculiar Reasons of their own and by the instigation of Prince Maurice resisted the consent of all the rest denying to agree to a Truce nor would suffer the Decree to be revoked urging the words of the Trajectine League that Arms should not be laid down unless by the common consent of all and whatever difference should arise among the Provinces should be left to the decision of the Governours Others were angry and said the Question was not now concerning a Truce but whether Zeland alone should give the Law to all the rest And now the Contest among them growing hot the Embassadors of the Kings interposed endeavouring to drive those by force of Arguments whom they could not lead by perswasion And first Janinus producing to the States King Henrics Letters wherein he ratified whatever they should say or do began to praise the good benefit of Concord then mentioning divers Opinions without frowardness when he came to the Trajectine League he said it belongs not to us to interpret the Laws of other People but yet common Reason teacheth that at this time the Debate was upon a yielding not an indifferent League and it any think otherwise the Law is either to be abrogated or laid aside the Publick Weal so requiring which contains in it the Sanctimony of all Laws for what other event will produce if these do not refuse the decision of the Kings their Allyes more justly than those the determination of the Governours but that upon this Consultation both must needs run into factious parties it remains therefore that the fewer in number should yield to the greater for by this means alone stands the Government of People which otherwise would decay and fall to ruine Thus among the Switzers the Decrees of the greater Party are obeyed by those who contradicted the same But the Acheans and Aetolians though valiant people yet were destroyed by dissention while each of them would not agree to consult with the other for too much liberty is the ready way to Servitude Besides that no man may feed himself with a vain hope I now by Command declare that
so do himself a mischief When this had remained under Consultation some dayes behold he sees the remainder of the Ships fired by the Portugueses themselves with pleasure beholding the sad spectacle of a mad fear The Prisoners which he had he sent back to Alphonso de Castro the Chieftains appointed the Ransome to be divided among the Seamen and the rest upon this Condition That the few Hollanders detained at Malacca or elsewhere should be restored in their stead And he either esteemed the Enemies so vile or his own men so pretious that he exchanged but ten for almost two hundred All the ships which he took from the Enemy were burned that they might not be chargeable or troublesome to him onely preserving the four and twenty Great Gunnes which he won in the Fight Thus as matters here went successfully on so from the Molucca's contrary things were related for after Verhagen hâ—d left â—idoris to the antient Possessor certain Portugueses falling upon the Philippines which are a part of the dominion belonging to the Kingdome of Castile which the Natives call Lusonia desire and obtain aid of Petro Acuna the Governour but with this Proviso That for the future the Moluâ—caes should be open to the Castilians concerning which the said people had been long at difference as we have elswhere related Whereupon it was not rashly believed That the Cactilians had rather the Islands should be recovered then kept in such a necessity of time Being come to Tidoris with seven and thirty Vessels great and small that it might be possessed with the more ease the King himself assisted following the Hollanders Affairs outwardly with his words but maligning them in his heart Thence they passed to Ternata there the Forts are taken and the King who had been most faithful to the Hollanders and foreseeing the danger had often advised that they should not leave Tidoris without a Fort now suffering for anothers fault first fled then giving credit to the Spaniard Articled for his life and was commanded to hope for the rest but his Kingdomes were disposed to such as were of old emulous to him by the consent of the Spaniard and himself kept in custody and carryed into the Philippines Matelisâ—n when he heard that Ternata was taken fearing the like evil at Amboyna and having by chance goâ—â—n a small Ship of the Enemies he furnished it with Arms and therewithal sends some that he had in the Fleet that were men skilfull in the Art of Fortification Himself went to a small Island called Buton seeking the rest of the Portugal Fleet which as before we related going from Malacca then lay there But the Portugueses upon sight of the Enemy being afraid to fight fastned the ships together and all to the shore bringing all the Guns to one side and choosing moreover a Creek of the Sea where they might force the Enemy to Fight against Wind and Tyde and hereto they added all along great Piles of Wood and Sand. Matelisen seeing no possibility of approach endeavoured with some Fire-ships to seâ— the Fleet on fire but they partly by Boats endeavoured to divert the mischief intended towards them and the Wind also helped in blowing them back but the season of the year did not suffer the Hollanders any longer to stay being commanded rather to surcease from War then Merchandise appointing those that should carry them to the Moluccaâ—s the Winds beginning to grow boysterous Part of them went to Queda the King of which place to gain the favour of the Conqueror imprisoned all the Portugueses living among them On the other side the Hollanders gave him all the Indians and Enemies he had in his power And