being seconded by many Noblemen Knights and Gentlemen of the country of Vtrecht it selfe who ioyning with the Earle for some discontent did also defie him among the which were Arnold of Yselstein Iohn of Culenbourg Ghysbrecht of Vianen Iohn of Culenbourg sonne to Iohn lord of Woudenbourg Iohn of Haerlaer Iohn seigneor of Langerack Ghysbrecht of Nyeuwenrood Knights then the siegneors Iohn of Blomstein Zouthin Vanden Rhin Hubert van Schoonhouē Zuveer vā Nesse Gerard van Vlyet the siegniors of Sleydon and of Dyckelen strangers came to succor the Earle which 2. strangers being entred into the territories of Vtrecht thinking to go to Oudwater being vnskilfull in the passages and wayes they approched too neere the towne of Montfort which was of the Bishops party and well affected vnto him as their soueraigne Lord and depending on him The Bourgesses of Montfort hauing discouered them although that Assuerus Vicont of the said towne was not there being then at Vtrecht went out in Armes and fell vpon these two Knights and their traine whom they defeated and tooke prisoners Cont William hauing a goodly armie readie accompanied with a good number of Princes great Noblemen Barons and Knights of Holland Zeeland Friseland and Henault entred with ensignes displaied into the territories of Vtrecht to forrage and destroy it Approching neere vnto the Towne of Wiickter-duyrstede he went and lodged ioyning to the village of Motten where hee camped eight dayes to see if the Bishop who was a souldier would come forth to giue him battaile during which time his men spoiled all the villages about The Bishop would willingly haue hazarded a battaile if the inhabitants would haue gone forth and followed him to the field But the Lords of Yselstein Culenbourg and Vianen were so well beloued and had such good correspondencie with the chiefe of the towne as they would not take armes against Cont William And withall those of the great Bourg of Emenesse were againe reuolted from the Bishop and ioyned to the Hollanders causing themselues to be written among the members of Holland During the Earles stay in this village of Motten Iohn of Egmond marched with a troupe of Hollanders towards Bunschoten those of the towne sallyed forth vpon them comming to skirmish with them but they were so well entertained as they had no better leisure then to seeke for their towne gates leauing some seuentie men behind them This done the Earle returned with his armie laden with good booty The Bishop much greeued and discontented to see his country ruined euen vnder his nose sought all the meanes hee could to be reuenged of the Hollanders And the yeare following 1356. hauing leuied a small armie went and campt before the Towne of Wesep the which hee battered in such sort as hauing made a great breach the fourth day of the siege hee tooke it by assault the inhabitants leaping ouer the walles into the ditches to saue themselues then he tooke the towne and castell of Muyden a quarter of a league from Wesep and then returned to Vtrecht halfe reuenged carrying with him great spoiles and many good prisoners The same yeare Assuerus Vicont of Montfort then Marshall of the campe to the Bishop by the meanes of Arnold of Yselstein treated an accord with the Earle of Holland and reuolting from the Bishop to gratifie the said Earle hee freed out of prison the siegneors of Sleyden and of Dyckelen with their squires and all their traine sending them free vnto the earle the which the bishop tooke very impatiently for that he maintained the said prisoners to be his the said Vicont being his marshall whereof vntill that time he had neuer giuen him any accompt A while after Ghysbrecht of Nyenroode a Knight and a braue Captaine by the commandement of the Earle of Holland gathered together a good troope of men both of foote and horse-back of the countrie it selfe to take reuenge for Wesep and Muyden hauing drawn them to Naerden he marched directl to the towne of Zoest the which he spoiled and burnt Otto of Lare then Marshall to the Bishop went forth with all his forces to Emelandt meaning to fight with Ghysbrecht and his Hollanders These two Captaines hauing ioyned in fight together the siegneor of Nyenroode was wounded almost to the death and carried speedily out of the presse Those of the towne of Amersfort who were with the Marshall Otto were so roughly charged by the Hollanders as they began to wauer and there the said Marshall was slaine with 36. Amersfordins in the end the Hollanders remained Maisters of the field then hauing put the siegneor of Nyenroode being wounded in a safe place they retired by the marshes Fens and entred safe into Naerden The bishop marching to succour his Marshall with fresh men arriued too late In the yeare 1357. Cont William reioycing at the victory which his men had gotten against them of Amersfort entred himselfe in person with his armie into the country of Vtrecht he camped at Hooghewoert destroying all that was there-abouts sending Iohn of Egmond with some troupes to besiege the Castell of Stephen of Nyeuelt the which he battered for the space of sixe weekes with great and mighty Engins wherewith he brake downe the walles and although the said siegneor of Nyeuelt were well prouided and furnished of all things yet he yeelded vp the place by composition to the Earles mercy The Hollanders hauing it in their power set fire of it and ruined it to the ground hauing receiued no such command from the Earle their Prince After all these petty warres and spoiling one of another in the end by the mediation of some good Noblemen there was a peace concluded betwixt the Earle and the bishop of Vtrecht by the which it was ordered that either of them should returne to his owne home laying aside armes That those of the Bourg of Emenesse should returne as they had been accustomed vnder the Bishops obedience That the Lord of Vianen with the assistance of the towne of Vtrecht should build againe his Castell of Ghoreel That all prisoners on eyther part should bee set free without ransome and especially that the seuen Gunterlins banished out of the towne of Vtrecht should re-enter freely that was Henry Vanden-Rhine Prouost of the collegiate church of Saint Ihon in Vtrecht Pelerin his brother Iohn of Woerden Ghysbrecht Gunter Hoogue-land Gerard and Didier Bolle brethren Iohn Witten sonne to Rodolphe and Peter Kanmaker all which had beene to succor the Lord of Vianen at the siege of Ghoreel with many others After this Iohn of Arckel bishop of Vtrecht liued two yeares in rest without any warres the which he had not done during all the time that he had gouerned his bishoprick In the yeare 1358. on Saint Georges day Edward the third King of England kept a sollemne feast and open Court for all commers Princes Barons Knights Ladies and Gentlewomen whether William of Bauaria Earle of Holland
Winckell a furious battaile was fought wherein the Hollanders hauing the worst cont Arnold with a great number of the chiefe of his nobilitie were slaine in the yeare 993 the day after S. Lambert which was the eighteenth of October hauing gouerned Holland and Zeeland fiue yeares after the decease of his father he is interred in the abbie of Egmont by his father and grandfather leauing his eldest sonne Thierry the third for his successor in the said earledomes Hee had also another sonne called Ziffrid the Frisons call him Sicco who being fallen in disgrace with his father to auoid his displeasure went voluntarily into exile into the countrie of Friseland where he was courteously receiued by Gosso Ludingama then Potestat or gouernour of the Frisons with whose daughter he fell in loue and married hir without the priuitie of the earle his brother of whome hee had two sonnes the eldest he called Thierry by his grandfathers name and Simon Afterward Ziffrid being reconciled to his father was made his lieutenant in the quarter of Kennemerland and had for his part a portion of land measured with the great yard the word of Breede-roede signifieng a Great Yard so as euer since the siegneorie of the said Ziffrid hath retained the name of Brederode vnto this day His father did also giue him the castell of Theylingen the which Ziffrid did giue and bequeath vnto Simon his yoongest sonne from whome discended the familie of Theylingen at this present quite extinct by the death of two brethren which remained the which were both slaine in battaile by the Frisons with Cont William of Hainalt the fourth of that name their prince as wee shall hereafter see and how that also by the like accident of war we haue seene die without leauing any issue foure braue knights of the house of Brederode being yet in the flower of their youth not any one remaining of that house at this day but three bretheren the eldst Walrauen lord of BREDERODE baron of Vianen and of Ameyden Florent the second brother lately deceased left one sonne lord of Cloetinghen heire apparent of the whole house and Maximilian the youngest who liues in Brabant There are many of the same house bearing the same surname and armes but broken gentlemen come of bastards The Epitaph of this earle Arnold preserued with many others in the ruines of the said abbie of Egmont whereas most of the earles of Holland haue bene interred hauing bene recouered by me although it be but grossely composed as also the rest that follow yet could I not omit them for that they shewed their antiquitie the which is not wholy to be reiected Such was the Epitaph of the said earle and the ladie Lutgard his wife Gloria carnalis pernicibus euolat alis Et quasi non fuerit cum moriente perit Hic Comes Arnulphus patrioe tutela sepultus Expectat requiem Iudicijque diem Iste venustauit hac sancta locumque beauit Terris mancipijs oedibus Ecclesijs Qui bis septenas Octobre rotante Calendas Hostili gladio transijté medio Laudibus meritò similis Lutgarda marito Complexu fedei consepelitur ei Per tauri sydus ternas Maius regit Idus Dum Comitissa pijs fungitur exequijs This Countesse Lutgarda wife to Cont Arnold and daughter to Theophanes Emperour of Constantinople and of Greece died in the month of May but I find not in what yeare She lies by hir husband in the abbie that was of Egmont THIERRY THE THIRD OF THAT name sonne to Cont ARNOLD was fourth Earle of Holland Zeeland and Lord of Friseland 4 Theodoricus Tertius This THIERRY to reuenge his fathers death in hast With forces great to Freeseland marcht and laid the countrie wast Saâ—…ked the townes and slue the towns-men cruelly And made the bishop of Vtrecht his prisoner valiantly On pilgrimage he went vnto the Holy land And there the Turkes in Palestine did mightily withstand And being home return'd vnto his spouse most true At six and fortie yeares of age did yeeld to death his due THIERRY the third of that name after the death of Cont Arnold his father was in number the fourth Earle of Holland and Zeeland and lord of Friseland Being come vnto the Principalitie he demaunded homage of the Frisons the which being denied him dissembling the discontent and the desire of reuenge he had for his fathers death he then surceased to make any further question attending some fitter opportunitie He tooke to wife in his fathers life time Withild daughter to the emperour Otho the second duke of Saxe whome he had of his second wife daughter to the Marquis of Austria Of which Withild Cont Thierry had two sonnes the eldest was called as his father and the fourth of that name earle of Holland the second was Floris earle of East-Friseland who after the death of his brother without children succeeded in the said counties of Holland Zeeland and siegneorie of Friseland After the death of Anfrid the 18 bishop of Vtrecht issued from the race of Charlemagne Adelbold descended from Manson a nobleman of the countrie of Friseland was chosen Bishop for his great knowledge as well in Diuinitie as in other liberall arts hee had bene Councellor to the emperour Henry the second he was the first bishop that began to aduance himselfe and to make war against the Hollanders For when as Thierry the third earle of Holland had liued some time in rest and peace and that Walbold deane of the Cathedrall church of Vtrecht was made bishop of Liege who before had bene chiefe chancellor to Adelbold dissuading him stil from all attempts of warre this Walbold being thus retired to his bishoprike Adelbold desirous of alterations would needs without any colour make warre against the Earle and the Hollanders The causes and motiues of this war were That Adelbold had animated the Frisons and fortified them to rise rebell against Cont Thierry their naturall lord moreouer this bishop had aduaunced a gentleman called Didier Bruno to bee earle of Bodegrauen and of Suvamerdam who did greatly wrong and oppresse the Hollanders his neighbours wherupon Cont Thierry went with his troups to assaile him and hauing defeated him in battaile hee expelled him by force out of his siegneorie The bishop bearing it impatiently to see his vassall thus expelled leuied an armie with an intent to restore him by force so the 9 of Iune in the yeare 1018 the bishop hauing brought his men to field betwixt Bodegraue Suvamerdam the earle Thierry went to charge them being accompanied by his brother Ziffrid lieutenant of Kennemerland by Iohn lord of Arkel the siegneor Iohn of Persin the vicount of Leyden and many other braue knights and gentlemen But this incounter proued vnfortunat for the bishop wherin he was defeated and put to rout There died on his side among the most remarkable Wyger Aduoe that is to say Aduocat generall of the diocesse of Vtrecht
inhabitants of the towne of Harlem with the countrey-men of Exdorp fell vpon them and slew 900 vpon the place recouering their booties and taking many prisoners with the which they returned victors to the towne of Harlem Cont Thierry after that he had gouerned his countries of Holland Zeeland and Friseland 40 yeares died in the yeare 1163. He had much warre against the Frisons the Vltraiectins or them of Vtrecht and his other neighbours The principall and most memorable noblemen of his time being his vassals were Floris the Blacke who was slaine as we haue said and Simon his two brethren sonnes to Cont Floris the Fat then his eldest sonne Floris 3 who succeeded him after him Otto Earle of Benthem Baldwin bishop of Vtrecht Thierry and Peregrin lieutenant of Holland all foure his sonnes and Robert his bastard then William lord of Brederode and Floris his son Gerard lord of Telnigen Hugh lord of Leck William seignior of Heusden Iohn lord of Arckell Folpert seignior of Lederdam Didier lord of Altena of Putten and of Strenen Hugh seignior of Bottersloot brother to the lord of Arckel Gerard seignior of Aspren sonne to the lord of Lederdam Floris seignior of Voerne Thierry his sonne Adelwyn Vicont of Leyden Didier of Persin Baldwin of Harlem these were held in the ranke of barons Then Ieams Vanden Vuode Gerard of Poelgeest Albert Bauiard Ghisbrecht Porckyn Iohn of Croonenburch Floris of Woert Ogier of Reyswick all Knights After those Berthoul Spysdrager Berthould aduocat of Egmont who was the first of the house of Egmont the which was since erected to an earledome with Dodo Allard Didier Berthoult and Wermbold his sonnes Godefrey of Harnesbergh Herbert of Liethen Thierry of Schoten Ludolph of Adrichone Vastardt of Reynigem by Leyden Ysbrandt the Frison and Berthould his brother Hugh of Arckersloot Bruyn of Castrichom Hugh of Monster Didier of Ween Iohn Heereman Hellnick van Doornick Philip of Bloot William of Voorhout Henry of Heylygerlee Gerebrandt of Alcmar al squiers and many other braue gentlemen And this was the Epitaph of the said Cont Thierry as wee found it in the Abbey of Egmont Collige vide Ciuis quam sit caro plena ruinis Quid sit ad quid eat quam cito dispereat Pandit honorifici Comitis caro Theodorici Quis tibi sit finis incinerande Ciuis Hic Comitumnonus Patriae Pater atque Patronus Ingenio viguiâ—… victor vbique fuit Augustinonis signo currente Leonis Deposuit quod erat esse quod est videras There was also the Epitaph of his sonne Peregrin who was his Lieutenant in the gouernement of Holland written in this manner Pompas mundanas animaduertens homo vanas Quaere quod est erit nam status iste perit En caro glorifici duodenis Theodorici Instar abit fumi tabida puiet humi Hunc Comitum nonus nostrorum Theodoricus Spem patriae genuit speâ—… sâ—…ulisque ruit Iste Calendarâ—… Iaâ—… lachrimarâ—… Extractus puâ—…eo 〈◊〉 in aethre Deâ—… FLORIS THE THIRD OF THAT name the thirteenth Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland 13 Florentius â—…ius In youthfull yeares I set my loâ—… vpon a danie Of Scotland and did her espouse that ADA had to name The proud rebellious Frisons that did scorâ—… 〈◊〉 yeeld Subiection vnto me by force I conquered in the field And valiantly won townes and forts in Syriae And in the land of Palestine did passe my dayes away For ere I could returne out of that countery I died and in S. Peters church in Antioche do lie FLORIS the 3 of that name eldest sonne to Cont Thierry the 6 after the death of his father was the 12 Earle of Holland and Zeeland and Lord of Friseland He had to wife the lady Ada daughter to the king of Scotland by whom he had many children first Thierry who succeeded him in the said Earledomes William Earle of Friseland Floris Cathedral Prouost of Vtrecht Robert President of Kenemerlandt foure daughters Marguerite Contesse of Cleues Beatrix Elizabeth and Alix This Floris had great troubles in his time whereof we wil discourse succinctly In the yeare 1163 Cont Floris hauing succoured Godefrey of Rhemen bishop of Vtrecht against the Earle of Cleues and the Baron of Batenbourgh being besieged in the towne of Gronninghen whereunto he pretended an interest the which the Emperor Frederic did pacifie for a requitall of all his courtesie the said bishop reuiued the question for the Earledoms of Oostergoe and Westergoe in Friseland whereof we haue formerly made mention grown betwixt the bishops of Vtrecht and the Earls of Holland this Godefrey like vnto the rest of his predecessors building vpon the graunts vnduly purchased and obtained from Emperors But as the Earles of Holland had the more antient grants and had beene longest seised therof Cont Floris was then fully resolued to dispossesse the bishop thereof once for all seeing that hauing so lately and so willingly succoured him and freed him from his enemies he now prouoked him to armes by his vnkind vsage The bishop intreated the Emperour Frederic to succour him and to maintaine him in the rights which his predecessors had graunted to the bishops of Vtrecht the emperour went himselfe in person and reconciled them so as they should iointly by a common consent appoint one Lieutenant or Iudge of the countrey who should take an othe to maintaine the rights of these two lords equally either of them for his moitie for the receiuing of which portions they should go once a yeare either of them beeing accompanied with thirtie knights or gentlemen and no more and that the said Earle should vse his best meanes to recouer the castle of Benthem the which done he should hold in fee of the said bishop who should haue a chamber a kitchin and a chappel reserued for him therein with free egresse and regresse when it pleased him Which accord was put in writing by the Emperours command But these treaties and accords were of small continuance the Frisons standing alwayes vpon their freedoms and imperiall liberties In the yeare 1166 the West Frisons knowing that Cont Floris had other lets came with great numbers of men and past the riuer of Ockeuoort neere vnto Alcmar meaning to spoyle that quarter of Kennemerlandt they tooke Alcmar by force where they slew foure bourgesses and burnt the whole towne except the church which they laboured to preserue from fire Cont Floris forbare to take reuenge vntill the yeare 1168 in the dead of Winter at what time he led his armie into Scoerle where being camped some of his knights and gentlemen notwithstanding the defence of their Prince would go to the warre and being come as farre as Schagen they spoiled and burnt it carrying away a great spoile The Frisons lying in ambush and expecting their returne charge them and spoile them in a manner all rescuing the bootie Among the which there was slaine Simon of Antuerpe William of Voorhout Baldwin of
shew themselues but kept in holes or led a rusticke countrey life neither after that day durst any man carry the armes of any of those three houses The Emperour Rodulphus the first of that name had in the yeare 1290 giuen East-Friseland vnto the riuer of Lanuvers vnto the earle of Gueldres to hold it in fee of the Empire but by reason of the ferocitie of the Frisons and their heat and resolution to maintain their auncient liberties graunted them by the Emperor Charlemaigne and other precedent Emperors knowing also that the Earle of Holland pretended an interest thereunto hee durst not aduenture to take possession thereof by force Besides Cont Floris hauing as we haue said before subdued West-Friseland and taken the town of Staueren did much annoy the East-Frisons and withall the bishops of Vtrecht would neuer quit their part who to free themselues from so many lords sent their embassadors to the king of Denmarke desiring him that hee would take them and their countrey into his protection The king being loth to let slip this goodly occasion receiued them and sent one of his noblemen to gouerne the countrey in his name and to be his lieutenant and to the end he should be the more respected and haue the greater authority he gaue him his sister in mariage A while after he came himselfe into Friseland making many lawes and ordinances and imposing a certaine tribute which was reasonably tollerable This done he returned into Denmarke but before six moneths were expired this lieutenant began to oppresse them and to vse them tyrannously contrary to their accord the which did so incense the Frisons against him as they slue him sending his wifebacke being with child to the king her brother in the yeare 1295 who was soone after brought in bed of a sonne who reuenged his fathers death as we shall see hereafter IOHN THE FIRST OF THAT name the twentieth Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland 20 Joannes Hollandiae This IOHN the King of Englands daughter had to wife In whose short time the towne of Delft hap'ning to fall in strife VVith him attempted for to kill two of his counsellors Accompanied with WOLPHAR he did enter into warres Against the Frisons and subdu'd them in short space But death when he had rul'd foure yeares his conquest did deface And without heires it was his chance to die VVhose bones intomb'd with his valiant ancestors do lie COnt Floris the fifth being thus murthered as we haue said by Gerard van Velsen Iohn of Holland his only sonne succeeded him and was the twentieth Earle He being absent in England with the king his father in law Didier earle of Cleues tooke vpon him the gouernment of the quarter of North-Holland On the other side Guy brother to the earle of Henault Treasurer Cathedrall of the bishopricke of Liege came and tooke vpon him the gouernment of South-Holland made his residence at Gheertruyden-bergh By the diuisions and factions of these two noblemen there happened great troubles in Holland the subiects being diuided during the absence of their prince Cont Iohn of Henault and Guy his brother were sonnes to the deceased cont Iohn d' Auesnes and the lady Alix sister to William king of Romanes and Earle of Holland who was father vnto the last Cont Floris and so were cousin germanes to Cont Iohn of Holland his neerest kinsmen and more apparent heires than the earle of Cleues and therfore Guy maintained that the gouernment was due to him rather than to the earle of Cleues but Cont Iohns return from England ended all these quarrels William Bertold subrogated in the place of Iohn Zirich chosen bishop of Toul in Lorraine to the bishopricke of Vtrecht hauing an actiue and stirring spirit reuiued the ancient quarrels of them of Vtrecht against the Hollanders went to besiege the castle of Muyden the which he maintained to be part of his reuenues the which in the end he forced and constrained Didier of Harlem to yeeld it vp to haue their liues saued he remaining his prisoner The bishop puffed vp with this happie successe went into West-Friseland after that hee had caused his pardons to be preached for all such as would carry armes against the Hollanders The Frisons according to their auncient manner of doing being still readie to reiect the yoke of the Earles of Holland by the persuasion and encouragement of this bishop besieged the castle of Widenesse which they battered and gaue many assaults so as in the end Baldwin of Naeldwyke for want of victuals and munition of warre was forced to yeeld it vp by composition to depart with bag and baggage and to returne freely into Holland which done they rased it the like they did also to the castle of Euigenburch then passing on they besieged the castle of Medemblycke hauing burnt the base towne Floris of Egmont and other gentlemen that were within it defended themselues valiantly making many braue sallies and skirmishes vpon their enemies they were so long besieged in this manner as for want of victuals they were forced to eat their horses Cont Iohn of Henault hauing newes thereof and that the Frisons with the said bishop of Vtrecht did what they pleased without any or very small resistance tooke vpon him during the absence of his cousin the gouernment of Holland and with an Armie of Hannuyers Hollanders and Zeelanders went into Friseland where he defeated the Frisons raised the siege from before Medemblycke and relieued it with all things necessarie The Seignior Iohn of Arckel and Nicholas of Putten knights of Holland tooke the towne of Enchuysen whence they caried away a great spoile and in their retreat burnt it During the diuisions and partialities betwixt the earle of Cleues and Guy of Henault the which increased more and more in Holland the lords Didier of Brederode Floris Regal Abbot of Egmond Henry Vicont of Leyden and William of Egmond accompanied with some gentlemen of marke imbarked to goe and fetch their prince Cont Iohn out of England and for a strange and new thing they led with them Claes van Keyten where they were graciously receiued by king Edward who hauing rigged forth a goodly Fleet of shippes sent away the Earle his son in law with his daughter Elizabeth recommending vnto the lord of Brederode the gouernment of the said Earle his prince being then very young Being at sea the wind turned contrary so as they were forced to land in Zeeland whereas Wolfart of Borssele lord of la Vere reiecting and contemning the Noblemen of Holland did cunningly seize vpon the guard and gouernment of the young Earle chasing from him all the Nobilitie of Holland to whom the king of England had so much recommended him The Earle being one day at Romerswael by the persuasion of the said lord of Vere sent the lord of Brederode who was a plaine dealing man and nothing malicious to Ziricxee to treat of some affaires and in the meane time the said lord
of Vere caused the Earle to imbarke and so led him to his castle of Zandenburch neere to his towne of la Vere where being he put all the Noblemen and gentlemen of Holland from the Earles person Iohn Earle of Henault hearing that Cont Iohn of Holland his cousin was returned out of England departed from Harlem and came to la Haye where hee resigned the gouernment of Holland into his hands causing him to be receiued and acknowledged the twentieth Earl of Holland and Zeeland and then he returned into Henault In the yeare 1297 Cont Iohn of Holland leuied a mightie armie with the which he went into Friseland to reduce them to their obedience by force and first he came to Alcmar The Frisons were also in armes and ready to encounter him The two armies being well ordered eyther of them in two battailons they charged one another resolutely the fight was sharpe and furious but in the end the Frisons were put to rout and there were slaine about foure thousand vpon the place the rest sauing themselues here and there through the marishes and ditches Among the Hollanders there died Iohn lord of Arckel a braue knight Iohn of 〈◊〉 and two other gentlemen This battaile was fought the sixt of the Calends of Aprill in the plaine of Verona neere vnto Alcmar Cont Iohn for the first fruits of this happy successe returning into Holland after this goodly victorie he tooke vp the body of Cont Floris his father the which did lye in the Quier of the church at Alcmar the which with a stately funerall pompe he caused to be interred in the abbey of Rhynsbourg by the lady Beatrix of Flanders his wife mother to the said Cont Iohn The bishop of Vtrecht hearing of this great defeat went into East-Friseland whereas hee caused pardons to be preached againe against the Hollanders The Frisons promised all possible assistance vnto the bishop and with a great number of shippes came to the towne of Monickendam in Waterlandt The inhabitants of Harlem and the Waterlanders being gathered together in armes went against the Frisons at their landing whom they charged with such furie as they presently put them to rout flying towards their shippes in great disorder whom the Hollanders pursued and slew in great numbers many were drowned and smothered in the marishes The bishop abandoning his great and stately shippe saued himselfe in a small boat and with shame and losse landed in the countrey of Oueryssel The Earle of Holland considering that this bishop of Vtrecht had taken armes twice against him and that he was in the vpper part of his diocesse which is the countrey of Oueryssel to leuie a third Armie he sent to Ghisbrecht of Iselstein to haue him open his castle of Iselstein freely and of his owne accord into the which he would put a garrison to bridle the bishop on that side But Ghisbrecht being liege man and vassale to the bishop and made his lieutenant on that part of his iurisdiction knowing well that in so doing he should make warre against his lord he refused the Earle of his demaund The Earle seeing himselfe contemned laied ambushes and took him prisoner and then he went to besiege his castle The lady Bartract wife to Ghisbrecht defended it valiantly with her men almost a whole yeare but in the end for want of victuals and munitions shee was forced to yeeld it vpon condition that halfe her men should haue their liues saued and that the Earle should dispose of the other moitie at his pleasure the which vpon whom the chance fell were all beheaded Cont Iohn hauing taken this place of Iselstein gaue it with all the iurisdiction and dependances vnto Wolphard Seignior of la Vere to hold of him as Earle of Holland in fee and doing him homage that by this meanes he might alwayes keepe the bishop in awe on that part In the yeare 1299 the West-Frisons noting the prosperitie and happie successe of this yong Earle against the bishop of Vtrecht who was their firebrand and that he knew well how to defend himselfe and to maintaine his subiects they began to thinke of their affaires and made suite that he would receiue them into grace offering to make reparation for their faults The Earle desiring rather to winne them by mildnesse and loue than by armes went to Alcmar whither he sent for the chiefe of the countrey who sware fealtie and obedience vnto him whereof an instrument was drawne vnder their hands and seales Wee the Consuls Bourgmasters Sherifes and Commons of West-Friseland make knowne to whom it shall appertaine That for the offences committed by vs against the high and mightie prince Iohn Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland our liege Lord and Soueraigne as well in the battaile giuen at Vrouen as for that wee haue ruined his castles and committed other offences vnto this day For reparation whereof wee promise to submit our selues to the iudgement and arbitrement of the high and mightie prince Iohn Earle of Henault both for corporall and pecuniarie punishments seruitude duties and obedience in all sorts The which we Frisons doe promise for our selues and our successours to effect and accomplish in euery point without any contradiction whatsoeuer In witnesse whereof those of Hoochtwouder-ambacht Nien werdorper-ambacht Drechtigher-ambacht and Gheestman-ambacht haue sealed these present letters with their publicke Seales in the yeare 1299 with the hands of some of the Bayliffes Bourgmasters and Officers set thereunto A while after the Earle of Holland hauing some affaires to treat of with the duke of Brabant went to Romerswael in Zeeland and the duke to Berghen vpon Soom being distant about two leagues one from another Iohn de Renesse a wise and discret knight was sent from the Earle vnto the duke At his returne as hee was going to make report of his embassage vnto the Earle and to giue an account of his actions the Earle was maliciously aduised by some that were enemies to the said Renesse to looke vnto himselfe for that as they made him beleeue it had beene resolued betwixt the duke and the said Renesse That if he went into Brabant they would retaine him prisoner and that Renesse had conspired to deliuer him vnto the Brabancons The Earle being retired from thence to the castle of Lodycke sent for his garrisons of Holland to set vpon Renesse who seeing himselfe thus wrongfully standered and that the course of iustice was denied him vnlesse he would yeeld himselfe prisoner being loth to be at the mercie of his enemies he retired himselfe to his castle of Mourmont the which he did man with a good garrison and victuall The Earle sent for him to come to la Vere to iustifie himselfe but being denied a safe-conduct he durst not appeare and therefore he was banished for contumacie out of the Countries of Holland and Zeeland and the castle of Mourmont was besieged battered and in the end taken and rased to the ground There happened
they were proprietaries in possession but for that they were issued from the right stocke of a Duke of Bauaria for the Emperor Lewis was but second sonne to Lewis Duke of Bauaria Palatin ofRhine The Duchie of Bauaria hath alwaies had that priuiledge that all those which were descended of the bloud of Dukes might also intitle themselues Dukes although they had not a foote of land The which is at this day vsed in all the families of the Princes of Germanic yea among Earles and Barons This William the Emperors eldest sonne was at the beginning made Earle of Oesteruant and Albert was siegneor of Nubingen The said Lady Empresse hauing taken possession of all these Countrieâ—… before her returne into Germanie to the Emperor her husband she appointed the said Cont William her Sonne and successor in the said Countries Regent of Holland Zeeland and Friseland vpon condition that he should pay vnto her yeerely ten thousand French Crownes or for want of payment that she might resume and take vnto her againe all the profit of the said siegneories as before of which resignation letters Pattent were drawne and promises made in the presence of many Princes and Prelates Yet a while after through ill councell the Earle would not hold nor performe any thing touching the pension carrying himselfe like an absolute Prince as we will presently shew The Bishop of Vtrecht after the death of Robert of Arckel his Brother and Lieutenant temporall being siaine in Battaile neere vnto Liege finding himselfe greatly indebted to spare and to pay his debts he retired himselfe to Tours in France meaning to liue there as a man vnknowne with a small traine during the truce which hee had with the Empresse Countesse of Holland leauing in this diocesse sixe Noblemen or Knights to gouerne during his absence In the yeare 1348. the Bishoppe finding the truce to bee well neere ended returned into his countries and found his debts rather increased then diminished through the ill husbandrie of the sayd sixe Gouernors Eight dayes after the expiration of the truce on Saint Marguerites day the Bishop went out of Vtrecht with a great number of his Bourgesses in armes and camped in the open plaine neere vnto the great Village of Emenesse The Hollanders being not farre of went to fight with them so as this skirmish turned into a battaile in the which those of Vtrecht had the better the Hollanders were put to route and many of the inhabitants of Emenesse slaine vpon the place Melis of Muyden commander of the Hollanders troupe was taken prisoner and put to a great ransome Those of the said Village of Emenesse which hath not lesse then a good French league in length were forced to leaue their new title which they had giuen themselues calling themselues East-Hollanders to resume their ancient name of Emenesse and to subiect themselues vnder the obedience of the Bishop and of the Diocesse of Vtrecht as they be yet at this day After the death of the Emperor Lewis of Bauaria the Empresse Marguerite his widdow came into Holland to Dordrecht whither shee sent for Duke William her sonne who being come resigned vnto the said Lady his Mother the gouernment and possession of her Counties of Holland Zeeland and Friseland the which before she had deliuered into his hands for an annuall pension of ten thousand Crownes of the which he had not to that day paid any thing This reintegration made William retired into Henault his mother remaining sole Lady regent of her countries the which she gouerned but loosely In the yeare 1349. the Bishop of Vtrecht gathered together a great number of soldiers with the which he entred into Holland and besieged the towne of Oude-water the which he tooke by force burnt a part of it and carried away many prisoners besides other spoile at which siege there dyed of the Bishops men Iohn of Rysenburch two brothers of Lichtenburch Ieames Ihon and Euerard of Dryel three brethren all Knights with many Gentlemen and good Bourgesses of Vtrecht The Hollanders mooued with the losse of this towne leuied an Armie to enter into the Bishops countrie Hee on the other side gathered together all the soldiers and Bourgesses hee could with the which hee went and camped before Schoonhouen where there was a furious charge and a hard incounter but in the end the Hollanders were put to route the Bishops men remaining maisters of the field There were prisoners among others Ghysbrecht of Langerack Herpert of Lyesuelt and Conrade of Oosterwyke knights with many squiers soldiers who were put to ransome the which yeelded a good sum of money vnto the Bishop Soone after by the meanes of some Noblemen a truce was made vnto Saint Martin in the yeare 1350. In that yeare there sprong vp two most dangerous factions in the countrie of Holland whereby they were long afflicted with great miseries and calamities almost to their totall ruine Those of the one party were called Cabillaux or Merlus the which is a deuouring fish in the Sea by which terme they meant that those of this partie should swallow vp their aduersaries Those of the other faction termed themselues Hoecks with the which they catch fish as if they would say If you thinke to swallow vs vp we will first take you with a hooke The chiefe of the Cabillautin faction were Iohn Lord of Arckel father to the Bishop of Vtrecht Iohn Lord of Egmond Gerard Seigneor of Hemskerke with many other Noblemen and Knights of the Hoecketins partie Didier Lord of Brederode Philip Vicont of Leyden Lord of Wassenarie Iohn Lord of Leck and of Polarien Ieames Lord of Binckhorst and many other both Knights and Gentlemen It was a cursed plague which Sathan had powred into the hearts of the Hollanders the which brought forth nothing but hatred quarels rancor hostillities rapines violence detraction false reports deadly foods ruine and desolation ouer all the country In which two factions the chiefe Noblemen and Barons were ingaged seeking nothing but to ruine and destroy one an other For as our Lord IESVS CHRIST saith Euery Realme diuided in it selfe shall be desolate And Salust in his Historie of the Iugurthin warre Small things increase by concord but by discord great things come to ruine Cicero in his Booke of Friendship saith What house is so strongly builded what Citie so surely seated the which by hatred and discord may not perish As we may see by the destruction of Rome at diuers times of Bologne of Genoa and of many others the which haue beene ruined by diuision from the which God by his grace preserue all estates and common-weales that flourish at this day The factions increasing more and more in Holland and the consuming fire of this intestine discord kindling more dayly not onely in the hearts of Noblemen but also in the commons was the cause of great murthers spoiles robberies burnings of either side These heart-burnings
increasing the Cabillautins sent their deputies to duke William of Bauaria Earle of Osteruant the Empresse eldest sonne being then resident in Henault intreating him to come into Holland to vnder-take the gouernment of the country hauing decreed among them no longer to indure the Mothers rule At the first he refused it but they did so importune him as in the end he came secretly to the towne of Gorrichom Those of Delf hearing of his comming went vnto him and carried him by force into their towne making him their head and Captaine generall with whom or by his commandement they issued often forth spoiling the Villages and country houses belonging to the Hoeketins In the end the Townes of North-Holland the Kennemers and the West-Frisons receiued him for their Lord and Prince doing the homage and taking the othe due vnto the Earles of Holland in despight of the Empresse their naturall Princesse his Mother The Hoeketins seeing themselues thus ill intreated by the Cabillautins had their recourse refuge vnto the Empresse whose party they held and began to furnish their townes Castels and Forts with men victualls munition of warre On the other side the Cabillautins went to befiege their places and to batter and beat downe their Castles whereof they did ruine seuenteene in lesse then a yeare The Empresse writte vnto her Sonne that she wondred at his presumption that he would intermedle with her authoritie and command seeming to bee very much incensed against the townes of Holland The Earle answered that the country did belong vnto him by right of donation which she had made vnto him And refusing to giue ouer his course begun the Empresse with the succours which the Queene of England her sister had sent her made a goodly armie with the which she imbarked and went and landed at La Vere in Zeeland Earle William landed with his troupes in the same Iland whereas both armies of the Mother and the Sonne being entred into fight one against an other the combate was furious and bloudie great numbers being slaine and drowned on either side In the end God gaue the victory to the Mother so as the Sonne escaped with great difficulty and fled into Holland This battaile was in the yeare 1351. William of Bauaria being safely returned into Holland made hast to leuie new forces and to raise a greater armie then the first the which consisted of Hollanders Kennemers and Frisons with the succours of many Lords and Knights of Iohn Lord of Arckel Iohn Lord of Calenbourg Iohn Lord of Egmont the Lady Mathilda van Voorne widow to the Lord of Walckenbourg Gerard of Heemskerke Gerard of Harler and many other Knights Gentlemen and good soldiers which came vnto him out of the countries of Cleues Geldres and Germanie with the which armie hee gaue a day and appointed a place vnto his mother to haue his reuenge in open battaile betwixt Bryele and Grauesand The Empresse had her armie composed of good soldiers English Henniuers Zelanders Walcharins accompanied with a great number of Barons Knights and Gentlemen She like a couragious and noble minded Princesse making no doubt of a second victory marched against her sonne and caused her men to begin the charge The two armies at the first incounter charged one another with such animositie and furie as there was nothing to be seene but glaiues broken lances a thicke shower of Arrowes in the ayre breaking of harnesse cutting in sunder of targets and bucklers and heads armes and legges falling to the ground there was nothing to bee heard but the cryes with the lamentable and fearefull groanes of men wounded and dying the bloud ranne ouer the field like a violent streame to conclude there was such murther and spoile on either part with such obstinacie and continuall furie as they could hardly iudge of the issue of the battaile vntill that the Empresse troopes opprest and tired with the great numbers of the Hollanders armie to saue themselues ranne into ditches and riuers where they were drowned so as all the Empresse armie was put to route and shee fled in a small Barke into England The Generall of the English troupes was slaine and lyes buried in the Church of Losdanen where as his tombels yet to be seene in blacke Marble Costin of Renesse Floris of Hamstede and many other Noblemen Knights and Gentlemen were also slaine there with an infinite number of good soldiers There was in this battaile which was in the same yeare 1351 so much bloud spilt as for three dayes after the old riuer of Meuse at a full sea was all redde in that place Finally after that so many valiant men had lost their liues there and whereas the Lord Didier of Brederode and many Knights on the Empresse part were taken prisoners there was an accord made betwixt the mother and the sonne By the which it was agreed that the Empresse should hold the Countie of Henault during her life and Duke William should haue the quiet possession of Holland Zeeland and Friseland After this battaile the Empresse liued yet fiue yeares and dyed at Valenciennes in her countrie of Henault where she was interred Notwithstanding this accord made betwixt the Mother and the Sonne yea after her death when as Duke William was sole and absolute Lord of the Counties of Henault Holland Zeeland and Friseland the factions of the Cabillaux and the Hoecks were not mortified but did continue their hatred aboue a hundred and fiftie yeares after vntill that time of Maximillian the first as we shall shew in its place WILLIAM OF BAVARIA THE 5. OF that name the 25 Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland and Earle of Henault called the madde 25. Guilielmus Quintus This William did obtaine in nuptiall state Mathilda of the house of Lancaster A husband Childlesse and vnfortunate Attempted Vtrecht and did factions stirre Vnder the names of Hamocons and Merlus Distracted in his flowre of youth he grew Since in his age he was vndutious To his graue Mother whom â—…e did pursue With many troubles though she had defects Yet children to their parents still must owe Remission of their faults and 〈◊〉 respects But death doth on his life his rest bestow AFter this cruell and bloudie battaile fought vpon the bankes of the old riuer of Meuse as we haue said William Duke of Bauaria Palatin of Rhine Earle of Holland and Zeeland and Lord of Friseland according to the accord whereof we haue made mention was absolute Prince of the said Prouinces Then after the decease of the Empresse his Mother did also inherite the county of Henault Hee had to wife the Lady Mathilda daughter to Henry Duke of Lancaster in England by whom hee had not any children In the yeare 1355. this Earle by the bad aduise of some of his councell thrust on by their priuate passions sent about S. Martins time in winter to defie the Bishop of Vtrecht
of Boisleduc to the Earle who attended them there Cont Albert hauing this castell caused it to bee ruined all but the two great towers and Cont William giuing place to his fathers indignation retired himselfe into France to king Charles the sixt where being in the yeare 1395. set at the kings table with many Princes and Barons there came a Herald or King at Armes who cutte the cloath before him saâ—…ing that it did not belong to any one how great a prince soeuer to sit at the Kings table if he had not armes and a scutchion The Earle answered that he had them as well as any other Then there was an old Herauld by which said pardon me sir for Cont William your great vncle was not onely vanquished by the Frisons but lyes yet without any reuenge taken buried among his enemies The Earle being ashamed thereat from that time forward did nothing but dreame by what meâ—…es he might repaire this disgrace and so retiring out of France much troubled he came into Henault And for that he durst not shew himselfe boldly before his father he writ secretly vnto him of the affront that had beene done him in France beseeching him most humbly that he would be pleased to aduise how he might reuenge himselfe and all his race of such a disgrace Cont Albert hearing these newes said This dishonor shall neuer be more reproched to me nor to my children for I will if it please God go my selfe in person the next yeare into Friseland and demand the body of Cont William mine vncle bring back his armes and reuenge his death Soone after the sonne was reconciled to the father and all the Noblemen that were with him who went all together to the court of Holland at the Hage The yeare following 1396. Cont Albert hauing resolued to make warre against the Frisons leuied a mighty army as well out of his owne prouinces as out of France England and Germanie in the which there were many Princes Earles and Barons and a goodly troope of choise men at armes The cheife of his hereditary prouinces were William Earle of Osteruant his eldest sonne Iohn bishop of Liege his yongest sonne and Albert lord of Nubingen his middle sonne the chiefe of the French troupes were the Earle of Saint Pol the Earle of Namur and the Admirall of France of the English the lord Scales and of the Germaines the Earle of Solms The Noblemen of Holland Zeeland and West-friseland were Guy Earle of Blois Iohn Lord of Arckell lieutenant of Holland Iohn of Brederode Philip vicont of Leyden Lord of Wassenare the siegniors of Aspren Seuenberghe Drongelon Henckelom Leydenburch and Waerdenburch with many other Knights and Gentlemen Their Rendez-vous was at the Hage where all these nobles attending the preparation of the army spent the time in iousts torneys and other goodly exercises of warre to adresse themselues in armes and to harden themselues to labour On Sonday after the feast of the Ascention Cont Albert arriued with all his forces at Enchuysen where 3000. ships and 4000. barkes did attend him to passe into Friseland where there is but foure or fiue leagues to crosse In this voyage the Earle made many knights among others Floris of Alcmada and Gerard of Voort Hollanders Hee had 180000. men well armed with the which he entred by Cuindert into Friseland The Frisons of Stellingwerf hearing him to approache gathered together all the men they could out of their owne villages and from their neighbours and with a valiant resolution went to incounter him the day that Saint Iohn Baptist was beheaded The Earle charged them the incounter was furious and the combate cruell and bloudy when they came to ioyne There was many a man ouerthrowne many heads armes eares and legges cut off targets head-peeces broken with the waight of battle-axes with hideous and fearefull cryes of men wounded and dying In the end the Frisons not able to withstand so great a multitude were broken and put to flight some heere some there so many men so many waies who thinking to saue themselues by the marishes and quagmiers many were smothered and drowned there Others flying by the ordinary high-wayes were pursued and taken whereof there were foureteene hundred prisoners After this first victory Cont Albert sent Peter Beets sonne to Didier Beets a Knight with them of Amsterdam of West-frisland of Kennemer and Waterlandt vp the riuer of Lanwere to assaile the Frisons on that side and giue them another battaile The which being discouered by them they planted themselues in such great numbers vpon the sea shore to hinder the Hollanders landing as no man durst offer to go to land but they lay still at anchor to keepe the Frisons from putting to sea In the meane time the Earle marched with the body of his armie towards Staueren and from thence through Gheesterlandt to Saint Odolphus cloister to aduise which way he might best assaile and subdue the Frisons who notwithstanding that they lamented their first losses gathered together new troopes being resolued to hazard a second battaile against the Hollanders The Earle seeing his enimy ready to fight hauing put his armie in good order went first to the charge and there was a second battaile giuen which the Frisons lost The Earle remaining maister of the field caused his tents and Pauilions to be pitcht and staied there ten daies to see if the enemy would come to seeke him During which time not any one presented himselfe euery man redoubting his power During this abode there were certaine Englishmen notwithstanding the Earles expresse defence which would goe and discouer and skirmish with the enemy Being two leagues from the campe they set fire on certaine villages and laded themselues with booty thinking to returne to their quarter the Frisons lying close in their ambushes seeing them approach discouered themselues of all sides The English men being not much amazed put themselues in good order retiring gently fighting with their arrowes and slings but the multitude of Frisons was so great for that their numbers increased continually as the English began to defend themselues casting themselues into a neere fort which they made good against the Frisons who held them there besieged all the rest of the day and the night following The Earle vnderstanding the danger in which the Englishmen were intreated the townes of Holland to goe thether and to vngage them some of them answered That if their Prince went with them and marched before they would follow him The Earle hearing this answer said to them of Delse Goe you and vngage them At this commandement the Delphois made him a modest answer My Lord although you haue heretofore destroyed vs yet for the loue of you we will willingly goc and succour them or dye all in the enterprise beseeching you to remember this seruice when any good occasion is offered Herevpon they marched directly towards the Frisons The English
seeing that succors came vnto them issued out of their fort and came to charge them on the one side and those of Delfe on the other with such furie as in a short time there were 400. Frisons slaine vpon the place the rest flying away fearing least the whole armie should come vpon them After this route the Delfois and English entered farther into the countrie spoiling and burning all they incountred and killing all that came against them The Earle seeing these fiers was assured of the victory for the which he greatly commended them of Delfe Then he caused a mightie Block-house in forme of a citadell to be built in the towne of Staueren the which he did furnish with all kinde of munition and instruments for warre and hauing manned it with a good garrison and prouision of victuals he diuided his armie into diuers parts to set vpon the remainder of the Frisons in diuers places and by that meanes to subdue them â—…s he did soone after forcing them to sue for mercy to submit themselues vnder his obedience and to acknowledge him for their soueraigne Lord. After that the Frisons had promised and sworne to entertaine the articles and conditions that the Earle should impose vpon them and that they had made him authenticall letters thereof The Earle sent one of his chiefe Knights with many Nobles and Gentlemen to the abbay of Fleurchamps since called Oudeclooster to bring away the body of Cont William some-times Earle of Holland Zeeland and Henault Lord of Friseland the which they brought with his armes and blason This done hee retired into Holland from whence hee sent the said body to Valenciennes in Henault where it lyes with his ancestors Soone after in the yeare 1398. the Frisons hauing broken the peace and accord made betwixt them and the Earle of Holland hauing rebelled againe and chased the garrison of Hollanders out of Staueren and out of all places thereabouts Cont Albert leuied an armie with the which he went to Horne and to Enchuysen being resolued to returne into Friseland and there to stay vntill he had wholy subdued them But hee was aduised not to goe himselfe in person but rather to giue the charge of his armie to Cont William of Osteruant his sonne making him his Lieutenant and General with Iohn of Arckel Iohn of Brederode Arnold of Egmond with many other Barons for his Captaines followed by many Knights and Gentlemen of Holland Cont William being entered into Friseland past by Geesterland with his troopes and as they approached to Hindeloopen the Frisons aduanced to charge them and the Hollanders receiued them so valiantly as at the first incounter they slue 300. vpon the place the rest seeing their companions so ill intreated turned their backes and fled After this happy incounter the Hollanders ouer-running the country spoiled and burnt many villages and gentlemens houses then they went and camped before Staueren the which they besieged so by land and by water as nothing could goe in nor passe out and they did batter it in such sort as in the end they were forced to yeeld to the Earles mercie deliuering vnto him the chiefe men of the towne for Hostages and assurance of their treatie This towne being thus yeelded all the Frisons both in townes and country fearing their ruine came to Staueren to the Earle to sue for mercy offring to make reparations for what was past The Earle asking the opinion of his Noblemen made a peace with them vpon condition to acknowledge the Earle of Holland for their Prince and naturall Lord and that euery house of the country of Friseland should pay yeerely vnto the Earle of Holland for euer six solz Tournois nor to bee redeemed for euer for reparation of their rebellion The which was sworne and confirmed by letters This done he appointed Bayliffes and other officers in his fathers name and his successors Earles of Holland to administer iustice vnto them for euer Then hee returned a conqueror into Holland But it was meere folly to thinke that this treatie could continue long so impatient are the Frisons of all seruitude or to be commanded by any other then their owne nation it was therefore soone broken for the yeare following 1399. they returned to their accustomed rebellion refusing to entertaine the said accord for they still found some pretended cause of exception chasing away the officers which had beene established by the Earle of Osteruant fortified the village of Molâ—…kenhuyse now called Molckweer where they made some barricadoes and block-houses against them of Staueren who for their parts would entertaine their accord Some other Frisons besieged the towne of Dockum to chase away the Hollanders Cont Albert of Holland hearing of this reiterated rebellion leuied men from all parts both out of his owne countries and from his neighbours and strangers to make an army of the which he made the Earle of Osteruant his sonne generall being accompanied with these lords Iohn of Bauaria bishop of Liege his second sonne Iohn lord of Arckel Arnold of Egmond lord of Yselstein Philip vicont of Leyden Walrauen lord of Brederode and many other Noblemen Barons and Knights with the which and his whole armie hee arriued at Amsterdam the first day of May the same yeare where they did imbarke and went to land at the towne of Staueren in the which towne and there-abouts he lay camped sixe weekes together The Frisons knowing that this mighty armie was so neere them were much troubled and sent to the Earle of Osteruant to sue for mercy promising vnto him in his fathers name all obedience fealtie and homage The Earle with his Noblemen past a water which they called Opt-wat and from thence with the shippes and barkes which they had at Staueren they came the same night to Sesbyrum and to Bolswaert where they lodged that night and refresht themselues There fell out a quarrell betwixt Floris of Alcmade and Gerard Boel of Heemskerke both Knights Floris hurt Gerard in the fore-head with his dagger in the presence of all the Princes and Noblemen yet to auoyde a greater inconuenience by the commandement of the two Princes brethren they were forced to agree and to drinke one vnto another the same night for that at the same instant there came a knight of Friseland called Gerard of Cammega who did secretly aduertise the Earle of Osteruant that the Frisons were resolued to come the same night and charge the Hollanders sodenly in their quarter as it happened about an houre before the breake of day The Frisons comming with fearefull and terrible cryes to charge them Cont William and Iohn of Bauaria had before put their men in good order of battaile and marched brauely to incounter them Day being come both armies charge and in the beginning the combate was very fierce but in the end the Frisons were quite defeated with great losse of their men the rest saued themselues as well as
returned with their prey through the iurisdiction of the Lord of Vianen The Lord of Arckel madde with rage to see his country so destroyed to haue his reuenge went to besiege the towne of Nyeuport on the opposite banke to Schoonhouen the which he tooke by force and burnt to the ground After that the Earle of Osteruant had in many places spoiled the lands and seigniories of the Lord of Arckel the Earle of Holland to make a finall end resolued to goe and besiege the towne of Gorrichom the ordinarie residence of the Lord of Arckel and from whence he so much braued the Hollanders And in the yeare 1403. he leuied an armie out of his countries of Holland Henault Zeeland Friseland England and many other nations from whence he drew a great number of soldiers Adolph Duke of Cleues the Bishop and those of Vtrecht did also defie the lord of Arckel who seeing so many enemies ready to assaile him hee called to his succors the Earle of Vernenburch and the Earle of Dalhem the siegniors of Steenwoerde of Rheyda and of Hoemoel brethren to the Earle of Catzenellebogen the seigniors of Vrericke of Berghen and of Dyckelen the seigniors of Cryekenbeeck of Boetselaer of Ranst and his brethren of Ysendoorn of Zeelen and his brethren of Schonhauwen of Lyenden of Vayrick of Nyenstein Bastard of the house of Arckel of Soelen of Auesart of Myllinck and of Vueren all Knights and many other Gentlemen of the countries of Iuilliers and Geldres Cont Albert pursuing his first resolution caused his armie to marche into the country of Arckel and to besiege the towne of Gorrichom where he tooke his quarter vpon the north dike betwixt the village of Arckel and the towne Adolph Duke of Cleues with Walrauen of Brederode and those of the townes of Holland and some English camped on the East side of the towne and Castell Those of Vtrecht planted themselues towards the North in a place called Tuistschild The Hannyuers and South-Hollanders lay lodged vpon the South the Zelanders and Frisons had their quarter vpon the West dispersed here and there The campe being thus diuided the Engins of battery were planted against the Castell the which was battered in such sort as the greatest tower was beaten downe and the besieged were much annoyed with arrowes which came as thicke as haile into the towne many houses were beaten downe with the violence of their engins of battery shooting confusedly to breed a terror among the inhabitants The Noblemen Gentlemen and soldiers defended themselues valiantly at all assaults repulsing their enemies and doing their best indeauours to repaire their walles and fortifie themselues within One night among the rest the siegniors of Reyda and Hoemet with some Gentlemen and choise soldiers made a sallie vpon the Zelanders and Frisons whom they charged so sodenly and so furiously as they disordred them and troubled all their quarter at which charge there was taken of the Zelanders and Hannyuers Floris of Borssele Floris of Aubeau Nicholas Reytwyinck of Romerswael the siegniors of Lodyke of Bauduin and Floris of Borssele brethren William of Reynts Philip of Eueringhen and Iohn bastard of Borssele with ninety soldiers and William of Romerswael was sore wounded whereof he dyed soone after and was buried in the church of Gorrichom Soone after some Captaines Gentlemen and soldiers made another sally vpon the Duke of Cleues quarter where there was a furious fight and many died on either side yet they of the towne carried away with them Walrauen of Brederod and Gilles Schenck Knights Steuen of Berenbrooke Iacob Schicker Peter Potter Hugh Post and many other Gentlemen and soldiers An other time there issued forth William of Ysendorne and Arnold of Schoonhauven Knights Ihon Hopper Thomas Westerdale Iohn Croextough Dauid Carmerdin and Thomas Herfort Captaines with many Gentlemen soldiers who on Saints Iohns day fell vpon the Hannyuers quarter but they were brauely receiued and with-stood so as they were forced to retire and were pursued into their Ports During this siege the Earle of Osteruant sent some troopes into the iurisdiction of Schoonreuoert the which the more to vexe the Lord of Arckel he caused to be burnt carried away many peasants prisoners This siege hauing continued three moneths Iohn of Bauaria bishop of Liege sonne to the Earle of Holland Arnold of Leydenburch and Haeke of Outheusden Knights came to the Earles campe the which did mediate an accorde betwixt him and the Lord of Arckell by the which it was said that Albert Earle of Holland and Cont William of Osteruant his sonne should enter into the towne and the Lord of Arckel should kneele downe before them and aske them forgiuenesse besides that the Banner of Holland should be planted a whole day vpon the castell of Gorrichom which conditions being fulfilled the campe did rise and euery man went to his owne home At that time there was a great tempest at Sea with exceeding high tides the which did drowne many villages in Friseland and Holland by which tempest there came a Sea-woman swimming in the Zuyderzee betwixt the townes of Campen and Edam the which passing by the Putmerie entred into the straight of a broken Dike in the Purmermer where she remained a long time and could not finde the hoale by which she entred for that the breach had beene stopt after that the tempest had seased Some country-women and their seruants who with Barkes of Edam did dayly passe the Pourmery to milke their Kine in the next pastures did often see this woman swimming vpon the water whereof at the first they were much afraid but in the end being accustomed to see it often they viewed it neerer and at last they resolued to take it if they could Hauing discouered it they rowed towards it and drew it out of the water by force carrying it in one of their Barkes vnto the towne of Edam When she had been well washed and cleansed from the sea Mosse which was growne about her she was like vnto another woman she was apparrelled and began to accustome her selfe to ordinary meates like vnto any other yet she sought still meanes to escape to get into the water but she was straightly garded They came from farre to see her Those of Harlem made great sute to them of Edam to haue this woman by reason of the strangenesse therof In the end they obteined her where she did learne to spin and liued many yeares some say fifteene and for the reuerence which she bare vnto the signe of the Crosse wherevnto she had beene accustomed she was buried in the church-yarde Many persons worthy of credit haue iustisied in their writings that they had seene her in the said towne of Harlem For the rarenesse whereof for that the Chronicle of Holland doth also make mention thereof we would not here omit it About this time through these tempests swellings of the sea the entries of the riuers of
Tessel the Flie were inlarged the which before were but small chanels so as since the nauigation hath growne easie betwixt the Iland of Tessel and Wyernighe and the townes of Medenblike and Euchuysen and so by the Zuyderzee to saile into the North sea as they do at this day In the yeare 1404. on S. Paules day in winter the most famous Prince Albert duke of Bauaria Earle of Holland Henault Zeland and Lord of Friseland died after that hee had gouerned the said countries 46. yeares that is 19. as Tutor to his brother Cont William that was mad and 27. yeares as his heire Prince Lord of the said conntries He was interred at the Hage in Holland by the lady Marguerit his first wife on the side of the great Altar vnder one tombe Besides his lawfull children he had two bastards Andrew which was borne at Papendrecht and William siegneor of Schagen a Knight From whom are issued the late Lords of Schagen WILLIAM THE 6. OF THAT NAME the 27 Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland and Earle of Henault 27 Guilielmus Bauarice I wasted Friseland and despoiled Liege I troubled Gelders both with campe and siege Helpt of the Delphois my great vnckles bones Is rescued out of forreigne Rhegions My first wife was the Daughter of a King My second from the Burgundy Throne did spring At Ualenciennes I dyed thirteene yeares raigning My predecessors Toombe my bones containing WILLIAM of Bauaria Earle of Osteruant after the decease of Duke Albert of Bauaria his father was the 27. Earle of Holland c. Being but yong he tooke to wife the daughter of Charles the fift King of France who made him Knight before Dam in Flanders this wife dyed young Afterwards he married the daughter of Iohn sonne to Philip the hardie Duke of Bourgongne Earle of Flanders and Arthois by whom he had one onely daughter named Iaqueline whom the Dutch call Iacobaâ—… who was borne in the yeare 1401. on Saint Iames his day This Prince was warlicke and much feared of a tall stature a goodly personage wise discreete in warre victorious a great iusticer and a giuer of almes In the yeare 1404. Iohn of Bauaria bishop of Liege brother to William Earle of Holland c. being chased out of the towne of Liege for that he would not be a Priest imployed the succours of Iohn Duke of Bourgongne who had married his sister against the Liegeois which Duke came in person and burnt the Cittie of Liege with the Churches and Monasteries and slew Priests men women and children to the number of 36000. soules according to the Chronicles of Germanie In the yeare 1405. William of Y sendorn leuied men in the Lord of Arckels name with a part whereof being disguised in the habit of marchants he went on a Shroue-twesday to the towne of Wandrichom where making a shewto aske leaue of the Toll-gatherer to passe with their ship and goods they seazed vpon a gate and slew the maister of the Toll This done they spoiled the towne burnt it and returned into Gorrichom being distant but a quarter of a league with a good number of prisoners of the best of the towne The Earle of Holland being displeased that the Lord of Arckel had thus broken the peace which had beene concluded a little before at the instance of the Bishop of Liege his brother thought to be reuenged He first renewed his league with the bishop of Vtrecht then he leuied an armie of Hollanders Zeelanders Hannyuers Frisons and Traiectins with the which hee went and besieged the townes and Castels of Gaspren Hagenstein and Euerstein being one distant from another about a quarter of a league whereof that of Euerstein is now falne into the riuer of Leck On the other side the Lord of Arckel manned the towne of Gaspren and the Castell of Hagenstein with good garrisons putting into them Iohn vander Hoenne Allard Pufflyet Lucas of Botselaer William of Lyenden Iohn of Arckel siegnior of Soelen and Iohn bastard of Arckel In the Castell of Euerstein were the siegneors of Bronkhuysten and Hoochstraeten William Banst and Henry of Nyenstein bastard brother to the said Lord of Arckel with a good garrison of soldiers Cont William made three Bulwarkes or Blockhouses the one aboue the Castell of Euerstein towards the riuer of Leck the which he caused to bee compassed in with a Palissadoe so as no victuals could passe that way and the other two were built on either side of the towne of Gaspren and Hagenstein causing a deepe and large trenche to be made from the one vnto the other to keepe them off the towne from succoring of the Castell and to hinder them of the Castle from salleying forth These two Bulwarkes or fortes being finished and furnished with good Commanders and soldiers and with all sorts of munition of warre and prouision of victuals the Earle returned into Holland A while after the Earle and bishop of Vtrecht concluded together to force this towne and castle for the effecting whereof the Earle went and camped there in person and hauing planted three great engins of battery he did strangely teare and ruine the towne and castell of Hagenstein The bishop with his men besieged the castell of Euerstein the which hee annoyed with wonderfull great stones that were shot continually from his huge Crosbowes The Earle had enuironed the towne with Bauins and Reeds mingled close together so as no man could passe ouer nor vnder it And as the winter was very sharpe and the ditches frozen and very thick with Ice the Earle knowing that there was no great store of victuals in the towne prepared to passe ouer the Ice and to attempt it by scaladoe the which was done and the assault well defended But Iohn of Arckel siegneor of Soelen nephew to the Lord of Arckel being slaine with an arrow they of the towne fearing some greater inconuenience yeelded it vp by composition to the Earle of Holland who fiered both towne and Castell and would not depart vntill the last house was consumed to ashes which they of Euerstein seeing who in like sort were straightly besieged their victuals beginning to faile them so as they were forced to eate their horses they did yeeld the same day to the Bishops mercy who in like sort caused it to be ruined to the ground the which as they say are now in the riuer of Leck The Earle hauing done these exploits against the Lord of Arckel returned to the Hage his men being laden with the spoiles of these Townes Castels Then there was a truce concluded betwixt the Earle and the bishop of the one part and William of Arckel of the other by the which Iohn Lord of Arckel his father was excluded As this warre betwixt the Earle of Holland and the Lord of Arckel could not be appeased the richest and most apparent persons of the country of Arckel who were dayly
impouerished could not forbeare to murmure against their Lord and the rather for that it was commonly reported among them that the Earle had sworne neuer to pardon their Lord. William of Arckel his sonne was much troubled to see his father oppose himselfe so obstinately against so mighty a Prince perswading him often with liuely reasons to reconcile himselfe with such great and mighty enemies such as the Earle the bishop of Vtrecht and the Lord of Vianen were This yong Nobleman seeing that he preuailed nothing and that he could not mollifie his fathers hart had pitty of his subiects who were so pittifully ruined without cause through the obstinate wilfulnesse of their Lord he parted discontented from his Father and came to Gorrichom where he laboured to draw the chiefe and richest of the towne to be at his deuotion and to sweare faith and loyaltie vnto him among other Iohn Gerrits Prouost of the towne Conrard Iohn Arnold and Gerard of Haerlaer foure brethâ—…en Ambrose Wouters and Iohn van Donck issued from a bastard of Arckel being ioyned and vnited to their yong lord they concluded together to treate a peace with the Earle and to exclude the â—…d of Arckel his father seeing hee would so obstinately seeke his owne and his subiects ruine without cause At the same time the lord of Arckel was gone to Renald Duke of Iuilliers Geldres his wiueâ—… brother during his absence the yong lord of Arckel his sonne by the aduice of the aboue named Gentlemen deposed all the Magistrates Councellors and Officers of the towne of Gorrichom which his father had made establishing a new Baylisse and Iudge in the place of the old the like he did at Lederdam and in the castell The Lord of Arckel who knew nothing of all these practises returning out of the country of Iuilliers thinking to enter into Gorrichom found the gates shutt against him refusing to giue him entrance the like was done vnto him at the castell From thence he â—…ent to Lederdam where he had the same entertainement Being in this perplexiâ—…ie the Lord of Arckel returned presently the same way he came into the country of Gelders without eating or drinking But soone after he did write secretly vnto his sonne by men of good iudgement of his councell who could handle this yong Nobleman in such sort as without taking any aduice and councell of the aboue named and of the chiefe of the towne he went to Boisleduc to reconcile himselfe vnto his father Wheâ—…evpon those chiefe men being discontented that he had made an accorde without their priuity or aduice and that he would leaue them ingaged at his returne from Boisleduc thinking to re-enter into Gorrichom the gates were shut against him This yong Nobleman finding himselfe debarred from entring into the towne turned head and went to the Duke of Iuilliers his Vncle. Being gone those seauen men sent certaine deputies of qualitie vnto the Earle of Holland to require his ayde and protection against the Lord of Arckel in regarde whereof they offred him all duty of homage and â—…ealty The Earle being glad to winne such a towne and country without strikiâ—…g stroake and therewithall subdue his enemie with little labour hee came about Whitsontide to Wandrichom where hee was receiued and feasted in the Castell and acknowledged for lord of Arckel confirming and ratifying theâ—…r priuiledges as well olde as newe From thence hee went to Gorrichom and into the Castell and into Leederdam where he was likewise receiued for Lord of Arckel and generally inuested in all the countrie The Lord of Aspren hearing that the Earle was at Gorrichom came to meete him neere vnto Leederdam doing him all honor and reuerence and seeing Conrard Iohn Arnold and Gerard van Haerlaer bretheren Ambrose Woutsersen Iohn Van Donck whom the Earle had newly made Knights with their collers of gold wondring much he said My Lord beware of these new Knights for what they haue done this day vnto their Lord they may doe to morrow vnto you The Earle smiling made much of him raysing him vp vnder the arme he lead him to his lodging where hauing feasted him he returned into Holland The Lord of Arckel and his sonne deuised by what meanes they might recouer their inheritance The Earle to preserue it sent Philip van Dorp a Knight with 500. men to garde Gorrichom The yong Lord of Arckel hauing with the helpe of his friends gathered some men together came in the end of haruest and attempted to passe the walles of Gorrichom neere vnto a Tower called the Tower Robert by scalado which hauing effected those of the garde hearing that it was their yong Lord leauing the rampart fled heere and there This yong Nobleman passing on brake open the gate on the East side and drew in his men with their colours flying making great and fearfull cries The Burgesses that were affected vnto him turned presently on his side and in this enterprise there was not any man hurt but Henry Vander-streat that was slaine at the first entrance The next day Didier le Cocque neere kinsman to Ambrose Woutersen had his head cut off The rest that were opposite to the Lord of Arckel leaping ouer the walles escaped This yong Nobleman went presently to besiege the Castell of Arckel where the besieged expecting succors from the Earle of Holland defended themselues valiantly The Earle hearing of these surprises leuied men in all hast and went to besiege Gorrichom chasing the young Lord first from his siege and forcing him to retire into Gorrichom The Earle being fully resolued to force this towne called all the Gentlemen of his Prouinces and Seigneuries and required them of Vtrecht to assist him On the other side Renold Duke of Iuilliers and Geldres a man of a turbulent spirit demanded nothing more then some occasion to quarrell with the Earle whom he sent to defie by a Herald with open letters as he had presumed before to defie the French King where the bishop of Liege brother to the Earle of Holland imployed his credit happily to make his peace with the said King who else had ruined him This Duke then came with an armie and camped not farre from the towne of Gorrichom The inhabitants went forth in the night drew the victuals and munition which he had brought them into the towne The Earle hearing of the Dukes comming raised his siege and went and planted himselfe before the Chappell of Dalem vpon the dike right against the Geldrois to offer them battaile the which was deferred for that night in the which the Geldrois did rise and retired himselfe into his country The Earle seeing him gone went to continue his siege before Gorrichom and after that hee had well furnished the castell of Arckel and the places there-abouts he returned into his country A while after the Lord of Arckel and his sonne did transport vnto Duke Renold of Gelders all the right and
B◅urgongne among the rest there was a condition that she might not marry againe without his liking and consent if she would remaine Ladie of all her countries of the which notwithstanding the duke should be Gouernor It happened in the yeare 1432. that the Lady Marguerite of Bourgongne her mother sent her by some Gentlemen goodly and riche Iewels and some horses The Contesse Iaqueline finding her selfe bare of money hauing no meanes to honour her Mothers seruants with presents or any gra◅uitie being destitute of money through the last warre to preserue her honour she sent secretly to the Vicont of Montfort hauing beene made Lieutenant of Holland by her before intreating him to assist her with a certaine summe of money to preserue her reputation with those gentlemen whom her mother had sent vnto her and to make them some honest presents according to their quallities The Vicont excused him selfe saying that he had spent all his meanes in her seruice during the warres The said Lady being much perplext and troubled sent vnto an other by whom she was denyed in like sort for the which shee was so greeued as weeping she retired her selfe into her chamber complaining of the ingratitude of her frie◅ds and seruants and of the dishonor which shee feared to purchase if she suffered her mothers seruants to returne emptie handed Where-vpon one of her houshould seruants called William of Bye seeing his Mistresse so desolate being carefull of her honour and pittying her said vnto her to◅ranc ◅ranc of Borsselle Lieutenant of Zeeland and acquaint him with your present necessitie I hope he will doe you some good The said Lady being full of teares answered him How he is one of our enemies and neuer receiued any good nor fauour from vs I feare he will refuse vs and then my disgrace will bee greater then before Notwithstanding if it please you Madam said William I will trie him by some meanes I feare said the Contesse wee shall not preuaile yet goe and let him vnderstand how the case stands and tell him that I will acknowledge it in time and place and will satisfie him soone William went into Zeeland and performed that which he had in charge Where-vpon the Lord of Brossele answered him Tell my Lady that not at this time onely but during my life she may dispose of me and all my meanes at her pleasure and hauing deliuered him the money which he demanded William re◅urned to his Mistresse who was wonderfully glad From that day after she euer held the Lord of Borsselle in great esteeme yea she did so affect him as shee desired to haue him to her husband the which was afterwards secretly performed in her chamber in the presence of her seruants The yeare following this secret marriage was diuulged and spred ouer all Holland and the newes came vnto duke Philip of Bourgongne being then at the warres in France with the King of England who left that businesse and recommended his armie to his Captaines and went into Holland seeming not to know any thing and yet much discontented in minde fearing that by this marriage he should be excluded from the Prouinces of Holland Henault Zeeland and Friseland and came to the Hage in Iuly where af◅er many conferences and treaties of diuers things he caused the Lord of Borsselle to bee apprehended in the presence of the Contesse Iaqueline his wife and to be presently imbarked and conuayed to Ruppelmonde in Flanders The Contesse following the Duke where-so-euer he went did presse him to haue her hu◅band againe the which hee refused vnlesse shee would resigne all her countries Some say that during the imprisonment of the lord of Borsselle they gaue him a refrigeratiue drinke others haue spoken of a more violent course to hinder the acte of generation In the end by the meanes of Frederic Earle of Maeurs hee was set at libertie vpon condition that the Contesse should resigne and transport vnto the sayd Duke her cousin all her countries of Henault Holland Zeeland and Friseland and so she should marry the said lord of Borsselle sollemnly and enioy him quietly for her husband prouided alwaies that if they had any children all the said Prouinces should returne vnto them Moreouer that the Duke should giue vnto the lord of Borsselle for him and his for euer the Earledom of Osteruant and to the said lady the siegneorie of Voorne with the Bryel the Iland of Zuy◅beuelant and the country of Tertolen with all the customes of Holland and Zeeland By this accord this marriage was confirmed and the siegnior of Borsselle made Earle of Osteruant Soone after the Duke with the Contesse and her husband went into the countreys of Holland Henault Zeeland and Friseland whereof shee gaue him reall possession in the chiefe townes thereof then the Duke held his Order of the golden Fleece whereof hee was founder at the Hage and among others hee made the Earle of Osteruant one of his Knights In the yeare 1436. on S. Denis Eue dyed this Princesse the Lady Iaqueline in the castle of Theilinghen for griefe to see herselfe thus spoiled of her estate through the ambition of the Duke of Burgongne and it may be for that she found not her husband as he had been before his imprisonment after that she had beene Lady and true heire of the Earldomes of Holland Zeeland Henault and Friseland in great troubles and continuall vexations for the space of 19. yeare She dyed at the age of 36. yeares and lyes at the Hage in the Chappell of the Court of Holland The most renowned in Holland Zeeland in the time of the Contesse Iaqueline were these noblemen that follow Franc of Borsselle Earle of Osteruant husband to the Contesse Hugh of Lanoy lord of Xaintes Lieutenant of Holland Zeeland and Freezland both Knights of the golden Fleece Reynold lord of Brederode of Vianen and Ameyden Baronies Ghysbrecht of Brederode Prouost Cathedrall and afterwardes elect bishop of Vtrect William of Brederode their vncle who was lieutenant to the Contesse Iaqueline in Holland Iames of Gaesbeeke lord of Abcoud Wyk Putten and Streyen Iohn lord of Egmond William of Egmond his Brother lord of Iselstein Who were restored by Iohn of Bauaria and afterwardes confirmed by Philip duke of Bourgongne Henry lord of Wassenare who without the resignation which he made vnto Iohn of Bauaria was vicont of Leyden Iohn of Wassenare siegneor of Woorburch his brother Henry of Borsselle lord of la Vere Arnold lord of Seuenberghe of Hemsted in Zeelād Iohn lord of Cruyninghen Henry vicont of Montfort Adrian of Borsselle lord of Brigdam Iames of Borsselle his brother William lord of Naeldwyk of Wateringhen Albert of Naeldwick his brother Phillip of Cortgeen Rutger lord of Boeaslaer of Aspren Didier lord of Henckelom Lewis of Treslon William of Holland bastard son to duke Albert to whom duke Philip gaue in Friseland the villages Schagen Baninghen Harinchuysen and
an armie The Duke had also his armie in field of the which the Earle of Estampes was generall who made sharpe warres against the Ganthois in the which they were some-times beaten and did some-times beate the Dukes troopes In the end after a great ruine of townes and destruction of the country of Flanders the Ganthois hauing receiued a great defeate by the succours which the Hollanders sent vnto the duke and afterwards an other where there were slaine 6000. of them vpon the place which was the 23. of Iuly 1453. They sent their deputies the 26. of the said moneth vnto the Duke to aske him forgiuenesse in the name of all the people and the 30. following by the prayers and intercessions of some Noblemen both cleargie and secular they were reconciled vnto the duke vpon certaine conditions who receiued them into grace the warre hauing continued fiue yeares The conditions of this reconciliation by the which the greatnesse of the Ganthois was much impaired and the duke assured for the remainder of his life from their mutinies and all the warres which the Ganthois had had at that time are written at large in the Chronicle of Flanders At that time Adrian of Borsselle Lord of Brigdam Duyuelant Galmeade Somersdyk and Zuyburch married Anne the bastard daughter of duke Philip of Bourgongne by whom hee had one sonne called Cornellis who dyed yong and two daughters Agnes and Anne The Lord of Brigdam was then great Chamberlaine to Duke Philip and afterwards to duke Charles his sonne The 4. of March 1455. died Rodoph of Diephont bishop of Vtrecht hauing gouernd his Bishoprick about 23. yeares After whose death duke Philip sent Cont Ihon of Nassau to the Chapter of Vtrecht intreating them to choose his bastard sonne the bishop of Teroane Arnold Duke of Geldres came in person to sue for Stephen of Bauaria Chanoine of Cologne The Chapter without any respect of the intreatie of two mighty Princes nor of these two competitors chose Ghysbrecht of Brederod their Prouost Cathedral a wise and a vertuous man This election was made ioyntly by them all except Gerard vanden Massche Iohn of Wittenhurst Chanoins who gaue their voice to Stephen of Bauaria yet seeing all the rest were of one minde they yeelded and consented to their election This election did not much please them of the Cabillautin faction in Holland for that those of Brederode were of the Hoekins seeking all meanes to hinder it and sending some of the chiefe among them to Brussels to the Duke of Bourgongne giuing him to vnderstand that if this election were of force and that Ghysbrecht of Brederode remained absolute bishop he was in danger to loose his Earldome of Holland if he did not preuent it by his wisedome For that said they Renowld Lord of Brederode his brother would with his ayde attempt to conquer it vnder a coulour that he vaunts himselfe to be issued from the ancient and first Earles of Holland hauing already purchased many friends in the diocesse of Vtrecht and in East Friseland by whose fauour he might easily seaze vpon the countrie The Duke giuing eare to these false reports beleeued them although that the lord of Brederode was well knowne to be a milde and quiet man who would neuer haue entertained such a thought hauing made it sufficiently knowne vnto his Prince with what loyaltie hee had serued him in his last warre against the Ganthois Vpon these aduertisements the Duke sent the Bishop of Arras to the Pope to presse him to haue the prouision of this Bishoprike of Vtrecht for Dauid his bastard for whom Alphonso King of Arrâ—…gon did also solicite Ghysbrecht the elect bishop had also sent his Ambassadors to desire confirmation thereof whom the Pope held in suspence yet receiuing his annuat or first fruits which was 4000. ducats but hee made them no other dispatch Whilest that these Ambassadors were at Rome the Duke and the Earle of Charolois his sonne came into Holland being resolued to install Dauid bastard of Bourgongne in the bishoprick of Vtrecht by force being at the Hage the Duke kept open court did solemnize the order of the Golden Fleece of the which hee created 26. Knights himselfe making the 27. The Lord of Brederode meant to come vnto this feast but hauing some other lets he went not the which was happy for him for his enemies had laid two ambushes in seuerall places to kill him but his stay disapointed them Another time being come vnexpected to the Dukes court at the Hage his aduersaries laide three ambuscadoes more for him with 500. men but hee departed sodenly and so well accompanied as they durst not attempt any thing returning safe to Vtrecht to his brother that was chosen bishop Those of Vtrecht hearing that the Duke ment to bring his base Sonne into the Bishoprik by force sent him word that their preuiledges and ecclesiasticall orders did not admit a bastard to that dignity The Duke to auoide and make frustrate that obiection obtained a dispensation from the Pope for his bastardise making him legitimate Those of Vtrecht being discontented fortified themselues with men and with all things necessary to resist any attempt Notwithstanding in despight of them and those of the house of Brederode hauing obtained from the Pope prouision of the sayd Bishoprick for Dauid his bastard hee forced Gysbrecht that was chosen Bishop to compound with him and to yeeld vp his bishoprik to Dauid Vpon condition that he should remaine Prouost Cathedrall and Prouost of Oudt Minster in Vtrecht and Prouost of Donas in Bruges and that yearely during his life hee should haue an Annuall pension of 4200. florins of gold out of the bishoprike of Vtrecht and for the charges hee had beene at by reason of his election 50000. Lyons of gold For the performance of all which conditions the duke of Cleues stood bound in the name of the duke of Burgongne who by reason of this accord entred with his base sonne Dauid into the towne of Vtrecht and put him in possession But those of Deuenter and other townes of the contry of Oueryssel which is the high diocesse of Vtrecht opposed themselues and would not acknowledge Dauid for their prince pastor vntil the duke besieging Deuenter forced them thervnto Whilest that the Duke held the said towne of Deuenter besieged Lewis Daulphin of France fell in disgrace with King Charles the 7. his Father beeing much perplexed and doubtfull for a time whether he should retier himselfe to the King of England or not But hee thought it best to goe vnto his couzin Duke Philippe of Bourgongne taking his waie towards Brusselles with a small trayne which made the duke yeelde to a composition sodenly with them of Deuenter that hee might go and receiue him This Prince was so honorably entertained feasted and treated as hee remained fiue yeares in the Dukes Court vntill the death of the King his Father hauing an
estate and traine appointed him as if he had beene the Dukes owne Sonne In the yeare 1460. died the sayed French King Charles the seauenth called the Gentle The Duke of Bourgongne being aduertised thereof assembled all his Barrons and cheife Nobility to conduct Lewis Daulphine of France and to see him take possession as the eldest Sonne of the deceased King of the Realme and Crowne of France The King being crowned by the helpe of the Duke of Bourgongne being desirous to shewe himselfe thankefull for so great a seruice hauing as it were led him by the hand vnto the Crowne gaue him great thankes and to recompence him in some sort he gaue vnto the Earle of Charolois his Sonne certaine townes and castells in France with a yearly pension The King would haue make an exchange with the Duke of some townes but they could not agree so as many yeares after the King discouered a spleene and dislike which hee had conceiued against the Duke and that before hee had confirmed the donation made vnto the Earle of Charolois of the sayd townes and castells The Earle of Charolois besides his seigneuries of Bethune Chasteau-Bellain Archel Putten Streyen and the Country of Goyelandt receiued in the yeare 1461. by Adrian of Borselle his Atorney in that behalfe the possession of the moeity of the Seigneury towne and castell of Aspren by reason of a certaine murther committed by one William van Buren vpon Rutger of Boetselaer lord of the other moeity And in the yeare 1462. the sayd Earle was receiued lord of the towne of Henkelom being but a quarter of a league from Aspren by the forfeiture of Iohn of Henkelom and Otto his Sonne who in the ende did resigne it vnto him by agreement And so this signeury of Henkelom returned to that of Arckel from whence it issued at the first At that time there fell out great troubles in the Duke of Bourgongnes Court for the causes which followe Iohn lord of Croy had in his youth bred vp a poore boye in his house named Iohn of Koestein whome hee aduanced to be first an assistant and then a groome of the Dukes chamber who carried himselfe so loyally and vertuously as the duke esteemed him very much giuing him great meanes and hauing made him knight hee was his taster for his drinke By which aduancements both in goods and honours hee grewe so proude and arrogant as hee beganne to contemne others yea Barons so gracious hee was in the Duke his Maisters fauour as hee seemed to bee the onely man to mannage his most important affaiers At the same season Iohn of Croy and Iohn of Lanoy Gouernor of Holland conceiued a secret hatred against the Earle of Charolois the dukes Sonne their Prince for that hee had obtained of his Father the countrie of Arckel the which the Duke had giuen a little before vnto the sayd lord of Lanoy and the gouernment of Namur and Boulenois to the lord of Croy who had inioyed it manie yeares for which guifts the Earle had growne in hatred of these two Noblemen who notwithstanding did wholie gouerne and possesse the dukes person who by their means shewed his Son the Earle of Charolois no good coūtenance The Earle finding it left the duke his Fathers Court and retired himselfe into Holland hoping that this dislike would passe and die Some of the cheife Noblemen of Brabant and Flanders came vnto him and furnished him with all that hee had neede of These two Noblemen of Croy and Lanoy full of spight to see his traine so great and the cheife Noblemen runne after him consulted for the better maintenance of them selues how they might supplant and ruine the Earle the which they did impart vnto Iohn of Koestein who fearing likewise to bee disgraced and put from his Offices after the dukes death beeing also wholie bound vnto the lord of Croy for his aduancement gaue ◅are willingly vnto them and tooke the charge vpon him corrupting a poore younger brother a Bourguignon with the promise of a great sum of money and sending him into Piedmont to buy poison descouring vnto him to what ende it was This gentleman called Iohn d'Iuy hauing performed his voiage and brought this poyson to Koestein demanded that which he had promised him the which he not onely refused to pay him but also abused him with iniurious words ◅Iuy discontented at this answere complained to an other gentleman of Bourgongne called Arguenbant and discouered vnto him the whole secret This Arguenbant being wonderfully amazed aduised Iuy to goe speedily and discouer the whole truth of this matter vnto the Earle of Charolois saying that if he went not hee himselfe would goe and accuse him Iohn of Iuy without any farther stay went vnto the Earle and casting himselfe on his knees before him he beseeched him humbly to pardon him the offence which he would reueale vnto him and then layed open the whole truth of the matter The Earle being much amazed thereat went presently to the Duke his Father to descouer vnto him all that hee had heard of this villanous practise crauing iustice of the Author thereof naming Iohn of Koestein The duke hauing promised to do him iustice the Earle went vnto his lodging commanding Iohn of Iuy to goe vnto Rupelmond and to attend him there as he did The next day morning Iohn of Koestein beeing a hunting in the Parke at Brusselles the duke called him commanding him to go with the lords of Aussy and Creueceur to Ruppelmond to make answere to a gentleman that did greatly taxe his honour Koestein answered him proudly after his accustomed manner that hee feared no man liuing whervpon he pulled on his bootes and went to horse-backe with fiue seruants and so went to the lord of Aussy whome hee found on horse-backe with the lord of Creuecaeur with fifteene or sixteene Archers of the Dukes garde Being come to Ruppelmond soone after arriued Anthony bastard of Bourgongne the Bishoppe of Tournay with the lords of Croy and Goulx The Earle of Charolois came also and caused Koestein to bee put into a Tower of the which hee him-selfe kept the keyes so as no man might speake vnto him but in his presence These foure Noblemen made the processe of the sayd Koestein after that hee had beene confronted with Iohn of Iuy declaring him guilty and condemning him to loose his head and his bodie to bee cut in foure quarters Beeing brought to the place of execution which was vpon one of the highest Towers of the castell hee disired to speake with the Earle of Charolois who went vnto him and heard him long in secret which made them presume that hee accused some one namely the sayd lords of Croy and Lanoy the which the Earle dissembled Hee intreated that his bodie might not bee quartered the which beeing graunted him hee lost his head This done Iohn of Iuy was called of whome the Earle demaunded if Koestein had kept his
not of a long time ended Hee had also some controuersie with the Ilandes of Amelande in Frise-land refusing to pay the tribute which they did owe vnto the Earles of Holland vnto whome the duke did send Gerard Ensem a famous man borne at Enchuysen who was well receiued by the States of the countrie sending vnto the duke the Abbots of Lidlum Stauerea and Florencampe with some of their Nobles and deputies of townes to the Hage and there accorded with him The which was done and the troubles ended by the wisedome of these deputies who were mediators betwixt the duke and the commons of Friseland In those times the lord of Brederode and Ghysbrecht his brother Prouost Cathedrall of Vtrecht were in great credit with the bishoppe and gouerned the whole citty so as by their meanes the bishoppe did what hee would with them of Vtrecht renewing the Magistrate of the towne contrarie to their preuiledges the which hauing renewed hee sent for them all into his chamber in the presence of the two brethren of Brederode and of Reynier his councellors and sayd vnto them that his intent was that if happely in the administration of their charges vnder his obedience there happened any difficulties they should haue recourse vnto those two lords of Brederode and that without any opposition they should do what they commanded which they promised to do In the yeare 1470. those whome the two brethren of Brederode and their Allies had of a long time banished out of Vtrecht seeking to be reuenged and to bee restored to the towne made manie false reportes vnto the duke of Bourgongne and the Bishop of Vtrecht against them the which were lightly beleeued especially in that which concerned the person of the sayd Bishoppe whom they had giuen to vnderstand that the sayd lord of Brederode and his partisans had conspired to expell him and to restore the Prouost Cathedrall his brother who had beene formerly chosen But although these two bretheren were exceedingly well beloued in the towne of Vtrecht and throughout the whole countrie yet this practise was mannaged so secretly as they could not discouer any thing vntill the mischiefe fell vpon them In the meanetime the Lord of Brederode beeing sent by the superintendentes of the towne and countrie of Vtrecht to treate of some businesse with their Bishoppe beeing come to the towne of Wyke to the Bishoppes Pallace not doubting anie thing hee was apprehended as a prisoner with fiue of his base Sonnes that is Walrad Drossort of Hagenstein Renold Baylife of Vosholl Henry Hans and Iohn the younger This done the Bishoppe went to Vtrecht and seized the same day of Ghysbercht his brother whome hee carried likewise to Wyke releasing foure of his bastards and retayning onely Walrad The enemies of these Lordes of Brederode gaue it out generally that they were Traitors and that if the Bishop had not committed them to prison within three daies they had expelled him his Bishopricke the which they spake the more to incense the Bishoppe and the duke of Bourgongne against them But they were held to bee their owne practises to haue some collour to ruine this house of Brederode by these slanderous and false reportes For what collour or likelehood was there that these two brethren who knewe they had priuate enemies within the countrie would haue attemped any thing against the duke of Bourgongne for what toucht the Bishoppe toucht him whome they knewe to bee mightie who had euen newly forced the French King and ruined the Liegeois who were ten times as powerfull as all those of the house of Brederode and their Allies without doubt there was no reason to beleeue it They must then picke some quarrell against them to ruine them Informations were sought for in all places at the Bishoppes charge to ruine them The Bishoppe did also cast into prison Iohn of Amerongen Baylife of Vtrecht Hee would also willingly haue layed hold of the Vicont of Montfort but hee retired himselfe Walrad bastard to the Lord of Brederode was tortured hauing it giuen him foure times most cruelly but hee would neuer confesse any thing of that which they demaunded persisting still in the negatiue They did also put Iohn of Amerongen to the racke vpon the like interrogatories who confessed some-thing with the torments whose confession was sent to the duke of Bourgongne who grewe into such great anger and choller as hee would not any more heare nor see the Ladie Yolante wife to the lord of Brederode who by the intercession of the Ladie Isabella of Portugall the dukes mother and some Noblemen was a sutor vnto him that it would please him to take some knowledge of her husbands cause and that beeing a Noble knight of the Golden fleece his processe might bee adiudged and ended by other knights and his Noble Peeres and according to the Articles of the sayd order the which was denied her whereby it appeeres that they beganne betimes to infringe them and made waie for the Spaniards who haue broken them since Walrad bastard of Brederode hauing beene so cruelly tortured yet confessed nothing nine weekes after his imprisonment hee found meanes to escape The which did so vexe the Bishop and his councell as without any respect to the ranke or age of the sayd lord of Brederode they condemned him to haue the extraordinarie Racke to force that from his owne mouth which his bastard would not confesse and which the Baylife of Vtrecht through the violence of the torture had but partly confest Foure men of account went vnto the prison to the affore sayd Lord of Brederode whereof the one was Marshall to the Duke who had certaine Articles written the which he read vnto him saying That Walrad his Bastard and Iohn of Amerongen had confessed them and vpon this confession suffred death by the sworde and that hee must confesse them in like sort and in so doing hee should haue grace The Lord of Brederode answered resolutlie That hee could not saie any thing to those Articles and that if Walrad and Amerongen had confessed them they should haue beene confronted with him before their death These foure Commissionars Iudges pickt out to seeke the ruine of this poore Noble Gentleman not content with this answere caused him to be layed vpon the Rack stretching him in such sort thrise togither as at euerie time they were forced to take him of thinking hee had beene dead beeing some-what reuiued hee sayd vnto them You may cause mee to die in this marterdome but you can neuer force mee to say any thing but the truth The duke of Bourgongne hearing what had beene done vnto him for the knights of the order made great complaintes vnto him hauing seene his confessions and denialls hee appointed that his processe should bee vewed and examined by the knights of the order and hee himselfe heard verbally in his defences there were therefore sent Iohn of Berghes knight and Iohn Halewyn conseller
