was also inuited both by the King and the Queene his Ante of whom he was honourably receiued with great shewes of loue At his returne from this voyage into Holland this poore Prince I know not by what vnknowne accident was distempered of his sences and vnderstanding so as being very big and strong of all his members he slue Gerard of Wateringhen a Knight with one blow with his fist so as they were forced to shut him vp and to set good garde vpon him where he was keâ—…t for the space of nineteene yeares vntill he dyed Hauing before his distemperature gouerned his countries of Holland Zeeland and Friseland seauen yeares and Henault two Foure yeares after him dyed also the Lady Mathilda his wife who lyes interred in the Abbay of Rhynsbourg by Leyden ALBERT OF BAVARIA 26. EARLE of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland and Palatin of Henault Adelbertus Bauariae I had two wiues both which one name did beare The one a Polonois the other was Marguerite of Cleues the Frisons stood in feare Of my strong hand that did their strength surpasse And oft subdu'd their proud rebellions Delfe taken by me I demantled it At t'Hage iâ—… Holland I appointed Chanons Good men I choosd and for their places sit Hage Castle in the Chappell now containes My body freed from all his eâ—…thly paines DVke William of Bauaria Earle of Holland Zeeland and Henault Lord of Friseland being as we haue said distracted of his sences put into safe keeping the faction of the Hoecks Cabillaux reuiued for the Cabillautins would haue the lady Mathilda wife to the said Cont William to be gouernesse of the said Countries but for that the said lady had no children the Hoeketins did choose Albert of Bauaria Palatin of Rhine siegneor of Nubingen brother to the said Cont William The Nobles of the Contie of Henault consented for their parts to this election and sent a notable Ambassage vnto him into Bauaria beseeching him that hee would take vpon him in his brothers place who was distempered in his braine the gouernment of the said countries Albert vnderstanding the iust request of the Estates by their Ambassador went well accompanied with many Barons Knights and Gentlemen going downe by the riuer of Rhine into Holland where he was honorably receiued of both parties as well Cabellaux as Hoekes and acknowledged as Tutor to the Earle his brother and gouernor of his countries and siegneories Then it was agreed that he should pay yeerely vnto the Countesse Mathilda his sister in lawe the summe of twelue thousand French crownes and no more by meanes of which accord both parties were content and continued good friends but not long This Prince Albert of Bauaria had receiued the order of Knight-hood before making warre in the country of Granado against the Moores and Sarazens At the first hee was married vnto Marguerit daughter to the Duke of Briga in Polonia by whom hee had three sonnes and foure daughters the eldest was called William Earle of Osteruant who was borne in the yeare 1365. the second named Albert siegnior of Nubingen who dyed yong the third was Iohn chosen bishop of Liege borne in the yeare 1374. The eldest daughter Katherine was first married to Edward Duke of Gelders and Earle of Zutphen after whose decease being yet a virgin she married with Duke William of Iuilliers and of Geldres but she had not any children The other daughter named Ioane had to husband Venceslaus King of Romaines and of Bohemia sonne to the Emperor Charles the 4. who also had not any children Marguerite the 3. daughter married with Iohn Duke of Bourgongne Earle of Flanders and Arthois sonne to Duke Phillip the hardie by whom shee had Phillip Duke of Bourgongne called the good and afterwards Duke of Brabant Lembourg and Luxembourg Earle of Flanders Arthois Henault Bourgongne Holland Zeeland and Namur Lord of Friseland and foure daughters the first Iolente Countesse of Poitiers the second Anne Countesse of Bedford the third Agnes Duchesse of Bourbon and the fourth Ioane wife to Duke Albert of Austria by whom shee had one sonne called Albert who married the daughter of Sigismond King of Hongarie who afterwards was Emperor of the Romaines after whose decease this Duke Albert did inherit all these realmes in the right of his wife and was afterwards chosen Emperor but he raigned not long for hee died in the flower of his age his wife was brought in bed soone after his death of a sonne named Lancelot who dyed at two and twenty yeares of age leauing no children This Albert had one cousin germaine sonne to his fathers brother named Frederick who afterwards was also Emperor the third of that name and had to wife the daughter of the King of Portugall by whom hee had Maximilian Archduke of Austria who was also Emperor the first of that name who had to wife Mary the daughter and sole heire of Charles the Warlick Duke of Bourgongne who was slaine before Nancie by whom he had one sonne named Philip and a daughter named Marguerite Philip married with Ioane daughter to Ferdinand King of Arragon and to Elizabeth Queene of Castille Marguerite was married to Iohn Prince of Castille and of Arragon who dyed yong and after married againe to the Duke of Sauoy Philip had by the said Lady Ioane his wife two sonnes Charles the â—…ift and Ferdinand both Emperors and foure daughters Elenor Ioane Mary and Elizabeth The Emperor Charles the sift had one onely sonne Philip king of Spaine Lord of the Low-countries father to King Phillip the third now raigning Behold in briefe the genealogie of the Kings of Spaine and of foure or fiue Emperors issued from the houses of Holland Bourgongne and Austria As for the second wife of Duke Albert of Bauaria Earle of Holland of whom wee now intreate wee will speake of her hereafter The said Cont Albert displaced Iohn of Blauwestein from the Baylewike of Kermerlandt inuesting Renald the eldest sonne to the Lord of Brederode in his place the which those of the faction of the Cabillautins tooke in very ill part and laide ambushes neere vnto the village of Castrichom to kill him when hee should passe that way One day this yong Nobleman doubting no harme riding towards Castrichom he incountred them that lay in ambush for him but hauing discouered them a good way of he saued himselfe by flight they pursued him and slew three of his seruants Those of the village of Castrichom seeing it went to armes to defend their new Bayliffe so as they were forced to retire Some of them saued themselues in the Castell of Walter of Hemskerke the rest fled to Delf where they were receiued for that the said towne was of the Cabillautins faction Cont Albert hearing of these newes did presently leuie some troupes and marched towards Kermerlandt where he besieged the Castell of Hemskerke for that Walter who was Lord thereof had receiued
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 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
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
into the towne pardoned all that was past yet at night some vnquiet mutiners stirred vp some of the Bourgeses against their Prince so as the Archduke had beene in danger of his person if his men had not speedily gone to armes and chased away these rascalls whereof manie were committed to prison and executed Then had hee occasion to take from them their preuiledges and freedomes the which hee cancelled and disanuilled and tooke Prince Philip his Sonne and carried him to Macklyn to his grand-mother in lawe the Douager of Bourgongne Soone after there came to reconcile themselues vnto him Adolph of Cleues lord of Rauestein the Earle of Romont the lord of Vere and the lord of Baueren who soone after married with the daughter of the sayd lord of Vere About that time the Emperor Frederic came to Cologne where hee staied eight daies the Archduke Maximilian his Sonne went to him to Aix who had not seene him of a long time and from thence they went togither about Lent to Cologne All difficulties and quarrells pacified betwixt duke Iohn of Cleues and the Diocesse of Cologne in the which the Emperor had inuested Herman Landtgraue of Hessen togither with the Duchie of Westphalen and the countie of Arensbourg The Emperor the Archduke his Sonne and all the Princes that were with them parted on Saint Agathes day from Cologne towardes Francfort to choose a King of the Romans where the 16. of February by a common consent of all the Princes Electors Maximilian of Austria was chosen and proclaimed King of Romains And the Thursday after Easter following they returned all to Aix where he was crowned in our Ladies Church with all the accustomed Ceremonies where as the sayd King did knight many Princes and Noblemen among the which were Philippe of Bauaria Palatin of Rhine Arnold duke of Saxony both Princes Electors the duke Gaspar of Bauaria William duke of Iuliers William Lantgraue of Hessen Albert Marquis of Baden William Lord of Egmont and many others to the number of 200. The feast of his coronation beeing ended the Princes retired euery one to his home the Emperor into Austria and the King of Romains into Brabant Before that the Archduke went vnto the Emperor his Father hee made Engelbert Earle of Nassau Gouernor of all the Netherlands in his absence by vertue of a commission giuen him at Boisleduc in that yeare 1485. whome wee will place for the first Gouernor made by the Prince ENGELBERT EARLE OF NASSAV the first Gouernor Lieutenant and Captaine generall for the Prince in the Lowe Countries ENGELBERTVS COMES NASSAVIVS GVBERNAT BELGII I did first Gouerne of the Nasouien bloud True to my lord of these Low-countries good Where Maximilian of the Romans King Of Austria Duke and the Archduke his son Taking faire note of me did forthwith bring Me vnto place and Eminence but t' was done With a prouiso onely for a space Through which occasion I did tame the rage Of the tumultuous Brugeois which to my Grace Nassau our house at Court can giue good gage IN the yeare 1491. Engelbert Earle of Nassau was by Maximilian the first King of Romains going into Hungary made Gouernor of the County of Flanders and the Baylewiks of Lille Douay Orchies and Saint Omer And afterwards in the yeare 1501. the Archduke Philip going into Spaine he was appointed by him gouernor generall of the Netherlands All this while the factions of Vetcoopers and Schieringers raged in Friseland one against an other In the which the Monks and relligious men delt with their thundring excomunications among others Aggo Albert of Heenlon did excomunicat Iga Galama and his brethren which was the cause of great mischiefe and ruine For the sayd brethren of the faction of Vetcoopers drewe vnto their succors Iohn of Egmont gouernor of Holland who sent them strange soldiars with the which and some Gentlemen Frisons their Partisans they went and besieged the Abbey of Heenlon which the Monkes had fortified the which brought distruction to the sayd Abbey and to many Villages there abouts These factions brought great miseries and calamities vnto Friseland for the Vetcoopers allied themselues to the towne of Groninghen and the Schyeringers called the duke of Saxony into their country which caused the totall ruine of both parties as we will relate succinctly hereafter during the gouernment of Albert and George dukes of Saxony Soone after that Maximilian King of Romains was returned out of Germaine into the Netherlands the Ganthois and Brugeois did mutine againe And therefore the King had leauied 20000. horse and foote for his gard the which being lodged and disperced in the the countrie did much mischiefe to the poore countriemen who seemed to bee worse intreated by them then by their enemies being all high Bourguignons or Hanniuers besides the country was daily surcharged with new impositions more then they could beare al by the perswasion sayd they of Peter Lanchals knight his treasorer Baylife of Bruges whome the Ganthois and Brugeois would not obey wherevpon the King came in February withall his nobility into the towne of Bruges leauing the horsemen of his gard without reseruing some which he held by him with some Landtsknets he made certaine demands vnto the Magistrate which they would not accept Hee being displeased at this refusall by the aduice of the sayd Lanchals marched in armes withall his traine vnto the market place The sworne bands not knowing what this might pretend doubted some treasons and therefore a great number of the Bourgeses went to armes to appose themselues against the King and his followers so as they could not aduance Some Noblemen of his councell perswaded him to retire to his Pallace the which hee did and in this sort was kept vnder good gard by the inhabitans who tooke some Noblemen and gentlemen of his houshold prisoners yea they kept the King so straightly in his Pallace as he could neither write nor receiue any letters without their priuitie and consent Peter Lanchals seeing this disorder beeing well acquainted with the disposition of this people went and hid himselfe The companies which did hate him to the death sought him in all places but not finding him they promised a great summe of money to him that should discouer him In the meane time they put manie of those prisoners to death terming them Traitors and rebells to the cittie Afterwardes they made a third proclamation by the which it was sayd That if any one had concealed him till that time in bringing him forth they should bee pardoned if not all those that had so long kept and concealed him in their houses should themselues and all their family bee hanged before their dores the which did so terrefie them as hee was discouered and presently led vnto a scaffold that was made readie whereas after they had tormented them strangely in the presence of all the people they caused his head to be cut off The King of Romains beeing thus