Other Kingdomes also comming in and submitting manifestly declared That the Barbarians Faith would be shaken by the event of one Battel So that some had Treated to buy their Peace of the Spaniards by delivering up all the Hollanders Factors but anon after some Merchants ships belonging to Portugal became their prey Making hast from thence to Amboyna where the People are great Lovers of the Hollanders he built a Castle with great expedition and diligence and Matelisen though he believed there were two principal bonds whereby Forreign Nations are united one to another to wit Marriage and â—eligion yet had with him no Ministers to reach sacred matters the society among the Hollanders herein not sufficiently imitating the Spaniards Prudence who have the Jesuits as principal Instruments in the ordering Spiritual Affairs in their Kingdoms yet the Hollanders obtaining a garrison there intermarried with the Native Women whereby Families being produced it might the more easily become the beginning of a Colony The Shallowes would not suffer them to Land at Tidoris neither indeed would it have been of any benefit or value to have been invaded which of necessity must be left naked to the Enemy by reason of its poverty therefore they thought it more convenient to Land in the North Corner of Ternata where is a Village called Malaja and great store of Provisions and to fortifie it with a Fort and Bulwarks the Spaniards having strongly Fortified a Town on the South side wherein he kept 400 Souldiers And the matters proceeded with success and when the greatness of the Work was grown such as they might hope to defend it Matelisen departing appointed 45 men to the keeping of the place giving them four Ships that might carry them up and down the adjacent Sea and thus a League was made with the Rulers of Ternata as had formerly been done with them of Barida this being added by reason of the imminent danger that they should at the present receive assistance and that the Hollanders should not make a Peace or Truce with the Spaniards but such wherein they should be included Then he Commanded some of the People of the Isle of Macian formerly subject to Ternata but now Governed by Tidoris hastning to Rebellion that against the coming of the next Fleet they should consider of wise Counsel and lay aside rash and immature thoughts Thence himself with three Ships and one small Bark went to China long waiting for an uninterrupted Commerce but after he had been to no purpose held in hand a great while at last he perceived the Portugueses coming from Machao with six great Ships and divers less to assayl him It seemed to him a rash thing to hazard his Fame and Forces in the sight of an unknown Nation with such unequal Forces besides his Ships were foul and heavy with durt as is usual in long Voyages and therefore being frustrated of his great hopes returning the same way he came he understood that the Spaniard was valiantly repulsed in Ternata from his assault of the new Fortifications But that the King of Jora upon approach of the Enemies Forces from Malacca voluntarily fired the Town and fled into the Deserts and places unpassable however he sent Recruits to Ternata for by chance a fresh Ship was arrived from Holland And the King
of Jora being admonished by Letters of his fault that he had not followed the Fortifying of the Town although often called upon to that purpose at last this comfort was added that they were coming that would revenge his injuries At Java Paul Cardenus met him with seven Ships for he had lost one that struck upon a shelf at the Siege of Mosambike from which he was forced to depart by the sickness of his men yet he took one of the Enemies Carracks and spoiled two there and others upon the Coast of Bengala With Matelison there came Embassadors from the King of Siam who brought Gifts to the Prince other Letters also were at the same time brought from divers Kings He brought back with him two Ships and three others followed all loaden with Spices At this same time when the Indian Company was assisted not only with mony as home but with forreign Treasure even from the Enemy himself a Noble Merchant being accused for the same and thrown into Prison whereupon many others were necessitated to flight As of old France greatly flourished under a Potent King so now it did the like under a Prince that was the Umpire of Peace in the World whose Queen at this time brought him a third Son from this Kingdom one Mounsieur de Mounte as is elsewhere mentioned had planted a Colony in the North part of America near the River Canada but without any benefit from thence besides Bever Skins and the Hollanders also had a share therein but the Company being weary of the charge it quickly fell to nothing nevertheless collecting others Ships were again sent to repossess those deserted places who planted at Port-Royall and Quebeco knowing â—e Ayr in the Island of Santa Cruce was unwholsome Into England news was brought from Virginia that nothing hindered their Landing or planting and that there was sufficient of all things for humane sustenance but the nine which they had searched were of no value The faction of Tyrone troubled Ireland making irruptions upon some strong Holds near the Sea while Tyrone himself lived at Rome with the Pope but no Supplies coming to them the same Rebels were easily Conquered and driven into the fastnesses of the Woods and Mountains Spain after the Sea was opened to it and beginning to perceive the Commodities of Peace yet sending of thirteen to the Indies did not omit besides Merchandise to put Souldiers therein as knowing that if a League were made yet whatever was