to depart without any further harme The duke being aduertised that the King came to assaile him leauied a great number of men giuing them halfe a pay to haue them ready at all houres mustring them euery month and yet neuer imploying them But growing weary of this charge hee cassierd them casting away all feare and went into Holland to spend some-time leauing no garrison in the fronter townes Being there hee was aduertized by the duke of Bourbon that shortly the King would make warre against him both in Bourgongne and in Piccardie where as he had great intelligences whereat beeing amazed he went presently to Hesdin whereas hee beganne to enter into â—…elousie of the practises they had in his townes yet hee was something long before hee could arme And at the same instant Baldwyn of Bourgongne his bastard brother and some of his houshould seruants leauing him went to serue the French King this did amaze him more fearing it had beene of some greater consequence for at that time the Constable put Saint Quentin into the Kings hands Amiens yeelded by his owne fault for that hee would not enter into it being sent for from Dourlans from Dourlans he retired to Arras fearing the like inconueniences These two chiefe townes of Amiens and Saint Quentin beeing yeelded there was an other practise the Constable laboring to make a marriage betwixt the duke of Guienne and the duke of Bourgongnes daughter saying that otherwise hee was not likely to haue any ende of the warres The duke receiuing this answere knewe well that the Constable did not loue him and that hee was the chiefe Instrument of this warre wherevpon the duke grewe to hate him in such sort as hee neuer left vntill hee had ruined and brought him to his ende Fifteene daies after the yeelding vp of Amiens the duke of Bourgongne went to field neere vnto Arras and notwithstanding any resistance hauing past the riuer of Some at Pygneur where hee did beate the Kings Archers hee went and lodged about Amiens where hee made three campes saying that hee would see if the King would come and fight with him and in the ende hee approched so neere to it as his Cannon shot at randon into the towne and ouer it where hee lay in campe about sixe weekes In the meane time the duke writ sixe lines vnto the King humbling himselfe verie much and complayning that for the appetite of an other hee had assayled him beeleeuing that if his Maiestie had beene dulie informed of all things that hee would not haue attempted it The King hauing read these lynes was very ioyfull for that hee did not credit his intelligences much and besides all long attempts were tedious and troublesome vnto him Hauing sent an answere vnto the duke there was a small truce but in the ende there was one concluded for a whole yeare Whereat the Constable seemed discontented The which beeing confirmed both armies were dismist the King retyring into Touraine the Earle of Guienne into his country and the duke of Bourgongne into his also where hee assembled the States who granted him the some of 120000. crownes the which increased aboue 500000. and did greatly augment the number of his warlike men at armes The duke of Guienne did still presse the marriage of his daughter who ledde him with great hope as hee did all others that demanded her as the duke of Calabria the Archduke Maximilian of Austria Sonne to the Emperour Frederick and others But during the treatie of this great and Noble marriage with the duke of Guienne there was still some new enterprise made by him against the King his brother to blinde the duke of Bourgongnes eyes During all those dissimulations betwixt the King the duke of Guienne the Constable and the duke of Bourgongne intermixt with some petty warres betwixt the French and the Bourgongnons Charles duke of Guienne brother to the French King died the which brake the peace betwixt the King and the duke of Bourgongne hauing beene sworne by the meanes of Peter Dariole Chancellor of France and the lord of Crà an but the King hearing of the death of his brother refused to sweare it Wherevpon the duke to recouer these two principall townes of Amiens S. Quintin entered with an army into Piccardie and tooke Nesle Roye and Montdidier then he marched with his army into Normandie thinking to take Beauvois iu Beauvoisin against the which hee did all he could to force it but preuailed not from thence hee came to Eu and Saint Vallery both which were yeelded vnto him setting fire of all the quarter euen vnto the gates of Deepe Hee tooke Neufchastell which hee caused to bee burnt and all the countrie of Caux at the least the greatest part euen vnto Rouen before the which hee went himselfe in person It was an vsuall custome betwixt the King and the duke of Bourgongne euer when as winter approched to make a truce for sixe monethes according to which custome they made one which the Chancellor of Bourgongne with his Adiuncts did negotiate and treate During which treaty they did murmor on both sides against the Earle of Saint Poll the King and the chiefe of his councell grewe in hatred of him and the duke of Bourgongne much more for hee had beene the cause of the taking of Amiens and S. Quintin during the time of peace and did thinke him to be the fire-brande of all the diuision and warre betwixt the King and him For in the time of truce hee entertayned him with the best wordes that might bee but when the warres beganne hee was his capitall enemie Moreouer hee would in a manner haue forced him to marry his daughter to the duke of Guienne He had yet an other cause of spleene against him for whilst the duke was before Amiens the Constable made a roade into Henalt and burnt the castell of Seure belonging vnto Baldwyn of Lanoy Knight of the order of the golden fleece for it was not then the manner to vse burning on either side which made the duke to set fire on some parts of Picardy and Normandie They diuised therefore some meane to be rid of the Constable of Saint Poll. On the Kings behalfe there was an ouerture made by some that adrest themselues to some seruing the duke that were the Constables enemies and who hated him no lesse then their Maister euery one exclayming on him as the Author of the warres Then they beganne to make a collection of all that hee had sayd against these two Princes they examined his actions descouered his practises and sought his ruine All that yeare during the truce was spent in practises against the Constable for the which there was a meeting appointed at Bouines in the country of Namur whether came for the King the lord of Courton Gouernor of Lymosin and Iohn Hoberge afterwardes Bishoppe of Eureux and for the duke of Bourgongne came the chancellor of Bourgongne and
armie into the Towne after that the souldiers of the garrison were retired The which was performed and the Archduke entred in good order and triumphe the 6. of September pardoning the Inhabitants and remitting both their liues and goods the which hee did also to the Vicont of Montfort Those of Amersfort hearing of the yeelding of Vtrecht sent their Deputies to the Archduke vnto whom they were reconciled and to their Bishop whom they conducted with a good conuoy to his Towne of Vtrecht being glad to bee restored The Archduke appointed the Lord of Iselsteyn Gouernor there for him with 1000. men in garrison at the charges of the Counâ—…e of Holland The Hollanders were resolued to keepe it to serue them as a frontier and Bulwarke on that side fortifying Saint Katherins Port towards Holland and placing some men there in garrison The 1â—… of October the Archduke hauing ordred all things in those quarters of Holland and Vtrecht returned into Brabant for that the Bishop of Cambray the Prince of Orange and the Lord of Croye were come thether to aduertise him of the death of King Lewis the 11. who died the 13. of August the same yeare 1483. and of what was presently to be done At the reception of the Princesse of Austria in the Court of France the King desired that Prince Philip of Austria might be put in possession of the Estates and Seigneuries that were fallen vnto him by the death of the Dutchesse his Mother Where-vpon those of Gaunt Bruges Franc and Ipre required the Archduke to come into Flanders to satisfie the Kings will touching these inheritances but being then at Antwerp ready to goe and besiege Vtrecht he referred it to his returne This siege continued long the Flemings boyling as they be in all their first motions very violent yea without discretion tooke their young Prince being then but fiue yeares old and two moneths and put him in possession of the sayd Countie and of all the townes in the Prouince appointing for Tutors and Gardiens the Earle of Romont Adolph of Cleues Lord of Rauesteyn Ioos of la Vere Lord of Groouelt and Philip of Bourgongne Lord of Beueron Ioos Lord of Lalain hauing beene slaine at the siege of Vtrecht the Hollanders intreated the Archduke to giue them a Gouernour who according to their last priuiledges was borne in the Countrie According to the which Iohn of Egmont was appointed the Princes Lieutenant in Holland Zeeland and West-Friseland who in the moneth of May following marryed Magdeline of Wardenburch daughter to the Earle of Wardenburch a Germaine The Flemings hauing according to the will of the French King put young Prince Philip of Austria in possession of his inheritance without attending the Archduke his Father and hauing appointed him those foure Tutors to gouerne both him and his Country during his minoritie did greatly discontent the Archduke there-with who seeing himselfe depriued of his onely Sonne and of the gouernment of Flanders held diuerse Councels with his most familiars to know how hee might bring them vnto reason where-vnto the Earle of Nassau and the Lord of Goesbeeke perswaded him most with such as had beene expelled and banished out of Gaunt and Bruges And withall there fell out a quarrell betwixt the Flemings especially them of Bruges and the Townes of Antwerp and Berghen vppon Soom by reason of their Fayres and Markets the Brugeois complaining that their towne lost their trade by their meanes wherevpon the Flemings built a fort vpon Flanders side at Cloppesdike vpon the riuer of Escault the which they did man with a good garrison and Artillerie to keepe the shippes of Holland Zeeland and the East-countries from passing vp to Antwerp and by that meanes to hinder the traffike of the sayd towne spoyling oftentimes vnder this collour good Marchants and doing them great outrages Those of Antwerp on the other side did furnish forth some fewe Shippes of warre to bee a conuoie for merchants going vp and downe the Riuer and to defend them from the pilferies of the Flemings the which did the more incense the Archduke against the Brugeois wherevpon hee makes an enterprise to surprise them the which beeing discouered the Brugeois stood so vpon their gard as for that time hee could not effect any thing and many Bourgeses of the sayd towne were committed to prison beeing suspected to haue had intelligence with the Archduke whereof eight were beheaded and quartered terming them traitors the which did incense the Archduke the more against them In the same yeare after Easter there came out of France Anthony of Bourgongne Earle of Steenberghen bastard to the good Duke Philip of Bourgongne a wise and an ancient knight gouernor to Charles the 8. the French King sent by the King and his councell to deuise of the meanes to reconcile all controuersies betwixt the Archduke and the Flemings but their spleenes were so great on either side as hee preuailed nothing either partie remayning obstinate in his opinions A while after the Archduke seized of the towne of Deudermonde by surqrise and then beganne sharpe warres betwixt the Archduke and the Flemings to the ruine of the countries of Flanders and Brabant The Margraue of Antwerp entred with good troupes into the land of Waes which is the fattest quarter of all Flanders where he committed great spoiles and burnt the countrie The Flemings did no lesse in Brabant euen vnto the gates of Brusselles whereas the Archduke then was The lord of Rauestein did cunningly seize vpon Audenarde for the Archduke A captaine of Boisleduc called Martin Swart a Shomaker by his trade whome the Archduke for his prowes had made a knight entred with his company into Flanders surprised the towne of Nienhouen spoiled the French garrison that was in it ransomed the towne and they left it They of Antwerp beseeged battred and forced the fort of Cloppersdyke nere vnto Saffringhen vpon the riuer of Escault the which they raized Anthony of Bourgongne Earle of Seuenberghen contynuing still to mediate an accord betwixt the Archduke and the Flemings vsed such good meanes with them of Bruges as they were content to humble themselues vnto the Archduke with whome hee reconciled them in such sort as the 21. of Iulie hee entred the towne beeing accompanied by the Earle of Nassau and the greatest part of his armie where hee punnished some mutinous rebells and renewed the lawe the Magistrate and the Officers of the towne at his pleasure The Ganthois hearing what the Brugeois had done were by the intercession of the Earle of Steenbergeen reconciled in like sort whether the Archduke went about fifteene daies after with goodly troupes of horse and foote for his safety knowing with what kinde of people hee had to deale The sayd Earle of Steenberghen came to meete him bringing with him his Sonne the young Prince Philip whome hee had not seene of a long time and was then very ioyfull to behold him The Archduke entring
with some of those ships which they had taken into Zeland and Flanders wher the Hollanders arrested them and called them into the Admiraltie court where they had restitution granted them But the Hollanders had their reuenge afterwards after an other manner as you shal heare The duke of Gelders not able to liue at rest caused 2000. men to come out of Denmarke the which did land at Geelmuyden with an intent to doe some exployt vpon the towne of Campen and other places in the contry of Oueryssel but his enterprise being descouered the Collonell of his troupes was taken by the Campenois with 40. of his men wherof foure of the chiefe wel knowne in the contry lost their heades wherwith the duke being much incensed marched with this troup and the rest of his soldiars towards Deuenter thinking to doe them some affr◅nt But the Bourgeses and some 600. schollers hindred him from thence hee went and tooke certen smale townes as Goer Dyepenheus and Oldenseel the which Frederic of Baden bishop of Vtrecht of whose iurisdict◅n they are recouered soone after and in reueng thereof spoyled the dukes country about the Velawe vnder the conduct of the Lord of Iselstein Generall of his army taking many forts and castells from him in the conty of Zutphen and after they had done the worst they could one vnto an other in the end they must come to a composition During this petty war betwixt the bishop the duke the Traiectins had not giuē any succors vnto their Bishop to recouer those places which the Geldrois had taken from him in the contry of Ouerissel but had a secret enterprise vpon the towne of Iselstein the Lord whereof was in their Bishoppes seruice the which not succeding the said Lord of Iselsteyn meaning to be reuenged went with some troupes to spoile round about their towne burning some houses in their suburbes and taking certaine Bourgeses the which he put to ransome Notwithstanding the Traiectins growing resolute against the said towne hauing allied themselues with the Duke of Geldres went to beseege it The Lord of it with the helpe of his cousin the Gouernor of Holland and of many other Noblemen and Knights caused them to rise from thence after they had camped before it almost three monthes forcing them to saue themselues in the towne of Iselstein so as in the end after all their fighting they made an agreement During this time the Geldrois recouered the towne of Bommel which was held by the Bourguig◅on Phillip van Zemeren did also yeeld vnto the duke the castell of Hattem and Greb◅ then he tooke the towne of Vandrichom The remaynder of this yeare and the next following by reason of the truce and peace of either part past without any memorable thing done in the Netherlands that merits to be written In the yeare 1512. the warre betwixt the duke of Gelders the Hollanders and those of Boisleduc began againe The Earle of Serberen Collonel in the dukes seruice on Candlemas day early in the morning tooke the sort of Tuylle Those of Boisleduc meaning to spoile the Iland of Bommel were woore beaten by the saide Earle and by captaine Michel van Pomeren wher they tooke many prisoners They would haue had their reuenge going to beseege Bommell but they were forced to rise leaue it The Lord of I selstein entred into Gelders and tooke the fort of Roodentoren where he slue all he found within it and then razed the place The like he did to Persicke and Hoeman ten daies after the towne of Tyel was taken againe by the Geldrois who burnt the Bourg of Bodegraue the second time they went with 1200. men before Amsterdam wher they burnt many ships from thence they retired one halfe of them to Bilt by Vtrecht and the other moitie to the Chartreux without the town The Lord of Wassenare hauing gathered together some 4000. men went on Christmas euen at night to skirmish with the Geldrois that were lodged in the Chartreux whome he chased from thence and lodged there himselfe Those that were chased away hauing ioyned with their companions that were at Bilt returned on Christmas day early in the morning to charge the said Lord of wassenare and his men in the Cloister the which they forced and tooke the Lord Wassenare and many of his men prisoners In the yeare 1513. the Geldrois went and burnt certen houses before Schoonehouen the which captaine Iohn van Delfe seeking to hinder he was wel beaten frō thence they entred into the circuit of Dordrecht Alblas and Alblasserdam from whence they carried a great booty and many prisoners Duke George of Saxony finding wel that the Earle of Emden kept the towne contry of Groninghen although in the begining he tooke vpon him but the title of his Leiutenant sought all means he could to haue the Earle relinquish that Seigneurie and to deliuer it into his hands but the Earle who found it pleasing as well as the Duke would not harken to it whereof the Duke complained to the En◅erour who deputed the Bishop of Cologne and the Duke of Cleues to reconcile them but seeing they could not preuaile they remitted the busines againe to the will of his Imperiall Maiestie and of his councell who sent a commandement to the Earle of Emden that vpon paine of incurring the indignation of the Empire he should leaue the possession of the said towne contry deliuer it into the hands of his cousen duke George by the 17. day of Ianuary in the yeare 1514. The Earle receiued many other charges and threats from the Emperiall chamber and there were diuers conferences betwixt the deputies of these two Noblemen But they could neuer agree so as there were great likelehood◅s of warre The which notwithstanding the Saxons feared much knowing what friends the Earle had in Freesland among the gentlemen of the Ve◅coopers saction of the which he was whome they had incensed by the death of the two gentlem◅n of their party whom the yeare before they had executed at Leeuwarden The ◅7 day of Ianuary 1514. being come past the Earle of East Frislande hauing not obaied the Emperors commandement the troupes which the duke of Saxonies Lieutenant had in Frieseland marched towards East Friseland duke George came in person to Leuwarden where he wintred the dukes Erick and Henry of Brunswick bretheren came to succor the Saxon with 1200. horse and 3000. foote the which came also into East Friseland and tooke the castell of Wredeburch thether came also 5000. Landtsknechts which they called the black troupe which the duke sent by the seauen Forests into Reiderlandt the which ioyned with the troupes of Brunswick Then the duke of Saxony went to inuest Groninghen with a mighty Army The Saxons had a little before taken the fort of Deelszyel The Earle of Emden going out of Groninghen passed the riuer of Eems and chased the Saxons out of Fermsam Otterdom and then
of Meuse were incountred the same moneth neere vnto Iupille halfe a League from Liege by Balfour a Scotish Collonel who charged them so furiously as many of their souldiars were slaine vpon the place and the rest of them that scapt were all put to flight Whilest that the States made warre of all sides against the Spaniards those of Antwerp Alost and there aboutes in the Prouinces of Flanders and Brabant had a desseigne to beseege Brussells but hearing that Don Iohn of Austria the King of Spaines Bastard brother was come to Luxembourg to bee Gouernor and Lieuetenant Generall for the Kings Maiestie in the seauenteene Prouinces they desisted and would know how matters should after that time passe Don Iohn hauing staied some time in Luxembourg the Generall Estates sent the Noble Lords of Rassinghem and Villeruall the Bourgraue of Gaunt Meetkerke and other deputies to treate with Don Iohn so as after manie voyages at the last hee came to Marche in Famine the fifteene of December where they agreed vpon a generall truce and surcesance of armes for fifteene daies in the meane time hee sent Octauio Gonsaga and his Secretarie Escouedo to Antwerp Mastricht and Liere to deale about the sending away of the Spaniards as hee sayd and on the twentie and one of December the estates sent their deputies to Namur thinking that Don Iohn would haue come thether that by conference to gither they might roote out all iealousies but hee came not himselfe but sent the Lord of Rassinghem for to desire them to grant a longer respite for eight daies whereby hee might haue a full resolution from the Spaniards in Antwerp and other places Desiring moreouer to know what securitie and assurance the States would giue him for their obedience vnto the King after the departure of the Spaniards saying that it stood not with his honour to disarme himselfe and to put himselfe into their hands that were armed and therefore hee desired that the Estates should in like sort resolue to haue their souldiars disarmed and all strange souldiars amongst them to depart out of the countrie as well the Spaniards as any others Moreouer hee desired to knowe with what securitie the Spaniards should depart and whether by water or by lande And for that the matter in controuersie with the Estates of Holland and Zeelande and the Noble Prince of Orange was to bee decided by the generall Assembly of the States hee desired to knowe when and where that assemblie should bee kept and held and what pledges and securitie they would apoint for his person By which demands the estates found that his meaning was not to let the Spaniards depart out of the Prouines and countrie before the question for Relligion and other controuersies with the Hollanders and Zeelanders were ended wherevpon they resolued to follow and persist in their demands that the Spaniards should presently depart out of the Netherlands and vpon the last day of December for his full satisfaction they sent vnto him by their deputies fiue attestations Two beeing written in parchment signed and sealed by the Bishoppes Prelats Abbots Deanes and Pastors bearing date the seauenteene of December in the yeare of our Lord 1576. A third signed and sealed by the Deanes and facultie of diuinitie in Louvaine of the six and twenty of December 1576. A forth attestation of the doctros and professors of both lawes in the same Vniuersitie the same daie and yeare and a fifte from diuers Prelats directed vnto the Pope conteyning the state of relligion in the Netherlands dated the eight of Nouember last past betweene the generall estates of the one part and the Prince of Orange with the Estates of Holland and Zeeland on the other part And further-more to let him vnderstand that in the sayd contract of pacification there was not any thing that might diminish or any way preiudice the lawfull obedience due vnto the Kings owne Royall Maiestie they also deliuered him an Attestation from the Lords of the councell of State appointed by the King to gouerne the Netherlands bearing date the 20. of December 1576. signed Bartii The first of Ianuary 1577. the Abot of Saint Gelein chosen bishop of Arras the Marquis of Haurec the Bourgraue of Gant the Baron of Liedekerke and Adolph van Meetkerke deputies for the States offered to meet him at the townes of Lovuen or Mecklen to determine and conclude vpon that which was agreed vpon at Luxemburg betweene him the counsell of Estate for his Maiesty and the deputies of the generall Estates And for the assurance of his person besides the security offred by the generall Estates he should chuse a Commander and a garde of Netherlands such as were in the States seruice which Commander with his soldiars should take their othes vnto him to keepe and defend his person therewith to content him and that further they were content to deliuer him 4. Hostages to be taken out of the Estates or their deputies that should yeeld themselues into the bishop of Liege his hands a Prince that was their Neighbour vntill the peace were full concluded wherevnto vpon the same day Don Iohn made answer that in regard of the great loue hee bare vnto them and the desire hee had to the welfare and peace of the land hee would chuse the Lord of Hierges for the captaine of his guard with a regiment of 3000. souldiars that then were vnder his command as well for the defence and preseruation of his person as of the place which the would chuse to bee one of the two which they had offered vnto him and for Hostages hee would haue the Marquis of Haurec the Burgraue of Gant Emanuel of Lalain Baron of Montigny and the Abot of Saint Gertrude which should remaine in the castell of the Bishop of Leige and there be kept as he sayd they promised him and so hee would bee ready to meete them at Lovuen or at Mechelen there to bring the matter to a good conclusion Wherevnto the States made answere that al the Prouinces in the Netherlands had promised and vowed each to other and signed it with their hands not to abandon one the other but to make warre vntill that the Spaniards were gon out of the country promising neither to change Prince nor religion wherevnto they of Holland and Zeeland likewise had signed still holding their religion till it were otherwise ordered by the generall estates As also that they had not granted him to chuse his Hostages for that those which he had named they could not spare but they would nominate others not of the same qualitie and yet men sufficient inough and also touching the Lord of Hierges they sayd they could not grant him for diuers reasons to be commander ouer his guard but if hee would come parle with them he might if it pleased him meet them at Huy in the Land of Liege a newter place and with the like number of men as they brought
Meetkerke counseler and receiuer of our territory of Vrien in our Earledome of Flanders committies and deputies for the generall Estates of our said Netherlands and since that in our towne of March and after that in the towne of Hoyd in the land of Liege by intercession and Mediation in the said towne of Hoyd of the lords hereafter named and ambassadors messengers and committies of our right high and worthy well-bee-loued brother Rodulphe the second of that name chosen Emperor of Rome c. specially appointed ordained and sent by the said Emperors Maiesty to further the said reconcilation agreement and accord namely our louing and good friend Gerrard van Grueesbeeke Bishoppe of Liege duke of Bullion Marquis of Franchimont and Earle of Loon. c. Prince of the holy Empire Phillip de Alde Barron van Wieeborgh president and Andreas Galle Doctor of the lawes counselor to the said Emperors Maiestie Warner Lord of Glimmich Drosser of the Land of Iuliers and Iohn Louerman licentiate in the laws both counsellors to the high and mighty Prince our wel-be-loued vncle William Duke of Iulliers and Cleues c. Prince likewise of the holy Empire as Messengers for the said Duke also Ambassadors for the Emperors maiestie to effect that which in the said Dukes absence should bee agreed vpon with our well beloued and faithfull friends of our counsell of estate by vs appointed to gouerne the said Netherlands and to be of our secret counsel there and the afore said Lord Abbot of Saint Gilden elected Bishoppe of Arras Bucho Ayta Arch-deacon of Ipre Fredericke Perenot Barron of Rouse Lord of Champigny gouernor of our towne of Antwerp Iohn de Saint Omer Lord of Moreberke gouernor of our towne and Castell of Arien Francis van Halewin Lord of Sweueghen chiefe baley and Captaine of our towne and Castle of Oudewater Knights and the afore named Adolph van Meetkerke committies and Deputies of the aforesaid States and lastly in our towne of Brussels where to continew and fully to conclude and agree vpon the said treaty and accord with those of our afore-said councell of estate and the afore-said States meete and assembled to gether with the aforesaid Lords ambassadors of the empire and the substitutes of the said Duke of Iulliers and our louing and trustie seruant Don Octauio Gonsaga Knight one of our councell appointed and committed there-vnto by our aforesaid good brother where betweene them diuers points and articles being propounded tending vnto and concerning the aforesaid reconciliation accord and vnion and for the full effecting of the same wee by deliberation counsell and aduice of our aforesayde good brother Don Iohn of Austria and of our aforesaid counsell of estate in conformity and according to the contents of the treaty propounded betweene vs of the one part and the aforesaid estates on the other part haue for vs our successors ordained and decreed ratefied and by these presents ordaine decree and ratifie in manner of a perpetuall edict neuer to be recalled the points and articles hereafter following Frst that all offences iniuries misdeeds wrongs generally all manner of crymes and actions don happened and committed by reason and occasion of of the afore-said alterations charges and troubles by all and euery one of the inhabitants and subiects of our Netherlands in what place or places and in what manner so euer it was done as well in generall as in perticuler shall bee wholy forgiuen and forgotten as if they had neuer beene done nor committed in such sorte that there shall neuer bee any repetition molestation trouble question nor search made here-after for the same against any of the said inhabitants and subiects aforesaid And for that the Bishoppes Abbots Prelates and Spirituall persons of our said Netherlands as also the Diuines and Doctors of the Lawes of our vniuersitie of Lovuaine by their seuerall attestations haue witnessed and testified that according to the estate of the affaires of our said Netherlands beeing there present the treatie of Peace made and agreed vppon in our Towne of Gaunt bearing date the eight of Nouember last past betweene the aforesaid Estates of the one part and our cousin William van Nassau knight of our order of the golden Fleece Prince of Orange and the Estates of our Earldomes of Holland and Zeeland with their Associats on the other part contained nothing therein that might or could bee repugnant to our holy faith and the Catholike Apostolike Romish religion but to the contrary was to the furthering of the same and that also in like sort our said Councell of Estate haue testified and auerred that according to the Estate of the affaires in the Netherlands they likewise beeing present the said treatie of peace included nothing that tended to the deminishing of our authority and the submission and subiection decreed vnto vs by our said Netherlands and especially for that the aforesaid Lords Ambassadors and messengers of the Empire as also the substitutes of the aforesaid Duke of Cleue do witnesse and iustifie the aforesaid attestations made by the aforesaid Bishoppes Abbots Prelates and other Spirituall persons and by the said Councell of Estate to bee iust and true Wee in regard thereof haue agreed vnto approued and ratified and by these presents do agree vnto approue and ratifie the said treaty of peace in all and euery article and point thereof promising vppon our faith and word of a King for our parts and for as much as concerneth vs to keepe and obserue the same inuiolably for euer and likewise to cause the same to bee kept and obserued by all and euery one to whome it shall belong and appertaine vnto and according to the same do agree and consent that the conuocation and assembling of the generall Estates of our said Netherlands mentioned in the third Article of the aforesaid contract of peace shall bee done in such manner and forme and to the like effect as the said Article more at large specifieth and declareth Item wee agree ordaine and appoint that all and euery one of our soldiars Spaniards high Duches Italiens Burguignons and other forrein soldiars both horse-men and foot-men beeing at this present time within our foresaid Netherlands shall and must depart freely and vnmolested out of the same and not returne nor yet bee sent thether againe hauing no forrein warres and generally hauing no need thereof nor any want of them in that place as the generall Estates of our said Netherlands shall like of and allow And touching the determinate time of the departure of our said soldiars we appoint agree and consent that all the Spaniards Italiens and Burguignons must and shall depart within twenty dayes after warning giuen them by out aforesaid good brother out of our Castell and Towne of Antwerp and out of other the Townes and Castells and Holds of our said Netherlands which they now hould and keepe in their hands or where so euer they bee and out of all our aforesaid Netherlands and namely
sayd estates haue promised to take on them the charge to satisfie and content our high-dutch souldiers of their paies as much as after account and reckoning made with them both what they can demand and what is reasonably to be deducted out of the same shall be found to bee due vnto them wherein wee and our said brother will aide and assist them and by our authorities credits and countenances procure those that haue the said accounts reckonings and registers in their hands to deliuer the same as also with the sayd high-dutches to induce and procure them to bee contented with that which shall by account be found due vnto them As likewise the sayd Lords Ambassadors and Messengers of the Empire and the deputies for the Duke of Iuilliers and Cleaue haue freely of their owne good willes promised to procure the said high Dutches to doe the same and that they will write vnto the Emperors Maiesty to desire him to vse his authority in that behalfe with the high Dutches and vntill the said high Dutches shall be fully satisfied contented and paid they shall liue peaceably and quietly and in such places as we by aduise of our councell of estate shall appoint them to remaine in for the protection security both of our persons the said estates Item the estates haue promised and by these presents doe promise after the departure of the Spaniards Italians and Burguignons out of our Netherlands to receiue and accept our sayd good brother vpon shewing presenting and deliuering vnto them our Letters of Commission to him to that end giuen and vpon his accustomed and vsuall oath in that case taken with the obseruation of the other solemnities which at such times are commonly done as Gouernour Lieutenant and Captaine generall for vs in our sayd Netherlands and that the sayd estates shall honor and respect him with all obedience and submissâ—…nesse as in that case belongeth and appertaineth The sayd contract of peace made in Gaunt notwithstanding still remaining in all things and in euery point in full force and power Item we ordaine and appoint that our successors and our aforesayd good brother and euery one of the Gouernors that by 〈◊〉 our successors shall bee appointed to gouerne our sayd Netherlands generally and perticularly at their ioyfull entries as also all and euery one of our presidents councellors officers and Iustices before their entring into and beginning to take the charge of their gouernments states offices and charges shall solemnly sweare to maintaine and obserue and as much as in them lyeth to cause to bee obserued and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 our present ordinance accorde and reconciliation Lastly we are content to allow ratefie and approoue all and euery condition assignation of rents and pentions and other obligations and assurances made and passed by the afforesaid estates and which as yet they shall make and passe with all and euery one that haue ayded assisted or holpen them with any mony or that shall ayde assist or helpe them with mony to serue them in their need for the auoyding of the troubles aforesaid and especially with the high and mighty Princesse our very louing sister the Queene of England And to the end that all and euery one of the aforesaid points and articles may bee truely really and vprightly holden obserued fullfilled effected and kept and that the whole contents of our said contract may continew and remaine firme permanent and inviolably for euer we haue caused our seale to bee anexed hereunto and to bee signed by our aforesaid good brother and the aforesaid estates on the other side haue likewise caused to bee hanged thereunto the seale of the estates of the Duchie of Brabant for and in the name and at the desire of all the estates and haue caused the same to bee vnder written by especiall and expresse command of all the estates by our louing friend and seruant Cornelis Wellemans clarke of the afore-said estates of Brabant and likewise at the desire and request both of vs and our good brother as of the estates the said Lords ambassadors messengers of the empire and deputies of the Duke of Iuilliers and Cleues as intercessors and mediators of the said reconciliation accord and Vnion conteyned in our said contract haue signed the same and of their good willes and speciall fauors haue as farre as in them lieth by the said committies from the Emperors maiestie recommended praysed aprooued and ratesied the same by all the meanes they can and as much as neede requireth giuen in our towne of March in famine the 12. of February in the yeare of our lord 1577. and in the yeares of our raigne of Spaigne and Cicilia c. the 23. and of Naples the 25. Signed Iohn and vnderneath by ordinance commission from his Highnes Fâ—…le vâ—…ssuer And on the other side was written giuen in our towne of Brussels the 17. of February 1577. in the 23. yere of our raigne of Spaine and Cicilia of Naples the 25. vnder that was written by ordinance from my Lords of the counsell of estate of our soueraâ—…ge Lord the King appointed by his Maiesty from hence-forwards to gouerne the Netherlands and signed Dâ—…ppe and vnder that was written by especiall and expresse command of my Lords the generall estates of the Netherlands vnder-written Wellemans and some what lower Gerrard bishoppe of Liege Phillippus Semor Barron of Winnenbergh Andreas Gail Doctor Wernhertro Gumioh and Iohn Lauwerman and some-what lower was written published in Brussels the 17. of February 1577. in presence of my Lords of the counsell of estate committed by the King to gouerne the Netherlands and of the Lord bishoppe and Prince of Luycke and other Lords Ambassadors and messengers of the Emperors Maiesty and of the Lords the generall estates of the Netherlands aforesaid by me the secretary of the towne of Brussels vnder written Aâ—…rssens This accord made by Don Iohn in frome of a perpetuall Edict was in the end proclaymed at Brusselles the 17. and at Antwerp the 27. of February 1577. to the incredible ioy of all the people Before the publication of the said Edict the generall Estates had by the Seignior of Hierges long beâ—…eeged the Spaniards that were in the castell of Vredenburch in the I owne of Vtrecht who were so prest with want and beaten with the canon as the tâ—…d of February they were forced to yeeld by composition to Cont Bossu and the said Castell was after-wards razed by â—…he Bourguers as it is at this present This accord made in forme of a perpetuall Edict was in the behalfe of the Generall estates by the Seignior of Willâ—… and Maister Paul Buys Aduocate of the Country of Holland accompanying the Baâ—…on of Wynenberg President of the Emperors councell Weâ—…r Laâ—…dt Drossart of the Duchiâ—… of Iuiâ—…ers and Iohn Lauwerman Councellor to the Duâ—… of Cleues sent to the Prince of Orange and the States of Holland and Zeeland to 〈◊〉 their consent there-vnâ—…
they deliuered the Abbot Wee haue said that before the mutine of the discontented Wallons which had seazed vpon Menin although that this seazure and surprize was not done by the sole and onely authoritie of the Lord of Montigni him-selfe but by a long pretended practise was at the first colloured for their pay and not as they sayd to alter any thing in the generall Vnion of the States The which Montigni him-selfe shewed his letters written vnto the Arch-duke and to the Prince of Orange Where-vpon the said Noblemen were perswaded to send the Seignior of Bours Gouernor of Macklin to treat with them and to reclaime them He went and propounded certain articles vnto them yeelding vnto all they could demand The Malecontents according vnto the articles which were granted vnto them vpon their demands tooke a new oth But the countries of Arthois Lisle Douay and Orchies seeing the Dukes of Aniou and Casimire retired with their forces and that the Malecontents were yet within Menin refusing to leaue it notwith-standing all the promises of the States and their new oth began then to make open shew of the desire they had to forsake the Vni on the which they had kept secret since the moneth of August in the yeare before when as they of Arthois failed to send their contribution for the entertainment of the army And first of all the Prelates of Arthois and Henault did corrupt with readie money the sayd Lord of Montigni of all which trafficke La Motte-Pardieu was the broker for the which he receiued a hundred and fifty thousand florins and as they of Arthois thrust on by the Seignior of Capres and the Abbot of Saint Vaast and also by them of Douay who had bene the first mutines hauing torne the Arch-dukes letters and committed the messenger to prison could not do any thing without them of Lille whereas the Seignior of Ville◅val was Gouernor who seemed some-what suspect vnto thē or atthe least hard to bee drawne one of these Prelates sayd that he would giue 40000. florins for his part to be assured of him Wherevnto a certaine Gentleman of Arthois replied that he assured him-selfe that for that sūme he would draw him into their faction And in the meane time the Seignior of Villeruall sent one Charles of Calonne an aduocate of Lille vnto the Prince of Orange with letters of the seuenth of August 1578. and goodly protestations that he would continue in the generall Vnion The Seignior of Bours who had bene as wee haue said sent to treat with the Malecontents of Menin suffred him-selfe also to be corrupted deliuering the towne of Macklin to the Spaniard as well in hope of a marriage which he afterwards obtained as for that he had no greater aduancement from the States nor the pension which hee expected from them of Antwerpe hauing helpt to reduce the Castell The Seignior of Mauny Lieutenant Collonell of the Earle of Egmonts Regiment being entred into Saint Omer and put the Burgers into a tumult ready to cut one an others throat when as some suffred themselues to be ouer-ruled by the perswasions of the Seignior of Rumenghien newly crea◅ Earle of Roeux was also corrupted with money The Seigniors of Heze and Alenes marcht in the same round True it is they said that al this money was to pay their Male-contented soldiers but since it was well knowne how they were paid For the making of all these bargaines the Seignior of La Motte treated long before they could agree with Alonso of Curiell a Spanish pay-maister as it appeared by their letters which wee haue seene Finally the capitulation being made in Grauelingh by the King of Spaines Commissaries made mention of seauen hundred thousand Florins that is to say to buy our faith good cheape whereof 200000. were payd to the Lord of Montigni according to the agreement made by La Motte at Mont Saint Eloy Which accord was set forth by them and printed at Douay by Iohn Bogard a sworne printer the same yeare as followeth Wee Emanuell of Lalain Baron of Montigni c. Do acknowledge and declare that wee haue this day the sixt of Aprill 1579. concluded and agreed with Mounsier De la Motte Gouernor of Grauelingh in his Maiesties name in the presence and with the reuerent consent of the Bishop of Arras the Baron of Selles and Mounsier de Valliuon as well for our owne person as for that of the Lord of Heze by vertue of the authoritie which he hath giuen vs and also for all other Collonels Captain◅s Officers Soldiers as well of foote as horse which haue obeyed vs in Flanders and other places for these seauen or eight moneths being at this present about seauen or eight thousand foote and some 400. horse and certaine Pioners to serue his Maiestie with that forme of oth which followeth Wee sweare and promise to maintaine and entertaine the Chatholike Apostolike and Romish religion to performe the obedience due to his Maiestie and all according to the pacification of Gant the Vnion which followed and the perpetuall Edict to which end wee promise to serue his Maiestie faithfully against all men and to obey his Lieutenant and Captaine generall whome soeuer he shall appoint beeing pleasing to the vnited Prouinces to maintaine them-selues in the aboue named points To which Prouinces if his Maiestie giue reasonable assurance and doth not retire the Spaniards Italiens Albanois Bourguignons and other men of warre not pleasing vnto the said Prouinces by the day and time that shall be prefixed we shall not be then tyed nor bound by vertue of that promise as also we shall not bee bound to attempt nor vndertake any thing before the retreat of the Spaniards other strangers out of the countrie which oth we will cause to be sworne by our troopes according to the same we will deliuer into his Maiesties handes the townes of Menin Castell and all others which we hold with their artillerie and munition to be disposed of as shall bee thought fit for his seruice And for the paying of what is due vnto the said troopes and for the making of them more voluntary orderly and subiect to Martiall discipline for the well seruing of his Maiestie VVee Valentine de Pardieu Seignior of La Motte Gouernor of Grauelingh promise in his Maiesties name to pay and deliuer into the hands of the Baron of Montigni the summe of two hundred and fiue thousand florins that is forty thousand presently threescore fiue thousand by the sixt of Maie next and the other hundred thousand by the seauenth of Iune following in regard whereof wee Lord of Montigny do promise to entertaine our troopes for all the moneths of Aprill and Maie next cumming and to make a generall muster of the sayd troopes to enter into seruice and ordinary paie in the beginning of Iune next And we Seignior of La Motte do promise to cause them to be receiued in his Maiesties name
bridle that great power and to free her from feare making no shew of any ambition she would dissolue this vnion for deeds and not wordes exalt kingdomes The like was also to bee hoped of the French King who verie secretlie and seriously seekes for peace in regard that his Kingdome is newe his Estate yet vncertaine and the chiefest of his Nobilitie factious all which considerations perswade him to make a peace as also his treasure beeing wholie wasted and spent beeing supported by strangers both secretly and openly But whether the King of Spaine would desire to make a peace with him or noe he knew not but to make a truce with him or surceance of armes for a time could not be preiudiciall reseruing all titles and lawfull pretences for what security were there to be expected where the successor and succession is vncertaine wherefore hauing the French King of the one side who will not enterprise much if hee be not vrged wee might easely deale with the English Touching the vnited Prouinces that warre would bee most preiudiciall and without hope of any great gaine for they had good orders and discipline among them they had a certaine reason the best townes and good soldiars who were much incorraged by fresh and late victories and their gouernment and vnion was hard to be broken as long as the warre feare and suspition endured wherefore we must haue a small peace or an abstinence from war for a time The Hollanders being more couetous then ambitious and alwaies in such a warre any little peace or truce is a furtherance to Princes who can take fishes with golden nets The Maiestie of Princes is of great force to draw mens hearts when there be any probable reasons to moue them men should vndermine their enemies especially in their popular gouernment sowing diuision amongthem who now through feare are so firmely vnited and hauing a surceance from armes by means of a truce we might be able to effect many secret practises And for an example of the like nature Sextus Pompeius in the warre he made against Augustus Caesar holdding Sicilia and Sardinia he brought all Italie into extreme want and misery who by a short peace procured his owne ruine where it was concluded betwixt them that all such as had fled away might returne home againe and that the soldiars should be discharged and sent away whereby Menas Pompeis chiefe Captaine was secretly corrupted with guifts and then it appeered that that shalloe witted captaine Pompeie who not long before was held another Neptune commanding both sea and land was forced to fly in a small shippe and to yeeld his necke vnto his enemies sword and so within lesse then a yeare that great warre was ended This hee held to bee the best course finding that warre was the cause of all corruptions and miseries and was able to bring the mightest kingdomes to ruine At this time the better to satisfie the common people a rumor was spred abroad that the Princely Cardinall Albertus should come to gouerne the Netherlands and succeed his brother Ernestus and to make him the more acceptable and pleasing vnto the people many Esterlings and Netherland ships which had beene stayed in Spaine to go as men of warre to meete with the Indian fleet which was then to come home were discharged in diuers hauens and set at liberty And in Siuille the Duke of Medina Sidonia tould the marchants and saylers of these shippes that the King had expresly commanded it should be done being moued there-vnto by the Cardinall of Austria and that from henceforth all the Netherlands shippes might freely come into Spaine and passe away againe to the which end all men that would desire it should haue pasports graunted them hoping that in time they would be more mindfull of the Kings gratious fauors and submit them-selues vnder their naturall soueraigne Prince And to the end the vnited Prouinces should be the better perswaded of the Kings loue and fauor towards them he set Phillip of Nassau who is now Prince of Orange and Earle of Buren who had beene long restrayned of his liberty in Spaine free and at liberty but as it is thought at the instance of the Prince of Spaine and the Cardinall aforesaid that he might goe with him into the Netherlands After the taking of Chastelet and Dourlans as we haue said the earle of Fuentes meaning to be spoken of and to make his authority eminent during the time of his prouisonall gouernment limited vntill the comming of the cardinall Albert of Austria and to returne with some honor out of the Netherlands into Spaine vnder-tooke a greater action then any gouernor before him had euer done which was to beseege the towne and Cittadell of Cambray the which although it were an Imperiall towne did acknowledge the French King for their Prince vnder the gouernement of the Lord of Balaigny bastard to Iohn of Monluc Bishoppe of Valence In this seege during the which there entred into the towne but very late the hearts of the Bourgers being lost the Duke of Rothel sonne to Lewis of Gonsague Duke of Neuers brother to the Duke of Mantua with the Lord of Vyck a braue and wise Caualier the Earle of Fuentes wrought so by batterie and myne hauing many of his factions in the towne among the Clergie as the Burgers beeing wonderfully incensed for the indignities which Balagny had done them and for the insolencies and oppressions of his soldiers not able to indure any longer on the second of October after they had wonne the Suisses that were in garrison within the towne to be at their deuotion and not to hinder their treatie with the Earle of Fuentes hauing no hope of succors they yeelded vp the towne by composition and vppon certaine conditions among others that they should haue none but Wallons in garrison remembring still how badly they had beene intreated by the Spaniards beeing there in garrison in the yeare 1558. but this promise was not long kept but they were since in farre worse estate then in Balaignies time The French garrison which was within the towne seeing the Swissers agreed with the Burgers to treat of the yeelding vp of the towne retired into the Cittadell to Balaigny where at the first they made shew to defend them-selues but hauing beene summoned once or twise vppon promise of a good composition if they yeelded and threates if they should long contend which accord Fuentes sayd hee would make in fauor of the Duke of Rothel and of the Duke his father it did so tereifie Balaigny as on the seauenth of October hee deliuered the Cittadell into the Earle of Fuentes hands in the name of the King of Spaine About September this yeare the Gouernor of Breda had an enterprize vppon Lire in Brabant two Leagues from Antwerp with certaine troopes of horse and foote which towne hee surprized by Scaladoe hauing put the Sentinell and the Court of gard to the sword
children of Cont Tbierry Cont Thierry chaseth the Flemings The Frisons will acknowledge no other soueraigne but the empire Warres bewixt the Earles of Holland and Geldres A new quarrell betwixt the two Bretheren of Holland The Earles of Holland and Geldre reconciled 1198 Trouble in Frizeland The Earles of Holland and Geldre fall vpon the bishop The bishop reuengeth himselfe of the Earle of Holland An accord betwixt the two Earls the duke of Brabant the bishop 1203 Cont Thierry sicke The death of Cont Thierry The Nobilitie of his time The Contesse of Holland maried Cont William sent for to vndertake the gouernment of Holland Cont William comes into Holland He puts the yong Contesse in guard and becomes master of the countrey Cont William conquereth Zeeland The Kennemerâ—… pacified The Zeelanders call back Cont William CoÌ„t Williams children The castle of Aspren rased 1218 The Contesse of Holland dies His wife and children The beginning of the towne of Gorrichom in Holland Cont Floris a louer of iousts and tourneys Cont Floris slaine The earle of ClermoÌ„t slain The bishop of Vtrecht guardian to the yong Earle of Holland A wonderfull del 〈◊〉 of 365 children An Epltaph of the Contesse of Henneberg mother to so many children The chiefe Nobilitie of Holland The wife and children of Cont William How Cont William was chosen king of Romans The king comes to Vtrecht and ratifies their priuiledges 1253 The contesse of Flanders pretends to conquer the isle of Walchren by arms A great deseat of the Flemings The contesse goes â—…o succours into France The duke of Aiou comes to succour the contesse The wise answer of the king S. Lewis to the duke his brother The duke of Aniou retires The birth of Cont Floris 5. The contesse labours to be reconciled The pope sends for the king of Romans to come to Rome The king being in Vtrecht is traitorously wounded with a stone The king miserably slaine being sunke into the ice They burie him secretly in a countrey house The kings body found and interred at Middlebourg in Zeeland Factions for the gouernement of the Earles person and of the countrey Great trouble an Holland Cont Floris takes armes against the Frisons The Frisons defened Foure eâ—…es â—…lt by the Earle to subdue the Frisons Friseland wholy subdued The Earles of Flanders and Holland reconciled The Earle makes war against the lord of Amstel and Woerden 1290 Cont Floris his voiage into England and why A mariage betwixt Cont Floris eldest son and the king of Englands daughter The earle of Flanders pretends to assaile Zeeland The chiefe nobilitie A historie of the death of Cont Floris the 5. The violent death of Cont Floris the fifth The wonderfull loue of 〈◊〉 grey hounds The end of the conspirators The reuenge of Cont Floris death Too cruell a reuenge The Frisons send to the king of Denmarke to be their protector The gouernment of Holland diuided during the absence of Cont Iohn The Frisons defeared The Frisons ioyned to the bishop of Vtrecht are defeated The teâ—…or of the letters of reparation submission made by the Frisons Mourmont taken and rased Troubles at Dordrecht A foolish answere of the magistrat of Dordâ—…echr The death of the Earle of Holland Who the gyant Claes van Knyten was The beginning of two wicked factions in Friseland The Earle of Henaults brethren Iohns wife and children 1301 The Earle seekes to ruine Iohn de Renesse The bishop of Vtrecht taken prisoner by his owne people The bishop goes to armes The bishop slaine in battaile being ouer-bold 1301 The Epitaph of this bishop Iohn without mercy slame 1302 1303 1304 The Earle of Flanders pretends to land in Walchren The Hollanders armie defeated The earlâ—… of Flanders wins a good part of Holland Great alteration in Vtrecht The lord of Hamstede defeats the Flemings The lord of Hamstede chaseth â—…he Flemings out of Holland A great defeat of the Flemings The Hollanders besiege Iohn de Renesse in Vtrecht The death of Iohn de Renesse 1305 Death of the earle of Flanders The death of the Earle of Holland The chiefe nobilitie The wife and children of Cont William 1311 1316 An extreame famine in Holland Amstel Wâ—… erden vnited to Holland 1323 1327 1328 The Earle ouerthrowne from his horse 1332 1336 A historie of a bailife of South Holland for a cow A memorable example of iustice The death of good Cont William The chiefe nobilitie in Holland and Zeeland The chiefe families of Friseland in those daies The wife of this Cont William 1338 1342 1345 Vtrecht besieged by the Hollanders Those of Vtrecht reconciled to the Earlâ—… Cont William slaine and leaues no lawfull heires 1346 The Earledomes of Holland and Zeeland adâ—…dged to the Empresle sister to cont William She takes possessió of those countries Confiscation of â—…cclesiasticall goodâ—… The emperoâ—… children by the empresse 〈◊〉 William of Bâ—…uaria the empresse son gouernor of Holland The bishop of Vtrecht goes to liue priuatly in France The bishop of Vtrecht goes to field He defeateâ—… the Hollandeâ—…s The Empresse resumeâ—… againe the gouernment of Holland The Earle her sonne retires into Holland 1349. The bishop of Vtrecht makes warre in Holland The Hollanders deâ—…eated A truce betwixt tâ—…e Hollanders and Vtrecht 1350. 〈◊〉 in Holland of Cabillâ—…ux and Hoeâ—…ks The fruites 〈◊〉 factions to stir the sonnâ—… against the mother Cont Williaâ—… receiued in Holland A battaile betwixt the mother and the sonne 1351. The sonne raiseth a 〈◊〉 armie The sonne dâ—… fines his mothâ—… to battaile A second battaile The mother defeated 1351. An accord betwixt the mother and the sonne The factions cease not Cont Williams wife had no 〈◊〉 135â—… The Earle de fies the bishop of Vtrecht Two strange knights â—…aken pâ—…oners The Eaâ—…le enters the country oâ—… Vtrecht with â—…n armie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fâ—…om the bishop The bishop takeâ—… Wâ—…p by assault and then Muyden The 〈◊〉 of Montâ—…ort 〈◊〉 from the bishop A combâ—…te betwixt two commanderâ—… 1357. Cont Williâ—… himselfe enters into the country of Vtrecht A finall accord betwixt the Earle and bishop 1358. The Eaâ—…le of Holland becomes mad Diuision betwixt the two factions for the gouernement Albert duke of Bauaria called by the Hoeketins He is receiued for gouernor Hee agrees with his sister in lavve Alberts wiues and children By this Marguerite the earldome of Holland Zeeland and Henault came to the house of Bourgongne The Cabillautins seeke to kill the yong lord of Brederode The castell of Hemskerke besieged for Cont Albert. The Delfoi reuolt Cont Albert besiegeth Delf The inhabitants speake of a composition The captaines oppose The captaines retire in the night The towne of Delf yeelded The duke of Gelders defies the Earle of Holland The warre ended by marriage 1365. 1367. The Baron of Enghien beheaded in Henault which caused great troubles 1373. The castell of Ghildenburch 〈◊〉 to defâ—…d the sluses The lord of Vianen and those of Dordreâ—…ht discontented for the sluses Cont â—…ert spoiles the Frâ—…sons
1374. They of Vtrecht 〈◊〉 Woerden â—…n vâ—…e Cont Albert 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ghyldenburch Ghyldâ—…burch yeelded by composition The forâ—… taken againe by them of Vtrecht Cont Albert makes sharpe warres against the Traiectins An accord betwixt the Hollanders and Vtrecht 1377. The death of Cont Williâ—… the madde Cont Albert receiued for Earle of Holland 1386. 1389. Iohn of Bauaria sonne to Cont Albert made bishop of Liege 1392. The murther of Cont Alberts concubine and of his Steward Noblemen 〈◊〉 for thâ—…â—…ther Thâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…men 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 The muâ—…her reuenged 〈◊〉 Coâ—…â—…bert 〈◊〉 Alteâ—… Thâ—… Earle his sonne 〈◊〉 The bishop of Lâ—…ge 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tâ—…e faâ—…her and the sonne The Earle of 〈◊〉 reâ—…s into 〈◊〉 An affront done to the 〈◊〉 of Osteâ—…t the Kings 〈◊〉 The sonne all the noblemen reconciled to Cont Albert. 1396. The chiefe of the Earles arâ—…e Cont Albert enters into Friseland with a mightie armie A crueâ—… baâ—…taile The Frisons defeated A second battaile and the Frisons defeated A braue skirmish betwixt the â—…nglish the Frisons The English besieged by the Frisons A braue answer of the Delphâ—… to Cont Albert The English degaged by the Delphois The Frisons subdâ—…ed The body of cont William fetchâ—… out of Friseland and buried at Valenciennes 1398. 〈◊〉 Frisons rebell againe The Earle sends his sonne against the Frisons Staueren besieged and yeelded to the Earle of Osteruant The Frisons subdued Seuen pence faâ—…thing oâ—… thereaboâ—…s English money A new reuolt of the Frisons The Frisons submit themselues againe A priuate quarrell betwixt two Knights of Holland A battaile wherein the Frisons were defeated The Earle of Esteruant proceeds against the Frisons many sâ—… for mercy The Groeningeois acknowledge him for prince The Frisons thinke to surprise the earle but in vaine 1400. The Frisons rebell againe They besiege the towne of Staueren They flie at the comming of the Earles armie The Lord of Brederode hurt and prisoâ—…r 1401. A great contention betwixt Cont Aloâ—… the lord of Arckel He defies Cont Albert. He desies the Earle of Osteruant The Lord of Arckel braues the Hollanders The Hollanders take â—…r reuenge The Lord of Arckel burns Nyeuport in Holland The Earle of Osteruent besiegeth Gorrichom Cont Albert comes in person to the siege of Gorrichom A braue sally of the besieged vpon the Zelanders Frisons An accorde made betwixt the Earle of Holland and the Lord of Arckel A seawoman found in Holland 1404. Duke Albert of Bauaria Earle of Holland dyes Cont Williams wiues children 1404. The towne of Liege â—…ned for their Bishops pleasure 1405. The Lord of Arckel breaks the peâ—…ce His meÌ„ spoile Wandrichom The Earle makeâ—…â—…rre â—…nst the lord of Arckel The Earle â—…esiegeth Hagenstein The Bishop ioynes with the Earle and besiegeth Euerstein An assault giuen to Hagenstein The towne yeelded and burnt to ashes Euerstein ruinated A truce betwixt the lord of Arckels sonne and the Earle of Holland The yong lord of Arckel will make his peace with the Earle The yong lord of Arckel makes himselfe master of Gorrichom The Lord of Arckel shut out of the towne and â—…stell of Gorrichom and Lederdam The sonne reconciled to the father The yong Lord of Arckel excluded ouâ—… of Gorrichom The Lord of Aspren acknowledgeth the Earle of Holland The yong Lord of Arckel tâ—…s Gorâ—…hom by scaladoe He â—…geth the â—…ell of Arckell The Earle of Holland besiegeth Gorrichom The duke of Gelders desies the Earle The duke reâ—… into his country The father and sonne of Arckel transport their siegnorie to the duke of Gelders 〈◊〉 strange â—…oute An Act worthy of laughter 1408 Truce betwixt the Earle of Holland and the duke of Gelders Great warre of the Liegeois against their bishop A battell betwixt the Liegeois and the princes allyed to the bishop A great defeat of the Liegeois A reuenge vpon the motâ—…s of this warre 1409. The Earle of Holland reconciles the Duke of Bourgondie with the French king 1410. The duke of Geldres and the Earle of Holland returnâ—… to war 1412. A peace betwixt these two Princes The Articles of peace Gorrichom anexed to Holland The duke of Gelders and the Earle of Holland meet An aduertisement giuen vnto the Earle The Dukes speeches confirme the former aduertisment The Earle grovves iealous of them of Egmond 1414. The Frisons reuoult 1415. The old lord of Arkel taken prisoner The Lord of Arckel discouers who they were that practised against the Earle of Holland The kinssolke of the Lord of Egmond offer to iustifie themselues The Lord of Egmond adiourned to appeare in person For not appearing he is banished and his goods forfeited Iselsteyn sommoned and Yeelded by them of Egmond Iselsteyn restored since to them of Egmond To whom it doth novv belong The Earle causeth the Lady Iaqueline to be acknovvledâ—…ed for hiâ—… onely heire in his life time 1417 The Dolphin of France husband to the Lady Iaqueline poâ—…soned and dies Death of William the 6. Earle of Holland The first particular Lord of Schagen Cont Williams bastards 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nâ—… 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…nd 〈◊〉 â—…n 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The factions reuiue againe in Holland Those of Egmond returne into Holâ—…nd The Lord of 〈◊〉 recouers his towne And the Castlâ—… into wâ—…ch the breâ—…hren put themselues The towne and câ—…tle of 〈◊〉 yeelded to tâ—…e Countesse Those of Vtrecht 〈◊〉 Iselstein The Contesse Iaqueline receâ—…ed in Holland c. Anthonie father to Iohn duke of Brabant was brother to Marguerite who was mother to Iaqueline A marriage concluded betwixt the Contesse of Holland and the duke of Brabant the 1. of August 1417. The bishop desirous to spoile his Neece Iohn of Bauaria seekes to make himselfe Barle of Holland Egmond surpriseth Gorrichom Contesse Iaqueline besiegeth Gorrichom Gorrichom taken againe The lord of Arckle with many others â—…ne The Lord of Brederode slaine The Pope dispenceth with the marriage of the Duke of Brabâ—…nt with the lady Iaqueline The Pope reuoketh his dispensation 1418. The marriage consumated beâ—…wixt the duke of Brabant and the Contesse of Holland The Pope confirmes his dispensation againe Iohn of Bauaria gets a dispensation frâ—… the Pope to marry He obtaines the 〈◊〉 of Holland c of the Emperor The answer of the Prouinces to Iohn of Bauaria Iohn of Bauaria takes vpon him the title of Earle of Holland c. He makes war in Holland The Duke of Brabant defâ—… Iohn of Bavaria A treatie â—…etwixt the duke of Brabant Iohn of Bauaria The articles of the treatie 1419. New waâ—…re beâ—…wixt them oâ—… Vtrecht and Holland The Cabillâ—… and Hoâ—…ckins â—…ke â—…rmes againe 1420. Sundâ—…y ex ploits oâ—… war The â—…king of â—…s castels by â—…n of Bauaâ—…a Leyden besieged and yeelded vpon composition The accord 〈◊〉 by the â—…d of â—…gmond The vicont forced to resigne his vicoâ—…ty of Leyden to oâ—… of Bauaria 1420. The Duke of Brabâ—…nt comes into zeeland without the priuitie of the Contesse Iaqueline Contesse Iaqueline goes from the duke of Brabant her
the fift hir sonne being yet a child Shee marries againe with Robert the Frison sonne to the earle of Flanders They are chased out of Holland by Godfâ—…ey the Crookebacke duke of Lorraine called in by William bishop of Vtrecht ¶ Godfrey is the ninth Earle of Holland accounting Gertrude and Robert for two heads he vanquished the Frisons built the towne of Delf and was slaine in Antuerpe easing of himselfe ¶ Robert the Frison being earle of â—…landers restores Cont Thierry to Holland and Zeeland who vanquished the bishop of Vtrecht and tooke him prisoner Hee made war against the Frisons who would be free vnder the Empire and defeats them his death ¶ Floris the Fat the sonnâ—… of Thierry the fift the eleuenth earle of Holland c. he makes war against the Frisons subdues them and dies hauing reigned 30 yeares ¶ Thierry the sixt of that name the twelfth Earle he makes war against the Frisons with whome Floris the Blacke his brother ioins these bretheren being afterwards reconciled the earle of Cuycke kils Floris Thierry reuengeth his death and besiegeth Vtrecht The Frisons defeated by him in Holland and then he dies hauing raigned fortie yeares ¶ Floris the third the 13 earle sonne to Thierry the sixt Warre against the Frisons War betwixt the earles of Holland and Flanders for the island of Walchren The prowâ—…sse of the Hollanders at the siege of Damiette in which voiage the Earle died ¶ Thierry the seuenth the 14 earle succeeded his father he was in quarell with William of Holland his brother who ioined with the Frisons but they were afterwards reconciled Dying he left one only daughter ¶ Ada daughter to Thierry the seuenth the 15 commaunding in Holland she gouerned but one yeare and died without children During hir life she was still in war against the earle of Eastfriseland hir vncle who succeeded hir and was ¶ William the first of that name the sixteenth earle of Holland the crown of Scotland fell vnto him by his mother but he neglected it Dying he had ruled 19 years in Holland and 26 in Friseland ¶ Floris the fourth succceded William his father the seuenteenth Earle Strange war with the bishop of Vtrecht He is slaine at a tourney at Clermont ¶ William the second succeeded Floris his father being yet a child vnder the guard of his vncle the Bâ—…shop of Vtrecht He was crowned king of Romans He went against the Frisons where he was slaine ¶ Floris the fift the nineteenth Earle hee had great war against the Frisons whom he vanquished and brought backe his fathers bones hee was slâ—…ne by Gerard van Velsen knight ¶ Iohn the first of that name succeeded his father Floris the 20 Earle of Holland Being returned out of England where hee had married the kings daughter he reuenged his fathers death He died without children and in him failed the race of Earles descended from Thierry of Aquitaine THE yeare of our Redemption 863 Charles the Bald king of France being in Brabant in the Prouince of Campeigne at a towne called Bladell he called a generall assemblie of his Princes and Barons to consult of the best means to repell the Normans and Danes who made daylie incursions into Germanie Friseland Holland Zeland and into the realme of France Thither came many Princes and great Noblemen both Spirituall and Temporall from all parts whether in like sort the Pope being then at Mentz vpon the Rhin sent his Legats Among other Princes and Noblemen there present came Cont Haghen of little Troy which at this present is the towne of Zanthen vpon the Rhin betwixt the towns of Nuys and Cleefe bringing with him his sister Mathild wife of Sigebert duke of Aquitaine with hir two sonnes the eldest was called Walger whom king Charles did then make Earle of Teysterbaudt the which did at that instant and long after containe and comprehend the townes of Tyel Bommell Arkell Heusden Altem Vianen Culembourg Buren Leederdam Aspren and Henckelom with a great circuit of countrey vnto the riuer of Meuse The youngest was Thierry who as yet had no siegneorie nor commaund but was a valiant and hardie knight who with his father Sigibert had done many valiant exploits both in Prouence and Aquitaine against the Sâ—…rasins who made many incursions into those countries so as for his valour and prowessâ—… hee was much esteemed in Court and well fauoured of king Charles THIERRY of Aquitaine the first Earle of Holland King Charles surnamed the Bald first made me Earle by name Oâ—… Holland 〈◊〉 his brother Lewis of Zeeland did the same ' But troubles manifold soone 〈◊〉 my honour â—…ent Downe to the graue if the Emperour had me no succour lent Twise twentie yeares I held the Danes still in alarmes And did abate thou pride of heart by valor and by armes Of Aquitame I was surnamed borne and bred Gune my wife and in Egmont my corpt lies buried At this assemblie of Bladell the earle Haghen his vncle besought the king to remember Thierry his nephew and to aduaunce and inuest him in some part of the countrie which the Normans and Danes had lately spoiled and destroied knowing him as that was well known to all men to be valiant strong able to endure trauell wise temperat and discreet to keepe that which should be giuen him in charge besides hee was honourably descended issued from the bloud of France by the antient Troians King Charles hearing so many good testimonies of this young knight at the request of the Popes Legats and the instance of the Earle Haghen his vncle gaue vnto Thierry of Aquitaine all the countrie of Holland with a part of East-Frizeland from Dockum to the riuer of Lanuers as the Chronicles of Holland doe maintaine which the Frizelanders seemed to dislike and impugne saying that Charles who was then but king of France and not Emperor could not dispose nor giue away Frizeland the which maintained it selfe vnder the Romane Empire to defend and protect them by his valour from the inuasions and spoiles of the Danes and Normans who euen at that time held and enioied the towne of Vtrecht the Bishop and all his Prebends to auoid their furie being fled to the town of Deuenter in the countrie of Oueryssel the which was subiect both to the Temporall and Spirituall jurisdiction of the said Bishop of Vtrecht This assemblie at Bladell being ended king Charles went with this knight Thierry into Holland to put him in possission of the countrie by force of armes the vicount of Leyden and the lord of Wassenare his cousin these two houses being since vnited in that of the vicounts gathered together what forces they could to make head against king Charles and to hinder Thierry in the possession of that which was giuen him refusing absolutely to receiue Thierry for their lord and earle desiring rather to ioine with them of Friseland and to remain subiects to the empire The king and Cont Thierry marched against them and gaue
Wickin and Gadezo earles Lazo Alger and Zuveer that is to say Asuerus knights with a great number of squires and gentlemen besides the men at armes and common souldiors which were very many The bishop Adelbold was much perplexed for this defeat yet he fainted not but gathering together his dispersed troupes would make a second proofe and hazard another battaile the which was more preiudiciall and fatall vnto him than the first for not only his armie was defeated but himselfe was taken prisoner hauing lost among the men of marke Volckert a priest and chanon Bertold a deacon Iohn and Godfrey earles Hiddo Halmeric Wabtelin Hubert and Hildebold knights Zidfrid and Heyman barons with a great number of braue souldiors Cont Thierry after these two victories his men being laden with spoile and good prisoners returned into Holland leading his bishop with him whome he entreated very courteously seeking to comfort him and to moderat his passions in this his aduersitie being much troubled for his ouerthrow and imprisonment One day among the rest Cont Thierry asked of him by way of familiar discourse What had mooued him so to malice the Hollanders and to make war against them seeing that neythâ—…r they nor he himselfe had euer wronged him or don him iniurie The bishop answered Sir I confesse that I neuer receiued any wrong from your selfe nor your subiects neither yet from any of your predecessors but that which moued me to attempt war against you and to oppresse and molest your subiects was only for that I was giuen to vnderstand that the countrie of Holland did antiently hold of my bishoprike of Vtrecht for proofe whereof we read in Hystories that Vtrecht was in old time the chiefe and capitall towne of Holland and that at this day it is so held and therefore in my opinion Holland in former times did belong to my predecessors for this cause I did moue and incite the Frisons to rebell that by the help of their forces and succours I might expell you out of your countrey and ioyne it vnto my seigniorie But seeing I haue taken a wrong course and am taken in the snare which I prepared for you I will foretell you by way of prophesie That there shall neuer bee any pâ—…rtect loue and friendship betwixt them of Vtrecht and the Hollanders and that in future ages they shall much vexe one another by warre robberies oppression and spoiles sometimes one being victor sometimes the other Whereunto Cont Thierry answered Gods wil be done in al things both in my countries and elswhere according to his good pleasure yet I would haue my lord bishop vnderstand that the princes of Holland do little esteeme the towne of Vtrecht but I grieue for the poore commons who endure much through the spoyles and insolencies of men of warre Yet if you will promise me vnder your hand and seale neuer to stirre vp nor incourage my Frisons to rebell I will suffer you to depart free and will giue you leaue to doe what you can for that I do not much apprehend what you and yours can doe vnto me To whom the bishop said Although I do it vnwillingly yet necessitie will force mee vnto it Whereupon the Earle replied If my lord bishop will not accept nor effect that which I haue propounded he may remaine here with me and I will take order for his charges and for all other things necessarie yet my lord must vnderstand that neither he nor any of his predecessors had euer any right of proprietie or temporal iurisdiction vpon Holland nor on the dependances thereof in any sort whatsoeuer Neither shall it bee found in any writings and euidences That the bishops of Vtrecht were euer intitled Earles of Holland seeing that Charles the Bald king of France and afterwards Emperour hauing succeeded by the death of his father Lewis the Gentle sonne to Charlemaigne in the countries of Holland and Zeeland as wel as in the realme of France and other countries of his inheritance after that hee had defeated the Normanes gaue them to my great grandfather Cont Thierry the first sonne to Sigehert Duke of Aquitaine And for the better assurance and confirmation of the said grant at the instance of Pope Iohn the 9. he himselfe in person put the said Count Thierry in full possession of the said Earledomes and subiected them vnto him by force of armes instituting him as his royall letters patents make mention the first Earle to protect and defend them against the incursions of the Danes and by good and mild courses to draw this rough and vnciuile people to his deuotion as he hath done The like I may affirme and proue by good testimonies that Friseland is of the iurisdiction of Holland for that Lewis king of Germanie brother to Charles the Bald gaue all that countrie to the said Cont Thierry vnto the riuer of Lanuvers and beyond it bending towards the East Charles the Great king of France and Emperour gaue it vnto Godefroy king of Denmarke in dowery with his wife vpon condition That he should be baptised who afterwards was slaine And therefore if Godefroy hath made any cession or gift vnto the bishop of Vtrecht I am well pleased therewith and will not pretend any interest to that which lyes beyond the said riuer of Lanuvers My lord must also vnderstand the great ingratitude of them of Vtrecht for the benefits which they receiued of my great grandfather for he and his brother Walger Earle of Teysterbaudt remaining at Anezaet neere vnto Tyl made so long warre against the Danes which did then possesse the towne of Vtrecht as they forced them to abandon the place and restored the bishop Rabod who as an exiled prelat kept at Deuenter to his episcopall seat These be the thanks we receiue now from them of Vtrecht who require me euill for good I therefore conclude with the truth That neither my lord bishop nor any of his predecessors had euer any right interest nor title of temporall iurisdiction in the countries of Holland nor of Friseland for as much as is contained within the riuer of Lanuvers vnlesse your lordship can shew produce some sale transport or donation which my predecessors haue made vnto the bishop of Vtrecht as they had the power and meanes to do the which doth appeare by the letters granted by Emperors kings their benefactors Bishop Adelbold hauing wel duly considered of all Cont Thierries reasons confessed his error and that being ill aduised he had first attempted warre against him and that in all the lands and seigniories of the said Earle he had no other iurisdiction but spirituall in that which concernes the administration and gouernment of the church onely as it had beene giuen from Emperours and kings to Willebrord the first bishop as farre as it may extend vnto this day It is true said the Earle and we acknowledge you for our spirituall father commaunder in diuine things and which concerne the saluation of
Inheritance At the same time which was in the yeare 1077. died the said William bishop of Vtrecht hauing gouerned his bishopricke in bloudie warres in the which he was often victor for the space of two and twentie yeares carrying himselfe more like a Captaine than a Pastor to whom succeeded Conrard issued from the Dukes of Suaube who was installed in the sayd bishopricke the better to defend the Conquest of Holland and Zeeland which his predecessour William had made This Conrard tooke great delight in the Castle of Isselmond whether the Earles Thierry and Robert the Frison marched with their Armie knowing his vsuall residence to be there The bishop Conrard hearing that they came to besiege him and seeing his said Castle inuested sent to his subiects of his bishoprick of Vtrecht to come to succour him and to free him from this siege Whereupon great numbers of souldiers came to him from all parts so as there was a furious battaile fought betwixt the bishops Traiectins and the Hollanders and Flemings of Cont Thierry and Cont Robert the which was long in suspence to whether part the victorie would encline but in the end the bishops men were broken and put to flight of whom there was a great slaughter made beeing pursued vnto their shippes where many were drowned in the prease striuing to get in There died many Nobles of the bishops side among others Garlar Earle of Zutphen Lambert Prouost Cathedrall of Deuenter Volckmar Priest of S. Boniface Chisbrecht and Warembault knights And of Cont Thierries side Iohn of Arckel Euerard of Bockhorst with many other Gentlemen and braue souldiers The bishop hauing lost this battaile and seeing his men quite defeated and without any meanes to rallie them againe together sought to fortifie himselfe in the dungeon of the Castle of Isselmond rampiering vp the base Court But Cont Thierry by the aduice of his Hollanders hauing woon the said base Court forced the bishop to yeeld both himselfe and the place to his mercie and in the end for his liberty to restore vnto him all his country of Holland which done the Earle sent him home honourably to Vtrecht After this triumphant victorie and before that hee dismissed his Armie Cont Thierry hauing recouered his inheritance entred into Holland from the which he had beene long expelled and was there receiued with great ioy and pompe and acknowledged for their Prince Earle and naturall Lord But the Frisons who had so often rebelled were restic and refused the homage which they ought him seeking to remaine free Imperialists although that Egbert competitor to the Emperour Henry the fourth hauing subdued them from the Flie to the riuer of Lanuvers had made them his vassales and giuen them to the bishop of Vtrecht and the said Egbert being vanquished and slaine in a mill by the said Emperours men all the Countrey of Friseland was giuen to bishop William of Geldre and annexed vnto his bishopricke by the said Emperour Henry The Frisons therefore seeing the sayd Conrard vanquished would not acknowledge the one nor the other but onely the Emperour and the Empire relying vpon their auncient priuiledges Thierry seeing their obstinacie attended the oportunitie of a sharpe and violent Winter with some hard frostes which made the foule wayes waters marishes and quagge mires firme and hard as stone Then he marched with all his forces to assayle them the Frisons attended him vpon the yee where a furious battaile was fought But in the end the Frisons not able any longer to endure the force of the Hollanders and Flemings were put to rout and aboue fortie thousand slaine vpon the place Yet the Frisons fainted not for this defeat but hauing gathered together their dispersed troupes and beeing succoured with fresh and great supplies they present themselues to a second battaile The Earle being well accompanied after that hee had encouraged his men went to charge them The encounter was great and fierce eyther partie contending for the victorie the Hollanders fighting for honour and spoile and the Frisons for their liberties liues and goods yet they were charged so furiously by the Hollanders as not able any longer to endure the shocke they began by little and little to recoyle and giue backe and in the end fled so as the slaughter was very great for the Earle was much incensed against them commaunding all to be slaine so as there died aboue six thousand in this second battaile And marching into the Countrey he tooke men women and children prisoners that were vnder the age of twelue yeares putting all that could be taken in the furie to the sword that exceeded this age beeing resolued to ruine and vnpeople the whole Countrey Then he went to besiege the Towne of Staueren and the inhabitants were forced to compound to haue their liues and goods saued paying thirteene hundred Crownes of gold for a ransome and leading with him fortie of the inhabitants of the Towne for hostages causing all strange souldiers that were found in it to be stripped and spoyled Thus Cont Thierry recouered all the Countrey of Friseland and returned a Conquerour into his Countrey of Zeeland where soone after he maried Withild daughter to Fredericke Duke of Saxonie by whom he had one sonne called Floris who was Earle after his death and one daughter named Mathild the which was maried to the Duke of Orleans The said Cont Thierry confirmed by letters of State the donations made by the Earles his predecessours to the Abbey of Egmont Conrard bishop of Vtrecht being as we haue said freed from prison hauing yeelded vp vnto Cont Thierry his Earledome of Holland was not well satisfied that the said Thierry had conquered Friseland the which hee maintained did belong vnto him but with such informations as bishop William of Geldre his predecessor had made vnto the Emperour Henry the fourth he obtained by letters patents bearing date the Ides of Februarie in the yeare 1088. a graunt of the said Countrey of Friseland in the which are specially named the quarters of Oostergoe and Westergoe vnto the riuer of Lanuvers the which the said bishop Conrard did afterwards giue in the yere 1092. to Adolph of Fornenburch to hold them in fee of his bishopricke of Vtrecht This knight Adolph had to wife Anne daughter to the Lord of Ameland by the which he had no children In the same yere Cont Thierry being fallen sicke died the fifteenth of the Calends of Iuly after that the Lady Gertrude of Saxonie his mother from the decease of Cont Floris her husband father to Thierry had gouerned the Countries of Holland Zeeland and Friseland two yeares Robert the Frison his father in law eight yeares Godfrey the Crooked duke of Lorrain foure William bishop of Vtrecht one yeare and he himselfe fifteene making in all thirty yeres from the death of the said Cont Floris his father He was interred in the Abbey of Egmont by whom also doth lye the Countesse Withild
his wife In his time there were many braue knights in Holland besides his brethren and among others William Lord of Brederode Gerard Lord of Theilinghen Baldwin Lord of Heusden Fox Lord of Arckell Dodo Lord of Leederdam the Seigneurs of Lerke of Putten of Poleuanen of Streuen of Altena Vernard of Buchorst Iohn of Persin Aleuvin of Wassenare the Vicont of Leyden Schaâ—…aloth and Trusing his brethren Dodo of Riswicke the Seignior Ysbrant Gruytwater with many other Gentlemen of marke The Epitaph of this Cont Thierry the fifth was found in the Abbey of Egmont after this manner Viribus haud modicus situs est hic Theodoricus Qui pulsus Patria viredit in propria Nam Dux gibbosus puerâ—… fuit insidiosus Sed Ducis interitus fit Iuueni reditus Vibs Traiectensis fulmen tremit ipsius ensis Mortes multorum dum genâ—…it omne forum Capto Pontifice Comes inclitus egit anicè Non quod vi poterat sed quod honoris erat Hostibus iste grauis patriae tutissima clauis Quem decuere benè verba statura genae Iuli quindenas â—…eproducente Calendas Qua Comitem rapuit mors lachrimosa fuit FLORIS SVRNAMED THE FAT THE second of that name and eleuenth Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland 11 Florentius Cognom Pinguis Inbountie and in pietie 't was I that did surpasse As likewise in great store of wealth the Princes of my race My wife was daughter to the Emperour LOTHARIE And in Rhynsburg a cloyster new for Nâ—…nes did edifie Full thirty six yeares time my Earledomes I possest And forc't the Frisons vnto peace that seem'd it to detest At last as God ordained hath that man shall die To death I yeelded and my bones in Egmont Church doe lie FLORIS the second of that name and eleuenth Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland sonne to Cont Thierry the fifth was commonly called the Fat or the Grosse an actiue man well membred and of a tall stature a politicke Prince enclining to peace and liberall in giuing readie to pleasure euery man and to hurt no man He had to wife Petronelle or Parnel daughter to Didier Duke of Saxonie sister to the Emperour Lothaire of whom he had three sonnes Thierry the sixt his successour the twelfth Earle of Holland Floris the Blacke Prince of Kenemerlandt and Symon with one daughter named Hadewicke which was Countesse of Geldre a very beautifull Lady Hee was much giuen to fauour Church-men by reason whereof he gaue great reuenues to the Abbey of Egmont In the yeare 1119. Cont Floris had a quarrell with a knight of Friseland called Galonges of Galama by reason of hunting in the forest of Creyl whether the Earle lying at Tenâ—…kelhuysen now called Tuchuysen or at Medernblyck went vsually for his recreation On a certaine time among the rest hee tooke from Galamas seruants three of his Grey-hounds and two Hares which they had taken whereof the said Galama according to the threats of the countrey sware to take a bloudie reuenge The Earle making no account of his threats comming after his accustomed manner to hunt in this Wood Galama met him beeing accompanied with a good troupe of his friends and partisans At their first encounter hee audaciously demaunded of the Earle reparation of the wrong hee had done him in taking away his dogges and venison or els he would take it with his owne hands vsing withall many proud and hautie speeches The Earle meaning to blame him for his presumptious rashnesse Galama passing from wordes to blowes thrust at the Earle with his rapier thinking to haue passed it through his bodie but he slipping a little on the one side the Earle was hurt in the arme and was rescued by his Gentlemen of whom Galama ouerthrew two before they parted The Earle thirsted after reuenge but to auoid effusion of bloud and the ruine of their subiects this quarrell was compromitted to Godfrey Duke of Brabant who dying soone after it was left in suspence vntill the yeare 1165. that the Emperour Fredericke Barbarousse reconciled these two houses of Holland and Galama by the which accord it was said that Ioub Galama and his heires should hunt freely in the Forrest of Creyl and enioy a moytie therof for them and their heires for euer At the same time Staueren the chiefe towne of all Friseland rich and abounding in all wealth the which had beene the onely Staple for all Marchandise whether ships came from all parts whose inhabitants through ease knew not what to doe nor desire shewing themselues in all things excessiue and licentious not onely in their apparell but also in the furniture of their houses gilding the seats before their lodgings so as they were commonly called The debauched children of Staueren As it is in the common course of this world when as things are at the highest or that men are at the height of their prosperitie to decline and fall againe euen so it happened to this towne of Staueren by a wonderfull or rather miraculous accident proceeding from the prouidence of God enemie to all pride and contempt which was in this manner There was in the said towne a widow who knew no end of her wealth the which made her proud and insolent Shee did fraight out a shippe for Danswicke giuing the Master charge to returne her in exchange of her marchandise the rarest stuffe hee could find The Master of the shippe finding no better commoditie than good Wheat fraighted his shippe therewith with the which he returned to Staueren the which did so discontent this foolish and glorious widow as shee said vnto the Master That if he had laden the said Corne on the starre-boord side he should cast it into the Sea on the larâ—…boord the which was done and all the Wheat powred into the Sea But note the wonders of Gods iust iudgement the whole towne yea all the Prouince did smart for one womans errour for presently in the same place where as the mariners had cast the Corne into the Sea there grew a great barre of sand wherewith the Hauen was so stopped as no great shippe could enter and at this day the smallest vessels that will anker there must bee very carefull least they strike against this flat or sand the which since hath beene called Vrawe-landt that is to say the Womans Sand Whereby the Towne loosing their Staple and traffique of marchandise by little and little came to decline and by the intestine warres which haue since happened in Friseland the inhabitants by reason of their wealth and pride being growne intollerable to the Nobilitie who in sumptuousnesse could not endure to be braued by them the said town is now become one of the poorest of the Prouince although it be at this day one that hath the greatest priuiledges among all the Hans townes Cont Floris hauing liued long in peace as he was a man of a quiet spirit the Frisons began to rebell againe and
into Friseland being not aboue fiue or six leagues distance And the said Floris had yet done worse vnto his brother and the Hollanders if the Emperour Lothaire their vncle hauing intelligence of the quarrell of these two brethren his sisters sonnes had not reconciled them together as they were soone after The emperor had a great desire to be reuenged of the Frisons who had rebelled against cont Thierry by reason of the donation which hee had made vnto him of the countries of Oostergoe Westergoe the seuen Forests but hauing great wars in Germany Italy he could not pursue his intent therfore this grant did not greatly aduance him nor his successors Besides Andrew bishop of Vtrecht brother to the Earle of Cuick found himselfe grieued saying That those iurisdictions belonged vnto him by the gift of former Emperors whereupon hee went to Conrard competitor to Lothaire in the empire who disâ—…lled that which Lothaire had giuen to Thierry and confirmed that which the Emperors their predecessors had graunted to former bishops And withall bishop Herbert successor to Andrew after the death of the Emperor Lothaire to whom Conrard was forced to giue place obtained of the said Conrard being confirmed in the empire after the death of Lothaire a new â—…tification of the said grant But as all those which had been made were but in paper or pâ—…ment either partie wanting force to take possession therof the Frisons maintaining themselues in their auntient freedoms and liberties by force of armes which liberties had been giuen them by auntient Emperours and namely by Charlemaigne and which they had purchased with the deere price of their liues and bloud Neither had the Earles of Holland nor bishop of Vtrecht any great authoritie nor commaund in the said iurisdictions of Friseland except the bishop of Vtrecht who for a time did quietly enioy the towne and countrie of Gronninghen by the like grant from Emperors The quarrell of the two brethren Cont Thierry and Floris the Blacke beeing pacified and they reconciled the said Floris had another with the Earles Gouard of Arlisberg Herman of Cuick brethren These two Earls had one niece the daughter of Arnoult van Iâ—…ochem a knight and of Alice their sister who after the decease of her father and mother liued with Cont Herman of Cuick her vncle Some of the friends seruants of this yong gentlewoman to whom the valour and merits of Floris were well knowne did greatly wish and desire a marriage betwixt them two but these two Earles would by no meanes yeeld thereunto deuising all the trauerses and crosses they could Those of Vtrecht as well for feare of the Emperor Lothaire his vncle as for the loue of the Earle of Holland his brother receiued the lord Floris into their towne giuing him free egresse and regresse when he pleased with all his traine Hee beeing much moued and discontented that the Earles of Arlisberg and Cuick with Andrew bishop of Vtrecht all three brethren had refused him this gentlewoman their niece resolued to be reuenged of the said bishop and to do him all the iniurie he could for that hee hated him most whereupon entring with an armie into his diocesse of Vtrecht hee burnt the towne of Lermeude Cont Herman knowing well that by open force he could not auoid him by reason of the great aid and support that he had from the Emperour his vncle and from the Earle his brother he laid an ambush to surprise and take him prisoner One morning attending Floris comming out of the towne with ten or twelue gentlemen to hunt issuing out of his ambush he went to charge him Floris meaning to saue himselfe turned his horse head and fled towards the towne with such hast as both he and his horse were ouerthrowne Cont Herman pursuing him and ouertaking him slew him before he could recouer himselfe The Emperor hearing of his nephews death called Cont Herman by proclamation of the empire and for his contumacie and not appearing depriued him of his seigniorie and degraded him of all armes and honour for so soule a murther On the other side the Earle of Holland entred with a great armie into the Earle of Cuicks countrey burning al the castles and chasing Cont Herman and Andrew bishop of Vtrecht his brother out of their teâ—…ories Notwithstanding after the death of the Emperour Lothaire by the intercession of some noblemen Herman was reconciled to the Earle doing him homage and taking an othe of fealtie and the bishop was likewise restored to his bishopricke Among those which had purâ—…d Floris when he was slaine there was a knight called Herolt of Barne he being on a time chased by Cont Thierryes men leaped with his horse into the Meuse and so escaped swimming ouer to the other banke At that time Cont Otto of Benthem sonne to Otto Palatin of Rhin brother to Sophia Contesse of Holland brother in law to Cont Thierry vpon an old quarrell entred into the country of Tuvent and vpon the bishop of Vtrechts territories who presently leuied some small troups of horse and foot vnder the command of Hugh Butterman lord of Buttersloot Botslandt and Spicke who went to incounter the Earle of Benthem in the open field defeated him and tooke him prisoner in which incounter the Earle Otto of Biel was slaine with many gentlemen Cont Thierry hearing of this defeat of the taking of his brother in law went to besiege the towne of Vtrecht Bishop Herebert successor to Andrew finding himselfe vnable to resist and to preserue the towne from ruine sought to releeue himselfe by spirituall armes and going out of the towne with all his Clergie crosses and banners as if it had beene to a generall Procession carrying a booke in his hand went to excommunicat him Cont Thierry and his Hollanders seeing them come a farre off thinking it had been a sally made by the besieged fell to armes Approching neere vnto them the Earle seeing the bishop and his clergie thus attired in their Ecclesiasticall ornaments goes from his horse and bare headed goes to craue for mercie of the bishop that he might not excommunicat him as he had determined The bishop taking him vp with a kisse of peace they were reconciled together and Cont Otto Palatin of Rhin set at libertie who in regard thereof promised to hold his Earledome of Benthem of the bishop of Vtrecht and his successors in fee to do him homage A while after the said Cont Otto was slaine by Cont Herman van Staelwyck to whom there succeeded in the earldome of Benthem Otto of Holland his nephew sonne to Cont Thierry the 6 and to the lady Sophia for that Floris their eldest sonne who was to inherit and succeed in the countie of Holland Zeeland and Friseland c. In the yeare 1155 the Frisons vpon Drent made a road into Holland with an armie where they did spoile and sack the towne of Zande The nobilitie and