king gaue him a good and a friendly answer but yet subtilly and craftily saying that it was far both from him and his nature to haue a bad opinion of one that had bin so good and trustie a seruitor both to his father and him and that the cause why he denied him his pasport was for that he would haue him to goe with himselfe into the Netherlands or els to vse his counsell with many such like words but in the meane time order was taken in all places that no man should let nor sell him nor his seruants any horses which was discouered and perceiued when as before he and the marques of Berghen rode vpon a time to confession to our lady of Guadalupo when as there were forty horses sent after them which secretly attended and watched them After that when newes came into Spaine of the imprisonment of the earles of Egmont and Horne his brother the baron de Selles lieutenant of the kings guard of Netherland archers was commaunded to enter his house and to commit him prisoner with a Netherland gentleman called Nesse being the kings chamberlain and both caried to the castle of Segobia where the baron de Montigni was put into a small high tower with one of his seruants called Arthur de Munter a Luycknaer and eight souldiers appointed to guard him which vsed him most shamefully being thus committed to prison he desired diuers times that he might haue law and iustice as belonged vnto a lord of his qualitie vpon which his request receiuing no answere nor resolution he sought meanes to breake and escape out of prison whereunto he had woon a Spaniard one of his guard to consent and some of his owne seruants as his Secretarie Anthony vander Becque and another gentleman of Pruseland called Iohn Hanowe his steward Iohn le Moyne and his cooke that baked his bread after the Netherland manner those he wrote vnto by letters sent them by meanes of the said Spaniard of his guard and they answered his letters againe which they baked in his bread and so conueyed them vnto him meane time he got files wherewith he filed certaine yron barres and in a cofer had ladders sent him that shut and folded one within the other besides that hee had post horses made ready for him and all other things necessarie and fit for such a purpose to ride away all beeing well and politickely deuised and foreseene but when it came to the point and that the horses stood ready the steward Iohn le Moine neglecting his time to deliuer the last bread being ouer busie and earnest to take his leaue or last farewell of his whore whereby the bread that had the letter in it was not deliuered as it should be but came to the hands of the captaine of his guard which brake or cut it vp and found the letter in it whereby the whole enterprise was discouered for which cause all his seruants were committed to prison and condemned to die and to that end had their confessors often sent vnto them expecting nothing but death But many men tooke compassion on them so that the Spaniard of the guard onely was hanged and the cooke condemned to haue two hundred blowes with a broad thicke peece of leather which was done with wonderfull compassion of the standers by that cried out and said That they as seruants had done nothing but that which was commâ—…ndable seeking their lord and masters deliuerie that had long sought and desired to haue law and iustice whereby they were not put to death but the foure seruants were committed prisoners into a castle callâ—…d Valasco where they continued and liued a long time in great miserie till in Nouember 1567 at which time it happened that the princes of Portugall the kings sister and mother to Dom Sebastian king of Portugall passing by the prison the said prisoners making a great noise both with their chaines and cries she asked what they were and was certified that they were Flemings imprisoned onely because they sought to haue gotten their lord and master out of prison that had long sought for iustice but could not obtaine it Whereupon she promised for the lord of Montignies sake and the innocencie of their small offence earnestly to solicite for their deliuerance vnto the king which she obtained for the which they most heartily thanked God and the princes The baron de Montigni vnderstanding thereof vsed such meanes by secret friends that hee got a certaine summe of money and gaue it them for to beare their charges into the Netherlands giuing them letters to his wife the lady Montigni daughter and sister to the prince of Espinoy and Dauitourgh of the house of Melun that she should allow them euery one according to his place a certaine yearely pention out of his lands during their liues in recompence of their seruice and troubles endured for his sake They being so discharged and come into the Netherlands seeking to obtaine their said reward and to that end making meanes vnto the baron de Noircarmes to bee an intercessour for them not onely to the lady Montigni but also to the duke of Alua that had forbidden her to giue them any thing at the last got nothing but were vpon paine of hanging banished out of Brussels After that the duke of Alua caused the said lord de Montignies processe of life and goods to be made as he had done against the other lords wholly without his knowledge appointing a counsellor to answere for him that neuer spake with the said lord de Montigni nor yet could get any instruction or information out of Spaine from him he himselfe not once vnderstanding thereof And when Annavan Austria the emperour Maximilians daughter passed through the Netherlands to goe into Spaine to marry with the king the Contesse of Horne mother vnto the said lord de Montigni and his wife with diuers others kneeling downe before her desired her to be a meanes vnto the king that his processe might be made and he deliuered out of prison which the said espoused queene promised in most friendly manner that it should be the first request that she would make vnto the king her husband Which the duke of Alua vnderstanding presently sent letters into Spaine and procured the meanes that the said baron de Montigni was remooued from Segobia vnto the castle of Simancas and before the queene got out of the ship to set foot on land he was poysoned by a young page that put poyson into certaine broth wherewith he serued him which page was expressely charged to doe it vpon paine of death as he after confessed vnto his secret friends by meanes of the which broth he fell into a burning feauer whereof hee died in the beginning of October in Anno 1570 his sentence being by the said duke of Alua first published in the Netherlands in March after in Anno 1571 and all his goods confiscate He left issue by his wife whom he had newly
married before his departure in Spaine but one daughter that died very young After his death his wife maried the lord of Floyon of the house of Barlamont and after earle of Barlamont who after her death maried with the onely daughter and heire of the earle of Lalaine These lords manner of life and Religion could not escape the Spanish furie although they were most earnest and good catholickes the marquesse of Berghen being so earnest therein that he commaunded all catholicke offices to be performed within his gouernment and caused the children of those of the reformed Religion to be baptised againe neither yet could the intercession of the emperour the princes of Germany and others preuaile any thing therein Touching the liues actions and seruices of these lords done for the king and the benefite of the Netherlands many men in other countries round about were of opinion that they only were the principallest instruments both by counsell and action of the kings good and prosperous proceedings victories and greatnesse and that his affaires through his father the emperours crosses in Germanie and his weakenesse of bodie being at an ebbe were by theirs and other Netherlanders means so much furthered and aduanced that thereby they brought Fraunce to graunt to so good and an honourable peace in his behalfe But it was their euill fortunes that they were too well beloued and fauoured of the common people and by their vpright and good seruices together with other Netherlanders had gotten ouer-great credite and report in euery place whereby they had not onely mooued and enticed the people to yeeld great tributes taxes tallages and honours vnto the king but also procured great seruices to be done for him in other countries as in Germany c. And when the king with his counsell in Spaine had fully resolued to bring the Netherlands vnder full obedience and subiection by the Inquisition and other strange deuices brought into it and other countries whether it were of zeale vnto the Romish catholicke Religion or that he ouer-much desired his owne profite and greatnesse hee sought and expected from those lords that they should and would vse and put in practise their authoritie and power aforesaid among the common people as they had done before wherein they did not acquite themselues so well as the vnexperienced counsellors in Spaine concerning the affaires of the Netherlands desired and expected they should haue done which the said lords esteemed to bee cleane contrarie vnto the kings seruice and the profit of the Netherlands as also thinking it to bee a thing vnreasonable for them to withstand and contrary their owne friends kindred countrey lawes and priuiledges knowing better than they of Spaine wherein the profit and commoditie of the Netherlands and consequently the aduancement of the kings honour and seruice chiefely consisted esteeming it vnpossible to hold and maintaine a people that had alwaies liued in freedome in peace and quietnesse by such odious kind of rigour as the proclamations and the Inquisition brought in and inflicted vpon them For which cause they seeing the proceedings of their neighbour countries sought to procure and induce the king to a necessarie kind of altering or moderating of his pretended course by diuers and seuerall meanes for the maintenance and preseruation of the catholicke Romish Religion which otherwise stood in great danger to be ouerthrowne which disliked and much displeased the king and his counsell and was the matter of Treason as the Spaniards supposed for the which they must die others measuring their actions by another way esteemed and iudged them both by God and mans law to haue iustly deserued to die for that in so good 〈◊〉 cause wherein so much consisted the honour of God Religion the countries welfare and the kings profit they were not more vigilant carefull prouident and earnest than they had beene but through feare and suspition of the kings carelesnesse beeing badly informed by the enemies of the countrey suffered themselues to be easily carried away and to let such cases of importance as the abolishing of the proclamations for the assembling of the States and such like priuiledges graunted in times past to be taken away from the Netherlands by prouiso whereby they made the other lords and gentlemen become faint hearted and partly holpe and assisted to persecute them contrarie to their owne promises wils and consciences seeing and knowing wherein the honour of God the Religion the countries welfare and the profite of the king most consisted better than any other counsellors about him did as time it selfe hath sufficiently made manifest and declared Some others argued to the contrarie excusing them That they thereby hoped to pacifie the kings wrath when he should see and perceiue the obedience of his subiects and the weightinesse of the cause together with the daungers therein consisting and so might be mooued to a softer and more conuenient remedie Wherein also they were much deceiued which the prince of Orange and others had sufficiently foretold them as that they would bee the bridge and onely instrument vpon the which and wherewith the Spaniards would enter into the Netherlands counselling and aduising them rather to kepe all strangers out of the land vntill the king by aduice of the generall States should be better counselled Generally euery man esteemed that the king could reape no good nor profit by the rigor and crueltie that he had vsed against those earles and other noblemen and gentlemen but be a meanes to breed much hatred euill will and desperation among the people towards him which since hath cost many mens liues and consumed a great masse of treasure These were the common and generall opinions of all well experienced persons in matters concerning estate in other princes countries and courts touching their deaths Cont Lodowic of Nassau hauing gotten the victorie against Cont Arembergh and the Spaniards diuided his armie into two with the which he went to besiege Groningen a great and mightie towne in the countrey of Friseland not without great admiration of all men how hee durst with so few men and so little munition attempt such a towne whereas the earle of Meghen was with eighteene ensignes of Germanes and a thousand Spaniards and Curio Martinengue with three hundred horsemen The besieged made many braue sallies and among others one on the two and twentieth of Iune in the which the earle of Nassau lost aboue two hundred men seeking to hinder them from building of a fort betwixt two riuers In the meane time Chiapin Vitelli marshal of the campe to the duke of Alua gathered together what men he could with the which he aduanced whilest that the duke prepared to rayse the siege Chiapin camped on the one side of the towne not farre from Cont Lodowics Protestants who sent to offer him battaile but he excused himselfe The duke of Alua sent to entreat the emperour in the king his masters name that he would commaund the earle of Nassau to leaue the siege
ware was about tenne of the clocke at night at one instant set on fire at the foure corners beeing past helpe and past any mans knowledge how it came some imputing the fault to one thing and some vnto another but the French were not freed from blame nor the prisoners without great feare some saying that they had caused it to bee done to be reuenged others spake otherwise and all diuersly but howsoeuer it came the losse was very great for the poore marchants This great fire made the bourgers of the towne to doubt some treason wherefore they continued all night in armes and vpon their guards with the chaynes of the streets drawne In March one Cornellis of Hooghe was beheaded and quartered at the Haghe in Holland tearming himselfe to bee bastard sonne to the emperour Charles the fifth hee was conuicted to haue treated with the king of Spaine promising vpon hope to be aduowed for his naturall brother and so entertained to make the vnited Prouinces reuolt and that he had drawne many to be at his deuotion who when time serued should take armes to make some new broyles in Holland But he was discouered by his owne follower conuicted of his designes and punished according to his merits not for that he qualified himselfe the emperours bastard whereof some doubted by reason of his resemblance but for his apparent practises In the same moneth there was taken in Antuerpe and discouered vpon small grounds a certaine Spaniard called Pedro Dordâ—…igno who confessed that he was expressely come out of Spaine to kill the prince of Orange and that he had treated with the king himselfe although afterwards he would haue excused it saying it was but with his Secretarie Hee confessed that passing by Grauelingue he had conference with la Motte gouernour of that place He did counterfeit himselfe to be a high Germane saying that hee was of Croatia he was expert in the knowledge of many tongues hauing also beene at the sacke of Antuerpe he was redde hayred nothing like a Spaniard there was neuer any man of so saint a courage after his sentence for so great an attempt According vnto his confession he was afterwards strangled and then quartered thanking the Iustice for so mild a death The seuenth of Aprill there arriued in Zeeland the lady Louyse of Coligni daughter to Gaspar of Coligni lord of Chastillon admirall of Fraunce who was murthered at the massacre of Paris in the yeare 1572 and widdow to the lord of Teligni brother to the ladie of la Noue who was also murthered at the same massacre which lady Louyse the prince of Orange married for his fourth wife the twelfth day following in the chappell of the castle of Antuerpe of whom vpon the six and twentieth of Februarie in the yeare following 1584 he had a sonne called Henry Frederic a prince well bred and of a great hope The thirteenth of the same moneth Hans Hanssz a rich marchant of Flessingue was beheaded who for meere hatred he bare vnto the prince of Orange sought to kill him and all those that should be with him setting fire to certaine barrels of gunne-powder in a cellar ioyning to the house where the prince should lodge and thereof hee had treated with the Spanish embassador being in the French kings court He was discouered by another marchant called Anthony Auquema a Frison whom he trusted thinking to haue him his confederat in so execrable an act but God would not suffer it The towne of Eindouen was at this time besieged by Cont Charles of Mansfeldt in the which the lord of Boniuet sonne to the lord of Creuecuaer a Frenchman commaunded with eight hundred souldiers but by reason of the difficulties that were betwixt the duke of Aniou and the Estates although they hoped that the marshall of Biron should goe and relieue him the lord of Boniuet not able to hold it any longer yeelded it vpon condition to depart with their armes and baggage and their colours flying whither they pleased the sayd lord excusing it vpon the want of powder hauing first capitulated That if within eight dayes he were not relieued to yeeld the towne as he did vpon the nineteenth of Aprill seeing no succours come into the towne as he expected for during all the siege the Estates armie vnder the commaund of the marshall of Biron was about Antuerpe with great preparation to goe and relieue it but for want of money the succours could not be readie in time wherein they of Antuerpe were somewhat restie remembring how much money they had voluntarily furnished for the reliefe of Maestricht in the yeare 1579 so as nothing was done at all and the towne was lost for want of a speedie resolution After the losse of Eindouen the marshall lying with his armie before the fort of Versele in the quarter of Liere in Brabant after that he had battered it a little it was yeelded by composition the three and twentieth of the same moneth captaine Wensel who commanded there and his chiefe officers remayning prisoners and the rest of the souldiers departing with their rapiers and daggers At this paltrie siege the Seignior of la Garde a French colonel master of the dukes artillerie was hurt by one of his owne pieces which brake wherof he dyed hauing done great seruices to the prince of Orange and the Estates of Holland and Zeeland in their first warres during the time of the duke of Alua and other gouernors hauing continued there vntill his death His body was carried to Antuerpe and interred in S. Georges church with an honourable militarie pompe He had been one of the most valiant wise modest and most expert captaines in all the vnited prouinces a man of great counsell learned and well red in the lawes and politicke gouernment Hee behaued himselfe worthily at the victualling of Leyden and therefore was much lamented of the prince and Estates After the taking of this paltrie castle the marshall went to besiege the strong castle of Woude a league from Berghen vpon Soom from whence the marquesse of Berghen lord of that place of the house of Gaesbeke was dislodged some few daies before There was in it sixe score souldiers Italians and an hundred and fiftie pesants Hauing spent some fifteene hundred canon shot although there were no sufficient breach made an amazement seized on the besieged so as they yeelded it by composition vnto the enemie the souldier departing with their rapiers and daggers onely the ninth of May and all the pesants retayned prisoners and put to ransome The Italian captaine who had commanded therein at his returne to Breda lost his head for his reward by the prince of Parma his commaundement At that time they of the priuie counsell of the vnited Prouinces whome the duke of Aniou and Brabant had established comming to Antuerpe were declared to be suspended of their offices by an act made by the generall Estates the which was signified vnto them by an vsher