taken before would be esteemed lawful prize and the King himself sweetning the hardships he had put upon his Creditors renewed his Repute Besides by a rare Example he caused his Subject to swear Allegiance to his Son being yet an Infant of three years old as Heir of his Kingdoms Barbary being always unquiet while their Sooth-sayers at pleasure draw the Peoples minds changable by Superstition now this way now that way and then disturbed by Abdala and his Uncle Zidan the youngest Son of their sometime King Hamet by his lawful Wife as he reported of whom He possessing Fez in his Fathers name yet soon lost Morocco a most Noble City Mahomet the Nephew of Hamet being by the Citizens called to the Kingdom who received the same Here by the uncertain Law of Africa and for the more easie Retreat of Warriers a formidable strength of Pirates planted themselves disturbing the Sea near the Streights The Rumour whereof came to the Hollanders at what time Spinola was at the Hague Therefore the States hearing the said Pirates had taken one Holland Ship lest they should seem by dissimulation to incourage a publick evill shewed themselves ready with an Armed Fleet severely to revenge themselves if Spinola would promise they should not be molested by the Spaniards but he protested he had no power to do any such thing Among these Pirates were many English to whom happened an accident worthy of memory which was That some English under the shew of Merchants entring a Ship of Zeland on a sudden got the Marriners all under Decks by chance one Turk was therein which was of the number of Prisoners who being taken at Scluys and having his liberty given him notwithstanding ever after lived in Zeland He daring to attempt any thing being not of a servile nature killed two Englishmen as they were upon the Watch in the night and overcharged with drink then loosing the Mariners hoysting their Sails they returned into their Country and delivered up the surviving Thieves to a just punishment In Germany a Dyet was called at Ratisbom where nothing was done though much deliberated upon But the Emperour who of late had begun to shew his care for the Affairs of Holland was now himself deprived of his Dominions for Matthias choosing rather to have then to expect Authority and despising Rodolfus his sloth found not a few in Hungary and Austria who were troubled at the present state of Affairs and having procured the Agreement of both those Nations and causing the Germans to be hated who under the pretence of Caesars Person ruled all Collecting an Army he leads it to Prague where was his Brothers Palace and Court But the Bohemians standing up for Rodolfus first a Treaty and soon after a Peace was made so as Matthias should for the present enjoy all the Christian part of Hungary together with the Principalities of Austria and Moravia and Bohemia for the future if Rodolfus dyed without any Issue male But Matthias had scarce gotten the possession of his desires but his Conditions were changed Of affable becoming severe and denying to the Austrian Protestants the use of their Religion whereupon their minds were turned from him and their Arms against him Nor did the Bohemians for the like causes less disturb the Emperour The Eighteenth and last Book of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES AT the beginning of the new year the Zelanders being hardly brought by threats to give their consents that their minds incensed with wrangling might again grow into one and all fear of protracting business be taken away the Provinces promise among themselves that they would make no agreement with the Enemy unless the Liberty granted to them in those words that the Deputies approved were in deed and reality confirmed and nothing contrary thereto should be admitted whether sacred or profane And if the Enemy should endeavour to do otherwise they would wait eight dayes and then absolutely break off the Treaty and return to Arms with all the strength they could possible make And now on the one hand the Embassadors of the Kings and on the other they that were sent from the King of Spain and Albertus and were lately returned home laboured to lessen the controverted points but when that way seemed too slow and it was found difficult to explicate business between absent people it was concluded there was a necessity of a further Treaty and to that purpose Antwerp was appointed as the fittest place because many of the Hollanders were displeased
were flat from thence casting stones down upon the Enemy as they were scatter'd in the Streets not a few at a time but as it were by whole Loads Anon when the Court and the Market-place were possessed here the Townsmen all ran together into the Castle there two Companies of Souldiers follow'd but staid not long in it because they understood the Passage to them was shutting up by the Bridge which we before mention'd Whereupon the chief persons of the City being given for Pledges they redeem'd their Lives onely for One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Ducats And these Pledges being soon after carryed into England in regard the Queen would not suffer them to be Ransom'd being provoked with new Injuries dyed in Prison There was also a Treaty between the Earl of Essex and one Peter Herrera a Spanish Merchant for redeeming the Town and Ships from spoil for the Sum of Twenty Hundred Thousand Florens whereto Essex was consenting as discerning the Prey would be imbezill'd and wasted by the Souldiers and serve for the future to no purpose but the Duke of Medina Sidonia would not allow of that Agreement being the Supervisor of all the adjacent Coast chusing rather that the