Thierry entred the Veluve with an armie destroying and burning wheresoeuer hee came so at the carried away a great spoile Cont Otto did also lâ—…nic what men he could following Conâ—… Thierry as far as Heymens bergh to rescue the prey wherethere was a sharp incounter but the Gueldrois seeing his men slip away he saued himselfe through the swiftnesse of his horse Cont Thierry pursuing them that fled tooke many prisoners among the which were some gentlemen William earl of East-Friseland hearing of the victory which his brother had gotten â—…ame to him to the castle of Horst to congratulate with him for this his happy successe Cont Thierry remembring the quarrels past and the loue his brother had borne vnto the earle of Gueldre imagining that he came now to attempt something against him he commanded an officer of his called Henry Craen to seise vpon his brother and commit him to prison the which was done But soone after William hauing broken prison he retired himself secretly to the earle of Gueldre to be supported by him against the earle of Holland his brother where he remained some time Otto earle of Gueldre knowing him to be verie valiant hauing seen good proof thereof in Palestina against the Sarracens considering also the goodly portion which he had in Friseland gaue him his daughter Alix in mariage by whom he had one sonne named Floris who was afterwards Earle of Holland Otto William and two daughters Ada who was abbesse of Rhinsburgh the which was an abbey of noble women and Ryckwyf who was a religious woman in the same cloister After the mariage of William and Alix celebrated in the towne of Staueren Otto of Gueldre returned into his countrey and William was honourably receiued with his wife and acknowledged throughout all the countrey of Friseland for their lord Soone after and the same yeare the Earles of Holland and Gueldre were reconciled together vpon condition That Adella eldest daughter to Cont Thierry should marie with Henry sonne to Cont Otto but he liued not long and died without children In the yere 1198 Didier of Holland Arnould of Isenburgh both elect bishops of Vtrecht pleading their cause at Rome the pope adiudged the said bishoprick through the fauour of some courtiers in Rome and the aduantage of his election to Arnould where he was consectated the 30 bishop of Vtrecht But as he died soone after and was buried at Rome pope Innocent the 3 gaue the said bishoprick to Didier of Holland who had been his competitor was in like sort consecrated at Rome At his returne to take possession of his bishoprick he fell sick at Padoua in Italy where he died and was there buried To whom succeeded Didier vander Are collegiall prouost of Nydrecht vpon Meuse being in commission in the realme of Sicile who after the death of these two bishops was sent for to come and take possession of the said bishoprick the which at his first entrance he found very much charged with debts so as by the aduice of his barons nobles townes and chapters he went into Friseland to demand some aid or gratuitie to free himselfe of debt William earle of East-Friseland would not suffer his subiects to be charged with any imposition or extraordinarie subsidie for the preuenting whereof he went to Staueren whither the bishop was come vnto the abbey of whom he laid hold at the end of masse thinking to carrie him away to his castle of Osterzee but the monks with the help of some Frisons fearing if they should suffer it the bishop would excommunicat them tooke him away from him by force Afterwards Thierry Earle of Holland and Otto earle of Gueldre father in law to Cont William of East Friseland beeing reconciled to his brother and freed him from any bad conceit of him banded themselues iointly against the bishop The earle of Gueldre seised vpon all the countrey of Ouerissel for his part chased away all the bishops officers and puta garrison of Gueldres into the towne of Deuenter The Earle of Holland spoiled the whole countrey on this side the riuer of Yssel and besieged the bishop in his city of Vtrecht during the which time the earl of Gueldre going with a safeconduct towards the emperor Otto the 4. competitor to the emperor Philip hee was staied by the way by the duke of Brabants people The Earle of Holland hearing of these newes raised his siege from before Vtrecht marching with his troups towards Boisleduke where he entred by force and there tooke prisoners the lords William of Paruis and Henry of Cuyck brethren to the duke of Brabant The Earle thinking to retire with his prisoners into Holland the duke being assisted by the Archbishop of Cologne the bishop of Liege the Duke of Lembourg and the Earle of Flanders pursued him with all speed to rescue his two brethren Cont Thierry finding himselfe ouercharged at a passage after that he had long defended himselfe being vriable to resist so great forces was in the end taken and so the Duke of Brabant had the two Earls of Geldre and Holland his prisoners The bishop of Vtrecht seeing these two prouinces without Lords to defend them entred the countrey of Holland with all the forces he could gather together as well of his owne as from his allies from whence hee carried a great spoyle the Nobilitie and Commons of Holland pursued after to rescue it and defeated some knights and souldiers of Vtrecht in the rereward burning in their returne some villages of his iurisdiction The next day the bishop entred into the Veluve the which he spoyled tooke the towne of Zutphen went to Deuenter which yeelded vnto him so as he recouered great store of treasure Soone after a peace was made betwixt the Earle of Holland and the Duke of Brabant whereby the Earle paid vnto the Duke two thousand markes of siluer for his ransome and so did the Earle of Geldre both which were afterwards reconciled with the bishop of Vtrecht whereby all quarrels were ended In the yeare 1203 Thierry Earle of Holland fell sick at Dordrecht lamenting much the absence of his brother William Earle of East-Friseland although there had still remained some small seeds of hatred to recommend his daughter Ada vnto him being yet to marry and her countries of Holland and Zeeland Alix wife to the said Cont Thierry euen before the death of her husband and during his sicknes without the councell or aduice of any one of her own proper motion desirous to marry her daughter had contracted her secretly to Lewis Earle of Loos to the end the Countrey during her widow-hood might be gouerned at her pleasure so desirous was this woman of rule thinking that Lewis being farre inferiour in quality to her daughter would not dare to oppose himselfe against her not caring in the meane time if her daughter were well or ill maried In the meane time Cont Thierry died hauing gouerned
himself went into Zeeland all which he reduced to his deuotion The Lords of Wassenare and Theylinghen prouided carefully for all things causing two block-houses or forts to be made the one within the towne of Leyden the defence whereof was committed to Floris of Holland Prouost Cathedrall of Vtrecht and the other at Zuvamerdam which Cont Otto of Benthem had in charge The Lords of ◅gmont and Bauiart came with their ships to Amstel where they cut through the ditch and drowned all the country of Amsterlandt the Kennemers boording the Amsterlanders barks drew out all the spoyle and then fired them The bishop of Vtrecht on the other side to bee reuenged went himselfe into Holland and passing by Mydrecht he chased the earle of Benthem out of his fort of Zuvamerdam burnt many villages in Holland the which hauing succeeded happily marching on he commanded his souldiers to take out of euery village the best hostages so went to besiege Leyden wheras the Prouost Floris was whom he forced with small losse for that they within protested that they would not defend it against the said bishop the Prouost was taken prisoner led to the castle of Horst The next day the bishop entred into Leyden whether the earle of Loos came also with such men as hee had brought out of South-Holland which is the countrey about Dordrecht they of Leyden did him homage and did acknowledge him for earle of Holland in the right of the contesse Ada his wife Among the chiefe of the nobility of North-Holland there ioined with him the Lord Iohn of Persin Iohn and Isbrand of Harlem Arnold and Henry of Ryswick and Vuouter van Rymen These sent vnto the Earle of Loos to come boldly vpon their faith to Harlem whether he went reduced all the villages therabouts vnder his obedience The Kennemers fearing this storme would fall vpon them went to armes to defend thēselues and to stop the Earle of Loos his passage no◅withstanding any faith giuen them by the said Noblemen who holding the Earls party knowing the forces of these Kennemers desired rather to win them by mild and gentle meanes than by arms wherein they wrought so effectually as in the end they were reconciled to the earle of Loos paying vnto him and to the bishop 500 pounds great for the damages which they had done in cutting the ditch burning in Amsterlandt and so euery one returned to his owne home This done the bishop earle feared not any other enemies but taking their way towards Egmont in passing they burnt the village of S. Agathe the which at this present is the town of Beuerswike the castle of Brederode And thus they reduced all Holland before diuided into South and North South-Holland holding for the earle of Loos and North-Holland or West-Friseland for Cont William but this sudden change continued not long Soone after the earle of Namur entred the Isle of Walchren in Zeeland pretending to subiect it vnder the earle of Flanders but seeing his attempts to proue vnfortunat he returned as he came Hugh of Voorn was then in Zeeland who reduced all those Islands vnder the earle of Loos and chased away Cont William who with great difficultie retired himselfe for hauing lien long hidden in the end he saued himselfe in a small boat causing himselfe to be couered with fishers nets The earle of Loos had made the said Hugh Van Voorn gouernor with great authoritie and power who caried himselfe so insupportably in all his actions that in the end the Zeelanders would no more endure nor obey him but against the will of the earle of Loos put him from his place sending to Cont William of Holland and entreating him to returne vnto them who willingly imbraced this occasion giuing notice thereof first to Gualter of Egmont Albert Bauiart William van Theylinghen and Philip of Wassenare intreating them to come vnto him with all the forces they could leuie in the towne of Leyden and that they should do no act of hostility against the earle of Loos vntill that he himselfe were present and then he went into Zeeland The earle of Loos hearing of the Zeelanders reuolt and that the Kennemers were in armes to fight with him hee entred with all his forces into the towne of Leyden to make head against them for that they made all the hast they could to seize thereon marching without order or any warlike discipline Hauing preuented them in the sayd towne he attended them and then went to charge them so as they were much disordered Some being in their shippes thinking to ioyne with the formost found the waies cut off by the Earles men as they would haue past at Catwick by a bridge ouer the Rhyn marching close together the bridge brake a great number were drowned Philip of Wassenare Gualter of Egmont and Albert Bauiart escaped but VVilliam of They linghen was taken prisoner The Earle of Loos hauing had this good successe went camped with all his army at Voorschoten to keepe his men together for that he doubted much the comming of Cont William lest hee should surprise him In the meane time Cont William arriued with his forces of Zeeland being come into Holland he planted his campe in the ditch of Ryswicke from thence he went to lodge neere the Wood of la Haye meaning to giue the Earle of Loos battaile the next day who knowing him to be so neere and that he had a desire to fight he sent Iohn duke of Lembourg speedily vnto him to intreat him to enter into some accord with him but cont William would giue no eare vnto it finding himselfe by the death of the Contesse Ada the true and onely heire of Holland and Zeeland The said duke hauing made his report tooke vp his tents and pauilions being loath to attend the danger of a doubtfull battaile The Earle of Loos much amazed seeing himselfe abandoned by the duke who was his chiefe support forsaking his camp and all his cariages he fled with all speed to Vtrecht yeelding vnto the bishop for his entertainment in that he had assisted him all the Hollanders that he had takē prisoners The disorder and confusion was so great in the flight of the Earle of Loos his men as the women chased them with their distaues and in flying did massacre them with staues Many cast away their armes for lightnesse that they might saue themselues by the ditches that were full of water whereas many were drowned and a great number taken prisoners All th◅ Earle of Loos pauilions tents mooueables plate iewels and munition was taken diuided among the Hollanders And thus the Earle of Loos was chased out of Holland and neuer returned more The South-Hollanders of Dordrecht hauing no more cause of reuolt through the death of the Contesse Ada Cont William remained absolute Prince of Holland Zeeland and Friseland WILLIAM THE FIRST OF THAT name the sixteenth Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of
Friseland 16 Guilielmus Primus This WILLIAM by great policie did breake the chaine Which crosse the Hauen of Damiet the Sarasins had layne Whereby the Harlemers great honour did obtaine Record whereof within their Towne as yet doth still remaine Two wiues he had whereof one out of Geldre came The second MARY called was a princely English dame Full nineteene yeares he rul'd and peaceably possest His countries and in Rhynsburgh died whereas his bones do rest WILLIAM the sixteenth Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland hauing as we haue said in the time of the Contesse Ada expelled the earle of Loos remained in quiet possession of the said prouinces He had by his wife Alix daughter to the earle of Gueldre Floris who succeeded him in the said Earledomes Otto bishop of Vtrecht and William who was lieutenant of Holland the which was father to the lady Alix married to Didier lord of Brederode and two daughters whereof the one was Abbesse at Rhynsbourg and the other at Delft This Cont William did homage to the Emperor Frederic the second for his Counties of Holland Zeeland and Friseland Afterwards vpon a priuate quarell he went and besieged the castle of Aspren hauing taken it he rased it to the ground Cont Gerard vander Are brother to Didier bishop of Vtrecht in reuenge therof went and besieged the town of Dordrecht into the which he cast wild fire which burnt almost halfe of it Soone after Cont William and the bishop were reconciled together and they made an accord by the which Cont William should pay vnto the bishop a thousand pounds and restore vnto Henry of Craen all that he had taken from him for that as wee haue said before he had once put him in prison by the cōmandement of Cont Thierry his master brother to the said Cont William Item that all the Earles subiects being in the bishoprick of Vtrecht should from that time forth be vassales to the bishop as well as all his vassales remaining in Holland Item that Cont William with a hundred knights attired onely in linnen cloth and bare-footed should present themselues before the Cathedrall church of Vtrecht and being there the Earle should aske him forgiuenesse for that he had before laid hands vpon him and taken him prisoner although he were rescued in the Abbey of Staueren All which articles the Earle did accomplish fearing his excommunication and from that time the Earle and the bishop continued good friends Behold the simplicitie of Princes and the pride of prelats in those daies brauing all the world with their thundering threats At that time died Henry king of Scotland vncle by the mothers side to cont William of Holland leauing no children There was a great nobleman in Scotland who with the helpe of the king of England got possession of the realm The Earle of Holland pretending a title to the Crowne as the neerest kinsman son to the deceased kings sister imployed all his friends for the obtaining thereof and to bring it to effect being imbarked with a goodly armie he landed in Scotland where at the first he tooke many townes and castles In the meane time Lewis earle of Loos knowing Cont William to be absent and that he could not easily come out of Scotland although he had wholly conquered it leuied men secretly to make a new conquest of the Earldome of Holland but Cont VVilliam being aduertised thereof desiring rather safely to enioy his owne inheritance which he had gotten with much paine than to striue to make a doubtfull conquest in a strange countrey and farre off he returned speedily into Holland The earle of Loos hearing of his returne proceeded no further for he feared him much hauing made so good triall of him who afterwards gouerned his countries peaceably during the remainder of his dayes In the yeare 1218 the lady Alix wife to Cont VVilliam died hauing left the children aboue named and was buried in the church of the Abbey of Rhynsbourg Afterwards the said earle maried with Mary daughter to Edmond of Lancaster son to Henry the third king of England by whom he had no children About that time the inhabitants of Ziricxee in the Island of Shouven in Zeeland began to build great shippes for marchandise to traffique throughout al seas as well North as South and to make their towne famous as it was for a time by reason of their nauigation hauing fit and conuenient hauens and rodes the which haue since beene much stopped with barres of sand so as of late the inhabitants of that towne haue made a new hauen going directly to the sea before Noortbeuelandt The Earles of Zeeland who were also Earles of Holland had a palace in the towne of Ziricxee the ruines whereof are to be seene at this day It is the second towne of Zeeland We haue in the life of Cont Thier◅ the seuenth and of his daughter Ada rela◅ed briefely the deeds of this Cont VVilliam the first of that name FLORIS THE FOVRTH OF THAT name the seuenteenth Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland Florentius Quartus My daughter in one day as many children bare As daies within a yeare complete by vs accounted are Twelue yeares I liued Earle Mars durst me not defie But iealous loue was cause that I was murthered cruelly My wife grieu'd at my death and her so hard fortune At her owne charge for women built the cloyster of Losdune VVithout the towne of Delft my sister edified Another which le champ royal she nam'd wherein she died FLORIS the fourth of that name by the death of Cont William was the seuenteenth Earle of Holland and Zeeland his brother Otto was made Earle of Friseland in his fathers life and William the youngest was hereditarie gouernour of Kennemerlandt this William had one daughter called Alix the which was married to Didier lord of Brederode who had by her Alfart father to William of Brederode who was General of the Horse to the king of the Romans the eighteenth Earle of Holland Cont Floris had to wife Mathilda daughter to Henry duke of Lothier and Brabant by whom he had the said king William his successor and Floris who was gouernour of Holland then Alix which was Contesse of Henault and Marguerite wife to Herman earle of Henneberg who had that great number of children whereof we shall speake by and by In the time of this Earle Floris there was neere vnto the towne of Arckel a little castle vpon the place of Wolfard belonging to Iohn lord of Arckel about the which there liued some poore fishermen at which place the riuer of Meruve began to ebbe and flow for that the riuers of Meuse and Wahal the which before the towne of Tyel in Gelderland was very narrow and could not enter into that of Linge fell into it These poore fishermen called themselues Gorreckens whereof the towne of Gorrekom now Gorrichom tooke the name This lord of Arckel caused all the houses of
sexaginta q◅inque qui past quam per venerabilem Dom. Guidonem Suffragan Episcopi Traiectensis praesentibus nonnull◅s proceribus magnatibus in peluibus duabus ex aere baptismum percepissent masculis Iohannes foemellis vero Elizabeth nomina imposita fuissent simul omnes cum matre vno eodemque die fatis concesserunt in hoc Lodunensi temploiacent Quod quidem accidit ob pauperculam quandam foeminam quae ex vno partu gemellos in vlnis gestabat pueros quam rem admirans ipsa Comitissa dicebat id per vni◅m virum fieri non posse ipsamque contumeliose reiecit vnde haec paupercula animo turhata perculsa prolium tantum numerum ac multitudinem ex vno part◅ ei imprecabatur quod veltotius anni dies numerentur Quod quidem praeter naturae cursum obstupenda quadam rationeita factum est si◅ in hac tabula in perpetuam rei memoriam ex vetustis tum manuscriptis quam typis excusis Chronicis breuiter positū narratum est Deus ille ter maximus hac de re suspiciendus honorandus laudibus extollendus in sempiterna saecula Amen And vnderneath it were these two verses En tibt monstrosum memorabile factum Quale nec a mundi conditione datum At that time there were in Holland and Zeeland fiue hundred knights whereof those that follow were the chiefe Otto brother to Cont Floris William Lieutenant of Holland their brother Didier Lord of Brederode Baylife of Holland Albert his sonne who was afterwards Lord of Brederode William Lord of Theylingen and of Leck These two houses are descended from the auncient Earles of Holland then Iohn Lord of Heusden Iohn de Veen his son Iohn Lord of Arckel Herbert Lord of Botersloot Hugh his son the Lord of Altena the Lord of Lederdam the Lord of Aspren the Lord of Putten and of Streymen Henry Lord of Vorn Ieams Vicont of Leyden Didier Lord of Wassenare Ghysbrecht Lord of Amstel Henry Lord of Woerden William Didier of Theylingen brethren Symon of Harlem Isbrand of Harlem Nicholas Persin Gualter of Egmond Gerard of Egmond his sonne Wouter of Egmond Gualter of Egmond Arnould of Egmond and Nicholas of Egmond all brethren VVilliam of Heeckhuysen Korstant of Raphorst Ieams van ◅uoud Hugh of Craelingen Didier of Gode Roger Bockel Hugh of Ackersloot all renowned knights Goeselin of Ryswicke Albert Vuitten Haghe Didier van Velson Paule of Brigdam Bouven or Bauldwin van Ziburch Floris van VVoert and many other Squires WILLIAM THE SECOND OF THAT name eighteenth Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland and afterwards king of Romans 18. Guilielmus Secundus Leyden first brought thee forth thy race did make thee great VVithin the Countrey Holland thou didst hold thy soueraigne seat Thy wife ELIZA was Rome did thee king elect The Hage thou mad'st chiefe place for lawes thy people to protect In Harlem at thy charge a Cloyster thou did'st make In Friseland fighting in thine armes death life from thee did take Twice ten yeares thou wast Earle and seuen yeares a King Death neither spareth Potentate nor any liuing thing WILLIAM the second of that name after the decease of Cont Floris his father was the 18 Earle of Holland Zeeland c. being only six yeres old when his father died he was therefore vnder the guard and keeping of his vncle Otto bishop of Vtrecht He was borne in the Chamber of Holland for at that time the towne of Leyden was so called Being come to mans age hee maried Eliza or Elizabeth daughter to the duke of Brunswike by whom he had one sonne named Floris the 5 who was the 19 Earle of Holland c. He loued armes and vertue more than to gather riches The popes who had beene alwayes in gratefull to emperours and kings their benefactors hauing degraded Frederic the 2 and Conrard his son from the empire and made Henry Landtgraue of Turinge to be chosen who died soone after the princes electors seeing the popes hatred against Frederic the emperor increased daily and that there would neuer bee an end they gaue the gouernment of the empire in the yeare 1247 to William Earle of Holland c. who at the instance of Henry 2 duke of Brabant by the recommendation of his father in law Otto duke of Brunswike and by the promotion of pope Innocent was chosen king of Romans for that there was no prince in Germanie that for feare of the emperor Frederic and Conrard his son durst accept of the empire Being chosen he was solemnly receiued and crowned at Aix-la-chapelle the 1. day of Nouēber hauing first forced the said town the which vntil that day had alwayes held Frederics part to yeeld vnto him and to administer vnto him the first imperiall crowne and after the death of the emperour Frederic he was by the same pope Innocent proclaimed emperour in the citie of Lion foure yeres after his election The said Cont William king of Romans after that hee had beene crowned at Aix by Conrard bishop of Cologne being then but 20 yeares old he went to Liege whereas he graunted vnto Otto earle of Gueldres brother to the said bishop of Liege the imperiall towne and castle of Nymeghen with all the rights reuenues and iurisdictions belonging and depending thereon to hold it in fee for euer of the empire paying therefore one and twentie thousand markes of pure siluer vpon condition That it should be alwayes lawfull for the emperor or king of Romans to redeeme it again paying the said sum of 21000 marks of siluer and that if afterwards they would ingage it againe the earles of Gueldres should bee alwaies preferred and haue the choice to take or leaue it The which was afterwards confirmed by the successours of the said king William From Liege king William would go to visit all his chasteleines or castles along the riuer of Rhin the which were all open vnto him with offer of seruice except Keyser Weert where the captaine denied him the entrie the king besieged it and held his campe before it aboue a yeare in the end victuals and other prouision failing he sued for mercie The king hauing receiued the captaine into grace seeing his generositie and valour after hee had taken ◅n othe of fealtie he gaue him in mariage Catherine his cosin daughter to Alsard of Brederode and for her dowrie the chasteleine of Keyser Weert with the towne and castle for him and castle for euer to hold of the empire This done he marched towards Holland passing by the towne of Vtrecht where at the request of the bishop Otto his vncle he ratified the priuiledges giuen by former emperors to the said town and bishopricke of Vtrecht yea he augmented them much and gaue them letters patents Being returned into his countrey of Holland and making some stay there he built the palace of the Earles of Holland in the village of la Haye commonly called the Hague whereas
Noortsterwoude Oudherspel Waermenhuysen Nyeulandt Duringhersorn Emgebroerk Oeterleeck Veenhuysin and Medemblyck All which aboue named hauing made their peace with Cont Floris tooke their othe of fealtie and did him homage as well for himselfe as his successors for euer yeelding that in their countrey hee might diuide the wayes at his owne good pleasure for the performance whereof they graunted him the tenth of all kind of graine In recompence whereof the Earle granted them many priuiledges such as those of Vrolen and Oudtorp had obtained from king William his father This reconciliation and accord was made vpon Saint Agnes eue in the yeare 1288. The Earle being still iealous of the loyaltie of the West-Frisons notwithstanding all their othes and homages not trusting them but vpon good assurance caused the castle of Medemblyck to bee finished and to that end camped with his armie at Meloorde vntill it was ended He caused also the fortneere to Veâ—…a vpon the Gheest on the frontiers of Friseland to bee new built againe to the end they might passe frâ—…ly from Alcmar whither they would And he built the fort of Middlebourg along the dike to keepe them from breaking it in that place the castle of Tornenburch which the king his father had built there was heere vnto it The which he did to the end they should not easily besiege neither the one nor the other for that they were within two or three bowes shoot one of another He also built the castle of Nyendoern which since the Frisons ruined Cont Floris hauing bridled the West-Frisons went to Staueren those of that quarter knowing how he had subdued them of West-Friseland by the meanes of so many castles being loath to make triall of the like rigour submitted themselues willingly vnto him with an othe of obedience as to their lord and prince as well to himselfe as to his successors hereafter Earles of Holland who seeing their readinesse and willingnesse gaue them many thankes and granted them freedomes and immunities which were too long to repeat Hauing thus pacified all and settled a good order in Friseland hee parted from Staueren beeing followed by the best and chiefe noble men of that countrey vnto Albrechts-bergh soliciting the confirmation of their priuiledges the which were dispatched in due forme vnder his seale in the yeare of our Lord God 1292. Cont Floris hauing made al Friseland quiet Guy of Dompierre earl of Flanders entred again with an armie into Zeeland pretending to conquer the isle of Walchren Cont Floris posted presently thither with all his forces to chase him away or to giue him battaile Iohâ—… dukel of Brabant desirous to preuent this mischiefe came into Zeeland by whose good 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 peace was concluded betwixt these two princes of Flanders and Holland vpon condition That Cont Floris should take to wife the lady Beatrix daughter to Cont Guy by meanes of which mariage they continued good friends and euery one retired to his owne home Cont Floris had by this lady his wife many children Iohn Thierry Floris William Otto William and Floris Beatrix Mathilda Elizabeth and Marguerite the which died all young except Iohn the eldest who succeeded his father in the counties of Holland and Zeeland c. Hee had also two bastard sonnes Witten the chiefe lord of Hamstede in Zeeland and William both of them braue knights He caused many goodly buildings to be made as the castle of Vogelsanck in the wood of Harlem where hee often held his court by reason of hunting and hawking and other pleasures of iusts and tourneyes hee did also greatly inlarge his court at la Haye The bishop of the clergie of Vtrecht complained to Cont Floris of the wrongs the lords of Amstel and Woerden being cosin germains did vnto them demanding his helpe against them The Earle went and besieged the castle of Vredelandt planting his rammes and other engines of batterie whither he sent the seignior Costin of Renesse knight with a supply of soldiers out of Zeeland The lord of Amstel hauing knowledge of his comming sallied foorth and went to incounter them neere vnto Loen but hee was repulst and defeated by the said seignior of Renesse whereas the lord of Amstel was taken prisoner with a great number of his subiects Arnould of Amstel who remained in the castle hearing of his brothers imprisonment fearing the Earles power yeelded himselfe and the place vnto his mercie who hauing receiued it caused it to be manned with a strong garrison And for that Herman of Woerden had assisted the lord of Amstel against the bishop the Earle went likewise against him to spoile all his lands Herman knowing well that he was vnable to resist so powerfull a prince hauing fortified his castle of Montfort and manned it with a good garrison and all things else requisit for a long siege leauing a good captaine therein whom he trusted absented himselfe out of the countrey The Earle vnwilling to desist notwithstanding his absence besieged the castle a whole yeare together giuing many assaults so as in the end he forced it causing all their heads that he found within it to be cut off two onely reserued then hauing manned the place with souldiers and made hot warre for a time against the said Herman in the end there was a peace concluded betwixt them by the which these two noblemen of Amstel and Woerden did sweare fealtie and obedience vnto the Earle of Holland and the bishop of Vtrecht vpon paine of confiscation of all their goods and neuer to rise nor rebell against him restoring to the bishop of Vtrehct his castles by meanes whereof all quarrels were ended The Earle hauing pardoned what was past held them for his most familiar counsellors which prooued hurtfull vnto him as we shall presently shew In the yeare 1290 Cont Floris and Thierry of Cleues met at la Haye in Holland there to recreate themselues together Cont Floris keeping open court during which time the earle of Cleues did resigne and absolutely yeeld vp vnto the Earle of Holland his cosin the soueraignties and homages of the townes and castles of Heusden Vandrichom and Altena quitting and discharging all his vassals and freed men of their othe of fealtie which they ought vnto him mediatly or immediatly and that afterwards they should hold and depend of the countie of Holland in the like manner as they were woont to hold of the earledome of Cleues So Iohn of Heusden receiued of Floris Earle of Holland by right of reliefe his fees and seigniories of Heusden Altena and Vandrichom which from that time were of the iurisdiction of the countie of Holland and so continue vnto this day Cont Floris seeing himself at rest hauing thus augmented his seigniories and reuenues he prepared a goodly fleet of ships and accompanied with a great number of barons knights and gentlemen went into England to king Edward the first of that name to demand aduice and succours to get the possession of the realme of Scotland
which was fallen vnto him by the decease of his great great grandmother Ada daughter to the king of Scotland who died without heires male wife to Floris the third of that name and thirteenth Earle of Holland which Cont William the first by the death of Henry king of Scotland his vncle by the mothers side did not prosecute by reason of the rebellion of some noblemen of his countrey which hindred him besides the Frisons were reuolted and the earle of Loos during his absence thought to reconquer Holland as wee haue said before Cont Floris being then with king Edward who dissuaded him from this war of Scotland for the great difficulties he should find there they concluded an alliance together which was That Iohn sonne to Cont Floris being then but young shall marie Elizabeth the kings daughter by which mariage they should remaine for euer good friends and allies as since England hath alwayes beene and is at this present well affected to Holland and Zeeland and to the other vnited prouinces of the Netherlands Guy of Dompierre earle of Flanders repining at this friendship and alliance betwixt the king of England and Earle of Holland leuied an armâ—… in the countrey of Catsand to inuade the isle of Walchren during the absence of Cont Floris but Didier lord of Brederode and Iohn of Renesse knights the one in Holland the other in Zeeland made hast to leuie men to oppose against him Cont Floris hauing hewes therof imbarked without any delay and came to land at Flessingue Cont Guy staying too long vpon his passage the seignior of Renesse by commandement from Cont Floris past into Flanders burnt the towne of Scluce and spoiled the whole countrey about This done the lords of Brederode and Renesse enter ioyntly with their troups into the isle of Catsand which they destroyed also The Flemings who were not faire from them being about 4000 men thought to compasse in the Hollanders but the seignior of Renesse who had but 300 Zeelanders choyce men and he a braue and hardie knight went first to charge them and put them to rout so as there were a great number slaine and drowned besides prisoners and the bootie which he carried into Holland returning a victor to the Earle his Prince This happened on Simon and Iudes day in the yeare 1296. The Flemings being retired after this defeat Cont Floris fortified his countrey of Zeeland with good garrisons against their inuasions and spoyles then hee returned into Holland to his court at la Haye One day among the rest he bethought himselfe that in the great wars which hee had had against the Frisons Flemings and others he had lost a good number of his knights and of his best noblemen besides many were dead of the plague the which had beene very violent in his countries so as to his great griefe he was then very destitute whereupon he resolued to send for one day in Christmas to his court at la Haye fortie of the chiefest and most substantiall of all his subiects that were not noble the which had good meanes and great reuenues to entertaine the traine and estate of a knight With these fortie good men specially chosen he held open court made them knights and gaue them armes and blasons In this sort did he honour his good and vertuous subiects who by their wealth might well maintaine their estate in the seruice of their prince Withall he did repeople his countrey with nobles and did beautifie his traine and court for the more noblemen a prince hath the more is hee honoured and feared True it is that in the beginning the antient nobilitie did scorne and hate these new knights it may be for that they had not so great meanes but in succession of time their sonnes grand-children and great grand children were taken for good gentlemen The chief knights and gentlemen issued from antient nobiline and knighthood in the time of this Earle Floris were these that follow Iohn of Holland his sonne Herman earle of Heneberg husband to Marguerite his aunt who had so many children Didier the Gentle lord of Brederode William lord of Theylinghen Iohn lord of Heusden Iohn lord of Heesben Arnoult lord of Escluse brother to the lord of Heusden Iohn lord of Arckel Hugh Butterman lord of Buttersloot Iohn lord of Heucklom Otto seignior of Aspren and of Abkoy Peregrin seignior of Lederdam his brother Ieams lord of Wassenare Didier of Theylinghen Nicholas Persin seignior of Waterlandt Simon of Harlem Ghysbrecht lord of Amstel Arnould of Amstel his brother Herman of Woerden Iohn of Leck lord of Polnen Hugh of Vianen Ghysbrecht of Yselsteyn Wolfard lord of Vere Iohn of Renesse Witten bastard to Cont Floris the first lord of Hamstede and William his brother Nicholas lord of Putten and of Stryen William of Egmond Gerard of Egmond his sonne Baldwin of Nueldwick Ieams Vander Vuoude Arnould of Heemskerke Henry of Heemskerke his brother Didier vander Goude Gerard van Velson Gerard of Heemskerke Didier of Raephorst Gerard of Raephorst his brother Hugh of Craelinghen Werembault Witten Hage Albert his sonne Gerard of Harlem Iohn Dortoghe and Floris of Duynen all knights And in Zeeland the chiefe noblemen were the lords of Borssele of Brigdam of Zandtwick of la Vere of Cats of Cortgoen of Mourmont of Renesse and of Ornyninghe all which carried the Earles order which was a coller of gold interlaced with cockle shels and the image of S. Iames hanging at it There was in the Earls court a valiant knight put in the rank of these nobles named Gerard van Velson whom the Earle held a whole yeare in prison after that he had caused his brothers head to be cut off through the false reports and pernitious counsell of some that hated them The Earle being afterwards better informed of the truth and of their innocencie hauing set Gerard at libertie he sought by all meanes to repaire the wrongs that had beene done him and to honour and aduance him among all the rest and to make him the more affectionat to his seruice the Earle thinking therein to doe him honour and sauour would haue giuen him his minion in mariage the which was a faire gentlewoman But Gerard disdaining her like a generous man would none of her The Earle insisting still to haue him mâ—…ie her in the end Gerard angrie at his importunities answered him plainly That he was not so abiect not base minded vsing a common Dutch phrase as to put his feet in his old shooes which is as much to say as to marie his leauings or strumpet The Earle displeased at this answer said vnto him And truly thou shalt haue my leauings Gerard who regarded not the Eaâ—…ls words goes from court and a while after maries the daughter of Herman seignior of Woerden neece to Ghysbrecht of Amstel Cont Floris hearing afterwards that Gerard was maried and that hee came no more to court by the persuasion of his minion he sent for him being
afterwards another garboile in South-Holland which was that Allant bayliffe of Dordrecht meaning to make some secret informations of some crimes committed in the towne he required the Sherifes to assist and to sit with him in iudgement Whereunto it was answered him That it was against the lawes and priuiledges of the towne if in any thing great or small they should appeare in iustice without their Escoutette yet without preiudice to their authoritie and rights that in fauour of iustice they would assist not as Iudges but as Commissaries and Informers The information being begun Cont Iohn arriued with Wolphard of la Vere who demaunded the names of the offendors to doe iustice as hee should thinke good The bourgesses answered that by their priuiledges all offences committed in the towne should be also punished there The Earle discontented at this answere departed suddenly to la Haye The magistrats of Dordrecht hearing of his discontent sent some of the chiefe of the towne vnto him with offer to yeeld him a reason of the answer they had made him whereupon the Earle appointed them a day in the towne of Delft where being assembled the lord of la Vere speaking for the Earle made a discourse of what was past The Sherifes of Dordrecht answered That it had bin decreed with the baylife that any thing which happened within the towne should be ended by the Sherifes and the Escoutette by no other Iudges Whereupon the baylife said That they had lyed and that if there were any one that would maintaine it he would fight with him At these words one of the magistrats of Delft stept vp and said That it was not fit to expose the rights and priuiledges of any town to the hazard of a single combat thereby to make them fruitlesse and of no force Whereunto the lord of la Vere replied You my masters of Delft trouble not your selues with my lord the Earles affaires he knowes best what he is to do and without any other conclusion euery one retired discontented Soone after the Earle proscribed the towne of Dordrecht which is as much as to declare them guiltie of high treason as Witten of Hamstede bastard of Holland was in the castle of Putten and Nicholas de Cats at Ablasserdam Allant baylife of Dordrecht went to Slydrecht with many men and built a fort vpon the ditch that nothing might passe They of Dordrecht made choice of foure men among them that were valiant wise and temperat whom they made their captaines to whom they committed all the charge and conduct of this apparent warre writing to all the townes of Holland and Zeeland intreating them not to make too much hast to oppresse them seeing that the like might one day happen vnto them through the great libertie of some who abusing the youth and bountie of their prince did attribute vnto themselues the whole gouernment Whilest that Wolphard of la Vere a violent and seuere man would haue surcharged the Hollanders with some new imposition and extraordinarie customes disposing moreouer of all things at his pleasure he became odious â—…o many Once among the rest the Earle being at 〈◊〉 Hayeâ—… as also the lord of la Vere was there happened a tumult betwixt the said lord â—…f la Verâ—… and soâ—… noblemen and gentlemen of Holland running vp and down the strcets and 〈◊〉 Where is our enemie How long shall we suffer our selues to be braued and ill â—…ted by him Let vs goe and spoyle him and let vs see what all those practises which he â—…ath made â—…oppresse vs will auaile him Lâ—… Vere hearing this rumour kept himselfe close and the 〈◊〉 morning by the breake of day departed from la Haye with Cont Iohn went to Sâ—…dam there to imbarkt and to passe by the riuer of Meuse into Zeeland but the Hollanders peâ—… it pursued him and forced him to returne the respect of the Princes presence restâ—…g them 〈◊〉 offering him any further violence then they led their Earle and the said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Delft oâ—… here fearing that they would 〈◊〉 â—…ther him he fled into a high house built of free stone at the corner of a stâ—…ect called Choorstroet before the which there presently gathered together a multitude of people crying confusedly that they should deliuer Wolphard els they would burne the house and all that were within it They that were within the house with him fearing their liues tooke Wolphard who was not armed and cast him out from the highest windowes into the street where he was presently murthered and cut in pieces the which afterwards bred great quarrels betwixt the Nobilitie of Holland and Zeeland At the same time the bayliffe Allant hauing feare of them of Dordrecht had fled into the castle of Crayensteyn and hauing lost the lord of la Vere who was his chiefe support the commons of the towne went to besiege them seeing no meanes to escape them he went willingly to yeeld himselfe into his enemies hands who after they had reuiled him they put him into a barke and caried him to Dordrecht but he had no sooner set foot on land but hee was murthered by the people and his brother with him In the yeare 1300 Cont Iohn of Holland being at Harlem fell sicke whereof hee died the fourth of the Calends of Nouember after that he had gouerned his Countries of Holland Zeeland and West-Friseland about foure yeares He was the first of all the Earles of Holland that died without children and had not receiued the order of Knighthood in whom failed the line of Earles issued from the masculine line of the dukes of Acquitaine the which from Thierry the first Earle had continued 437 yeares He was interred in the abbey of Rhinsburg and by his death those Countries fell to the Earles of Henault issued by the mothers side from the Earles of Holland The Lady Elizabeth his widow was caried backe into England and afterwards married to the Earle of Oxford After the death of Cont Iohn Ghisbrecht of Amstel returned into Holland and did againe possesse the village of Amsterdam which he began to fortifie and to build many bridges and towers about the wals those of Harlem and the Waterlanders went thither with an army chased away Ghisbrecht set fire on the town burnt all the bridges and towers of wood and then ruined the rest We haue said before that when as the lord of Brederode and the noblemen of Holland went to fetch Cont Iohn out of England they led with them the gyant Klaes van Knyten as a strange and monstrous thing You must vnderstand that this gyant was borne in a village called Sparenwonde neere to Harlem his father and mother were of an ordinarie stature yet no man might bee compared vnto him for the tallest men of all Holland might stand vnder his arme and not touch him and yet there are commonly seene euen at this day very tal men in that countrey he would couer foure ordinary soles of
shooes with his foot He tertified little children to behold him and yet there was not any roughnes nor malice in him but was gentle and mild as a lambe for if he had beene fierce and cruell answerable to his greatnesse and proportion he might haue chased a whole armie before him In those daies there sprung vp in the country of Friseland the factions of Schyerlingers and Vetcoopers the which froÌ„ a small beginning vnworthy to be written the which notwithstanding we haue related in our description of the vnited prouinces of the low countries was the cause of great effusion of bloud destruction of the country ruine of good families murthers among all sorts in generall As in like sort the partialities of Hooks and Cabillaux in Holland and those of Guelphes and Gibilins in Italie the diuersitie of coloured hoods in Flanders and other like factions in France were the causes of great miseries in those times also according vnto some opinions it seemes that all these factions began almost at one instant that of the Schyerlingers and Vetcoopers hauing continued in Friseland vntill that the Emperour Maximilian the first sent Albert duke of Saxonie thither to suppresse them for that the Commissioners which he had formerly sent to pacifie and reconcile them had preuailed nothing making him his lieutenant and gouernour hereditarie yet with small profit for he was slaine there and his two sonnes the dukes Henry and George as we shall shew hereafter did not auaile much so as they left all so great louers haue the Frisons alwayes beene of their franchises and liberties But vnder the gouernment of the said princes of Saxonie these factions ceased to oppose themselues with their ioint forces against the rule of strangers as they had done often before when any stranger came to assaile them and hauing chased them away they returned to their first spleene and hatred but the Saxons brought them to so great pouerty and their quarrell continued so long as they forgat their factions IOHN EARLE OF HENAVLT THE second of that name one and twentieth Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of West-Friseland 21 Joannes Hannonâ—… Fiue yeares I liued Earle of Holland by descent Of blood and for my comfort God three noble sonnes me sent Whose valours did enfranchise me from all my feare Whil'st Brabant and the Emperor 'gainst me great malice bare By them I ouercame GVIDO DOMPIERRE in fight And freed the towne of Zirickxee from all their enemies might The Flemings I subdu'd that were my enemies And in Valencia deepe intomb'd my bones and ashes lyes THE SECOND BOOKE ¶ The Argument IOhn Earle of Henault sonne to Iohn of Auesnes and the Ladie Alix sister to king William Earle of Holland was the second of that name and one and twentieth Earle of Holland Warre betwixt them of Vtrecht and their Bishop Iohn de Renesse prouokes the Earle of Flanders against the Earle of Holland which was the cause of great warres ¶ William called the Good the third of that name the two and twentieth Earle of Holland Guy of Holland his brother bishop of Vtrecht had great warres against the Frisons Cont William subdued the East-Frisons Iustice done vpon a baylife of South-Holland for a cow whom the Earle caused to be executed lying on his death bed ¶ William the fourth sonne to the good Earle William the three and twentieth Earle of Holland He makes warre against the Russians them of Vtrecht and the Frisons by whom he was slain in battaile leauing no children ¶ Marguerite wife to the Emperour Lewis of Bauiere daughter to the good Earle William the foure and twentieth Commander in Holland and Zeeland where she appointed duke William of Bauiere her eldest sonne Gouernor in her absence He had warre against them of Vtrecht The faction of the Cabillaux rise in Vtrecht which bandie duke William against his mother after the death of the Emperor Lewis whereof followed two cruell battailes in the first the Empresse was victor in the second duke William after much bloud spilt they agreed ¶ William remaining the fiue and twentieth Earle of Holland Vtrecht had warre against their bishop and the bishop against the Earle of Holland who was distract of his wits and the gouernment put into the hands of duke Albert of Bauiere his brother notwithstanding the factions which grew betwixt the Hoocks and the Cabillaux William called the Franticke being dead ¶ Albert of Bauiere was the six and twentith Earle of Holland Delft rebelled against the Earle he besieged it and forceth them to obedience The bishop of Vtrecht in warre against the Earle of Holland Anne of Poelgeest minion to Cont Albert murthered in the night which bred a great quarell betwixt the Earle of Ostrenant and Cont Albert his father An affront done to the Earle of Ostreuant at the French kings table which caused warre against the Frisons who were often subdued and rebelled as often Warre betwixt the Earle of Holland and the Lord of Arckel The historie of a sea-woman taken in Holland ¶ William the sixt of that name the seuen and twentieth Earle of Holland succeeded his father Albert he had great warres against the bishop of Vtrecht and the Lord of Arckel The Liegeois make warre against their bishop brother to the Earle of Holland the Earle goes to succor him and defeats the Liegeois Warre betwixt the Earle of Holland and the duke of Gueldres Cont William leauing one only heire ¶ Iacoba or Iaquelina the eight and twentieth commanding in Holland c. she maried first with the Daulphin of France sonne to Charles the sixt who died at one and twentie yeares of age without children then she maried with Iohn duke of Brabant Iohn of Bauiere bishop of Vtrecht troubles her estate to make himselfe Earle The Lady Iaqueline seperated from the duke her husband by reason of neerenesse of bloud she espouseth the duke of Glocester who after leaues her She had great warres and troubles against the duke of Brabant against her vncle and against the duke of Bourgoigne shee marries Franc of Borsele secretly the duke Philip of Bourgoigne puts him in prison and for his libertie she resignes all her Countries vnto the duke IOHN Earle of Holland sonne to Cont Floris the fifth being dead without heires the Earledomes of Holland and Zeeland with the Seigniorie of Friseland came by succession to Iohn Earle of Henault sonne to Cont Iohn of Auesnes and the Lady Alix sister to William king of Romans and Earle of Holland and so sonne to Cont Iohns great aunt Iohn of Henault was the one and twentieth Earle of Holland for which he quartered his Armes the Lyon sables of Henault and the Lyon gules of Holland in fields or This Earle had foure brethren Botzard bishop of Metz Iohn bishop of Cambray Guy chanon of Cambray and Floris who was prince of Morienne At his comming to this succession of Holland and Zeeland he gaue vnto his brother Guy the Seigniories of Amsterdam
and Woerden to hold them in fee of the countie of Holland with all their rights and dependances the homage and right of heronie only excepted the which he reserued for himselfe which seigniories he should inioy but during his life or vntill he were aduanced to a bishoprick or to some ecclesiasticall dignitie equiualent to a bishoprick that then they should returne to the reuenues of the Earle of Holland wherof Guy past a couenant in writing to the Earle his brother This Guy gaue vnto Amsterdam many freedoms rights liberties statutes ordinances for the gouernment of the town and administration of iustice Afterwards he was bishop of Vtrecht and after his death these two seigniories returned to the Earle of Holland as we shall shew hereafter This Earle Iohn of Henault had to wife Philip daughter to the earle of Luxenbourg by whom he had his eldest son called Iohn without mercy earle of Ostreuant who was slaine at the battaile of Groeninghen neere vnto Courtray William who was Earle after him called the Good Iohn of Beaumont earle of Blois Henry chanon of Cambray Marguerite contesse of Arthois Adella contesse of Clermont Marie contesse of Bourbonois and Mathilda lady of Neele In the yeare 1301 Cont Iohn of Henault leuied great forces with the which hee came into Zeeland with an intent to reduce the seignior Iohn de Renesse vnto reason by armes who being banished his countrey went to the emperour Albert for succour shewing that the earledomes of Holland and Zeeland by the decease of the last Earle Iohn of Holland without heiâ—…s should returne vnto the empire whereupon the said emperor did write to all the countries of Holland Zeeland and West-Friseland what right he pretended vnto them and that his intention was to annexe them vnto the empire as Charles the Bald emperour of Romanes had giuen them in fee and homage vnto Thierry of Acquitaine the first Earle of Holland So the emperour came downe the same yeare as far as Nymegen to receiue possession thereof being accompanied by the archbishops and princes electors of Mentz Treues and Cologne and with many other princes and barons of Germany Cont Iohn of Henault prepared a goodly armie for to incounter him and to stop his passage and entrie into his countries planting his campe at Bonswaerd vpon the mouth of the riuer of Wahal searching a foord to passe vnto the other side to charge the emperours armie who hauing caused the Earles forces to be viewed and hearing that he was resolued to charge him hee then thought that Iohn de Renesse had abused him he therefore retired his armie vnto Cranenbourg with an intent to depart the next day and to returne into Austria But the bishop of Cologne iealous of the emperors honour laboured to treat a peace with Cont Iohn the which was concluded vpon condition That the Earle shall take an othe and do homage vnto the emperour and should hold his earldomes of Holland Zeeland and West-Friseland of the empire he and his successors for euer This done they returned good friends euery one to his home Some Zeelanders being come downe with Iohn de Renesse to the emperours seruice came too late and leauing their ships at Heusden went into Brabant Cont Iohn followed them at the heeles and burnt all their ships which done he banished the seignior of Renesse and confisked all his goods the which hee gaue vnto some gentlemen that had serued him faithfully in that voyage yet would not the said Renesse with his small troupe forbeare to make war against the Hollanders entring vpon the lands of Berghen vpon Soom whereas the lord of Berghen went to fight with him and defeated 500 of his men at one incounter who being escaped with the rest fled into the castle of Puydroyen Cont Iohn was then in the towne of Dordrecht sending his eldest sonne Iohn without mercy earle of Ostreuant to besiege him in this castle Renesse hauing intelligence of his comming and being well acquainted with his crueltie fearing least he should be intreated like vnto them of the castle of Berendorp where he put al that he found within it to the sword without any respect or mercie for the which he was since called Iohn without mercy hee resolued with his men to retire himselfe into Flanders and to abandon the place Being come into Flanders he made a league with the Flemings against the Hollanders Zeelanders and with a smal armie of their souldiers entred into the island of Zuytbeuelandt presuming to surprise the towne and castle Ter-Goes Those of Romerswael tooke armes against him and hauing charged them with all their forces slew about 800 of those Flemings vpon the place and the rest were put to flight among the which the seignior of Renesse escaped with great difficultie The same yeare William Bertold bishop of Vtrecht a busie man seeking to bring in many innouations vpon his subiects was taken prisoner by M. Asuerus of Montfort Hubert of Vianen Iohn of Linschoten and Iohn of Lichtenbourg Bourgmasters of the towne and was detained about a yeare in the house of the said Lichtenbourg within Vtrecht in the end by the helpe of some of his partisans he escaped out of prison yet could he neuer reenter into the towne but remained banished retiring himselfe vnto his friends in Oueryssel where hee was honourably receiued as their ghostly father and temporall prince A while after he went to Rome to resigne his bishopricke into the Popes hands that he might spend the remainder of his dayes in peace and rest But the Pope refusing to accept thereof commanded the bishop of Munster to assist his brother and companion to restore him to his bishoprâ—… and town of Vtrecht by force and to subdue his rebellious subiects Hereupon at his returne from Rome he leuied men in the countrey of Oueryssel being the vpper part of the dioces of Vtrecht to seeke to recouer his towne Some noblemen and gentlemen of Holland among other Henry Vicont of Leyden Didier of Wassenare Philip of Montfort Symon of Benthem Floris of Dunen and Ieams vanden Vouden all knights enemies to the bishop and friends to Ieams of Lichtenbourg with a good number of souldiers being called by the citizens of Vtrecht and with the consent of the Earle of Holland their prince went to succor the said Lichtenbourg to chase away the bishop Being come into a goodly champion countrey neere vnto Hooch-woord the bishop was twice as strong in men as they and went to charge them first he defeated some countreymen that were out of their campe and fought valiantly against the Hollanders During the fight Asuerus of Montfort arriued with some troupes to succour these noblemen of Holland and then the skirmish was more violent then before The bishop being well mounted passed and repassed through the Hollanders army three times without any harme for that no man durst touch him knowing him to be their spirituall father but thinking to charge through againe
of Brabant who was imbarked in this quarrell with the Flemings woon the towne of Gertruydenberg with all South-Holland except the town of Dordrecht which he besieged tenne daies gaue many assaults vnto it and cast in fire the inhabitants behaued themselues valiantly both in repulsing his attempts and in quenching the fire making a braue sally with Nicholas of Putten their leader vpon the Brabancons whom they chased with their duke out of their quarters pursuing them at the heeles and spoyling many good villages euen to Boisleduc into the which in despight of the duke they cast fire and burnt a good part of the towne and so returned laden with spoiles vnto Gertruydenberg hauing first chased away the Brabancons then they came backe to their owne towne of Dordrecht This done they got a new supply of men and vnder the commaund of the said Seignior of Putten did fight with Guy of Flanders neere vnto Isselmond whereas there were slain aboue two thousand Flemings so as Guy saued himselfe with great difficultie During the time that Guy of Henault bishop of Vtrecht was prisoner in Flanders there were two contrarie factions in the town the which had beene enemies one to another a long time but hearing that their prince and bishop was taken prisoner they reconciled themselues each to other both parties swearing faithfully to preserue and maintain the citie in good estate so long as their lord should remaine prisoner but one of the parties did not long keepe their othe for soone after Gerard of Brucken a knight was slain standing before his doore the murtherers going on seised vpon the persons of Ieams of Lichtenbourg of the seignior of Weruher whom they shut vp in the castle of Vreeseburch and soone after brought them to S. Katherins place at mid-night and there put them to death which was the cause afterwards of great murthers calamities and miseries in the said towne of Vtrecht Guy of Flanders hearing of these alterations in Vtrecht entred with his forces displaceth the magistrats by his own authoritie and chuseth others in their places persuading the chapter to depose their bishop Guy who was in prison and to receiue in his place VVilliam of Iuilliers the which haply hee had obtained if VVitten bastard of Holland lord of Hamstede had not come speedily from Ziricxee to Stanfort neere Harlem This lord of Hamstede being entred into Harlem with a small troupe of souldiers displayed his banner with the armes of Holland whereat the Kennemers Waterlanders and Frisons both East and West reioyced much praysing God that they had yet one captaine descended from the right line and stocke of Holland Hee then seeing all this people well resolued to follow him goes out of the towne in arms to fight with the Flemings Comming to the village of Hillegom they had before them the gouernor of Flanders with his armie the which they quite defeated The Frisons stript them that were slain and laid them on a heape one vpon another and so left them like vnto a mount of ioy for a marke or remembrance vnto the Flemings when they should haue any desire to returne how they had beene intreated there which place is at this day remarkable by the name of Outdt-manne-pat The newes of this defeat were presently spred ouer all Holland There was in the towne of Delft a valiant gentleman named Ockenburch who hearing of this victorie tooke a banner with the armes of Holland in his hand and went crying through the streets Holland Holland c. At which crie all the commons did rise in armes chasing the Flemings out of their towne and spoyled a good number of them this done the Delfois went to Leyden where they did the like and with them of Leyden went to la Goude which they surprised chased away the Flemings and rescued their bourgesses that were prisoners there In the meane time the lord of Hamstede arriued with his troups who chased away the rest of the Flemings that were about Leyden who thinking to saue themselues in Delft were poorely receiued and miserably cut in peeces so as in one street there were 〈◊〉 Fleming found dead vpon the pauement which street is at this day called Flemings street some to saue their liues cast themselues from the top of the wall into the towne ditches where they were drowned And thus the lord of Hamstede recouered all Holland in a short time to his great honor and an irrecouerable losse to the Flemings from whom both he and his souldiers tooke a great and rich spoile At the same time Nicholas de Cats who as we haue said had beene appointed by Guy of Flanders gouernor of Schoonhouen came from the castle to see and heare what was done or said in the towne but the inhabitants laid presently hold vpon him sent him to the lord of Hamstede intreating him to come vnto them the which he did presently with some troups and besieged the castle the which in the end he forced to yeeld and the Flemings were in like sort chased from thence Guy of Flanders being aduertised of the good successe of the lord of Hamstede and of the losse of his men in so many places aised a great mightie armie with the which he marched towards Vtrecht and from thence came the third time to besiege the towne of Ziricxee the which he straitly begirt with many trenches blockhouses mounts and battered it with his rammes crossebowes and other engines the which did cast stones of an exceeding greatnesse It happened that during this siege the Flemings cast one great stone into the towne in the which place there was a mechanike man the which was verie expert in casting of stones who said Giue me this stonie messenger I will send it from whence it came and hauing banded his engin deliuered it so cunningly as it fell vpon the engin that had first sent it brake it all in peeces and crusht the hand of the enginer that gouerned it Guy of Flanders resolued to carry the towne by assault commanding his souldiers to bring as much straw reeds and bauins as they could carrie on their backs to fill vp the ditch which being done hee caused his men to approach neere the walls but the besieged presented themselues couragiously repulsing them as well with handie blowes as with stones The yongest and most able defended the assault at the breach the elder were in the towers casting stones incessantly and shooting arrowes as thicke as haile the women and maids brought them stones by heaps that they might not faile in their defence for want of offenciue armes If the enemie did cast fire vpon any house they ran speedily to quench it To conclude this furious assault was so manfully defended and the enemies so valiantly repulst as Guy was forced to leaue the assault with losse of his men very many being hurt who of a long time were not able to fight and finding that by this assault he had preuailed
Prouence who was condemned to be hanged being priuy to the earle Campobachios treacherous practises and not caused him to be sodainly executed at the instance of this traitor hee might haue preuented his owne death and the ruine of his estate which the said Campobachio had plotted with the duke of Lorraine to the great content of Lewis the 11. And it is friuolous to say that in such cases prisoners condemned make such suits to prolong their liues for no aduertisements in matter of war how small soeuer from whence they may draw great coniectures and from coniectures come vnto the proofe are to be reiected And therefore wee may not wonder if things succeed not well with that prince that relies too much on the passions of his counsellors whom he should alwayes suspect to be enemies or to malice and hate him to whom they dissuade him to giue audience and the prince ought herein being well assured of his person vse his owne wisedome But let vs returne to our hystorie To pacifie these great quarrels betwixt Philip the Faire king of France Iohn of Henault earl of Holland Guy bishop of Vtrecht and Guy of Dompierre earle of Flanders and his three sonnes the duke of Bourgoigne and some other princes were intercessors and mediators on either side so as in the end an accord was made betwixt them by the which it was concluded That Guy bishop of Vtrecht shold be set at libertie shold be restored to the possession of his bishoprick the which was done That the earle of Flanders with his threesons some princes and noblemen with fortie Flemish gentlemen should be set at libertie by the king the which returned ioyfully into Flanders euerie one to his owne home But the earle after his inlargement grew so sicke as he died the 20 of March 1305 and was buried at Scluce neere vnto the contesse Marguerite his mother Some chronicles of Flanders say that he died at Campeigne in France being yet a prisoner Iohn of Henault Earlé of Holland and Zeeland Lord of West-Friseland hauing aduertisement of the victorie which God had giuen vnto VVilliam earle of Ostreuant his sonne was verie ioyfull and soone after the second day of the ides of September 1305 departed this world in peace and rest after that he had gouerned Henault 30 yeares and Holland and Zeeland c. 5 yeares and was interred at Valenciennes The lady Philip of Luxembourg his wife died soone after and was buried by her husband At the time of the death of the said Cont Iohn there were many noblemen barons knights and squiers that were renowned in the countries of Holland and Zeeland amongst the which the most famous were Guy of Henault lord of Amstel and of Woerden afterwards bishop of Vtrecht brother to the said Cont Iohn Iohn without mercie earle of Ostreuant who was slaine before the death of his father at the battaile of Courtray William who succeeded him in the said earldome of Ostreuant his second son afterwards Earle of Henault Holland Zeeland c. Iohn of Beaumont earle of Blois and of Soissons all three brethren sonnes to the said Cont Iohn of Henault Didier the Gentle lord of Brederode William and Thierry his brethren Didier lord of Theylinghen Iohn of Heusden Iohn lord of Arckel Hugh Butterman lord of Buttersloot Albert lord of Voorne Nicholas lord of Putten and of Stryen Iohn lord of Leck and Polanen Iohn lord of Hencklom Otto lord of of Aspren and Abkoy Ghysbrecht of Yselsteyn Henry vicont of Leyden Didier lord of Wassenare Henry lord of Vianen Nicholas of Persin Didier of Harlem Witten bastard of Holland lord of Hamstede in Zeeland Nicholas of Cats Peregrin lord of Lederdam and of Haestrecht William of Egmond Iohn lord of Elshaut Iohn seignior of Drongelon Didier seignior of Lyenburch Ieams vander Wuoude Gerard of Heemskerke Gerard of Polgeest seignior of Almade Simon of Benthem Wolwin of Sasse Adamâ—… Escosse Baldwin of Naeldwick Floris van Duynen Floris van Tol all knights Among the squiers William of Harlem William of Assendelf Iohn van Zil Nicholas of Adrichom Wouter of Wyck were the most markable with an infinit number of gentlemen of name and armes The yeare before the death of Cont Iohn of Henault there were so great tempests and such tides on a S. Katherines day as many banks and dikes were broken and carried away in Zeeland and the isle of Walchren was so ouerflowne as the countrey men were out of all hope to recouer their banks and if William Earle of Ostreuant who made his vsuall residence in Zeeland and the lord of Borssele had not preuented it at their owne charge this island had beene lost WILLIAM THE THIRD OF THAT name the two and twentieth Earle of Holland Zeeland and Henault Lord of Friseland 22 Guil ielmus 3 Hanoniae Cogn Bonus IOANE daughter to king CHARLES de Valois was thy spouse That brought thee children worthy thy degree and noble house Whereof one did his valour great and vertue show By mounting thee againe when as thy foes did ouerthrow Thee from thy horse whereby at last God did thee send The victorie to honour of the French as then thy friend Thou punishedst a bailife that a poore mans Cow did take And ruling thirtie yeares and one this life thou didst forsake WILLIAM the third of that name before Earle of Ostreuant after the decease of Cont Iohn of Henault his father succeeded and was the 22 Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland vnited to his county of Henault for his mildnesse gentlenesse equitie and good life hee was called The good Earle William Hee was generally beloued of all knights princes noblemen and greatly honoured of all men for his valour he was surnamed The Master of Knights Lord of Princes He had to wife Ioane the daughter of Charls of Valois brother to Philip the Faire king of France by whom he had Iohn his eldest son who died yong VVilliam earle of Ostreuant who was his successor and Lewis who died also yong Marguerite wife to Lewis duke of Bauiere emperour who after the decease of her brother VVilliam was contesse of Henault Holland Zeeland and ladie of Friseland Ioane who was maried to the earle of Iuilliers another Ioane who was queene of England and the fourth Elizabeth At his comming to these earldoms and seigniories he kept open court whither came 20 earles 100 barons 1000 knights and an infinit number of gentlemen ladies and gentlewomen comming from all parts This feast continued eight daies in all kind of sports and pastimes afterwards the princes of Germany did chuse him vicar of the empire He was much renowned throughout al Germanie in respect of two strong castles which he did win neer vnto Cologne that is Bruile Wolmestein He was founder of the chanory of Middlebourg in Zeeland walled in the town fortified it This Cont VVilliam had one brother as we haue said called Iohn of
Beaumont who maried the daughter of the earl of Blois and of Soissons and who by the death of his father in law was in the right of his wife earle of Blois and of Soissons by which lady he had Iohn which succeeded him father to the earls Iohn and Guy of Blois This earle Iohn of Beaumont obtained of the Earle of Holland his brother the towne of la Goude Schoonhouen with all rights duties and appurtenances the which he repaired and fortified the castles to make them his residence In the yeare 1311 Guy of Henault bishop of Vtrecht vncle to Cont William the Good intending to make a fort at Schellinkwerff to bridle the Frisons for the effecting whereof hee sought some firme foundation but being sent for to assist the counsell of Vienna he was interrupted in this worke Being at this counsell pope Clement the fift at the request of Philip the Faire king of France would haue made him cardinall but he refused it desiring rather to liue quietly in his bishopricke of Vtrecht than to be a courtier at Rome After this counsell the king led him with him into France where he assigned him fiue hundred liuers of rent to entertaine him in his friendship and good alliance Being with the king at Pontoise he did mediat an accord and reconciliation betwixt the Earles of Flanders and Holland the which succeeded well and these two princes were by the kings authoritie made good friends Whilest that bishop Guy was in France it was bruted abroad that he was dead and therefore the Frisons of Schellinkwerff hauing taken armes for that the said bishop had pretended to build a fort vpon their limits they went to besiege his castle of Vollenhouen in the country of Oueryssel and did presse it all they could with diuers kinds of batteries The besieged who wanted neither men nor munition defended themselues valiantly with arrowes and slings so as they chased the Frisons out of their suburbs who made a high tower of wood of three stages the which they manned with their best souldiers that from the top of it they might cast and shoot more easily into the fort approaching it within fiue foot of the wal This great tower was couered on the outside with raw hides and by that meanes armed against the fire and below couered with an inclosure against their rammes crossebowes and other engins of batterie with this they laboured to beat downe the chiefe tower of the castle and to keepe the besieged from the walls thinking by that meanes to come easily to the scalado Herman prouost collegiall of Deuenter hearing in what danger his brother the chastelaine of Vollenhouen was went speedily into France to aduertise the bishop into what necessitie the besieged were brought by the Frisons The bishop hauing taken his leaue of the king made no delay vntill hee were returned into Holland where hauing gathered together some troups hee barked to passe into Friseland The besieged of Vollenhouen seeing from their highest tower this fleet of ships at sea knew well that they were succours which came to free them from this siege so as growing more couragious they filled a barrell full of flaxe mixt with lard pitch oyle rosin brimston saltpeter al together the which being kindled they cast into the tower vpon that part that was neerest vnto the wall which was the middle stage the wind driuing it inward did kindle it more and more and dispersed the flames in such sort as the fire did first burne the higher stage then going downeward it consumed all this great building with fiftie Frisons in it the fire preuenting them and such as thought to saue themselues in leaping out of it brake their armes and legs The captaine of the castle who slept not in the meane time sallied forth and fell vpon the Frisons camp the which he put to rout euery man sauing himselfe as he could in the pursute he slew fiue hundred and then returned to his fort This done the Hollanders armie began to approach ioyning to that of the bishops Floris prouost cathedrall of Vtrecht Iohn of Arckel first counsellor to the bishop Didier lord of Brederode and Nicholas Putten barons and of the chiefe of the Earl of Hollands counsell hauing prepared their tents and pauilions they resolued to land the next day in Friseland and to giue battaile vnto the Frisons but the night following there happened so violent a tempest and such stormes of wind and raine as their pauilions were carried away and their souldiers wonderfully tormented and tired with the fowle weather The next day the tempest beeing ceased and the skie growne cleere about noone these noblemen seeing that the wayes being full of water were not passable and that Winter approaching they could not march far into the countrey and much lesse do any worthy exploit they raised their campe imbarkt againe and returned euery man to his home But they had no sooner weighed anker but the people of Friseland sent vnto them to demaund peace offering to repaire the faults that had beene committed by them in this warre and presenting hostages for assurance of their reparation The bishop seeing that they submitted themselues vnto his mercie sent backe the said hostages free after that he had made an accord with them the which was set downe in writing In the yeare 1316 there was so great a famine in Holland that the poore people died for hunger as they went in the streets and going to seeke hearbs and roots in the woods fields they remained statke dead in the wayes they were growne so weake and feeble as they were not able to stand vpon their legges little children were found dead sucking of their mothers breasts neither could there be a greater pitie if the mothers had not deuoured their children During this famine there was a woman in the towne of Leyden who being greatly prest with hunger desired her owne sister to lend her some bread who answered her That she had none in her house the other insisting that she had and intreating her to lend her some If I haue any said she I am content that God shall turne it to a stone She hauing made this execration lying vnto God and to her sister going soone after to her cupboord to reach some bread she found that by a iust iudgement of God all was turned into stone It is not long since that one of these stones was to be seene in S. Peters church in the said town of Leyden After the death of Guy bishop of Vtrecht who died sodainly not without suspition of poison Cont William the Good vnited the seigniories of Amstel and Woerden to the reuenues of Holland where he placed bailifes and other officers for the gouernement of Iustice Saying That what the bishop had inioyed was onely by tolleration for his life in recompence of his patrimoniall portion and that the said seigniories were fallen before to the earledome of Holland for the fellonies and
contempt of Ghysbrecht of Amstel and Herman of Woerden hauing not satisfied and performed the reparation agreed vpon for the murther of Cont Floris In the yeare 1323 Charles the Faire king of France maried the daughter of the emperor Henry the seuenth inuiting many princes both in France and other neighbour countries to the solemnitie of his mariage whither also Cont William of Holland went with the lady Ioane of Valois his wife and many barons knights gentlemen ladies and gentlewomen of Henault Holland Zeeland and West-Friseland The feast was stately and honoured with many plaies tilts tourneyes and all kind of sports but in all that there was nothing found more admirable nor more pleasing to the sight than a giantesse which the contesse of Holland had brought with her borne in Zeeland the which was so great and mightie as the tallest men seemed but children in respect of her and so strong of her bodie and members as shee did lift vp in either hand a barrell full of Hamboro beere as lightly as if they had beene emptie casks She herself would carrie a burthen whither you would haue her which eight men could not carrie and that which was most admirable in her was that her father and mother were of a small stature and but slender in respect of her exceeding greatnesse In the yeare 1327 the emperour Lewis of Bauiere being at Rome to be crowned he sent for the good Cont William of Holland as vicar of the empire to bee there and to assist at his coronation whereupon the Earle presented himselfe with the earls of Gueldres Cleues Iuilliers and Monts and eight hundred choice knights making hast to passe the alpes into Lombardy to aid the emperour against the Guelphes who opposed themselues against him These noble men being vpon the way the good Earle resolued to go himselfe in person to pope Iohn who lay then at Auignon and to labour if it were possible to reconcile the emperour vnto him but the pope hearing of his comming caused all the bridges vpon the riuer of Rhosne to bee broken to hinder his passage commanding him vpon paine of an eternall curse to returne into his countrey and not to go with Lewis to Rome nor into Italie So the Earle diuerted of his way and of the good will he bare vnto the emperour returned through France where he staied sometime with the king and made a strict league with him against the Flemings who stirred vp new troubles against the king In the yeare 1328 Charles the Faire king of France entred into Flanders with an armie the good Cont William was there also with his troups and did lodge ioyning vnto the king neere vnto the mount of Cassell the said Earle hoping well as it was his vsuall custome to mediat a good peace betwixt the king and the earle of Flanders But the Flemings being within the towne and vpon the said mount came downe thinking to surprise the king sodainly The Earl William perceiuing it went to incounter them charging them with such furie that falling from a skirmish to a battaile both armies ioyning the Earle was ouerthrowne from his horse and in danger of his life or to be taken prisoner had he not beene succoured by the earle of Ostreuant his sonne by Didier of Brederode Iohn of Arckel the vicont of Leyden the lord of Wassenare Iohn of Beaumont Walter his sonne Arnould of Cruyninghen Iohn of Polanen Iohn of Hamstede and Iohn of Duyuenworde all braue knights by whose valour and prowesse Cont William was remounted againe and the Flemings quite defeated There died in this battaile about eight thousand men the which happened the 14 of August 1328. Before this battaile the earle of Ostreuant receiued the order of knighthood whereof he afterwards made a good and glorious proofe Cont William his father knowing him to be a wise and valiant knight the better to make triall of his armes sent him with an honourable companie of knights of Holland Henault Zeeland and Friseland into the countrey of Prussia to make warres against the Russians and other Infidels with the Teuton knights where hee carried himselfe so valiantly that he was feared as the lightning In the yeare 1332 Henry chastelaine or gouernor of Hagensteyn did often passe the riuer of Lecke taking all he could find and robbing and spoiling the countrey of Vtrecht Iohn of Diest bishop of Vtrecht intreated the good Cont William to assist him to take reuenge of him for that of himselfe he had not forces sufficient to constrain him to make reparation of the wrongs which his men had done in his countries The Earle sent Kusen bailife of Rhinlandt thither who with a troupe of Waterlanders and of Amsterdam ioyned with the bishops men and hauing past the riuer of Leck together they fell vpon the lands of the said Hagensteyn spoyling and burning the houses of his subiects and of his other companions of his thefts and robberies of whom being reuenged they returned home laden with spoile In the yeare 1336 there was a countrey man in South-Holland who had an exceeding faire and good cow with the which he maintained his wife and children as there are some found in that countrey which giue twentie pottles of milke and more in one day the bailife of that quarter desiring this cow would gladly haue bought it of the good man but as it was all his substance and meanes to liue by he would neuer be drawne to sell it The bailife seeing himselfe refused caused the cow to be taken out of the pasture and another to be put in the place the which was nothing comparable vnto it Wherewith the countrey man beeing discontented and seeing that hee could not haue his owne by the aduice of his friends hee went to complaine to the good Cont William of this violence being then at Valenciennes grieuously sicke The Earle hauing heard him tooke pity of him and presently caused letters to bee written to the escoutette of Dordrecht That all other affaires set aside hee should come presently vnto him and bring with him his cosin the bailife of South-Holland This escoutette hauing viewed the letters demanded of the bailife if he had offended the Earle in any thing the other answered no and that he knew not any thing if it were not for a cow which hee had exchanged with a countrey man But making no account thereof they went together to Valenciennes The escoutette presented himselfe first before the Earle to know the cause of his sending for him The Earle hauing receiued him courteously asked where the bailife his cosin was who answered That he was also come whereupon the Earle commaunded him to enter being entred the Earle asked him If he were bailife of South-Holland Hee answered with great humilitie So long as it shal please you my lord The Earle asked him how al things did in Holland and if iustice were duly administred Very well said the bailife and all things are in
quiet If all things go well and are in quiet said the Earl how comes it that thou bailife and judge of thy quarter hast vsed force and violence against a poore countrey man that is my subiect taking away his cow out of his pasture in despight of him then calling for the poore man he asked him if he knew him and what he could say for his cow The bailife answered That he had giuen him another Yea said the Earle but if it were not so good as his doest thou thinke to haue satisfied him therewith no no not so I will take the cause in hand and be the judge The bailife and the countrey man referred themselues willingly to what it should please the Earle to decree Wherupon the Earl appointed the escoutette of Dordrecht that as soone as he should returne to his house hee should presently without delay pay vnto the countrey man a hundred crownes of good gold to be leuied vpon the bailifes goods and that he should neuer after molest the countrey man neither in word nor deed This sentence thus pronounced both parties were satisfied which done the Earl said vnto the bailife Thou hast now agreed with the poore man but not yet with me then he commanded the escoutette to retire himselfe and to fulfill what he had inioyned him but the bailife should remain by him to make reparation of his fault and hauing sent for a ghostly father and the executioner he condemned the bailife to loose his head to serue for an example to others then being confest the Earle caused him to come before his bed and he himselfe drawing out the sword gaue it to the executioner who cut off the bailifes head in the Earles presence beeing thus sicke in bed who hauing called the escoutette said vnto him Take your cosin with you and beware of such facts least the like happen vnto you The escoutette returning to Dordrecht carried backe the bailife in two parts and paid the countrey man his hundred crownes Soone after this good Earle William worne with yeres and with sicknesse called for the earl of Ostreuant his eldest sonne to whom he gaue many godly and fatherly admonitions first of the loue and feare of God then of the administring iustice equally to all men to entertaine his subiects in peace and rest not to surcharge his people with extraordinarie impositions and taxes to reuerence church men and not to be offenciue vnto them with many other goodly exhortations to liue well Hauing ended his speech he gaue vp the ghost the 9 of Iune 1337 after that he had gouerned the prouinces of Henault Holland Zeeland and Friseland 32 yeares He was a very vertuous prince victorious in war a good man at armes well spoken iudicious a great louer of peace gratious to all men and well beloued in all courts of princes He was interred with great pompe in his towne of Valenciennes After his death the contesse his widow went and liued among the religious women at Fontenelles where she died fiue yeares after her husband We haue before made mention how that the Frisons slew the gouernor whom the king of Denmarke had giuen them whose wife was deliuered six monethes after of a sonne the which was bred vp in the court of the king his vncle This sonne being growne great and desirous to be reuenged of the Frisons hauing no meanes nor power of himselfe he intreated the king to giue him only one ship well appointed to see if by policie he could exploit any thing against the Frisons with this ship he entred into the riuer of Ems where he vnderstood that the judges and officers of the countrey of Friseland were assembled about Groningue he resolued therefore to cast anker there thinking that if hee stayed any time they would come and demaund what hee was and what hee did the which fell out accordingly for the officers seeing this goodly ship in the road went to see it and to heare somenewes comming neere they demanded according to their custom of whence the ship was what commodities he carried whither he was bound This yong man shewing himselfe vpon the hatches saluted them honourably and answered them modestly That hee had no great marchandise in his ship that hee was a rich marchants sonne and that hee was desirous to see hauens and port townes and especially the countrey of Friseland requesting them to come aboord and tast his wine and he would do the like on land with them They doubting nothing went aboord the yong man receiued them courteously presenting them a banquet whereas they dranke so well as most of them were drunke and fell asleepe He finding so fit an oportunitie weighed anker sayled directly towards Denmarke with these drunkards who hauing disgested their wine found that they were cousened This young gentleman comming into Denmarke presented them vnto the king who blamed their disloyaltie much hauing murthered his lieutenant they excusing themselues that it was not done by them nor in their time besought the king to saue their liues The king answered although I haue good reason to put you all to death yet I will giue you all your liues if you can settle me in Friseland as I was before The which they promised In the end the Frisons by the persuasion of one of these Iudges that was sent vnto them were content to acknowledge the king of Denmarke for their lord and to receiue a lieutenant in his name with whom the Iudges and Officers were sent home The gouernor hauing receiued the homages of fealtie of the Frisons caried himselfe modestly ynough for a good time but in the end seeking to bring in the Danish lawes and to entreat them extraordinarily beyond their priuiledges they reuolted againe as the Dutch Chronicle sayth Vel odio seruitutis vel amore libertatis and expelled their gouernor out of their countrey In the life of good Cont William the chief noblemen in Holland and Zeeland were William earle of Ostreuant eldest sonne to good Cont William Iohn of Beaumont earle of Blois his brother Henry and Didier of Brederode brethren Symon and Didier of They lingen brethren also Iohn lord of Heusden Iohn lord of Drongelen his vncle Iohn lord of Arckel Didier Seignior of Valkenburch Monioye brother to the wife of the lord of Brederode lady of Voorne Nicholas lord of Putten and Streyen Philip vicont of Leyden lord of Wassenare Iohn Seignior of Leck and Polanen Iohn Seignior of Henckelom Otto Seignior of Aspren Iohn Seignior of Egmont Walter his son Ghisbrecht Seignior of Iselstein Henry Seignior of Vianen Iohn of Persin Seignior of Waterlandt Guy of Holland Seignior of Hamstede Arnold Seignior of Cruyningen William Seignior of Naeldwick Floris of Spyck Ieams vanden Voude Floris Merwen Didier and Herman Zwieten brethren Gerard of Hemskerke Gerard of Raphorst Gerard of Polgeest Floris vanden Tol Ogier van Spanghen VVilliam Kuser baylife of Rhinlandt Didier of Sassenhem Daniel of Matenesse and Didier
them of Vtrecht to his seruice they should bee bound to send him fiue hundred souldiers at their owne charge That there should bee a breach made in the wall of twentie foot by the which he should enter into the towne as a Conquerour and that he should haue one street in the said towne at his commaundement the which is at this day called the Hollanders street first a truce was concluded vntill Saint Martins during which time the aboue recited conditions of peace were set downe but they were not effected for that Cont William during the said truce went to make warre in East-Friseland where being entred without order and not knowing the passages of the countrey Iohn of Henault sonne to the Earle of Blois came to the Cloyster of Saint Odolphe where hee planted his campe in a faire plaine called Zuytbeuer on the sea side a part of his Hollanders not staying vntill the rest of the armie were landed went to skirmish with the Frisons chasing part of them into Staueren and the rest into Saint Odolphes where going to set vpon them in their trenches the Frisons defended themselues so couragiously that many of the Hollanders lost their liues there Cont William knowing nothing of this skirmish landed on the North side of the Cloyster and aduauncing with fiue hundred men burnt the first village he found and at the first charge he gaue against the Frisons with his owne hand hee slew a gentleman that was a captaine who had valiantly defended himselfe vnto the death and would neuer yeeld to bee a prisoner The other bands of Frisons seeing this captaine dead and the villages burne fell like mad men with great furie vpon this small troupe of Hollanders whom they defeated and there Cont VVilliam was slame vnknowne before the rest of the armie could aduaunce who marching in disorder were likewise charged The Frisons encouraged the more by the defeat of the first fiue hundred Hollanders and of the Earle their Generall did fight with such great furie and courage as they did put the Armie to rout with such confusion that many were slaine before they could recouer their shippes and there were as many drowned through hast as that saued themselues This vnfortunate encounter happened in the yeare 1346 vpon the foure and twentieth of September in the same place whereas the Earles of Holland were vsually accustomed to hold their seat of Iustice when they came into East-Friseland It was the eight yeare of the raigne of the said Earle Renauld the blacke earle of Gueldres had foretold his death as hee held him at the Font to bee christened by vttering these words This child shall bee one day slaine by the Frisons There were slaine in this defeat of the Hollanders about eighteene thousand men and almost as many drowned with some fiue hundred knights the most apparent whereof were these The Lords of Horne Lygny Walcourt Manin Antoin the Seignior of la Vere Floris of Borssele the Seigniors of Cruningen Romerswael Hamstede Merwede all Barons Gerard with the great beard VVilliam of Naeldwyck Symon and Didier of Meylingen Guido of Aspren Iohn Regnier William of Montfort Didier of Sandtfort Herman of Zwieten Floris of Merwe Oger of Spangen Gerard Euer Alfert of Bergerhorst Nicholas Oom William of Drongen Didier of Valewort and Gerard Florinuille all choice knights with a great number of other Nobles Knights and Gentlemen Tenne daies after this defeat Martin Commaunder of the knights of Saint Iohn in Harlem went into Friseland and sought for the Earles bodie the which beeing knowne by some markes hee caused it with eight other dead bodies of Noblemen to be brought to the cloyster of Fleurchamp neere vnto Boswaert The Contesse Ioan of Brabant his widow went to her father and was maried to Wenselin duke of Luxembourg second sonne to Iohn king of Bohemia of whom we haue formerly spoken Cont William the fourth left one bastard called Daniel vanden Poel the which hee had of a Gentlewoman called Alix vander Merwe of Ghertruydenbergh leauing no other lawfull child that might succeed him the Empresse his sister remaining his sole heire MARGVERITE EMPRESSE THE 24. commaunding in Holland Zeeland and Friseland Contesse of Henault 24 Margarita Imperatrix Earle WILLIAMS sister MARGVERITâ—… the Emperors wife In Holland caus'd contencion and much debate and strife For though vnto her sonne her right she had assign'd With him she still contended for 't nothing could please her mind Her state was great her honour much nâ—… need her draue With him in Holland such continuall strife to haue Which in fiue yeares she was constrained for to leaue To him for that death end of all did her of life bereaue MARGVERITE EMPRESSE THE 24. commanding in Holland Zeeland and Friseland Countesse of Henault LEVVIS of Bauaria Emperor of Romains hearing of the death of Cont William of Holland slaine in warre by the Frisons whose eldest sister he had marryed and had left no children caused the Princes of the Empire to assemble to whom he declared that the Earledomes of Holland and Zeeland and the siegneorie of Friseland for want of heires lawfully begotten of the said William were falne vnto the Empire Wherevpon the Emperor interposing his authoritie for that the Empresse his wife pretended an interest as sole heire to her Brother saying that those fees were as well Feminine as Masculine as it did appeare by the succession which Iohn Earle of Henault had after the death 〈◊〉 Iohn Earle of Holland sonne to Cont Floris the 5. adiudged the said Earledomes anâ—… siegneories to the Lady Marguerite his wife This being done the same yeare 1346. the said Empresse being well accompanied with Princes Earles Barons Knights Ladies and Gentlewomen went downe by the Rhine into Holland where she was honourably receiued in all places with great pompe and acknowledged Lady and Princesse of the said Countries of Holland Zeeland and Friseland Hauing receiued their homages and fealties she did greatlie increase their liberties and freedomes and made a truce for two yeares with the Bishop of Vtrecht She did make forfeit all the goods which the Frisons might haue in her Countries of Holland Zeeland and West-Friseland whereof the Earles had beene long in quiet possession aswell Ecclesiasticall as Temporall the which she sould to diuers persons without any future hope of recouerie or restitution by reason of the death of Cont William her Brother Among other Cleargie goods there was solde the Village and siegneorie of Marcke belonging to the Abbay of Marien-garde of the order of Premonstrez scituated in Friseland which the Abbot and Couent had bought of Nicholas of Persâ—… Lord of Waterlandt This Empresse Marguerite had by the Emperor Lewis of Bauraia her husband one sonne called William which was the eldest Albert the second and Lewis the yongest called the Romaine for that he was borne at Rome during the time of her husbands coronation which three sonnes were all intituled Dukes of Bauaria not that
good order that was in it hee should profit little retired from thence and went to besiege the castell of Wlenhorst the which hee forced then hee marched before Hollenstein the which yeelded by composition to haue their goods and liues saued from thence he drew towards Heermalen the which he burnt In the end after all these petty warres a peace was concluded betwixt the Hollanders and Traiectins by the which they of Vtrecht should pay vnto the Earle 4000. crownes for his charges in the warre And as for the siegneurie of Vreeswike it was said That if the bishop and seauen of the chiefe of the towne of Vtrecht did affirme by oth that it did rightly belong vnto the church of Saint Martins in Vtrecht that then the Earle nor any of his successors should for euer pretend any interest therevnto As the bishop and the seauen personages did lift vp their hands to take the said othe Cont Albert not suffring them to sweare but contenting himselfe with their bare affirmation deliuered them vp the siegneurie of Vreeswik and made them letters vnder his seale and so all quarrels were ended In the yeare 1377. Duke William of Bauaria the madde Earle of Holland dyed at Que sn◅y in Henault his body was carried and interred at Valenciennes he left not any children His funerals being finished the lords barons knights and all the nobilitie with the townes of Holland Zeeland Henault and Friseland receiued Duke Albert of Bauaria absolutely who before had been but Tutor vnto the said William his brother and did acknowledge him for their Lord and Soueraigne Prince and so was the 26. Earle of Holland c. In the yeare 1386. about Shrouetide dyed the lady Marguerite of Briga wife to Cont Albert of Bauaria and was buried in the chappell of the court at the Hage at the great altar towards the North. After her death the Earle continued fiue yeares vnmarried entertaining a Gentlewoman called Anne of Poelgheest for his mignion of whom shall bee hereafter spoken who being dead the Earle married with Marguerite the daughter of Adolph Earle of Cleues by whom he had no children In the yeare 1389. died Arnold of Horne bishop of Liege his body was transported to Horne and buried with his fathers After whose death the Chapter did choose Thierry of the Marke who refused it and therefore Iohn of Bauaria sonne to Cont Albert of Holland being but sixteene yeares old and at that time Chanoine of Cambray was chosen in his place and in the yeare 1390. he was conducted to Liege by his father and William Earle of Osteruant his elder brother with many Princes and Noblemen accompanied with about 1200. horse where he was honourably receiued by the Deane and Chapter In the yeare 1392. on Saint Maurice eue Anne of Poelgeest daughter to the siegnior Iohn of Poelgeest a squire mignion to Cont Albert was slaine at the Hage William Kuyser Steward to the Earle seeking to defend and preserue her was also slaine with her by the same murtherers who fled presently after out of the countrie Of which murther there did rise great scandall and trouble in Holland for the siegneor Conrard Kuyser father to the said William made great instance and pursuite vnto the Earle demanding iustice of thē that had murthered his sonne or caused him to be murthered or slaine trecherously in the night with an intended purpose without striking stroake in the open Court and doing his Prince seruice Of which murther he did blame as the chiefe the lord Philip Vicont of Leyden Didier lord of Aspren his sonne Two yong ge◅lemē brethren of Leck Henry Vicont of Montfort Iohn sieignior of Heemsted Iohn of Vlyet Philip of Pola◅en the siegneor of Duyuenwoord the siegnior of Warmount and many other Noblemen and Gentlemen to the number of 54. The Earle sitting in iustice with them of his priuie councell granted a personall adiournment against all the said lord◅ and for not appearing they should bee banished out of the county of Holland And for their contumacie not daring appeare they were condemned to haue forfeited body and good and for this occasion they retired to Cont William of Osteruant eldest sonne to Cont Albert who loued them and held them in great esteeme which made him to seeke all the meanes to purge them of these murthers and to reconcile them to hi◅ father who would by no meanes giue eare vnto it The son◅e discontented at this repulse hearing also that his father would seaze vpon him departed from the Hage being accompanied by all the said noblemen and came to the castell of Altena in South-Holland which castell Cont Albert had before of the lord of Horne and had giuen it vnto the Earle of Osteruant his sonne The other noblemen which remained at the Hage with the Earle insteed of moderating things and pacifying his wrath did incense him more and more by bad reports and false sug◅estions animating the father all they could against the sonne among the which one of the principall was Iohn of Arckell lieutena◅t and treasurer generall of Holland The Earle being resolute to chase his sonne with these other noblemen that were already banished out of his countries ◅ied a great number of men in Holland Zeeland and Friseland of all qualities and of his ordinary ga◅sons with the which he sent the siegnior Conrad Kuyser to ruine all the caste's and country-houses of the banished noblemen Conrad thrust on with a re◅enging spirit did willingly vndertake this charge and first of all hee destroyed Heemstede Warmont and Paddenpoel by Leyden all belonging to the sayd vicont of ◅e den who afterward was called Nonnenpoel The Earle marched with the rest of his forces vp the riuer of Merwede and arriued on Saint Peters day the same yeare 1◅93 at Gortichom where he was honourably receiued by the lord ◅co of Arckel the next day he passed by Wandichom and so went to Altena the which he did inuest round about and besieged it very straightly The Earle of Osteruant his sonne vnderstanding of his comming was retired but before his departure hee had well furnished the place of all things necessary for a siege as well for defence as to offend with the which he hoped the said lords with their people might well defend the place The Earle did all he could to batter it breake downe and ouer-throw the towers and walls doing great harme and annoying the besieged very much During this siege Iohn of Bauaria chosen bishop of Liege sonne to the Earle with those of his councell and some noblemen and councellors of the country of Henault came to the campe before Altena where the said bishop did mediate an accord betwixt his father and his brother comprehending the noblemen that were besieged by the which it was said that the said besieged should yeeld vp the place and haue their liues and goods saued with liberty to go freely to the towne