all that hath bin giuen and granted shall returne as if this donation cession and transport had neuer beene made 6. Item vpon condition that our said daughter the Infanta nor any other called to the said succession shal not for any cause whatsoeuer part nor diuide the said countries nor giue or exchange without our consent of those shall succeed vs in these realmes 7. Item that euery Prince and Lord of those countries shall be bound to marry their sonnes and daughters with our consent of those shall be our heires Kings of Spaine 8. Item that our said daughter the Infanta nor her husband nor any of their successors to whom the sayd countries shall descend shall in any sort whatsoeuer negotiate traffick or contract to the East and West Indies neither shall they send any sorts of ships vnder any coulour or pretext so-euer vpon paine that the sayd countries in case of contrauention shall be forfeited by them And if any subiects of the said countries should presume to goe contrary to the defences the Lords of the said countries shal punish thē by confiscation of their goods other grieuous paines yea with death 9. Item that if the said Archduke Albert our good cousin should suruie our daughter the Infanta leauing either sonne or daughter that he shall haue the gouernment of such sonne or daughter with the managing of all their goods as if our daughter the Infanta were yet liuing And ouer and besides our said cousin the Archduke shall in that case enioy and reape the fruites during his life entertaining the said children according to their qualitie giuing vnto the eldest sonne or daughter the country and Duchie of Luxembourg and the countie of Chiny which shall belong vnto them to inioy it during the fathers life after whose decease that child shall haue all as sole heire Being here expresly declared that this clause of vsufrute shall be vnderstood onely in fauour of our good Cousin the Archduke Albert and not to be drawne in consequence To the end that none of his successors may vrge any president nor pretend right in the like case 10. Item for that it is the principall and greatest bond aboue all others that all the children and descendants of the said marriage shall follow the holy religion which doth now presently shine in them and shall liue and dye in our holy Catholick faith as the holy church of Rome doth teach and entertaine and that before they shall take possession of the sayd Netherlands they shall take an othe in the same forme that it is set downe in the article following And in case which God forbid that any of the said descandants should decline from the sayd religion and fall into heresie after that our Holy father the Pope hath pronounced them so they shall be depriued of the administration possession and propertie of the said Prouinces and that the vassals subiects thereof shall no more obey them but they shall admit and receiue the next that is a Catholick of the same descent which should succeed vnto such a one that is fallen from the faith and that hereticke shall be as if he were naturally dead Ego Iuro ad sancta Dei Euangelia quod semper ad extremum vitae meae spiritum sacrosanctam fidem Catholicam quam tenet docet predicat sancta Catholica Apostolica Ecclesia ◅omana communium Ecclesiarum mater Magistra constanter profitebor fideliter firmiterque◅redam veraciter tenebo atque eam a meis subditis teneri doceri predicari quantum in me erit curabo Sic me Deus adiuuet hec sancta Euangelia 11. Item that for the greater assurance and confirmation of the peace loue and correspondencie which ought to be betwixt the King and his realmes our descendants and successors and the Princes and Lords of those countries being also our successors enery one of thē which hereafter shall come vnto the possession of the said Netherlands and Bourgogne shall aduow approoue and ratifie what is conteined in this article 12. And for a much as our intention and will is that the said articles shall take full effect by their meaens We giue grant quit transport renounce and accord in gift of fee in the best and most auaileable forme way and manner that may be deuifed by law to the Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia our most deare and best beloued eldest daughter All our Netherlands and euery Prouince thereof with the Country and County of Bourgogne comprehending that of Charolois therin the Duchies Principalities Marquisats and forts which are in our Netherlands and Bourgogne together with all the regalities and all sorts of iurisdictions which wee might pretend by reason of the same as also all preheminences gards and all other kind of soueraignty whatsoeuer in the same forme they are now or may be ours to haue the full possession as wee haue had without any exception vpon charge notwithstanding that they shall inuiolably obserue all here aboue mentioned the Pragmatick made by the deceased of immortall memory the Emperor my Lord father who is in glory in the month of Nouember 1549. touching the vnion of the said Netherlands without consenting to any separation thereof for any cause whatsoeuer 13. And it is our intention that in regard of this donation our said daughter the Infanta and her future husband the Archduke Albert shall be charged and bound to pay and acquit all debts made by vs or in our name or by his deceased Imperiall Maiesty vpon our patrimonie and demaines of the said Netherlands and of the Contie of Bourgogne and they shall bee also tied and bound to beare and discharge all the rents annuities for life and all other donations pensions and recompences which his said Imperiall Maiestie wee or our predecessors haue made to any persons whatsoeuer And so we do make create and name by these presents our said daughter the Infanta Princesse and Lady of the said Netherlands and Earle of Bourgongne and Charalois We do also grant vnto our said daughter that ouer and aboue the particular titles of euerie of the said Prouinces of the Netherlands and countie of Bourgoigne she may also write intitle and name her selfe Duchesse of Bourgoigne notwithstanding that we haue reserued for so long as it shall please vs for our selues and for the prince our sonne the said title of Duke of Bourgoigne with all the rights that may belong vnto vs together with the soueraigntie of our order of the Golden Fleece whereof we retaine the power vnto our selues to dispose hereafter as we shal think most fit We consent and agree and do suffer our said daughter the Infanta giuing her absolute irreuocable power of her own priuat authority without any further consent to be demaunded by her selfe or by her deputies sent to her future husband to take full and absolute possession of the said Netherlands and of the countie of Bourgoigne
it with our roiall seale Giuen in the yeare of our Lord at Engelshem 868 the 13 of Aprill Gezo vicechancellor in the absence of the archbishop Othelrie high chancellor hath seene allowed and subsigned it Hereby we may vnderstand that from Tournay and higher vnto Vtrecht all that did lie betwixt the two branches of the riuer of Rhine which Ptolomie calles Naualia for that the ships must of necessitie passe there and pay tribute the which since hath bene called Traiectum that is to say a Trauers of traijciendo was nothing but a thicke and fearefull forrest which they called The forrest without mercie By these Letters we may also see that Holland and Zeeland were the furthest limits and frontiers of Germanie the which did extend vnto the British sea towards Brabant and Flanders the one beeing held of the Empire and the other of the crowne of Fraunce and that of forrests woods and desarts they are by succession of time become good and fertile countries and both erected into Earledomes by the donators themselues Thierry of Aquitaine being then by the bountie of the kings of France and Germanie become earle of Holland and Zeeland and lord of Friseland although the Friselanders will not absolutly confesse it by reason whereof they had great wars against the earles of Holland of whom they â—…ue three or foure in battaile was issued from a most noble and antient race that is from the old kings of France descended from the Troians that is to say from the first race of the kings of Franconia issued from Marcomir Pharamond and others their successors kings of France whose discent may thus bee reckoned for this Priam come from Troy being so called by the name of his great grandfather king of Phrygia and of Troy was the first king of Franconia who had to sonne Marcomir that first came into France he had Pharamond Pharamond had Clodion Clodion had Merouë Merouë had Childeric Childeric had Clouis the first Cristian king Clouis had Childebert Childebert had Clotaire the first Clotaire had Cherebert Cherebert had Chilperic Chilperic had Clotaire the second Clotaire had Dagobert the first Dagobert had Clouis the second Clouis had Clotaire the third Clotaire had Childeric the third Childeric had Theodoric or Thierry Theodoric had besides Clouis the third king of France another sonne called Chilperic or Childebert this Childebert had Diedericke duke of Aquitaine Diedericke had Lothaire Lothaire had Didier Didier had Engelrim who died a martyr Engelrim had Sigisbert Sigisbert had of his wife Mathild sister to Cont Haghen of Zanthen and lady Emme queene of Germanie two sonnes that is to say Walger earle of Teisterbaudt and Thierry of Aquitaine earle of Holland and Zeeland lord of Friseland This Cont Thierry carried the armes of his ancestors and for that king Pepin would not haue any but himselfe and those of his blood carrie the armes of France hee therefore gaue vnto Diederic or Thierry duke of Aquitaine other different armes which some say were those of Hector of Troy that is A Lion rampant Gueules in a field Or armed and lampassed Azure And for that the sayd Cont Thierry drew his originall in the right masculine line from the said Diederic duke of Aquitaine he might by right carrie the same armes Hee was also honourably married to Genna or Ienna daughter to Pepin the Bald king of Italie sonne to the emperour Charlemagne who died before his father to whom king Charles the Bald was vncle by the fathers side and she his neece daughter to his brother a very wise and vertuous princesse This Thierry did valiantly suppresse and vanquish the Danes who at that time did possesse the towne of Vtrecht the Wiltes and the Slaues who seeing they could no more set footing in Holland through the valiant resistance which they found in Cont Thierry they made an incursion into Zeeland vpon the coast of Arnmuyden Lewis king of Germanie hauing intelligence of the great spoile which the Danes made in Zeeland sent Lupold thither a braue Franconian knight the sonne of Vrancke duke of Suawbe grandchild to that Lupold which was driuen out of his countrie by Nicephorus emperour of Greece to succour Cont Thierry his nephew who iointly together made good proofe of their valour and forces against the Danes in many a gallant incounter Of this first Lupold are descended those of the last house of Borssele in Zeland for he had to wife Elizabeth daughter to the great Maroth king of Hungarie by whome he had three sonnes that is to say Lupold who was earle of high Hungarie and Frederike duke of Austria from whome are descended those of Walchi which is the noblest house in Austria the third was Vrancke father to the second Lupold whome king Lewis made Lieutenant generall of his armie in Zeeland from whence hauing expelled the Danes he married an heire of the first house of Borssele and was the founder of the town of Borssele at this time drowned After this victorie Cont Thierry liued in peace and rest studieng to beautifie his countries and to furnish them with good lawes so as hauing reigned fortie yeares he died very old to whome his sonne succeeded THIERRY THE SECOND OF THAT name peaceable Earle of Holland and Zeeland and Lord of Friseland Theodoricus Secundus THIERRY the second Earle of Holland by degree I was and twice in two yeares space obtained victorie Gainst Frisons that my fathers bones did take out of his graue And all the sillie virgine Nuns out of their cloisters draue The which my father first for maids did make and frame Of Wood and I of Lime and Stone for men new built the same King Loys daughter Hille nam'd I had to wife And at full foureskore yeares and eight did end my mortall life THierry the second of that name by the decease of Cont Thierry of Aquitaine his father was Earle of Holland and Zeeland and lord of Friseland But the Friselanders at the first would not acknowledge him for their lord but rebelled against him and would liue free vnder the liberties which the Emperour Charlemagne had graunted them This Cont Thierry had to wife Hildegard daughter to Lewis the stuttering king of France and sister to king Charles the Simple by whome hee had Egbert his eldest sonne a deuout man who was Archbishop of Treues and Arnulph or Arnoult who succeeded him in the said Counties and one daughter called Alix or Erlinde Cont Thierry seeing the wilfulnesse and obstinacie of his subiects of Friseland leuyed a strong and mightie armie of the best souldiors he could recouer as well in his own territories as of his friends and allies with the which he entered into the countrie of Friseland and began to forrage spoile burne and destroy it The Frisons knowing themselues vnable at this time to resist so mightie an armie making of necessitie vertue and yeelding to the time and force they submitted themselues to the Earles mercie who
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