King should be despoiled of his Fleet and Ten Thousand Citizens outed of their Estates and Fortunes supposing that then to be Gain in the midst of Damage if nothing afterward accrewed to the Enemy and therefore the Town was spoiled no small Damage alighting upon the Merchants of Holland thereby many of whom were by long Voyages intermingled with the Enemy who esteemed this Loss at Three Hundred Thousand pounds And moreover a Holland Ship which came over to the English upon the Credit of Proclamation had Fifty thousand Florens taken from her upon pretence that it was the Enemies Money And the Americas Fleet well laded with Merchandize and consisting of Two and Thirty Sail was burned by the Spaniards together with some Ships of War that were for their Convoy The Commodities there burned amounted to no less value than One Hundred Thousand Florens Here the Commanders differ'd in Judgment Essex advising to retain their Victory while the greatness of the Report upon a suddain should strike such a Terrour into all the Neighbouring Ports and even in Sevil it self that they might dig through the Streights which being taken away the City it self would be made an Island protesting That he himself would be ready if the rest would go away with four hundred Souldiers either to perform for his Country an eminent and noble piece of Service or else that he would valiantly dye in the Enemies Country and if they had no other Reward for their stay than the Preyes of Ships passing through those Streights that they may go the next way into Africa and Europe it would certainly amount to an immense Revenue But the Lord Admiral Howard pretending to fear scarcity of Provisions hindred Essex his Glory whose Honour and Wealth gotten at the taking of Cadiz was never any where equalled with the like Naval Success And it was true that the English going from Home with no great store of Provisions had yet profusely and unadvisedly wasted even in the City what would have sufficed them for many days Neither would the Dutch Admiral Warâ— be hearkned to offering to the Fleet a Moneths Provision out of his own Ships and that in the mean time as the Wind favour'd Provisions might be fetched either out of Italy or England and he believed as he said That the People of Carthage who maintain War constantly against the Spaniards would not refuse to furnish them Notwithstanding all which Advice first setting the Town on fire they hoysted Sails And although Essex did again demonstrate That the Plate-Fleet coming from America was not far off bringing no less than threescore and ten hundred thousand Florens and that there was another going to the Indies bring as it were a Booty prepared for them if next after Cadiz they would which he conceived best to go to the Islands of Azores not far from the Line which the Netherlanders call the Isles of Flanders because they say they were of old inhabited by the People or their Country all Succour being intercepted by the speedy Expedition and Report of the Matter But other Advices were prefer'd which oftentimes under the Vizor of an over-careful Providence and Fore-sight do many times vitiate if not ruine the most noble and valiant Undertakings And the same Envy as before pretending danger of the Ships and want of Victuals would not suffer him with the Fleet to touch upon any of the obvious parts of Spain So that they passed by so great an open Shore and almost void of Towns doing nothing but dishonourable Pyracies Thus it came to pass that the spoil and burning of the City of Cadiz could not have been the least of his Actions when the whole Land and Continent of Spain offer'd it self to be spoiled if it had not been defer'd by the never agreeing Minds of men equâ—l in Authority so that Fortune had in vain thus far flatter'd the Earl of Essex They praised also the Industry of the Dutch-men whom they were not willing to make use of yet the Queen sent Letters to Admiral Wâ—mondt wherein she gave him Thanks for his faithful and good Service Nor did it a little augment the Trouble of the Spaniards for their decaying Wealth that their Fleet was burn'd at Cadiz all the Tribute and Customs of the following year were lost his strength at Sea much diminish'd about Twelve Hundred great Guns lost and consumed and which was worst of all it was made known to the World how weak they were at Home that were so much fear'd abroad As an Addition to all which Losses that old Evil of Usury eat up all the publick Revenues For Philip Twenty years before having much impair'd his Credit while he was yet intangled in the Dutch War not depressing his ambitious Things after the Kingdoms belonging to others nor comparing his infinite Disbursements with his ordinary Income by nourishing too covetous Endeavours wherein Fortune proved various he brought upon himself Poverty For the greatest part of the King's Creditors suspecting his potency onely some Merchants of Genoa and Germany much improved their Money by the hazard of Commerce and dealing with him To these were given in Pledge as Security almost all the Customs who reckoning all the Hazards both of War and the Sea the incommodiousness of Transportation and also infinite Use and Extortion for their Money did for a long time prevent the coming in of the Revenues to the King's use Thus his Treasury bring besieged as it were by his Creditors from whence he should place and displace Officers or at leastwise bear the Charge of his Wars nothing came to the King until some Polititians of his Court rather careful for the present than provident for the future invented a way though not very honourable which Advice the King laying hold of in the Moneth