they could After this victory the Earle raised his campe and came the same day with all his armie to Dockingen the which hee did furnish with victuals munition for warre and a good garrison against the Frisons there-abouts Two dayes after hee went with his troupes to Lanen where he lodged fiue weekes to see what the Frisons would doe During which aboad many of them came vnto him and sued for mercy who after they had taken the othe of fealty and obedience he receiued them into grace causing all the villages that would not doe the like to bee spoiled and burnt whereby his soldiers got great spoile Then came they of Groninghen who did promise to him and sweare in the name of the Earle of Holland his father fealtie and homage acknowledging him for their soueraigne Lord. But they kept not long their faith nor promise for soone after with the other Frisons they set vpon the Hollanders euen whilest that Cont William was yet in Friseland and laide ambushes to surprise him vsing all the meanes they could to breake and ruine his armie About that time a great number of Frisons being in field in a certaine place where there was but a little water to crosse betwixt their campe and the Earles they laboured to fill it vp in the night with fagots bauins hay straw and turfe that they might passe through it and so assaile the Hollanders campe but this worke being discouered the English with some Frisons of the Earles part went and charged them in another place which disapointed their worke so as they could not passe There was among the English a Captaine called Panthere which did wonders putting the enemies to slight with the losse of ten of his men onely This done Cont William of Osteruant made Floris of Alcmada one of his chiefe Captaines his lieutenant in Friseland and Gerard of Egmond siegnior of Wateringhe brother to the Lord of Egmond Gouernor of Staueren and then he returned a conqueror into Holland In the yeare 1400. the Frisons seeing the Earle of Osteruant retired with all his armie out of their countrie and that by his fathers commandement hee was gone into Henault notwithstanding all their accords and othes they rebelled the third time And as part of their countrie and the towne of Staueren were maintained vnder the garde of the said siegneors of Alcmada and Egmond hauing at that time a garrison of Hollanders in the said towne The Frisons being armed and in field went to besiege them Albert Earle of Holland father to Cont William wondring at this ordinarie rebellion of the Frisons enemies to all soueraigne command leuied a new armie of choise men giuing the charge and command thereof to Arnold of Egmond Lord of Yselstein and to Walrauen Lord of Brederode whom he sent into Friseland to free the towne of Staueren from siege assoone as these Noblemen had past the seas with their troupes the Frisons fled and vanished away like smoake euery one sauing himselfe as he could The siege being thus raised the Hollanders returned into their country except the Lord of Brederode who staied in Friseland with his horsemen Soone after the garrison of Hollanders that was in Staueren would make an enterprise in the night vpon the fort which the Frisons held at Molckweer neere vnto their towne but they could not effect it for that the Lord of Brederode was sore hurt there and taken prisoner whereof being halfe cured and hauing no great garde about him hee found meanes to escape without danger In the yeare 1401. Cont Albert would haue Iohn of Arckel who had beene his lieutenant and treasurer generall of Holland to giue an account as well of the gouernement which he had delt in as of the treasure which he had managed The Lord of Arckel a proud man and relying vpon his forces refused to do it Whereat Cont Albert being much displeased referred the matter to the Earle of Osteruant his sonne who presently caused all the lands and siegneuries of the said Lord of Arckel to be forfeited as Haestrecht Vlyest Stolwyk and many other villages causing him to be adiourned to appeare in person and for contumacie to banish him the countrie of Holland The which did so much transport the Lord of Arckell as hee durst presume to send a Cartell of defiance vnto Cont Albert the which hee receiued at the castell of Nyenbourg neere vnto Alcmar And soone after the said lord of Arckel entred sodenly with an armie into Holland thinking to surprise the towne of Oude-water but his enterprise was discouered in time by the Bourgesses Hauing failed of this he went to besiege the castell of Ghissenburch the which he forced and spoiled Then hee came to Werckendam into the which he shot fire and burnt it passing on he went to Ablasserdam where he burnt some poore mens houses Hauing done all this hee sent another Cartel of defiance to the Earle of Osteruant the which was presented vnto him in the presence of Philip the Hardy Duke of Bourgongne The Earle receiued this Cartell with a cheerefull countenance made the messenger or Herald good cheere and gaue him some crownes commanding him expresly to say vnto his maister That it was in his power to defie him but it would be one day in his power to pardon him or not Soone after the Earle went to his father at the Hage The yeare following the Lord of Arckel past the riuer of Leck with his troupes and entred into Krimpen-waert the which he spoiled and burnt carrying away a great booty But thinking to enter with all this pillage into his towne of Gorrichom those of Dordrecht and Schoonhouen being aduertised went to armes as also all the villages of that quarter came to Nyeuport to rescue the prey Those of Arckel hauing no other passage were charged by the Hollanders who making a stand there were 24. peasants ouerthrowne at the first and Gerard of Lyesuelt Knight Water Simons Adrian Wittens Gerard Mobbout Hugh l' Imager Bourgeses of Dordrecht Bourchard and Iohn Robrechts Bourgesses of Schoonhouen seauen riche countrimen of Leckerkercke and fiue of Scheruelandt were taken prisoners who notwithstanding any resistance were carried into Gorrichom Seuen or eight daies after those of Rotterdam and Schyedam tooke armes and went into the Lord of Arckels country spoiling and burning all where they past and so returned home laden with spoile Afterwards the Earle of Osteruant put in armes the cittizens of Harlem with the Kennemers those of Leyden and the Rhynlanders those of Amsterdam with the Waterlanders and Goylanders the which hee sent vnder the command of Henry of Wassenare Vicont of Leyden into the territory of Arckel commanding him to spoile and burne it These troopes spoilng the countrie thus came before the towne of Hagenstein the which they did batter and assaile but they could no other thing but ruine the suburbes and a Mill ioyning vnto the towne and then
interest which they had to the towne of Gorrichom vpon condition that it should neuer be dismembred from the Dutchie of Geldres for that the yong Lord of Arckel was by his mother the onely and sole heire apparent of the Dukedomes of Iuilliers and Geldres and of the county of Zutphen for that Duke Renold brother to his Mother had not any children and so the siegniorie of Gorrichom was vnited to the Duchie of Geldres which was the cause of great and continuall wars betwixt the Hollanders and the Geldrois forraging spoiling and burning one another During the which the Hollanders did ore runne at one time as farre as Brakel Beets Thieler-waert Bomunelerwaert and other places there-abouts The Geldrois to haue their reuenge came vnto Heckhuysen Iohn of Croenenburch gouernor of Heusden knowing them to be there went with such men as he could get together to incounter them and did charge the Geldrois although they were three for one and at the first with great shouting and fearefull cries the fogge and mist being so thick as they could not possibly discerne them hee strooke such a feare and amazement into them as they fled and with such speed as they thought all the Hollanders had beene at their heeles The Gouernor pursued them farre and brought home more prisoners Geldrois then himselfe had lead soldiers to the field This route of the Geldrois was strange and accidentall for many that thought to saue themselues through the riuer were drownd there Among the rest there was one thing worthy of laughter which was that seauen Geldrois transported with feare knowing not which way to flie in this thick fogge came in the end to the same village of Heeckhuysen which before they had burnt where they did hide themselues in a Hogstie at night the Sowe which had beene wandring abroad all day returning to her lodging thrust and gronted at the doore to enter These hardie soldiars thinking it had beene their enemies that pursued them began to crie out wee yeeld we yeeld kill vs not but take vs prisoners some countrymen lamenting their precedent losses hearing the cries ranne thether and tooke them prisoners The yeare following in Lent the Earle of Holland caused a Forte to bee made at Dalhem beyond Louestein on the other bancke of the riuer of Wahal the which he manned witha good garrison yet before it was fully finished the Duke of Geldres came with an Armie meaning to build one in the same place but seeing that that of the Hollanders was in defence he battered it and sought to sorce it The Hollanders defended it valiantly and notwithstanding all his attempts finished their Fort during this time Iohn of Bauaria Bishop of Liege came into Hollande and did mediate a Truce betwixt the Earle of Hollande his brother and the Duke of Gelders for three yeeres the which conâ—…inued vnto the yeere 1411. The Liegeois as we haue begun to shewe before hauing chased away Iohn of Bauaria their Bishop did choose Henry of Parwis for Gouernour of their Countrey and for their Prince and Bishop Henry of Parwis his sonne expelling al the Chanoins Curates and Priests that would not acknowledge this newe Prelate Iohn of Bauaria was then in Maestricht whereas the Liegeois with their Gouernor and new elected Bishop went to besiege him meaning to take him if they could The Earle of Holland hearing of these newes went speedily to seeke succors of the Duke of Bourgongne his father in law against the Liegeois These two mightie Princes made an Armie out of their Countreys of Flaunders Arthois Henault Holland Zeland Friseland and Vtrecht with many strangers that came for pay with the which they marched directly towards the country of Leige to vngage the said bishop Iohn out of Maestricht The Earle of Holland the Duke of Bourgongne the Duke of Brabant his Brother the Earle of Namur and some other Noble-men and Barrons sent to desie the Lord of Parwis and the elect Bishop his sonne which done they entred into the Countrie of Liege There was a generall Proclamation made that all men that were able to beare Armes were they Noble or ignoble Clergie or Lay-men Maisters or seruants should vpon paine of death arme to giue battaile to these Princes vppon a Sonday the 23 of September With this multitude not to be numbred the Lorde of Parwis went to field to goe and encounter his enemies Comming neere vnto the Village of Othey they discouered the Coulors and Standards of the Princes who had the night before camped along the riuer Iecoure to march towardes Maestricht not thinking that the Liegeois had raysed their Campe. The Princes seeing their enemies in front disposed all their armie in three Battalions In the foreward marched the Earle of Holland The battaile was led by the Duke of Burgongne and the Earle of Namures commanded the Reereward The Liegeois made but one body of their whole armie The two armies being thus in front one of another ready to ioyne the lord of Parwis marking the earle of Holland by his armes in the head of the foreward said vnto his men Doe you see the mount of Gold if we can ouerthrow it the poorest amongst vs shall be clad in cloth of gold but I feare we shall not The Liegeois hearing this speech asked him If he who had brought them thether were afraid No answered he I will march first he that loues me let him follow me For this day we must either vanquish or dye When thy approached the arrowes and stones flue thicker in the ayre then haile but it continued not long before they came to handy blowes and to ioyne with their pikes halberts axes masses swords and courtelasses the battaile was exceeding furious The Liegeois mayntained it valliantly at the first charge making a great slaâ—…ghter of the Hollanders The Earle of Namur aduancing with his reerward charged the enemie in flancke and opened them and yet they held together so close as many were smothered The Liegeois being thus opened vpon the flanckes and charged in front and of euery side were pittifully intreated and a great butcherie made of them There Henry of Parwis and the new elected Bishop his sonne were slaine with aboue 40000. men and a great number of prisoners Among the which those lay-men which had beene the motiues to expell their Bishop Iohn of Bauaria were executed by the sword and the Clergie men were put in sacks and cast into the riuer of Meuse On the Earle of Hollands side their dyed a very ancient Knight called William Vander Poel Bastard to Cont William brother to the Empresse Marguerit who was slain by the Frisons The Bishop Iohn of Bauaria was then at Maestricht and had the same night news of this victorie whereof being exceeding ioyfull he came the next day to his brother and the other Princes and thanked them Those of Tongres were also in armes but they came to too late and were defeated and a great number
slaine The Bishop and the Earle of Holland his brother sent some Captaines into the Citie of Liege who in reuenge of the iniurie done vnto the Bishop put to death many of the Chanoins Priests and other Officers which the elect Bishop had placed the which were cast from the top of the bridge Those from whom any Prebends and Benifices had beene taken for that they had held Iohn of Bauarias part were restored to their dignities and offices many notable Burgesses were executed All their ancient Priuiledges Rights Freedomes and Statutes were burnt Their Banners Enseignes and Standardes were first ignominiously torne in peeces and then burnt and beside the Liegeois were taxed at 200. thousand crownes of the sun for a fine by means whereof and acknowledging their old Bishop the wars ceased in the countrey of Liege In the yeare 1409. after this great victorie the Earle of Holland went to the French kings Court and did mediate a peace for Iohn Duke of Burgongne his father in law with the King by reason of the homicide committed vpon the person of Lewis Duke of Orleans the kings brother and so a peace was concluded betwixt them whereat all France reioyced and commended the Earle of Holland for so good a worke In the yeare 1410. the Truce betweene the Earle of Holland and the Duke of Gelders being expired the Earle sent some ships of warre into the Zuyderzee to keepe them of Herderwyk and Elburch from going to sea The Earle had also drawne into his league the towne of Amersfort in the countrie oâ—… Vtrecht to which towne hee gaue many good Priuiledges and Immunities for that it was alwayes open vnto him and at his command and did serue him as a place of armes to enter by it into the Veluwe and the countrie of Gelders On the other side the Lord Iohn of Arckel Captain of the Duke of Gelders horse by the Dukes command seazed vpon the castle of Hofeslaeken neere vnto it caused a Fort to be built against them of Amersfort the which he manned with a good Garrison to defend the said Castell One day among the rest Hubert of Culenbourgh Iohn of Vianen and Arnold of Eienburch knights and captaines of the Hollanders issued forth with their men out of the towne of Amersfort to goe and skirmish with them of the towne and castle of Hoefslaeken But the garrison of the one and the other knowing of their comming abandoned both places These Captaines finding them emptie and forsaken razed them from thence they went to Nyekerke the which they spoyled and fired and so returned with their spoile into Amersfort In the yeare 1412. there was a peace made betwixt these two Princes William of Bauaria Earle of Holland and Renold Duke of Gelders By the which it was said That the Duke should yeeld vnto the Earle the towne of Gorrichom with all the appurtenances that depended thereon and that he should cause the yong Lord of Arckel his cousin to doe the like Moreouer it Was agreed that the Earle should pay vnto the Duke for the charges hee had beene at in the said Towne 100000. Crownes and that the Duke should resigne vnto the said yong Lord of Arckel the Seignorie of Bron the castle of Oyen and seuen villages depending thereon with fiue thousand Florins of the Rhine of yeerely pension assigned him vppon the towll or custome of Loebeck the which was thus concluded in the Towne of Wyck-terduyr-sted which done William of Arckell transported vnto the Earle of Holland for himselfe and his heires for euer the towne of Gorrichom with all the countrie and Seigneorie of Arckell And by that meanes the said Towne and countrie hath remained annexed vnto the Conty of Holland vnto this day These two Princes beeing by the meanes of this peace become good friendes the Duke of Gelders accompained with his chiefe Nobilitie went to visite the Earle of Holland who receyued him courteously and with great state staying there some time and disporting themselues together in all sorts of mirth feasts pastimes During this time there cameâ—…one vnto the Earle that was a secret seruaunt vnto the Duke aduising him in all dutie to beware of his secret enemies which he had in his countrey and of his owne Vassals who sought to attempt not only against his State but also against his person The which did somewhat trouble and perplex the Earle not knowing who wisht him so much euill The Duke being returned into his countrie Cont William of Holland had a like desire to goe and visit him the whiche he did being well accompanied The Duke knowing of his comming went to meete him as farre as the Velue and receiued him with inestimable courtesies and welcomes entertaining one another with great signes of loue his enteruiew continued eight dayes These Princes being once among the rest feasting and drinking together the Duke of Gelders hauing his head full of wine he said vnto the Earle Deare Cousin it falls out now happily for you that we are so well reconciled and good friends together Why said the Earle For said he if it were not so you had bin now my prisoner The other answered I cannot beleeue it Without doubt Cousin said he of Gelders it had bin so and wonder not at it for you haue some of your chiefe vassalls had bin actors in it These speeches being past the Earle casting vp his head they ended the banquet merrily The Earle being returned into Holland was still pensiue and wondred much who those might bee that would or durst attempt any such thing against him being their Prince And as he called to minde that in these last warres Iohn of Egmond had not serued him neither with his person nor with his subiects hauing refused to be enemie to the Duke of Gelders and that in fiue yeares space he had not come to the Court but vpon good warrants the which the other Noblemen and knights had neuer demanded hee beganne to suspect and to haue a bad conceite of him and of the Lord of Yselsteyn his brother yet at that time he made no shew therof concealing it in his brest vntill he had made some tryall thereof without attempting any thing rashly against them that it might not bee saide hee had done them wrong In the yeare 1414. the Frisons reuolted againe from the Earle of Holland leauied some men couertly and came secretly by night and surprised the Towne of Staueren those that were in gard performing their duties ill where they tooke many Hollanders whom they put to ransome which Towne had beene 13. yeares vnder the quiet command of the Earle of Holland This reuolt made the Frisons so odious vnto Cont William as hee resolued to suppresse them in such sort as they should neuer haue more meanes to rise against him nor against any others But as at that time there fell out affaires of greater importance he deferred the making of warre against them vntill
a better opportunitie and season In the yeare 1415. On Saint Katherines day as Iohn Lord of Arckel returned from the funerall of Anthonie of Burgongne Duke of Brabant passing by Arpenburgge he was surprised in a certaine Ambuscado which Didier vander Merwen Lord of Seuenbergen and Philip of Leckâ—… had layd for him leading him into Holland couered with a white cloake of the Order of the Dutch Knights to disguise him the better Cont William was very glad of this prize came to the Hage whether they said Lord was brought vnto him who sent him prisoner from thence to the Castle of la Goude who afterwards was brought to Seuenberghe with a straight gard where he was ten yeares a prisoner Those of Brussels hearing that the said Lord of Arckell who was their Bourgeois had been eâ—… taken vp on the iurisdiction of Brabant would with the help of other townes of the countrie from whence they drew some men go and take him away by force out of his prison at Seuenberghe but Duke Iohn of Burgongne their Prince would not suffer it nor enter into quarrell with the Earle of Holland his sonne in law for that Lords sake during the time that the said Lord of Arckel was a prisoner he was sometimes carryed before Cont William and his Councell before whom hee did protest it to bee true and declared by what meanes and by whom the Earle should haue beene deliuered prisoner vnto Duke William of Geldres The which the Earle dissembled for some reasons keeping it secret in his breast vntill it was time to discouer it As it was a common brute who should deliuer him during the time that the Earle and Duke were in warre one against another the kinsfolke and friendes of the Lordes of Egmond and Yselstein hearing that this imputation was laid vpon them vpon all their house would for the preseruation of their honors purge them from so foule an infamie as a thing that toucht them neere both in body and goods Iohn Lord of Egmond complained that therein they did him great wrong knowing himselfe innocent of that wherewith hee was generally taxed Yet he protested to be alwayes readie to iustifie himselfe before the Earle of Holland his Prince so as he might haue accesse vnto him vnder safe conduit The Earle being returned from a voiage which he had made into England with the Emperor Sigismonde to mediate a peace betwixt the Kings of France and England the kinsmen of the said Lord of Egmond intreat him that he would grante the said safe conduit that hee might purge himselfe of those crimes in his presence and before his Councell The which the Earle would haue him do and therefore commanded that he should be adiourned to appeare in person within fortie fiue dayes to iustifie himselfe of such matters as should bee layed against him The Lord of Egmond being thrice lawfully adiourned and appearing not was vppon the third default for his contumacie condemned by the Earles councell to bee attainted and conuicted of treason for the crimes and attempts obiected against him and to forfeite body and goods According to which sentence all his goodes landes and Seigniories were seazed on to the vse and profite of the Earle and of the Countie of Holland an attachment granted for his person and in case they could not finde him to be then banished for euer out of the countries and iurisdictions of the Earledomes This Lord of Egmond seeing himselfe thus intreated retyred vnto his brother William of Egmond into his towne or castle of Yselstein with some souldiers which he had at his deuotion Soone after the Earle sent some Deputies of his Councell to summon the said towne and castle to yeeld vnto his obedience the which being refused he presently caused a small armie to be leuied whereof he sent the one halfe before Yselstein and with the rest he went ouer towards Schonhouen from whence he went to ioyne with the other part that hee might besiege the castle on the other side but the Lords Iames of Gaesbeck Hubert of Culemburch and Iohn of Vianen neerely allyed vnto the house of Egmond fearing that they would be the cause of the ruine of their house did labor for their reconciliation with the Earle the which they obtained vpon condition that the said Lordes of Egmond should depart with their goods out of Yselstein and out of the Counties of Holland and Zeeland whether they might neither goe nor come without the Earles expresse leaue which towne and castle of Yselstein they did yeeld vnto him absolutely with the Seigneorie appurtenances and dependances In consideration whereof the Earle should pay yearely vnto the said William of Egmond sixe hundred Crownes of the Sunne and to the Lady Yoland their mother 800. crownes more yearly the paiments to remaine to their heirs for euer of the which authenticall letters were drawne And so Cont William was disposest of the said towne castle and Seigneorie of Yselstein But since it was restored to the said house of Egmond of the which Maximillian of Egmond Earle of Buren was the last Lorde of that name whose daughter and sole heire William of Nassau Prince of Orange tooke to his first wife by whom he had Charles Philip of Nassau now Prince of Orange Earle of Buren Cont of Iselstein Saint Anneland Saint Martins Dyck c. and the Lady Anne of Nassau his sister Contesse dowager of Hohenloo sister by the fathers side to Prince Maurice of Nassau at this day Gouernour Generall and Admirall of the vnited Prouinces of the Netherlands Cont William of Holland considering that being two and fitie yeares old hauing no heire but one onely daughter called Iacoba or Iaqueline married to the Dolphin sonne to Charles the sixth King of France assembled the Estates Gouernours Bayliffes and Officers of all his Prouinces landes and Seigneoris of whom hee required a promise othe that in case he should die without heires male that they should not acknowledge any other but the saide Lady Iaqueline for their Princesse and soueraigne ladie whom they should defend maintaine in this qualitie against all The which the Barons Nobles Knights and all the Estates in generall of his Countries did promise and sweare whereof an â—…nsturment was drawne in writing with the seales of some of the chiefe Noble-men and Townes in the yeare 1417. The Dolphin of France husband to the lady Iaqueline of Bauaria was sent for by the King his father to come to Paris the Earle of Holland his father in law conuoyed him into Henault where he should attend the kings men to conduct him to the Court But before he went he was poisoned and dyed soone after Some hold that it was in putting on a shirt of Male which had been giuen him He was 20. yeares old and Iaquiline his wife 19. when he dyed the fourth of April 1417. his bodie was carryed to Paris Soone after the last day
of May in the said yeare 1417. died William of Bauaria Earle of Holland Zeland Henault and Lord of Friseland of a sore he had in his leg which came with the biting of a mad dogge the which being opened by his chirurgeon did so impaire as it was the cause of his death The said Ladie Iaquiline widow to the Dolphin of France succeeded him in al his siegniories Her father recommending her before his death to his most faithfull seruants requiring them to marry her againe to Iohn Duke of Brabant He was interred at Valenciennes in Henault after he had gouerned his countries the space of 13. yeares The lady Marguerite of Bourgongne his wife daughter to duke Iohn of Bourgongne liued long after him and was interred at Quesnoy in Henault This Cont VVilliam was a seuere man against his rebels and enemies and very courteous affable and kinde vnto his friends a iust and bountifull Prince He had two bastard brethren Albert and VVilliam of Bauaria the which was Lorde of Schagen This William was twise at Ierusalem to see the holy Sepulcher and once at Mount Synay or Saint Catherines Mount in which voiages he was knighted and at his returne made Chastelain or Gouernor of Medemblyck Afterwards the good Duke Philip of Burgongne become Earle of Holland gaue him in West Friseland the seigneories of Schagen Bersinghorne and Harynckhuysen which William caused a goodly castle to bee built in the said village of Schagen and made a great circuit of the countrie to be dicked in and recouered from the sea neere vnto Sype and the village S. Martin calling it Nyelant he had to wife Alix the daughter of Iohn of Hodenpil by whom he had besides daughters three sonnes Albert Seignior of Schagen a knight Iohn Escoutette of Harlem and William He was a very famous and renowned knight all his life time for his vertues and valiant deeds he dyed old in the yeere 1473. His eldest sonne Albert of Schagen had to wife Adrian daughter to the Lord of Nyenrode and Velson by whome hee had one onely daughter named Iasine who was first married to VValter of Egmond Lord of Soetermeer and afterward to Iosse of Borssele Count VVilliam had also three Bastards two sonnes and one daughter Lewis and Euerard knights and Beatrix van Vlyet Euerard was the first seigneor of Hoochtwoud in West Friseland where he caused a goodly house in forme of a castle to be built and had to wife the daughter of Flores van Kyesweck by whom he had Anthonie seignior of Hoochtwoud This Anthonie had to wife Sophia the daughter of Iohn seigneor of Polgeest who bare him fiue sonnes Baldwyn seignior of Hoochtwoud a knight William Gerard Cornellis and Euerard who was a Monke in the Abbie of Egmond and one daughter named Iudeth who was a Nun in the couent of Poel by Leyden This Baldwyn sold the said seigniorie of Hoochtwood for that hee had no children to Iohn the first Earle of Egmond Bâ—…atrix the bastard daughter of count William was first marryed to Philip van 〈◊〉 a knight by whom she had no children afterwards she married againe to Iohn of Woerden siegnior of Vlyet by whom shee had Gerâ—…ard of Vlyet Esquire At that time their flourished among the chieâ—…e of the Nobilitie of Holland and Zeeland Williâ—…m lord of Arckell Wallerand Lord of â—…ederode Earle of Genap William of Brederode Iames lord of Gaesbeck Abcoude Wyâ—…k Putten and Streuen Philip vicont of Leyden lord of Wassenare Iohn and Henry â—…is sonnes Iohn of Egmond and William of Yselstein his brother Philip of Leck Wâ—…lsart of lâ—… Vere Henry of Vianen Ameiden Floris of Borssele lord of Seuenbergh Zuylen and S. Martins dycâ—… Faâ—…er to Franâ—… of Borssele the last husband of Iaqueline countesse of Holland Iames of Borssâ—…le lord of Brigdam and Dâ—…yuelandt Costin of Hemestede and 〈◊〉 of Hemestede Iohn of Cruninghen Iohn of Renesse Hubert of Culenburch Didier of Merwe Iohn of Laâ—…geraeck Didier lord of Henckelom Iohn vicont of Montfort Arnold of Lyenburch Henry of Naeldwyck and his two sonnes Wiliam and Albert squires Didier of Leck Iohn of Hodenpil William bastard of Holland first siegnior of Schagen and his brother Adrian both sons to count Albert of Bauaria â—…rard bastard to count William the first lord of Hoochtwoode and Lewis a knight his brother Iohn of Treslon bastard to Guy Earle of Blois Iohn of Vianen siegniâ—…r of Noordeloos Iohn of Woudâ—… lord of Warmoâ—…t and Alemada Iames of Woude his sons Daniel of Poele Clâ—…wer gouernor of S. Ghertruâ—…denbergh 〈◊〉 of Poelgeeâ—…t and his brother Gerrard Bartholomew of Raphorst Iohn of Hemisted siegnior of Beâ—…thusen Iohn of Vlyet Philip of Dorp Iohn Henry and Ghysbreecht of Croenenburch brethren Flores of Alâ—…mada Gerard of Woert Gerard of Zyl Giles of Cralingen Gerrard of Lyesuelt Floris of Abeele Gerard Conrad Iohn and Arnold brethren of Haerlaâ—…r Frederik of Seuenter Berthold of Assendolse Didâ—…er of Beets all knights Then Iohn of Egmond siegnior of Soâ—…termeer an other Iohn of Egmond siegnior of Wateringh Albert of Egmond of Maremsteyn â—…ugh of Alâ—…mada Herpert of Forest Didier of Assendelf Symon of Burcht Floris of Adricom Gerard vuytten Hage Gerard Potter Baldwin of Wietten Floris of Tol. Herpert of Bossche William Egger first lord and founder of the town of Pourmereinde Iohn his sonne Floris of Kyeâ—…oeck Iohn vander Myer Arnold Spyerinck Nicholas of Waterlandt William Nagle with many other squiers and gentlemen which were to long to number and most of all these noble Famylies are at this day extinct IAQVELINE OF BAVARIA THE 28 Gouernesse in Holland Zeeland and Friseland and Contesse of Henault 2â—… â—…acoba Bauariâ—… Foure times in marriage I my fruite did try Yet could I not increase my Progenie Gorrichom I won gainst William of Arckel In which Exploit three hundred English fell Beneath my Conduct while one day did shine My husbands ransome made me to resigne My Contries to the Duke of Burgondie Ten yeares with paine I sat in soueraigntye And now in one Graue with my Grandfather Peace did my bodye to his rest conferre THE Lady Iaqueline or Iacoba as the Hollanders terme her the daughter and onely heire of VVilliam of Bauaria Earle of Holland c. succeded after the death of her father in all his Earldoms and seigniories She was then widow as we haue said to the Dolphin of France being 17. yeeres old keeping with her mother the Lady Marguerite daughter to Iohn duke of Bourgongne father to Philip. Her fathers obsequies and funerall pompe being ended she was conducted throughout all the townes of Henault whereof she tooke possession and receiued the homages of her subiects and vassals By reason of her widowhood and her youth shee had much trouble in the gouernment of her Contries especially of Holland for that the two factions reuiued againe the Hoeckins holding the Countesses partie and the Cabillautins a contrarie one by reason whereof all the time of her
her selfe vnder his charge else he would denounce warre against her He had drawen vnto his faction William of Arckell Iohn of Egmond William of Yselstein by whose fauour and assistance he thought to doe wonders promising them also to restore them to their lands that were forfeited to Cont William father to the Contesse Afterwards Iohn of Egmond found means to surprize the Towne of Gorrichom in the name of Iohn of Arckel his cousin The Lorde of Brederode and other Barons which held the Contesses partie seeing the towne thus surprized retyred themselues presently into the castle which Cont William had caused to be built William of Arckell ariued soone after being accompanied with many Knights and Gentlemen where he was restored to his siegniorie but the castle held good againg him Iohn of Bauaria went secretly to Gorrichom conferred with the said noblemen then returned to Dordrecht The Contesse being aduertised hereof drew what forces she could together out of all her countreys and with the assistance of them of Vtrecht and of Amersfort accompanied by her mother sayled vp the riuer of Merwe and went before Gorrichom The chief of her armie were Walrauen of Brederode then Lieutenant to the said Ladie in Holland Zeeland and Friseland Where the said Princesses being arriued they were welcommed into the castle and their armie camped round about The night following their men went to the Sapp and made a breach betwixt the castle and the towne the which was so great as they might enter with their armie in battell The Lord of Arckel seeing this breach put his men suddenly in order beeing about 4000. The Lord of Brederode hauing disposed of his troupes aduanced to enter but the Lord of Arckel had suddenly cast vp a trench betwixt the Towne and the Castle so as they could not passe nor easily approach Notwithstanding they of Vtrecht and Amersfort hauing lept ouer the ditch marched brauely in battell into the towne The Lord of Arckel hauing his troupes very resolute went boldly to incounter them the charge was furious and very bloody the one striuing to conquer the other to defende But in the end the Lord of Arckels men beginning to faint hauing no hope of any supplies and seeing the Contesses forces to increase hourely they turned their backes and fled there was the lord of Arckel slaine and with him the Earle of Osburch the siegnior of Pettersen Henry bastard of Arckell Allard of Buren Splinter the bastard of Nyenrood Otto of Gelechom Otto of Ghemmen William of Appeldorn about a 1000. other gentlemen Bourgeses and souldiers Amongst the prisoners were William Earle of Vernenburch the Earle of Hulberch Henry of Hoemoet the baron of Batenburch Didier of Lyenden Arnold of Ordange and Raes his brother Didier of Heumen The siegnior of Orflot Arnold of Egmond sieignior of Marestein Otto of Buren Iohn of Heteren Iohn of Oyen Arnold of Craenhem and Arnold of Haerlaer all Knights Those of Vtrecht had the Lord Iohn of Egmond and aboue a 1000. prisoners of all sorts Of the Contesse Iaquelines side their died Walrauen Lord of Brederode her lieutenant through the negligence of his seruants the which was a great losse for that Princesse which caused her to mourne This battell was giuen in the towne of Gorrichom the first of December The lord of Brederode left two sonnes Renold lord of Brederode and Ghysbrecht cathedrall Deane and afterwards elect bishop of Vtrecht of whom wee shall speake heareafter Pope Martin by his bulles of the 22. of Nouember of his owne authoritie notwithstanding the refusall of the councell of Constance dispenced with the marriage of Iohn Duke of Brabant with the Lady Iaqueline Contesse of Holland without ◅ny respect to the proximitie of blood sending the Bull secretly to the Duke by his Ambassadors The which being come to the knowledge of Iohn of Bauaria her vncle he made his complaint to the Emperor Sigismonde who taking it ill sent to the Pope letting him vnderstand what quarrels and Factions might growe thereby among Christian Princes the which did mooue the Pope to reuooke this dispensation of which reuocation Iohn of Bauaria sent an authenticall Coppie to the Duke of Brabant thinking to terrifie him therewith that hee should not proceed any further in this marriage But the Duke seeming not to know anything the 13. of Ianuarie 1418. sent cont Engelbert of Nassau Lord of Leck and Breda with Henry lord of Berghe vpon Soome to the Lady Iaqueline being then at the Hage in Holland with his Bull. The 8. of March following the Duke accompained with many Earles barons knights and Nobles his friends and vassals came to the saide lady Countesse at the Hage to aduise of their marriage The bishop of Tournay with other Noble men Ambassadors to Duke Iohn of Bourgongne were there present with the chiefe of the councell to the Countesse the Duke of Brabant and the Deputies of the Townes of Holland Zeeland Henault and Frezeland where they did view and examine the Bull of dispensation and the coppy of the reuocation the which not being found authenticall all well considered they concluded to proceed in the consumation of the marriage according to the ordinances of the church and so were accordingly married the fourth of Aprill by the Deane of the chappell at the Hage in the presence of the old Lady her mother of Philip vicont of Leyden lord of Waesenare Henry of Leck and many ladies and gentlewomen among others the lady of Saint Martins Dyke the lady of Ameyden the lady of Steenbergen and others The Duke of Brabant was 16. yeeres old and the contesse Iaqueline about 18. when as they were married by the which their patrimoniall inheritances were greatly fortified one by another A while after Pope Martin did write vnto the duke giuing him to vnderstand that the reuocation which he had made of the dispensation came through feare of the Emperor and the importunitie of Iohn of Bauaria and for no other cause that without any scruple of conscience they might liue freely in that state of mariage The which the Patriarke of Constantinople and the Cardinall of Ostia confirmed by their Bulles And so Iohn Duke of Brabant was receyued and acknowledged in the countries of Holland Zeeland Henault Friseland c. for their prince as husband to the said lady their princesse except in the Towne of Dordretcht and the Iland of Bryele As also the said Contesse Iaqueline was receiued with great honor in the Townes of the Dutchie of Brabant And for that Iohn of Bauaria through the trecherie of them of Dordrecht would not onely attribute vnto himselfe the gouernment of Holland but did also take vpon him the title of Earl and procured great troubles to the Contesse his Neece the Histories of Holland haue put him in the number but without rancke of their Earles the which we follow and will describe his gouernment as succin̄tly as wee can and the
disasters of the said Contesse vnto the death IHON OF BAVARIA CARRYING himselfe as Gouernor then Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland 28 Dn̄s Iohannes Bauariae Thy faith of Dordrect force and thy faiths loss◅ Made thee resigne thy Bishopricke and Crosse By Merlus ayde thy greedie chests to fill VVith great reuenues of thy Neece a Pupill At Luxenbrough thou took'st vnto thy spouse Elisa carlesse of her blood or House In thy Church Order long thou didst not liu◅ An Earle nor marryed One blacke day did giue End to all slipp◅rie t◅ares let fall for thee And to thy short vnstable memorie IHON OF BAVARIA hauing gouerned his Bishopricke of Leige 27. years for whose sake as we haue sayd before so much blood had beene spilt and so many good men lost their liues hauing resigned his Bishopricke into the Popes hands notwithstanding that he was a Deacon obtained a dispenspation to mary taking to wife the lady Elizabeth widow to Anthonie duke of Brabant father to duke Iohn and Duchesse of Luxembourgh his Gossip hauing beene Godfather to a sonne of hers He carryed himselfe at the first as Tutor to the contesse Iaqueline his neece and then Gouernor of Holland c. Then he obtained of the Emperor Sigismond his wiues vncle the Earldomes of Holland Zeeland and Henault the lordship of Frizeland in fealtie and homage as fallen vnto the Emperor by the death of cont William his brother for want of heires male excluding the contesse Iaqueline his neece The which the Emperor being at Constance did intimate vnto the Duke of Brabant his vassall with a prohibition not to challenge any thing to himselfe in the saide countries According to the which Iohn of Bauaria did presse the chiefe townes of the saide Prouinces to receiue him for their Lord and Prince The townes of Holland and Zeland made him answere that they had acknowledged and did acknowledge the said Ladie for their princesse as the only daughter sole heire to cont VVilliam the 6. their deceased prince and that the said Iohn her vncle had also acknowledged her for such and taken vp certaine fees and signiories of her so as they could nor ought not to leaue her Moreouer they said that the said Prouinces had fallen twise before to the female kinde whereof they had imperiall letters and therefore they intreated him to desist Those of Henault sent him their answere and among other pointes they laied open this more pertinently then the other Prouinces maintaining absolutely that the countrey of Henault did no way hold of the Empire in the which the daughters had often succeeded Yet Iohn of Bauaria tooke vpon him the title of Earle of Henault Holland and Zeland and lord of Frizland and was so acknowledged at Dordrecht and at Bryele notwithstanding the promise they had made vnder their oaths and seales with the other townes of Holland vnto Cont VVilliam father to the contesse Iaqueline whereupon Iohn of Bauaria was proclaimed enemie to Holland and Zeland He therfore gathers together all the men he could of what conditio soeuer with the which he made war in Holland Those of Dordrecht and of Bryele doing all the harme they could vnto their neighbors that held the Princesse part The duke of Brabant seeing this reuolt defied Iohn of Bauaria and came with his wife into Holland where with his Brabansons he went to besiege the Towne of Dordrecht lodging his Hollanders vppon the dyke of Papendrecht But this siege was vnfortunate Iohn of Bauaria being then in Dordrecht very glad of their deliuery seazed soone after on the towne of Roterdam whether he went caused himself to be acknowledged Earle of Holland staying there some time he sought to be master of Delfe and of Goude Whereof the countesse being aduertised she fortified them the towne of Schyedam with good Garrisons In the meane time Iohn of Bauaria ceased not day and night to molest the Hollanders and to hinder their Nauigation to the sea by the Riuer of Meuse And for that during this warre many places and castles were dayly ruined the countrey made waste and the mischiefe increasing dayly there was an assembly appointed in the towne of Wandrechom whether came for chiefe mediators betwixt both parties Philip Earle of Charolois sonne to Iohn duke of Burgongne Lewis of Luxembourg Bishop of Teroagne and Peter of Luxenbourg his brother during which treatie a truce was made there also came Iohn duke of Brabant and the lady Iaqueline his wife with the lady Marguerite Douager her mother Iohn of Bauaria sent his Commissioners in the company of a Baron of Bauaria Gerrard of Boel lord of Hemskerke and some others There was an accord made by the which it was said that Iohn of Bauaria should remaine lord of Dordrecht with the appurtenances of the towne of Gorrichom the country of Arkel of Lederdam Schoonwert of Bryele of the contrie of Voern of the towne of Roterdam and the siegniorie of Waerden and inioy them for him and his heires for euer the which hee should hold by fee and homage of the duke of Brabant in the right of the lady Iaqueline Contesse of Holland his wife And moreouer he should pay vnto him within a yeare a hundred thousand English Nobles remaining Lieutenant of Holland Zeeland and Frizeland for the space of three yeares with authoritie to dispose of halfe the officers and magistrates and the Contesse his Neece of the other halfe These conditions were confirmed reciprocally vnder their seales the 19. of Iuly in the yeare 1419. Those of Vtrecht and Amersfort were also reconciled and all acts of hostilitie laied aside both in Holland Zeeland and the Diocesse of Vtrecht yet in all these treaties of peace Iohn of Egmond nor his brother of Yselstein were comprehended nor spoken of About the end of the said yeare 1419. there sprung vp newe warres in Holland and the D◅ocesse of Vtrecht by reason of great robberies and spoiles committed by Iohn lord of Egmond who tooke all he could finde vpon the riuer of Leck comming out of Brabant or Flanders sinking their ships and taking their men prisoners Those of Vtrecht write vnto Iohn of Bauaria intreating him to doe them reason iustice of the wrongs which ths said lord of Egmond had done them but he regarded them not They considering therefore in what estate their affaires were and that they must expect no good from Iohn of Bauaria sent vnto Iohn duke of Brabant and the Contesse his wife to acquaint them with the wrongs which had been done notwithstanding the league which was betwixt Holland and Vtrecht The duke made no account of it and the Contesse being desirous to assist and helpe them had no meanes they therefore adrest themselues to Frederic of Blankenhein their Prince and Bishop and to the Townes of the hye diocesse which is the country of Oueryssel They seeing there would neuer bee any end of
these spoiles and thefts which the Hollanders of the Cabillautin faction holding the part of Iohn of Bauaria did commit vpon their friends of Vtrecht and Amersfort they held it their best course to make open warre and to that ende they allyed themselues to these Lords William of Brederode Philip vicont of Leyden the vicont of Montfort Iohn of Heemstede with all the rest of the Hoackins faction that were chased out of Holland against the lords of Egmond and Gerrard Boel lord of Hemskerke cheife counsellors to Iohn of Bauaria and against all their Allyes The yeare following Iohn of Bauaria and his faction did ruine many of their aduersaries castels in the quarter of Woerden Suylen Houthorst and Nessen On the other side the lorde of Broderode the vicont and the siegnior of Hemsted ioyned to them of Leyden did also burne some of the Cabillautins castels as Zuyck Raphorst Rhinburch others running as far as the Hage but they only spoiled it sparing the fire in respect of the Princes court palace the honor of the earls that had built it In the same yeare Iohn of Bauaria tooke the castle of Poelgeest situated in the village of Coekerke by assault causing all their heads to be cut off that were within it from thence hee went to the castle of Does the which was yeelded vnto him then he besieged the castle of Waert in the village of Leyrdorp the which hee battered and tooke by force killing most of the besieged then razed it to the ground he in like sort wonne that of Zyl by Leyden whereas there dyed many men and then hee ruined it Hauing taken all these castles and gathered together greater troupes hee went and besieged the towne of Leyden the space of nine weekes so as in the ende he forced them to yeeld vpon composition by the which it was agreed that all soldiers strangers and namely they of Vtretch should depart with bagge and baggage and that Iohn of Bauaria should be receyued into the towne without the oppression of any man The which being thus concluded the vicont Philip and the inhabitants did onely acknowledge him as Gouernor of Holland The souldiers of Vtrecht thinking to retire safely vnto their towne the lord of Egmond lay in wait for them at a passage and pursued them vnto their gates On the other side Iohn of Bauaria against the said Accord forced the vicont of Leyden to resigne and yeeld vp his viconty vnto him and not to retaine any thing for himselfe nor his successors but the castle the Toll and the Gruytte whereas before a vicont of Leyden had a great command and prerogatiue in the Towne as the placing of a Bayliffe foure Bourghemasters and seeuen Sherifs Henry the viconts eldest sonne held at this siege the part of Iohn of Bauaria against his father who also made session of the said Viconty This towne being thus yeelded to Iohn of Bauaria they went with them of Dordrecht to besiege the Towne and castle of Gheertruydenbergh whereof Didier vander Merwen was Chastelaine or Gouernor whom in the ende hee forced to yeeld to haue their liues and goods saued That yeare 1420. Iohn Duke of Brabant came from Antwerp into Zeeland at the request of Iohn of Bauaria and landed at saint Martensdyk whereat the pursuite of the siegnior of Aschen they assembled without the priuitie of the Contesse Iaqueline in the house of Floris of Borssele where the duke of Brabant did ratifie and confirme vnto Iohn of Bauaria the gouernment of Holland Zeeland and Frizeland for seuen yeares longer and moreouer did yeeld vp vnto him the towne of Antwerp and Marquisat of Herentael The duke of Brabant being returned to Antwerp by the aduice of Euerard Tserclaes his steward discharged and put away all the Contesse Iaquelines ladyes of honor and maydes and quite altred and changed her estate and traine giuing her the contesse of Moeurs the lady of Weesmael Asschen and others to attend on her The which did wonderfully displease the lady Marguerite of Burgongne Douager of Holland mother to the Countesse who departed presently with her daughter towards Brusselles and comming to the court to the Duke and his councell shee sought to perswade him to dissolue this new estate or traine The which not able to obtaine shee departed discontented and went to her Inne called the Looking glasse The Contesse her daughter followed her weeping with one only Page the which did breed admiration and pittie in all that beheld her The next day the mother and the daughter retyred themselues into Henault where they liued at Quesnoy le Conte Whilest these things were acting the barons nobles and townes of Brabant held an assembly in the towne of Louuaine where it was decreed to displace Euerard of Tserclaes steward to the Duke and the siegneor of Asschen whereunto the Duke opposed firmely for that they were his two mignons and chiefe councellors Whereupon the Estates of Brabant sent to Paris to Philip Earle of S. Pol brother to duke Iohn intreating him to come into Brabant to gouerne the countrey and to rule his fathers inheritance complayning that Duke Iohn suffered himselfe to bee ruled and gouerned by a companie of flatterers and pick-thanks who sought nothing els but to set diuision betwixt the Nobles and townes of the countries and their Lorde and Prince Although the Earle were loth to vndertake this charge yet at the intreatance of the king himself he went into Brabant where hauing saluted the duke his brother at Brusselles hee went to Louaine there hee vnderstood the causes of the complaints made by the state and the reasons of either partie which being heard he went to Quesnoy from whence hee brought the Contesse Iaqueline and her mother to Louvaine Then hee appointed an other assembly of the States on the 29. of September at Vilvoord whereas the sayde Earle being present with the two Ladyes Princesses mother and daughter and all the Deputies of the Estates of Brabant they attended the Duke onely who counterfeited himselfe to be sicke hauing expected him there some space hearing that he went from Towne to towne to auoid this Assembly the States by the aduice of the Ambassadors of the King of France and duke of Bourgongne resolued to create the Earle of S. Poll Reuward of Brabant which election was made the first of October Duke Iohn of Brabant hauing beene perswaded by William lord of Bergen vppon Soome his chiefe councellor and Euerard of Tferclaes to make Iohn of Bauaria gouernor of Holland and Frizeland hauing also beene the cause of the changing of the Contesse Iaqueline his wiues traine The Bastards of Holland beeing incenced for this cause slue the lord of Bergen in the Duke his masters chamber On the other side the Duke hearing that Cont Philip his brother had the title of Reuwart of Brabant and had displased and changed the magistrates of Brusselles came before the
towne accompanied with the Earle of Moeurs and the Earle of Heynsbergh nad Iohn his sonne the lord of Bâ—…ren Prouost of Aiz and about 300. horse besides his ordinarie traine The Duke attended at the Port the Bourgeoises hearing thereof held a councell where it was agreed that the Duke should enter with his ordinarie traine of 120 horse and no more Seuen of the Bourgesses went vnto him who hauing opened the Port the first entred and the rest thrust forward in a prease the Duke entring with the last into the towne The Reuward went with him to the court the next day the Duke came vnto the Towne-house and let the councell vnderstanâ—… that his comming thither was to to entreat some good accord with his brother and the Barons But the Reuward was gone to Louvaine to the Assembly of the Nobles The Duke fearing that hee should returne with him into Brusselles and seaze vppon his person demaunded of the magistrates that if it should so happen wheâ—…her they would open him the gate or not They to assure him said that if hee had any doubt thereof they would deliuer vp the Keyes of the gates into his handes wherewith he remained satisfied But the inhabitants were not in quiet to see those strange soldiers bragging in Tauernes with their swords in their hands that they should be all rich before they went out of Brabant so as the night following they assembled in Armes vppon the market place being aduertised of some dissein of the Earle of Heynsberg and others who should seaze vpon the Market place that night at the sound of a bell and then of the whole towne some soldiers were also found armed vppon their beddes The inhabitants therefore sent in all haste for the Reuward who came posting from Louvaine with all the Nobilitie and Deputies of townes Entring into Brusselles he thanked the Bourgesses for that they had so constantly preserued the towne and day being come hee went to the Court to the Duke where hee caused most of his houshold seruants to be apprehended dismissing others that were not prisoners and soone after hee suffered them to depart that were come into the towne with the gentlemen strangers but the masters as the Earles of Moeure and Heynsbergh with other gentlemen to the number of 150. were deteyned prisoners The lord Reuward seazed vppon all the horse and armes of the Earle of Heynsberg and others and disposed of them to whom he pleased The Emperor Sigismond writ for these Noblemen that were prisoners to the states of Brabant for their libeâ—…ties threatning them with a proscription of the Empire The like letters were written by the Princes Electors to the Reuward to whom he made no other answer but that hee had caused them to be iustly stayed according to the custome of the Countrey as they themselues had required and therefore their cause remained doubtfull vntill they had wonne the fauour of Gerrard vand Zype chiefe counsellor and most familiar with the Reuward who by the perswasion of the saide Vande Zype freed them out of prison vpon certaine conditions All things being thus past and the troubles ended the Earle of S. Pol Lord Reuward resigned vp his office of Reuward which is a dignitie which the States of Brabant haue power according to their Priuiledges to giue vnto whom they please to reduce their Dukes vnto reason when they stray from their duties into the hands of duke Iohn his brother who was by the said Estates confirmed in the gouernment of his Countrie Before that the Earle of S. Pol went out of Brabant there were beheaded Euerard of Tserclaes knight Steward to the duke Adolph of Coudenbergh William of Pipenpois and some 14. of the cheife of Brusselles who had beene the cause or at the least had wincked at the dessigned treason and trouble of Brusseles and there were 600. Crowns promised to him that should bring in the signior of Asschen aliue or dead for that hee had beene the motiue of the unkindnesse and quarrell betwixt the Duke and his wife Then the Earle of S. Pol retyred into France the Contesse and her mother remaining still at Quesnoy discontented still with duke Iohn for some of the said Ladyes councell found not the Bull of her marriage lawfull hauing not been allowed but held it to bee fraudulent and of no force By reason whereof in the yeere 1423. she went into England from whence she sent to cyte duke Iohn to the court of Rome to heare his marriage declared voyde according to the Canons Pope Martin referred this businesse to two Cardinals to determine thereof who assigned a day for the Duke to appeare before them and he appointed certaine Proctors at Rome to defend his cause The Countesse Iaqueline hearing that the Processe would be teedious and long without attending a definitiue sentence allyed her selfe by a promise of mariage to the Duke of Glocester vncle to King Henry the sixth of England then raigning vppon condition that the marriage with the Duke Iohn being declared vnlawfull shee should obtaine a dispensation from the Pope to marry againe Soone after the duke of Glocester came with the Contesse Iaqueline his betrothed Spouse vnto Calais with a great Army marching toward Henault and therefore hee diuided his Armie into three battailions The Lady Marguerite of Bourgongne mother to the Countesse requested the Nobilitie of Henault to accompany her and to goe and meet them and so by assistance and fauour of the lord of Haures Lieutenant to Duke Iohn they entred into Henault The duke of Brabant demanded succors from the duke of Bourgongne and Iohn of Bauaria who promised him all assistance The Duke of Bourgongne sent him the lords of Croy Lisle-dam and Mailly with good troupes of souldiers In the yeare 1423. Iohn van Vlyet had his head cut off at the Hage in Holland being accused by some of the Cabillautin faction that he had poisoned Iohn of Bauaria whereof he had been sick and recouered for the which hee was quartered and his quarters hung at the entrance of foure of the chiefe townes in Holland Iohn of Bauaria hauing receiued letters from the duke of Brabant demanding succors sent him word that if his health would giue him leaue hee would come vnto him with good Troupes within three weekes But hauing his armie readie to march he fell suddenly sick it may be the poison had not been well purged and dyed at the Hage on Twelffe day and was buryed there in the Iacobins Cloister Hee being dead all the Noblemen that had been of his faction called in Iohn duke of Brabant and receiued him for their prince notwithstanding that Iaqueline their Contesse was married againe to the duke of Glocester who hearing how hee had beene receiued held a counsell with her friends by what meanes she might seaze vpon some townes and castles in Holland and to that end she sent Floris of Kifhoeck with men to surprize the
was the first sieigneor of Schagen Euerard of Holland bastard to Cont William father to the Contesse Iaqueline first lord of Hoochtwoode and his brother Lewis Iohn of Vianen siegneor of Noordeloos Didier vander Merwin Gerrard of Poelgeest siegneor of Homede gouernor of Schoonhouen Gerrard of Poelgeest his cousin Giles of Cralinghen Gerrard van Zyl Berthould of Assendelph almost all Knights Iohn vander Leck WilliaÌ„ of Egmond siegneor of Soetermeer Otto of Egmond lord of Merensteyn Gerrard of Hemsted Benthuseyn Iohn of Hodenpyl WilliaÌ„ of Langerack Iames vanden Woode Siegnior of Warment and Alcmada Adrien of Raphorst Gerrard van Vlyet Wouter of Mattenesse Herpert van Foreest Ghysbrecht van Swieten Iohn van Swieten Baliefe of Leyden Gerrard witten-Hage Frederick of Seuenter and Floris of Kishoek whereof some were Knights the rest Squiers and many Gentlemen which were too long to specifie here all valiant soldiers whereof many died in the seruice of their Prince as we shall see in the course of this Historie Among the chiefe families and nobles of Friseland were Otto of Broek Aurick and Emden Sicco Syaerda Wybrandt Hermana Sicco Liaucama Peter Campstra Aelko Campstra bretheren sonnes to Tako Douwe Tyessama Ieâ—…mer op Adeleen Sybrandt Tyaerda Wybet Walta Pibo Eelcxima Wopke In die Stedde Gerrit and Tyaert Iongama Herman Dowwema with an infinite number of other Gentlemen whom in their language they call Houelinghen which is as much to say as Courtiers An end of the 2. Booke 30 Philippus Burgund Cogn Bonus PHILIP DVKE OF BOVRGONGNE Earle of Holland and Zeeland lord of Friseland Duke of Brabant Lembourg and Luxemburg Earle of Flanders Arthois Henault and Namur Lord of Salins and Macklyn The first wife I espous'd was Lady Michell The second lady Bonne the third Isabell When the false Ganthois and the Brugeois â—…re Rebellious armes a peace with France I swore The golden Fleece I first of all deuisde Laide siege at Calais Luxembrough surprisde Subdued Liege In Holland I opprest The league of Hamecons foure and thirty yeares I raignd and Dijeon drunke my funerall teares The Argument of the third Booke PHILIP the first of that name called the good Duke of Bourgongne accompting Ihon of Bauaria Vncle to the Contesse Iaqueline was the 30. Earle of Holland c. the which he wrested 〈◊〉 the said Lady in her life time he takes reuenge of the Ganthois for abandoning him before Calais he was in great danger in Brugeâ—… who in the end were reconciled Warre betwixt the Hollanders Zelanders and the Esterlings The factions of Sceringers and Uetcoopers in Friseland Those of the Hoecks and Cabillaux reuiued in Holland warre betwixt the Duke and the Ganthois Hee disgraceth the two brothers of Brederode wrongfully to aduance Dauid his bastard to the Bishopricke of Utrecht Lewis Daulphin of France comes to the Duke for refuge who afterwards conducts him into France to bee crowned King A quarrell betwixt Arnold Duke of Geldres and Adolph his sonne who deales impiously with his father The Lord of Croy and Launoy hated of the Earle of Charolois Iohn of Koesteyn hauing vndertaken to poison the Earle of Charolois is conuicted and executed A diuision betwixt the Duke and the Earle of Charolois his sonne by reason of them of Croy but in the end reconciled King Lewis the 11. dissembles with the Duke of Bourgongne he sends Ambassadors to him which accuse the Earle of Charolois who answers them brauely A new dislike betwixt the Duke and the Earle for them of Croy. Ciuill warre in France called the warre of the Common-weale The French King and the Liegeois in league against the Duke of Bourgongne The Earle of Charolois goes with an armie against the Liegeois a peace is made Dissembling betwixt the French King and the Earle Those of Santroin and Dynant in the countrey of Liege breake the peace Dynant besieged by the Duke of Bourgongne taken and punished A second peace made betwixt the Duke and the Liegeois The Earle of Charolois marries the lady Marguerite sister to the King of England the death of Duke Philip. The arte of Printing inuented at Harlem in Holland and stolâ—…e away to Mentz PHILIP the first of that name the 30. Earle of Holland and Zeeland and Lord of Friseland sonne to Iohn Duke of Bourgongne slaine at Montereau faut-yonne was at the first Gouernor of those Prouinces as we haue said then by the death of the Lady Iaqueline Countesse of the said Prouinces he was right heire and lawfull successor both by father and mother And so was Duke of Bourgongne Brabant and Lembourg Earle of Flanders Artois Bourgongne Henault Holland Zeeland and Namur Marquis of the holy Empire and Lord of Friseland Salins and Macklyn He did afterwards purchase hauing conquered it by armes in the name of the widow of the deceased duke the duchie of Luxembourg other siegneories so as he was the mightiest Prince of all his Predecessors in the said countries Hee had to his first wife Michelle daughâ—…er to Charles the sixth king of France who dyed without children in the yeere 1422. and lyes buried at Gant Then he married Bonne or Olande daughter to the Earle of Eu by a dispensation from the Pope for that shee had beene formerly married to Philip Earle of Neuers his Vncle the which was a wonderfull faire lady and dyed also without children For his last wife he had Isabell daughter to Iohn King of Portugall Aunt to the lady Elenor who was wife to the Emperour Fredericke the third This Isabell was brought by sea into Flanders and landed at Scluse in the yeare 1430. by whom he had three sonnes the eldest at Brussels in the yeare 1431. called Anthonie who liued not long Then in the yeare 1433. an other sonne called Iosse who died also very yong The yeere following 1434 she was brought in bedde at Digeon in Bourgongne on S. Martins Eue of her third sonne called Charles Martin for that hee was borne the said day There was in this Princesse as some say some thing worthy of obseruation which was that when she tooke her leaue of her father to goe into Flanders to the Duke her spouse the father hauing giuen her his blessing said unto her that she should haue three sons whereof two which she should not nurse her selfe should be short liued as it happened to the two first and therefore shee her selfe gaue sucke vnto the last sonne Charles who after that hee was baptized was made Knight of the golden Fleece and his father gaue vnto him the Earledome of Charlois the siegneories of Bethune in Artois Chasteau-Bellam in Bourgongne and Arkell in Holland This Duke had some bastards among others Dauid bishop of Teroanâ—… and afterwards of Vtretch who did much mischiefe to them of Brederode Cornellis who died in his youth being slaine at the defeat of the Gantois before Ripelmond Anthonie Earle of Steenbergh Baldwin a Knight Philip his Admirall at sea and Iohn
Then Anne wife to Adrian of Borssele signior of Brigdam who was afterwardes married to Adolfe of Cleues Lord of Rauestein brother to the duke of Cleues In the yeare 1438. the Esterlins enuying the sprosperitie of the Nauigations of the Hollanders and Zeelanders trafficking in all places at sea as well as themselues sought to take and spoile them the which bred a great warre at sea betwixt them In the which the Hollanders with the consent of their Duke grew so strong in shipping as after they had recouered more then their losses they chased the Easterlins out of the sea vntill an agreement was made betwixt them In signe whereof they did beare as they doe at this day a little be some at the toppe of their maine mast to shew they had once clensed the Sea from these Esterlins whereof they were a long time maisters In the yeere 1444. the faction of Schyeringers and Vetcoopers being somewhat pacified in Friseland new troubles grew in Holland by the factions of the Hoocks and Cabillaux vpon this occasion especially in the townes of Harlem and Amsterdam but chiefely at Leyden in the which the Magistrates had granted a Subsidie vnto the duke which was so great and burthensome as it was not possible to furnish it without oppression to the Commons The Magistrates were for the most part of the faction of the Hoeckins yet the better part of the Cabillautin faction had consented to the raising of this extraordinarie imposition The people being thus ouer charged ioyned with the Cabillautin faction which was the cause of great mischiefe for on a Saint Peters day there was a great insurrection in the Towne of Amsterdam the Hoeckins chasing away all the Cabillautins and their adherents who made their retreat vnto Harlem being of their faction The Duke keeping his court at Brusselles hearing of this disorder sent the Lady Isabell his wife with some of his counsell to redresse it and to pacifie their quarrels Herevpon the like tumult happened in Harlem by reason of these heauy impositions the two factions arming one against another and comming to handie stroakes so that some were hurt and others slaine The Duchesse was presently aduertised thereof and sent a gentleman of her Houshold with Gerard van Zyl thither who beeing arriued commanded the people in the Princes name to lay aside their armes the which was done but yet the troubles seased not for they were much incensed against the lord of Lalain Gouernor of Holland to whom they did impute the cause of these Impositions so as if they could haue once gotten him they would without all doubt haue murthered him The Duchesse went to Harlem whereas the next day after her arriuall the Cabillautines chased away all the Hoeckins so as she was greatly troubled to preserue them from spoile causing all the Cabillautins to returne into the Towne which had been before expelled Shee commanded them of Amsterdam and the partisans of the Hoeckin faction that were expelled Harlem to carry themselues discretly and to keepe well their towne In the end leauing the affaires of Holland in this confusion and not able to pacifie them she returned to Brusselles where hauing informed the Duke her husband of the estate of the countrie he sent for all the Lordes Knights and Deputies of the townes of Holland of both factions to come before him at Brusselles vppon great penalties and with them the Lorde of Lalain The duke hauing heard both parties he dismissed the Lorde of Lalain from his place of Lieutenant instituting in his place a worthy and wise man of Flanders called Gosswin of Wilde And to the ende hee should not more carry his Predecessors title the which seemed odious to all the Nobilitie hee would haue him called President of Holland Zeeland and west Freezland If William of Lalain did carry himselfe ill in his place of Lieutenant this Goswin behaued himselfe much worse for he afterwards lost his head for his wicked life At this time there happened a great tumult in the towne of Leyden so as they fell to armes the Cabillautins charged the Hoeckins in such sort as they were forced to recoyle vnto Saint Pancratts Church whereas many of the Hoeckin faction were slaine wounded and taken Prisoners to the number of sixe score whereof three of the chiefe that were the motiues of this trouble lost their heads and there had beene more executed if the Earle of Osteruant had not saued them the rest were put to great fines The Duke hearing what had past at Leyden resouled to goe into Holland to pacifie these troubles and reconcile his subiects Whether hee came accompanied with Iohn Earle of Nassau Lord of Breda and many Barons and knights Whether likewise came Iohn of Hensberg bishop of Liege at the request of Ghysbrecht of Brederode Proâ—…ost Cathedrall of Vtrech his cousin to reconcile the Hoeckins with their Prince The Duke sent the Earle of Nasau before him to Harlem to let them vnderstand the cause of his comming and his intention This Ghysbrecht of Brederode was there also And being of the Hoeckin faction the Earle of Nassau and the bishop of Liege made his peace with the duke to the great discontent of his enemies the Cabillautins From thence the duke went to Amsterdam where he restored all them that had bin banished expelled renewed the â—…aw of Sheriffs appointing two Bourgomasters of either faction and the Sheriffs equally commanding them to lay aside all factions and partialties and to liue brotherlike together in all loue amitie imposing great punishments vpon them that should breake his commandements in that regard and for the authors of any troubles how meane so euer they were This done after that hee had reduced all to a good order he departed out of Holland and returned into Brabant The duke hauing the yeere before besieged Calais pretending it to be of the lymits of Flanders as part of the county of Guynes which came vnto him by Session from Charles the 7. King of France was abandoned by the Flemmings at this siege He remembring the affront which they had done him hauing punished them of Bruges before he resolued in the yeare 1452. to doe as much to the Ganthois to begin and to satisfie himselfe of the great losse and charge hee had beene at by reason of the raising of this siege he layd a new imposition vpon all the Countrie of Flanders of sixe Pattars vpon euery sack of Salt comming from France Spaine or else-where Wherevnto the Ganthois would by no meanes yeeld The Duke seeing their obstinacie and wilfulnesse caused them to be taken and ransomed throughout all his other countries as his sworne enemies The Ganthois did the like vnto the Dukes men or to such as did any way affect his party Herevpon they went to armes the Ganthois drew many townes into their faction and forced some marching in field with their colours flying in forme of
promise with him and payed him the somme as hee agreede vpon whether hee would then haue reuealed the fact the poore foole answered no and therefore hee presently caused his head to bee cut off About that time Lewis the leauenth King of France made a proclamation throughout the Earldomes of Flanders and Arthois that none should presume to inrowle him-selfe in the seruice of Edward King of England nor any way assist him He would also haue raised an impost vpon the sault in Bourgongne the which had neuer beene practised before But the duke would not admit of the one nor the other for hee was a friend and had made a truce with the King of England Wherevpon hee sent the lord of Chimay to the French King to shewe him the causes why hee could not allowe of such innouations in his countries and to intreate him to forbeare But the sayd lord was long at Court before hee could haue audience Seeing one daie that they fed him still with delaies hee attended so long before the Kings chamber as in the ende hee came forth When the King had seene him hee asked him what manner of man the duke of Bourgongne was Is hee of an other mettell then the rest of the Princesse of my Realme yea my Leege answered Chimay beeing a bold man and of great courage the Duke of Bourgongne my Maister is of an other stuffe then the Princes of France or of all the Countries about for hee hath kept you nourished and supported you against the will and liking of the King your father and all others whom it did displease the which no other Prince would nor durst doe At these words the King held his peace and returned into his chamber Afterwards the sayd Lord of Chymay returned making his report vnto the Duke The French King being resolued to pay vnto the duke of Bourgongne 450000. crownes and redeeme the townes which were ingaged vnto him in Picardie on this side the riuer of Some by the treatie of Arras he gathered together great store of treasure from all parts of his kingdome for there was no Abbay Chanonlerie nor riche Marchant that was esteemed to haue money throughout all France but did eyther giue or lend him And hauing recouered the sayd summe hee sent it to Abbeuille to the Duke of Bourgongne from whence the Duke caused it to bee brought to Hesdin where hee then kept his court Soone after in the yeare 1463. the king came thether in person the Duke went to meete him and receiued him with great honour and state and lodged him in his owne lodging in the Castell where hee promised to accomplish all that remained of the Treatie of Arras but hee fayled afterwards in some points During his aboad at Hesdin the duke sent diuers messengers to the Earle of Charolois his sonne being then in Holland to come and doe his dutie vnto the king But hee refused to come saying That so long as Ihon of Bourgongne Earle of Estampes and the Lords of Croy and Lanoy should be about the King hee would not come holding them for his mortall enemies for these Noblemen had left the Dukes Court and retired them to the kings seruice for hee knew well they were of his secret councell charging them with the practise of Ihon of Koesteyn and to haue councelled the Duke his father to accept of the money for the redeeming of the aboue named townes The Duke was wonderfully discontented at his sonnes refusall and would not for a long time after see him The King parting from Hesdin the Duke intreated him to confirme those seruants which hee had placed in the redeemed Townes in their offices Hee granted it but hee performed little changing all the Gouernours Captaines Prouosts and Magistrates thereof appointing and committing in their places such as hee thought were not greatly affected vnto the duke as the Lords of Lanoy Croy and Estampes The discontentment betwixt the Duke and the Earle of Charolois his sonne continued so long vntill the States of the Netherlands to whom the Earle had made his complaints especially of the lord of Croy had reconciled them together according to whose aduice the Earle accompanied with many Noblemen Knights Gentlemen and the chiefe Deputies of the sayd States came to Bruges where the Duke was All the chiefe Noblemen of the Court and the Magistrates of the Towne went to meete him conducting him to the Duke his fathers lodging where hee lighted and went vp vnto his chamber as soone as hee saw him hee kneeled downe three times and at the third time he sayd My most honored Lord and Father I haue vnderstood that you are offended against me for three things declaring the same three points which hee had made knowne vnto the deputies of the States whereof he excused himselfe Notwithstanding said he if I haue in any other thing moued you to anger I most humbly cry you mercy As for all your excuses answered the Duke I know the trueth speake no more of them but seeing you are come to aske forgiuenesse be you a good sonne and I will bee a good father to you then hee tooke him by the hand raised him vp and pardoned him all This done the Deputies tooke their leaue of the Father and the Sonne being glad to haue performed so good a worke The same day that this reconciliation was made the Lord of Croy parted early in the morning from Bruges and retired to Tournay to the French King who was there then In the moneth of Iune 1464. the French King came to Amiens and from thence to Saint Pol where hee found the Duke of Bourgongne The Earle of S. Pol feasted them with great state then they went together to Hesdin whereas the king required him to yeeld vnto him the gouernment of Lille Douay and Orchies satisfying him the sum of two hundred thousand Liuers and paying him 10000. Liuers of yearly pension for which summes of money hee said the sayd Gouernment had beene ingaged by a King of France long since to an Earle of Flanders Wherevnto the duke answered that when his Grand-father duke Philip called the Hardie sonne to Iohn King of France tooke to wife the Lady Marguerite daughter and onely heire to Lewis of Male Earle of Flanders the said Chastelenies were giuen to him and his heires males for euer by the King and in case he had not any then to returne vnto the Crowne for the sayd summe and yearely rent The King made certaine other demands vnto the duke but he would not hearken vnto them for that they were vnreasonable The duke for his part made three requests vnto the King the first was that he would receiue the Earle of Charolois his sonne into his grace and fauour for that he heard the King had beene displeased with him The second was that he would not force the Gentlemen his subiects and resident in his countries holding any fees
imperfit This Duke Charles Earle of Holland Zeeland c. His fathers funeralles beeing finished hauing setled his estate and the affaires of his house went in person to take possession of all his Countries and Siegneories Frist at Gaunt to bee inuested in the Earledome of Flanders The Regents and chiefe of the towne went to meete him receiuing him with great honor and state acknowledging him for their Prince and naturall Lord Earle of Flanders Entring into the towne he was followed by about 800. banished men whom he tooke into his protection and remitted their banishment Hauing receiued the possession of the towne the next day the people did mutine both against him and the Magistrate pressing to haue a certaine imposition vpon the corne freed and to haue their priuiledges restored which the Duke his father had taken from them with other demands comming armed vnto the market place with their Enseignes crying out that they would not part from thence vntill the Duke had granted what they demanded Duke Charles seeing this and knowing with what people he had to deale after he had spoken vnto them seeing they departed not he strooke saile and yeelded to all that they demanded dissembling his conceptions vntill hee was freed from them This trouble thus pacified the Duke parted from Gaunt and went to take possession of his other Prouinces then he came to Brusselles whether the deputies of the mutinous Ganthois came vnto him crauing pardon for the excesse committed by them against his greatnesse carrying him backe the letters which they had forced from him and offring to make any reparation he should please The Duke pardoned the offence and would aduise of the reparation The deputies departed with this prouisionall pardon Two yeares after the duke did intimate vnto them that for a reparation of their offence the Ganthois should teare in peeces all the Enseignes Banners and Standards of their companies and trades the which was put in execution in the towne of Brusselles whether they were brought And as for their Immunities and freedomes hauing perused and examined them according vnto reason some were abrogated others confirmed and some moderated granting them some new according to his good pleasure A while after those of Macklyn rebelled against their Gouernor and Magistrates whom they chased out of the Towne The duke went thether with a resolution to ruine the towne if the Nobilitie and best Bourgeses had not sued for mercy and obteyned it vpon condition that they should deliuer vp all their priuiledges into his hands repaire the house of Iohn Muse Knight which they had ruined and restore that which they had taken and more-ouer to pay him for a fine thirtie thousand Lions of gold whereby the duke was pacified The Liegeois brake the peace not-with-standing the 300. Hostages deliuered to the duke of Bourgongne the last yeare taking a small towne called Ligny and chasing away all the inhabitants after they had vtterly spoyled it In the meane time Lewis the eleuenth the French King laboured all he could by goodly offers and promises to drawe the duke of Bourgongne from the allyance of Francis duke of Brittaine and in that respect he would abandon the Liegeois that were newly reuolted the which duke Charles refused The King insisting still vpon the same demand sent the Earle of Saint Pol Constable of France and the Cardinall of Balue his Ambassadors vnto him To whom the duke made short dispatch telling them plainly that hee would not doe any thing and in the presence of the sayd Ambassadors went to horse-back to goe and make warre against the Liegeois marching directly with his armie before Saintron A little before they were in councell to determine what should bee done with the 300. hostages whether they should put them to death or not Some among others gaue their opinions that they should dye But the lord of Humbercourt giuing a more modest milde and wise censure to preserue the dukes honor and reputation and for some other respects said that the best course was to send them back and at their departure to let them vnderstand what grace the duke had done them hauing their liues in his power that they should labour to draw the people to a good peace and in case the Liegeois would not yeeld vnto it yet at the least acknowledging the grace which he had done them they should promise neuer to carrie armes against the duke nor against their bishop his cousin who was in his company This aduise of the lord of Humbercourt was followed and the hostages did promise at their deliuery To whom it was said that if euer any one of them was prisoner in the warre that without any mercy he should loose his head And so they departed ioyfully to haue made so faire an escape The duke being camped before Saintron ready to batter it in the which there were 300. souldiars Liegeois and one Knight their captaine Those of the towne of Liege to the number of 30000. men good and bad fiue hundred horse and great store of Artillery aduanced to raise the seege and about two of the clocke in the morning came vnto a village that was strong of it selfe and partly inclosed with marish groundes called Bretan The campe was aduertised thereof hauing a generall alarme giuen them The duke knowing them to be so nere him put his army in battaile and after that hee had disposed of them that should gard the campe hee placed 1200. men on eyther side of the village of Bretan and hee himselfe stood right against them with about eight hundred The lord of Rauestein leading the vant-gard with some men at armes and Archers and certaine peeces of Artillery marched vnto the foote of their trenches But he was so valiantly repulst as hee lost about 500. men and his Artillery al the vant-gard wauering as if it had beene halfe defeated But the duke aduancing with his battaile led by the lord of Creueceur hee had soone put the Liegeois to rout and defeated them whereas their died some 9000. men and if night had not approched as many more had beene slaine for the flight was confused being pursued by the dukes horse but the darkenesse of the night saued them The duke beeing a conqueror returned the same night vnto his campe before Saintron with his whole army two daies after this battaile the Liegeois babling was well cowled for the beseeged imagining that the defeat had beene much greater then it was yeedled the towne leauing their armes they deliuered ten men at the dukes pleasure such as hee would choose whose heads he caused to bee cut of among the which there were sixe which had beene of the Hostages This towne being yeelded hee went to beseege Tongres an ancient towne sometimes the chiefe of the Realme of Tongres which comprehended the Country of Liege Lembourg Valkenbourg c. the which at the first made shew of resistance yet
being not very strong the beseeged without any battery made the like composition to them of Saintron and gaue ten men who had also their heads cut off among the which there were fiue Hostages From thence the duke marched with his army before Liege the which did much trouble the inhabytants some desyring to hold good and to defend the Citty saying that they had men ynough especially a hardie knight called Rasse de Lattre others seeing their countrie destroyed and burnt demanded a peace at what rate soeuer The duke approching neere the towne there was an Ouerture of peace by the sollicitation of the Hostages Who acknowledging the fauour that had beene done then were mediators of this businesse Finally they perswaded them of the towne to yeeld and brought three hundred of the chiefe of the Cittie in their shirtes with their heads legges and feete bare who brought the keyes of their towne and Cittie of Liege vnto the duke yeelding themselues to his mercy except from fire and spoile At the which there was present the lord of Mony Ambassador for the French King and Iohn Preuost his Secretary who were come to make the like demaund and charge vnto the duke as the Constable had done a little before But they preuailed no more then he had done The day of the reduction the duke thinking to make his entry sent first the lord of Humbercourt for that he had good acquaintance there but the entry was forbidden him that day the mutiners opposing all they could against the peace The lord of Humbercourt remained in an Abbay in the suburbes where he wrought so pollitikely as early the next day many Hostages came vnto him intreating him to come vnto the Pallace wheras the people were assembled and that he would there sweare two points whereof they were in doubt which was that they should bee free from fire and spoile and that presently after they would deliuer him the portes Hee presently aduertised the duke thereof from whome hauing receiued commandement so to doe hee went and sware for their better assurance which done the Liegeois commanded their men to come away that were at the gates suffring the lord of Humbercourt to place the dukes gards there and to plant foure Enseignes vpon the foure gates And so the duke was Maister of the sayd towne and Citty of Liege into the which hee entred the day following in great triumph causing twenty fadomes of the wall to bee beaten downe in his presence and the ditch to bee filled vp against the breach There entred with him two thousand men at armes in complete armes they and their horses and two thousand Archers the rest remayning at the campe Hee went first to Saint Laurence Church He stayed some daies in the cittie during the which he caused sixe score to be executed of those which had beene Hostages and with them the messenger of the towne whom he hated extreamely it may bee for his bad tongue he made some newe lawes and customes and charged them with great summes of money the which he sayd were due vnto him for the breach of the peace Hee carried away all their Artillery and armes and raized all the Towers of the towne walles Then hee returned into his countries whereas he was receiued with great triumph especially in the towne of Gand who with some other townes had begunne to rebell But now they receiued him like a victorious Prince Here by we may see how much a victory doth import not onely with enemies but also with neighbours and friends and how dangerous a thing it is to bee vanquished For if the duke had beene beaten in the countrie of Liege the Ganthois had continued in their rebellion with the other Flemings which they did now forbeare seeing him returne a conqueror A Prince ought therefore to be very carefull to hazard a battaile if he bee not forced therevnto and before hee attempt it hee must propound all doubts and dangers that may happen for that those that doe balance and peize the benifit or losse that may rise thereby doe most commonly prosper better then those that rashly and with a vaine presumption runne on headlong to fight as it hath happened thrice to this duke Charles as wee shall shew hereafter But all the good councells and all the best indeauors in the world are of no force when God hath a worke to do whereof we must not to curiously serch into the first causes and motiues The duke beeing at Gand the French King sent many Ambassadors vnto him to perswade him to abandon the duke of Brittayne and he on the other side sent vnto the King to excuse himselfe saying plainely that hee could not doe it This refusall did much displease the King but especially the victory which hee had had against the Liegeois his allies whome notwithstanding hee had least ingaged In the end Sommer being come the King burning with desire to ruine the duke of Brittaine caused his armie to enter into his countrie The duke of Bourgongne hauing intelligence thereof writ vnto the King intreating him to forbeare seeing that the dukes of Normandie and Brittayne were comprehended in the treatie of peace But receiuyng no pleasing answere from the King hee caused his armie to march towardes Peronne The Cardinall Balue came thether to him but stayed not long hauing made some ouerture of a treatie the King tending to no other ende but to diuide him from the other Princes telling him that the dukes of Normandie and Brittaine would accord with the King without him Duke Charles made him a short answere which was that he was not come to field to make warre against this King but to succor his Allies Presently after the Cardinalls departure there came a Herald called Brittayne to the duke bringing letters from the dukes of Normandie and Brittayne conteyning that they had made an accorde with the King renouncing all other allyance namely his The duke of Bourgongne was much amazed at these newes seeing that hee was come armed to field only to succor them he was in some doubt that they had bin coūterfit letters but this suspition was soone taken away by other letters which did confirme it Messengers posted frō the king to the duke from the duke to the King in the end the King gaue vnto the duke 120000. crownes whereof the moity should be presently paied before hee raised his campe for his charges in leauyng of that army The duke sent a groome of his chamber that was very familiar with him vnto the King whose name was Frobisser The king trusting his secrets very much vnto this man told him that hee desired much to speake with the duke hoping to winne him considering the bad offices which these two dukes had played him and the great summe of money which hee had now giuen him To whome the King sent the Cardinall of Balue to perswade him therevnto who found the duke at Peronne but
hee made no great shewe to desire it for that it seemed the Liegeois would rebell againe by the perswasions of the Kings Ambassadors which hee had sent vnto them who notwithstanding answered that they durst not seeing the duke had vanquished them the last yeare and beaten downe their walles And if they should haue any such desire the accord made betwixt the King and the duke would distast them Yet notwithstanding all these difficulties the King resolued to come to Peronne hauing receiued a safe conduit from the dukes hand In the meane time the duke desirous to settle things in good order in the countrie of Liege sent their bishoppe his couzin for whome all these broyles had happened with the lord of Humbercourt his Lieutenant in that countrie with souldiars The King comming to Peronne brought no gard relying in the safegard which the duke had giuen him commanding the lord of Cordes captaine of the dukes gardes to march before him onely to conduct him The King approching neere vnto Peronne the duke went forth to meete him conducted him into the towne and lodged him in the Receyuors house which was a sayre lodging for that his was to little for them both Before this Enterueiwe or any speech thereof the Duke had sent for the army of Bourgongne being then full of Noblemen with the which came the lord of Bresse the Earle of â—…omont and the bishop of Geneua three brethren of the house of Sauoy with some Germaines bordring vpon Bourgongne and Sauoy of the country of Ferrette whome the King loued not greatly and among others the sayd lord of Bresse whome the King had detained prisoner with whome there was also the signior of Lac whome the King had also kept prisoner These foure Noblemen entred into the towne wearing redde Bourgongne crosses thinking to come time ynough to go and meete the King but they came a little to late They went all to salute the duke the lord of Bresse speaking for the rest beseeched him to take them into his protection notwithstanding the Kings comming as it had beene assured them in Bourgongne promising him to bee faithfull and to serue him against all men The duke granted their request by worde onely and thanked them The Marshall of Bourgongne of the house Neufchastell who hated the King no lesse then the other Noblemen by reason of the towne of Espinal in Lorraine which the King had sometimes giuen vnto him and afterwardes taken it away to giue it to the duke of Calabria was lodged abroad in the countrie as it had beene appointed by the duke The King beeing aduertised of the comming of these Noblemen and of the crosses of Bourgongne which they carried grewe amazed and fearefull you may see what the remorse of a guilty conscience may do in a man how mightie soeuer that hath wronged an other and sent to intreat the duke to lodge him in the castell saying that all those that were then arriued were his enemies The duke was very glad and caused the lodging which hee demanded to bee prepared assuring him vpon his word The dukes army was come about Peronne almost as soone as the King the which the duke could not countermande beeing alreadie come into Champagne when they treated of this enteruiew Yet these Princes treated as louingly of their affaires as might be Hauing spent three or foure daies in this treaty there came great newes from Liege The King comming to Peronne had forgotten those two Ambassadors which he had sent to Liege to stirre them vp against the duke wherein they wrought so well as the Liegeois hauing gathered togither a great number of souldiars went and surprized Tongree in the which they tooke their bishoppe and the lord of Humbercourt although they had a 1000. men to gard them whereof some were slaine others sauing themselues by flight left all they had there The lord of Humbercourt yeelded himselfe to a knght called William of Wilde who promised to saue his life but he could not do it for presently after hee was slaine The people ioyfull to haue their Prince prysoner and some Chanoins whom they hated put fiue of them to death and among the rest one named Robert very familiar with their bishoppe whome they did cut into many morcells casting them one at an others head in derision in the presence of their Prelate you may imagin in what feare he was of this mad inraged multitude marching to field they slue sixteene as well Chanoins as others that were faithfull seruants to the bishoppe These newes were soone brought vnto the duke by some that had seene the lord of Humbercourt and the Chanoins slaine saying also that they knewe no other wise but that the bishoppe was dead and that they had seene the French Kings Ambassadors naming them by their names The duke giuing credit to their wordes fell into a great rage and crying out that the King was come thether to deceiue him wherevpon he presently commanded the gates of the towne and castell to be shut The King seeing himselfe coopt vp in this little castell and many Archers at the port was not without feare and that which did more terrifie him hee was lodged neere vnto a great Tower whereas the Earle of Vermandois had caused one of his Predecessors Kings of France to die The duke hauing thus caused the gates to bee shut complained among his familiars among the which was Philip of Commines lord of Argenton Charles of Voisin a groome of his chamber and others without whose comfort and the counsell which they gaue him it was likely hee would haue played some bad part with the King or at the least haue lodged him in that great Tower These newes were presently dispersed throughout the whole towne and castell so as in the ende they came vnto the Kings eares who then was in greater perplexitie then euer for hee saw no meanes to escape from thence the castell gates were thus shut and garded three daies togither during the which the duke neuer came vnto the King The first day there was nothing but terror and amazement in the towne the second the duke was somewhat pacified and the third daie he held a councell most part of the daie and night The King caused some to bee delt withall who hee thought might assist him neyther did hee fayle to promise largely for hee feared those foure Noblemen which had serued him and whome hee had ill intreated beeing come with the army of Bourgongne Most of the dukes councell were of opinion that hee must keepe the sauety which he had giuen vnto the King inuiolable others maintayned flatly that they must detaine him prysoner without any ceremonie Others aduised him to send speedely for the duke his brother and to make a benificiall Peace for the Princes of France The King caused an offer to bee made that he would giue Hostage the duke of Bourbon the Cardinall his brother the Constable and