our soules And we do also confesse that by reason of your bishopricke you haue much land and many rents tithes possessions and other reuenues which haue beene giuen by my auncestors vnto the church of Vtrecht for the honor of God and the entertainment of divine service the which I would be verie loath any way to impeach or hinder As I also would intreat your lordship your subiects to vse the like moderation towards me and my vassals and so he ended his discourse After these two goodly victories which Cont Thierry had gotten against Adelbold bishop of Vtrecht he resolued to reuenge the death of his father in Friseland for the effecting wherof he was assisted by the Emperour Henry the 2 who sent Godefroy with the great beard duke of Lorraine vnto him with goodly succors of souldiers The Earle hauing also leuied a goodly armie of his owne subiects leading the bishop prisoner with him entred into the countrey of Friseland where going to affront the Frisons armie a sodaine terrour and feare seized vpon the Hollanders without any apparant cause which made them sodainly to disband flie as if they had been chased and followed at the heeles by their enemies so as it was not possible to stay them to fight euery one seeking his owne safetie The Frisons seeing this vnexpected rout pursued them at their ease in which pursute the Duke of Lorraine was taken and the bishop escaped from the Hollanders retyring himselfe vnto the Frisons incensing them more and more against Cont Thierry who hauing made his retreat to Harlem he speedily gathered together his scattered armie with the which he marched directly to Heyligerlee where he met the Frisons with the bishop who came boldly and resolutely to charge him hauing forced the Duke of Lorraine to accompanie them to the battaile the which was fierce and very bloudie whereas the Earle had the victorie with great slaughter of the Frisons the Duke being freed from their hands and ioyned with the Earle after that the bishop beeing wounded had saued himselfe with great danger of his life they both together with their vnited troups fell vpon the country of Friseland putting all to fire sword destroying the whole countrey vnpeopling it of men and cattell taking and carrying away all they could find And thus the Earle reduced all the countrey of Friseland vnder his obedience the which he gaue to his yonger sonne Floris and forced the inhabitants which remained to acknowledge him for their lord and to take an othe of fealtie holding the said seigniorie notwithstanding in fee of the Earle his father who returned victorious into Holland Floris remained in Friseland the which he gouerned with power and authoritie all his lifetime Cont Thierry finding himselfe at rest from all his wars hauing subdued all his enemies he went accompanied with the lord of Arckel his faithfull subiect and a great traine of gentlemen to Ierusalem where the said lord of Arckel died of sicknesse and was honorably interred there by Cont Thierry who being returned into Holland after that hee had finished his pilgrimage liued some yeares intrest and quietnesse with his wife and children then hauing ended the course of his life he died in the yere 1039. hauing raigned 46 yeares and was buried in the church of the Abbey of Egmont by his fathers The lady Withilde his widow returned into her countrey of Saxony where she died foure yeares after In the said Abbey of Egmont there was found preserued from ruine the Epitaph of these three Earles Thierry the 1. 2 and 3. Earles of Holland and Zeeland Lords of Friseland of the lady Gena wife to the first and of the lady Hildegarde wife to the second as we haue extracted and inserted them here for the reuerence of antiquitie The odericorum tria corpora magnificâ—…rum Hic sita sunt titulis quaeque not at a suis. Hi fundaâ—…rant loca nostra Patresque fuerunt Istsus ornatus ordinis atque status Hic Comitissarum sociantur membraduarum Virtus est quarum non celebrandaparum Genna prior dicta tum pracipue benedicta Hildâ—… garda suo digna legititulo Auropraeclâ—… am tabulam quae struxit ad aram Multiâ—…dis donis iure sequendabonis Progenies borum mores imitare tuorum Quos coeliregio sumpsit ab exilio In the said Abbey is also found the Epitaph of Sicco or Ziffrid of Holland first lord of Brederode sonne to Arnould brother to Thierry the 3. Earles of Holland as followeth Status sepe morum statu immutatur honorum Quod Comes exegst quem lapis iste tegit Siccogâ—…nus Comitum Comitatum ponit auitum Dum quod amat sequitur sic minor efficitur Sed fundis seruis aerisque nitebat aceruis Inferior solo Principe fratre suo Qui dum perpendit quo mundi gloria tendit Iuris multa suitradit huic domui Stâ—…rps de Siccane processit in hac regione Florens diuitijs viribus ingenijs Iulius in Nâ—…nis tulit hunc vt conditionis Cui vera sit quies perpetâ—…sque dies THIERRY THE FOVRTH OF THAT name and fift Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland 5 Theodoricus Quartus Nine yeares I liued Earle of Holland fortunate Not knowing nor yes caring what belongd to mariage state The Germans I compeld the towne of Dort to leaue That sought by all the meanes they could my life for to bereaue Who being ouercome and put vnto the flight Turn'd backe and shot a shaft at me which in my thigh did light The names of three of my forefathers I did beare And with them in their sepulcher my bones interred were THIERRY the 4. of that name after the decease of Thierry the 3. his father was the fift Earle of Holland and Zeeland and Lord of Friseland Hee was neuer married and therefore he left not any children to succeed him On a time a torney being appointed in the citie of Liege whither came many Princes and Noble men Cont Thierry went thither in like sort accompanied with many Noble men and Barons his vassals As the Princes Noble men were at the torney it happened by an vnfortunat blow that the Earle slew the brother of the bishops of Cologne and Liege so as the noble men of Germanie sought to reuenge the death of this yong knight Thierry vnable to make his partie good retired secretly with all his traine out of the citie The Germains aduertised of his retreat pursued him and hauing ouertaken the last of his traine they slew some among the which were two knights Cont Thierry hauing recouered Holland without danger went to Dordrecht and caused all the ships of Cologne and Liege to be burnt tooke all the Germaine marchants prisoners and put them to great ransoms to reuenge the death of his two knights and of his other seruants The bishops of Liege and Cologne bearing this indignitie impatiently sent an armie vnder the command of the Marques
of Brandebourg their cosin who comming downe the Rhine entred into Holland and by treason some say by a popular tumult surprised the towne of Dordrecht Cont Thierry being somewhat amazed at this losse was aduised by the seignior Gerard of Putten to make an aduenture to enter the towne by night with his men the which succeeded happily Sounding his trumpets and with a fearefull crie at mid-night he began to spoile all the Germaines he could incounter so as after some resistance the Germaines were forced to leaue the towne and to flie or to saue themselues in holes vntill the furie of the fight were past in the which there died aboue 400. Germaine gentlemen The next day in the morning the Earle being wearie of the nights fight beeing disarmed and desirous to refresh himselfe walked vp and downe and passing by a narrow streete was shot in the thigh with a poysoned dart by one of the enemies which lay hidden in a garret so as euer since vnto this day that street is called Graue street that is to say the Earles streete of which wound he died two dayes after which was the 15. of May 1048 hauing gouerned his Countries nine yeares He was interred with his father in the Abbey of Egmont During the life of this Earle was built the first Fort in the Island of Schauven at Ziricxee and the Island of Walchren in Zeeland was conquered by Baldwin of l' Isle de Buc Earle of Flanders assisted by Robert his youngest sonne Then began the shippes of the East Countries to frequent the seas of the Netherlanders and not before FLORIS THE FIRST OF THAT name the sixt Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland 6 Florentius Primus My brothers heire I was and sixt Earle by degree And married with a Saxon dame of great nobilitie The Liegios I subdu'd and valiantly did take The Earle of Loven in the field and him my pris'ner make Twice did the Prince of Collen feele my force and might Betweene the riuers Wale and Mase but to my great despight As all things subiect are to change my selfe being tane When I had ruled 14. yeares in cruell wise was slaine FLORIS the first of that name was before Earle of West Friseland who after the death of Cont Thierry the fourth his brother was the sixt Earle of Holland and Zeeland He had to wife the lady Gertrude daughter to Heyman Duke of Saxonie sonne to the Emperour Henry the second of whom he had foure sonnes Thierry his successor in the said Earledoms Albert Floris and Peter which were Chanons at Liege and one daughter called Mathilde or Mahault who was married to Philip the first of that name king of France The bishops of Cologne and Liege who had not yet forgotten the death of their brother slaine at a turney by Cont Thierry the fourth the burning of their ships the ransoming of their marchants and the defeat of their men at the enterprise of Dordrecht to bee reuenged of Cont Floris brother to Thierry made a league with the Marques of Brandebourg the Cont Albert of Loos or of Louvaine Wichard Aduocat generall of Gueldres and Herman Earle of Cuicke who gathering what forces they could together resolued to set vpon Cont Floris the Hollanders The Earle hauing intelligence of their designe sent for all his knights gentlemen and vassals commanding them to bring what troups they could either of his subiects or strangers the which they did making a gâ—…odly armie to oppose against his enemies and went to lodge in the towne of Dordrecht causing during his abode there many ditches to be made in South-Holland and pit-falls couered with straw and grasse which could not be discouered He had also sent for succors out of Friseland from whence there were sent him a troupe of the most valiant souldiers that were in all the countrey The Earle attending his enemies in his towne of Dordrecht the Germans marching in the countrey thinking to besiege him there being entred into South-Holland there lost a great number of their men which were smothered and drowned in these ditches thus couered and hidden the which they could not discerne in the night neither knew they which way to march for thinking to auoid one danger they fell into another by heaps so as verie many were slaine And withall the Earle who knew all the passages of the countrey pursuing them made them to fall into these ditches which they could not auoid vnlesse they would bee subiect to the enemies sword who attended them on euerie side There was a furious battaile where the Earle was victor in the which there were fortie thousand men slain and twentie six thousand drowned and smothered in those ditches and all this great armie of Germanes was put to rout euery one sauing himselfe as he could by the medowes In which defeat was slaine the bishop of Liege the Earle of Henault the Earle of Loos and the Aduocat generall of Gueldres were prisoners euerie one paying two thousand markes of fine siluer for his ransome besides a great number of other knights and gentlemen that were prisoners Cont Floris got this victorie on S. Adolphs day in the yeare 1058. Foure yeares after in the yeare 1062 the bishop of Cologne the Marques of Brandebourg Cont Herman of Cuicke and other noble men their allies leuied a new army of the which the Marques was General These noblemen being entred into Holland their men began to spoile and burne the countrey Cont Floris who was neuer daunted for a small losse like a valiant and hardie knight went to incounter them with his armie and charged them furiously the fight was fierce euerie one shewing his valour the Germanes fought for honour and spoyle and the Hollanders for their liues and goods In the end the Hollanders hauing broken the Germans ranks disordred them they put them to flight and the Earle remained victor The Hollanders laden with spoyle and a great number of prisoners returned to their houses This battaile was on S. Martins day in Summer After this victorie Cont Floris marching with his armie making his retreat resting himselfe vnder an elme in the village of Hemert betwixt the riuers of Meuse and Wasal Cont Herman of Cuick who before had fled rallying his men together came and charged the Earle and his troups whom he surprised vnawares and in disorder being disarmed to refresh themselues so as hauing no leasure to arme themselues againe they were defeated and Cont Floris with two thousand six hundred of his men Those of Dordrecht which had the rere made hast to succour them but it was too late for the Earle yet they did quite defeat the Earle of Cuicke his troups wheras the Earle was also slaine Cont Floris had after his brothers death raigned 14 yeres in Holland in Friseland 21 yeares He was interred at Egmont The Epitaphs of these two Earles brethren Thierry the fourth and Floris the
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
began to fish for herrings at the mouth of the riuer of Meuse and in the Brittish sea along the coast of Holland Zeeland and Friseland the first fishing was about the island of Bryele where as they did fish with small barkes called Sabards Those of Zirixee were the first that did fish and packt them vp in barrels Those of Bierulyet a small island vpon the coast of Flanders the better to preserue them being salted inuented the meanes to gill them and to pull out the garbage or els they would soone corrupt In the yere 1190 the emperor Frederic being in Nicea a citie of Bythynia hauing extreame heat he went into a riuer to bath him but the violence of the streame carried him away he was drowned in the presence of all his people who could not helpe him About which time Floris the third Earle of Holland fell sicke in the armie died in this voyage and was interred by the emperor Frederic hauing gouerned his prouinces seuen and twentie yeares Ada his his wife did suruiue him eighteene yeares and died in the yere 1208 being interred in the abbey of Middlebourg in Zeeland William their sonne hauing accompanied his father as wee haue said at his returne passing through Germanie he maried the daughter of Frederic duke of Suabe whom he enioyed not long THIERRY THE SEVENTH OF THAT name foureteenth Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland 14 Theodoricus Septimus In peace I was most mild in warre both stout and bold And did my brother ouerthrow and Frisons pride controld In Flanders Gelder and Brabant victoriously I ouercame my enemies and Boisleduke valiantly Did enter but by chance there prisoner I was made My wife that was a lady faire to name ALIDE had Irul'd full thirteene yeares and did much fear'd of many For that for courage in my time like me there was not any THIERRY the seuenth of that name and fourteenth Earle of Holland after the decease of Cont Floris his father in Palestina succeeded in all his earledomes He had to wife Aleydâ—… Alix or Adella daughter to Didier earle of Cleue by whom he had notany sonnes but two daughters excreding faire whereof the first called Adella was maried to Henry of Gueldre and died without children ther Ada whom the mother after the decease of her father against the liking and consent of all tâ—…e noblemen of Holland maried to Cont Lewis of Loos who was but of meane calling shee being Contesse of Holland This Cont Thierry hauing after the decease of his father gouerned his countries quietly for the space of fiue yeares the lord William of Holland being returned from Palestina where hee had buried Cont Floris their father vpon some false reports entred into contention with him By reason whereof William retired himselfe into Friseland to the Dreuthers with whom being entred into league he made many roads into Holland On the other side Baldwin earle of Flanders entred with an armie into the isle of Walchren which lay neere vnto him Cont Thierry seeing himselfe assaulted on two sides leuied all the men he could and diuided them into two armies the one he took with himself and the other he left to the Contesse Adella his wife to lead against William his brother and to suppresse the Frisons Cont Thierry imbarked with his armie and landed in Zeeland from whence after a great battaile he chased the Flemings His wife with her troups went from Egmont towards Alcmar to fight with the Frisons The lord William of Holland came to incounter her with his men and presented himself in battaile but as they of Winckel and Nieudorp hauing retired themselues on the one side refusing to fight against their princesse being corrupted with mony the Kennemers did chase the Frisons vnto a certain strait which was a marish ground ful of reeds William seeing his Frisons wauer and readie to Breake incouraged them so wiâ—…words and behaued himselfe so valiantly in his owne person as hauing long defended themselues in the end hee carried them backe into their owne countrey with small losse The Frisons seeing his indeuors and how faithfully William of Holland had assisted them they trusted him more than before making him their head their podestate and their captaine generall Cont Thierry hauing succesfully ended the wars in Zeeland returned with his armie into Holland into the quarter of Kennemerlandt to make more violent war against the Frisons and his brother William But to the end these two brethren should not pollute themselues any more with the bloud of their subiects by their ciuile wars Baldwin bishop of Vtrecht Didier cathedrall prouost of the said bishopricke and Otto earle of Benthem vncles to these two brethren laboured all they could to reconcile them by whom it was concluded That Thierry as the elder brother should remain Earle of Holland and Zeeland and that William should hold of his brother in fee the countrey of East and West Friseland on either side the riuer of Flie vnto that of Lanuvers and moreover should receiue for an annuall pension out of the custome of Ghoervlyet the summe of eighteen hundred liures The Frisons vnderstand not how nor by what title this diuision of Friseland was made wherof there is not any mention made in their Annals yet some writers confesse that they yeelded hereunto in fauour of William of Holland but they deny that it was vpon condition to hold it in fee of Cont Thierry and to do him homage or to any other prince seeing there was neuer any thing more odious vnto them than to bee subiect to any other superioritie than the empire according to their antient liberties freedoms by priuiledges giuen them by antient emperors whereof they haue alwayes been very iealous and strict obseruers euen vnto the death This peace made betwixt the two brethren William returned into Friseland where he was honourably receiued and from that time during his life acknowledged for their prince where he built a castle called Osterzee in the which hee made his ordinarie aboad and residence After the death of Baldwin of Holland bishop of Vtrecht vncle to Cont Thierry being readie to proceed to the election of a new bishop Thierry Earle of Holland Otto earle of Gueldre came both armed into the citie of Vtrecht which was the cause of great iealousie and discord betwixt the chanoims and chapter for that some did chuse Didier cathedrall prouost of Vtrecht brother vnto Baldwin the last bishop and vncle to the Earle of Holland others had chosen Arnould of Isenbourgh prouost collegiall of Deuenter who was supported by the earle of Gueldre and by all those of the countrey of Ouerissel The emperor placed Didier of Holland there by prouision vntill it were iudicially determined by the Roman sea â—…o administer the goods of the said bishoprick as he did but that the earle of Gueldre hâ—…ndred him from the receiâ—… of any thing in the prouince of Ouerissell By â—…eason whereof Cont
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
his countries thirteene whole yeares in continuall warres In his time there flourished in Holland Didier bishop of Vtrecht Otto Earle of Benthem and Peregrin Lieutenant of the Countie of Holland al three his vncles brethren to Cont Floris who was father to Cont Thierry and Robert also his bastard vncle then William Earle of East-Friseland Floris Prouost of Vtrecht and Robert Earle of Kennemerlandt his brethren Henry of Geldre husband to Adella the eldest daughter to Cont Thierry William Lord of Brederode Hugues Lord of Teylingen and William his sonne Seignior of Leck Robert of Heusden and Altena issued from the Earles of Holland with a great number of knights squires This Epitaph of the said Cont Thierry the seuenth of that name was found in the Abbey of Egmont Terricus iacet hic peperit quem filia Regis Ada Comes Comitem genuit Florentius istum Quiclausus tumulo virtutum pondere micans Siccatur meritâ—…que doles Hollandia tantum Amisisse virum per quem suffulta labores Insidias rabidos sopisti tuta tumultus Quem pietas quem ver a fides probit are magistra Virtutumque cohors tutum seruauit inermem Soluitur in cineres corpus soluitque tributum Carnis antiquae redit ad primordia matris Hic binas nonas voluente Nouembre relinquens Exilium mundi sanctis conregnat in astris And vpon his Tombe were grauen these foure verses Hic Terrice iaces Comes care regia â—…stus Mortetua populus largus discretus honestus Et fortis bellatâ—…r er as victorque mâ—…destus Milite pro tanto fundantur cum prece quaestus ADA CONTESSE OF HOLLAND and Zeeland the fifteenth in the gouernment of the said Earledomes Ada Theodorici Septimi Filia This ADA did possesse her predecessors wealth But'gainst her fathers will did matchin mariage by stealth With one vâ—…worthie her though mother was content But as it after did appeare God seemed discontent And did within one yeare bereaue her of her life Who dead her husband sought to claime th' inheritance of his wife But the Cont WILLIAM with great power did him withstand As heire vnto his neece deceast and draue him out the land ADA daughter to Cont Thierry the seuenth succeeded her father and was the fifteenth commaunding in Holland and Zeeland as Contesse but she gouerned these Countries but one yere and died without children During the sicknesse of Cont Thierry the father Lewis Earle of Loos to whom Ada had beene promised in mariage by the mother was in the castle of Altena where hee attended newes of the fathers death The Contesse Adella presently after the decease of her husband sent to Lewis to come to Dordrecht with al speed the which she did and there he gaue him her daughter in mariage and in steed of a funerall pompe there were feasts and nuptiall banquets deferring the obsequies till after the mariage which being consummated and all the feasts ended the body of Cont Thierry was with small pompe and ceremonie caried and interred in the abbey of Egmont William Earle of East-Friseland hauing intelligence of the death of his brother came vnto Zipe with an intent to assist and mourâ—…â—…e funerall yet would he not passe on before he had demaunded a safe conduct from the Contesse and those of her Councell the which was denied him yet he stayed in that place vntill the funerals were ended which done he returned into Friseland His kinsfolkes and good friends in Holland as Floris Prouost Cathedrall of Vtrecht his brother Otto Earle of Benthem and his sonne Ieams Chastelain of Leyden Philip of Wassenare William of Theylinghen Iohn of Ryswicke Gualter of Egmont and Albert Bauiart knights and other gentlemen well affected vnto him shewed themselues discontented that they should be gouerned by a woman and a poore Earle to whom they held themselues nothing inferior they therefore made a league among themselues not to endure the gouernment of her nor her husband This done they secretly sent a man of marke on their behalfes into Friseland to Cont William giuing him to understand of their resolution and alliance and that without all feare he should come and ioyne with them at the abbey of Egmont where they would attend him Cont William departed out of Friseland as couertly as he could but for want of a good wind to carry him into Holland or it may be the better to informe and assure himselfe of their intentions he put to land in Zeeland at Zirixee in the Island of Schouven where he was receiued and imbraced by them of the countrey and by the Lords of Borsele of Croningen and others who acknowledged him for their prince and Earle of Zeeland In the meane time Gualter of Egmont and Albert Bauiart accompanied with the Kennemers entred the towne of Harlem and tooke armes against the Earle of Loos the lady Adella widow do wager to Cont Thierry whom they forced with M. Ghysbrecht of Amstell to flie by night and to retire themselues to Vtrecht The young Contesse Ada remained there a while but in the end she retired also beeing accompanied by Roger Vander Meer Otto van venzen and many other knights and gentlemen of the Earle of Loos his traine comming all amazed to the towne of Leyden there to maintain themselues against their enemies as in a place of refuge and safetie the Kennemers being in armes with Gualter of Egmont their Commaunder pursued the young Contesse and those of her traine euen into the said towne where also was Philip of Wassenarewho with his Rhynlanders ouer whom hee was captaine besieged the Bourg so straitly as the besieged were constrained to yeeld for want of victuals Cont William who was then in Zeeland hearing that the Earle of Loos and the Contesse Dowager had saued themselues in Vtrecht and that the yong Contesse Ada was staied in Leyden he came speedily into Holland the which by the assistance of his friends he tooke wholly vnto himselfe disposing of their goods that had beene opposite unto his will then he caused the young Contesse his niece to be conducted with an honourable traine and good intreatie into the Isle of Texel vnder his iurisdiction of Friseland The Earle of Loos being thus chased away meditating of the meanes to be reuenged hee inuited to his succour the bishop of Liege his brother Iohn duke of Lembourg and the Earle of Flanders his kinsmen relying much vpon the bishop of Vtrecht whom hee woon with 2000. marks of siluer and a promise that if he remained victor and in quiet possession hee would hold the Earledome of Holland in fee of the bishopricke of Vtrecht the bishop of Liege being his caution for the performance thereof Cont William hauing notice of the forces which the Earle of Loos prepared to recouer Holland he appointed Gualter of Egmont and Albert Bauiart to be chiefe of the Kennemers and Philip of Wassenare and the Seignior of Theylinghen to commaund the Rhynlanders and he
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
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
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
Nobleman was reconciled and all the riuers waies passages made free as before this last war Francis of Brederode hauing left the towne of Rotterdam to the King of Romanes Squire retired to Sâ—…luse to Philip of Cleues to whom there ioyned many banished men of Holland and other places the signior of Naeldwyk hauing paied his ransom to the Squier was there also whilest that the campe lay before Montfort these two Noblemen of Brederode Naeldwâ—…ke hauing 1800. men imbarked at Scluse and landed in the Iland of Walchren where hauing made a great spoile they went towards Dordrecht burnt certein mills at Suyndreckt and one mill ioyning to the towne and then thy returned to the Iland and towne of Goedereed with an intention to spoile it The Lord of Egmont Gouernor of Holland hauing news thereof at the campe at Monfort parted secretly with many gentlemen and came to Dordrecht from whence he sent for men out of Zeland and from Bergeen vpon Som with the which he did imbarke and pursued them of Scluse hauing found them he charged them resolutly the fight was furious at the first incounter the seignor of Brederode finding himselfe not strong inough to resist long began to retire and presently went to land The lord of Egmont pursuing him there was a new fight in the which Brederode was very sore wounded being taken prisoner was carried vnto the ship and so conducted to Dordrecht where he died soone after The seignor of Naeldwick seeing that all was lost fled with his men towards Ziricxze froÌ„ whence he went safely to Scluse At the same time the Bourgeses of Bruges did rise againe against their Superiors by reason of the base prises of mony which they said were out of reason and had not bin so agreed vpon by the States of the country Besids in the payments which they made in France Spaine Portingall and England coynes were at a higher rate then in the lowe contries So as they feared that the trafficke of their towne would faile On the other side as they of Scluse did much harme by their courses and roads the duke of Saxony put a good garrison into the towne of Dam who did no lesse in Flanders In the meane time Gaunt Yâ—…re and other townes were quiet and did not much care for the coynes and had rated them at their owne pleasure euer a third part higher then in other prouinces wheras the abatement of coines was strictly obserued the which was the cause of great contention among all the Inhabitantes of the saied Countrie wherein the Artisan and the Merchant suffred much as in deede euery one complayned and not without cause for the time was neuer so miserable as then There was not a pâ—…nnie to bee earned no mony to bee taken vp euerie man keeping that which hee had in his cofer vpon hope that it would rise and the best marchandise of returne which marchant strangers made in Antwerp and Berghen vpon Soom was mony not caring to exchange or to buie any other commodities for theirs seeing there was so great gaine vpon the peeces of gold and siluer yet the Earle of Nassau wrought so with the 〈◊〉 and the duke of Saxony as that matter was pacified and the coynes rated as at Gand Ypre and other townes of Flanders and after the same value as it went in the neigbour Prouinces of the Netherlands But those of Scluse did not cease to robbe and spoile at sea so as none could passe from the East countries into Spaine nor goe into the East-countries without verie great daunger which caused a great and generall dearth throughout all the Netherlands especially of come At that time the French King made warre in Arthois pretending that it had beene giuen him in marriage with the Ladie Marguerite sister to Philip of Austria and daughter to the King of Romains In the meane time pettie Salezart surprized the towne of Teroane the which he kept a while for the Bourguignons partie But as the Earle of Nassau and some other Noblemen went to beseege Bethune the lord of Cordes incountring them with all the forces of Piccardie gaue them battaile in the village of Hinges and had the victorie whereas the Earle of Nassau and Charles of Egmont duke of Geldres were taken the Earle redeemed himselfe soone and payed his ransome but the duke was kept long as a prisoner with the French King At this defeate the French recouered Teroane the which they held since vnto the yeare 1554. the which the Emperor Charles the fift tooke by assault and caused it bee razed as it is to this day the soyle remayning to the French All this time Holland was much afficted by the extreame dearth especially of corne through the want of money by newe impositions and burthens and aboue all through the robberies and spoiles done both at sea and land by them of Sâ—…e hauing surprized the Ilandes of Tessell and Wyering where they made their retreates robbing and spoyling the shippes comming out of Ostland There was a great tumult twise in the towne of Alcmar by the countrie-men for the sayd impositions the which they were forced to surcease for a time There was a great assembly in the towne of Horne the which the sayd peasants had seized vpon for their assurance of all the Villages and Boroughs of the countries of Kennemerlandt North-holland and Waterland in the which they resolued ioyntly rather to die all euen to the last man then to pay such exactions seeing that the misery of the time would not beare it On the other side the Ganthois hauing receiued some small affront from the King of Romains people reuolted againe and ioyned with them of Scluse The first of Iulie they surprized the towne of Hulst although there were a garrison Then beganne all things to decline go to ruine in Flanders Many Ganthois that were well affected to the King of Romains abandoned the towne betimes of their owne free-will manie were expelled and banished The Flemings robbing and spoyling at sea continued still and increased daylie the nauigation into the west parts beeing in a manner defended at the least not without daunger The which increased the dearth in Holland Zeeland and Barbant so as the common people did liue a vetie poore and languishing life The Ganthois did not hold this towne of Hulst long for the Earle of Nassau sent pettie Salezart his Lieutenant thether with his troupes the which hee recouered by force in the which many of the towne were slaine among other captaine Wittenhorst who hauing left the seruice of the King of Romains in Holland retyred himselfe to Sâ—…luse from whence hee did afterwardes much mischiefe vnto the Hollanders The Seignior of Naeldwyke being in the sayd towne of Hulst notwithstanding any watch they layd for him both by sea and land escaped in a disguised habit and returned to Scluse where bee beganne to make more violent warre against the Hollanders then euer The captaines of