diuers others to the ende that after the peace concluded hee might go to Compiegne and that hee would cause the Liegeois to make reparation of the wronges which they had done if not that hee would declare himselfe against them This night which was the third the duke neuer vnclothed himselfe but onelie layed himselfe downe twise or thrise then rise againe and walked vp and downe his chamber as hee was accustomed to do being in choller In the morning hee seemed more transported then euer vsing threates as if hee had beene readie to execute some great desseigne Yet hee came againe to himselfe and grewe more calme saying that if the King would sweare the peace and goe with him into the countrie of Liege to aide him and the bishoppe his couzin to bee reuenged of the wronges and affrontes which the Liegeois had done them hee would rest satisfied And so parted presently from them and went to the Kings chamber to say as much vnto him The King had some friend who they say was the lord of Argenton that gaue him present intelligence of the dukes resolution assuring him that if hee did yeeld vnto those two points hee should haue no harme else hee should runne into the greatest danger might happen vnto him When as the duke came into the Kings presence his voyce trembled hee was so mooued and full of discontent Hee made an humble reuerence but his carriage and his speech were lowder and harsh demanding of the King if he would hold the treaty of peace which had beene written and concluded and if hee would sweare it Who answered I for there was nothing altered of the treatie of Conflans in regard of the Duke of Bourgongne Then the Duke asked him if hee would not goe along with him to Liege for the causes aboue mentioned alledging the proximity of bloud that was betwixt them two and the bishoppe of Liege who was of the house of Bourbon Wherevnto the King answered that when the peace was sworne which hee sayd hee desired hee was content to goe with him and to carry as many men and as fewe as he pleased This answere did much please the Duke and the Treatie of peace was presently brought the which was solemnly sworn then the bels did ring and all the Towne reioyced This peace thus made the next day the King and the Duke parted from Peronne towards Cambray and so into the countrie of Liege It was then entring into Winter and a very bad season yet the Duke burning with a desire of reuenge hauing called a counsell made his armie to aduance and commanded the Marshall of Bourgongne to goe and lodge in the cittie of Liege with all his Troupes and if they refused him the entrie that he should force them if hee could The people went out armed to incounter him but they were soone defeated their Bishop during the combate escaped and retyred to the Dukes campe There was within the town a Legat from the Pope to pacifie the troubles and to examine the controuersie betwixt the Bishop the people who stood yet vpon tearms of excommunication This Legat in stead of pacifying them hoping thereby to make himselfe bishop prouoked them to armes and to commit stranger follyes But seeing this siege approch and the apparent danger into the which he was like to fall thinking to flie away was taken with 25. of his men well mounted The Duke being aduertised thereof willed them that had taken him prisoner to make their profit of him as of a simple marchant without making any shewe that the Duke knew it But when as they which garded him were growne into some question for his spoile and ransome and that they came to him to be iudge betwixt them being at dinner he sent for him doing him great honour and causing them to restore all that they had taken from him The Dukes Foreward marched directly towardes the cittie thinking to enter but thrust on by couetousnesse they desired the spoile rather then to accept of the composition that was offered them thinking it needlesse to attend either King or Duke who were 8. leagues behind them They aduanced so fast as they arriued confusedly at night in one of the suburbs ioyning to the Port which was somewhat repayred Iohn of Vilet a knight and some other Captaines of the towne seeing their disorder issued foorth by their ruined walles and other places vppon them killing about 800. men at armes and had done them much more harme if the Bourgongnons had not had foure peeces of Artillerie making three or foure vollees into the streat by the which the Liegeois came forth to skirmish Vyllette was slaine there and three other of their Captaines The Duke hearing of this disorder which was made greater vnto him then it had been posted thether with a part of his armie forbidding them to say any thing vnto the King and approching neere the Towne he went to lodge in another of the suburbes The King followed and lodged neere the Duke which put him in some iealousie either that he would enter into the cittie or else that he would flie away before it were taken or being lodged so neere him he would doe him some wrong For the preuenting of all mischiefe he layed 300. men in aâ—…great Barne that was betwixt both houses Those of the Towne gaue them some Alarmes but they were nothing till in the ende seeing how straightly they were besieged they resolued to make a desperate aduenture once for all which was the 600. Franchimontois led by the Host himselfe of the Dukes lodging should issue forth and come vppon the backe side of the Dukes lodging about ten of the clocke at night they charged his quarter slew some Skouts and Sentinells with their net and went directly to them that were in the gard at the King and Dukes lodgings who neuer were in greater danger yet the resistance was so great that the Host of the Dukes lodging and other leaders of these Franchimonts were slaine and those of the towne which issued forth to succour them beaten beacke into their Ports The King and the Duke hauing escaped this danger not fore-seene held Councell the next day what was to be done touching the assault whereon they had resolued The which did much trouble the King fearing that if the Duke should faile to take it all the mischiefe should fall vpon him and he should be detained prisoner On the other side the Duke was iealous of the King fearing that he should depart make warre against him in some other place Whereby we may discouer the miserable estate of Princes who can neuer be sufficiently assured one of another These two Princes had made afinall peace not 15 dayes before yet they could not trust one another The duke hauing resolued to giue a generall assault the next day the King propounded many great doubts and discreet considerations very pleasing to the Dukes counsell for euery one feared
this assault for the great multitude of people that was within the oittie and for their great courage All which difficulties they reported to the Duke from the Kings mouth The which hee tooke in ill part saying that the King did it to saue them but he would not faile to giue an assault in the morning as he had resolued foding the King word That if it pleased him to goe to Namur vntill the Towne were taken he was contented but for his part he would not goe from thence vntil hee had seene the and of it The King answered That hee would not goe to Namur but would be present the next day with the rest for without doubt where there was honour to be gotten hee would not 〈◊〉 taxed of Cowardice Euery man rested himselfe a little being armed day being come and drawing neere to eight of the clocke the Duke caused a Canon and 2. Serpentins to be discharged to aduertise them of the Vantgard who were quartered on the other side farre from him they heard the warning and prepared themselues for the assault The Dukes trumpets began to sound and the Coullors approched the wall The King was in the street well accompanied When they came to ioyne they found no resistance and there were but 2. or 3. men in gard euery man being gone to his home not thinking they would giue an Assault on the Sunday they found in euery house the cloath layed and the table couered There was as little resistance whereas the Fore-warde charged who entred first All the people being retyred beyond the bridge of the Riuer of Meuse towards the Forrest of Ardenne and other places where they thought to be safe In all there dyed not aboue 2. hundred men euery man hiding himselfe in Churches or houses The King marched softly for he saw well there was no resistance the whole armie entred into the towne on 2. sides being in all 40000. men The Duke being farre aduanced into the Cittie turned sodainly to meete the King whom hee conducted to the Pallace then presently retyred and went to the great Cathedrall Church of saint Lambert where his souldiers would haue entred by force to spoile it vnder a colour to take prisoners And although he had set some Gentlemen of his houshold to gard it yet could they not be maisters but they offered to force the 2. doores The Duke seeing this out-rage slew one of his houshold seruantes with his owne hands the which kept the sayd Church from spoile yet they drew foorth certaine Burgesses that were fled into it with their goods The most part of the other Churches were spoiled in seeking for the Townes men that were fled into them The towne being thus taken about Noone the Duke went to the Pallace to the King who had dyned shewing great signes of ioy for this prize and commending highly the dukes great courage and resolution thinking that those words would bee reported vnto him After dyner the King and Duke were seen very ioyfully together and if the King commended his valour behinde his backe hee extolled him more to his face wherewith the Duke was much pleased The King being very desirous to retyer himselfe spake vnto the Duke saying that there was no more to be done and if he had any vse of him that he should not spare him but he had a desire to goe to Paris to cause the accord betwixt them to bee published in the Court of Parliament The duke consented but somewhat vnwillingly vpon condition that the treatiâ—… of peace betwixt them should be read and ratified againe by the King the which he did wherevppon the King tooke his leaue of the Duke and he conducted him halfe a League The King being gone the Duke commanded the towne to be burnt reseruing only the Churches and the Chanoins houses in the which there were 4000. of the Countrie of Luxembourg imployed He caused a great number of poore prisoners to be cast into the Riuer of Meuse this done they went to ruine the Countrey of Franchimont whence are drawne the brauest souldiers of all the Countrie of Liege and was no sooner out of the Cittie but it was fired all along the Riuer Hee lodged that day 4. Leagues from thence where they might heare the cryes and lamentations of poore people as if they had beene within the Cittie The desolation contynued the next day vntill it was quite burnt except the Churches and some 300. houses of Chanoins and Priests which was the cause it was so soone re-edified for the people returned with the Priestes and other Church-men The country of Franchimont being spoyled and burnt hunger forced the Dukes troupes to retier who went to Namur and from thence into Brabant where he was receiued as a victorious Prince Those of the towne of Aix la Chapelle within eight leagues of the cittie of Liege had during these warres giuen some aide and assistance vnto the Liegeois the duke meaning to bee reuenged threatned them But the Regents of the towne went to him to Maestricht to aske him forgiuenesse offring him all seruice in time to come and promising to pay him 80000. florins of the Rhine in three years and so the duke was pacified In the yeare 1469. at the sute of the bishoppe and Chanoins the duke consented to the restauration of the towne of Liege whereas hee placed for Gouernor Guy of Brymeux lord of Humbercourt kinsman to him whome the Liegeois had slaine at Tongres and the signior of Wit-hem for his Lieutenant The duke hauing stayed some time in Brabant came into Zeeland and from thence he went to the Hage in Holland whether many great Princes and Ambassadors came to visit him Among others Sygismonde duke of Austria Brother to the Emperour Frederic The Prince of Trebisonde in Greece the Palatin of Rhine the Marquis of Ferrara The duke of Cleues and the lord of Rauestein his brother the duke of Somerset an Englishman and many other great Noblemen Barons and Knights The bishoppe of Liege Vtrecht Tournay Pouille and Salerne the dukes confessor The Popes Ambassador which was his Nephew his Sisters Sonne accompanied with the duke of Mantoua one from the Venetians and an other from the Archbishoppe of Cologne Duke Charles accompanied with all these Princes writ vnto Adolph Prince of Geldres who kept his owne father in pryson intreating him that all excuses set aside hee would come and honour that Noble company with his presence hoping to perswade him to deliuer his father out of pryson But this Prince doubting the worst excused himselfe vpon his Nobility and townes intreating the duke not to take it in ill part if hee came not for certaine speciall causes At that time there fell great contention betwixt the duke of Bourgongne and them of Vtrecht the duke demanding of them the country of Goyland and all the goods lands and signeuries belonging vnto the deceased Iames of Gaesbeke the which quarrell was
to bring him to the duke These two came to Wyke for the lord of Brederode and the Baylife Amerongen before they were deliuered the bishop would haue the lord of Brederode put againe to the Rack in the presence of Noblemen and that before hee was laied vpon it hee should take a sollemne oth to answere the truth to that which should bee demanded him wherevpon a Notarie and certaine witnesses were called this proceeding continued two whole daies hee was once stript and layed vpon the banke but seeing they could drawe nothing from him without greater torments nor from Amerongen they suffred them to goe with the sayd Comissioners who led them to Berghen vpon Some to the duke but they found him not there being gone to the seege of Amiens so as they conducted them to Ruppelmond in Flanders wheras they were detained almost a whole yeare At the dukes returne the processe beeing referred to the iudgements of the knights of the golden fleece to heare the sayd lord in his iustifications his Accusers were cited to bring proofe of their accusations seeing that by tortures hee did not confesse any of those crimes wherewith hee was charged But none of his Accusers appeering the duke sitting in his seate of iustice with the knights of the order among the which were Engelbert Earle of Nassau Barron of Breda the lordes of Crequy Lalain and others to the number of twelue Barrons the sayd lord of Brederode was adiudged free and absolued of all crimes imposed vpon him and was restored to all his Estates goods and honours to the great content of all these Noblemen and knights who complained much of the great wrong that had beene done him and he was honorably receiued of all men Hee liued not aboue two yeares after hee died in the yeare 1473. and was interred at Vianen let vs heereby consider of what force enuie is which spareth neither great not small Two yeares after Iohn of Amerongen was found innocent of the crimes that were obiected against him notwithstanding his confession vpon the Racke and in like sort absolued inlarged and restored to his Office of Baylife to the great content of the Bourgeses of Vtrecht As for Ghysbrecht Prouost Cathedrall brother to the lord of Brederode before hee could recouer his liberty hee was forced to resigne his Prouostship to an other and to sweare neuer to keepe his residence in Vtrecht the which hauing performed hee was set at liberty in the yeare 1470. and went to liue at Breda where hee died a yeare after and was buried at the Chartreux by Geertruydenbergh Duke Charles not satisfied with the annuall contribution or tribute which the Frisons payed him according to the last appointment writ vnto them that they should send their deputies to the towne of Enchuysen the seauenth of Aprill 1470. to heare what should bee propounded vnto them on his behalfe They sent their Deputies But the duke beeing troubled with the warres of France came not in person but sent Philip of Wassenare lord of Woerburch and others his commissioners There were many things ambiguously and doubtfully propounded and debated and so many cauillations found out to intrappe the Frisons as it did much displease the Noblemen of Friseland who retyred themselues and would not treate in that fashion desiryng to goe plainely and roundly to worke Yet the Clergie and Deputies of townes remayned who willing to haue a finall ende desired to knowe what the dukes demaunde was It was sayd vnto them that hee demaunded a siluer pennie of his coyne vpon euerie chimney for all the countrie of Friseland in generalll The Deputies demanding of what valour this penie should bee for that they had no charge from the Estates to yeelde to aboue three Liards or a soulz at the most the which the dukes commissionars would haue referred to the dukes discretion The Frisons in like sort demanded a day of aduise to make report thereof vnto the Estates The report made they would no waies yeeld vnto it but concluded that if the duke would force them they would defend themselues and hinder his entrie into the coūtry The duke at his returne into France came into Holland hauing heard by his Deputies the intention of the Frisons hee resolued to force them to his will by armes and therevpon caused a great fleete of shippes to be prepared to imbarke his men at armes and to land in Friseland But it fell out happely for the Frisons that Edward the forth King of England being expelled his realme came into Zeeland to the duke his brother in lawe to demande succors of him against the Earle of Warwike who had chased him out of his Kingdome The which the duke promised sending this fleete appointed for the ruine of the Frisons to succor the sayd King Edward the which carried him backe into England Afterwardes the duke had so great warres against the French Suisses and Lorrains in the which in the end hee was slaine as the Frisons remayned in peace without any further disturbance In the yeare 1470. Lewis the leauenth the French King had a great desire to bee reuenged of the brauary which the duke of Bourgongne had done him at Peronne practising vnder hand to haue the townes vpon the Riuer of Some reuolt the which being hard to effect by secret practise hee must attempt it by open warre true it is that hee had iust cause to apprehend the dukes affronts at Peronne who had forced him to make a peace and to go against the Liegeois that were before his friends yet hee beganne it some what fearefully although he had a great desire to it The Earle of Saint Pol Constable of France and the duke of Guiennes people desired warre rather then peace betwixt these two Princes for two considerations the first was for feare to loose their Estates the other was they perswaded the King that if hee had not some forraine warre he should haue ciuill dissention at home The Constable offred the towne of Saint Quentin pretending that hee had great intelligences in Flanders and Brabant where hee would cause many townes to rebell The duke of Guienne offred for his part to serue the King with fiue hundred men at armes The King meaning to beginne this warre with solemnity called a Parliament at Tours whereas many Iudges assisted there it was concluded according to the Kings intention that the duke should bee adiourned to appeere in the open Parliament at Paris The King assuring himselfe that hee would answere proudly or that hee would doe some-thing contrarie to the authority of the court hee should therefore haue more iust cause to make warre against him An Vssher of the Parliament went to Gand to adiorne him being vnder the souerainty of the crowne of France which he did at his comming from the masse whereat he was much amazed and discontented hauing caused the Vsher to be put in prison yet soone after he suffred him
passages with cartes and other impedimentes hoping that the Duke beeing defeated and flying there would some fall to his share as there did many The Germaines marched in good order hauing good store of french horse whom the King had suffered to goe to those warres many lay in Ambush neere vnto the place where the battaile should bee fought to see if the Duke were defeated or to get some good prisoners or other bootie You may see into what a wretched estate the Duke had thrust himselfe in neglecting of good counsell The two Armies comming to ioyne the Duke of Bourgongnes armie which had beene lately twise defeated beeing fewe in number and ill appointed was presently put to rout and flight many saued themselues the rest were slaine or prisoners among the which the Duke himselfe was slaine in the field being ouerthrowne by a great troupe of Lanciers and not able to bee relieued of his followers for that they were prisoners Hee had three woundes the one on the head the other in the thigh and the third in the fundement The Bourguignons would not belieue that he was slaine but that hee was fled into Germanie and that hee had vowed to doe seuen yeares penance There were some among the Bourguinons which sold Iewels horses and other things to be paid when hee should returne and at Burchselles in the Diocesse of Spierre in Germanie a poore man begging they thought him to bee the Duke who did penance euery man desired to see him and hee receiued good almes Naucler writes that he had seene the said man The French King was well aduertised of the defeate whereof they did hourely expect some newes The Lorde of Lude who lay without Plessis where the King then was heard the first newes by the Poste which the Lorde of Craon and others had sent but no man did assure the Dukes death but onely the defeate before Nancy and that he was fled The King at the first was sole transported with ioy at these newes as hee knew not how to containe himselfe yet hee did thinke that if hee were taken by the Germaines they would compound with him for some great summe of money which hee would easily pay them On the other side hee was in great care if the Duke were defeated escaped whether he should seaze on the Duchie of Bourgongne or not being so easie to take seeing that all his best men and his chiefe Commanders were almost dead in these three battailes wherevpon it was resolued that although the Duke were in health yet hee would send his Armie into Bourgongne and seaze vppon the Countrey in this amazement which beeing done hee should aduertise the duke that he did it with an intent to preserue it that the Germaines might not destroy it for that the said Dutchie did hold of the Souerainty of the crowne of France the which he would not haue falne into the hands of the Germains that what soeuer he should take he would yeeld vnto him againe which few men would beleeue Duke Charles had beene a Noble and valiant Prince well bred vp in his youth and instructed in the tongues and liberal Arts yea in Astronomy and Musick a man wel spoken and of a good grace exceeding chaste but very high minded who would not indure any iniury of his equall nor of any greater Prince then himselfe exceeding cholerike froward and willfull he left one only daughter and heyre 〈◊〉 Maria Charlesia My father beeing deceast I was young left A Pupill to the Cleuoys for a while But tho of father I was quite bereft Me Maximilian gaue the marriage stile I him my fayth and dowry In yeares fiue I became Mother of three Children faire But being twenty six I left to liue My soule vnto her Maker did repaire Bruges reseru'd my bones my corps lay there MARY DVTCHESSE OF BOVRGONgne Countesse 32. ruling in Holland and Zeeland Duchesse of Brabant Lembourg Luxembourg and Geldres Countesse of Flanders Arthois Henault Namur and of Zutphen Lady of Sallins and Macklin Marquis of the holy Empire MARY the daughter and onelie heire to Charles duke of Bourgongne called the Warlike succeeded vnto her father in all his countries lands and Seigneuries shee was eighteene yeares olde when her Father was slaine before Nancy and remained vnder the care and charge of the duke of Cleues and the Lord of Rauestein his brother After that Lewis the leauenth the French King had certaine newes of the dukes death hee sent the bastard of Bourbon Admirall of France and Philip of Comines lord of Argenton into Piccardie with commission to receiue all those that would submit themselues vnder his obedience These two Noblemen went to Abeuille which was one of the townes giuen to duke Philip called the good at the peace of Arras by King Charles the seauenth the which for want of heires Masâ—…e should returno to the crowne of France At their arriuall they found that the Inhabitants were in treaty with the lord of Torcy to whome after that they were freed of foure hundred lances that were there in garrison they opened the gates From thence the Admirall and the lord of Argenton went to Dourlans from thence they sent to sommon Arras the Metropolitaine towne of Arthois and the ancient patrimony of the Earles of Flanders in the which time out of minde the daughters did succed as well as the Sonnes The lords of Rauestein and Cordes being in Arras went to speake with them in the Abbey of Saint Eloy two leagues from thence and with them Iohn de la Vacquery first President of the Court of Parliament at Paris These Noblemen entring into conference the Frenchmen demanded to haue the cittie opened for the King and to bee receiued in his name being that the King pretended it to be his by right of confiscation with all the country of Arthois and if they did refuse it they were in danger to bee forced considering that their Prince was dead and their chiefe commanders slaine in these three battailes whereby all the countrie was vnfurnished of defence The Bourguignons answered by Vacquerie that the countrie of Arthois belonged to the Ladie Mary of Bourgongne daughter to their deceased Prince who was lawfully descended from the Ladie Marguerite of Flanders her great great Grandmother who was Countesse of Flanders and Arthois c. the which was married to Philip the Hardie duke of Bourgongne sonne to King Iohn of France and brother to King Charles the fift Beseeching the King to entertaine the truce which continued yet betwixt him and their deceased Prince The conference of these Noblemen was not long for the French expected no other answere The Low-countries were much amazed and not without cause for in eight daies they could not gather togither fiftie men at armes as for other martiall men there were but 1500 in the countries of Henault and Namur that were escaped from the defeat of Nancy The French King marched with his army towards
the factious disposition of the Ganthois who would not faile to attempt some newe thing against their Princesse and sti◅re vp some sedition in her Estate knowing how they had alwaies carryed themselues to their Princes and Lordes whilest that the King was before Arras there came certaine Ambassadors vnto him from the thre Estates of the sayd Princesses countries who were then assembled in the cittie of Gand for whome the Ganthois did not much care doing all things after their owne mindes and ouer-ruling their Princesse whome they detained among these Ambassadors there were also some deputies of the towne of Gand. The King heard them among other speeches they sayd that what they had propounded to his Maiesty touching a peace did proceed from the motion and will of their Princesse who in all things was resolued to gouerne herselfe by the aduice and councell of her States desyring his Maiestie to desist from making of warre as well in Bourgongne as in Arthois and that it would please him to choose a daie for a friendly treatie and that in the meane time there might bee assurance of armes The King tooke hold onelie of that which they had sayd That their Princesse would not doe any thing without the councell and aduise of the three Estates of there countries and answered them that they were ill informed for hee was well assured that shee would gouerne her affayres by priuate persons who desired not any peace and that they should bee disauowed Whereat the Ambassadors were much perplexed and like indiscreete men answered sodenly that they were verie well assured of what they sayd and that they could shewe their instruction if neede were Wherevnto some replied that if it pleased the King hee could shewe them letters written by such a hand as they would beleeue it the which did import that the Princesse would not gouerne her affaires but by foure speciall persons they answered that they were assured to the contrary Then the King shewed them a writing which the chanceller of Bourgongne and the Lord of Humbercourt had the time before brought vnto Peronne whereof part was written by the Princesse and part by the Duchesse Douager of Bourgongne widow to duke Charles deceased and Sister to King Edward of England then raigning and part of it by the hand of the lord of Rauestein brother to the duke of Cleues neere kinsman to the sayd Princesse So this letter was written by three sundrie handes although it went in the Princesses name onelie the which had beene done expresly to haue the more credit It was a letter of credit for the Chancellor and the lord of Humbercourt And moreouer the Princesse did declare that her intention was that all her affaires should bee gouerned by foure persons The sayd Ladie Douager her mother in lawe the Lord of Rauestein and the sayd Chancelor and lord of Humbercourt beseeching the King that whatsoeuer hee should please to haue managed with her might be by their hands and that he would be pleased to direct himselfe vnto them and not to confer with any other When the Ambassadors had seene this letter they were wonderfully troubled and perplexed being incensed more more by such as treated with them for the King In the end the same letter was giuen them and they had no other dispatch of importance Wherevpon they returned directly to Gand wheras they foūd their Princesse accompanied with the bishoppe of Liege and the duke of Cleues There was also William of la Marke a valiant goodly Knight but cruel il conditioned whom the bishop had taken into fauour although hee had alwayes beene enemie to him and to the House of Bourgongne holding the partie of the Liegeois to whom the Princesse had giuen 150000. Florins of the Rhin in fauour of the Bishop to reconcile him But soone after he banded against her and against the Bishop his prince hauing attempted by force and the fauour of the French King to make his sonne Bishop of Liege Afterwardes he defeated the said Bishop in battaile slue him with his owne hand and caused him to be cast into the Riuer where hee remained three dayes The Duke of Cleues was neerest vnto the Princesse hoping to make a marriage betwixt his sonne and her which seemed very fit and conuenient for many respects but his humors were not pleasing to her nor her seruants and muchlesse to her Ladyes for he had bin bred vp in that house and it may be the ordinary sight of him and the long knowledge they had had of him did him that harme The Ambassadors from the States of the Netherlands being returned out of France to Gaunt a Counsell was held and the Princesse set in her seat with these Noblemen about her to heare their report They began to charge her touching the letter aboue mentioned wherewith being suddenly mooued and in choller She answered That it was not so thinking assuredly the said letter had not beene seene Then presently the Pensioner or Orator of Gaunt who made the speech drew the sayd letter out of his bosome before all the world and gaue it her wherein hee played the part of a simple and vnciuill man to doe this publike disgrace vnto his Princesse in the presence of the Dutchesse Dowager the Lord of Rauesteyn the Chancellour and the Lord of Humbercourt They had before had some speech with the Duke of Cleues touching the marriage of his sonne which bred an alteration in them all and they beganne to enter into great diuision The Duke of Cleues had beene alwayes in hope vntill that time that the Lord of Humbercourt had fauoured this marriage But seeing this letter he found himselfe deceiued and became his enemie The Bishop of Liege loued him not nor William of la Marke for those things which had past in the cittie of Liege whereof the Lord of Humbercourt had beene Gouernor The Earle of S. Pol sonne to the Constable of France of whom wee haue spoken sufficiently before hated the Chancellour and Humbercourt to the death for that they deliuered his father at Peronne into the Kings seruants hands Those of Gaunt hated them not for any offence they had done them but only enuying their great authoritie and credite Finally the night following after that this letter had beene showne in the morning the Chancellor Hugonet and the lord of Humbercourt were committed to prison by the Ganthois notwithstanding that they were sufficiently aduertised thereof before yet could they not with all their wisedome auoyde their owne miseries as many others did who retyred themselues in time out of the Town They might well presume that their enemies aboue mentioned would helpe them forward There was taken with them William of Clugny bishop of Teroane who dyed afterwardes bishop of Poitiers all three were put together in prison Those of Gaunt obserued a certaine forme of proceeding against them the which they had not accustomed to doe in their reuenges and appointed some of
assault the siegeior Pyecke being fled before The Archduke hauing during his aboad at Gorrichom setled the estate of Gelders he went to Dordrecht carying with him all of the Cabillautin faction that had been expelled that towne to restore them againe to their houses But the magistrats and Superintendents of the same towne did giue the Archduke such reasons as they entred not for that time whether came the Prince of Orange Cont Engelbert of Nassau Wolfart of Lauere Iohn Vicont of Momfort Walrauen Lord of Brederode and many other gentlemen of the Hoeckin faction where hauing treated awhile of busines the Archduke went to Rotterdam accompanied with many of Rotterdam and la Goud as it were for his conuoie where ther was much trouble betwixt the noblemen of both factions the which notwithstanding was pacified without any effusion of bloud so as in the end to auoid all factions and partialities the Archduke made one Gouernor of Holland that was a neutrall and not borne in the contry which was Simon of Lalain Lord of Montigny Sainctes and Knight of the order of the golden fleece appointing new councelors in the Prouinciall councell This done hee went to Leyden leading with him many of the Hoeckin faction that had beene expelled the towne but they could not all enter by reason of the violent opposition of the contrary party And therefore such as remayned without entred an action of the restitution before the prouinciall councell against the magistrate of Leyden who opposed himselfe against them In the same yeare 1480. the Archduke hauing beene sick some time at the Hage and recouered his health hauing taken the aduice of his priuie Councell to make the nauigation of the riuer of Rhine free hee sent Iohn of Cleues with Iohn of Egmond and all his Caualerie to beseege the towne of Wageningen in the Duchie of Gelders the garrison wherof stopt the passage of the Rhine into Holland which towne in the end they forced to yeeld vpon composition to haue their liues and goods saued Soone after the Geldrois surprised Venlo and did incite the townes of Nimeghen and Zutphen to reuolt against the Archduke whome they would not acknowledge but by force After that the Archduke had staied long in Holland and labored in vaine to suppresse the factions of the Cabillaux and Hoecks he returned into Brabant and Flanders â—…o leuie an army with the which he would make hed against the French which did greatly molest his countrie of Luxembourg whether hee went being in the chiefe Cittie and hearing that there was a practise against his person by some that were susspected to haue had an intent to deliuer him vnto the French without any longer stay he retired into Flanders leauing his armie in the countrie of Luxembourg to stop the course and spoiles of the French The Lord of Lalain Gouernour of Holland c. to discharge his dutie began with the new Councell to moderate and pacifie the factions For the effecting whereof he went first to Horne being accompanied by Nicholas van Adrichom Abbot of Egmont whether he led all those of the Cabillautin faction that had beene expelled the towne except Martin of Velaere the Bayliffe who had resigned his place to the young Lord of Egmont All these banished men being re-entred into the Towne did promise and sweare neuer to pretend to any Magistracy nor to any place of gouernment within the Towne wherevpon they were admitted and receiued into fauour with the rest The Gouernor did the like in the towne of Goude but he could not preuaile so much with them of Dordrecht nor Leyden where-vpon he returned to the Hage At the same time they of Amersfort chased all them of the Cabillautin faction out of their towne Those of the Hoekin faction of the towne of Leyden hauing obteined of the Prouinciall councell a sentence of re-establishment in the said towne notwithstanding the which they could not be admitted to enter wherevpon these banished men resolued ioyntly together to surprize the Towne of Leyden with some of their Partisans being in all 135. hauing taken for their leaders and Captaines Reyer van Bronkhuysen a Geldrois and Henry van Nyeuelt a Hollander who found the meanes in the hardest time of winter when the ditches were all frozen to surprize the Towne by scaladoe and tooke the chiefe of the Cabillautins prisoners namely the Magistrate of the towne in whose place they appointed sixe men who during the troubles should haue the gouernment of the towne to administer Iustice with some Captaines and Centeniers for the gard thereof The other townes of Holland as Harlem Delfe and Amsterdam hearing that the Hoekin faction the which two yeares before had beene expelled the towne of Leyden had now seazed thereon and that the Magistrate and the chiefe of the Cabillautin faction were prisoners they sentâ—…some of the chiefe men among them to complaine vnto the Archduke their Prince that a Captaine of the Geldrois with many soldiers of Geldres Vtrecht and other strangers with the banished men of Leyden had traiterously surprised the said towne hauing resolued to doe the like vnto all the townes of Holland being to be feared that in the end the Geldrois would cease vpon all Holland if he did not preuent it The Archduke hearing these news sent the lord of Lalain Gouernor of the Country thether with what men he could speedely gather together to expell the said Bronckhuysen and all his adherents out of the sayd Towne of Leyden ioyning for an assistant Iohn van Ranst Marckgraue or Gouernour of Antwerp with his companie The aboue named Townes sent also some troupes vnder the command of Philip Bastard of Brabant all which were lodged in Rotterdam fearing the affronts of them of Dordrecht and Goude of the Hoeckin faction Before that the Gouernour went to besiege Leyden hee sent conditions vnto them which they found not tollerable and therefore they sent vnto the Prince to make their complaint of the Magistrate that was prisoner Notwithstanding all this the Archduke commanded the Gouernour to besiege them so as in the end after many skirmishes and taking of Castels on either side the Leydois by the intercession of them of Dordrecht Goude and Schoonhouen were reconciled At the same time the young Lord of Egmont remaining as Chastelaine or captaine in the Towne of Gorrichom accompanied with some banished men of the Cabillautin faction meaning to bee reuenged of an iniurie which the Bayliffe of Dordrecht had done him found meanes to surprise the sayd Towne In which surprize the Bourgmaister and the Bayliffes Lieutenant were slaine and about two hundred Bourgesses of the Hoeckin faction prisoners among the which was the Escoutette or Bayliffe This victory gaue courage and comfort to the Cabillautin faction and daunted the Hoeckins and Geldrois who afterwards were not so busie hauing also lost the Towne of Leederdam which the Archduke gaue to Gasper of Culenbourg in recompence of his
losses by his imprisonment in France the which hee sold afterwardes to the Lord of Egmont During the time that the yong Prince of Gelders sonne to Adolph was brought vp in the house of Bourgongne as much to say as a prisoner the Duke of Cleues seazed vppon many townes in Gelders for which cause the Geldrois made sharpe warre against the Cleuois and Brabansons growing dayly more obstinate they did â—…strange and with-draw themselues wholy from the house of Bourgongne whervpon the Archduke resouled to make warre against them Those of Numeghen Thyel and Bomel hauing some intelligence thereof went to him to Boisleduâ—… where they submitted themselues vnto him and acknowledged him for their Prince Wherevpon he went to Numeghen whither many Deputies of other townes came vnto him to doe the like This done he went to Ruremont to bridle Venlo but the Inhabitants did little regard it being resolued to defend themselues Whilest that the Archduke carryed himselfe in this sort in the Countrie of Gelders Dauid of Bourgongne bishop of Vtrecht being expelled the towne by the vicont of Montfort made an enterprise with his Partisans vpon the said towne the which succeeding not happily the Archduke hauing disposed of his affaires in Gelders came to Wyck-ter-duyrsted to him where they had much conference from thence the Archduke returned into Brabant the Dutchesse his wife being ready to be brought in bed was deliuered of a sonne whom the Duke of Brittanie christened and named him Francis by his owne name but he liued not long If in Holland the factions of the Cabillaux and the Hoecks tormented one another in Friseland the partialities of Vetcoopers and Scyringers did no lesse the Countrey being so diuided there as not onely the Nobilitie and townes made warre one against another with all violence but also the villages pesants other priuate persons which had any power or meanes yea the Abbeis Cloisters and Monestaries as well with their Prouost Monkes as with their lay Fryers whereof there followed great ruines desolations and burning of villages castels and other possessions as well Ecclesiasticall as Secular All this time there was sharpe warre betwixt the Hollanders that succored the Bishop of Vtrecht and them of the towne of Vtrecht and Amersfort of whom Iohn vicont of Montfort and Reyer van Brouckheuysen were the chiefe and the Lorde of Lalaine for the Hollanders who once among the rest were well beaten by them of Vtrecht neere vnto the fort of Waert which the Hollanders did besiege lost their artillerie and left the banners of their chiefe townes behinde them the Lord of Lalain saued himselfe being much amazed in Schoonhouen and those of Vtrecht returned victors with many prisoners into their Towne who hauing afterwardes surprized the Towne of Naerden in Holland but seeing they could not keepe it they spoyled it and so left it The Lord of Lalain sent the Markgraue of Antwerp thither and little Salezard a Knight of Gasconie whom the French King had dispoyled of his meanes which made him to come and serue the Archduke with a good troupe of braue souldiers Gascons to lie in Garrison there with a good number of horse and foote who continually made roades euen to the euery gates of Vtrecht and one day among the rest went and charged the great Bourg of Emenesse which is a french league long wher there were some of Vtrecht Amersfort in Garrison the which notwithstanding any resistance they forced slue all that could not flie and saue themselues through the Marishes and Quagmires and after they had spoiled it and laden themselues with the bootie they set fire of it and burnt it to the ground This warre betwixt the Diocesse of Vtrecht and the Hollanders increasing and growing more violent by sundry wrongs they did one vnto another the Traiectins hauing no Protector sent their Ambassadors to Iohn Duke of Cleues beseeching him that he would bee their Protector and to send them his brother Englebert of Cleues to be his Lieutenant and Generall there The which the Duke accepted and sent his brother where hee was well receiued and lodged in the Bishoppes Pallace whom the Taiectins did acknowledge for their Protector making an oath of fealtie vnto him as is accustomed in the like cases Afterwards the Hollanders defeated the Traiectins and slue 1000. vpon the place pursuing them euen into their Ports and if they had followed them close and had not beene too busie in spoyling of the dead they might haue entred pel mel with them and wonne the Cittie In the yeare 1482. in Lent the Lady Mary of Bourgongne Archdutchesse of Austria Countesse of Holland and Zeeland Lady of Frisland c. wife to the Archduke Maximilian being a hunting mounted vpon an ambling Gelding fell some write for the feare which her horse had of a wilde Boare which ranne betwixt his legges wherwith she was so bruzed in her body as the 27. of Marche she dyed to the great griefe of her husband who loued her entirely she was buried with a funerall pompe worthy of her greatnesse in the Quier of Saint Donas Church at Bruges after that shee had beene married foure yeares and a halfe leauing one Sonne named Philip about three yeares old and one Daughter but two yeares old who by the treatie of peace was made sure to King Charles the eight sonne to Lewis the 11. the French King But this marriage being broken she was married to the onely sonne of Dom Fernando of Arragon and of Isabella King and Queene of Castille called also Dom Fernando by whom she had one sonne who dyed within the yeare with the father afterwards shee married with Philebert the 8. Duke of Sauoy who died after he had been seauen yeares married The said Lady Mary of Bourgongne being dead the Archduke her husband tooke vpon him the title of Tutor to her children that with this quallitie he might preserue maintaine and defend them against the French King Lewis the eleuenth who had done so much harme and wrong vnto their Mother after the death of Duke Charles her father This qualitie of Tutor did not greatly please many of the Netherlanders especially the Flemings Those of Gaunt Bruges Franâ—… and Ypre which make the foure members of Flanders appointed by their priuate authoritie certaine commissioners to gouerne the countrie of Flanders ioyntly with the Archduke vntill it were otherwise ordered By reason whereof the States were assembled in the cittie of Gaunt where it was concluded that they should not receiue the said Gouernor but for a certaine time limitted vpon certaine conditions and with an othe to keepe them refusing to admit any particular Gouernours or Captaines if they were not chosen and placed by the Archduke and their commissioners ioyntly for that said they the Archduke was yet young and that such as were about him did gouerne him at their pleasures and did with him what they pleased also the money that was
little regard the good of their Countrie nor the preseruation of their Priuiledges Freedoms but rather through ambition their owne priuate profits to the suppression of their rights and ancient Statutes Which words drew them on to proude bitter termes The common people of the partie of Iongama and Walta being stronger then the rest would haue taken Armes against the Nobles of the other partie wherevppon some great inconuenience would haue growne if the Commissioner had not cunningly pacified themâ—… intreating them to retyre for that time euery man to his lodging to consider better thereof at leisure sommoning them to come thither the next day at two of the clocke in the afternoone and whosoeuer did faile to forfeit a quart of wine the which pleased all the company and so by that meanes they departed The which the Commissioner did very discretly to draw himselfe and the Nobles that were come with him out of danger into the which they were fallen by this confused multitude of base people That night he went with Peter Camstra and the Hottingas to lodge in the castle of Iongama and the next day early in the morning they returned to Snecke being assured that he should doe no good at Bolswaert and that it was dangerous to stay there it might bee with effusion of blood the which he sought to auoyd for he see in the rest nothing but hatred and spleen The next day Iuw Iongama Tyarck-walta the Galamas and their Partisans came at the appointed hower to the Fryers where finding neither the Commissioner nor the other Nobles they were almost mad with spight not knowing how to take it exclaming against the Hottingas and their Allyes And so this Convocation proued â—…lesse The reason why Iongama the Galamas and their Partisans had shewed themselues so obstinate was for that they relyed much vppon the Groningeois who through their too great pride and presumption made no accompt neither of the Commissioner nor of any commandement from the Imperiall chamber no not of the Emperour himselfe Otto of Langen the Emperors Commissioner seeing that by their factions and bitter partialities and by the instigation of the Groningeois hee should profit nothing departed from Sneck and went to Deuenter whither hee sent againe for the parties and them of Groninghen to come vnto him the 4. of February but beeing there they were so incensed one against another with such bitternesse as they departed without doing any thing and the said Commissioner tooke his way towardes the Emperour Afterwards that which he had fore-told them came to passe That if they would not consent to the election of a Potestate within a short time other strangers would come and force them vnto obedience The which happened for they themselues digged a piâ—… into the which they fell There were yet other Commissioners sent by the Emperour to them of Groningen with Letters of Inhibition not to attempt any more but to restore Friseland to her first rights and Priuiledges but nothing auayled for the partialities and Factions as well of them that were allyed to the Groningeois as of the Schyeringers and Vetcoopers continued as violently as before so as there followed at diâ—…ers times yea in one Family of the Iongamas diuers factions and great effusion of blood Those of Harinxima and Galama did no lesse one vnto another The Townes Abbaies and Monasteries did the like calling in forces and in so great numbers to their succours as they could not be freed of them vntill they had payed them the last farthing to the great oppression of the people The which was no sooner dismist and gone out of the Countrey but Duke Albert of Saxony entertained them and came into Friseland to make them to lay aside their factions being forced therevnto by pouertie And these were the fruits of their wilfull obstinacie PHILIP OF AVSTRIA THE 2. OF that name the 34. Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland Duke of Bourgongne c Earle of Flanders c. Marquis of the holy Empire Philippus 2. Austrius My fatâ—…er with my goods gaue me a wife A peâ—…rlesse Princesse of the Arragoâ—… blood From her sixe children Kings and Queenes tooke life By 〈◊〉 twâ—…e years Helland from danger stood And by my wife I did inherite Spaine But my death prou'd my wiues who with griefe werryed Waâ—…ng â—…y corpes in tears that stream'd amaine My â—…s at Burgos in a Tombe interred PHILIP the second of that name Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland the onely sonne of the Archduke Maximilian of Austria afterwards Emperour and of Mary Dutchesse of Bourgongne daughter to Duke Charles the warlike was borne in Bruges the 20. day of Iune in the yeare 1470. hee was foure yeere old when his mother dyed Sence whose death the Archduke king of Romaines his father in qualitie of Regent Tutor or Curator gouerned his wiues Inheritance with great troubles and vexation by reason of the great factions and partialities which raigned then both in Holland and Flanders vnto the yeare 1494. that the King of Romanes by the death of the Emperour Frederick his father was crowned Emperor Prince Philip his sonne being then 16. yeares old was intituled Archduke of Austria Duke of Bourgongne Lothier Brabant Styria Carinthia Lembourg Luxembourg and Gelders Earle of Habsbourg Flanders Arthois Bourgongne Ferrette and Kiburch Palatin of Henault Holland Zeeland Namur and Zuphen Marquis of the Holy Empire and of Bourgau Landtgraue of Elsaten Lord of Windismark Portenau Salines and Macklyn The 16. of March the same yeare the Emperor Maximilian marryed in the towne of Inspruch the Lady Blanch Maria daughter to Galeas Duke of Milan and sister to Duke Iohn Galeas Maria. This marriage discontented some Princes of the Empire and many of the Emperors friends for that she was not of so noble a House as they desired for of the Viscontes side who then gouerned at Milan there was little Nobilitie and of the Sforces side lesse A while after he brought his wife into the Low-countries being accompaned by many Princes of Germanie The Archduke Philip his sonne and the Lady Marguerite his sister who had beene sent backe out of France after the marriage of King Charles the 8. to whom shee was promised with the Dutchesse of Brittaine went to meet them with the chiefe Nobilitie of the Neitherlands at Maestricht from thence they came to Louvain whereas the Archduke was with great Ceremonies and pompe put into possession of the Dutchie of Brabant and soone after in Antwerp of the Marquisate of the holy Empire The 12. of December in the Towne of S. Gheertrudenbergh of the Earledome of Holland and soone after at Romerswael of the Countie of Zeeland From thence hee went into â—…landers Arthois and Henault where he receiued the like whither the Deputies of euery Prouince came who did him homage and tooke an oath of fealtie In the same moneth of December Charles Duke of Gelders returned out of Lorraine
least countenance hee could possibly Sometimes when he came to thinke of the obstynacie of the Frisons whereas so many Earles of Holland seeking to subdue them had lost their liues and how that many other great Princes such as the King of Denmarke and others which would haue vanquished them and had subdued them for a time had beene chased away with shame and losse hee did halfe repent him that hee had euer thought of it Wherevppon Edsard Earle of Emden came to comfort and incourage him promising all fauour and succour to reduce them that were obstinate The which fell out happily for Edsard to settle his new estate of the Earledome of East-Friselande where Vlrick his father had been the first Earle by vsurpation ouer many noble men and priuate gentlemen of the sayd Countrie On Saint Martins day the Groningeois with those of Oster-goe and Wester-goe held an Assembly of State at Donrip whereas a truce was made vntil the 11. of Aprill 1498. by the which they did swear to succor one another with all their powers to repulse the rule command of strangers as wel of the duke of Saxony as of any other that should seek to enter into their countrie by force of armes Notwithstanding the truce aboue mentioned betwixt the Frisons and Groâ—…eois after that the troupe of Landisknechts whome they termed the great scuorge had beene defeated by the duke of Geldres and the Bishoppe of Vtrecht there was yet remayning some 1500. such souldiars about Harderwyck without any lord or maister yet they were countenanced and supported by the duke of Saxony who would gladly haue had them in Friseland Some captaines pensioners to the duke set on vnderâ—…and by him to the end it should not seeme that hee would imploye these men without occasion did treat with Thyark Walta and other Vetcoopers bannished from Woorckum and fled into the towne of Suolle offring to restore and settle them without any charge in Bolswaert contenting themselues onelie with the hazard of the pillage This pleased Thyarck who without any delaie came with these troupes into Friseland ouer the Ice Euery man thinking they had beene Thyarcks followers vntill that it appeared otherwise But good God what spoiles what burning what ruines of houses and Castells how many Gentlemen taken prisoners what ransoming what exactions oppressions and violences did these strange souldiars commit not in one quarter onelie but ouer a Friseland and yet in the meane time nothing could mollefie the hearts of the factions to reconcile themselues togither If at any time they made some small truce or agreement sodenly the ouer-weening pride of the one seeking to oppresse the other brake it before they had seene or tasted the fruies thereof In the ende Bocko Harincxima Hero Hottinga Iuw-decama Edo Iongama Epo â—…elua Syurdt Beyma with manie other Gentlemen and the townes of Sneck Franyker with the Baylewiks holding the partie of the Schyringers seeing that the spoyles which these strange souldiars which Thyarck Walta had brought in had no ende in the quarter of Wester gooe that their neighbours of Oster-gooe the seauen forests did in no sort ayde them they did certainely beleeue that all this was procured by Walta and that they were his men in which opinion they Groningeois did confirme them the more saying that they had no feare that Walta would doe them any harme After many conferences togither as well in the townes of Franiker and Sneck as else where to aduise what were most expedient and proffitable for them in the ende they resolued to send and intreat duke Albert to bee their Protector and defender by whose meanes and power they might once bee deliuered from these theeues and robbers And that vnder his protection the countrie of Wester-gooe might from thence forth liue in quiet and rest This was the marke whereat the duke aymed that hauing weakned one party and so reduced it to his deuotion that hee might dispose of them at his pleasure the other faction might with lesse difficultie be brought to reason as he did This resolution taken those of Wester-gooe sent the chiefe of their Nobility to the duke of Saxony being then at Medemblick to offer him the countrie and their obedience and to acknowledge him for their hereditary Lord vpon the conditions that were set downe in the contract which had past betwixt him and them The duke to take possession of that which was offred him and which he had so much affected sent the siegnior Willebrord of Schooneburch a knight his councellor and treasorer generall with an ample commission to treat with them ioyning with him the Collonel Nythard Focx Bernard Mets with their Regiments to chase away those troupes which Thyarck Walta had brought in with whome the sayd councellor and Collonel delt in such sort for they were the duke their Maisters men as they drewe them out of Bolsweart And after that the dukes commissionars had taken possession in his name of all the quarter of Wester-gooe all these troupes went togither into Oster-gooe seized vpon the towne of Dockom robbing and spoyling all the country The Groningeois felt of it likewise who seeing that they meant to set vpon them agreed in good time with the commissionars It would be tedious to describe the war miseries and desolation which happened in this country of Friseland which wee leaue to our great Chronicle For the duke hauing halfe done in Friseland would besiege the towne of Groningen for the which hee came with duke Henry his Sonne to Harlinghen and demanded the forth man ouer all the countre of Friseland or the twelfth penny of all their goods and reuenues in consideration whereof they should be free from seruing him in the warre This demand was afterwards the cause why the whole countrey reuolted from him The same day that the Duke arriued at Harlengen Collonell Focks went with 350. men to meet with Edsard Earle of Emden beeing in the Towne of Dam in the countrie of Groningen to receiue the said town of the Earle in duke Alberts name The Groningeois knowing well of what importance it was for them and whereunto the duke pretended which was to cut off the passage of the sea behinde them they sent a thousand men and taking him at an aduantage defeated him where he was slaine for that he refused to yeeld his body was carryed into Groninghe and buried in the Franciscans Church The Bishop of Vtrecht laboured to make an accord betwixt the duke and the Groningeois but nothing succeeded whervpppon the duke and Cont Edsard went to Emden and from thence hee returned into his Countrie of Misnia leauing duke Henry his sonne in Friseland for his Lieutenant who held his court at Franicker and there seated the Parliament of Friseland In the yeare 1500. Duke Henry Lieuetenant to his father in Friseland seeking to exact too much vpon the Frisons made them to rise in armes against him to besiege him in
his speech Frederic duke of Saxony spake next who hauing shewed that the French King was excluded by the lawe and that Charles was a Germaine Prince hauing liued in Germany and spake the language hee concluded that the common-weale had neede of a mightie Prince and that he knewe not any comparable to Charles Therefore it was most conuenient to choose him Emperour but with certaine lawes and conditions so as Germany might remaine at libertie and that they might anoyde those dangers which the two Archbships sayd were to be feared After that the rest had approued his speech the Archbishoppe of Treues sayd I fore-see the destinie of Germanie an alteration at hand yet seeing it pleaseth you I must yeeld vnto your willes And for that it was then late they retired themselues Pope Leo the tenth was much troubled and in a worde feared the election of one of these two Princes for both were alike suspect vnto him To the ende that hee might preuent both of them hee labored to haue a third man chosen Wherein hee sought to imbarke the French King putting him in dispaire euer to attaine vnto it himselfe But hee feared also this third seeing no man so apparent and likelie as Frederic duke of Saxony a fauorer of Martin Luther who was his mortall enemie yet all these deuises and practises turned to smoke and so did all the solicitings guiftes presents and promises made by the French King the election of Charles remayning firme and constant The next day after the sayd election the Princes Electors beeing assembled they beganne to treat of the conditions they should giue and prescribe vnto Charles the which was debated some daies togither and in the ende all beeing concluded they sent the lawes and conditions in writing to Charles his Ambassadors remayning at Mentz After they had receiued them they put in writing the voices of euery Elector according to the custome with his hand and seale The day before the sayd Election they had presented the Empire to Frederic duke of Saxony but hee refuzed it with a Noble resolution excusing himselfe vpon his age hauing as wee haue sayd alreadie giuen his voice vnto Charles This done the Noblemen were called and admitted in then the Bishop of Mentz going vp into the pulpit in Saint Bartlemewes Church declared that Charles the fift of that name Archduke of Austria duke of Bourgongue c. Earle of Flanders Holland Zeeland c. and King of Spaine was chosen King of Romains in the place of the Emperor Maximilian deceased Then the Ambassadors which were come within a league were sent for Beeing come a councell was held for the gouernment of the common-weale and the charge was giuen vnto Prince Casimir to leauie men and to put them in garrison for feare of some Innouation The Electors did write vnto Prince Charles and sent an Ambassage vnto him to certifie him of all that had beene done the chiefe of which Ambassage was the Pallatin Frederic who arriued in Spaine in the end of Nouember with Letters intreating him to accept of the Empire which they offred him and that hee would make hast to come into Germanie King Charles hauing setled his affaires in Spaine hee gathered together a great fleete of ships and gallyes and taking leaue of his Princes and Citties hee imbarked and landed in England where hee was ioyfully entertained with great state by King Henry the eight and by the Queene his Aunte and by the French Queene married to the Duke of Suffolke the Kings sister who had beene promised to him in marriage she gaue him a very kinde and louely welcome Hee was very honourably intreated there for some dayes then being imbarked againe with a prosperous winde he past soone ouer to Flessinghe and from thence into Brabant where he was ioyfully receiued by all his subiects The Princes Electors hearing that hee was arriued in Brabant they sent other Ambassadors vnto him to haue him prepare to receiue the Crowne of the Empire with the accustomed ceremonies MARGVERITE OF AVSTRIA PRINcesse widow of Castille Dowager of Sauoy Aunte to the Emperour Charles the 5. Gouernesse of the Netherlands MARGARITA AVSTRIACA DVCISSA SABAV GVB BELGICAE From Daughter to an Archduke I became An Emperors Daughter to King Lewis sonne I first was promised with pompe and Fame But my place in his bed another won The Prince of Arragon was my first Pheere But being left a widdow I did wed For second Duke of Sauoy he being dead I from my Nephew did the gouernment beare THe Lady Marguerite of Austria daughter to the Emperour Maximilian and to the Lady Mary of Bourgongne was first married to the Prince Don Fernando of Arragon the onely sonne of Don Fernando King of Arragon and of Isabella Queene of Castile which Prince died soone after leauing no children Afterwards the said Lady was married againe to the Duke of Sauoy with whom she liued not long before he dyed Returning into the Netherlands after the death of her brother Philip King of Castile in the yeare 1508. she was by prouision admitted by the Emperor her father during his absence in Germanie and the warres in Italy to the gouernment of the Netherlands with George Duke of Saxony So as this yeare 1520. King Charles her Nephew went into Germanie to receiue the Crowne of the Empire leauing the said Lady his Aunte Gouernesse in his absence The Emperor elect parted from Brussells with a great and honorable traine came the 20. of October to Cologne where the Princes Electors did attend him and from thence they came to Aix la Chapelle At his entry into the towne the Knights of the order of the Golden-fleece marched first euery one in his ranck according to his antiquitie in the said order After followed the Princes Electors first the King of Bohemias Ambassador the Archibishop of Ments either of them with 700. horse The Archbishops of Cologne and Treues either of them with 600. horse the Cont Pallatin of Rhine the Duke of Saxony and the Marquis of Brandebourg euery one of them with 600. horse There were besides other great Princes which followed to do him honour and homage for their Seigniories being accompanied with many Nobles and great traines As the Duke of Iulliers George Duke of Saxony the Marquis of Baden the Dukes Henry and Erick of Brunswick brethren euery one of them with 600. horse the Bishop of Leege the Duke of Lunebourg father to the Duchesse of Geldre the Earle of Emden and his sonne the Lord of East-Friseland the young Prince of Cleues who was alwaies with the Emperor the Earle of Saint Pol and many others with a stately traine Then the Ambassadors of the Kings of England Poland Hongarie and Denmarke of the Venetians the Dukes of Sauoy of the Knights of Rhodes and of the great Maister of Prussia The Lady Marguerit his Aunte was in the traine with a goodly company of Princesses Countesses Ladies and Gentlewomen euery
Companions remember Koeborch where our men were all murthered or hanged which they hearing fell vpon these poore prisoners and killed them all in cold bloud In the same yeare 1528. in September some Collonels brought two thousand Spanish souldiars out of Spaine who through contrary windes and great tempests were almost sixe monethes at sea hauing refresht themselues a while they were sent for a supplie to the Emperors men which made warre in Geldres At the same time the duke of Geldres gathered togither certaine men at Ruremonde Venloo and the Villages there abouts making fiue companies of the which Henry van Wyssche was Collonell sending them into the Mairie of Boisleduke to wast it Tâ—…yerry Barron of Batenbourg was then in Boisleduke Lieutenant to the Earle of Buren who hearing that the Geldrois were so neere him gathered togither some foote men out of the neere garrisons and hauing armed all the countrie-men went to charge the Geldrois whome hee defeated beeing all in a manner slaine or taken prisoners so as there returned fewe to their houses for they were pursued euen to the bankes of the riuer of Meuze where many were drowned Those of Boisleduke tooke many harguebuzes a crock many ladders and hardels to passe ouer the ditch leuers of iron which they call goates-feete and cords to binde the poore peasants and to carry them away prisoners They had also great store of victualls and munition meaning to make some stay there for the doing of some exploite but the chance turned These newes being come to Ruremonde there was great lamenting poore women for their husbands and children for their fathers At the same time that the Emperours army did rise from before Tyel the Barron Schenck hauing surprised the towne of Zutphen some Geldrois that were there in armes to repulse him were slaine The souldiars that were within Tyel during the siege had beene before in the castell of Hattem when it was yeelded by composition and had sworne not to carry armes for one month against the Emperor these soldiars came to Megen and made a fort within the towne whilest that the garrison was gone forth to conuoy certaine wagons laden with wine which the Geldrois had appointed to goe to Os and Nieulant those of Boisleduke sent the Earle of Burens troupe with a hundred horse to cut them off and withal to dislodge them from Megen but without any stay they abandoned the place flying away with their booty the prisoners they had taken there abouts The same yeare in May was burnt the goodly village of Scherpenisse in the Island of Tolen in the territory of Saint Martins dyke in Zeeland In the same yeare those of Franc and Bruges set out some ships of warre against the French among the which there were some of Zeeland Being at sea there was a ship of Scluse in Flanders which had her maine mast carried ouer-bord with a cannon shot before Deepe The Diepois seeing this went out of their hauen and pursued this shippe thinking to take it but the Admirall of the Flemings behaued himselfe so valiantly as he preserued his owne ship and sunke the chiefe of the French ships which they sayd was the Admirall of Deepe where there perished many gentlemen and Bourgeses of Deepe the other Frenchmen seeing this left the Flemings in peace who returned victors to Scluse Whilst that the Emperors men were thus busied in the country of Geldres some Burgeses of Vtrecht assembled secretly togither to prouide for the good of the poore commons who they did see so opprest by the Geldrois soldiars that were there in garrison as it was not possible to endure them any longer These good Burgeses imbracing the oportunity of the Earle of Maeurs absence who was Lieutenant to the duke of Geldres and Collonel of those soldiars who was gone to fetch money they consulted by what meanes they might drawe in the Bishops men who was the naturall Lord of that towne Some of them went to Amersfort to conferre with the Bishoppe who was much amazed and exceeding glad and for that hee would loose no occasion he gaue them William Turc with his company and part of the garrison of Vaert beeing in all foure enseignes the which all togither made a stand vpon the Black water vntill they had newes of the Intelligences which they had within the towne of Vtrecht most of the garrison beeing then runne for the pillage into the quarter of Goyland where they tooke great spoyles At their returne the Bishops men hauing cut off their passage incountred them and defeated them and tooke their bootie from them with many prisoners In this manner the Bishoppes men staying vntill the next daie kept all from passing to giue them aduertisement in the towne The next morning at the opening of the porte a woman went forth with a basket on her arme who gaue notice vnto the Bishoppes men that the soldiars of the towne had most of them left the gard and were gone to sleepe and therefore when as Saint Iames his clock did strike they might approach boldly and that they should finde all things prepared to giue them entrie vnto the towne So the second of Iulie in the yeare 1528. the Bishops men came to the port which they found wide open so as many entred The watch which stood in sentinell vpon the port perceyuing this let downe the Portcullies but presently fiue or sixe men of Vaert with Axes and Hatchets cut in sunder the beames so as the soldiars entred with the Horsemen and marched into the towne without any Incounter or let vntill they came to the Friars where some Geldrois soldiars beeing gathered togither thought to repulse them but it was in vaine for the Bishoppes men were to strong for them who slue foure and twenty of those Geldrois and tooke three hundred and fifty prisoners The Earle of Maeurs who was returned the day before was taken prisoner with some others who by the treaty of peace were afterwardes set free The soldiars which had the gard of the gates fled and so did some Burgeses partisans to the Geldrois The banished men of the towne which had alwaies held the Bishops partie returned with him before the conclusion of the peace there were twelue chiefe men of the town executed by Iustice and two Chanoins put into a sack cast into the riuer The Bishop had put more to death if the Earle of Hochstraten who came that day from Vianen had not preuented the mischiefe The soldiars spoyled al the houses of the Geldrois partisans breaking open dores and windoes and taking vp the flowers and planchers of houses to see if there were no money hidden where they found much doing moreouer great outrages vnto the Burgeses Notwithstanding the towne of Vtrecht was thus happely deliuered from the oppressions and extorsions of the Geldrois soldiars For if they had continued there longer it was to be feared that the towne had beene besieged and that it
had beene forced to endure more to the ruine of their goodly houses and the losse of their goods The town of Vtrecht being by this means come into the Emperors hāds according to the accord made the Bishoppe for the temporall Iurisdiction of the said Countrie there was a Nobleman sent from the Court at Brussells to do iustice vpon the rebels and to pacefie all partialities and mutynies and the better to keepe them in obedience and awe theie bulit a Cittadell by Saint Katherines port which was called Veredenbourg that is to say the Castell of peace the which from that time continued vnto the yeare 1577. that many Cittadells and Castells in diuers parts of the Netherlands were ruined as wee shall heareafter shew The Emperors armie beeing returned from Tyes there was a meeting appointed in the Towne of Gorrichom betwixt the Duke of Gelders and the Bishop of Vtrecht whether came commissioners on the Emperors behalfe and for the Duke of Gelders for the Emperor came the Earles of Buren and Hochstraten the Bishop of Palermo Chancelor and the Audiencier or Secretarie for the Duke of Gelders came Henry Kiespennick Rolland Kerckelandt and Veressen who after much debate in the end concluded a good peace betwixt the Duke of Gelders on the one part and the Bishop of Vtrecht on the other and the Emperor being ioyned to the said Bishop and also for his owne particular touching the temporall Iurisdiction of Vtrecht which accord conteyned many articles the which wee omitte to auoyd tediousnes By the which the Earle of Maeurs and Doctor Wynant were deliuered without ransome beeing taken prisoners at Vtrecht and a time lymited for the banished men of Vtrecht and Swoll to returne home to their houses for the confirmation of which accord and peace there went to Brusselles the Earles of Buren and Hochstraten and the Baron Schencke for the Emperor and the Bishop of Vtrecht and for the Duke of Gelders Iohn van rossem Lord of Brouchuysen Doctor Erckelens and others who finding not the Lady Marguerite Douager of Sauoy the Emperors sister and gouernesse of the Netherlands at Brusselles theie went vnto her to Macklyn whereas the said Ladies Councell in the Emperors name and the Dukes Councell in their maisters name did sweare the said peace in Sainte Peeters Churche The Queene vsed the Dukes Comissioners very honourably giuing to euerie one of them a faire Cup full of golden Carolus who returning by Antwerp went to make report vnto their Prince whereof hee was exceeding ioyfull A while after the Duke sent Martin van Rossem Lord of Puydroyen to the French King to aduertise him of the peace hee had made with the Emperour where-with the King was well pleased In the yeare 1529. Henry of Bauaria Bishop of Vtrecht discontented with the warres and seeing himselfe thus depriued of the temporall Iurisdiction of the said Bishopricke which the Emperor had gotten into his possession resigned his Bishoppricke in Iuly into the hands of Pope Clement the 7. going to gouerne the Bishopricke of Wormes after they had beene at Vtrecht fiue yeares to which Bishopricke there was aduanced an ancient man called William van Engueuoort borne in Brabant Cardinall and Bishop of Tortona in Spaine who being at Rome tooke posession of the said Bishopricke of Vtrecht by his Atorney leauing Iohn Vtenengen his vicegerent to gouerne it whether hee neuer went but died foure yeares after in Rome in the yeare 1533. A Peace beeing concluded betwixt the Emperour and the French King in the yeare 1529. the Emperour arriued with a great fleete at Genoa where hee had newes of the Peace concluded at Cambray the which did amaze all the Princes of Italie fearing they should bee now abandoned by the French whose entrie into Bologne I haue thought good to describe for the statelynesse thereof although it doth not concerne our subiect The Emperour Charles the fifth went towards Bologna la grassa whereas Pope Clement was then resident beeing neare the Cittie fiue and twenty Cardinalls went to meete his Maiestie comming neere him they all lighted to doe their duties vnto him then they tooke their moyles againe conducting him into the Cittie hauing of either side of him the Cardinalls of Ancona and Farneze entring into the Cittie there marched first 300. light horse in a liuerie after came ten great Canons with their pioners carrying euery one a Lawrell branche then the Captaines well mounted Don Anthonio de Leua followed with some field pieces being carried in a Carosse trimmed with tawney veluet hauing with him foureteene enseignes of Germaine foote after the which marched two Noblemen in complete armes and their horses barded before whome were carried two Standards of cloth of gold with an Eagle in the midest and betwixt those two was an other Standard of watchet satten with a red crosse which the Pope had sent vnto the Emperor The Earle of Rieux Lord Steward of his house was next accompanied with three hundred men at armes all in cassakes of one liuerie yealow red and blew then the Grandos and Noblemen of Spaine with foure hundred horses barded After them fiue and twenty pages of honour belonging to the Emperor all in cloth of gold mounted vpon Genets of Spaine richly furnished then sixe hundred halbardiers all apparelled in yealow in the middest of whome marched the Emperor vnder a canopy of cloth of gold beeing mounted vpon a Hungarien horse with a rich caparison hauing the bit and his stirrops of massie gold being armed vnder his coate of armes with cloath of gold his Marshall went before him carrying a naked sword in his hand about his horse went fiue and twentie Bollonian gentlemen on foote all in white satten dublets cut vpon cloath of gold and breeches of chrimson veluet The Earle of Nassau came after also with foure score men at armes and a great traine of Nobility then others attired in diuers liueries to the number of two thousand horse and behinde six companies of Spanish shot all in yealow The Emperor beeing entred into that cittie they brought him a crosse of gold the which he kist The Pope was carried out of his Pallace vnto Saint Petronelles Church where hee did sit downe in his pontificall seate with his Cardinalls about him The Emperor approching neere the staires lighted from his horse withall his Noblemen who marched vnder his canopie vntill hee see where the Pope was sitting who made three curtesies vnto the Emperour and hee kneeling downe kist the Popes feete and then rysing hee kist his hand and his face then all the Noblemen followed and kist the Popes feete which done he rose out of his chaire and kist the Emperor three times of the cheeke saying I cry you mercie and yeeld my selfe vnto you it was not my desire that you should kisse my feete but to obserue the accustomed ceremonies at the coronation of Emperors The two and twenty of February in the yeare 1530. the Emperor hauing staied almost
their afaiers they caused a booke to be Printed wherein they shewed by many reasons that the motiue of this warre was relligion and that all the Emperors other pretexts to punish some rebells was but to diuide the confederats and so to ruine them one after an other to settle the Popes doctrine They also published an other Booke against Iohn of Brandenbourg who being of their League and confession had taken armes against them And although the Emperor thought to surprise them yet they vsed such dilligence and found so many resolute men to carrie Armes in this warre as the 16. of Iuly in the yeare 1546. the Landtgraue went to field with his army and presently after began open warre betwixt them and the Emperor The 20. of Iuly the Emperor published his leters pattents in the which after that he had made a long complaint against Iohn Frederic Prince Elector of Saxony and Phillip Landtgraue of Hessen hee banisht them as periured rebâ—…les seditious guilty of high treason both against GOD and man and perturbers of the publike quiet meaning to punish them according to their deserts that hee might after-wards prouide for the affaiers of State and doe that which should belong vnto his duty for bidding all men to succor them or to ioyne with them vpon paine of forfeiture both of body and goods dissoluing all Leagues and compositions and absoluing the Nobility and subiects from the faith and oth which they ought vnto these Princes to whom he gaue the publicke assurance if they did obey adding that such as did refuse should be punished like vnto them But the Protestants did shew that the Emperor had no quarrell to them but for their relligion wherein hauing sought all meanes of accord they were excusable if to mainetaine the liberties of their consciences and the quiet of Germany they defended themselues being there-vnto aduised by the resolution both of Lawyers and Diuines In the meane time the Protestants army aduanced and tooke the strong fort of Ereberce scituated vpon a mountaine which stopt the passage from Trent for Italy to Enepont and withall the towne of Fiesse belonging to the Bishop of Ausbourg and passing on they tooke Dilline and Donavert The Emperor was then at Ratisbone ill prepared to make head against them Soe as if their affaiers had beene gouerned by one only commander the Emperor had beene in great danger The 7. of August in the towne of Macklin which is one of the 17. Prouinces of the Netherlands whereas the Great councel or Parlament of the said countries did remaine lightning fel among the gonpouder which was in great quantity in a tower of the wal at the port which they cal Necbecspoel the which at first ouerthrew both the Tower and the gate then it tooke hold of the buildings both within and without the Towne and aboue 500. paces round about so as it ruined and defeated the whole Towne the trees were pulled vp by the roots burnt the water in the towne ditches was drawne out and the fishes cast farre out into the fields There were about 150. burnt slaine in this accident with the ruine of houses besides those that were grieuously hurt and recouered and such as died of their wounds which were very many Many came two three and foure daies after out of Caues where they saued them-selues others were smothered or dyed for honger A great number of Cattell with the stables was also consumed by this fier The wall where the Tower stood was shaken aboue 200. paces long The domage that was done by the fier could not be repaired in a long time Then grew the warres hotte in Germany betwixt the Protestants and the Emperour To whome the Prince of Saxony the Landtgraue of Hessen and their companions sent letters the XI of August by the which according to the vse and lawes of armes they gaue him to vnderstand their resolutions and after they had informed him of his duty and how hee was bound to them and the Empire by his othe and that it was for relligions cause that hee made this warre against them they concluded with these words Matters standing in this sort and seeing weare allied to the end that it may be lawfull for vs to perseuer in this relligion though some would surmize other causes of discontentment against vs wee haue beene forced to put our selues in defence the which wee may lawfully doe both by the lawes of GOD and nature And although that through thy pernicious desseines we are not in any sort bound vnto thee and therfore was needles to let thee vnderstand our will yet for the better assurance we renownce the faith and duty we owe thee not to diminishe the honour and good of the Empire but rather to preserue and maintaine it Wee doe therefore protest this publickly and according to the sollemne custome being resolued to repell this warre attempted by thee and by thine Allyes This letter was sent by a young Gentleman and a trumpet according to the custome to the Emperours campe neere vnto Land shupt but hee was so farre from receiuing it as hee commanded them vppon paine of their heads to returne them backe againe to their people Hee said moreouer that if hereafter any one came vnto him from them in steed of a chaine of gold hee would present him a halter then hee gaue them the proclamation of their banishment charging them expresly to deliuer it vnto their Lords whereof hee likewise sent a coppy vnto Duke Maurice of Saxony cousin to Iohn Frederick Prince Elector perswading him to seaze vpon his country before that an other layed hold of it To the accusations and criminations contained in the said proclamation of banishment the Protestant Princes published an ample answer in print the contents whereof was that the intention of the Pope and Emperour was to roote out all them of the relligion the which hee had declared vnto the French Kings Ambassadour from whose mouth all was knowne and vanquish Germany as hee had long before disseigned c. But from words and writings they fell to blowes The two armies beeing neere one vnto the other the Landtgraue was of an opinion to charge the Emperors campe before the arriuall of the Earle of Buren with his supplies who brought with him 4000. horse 10000. choyce men out of the Netherlands but the destinies of these Princes would not suffer them to follow this good Councell for the Emperor was nothing so strong as the Protestants who seeing them so neere vnto him and hauing endured a whole day the thundring of their cannon shewed a gallant resolution if they had come to assaile him soone after the Earle of Buren arriued so as the Emperour hauing all his forces together those of the Protestants began by little and little to disband and in the meane time Duke Maurice according to the Emperors aduise molested the Prince Elector of Saxony in his Country Where-vppon
wise temperate stout and high minded prince of great experience and fortunate but somewhat selfe-willed Before his death he obtained the full power and gouernment of the dukedome of Guelderland the carldome of Zutphen the baronies of Vtrecht and Oueryssel the baronie of Groning the towne of Cambricke and the earledome of Linghen all in the Netherlands he had the earledome of Flanders and other prouinces that as yet were in a manner contributaries to the crowne of Fraunce but freed from the same for euer by contract the kingdome of Tunes the countries of America Naples Sicilia and Myllan which hee woon and assured vnto himselfe his souldiers woon Rome he tooke prisoners Pope Clement the seuenth the king of France the king of Nauarre and the elector of Saxon the duke of Cleue the Lantgraue of Hessen and others submitted themselues vnto him In his latter daies fortune was not so fauourable vnto him by reason of his obstinacie bad counsell and hard resolution Keeping the Lantgraue prisoner he was by Maurice elector of Saxon and other princes that had made a contract with the king of France compelled not onely to set the Landtgraue free but also to lose the fruits of his victorie in Germanie as many hystories sufficiently declare the same He left issue by lady Isabell of Portugall king Philip his onely sonne daughters Mary married to the Emperour Maximilian and Ioanna princesse of Portugall with more naturall children or bastards as Don Iohn de Austria and Marguerite dutchesse of Parma And so king Philip in one yeare lost his father his wife and his two aunts In December after he celebrated their funerals in Brussels but aboue all the rest he made a most triumphant funerall for the Emperour his father with a victorious ship armes standards and banners of all his honours which was most triumphantly borne throughout the streets In the same yeare and about that time there died two kings in Denmarke as Christian then king and Christierne that had laine two and twentie yeares prisoner because of the tyrannie that he had shewed vnto his subiects being neuerthelesse a mightie king of three kingdomes as Denmarke Swethland and Norway but he fell into such hatred of his people that they forsooke him and chose another king and in Anno 1532 when with a great armie and by the aid of the Emperor Charles he thought to win Denmarke againe he was by them ouerthrown and taken prisoner which was a wonderfull worke and punishment of God shewed vpon him for his vnmercifulnesse and tyrannie and an excellent example for princes in our time Not long before he died he was friendly visited by king Christian where they forgaue each other from their hearts This Christiern married Isabella sister to the Emperour Charles the fifth by whom he had issue a sonne that died in the Netherlands at the same time that his father was taken prisoner and two daughters the one Palsgraueni the other called Christiana that was dutchesse of Lorraine and in Anno 1558 was a mediator of the peace betweene Fraunce and Spaine whose sonne being duke of Lorraine maried Claude second daughter to the king of France vpon the last of Ianuarie 1559. As I said before the death of the queen of England prolonged the treatie of peace between the kings of Fraunce and Spaine but in Februarie after the Commissioners on both sides assembled againe in the castle of Cambryse where also there came the queene of Englands embassadours as the bishop of Ely the lord Howard baron of Effingham Doctor Wotton and the Deane of Canterburie and for the duke of Sauoy two deputies and with all those the aforesaid dutchesse as mediator with her sonne and after some delayes at last they proceeded so farre that there seemed nothing resting to be done but onely that the Englishmen desired to haue Callis restored againe vnto the queene wherein king Philip sought to haue her satisfied and contented or els he would accept of no peace because that during his warres and by his meanes it had beene lost but the Frenchmen boldly alleadging that queene Elizabeth was not lawfull queene of England but the Scottish queene as being right heire thereunto by discent from the grandmother king Henry the eights eldest sister that as then had maried the Dolphin of Fraunce they said and affirmed that she had nothing to do therewith Whereby the queen of England began to suspect that the peace which as then was entreating of might be made only to compell her to hold and obserue the Catholicke Romish Religion which as then she began to alter and change within her kingdomes to the dishonour of king Philip and therefore thought it best for her to make an assured peace with France wherein on both sides one Guido Caualcanti a gentleman of Florence was specially employed by whose meanes vpon the second of Aprill 1559 an agreement was made in the castle of Cambresis and after much debating of the cause it was agreed That Calis should be vnwalled and so deliuered ouer vnto the queene but in the end they concluded That Calis and the Earledome of Oyen should continue eight yeres in the French kings hands and then should be restored to the queene againe without any defacing with all things that belonged therunto only with sixteene brasse pieces of diuers greatnesse and for assurance thereof the French king should giue six or seuen sufficient marchants for sureties of the same which should be bound in the summe of fiue hundred thousand crownes and vntill such time that the peace might not be delayed as those marchants should be committed prisoners in Bruges there should be fiue French gentlemen put into the queenes hands for hostages which euery fiue months she might change but for that this contract concerned many matters touching Scotland the queene of Scots then taking on her the title and armes of England and Ireland for the which after that there grew some contention part of the said hostages got away and others by new contracts were set at liberty and discharged and so the Frenchmen still held Calis The queen of England thus contented satisfied the peace betweene the two kings of France Spaine was concluded at Cambresis vpon the third of Aprill 1559 and proclaimed in Brussels vpon the fifth of April after The old controuersies that had continued for the space of fiue twentie yeares were on both sides wholly excluded out of the same as the soueraignty that France pretended to haue ouer Flanders Artois Rissel Doway Dornick the kingdome of Naples and the dutchie of Millan c. and the king of Spaines pretence ouer Burgundie Prouence the townes vpon the riuer of Some and the earledome of Bolonois The principall articles of the said peace being as followeth for the rest I refer the Reader to diuers hystories wherethey may see them at large this seruing onely for a memoriall First That a good peace should be holden betweene the said kings their children and subiects
and loyall vassales and subiects owe vnto their soueraigne lord and naturall prince and in doing so shall with all their meanes seeke to preuent these present troubles seditions and tumults and restraine the mutinous multitude and that all spoyling and ruining of Temples Churches Cloysters and Monasteries may cease yea they shall helpe to punish them which haue committed these sacriledges outrages and abhominations That no wrong nor violence may be offered to any spirituall persons officers of Iustice gentlemen or other his Maiesties subiects and vassales That they shall do their best endeuours that the multitude which is now armed whereby so many mischiefes haue beene committed and daily may be more may lay aside armes They shall do all good offices to hinder that the preaching be not vsed but in such places where it hath beene accustomed and that without carrying of armes or committing any scandale or publicke disorder Moreouer they shall giue all aid and assistance as they are bound by their oath and allegeance vnto his Maiesty to repell all strangers enemies and rebels to him and the countrey Finally they shall employ all the credit they haue without the countrey in his Maiesties seruice and the good of the country whensoeuer they shal be commaunded submitting themselues to all that it shall please his Maiesty to commaund them by the aduice and consent of the generall Estates Made at Brussels the 23 of August 1566. We make it knowne That all these things considered and according to his Maiesties liking and good pleasure and the authoritie which he hath giuen vs wee in his name and by vertue of his commaund haue promised and doe promise by these presents That by reason of the said compromise and petition and for that which hath followed vnto this present there shall not be any thing imputed vnto them by his Maiesty nor vs in regard of the oath which the sayd gentlemen haue taken as well for themselues as their other confederates conformable to the articles aboue mentioned and for the which they shall giue their bond requiring and in his Maiesties name commaunding all gouernors knights of the order chiefe president and counsellors of state and all other Iusticers and officers whom it shall concerne to entertain this present assurance and to cause it to bee entertained inuiolably for euer suffering the gentlemen and confederates to vse and enioy for euer without doing or giuing or suffering to bee done or giuen to them now nor hereafter directly or indirectly any trouble molestation or let to the contrarie nor attempt any thing against the said suppliants for the aboue rehearsed occasions in any sort or manner whatsoeuer For such is his Maiesties pleasure and ours In witnesse whereof we haue signed these presents and set to our seale Giuen at Brussels the 25 of August Signed Margareta The gentlemen confederats holding them assured by these letters gaue reciprocally an act in writing to the Gouernesse of their promise whereof mention is made in the letters of assurance signed by the deputies as followeth We Lewis earle of Nassau Eustace of Fiennes lord of Desquerdes Charles of Reuel lord of Andrignies Bernard of Merode lord of Rumen Charles vander Noote Seignior of Risoir George of Montigni Seignior of Noyelles Martin of Tserclaes Seignior of Tylly Philip vander Mere Seignior of Sterbeke Philip of Marbais Seignior of Louuerual Iohn of Montigni Seignior of Villers Charles of Lieuin Seignior of Famas Francis van Haeften Iohn the sauage Seignior of Escaubeque and Iohn of Casenbroot Seignior of Bacquerseel as wel in their own names as deputies for the other noblemen and gentlemen confederats hauing presented a petition vnto his Maiesty in Aprill last past touching the Inquisition and Edicts for matter of heresie Whereas we haue this day receiued from the high and excellent princesse the duchesse of Parma and Plaisance Regent and Gouernesse for the king in these countries certaine letters patents hauing authoritie from the king our soueraigne lord and naturall prince in the manner and forme that followeth The letters of assurance aboue mentioned being inserted at length with their bonds and promises this was the conclusion Be it knowne that according to the said letters of assurance we haue promised and doe promise vpon our solemne faith and the words of gentlemen true and faithfull vassales and subiects to his Maiestie that we will obserue fulfill and keepe all and singular the points and articles aboue mentioned as well for our selues as in the name of all the others for whom we are deputies and haue power commission and authoritie promising to cause them to bee entertained obserued and kept by our said confederates And therefore wee doe hold our confederation and compromise to be disannulled void and of no force so long as the said security promised by her Highnesse in his Maiesties name shall hold In witnesse whereof wee haue signed these presents Made at Brussels the 25 of August 1566. This promise was made by the said noblemen deputies to the prince of Orange the earles of Egmont and Horne to the Seignior of Hachecourt and to Christopher of Assonuille counsellor of State being committees to that end by the Gouernesse whereof the said lady aduertised all gouernours and counsellors of prouinces and townes commaunding them that in consideration of the said assurance and promise to the nobles they should do their best endeuours to restraine the people and suppresse all disorders vntill the kings comming which she said would be shortly And in truth these letters did somewhat pacifie the people and made them here and there to lay downe armes In the meane time the prince of Conde the admirall and other noblemen protestants of France sent one secretly with letters of credit to the lord of Brederode and the confederates assuring them that if they entred into any accord with the duches of Parma they would bee deceiued offering to succour them if need required within one moneth after they should demaund it with foure thousand gentlemen which should come into the Netherlands at their owne charge But the confederates being too much terrified and the assurance being then in question whereunto they would trust this offer of the French Protestants was not accepted Let vs now leaue the confederates in rest with their letters of assurance and the better to explane the matter let vs see what the kings letters contained the which were receiued by the duchesse the three and twentieth of August whereof mention is made in the said assurance the which had reference vnto those which shee had receiued in May before the which she kept so secret as shee thought that the three noblemen of Orange Egmont and Horne knew not any thing for that she held them to be of that partie or else to fauour the confederates notwithstanding any good shew they made whereof I haue set down a briefe extract as followeth First that it was not fit to alter any thing touching the Edicts but that they should be
of Groningen and to annoy the Netherlands no more vpon paine to incurre the indignation of his imperiall Maiestie and the proscription of the empire the which the emperour did graunt him commaunding the earle expressely to forbeare and to retyre out of the territories of the king of Spaine the earle answered the herauld That he could not doe it before he had aduertised the prince of Orange his brother and other noblemen their confederates and being certified of their resolutions he would answere his imperiall Maiestie Which summation beeing heard and notwithstanding his answere many Seigniors of Germanie being terrified with this commaundement returned with their troupes into Germanie Yet the earle continued his siege vntill the comming of the duke of Alua who passing by Boisleduke with seuenteene companies of foot and some peeces of artillerie which he had drawne out of Macklyn he approched to Groningen the foureteenth of Iuly where hee went to counter-campe Before his comming the earle of Meghen hauing sallied foorth receiued a shot whereof hee dyed soone after The earle of Nassau knowing him so neere him and finding himselfe too weake to make head against him raysed his campe and retyred into the countrey of Embden in the countie of East-Friseland breaking the bridges and spoyling the countrey where hee passed to take all commoditie and meanes from the enemie to pursue him yet not without often skirmishing The duke of Alua put duke Erick of Brunswicke with all his Reistres in garrison into the towne for that beeing a marish countrey the horsemen could doe him but small seruice following the earle with his footmen who by his spies vnderstood he was encamped at Iemminghen a very commodious place hauing on the one side the riuer of Ems and the towne of Embden at his backe from whence he might draw all things necessarie for the entertainment of his armie being resolued to keepe himselfe there vntill that his brother the prince of Orange had entred with the body of his armie into some other part of the Netherlands which would cause the duke of Alua to retyre out of Friseland to goe against him for to stoppe his entrie But the duke hauing recouered the castle of Wede made a bridge at Reyden vpon Ems and sent Sancho d' Auila to view the earles campe and to draw him foorth to skirmish then followed Iulian Romero with eight hundred muskettiers to make him quit his lodging Sancho de Lodogno with a thousand Spanish shot Caesar Gonsague and Curio Martinengue with two companies of horsemen And for the arereguard fifteene companies of Wallons vnder George of Lalaine baron of Ville brother vnto the earle of Hoochstraten who was with Cont Lodowic and sixe ensignes of Germanes after the which followed Alonzo d' Vlloa and Gonsalue of Bracamont with sixe hundred launces the which could not march but one at once by reason of the streightnesse of the way hauing water on eyther side Cont Lodowic would willingly haue cut a dike to haue drowned his enemies before they should haue come vnto his trenches hauing himselfe with the earle of Schouwenberch and other commaunders taken shouels and pickaxes in their hands to worke But his Germanes who were about seuen thousand men seeing the Spaniards march resolutely towards them began after their accustomed manner to cry for Gelt and demaunded their pay saying that the money was come vnto the campe The earle who would gladly haue fought sought to persuade them saying That hee had no leysure to count it but that the enemie beeing so neere they must fight promising them their pay as soone as the enemie were repulsed and vanquished But neyther his persuasions nor those of the earle of Schouwenberch preuayled any thing to dispose them vnto battaile The Spaniards who had begun the skirmish by tenne of the clocke in the morning and entertayned it vntill two in the afternoone hauing discouered the Germanes countenances came resolutely vnto their trenches the which they forced with small losse and put them to rout whereof many were slaine vpon the place for their payment receiuing a worthie reward for their trecherie vnto the earle a great number of the souldiors saued themselues as well by swimming as in their small barkes Cont Lodowic and many gentlemen and others saued themselues also in little skiffes after that they had made resistance euen to the extremitie The earle of Hoochstraten was two dayes before retyred from the campe to goe vnto the prince And the earle of Schouwenberch seeing vpon the first approch of the enemie that the Landtsknechts demaunded siluer and would not bee contented with promises but refused to fight dislodged betimes with most of the horsemen The duke of Alua after this victorie writ to Iohn bishop of Munster the eight and twentieth of Iuly complayning greatly of Cont Lodowic of Nassau who he said would yeeld to no reason breaking the commaundements of the emperour and the empire hauing sopyled all the countie of Embden yea he accused the earle of East Friseland and lord of Embden that he had assisted him with victuals and munition whereby he did shew that hee was a friend to Cont Lodowic and an enemie vnto the king of Spaine and the rather for that during this battaile they had made certaine shot of great Ordnance from the towne vpon the kings troupes Yet these letters were of small effect the bishop not daring to stirre fearing the prince of Orange who was in Germanie prouiding of an armie appointing his Rendes-vous in the countrey of Treues neere vnto the abbey of Romersdorffe whereas staying a moneth he made a generall muster His chiefe Colonels and Reytmasters were Frederic Rollenheim marshall of Hessen very famous for the seruice which he had done the Protestāts in France Diederich of Schouwenberch Cont Albert of Nassau the earl Richard of Barby colonels among the Reytmasters Otto of Malsburg Herman Rydesal Adam Welsen others with seuen thousand Reyters The colonels of the foot were Nicholas of Hadtstate a gentlemā of ancient nobility and a man of great experience in warre Feyt Schoomer and Balthazar Woolfe with foure and fortie ensignes of Landtsknechts Of the French were the lords of Genlis Moruilliers the barons of Renty Mouy Antricourt Esternay Fongieres la Personne and others commaunding twelue cornets of horse and two thousand harquebusiers The Netherlanders and Wallons were commaunded by the baron of Batenbourg and the Seigniors of Waroux Baxtell Risoir Carlo Marbais Louverval d'Ohain and many others among the which was the Seignior of Launoy earle of March a mad head hauing sworne neuer to cut his haire nor beard nor to cut his nailes vntill he were reuenged for the death of the earle of Egmont his cousin with whom Cont Lodowic also ioyned with those troupes hee could saue at the rout at Iemminghen Some captaines carried in their colours this deuice Pro Lege Rege Grege others carried Pelicans others Roses painted vpon their morrions which is the auncient marke of