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
Geldres Prince Charles of Austria takes possession of the Netherlands George duke of Saxony resignes his interest of Friseland to Prince Charles Hee holds the feast of the golden sâ—…ce at Brusselles Philip Bastard of Bougongne Bishop of Vtrecht Maâ—…ten van Rossen Gouernor in Friseland Prince Charles crowned King of Spaine the death of the Emperor Maximilian Charles the â—…ift chosen Emperor the Lady Marguerite Duchesse of 〈◊〉 Gouernesse of the Netherlands Troubles in Spaine the King being absent warre in Friseland warre betwixt the French and the Bourguignons the Peasants warre in Germany the Groningeois reâ—…ing the Duke of Geldres giue themsselues to the Emperor the second bloudy Edâ—… made by the Emperor aâ—…st the Protestants of the Netherlands A tumult at Vtrecht who call in the Geldrois against their Bishop VVilliam van Enkeâ—…oort 59. Bishop of Vtrecht the Coronation of the Emperor Charles by the Pope An Impâ—…iall diet at Ausbourg whereas the Protestant Princes present a confession of their faith A wonderfull deuoâ—… rinâ—… Inundation in the Netherlands Mary of Austria Queene Douager of Hongarie succeeds in the gouernment of the Netherlands after the death of the Ladie Marguerite her Aunâ—… warre betwixt them of Lubâ—…c and Holland An Imperiall dyet held at Ratisbone concerning religion A peaâ—… betwixt the Emperor and the Duke of Geldres warre betwixt the French and the Bourguignons The townes of Geldres mutine against their duke the Emperor comes out of Spaine through France to punish the Ganthois warre betwixt the Emperor and the French King A peace concluded CHARLES the second of that name the 35. Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland eldest sonne to the Archduke Philip of Austria and of Lady Iane Queene of Castile was borne at Gand in Flanders the 24 of February 1500. After the death of his Father he did inherit ouer and aboue the counties of Holland Zeeland West-frisland the Dutchies of Bourgongne Brabant Styria Carinthia Carniola Lembourg Luxembourg and Geldres The counties of Flanders Arthois Henault Bourgongne Ferrete Kyburg Namur and Zutphen the Landtgraueship of Elsaten the Marquisate of Burgau and of the holy Empire the Principalitie of Suaue and the Seigneuries of Windismark Portenau Salins and Macklin Afterwards hee conquered the Dutchie of Milan and did incorporate the country of Friseland Vtrecht Oueryssel Groningen Cambray and Cambresis all holding of the Empire The Emperour Maximilian hauing as we haue sayd taken vpon him the gardianship of his Nephews and Neeces retiring out of the Netherlands to goe into Germanie about the affaires of the Empire hee appointed his daughter the Lady Marguerite Douager of Sauoy Aunt to the Princes Charles and Ferdinand Regent of the low-countries in the name of the Prince her Nephewe who meaning to come out of Flanders into Zeeland she imbarked at Nyeuwerhauen right against Flesingue Philip of Bourgongne lord of Somersdike Admiral Adolphe of Bourgongne lord of Beueren with the Noblemen and deputies of the states of Zeland went with a good number of flie-boates shaloups other light boates to receiue her at the sayd place of Nyeuwerhauen Whilest that the sayd Noblemen were gone to land to entertaine the sayd Princesse the ships of war lying before the hauen shoting off their great Ordinance in signe of honour it happened that fire fell into the poulder of the Admirall so as many were slaine drowned and wounded but there were not any of these Noblemen in her al being gone to land in their long boates to salute the Gouernesse At that time died the vertuous Lady Anne bastard of Bourgongne Lady of Rauestein of whom we haue formerly spoken after that shee had recouered and walled in many Islands that were drowned in Zeeland To whose goods succeeded Baldwyn and Philip of Bourgongne her brethren except the Island of Duyueland the which returned to them of the house of Borssele from whence it first came William of Egmont Lord of Iselstein with the consent and coÌ„mission of the Emperour Maximillan and of his councell went to take and ransome some Inhabitants about Bommel for that they said they were of the Iurisdiction of Geldres and contrarywise the said Lord of Iselstein would haue them of his Princes Iurisdiction where-vpon the Duke of Geldres tooke occasion to reuiue the warres Saying that the Bourguignons had first of al broken the peace where-vpon the Geldrois lay in waite for the marchants of the Netherlands at their returne from Francfort Mart whome they spoiled and carried away prisoners to the towne of Gelder setting them at great ransomes besides their losses which they had taken from them In the same yeare 1508. Raoul Prince of Anhault of the noble and ancient house of Ascagâ—…e cheefe of Maximilian the Emperors Armie in the Netherlands â—…nt againe to beseege the castell of Puydroyen in the month of March from whence the duke of Geldres had forced Iohn of Egmont to raise his seege who hauing battred it and giuen diuers assaults in the which the marshall Seewint was slaine in the end it was yeelded to his mercie which was that the beseeged should depart euery one with a white wand retaining twelue to dispose of at his pleasure whom he caused to be presently hanged before the port then he caused both castell and fort to be ruied and razed In the meane time the duke of Geldres thought to surprise the towne of Harderwick which the Bourguignons held yet but he failed from thence the Prince of Anhalt went to beseege the towne of Wesep and the Castell of Muyden both together being but a quarter of a League one from an other The French king sent an ambassador to the Princes campe who did mediate the yeelding vp of the said two places by some good accord to the said Prince in the Emperors name after that the Geldrois had first been chased from the Block-house of Amsterdam and the Lord of Aymeries with his walons defeated vpon the mont of Muyden where the Lord of Iselstein was slaine In the yeare 1509. there died in the citty of Cologne Cont Henry of Stolburch Gouernor for the Duke of Saxony in the contry of Freeseland he was much lamented of the Frisons for his mild gouernment being a good Iusticer an vpright man fearing God after whose death Duke Georges Mareshall came into Friseland bringing with him Euerwin earle of Benthem with the dukes Comission to be gouernor of the said contry In the yeare 1510. there fell out great warre betwixt the King of Denmarke and the townes of the East contries as Lubeck Wismare Rostwicke and others Theyof Lubeck did write into Holland Zeeland and Freeseland for-bidding them to sayle into Denmarke but they would not forbeare for that the greatest profit of those contries consists in nauigation where-vpon the Lubeckers tooke some of their ships at two seuerall times their second losse was by the default of the Danes who did not succor them as they ought The yeare following the Esterlings came
by sea and land without any respect who durst not reuenge themselues in Freezeland Those that held the Princes partie were forced to send for deputies to Vtrecht to an assemblie that was held there Doctor Kempo Martua and Thyart Bo◅ma made knights and councelors to Prince Charles to show vnto the ambassadors and deputies of princes the rebellion and obstinacie of the Geldrois persidious br◅akers of the truce Intreating that noble assemblie to take some course in that behalfe that the Geldrois might obey or else that order might be taken such as they should thinke fittest for their better securitie In the meane time Arkelens went into Geldres to the Duke his maister where hauing staied sometime he was dismissed from his charge Martin van Rosse◅ Seignior of Puydroyen being substituted in his place They came both together into Freezeland being arriued there Rosse◅ called an assemblie in the towne of Sneeke of the states which held the duke of Geldres partie to appeare there the second of August where among other poynts he propounded that the imposts of wine beere such other like things shold be takē away as they were already in those townes which h◅ld the Bourguignon party for that the comodities which did pay a custome to the Geldrois were transported into the townes of the Bourguignon faction to be freed to the great preiudice of the duke and the townes vnder his obedience That the said imposts being taken away they should finde some meanes to entertaine their troopes and to defray other charges of the countrie Vppon which proposition after long consultation it was resolued that the imposts should bee taken away and that they should agree to giue him a yearely summe of money towards the maintenance of his house and state There were also certaine articles propounded by the saide states which they required to haue confirmed by the Duke the which Arkelens carried with him promising to make a good report and to do his best indaeuour to procure the Duke to ratefie them There was a certaine Pirate at sea called Grand-Pierre or great Peter with the Duke of Geldres commission who made as great spoiles at sea as the Geldrois did at land for there were not any ships which past him from North or South Esterlins or others but they were all good prize But aboue all he did seeke to ruine the Hollanders for as many as he tooke he threw them ouer-boord with out pittie or mercy The 28 of September after many great spoiles which this Grand-Pierre had done at sea being 25. ships strong in the which he had 1200. men giuing it out that he went to Harderwycke to the duke he directed his course towards Horne hauing landed his men couertly for want of good guard hee surprised the towne by Scaladoe hauing spoiled it and his men laden with pillage hee retired presently to his shipps At his returne hee met with a ship of Enchuysen the which he borded himselfe and cast the maister and his seruant ouer into the sea for that they were Hollanders After the death of Don Fernando of Arragon King of Spaine Prince Charles of Austria Duke of Bourgongne c. Earle of Holland Zeeland c. receiued letters from Pope Leo the 10. and the Emperour Maximillian his grand-father With others written vnto Cardinall Pimero and the Councell of Spaine by the which they required them to receiue and inuest Prince Charles in the realmes of Castille Leon Arragon c. These letters being red in Spaine some would haue apposed and among others Don Piedro Giron eldest sonne to the Earle of Vrenate who by descent and genealogy pretended to showe that he was the nearest after Queene Iane who was ben◅med of her members to the crowne of the saide realmes thinking this occasion to be happely falne out for him by the death of Don Fernando father to Iane. Cardinall Pimero seeing this beginning of an alteration which might haue turned into a ciuill warre by the aduice of the deceased Kings Councell sent presently for Prince Charles who was then in the Netherlands to come with all speed and receiue the possession of the saide realmes These letters being come to the Court at Brusselles it was decreed that before his departure out of the saide country he should make choyce of some one to gouerne those countries in his absence For the which the Emperour Maximillian his Grandfather was appointed as Curator but for that he was for the most part absent out of those Countries and at that time busied in Germanie and in the warres of Italie he appointed the Lady Marguerit his daughter widdow douager to the duke of Sauoye aunt to Prince Charles to be Regent and Gouernesse of the Netherlands as she had bene in the yeare 1508. The Lord of Cheures his gouernor remaining neare his person The which being thus appointed and all his equipage ready the Prince accompanied with the knights of the order and the states of the Netherlands with many Princes Ba rons Knights and gentlemen parted from Brabant and arriued in Iune 1517. at Middelbourg in Zeeland where he staied till the twelfe of August and then with a prosperous winde he had a short and happy passage comming to the coaste of Spaine about the towne of Tassone in the countrie of Asturia The country-men of the quarter seeing so great an armie at sea feared they had bene the French or some other pirats and enemies so as hauing hidden their wiues and children in the mountaines they presented themselues in armes vpon the sea-shoare Prince Charles reioiced to see them hauing commanded to put forth their standards ensignes banderolls and flags with his armes he caused them to cry Spaine Spaine where-at casting downe their armes they fell vpon their knees receiuing him with great ioy being landed in Spaine he marched by land from one towne to an other where he was honourably receiued by the chiefe nobillity of the realme hauing attended his comming at Valiodolit where he made his entry with a royall and stately pompe The Prince hauing staied there about sixe monthes in February 1518. They beganne his coronation in Saint Pauls Church To this solemnitie came many great Princes strangers the Ambassadors of Kings Princes and Christian Potentates the c◅iefe officers of the crowne of Castile the Princes Dukes Earles Barons and the greatest of all Spaine were there euery man in his ranke and degree The chiefe Noblemen of the Netherlands had followed the Prince to shew themselues at this coronation among others those of the house of Melun of Croy Lalain Egmont Bossu Berghen Lygnel Horne Lanoy and many other Barons and Knights euery one richly attired in emulation of the Noblemen of Spaine both in their owne apparell and in their liueries and the furniture of their horses Wherein they did not onely equall the Spaniards but exceeded them On the 7. of February Prince Charles was crowned with the solemnities and
the Bishop of Vtrechts forces vnder Nicholas of Wilderstorffe against the Geldrois and Frison Geldrois vnder the command of the Earle of Maeurs of Collonell Martin van Rossen and Captaine Grand Pierre for the Duke of Geldres vnto the yeare 1526. During the which there were many townes and castels taken and recouered againe on eyther side diuers incounters skirmishes and sieges raised where-with the whole country was miserably afflicted and ruined for if the poore country-men of eyther side would keepe any thing they must of necessitie carrie it into the townes from whence they might not retire it when they would Some writers speake diuersly of the causes and motiues of the warre betwixt the Emperour and the French King But all concurre that the election of Charles reuiued the old quarrels and bred new The French King had alwayes an eye to the realme of Naples hauing treated with Pope Leo for the recouerie thereof Hee desired also to restore the King of Nauarre to his kingdome seeing that the Emperour made no accoumpt to leaue it On the other side the Emperor was not well pleased to pay the 100000. crownes pension to the French king according to the accord made with the Lord of Cheures his Gouernour ratified by the Emperour Maximilian his grand-father for the rights pretended by the French king vpon Naples Hee did also beare the losse of the Duchie of Bourgongne impatiently seazed vpon by king Lewis the eleuenth after the death of Duke Charles his great Grand-father by the Mother side slaine before Nancy There wanted no quarrell also touching the Duchie of Milan As they were about to seeke occasions to assaile one another there was one offered small in shew at the beginning but it was the fire-brand to kindle this flame the which afterwards did thrust the greatest part of Europe into combustion and made these two Princes their successors and subiects so to afflict one another as all the miseries that might be imagined haue followed and this was the occasion There was a sute betwixt the Lord of Aymerie and the Prince of Chimay of the house of Croy for a Towne in the forrest of Ardennes called Hierges and a sentence giuen in fauour of Chimay by the Peers of the Dutchie of Bouillon who doe iudge soueraignely without any appeale from their sentences yet the Lord of Aimery who had great credit with the Emperor Charles and the chiefe in Court preuailed so as he obtained letters from the Chancerie of Brabant to call in the heyres of the Prince of Chimay to appeare at a certaine day and to heare the reasons of Aimery if need were and to see the sentence giuen in their fauour disanulled They seeing the wrong that was offered them repaired to Robert of Marcke Duke of Bouillon as to their Lord and Protector that he might defend the liberties and priuiledges of his Duchie being withall Tutor vnto Chimays children hauing married their Aunte Wherevpon the Duke did what he could possible to maintaine his rights but seeing that they meant to depriue him he addressed himselfe to the French king with whom he found meanes to make his peace being before in some disgrace with him putting into his hands both his person and his places crauing fauour and support that he might haue Iustice of the wrong done vnto his soueraigntie Hauing thus prouided for his affaires hee sent to defie the Emperor the which was a great presumption for him and he bought it full deerely at the diet at Wormes and soone after the Lord of Florenges his eldest sonne leuied 3000. foote and 500. horse in France against the kings Proclamation and went to besiege Vireton a small towne in the country of Luxembourg Heerevpon the King of England hauing perswaded the French King not to enter into quarrell for so small a subiect as that of Bouillon with the Emperour matters were past ouer and the Duke of Bouillon dismissed his Armie But in the meane time the Emperour raised one whereof the Earle of Nassau had the command with the which he tooke Longues Meusancourt Fleuranges Sanchy and Bouillon wherevpon the Duke finding himselfe too weake obtained a truce of the Emperor for sixe weekes onely The French King considering that the granting of this truce was a secret declaration of warre against him for that if the Emperor had had no other desseigne but against the Duke of Bouillon there had beene no need of any truce hauing meanes to ruine him within sixe weekes hee began in like sort to raise an Armie solliciting the King of England to ioyne with him The Emperour on the other side hauing this ouerture began to looke to himselfe and both Armies went to field attempting nothing yet one against the other for the King of England hauing offered to be an arbitrator of their quarrells a parle was appointed at Calais whether the Commissioners of both parties came But for that they did not yeeld vnto the Emperor the restitution of the Duchie of Bourgongue and the abolition of the homage of Flanders and Arthois which hold of the Crowne of France there was nothing concluded In the meane time the Lord of Liques a Wallon made an enterprise vpon the Abbay of Saint Amant in Tournesis belonging to the Cardinall of Bourbon and vpon a small Towne called Mortaigne not farre from thence of the county of Holland This Gentleman pretended these places to belong vnto him and made himselfe Maister thereof At the same instant the Lord of Fiennes Gouernor of Flanders did besiege Tournay of all which exploits the Emperour excused himselfe saying that they were priuate quarrels But the King seeing that the Imperiall Armie vnder colour that the truce with the Duke of Bouillon grew to an end approched neere Mouson hee sent some troupes thether and so the warre began betwixt these two great Princes both in Champaigne Picardie and else-where all which I will forbeare to write of in this worke both for that they do not properly concerne this subiect as also being set downe at large in the Historie of France George Schenck Gouernor of Friseland with the Lords of Wastenare and Castre hauing taken the fort of Warckom and Mackom the Townes of Dockom and Bolswaert with some other forts holding the Geldrois party they went to besiege the Towne of Sloten the which they did batter furiously and the besieged defended themselues as couragiously so as in a sally which they made in the night the Lord of Wassenare was shot in the arme and the Gouernor Schenck in the bottome of his belly yet they remoued not out of the Campe. Those of the Towne seeing there was no hope of succours were forced to yeeld The Earle of Maeurs being at Steenwyke and hearing that the Bourguignons had taken Sloten retired from thence vnder coulour that he went into Geldres as he sayd to the Duke to seeke for succours From Sloten the Gouernor Schenck went to besiege Lemmer those within it
Booke THE Emperor returnes into Germany and treates of religion Herman Archbishoppe of Collogn◅ seekes to reforme his diotese the Pope and Emperor oppose themselues The Protestants assemble at Francfort The Emperor giues them good words whilest that hee prepar◅ to armes A conference of Diuines at Ratisbone The Emperor and Pope make a league against the Protestants who arme also and make a league printing their Iustifications and go to field the Emperor banisheth the duke of Saxony and the Landtgraue of Hessen who defie him the Emperor in danger at Inghelstade whereas the Earle of Buren ioynes with him the Protestantes army disbandes Duke Maurice troubles the Duke of Saxonies state the Duke of Wirtemberg and the Imperiall townes reconciled to the Emperor who sends to succor Maurice A battaile betwixt the Emperor and the duke of Saxony whereas the Duke is taken prisoner Sute to the Emperor for the Landtgraue of Hessen who comes to make his peace is detayned prisoner Magdebourg a Protest◅nt towne holds onely against the Emperor Maurice made Elector Prince Philip the Emperors sonne comes out of Spaine into the Netherlands A bloudy Edict against the Protestants the Emperor affects the Empire for Prince Philip his Sonne which breeds a quarrell betwixt the Emperor and his brother Ferdinand King of Hungary the Protestants refuze to come to the councell of Trent The constancie of them of Magdebourg who are freed from siege the Landtgraues restraint is preiudiciall to the Emperors affaires in Germany Duke Maurice takes armes against the Emperor the French King comming with a great army to succor Maurice takes Metz ◅houl and Verduen Martin van Rossem makes warre in France the Emperor flies hastely from Inspruch through the mountaines An ass◅mbly at Passau to treat a peace Albert of Brandebourg makes warre a part the Emperors fruitlesse siege before Metz the taking and razing of the towne of Teroane A battaile betwixt duke Maurice and Albert of Brandebourg the siege and taking of Hesdin the battaile of Talma Philip King of Spaine marries Marie Queene of England the French besiegeth Renty the Emperor releeues it in person An Imperiall Diet at Ausbourg A defeate of the Arreer-ban of the French the Emperor resignes his countries to his sonne the resolution of the Imperiall Dyet at Ausbourg The Emperor resignes the Empire to his brother Ferdinand His departure out of the Netherlands with his two Sisters THE 3. of Aprill the Emperor parted out of the Netherlands to go to an Imperiall Diet which was to be held at Wormes where he arriued the 16. of May. Being there he writ to the King of Poland to incense him against the Protestants The Pope was wonderfully desirous to haue warre attempted against them and notwitstanding the councell which hee had published hee promised the Emperor 12000. foote and fiue hundred men at armes for that warre In Ianuary 1546. the Protestants assembled at Francfort where as they consulted what was to bee done touching the coūcel of Trent to continue the league for the charges of the warre against Henry of Brunswick a great persecutor of the Protestants Not to abandon the Archbishop of Cologne To sollicit the Emperor to giue peace vnto relligion and to rule the Imperiall chamber In this assembly the Ambassadors of Herman Elector of Collogne made their complaints of the wrongs his Clergy did him and of the commandements and Citations sent from the Emperour and Pope In the meane time Frederic Count Pallatin Prince Elector appointed Ministers and Preachers of the Gospell throughout all his countrie suffring them to receiue the Sacrament of the Lords Supper in both kindes and in the vulgar tongue and that Preests might marry The Emperor beeing arriued at Wormes the sixteene of May his councellors treated with the Protestants touching the generall councell and other things laboring to perswade them to yeeld to that which should be resolued on at Trent and to come thether to propound their causes of recusation to the which regard should bee had whervnto they replied as before so as after a long consultation the affaires were referred to Ianuary in the yeare 1546. And in the meane time the Emperour seeing that the Protestants were not willing to contribute to the warre against the Turke if he did not grant their demaunds touching a free councell and the reformation of the Parliament of the Empire he sent Gerard Veltwycke a learned man and who spake many languages to the Turke to make a truce desyring rather to make warre against Christians his owne subiects then against the Turke Some daies after it was bruted that the Emperor made secret preparation to warre and they could not coniecture that it was against any other then the Protestants for hee was at peace with the French King and was assured to haue a truce with the Turke Wherevpon the Landtgraue of Hessen did write vnto Granuelle to preuent it But Granuelle did what hee could to lull him a sleepe And in the meane time there were flatterers which informed the Emperour that the Protestants had conspired against him at Francfort so as matters began then to growe more bitter and in the meane time they sought to blinde the Protestants vntill the Emperour had his armie ready to worke what hee pretended Then began the councell of Trent where the Pope did preside by his legats the Emperor hauing vowed to make the decrees thereof to be receiued by the point of the sword Whereof the Landtgraue tould the Emperor openly in the towne of Spier and he sought to excuse himselfe saying that hee demaunded nothing more then the quiet of Germany In December during the diet of Ratisbone the conference which had beene appointed betwixt the diuine of both religions was begunne Where there were learned men and of great authority of eyther side for the Emperour were sent Peeter Maluenda a Spaniard Euerard Billic a Carmelite Iohn Hofmeister an Augustin Friar and Iohn Cocleus all foure diuines George Loxan Gaspar Caltental George Islinger Bartlemew Latome Auditors for the Protestants came Bueer Brencius George Maior Erard Schnepf diuins Volrad Earle of Walder Balthazar Gutling Laurence Zoch a lawier and George Woltmer Auditors Maurice Bishop of Eister and Frederic of Furstenberch were aboue them all There they disputed vpon the Articles of the confession of Ausbourg The Emperour would haue all kept secret and the Protestants would haue the contrary So as after some conference not able to agree the assembly was dissolued the which serued to no other end but to abuse the Protestants with a shew of that which was not intended The same yeare was published by the Emperor the sixt bloudie Edict against them of the religion in the Netherlands At that time Adrian of Croy Earle of Roeux Maximilian of Bourgongne Admirall of the sea and Cornellis Schepper Seignior of Eyken were appointed by Queene Mary Gouernesse of the Netherlands in the Emperors name to build a fort or castell in
town of Vianen and therabouts but he would not trust to it seeing that the prince himselfe did not trust but had aduertised him Wherfore the superintendents of the towne hauing furnished him with ships victuals mony in loane he retired the 27 of April about midnight being accompanied by many gentlemen and other confederats He went towards Embden and from thence into the country of Cont Ioos of Schouwenburch whereas the 15 of February the yeare following 1568 he died in the castle of Haremburch of the iurisdiction of Reockelinghuysen and lieth buried at Gemme He and his predecessors haue alwaies bin of great reputation as well for their nobilitie being issued from the most noble earles of Holland and Zeeland as for their great possessions and alliances His father was Reinold lord of Brederode of Vianen Almeyden c. knight of the order of the golden Fleece and one of the brauest men at armes in his time And as for him enioying the same possessions hee was captaine of one of the kings bands of Ordnance a man of a tall stature and a cheerefull countenance somewhat reddish with curled haire valiant as might be suddaine cholericke and resolute in that which he designed yet liberall and courteous In his youth he carried for his deuice Peut estre And after his retreat out of the countrey he would vsually say Lord preserue my soule and mine honour He had to wife the lady Emilia contesse of Nieuwenar who a yeare after his death married againe with the Palatine Frederic prince elector His souldiers which were at Vianen and the forts thereabouts went forth with their colours flying the eight and twentieth of Aprill before day passing by Amsterdam where they spoyled and ruined the cloyster of the Chartrons Monkes then taking their way along the dike of Sparendam they went to Egmont where they spoyled the abbey and passing through West-Friseland they imbarked at Medenblyck The earle of Meghen pursuing them with his Regiment and approching neere to Amsterdam terrified the bourgesses especially the Protestants who feared least the Catholickes should suffer them to enter wherefore they were all night in armes and their feare encreased the more for that they heard that the lord of Noircarmes aduanced thitherwards with other troupes and artillerie Meghen not able to ouertake Brederodes men retyred towards Vtrecht spoyling the countreymen vnder colour that they had lodged them as they passed There were yet remayning in the towne of Vianen three companies vnder the Seignior of Vchtenbroec Nyuelt and Renesse on the six and twentieth of Aprill they went forth to skirmish with them of the fort of Vaert but they were well encountred and some of them were taken prisoners among others the Seignior of Renesse who was carried to the castle of Vredenburch in Vtrecht where afterwards hee was beheaded Duke Erick of Brunswicke was about Vianen wasting and spoyling the countrey wherewith the garrison and bourgesses were so terrified as vpon the third of May they did abandon it and fled some here some there The duke entred it vpon the fifth of the moneth his souldiers committing all the insolencies that might be he caused the gates to be taken downe and left the place open Some gentlemen thinking to retyre by sea out of Holland to goe to Embden were by the disloyaltie of their marriner beeing cast vpon a banke of sand betwixt Harlingen and Staueren betrayed and deliuered to captaine Muyert of Cont Arenberghs regiment who caried them prisoners to the castle of Harlingen among the which were two brethren Thierry