retreats to sell their goods at Rochel whereas the Protestant princes of France did the like Emden and in England whereof the chief were Iohn of Berghes a knight seignior of Olhain who for a time carried the title of the prince of Oranges viceadmirall William of Fiennes lord of Lumbres Barthol Entes a gentleman Frison a bastard of Brederode and one of the house of Egmont a Hollander Embise a Fleming sonne to the bourgmaster of Gand and one Iohn Broâ—…k of Amsterdam with some others who hauing good ships got many rich booties to whom in the end ioined the seignior of â—…umay earle of la Maâ—…ke The king of Spaine complained of them to the queene of England who to please him commanded them to retire out of her ports So as to haue a place of retreat and a safe harbour there followed as we shall shew the taking of the towne and island of Bryele in Holland which made worke for the duke of Alua. The first of August whilest that the emperour and the estates of the empire were at an imperiall diet at Spier the emperour sent his daughter Anne to the king of Spaine accompanied with the archdukes Albert Wenceslaâ—… her two brethren being yet verie yong the great commander of Prusia and the bishop of Munster who did accompanie them vnto Brussels wheras she arriued the 22 of the moneth and from thence went to Middelburg in Zeeland where she imbarked with her two brethren the 25 of September and the 24 of Nouember following was married to the king of Spaine at Segouia in Arragon But some did mislike that the king of Spaine should marie his owne neece by whom at nine monethes end hee had a sonne called Charles Laurent for that hee was borne on that day which was dedicated to the memorie of the Saint This yeare there happened great flouds in the Netherlands about the time of a new Moon with spring tides for that vpon all Saints day the water flowed so high in Antuerpe about 9 of the clock in the euening that it flowed a foot higher than it did in the floud in anno 1530 when there was 70 parishes drowned and two foot higher than it was in anno 1552 and would as it seemed haue risen higher if it had not broken into the new towne and other places wherby it filled all the sellers and vaults both within and without the towne and euerie emptie place where an innumerable number of men and cattell were drowned Austerweel Kiel and Hoboken lay vnder water laden ships and a hulke of 300 tunnes were borne vp to the English key This floud did vnspeakable hurt within the towne of Antuerpe the damage receiued by merchandise that was as then wet being esteemed to be more than 100000 gulderns in value The huâ—…t that was done in the houses sluces keyes and towne walls was likewise esteemed to be aboue a hundred thousand gulderns This high water was the meanes that two houses were burnt not far from the Easterlings house but the benefit of the great water â—…oone quenched them This fire happened by meanes that a maid going with a lanterne in her hand to open a sheep coat thereby to saue 150 sheep from drowning the water ouercomming the maid drowned her and her lanterne driuing amongst the straw set it and the houses on fire In Zeeland the same floud did great hurt in many places as at Rommerswale Berghen Saftinghen where many were drowned where they were constrained to send out ships to fetch men and to giue them meat which sat vpon high trees and ditches The island of Walchren held out well but the salt keeles were all borne away South Beuerland endured more hurt In Holland whole villages were almost borne away as at Katwicke and other places but in Friseland most of all This high floud is notably described in high Dutch verse by one Iohn Fruytiers wherin is set downe all the hurt done in euerie seuerall prouince certifying the number of the people that were drowned that time to be four hundred thousand at the least besides an innumerable number of cattell The Spaniards said that it was a iust iudgement sent vpon that countrey by the holy Saints thereby to reuenge themselues for breaking downe their Images but the Netherlanders iudged otherwise thereof esteeming the Saints not to bee desirous of reuenge You must vnderstand that the Netherlands lye vpon the Spanish seas and are much subiect to high flouds happening commonly in Winter at a full and new Moon with Northwest winds which in many ages happened therein as our hystories make mention whereof I will rehearse some of the greatest In the yeare of our Lord 850 the riuer of Rhin that was woont to haue his recourse by Catwicke and so ran into the sea beneath the Flie brake out by Dort and so past forward which high floud was the greatest that our hystories make any mention of although there are no great particularities thereof to be seene Anno 1176 in Holland almost all men and beasts that saued not themselues vpon high places were drowned Anno 1230 in the time of the emperour Otto the 4 the most part of Friseland was vnder water and it is said that there was 100000 men drowned Anno 1374 in the moneth of October there was great hurt done in Flanders by a high floud Anno 1400 there happened a great floud called the Fresh floud Anno 1420 there was 16 villages drowned by Dort and many men and cattell somesay they were 72 villages Anno 1508 happened the high floud called S. Galens floud when they tooke Cods and Whitings before Groning Anno 1509 there was a great floud called Cosmus and Damians floud which brake through many ditches and drowned a great number of people Anno 1530 happened the Michaelmas high floud Anno 1552 there was a great floud called S. Pontians floud And this last in anno 1570 called all Saints floud which was in 6 or 7 prouinces as far as to Denmarke The electors princes noblemen and townes of the confession of Ausbourg in Germanie hauing presented a petition vnto the emperour at the diet at Spier tending to the quiet of Christendome and the reformation of some abuses it was not imputed vnto them to rebellion factions and innouations as that of the noblemen and gentlemen and the Netherlands was in the yeare 1566 by the king of Spaine but contrariwise the emperour knowing well that what they required tended to the good and quiet of Germanie and their neighbours not only accepted it in good part but also tooke such order as was most needful specially for those of Cologne who had driuen out all them of the confession although they did verie vnwillingly obey As for the Netherlands as he feared much the practises of the Spaniards which had long before sought occasions to get some footing in some corner of Germany and especially in the diocesse of Cologne hee could settle no other order but to write to the
bloudie counsell punish such breach of promise as rebellion and lay their heads at their feet with all such as vpheld and maintained the same and that generally specially to the states of Flanders great fauour had been shewed vnto all the states hauing all deserued no lesse rigour at the kings hands than the earles of Egmont and the prince of Orange had and that in recompence and redemption thereof the king was content to accept the said taxe of the tenth penie but hee might haue gotten a great deale more for the king by confiscations if hee would haue vsed that meanes as hee might well haue done than by the tenth penie caring not for the pretended priuiledges of the particular prouinces and townes specially the Ioyous entrie of Brabant which hee said they as well as those of Vtrecht had forfeited and lost Whereupon some made him answer That the declaration and sentence of depriuation or forfeiture must first bee published and that the attempting thereof would bee dangerous He made answer That hee would rather suffer himselfe to bee cut and hewed in peeces than to endure that the countrey should not hold their promise and that the Sunne and Moone should first loose their light before hee would faile of the tenth penie The states perceiuing the dukes resolution and intent at the last thought it requisit in the beginning of the yeare 1572 each prouince to send one into Spaine in their behalfes vnto the king which he neuerthelesse commanded to come backe again threatning them with death but yet they got through into Spaine but before any resolution was taken therein there happened an alteration in the Netherlands by the taking of the Bryele Flessingue and other places as hereafter shall bee shewed without the which alteration the messengers in Spaine had surely beene in great danger of their liues The duke notwithstanding in the meane time sought to raise the tenth penie in some particular townes appointing his officers to receiue the same and first in Brussels where he thought best to begin but they of Brussels shut vp all their shops and would sell nothing that they might not bee compelled to pay the tenth penie The Bakers nor Brewers woâ—… neither bake nor brew whereby there grew a great confusion and desperation amongst tâ—… people which to preuent the duke intended to deale by force resoluing in March 1572 to hang seuenteene of the chiefe townes men in Brussels that were against him whose names hee had al eadie written in a scroll in the night time before their doores or else hee would make them graunt to sell their wares and to pay him thereafter the which to effect hee had giuen charge vnto the executioners to bee readie with ladders and cords to execute them the next night after the newes came into Brussels that the earle Vander Marke had taken the towne of Bryele which losse of the said towne of Bryle made him see that hee had done better to haue put garrisons into the hauen townes and to haue dealt in milder sort with the people rather than to haue sought to haue his owne wil so much and to taxe the land at his pleasure whereas the Netherlands offered such great summes as that the state of the land could hardly raise Thus by meanes of the taking of the Bryele the raysing of the tenth and twentieth penie was stayed although it hath since beene sought and required They of Amsterdam because they would not absolutely consent to his demaund of the tenth penie were fined to pay the summe of fiue and twentie thousand gulderns towards the buylding of the castle at Flessingue but they excused themselues by their great losse endured by the great flouds and the mending and making of their ditches and aboue all that they dayly indured so great losse by the water Gueux that tooke their fleets comming from the East and West Indies As I said before a great number of banished and fugitiue persons of the Netherlands hauing prepared ships kept at sea and were conducted by certaine gentlemen and others who most by pouertie were driuen to seeke some recompence of their losses and hinderance by force and extremities After that other ioyned with them hauing a further intent to do something tending to the deliuerance and good of their natiue countrey This number daily increasing and doing great hurt vnto their enemies round about Holland as in the Vlie Texel and the Ems harbouring most commonly vnder England in the downes and at Douer and thereabouts amongst the which the prince of Orange as admirall by force of his letters of Mart had his officers that receiued the tenth penie of their prizes The duke of Alua made meanes to the queene of England to intreat her not to suffer them to harbor there alledging that she ought not according to the contracts made betweene England and the Netherlands to suffer the kings rebels to haue so open passage to and from her hauens The queene although shee had cause ynough to dislike of the duke in March 1572 made proclamation That they should all depart out of her hauens forbidding her subiects to sell them any victuals neuerthelesse with this condition That her English rebels should bee driuen out of the king of Spaines dominions Whereby they were constrained to depart and to enterprise something in the countries of the Netherlands whereunto they knew themselues not to bee strong ynough This necessitie compelled them to vse order and discipliâ—… amongst them and to that end they all put themselues vnder the commaund of William earle Vander Marke free heire to Lumey lord of Serrain Borset and Minderleyt and heire of Franchimont c. eldest sonne of Iohn lord of Lumey and of Marguerite youngest daughter of Iohn lord of Wassenare This earle Vander Marke made himselfe admirall and his lieutenant Bartel Entes van Meutheda viceadmirall hauing with him captaine William de Bloys called Threlon the lord of Sweten Lancelot van Brederode Iacob Cabilleaw one of Egmont Iaques Schooneual Antonis Wenthoue Antonis van Rhine William de Graue van Egmont Iaques Metens Nicholas Ruythauer captaine Eloy Iock and Iohn Abels Marinus Brandt Roybol Iaques Hennebert Iohn Clauson Spiegel Iohn Simonson Merten Merous Walter Franson captaine Ielande and diuers others All these together hauing about fortie ships most flie-boats in the moneth of March put out of England and tooke a great ship of Antuerpe laden with Spanish wares and another ship of Biskaie Their meaning was to saile to North-Holland although their enterprise there was as then not fully readie but determined in the meane time to spoyle certaine ships of war belonging to the duke that lay at Amsterdam and Enchuysen but the wind beeing against them they put into the Bryel the island being called Voorn and the town Bryel there to take certaine ships lying in the Meuse readie to sayle to Spaine but they perceiuing them to enter the Meuse hoysed sayle and went vp to Rotterdam whereby the earle
richest marchāts were made poore and the very beggers o◅ the Spaniards were inricht in an instant but some did not long inioy their great wealth for there were simple soldiars which lost ten thousand Crownes in a day at dice vppon the Bursse which was their playing place Other not knowing what to do with their treasure made hilts for rapiers and daggers of pure gold yea whole Corslets A goldsmith hauing made one the Spaniard desirous to haue it varnished that it might not be discouered to bee of gold the workman fled away with it and came to Flessingue The riches that was taken there was so great as some haue affirmed that there was aboue some fortie tunne of golde spoiled in ready money There was a soldiar which tooke out of a windowe of a house seuentie thousand Florins Captaine Ortis made choise of a bootie which no man else dreampt of which was the prison where hee set at libertie for great ransomes all the prisoners that were in it as well for ciuill and criminall causes as them of the religion among the which there was some ministers and many Anabaptists whereby hee gathered a great treasure The Cittie of Antwerpe being thus miserably subiected vnder the enemies yoake the Spaniards fearing that the States to cut of the passage of the riuer towards Gant should build a Forte at Burcht before the which all the shippes must passe that went to Gant Tenremonde Macklin and Brusselles made hast to preuent them and to build one there which they gaue in gard to Francisco Valdes with 400. Spaniards DON IOHN OF AVSTRIA BAStard sonne to the Emperor Charles the fift Gouernor of the Netherlands for the King of Spaine JOANNES AVSTRI CAR. V. F. PHIL. RE. CAT. NOM◅ APVD BELGAS GVB ET CAPIT GENERA Although I issued from an vnlawfull bed Yet was I not the lesse esteem'd but greatly honored For when the Emperor dying did acknowledge me To be his naturall sonne the King did hold me for to be His bastard brother and did such affection beare To me that to most great affaires he did me stil prefer The Turke I fear'd not but did him ouerthrow And forc'd the Granadian Moores obedience to shew My minde aspiring vnto high conceites was bent And made me practise many things to further my intent But being hether sent chiefe Gouernor to be Death crossed al my purposes and made an end of me DON Iohn of Austria bastard brother to the King of Spaine sent to gouerne the Netherlands arriued in the towne of Luxembourg in Nouember 1576. the verie daie that the Spaniards practised their furie in Antwerp by murthering burning and spoyling of the Cittie sparing no age sex nor qualitie Being there hee writ his letters to the Spaniards in Antwerp and to the generall Estates assembled at Brussells seeming in his letters to the States to bee somewhat discontented for the insolencies that had beene committed in the Netherlands promising to take due punishment so as they would shew due obedience vnto the King and maintaine the Romish Catholike relligion whereas on the other side if they continued obstinate he was not onely prouided but resolued as well for warre as peace according to the instructions of the Spanish councell The councell of Estate merueyled much at the first that hee came not personally to Brussells but they were much amazed at the contents of his letter which seemed to threaten them who thought to haue executed their charge wisely and carefully shewing himselfe therein not as their Gouernor but as their aduersary which iealousie of theirs encreased the more for that hee would not come among them but vpon hostages desiring also to haue their troupes vnder his priuate commande or a great part of them for his securitie as if they were his enemies This seemed very strange vnto the generall Estates and the whole Countrie and bred ill bloud in them and the rather for that they discouered that the mutinous and rebellious Spaniards first secretly and after openly had all fauour and accesse vnto him and that hee affected the sole gouernment to himselfe that so hee might punish and controule reward and honour whom hee pleased being held strang in Spaine that the Netherlanders who were there esteemed as a conquered people and subiects to the King should vndertake such great matters as had beene effected all much derogating to the Kings prerogatiue and honour and so much the more intollerable for that in Spaine they were generally suspected and held for Lutherans and heretiks The generall Estates being likewise assembled at Brussells consisting of the deputies of the spirituallty the nobilitie townes and members of the Prouinces vnder the lawfull subiection of their naturall Lord after declaration made touching their preuiledges customes lawes ancient liberties sworne vnto by their Prince himselfe they found the proceeding of Don Iohn to bee verie strange and the rather for that they vnderstood out of Spaine that the oppressions and insolent behauiour of the Spanish souldiars were rather applauded then disallowed and that in steed of exemplarie punishment there were more rewards and honours appointed to bee giuen vnto their captaines and Commanders and they found by certaine letters that Don Iohn had charge to follow such instructions as Ieronimo Rhoda had left in Antwerp with a Spanish Marchant called Ieronimo Lopez and that Rhoda had the managing of all the Netherland causes in Spaine The effect of Don Iohns instructions were that hee should vse all the faire meanes hee could to winne the hearts of the common people that by their aide hee might subdue Holland and to punish the rest according to their desarts and that in the meane time hee should dissemble which instructions although they were not knowne at the first yet were the generall Estates and the Nobilitie presently estranged from him by meanes of his disorderly proceeding for which cause they sent vnto the Prince of Orange beeing an old experienced councellor in affaires of State and then a member of the Netherlands to heare his aduice who in the end of Nouember writ vnto them from Middelbourg as followeth A letter written by the Prince of Orange To the Generall estates of the Netherlands assembled at Brussells the last of Nouember 1576. MY maisters you haue before seene by my letters what in my opinion vnder your correction I thought fit to be treated of with Don Iohn of Austria And although it may seeme vnto you that what I do so often re-iterate proceeds from some priuate passion or to entertaine this country in alteration Notwith-standing I may call GOD to witnesse with a good conscience that my disseigne was neuer other but to see this Country gouerned as it hath allwaies beene by the generall Estates Which consists of the ◅lergie Nobilitie and the townes members depending thereon vnder the lawfull obedience of their naturall Prince And as since by the length of time this gouernment hath beene by little and little abolished
WILLIAM of Nassau DVring these alterations of the Spaniards and the sacke massaker of Antwerp the States of Brabant and other Prouinces of their association making one body of the Generall estates of the maine-land although that in them Luxembourg were not conteiâ—…ed wherof Peeter Ernest Earle of Mansfeldt was Gouernor nor Namur where Barlamont commanded to cut of the course of the Spanish tirany which they practized daily and openly in these townes which they held resolued to make them-selues strong both by sea and land and to make a good peace and generall vâ—…ion with the particular Estates of Holland and Zeeland and their Associats together with the Prince of Orange Gouernor of the said countries To which end the Seignior of Haussy brother to the Earle of Bossu who had beene prisoner at Horne was sent to Flessingue to the Prince of Orange who hauing conferred with the States of the said marine Prouinces hee wrought so effectually as after diuers voiages the Deputies of eitheâ—… part assembled at Goude where an accord of pacification was concluded and made and the assurances giuen in the saied Towne the eight of Nouember the same yeare whereof we haue thought good to set downe the declaration and articles at length aâ—… followeth To all those that these preseâ—… letters shall see or heare greeting As the countries in these parts hauâ—… these last nine or ten yeare fallen into great miseries and calaâ—…ities by ciuil warres and the proud and rigorous command gouernment outrages robberies spoiles and other disorders and Insoleneids of the Spaniards and their adherents And that for the preuenting and ceasing of all further troubles oppressions and miseries of the said countries by the meanes of 〈◊〉 â—…e peace and pacification there was in the moneth â—…f February in the yeare 1574. assembled in the towne of Breda commisioners from his Maiesty and from the Prince of Orange with the States of Holland and Zeeland and their associats by whome there were propounded diuers meanes greatly seruing for the said pacification yet the frute that was hoped and expected did not follow but contrariwise dâ—…ing the hope of this consolation clemency and bounty from his Maiestie the said Spaniards haue sought daily more and more to oppresse ruine and to draw the poorâ—… sâ—…biects into pâ—…rpetuall slauery making many mutines thretning the Noblemen aâ—…d the townes and seazing in hostile manner of many places sacking spoyling and burning them So as after they had beâ—… proclaimed enemies to his Maiestie by them that were appointed to gouerne the said Countries and of the publike quiet the States of these Proâ—…inces with the consâ—… of the saide commissioners haue beene forced to take armes only to auoid and preueâ—… their vtâ—…er ruine And that the inhabitants of all these Netherlands being vnited in a firme League and vnion should ioyntly together chase away the said Spaniards and their Adherents Destroyers of the said Countries and restore it againe to the enioying of their ancient rights priueledges and customes freedomes and liberties whence the negotiation trafficke and prosperity of the Country might insue Wherefore with the like agreation of the said Noblemen appointed to gouerne the said countries according to the conference and pacification begun at Breda this present treatie hath beene made to the honor of GOD and for his Maiesties seruice betwixt the Prelates Noblemen Townes and members of Brabant â—…landers Arthois Henault Valenciennes Lille Douay and Orchies Tournay Tournesis Vtrecht and Macklin representing the States of the said Countries and the Prince of Orange with the States of Holland Zeeland and their Associats by commissioners deputed respectiuely of either side that is to say the reuerent Prelats Damp Iean vander Linden Abot of Saint Geertruâ—…de at Lovnaine Damp Guislani Abot of Saint Peter at Gand Damp Matheeu Moulâ—…rt Abot of Saint Guislain Elect Bishoppe of Arras Iohn de Mol Seignior of Ortingen Francis of Hallewin Seignior of Sweueghen Gouernor of Oudenard and commissioner for the renuing of the Lawes of Flanders Charles of Gaure Seignior of Fresin al knights Maister Elbert Leonin Doctor of the Lawes professor in the vniuersity of Lovuaine Peter of Bieure Councellor to the King our Lord in his Councell of Flanders and the Seignior Quentin Du Pere first Alderâ—…an of Mons in Henault with Iohn of Pennants also Councellor and Maister of Accoumpts to his Maiestie in Brabant their Secretary in the behalfe of the said Estates of Brabant Flanders Arthois Henault c. And Phillip of Marnix Seignior of Saint Aldegond Arnhold Van Dorp Seignior of Tamise William Van Zuylen Van Nyuelt Seignior of Heeratsberghe Squiers Adrian Vander Mylen Doctor of the Lawes and Councellor to his Excellencie and in the Prouinciall Councell of Holland Cornellis of Coinc a Licentâ—… of the Lawes and Councellor to his Excellencie â—…le Buys an Aduocat of Holland Peter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bayliffe of Flessingue Anthony Vande Zyckâ—…lo a Councellor of Zeeland and Andrew of Ionghe Bourgmaister of Middelbourg in the behalfe of the said Prince Estates of Holland Zeeland and their Associats according to their authoritie and commission inserted vnto the end hereof making and treating betwixt the said parties and countries a firme and perpetuall peace League and vnion vnder the Articles and conditions which follow First that all offences iniuries wrongs and domages hapned by reason of the troubâ—… les betwixt the Inhabitants of the Prouinces comprehended in this present Treatie in what place or manner soeuer shall be pardoned forgotten and reputed as not done so as there shall neuer any mention bee made nor any one troubled nor molested by reason thereof And the said states of Brabant Flanders Henault c. together with the said Prince and the States of Holland Zeeland and their Associates do promise hereafter to entertaine faithfully and without dissimulation a peace and vnion and to cause it to bee entertayned firmely and inviolably by the said Countries And so to assist one an other at all times with aduice and councell and therein to imploy both their bodies and their meanes especially to â—…ell and keepe out of these 〈◊〉 the Spanish soldiars and other strangers and forreners hauing sought against all right to take away the liues of Noblemen and Gentlemen and to appropriate vnto them-selues the riches of the Countrie and more-ouer to hold the common people in perpetuall seruitude For the furnishing whereof and of all that shall offer to oppose them-selues the said Confederates and Allies promise also to bee ready and willing to yeelde to all necessary and reasonable Impositions and contributions Moreouer it is agreed that presently after the retreat of the Spaniards theiâ—… adherents when as all things shall be in safety peace both parties shall be bound to aduance procure a CoÌ„uocation Assembly of the generall Estates in the same manner forme as it was in the time of the high mighty Emperor Charles the 5. when as hee made a cession transport of these
obtained that which hee so much desired which is the restitution of his goods and honour with the departure of the Spaniards whereon hee did ground his taking of armes that it is more then time to settle the countrie in peace and to banish all suspition on his behalfe imploying himselfe sincerely in so good a worke And if hee bee not satisfied with all this but doth demand some other thing let him speake plainely what hee pretends more for his safetie to the end that full contentment may bee giuen him For the effecting whereof it is verie requisite that the perpetuall Edict of the treatie made by the generall Estates with his highnesse and proclaimed at Brussells the seauenteenth of February and successiuely in other townes and Prouinces in confirmation of the sayd pacification of Gant may bee also proclaymed in Holland Zeeland and other associat places whereas hetherto it hath not beene published In like sort seeing a peace is made and proclaimed it is necessary that generally all acts should cease which tend to hostilitie and may giue any occasion of distrust as the entertayning of souldiars the fortification of townes and places practises and allyances leagues and confederations euen with strangers casting of new Ordinance the which ought to remaine in the same Estate vntill the resolution of the generall Estates And for that and other things specefied in the pacification to giue order for the full accomplishment of a desired peace and the publike tranquillitie it is fit to aduise speedelie when the sayd generall Estates shall assemble All which points the sayd Commissioners for his Highnesse require the Prince of Orange and the Deputies of Holland and Zeeland to carry them vnto the Estates of Holland and Zeeland as they will doe vnto his Highnesse and to the other Estates the points and articles which shal be giuen them by the sayd Prince and deputies Hoping there shal be a fauorable answere giuen reciprocally of either side and that all things in the meane time shall remaine in peace and tranquility The answere of the Prince of Orange and the Deputies of the Estates of Holland and Zeeland to the sayd Proposition MY Lords vpon the Proposition which it hath pleased you to make on his Highnesse behalfe that to take away all iealousie and distrust which seemed to hinder the sinceritie of the peace wee should propound assurances which wee thinke conuenient for the effecting thereof The Prince of Orange and the deputies of the Estates of Holland and Zeeland haue made answere that it were a superfluous thing to demande new assurances seeing that the conditions promised by the pacification were not yet accomplished and that to take away distrust there was no better meanes then to beginne by the fulfilling of the points and articles of the pacification of Gant the which wee beeing readie for our parts to accomplish if any remayning desiryng that you would doe the like on your behalfe and that moreouer it hath pleased you my maisters to require vs to put in writing the points and articles which wee pretend are not yet fulfilled To satisfie your desire therein the Prince of Orange and the deputies of the Estatâ—…s of Holland and Zeeland haue thought good to exhibit these articles following First that the aduice and answere which the Prince of Orange and the Estates of Holland and Zeeland haue giuen by writing to all the generall Estates of the Netherlands by the hands of Mounsier de Villerual dated the nineteenth day of February in the yeare of our Lord 1577. containes many Articles by which it appeeres that the pacification made at Marche in Famine was not conformable to all the Articles of the pacification of Gant for which cause the sayd Prince Estates haue not allowed of the said pacification but vpon expresse condition that the generall estates should for their parts passe an act obligatory in due forme signed by them and the Gouernors of Prouinces commanders and colonels conformable to that which is more particularly specified in the said aduice and answer Where-vpon they haue by an act giuen and dated the first of March declared their intention to haue alwaies beene to maintaine effectually the pacification made at Gand and to seeke to redresse all that they should finde done or attempted to the contrary or against the preuiledges rights liberties and customes of the Netherlands as well in generall as in particular and they promised to cause the like resolution to be signed by the Gouernors of Prouinces commanders and collonels as being bound to gouerne them-selues accordingly which promise and condition hath not beene effected nor accomplished for the Germains are not yet gone out of the country which is contrary to the said pacification of Gand. Item the goods haue not beene neither are yet restored to the Prince of Orange as well in these parts as in Bourgongne and Luxembourg Neither is the Earle of Buren his sonne deliuered which doth not onely impugne the said pacification but also the preuiledges and liberties of the country and the conditions of the said aduice and answer Item the Prince hath not his gouernment yet restored vnto him as hee had it by commission from his Maiesty seeing that neither the country and towne of Vtrecht nor the townes of Tholen Heusden and others are not yet vnited to their ancient gouernments as they were in former times where in my Lords of the councell of State haue shewed them-selues partiall writing letters to them of Vtrecht by the which they haue kept them from submitting them-selues vnder their ancient Gouernor according to the said pacification and the preuiledges of Vtrecht although that they of Vtrecht haue often required that they might submit them-selues Moreouer in steed of augmenting and maintaining the priuileges of the country as had beene specefied not onely in the said pacification but also in the conditions of the said aduice and answer giuen vnto the generall estates we see them now deminished yea broken and violated in diuers sorts for my Lords the States haue by their Instruction giuen to certaine deputies sent vnto Don Iohn lately sence the said aduice and answer where it had beene expresly mentioned subiected the assembly of the States as wel general as particular vnto the good pleasure of Don Iohn the which should remaine free according to the ancient rights preuiledges and liberties of the Countrie in those Prouinces and places that haue preuiledges Item those of the religion are not admitted in any places and townes of other prouinces to remaine there according to the pacification of Gand as may bee verified by many examples if they will take informations And yet not-with-standing all this and that the promises and obligations contained in the said pacification of Gand and sence in that which the estates haue promised to the Prince to the estates of Holland and Zeeland be not accomplished yet they haue receiued the said Don Iohn for Gouernor and Captaine generall without the aduise
which is the strongest part of Antwerpe by reason of the chanels that do enuiron it where they thought to fortifie themselues yet they continued there idle vntill the next day at noone that the snips of Holland and Zeeland began to shew themselues which struck such a terror into the Germaines as leauing the Towne they fled away Foucker to Berghen vpon Zoome and Frunsberg to Breda On the other side the Lord of Champaigni Gouernor of Antwerpe went with his Regiment to incounter the companies of Cornellis van Einden the which hee defeated and kept them from ioyning with them of Breda Don Iohn being much troubled with this vnfortunate crosse writ to Collonell Foucker the eight of August complaining of this misfortune yet he reioyced that the Collonell had escaped out of Antwerpe with his life commanding him to remaine in Berghen vntill hee had seene further order and after the date of the sayd letter hee writ vnto him to goe to Namur to command all the Germaines by reason of the indisposition of the Baron of Frunsbergh But Collonell Fouckers men hauing receiued this great disgrace at Antwerpe did mutinie against him and the tenth of September following tooke him prisoner and deliuered him to the States with the Towne of Berghen The States being freed of all feare of the Towne and Castell of Antwerpe seeing the Germaines thus disperst they assured them-selues of Liere two leagues from Antwerpe dooing that which any man of spirit and resolution that hath his life honour wife children goods and countrey in any recommendation is bound to doe for the preseruation and libertie thereof discharging them-selues faithfully in all things that were committed vnto them for the publicke good of the countrey for they did see plainely that this hatred which Don Iohn had conceiued against them was not newly growne vpon any occasion which they might haue giuen him but had taken roote from his first arriuall and reception to the gouernment as appeareth by those letters that were intercepted And that at the same time when it began to bud out and to shew the fruites by all effects of hostilitie GOD by his grace did so fauour the States as to discouer the first originall by the interception of the sayd letters Whereby they did finde that there was small hope of any redresse and lesse reason to suffer them-selues to bee any longer abused with good words and faire promises Iohn of Bourgongne a Knight Siegnior of Fromont being after the death of the Lord of Barlaimont appointed Gouernor of the countrey of Namur by the States a Gentleman of great age wise and vertuous hauing let Don Iohn vnderstand his error and that those countries were not to bee so gouerned nor abused as hee thought to doe and seeing that all his reasons and admonitions preuailed not and fearing on the other-side that the states would not yet seeke to preuent it by armes meaning to aduertise them to bee carefull of their affaires hee left Don Iohn and came into Brabant to ioyne with the States The Duke of Arschot and the Marquis of Haurec brethren by whom Don Iohn thought to bee assisted and supported waying well all his practises and desseignes and what might in the end happen vnto them and that no perswasions nor admonitions might preuaile to diuert him they made some difficultie to enter any more in councell with him Don Iohn fearing to loose them and to bee abandoned set watches ouer them and held them as it were prisoners yet not-with-standing his good garde hauing caused their horses to bee lead out of the Towne of Namur they slipt away vnknowne to him and without their traine Beeing come to Brussells like good Countrey-men they consulted with the States of the meanes to preuent the danger and to cure this new wound which Don Iohn had made Thus were the States forced against their wills to enter into a new warre against Don Iohn who madde with rage for such vnfortunate successe of all his desseignes did nothing but practise by what meanes hee might bee reuenged continuing his accustomed dissembling And to iustifie his actions after that hee had made his complaint by letters which hee had written to the States hee insisted vpon two points which were the maintenance of the Catholicke and Romish religion and the obedience due vnto the King Saving that hee pretented no other thing and that hauing receiued satisfact on therein hee would aboue all things seeke the good and quiet of the countrey And as for his retreate to the Castell of Namur it was onely for the safetie of his person against the conspiracie which he maintained was practised against him But if hee would haue confessed the truth of this retreate hee must haue sayd it had beene for two reasons the first was to preuent the danger of beeing stayed prisoner beeing at Brusselles or Macklyn and to haue all his desseignes discouered if this attempt vpon the Castell of Antwerpe should faile whereof hee was freed being in the Castell of Namur The other was to haue alwayes a back-doore open hauing the countrey of Luxembourg at his deuotion to drawe as many strangers into the Netherlands as hee pleased Hee did also complaine much of the retreate of the Duke of Arschot and the Marquis of Haurec who beeing aduertised of this practise of the Castell of Antwerpe had abandoned him as wee haue sayd And although sayd hee hee had noted such and the like indignities and affronts which had beene done him yet hee desired to gouerne himselfe according to his first contract seeking nothing more then to haue all things well ordered Hauing to that end intreated the Bishop of Liege to goe to Brussells to conferre with the States the which hee was ready to performe if hee had not beene countermanded in all hast by them of Liege In the meane time the States began to take heart and to gather their forces together whereof at that time the Lord of Champaigni had the charge with the which hee went to besiege the castell of Wouwe beeing held by certaine Germaines of Collonell Fouckers Regiment But seeing they could not maintaine it they yeelded the fourth of August the like did Steenberghen the ninth of that moneth and the Towne and Iland of Ter-tolen in Zeeland the nine-teenth The Queene of England hearing that the King of Spaine did conceiue sinisterly of her proceedings with the Estates of the Netherlands she sent Maister Wilks into Spaine to giue hiâ—… satisfaction and aduice withall for the pacefying of the Netherlands as you may see by this letter A declaration sent to the King of Spaine contayning a iustification of her Maiesties proceedings with the Estates of the Netherlands By Maister Thomas Wilkes THe Queenes Maiesty being giuen to vnderstand of diuers faulse and very scandalous reports giuen out touching her actions and proceedings with the Estates of the Netherlands tending as it were to make her the motiue and chiefe supporter of the
Collonel Foucker Thus these two Germaine Collonels degenerating from the integritie and iust dealing of their Nation thinking to surprize and deceiue the states fell into the pit themselues the which they had prepared for others The Prince of Orange beeing at Brussells assisting daylie in the Councell of the generall Estates was at the request of the particular Estates of the Duchie of Brabant intreated to accept as beeing one of the chiefe Noblemen and of the greatest powre in all the Duchie the place of Rouard or Gouernor of Brabant the which hee did but not without protestation and some excuses And so hee was most honorably receiued and acknowledged the two and twenty of October with ioyfull aclamations of all the people bonfiers and many other signes of ioy At the same time the states gaue the gouernment of the Earledome of Flanders to the duke of Arschot whether hee went and was receiued into the towne of Gant with great state three and twenty companies of Burgers well armed and gallantly appointed with their Cornet of volontary horsemen three hundred horse more went aboue a league out of the towne to meete him and conducting him into the towne where hee was receiued with all the honour they could diuise vpon so short a warning But three daies after hee had beene receiued and acknowledged for their gouernor being the eight and twenty of October falling into a mutiny for the restitution of their preuiledges of their owne priuate authority beeing a people which haue beene alwaies inclined to mutinies and as Philip of Comines saith apt to sue for peace when they can doe no more went and seized on him in his lodging and carried him prisoner to the Princes court or rather to the Castell to the great greefe and discontent of the Prince of Orange the councell of State and the generall estates But the foureteenth of Nouember following confessing their error they released him vpon condition that hee should forgiue and forget all the iniury they had done him the which he did promising neuer to seeke any reueng After they had seazed vpon the duke they also laid hold on and did imprison the Bishops of Ypre and Bruges the Barrons of Rasseghem of Champagny of Mousqueron and his Sonne the Seignior of Sweueghem and of Eeken with the Bastard of Ghistelle great Baylife of Ypre whome they kept long prisoners but the Seignior of Rasseghem Mousqueron Sweueghem and Eeken escaped by practise out of prison the Bishops escaped also but for that they could not flie away so fast they were taken againe with the Lords of Champaigny and Ghistelles who would not abandon them and kept more straightly where they remayned prisoners vntill the yeelding vp of the said towne vnto the duke of Parma in the yeare 1584. The 1. of Nouember the Prelats and Nobles of the Ommelands in the country of Groningue being called vnto the states assigned in the towne of Groninghen to determine of certaine old controuersies which the saied towne had with the Ommelandts were seazed on by the Bourguers of their owne priuate authority and committed â—…ose prisoners to the nomber of 24. In whose fauour to end these quarrells and to free them from their vniust detention there were sent in the behalfe of the generall estates and of the councell of State the Seignor of Saint Aldegonde and Doctor Sille Orator of Antwerp but they could not preuaile any thing with the people yet some of them did after-wards escape cunningly out of prison and the rest were also inlarged in the end The eleuenth of Nouember there appered a great comete which continued in a manner all the winter 3. or 4. Moneths after the which followed the rout of the States Armie at Gemblours The cheefe Noblemen of the Netherlands thinking to 〈◊〉 the Kings heart in calling in an other Prince of the bloud in the place of Don Iohn that had not beene bred vp after the Spanish manner to bee Gouernor generall in his countries and that might agree better with their humors they sent the Seignior of Malâ—…tede a gentleman of Flanders vnto the Arch-duke Mathias of Austria sonne to the Emperor Maximilian and Brother to the Emperor Rodolphe intreating him to come into the Netherlands to that effect But the Archduke fearing that the Emperor his brother would neuer yeeld therevnto least hee should displease the King of Spaine but rather would seeke to hinder him he came away secretly accompanied only by the Seignior of Auwits Lord of Lendorff his great chamberlaine the Seignior of Malstede Ferdinand Zymeran grome of his chamber and with Christopher van Calierich and so arriued at Antwerp the twenty one of Nouember And before that the said Archduke was receiued for Gouernor on the seauenth of December the generall estates did declâ—…re by a publike Proclamation Don Iohn and all his adherents to bee enemies to the King and all his Netherlands Don Iohn seeing matters mannaged in this sort was much perplexed not knowing where to begin for although hee did what hee could to fortefie and furnish the castell of Namur yet was hee not ignorant that his succors must come to him from farre seeing the States army to bee great already and camped not farre from him not-with-standing carrying still a good countenance with-out any shew of amazement the better as hee said to aduance his affaires hee went to Luxembourg from whence hee sent the Marquis of Verembon a heigh Bourguignon to the Emperor to acquaint him with the Estate of his affaires and to complaine of the Arch-duke Mathias who against the liking of the King his vncle had vnited him-selfe to the Estates of the Nertherlands Intreating him neither to giue nor to suffer to be giuen vnto the said Archduke any succors nor fauour neither from his imperiall Maiesty nor from Germany where-vpon some Germaine Princes sent vnto the Duke of Bauaria the Arch-duke Ferdinand and to other Princes and electors of the Empire that they should not suffer any forces to goe out of Germany to neither party and that as soone as might bee they should send Ambassadors in the behalfe of the Emperor and the Empire to finde some meanes to reconcile them if it were possible Don Iohn meaning to fortifie himselfe all hee could gaue charge to the Earle of Barlaimont who before the death of his Father was but Barron of Hierges to â—…euie a regiment of Lorraines ohe in the Countie of Manderscheyt one in the Dutchie of Luxembourg and one of high Bourguignous attending the Spaniards returne which went out of Antwerpe and other Townes of the Netherlands with good store of money Many Noblemen went in like sort to ioyne with him and among others Charles Earle of Mansfieldt eldest sonne to Cont Peter Ernest. Gouernor of Luxembourg who before had commanded in France in the Kings seruice ouer a Regiment of French the which hee also brought with him with all these troupes which came vnto him Don Iohn began
to make his armie in the Countie of Luxembourg The Earle of Lalain generall of the States Armie lying about Namur sent one thousand Hargubuziers and some few horse to discouer the sayd Towne The garrison sallied out vpon them where they skirmished for a time There is a small Towne vpon the riuer of Meuze called Bouines halfe a league from Dynant very commodious to stoppe the victuals and munition going to Namur and to Don Iohns Campe The Earle of Lalain found meanes to seaze vpon this Towne as also vpon the Castell of Despontin the which hee tooke by force killing all that hee found armed This done passing the riuer to the other banke hee intrencht himselfe meaning to cut off the passage to Don Iohn's men The States had at that instant three Campes one did besiege the Towne of Amsterdam by sea and land for thau they would not acknowledge the generall Estates nor the Prince of Orange for their Gouernour whereas Collonell Herman van Hellins thinking to surprize it for the States was slaine and his men chased out of the Towne They had an other Armie in the countrey of Oueryssel where-as the Farle of Reneberg commanded who tooke the Townes of Zwol and Campen and the third was before Ruremonde and Weert in the which the Earle of Hohenloo was Generall but to small effect Don Iohn seeing no meanes to succour Amsterdam feared much that Ruremonde should bee forced to yeeld Wherefore hee commanded the Germaines that came out of Antwerpe beeing in the countrey of Luxembourg to marche thether with all speede the which they did as couertly and as speedily as might bee and meeting vpon the way some companies of the Regiment of Champaignie who some-time before had defeated them neere vnto Antwerpe they put them to route and returned them their exchange but with more crueltie for they stript the poore souldiers which they had taken prisoners naked because they would not bloudie their shirts and then they murthered them like beasts in colde bloud whereof some escaped thus naked and among others N. of Fiennes Seignior of Vermeille brother to the Lord of Esquerdes one of the Captaines of the sayd Regiment who for that hee was an actiue man and could runne well and leape ouer large ditches saued him selfe thus naked wee did see him returne to Antwerpe with old ragges in a very pittifull estate These Germaines hauing defeated and ouer-come this troope thought to enter into Ruremonde but Collonell Polwiller Gouernor of the Towne made them answer that hee had no neede of men to eate and drinke that little which hee had remaining but hee had more need of victualls and munition Wherefore hee willed them to returne and to tell Don Iohn that hee should rest well assured of the Towne and that hee should onely seeke to succour it with some victualls considering that this Towne beeing seated vpon the riuer of Meuze was of too great importance to suffer it to bee lost the which hindered the trafficke of the Hollanders by water into the countrey of Liege and some part of Germanie Don Iohn had then receiued some Bourguignons and Italians wherefore hauing heard these newes from Collonell Polwiller hee commanded the Earle of Barlaimont and Collonell Mondragon to goe and victuall Ruremonde with all the speede they could before it should bee forced to yeeld For the effecting whereof they gathered together some 4000. men both of foote and horse and marched directly to the States Campe the which consisted but of two and twenty companies of foote and sixe of horse Being aduertised in the campe that the Spanish succours were on foote and did marche finding themselues too neere to fight with them which vndoubtedly they would haue done not-with-standing that they had seauen Fortes about the Towne they thought it good to put their Artillerie into the strongest of those places and to retire them-selues abandoning the other sixe forts But considering the enemies forces and not thinking them-selues well assured they imbarked and went towards Boisleduc and Geldre yet not-with-standing all their speed their retreate was not so sodaine but they lost some of their reere-ward two field peeces and good store of victuals and munition Thus through the care and dilligence of Barlaimont and Mondragon the States Armie was forced to retire and the Townes of Ruremonde and Weert sufficiently victualed of all things necessary This being done after they had a little refresht their souldiers they retired into the countrey of Luxembourg from whence they came MATHIAS ARCHDVKE OF Austria Gouernor generall of the Netherlands MATTHIAS D. G. ARCHIDVX AVSTRIAE DVX BVRG◅ COMES TIROL GVBERNAT GENER BELGICAE My Gransire my father two great Emperors were And liuing yet my brother doth th' Emperial scepter beare To honor me the more the states elected me Of the vnited Prouinces their gouernor to bee The which though yong of yeares I did thē not refuse Although the King supposed I did him much abuse And for that cause disliked of my gouernment The states likewise perceiuing that no great aduancemēt Did rise to thē by me thank't me for my goodwill And at my going frō thē with guifts my purse did fill THe 18. day of Ianuary in the yeare 1578. the Arch duke Mathias parted from Liere in Brabant and made his entry into the towne of Brusselles where he was receiued in triumph by all the Noble-men of the country holding the party of the States And the twenty day hauing takeh the aceustomedioth hee was acknowleded for Gouernor g◅nerall for the King of Spaine of all the Netherlands vpon certaine conditions set downe in diuers articles the which we omit for breuitie sake and for that they were to smale effect and the little good and seruice he did in his gouernment who hauing sworne them at his reception the Prince of Orange whom the Arch-duke called his father was not-with-standing all his excuses chosen for his Lieutenant not without the Ielousie of the choese Noblemen of the country and namely of the Earle of Lalain who as Generall of the States army had promised vnto him-selfe this dignity The same moneth arriued the Seignior of Selles Captaine of the King of Spaines gard Brother to the Lord of Noircarmes who was sent by the King to make answer to the States letters of the twenty foure of August and the eight of September by the which they besought him that Don Iohn might be called home and an other gouernor sent in his place He had very ample letters of credit signed by the King at Madril the twenty of december the which hee did impart vnto the States wherevnto answer was made and this answer was carried by him vnto Don Iohn who made a replie informe of an act and signed Vassear the which he sent backe by Selles and with it a letter which hee did write vnto the States the fifteene of february this yeare 1578. where-vnto the said States made answer by
of Bossu which as I haue heard hee hath since repented had charged the Spaniards in their retreat with all his forces as he had the meanes and powre hauing foure times as manie men more as the enemie without doubt neither Don'Iohn nor anie one of his men had escaped and this daie had beene the last for the Spaniards in the lowe countries at the least for them that were there at that time This charge and skirmysh was the first daie of August in the yeare of our Lord 1578. Don Iohn hauing committed this error full of blasphemy and cursings carrying backe his armie hee retyred to Namur the Earle of Bossu hearing that there were but 300. foote and a 100. Spanish horse in the towne of Arschot sent Collonel La Garde thether with fiue hundred French shot of the one side and Collonel Balfour with a thousand Scots on the other La Garde arriued first and forced the Spaniards by a way that was lowe and narrowe cutting all in peeces that hee incountred so as the towne was taken and spoiled The Vicent of Gant chiefe of this enterprize thinking it not conuenient to keepe it for that it was nothing stronge caused it to bee abandoned and by the aduise of the sayd Collonels retired with his horse and foote to the Campe. This affront was done vnto Don Iohn the tenth of August within two leagues of his armie At the same time some troubles beeing growne in the towne of Valenciennes the Archduke and the States sent the signior of Harchies to take information and to order all things Beeing entred into the towne the Burgers beganne to bee diuided some held with the signior of Harchies and others with the Maiestrates This tumult continued eight daies the people beeing still in armes not without great danger of effusion of bloud In the end Richardot a Councellor of State was sent thether who did reconcile them and pacifie all troubles The Duke of Aniou before hee sent such succors to the States as hee had promised had capitulated with the States first of all to declare himselfe an open enemie to Don Iohn and to his adherents to entertaine for the assistance of the States ten thousand foote and two thousand horse paide at his charge for three monthes and in case the warre were not ended before that time were expired to continue his assistance and succors with the number of three thousand foote and fiue hundred horse and that hauing serued two monthes with the sayd number hee should haue three monthes paide him that hee should haue three townes of retreat Auesne Quesnoy and Landrecy but they refused notwithstanding that the Abbot of Marolles was sent to perswade them that all townes places and fortes lying beyonde the riuer of Meuse and not in the association of the States as Bourgongne and Luxembourg which should bee taken by his forces alone or ioyntly with the States should remaine vnder his powre commande and obedience during his life and after his decease his heires males begotten in lawfull marriage should succeed and inherit That a peace beeing made the States should acknowledge the benefit next vnder almightie GOD to proceed from him And that all charges and expences layed out for their succors should bee paied him againe vntill his departure out of the countrie and moreouer they should giue him a gratuitie worthy of his greatnesse That the sayd States should promise and binde themselues in case that heereafter they would take an other Prince for their soueraigne to preferre him before any other vpon such conditions as should bee then propounded This accord was proclaimed in Antwerp the twentie daie of August Therevpon the Duke tooke vpon him the title of Defender of the libertie of the Netherlands against the Spaniards and their Adherents Hee declared himselfe enemie to Don Iohn and to all his followers by a printed declaration But of all the troupes which hee brought after that hee had taken a viewe of them beeing put in battaile neere vnto Bins they were not aboue seauen thousand foote and eight or nine hundred horse most of them Licentious and disordred souldiars the skum of the ciuill warres of France and the relikes of the massakers of Paris With these forces hee entred into Henault the which during his aboad at Mons with the Earle Lalain his Gossip who was put from the place of Captaine Generall of the States armie for that without their priuitie and leaue hee had abandoned the armie in the countrie of Namur when as Don Iohn had that victorie neere vnto Gembblours did these small exploits whereof wee haue formerly made mention although it had beene more necessarie to ioyne the sayd Dukes troupes in this best season of the yeare to the great bodie of the States armie being then in their prime ingaged at Remenant by the disorder which was there for want of paie when as Don Iohn was farre weaker in forces then the States and might easily haue beene defeated But in steed of dooing it they turned from him to goe and ioyne with the Duke of Anious forces and to take Genap Niuelle and some other paltrie Townes vnworthy the stay of an armie This coniunction with the Duke of Aniou lost the States a moneths time and when they were ready to ioyne all into one body of an Armie the Duke retired with his Bussia ' Amboise to Mons in Henault by the aduise of his gossip the Earle of Lalain and then began his Armie to vanish whereby the best season of the yeare and the best oportunitie was lost the States became more indebted vnto the Armie who grew discontented to see them-selues so ill gouerned their forces both of horse and foote decreased by mortalitie and famine and in the end the hope which they had of such great forces as the Prince had neuer the like went to smoake and they were to begin againe Don Iohn fortified himselfe the more and then began the falling away of the Wallon soldiers called the Male-contents of the Regiments of Montigny Heze Egmond and Alennes of which Male-contents as wee will here-after shew Montigny made himselfe chiefe After this disbanding as well of the Duke of Anious troopes as of the male-contents the States Armie being retired from Remenant went and camped two leagues from Louvain The Earle of Bossu generall of the Armie went forth with two thousand Harguebuziers and two hundred horse and approched neere vnto the Towne the Spaniards sallyed forth brauely vpon them where there was a gallant skirmish The Vicont of Gant Generall of the horse charged them with his men at Armes euen vnto the Towne ditches whereof some fell in seeking to flie the fury of the Vicont and of the Siegnior of Quesnoy his Lieutenant The Earle of Bossu would gladly haue besieged the sayd Towne but the want of three or foure thousand Pioners and of thirtie or fortie Canons necessary to batter so spatious a place which had two
sent from the court to Arras The which being long delayed the Prouinciall councell of Arthois beholding this confusion with greefe hauing by promises and faire words wone Captaine Ambrose his cornet and cheefe officers together with Captaine Gele and his company they preuayled so by the fauour of some and by the respect of their authoritie many Bourguers being in armes Ambrose and his men remayning spectators as they with enseigns displaied came vnto the towne house not without danger of a great slaughter of the cittizens of either part and set the Magistrats at liberty by force The party of those that were well affected to their country seeing them-selues abandoned by the horsemen and Captaine Geles company of foote durst not stirre the Magistrats were desirous to be reuenged for this iniury the Gouernor Capres being then absent returned hastily to Arras and ioyned with them being glad of this alteration setting vp a gibbet before the towne house they seazed vpon a notable Bourguer called Valentin Mordac whome they committed to the Arcenall of the towne and there caused him to bee hanged they depose the fifteene Deputies from their places they apprehend Allard Crugeot an Aduocate and Peter Bertoul one of the fifteene a man of seuentie yeares of age they make their processe with all diligence and the three and twentie day at night caused them to be hanged by torch light And in the meane time the seditious Preachers did Preach and storme in their pulpitts that religion went to wracke that all good order and pollicy with the lawes and priuiledges of the country went to ruine that the Pacification of Gant was broken by the Ganthois them-selues that all accords and confederations betwixt them the Flemings and other Prouinces were of no force and they freed and discharged from the bond and oth of association Maister Nicholas Gosson a learned Gentleman and a great lawyer being seauenty two yeres old from whome the Citty of Arras had by his learning and sound Iudgement drawne so many seruices for the publike good yea in the time of the duke of Alua was kept prisoner for the respect they had of him and for his great age in the towne house for that hee had giuen his aduise being required to speake that it was not fit in any sort to disioyne themselues from the Flemings not so much in regard of the oth of the vnion as for the great profit and commodities they had alwaies drawne from Flanders and Brabant by reason of their proximity and neighbourhood to Arthois by which Prouinces they had beene receiued and courteously entertained during the warres against the French whether sometimes they had beene forced to fly giuing them therein both sound and holesome councell with as many pregnant reasons as hee could possible produce to cut of this monster of disiunction which was afterwards the cause of so many miseries throughout all the Netherlands for which councell if they had followed it both the towne of Arras and the whole country of Arthois had beene for euer bound vnto him But contrary-wise thereby to begin to shew forth this monster on Sater-day the fiue and twenty of October the Seignior of Gosson being in his bed they caused him to rise and arraigned him accusing him for this good councell which hee had giuen them to be the Author of sedition tumults and popular mutines and a troubler of the publike peace he who was a man so decaied and decrepit as he came not out of his study where hee herd all consultations and gaue his aduise hauing traueled much for the common weale as well by writings the which are yet extant as other-wise and by these accusations not-with-standing all his obtestations exclamations protestations and recusations they condemned him to loose his head from whence hee appealed to the councell of Arthois who confirmed this sentence sodenly the which was so hastely poursued as his processe was begon and ended two appellations determined and the sentence put in execution betwixt one and two of the clocke of Sonday morning and all was dispacht with such celeritie as there was but seuen howers space from the beginning of the processe to his execution A very extraordinary thing and of bad example for such a person Afterwards they seazed vpon one Morand Camp one of the fifteene whome after they had kept languishing sixe monethes in prison they caused to bee hanged the very day that their disiunction was concluded in the Abbay of Saint Vaast The rest of the fifteene Deputies reconciled themselues with the Magistrats Iohn Caffart and one other which could not bee taken and without doubt had beene executed were banished and their goods forfeited against the preuiledges of the citty Many good Bourguers were vsed in the like sort which had beene noted to be forward in this trouble And thus was the disiunction of the Prouinces of Arthois Henault Lille Douay and Orchies made Arthois hauing led the daunce as wee shall hereafter shew more at large The Ganthois to suppresse the roads and spoyles of the Malcontents of Menin leauied at that time some troupes for their defence with the which they did sometimes charge these mutined Wallons saying that Don Iohn hauing beene the first breaker of the Pacification of Gant and they so much opprest by the Malcontents they could not doe lesse then to stand vpon their gard and incounter them that came to assayle them at their owne doeres without any cause or authority from their Soueraigne They also called Duke Iohn Casimire to their ayde whome Iohn d' Inbise cheeâ—…e Bourgue maister of Gant had set for of his priuate authority some would say that hee would gladly haue made him Earle of Flanders but being a doubtfull thing I leaue it in suspence whether hee went with some Cornets of Reistres vnknowne to the States But hee profited little for his owne particular and did lesse good for the States but that hee receiued little lesse then a hundred and fifty thousand florins of his pay from whence hee retyred soone after into Germany discontented with the States The first daie of October Don Iohn of Austria bastard brother to the King of Spaine Lieutenant and captaine generall of the Netherlands died of the plague as some thought in the campe neere vnto Namur a yong Prince full of high desseignes proud and presumptuous after that hee had by his dissembling which hee could not so conceale but it burst forth troubled the state of his King and Lord and the affaires of the Netherlands more then euer But others are of an opinion that it was conceit and greefe as it apeared by two of his letters which were intercepted by Monsieur de Saint Leger whereof the one was written vnto Iohn Andrea Doria Prince of Melfi and the other to Don Pedro de Mendoza Ambassador of Spaine lying in Geneua both bearing date in the campe a mile from Namur the seauenteenth of September in the yeare of our Lord
they would duelie obserue the pacification of Gant This vnion and confederation of Vtrecht wrought not such good effects with some as they expected euery one attending vpon the treatie of peace which was labored by the Emperor as wee haue sayd at Cologne excusing themselues thereon Among others Boisleduke one of the chiefe townes of Brabant strong and mightie which diuides the Duchies of Gueldres Brabant and the Earldome of Holland which the states doubting and hauing some aduertisment thereof assuring themselues to haue manie partisans they sought first by gentle meanes and then by practises to put in a garrison which they of Antwerp did also pretend sending some troupes of their Burgeses to assure themselues thereof Afterwards Iohn of Horne Barron of Boxtell was sent thether with commission to gouerne and to assure the towne for the states But as by the changing of captaines he sought to bring in a new order and gouernment hee found great oppositions and manie crosses by them of the aduerse partie especially by one Henry Bloyman Baylife and by others of the olde councell of the towne tending to their priuat proffit and adhering to the Abbot of Saint Gheertrude who was gone in the states behalfe to the assemblie of the treatie of Cologne and who passing that way had so perswaded them as they desired nothing more then the issue of the sayd treatie The signior of Boxtel found so great contradiction and so mahie aduersaries as hee thought it best to retire leauing his Sonne Maximilian of Horne signior of Locren there True it is that before that time the libertie of Religion had beene brought in and a sworne companic of Harguebuziers erected most of all the which were yong men who during the Spaniards gouernment were retired out of the towne and had serued the Prince of Orange these men maintained the liberitie of Religion all they could and sought to reduce the towne vnder the vnion of Vtrecht but therd grew such a iealousie and hatred betwixt the Protestants and the Harguebuziers of the one part and the old Magistrates with the Catholike Romaines on the other as when the sayd companie of Fencers had the gard of the port the others placed an other of their faction in countergarde so as in the end the vnion being proclaimed as it were by force there followed such a great tumult betwixt both factions as being come to armes there were aboue a hundred slaine hurt of both sides Soone after the Prince of Parma beeing called by the Catholike Burgers sent a trumpet to summon the towne for the King of Spaine Then did the Protestants insist more to receiue a garrison of English Scottish or French which should come from Brussells of which three nations they might haue their choise but for that they were strangers the Inhabitants would haue none although it seemed they would willingly haue receiued that of Bryell The next daie after as their distrust increased and the feare of the enemie increased more and more the Protestants were aduised and did resolue to receiue a garrison so as they would leaue the ports open to suffer them that would depart as if their chiefe and greatest feare had beene that they would retaine them Wherevnto this answere was made That if anie one did feare hee might depart and goe where hee pleased Wherevpon a great multitude went sodenly away out of the towne one prouoking an other as it is alwaies the vse and custome in such amazements which feare did greatlie fortefie the aduerse partie their retreate was not farre to Heel Heusden Bomel and diuerse other townes thereabouts of the Hollanders partie Thus by the pollicie and practises of the one and by the indiscretion and weakenesse of the other this towne was abandoned by them of the states faction and the two companies comming from the Brieyle were not receiued And as the Spanish faction grew more shamelesse and insolent they chased away the rest of the Protestants that were yet remayning but they would not yet imbrace anie partie but in the end they were perswaded for to reconcile themselues vnto the Noble Prince of Parma and to receiue the peace of Cologne so as they should not bee forced to receiue any garrison without their owne consents yet they found a great decaie in their commerce and trafficke Those of the townes of Amersfort and Montfort vnder the iurisdiction of Vtrecht as they also of Zutphen refused also to submit themselues to the vnion of Vtrecht wherefore meaning to force them they beganne first with them of Amersfort as neerest vnto Vtrecht beeing accused to bee of a partie contrarie to the states to haue refused to pay their partes of the contribution to haue chased away the States garrison and the Protestants ministers and to haue had secret intelligence with the enemie Wherefore the towne was beseeged the seauenth day of March in the yeare of our Lord 1579. and the tenth daie following reduced vnto reason manned with a garrison the Magistrates renued and the Protestants religion restored as before The vnion and contract made in Vrecht was signed by the gouernors of the sayd Prouinces as first by Iohn Earle of Nassaue gouernor of Gelderland and Sutphen and then by the commities of the other townes and Prouinces which was done in Vtrecht vpon the 23. of Ianuary and vpon the fourth of February the deputies of Gant signed to the same The third of May it was ratefied in Antwerp by the Prince of Orange and the leauenth of Iune by George de Lalain Earle of Renebregh gouernor of Freeseland Ouerissel Groning and the terretories thereof and also by the townes of Bruges Ipre Breda and others and by that meanes those countries were called the vnited Prouinces This vnion made in Vtrecht produced good fruites amongst the Prouinces and townes but not so great as were expected for that many in hope of the peace to bee made in Colen fell from it and drew backeward excusing themselues by the same as in Vtrecht where by meanes of the iealousie the one had of the other vpon the tenth daie of Iune certaine controuersies did rise amongst them whereby great hurt and insolencie was done in certaine Churches where the Scoute Burguemastérs and the Councell of Estates of Vtrecht desirous to maintaine both the one and the other Religion in peace and vnitie and to separate the contentious persons one from the other the better to withstand the common enemies after diuers communications and conferences had concerning the same by consent of fiue Churches within Vtrecht in the name of the whole spirituality of the one part and of the Colonels Captaines and Commanders of the towne in the name of Burgers togither with them of the reformed Religion on the other part and also by the aduise of the Prince of Orange gouernor of the towne townes and terretories of Vtrecht deuised a certaine contract of a Religions peace beareing date the fifteene of Iune making mention of the pacification of
defend and preserue you And for that which concerneth the said Estates and wherein they find themselues taxed by the said proscription they are resolued with the first opportunitie to iustifie themselues Giuen in Delft c. This answer being printed in diuers tongues was sent to all the princes of Europe to iustifie himselfe of the accusations laid vpon him in the said proscription and to shew who had bin the first motiue and the cause of the troubles in the Netherlands This yeare died Frederick Schencke of Tautenbergh bishop of Vtrecht beeing president of the chamber at Spiers who in the yeare 1559 succeeded Iordan van Egmont in the said bishopricke and was the 61 bishop of Vtrecht Which bishops had gouerned that countrey 884 yeares from anno 696 till anno 1580. This Frederick was a man of great learning as doth appeare by his writings The eight and twentieth of December died Gerard of Grosbeke cardinall bishop and prince of Liege who contrarie to the disposition of the Liegeois had openly defended the Spanish faction Some thought he died of griefe for that the countrey would not yeeld to the contribution which he demaunded The Estates would haue had some prince aduanced who had beene better affected to their partie and aboue all the archduke Mathias who was then in the Netherlands whereunto they recommended him but the partisans of Spaine carried it by voyces for Ernest sonne to the duke of Bauaria bishop of Fresingen who had before laboured to haue the bishopricke and electorship of Cologne the which hee had together with the Postulat of Munster with other great dignities So as we may truely say That the said Ernest is at this day one of the greatest prelats in Christendome In Nouember past colonell Balfour generall of the Scots that were vnder the States seruice being in garrison at Bruges in Flanders went forth with a troupe of horse and set vpon in the village of Wassenare in Franc of Bruges certaine light horsemen of the prince of Parmaes the which hee defeated but succours comming Balfour who had but threescore horse after that hee had fought valiantly was defeated and slaine but not without great slaughter of the Spaniards His bodie was carried to Bruges and honourably interred Hee was much lamented for the good seruices which hee had done in Flanders neither died hee poore His wife was brought in bed soone after in the same towne In the beginning of May the deputies of the prouinces of the Netherlands that were sent into Fraunce to the duke of Aniou returned backe againe hauing made choyce of him for their soueraigne Lord although some articles of the contract were not fully agreed vpon as that the king for his brothers sake shold make war against the king of Spain which the Estates did much desire with some others But the duke found many in France that did crosse his proceedings therein beeing of the Spanish faction for which cause about this time he made a declaration and putting it in print he sent it to all the courts of parliament of France shewing his firme and constant resolution touching the defence and freeing of the Netherlands from troubles shewing how honorable it was and what profit it might bring to the kingdom and crowne of Fraunce About this time there was an enterprise discouered in Brussels by a miller which carried letters who being put to the racke and tortured accused the seigniour of Haussy and his wife of certaine practises for the which they were committed to close prison with the lady of Waerdenburch sister to the said ladie and others who were soone after released except the said lord of Haussy who continued for a time in prison with doctour Cornet But afterwards by the meanes of the seigniour of Timpel gouernour of the towne who married the said ladie of Waerdenburch the seignior of Haussy was set at libertie and went for a time into France And not long after there was an vprore begun and made by meanes of a preaching monke that had been banished out of Gant called Anthony Ruyskenueldt who seruing there in a certaine parish by meanes of his preaching he drew diuers adherents vnto him who laboured to frustrat and disannull the good resolution which the Estates had taken for their protection and defence some of them hauing before consented to the enterprise made by the earle of Egmont and of others as of doctor Ioos Butkens Andreas Anderlech the lord and lady of Haussie and Iohn Cob an English man who not long before had bin hanged and quartered in the said towne For which cause the magistrat of Brussels sought diuers secret means to get that monk out of the towne but all in vaine at the last he being more and more suspected it was resolued that he should by some means or other be forced to depart which comming to his knowledge he and his adherents caused a great number of people to assemble together before the gouernors house which seditiously cried out That they being Catholikes neither could nor would endure that their peacher should be driuen out of the towne saying That they would sooner suffer themselues to bee cut in peeces with many such words more but for that time they were pacified with faire words but in the afternoone the magistrat being come thither they began another great outcry amongst them and in great rage they began to plucke vp the stones in the street and made a great vprore with their weapons and the stones the Amptman hauing a hatchet throwne at his head but the garrison and the well affected bourgers arming themselues the vprore ceased And after that further information being taken therein it was found that diuers seditious enterprises had bin practised inuented in the cloisters vnder pretence of going to masse as also at the like assemblies of the said seditious preacher Anth. Ruyskenueldt for which cause by full consent of the townes men and members of the same they caused the said Ruyskenueldt and some of his adherents to depart out of the town determining further to shut vp the cloisters and the churches that no more such violences should bee vsed by such tumults as also that by authoritie of the magistrats all the images in euery place of the towne should bee broken downe and that the best part of them should bee sold with most aduantage towards the charges of the towne and the reliefe of the poore Whereupon a proclamation beeing made shewing the abuses and dangerous practises of the Papists within the towne it was decreed by the Amptman and magistrats of the saide towne for the peace vnion and securitie of the said towne not to permit nor allow of the exercise of the Romish religion in any church or chappell of the same and that therfore it should wholly be suspended forbidden vntill that other order should be taken in the causes concerning the said town the country and that therin they should follow the necessitie of the time as
had caused the pioners to fill vp the ditches and began to vndermine the wall so as he forced them within to parle but Dekema refusing to accept of the conditions his souldiers compelled him thereunto and deliuered him and eighteene Friselanders more prisoners to Sonoy the rest were suffered freely to depart This castle had the wall next vnto the towne throwne downe againe and presently thereupon Sonoy caused the town to be fortified This towne of Staueren is very auncient and in times past was a lordship very rich and mightie a great towne of marchandise and the chiefe in all those Northerne parts with a very good and a spacious hauen but now filled vp with sand it had great commaund euen as farre Nimmeghen as it appeareth by an authenticke writing grauen ouer the gate of the castle of Nimmeghen whereas yet is to be seene in old letters this inscription Hucusque ius Stauriae that is Thus farre stretcheth the iurisdiction of the towne of Staueren and in another place Hic finitur regnum Stauriae that is Here endeth the dominion of Staueren Staueren in times past was so mighty as in Anno 1345 with the aid of the Frisons vpon the 26 of September they ouercame William earle of Henault with all his army in Holland hard by S. Odolf his cloyster where the said earle with many of his men were slain so that long after there were diuers dead mens bones it being two hundred yeres since found vnburied in that place for which cause in Anno 1545 Mary queene of Hungarie the emperour Charles sister and Regent in the Netherlands caused all the dead bones thereabouts to be gathered vp and sent to Staueren where they were buried In May the earle of Renenberghs souldiers came out of great Auwart downe to the Reediep and thought to make a sconce vpon the water to exclude the lord of Nyenuenoort from the sea but he being aduertised therof went to encounter them hauing laid an ambush he charged defeated them slew and took a great number of them caried away some of their ensignes After that the lord of Nyenuenoort hauing receiued 2 moneths pay for his soldiers of the Estates of Friseland vpō condition that he should in the Estates name besiege great Auwart he for that cause went besieged it with diuers companies of souldiers brought ordnance before it to batter the fort but the earle of Renenbergh being aduertised thereof gathered together all his forces from Myddelstum other places the which they did rase abandon and so passing ouer the Reediep hauing a new supply of 300 horse he marched towards Auwart which Nyenuenoort perceiuing he was in mind to haue left the siege but the most part of his captains were of a contrary opinion wherein they committed a great error for that placing the pesants of Friseland among their squadrons of souldiers they for want of experience as soone as the earle of Renenbergh came to charge presently without any blows giuen leaped ouer the ditches with their long staues ran away which put the rest into rout euery one seeking to saue himself the earle of Renenberghs forces following them who took Haspelinus Berenbroeks ensignes captaine Stuper and Vischer being taken prisoners but not many slaine Many of them fled into the sconce of Auwerderziel where the earle of Renenbergh gaue two furious charges but he was forced to leaue it with great losse of his men but comming thither againe with the canon and hauing battered it and made a breach after three assaults they forced it killing all they found in it where among the rest Schelto Iarges a wise and a valiant captaine was slaine The Friselanders presently after assembled the dispersed souldiers againe so that Nynuenoort being made strong with more souldiers went to his fort of Winsum but the earl of Renenbergh comming before it with all his power the fort being not yet finished nor able to endure the canon he was constrained by his own men to parle with the earle so as it was agreed that he should depart freely with bag and baggage and leaue all his other forts Nyenuenoort being thus ouerthrowne the earle of Renenbergh was master all ouer the Ommelands as far as Doccum In the meane time the Estates to aid the lord of Nyenuenoort although too late appointed Sir Iohn Norris to be generall ouer certaine forces and with him eight companies of Sonoy his regiment with some others who being made stronger with the remainders of the broken companies sought opportunitie to giue the earle of Renenbergh battaile and as captaine Schul with certaine souldiers had taken Monikerziel fort he tooke that from them and forced the earle of Renenberghs troupes to goe out of the village in Gripskerke in battaile Colonel Sonoy led the foreward and began the charge coldly by many skirmishes vntill the rest came on and charged in grosse wherupon the Renenberghers fled and were pursued till they came to Groning with the losse of certaine ensignes and seuen hundred of their men besides many which were taken prisoners and small losse to the victors they tooke great store of their armes which they that fled were forced to cast away and yet Sir Iohn Norris had no horsemen with him but onely his owne cornet whereby many of the Renenberghers saued their liues most by means of the ditches there was also foure peeces of ordnance taken from them and all their prouision The 23 of Iuly died George of Lalain baron of Ville earl of Renenbergh brother to the earle of Hoochstraten for griefe and sorrow of this defeat although his sicknesse was not without some suspition of poyson during his sicknes he did often grieue and lament that he had quit the Estates party whereby he had drawne himselfe into such a laberynth crying out often O Groning Groning whereunto hast thou brought me cursing the day that he had euer seene it The last 8 daies before his death he exclaimed also vpon his sister Cornille of Lalain forbidding hir to come in his sight seeing that she had seduced him and was the cause of his perdition This earle of Renenbergh was sonne to the lord of Escornets gouernor of Guelderland for the emperor who had to wife the daughter of the earle of Renenbergh afterwards by the succession of his cousin became earle of Hoochstraten as also the said George of Lalain succeeded after the death of Cont Herman his vncle by the mothers side chanon of Cologne to the said earldome of Renenbergh His elder brother earle of Hoochstraten was called Anthony of Lalain a wise and valiant nobleman who in the yere 1567 retired himselfe with the prince of Orange out of the Netherlāds was also banished by the duke of Alua as we haue formerly shewed He died of a shot in the foot in the first voiage which the prince made with his army into these countries leauing some children among others his eldest was also
designed hee could not bring his conceptions and enterprises to the end that hee pretended Yet hee reuiued a new warre the which continues vnto this day in stead of rest and an assured peace whereof hee did so much vaunt at his comming Which reasons haue giuen vs great occasion to forsake the king of Spaine and to secke some other mightie and mercifull prince to helpe to defend these countries and to take them into his protection And the rather for that these countries haue endured such oppressions receiued such wrongs and haue beene forsaken and abandoned by their prince for the space of twentie yeares and more during the which the inhabitants haue beene intreated not as subiects but as enemies their naturall prince and lord seeking to ruine them by armes Moreouer after the death of Dom Iohn hauing sent the baron of Selles who vnder colour of propounding some meanes of an accord declared sufficiently That the king would not auow the pacification made at Gant which Dom Iohn notwithstanding had sworne to maintaine setting daily downe more hard conditions Yet for that wee would discharge our selues of our duties wee haue not omitted to make humble suit by writing imploying moreouer the fauour of the greatest princes of Christendome seeking by all meanes without intermission to reconcile our selues vnto the king hauing also of late kept our deputies long at Cologne hoping there by the intercession of his imperiall Maiestie and some princes electors to haue obtained an assured peace with some moderat tolleration of religion the which doth chiefly concerne God and mens consciences as the estate of the affaires of the country did then require But in the end we found it by experience that nothing was to be obtained from the king by the conference at Cologne and that it was practised and did onely serue to disunite and diuide the prouinces that they might with the more facilitie vanquish and subdue first one and then another and execute vpon them their first designes The which hath since plainely appeared by a certaine proscription which the king hath caused to bee published whereby we and all the inhabitants of the vnited prouinces and officers that hold their partie are proclaimed rebels and to haue forfeited liues and goods Promising moreouer a great summe of money to him that should slay the said prince and all to make the poore inhabitants odious to hinder their nauigation and traffique and to bring them into extreame dispaire so as dispairing of all meanes of reconciliation and destitute of all other succours and ayd wee haue according to the law of nature for the tuition and defence of vs and other inhabitants the rights priuiledges antient customes and libertie of the countrey and the liues and honours of vs our wiues children and posteritie to the end they fall not into the slauerie of the Spaniards leauing vpon iust cause the king of Spaine beene forced to seeke out and find 〈◊〉 other meanes such as for the greater safetie and preseruation of our rights priuiledges and liberties wee haue thought most fit and conuenient Wee therefore giue all men to vnderstand That hauing duely considered all these things and being prest by extreame necessitie Wee haue by a generall resolution and consent declared and do declare by these presents the king of Spaine ipsoiure to bee fallen from the seigniorie principalitie iurisdiction and inheritance of these said countries And that we are resolued neuer to acknowledge him any more in any matter concerning the prince iurisdictions or demeanes of these Netherlands nor to vse hereafter neither yet to suffer any other to vse his name as Soueraigne Lord thereof According to the which we declare all officers priuat noblemen vassals and other inhabitants of these countries of what condition or qualitie soeuer to bee from henceforth discharged of the othe which they haue made in any manner whatsoeuer vnto the king of Spaine as lord of these countries or of that wherby they may be bound vnto him And for the aboue named reasons the most part of the said vnited prouinces by a common accord and consent of their members haue submitted themselues vnder the command and gouernment of the high and mightie Prince the Duke of Aniou and Alanson c. vpon certaine conditions contracted and accorded with his Highnesse And that the archduke of Austria Mathias hath resigned into our hands the gouernment generall of these countries the which hath beene accepted by vs. Wee enioyne and commaund all judges officers and all others to whom it shall appertaine That hereafter they leaue and forbeare to vse any more the name titles great seale or signet of the king of Spaine And in stead thereof whilest that the duke of Aniou for his vrgent affaires concerning the good and welfare of the countrey shall bee yet absent for as much as shall concerne the prouinces which haue contracted with his Highnesse and touching the rest by way of prouision they shall vse the title and name of the chiefe and counsell of the countrey And vntill that the said heads and counsellors shall be named called and really established in the exercise of their charges and offices they shall vse our name except Holland and Zeeland where they shall vse as they haue formerly done the name of the prince of Orange and of the Estates of the said Prouinces vntill that the said counsell shal be in force and then they shall gouerne themselues as it is agreed touching the instructions giuen for the said counsell the accords made with his Highnesse And in stead of the kings seals they shall hereafter vse our great seale counter seale and signet in matters concerning the gouernment generall for the which the counsell of the countrey according to their instructions shall haue authoritie And in matters concerning the policie administration of iustice and other priuat acts of euerie prouince the prouinciall consuls and others shall respectiuely vse the name and seale of the said prouince where the matter shall be in question and no other vpon paine of nullitie of the said letters or dispatches which shall be otherwise made or sealed And to the end these things may be the better obserued and effected we haue enioyned and commaunded and doe enioyne and commaund by these presents that all the king of Spaines seals which are at this present within these vnited prouinces shall be deliuered into the Estates hands or to him that shall haue commission and authoritie from them vpon paine of arbitrarie punishment Moreouer We ordaine and command that from henceforth the name and armes of the king of Spaine shall not be put nor stampt in any coynes of these vnited prouinces but there shall bee such a figure set vpon them as shall bee appointed for the coyning of new peeces of gold and siluer In like sort we enioyne and commaund the president and lords of the priuie counsell and all other chauncellors presidents prouinciall consuls and all presidents and chiefe masters of
the virgine of Antuerpe and at euery corner of a street where he should passe scaffolds were made whereon they did figure diuers histories and morals fit for the reception of a new prince to serue him as an example and president the which for the most part were interpreted vnto him with many arches colosses pyramides and other shewes of triumph All which solemnities and ceremonies continued vntill night the canon still thundering from the rampars In the end he was conducted with this royall traine vnto his palace in the abbey of S. Michael where supper attended him being also prepared for al the noblemen that did accompanie him Thursday following being the two and twentieth day of the moneth the duke went vnto the towne-house before the which there was a great scaffold erected and richly appointed where according to the accustomed solemnities and ceremonies he tooke a particular oath to the towne of Antuerpe in the bourgomasters hands with an oration to the people pronounced by the pentioner Then the Amptman did read with a loud voice in the vulgar tongue to the bourgomasters sherifes officers counsell of the towne and to all the people the oath which they made vnto the duke so as lifting vp their hands they did sweare fealtie and obedience vnto him which done they cast gold and siluer abroad as before after which the duke with all the noblemen French English and Netherlanders went and dined in the State house The duke being thus inuested in the duchie of Brabant and the Marquisite of the holy empire the Romish Catholickes of the towne of Antuerpe did importune him to haue free and publicke exercise of their Religion relying vpon the dukes profession of the same Religion to whom in the end there was graunted by the aduice of the prince of Orange and the counsell of Estate that they might assist at Masse Euensong and other ceremonies in the temple of S. Michaels abbey when as the duke should be present vpon condition that they should take the oath which was propounded vnto them On the other side the prince of Orange presented vnto him the deputies of the consistories of the Protestant Religion who came to congratulate his happie comming to this new Estate and duchie of Brabant offering him all seruice fidelitie and obedience as to their prince and soueraigne lord beseeching him that he would in like sort receiue them vnder his defence safegard and protection as his most humble subiects and obedient vassals and representing vnto him the example of his grand father Francis the first they besought him to haue learning and learned men in recommendation and then they ended their speech with a prayer vnto God That hee would giue him the courage of Dauid the wisedome of Salomon and the zeale of Ezechias Whereupon the duke answered That hee was glad and very well pleased to see their concord and vnitie that he did hope so to gouerne them as they should neuer be frustrate of that good expectation which they had of him wherein he would imitate the steps of his predecessours and so thanking them for the loue and affection they seemed to beare him he receiued them and all the people in generall vnder his defence and protection intreating them that they would perseuer in their profession and good endeuors promising to maintaine them therein to gratifie all learned men professors schollers and others After the conquest of the towne of Tournay the prince of Parma suffered his armie to rest some time in the townes and places which hee had recouered from the Estates where they made themselues to be serued and obserued after the Spanish manner And in the mean time hee held a counsell with the Estates of Arthois and Henault not onely concerning the gouernment generall which the duchesse his mother being returned to Namur pretended as we haue said but chiefely to cause his Spanish Italian high Dutch and Bourguignon forces to returne who according to the treatie of their reconciliation were gone out of the countrey whereon he did the more insist pretending that the said article was put into the treatie onely to induce and moue the other prouinces of Brabant Flanders c. to enter into the reconciliation who if they had reconciled themselues as they did the said troupes had then beene quite excluded as vnprofitable in these parts But now said he seeing it hath not succeeded and that the vnreconciled prouinces had now showne themselues greater enemies to the king and them than euer hauing called the French to their aid it was more than necessarie for their good and the kings seruice to haue those strange souldiors called backe Whereunto in the end the Estates of Arthois and Henault yeelded for the which an Act was made which Damp Iohn Sarasin abbot of S. Vaast in Arras carried into Spaine hauing his brother N. Sarasin a taylor by profession with him whom the king for the loue of the sayd abbot made a knight and afterwards by meanes of the church goods and the helpe of my lord abbot hee attained to great wealth and among other things hee purchased the Seigniorie of Alennes by meanes whereof and of his knighthood this taylor by the recommendation of his brother obtained letters of Estate to be admitted with the chiefe noblemen in the assembly of the Estates of the countie of Arthois and so might the said abbot whom the king had made counsellor of Estate in the Netherlands discouer the secrets of the particular Estates of Arthois for which cause hee was afterwards excluded by the auncient nobilitie of the countrey not without an affront which hee disgested quietly This abbot when as all men would seeme to make shew to be well affected vnto their countrey against Dom Iohn of Austria did write a bitter inuectiue against the tyrannous and cruell gouernment of the Spaniards He was learned and well spoken a right Courtier and exceeding ambitious in the end he became archbishop of Cambray in which hee dyed in the yeare 1598. According vnto the dispatch of this abbot touching the accord which was made with them of Arthois and Henault the king did presently leuie two regiments of Spaniards two of Italians and some of the high Dutchmen both horse and foot sending seuen hundred thousand duckets for the warres of the Netherlands A little before and also at the same season the king honoured some noblemen his vassales of those countries with goodly titles but more honourable than profitable Robert of Melun lord of Richebourg and by his wife Vicont of Gant although that in the time of Dom Iohn he had beene a great enemie vnto him and gouernour of Arthois was created marquesse of Roubay the which being heretofore but a baronie which his mother the princesse of Espinoy had giuen him Oudard of Bournonuille Seignior of Capres gouernour of the towne and citie of Atras had his baronie of Hennin Lietard translated to an earledome Iohn of S. Omer Seignior of Morbeque gouernour of Aire
renowne At the same time the prince of Parma wrote many letters to the other townes of the prouinces of the Netherlands to perswade them to a submission and reconciliation with the king of Spaine their soueraigne lord and king after this manner ensuing Wee haue heretofore and of late written vnto you and earnestly intreated you in the behalfe of the king your natural prince to consider of the miserable estate whereunto you are now reduced to embrace the meanes to returne vnto the true obedience which you owe vnto your prince before you fall into greater calamities and miseries than those which hang ouer your heads beeing enuironed on all sides with the oppressions and ruines of warre which you draw vp-vpon your selues into the which many townes haue fallen and doe now but too late lament their misfortune seeing that wee are forced to proceede by the way of armes Notwithstanding wee haue alwaies conceiued a good hope of you expecting a good answer from you and that you will shew your selues as it befitteth good and faithfull subiects if our letters may bee deliuered vnto you for wee haue beene duely informed that God be thanked your hearts are not so much alienated from his Maiestie as many others bee which persist obstinately in their errours But for that hitherto wee haue receiued no answer wee finde that our letters haue beene supprest by some who for their priuate respects and profit labour by all the meanes they possibly can to nourish and maintaine aperpetuall warre among you to keepe you in subiection and to inrich themselues with the sweat of you and your children Wherefore beeing mooued with compassion we would not for our parts spare neither labour nor cost to discharge our selues as it belōgs to a faithfull seruant to his Maiestie and as we haue now written vnto you That once opening your eies you should not reiect the good meanes that are offered vnto you to free your selues of these miseries matters beeing not so desperate but they are yet in your owne hands considering on the one side the kings great forces which no towne can resist and on the other side his naturall bountie which he shewes you to drawe you to your obedience And if you will giue eare and yeeld to our persuasions we promise you in his Maiesties name such good and courteous vsage as you cannot expect better of so milde a prince whose desires and thoughts tend to no other end but to deliuer his good countrie of the Netherlands from such bloodie warres and of his owne bountie to restore them to their freedomes and auncient liberties wherein they haue heretofore liued happily the which we would rather seeke to augment than any way goe about to diminish if the publike good required it to the which we carrie a singular affection and would by all meanes seeke the aduancement thereof Whereof wee haue hitherto giuen sufficient proofes and testimonies referring our selues to all the world to iudge thereon hauing alwaies sought doneour best endeauours to conforme our selues to his Maiesties will and intention who cannot but with a heauie and sorrowfull countenance behold these countries which haue alwaies and aboue all others beene so deere and so much recommended vnto him so much to forget themselues as hee hath beene forced to take armes against them notwithstanding that his Maiestie in the beginning of the troubles had sought by all meanes to redresse it and to pacific them Wherefore we doe exhort you againe by these our letters that you will consider of that which is fittest for you and that you will giue eare vnto it and not carelesly to let it passe without regard and then you shall finde vs very readie to assist you in all that shall tend to your good knowing well that by the instigations and persuasions of some wicked persons you haue beene drawne into this warre which doth now so much importune you although it hath not beene so much through the violent attempts of the peruerse who beeing but fewe in number gouerne you as we heare as through the timerousnesse and want of courage in the good But bee it as it may the way is open vnto you whereby you may returne to your first quiet and tranquilitie vnder the peacefull gouernment and protection of his Maiestie your naturall prince and soueraigne and of vs as his Lieutenant Wherefore embrace this opportunitie before that warre oppresse you and that you feele in effect that which we haue long delaied before we would seeke to reduce you by force If you will hearken thereunto you shall find vs the readier and the more inclined to yeeld you that on his Maiesties behalfe which you can desire with reason for your publike good Hereupon wee will with patience attend your answer and full resolution and as our good friends recommend you to the protection and preseruation of the goodnes of the Almightie The F◅ench king beeing forced this yeare in March by the warres which were very like in a short time to growe within the bowels of his owne kingdome through the practises of the league to refuse the soueraigntie of the Netherlands which was offered vnto him by the embassadours of the vnited prouinces and to denie them succours as they demanded he aduised them to recommend their cause vnto the Queene of England and to the king of Nauarre The Queene beeing duely informed of the estate of their affaires lest they should be forced to make some desperate agreement with their enemies had sent them many comfortable wordes as well by the Lord of Grise as by master Dauison her Maiesties Embassadour Whereof the generall Estates beeing aduertised during the siege of Antuerpe they resolued to giue the soueraigntie of the Netherlands absolutely vnto the Queene of England vpon lawfull and reasonable conditions or else to treat with her to take the protection and defence thereof vpon her or otherwise to craue her aide and assistance by some forces to succour and releeue them And to that end vpon the sixt of Iune their deputies arriued in England which were these for Brabant although by reason of the besieging of Antuerpe not fully authorized was sent Iacques de Grise chiefe bailife of Bruges for Guelderland Rutgert van Harsolt bourgmaster of Harderwicke for Flaunders although likewise not fully authorized Noel of Caron Seignior of Schoonewall bourgmaster of Franc for Holland and Friseland Iohn vanden Does lord of Noortwicke Ioos of Menin counsellor of the towne of Dort Iohn van Oldenbarnevelt counsellour of the towne of Rotterdam doctor Francis Maelson counsellour of the towne of Enckhuysen for Zeeland Iacob Valck a ciuile lawyer and one of the counsell of estate for Vtrecht Paul Buys doctor for Friseland Ielgher van Feytzma counsellor of estate Hessell Aysma president and Laest Iongama all which had full power and authoritie by procuration from their seuerall places and prouinces to treat either for the deliuering ouer of the absolute soueraigntie to the Queene of England
and if occasion serued to bee a meanes that the sayd house of Nassau might continue in the auncient authoritie and honour that his auncestours the princes of Orange had alwayes held and maintained according to the contract of peace made in the castle of Cambresis Anno 1559 betweene Fraunce and Spaine And whereas the principall inheritance that belonged vnto him and his brother prince Fredericke Hendericke lay in the earledome of Burgundie and that there might bee some hope in time to recouer the same into their hands hee besought her Maiestie to ayde and assist them with her fauour and authoritie vnto the French king and the Switzers bordering thereupon and especially to the lords of Berne that some meanes might be wrought for the recouerie of the same as occasion should serue And further as it was manifestly knowne what great losse of lands and possessions the said house of Nassau had sustained and endured by the king of Spanies and his adherents meanes he besought her Maiestie to interpose her authoritie good occasion beeing offered that they might bee recompensed being now almost depriued of all their inheritance with some possessions and lands of the like nature vnto those which they had lost And if it should so fall out as the sayd prince Maurice and the princesse in heart desired that her Maiestie would be pleased to take the chiefe soueraignetie and gouernement of those countries vpon her he besought her to haue a regard vnto the articles as shee should find them conuenient presented vnto her by the Estates touching the house of Nassau inserted together with the articles offered vnto her Maiestie concerning the soueraignetie Also if it pleased her Maiestie to employ any men of honour and qualitie of the countrey of Germanie in her seruice he besought her to preferre Graue Iohn van Nassau as one well affected to doe her Maiestie any seruice whatsoeuer and one that alwayes had beene true and faithfull vnto those countries and whose zeale vnto religion wisedome and experience was knowne vnto all men Lastly he besought her Maiestie to be pleased to cause some act to be drawne and made in such order as shee should thinke good concerning the aforesaid humble petition made by the said princesse earles and children of the house of Nassau to no other end than only to serue for a sufficient testimoniall for those of the said house to shew and beare witnesse of their endeuours and good meanings for the welfare and vpholding of the sayd house of Nassau Written in the Hage the foureteenth of October 1585. Signed Loise de Coligni Maurice de Nassau And before the comming ouer of the earle of Leicester the generall Estates gaue vnto prince Maurice of Nassau a commission for the gouernment captaine generals and admirals place of Holland Zeeland and Friseland with due respect to be had vnto the gouernour generall which her Maiestie should send ouer They likewise ordayned and thought it expedient to set downe the title of the said prince Maurice which should be vsed in all commissions and executions of thinges that should passe out of the Courts of Holland Zeeland and Friseland in the same manner as followeth Maurice prince of Orange earle of Nassau Catzenellebourg Vianden Dietz c. marquesse of Campuere and Flessingue baron of S. Vijt Doesbourg of the towne of Graue and of the land of Guycke c. gouernour captaine generall and admirall of Holland Zeeland and Friseland and since that time there was added thereunto the earledome of Moeurs and others The nineteenth of December Robert lord Dudley baron of Denbigh and earle of Leicester sonne to Iohn lord Dudley duke of Northumberland appointed by the Queene of England to bee her gouernour generall ouer the English forces in the Netherlands and in all things to represent her person beeing followed with a goodly traine arriued in the prouince of Zeeland where he was honourably and courteously receiued of whom and what was done by him wee will speake hereafter and shew while these thinges passed and were agreed vpon in England what was done in the warres in the Low countries After the losse of Antuerpe the Seignior of Saint Aldegonde who had beene bourgomaster of the said towne and a chiefe actor in the treatie with the prince of Parma for the yeelding of the towne was fallen into disgrace with the Estates of the vnited prouinces of the Netherlands vpon the false suggestions as hee pretended of his enemies whereupon hee wrote a letter vnto the Seignior of Metkerke on the foure and twentieth day of October concerning the peace the which I haue thought good to insert here A Letter of aduice written by the Seignior of Saint Aldegonde to the Seignior of Metkerke president of Flaunders touching the peace MY good cousin I doubt not but you are informed of the particularities of the yeelding vp of the towne of Antuerpe and how that since mine enemies hauing sought by false and slaunderous suggestions to blame me and to wrong mine honour haue gotten so great credit with the Estates which gouerne there as they haue written plainely vnto me that they would not suffer me to remaine in the vnited prouinces I haue made many complaints to the Estates of Zeeland but it hath auailed me nothing so as I am resolued to leaue the countrie and to seeke my fortune applying my selfe to that wherunto God shall call me attending only the comming of my yong sonne to make him partaker of his fathers fortunes assuring you that aduersities shall neuer change me nor take from me the assurance that I haue in my God and Father by his sonne Iesus Christ. I am sorrie to see my selfe reduced to that extremitie to go wandring vp and down like a vagabond depriued of wife children and all domesticke commodities yea in my declining age which hath most need of rest But I must truely confesse that the miserable estate of our poore country doth afflict me much more than mine owne priuate fortune and the more for that I cannot assist it neither with counsell nor with action And on the other side I see in my example as in a cleere glasse that such as gouerne the helme in this horrible tempest suffer themselues to be carried away by the winds of reports and passions not giuing place to reason the which in the end must needs be the cause of all miseries for this manner of proceeding doth incense many against them hauing alreadie too many enemies and puts them in danger with their owne fall to drawe the whole countrie into ruine We haue seene the examples of times past when as trusting to some smiles of fortune we made no account to offend all the world and vpon light and vaine iealousies we did often laie the foundations of great quarrels For the present it seemes that our miserie is come to some Crisis the good or bad conduct whereof will be of great importance and may qualifie the last euent I would they would take
the Bishope of Beyern and Cologne thinking to purchase vnto himselfe great honor and fame by the taking thereof in regard that Nuys was a good Towne lying not farre distant from the Rhine and much spoken of for that the valiant Prince Charles Duke of Bourgongne had spent a great treasure and lyen a whole yeare in siege before it and yet could not take it Hee brought thether a great and mightie armie of Spaniards Italians Germaines Netherlanders Bourguignons and Wallons lead by the Marquis of Warrenbon Charles and Octauio Earles of Mansfield the Earle of Aremberg Iohn Maâ—…riquez de Lara Bonninc Liques Camillo Capuzucca Gaston Spinola and many other Commanders of Regiments The Marquis of Guast was generall â—…f the horse they had their victuals and munition from Cologne The Prince himseâ—…e lay in the strong Cloister of Ghenaden-dael where hee was visited by the Bishop of Beyern and Cologne the young Duke of Cleues the Margraue of Baden and other Princes and Lords Within the Towne of Nuys Captaine Herman Cloet was Gouernor a wise young Gentleman who with a thousand soldiers prepared to defend themselues valiantly Betwixt the towne and the Rhine there is a small Iland in the which they of the Towne had built a Fort the which the soldiers abandoned vpon the first approach of the Spaniards A Spanish Captaine perceiuing it went and seized thereon with his company but they of the towne sallied forth defeated all his company and tooke him prisoner and then they quitted the Fort againe Then the Prince planted foure Canons in the said I land sixe before Neerport foure before Rhinpoort to batter the Rampar behinde the cloister of Mariembergh which was the weakest part of the towne The besieged for their parts slept not but wrought day and night to fortifie it both Bourguers and soldiers the Gouernor Cloet did so presse them therevnto as they had scarce any leisure to feed The Prince hauing all his batteries ready and all things prepared to giue an assault as soone as the breach was made he did first summon the Gouernor on the 24. of Iuly that if he would yeeld vp the towne hee would make him a good composition if not that hee must attend the extreamities of a siege and the fruites of his assaults An answer was sent him in writing that they did thanke him for his kinde offer and that knowing him to be a vertuous and a valiant prince they would willingly treate with him but being a matter of great importance wherin they should be well aduised they demanded six houres respight to consult The prince had sent a drumme into the Towne to demand hostages of either side and that the besieged should send their Deputies with Commission and full power to treate But one of the Captaines called Faelix Poucher answered that they found not the prince of Parmas Articles tollerable saying that hee had not kept the accord made with them of Venlo the which the prince denied During these sendings vp and downe the Canons of the campe played vpon the towne and that of the towne vpon the campe against the law of armes so as the prince who was come neere to parle with them was forced to hide himselfe in a drie ditche for the which hee blamed Cont Charles of Mansfieldt maister of the Ordinance at his returne to the campe who excused himselfe saying that it was without his priuitie Afterwards the Prince sent Collonell Taxis vnto the besieged to know whether they were resolued to defend themselues or to hearken to a good composition who demanding to haue the articles in writing they were sent them by a Trumpet which were in substance that they should depart with their coulours flying and with all their armes goods baggage and booty and that hee would cause them to bee safely conuayed to any place where they pleased giuing them halfe an houres time to resolue therevpon Taxis with other Commanders were before the Port attending This Trumpet remained in the towne from noone vntill night following about ten of the clock at night one came to tell them that the Trumpet was gone to sleepe and that they might goe to bed if they pleased and that the next day they should haue an answer In the end this Trumpet returned the next day about sixe of the clock in the morning with this answer That they of Nuys wondered that the Prince of Parma made warre against their towne belonging to the Prince Elector Truchses and depending of the holy Empire demanding a truce for sixe weekes the which hauing obteined they would enter into some reasonable course of an accord The Prince hearing this answer and thinking that they mockt him he caused the towne to be battered the same day with thirty Canons being Saint Iames day the Patron of the Spaniards neuer ceasing from morning vntill night so as there was neuer a more furious batterie heard hauing made that day aboue three thousand shotte So as Rhynport and Neerport were battered to the ground with a great part of the wall euen vnto the riuer then changing the batterie to the other side of Rhinport towards the cloyster of Maryenbergh they beate downe an other curtaine of the wall so as there was a breach aboue three score foote long by the which they might looke into the middest of the Towne Betwixt the great Church and the Port there was a Tower whereof part was beaten downe a Spanish Captaine aduentured to creepe vp into it and looking round about him seeing no man for that the besieged in that place lay close by reason of the continuall batterie approach he made a signe with his hand to his men to approch the which they did and wonne that side of the Rampar The Gouernor Cloet hearing that the Spaniards were so farre aduanced marched thether with some of his men to chase them from thence the which hee could not doe but that they remained still in the Tower At this charge the Gouernor Cloet was shotte in the calfe of the legge and was carryed to his lodging Soone after one of the Spaniards went out of the Tower to the Prince of Parma telling him that the Towne laye open of that side and that there was no flankes to hinder his entrie This did encourage the Spanish souldiers beeing greedy of the spoyle thinking the time tedious vntill they went vnto the assault and the rather for that it was their Patrons day who they hoped would giue them victorie But the Prince of Parma for that it was very late and night approched deferred it vntill the next day causing the battery to continue all that night following that the besieged should haue no leisure to rampar vp that which had been beaten downe in the day The next day in the morning the Princes campe beeing all in armes and ready to goe to the assault the Captaines of the Towne came vnto the Gouernor to demand his aduise and counsell
English Gentleman with about one thousand English and some seauen or eight hundred other good soldiers lay in garrison to defend it against the Prince The States ships of warre that were in garde before the said towne being falne downe the Rhine the Iland which lies opposite against the towne was seized on by the Spaniards who presently planted ten Canons there but the garrison that was within the towne defended themselues so well by the good conduct of Collonel Schencke as the Prince preuailed nothing onely he caused certaine fortes to bee built there-abouts The Earle of Leicester meant to take some course to deliuer it but as hee had in the beginning of September planted his campe aboue and beneath Elten passing on hee went to besiege the towne of Dousbourg lying vpon the riuer of Yssel The Princes men continuing their desseigne vpon Berck after they had finished their fortes subiected all the fortresses there-abouts euen vnto Wezel Before the which towne is that of Bruycke belonging to the Duke of Cleues which they seized on and put some of their men in garrison there betwixt which two townes of Wezell and Bruyck they made a bridge vpon the Rhine to stoppe the passage of shippes that came vpward and that the estates should send no victuals to Berke The garrisons of Ostend Sluice and Terneuse after the taking of Axel did great hurt in Flanders cutting of the conuoyes that brought corne to Bruges Ipre and other places for that as then there was a generall dearth of corne throughout all the countrey in such sort as the poore people within Bruges dyed for hunger at which time notwithstanding their great want of corne and dearth in the whole Prouince the hatred that many of them bare vnto such men as gouerned the towne of Bruges in former times when the reformed religion was permitted and yet continued there trusting vnto the liberty and freedome of conscience which was promised vnto them by the contract made betweene the Prince of Chimay and the Prince of Parma began as then to breake forth and shew it selfe Whereof Peter van Hauterine called Brouqsaulx was one against whome because hee was sonne to the Bourgomaister Brouqsaulx that fled from thence into Zeeland for the religion whereof the foresaid Peter his sonne secretly made profession they sought all occasion to trouble and molest him or else to put him to death and to that end at last deuised vpon vntrue and false sugiestions to charge him to haue beene consenting to a certaine enterprise that should haue beene made as they sayd against the towne of Bruges vnder pretence that hee should haue beene present in company when a Burger of that towne called Ioos van Peenen began to complaine of the alteration of the time whereby hee had sustained great losse in his marchandise and sayd most plainely that it would bee much better if the aforesaid towne weere vnited againe vnto the Prouines of Holland and Zeeland c. and although the said Brouqsaulex excused him of all matters so as they could make no proofeof that where-of they accused him yet they sought by most vniust meanes and vnspeakeable torments as by setting him in a chare purposely made and placed before a fire for the space of nine daies and eight nights keeping him continually waking to force some confession out of his owne mouth whereby they might seeme to haue some lawfull collour to condemne him to death and although these torments could not make him to confesse any thing of that which was demaunded of him and layd to his charge as it appeared by the letters he wrot of his persecution and troubles and by good meanes caused them to be conuaide into Zeeland yet vpon the thirteene of Iune 1586 they caused his head to be stricken of with the said Ioos Peenens without any lawfull proceeding and against all due course of iustice and besides this confiscated all his goods directly against the priueleges of the towne of Brugges which import thus much that a magistrate can not lose both his lise goods together wherwith being not yet content the desired the Prince of Parma to haue the point of permission and freedome of conscience graunted by the foresaid contract made to the Prince of Chimay for awhile restrayned established amongst them againe the better to attayne vnto their purpose intent of mischeuous reueng and for that cause they banished many others out of the towne in all which indirect courses the new crept-in Iesuites hauing most voyce and authority hould this principle or maxime that all contracts promises priueleges and vowes must giue place and yeeld vnto the Catholicque Romish Church and religion In the moneth of August the earle of Leicester hauing gathered certaine troupes of soldiars together sent his vantgard conducted by Sir Iohn Norris and Sir Thomas Cicile to lie at Saint Seuenter by the Rein and vpon the sixt of September went him selfe from Arneham to Elten in the duchy of Cleue accompanied with Don Emanuel Prince of Portingale some to Don Antonio King of Portingale the elector Tucses bishoppe of Colen Prince Maurice Earle of Nassawe Philip Earle of Hohenlo William Earle of Nassaw and Philip Earle of Nassaw his brother both sonnes to Iohn Earle of Nassaw the Earles of Solmes and Ouersteine The Earle of Essex generall ouer the English horse The Lord Willoughby the Lord North Sir William Pelham Marshall of the English forces Sir Phillip Sidney and many others of good estate and qualitie where he mustered his army and found it to bee seauen thousand foote and a thousand foure hundred horse but knowing it too small a number to raise the Prince of Parmaes campe from before Berck who was reported to bee twelue thousand foote and three thousand fiue hundredhorse he determined to set vpon Doesborch thereby to moue the Prince of Parma to leaue Berck This towne of Doesborch belongeth to the Earledom of Zutphen which had the name of Duysborch or Drusus Borch as some men say long since giuen it by Drusius brother to the Emperor Tiberius that brought the Rehin from aboue Arnham into Isell to the towne of Doe bourch being yet called Fossa Drufiana the towne hath high wales after the auncient manner and broad deepe diches at that time there was in it three hunderd Walons vnder the command of Captaine Sampson and the townes-men that bare armes were about three hundred more The Earle of Leicester sent the Earle of Hohenlo the Earle of Essex Sir Phillip Sidney and others with fiue hundred horse eight hundred foote men by night to inuest the towne and vpon the ninth of September followed with his whole army marching from a village called Elten and causing his trenches presently to bee made so as within three daies after he had planted tenne peeces of ordinance against the towne wherewith he made two indifferent great breaches but by reason that they within rampared then vp againe and made them strong and also
that the list of conuoyes by the generall estates might bee augmented as much as possible might be Lastly touching the nominating of the counsellers of estate they should haue a regard that nothing should therein bee added nor altered to the deminishing of the authoritie that belonged to his Excellencie touching the choosing of one in euery Prouince to sit in the counsell of estate dated in the Hage the 24. of Nouember 1586. This act of restraint did afterwards cause great iealousie and dislike to grow it being once knowne and thereby procured great hurt and preiudice to the Netherlands and to the Earle of Leicester himselfe much disquietnesse as here-after you shall heere Before the Earle of Leicester went out of the Netherlands hee caused his image oâ—… picture at life to be made of pure golde waighing three or foure ounces a peece to giue vnto his friends to weare it in remembrance of him vpon the one side was his picture excellently well made with an Inscription Robertus Comes Leicestrie in Belgia Gubernator 1587. On the other side there was a flocke of sheepe feeding whereof some were scattered abroad and before them a faire English Dogge looking about for the sheepe and many sheepe following him and round about it was grauen Non gregem sed ingratos and vnder the Dog was written Inuitus defero In September Anthonie Perrenot Cardinall of Granuelle first of all Bishop of Arras and afterwards Archbishop of Macklyn dyed in Spaine hauing many riche Abbaies and benefices he was borne the twentie of August 1517. sonne to Nicholas Perrenot Lord of Granuell one of the chiefe Councellors to the Emperor Charles the fift This Cardinall by the quicknesse of his witte being very ambitious would gouerne the Netherlands alone and ouer-rule the Dutchesse of Parma that was Gouernesse and the Princes and Lords of the Kings councell of State at his pleasure whereby there grew iealousies and factions among the great men which were couered afterwards with the cloake of religion so as to redresse it or it may bee to bee better serued with his councell the King called him out of the sayd countries into Spaine where hee did farre worse offices then if hee had remained in the Netherlands for hee did so debase the countrey and disgrace the Princes and Noblemen vnto the King as by his vnmeasured ambition with the hatred hee bare them and his desire to bee reuenged of them hee was to speake plainely the onely Anuill whereon all the miseries of these countries were forged the which doe yet continue vnto this day of whose life and actions wee haue discoursed at large in the eight Booke of this Historie The Earle of Maeurs was gone into Germanie to make a leuie of Reisters which they attended with great deuotion in the Estates campe before Zutphen with the which hee came downe as farre as Bremen in the East countrey whether the Estates had sent a great summe of money for their pay These Reistres beeing come to the Rendez-vous and place of muster the Rytmaisters began to mutine for their pay for the seruice which they had not yet done The Duke of Parma whose father was newly dead hearing thereof sent certaine troupes into the countrey of Linghen to incounter them and if it might bee to doe them an affront At which place some of these Germanie horse went to the Spanish party and the rest disbanded and retired into their countrey so as the Earle was left alone with the Cornet of the Rytmaster Plettenberg and not daring returne into Holland by land being too weake to make his way by force through the enemie being assured that hee should bee charged hee imbarked with the rest of his men Some Princes of Germanie in whose countries these mutines had beene leuied were wonderfully incensed against them for this base act and punished some Gentlemen as well by prison as otherwise by way of infamie and degradation of name honor and armes hearing that they had not wanted any pay seeing there was money sufficient the which was sent back into Holland The Duke of Parma hauing auoyded this storme and disperst these troopes of Germaine horse without fighting which the Estates had expected with such great deuotion hee caused his forces to returne neere vnto Zutphen and commanded to take vp all the corne in the countrey there-abouts and to carry it into the Towne the which was easie to bee done the Earle of Leicester hauing retired all his armie vnto the other side of the riuer vpon the veluwe about the great Fort which hee had taken before right against the Towne into the which hee had put three and twenty companies Wallons and naturall Dutches of the countrey the which were soone after cast and reduced to sixe Ensignes what the cause was I could neuer yet learne All this summer the drought was very great throughout all the Prouinces vnder the King of Spaines obedience which caused an extraordinary dearth of coâ—… for the corne being twise or thrise sowne as soone as euer the blade began to appeare aboue ground it was presently eaten in one night by a kinde of little graye snailes which in the day time hid themselues in the ground by reason of the great heate of the sunne and fed onely in the night the which I haue seene by experience returning in the night time to my house at Tyl in Flanders whereas all the wayes were so full as they caused a loâ—…thing-in them that went vpon them by reason of their slimie viscositie which made men beleeue that it was a punishment sent from God It hath not beene read of in former histories nor seene since that generally in whole countries a measure of wheate waighing two hundred pounds should bee worth forty fiue Florins in the market And as this drought continued aboue a whole yeare betwixt the yeare 1586. and 87. so as in that of 87. they had three pounds of beefe for one of bread many poore people dyed for hunger and want as well in Arthois which is a great corne countrey as in Flanders where the plague was very violent and withall they were much tormented with Wolues which deuoured men women and children by hundreds so as Flanders was afflicted this yeare with famine plague and with sauage and cruell beasts At that time the Estates to keepe the Esterlings from bringing of any graine into the sayd countries hauing aduertisment that there were certaine ships laden with corne at Hambrough to be transported to Dunkerke they sent some ships of warre vnder the command of Captaine Ludt Iacobsen otherwise called the Great Luth of the towne of Medenblyke in West Friseland towards the riuer of Elbe to stop the passage The said Captaine was sent for to Hambrough before the Magistrate where beeing demanded what made him presume to enter into their riuer to stoppe their nauigation and traficke He answered freely that hee had beene sent by his Masters
hauing neither beene tilled nor inhabited for these many yeares Who will denie but the sayd countrie beeing as it is may profit vs as much as our enemie and more for the number of townes and places which wee hold there abouts But is there not a greater preiudice in the losse of the whole Estate which is prepared by the discontentment which they giue vnto her Maiesty by this sodaine change from the deuotion they were wont to beare her and the hope they had in her bounty and assistance when as shee shall vnderstand that they impute the treason and wickednesse of two to the whole Nation and that they wrongfully taxe the good for the bad and for that her Maiesty was serued by Stanley and his Excelency by Yorke they will impute the subiects fault to their Prince and the seruants to their Maister By what lawe reason or custome will they proue that this blame is well grounded and with what art will they keepe her Maiesties loue to them in taxing in such a sort both her and all the Nation As for Stanley it is well knowne that in former times hee had done good seruice in Ireland and euen since that hee came into this countrie he hath giuen good proofes of his valour and loyaltie And although that Yorke had heretofore committed a grosse error yet hee hath since carried himselfe corragiously at the enterprise of Axel and in these last exploites before Doesbourg and Zutphen hauing so often hazarded his life in the viewe of all the world as hee had giuen the Generall good cause to trust him Neither is it the first time that a Commander hath trusted after a fault confessed nor any new thing to see treasons treacheries and reuoltes in these countries but it is a new thing strange and beyonde all reason to impure vnto Commanders and Princes the faults of their souldiars and seruants and for the wickednesse of some to blame and taxe a whole Nation as they haue done heere They must then by the like absurditie of consequence condemne the French Nation for that a Prouensall did lately sell the castle of Vowe and the Scottish Nation for that one captaine Simpel deliuered the towne of Liere And to come to this Nation of the Netherlands how many places townes and whole Prouinces haue beene lost by the treacherie treason and reuolt of Noblemen Gentlemen Captaines and others who haue made marchandise of them as of the Earle of Rennenberg who deliuered Groningue the signior of Stakenbroek Breda the Lord of Berwoets who thought to haue betraied Berghen vp Zoom the Lord of Bours who deliuered the castle of Antwerp and afterwards Macklyn Iohn d'Imbise who would haue betraied Gant and Denremonde the Baylife of Courtray called Pottelberg who deliuered Courtray by treason Roeck Corpets Cauwegem and their consorts who deliuered the towne of Brusselles Collonel Tâ—…er who betraied Diest Captaine Vlyet who deliuered Westerloo Captaine Coenen who deliuered Hoochstraten the Earle of Lalain Vicont of Gant the Lords of Montigny Gognies la Motte and many others who were the cause of the defeate of Gemblours The Lord of Auchy brother to the Earle of Bossu who deliuered Alost the Seigniors of Hemmert Cobocke and Duban who deliuered the towne of Graue the Burgers of Venloo the Abbots of Saint Gertrude Manolles and others who betrayed the Estates Some of the Councell of the Estates of Brabant who deliuered Herentals The Prince of Chymay who was the cause of the reuolt almost of all Flanders and Stryeland Baylife of Waes who deliuered Ruppelmonde and all the Land of Waes whereby the enemy came to besiege Antwerp c. Wherefore it is against all right and the rule of Christian charity to thinke or saie that the whole nation is to bee blamed in the which there are some traitors is it likely that shee who so willingly did yeeld to that which other Princes could not or refused to doe who hath imploied so great summes of money for the succor of this countrie who hath beene contented to hazard the liues of so many Noblemen Gentlemen and others of all qualities of her realme and especially of the Earle of Leicester whose presence is so necessary in England Shee who was content to incur the hatred of so mightie a Prince as the King of Spaine and to imbarke herselfe in so deadly a warre with him for that at the instance of these men shee had vndertaken their defence who not to breake her promise made nor to make any accord with the King of Spaine but with the priuity and approbation of them of the Netherlands would neuer giue eare to the instances made vnto her by diuers Princes of Christendome to that end To conclude shee who had imbraced this poore people with such affection and long expected the comming of the deputies of this countrie to treat with them of the meanes to succor defend and deliuer this poore people from the oppression which did daylie threaten them Is there any apparance then that shee euer had any other deseigne or intent then the good and preseruation of this Estate Yet here they make complaintes and taxe her Maiestie as if shee had brought more harme then good vnto the countrie Yet they send to treat with her as if shee had first sought the protection of this countrie or to take the soueraignty the which it is well knowne shee hath often refused and as if her Maiestie and the Realme of England had the greatest interest in the preseruation of this Estate or that England could not defend it selfe without this countrie As for her Maiestie I hope shee will make the contrarie of this manifest and that shee will not forget the wrong and indignitie which is done to her and to the whole nation nor the ingratitude which they haue shewed in sundrie sorts as also to his Excelencie who hath so willingly exposed his life to a thousand daungers who had forsaken all his greatnesse pleasures and commodities in England to vndergoe so many cares toyles and discommodities which doe accompany a generall in so waighty and difficult a charge who hath lost his deerest Nephew and his next heire and who hath giuen such good proofes of his sincere loue vnto the people And as for the money which they haue graunted for the charges of the warre they of his Councell and some of the countrie hauing had the managing thereof I doubt not Sir but it shal be the more easie for him to giue a good account and of all the rest of his actions during the time of his aboade heere Whom they taxe to make him odious to all the people countrouling crossing and ouerthrowing his decrees letters and commandements as if all had not past by the aduice of the Councell of Estate Finally they shew great ingratitude to him and to the whole nation who haue so well deserued of this countrie seeing there is no benifit so great as to expose ones life for an other especially when hee comes
committed many Insolencies and after-wards cast and the resignation of the Earle of Leicesters gouernment being published all factions and partialities began to cease and the generall Estates to recouer their first authority The Captaines of these mutinies in Campuere and Arnemuyden beeing cashierd and discharged from their garrisons by the Estates thought them-selues to be very hardly dealt withall after their long seruice for the which hauing long solicited the Estates who little regarded them In the end in the yeare 1590. they sent a petition vnto the Queene of England shewing the many yeares they had spent in the Estates seruice and how faithfull they had continued till that vpon the seauenth of September 1587. when as the Earle of Leicester went from thence into England they were commanded without an expresse commission from her maiestie or himselfe not to depart out of their garrisons with their soldiers according to their oth of fidelity taken in that case to her Maiestie the Earle of Leicester and the generall Estates with a promise that if the Estates should refuse to pay them that shewing their due obedience to him hee would in the Queenes behalfe giue them their intertainment Where-vppon for the better defending of their towne by the aduice of Sir William Russell they had increased their compâ—…ies twenty fiue and thirty men a peece for the which they receiued money of Sir William Russell to bestow vppon their soldiars all for her Maiesties seruice who by her letters of the twenty foure of February 1588. charged them to credit and to follow the aduice of the said Sir William Russell who had also both by word of mouth and by letters which they shewed desired them to continue constant in their resolution as they had done and were yet ready to liue and dye in her Maiesties seruice After which it pleased her Maiestie by the Lord Willoughby and Sir Henry Killegrey to discharge them of their oth with command to bee obedient vnto the Estates of the vnited Prouinces So as they entred into treaty with Prince Maurice and the Estates which contract was not held with the Captaines her said supplyants but to the contrary they were discharged from their garrisons and their companies entertainments and after-reckonings taken from them and all for the faithfull seruice they had done vnto her Maiestie and so were fallen into disgrace with Prince Maurice and the Estates forgetting all their former seruices whereby they had as then lost all their credits honors and reputations in regard whereof they desired her Maiesties fauor and aid and to bee accepted into her seruice This petition was signed by Captaine Ioos vanden Ende Cor nellis Palant and Peter de Costere the like was made by the other Captaines as Ambrosio le Duck Adrian Ost others all desiring to serue vnder the English Collonels but they obtained small recompence from the Queene who thought it not to stand with her honor to intertaine such Captaines against the liking of the Estates for that her owne English soldiers were by vertue of the contract bound by oth vnto the Estates yet she gaue her Agent commission to intreat the Estates for them and to deale in their behalfes But they will haue their authorities knowne and better obserued by punishing of such offenders for example to others The Estates of the vnited Prouinces beginning now againe to florish in their authorities thereby to resume their superior command as in former times the Earle of Leiceister hauing resigned his place of Gouernor And for that there was scarce any in England fit for such a gouernment in whome did concurre the knowledge to gouerne in ciuill causes to make war against so mighty an enemie wherefore many in England were of aduice to suffer the Netherlands to gouerne and to follow the wars them-selues and the Queene onely to ayd them with money or else to pay her owne soldiers whereby they might maintaine their owne Prouinces in vnitie But others especially such as had intertainment in the Netherlands vnder the Earle of Leicester sought to perswade the Queene that the vnited Prouinces by meanes of the confused gouernment among them decayed dayly more and more and went to ruine so as all her money would be lost and she her selfe left in great hatred with the King of Spaine vnlesse she would take the soueraignty or absolute protection vpon her by her Lieutenant with ful authority but it was hard to finde a Gouernor among them with al quallities fit for such a charge especially for that soone after in Septem the Earle of Leicester dyed of whome there was great hope that he should haue bene sent againe for Gouernor with limited authority some others likewise at the same time were named as the Lord Willoughby hauing then had some experience of those countries the Lord Gray of Wilton and Sir Iohn Norrice but they were not held capable for so great an office of State Yet the Earle of Leicesters fauorites perswaded them-selues that all things would bee well gouerned by some English Gouernor and the Councell of Estate hauing two English Councellors in it certaine Englishmen also in the tresory all vnder the Queenes authority according to the contract made in the yeare 1588. And so they were of opinion that the countries might be well gouerned and incorporated vnder her in some sort acknowledging the generall Estates and the Prouinciall Gouernors especially for the leuying of the contributions But the generall Estates duly weighing all things although at that instant they were ingaged in great difficulties held that kinde of gouernment to be very vncertaine knowing the English to be vnacquainted with the affaires of that State The Queene being a woman and then of good yeares that her maiestie was not ambitious but onely sought to gouerne well and wisely and to secure her selfe and her owne Estate And if that they should rely onely vpon the assistance of her Maiestie her followers who had nothing to loose within their countries they feared that vppon some sodaine disaster they might be scorned abandoned as they were continually threatned when as any thing fell out otherwise then was expected or else they should be perswaded to hearken to a peace contrary to their mindes or haue dayly causes of distrusts giuen the Englishmen seeking all the preferment the Estates being loath to be serui seruorum where-vpon they resolued to continue in their authorities and to maintaine the same as well as they might But newes came dayly of the comming of the Spanish fleete which made both parties to incline to a good vnion in these dangerous times they were incited there-vnto by certaine counters that were made On the one side whereof there was grauen two Oxen plowing parted with the armes of England of the Netherlands with this inscription Trahite aequo iugo That is draw euenly On the other side were two earthen pots driuen vppon the waues of the Sea with this
inscription Frangimur si collidimur If we strike one against another we breake Thus the disorders and diuisions began some-what to decrease the Lord Willoughby being a good well minded Noble-man had at that time appeased the controuersie in Naerden and labored to do the like in Vtrecht which the Estates seemed desirous to requite preparing their shippes of warre for the common seruice of her Maiestie and the country against the comming of the Spanish fleete and more-ouer the which was more then the Queene her selfe desired they agreed to take vp a thousand saylers in the Netherlands for her Maiesties seruice We haue before made mention how that the Queene of England had very earnnestly prest the vnited Prouinces not onely by the Earle of Leicester but also by her Ambassadors to ioyne with her in the treatie of a peace and what reasons had moued her notwithstanding their resolute deniall to proceed therein and to attempt it whilest that the comming of this great armie of Spaine was bruted ouer all Europe To which end shee sent her Commissioners on the foure and twenty of February 1588. to Ostend which was then kept by an English garrison vnder the gouernment of sir Iohn Conway The Commissioners names were Henry Earle of Darby the Baron of Cobham Lord warden of the cinq Ports both Knights of the garter Sir Iames a Croft Knight Comptroller of the Queenes house and all three of her Maiesties priuie councell Doctor Dale and Maister Iohn Rogers both Maisters of Requests For the Duke of Parma and in the Kings name were sent Maximilian Earle of Aremberg Knight of the treasury and gouernor of Antwerpe Monsieur Richardot President of Arthois councellor for the State and of the priuie councell Iohn Mace Doctor of the lawe Councellor and Aduocate fiscall in the councell of Brabant and Blaminius Greiner Secretary of the councell of Estate these came to Bruges in March after where by messengers sent from one to another there was a long disputation about the precedence and where they should meete and whether hostages should bee giuen of eyther side for their securities after which they mette in certaine Tents set vp vnder Ostend where the Spaniards gaue the English the precedence After three moneths question the English yeelded to goe to Bourbrough in Flanders without any hostages where vpon the sixt of Iuly they began to enter into treaty Among many propositions and disputations on both sides touching the Spanish Commission and other things the Queene of Englands demands were To haue a present truce or surceasing of armes being thought necessary for both sides thereby to stay and diuert the comming of the Spanish fleete which the Spanish Comissioners seemed to incline vnto seeking to perswade them that it was not intended for England More-ouer they demanded the renuing of old contracts and intercourses the sending away of forraine gouernors and soldiers out of the Netherlands for the Queenes owne safety and the restitution of such summes of money as the Queene had lent vnto the Estates of those Prouinces the which the King had promised in his perpetuall Edict made at Brussells For the Netherlanders they demanded that they might enioy their ancient liberties and priuiledges bee gouerned by their naturall borne country-men and not by Strangers that there might be a tolleration of religion for two yeares at the least and in the meane time the religion to be ordred and established by the Estates and that the articles of the pacification of Gant and of other treaties might be obserued And as concerning the townes that were in her Maiesties hands they said that the foresaid articles being concluded her Maiestie would yeeld vnto any reasonable conditions that all the world might know she had not taken those townes into her possession for her owne vse and commodity nor for increase of her dominions but onely for her necessary defence and assurance c. The King of Spaines Commissioners made answer to these propositions that they were content to revew the contracts but it would aske a long time and therefore they desired to proceed to the concluding of a peace Touching the sending away of strange soldiers the King could not resolue thereon vntill that the Hollanders and their associates did submit them and so long as the Frenchmen were in armes Concerning the money lent they said the King was not informed thereof and that hee must first see the accoumpt Touching the priuiledges of the Netherlands the Queene had not to doe there-with and that there was no reason to prescribe the King a lawe how he should gouerne his subiects Concerning religion and the exercise thereof the King would not heare of it but was content to grant a tolleration such as he had allowed vnto the townes that had submitted them-selues vnder his obedience As for the pacification of Gant they would not heare it named for that the Prince of Orange and the Estates by whom it was made were the first that brake it as they sayd Wherevnto the English commissioners replied that the contracts might be renued by prouiso and afterwards reformed or made better by Commissioners appointed by both parties for the sending away of forraine souldiers it was the onely cause that had mooued her Maiestie to enter into the treatie fore-seeing the dangers incident there-vnto if strangers should continue still in the Netherlands the which remayning in that estate the Queene for her owne safety and assurance could not leaue armes nor the Netherland Prouinces be assured of any peace as long as the forraine soldiars were within the country Touching the money which the Queene had lent and that she then demanded from the Estates the King him-selfe was bownd for it by his Edict made at Brusselles as well for that which was lent vnto them before the said edict as for that which was sence or that should be lent yet the Queene sought not that mony from the King but onely that the Estates might haue liberty from him to collect mony for the paiment thereof concerning the priuiledges of the contry her Maiesty said she had a speciall interest therein first in regard of Neighborhood Secondly for that she was especially nominated in seuerall pacifications and thirdly for that it was not possible for her subiects and Merchants to enioy their preuiledges in the Netherlands vnlesse the Prouinces them-selues were allowed the same so as her Maiesty should haue iust cause to complaine if those preueledges were denied them which had beene agreed vnto by the pacification of Gant the perpetuall Edict made at the reconciliation of Arthois and Henault and generally consented vnto at the treaty of peace made in Collogne by the Duke of Terranoua at the intercession of the Emperor and the Duke of Cleaues and if the Netherland Prouinces might not be gouerned by such as were borne in the country there was no hope to bring them to any good and firme peace And for the point
owers had some aduantage to continue fight but the Englishmen shot chaine shot which did cut both their sailes tackling and owers in peeces but they grew to be verie scant of poulder so as they were forced to send to shoare for more On the fourth of August the Spanish army being before the I le of wight the English Admirall did valiantly assaile the Spanish Admirall beeing accompanied by some of his best shippes as the Lion wherein was the Lord Thomas Howard now Earle of Suffolke the Elizabeth Ionas commanded by Sir Robert Southwell the Beare by the Lord Sheffeld the victorie by Sir Iohn Haukins and the Gallion Leicester wherein was Captaine George Fenner the Spanish Admirall was then accompanied with the best of his shippes and in the midest of them where there was a dreadfull noise of Cannon-shot within three or foure hundred foote distance at the last the Spaniards sailed on before the winde On the sixt of August being Saterday the Spaniards cast anchor before Callais being resolued as it seemed to stay there and so to ioyne with the Duke of Parmaes forces and the next day the English fleet also cast anchor and lay close by them within shot one of an other and thether came the Lord Henry Seymor with his fleet of shippes the which had lien at the lands end in the mouth of the riuer of Thames The Duke of Medina aduertised the Duke of Parma of his beeing there and many Noblemen and Gentlemen went to land to refresh themselues and among the rest the Prince of Ascoly who was held to bee the King of Spaines Bastard sonne a gallant yong Gentleman who by good fortune was forced to stay on shoare for that hee could not get aboard whose shippe withall the men was afterwards drowned in Ireland The Duke of Parma hauing heard of the comming of the Spanish army vpon the coast of England made all the hast hee could to imploy his person in this exploite and to that end had giuen the gouernment of the country vnto the old Earle of Mansfield going himselfe in pilgrimage to our Ladie of Hall in Henault and from thence to Brugges where he arriued on the seauenth of August ryding the next day to Dunkerke where his shippes attended him where he heard the shooting of both the armies and at the euening as he entred into Dixmuyden he was aduertised of the successe thereof Vpon Twesday being the ninth of August he returned againe to Dunkerke euen as the army past by not one of his ships daring venter to put forth by reason of the fiue and thirty shippes of Holland and Zeeland commanded by Iustin of Nassau their Admirall which lay there to keepe the passage that none should come out of the hauen neither any of the smaler shippes of the Spanish armie aide and assist them for they had no cause to feare the great shippes by reason of the shallonesse of the water But the Duke of Parmaes men were neither shipt nor yet ready onely the runnagate souldiars of Sir William Stanleys regiment beeing seauen hundred strong were alreadie shipt thinking at the first entrance into England to be the leaders the rest of the soldiars seemed vnwilling to set forward finding their small number of sailers to bee verie backward and their prouision of bread beere and victualls not all ready and wholy vnshipt the sailers did feare the ships of Holland Zeeland which they found did both braue and threten them which made them hourely to run away fearing they should haue bin forced by the soldiars to put forth and to aduenture that which could not be done then they wanted the Spanish Galleies which were lost vpon the way with the which they might haue driuen the ships of Holland and Zeeland from the coast The Spanish fleet lying thus at anchor before Callais staying to heare from the Duke of Parma for the effecting of that which they had in commission from the King it was resolued amongst them as it was afterwards descouered that vpon the twelfth of August beeing a darke night to put that in execution which they had intended on either side wherevpon the Admirall of England and his councell resolued by the expresse commandement of the Queene her selfe as it was sayd either to force the Spanish fleet from their anchors or to burne them wherevpon they sodenly appointed some of their wast ships out of the which hauing taken all that was good and filled them with great store of wild-fire and other stuffe that would easily burne charging the Ordinance full of Poulder Iron and Stones vpon Sunday 7. of August two houres after mid-night the men hauing left them and they beginning to burne they sent them before the winde and tide right among the Spanish fleete which fire being in the night time strooke such a terror confusion and alarme among them fearing that these ships might bee laden with poulder and stones such as the Ingenier Frederik Innebell had vsed three yeares before against the duke of Parmaes bridge vpon the riuer of Scheld as they cried out the fire of Antwerp the fire of Antwerp so as euery man did presently cut his cables and setting saile put to sea confusedly In which fearefull cry the great Galliasse fell foule vpon the cable of an other ship and could make no way and by that means her rudder slipping out was lost so as for want of a helme to gouerne it it was driuen by the force of the sea vpon Callais sands the which was followed by their Pinaces in the end boarded by the English long boates Don Hugo de Moncado Generall of the foure Galliasses making some resistance but after some fight he was shot in the head and slaine with many other Spaniards some leapt into the sea to saue themselues whereof diuers were drowned Don Antonio Manriquez the countroller Generall with a few others escaped and were the first that carried the certaine newes of their successe into Spaine The great Galleasse hauing in it three hundred slaues and foure hundred souldiars being thus taken they were three howers vnlading the munition and other things that were found in her and there they also found fifty thousand ducats of the King of Spaines treasor the slaues being all loose and at liberty the English would haue burnt the ship but Mounsieur Gourdan gouernor of Callis would not suffer them finding it to be hurtfull both for the towne and hauen wherefore he shotte from the towne and draue the English from thence The same morning as the Spanish fleet after their great feare and disorder had againe put it selfe into Battayle the English army began to charge them valiantly before Graueling but they chose rather to passe a long with a forewind before Dunkerke then to open them-selues or to alter their ranks standing wholy vpon their defence The English had not aboue 22 or 23. ships fit to board the Spaniards who were ninety great ships at the least
should receiue should be accounted at 48. daies to the month causing the Collonels Captaines common soldiers to sweare that they should rest satisfied with such pay but the entertainment of superior officers was appointed to be paied at 32. daies to the month And to the end that good order might be obserued concerning the payment of the soldiars which serue in the sayd Prouinces the Estates appointed the sayd soldiers to be kept in garrisons in the sayd Prouinces according to the order made concerning the contributions wherewith euery Prouince was charged according to their abilities whereof ensued many notable effects especially that the contributions of the respectiue Prouinces were not diuided but truely imployed for the furnishing of their seuerall taxations made for the payment of the soldiers which were in ech seuerall Prouince Secondly that the soldiers might know in what Prouince they were to demande their pay and if any default were made they might presently know how to seeke remedy for the same from the Councell of Estate And finding that the charges of warre grew so great as the ordinarie contributions were not sufficient to defray the same the sayd Prouinces were content to bee rated extraordinarilie ouer and aboue the old contribution which euery of the sayd Prouinces vsed to pay whereof the Councell of Estate had the disposition and imployed it for the extraordinary charge And it was agreed that at the end of the yeare the sayd Prouinces should assemble and account together to see if euerie of them had payd there new and old contributions orderly as they ought and what remained vnpaied The meanes wherby the sayd Prouinces raise their particular monthly contributions are not alike in euery Prouince for they of Holland and Zeeland beeing the richest and mightiest Prouinces do raise their contribution by excises and imposte rated vpon wines beere cattell gold siluer silke wollen-cloathes horned beasts sope salt vinager aqua-uitae and many other things the which are euery sixe monthes by certaine commissioners appointed by the Estates of the sayd Prouinces let out to farme and besides this by the poundage rated vpon all lands according to the yeerely value thereof and if the reuenues and taxations within the particular Prouinces will not extend to the summe ordained to bee paied by them in ordinary and extraordinary contributions then that which is found short is either made vp by the townes in Holland or els it is layed vpon the rest of the generall diuision that is equally and by a generall consent whereof the townes are satisfied againe either by selling or letting out of certaine rents belonging to the whole country of Holland or in money out of the poundage which is collected generally out of the whole Prouince aforesayd Some Prouinces haue other meanes to raise their contributions as the scituation and condition of the Prouinces may afford of the best meanes they can deuise for the preseruation of the sayd Prouinces townes and villages which prescribed contribution is not to be diminished but must bee paied out of such meanes as they shall finde least preiudiciall to their subiects With these and such like meanes the vnited Prouinces of Holland Zeeland Vtrecht and Friseland haue not onely valiantly defended themselues against the powre of so mightie a King but also as it shall appeere with the aide of Gelderland and Oueryssel haue oftentimes made offensiue warres against the sayd King and haue taken whole Prouinces with many strong townes and fortes from him wherein the sayd Prouinces haue neuer imploied any greater powre in the field besides the garrisons of Bourgers in their townes and fronter places then 12. or 13000. foote and 3000. horse well furnished and prouided of all kinde of munition for the warre as the necessity of the place besieged required hauing alwaies maintained their soldiers both in field and in garrisons in good discipline punishing open offences reforming abuses and satisfying the interessed The warre by sea is maintained by the Estates in as good order as that by land appointing in their sea Prouinces an office of the Admiralty which consists of diuers persons of good iudgement in pollitick affaires or els in traficke by sea and are diuided into fiue seuerall places where they haue their ordinary residence as at Amsterdam Rotterdam and Horne or Enchuysen for Holland at Midlebourg for Zeeland and at Harlinghen or Doccum for Friseland of the which Prince Maurice as Admirall Generall of the sea is the head In whose name all commissions and orders for the warre appointed by the sayd Officers of the Admiralty are sent forth the Officers vnder him are sworne and receiue their commission from the generall Estates The Admiralll hath three or foure Vice-admiralls which keepe in Holland and Zeeland in places that are most conuenient vpon the sea-coast as in Holland Iohn van Deuenvoord Lord of Warmont and vnder him Peter vander Doos and Iohn Gerbrantson In Zeeland Iustin Nassau and vnder him Ioos de Moor. The Officers of the Admiraltie direct all the warres by sea by aduise from the generall Estates and to that end they receiue such money as is payed for conuoies and Licenses rated vpon goods going out and comming in according to the order set downe by the generall Estates which taxes are raised higher euery yeare by the sayd Estates if necessity require it and be thought conuenient for the good of the Netherlands The money rysing of the sayd conuoies c. is collected by sworne Officers appointed by the sayd courts of Admiralty and is imployed to the paiement of the souldiars which serue by sea and are at the charge of the generality as also for the building and repayring of shippes of warre and for the rigging and furnishing them with all things necessarie the which is a very great charge in respect of the great number of shippes of war which they are forced to entertaine continually The warre by sea is ordered by the Admiraltie in this sort first they appoint diuers shippes of warre to watch the hauen townes which are vnder the enemies commande as before Dunkerke Nieuport Ostend c. Secondly there are certaine ships of warre sent out to keepe the seas Thirdly they vse yearely to send out some shippes of warre to defend the fisher-men which take herings and cod vpon the coasts of England Scotland and there-abouts fourthly as the Marchants shippes saile out of the said Prouinces to traficke with France England Scotland Denmarke and other places they are safely convoyed by certaine shippes of warre to defend them from their enemies and from pirats at sea Lastly they haue a great number of small shippes appointed for the warres which they vse within the land to keepe their riuers and fresh waters from Inuasion of the enemies as also for the beseeging of townes and forts which lie vpon the said riuers The said admiralty hath authority to punish offences and reforme disorders committed at sea to determine of
prisoners ransomes taken to value the prises of all goods brought in by sea Captaines And to the end the saylers should doe their duties and fight willingly euery one is allowed his part of the prises which they haue taken according to his place and they are often times rewarded by the admiralty for their good seruices besides their monethly wages This yeare the States garrisons made diuers incursions into the enemies country they of Heusden and Geertruydenberg in Brabant went forth with eight hundred men horse and foote the horsemen taking vp the foote-men behind them and went to Tilborch by Boisleduke whereas some of the Duke of Parmas troupes lay whome they charged and defeated whereof diuers being slaine the rest fled into the church but they durst not stay to force them fearing that vpon the alarume the garrisons there about would issue forth and charge them and so they returned backe with good prize The like did they of Berghen vp Zoom being lesse then a hundred soldiers whereof fiue or six were horse-men of captaine Baxe his companie and led by a Sargent they went to doe an exployt vpon Botchloon whereof they fayled yet they past valiantly through a company of soldiars and came to Thienen where there lay fiue or sixe companies of Spaniards into the which they got by reason that the towne is great and draue out the Spaniards putting three companies of them to the sword and then spoyled the towne the enemie attended them at their comming forth being about foure hundred strong but they making head valiantly not onely forced through them but came safe to their garrison withall their booty which is a thing almost incredible The Zeelanders being about seauenty strong past ouer the water into Flanders and there cut of a conuoie going to Cortrick where besides the foote there were aboue two hundred horsemen and thirty Marchants which did ride the Zeelanders first charged the horse-men with their shot and tooke some of them and then defeated the rest carrying away as much booty as they could and so returned into Zeeland Sir Martin Schenck in like sort was not Idle but made road as farre as Momedi and in December he had secret intelligence with some of Nymeghen meaning to vndermine the wall whereas the ditch was not very deepe and so to blow it vp but by reason of some store of raine which fell about that time and stood in the diches he could not effect his desseigne There were many subtill enterprises attempted about this time of either side both in Brabant Gelderland and Freezland some-times with profit some-times with losse for that there were many good soldiars of either side who sought daily to winne honor and credit Sir Martin Schenck to recouer some of his losses in the beginning of Nouember made a sconse at Herwerden vpon the Rine without the consent of the Estates which was some impayring of their publicke authority but by the perswasion of Prince Maurice and the Lord Willoughby hee had a great charge giuen vnto him that hee should throw it downe againe The English garrison in the Brill began to mutine for their pay being some-what long ere it came that garrison lying in such sort as the soldiars had good meanes to helpe them-selues by incursions vpon the enemie but for that their pay according to the contract was to be brought out of England the Estates of Holland disbursed the mony for the Queene and so stayed the mutiny The enemies garrisons being also in great want and misery began to mutine for want of pay for that the Kings Indian treasor was not able to counteruaile the great cost and charges of his warres part of those wants were supplied by the King of Spaines name and authority and yet not so well but diuers of their souldiers put themselues vnder the Estates where they might haue surer pay and better meanes to helpe themselues by incursions In the beginning of this yeare the garrison of Geertruyden bergh beganne to mutine againe it is a towne belonging to Prince Maurice lying right against Dort vpon the Mecwe or Vlack which is a water made by the Rhine and the Mase this garrison suspecting that some-thing might bee attempted against them they presently disarmed the Bourgers and staied all the shippes and boates that past by taking contributions burning villages and committing all insolencies as enemies to the Estates Vpon the sixe and twentie of Nouember past the souldiars beeing perswaded to vnion they made answere by writing the which they sayd was signed by Sir Iohn Wingfield Gouernor of the towne the Englishmen and other captaines that they would all die before they would deliuer the Bourgers their armes againe and beeing sent for to serue in any place they made them this answere that they were all resolued to serue vnder the enemie rather then vnder Prince Maurice or the Estates who considering of this their resolution and finding that they entertained all fugitiue souldiers and sought to incite other garrisons to the like rebellion hauing receiued intelligence that from the second day of February this yeare they had beene in treatie with the Duke of Parma Prince Maurice with the aduise of the Estates resolued seeing that the Lord Willoughby Sir Iohn Norris nor Maister Bodley could not preuaile with them and that the Lord Willoughby was as then to goe for England to besiege the towne both by water and by land considering the daunger thereof and of the townes lying about it and so comming before it the fiue and twenty day of March hee sent a kinde letter to them of the towne by a drum giuing them to vnderstand that the Gouernor Sir Iohn Wingfield and other captaines had threatned to deliuer the towne into the enemies hands and what a dishonor and danger they should thereby purchase vnto themselues offring them all contentment wherevnto they made answere that they would rather seeke aide from the enemie then yeeld to Prince Maurice or the States threatning to hang vp his messenger The towne of Dort did likewise write vnto them but they tare their letters And when as the Lord Willoughby wrot his letters on the eighteenth of March to Sir Iohn Wingfiled his brother in law desiring him to finde meanes to come away rather then his presence should giue any cause of offence Sir Iohn Wingfield refused it saying that he had sworne to liue and die with the souldiers as long as they would hold that towne for her Maiestie and the good of the Netherlands who protested to deliuer it rather to the enemie then to Prince Maurice or the Estates with other words to the like effect In the meane time Prince Maurice did what he could to win the towne and beganne to batter it furiously they within defended themselues yet there was a reasonable breach made and being readie to giue an assault they within cunningly offred a composition by a minister and a deputie whom they had sent forth to treate
for that which concernes the Duke of Ferrara you may assist him so as the Inuestiture agreed with the person whereof I haue formerly written vnto you this shal be the best c. IF the generall Estates had beene scrupulous before and distrustfull to treat with the King of Spaine these letters did make them much more suspitious wherefore Hartuis and Coemans returned as they came with this answere from the Estates The Archduke was loth to imploy any greater personages knowing they should not preuaile any thing but the reason why he sent the said deputies vnder collour to propound a treaty of peace was to no other end but to iustefie himselfe of the fact which Michell Renichon had vndertaken wherewith hee had so charged him the newes thereof beeing at that time come to Ratisbonne to an Imperiall Dyet where there had beene some speech for the choosing of the Archduke King of Romaines The Archduke Ernest for the first fruits of his gouernmēt sent Charles Earle of Mansfeldt with an army to make war against the French king on the frontiers in the country of Tyrace where hee besieged Capelle the which beeing somoned would not yeeld hoping the King would succor them as hee intended hauing sent the duke of Bouillon with 12000. foote and 2000. horse to that end But beeing vpon the way the besieged fearing their succors would come to late seeing their rampars beaten down with Mansfeldts continually battery they yeelded the towne and the duke returned with his army Coevorden being as we haue said straightly blockt vp by Verdugo and Cont Herman vanden Berghe Prince Maurice hauing some great designe would first free this place wherfore he went to field with the best part of the Estates forces to set vpon the ◅orts which the Spaniards had there abouts or to giue them battaile if it were offred But Verdugo and the Earle hearing of his approch made a retreate and abandoned all these forts which they had built and kept seauen or eight monethes to their great charge and no profit leauing Coevoerden at libertie the which was presently refresht with men and victualls Passing on from thence which his troupes and causing his army to aduance he resolued to besiege Groning the which he was about the last yeare But before we enter into the siege we wil speake a little of the Estate of the towne Groning is a strong ancient towne which some thinke to be that which Pliny cals Phyleum faire well fortefied and the best peopled of that part of Friseland on this side the riuer of Ems and Dollard seated in a country which is very pleasant and fertil the which makes also one of the seauenteen Prouinces of the Netherlands This common-weale was heretofore annexed to the Diocese of Vtrecht for a hundred yeares so as they did acknowledge the bishop for their Lord and Prince both spirituall and temporall vntill Frederic sonne to a Marquis of Baden then bishop of Vtrecht in whose time the factions of Schyeringers and Vet-coopers raigned in Friseland whereof we haue in the beginning of the history made ample mention in the time of the Emperor Maximilian the first of that name who by reason of the miseries which these two factions were cause of throughout all Friseland tooke occasion to giue this signeury of Groning with all Friseland in fee to Albert duke of Saxony to inioy them as Gouernor hereditarie vnder the Emperor of whom they were held But as the Frisons refuzed to receiue him in the end hee perswaded the Nobilitie to acknowledge him for their hereditary Lord with whose ayde hee made sharpe warres against the Vet-coopers with whom the Groningers ioyned them selues But captaine Foox the dukes Lieutenant did so tire them as they were glad to reconcile themselues vnto the Duke vpon condition amongst others that they should leaue the possession which they had had in Oostergoe Weestergoe and the seauen Forests and should pay two and thirtie thousand florins in gold The other townes in Friseland amongst the which Lewaerden is the chiefe submitted themselues vnder the Dukes protection But soone after the Lewardiens hauing slaine their Lieutenant did rebell by the instigation of them of Groning The duke of Saxony returning with an army reduced them vnto reason They of Groning fearing to bee forced by the mediation of Frederic bishippe of Vtrecht obtained a truce for sixe monethes The Duke beeing returned into his countrie of Misnia hauing left Duke Henry his sonne for Gouernor in Friseland the Frisons sought the third time to free themselues from his subiection and besieged Duke Henry in the towne of Franiker The father hearing these newes and the danger wherein his sonne was posted thether with an army raised the seege and freed him And then he sought to punish the rebells of Groning as the motiues of this reuolt The bishop of Vtrecht sued againe for them obtained them a new truce during the which Albert died and by his death Groning was freed from his siege But not able to liue easily and at peace they went to beseege Dam which Edsard Earle of East-Friseland held in Duke Alberts name to draw them from thence Huge Earle of Leysnich besieged Groning very straightly then had they recourse againe to the Bishippe of Vtrecht who procured them a peace for foure yeares The which being expired Cont Edsard whom Duke Henry beeing then in Misnia had left for his Lieutenant and captaine Vito of Draecksdorp did blocke them vp with two great forts and beseeged them round about The Bourgers hauing endured this hard siege all the winter wanting all things necessary and seeing the townes of Oueryssell faile them in the succors which they had promised they resolued to treate with the Saxons But they soone altered their opinions for that captaine Draecksdorpe had caused the noses and eares of two Bourgers to bee cut off and so sent them backe into the towne for that they would not put themselues to ransome The Groningers mooued with this crueltie left the Saxons and accorded with Cont Edsard yeelding him the towne vpon condition that hee should neuer suffer it to returne vnder the gouernment of the Dukes of Saxony The Earle accepting of these conditions entred in May after in the yeare of Lord 1506. and receiued the oth of fidelity of the Bourgers which done he built a cittadell there without any contradiction and placed a good garrison therein George duke Saxony did challenge it but it was in vaine by reason whereof Cont Edsard was cited to the Imperiall chamber and there commanded to deliuer vp the towne to the Duke of Saxony which hee did not wherevpon he was banished the Empire In the end Duke George came with nine thousand men horse and foote beeing assisted by the Duke of Brunswicke where hee not onelie besieged Groning but spoiled all East-Friseland Cont Edsards inheritance taking many castles and forts so as the Earle was forced to leaue Groning to goe and
other things would rest assured of his loue and good affection And how acceptable and welcome this his Ambassador was vnto him These were the King of Spaines demands vnto the Emperor the which will appeere more plainly to what end they tended by the sayd Admirall of Arragons actions being entred into the limits of the Empire with the King of Spaines army as we will shew in the end of this yeare of our Lord 1598 The Estates of the vnited Prouinces had a very expert Maister of their fier-workes called Iohn Bouvier a Liegeois who by his inventions had made sharpe warre against the Spaniard in all the townes which Prince Maurice had beseeged comming to the gouernment vnto that day In May being busie with his seruants to fashion certaine grenadoes or bales of wild fire with other fire workes for prouision in the towne of Dordrecht in the places appointed to that end it happened by misfortune that the fire with the which they do vse to melt the rosine and other consuming and deuouring stuffe fell amongest it and so came to the grenados and balles of wild-fire full of smale cannons charged with bullets heads of nailes which firing one after another made a noise as if a thunder bolt-burst forth and slue the maister and 3. of his seruants carried away the top of the store house with a great terror the which doubled twise hauing some respite betwixt the fire lying smothered in that ruinous matter so as no man durst approch fearing some greater mischiefe the which was much to be doubted for that in the sellars vnderneath there were many barrels of poulder the which were not toucht the nature of fire being rather to mount vpward then downward Yet the losse was very great and the Maister was much lamented of the Prince and States Behold how this diuilish arte required his Maister as the diuill is accustomed to pay his seruants At the same time there was another treason discouered the which was vndertaken at the perswasion of the Iesuites against the person of Prince Maurice by a Flemming called Peter Panne a poore banquerout borne in the towne of Ypre Who vpon certaine speeches deliuered by him and some suspition gathered thereby was apprehended in the towne of Leyden in Holland You may read the whole discourse in his sentence and the progresse of his wretched and treacherous desseigne as followeth Whereas Peter Panne borne at Ypre a Cooper by his trade hauing beene a Broker or banquerout Marchant and at this present a prisoner in the behalfe of the Scout or Bayliffe of Leyden hath confest being out of Yrons and free from torture that some yeares past hee being accustomed to make prouision of Butter for the Colledge of Iesuites at Douay It happened that one Melchior Vande-walle seruant to the sayd Iesuits cousin germaine to the prisoner about fiueteene dayes before Shrouetide came vnto the prisoners house at Ypre requiring him to send Butter for their Colledge And as the prisoner was then absent from his house about his affaires the sayd Vande-walle staied two or three dayes for him during the which time he had speech with Mary â—…oyets his wife who was much addicted to the Iesuites as shee afterwards told him to kill his Excellencie whom hee called Duke Maurice That being returned to his house the sayd Melchior Vande-walle had vsed some speeches to him of it building vpon the prisoners words that he was wonderfully decayed in his estate hauing no meanes to satisfie his creditors The sayd Vande-walle telling him in effect that hee knew how to free all if hee would goe into Holland and finde the meanes to kill his Excellencie And as hee made some difficultie to doe it hee was sollicited by his owne wife there-vnto saying that hee should make no difficultie to kill such seducers and peruerters and that if she had beene a man she would vndertake it and execute it her selfe And yet the sayd prisoner being still in doubt to vndertake such an action the sayd Melchior Vanden-walle desired him to goe with him to Douay to conferre with the Fathers assigning him to the Rector of the Iesuites Afterwards the said Vande-walle being returned to Douay the said prisoner to reckon with diuers persons and to make his businesse straight especially with the said Iesuites at Douay went of Ashwednesday from Ypre towards Lille from thence to Tournay and so to Mons where hee was for a time arrested for debt from thence hee returned towards Tournay and so went back againe to Mons where hee was againe arrested but beeing deliuered hee went to Valenciennes and so to Douay where hee was in the Rogation weeke and did eate three or foure times with the Prouinciall Prouost and Rector of the Iesuites with whom he made his accoumpts so as there was comming to him some fiue pounds sixe shillings starling for the which they referred him to one Nicholas of Lalain a Marchant of hempe That being with the said Prouinciall Prouost Rector of the Iesuits they had some speech againe with him of that whereof Melchior had spoken which was to murther his Excellencie shewing him the meanes that beeing a Cooper by his trade hee should goe into Holland where hee should worke some fiue sixe or eight moneths either at Delft Leyden or at the Hage And in the meane time hee should watch some oportunitie to kill the Prince either with a knife Poynard or Pistoll which hee should buye and carrie in his pocket to vse were it at the Court in the streete or in any other place where he might finde his best aduantage And the more to incourage the Prisoner the Prouinciall made as it were halfe a sermon with a long discourse of the merite of such a worke and what a sacrifice it would be to kill such a man who did seduce yea murther so many poore soules whereby he might purchase Paradise which hauing done hee should finde the meanes to escape and saue himselfe as well as hee could And if it should chance that hee should dye there that hee was assured to goe directly into eternall life and that hee should bee lifted vp into heauen both body and soule with many other intycing words so as in the end by the goodly perswasions and sweete words of the sayd Iesuists wherein they are their crafts masters he suffered himselfe to be so seduced as he vndertooke to put it in execution through dispaire by reason of his debts so as he neuer thought of any danger that might befall him nor of his wife nor children in regard of the profit which he did hope to reape thereby for the sayd Iesuits had promised and assured him that in executing this murther he should haue two hundred pounds starling which should be paied him by the treasure of the towne of Ypre by fifty pounds by the yeare taken out of the hundred pounds which the sayd Iesuits receiue yearely out of that towne by reason of their Seminarie
signes of fire made to chase spoile kill or at the least to take prisoners all souldiers belonging to their enemies that should aduenture to enter into their territories declaring all quarter to be broken with their enemies without any exception vpon paine to be punished in like manner as the enemies themselues should bee assigning vnto euery one that should in that sort spoile kill or take prisoner any of the enemies souldiers the summe of fiftie gulderns for his paines and whosoeuer should present any one for not obseruing the contents of this proclamation or that had harbored or had correspondencie with the enemie 25 gulderns for a reward This yeare there were three shippes set out of Holland to discouer a mine of gold about Guiney who sailed to all the islands thereabouts and some that were not inhabited which they called the salt islands for that the water which was beat vp by the sea through the heat of the sunne congealed and became hard salt the which is exceeding fine white and very strong and better than any other very fit to make refined salt which costs nothing but the fetching lading and bringing away whereas eightie or ninetie sayle of the greatest shippes of burthen of Holland and Zeeland find their fraight yearely and make great profit the voyage beeing but short for some haue made it in eleuen weekes others were somewhat longer as winde and weather did serue them the which is likely to prooue a great hindrance to Spaine and Portugall especially by the restraint made in Spaine where they were accustomed to fetch their salt whereby the Spaniards were much deceiued supposing that one nauigation would hinder another especially that into the east countries but it hath bin found otherwise for that this yeare in the beginning of April there came vnto Amsterdam at one time sixe hundred and fourtie saile most of them great shippes out of the east countries most beeing laden with corne wood masts sparres deale pitch tarre flaxe waxe c. which altogether brought at the least thirtie thousand tunnes and had one with another foure pounds starling for the fraight of a last which is two tunnes so as by that computation they did earne sixtie thousand pounds starling at the least for fraight whereby it may be truely said that sea-faring fishing and trade of marchadise is the Netherlanders myne This winter the vnited prouinces prepared not onely for a defensiue warre as they had done some yeares before but also to offend the enemie who lay so strong vpon their frontiers with their winter armie as they were forced to raise new regiments and more cornets of Netherland horse men First they gaue to Ernestus earle of Nassau a commission to leuie a regiment of high Dutches of tenne companies euery commission beeing two hundred men the which were raised about Emden Monsieur la Noue had charge to bring two thousand men out of France into Holland of those which had so long serued the king there at their owne charges hoping the king would be the more willing to restore the money which they had disbursed for the entertainement of those men especially the money beeing paied vnto his owne subiects and vassals They also entertained a thousand Suitsers which had serued in France they added nine cornets more to their horse men one cornet beeing vnder prince Maurice his lieutenant was Ioncker Walrauen van Gent sonne to the lord of Oyen two cornets vnder the old and yong earles of Solines and the rest vnder monsieur Timpel Balen Iohn Bax La Sale Cloet and Hamelton a Scottish man The Scottish footmen were also made compleâ—… euery companie consisting of an hundred and fiftie men and the colonels companie of two hundred They would willingly haue had more supplies out of England but they durst not moue the Queen for that she had long before written vnto them for 2000 Englishmen to be sent ouer for her warres in Ireland offering to send 2000 new souldiers in their places which they could not refuse and for that at that time there were 27 companies of English they sent sixe whole companies and out of the rest they chose the worst men they could find to make vp the number which was ill taken in whose places the Queene sent ouer about two thousand new souldiers vnder Sir Thomas Knowles who expected to be colonel ouer them but he could get but a companie and the rest of the men did serue to fill vp the other companies They further made a proclamation concerning their musters for the preuenting of all deceit by keeping their companies full with all other orders necessarie for the warres as first that vnder the Reisters no man might serue but vpon his owne horse which horse should not be lesse than fifteene great handfuls high according to a measure made of purpose The Reisters themselues were to haue a head-piece a gorget a breast and a backe two poldrons a gantlet to hold his bridle a short peece or pistoll the barrell being two foot long and a short sword according to a measure appointed to that end and if any one wanted any of the said furniture he might not passe musters or else he was checked and debarred from some part of his entertainment Some in euery cornet were allowed to haue horses to carrie their necessaries who besides the furniture aboue named were to bee armed with thighes knee pieces and culots which is a piece of armour to defend the reines of the backe with another short piece like vnto the first their armour was to bee caliuer proofe and they were allowed a boy who should carry a piece like vnto the other The horsemen called Carabins were to haue a head-piece a gorget a breast and a backe a sword and a piece hauing a barill three foot long and a good horse At that time they vsed no more launces for that they could doe but small seruice vnlesse they were running in their full cariere but in stead thereof they did vse pistols or short pieces and did weare cassockes or liueries as launciers were accustomed to doe The footmen which carried pykes were to haue a head-piece a gorget a backe and a breast a sword or rapier a pyke of eighteene foot long and that vpon a penaltie and the one quarter of those that did beare pykes were to haue poldrons to their elbowes The musketiers were to haue a head-piece a rapier a musket carrying a bullet whereof tenne would make a pound and a rest And the harguebusiers must haue a head-piece a rapier and a good caliuer bored for a shot of 20 or 25 bullets in the pound euery one hauing pay accordingly Thus much I thought good to obserue that posteritie may know what armes men vsed in the Netherlands in those warres In the end of Ianuarie 1599 certaine cornets of Reisters of the vnited Prouinces with some companies of foot vnder the leading of Edmonds a Scottishman and others made a rode into the countries of Lembourg
was Not to serue the enemie the second To content themselues with reasonable conditions and lastly Not to suffer themselues by any meanes to bee seduced with the religion of heretickes Whereunto they made answer that during their liues they would neuer alter their religion that they would make no composition with the prince nor the enemie but vpon meere necessitie and touching the third point they would not giue eare to any reconciliation before their banishment and proscription were reuoked and called in againe And afterwards in October the Nuntio went to them againe vpon hostages giuen to Hochstraten where he was kindly entertained and feasted by them especially by their chiefe commanders captaine Frederigo a Neapolitane and captaine Roderigo a Spaniard with their Electo who gaue him very kind words but their conclusion was That the squadron desired not to enter into any treaty before the banishment or proscription were called in some place of strength as Thyenen Dyest or Vilvoorden deliuered vnto them for their securities and then they said they would bee ruled by reason but the archdukes would not heare of it After that in December and diuers times after the Nuntio went vnto them but there was nothing concluded and they conueyed him with a thousand horse to the gates of Antuerpe It is said the archduke had secretly caused a generall pardon to be offered vnto them with three hundred and fiftie thousand crownes to be giuen among them all that hee might not be troubled with a tedious reckoning which would be long ere it could be cast vp and that in the meane time vntill the money were paied they should haue some strong place for their securities and euery moneth beside the said summe thirtie thousand crownes for their entertainment but they would not accept thereof saying that it was much lesse than had beene offered to any that had formerly mutined And in this estate they continued long committing all the insolencies that could be to get money The generall Estates beeing assembled at Brussels held opinion that they should be paied but the councell at warre and the kings councell called de la Hazienda were of contrarie opinion saying that it was fit they should be punished and that it were better to leuie new souldiers with that money to punish them and to make them an example to others whereupon they resolued to raise two new regiments the one vnder the earle of Biglia and the other vnder the baron of Rotenau a knight of Malta with some horsemen vnder the duke of Aumale and the baron of Rhosne and of Lorraine beeing put in great hope of money to be sent out of Spaine Bax and du Bois both colonels going forth on the eight of October with foureteene cornets of horse of the garrisons of Breda Berghen and Geertruydenbergh to doe an exploit in Henault whilest that the mutiners of Hochstraten were busie in the Wallon parts of Brabant and that the archduke hauing beene at Venloo and Thoren was going from his armie These two colonels beeing within three miles of Mastricht and comming to Bilson they had intelligence giuen them of eight cornets of horse that had conuoyed the archduke which lay neere them without any feare of the enemie beeing the bands of ordnance of the earles of Mansfeldt Buren and Busquoy with three cornets of Wallons and two of Italians they came in the night time to the villages where they were quartered where they charged their guards and forced their quarters some were slaine some fled and some were taken prisoners in their beds the captaines themselues were not there there were fiue cornets taken and one burnt in a church the spoile was great they tooke about fiue hundred horse and two hundred prisoners these cornets were brought to the Hage Monsieur Chalon a bastard to Rene of Chalon prince of Orange fled and saued himselfe Diuers ships of warre beeing sent out of the vnited prouinces vnder the lord of Oxdam to serue the Queene of England some of them in the winter time had charge to attend the comming of sixe galleys which Dom Frederick Spinola was to bring out of Spaine to ioyne with the rest which he had at Sluys in Flanders At the first they were eight gallies but two were burnt by sir Richard Luson and the English men before Setuval in Portugal The admirall galley wherein Spinola himselfe was was called saint Louis the captaines name was Cardinalin with another captaine called Cascalis d' Auila with a companie of souldiers The vice-admirall galley was the saint Ioan the captaine Pedro de Vergas with two captaines and two companies of souldiers The third galley was called Padillo the captaine Hasso with another captaine and a companie of Portugals The fourth galley was called the Lucera the captaine Calliados with another captaine and souldiers The fift galley was called saint Philip the captaine Roderigo de Neruais with a companie The sixt galley was called the Iacinthe the captaines name was Louis de Camous with a companie so as in all they had nine companies of souldiers whereof two were Spaniards and seauen were Portugals beeing nine hundred strong and a thousand and fiue hundred gallie slaues each galley had three brasse peeces and no more And although the Netherlanders were aduertised of their comming yet the lord of Oxdam was forced to goe into Holland for victuals leauing Iohn Adrianson Cant his vice-admirall in the moone Gerbrant Adrianson Schal van Horne in the Bausome of foure hundred tunnes Hendrick Hartman in the Lionesse of Rotterdam and Gerbrant Iohnson in the Hope of Enchuysen which ships were commanded to saile westward for the Queenes seruice but as yet they staied there to meete with these gallies and so did a shippe of the Queenes called the Hope wherein sir Robert Mansel commanded with his pynace called the Aduantage in the which was captaine Ionas All these concluded that the vice-admirall Cant and Gerbrant Adrianson Schâ—…l should lie in the downes where there also lay one of the Queenes shippes called the Answer commanded by captaine Broadgate sir Robert Mansel himselfe lay halfe seas ouer betwixt Douer and Callis with his pynace and the two Holland shippes not farre from him Vpon the sixt of October in the fore noone sir Robert Mansel descried the gallies and they him but beeing a mistie weather they bent their course along by the coast of England or if the hardest fell out finding that two Hollanders ships were very neere they meant to board them as some prisoners confest little esteeming of two or three ships of warre but it seemed they had espied the Queenes shippe and therefore they rowed backe againe hoping that night beeing come and beeing somewhat darke they should passe by the one coast or the other and so get into Dunkerke or Nieuport the which sir Robert Mansel perceiuing hee sent captaine Ionas with his pynace ouer to Callis and the coast of Flanders to aduertise the Netherlanders fleet thereof that they might
apprehend their forces for that you haue not to do with the Duke of Alua with Don Iohn nor the Duke of Parma whose wise conduct experience in armes diligence and fortune was to bee feared whome you neuerthelesse haue valiantly withstood but with yong and vnexperienced Commanders and Leaders vnder whose gouernment you may already marke an alteration in the enemies marshall discipline and counsels and consequently in his proceedings whereas to the contrary you are blest of God with such a generall of your Armie as you neuer had before whose seruice the Empire of Rome requireth against the Turke and such a one as the King of Spaine with all his treasure although it were ten times greater cannot equall You haue the fauour and good will of all neighbour Princes and Potentates who although they aide you not with open armes yet they wish your good for the feare they haue of the Spaniard so as all furtherance is on your side The enemies Prouinces lye open to you and yours by meanes of the riche water land and strong townes shutte from them His hauens in Spaine Indies Brasilia and America are knowne vnto you and easily to bee sayled vnto so as at your pleasures you can enterprise any thing against them but hee hath prooued and tryed that your Hauens and Sea-townes need not to care for his fleetes Sea-faring meanes for money experience of the warres and authoritie are increased amongst you and decayed with him your cause the longer the more it is fauoured his from yeare to yeare is worse because hee incenseth first one and then another as not many yeares since hee did vppon the Lords of the Empire Besides all this you are to put your trust in the equitie of your cause and in Gods fauour who here-to-fore hath sundry times assisted you in greater necessitie whom you besides incurring the shame and disgrace of all the world both to you and your posteritie shall offend and make him with-drawe his fauours from you if that forgetting his benefits and distrusting his fauour now without cause either to spare your purses or vpon an immagined further rest and ease you will leaue and forsake his word and true religion as the Gargasens because of their Swine intreated Iesus Christ to depart out of the countrie for that as God and Belial cannot agree together so cannot you by meanes of the true religion at this time obtaine a peace with the King of Spaine the Arch-duke Albertus and the Infanta whome I place all in one degree but through your valiant resolution and continuance in armes you now remaine assured of religion and your freedome and in time are also to hope of a good peace with Spaine and all his friends no lesse then that which the Switzers obtained from the house of Austria where-vnto God almightie send you his grace with wise counsell and mutuall loue and vnitie And you Romish Catholikes amongst whome I know that there are many that wish and desire the freedome of your natiue countrie bee not perswaded that in regarde of your religion your burthens and charges vnder the Spaniards gouernment shall bee any thing diminished for there will bee still some cause of offence found against them that haue any thing to loose as beeing friends and wel-willers to Protestants were it onely but for that they haue not done their indeuours made resistance nor borne armes against their neighbours and kinsmen This is the crime of omission for the which the whole nation of the Netherlands were condemned by the King and the Spanish Inquisition and the execution thereof committed to the Duke of Alua as the Histories written by Catholikes themselues in honor of the King sufficiently declare This is that which Vergas President of the bloudie councell in the Duke of Aluas time sayd Heretici fraxerunt templa Boni nihil fecerunt contra ergo debent omnes patibulare that is The heretickes brake downe the Churches the good did not seeke to hinder nor let them and therefore they must all bee hanged For these reasons Iohn Baptista Taxis in Anno 1595. wrote vnto the King from Brussels that his Maiestie ought by no meanes to consent by any contract of peace that the Spanish garrisons should depart out of the countrie for that it would bee a blemish to his authoritie for sayd hee your Maiestie cannot build vpon those of the Catholike religion in regard that deuotion is onely found amongst a few old men and women which cannot fight the rest will altogether thrust their heads into one hood And although Taxis had not so plainly shewed this distrust which is had of you vnto the King and his counsell yet the deeds themselues declare it for all the world knowes that the Noblemen of the Netherlands notwithstanding their reconciliation with the King are not trusted but with hearts griefe must see yea and frette that the Spaniards are preferred not onely to bee Councellors but to the highest dignities to gouernment and other preserments and they despised reiected and badly dealt withall It preuailed Lamorall Earle of Egmont nothing at all that hee laboured to chase away the Preachers and that in all things hee shewed himselfe to bee a deuoute Catholike for notwithstanding all this hee lost his head His sonne who to winne more credit with the Spaniards openly sayd that his Father had his iust rewarde being in prison was despised and after long imprisonment was at last hardly released by the King in exchange with a Gentleman called Mounsieur la Noue and others likewise were released by the like vnequall exchange And when as the Baron De Selles Champigni the Bishop of Ypre and the Lord of Auchi were prisoners to the Estates the Duke of Parma was so slowe in seeking their deliuerie as the Barron De Selles dyed in prison with melancholie and griefe complaining that he and his brother the Barron De Noircarmes seruices were badly rewarded The Barron Van Hese was beheaded vpon a surmised crime many others were made away here and there in diuers places as Vrias was and little lamented Charles Earle of Mansfield had such strong Pepper giuen him by the Spaniards that hee left the Kings seruice in the Netherlands and went to serue against the Turke in Hungarie where hee dyed It is needlesse to rehearse many examples you see before your eyes how that they of Antwarpe Gant and other places haue gotten nothing by liuing like faithfull Catholike subiects vnder the King for that notwithstanding they must bee slaues to the Spanish nation and beare the intollerable abuses wrongs molestations iniuries of the Spanish garrisons yet their complaints cannot be heard nor any iustice done vpon the offenders which may serue for an example and fore-warning vnto all Catholiks that haue dwelt in the vnited Prouinces vnder the command of hereticks as the Spaniards Iesuits call them what good intertainment they were to expect if the Spaniards were absolute maisters yet they haue a strōger
and assistance of the Emperors Maiestie Princes Estates and commonalties of Germanie for the maintenance and support of their resolued vndertaken and now for many yeares continued gouernment might obtaine the meanes to chase away from their frontiers all such as seeke the subuersion of the Netherlands they would acknowledge it for a great grace and fauour whereof if they might bee assured they would vppon their request make a more plaine and ample declaration and let them know by the effects how much they did grieue at these bloudie warres But if the sayd Treatie tended to no other end they then intreated the Emperor Princes and Townes in regarde of the good of the Netherlands and the reputation of the whole Empire to take their refusall of a pasport with the time and place of meeting in good part Touching any wrongs done or insolencies committed by their souldiers vpon the frontiers of the Empire as also concerning the raising of new licences tolles and other Imposts they sayd that they did hope to take such a course as they should haue no iust cause of complaint But in the troublesome time to giue ouer any townes and Fortes which they for the good and seruice of the Empire and ◅o withstand the enemies inuasion had beene forced to take to their great charge and till then held they did presume that the Emperor Princes and Townes would hold it to bee contrarie to all pollicie and lawes of Estate and so much the rather for that the Marquis Spinolas desseigne was to passe his armie ouer the Rhine from whom the frontiers of the Empire were to expect no better then they had found at the hands of the Admirall of Arragon in the yeare 1598. This was the Estates answer vnto the proposition made by the Emperor Princes and Townes desiring Maximilian de Co◅hi to make a fauourable report of their sayd answer their letter bearing date the last of May 1605. In March this yeare Cont Frederic Vanden Berghe Brother to Cont Herman had a certaine enterprise vpon Rhinberk the which beeing discouered fayled so as hee was forced to retire yet without any losse of his men This yeare in Aprill the King of England sent his Ambassador into Spaine to see the King sweare the peace and at the same time hee sent Edward Lord Seymor Earle of Hertford sonne to the Duke of Somerset vnto the Archdukes to the same effect who arriuing at Dunkirke with a gallant traine of Noblemen and Gentlemen were honourably receiued there by Diego Ortes Gouernor of the Towne The Baron of barbanson brother to the Earle of Arenbergh Captaine of their Highnesse Archers attended him there All the Ordinance of the Towne was shotte off in a manner against the Estates shippes of warre which laye before it who in like manner to doe the Earle honor discharged all their Ordinance Hee had the like reception giuen him at Nieuport by Dom Pedro d'Alega the Gouernor and at Bruges by Monsieur de Croselles of the house of Montmorencie Gouernor of the Towne and great Bayliffe of Franke. Thether the Earle of Busquoy Maister of the Ordinance was sent to entertaine him The Earle comming to Alost hee was mette by the Earle of Ligny the Baron of La Bastie a French-man with diuerse other Gentlemen whether the Duke of Aumale sent a Gentleman with letters of congratulation vnto the Earle The Earle approching neere vnto Brussells within a mile of the towne hee was first mette by the Duke of Aumaule then by the Duke of Arschot the Marquis Spinola two Poland Dukes the Marquis of Hauerec the Earle of Aremberg the Prince of Palestrina the Prince of Caserte Dom Louis de Velasco Cont Theodore Trivulce Cont Frederick Vanden Berghe and many other Noblemen and Gentlemen The next day after his arriuall at Brussells hee was visited by the Marquis of Laguna sonne to the Duke of Medina Caeli Ambassador for the King of Spaine with the Archdukes At the Earle of Hertfords comming to Brussells the Archdukes were attended on with great estate wherof I will make some particular relation and first of the Inf◅ntaes ladies without any distinctiō of precedence First there was the Lady Iohanna of Chassincourt her Chamberlaine the chiefe of her Ladies of honor were the Countesses of Vsedale Busquoy and La Fere her Maides of honor were the Lady Claudia Catherina Liuia her Sewer and cousin to her Chamberlaine the Lady of Croy her Caruer the Lady of Selles the Lady of Montmorencie the Lady Maria Manuel a Spanish Ladie the Lady Magdeline de Bye the Lady of Marle the Lady Vincentia of Ferrara the Ladyes Ermesyna and Clara daughters to the Earle of Aremberghe the Lady of Balanson Cousin to Varambon the Lady Marguerite of Bourgondie Cousin to the Earle of Busquoy with twelue other waighting women most of them Spaniards There were then also present to honor the Infanta the Countesse of Mansfeldt daughter to the Earle of Egmond the Countesse of Aremberghe the Marquesse of Berghen the Countesse of Egmont the Countesses of Barlaimont Lalaine Solue Bossu Fontenay Berghe Bye Essingen Fressin and Bruay the Countesse of Saint Aldegonde the Countesse of Bassigny and the Countesse of Malespina The Lady of Brabanson the ◅ady of Liekerke the Lady of Terrayse the Lady of Blancheual the Lady of Liques the Lady of Chassey the Lady of Liliers and diuers others Vpon the Archduke their attended the Earle of Essengen the Earle of Saint Aldegond the Marquis of Monte-negro his Mayordomo Don Pedro de Ponce the Vicont Octauio his chiefe chamberlaine DonGaston Spinola vice chamberlaine Don Innigo de Mendosa Don Diego de Mexia Don Diego d' Acuna Don Alonzo d' Aualos Don Inigo de Borgia Brother to the Duke of Gandia and Captaine of the Castle of Antwerp the Earle Enenbergh Cont Frederic vander Berghe captaine of the garde the Lord of Brabanson brother to the Earle of Arembergh captaine of the Archers with many others Besides al these attendants there were diuers knights of the order of the golden fleece as the Duke of Arschot the Marquis of Haurec the Earle of Aremberg the Marquis Spinola There were also the Earle of Egmont the Earle of Solme the Marquis of Robaix sonne to the Earle of Ligny the Marquis of Renty sonne to the Earle of Solme the Earle of Busquoy Henin Hochstrate Rassingen Isenburgh Bee Euerbergh Bossu and Fresin most of them young Earles The Lord of Seuenbergen Sonne to the Earle of Arembergh the Lord of Chalon Nephew to the Earle or Mansfeldt the Lord of Wesemael the Lord of Vendesy of the house of Montmorency Of strange noblemen there were the Duke d' Aumale the Duke of Ossuna Don Iohn de Medicis base brother to the Duke of Florence the Prince of Caserta a Neopolitaine the Prince of Palsterino a Columnese the Marquis of Malespina of the house of Paluoisin Cont Thedore Triuultio Don Louis de velasco generall of the light horsemen with many
if it fell out that their aduersary should not hold his word neither yet how to pay the great debts of the countrie the paiement whereof is commonly raised by the warres nor how they that were in gouernment should bee armed against the Spanish corruptions which were already discouered with diuers other things these were the discourses and reasons of those that were of best and deepest iudgement In the meane time the Netherland fleete was still vpon the coast of Spaine which men sought to comprehend in the treaty of agreemēt that they might be called home that so the fleete in Spaine might freely passe too and fro from the East and West Indies for that they had beene forst to vnlade some of their shippes which had beene laden for the Indies and to set them out for men of warre for the defence of Spaine against the Hollanders which could not be comprehended in the act of the first of Iune but it was then consented and granted to countermand the said shippes as soone as the King of Spaines approbation should be sent and that in the meane time they should not be releeued with any new supplies or victualls which was in effect as much as if they were countermanded for that want of victuals wold bee an occasion to make them deminish their number and come home againe not regarding the doubt and suspition which men had in all places that the King would not fully yeeld to that which had beene concluded and the rather for that they made readie shippes of warre in all places of Spaine as at St Lucars Cadiz Lisbon and the Groine the straights of Gibraltar being full of Gallies which bred great iealousie as if they ment to attempt some thing against Ireland England the Netherlands or Embden others thought they would goe into Barbarie or to Alarach At Duynkerke in Flanders they made great hast to build the ten great shippes part of the thirty which they had vndertaken to make whereon they set fiue hundred men on worke being Spaniards Italians and Netherlanders each man his seuerall worke some of them beeing of 200. tonne the least was of a hundred and fiftie tonnes but by the answere of the eight day of August it was consented to countermand the aforesayd fleete and that after the time then set downe they should take no more prizes and therefore many men thought they would soone come home The mutinous souldiers vnder the Archdukes made many incursions in the country the Archduke seeking all the meanes hee could to pacefie them and in August hee got grant of sixe hundred thousand duckets to bee paid by a hundred thousand duckets a month for the space of sixe monthes which had long beene promised to pay the souldiers withall the Archduke also sought to discharge all his vnnecessary troupes as Wallons and others The Spaniards and Italians were put in garrison in seuerall places and a great part of them at Dornick where they were some what strictly lookt vnto and might not increase their numbers for that when they were desirous to goe out of the towne euery one had a token of lead giuen him without the which noman might enter into the towne at Cortrick also there were two or three hundred more in other places the richest townes gaue money to be vnburthened of garrisons the vnited Prouinces also discharged many of their souldiers such as they might spare as Englishmen and some high Duches which wanted many of their number they also discharged many ships of all sorts but they beganne to prepare some ships for the East Indies thereby to continue and assure that trade This yeare many shippes sailed out of Embden to Italy and Spaine which in Spaine and Portingall were most staied and arested vnder some pretence either that they were partners with the Hollanders or els rebels against their Earle from whom notwithstanding they had letters of lycence testimonialls or atestations but that would not serue their turnes vnlesse they brought particular letters from the Earle otherwise they were esteemed to be gotten by force and fauour of the Hollanders or Englishmen some of them notwithstanding were set at libertie but the rest to the number of thirty which were many for one towne were hardly intreated and the men put into the gallies others were compelled to serue the king there in his warre or in his shippes which went to the Indies and Bresill These newes caused a great vprore in Emden amongst the common people for the losse of their sea-faring men whereof many had wiues and children in the country which made a great assembly of women and children about the magistrate The Earle himselfe came thether with certaine Lords his friends which bred a suspition that he sought to cause some tumult his bretheren Earle Christopher and Earle Iohn being both with him with the garrison of Linphen where-vpon the vnited Prouinces sent about two thousand men thether the which were lodged in the suburbes of Emden and there abouts and withall they sent a trumpet to the Earle with a letter as followeth Right Honorable our actions haue giuen a sufficient testimonie with what a sincere intention wee haue euer laboured to our great trouble and charge and doe still continue to reconcile all controuersies and dislike betwixt your honorable father Earle Edsard your selfe and the Estates of East-Friseland when as in the yeare 1595. by the contract made in Delfzile at the request of your said father your selfe and the Estates of East-Friseland wee had vnder-taken and bound our selues to bee Vmpiers therein your Lordshippe knowes that in the yeare of our Lord 1603. at the making of the contract at the Hage at the instant request of the Deputies of the towne of Emden by your Lordshipps consent and good liking we once againe bound our selues to maintaine the same and to oppose our selues against all contradiction and also that in the treaty at the last meeting of the Estates of Germany vpon the last of Nouember by the intercession of Sir Ralfe Winwood Ambassador for the King of England and our Deputies in the behalfe of the said Kings Maiestie and vs it was agreed that if any thing were done contrary vnto the same that some order should presently bee taken therein Know yee therefore my Lord that wee beeing certainely informed that by your honors meanes and directions not one penny of money will bee had towards the payment of the garrison within the Towne of Embden that through want of pay the garrison might bee brought into a mutine and so the Towne of Embden fall into a tumult besides that by your Lordshippes meanes the contributions which are willingly granted by the country are not come to the hands of the appointed rent-maister for the causes where-vnto they are assigned according to the generall resolution That your honor also hath made many enterprises and caused them to bee executed without the consent of the country contrary to the Emperors resolution and the
former contracts and also that it is confidently spoken in Embden that by your honors direction a great number of shippes which sayled into Spaine are there arrested their goods attached and the men committed to prison and hardly intreated and also that by your honors permission the soldiers of the garrisons of Linghen and such like places in the Earldome of East-Freeseland haue runne through the said country and committed great insolencies against the Inhabitants thereof taking diuers of the townes men of Embden prisoners all directly against the said contracts Seeing then that by vertue of our contract made with your honor wee are determined to take the said matter in hand and to preuent all dangers which may ensue in the like Wee haue thought it good to send you this letter by our Trumpet earnestly desiring that your honor for the reparation of things that are amisse and of all other inconueniences would presently or at the furthest within foureteene dayes after the receipt hereof giue order without any further delay that there may bee fortie thousand Gildens prepared towards the payment of the garrison of Embden and that the money rising of the willing contributions may bee deliuered into the hands of the rent-maister and left with him to bee imployed for such vses as it is appointed according to the resolution that all enterprises made in the countrie without the lawfull consent of the Estates shall bee forborne and not attempted and that which hath beene wrongfully taken from any man and without consent restored that also without delaye your honor will presently doe your best indeuour for the discharging of the Ships Saylers and other persons of Embden which are stayed and imprisoned in Spaine And lastly that the souldiers of Linghen and such like places may bee kept out of the Earledome of East-Freezeland which if your honor faileth to doe wee declare our selues guiltlesse of that which wee shall bee to our great griefe forced to doe beeing the necessarie meanes to vrge your honor to reason and to maintaine your honorable promises and to preuent all future troubles and inconueniences desiring nothing else but that which shall bee fitte for your honor and your subiects good well-fare and quietnesse as knoweth GOD whom wee beseech to inspire your Lordships heart with some good motions for the well-fare of your selfe and your subiects From the Hage the third of Iuly 1607. c. Herevpon ensued no great effects but that the Earle of East-Freezeland sent Hans Hendricke Stâ—…mler to make complaint thereof vnto the King of England and to craue his intercession vnto the Estates of the vnited prouinces to stay them from any forceable proceedings from whome hee receiued a fauourable answere and to the Hage he sent Doctor Dothia Wyarda some-times Sindick of the towne of Embden Monsieur van Kinphausen and Doctor Thomas Francius who excused the Earle and sayd that hee desired to obserue the contracts and agreements made and had giuen no cause to the contrary vnto them of Embden but that they had conceiued a needlesse feare which proceeded from their owne guilty consciences which had made them to send for souldiers with some other friuolous allegations The towne of Embden for the furtherance of their cause and to mooue the Estates to proceed in their desseigne sent Vbbo Reinets their Burgomaister and Sindick Samuell van Winghene councellor and Daniell Althingh Secretarie in regarde they found that the Earle intended to keepe them in continuall alarme and to put them vnto great charges and by that meanes to bring them into debt and so to drawe the Burgers vnto him With them they brought diuerse Letters of licence giuen by the Earle vnto the Saylers of Embden bearing daâ—…e in Esens the sixt and the thirteenth of February one contradicting another and some beeing of no force vnlesse they shewed other particular letters but at the last euery thing was ended and ordered by the generall Estates with admonition vnto them according to the contracts to liue in vnitie and peace and the towne put in hope that the Estates would bee carefull of their good and preseruation Vpon the twelfe of May in the yeare of our Lord one thousand sixe hundred and seauen when Fryer Iohn Nayen the Commissioner for the King of Spaine was vpon his returne towards Brussels before his departure out of Holland hee wrote a letter secretly vnto Cornelis Artesens Secretarie to the generall Estates of the vnited Prouinces desiring to speake with him his wife or sonne before hee went out of Holland and withall appointed him a secret place of meeting Artesens vpon the receite of this Letter suspecting they would seeke to corrupt him with some presents went presently to Prince Mauâ—…ice and others of the chiefe of the Estates shewing them this Letter with the circumstances and contents thereof assuring them that the Fryer intended thereby to winne him by some offers and gifts asking their aduice how hee should carry him selfe therein and whether hee should goe him-selfe or that hee should send any other the messenger in the meane time staying for his answer Where-vpon Prince Maurice and the Estates thought it very fitte and auaileable for the seruice and good of the countrie to discouer the aduersaries desseigne in this action that hee should goe secretly thether to heare what hee would propound vnto him and that if hee oâ—…ered any gratuitie hee should accept it if it were giuen as a bribe to corrupt him but if it were done onely to craue his furtherance for the dispatching of the Treatie as then to bee made hee should refuse it giuing him withall expresse commandement to keepe it close and secret vnto him-selfe whereby hee should do the countrie great seruice with these directions Artesens vpon the foureteene day of May went vnto the place appointed by the letter and was secretly brought to Frier Iohn Nayen in Saint Agathes Cloyster in Delfe Where hee entertained him verie kindely giuing him thankes for the great seruice hee had done vnto the Archdukes for that the first motion of the treaty of peace was begâ—…nne by him whereby they found that it had brought him into a great suspition and dislike amongst the common people and that for the same cause hee was hardly censured by them In regard whereof hee sayd that the Archdukes thought themselues ingaged in their honours to bee thankefull vnto him beeing of themselues so nobly minded as they would not faile to shewe their bountie vnto all those that should doe them any seruice with many such like perswasiue words promising to doe for him his children or friends whatsoeuer they would desire at their handes and for a beginning and assurance of their Princely disposition hee said that hee had expresse commission from the Archdukes to restore his house vnto him which hee had in Brussels with his patrimoniall lands and goods that were confiscated that hee might dispose thereof at his owne will and pleasure giuing him to vnderstand
withall that Mâ—…rquis Spinola in regard that hee fauored the cause held himselfe verie much beholding vnto him for which consideration hee had sent him an obligation vnder his hand whereby hee promised that if a truce were concluded for aboue nine yeares or a generall peace to giue him fiftie thousand crownes whereof hee should receiue fifteene thousand crownes in readie money to bee paide in Amsterdam to the handes of any one that hee should nominate or appoint recommending himselfe and the sayd affaires to his good discretion And for his owne particular hee sayd that seeing it had pleased the Archdukes and the Marquis to honour him so much as to thinke him fit to bee imploied therein and for that the matter had proceeded so farre that hee for his part and in his owne behalfe would giue some particular testymonie of his loue towardes the said Artesens and to that end would bestowe vpon his wife a Ring of Gold with a Diamont therein protesting and assuring him of the scincerity vprightnesse and worthinesse of the sayd Archduke and the Marquis as also of his owne the which notwithstanding was otherwise censured by many Wherevnto Artesens made answere that hee most humbly thanked the said Archdukes for their great fauour shewed him and especially for the restitution of his house and patrimoniall lands in regard that at the reduction of the towne of Brussels vnder the King of Spaines obedience hee had great wrong offered vnto him in this point for that hee was debarred the benefite of the contract which was graunted vnto all the Burgers of the towne whereby they were inabled for to enioye their landes and goods notwithstanding that hee at the same time was imploied about some seruice that then was to bee done for the Estates for the assembling of the Generall Estates and that touching their further bountie hee sayd that hee had done no more in that action then hee was bound vnto in loue and duetie with other such like excuses and therefore hee besought the sayd Archdukes and the Marquis that it would please them to hold him excused if hee did not accept their bountifull presents which seemed rather to bee giuen to corrupt him then as a recompence for any seruice done by him and that therefore hee neitheir could nor might accept them nor yet the Ring which hee offred to giue him for his wife giuing the Frier great thankes for his courtesie therein and offering all seruice for his part which hee could or might doe for them and him alwaies excepting any thing whatsoeuer that might tend to the breach of his oth and blemish of his reputation c. Wherevnto the Frier replied that the presents aforesayd could not bee any waies held to bee done in manner of corruption considering the sincere and vpright intents of the sayd Archdukes Marquis Spinola and himselfe who affected nothing more then sincerely and without any fraude to bring the warres vnto an end with many other good wordes to perswade him to bee a furtherer vnto the same c. Wherevpon at last hee accepted of the restitution of his house and lands together with the obligation making much difficultie to receiue the Ring with the Diamont for his wife but beeing much vrged and intreated therevnto hee tooke it with promise to giue the best direction therein that hee could his oth and credit alwaies preserued and therewith they departed The same day Artesens made report vnto Prince Maurice and to the Estates of all that had past betwixt them offering to deliuer them the obligation and the Diamont but Prince Maurice would not receiue them neuerthelesse hee aduised them to take some course for the receit of the money and withall that the matter should bee kept verie close and secret But Artesens did often solicite the Prince and the Estates to bee discharged thereof the which they still refused to take into their custodie telling him that hee had no cause to doubt any danger seeing that hee had not done any thing but by speciall commission wherein hee had discharged himselfe by discouering the offers that were made him as in duetie hee was bound and that order was to bee taken about the receiuing of the money wishing that they might get all the enemies treasure into their handes by such meanes esteeming the Diamond to bee well worth sixe thousand Gilders at last it was resolued vpon that the matter should bee imparted to the generall assemblie of all the Estates This businesse passing ouer for certaine daies together without any further resolution from the foureteenth to the twelfth day of May there was an other letter sent from the Frier Iohn Nayen vnto the sayd Artesens whereby hee wondred verie much that hee heard not from him nor had any assignement to whome the fifteene thousand crownes should bee payde Artesens hauing receiued this letter went vnto the Estates againe to acquaint them therewith but for that Prince Maurice had the second time refused to receiue the obligation and the Ring beeing still of opinion if they thought good to keepe the matter secret that it was best for them to receiue the money it was resolued amongst them to make both the generall Estates acquainted therewith and the ambasadors of France and England by which meanes the matter was divulged vnto the common people wherevpon Artesens vnderstanding that hee was charged and taxed to haue beene corrupted by the enemie he desired the generall Estates that hee might be discharged of the obligation and the Ring of Gold and vpon his request so made vnto them they tooke order that the treasuror generall should keepe the said obligation and the Ring with the Diamond which was taken out of the gold and valued till further order should bee taken therein and that the said Artesens should haue an act made in his behalfe and for his iustification the which was published accordingly bearing date the seauenth daie of Iulie in the yeare of our Lord and Sauiour 1607. Notwithstanding all this Artesens fell into great suspition and it was giuen out that hee had beene corrupted by the enemy for the which cause and to free himselfe from all imputation and blame hee caused an appologie to bee printed in his name whereby hee excused himselfe vnto all the common people and therevnto hee ioyned a coppie of the act aforesayd made by the generall Estates in his behalfe his apologie bearing date the twentie daie of Iulie in the yeare of our Lord and Sauiour 1607. When as Mounsieur Vereycken came last vnto the Hage with the act of agreation Mounsieur Barnâ—…uelt Councellor for Holland let him vnderstand what presents had beene giuen by Iohn Nayen the Frier as is before mentioned which were deliuered to Mounsieur Vereycken by the Estates who willed him to take them with him againe and restore them vnto those that sent them desiring the Archdukes that if they ment to proceede sincerelie in the treatie of peace and sought nothing els that
with expectation to the great amazement and griefe of many good men which did hope to haue seen an end of these long ruinous and bloodie warres and the conclusion of a good firme and honourable peace or long truce But seeing the hearts of kings are in the hands of God who directs all their actions and resolutions as he thinketh best let vs Netherlanders hauing compassion one of anothers miseries pray incessantly vnto him to inspire these princes and Estates with mild and peacefull spirits for the finishing of this good worke if it may be for his glorie and the good of the countrie whereby there may ensue a Christian peace quietnesse and vnitie in the Netherlands on either side and loue each to other refraining to shed blood and lastly that the Netherlands may thereby attaine vnto their ancient and flourishing estate and gouernment God well serued and euery man to enioy his owne freely and without feare the which the Lord God of his mercie graunt FINIS A Table of all the memorable things conteined in this Historie of the Netherlands A. ABot of Saint Vaast of Arras what he was 798. Accord of the Lord of Montigny cheefe of the mutines with the Spaniards 689. Accord betwixt Iohn of Bauaria and the Duke of Brabant 133 Abbay of Ouwerghem spoiled and diuersly censured 391 Adâ—… Countesse of Holland 45. marries with the Earle of Loos ibid. Adolph Prince of Gelders prisoner 174 Accord made by the Spaniard with the towne of Gand 862 Act of great resolution done by a Sea Captaine 661. Act of promise of the confederate Noblemen to the Gouernesse 407 Act like a Romaine done by Captaine Bordet 514. Act vnworthy and cruell of Captaine Pont well reuenged 661 Admirall of Arragon sent Ambassador to the Emperor 1148. hee passeth the riuer of Meuze and takes Orson 1174. ransomes Wezel 1182. takes many neutrall places 1191. and comes neere vnto Bomel 1210. is taken prisoner 1248 Aduice of the Prince of Orange for the making of a councell of Estate 712 Aduocates in Arras executed wrongfully 675 Albert of Bauaria 16. Earle of Holland 105 subdues the Frisons 111. his death 116 Albert Duke of Saxonie Gouernor of the Netherlands 207 hee gets the hereditarie gouernment of Friseland 219. tyranizeth ouer the Frisons 222. slaine before Groning 294. Allyance betwixt them of Ostergoe and Groning 213 Alcmar in trouble 210. besieged by the Duke of Alua 519. endures three assaults 524 the Duke forced to raise his Campe 527 Alexander Farnese Duke of Parma succeeds Don Iohn 981. makes a Bridge to shutte vp the riuer of Antwerpe 865 Alost solde by the English to the Spaniard 833. Alpen taken by Prince Maurice 1129 Agent from the great Commander into England and to what end 887 Albert Cardinall of Austria succeds his brother Ernestus 1114. hee takes Calais and Ardres 1115. excuseth himselfe and layes the fault vpon the Admirall 1202 Albert prepares his army to goe against Prince Maurice in Flanders ibid. Alliance betwixt the Flemings and Brabansons against the Duke of Saxonie 207 Allennes thinking to surprize Courtray hee looseth Menin 716. afterwards hee surpriseth Courtray 730 Allen a Cardinall writes against the Queene of England 996 Ambassadors from the Emperor to the vnited Prouinces touching a peace 1051. from the King of Poland to them 1128. from the King of Denmarke vnto them 1134. from the Duke of Wirtemberg vnto them 1158 Ambrose le Duke Sargent Maior in Arras how he behaued himselfe 673 Andrien van Assendolf pentioner of Harlem beheaded 500 Amsterdam against Harlem their skirmish at Sea 503. in the end it yeelds to the Estates 655. Amiens surprized and spoiled by the Spaniard 1126 recouered by the French King 1128. Aâ—…ne of Poelgeest mignion to the Earle of Holland murthered 109 Anthony Perrenot Cardinall of Granuelle called into Spaine 349. hee crosseth the petition of the Estates of Brabant 381. a legend of his life 344 Antwerpe perplexed for the new Bishops 347. sends their Deputies into Spaine 348 they intrenche them-selues against the Castell 595. are spoyled by the Spaniards 596. a tumult at a generall Procession 705. Priests and Monkes chased away 706. are blockt vp by the Prince of Parma 863. they compound and yeeld 884 Answer from the generall Estates to them of Lille Douay c. 691 Appologie made by the Prince of Orange in answer of his proscription 764 Armie of the Germaines to succour Nuys 174. of Duke Cassimire to succor the States 673. at Sea sent by the Spaniards in the yeare 1588. 998. of King Philip in Piccardie 323. of the Duke of Parmaes to succour the League 1043. of the States vpon the coast of Spaine and at the Ilands 1213 Arnold Earle of Holland slaine by the Frisons 9. Arnold Duke of Gelders offers the combate to Adolph his sonne 174 Arnold of Groue-velt Gouernour of Sluys 957. Arnold resignes the Duchie of Geldres to the Duke of Bourgongne 174 Arnhem assured for the Estates 875 Articles of the priuiledges of Brabant 1371 Articles set downe by the Inquisition of Spaine against the Netherlands 442. confirmed by the King of Spaine 443 Assemblie of the Estates of Friseland 213 Assembly at Bolswaert 214 Assembly of the chiefe of the Nobilitie at Dendermond 415. an other assemblye of the Nobles 368 Articles of peace betwixt France and Spaine 144. Audenarde abandoned by the Protestants who had surprized it 496. besieged and yeelded to the Duke of Parma 8â—…2 Arras the chiefe towne in Arthois in great troubles 673 Arschot in Brabant yeelded to Dom Iohn 654. Audience of the Deputies of the Estates with the French King 860 Axel in Flanders taken by the Estates 920 Attempts of them of Amsterdam against them of Harlem 504 Ambassadors from England and France to the Estates 818 Appologie made by the Protestants for their taking of armes 428 Admirall of Arragon set at libertie 1259 Adolph Earle of Berghen taken prisoner 1264. Ambassadors from the vnited Prouinces to the King of England 1297 Ardenbourg abandoned to Prince Maurice 1307. Archduke Alberts men comming to relieue Sluys put to rout 1309 Archduke Albert hinders the assembling of the generall Estates 1320. hee prepares for warre 1321 Admonition to the vnited Prouinces against a peace 1328 Admirall of Dunkerke taken at sea 1351 Archduke Albert iealous of the Duke of Bouillon 1354 Accorde made betwixt the Earle of East-Frise-land and the Towne of Embden 1365. B. BAerle taken and recouered 772 Baltazar Gerard killes the Prince of Orange 832. is executed ibid. Baron of Enghien beheaded in Henault 107. Baron of Battembourgh Lieutenant to the Prince of Orange at the reliefe of Harlem 513. Baron of Montigny prisoner in Spaine and poisoned 454 Baron of Selles sent from the King to the Estates 653 Barons of Batenbourg executed by the Duke of Alua 449 Baron of Anholt slaine at the siege of Lochum 808. Bastard putatiue of the Emperor beheaded in Holland 824 Baron of Boxtell Gouernour of Boisleduc 700. Backerzeell offers violence to
againe ibid. Gaspar of Robles Lord of Billy his behauiour in Groning 614 Gaspar of Anastro a Bankeroat Marchant vndertakes to kill the Prince of Orange 799 Geldrois in warre against the Hollanders 169. they reuolt from the house of Bougongne 193. Geldres sold to the Spaniard by Patton a Scottishman 958 George Duke of Saxony succeeds Duke Henrie his broâ—…her in Frisland 225. hee resignes it to Prince Chaerles 241 Gaesbeck surprised by the Spaniard 803 Gerard van Velsen a knight of Holland kills Floris Earle of Holland 68. is besieged taken and executed 69 Gheertruyde widowe to Cont Floris 1. tutrix to her sonne Floris Earle of Holland marries with Robert the Frison ibid. George of Lalaine Earle of Rheneberg yeelds Groning trecherously to the Spaniard 734. Genles and the French comming to releeue Mons defeated by the Duke of Alua. 489 Gheertruydenberg surprized by the Prince of Orange 528. the souldiers mutyning it is besieged by Prince Maurice 1016. sold to the Duke of Parma 1017. besieged and taken by Prince Maurice 1â—…61 Ghisbrecht of Brederow chosen bishoppe of Vtrecht 148. hee compounds with the Duke of Bourgongne and resignes his Bishopricke ibid. Gouernors and Knights of the Order assembled in the Netherlands touching the new bishops 348 Graue in Brabant besieged by the Spaniard yeelded 950. taken againe by Prince Maurice 1280 Groll besieged and yeelded to Prince Maurice 1131. recouered by the Marquis Spinola 1360 Groningers offer to acknowledge the Earle of Holland 113 Groning besieged by the duke of Saxony 229. treates with the Earle of Embden yeeldes vnto the Estates and their gouernor prisoner 614. a tumult in the towne and some of the Clergie prisoners 649. they are forced to enter into the vnion of Vtrecht 701. deliuered vp to the Spaniard 734. besieged and yeelded to Prince Maurice 1091 Groenevelt gouernor of Sluis 909 Gorrichom taken 130 Guy of Dompierre Earle of Flanders makes war in Holland 66 Groningers send to the Emperor 213 Guisnes taken by assault from the French 625 Gramberghe yeelded to Cont William of Nassau 1068 Goor abandoned to the Estates 1133 Ghistelles gouernor of Ostend 1302. slaine there 1305 Groning Castell beaten downe 1366 H HArlem besieged by Contesse Iaqueline 139. punished by the duke of Saxony 210 Harlem besieged by the duke of Alua defends it selfe valiantly 491. yeelds to the Dukes mercy 514. redeemes it selfe from spoile ibid. Haultepenne and Cont Hohenlo make hot warres 907 Haultepenne defeated and slaine 950 Henrie Duke of Saxony leaues Frisland to his brother George 225 Herentalls in Brabant abandoned to the Spaniard by the Collonels of Antwerp 851 Heraugier surprizeth Breda and is made gouernor 1035 Hemert gouernor of Graue executed at Vtrecht 951 Hollanders rebell against Thierry of Aquitane their first Earle 3. defeated in Frisland and their reuenge 63. twise defeated by the Flemings in Walchren 81. in warre with them of Vtrecht 134. they take armes to succor the bishop of of Vtrecht 196. defeated by them of Vtrecht ibid. Hookins chased out of Leyden by the Cabillautins 195. they recouer the towne ibid. Humbercourt wyns great honour at the yeelding vp of Liege 162 Hulst surprized by the Ganthois 209. besieged and taken by Prince Maurice 1051. along and deere siege to Cardinall Albert which in the end yeelds 1117 Horsemen of the Duke of Parmas defeated by Prince Manrice in the Betuwe 1050 Huy in the Countrie of Liege surprized by Herauguiere and recouered presently by the Spaniard 1103 I IAqueline or Iacoba Countesse of Holland 128. made sure to Iohn Duke of Brabant 129. defeates the Lord of Arckel and marries with Duke Iohn 130. leaues the Duke her husband 135. marries with the Duke of Glocester 137. besieged by the Duke of Brabant in Mons deliuered to the Duke of Bourgongne and escapes 138 abandoned by the Duke of Glocester 139. is victorious at Alpen 140. shee makes an accord with the Duke of Bourgongne 141. marries with Franc of Borselle 142. her death 143 Iames Heesel a Councellor hanged at Gand 682. Iealousie betwixt the Nobilitie of the Netherlands for the Lieutenancie of the Archduke Mathias 654 Iealousie in the Germaine Princes Campe 1219. Ieronimo Rhoda a Priest chiefe of the Spanish mutines 595 Iohn Earle of Henaut succeeds in the Countie of Holland 78. defeates the Flemings 83. his death 85 Iohn de Renesse a knight of Zeland wrongfully accused and banished 74. hee prouokes the Earle of Flanders against the Earle of Holland 79. his death ibid. Iohn Lord of Arckel and his children make warre against the Earle of Holland 118 Iohn van Vlyet beheaded at the Hage 137 Iohn of Koestein vndertakes to poison the Earle of Charolois 150. is beheaded ibid. Iohn of Bauaria bishop of Liege carries himselfe as Tutor of Holland 13â—… hee obtaines the Earldome of the Emperor from his Neece Iaqueline Leyden yeelded to him 134. his death 137 Iohn Earle of Nassau brings Iewells out of Spaine to King Philip. 233 Iohn of Imbise and his actions at Gant 714. his returne out of Germany 827. for his treachery he is executed at Gant 859 Iohn of Austria bastard to the Emperor Charles the fift Gouernor in the Netherlands 600. he confirmes the pacification of Gant 623. he growes hatefull to the Estates 635. his dissembling 636. thinking to assure Antwerp hee looseth it 638. hee seizeth vpon the Castle of Namur 640 his letters intercepted 646 hee seekes to iustifie himselfe ibid. the reasons of his retreate hee sends to succor Ruremonde 651 he raiseth an army 653. publisheth his iustification 649. defeates the Estates at Gemblours 654 hee recouers many townes in Henault 656. his death 677 Inundation voluntarily made by Delf to relecue Leyden 567 Iarres betwixt the English and Zeelanders 592 Images beaten downe in Flanders 409 Inglemuster besieged by La Noue 774 English and Scots defeated by the Duke of Parma at Rosendael 826 Infanta of Spaine giuen in marriageto Albertus Archduke of Austria 1160. is acknowledged by vertue of her procuration Dutchesse of Brabant 1169 Inondation in the Netherlands 463 Inquisition of Spaine cunningly brought into the Netherlands 342 Institution of new bishops 343 Instruction giuen by the King of Spaine to the Prince his sonne before his death 1178 English men disloyal rewarded for their treachery 358 Englishmen seize vpon the Abbot of Michels within Antwerp for their paie 688 Instructions giuen by the Prince of Orange to Generall Norris going into England 835. Island Del Principe taken by Moucheron 1156 Iustification sent by the Commons of Antwerp to the Prince of Orange 400 Iustification of the Protestant Ministers of Antwerp 409 Iustin Nassau made Admirall of Zeeland vpon the displacing of Treslon 875 Iuw Decama chosen Popestate of Frisleland 213. Iunius writes to Champigny 556. Iohn Bouvier Maister of the fire-workes to Prince Maurice slaine by mischance 1152 Isendyke besieged and yeelded to Prince Maurice 1307 Incounter at Mulhem 1352 K KAsenbroot Volck were certaine poore peasants in Holland which did rise and
went towards Leyden 210. they sue for mercy ibid. Koppel yeelded to the Estates 808 Koestein seeking to poison the Earle of Charolois is beheaded 150 Knotsenbourg a fort right against Nymegen 1036. besieged by the Duke of Parma in vaine 1049 L LAmoral Earle of Egmont sent into Spaine and to what end 351 hee seekes to pacefie the troubles in Flanders 400. his blindnesse 434. hee is put in prison by the Duke of Alua. 437. and executed 451 Laten Gouernor of Middelborge slaine 512 Leerdam taken by the Spaniard 573 Leyden besieged by the Spaniard 541. the resolution of the besieged 560. a braue answere of the besieged 565 a courragious speech of a Bourguemaster 567. succors frō God not expected their full deliuery 570. a generall collection for the poore of the towne 572 Leyden surprised by the Hoekins 195. besieged by the Lord of Montigny the Gouernor ibid. Lembourg besieged and yeelded to Don Iohn 659 Lens in Arthois surprised and spoyled by the Duke of Anious men 801 Letters from the Nobilitie of the Netherlands to the King of Spaine touching the troubles the Kings answere and their reply 348. from the King to the Netherlands otherwise then they expected 351. from the Prince of Orange to the Dutchesse of Parma 353. her answere 354. from the Dutchesse of Parma to the townes of the Netherlands 398. from her to the confederate Noblemen 405. from the King of Spaine to the P. of Orange 412. from Francisco De Alana to the Dutchesse of Parma 413. From the Earle of Horne to the King of Spaine 346. From the Prince of Orange to the generall Estates 601. From the Estates of Brabant to the other Prouinces against the Spaniard 561 from the Estates of Lille Douay and Orchies to the generall Estates 690. from the Prince of Orange to Cont Iohn his brother 840 from Saint Aldegonde to the signeurie of Metkerke touching a peace 897. from the Queene of England to the Duke of Parma and to the Estates 923 from Waremond Stochelen touching the betraying of Deuenter 945 from the Estates to the Queene of England 952. of Donation of the Netherlands to the Infanta of Spaine 1160 of the King of Spaines intercepted 1172. from Prince Maurice to the Circles 1184. From the Emperour to Cardinall Andrew of Austria 1193. and to the vnited Estates ibid. Letters from the Duke of Aniou to them of Antwerp 816 Leoninus speech to the generall Estates for the Earle of Leicester 959 Liegeois chase way their bishoppe brother to the Earle of Holland and are defeated in battaile 121. they take armes against the Duke of Bourgongne 156. they sue for peace and obtaine it 157. they helpe the Spaniards at the siege of Mastricht 707 Liege taken and miserably burnt by Charles Duke of Bourgongne 167 Leire in Brabant assured for the Estates 645 deliuered by treason to the Spaniard 805. taken by the Estates and presently lost againe 1111 Lillo besieged by the Spaniard raiseth his siege with shame 850 Liefkens Hoeck and Doel taken by the Estates 876 Linghen besieged and taken by Prince Maurice 1134 besieged and taken againe by the Marquis Spinola 1348 Lochum besieged by the Spaniard 808. the Campe riseth ibid. Lord of Berghen slaine in the Duke of Brabants chamber 135 Lord of Brederode defeated and taken prisoner 141 Lord of Arckel taken prisoner 123 Louvaine yeelded to Don Iohn 654 Lewis Duke of Bauaria husband to Marguerite of Holland Emperor 97 Lewis de Requesens great Commander of Castille succeedes the Duke of Alua in the gouernment of the Netherlands 539. his armie at sea defeated 544. three seuerall designes at one instant 551. hauing propounded vnreasonable conditions of peace hee resolues to warre 583 his death ibid. Lord of Froment forsakes don Ihon. 646 Lembourg besieged and taken by the Prince of Parma 660 Loopers of Ostend 1299 Lewis de Valasco beaten from his fort by Dam with losse of men 1309 Losse in the Archdukes armie before Ostend 1318 Lodowicke Earle of Nassau dies in Sluis 1318 M MAgistrates and Bourge◅s in Harlem agree togither 498 Marguerite Empresse Countesse of Holland 97. in warre against her sonne and ouercomes him 99. is defeated by her sonne 100. her death ibid. Mary Dutchesse of Bourgongne Countesse of Holland 181 restrained by the Ganthois 187. their insolencies towards her shee marries with Maximilian of Austria 191. her death and her Children 197 Maximilian of Austria marries the Princesse of Bourgongne 191 hee comes into Holland to pacefie the factions 194 he carries himselfe as tutor of his wiues Children after her death 197. is created King of Romaines 201 comes into Holland 207. succeedes in the Empire 212 Macklin surprised by the Estates 742. yeelded to the Spaniard 882 Malcontents and their beginning in the Netherlands 664. their coloured reasons to fall from the Estates 688 Marriage of Cont William of Nassau 980 Mathias Archduke of Austria called to the Gouernment of the Netherlands 657. resignes his Gouernment 749. his departure out of the Netherlands 789 Mastricht besieged 703. the Estates make a shew to releeue it 704. the Spaniard takes it by assault 708 Martin Schenck a Collonel followes the States partie 878. hee makes a road into the Diocese of Cologne 917. builds the Fort of Sgrauen-weert 951. surpriseth Bonne 983. goes to an Imperiall Dyet 990. victualeth Berke 1020. his vnfortunate enterprise vpon Nymeghen and his death 1021 Marguerite of Austria bastard to the Emperors Charles the fift Gouernesse of the Netherlands 335 Marshall Biron disswades the Duke of Aniou from the enterprise of Antwerp 812. hee retires with the Dukes troupes into France 829 Mary Millet reuengeth her selfe of captaine Pont who had forst her she kills him and is murthered 661 Macklin summoned by the Estates will stand neuter 715 Marquis of Warenbon prisoner to the French 1123. defeated by the Estates 1024 Marquis Spinola comes to releeue Sluis 1313. his men ranne from him 1314. hee offers to force the Princes trenches ibid. hee retiers not able to releeue it ibid. hee seekes to enter into Cadsandt and is repulst 1315. Marquis of Roubay slaine at the Stocadoe before Antwerp 875 Maurice of Nassau borne Prince of Orange Marquis of Camphere succeeds his father in the Gouernment of Holland 859. makes a roade into Brabant to drawe the Spaniard from Sluis 959. comes into Zeeland and writes to the Queene of England 992. enters into the Gouernment after the Earle of Liecester 1026. pursues Uerdugoes troupes 1061. his care to succor Hulst 1117. attends to fight with the Admirall of Arragon 1187. intrencheth himselfe at Harwarden 1213. prepares for the warres in Flanders 1240. Landes with his armie at Philippine 1241. besieged Nieuport 1243 Maurice intrencheth himselfe at Watervlyet 1346. Maurice of Nassau prepares to besiege Sluis 1305. hee camped before it 1309 Menin a towne in Flanders taken by the Malcontents 664. recouered by the Estates 716. abandoned to the Spaniard by them of Bruges 831 Megen surprised by them of Bommel 503. wonne by
Netherlands 217. goes with his wife into Spaine 226. is crowned King of Castille in the right of his wife 228. his death 232. Philip Earle of Hohenlo presseth the Spaniard in the Isle of Bommel 1024. marries the Prince of Oranges daughter 1012. comes to the battaile of Tournhout and giues the first charge 1126. his death 1355. Philip the second King of Spaine 317. his last departure out of the Netherlands 337. seekes peace with France 1141. hee giues his daughter the Infanta in marriage to the Arch-duke Albert 1160 Philip-ville yeelded to Dom Iohn 659 Philip of Montmorencie Earle of Horne imprisoned by the Duke of Alua 437. executed at Brussels 451 Philip Earle of Egmont makes an attempt vpon Brussels to his great dishonour 706. is taken prisoner in his towne of Nyenhouen 730. is deliuered for Monsieur la Noue 883 Philip of Marnix Signior of Saint Aldegond prisoner to the Spaniards 530. his speech to them of Antwerpe during the siege 868. his death 1205 Philip Earle of Nassau makes a road into Luxembourg for the Estates 1063. hee chargeth the Spaniards is wounded taken prisoner and dyes 1104 President appointed in the Prouinciall councell in Holland Zeeland and West-friseland 146 Preaching forborne in Antwerp 400 Prince of Spaines speech to the Duke of Alua 415. Princes of the Empire in Armes against the Admirall of Arragon 1209 Ponthus of Noielle Siegnior of Bours procures the Castle of Antwerpe to be deliuered to the Estates 645 Proclamation of the Estates for the obseruing of the pacification of Gand 604 Proclamation of the Duke of Parma against the towne of Aix 1027 Proclamation of the King of Spaine dispensing with the payment of his debts 1123 Protestants of Amsterdam propound fiue articles to their Magistrate 425 Pedro Dordoigno sent to kill the Prince of Orange executed 824 Protestants defeated at Austerweel 422 Protestants of the Netherlands make warre at Sea vnder the Prince of Orange 463. Proceeding vpon the petition of the Nobles in the Netherlands 390 Practises of Charles Duke of Bourgongne to ruine the house of Brederode 169 Protestants request for a religious peace 666. Proscription against the Prince of Orange 763. Preparation of the Spanish armie at Sea in the yeare 1588. 998 Preacher murthered at Deutecome 1200 Protestation of the Prince of Orange for his taking armes 491 Prince of Iuilliers and Cleues vnfortunately married 880 Practise to betraye Gheertruydenberg discouered 1259 Q. QVarrell betwixt them of Bruges and Antwerpe 200 Question among the Clergie of the Netherlands for incorporating of spirituall liuing to the new Bishopricks 347 Question in Spaine about the choosing of a Generall to subdue the Netherlands 415 Queene of England offers succors to the Estates 890. shee publisheth the reasons that mooues her therevnto 894 R. RAmeken a Forte in Zeland besieged and yeelded to the Protestants 518 Reconciliation of Arthois Henault c. to the Spaniard 708 Refusall to surpresse the new Bishops augments the troubles in the Netherlands 351. Remedie to stanche the bloud in the Prince of Oranges wound 801 Religious peace made 669 Resolution of the Estates of Holland 557 Renold Lord of Brederode and his brother imprisoned by the Bishop of Vtrecht 169. his processe beeing referred to the Knights of the Order he is absolued 170 Retreat of the Spaniards out of the Netherlands 625 Retreate of the ministers out of Antwerp 426. Retreat of many Protestants out of the Netherlands 410 Relation of the enterprise at Antwerp 812 Returne of the Spaniards into the Netherlands 809 Reâ—…er van Bron chuysen captaine for them of Vtrecht 196 Riuer cut from Vtrecht to Leck 107 Rhinberk besieged in vaine by the Spaniard 924. taken by Cont Charles of Mansfeldt 1025. besieged and wonne by Prince Maurice 1129. recouered againe by the Admirall of Arragon 1284. taken againe by Prince Maurice 1286. and last of all by the Marquis Spinola 1364. Richardot sent into Spaine by the Duke of Parma 1020 Robâ—…rt Dudley Earle of Leicester Generall for the Queene of England 910. discontented with the Estates 921. at his going into England hee appoints a Councell of Estate 930. prepares to raise the siege of Sluis 961. hee excuseth himselfe vnto the Estates for not doing it 964. hee failes to surprise Leyden 979. is called home into England and resignes his Gouernment vnto the Estates 982 Romerswall yeelded to the Spaniard 53 Rotterdam yeelded to the King of the Romaines ' 207 Rouard of Brabant what Office it is 1â—…6 Rowland Yorke made Gouernor of the Fort at Zutphen 928. sells it to the Spaniard 943. Ryperdas speech to them of Harlem 497 Roeroort surprised by Schenck 991 S SAint Quintin besieged and taken by the King of Spaine 323 Saint From in Liege yeelded to duke Chaâ—…ls of Bourgongne 162 Sarras Gouernor of Flussing vnfortunate 477. is charged by the Spaniards and repulseth them at Sooteland 478 Saint Guislaine a towne in Henault assured for the Estates 655 Saint Andrewes Fort besieged by Prince Maurice and yeelded 1230 Sanchio de Auila sent to succor Ter-goes and performes it happely 479 Scandall how interpreted 883 Sanchio de Auila sent to besiege Flussing 477 Sas by Gant seized on by the Spaniard 827 Sentence for the razing of Culembeurgs house 444 Schonhoven surprised by the Countesse Iaqueline 134. yeelded to the Spaniard by composition 586 Sentence of the Inquisition against the Netherlands 443 Separation of the confederate nobles of the Netherlands 410 Separation of the three iurisdictions of Holland cut to releeue Leyden 560 Sevenberghe taken and the Lord of it driuen away 139. taken by the Earle of Mansfeldt for the Spaniard 1035 Schulenbourg taken by the Spaniard 877. Seege of the Protestants of Zeeland before Ter-goes their army flies awaie amazed 478 Sichen in Brabant yeeldes to the Spaniard 654. recouered for the Estates and after yeelded to the Spaniard 826 Slyckembourg taken for the Estates 877 Sluis besieged by the Duke of Saxony â—…11 besieged and taken by the Spaniard 961 Shippes and men comming out of Spaine defeated by the Estates shippes 1347 Spinola marcheth with his army towardes Frisland 1347 Spaniards repulst at an enterprise vpon Berghen 1349 Spinola goes into Spaine 1353 Sentence pronounced against the Gouernor and Captaines which yeelded Linghen to Spinola 1354 Spinola seekes to enter into the Suider Sea 1359. Shippes of Holland taken by the Danes 251 Skyrmish at Rymenant Leguer 662 Spel a Prouost Marshall hanged at Brussells 462 Specification of the oppressions done by the Admirall of Arragons men in a neutrall Country 1190 Soubourg a Fort in Zeeland besieged by the Flussingers and yeelded 508 Spaniard beaten at the Bryele 472. they surprise Berghen vp Zome 474. they faile to surprise Camphere 475. they quit the siege of Leyden and flie 570. they mutine and faile to surprise Vtrecht 573. they surprise Alost in Flanders 590. they assemble in the Castle of Antwerp 596. they depart by accord 626. they are chased out of the I le of Bommel 1024. they mutine and
surprise Courtraye 1030. they attempt Lochen in vaine 1046. they ouerrunne the neutrall Countries 1174. they mutine and seaze vpon Hochstrate 1281. a sentence of proscription against them and their answer 1282. Staueren a towne in Friseland their prosperitie and declining 30 Stanley an English Colonell sels Deuenter to the Spaniard 942 Steenwicke a towne in Oueryssell besieged by the Spaniard 752. victualed 761. freed from siege 762. surprized by the Spaniard 810. besieged and yeelded to Prince Maurice 1059 Steward a Scottish Collonell entertained into the Estates seruice 656 Submission of the West-Frisons to the Earle of Holland 94 Substance of the Deputies Letters assembled at Dortmont and of the Prince Electors to the Emperor 1187 Sparendam taken by the Spaniard 498 Supplies of men and munition sent to Sluys 958. Swol in an vprore 737 Successe of the Estates armie at the Canaries 1213. Sluys sommoned by Prince Maurice 1310. in extremitie for victuals 1312. they desire a parle 1315. yeelded to Prince Maurice 1316. Shippes and men comming out of Spaine defeated by the Estates ships 1347 Spinola marcheth with his armie towards Frizeland 1347 Spaniards repulst at an enterprize vppon Berghen 1349 Spinola goes into Spaine 1353 Sentence pronounced against the Gouernour and Captaines which yeelded Linghen to Spinola 1354. Spinola seekes to enter into the Suider sea 1359. T. TEmples built for the Protestants in Antwerpe 409 Temples granted for the Protestants in diuerse places of the Netherlands 665 Testimonie of the prouidence of God at the â—…iege of Leyden 567 Teligny taken prisoner vpon the riuer of Antwerpe 866 Tenth penny imposed by the Duke of Alua 465. Tergoes besieged by the Protestants 478. Thierry of Aquitaine the first Earle of Holland 3. his genealogie 5. Thiâ—…rry the second Earle subdues the Frisons 7. Thierry the third the fourth Earle defeates the Frisons and reuengeth his fathers death 14 Thierry the fourth the fift Earle of Holland slaine in Dordrecht 16 Thierry the fift the tenth Earle of Holland defeated the Frisons twise 27 Thierry the seauenth the foureteene Earle of Holland 41. in quarrell with his brother William 42. his death 43. Tillemont a towne in Brabant yeelds to Don Iohn 654 Tongres a towne in Liege yeelded to Charles Duke of Bourgongne 532 Tournay besieged and yeelded to the Archduke Maximilian 193. besieged by the Duke of Parma and taken 790 Treatie of peace betwixt Iohn of Bauaâ—…a and the Countesse of Holland his Neece 133. betwixt the Earle of Câ—…arolois and the Liegeois 155. in Frisland betwixt the Scheringers and Vetcoopers 27â—… at Vtrecht for the vnion 700. at Breda in vaine 574. at Cologne fruitlesse 713. at the Hage ibid. Transactions of the Abbays in Brabant to free themselues from incorporations 350. Treslon prisoner in the Castle of Antwerpe 645. Treslon Admirall of Zeeland imprisoned by the Estates 875. Tournay and Tournesis refuse to enter into the reconciliation with Arthois c. 695. Troubles in Antwerpe 394. other troubles for the hurting of the Prince of Orange 800. Troubles at Embden 1154 Truchses Elector of Cologne allyes himselfe vnto the Estates 831 Tumult of the Commons in Amsterdam 146. at Leyden among the factions 147. at Macklyn 161. at Bâ—…uges for their Coynes 208. In West-Friseland for the Impositions 221. at Brussels 276. at Gand 834. at Vtrecht ibid. at Leeuwarden in Friseland 647. At Vtecht by the Clergie against the Magistrates 1007. at Bruges for the Vnion 702. Tournhout surprized by the Estates 1407 Trafficke into Spaine for the Netherlanders forbidden by the Infanta 1197 Truce in Arthois and Henault with Cambray 868 Theodore Triuulce Lieutenant of all the Archdukes light horsemen slaine at Mulhem 1353 V. VAlenciennes zealous to the religion refâ—… garrison 446. is besieged and yeelded 417. and surprised by the Protestants 476 a tumult in the towne 663 Venlo a towne in Gelders yeelded to the Spaniard 951. they chase away their garrison and Gouernor 1â—…45 Verdugo seekes to force Prince Maurice his trenches in vaine 1064 Vetcoopers in Freezeland cause of great troubles 221 Vicont of Leyden opposeth himselfe to Cont Thierry 2 Vicont of Leyden and their descendents 134. Villevorde a towne in Brabant surprized by the Estates 984 Uillers defeated neere vnto Dalem 448 Villars and the French defeated neere vnto Doâ—…lans 1106 Lord of Vere put from his gouernment in Holland 194 Vianen abandoned to the Spaniard 428 Victorie of Prince Maurice against the Archduke Albert neere vnto Nieuport 1247. Vicont of Turene prisoner to the Spaniard 778. Vnion generall of the Estates of the Netherlands 615 Vnion made by the Prouinces which continued in the first confederation at Vtrecht 700 Vlricke first Earle of Embden of East-freezland 220 Vniuersitie erected at Leyden in Holland 583. Vtrecht besieged by the Earle of Holland 34. Vander Aa Captaine of Prince Maurice gards slaine by Sluys 1309 W. Waginengen a towne in Geldres besieged and taken 194 Walger Earle of Teysterbaut Brother to Thierry of Aquitaine first Earle of Holland 2. Walchren an Island of Zeeland against the Spaniard all but Middelbourg 475 Wachtendone a Towne in Geldres besieged and yeelded to the Spaniard 510. recouered againe by Prince Maurice 1128. Land of Waâ—…s yeelded to the Spaniard by Seruaes van Stelandt 833 Wandrichom taken by the Spaniard 551 Warre proclaimed betwixt the French king and Spaine 1101. Warre betwixt the Duke of Bourgongne and the Ganthois 147 Weertdenbras a Fort in Friseland 230 Weed yeelded to Cont William of Nassau 1068. Weerd a towne in Brabant taken by the Spaniard 682. recouered and spoiled by the Estates men 828 Wyricke of Daun Earle Vanden brouck murthered by the Admiral of Arragons men 1182. Wynschoten yeelded to Cont William of Nassau 1068 Warre betwixt the Earle of Holland and the Lord of Arckel 118. betwixt the Bishop and the towne of Vtrecht 19. betwixt the Archduke Philip and the Geldrois 227. betwixt the Esterlings and the Netherlanders 246 Walrauen Lord of Brederode Lieutenant to Countesse Iaqueline in Holland slaine in Gorrichom 130 Westerlo yeelded to the Spaniard 826 William the sixteene Earle of Holland enters Holland and disposesseth his Neece 45. conquers Zeeland 46 William the eighteene Earle of Holland chosen King of the Romaines 55. wounded traiterously with a stone in Vtrecht 59. slaine in West-Freezland ibid. William called the good the two twenty Earle of Holland 87. does Iustice vpon a Bayliffe of South-Holland for a Cowe 89. his death 90 William the fourth the three and twentith Earle of Holland 91. makes warre against the Russian Infidels 93. makes warre against the Frisons and is slaine in battaile 94 William of East-Friseland Brother to Thierry the seauenth Earle of Holland escapes out of prison 42. is called by the Nobles of Holland 45. is made the six and twentie Earle of Holland 49. heyre to the Crowne of Scotland the which hee neglects ibid. William of Bauaria the fiue and twentie Earle of Holland 102. spoiles the countrie of Vtrecht 103. is distracted ibid. William Earle of
husband The Earle of S. Pol sent 〈◊〉 into Brabant An assembly of the states of Brabant Thâ—… Earle of S. Pol made Reuward of Brabant The Lord of Berghen slain in the Dukes chamber Many of the duke oâ—… 〈◊〉 seruants apprehended The Emperor anâ—…â—…ce Elector write into Bâ—…abant so the prisoners The prisoners set a libertie Whâ—…t the office of Reuwâ—…rd â—…s Many beheaded at Brussels The Contesse Iaqueline causeth the Dâ—…ke of Brabant her husband to be cited to Rome The Contesse Iaqueline made â—…re to the duke of Gloceâ—…r He comeâ—… with an Army into Henault 1423. Iohn van Vlyer beheadded at the Hage Iohn of Bauaria gouernor of Holland dies The Duke of Brabant acknowledgeâ—… Earle of Holland in the right of his wife Captaine Albert Beyllincâ—… buâ—…ied aliue 1425. Schoonhouen besieged A Truce made at Schoonhouen The duke of Brabant bebesiegeth the Contesse his wife in Mons A treatie made by the duke of Bourgongne to atteme vnto the Countesses countrey The Contesse laqâ—…e is deliuered into the Duke of Hourgongnes hands The Contesse of Holland led against her will vnto Gant The Contesse it freed out of the duke of Burgongnes hands The Contesse comes into Holland The battel of Alphen whereas the Coneesse was victor The English and Zeelanders defeated by the Duke of Bourgongne at Brouwershâ—… Anno 1424. The Cardinals sentencâ—… touching the duke of Brabants marriage with the Contesse of Holland The Duke of Glocester abandons the Contesse Iaqueline The Duke of Bourgongnes ambitious desugne Scuenberghe besieged And yeelded vp in despight of the Lord. 1426. Harlem besieged by the contesse A second battaile at Alphé where the Contesse is victorious The Contesse makes knights William Nagel Captaine of the Kennemers Captaine Na gel by the Kennemers defeated 1427. The death of Iohn Duke of Brabant A sâ—…a battaile fought neere to Wyeringhen The Lord of Brederode defeatâ—…d and taken prisoneâ—… An accord betwixt Duke Philip and the Contesse Iaqueline 1429. Philip of Bourgonge buyes the County of Namur 1430. Philip Duke of Brabant dyes Philip of Bourgongne makes his entrie as duke of Brabant The Lady Iaqueline Contâ—… of Holland 〈◊〉 thâ—… fourâ—…h tiâ—…e The Contesse denyed mony by her seruants Reasós which moued the Conâ—…esse Iaqueline to louâ—…â—…ranc of Borsselle â—…he marâ—…yes him secretly The Lord of Borsselle appâ—…ended by the Duke of Bourgongne The Contesse resignes aâ—…l heâ—… Coâ—…ntries to the Dukâ—… for her husbands liberty The Duke of Bouâ—…gongne takes possession of Holland c. 1436. The death of the Conâ—…esse Iaqueâ—…ine Noblâ—…men in the time of the Contesse Iaqueline The chiefe Nobility of Friseland 1437. Duke Philip right heire to Holland zeeland and Friseland His wiues and children Duke Philips â—…ards 1438. Warre betwixt the Esterlins the Hollanders zelanders 1444. The factions reuiued in Holland A tumult at Amsterdam by the factions The Dutchesse comes into Holland to pacifie the troubles She returnes without any effect The Duke sends for the heads of both factions Institution of the 〈◊〉 President in Holland A tumult at Leyden The Duke comes into Holland He reconciles the two factions War betwixt the Duke of Bourgongne and the Ganthois 1452. The cause of this warreâ—… 1453. The Ganthois submit themselues vnto the Duke and are reâ—…onciled 1455. The death of the Bishop of Vtrecht Great competitors for the bishoprick Sugiestions by the â—…oeckin faction against the bishop of Vtrecht The duke belâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…ports against them of Brederode The duke of Bourgongne meanes to make his bastard sonne bishop of Vtrecht by force Dauid the duke of Bourgongnes bastard made bishop of Vtrecht Levvis Daulphin of France comes to Brusseles to the Duke of Bourgongne 1460. Death of king Charles of France Levvis King of France falles in dislike vvith the Duke of Bourgongne 1461. Certaine signtories come to the Earle of Charolois 1462. What Iohn of Koesteine vvas Croy lanoy Koestein conspire against the Earle of Charolois They seeke to poison him The practise discouered vnto the earle Koestein committed to prison He is condemned to loose his head Iohn of Iuy â—…hat accused Koestein beheaded also Causes of dislike betwixt the king of France and the duke of Bourgongne The answer of the Lord of Chymay to the French King 1463. The Freâ—…ch King comes to 〈◊〉 to the Dukâ—… of Bourgongne The Earle of Charolois 〈◊〉 to come to the King which discontents his 〈◊〉 The duke of Bourgongne and his sonne reconciled The Earle comes to his fathâ—…r 〈◊〉 speech vnto the Duke his father The Duke of Bourgoâ—…gne reconciled to his sonne 1464. Which is 20000. pound starling Certaine demands made by the French King vnto the duke of Bourgongne The Dukes requests vnto the King The bastard of Rubempre sent into Holland to surprise the Earle of Charolois Rubempre his companions apprehended The Kings intention touching Rubempres acte The duke of Bourgongne reâ—…res in hast from Hesdin 1464. The â—…rench king sends Ambassadors to the duke of Bourgongne The French kings demands The Earle of Charolois answere The Earle of Charolois sends a message vnto the King The Duke of Bourgongne falles sicke The Earle of Charolois made Gouernor of his fathers contries Hiâ—… speech vnto his friends A new quarrel betwixt the Duke of Bourgongne and his Sonne The Earle of Charolois writs to all the Townes 1446. The towne castell of Lanoy taken taken Letters from the Earle of Charolois to them of Arras 1465. The Earle of Charolois reconciled to his father The duke of Bourgongne leauies an army to succor the duke of Berry The Earle of Charolois forces The dukes speech to his Sonne at his parting The French King makes a league with them of Liege The Liegeois in armes against the duke of Bourgongne The death of the Contesse of Charolois Peronne surprized for the Duke of Bourgongne The insolencie of them of Dynant The Earle prepaâ—…res an armie against the Liegeois The Liegeois sue for peace 1465. A peace concluded with the Liegeois The Liegeois offer an affront to the Earles men The Earle of Neuers reconciles himselfe to the Earle of Charolois 1466. The Dynandois 〈◊〉 the peace Dinant besieged Dinant taken and razed The Liegeoiâ—… reconcile themselues againe to the Earle of Charolâ—…is 1467. The Earle of Charolois marries Marguerite sister to the King of England The death of duke Philip of Bourgongne Duke Philips qualities Printing first â—…uented Duke Charles pourchaseth the County of Ferrette His wiues Duke Charles takes posseâ—…on of his coun tries The Ganthois mutine against their Duke The Duke yeelds to the Ganthois The Ganthois submit themselues vnto the Duke A tumult at Macklyn The Liegeois breake the peace The Duke goes with an armie against the Liegeois The Duke sends back the 300 hostages The Liege ois came to raise the â—…eege at Saintron A battaile betvvixt the duke and the Lâ—…geois The Liegeois defeated Saintron yeelded Tongres yeelded Liege yeelds vnto the duke The Liegeois in doubt to deliuer the town The duke enters
into Liege â—…ke a conqueror The duke returnes into his countries Duke Charles marcheth with an army to succor the duke of Brittaine King Levvis the leauenth desires to speake with Charles duke of Bourgongne The French Ambassadors perswade the Liegeois to rebell An enâ—…eruewe at Peronne be twixt the king and duke The King iealous of some Noblemen of Bourgongne The Liegeois rebel againe The cruelty of them of Liege 〈◊〉 â—…uke transpoâ—…ted wâ—…th the newes of Liege Lewis the II. in great feare and perplexity The French King osâ—…ers Hostages to haue hâ—…s lâ—…berty The Dukes resolutions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lewis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 duke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The dukes Aâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The â—…opes Legat taken pâ—…soner The Duke of Brouâ—…ne 〈◊〉 susâ—…ous oâ—… the king before Leâ—…ge 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 oâ—… the Lâ—…egeois Liege taken The Duke saues the great church from spoile The king dâ—…parts from Liege The greâ—…t miserie of thâ—… Liegeois Aix la Chapelle submit themselues to the duke of Bourgongne 1469. Liege re-edified Great Princes come to hâ—… duke of Bourgongne Adolph Prince of Geldres refuseth to come to the Hage A controuersie betwixt the duke of Bourgongne and them of Vtrecht The lord of Brederode in great credit with the Bishop of Vtrecht 1470. The brethren of Brederode falsly accused The Lord of Brederode his brother taken prisoner by the bishop Practises to ruine the house of Breberode The bastard of Brederode put to the torture The Baylife of Vtrecht tortured The Bastard of Brederode escapesout of to prison The lord of Berderode put to the racks He is sent for to the duke to be tryed by his Peeres He is tortured before hee goes The lord of Brederode freed by his Peâ—…res Amâ—…ongen Baylife of Vt recht â—…eed Ghysbrecht Prouost of Vtrecht deliuered A meeting aâ—… Enchuysen with the 〈◊〉 The Frisons meane to defend themselues agaâ—… their 〈◊〉 Duke Charlâ—…s resolues to force the Frisons 1470. Warre begun betwixt â—…wis of â—…ance anâ—…â—…he duke oâ—…â—…gongne Thâ—… duke of Bourgongne adiourned to appeere at Paâ—…s The townes of Picardy reuolt from the duke The duke of Bourgongne comes before Amiens A â—…ruce betwixt the King and the duke The duke of Bourgongne entertaines many Princes with the hope of his daughter They fall againe to armes The duke of Bourgongne takes Nesle Roye and Montdidier A truce betwixt the king and the duke of Bourgongne The Constable â—…owes odious to both parties The assembly at Bouines against the Constable 1474. The King and the Constable talke togither The duke of Bourgongne seekes â—…o reconcile the duke of Geldres and his sonne The old ' duke of Geldres offers the combat to his Sonne The cruell foolish answer of the duke of Geldres Prince Adolph of Geldres prisoner Duke Arnold resignâ—… his duchy of Gel dres to the duke of Bourgongne Two Competitors for the bishoprick of Cologne Nuys besâ—…eged by the duke of Bourgongne An army of Germaines to 〈◊〉 Nuys Mediators for a peace at Nuys Diuers make warre against the duke of Bourgongne The French king makes war in Picardie A wise an swere of the Emperor Great mischances fallen to the Constable The reasonâ—… why the duke of Bourgongne did raise his siege from before Nuise A peace betwixt the Emperor and the Duke of Bourgongne A peace betwixt the French king and the Duke of Bourgongne Resolutions against the Constable The Constable flyes into Henault The Constable deliuered to the Kings men and beheaded The Duke of Bourgongne goes against the Swisses The Duke defeated at Granson Swisserland a very poore Contrie in those times The Duke of Bourgongne defeated at Morat An Epitaphe of the duke of Bourgongnes Armie 1467. Nâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 oâ—… Loâ—…e Nancy besieged by the duke of Bourgâ—…ne The Eâ—…le of 〈◊〉 â—…yes 〈◊〉 â—…ster 4000 Pounds steâ—…ling 1477. Good counceâ—…l giuen to the Duke but not follovved The battaile of Nancy where the Duke of Bourgongne was defeated and slaine The disposition of the duke of Bourgongne The French King seizeth of the townes of Piccardy and Arthois Lewâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 enters into Picardy with an aâ—…my The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 commâ—…on by tâ—…e â—…ing to 〈◊〉 â—…he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 out of Gand. Tournay brought vnder the Kings obedience Ambassadors from the Princesse of Bourgongne to the King The King regards not the marriage of the Daulphin with the Princesse of Bourgongne Arras yeelded to the King by consent Hesdin yeelded â—…o the King and Bologne The succors going to Arras defeated Arras yeelds by composition the which is 〈◊〉 kept 〈◊〉 seâ—…t 〈◊〉 the States to 〈◊〉 King The king incenseth the Ambassadors against the Princesse William of la Marke A disgrace done vnto the Princesse by the Ganthois The Chancellor and Humbercourt prisoners Commissiooners appoâ—…nted for their triall Obiections against the Chancellor and Humbercourt The Chancellor and Humberâ—…ourt condemâ—…ed to die The Princesse comes to the place of execuâ—…ion and â—…ues for them The Chancellor and Humbercourt executed The Princesse restrained of her libertie by the Ganthois The Duke of Gelders slaine The Princesse hates the â—…rench king The Emperor sends to the 〈◊〉 of Bourgongne to 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 Audience giuen to the Emâ—…erors Ambassadors His disposition and vertues His wife and children The Arch-duke makes a generall Assembly at Bruges The Arch-duke made Knight of the golden Flâ—…e 1478. Philip of Austria boâ—…ne The Geldrois reuolt from the house of Bourgongne The Arch-duke marched into Gelderland 1479. Cambray and Bohain surprized The battaile of Esguinegate The Arch-duke vvines the victory The Castell of Malonoy taken and the Captaine vvith 50. soldiars hanged Tournay taken by the Arch-duke The factions reuiue in Holland The Lord of Vere put from his gouerment of Holland The Castell of Pyecke taken by assault A new Gouernor to Holland 1480. Wageningen taken The new Gouernor of â—…olland 〈◊〉 â—…o 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Leyden surprised by the Hoeckins Leyden besieâ—…d by the Gouernor Dordrecht surprized by the yong lord of Egmont 〈◊〉 townes 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 biâ—…op and the Towne of Vtrecht Thosâ—… of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Duke of 〈◊〉 to help 〈◊〉 1482. Death of the Lady Mary of Bourgongne Contesse of Holland The Archduke calles himselfe Tutor A new order set downe by the Flemings touching the gouernment Affronts doâ—… vnto the French The Archduke acknowledged in Holland zeeland and â—…seland for Gardien The Traiectins besiege Iselstein A peace concluded betvvâ—…t the French and the Bourguignons Aire yâ—…led to the French 1483. The Lady Marguerite of Austria deliâ—…ed to the 〈◊〉 Vtrecht taken by the Archduke The Hollanders put a garrison in Vtrecht 1483. The Flemings put Philip of Austria in possession of the Earldome The Archduke depriued of the gouernment of his Sonne and of Flanders A quarrell betwixt the Buâ—…geois and them of Antwerp The outragâ—… of the Brugeois Deudermond Audenarde and Nienhouen surprised for the Archduke Bruges reconciled to the Archduke and Gand. A new tumult in Gand. The Emperor Frederic comes to Cologne
The Emperors letter to the princes â—…lectors The Emâ—…erors departure out of the Netherlands 1556 King Philips age King Philips proceeding after the emperors departure King Philip makes an excessiue demaÌ„d of the Netherlanders A great famin in the Netherlands The king coâ—…es out of â—…ngland to â—…is A fight at sea betweene the Hollanders the FrenchmeÌ„ Mary queen of England â—…roclaimeth open war against France S. Quintains besieged by king Philip. The battaile of 〈◊〉 Quintines The names of the noblemen of France thâ—…t were sâ—…e taken prisoners S. Quintine won the admiral of France with monsieur Daudelot his brother taken prisoners Peace made with the pope Calis taken by 〈◊〉 French meÌ„ * E. Demetrius 1558 Guynes woon by the French men Mary queen of Scots maried to the Dolphin of France Theonuille woon by the French men Duynkâ—…rke woâ—…n by the â—…nch men The battaileoâ—… Graueling in Flanders Mary queen of England died The death of queen â—…enor and queen Mary sistâ—…rs to â—…he emperour Charles the 5. The death of the emperour Charles the 5. Treatie of peace between France and Spaine Articles of the peace made at Cambresis Heâ—…ry king of France slâ—…ine aâ—… a running at 〈◊〉 The death of Pope Paule the fourth The lady Marguerite aduanced to the gouernment by the Cardinals meanes A petition mâ—…de by the states to king Philip to send the Spaniards out of the Netherlands King Philip 〈◊〉 from Vlishâ—…g into Spaine The Bible called Complutensis printed in Antuerpe at the costs and charges of K. Philip. A briefe declaration of the priuiledges of Brabant The libâ—…ralitie of thâ—… NetherlaÌ„dâ—…s to their lords and princes The emperour Charls thoght to haue reduced the Netherlands all into one kingdome Vnder pretence of religion othermeans were sought to take the priuiledges of the Netherlands from them The Inquâ—…tion nâ—…t suffered to proceed in the NetherlaÌ„ds oy means of Mary queen of Hungarie Inquisitors of the Faith made Thâ—… liâ—… of cardâ—…l 〈◊〉 His â—…randfather Hâ—…s father â—…is 〈◊〉 to hâ—…ue thâ—… king 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of â—…s couâ—…sel How he preuented the enuy of the couâ—… The cardinalâ—… priuat life His adultery luxury The Cardinals codpisse Hath made the king Golette misse His inchantments and witchcrâ—…t His contempt of the word of God The clergie at debate for the new bishops Deputies sent from Antuâ—…rpe to the king of Spâ—…ne touching the bishops The lord of Monâ—… sent â—…to Spain 1563 Letters of complâ—…int vntâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…g agâ—… the cardinall The kings answer The noblemens reply The cardinal called back into Spaine The pâ—…ution oâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ster 1564 Difference betwixt England and the Netherlands The abbey of Ouwergâ—…m â—…obd The earle of Egmont sent into Spaine 1565 The kings letters other than were expected Execution of the edicts Introduction of the Inquisition To put tâ—…e couâ—…ll of Treâ—…t in praâ—…e The Gouernesse sâ—…ters to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The prince of Oranges letter to the dutches Touching the execution of edicts The prince excuseâ—…h himself fâ—…oÌ„ this châ—…rge The Gouernesse sends for the prince of Orange to come to Brussels The magistrat of Antuerpe sendeth to the Gouernesse A bloudie resolution A dâ—…scourse of Fâ—…s Baudwins teaching the meanes to â—…uent the trouâ—…s Definition of this word Reâ—…on The minds of men cannot be commanded by force Couetousnes and ambition doe more than torments They must giue audience to them of the religion Mahumet forbids to dispute of his religion They of the reliâ—…on neuer heard with patience The holy Scripture as powerful now as euer to confute heresies Counsels reiâ—…cted by some bishops The word of God must determine of controuersies If it were fit to hinder the exercise of Religion Abuse in the Church the cause of great 〈◊〉 The christians in old timâ—…s assembled in the deserts He that is disloyâ—…ll vnto God wil be also vnto the king Fuseâ—…ius in the life of Constantine Emperor A good consideration touching the 〈◊〉 of the Netherlands No sorts maintaine kings so much as the loue of their subiects The cause of the troubles in France Great numbers haue forsaken the Netherlands for Religion Thâ—…t those of the 〈◊〉 are 〈◊〉 â—…ll of base condâ—…on Most oâ—… the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and best wâ—…ts â—…re of the 〈◊〉 In the end they shall be forced to grant liberâ—…e of religion Obiections against â—…ee excrâ—…se of â—…ligion Answer to the first obiection It is no new 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…row 〈…〉 〈◊〉 the diuersitie oâ—…â—…ons 〈…〉 pâ—…ons Note this counsell An assembly of the nobles at the mariage of the prince of Parma The noblemen assemble at S. Trudon touching the troubles A compromise of the nobles of the Netherlands Diuers opinions of the confederation of the Netherlands The verie words of the Inquisitors commission The vaunts and threats of priests and preachers incenseth the people Prouinces of the Netherlands confederats with the empire Six chiefe articles in the priuiledges of Brabant Deputies of the nobles with a petition at an imperiall Diet. The gouernors â—…nd knights of the order sent for to court The Gouernesse writes to the king all the â—…res of the Netherlands The Gouernâ—… pâ—…th thâ—…â—…es oâ—…â—…bant A proiect to moderat the edicts A petition sent by them of Brabant to the king of Spaine They would hâ—…ue Brabant â—…or an enemy by reason of their priuiledges 〈…〉 An ambiguous and rigoróus apostile to the petition of them of Flanders A second petition made by them of Flanders against the Inquisition The beginning of the Gueux by the which the protestants in the Netherlands were called The lord of Brederode his speech presenting the petition The petition of the nobles against the Inquisition c. The petition of the nobles interpreted to rebellion The Gouernesse answere to the petition of the nobles The Gouernesse policie The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 The contents of the moderation of the proclâ—…tion for Religion The commission of the embassadors of the Netherlands declared vnto the king An answer of the â—…obles to the duâ—…sse excuse 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 The earle of Megen and others The duchesse perplexed for the answer of the nobles Two factions in Antuerpe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A petition made by the reformed churches to the magistrat of Antuerpe The prince of Orange seekes to order things 〈◊〉 Antuerpe Dist ust the cause of troubles in Antuerpe The prince requires a leuie of 1200 men in Antuerpe The answer of the great counsell and the members of Antuerpe to the princes proposition Another occasion of trouble in Antuerpe It seemes the duchesse deâ—… to â—…at the people for small matters An explanation oâ—…â—…o blâ—… answer to the duchesse The noblemen insist vpon their assurance The prince of Orange and the earles of Egmont and Horne The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Goueâ—… nâ—…se â—…s to the townes of the Netherlands Troubles in Antuerpe Foure reasons why they kept their preaching in Antuerp Iust â—…tion of the commons sent vnto the prince touching the preaching The breaking of images begâ—…n iâ—…
the lord of Humbercourt the last hated him mortally for a lie which the Constable had giuen him in a conference of State betwixt the King and the dukes men the which did afterwards cost him his head This assembly of Bouines was in the yeare 1474. In the which it was concluded by both their deputies that the Constable for certaine reasons set downe in writing was guilty of high treason against both these Princes and all that should serue or assist him Moreouer the King should giue vnto the duke the towne of S. Quentin withall his treasure and mouables that should be found in the Realme of France with all the lands and Seigneuries which he had held of the duke Among others Ham and Bohain strong places and well appointed And at a certaine day prefixed the King and the duke should haue their armies ready to goe and beseege the Constable in Ham. But hee flattered the King in such sort as all that was disapointed for afterwards there was an entervewe betwixt the King and him the Constable comming armed conferring togither at a bar where he was reconciled to the King and to the Earle of Dompmartin making his excuse that hee came armed for the hatred and feare of him from thence the Constable went to lodge at Noion and the next day at Saint Quentin well reconciled as hee sayd and thought The King hearing what the world sayd of this his conference with the Constable he excused himselfe for his folly and basenesse to haue treated with his subiect and seruant accompanied with 400. men at armes all his owne subiects and entertained at his charge hauing a barre betwixt them From that time the Kings hatred increased daylie against the Constable Herein the Kings basenesse is excused for if hee had not done it the duke of Bourgongne would easily haue receiued him yeelding vp Saint Quentin We haue said before that Prince Adolph of Geldres deteined his father Duke Arnold in prison in the yeare 1464. which was the cause of great warres The Duke of Bourgongne did often seeke to reconcile them but he could not in the end the Pope and the Emperor dealt in it commanding the Duke of Bourgongne to drawe Duke Arnold out of prison the which hee did vpon a sommons made to Prince Adoph the which he durst not refuze seeing so many Potentates to deale in the cause and fearing the dukes forces so the duke of Geldres was brought to Dourlans to the duke of Bourgongne at such time as the French King was about Amiens Prince Adolph his Sonne appeered also vpon the same adiournement Once among the rest being called into the dukes chamber thinking to reconcile them in a great assembly of his councellors where they pleaded their cause the good old duke presented his gage of battaile vnto his Sonne The duke of Bourgongne for the alliance which Prince Adolph had made in his house and through the recōmendations of the deceased duke Philip his Father desired much to reconcile them yet he fauored the yong Prince most offring vnto him the title of gouernor of Bourgongne and the country of Gelders withall the reuenues except the towne of Graue scituated in Brabant the which should remaine to the father with the title of duke the Sonne should be called M◅bour Gardien or Regent of the country The lord of Argenton in his memorials writs that hee was commanded by the duke of Bourgongne to deliuer this message vnto Prince Adolph who answered That hee had rather haue cast his Father headlong into a well and himselfe after then make such an agreement That his Father had beene duke forty foure yeares and that it was now time hee were in his turne but hee would willingly yeelde him 3000. florins a yeare vpon condition that hee should neuer come into the Countrie of Geldres with manie more wicked and impious speeches The Duke of Bourgongne hearing the villanous speeches of this young Prince was very much mooued and would force him to make an ende with his Father But as the duke after the taking of Amiens parted to goe to Hesdin this Prince attyred himselfe like a Frenchman and escaped away with one man in his company to goe into his country passing a bridge neere vnto Namur where there was a certaine Toll to bee payed hee payed a Florin for his passage But a Priest knowing him discouered him to the Tol-gatherer who stayed him and caused him to be ledde to Namur from thence he was carried to Gand where hee remayned prysoner vntill the death of the duke of Bourgongne duke Arnold his Father was verie ioyfull of his imprysonment who to reuenge the iniury and outrage that had beene done him resigned his Duchie of Geldres to the duke of Bourgongne who kept his sonne prysoner who tooke possession thereof notwithstanding the great resistance he found there and inioyed it vntill his death The duke of Bourgongne after the Inuestiture of this Duchie of Geldres returned into his country hauing his heart swollen with pride to haue inlarged his territories and increased his reuenues with this goodly Prouince He beganne to haue some taste in these matters of Germany for that the Emperor Frederic was a quiet still man who suffred much to auoide charge and who of himselfe without the Princes of Germany had no great power Hauing a desire to take something from the Germaines hee prolonged the truce with the French For the effecting whereof there fell out happily for him a quarrell betwixt two Noblemen competitors for the bishoprick of Cologne the one was brother to the Landtgraue of Hessen the other kinsman to the Palatin of Rhine The duke of Bourgongne would hold the Palatins partie and vndertooke to put him into possession by force hoping to get some share And in the same yeare 1474. hee went to beseege Nuys fiue leagues from Cologne and of that Diocesse a strong Towne in the which the Landtgraue of Hessen himselfe was and many of his Kinsmen and friends to the number of 1800. horse The duke had neuer such goodly troupes of Caualerie and among the rest 1000. Italian launces which the Earle of Campobachio a Neapolitan led who afterwardes betrayed him and was the cause of his death Those of Cologne did their best endeauors to succor the towne The Emperor and the Princes of Germany assembled about this businesse and resolued to rayse an armie The French King had sent to sollicit them vnder hand The Princes sent an Ambassador vnto him intreating him that as soone as the Emperor should goe to field he would straight gather him with 20000 men the which hee promised vnder the commande of the lords of Craen and Salezard This Germaine armie was great for all the Princes both spirituall and temporall with the Bishoppes and Townes had sent their forces The Emperour was seauen monethes in raysing of this army with the which hee went and campt within halfe a league of
thousand horse and fiue thousand foot and that Cont Lodowic followed him with as great forces the prince of Orange hauing sent a thousand harguebusiers to ioyne with them and altogether to come and raise the siege so as by these letters and reports those of Alcmar whom the Spaniards held cooped vp in a cage meaning to starue them were the twelfth day of the siege somewhat comforted and encouraged by the comming of this vnexpected messenger notwithstanding the streight guard and so many-centinels set by the Spaniards vpon all the approches all which hee escaped by the diuine prouidence of God without danger The Spaniard in the meane time did not neglect the worke which he had begun but finished the trench at the Friseland gate with an intent to bring the canon neerer vnto the towne or else to vndermine and blow vp a bulwarke for the hindering whereof the besieged made a sally forth leading some pioners with them to cast downe the trenches but they were forced to retyre into the towne without any successe Whereupon the next day they began to make a halfe moone within the towne against the said port for the effecting whereof they beat downe foure houses that if happily the Spaniard should win this port they might haue a place of retreat and defence within where they might not suddenly take the towne And as there dayly happened new difficulties among the besieged for the which they could not so easily prouide it was determined in counsell to adde two counsellors to the two bourgomasters to ease them in all occurrents the which was done the sixteenth day of the moneth All this time it seemed the Spaniards sought but to abuse the besieged sometimes pretending one thing sometimes another contrarie to that which they had designed For the tenth day of the moneth they laded vpon carts towards Berghen some small pieces of Ordnance as if they would rise and the night following tying many small boats together they sought with great labour to make a bridge neere vnto the town but the besieged which were in guard on that side shot so furiously at them as they were forced after that many had beene wounded to leaue their worke and loose their bridge On the eleuenth day there were seene more than was vsuall a great number of horse and carts on the which the Spaniards did lade their artillerie not without difficulty and some losse by reason of the continuall raine which made that quarter of Friseland so foule and my◅ie as carriages could hardly passe On the twelfth day they brought neere vnto the red tower on the East side a great number of long Firre plankes with hurdles and in the night they planted some gabions before the gate of Friseland to couer their canon and to no other end For to thinke that they had an intent to famish it hauing compassed about the towne was a folly hauing neyther all the channels at commaundement nor all the gates shut vp least that they should be surprised by them that came to victuall the towne So the Spaniard continuing his worke being resolued to giue an assault he made another trench vpon Quacquebourg right against Saint Peters tower lying betwixt the Friseland gate and the Monkes tower to disturbe the pioners which brake downe the old wall for at that place there was a piece of the wall fallen ioyning vnto the priests tower whereas the besieged would make a rampar the which lay open to the enemies shot so as many which carried earth to this worke being slaine and others hurt the rest were so terrified as for that day they left the worke vnperfect But the next day three squadrons surprising the Spaniards in these trenches of S. Peters town chased them from thence and wanting tooles to cast it downe and lay it euen the Spaniards returning with a greater troupe forced the besieged to leaue it The besieged receiuing no newes from their associate neighbours and that by reason of their streight siege no spy◅s could passe to giue them intelligence it was resolued by the gouernours and captaines That the night following which was the fifteenth of the moneth they would make a sally on the South side vpon their enemies which were busie about a new trench and that they should seeke to take some prisoner aliue as they did taking a Spaniard called Iohn Ieronimo if they had not then busied themselues about the spoyle they might easily haue carried away as many as were there so as that which the besieged could not learne from their friends and confederats they vnderstood from their enemie for this prisoner told them That Dom Frederic had receiued commaundement from the duke of Alua his father and from the court to assayle the towne speedily and that if he could not carry it at the second or third assault hee should carry backe his armie into Brabant That Dom Frederic had resolued to assayle them in foure places at one instant that he might force one of the quarters where there was least resistance and yet there was some dispute betwixt him and the lord of Noircarmes touching that point That the bridges plankes hurdles and all other necessarie instruments were readie for an assault and that before they would giue an assault they would batter downe the wall betwixt the gate of Friseland and the redde towne but vpon Harlem side they would make an assault vpon bridges and towards the Salt pits with boates That if he tooke the towne by assault he would murther all young and old men women and children without any respect either of sexe or age Whereupon all went to pray vnto God with teares in their eyes That it would please him for his holy names sake to turne from them that tyrannie and inhumanitie Moreouer being demanded What number of men there might be in the camp he said There was about six thousand six hūdred men althogh after the raising of the siege it was otherwise known for Dom Frederic accompanied with the lord of Noircarmes Iulian Romero and many other men of account Spaniards and Wallons being lodged in the village of Oudt-dorpe had in his quarter two and fortie companies of the old bands to the which were ioyned eight other companies newly come out of Italie Dom Frederic had a thousand fiue hundred horse for his ordinarie guard besides other foure hundred horse that were lodged in the same quarter Dom Ferdinando of Toledo cousin to Dom Frederic was at Huyswaert with eight companies of Spaniards euery one being of two hundred In S. Pancrats village were sixe companies of Germaines of Colonel Polwyller and other fiue of the garrison of Groningen At Leedyck was the baron of Liques gouernour of Harlem with twelue companies of Wallons and by him the baron of Cheuereaux with eight companies of high Bourguignons In the village of Berghen was the lord of Capres afterwards made earle of Hennin with tenne companies of Wallons At Newport vpon the South side there were two bands of Italian
and Spanish horsemen and Iohn Schenks cornet of Reisters where there were also seuen companies of Spaniards newly come twelue of Landtsknechts vnder George Frousberg and three of the earle of Ouersteyns So as at the beginning of this siege there were in Dom Frederics campe one hundred twentie one companies of footmen which made at the least six and twentie thousand men out of the which some were drawne to put into Schellinckwout and into the shippes to fight with the Hollanders vpon the water The bourgers and inhabitants able to carry armes were found to be thirteene hundred besides strangers that were newly come and countreymen that were fled into the towne which were not many There were about eight hundred soldiers in the garrison for of seuen companies which they had the gouernour Sonoy before the last siege had drawne forth two and afterwards one with two small peeces of Ordnance the which were sent into Waterlandt where he said they had great need The sixteenth of the moneth there fell neere vnto S. Peters tower a piece of the wall the which had begun long before to sinke and now through the burthen of the new rampar that was layd vpon it fell quite downe but the same night the besieged stopped that breach with great diligence so as that wall which had beene built in old time in steed of a rampar for the defence of the towne was now but a trouble and toile vnto them to beat it down and to make a new rampar in the place thereof The same day the Spaniards planted nine Canons against the port of Friseland and seuen at the red tower but for that the ground on the North side was more mierie and lower than to the South both by reason of the rain and by the opening of the sluces of the sea the which the gouernor Sonoy had caused to be done the Spaniards were much incumbred in the planting of their ordnance yet the night following they raised the ground of their first trench the which they approched neere vnto the port hauing an intent to blow vp the bulwarke the which had beene built vpon the bodies and roots of trees bauins and other wood fit to preuent a myne The seuenteenth day the Spaniards shewed themselues in such sort as if they had beene readie to giue an assault aduauncing their plankes into the ditch vpon the North and the South side putting their men in order in the trenches thrusting foorth their forlorne hopes To conclude it seemed by their countenance that they meant instantly to giue an assault The night following there appeared a prodigious signe in the ayre for the Moone which was in her last quarter began about nine of the clocke at night to shine against the course of nature whereas it should not haue appeared before midnight This prodigie was a good presage vnto the besieged and gaue them more courage and so by the grace of God it succeeded better than the lamentable estate of the towne could hope or expect for most of the souldiers of the garrison were yet fresh and vnaccustomed to warre and the bourgers were not so fit for armes as for marchandise and to tyll the land The eighteenth of the moneth the Spaniards began to batter furiously with twenty peeces of ordnance so as they made that day two hundred shot as well in ruine vpon the houses as at the rampar where there were six men of the town slaine The Spaniards hauing beaten down the fronts of the port of Friseland and of the red tower about three of the clocke in the afternoone they began to giue a furious assault making their way at the port by the materials which had fallen and filled vp the ditch and at the red tower by a bridge which they had let downe and to strike the more terror into the bourgers they prepared to assayle the towne at the port of Harlem and at the Salt pits on the one side by a bridge and on the other side by barkes as the Spanish prisoner had formerly discouered But all these preparations did not amaze the besieged of the towne of Alcmar for at the first shot of ordnance as well bourgers as souldiers came resolutely and full of courage vnto the rampar euery one keeping his place and ranke not shrinking a foot but repulsing their enemies as valiantly as might be The bourgers and inhabitants did willingly obey the captaines of the souldiers and not any one did refuse or murmure against that which was commaunded him The women maydens and boyes came thither with such hardinesse as it is not to be spoken some bringing wild fire which they cast vpon the assaylants others boyling water full of lyme baskets with stones and such other offensiue matters so as since the souldiers besieged haue confessed that without that ayde they could neuer haue made it good In the meane time the Spaniards did all they could to carrie it who as soone as they had passed such difficulties as they found at the breach and passed the rampar they were so gently welcommed and entertayned with pikes halberds two-handed swords stones and all other sorts of armes as in the end they were enforced to recoyle backe There was nothing to be heard but the crying and howling of men wounded and dying and the noyse and clashing of armes There was nothing to bee seene but fire and flame here one fell downe there another tumbled from the toppe of the rampar into the ditch To conclude there was nothing else to be seene but fearefull and hideous sights The first assaylants hauing done their charge and beeing repulsed and wearie of fighting there came other fresh men in their places who had no better successe than the first carrying nothing away but blowes and wounds and in this sort the Spaniards were twice repulsed yet they fainted not but sought to force it at what price soeuer comming to the third assault like Lyons who hauing passed the breach and woon the rampar they cryed out Victoria Victoria Of three Ensigne-bearers which came vp to the rampar with their colours two were slaine one of their colours was burned and the other two were torne in pieces euery one striuing to haue his part but it was not knowne what became of the third Ensigne-bearer In the end the Spaniards beeing not able to hold out or endure the skirmish any longer they were constrayned to retyre with shame and losse And so this Friseland port was freed from three fierce and mightie assaults of the enemie On the other side at the red tower they did no lesse The assaylants hauing approached vnto the rampar with their bridges the besieged were much troubled For before they were to encounter the enemie vpon the rampar and to repulse them from the breach and behind they were galled with two peeces which played vpon their backes from the salt pits yet being nothing troubled with all these difficulties they continued firme and repulsed the enemie twice In the end the