and Ghisbrecht barons of Batenbourch Siurd of Beyma and Hartman Galama gentlemen of Friseland the which were afterwards sent to Brussels by the duchesse commandement The 28 of May the Gouernesse seeing her affaires so successefull in the townes of Antuerpe and Amsterdam caused a most rigorous proclamation to be made the which chased many Protestants out of the countrey and the 13 of Iune following she caused an instruction to be made for all the prouinciall courts containing how they should proceed against the Protestants She did also write vnto all the townes how the magistrats should gouern themselues to restraine the people from retiring out of the country and did also make an Edict to that end As the persecutions began now to grow more violent against the Protestants and that there was no more hope of mercie in the king nor duchesse and that their only refuge was a retreat and exile out of the countrey To the end that after ages might not iudge lightly of all that had passed nor of the beginning of these troubles whereof so many miseries haue followed the said Protestants caused a little booke to be printed in forme of an apologie to iustifie both the nobility and the people And whereas their aduersaries had grounded all their accusations of Rebellion high Treason vpon the deliuerie of the noblemens petition the publike preaching the carrying of armes and vpon the breaking of Images they did answere pertinently to euery point as well by liuely reasons as examples both out of the holy Scriptures and prophane hystories both ancient and moderne Whereby they concluded that the nobilitie cannot be iustly taxed for their behauiour and proceeding in the presenting of the said petition nor yet the people charged for their assemblies publicke preaching bearing of armes and beating and pulling downe of Images of any sedition tumult mutinie or rebellion as their calumniators would then haue vniustly accused them and that vpon the said accusations the Inquisition and Counsell of Spaine had concluded so tyrannously and barbarously against them and by their aduice was so iudged by the king himselfe By these meanes the Regent got the masterie ouer the Netherlands so that in all the seuenteene Prouinces there was no resistance made against her and the gentlemen truly called Gueux that is beggers were with diuers other men of good qualitie and reputation that had meanes to liue in good sort within their owne countries forced to be beggers and strangers in forraine nations being many thousands in number and yet during their absence they neuer left off their manner of Netherlands apparell which they vsed there in hope one day to returne home againe They that stayed in the Netherlands were imprisoned hanged and put to death others liued in miserable and continuall feare and sorrow and most of them driuen to pouertie as in the hystorie ensuing shall be declared Such are the iudgements of God and yet iust good and true FERDINANDVS A TOLEDO DVX ALVA MAR CORIAE GVBERNAT ET CAPITA GENER BELGICAE FERDINANDO ALVARES OF TOLEdo duke of Alua Lieutenant Gouernor and Captaine Generall of the Netherlands for Philip the second K. of Spaine To bring the Belgians that heretickes were thought Anâ—… rebels in subiection all practises I sought To put invre and rul'd by force and crueltie Constraining them by meere deceit by fraud and subtiltie To build vp castles great and make strong citadels That serued
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
their letters the last of the moneth But all these conferences writings answers and replies of either side brought forth no fruite Don Iohn refusing to be tied to the pacification of Gant which he had sworne and the King approuing his actions and meaning to maintaine him in his gouernment And so Don Iohn made all the preparation hee could for warre and hauing ordred all things in Luxembourg hee came to March in Famine from thence to Hoye in the country of Liege fiue Leagues aboue Namur from whence he went vnto his castell of Namur Being at Luxemburg succors came to him from all parts as to the Rendezuous whether arriued Alexander Farneze Prince of Parina sonne to Duke Octauio and to Marguerite bastard to the Emperor Charles the fift in former time Gouernesse of the Netherlands bringing with him the Spaniards and Italiens of Lombardie whether also was come before Charles Earle of Mansfeld with his French troupes the Germains and Bourguignons were there also so as in a short time Don Iohn gathered together an army of sixteene thousand foote and about two thousand horse Italiens Spaniards French Germaines heigh Bourguignons and Lorrains seeing him-selfe thus fortefied hee published in print the causes and reasons which moued him to take armes against the States which were to maintayne in the Netherlands generally the Catholike and Romish Relligion and the obedience of the King of Spaine inserting many goodly promises to the Prouinces townes nobles Borroughes villages and men of warre that would bee of his party The States made an answer also in print vnto this declaration of Don Iohn At the same time Pope Gregory the thirteene sent a Bull from Rome of the 8. of Ianuary by the which he gaue remission of all sinnes for euer and life eternall vnto all those that after they had beene confest and receiued the Sacrament should goe to warre in the seruice of Don Iohn against the Prince of Orange and them of Holland and Zeeland and al others whom he termed Heretiks But these soldiars would haue bin better pleased with his duckets then with his pardons Wee haue saide before how that the Prince of Orange had often refused the Lieutenancy of the Arch-duke Mathias and that it had bred a iealousie among the Nobility the which appeared by the effects for the next day after that the Prince had taken the oth for this charge all the Noblemen that were in the campe began to abandon the army one after an other being then at Templours in the Countrie of Namur The Lord of Lumay Earle of Marche who had a great spleene against the Prince by reason of his imprisonment for his insolencies committed against Priests was the first that went away leauing his regiment there The Earle of Lalain generall of the Armie who expected to haue the place of Lieutenant followed him then the Vicont of Gant afterwards Marquis of Rouban would goe to see his wife at Beuvrage neere vnto Valenciennes the Earles of Bossu and Egmont and other Noblemen came to Brussels to the marriage of the Lord of Bersselle with the Marquesse of Berghen daughter to the Lord of Merode Valentin de Pardieu Seignior of La Motte Gouernor of Grauelinghe and at that time Maister of the Ordinance fained an excuse to runne to Brussels To conclude euery man left the campe one after another the which wandred vp and downe from place to place First they brought it from about Namur to Gemblours from thence to Templours then to Saint Martins and backe againe to Gemblours to bring it into Brabant At that time there were no other Commanders in the whole Armie but the Siegnior of Goignies Marshall of the Campe the Baron of Montigni Brother to the Earle of Lalain afterwards Marquis of Renty at that time young and vnexperienced in those affaires the Seigniors of Bailloeul and Heure bretheren old Knights And to prooue that this iealousie was the cause of their abandoning the Armie I can truely say for that I did obserue it beeing then a follower to the Vicont of Gant that after the Prince of Orange had taken the oth as Lieutenant generall to the Arch-duke and that the newes thereof was come vnto the Campe they held but once any councell of warre beginning the next day to slippe away and to disbande one after one which was the cause of the route of the sayd Armie As they tooke occasion to drawe it from Saint Martins and Templours to Gemblours Don Iohn the better to discouer it and to see it marche presented himselfe with his troope vpon a little hill that he might view it at his pleasure hauing no thought nor intent to fight with them But seeing their disorder and that the fore-ward was aduanced aboue a league before the reere-ward marching not in an enemies countrey but as it were to take a re-view or muster Hee was aduised to charge them giuing furiously vpon the battaile whose horse-men brake the foote of their reere-ward so as of the battaile and the reere-ward there was a quick dispatch most of the fore-ward sauing themselues in the towne of Gemblours The greatest losse fell vpon the regiment of Collonell Balfour a Scottishman who was hurt there and yet saued himselfe and so did the Lord of Montigny after that he had done as much as possible might bee the Siegnior of Goignies was taken prisoner and from that time fell to serue the Spaniard Those old Knights of Bailloeul and Heure who in all things dealt plainly hauing saued them-selues in Gemblours were soone after made prisoners by the taking of the Towne Don Iohn pursuing the course of his victorie the countrey wauering as if all had beene lost seized vpon the Towne of Louvain the Magistrates going forth to meete him presented him the Keyes then of Arschot Tillemont Diest Lewe and the little Towne of Sichem where hee intreated the Officers and Magistrates inhumainly This defeate made him swell with pride from thence hee sent Cont Charles of Mansfieldt before Bovuines whereas the Seignior of Estourmel commanded who hauing endured some Canon shotte seeing no shew of succours and the Towne beeing vnfit to bee held hee yeelded it by composition And although the losse was not so great in this defeate of Gemblours as the Spaniards bragged the States hauing gathered their men together with all the speed that might bee yet it did drawe away and coole the courage of many of their partie and those that in their hearts were affected and bore good will to the Spaniards began to shew them-selues openly and to retire to Don Iohn The Duke of Aniou being aduertised of this defeat sent the Seignior of Fougeres a Gentleman of his Chamber and one of his Secretaries to the States to condole with them and to offer to ayde them both with his person and meanes which being accepted by them he sent the Earle of Rochepot the Seignior Despruneaux in ambassage to Antwerp with whom the Earle of Lalain
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
the prince of Espinoy and liues at this day a priuat solitary life in Holland It was then time to fortifie Audenarde lying neerest vnto Tournay of any towne that held the States partie and to man it with a strong and sufficient garrison The which the vnwilling or vnaduised bourgers refused saying they were sufficient of themselues to defend the towne By reason wherof the seignior of Mansard a gentleman of Tournesis who had alwaies followed the prince of Orange being gouernor of the place sought by policy to draw in souldiers for the prince and States Which the bourgers discouering after they had done him many affronts and indignities hauing besieged him in the castle in the end they forced him to forsake the towne with his company of foot refusing to acknowledge him any more for gouernor neither was he The prince of Parma hearing of this mutinie and meaning to make his profit thereof he sent certaine horsemen who approaching neere vnto the towne presented their seruice but they would not hearken to them which made the prince of Parma to goe and besiege them as we will presently shew About the end of this yeare captaine Sale gouernor of the towne of Bourbourg in West Flanders for the Spaniard hauing intelligence with captaine Bouffart of the States partie promised to the prince of Orange and the said States to deliuer them the town to make his peace with them and to purchase his reconciliation Captaine Bouffart with some French men of the regiment of monsieur de Villeneufue were sent for the execution of this exploit who with part of his men past ouer the towne ditch in a certaine place where there was least water the rest which should haue followed him loosing their way by the darkenesse of the night remained behind Bouffart thinking that he had beene followed and seconded by the rest marched on entred the towne where the seignior of la Motte pardieu gouernor of Graueling was at that time At his entrie which was not without bruit Sale and his followers went to ioyne with him giuing an hot alarme la Motte his people comming to incounter them there was a cruell fight whereas Bouffart for want of being followed was slaine and all they that entred with him were either slaine or prisoners Sale was also slaine desiring rather to die than to bee taken prisoner And so this enterprise failed On the fifth of December the seignior of Bersele sonne to the lord of Gaesbeke brother to the seignior of Heze marquesse of Berghen in the right of his wife who was daughter to the lord of Petershem of the house of Merode hauing vntill that time carried himselfe a Neuter and liued in his castle of Woude a league from his towne of Berghen vpon Soom hauing gathered certaine troups together with the seignior of Haurepenne gouernour of Breda they made an enterprise vpon Berghen thinking to wrest it from the States and to reduce it vnder the king of Spaines obedience For the effecting whereof hauing some intelligence within the towne they caused foure hundred men to approach whereof a part entred into the town by a hole ioyning to the Sluce although there was a centinell placed there the which at that time was halfe deafe besides the fogge was so great as they could not discerne three paces off the which did wonderfully fauour their enterprise But two hundred of those vndertakers being entred without discouerie by chance a souldier of the town guard walking vp and down met them and knew them so as he presently cried to armes the which staied the rest that wold haue haue entred finding also some other stop Yet those that were entred marched in good order through the towne vnto the market place bending towards the port of Woude which they thought to breake open by force and to'draw in the horse which were there attending The French garrison which was within the towne of la Gards regiment was at the first much amazed with this sodaine surprise but colonel Allein and captain Durant arriuing they took courage and charged the enemie with such furie as they had no means nor leasure to breake the said port all flying to the rampar to cast themselues downe into the ditch and so to saue themselues Whereof there were some seuentie slaine and about an hundred prisoners among the which was captaine Paulo Boboca captaine la Riuiere was slaine and there were not many escaped but were hurt See how by this enterprise which succeeded not the marquesse of Berghen declared himselfe an enemie to the States and so hee carried himselfe vntill his death which was two or three yeares after In the meane time the affaires of Flanders were nothing pleasing to the prince of Orange for the repairing whereof he was much troubled and yet preuailed little parting in December from Gant he returned to Antuerpe where on the twentieth day of the moneth the generall Estates being assembled he gaue them to vnderstand That by the voluntarie departure and retreat of the archduke Mathias whose lieutenant he had beene in the gouernment of the Netherlands he was in like sort discharged of the said office and therefore they should otherwise aduise for their affaires Whereupon hee was intreaâ—…d by the Estates to continue his charge vntill the end of Ianuarie following when as they attended the comming of the duke of Aniou Whereupon he made answer That seeing for his honour for the good of the countrey and for their seruice they found it conuenient it should be so he would in the meane time put them in mind of things which had happened the yeares past for want of their good gouernement And although said he that the enemie being master of the field had in a manner done what he would which they could not hinder yet God be thanked he had not won all seeing that with all his forces dispersed here and there hee had not much aduanced in Friseland and Guelderland nor yet in Brabant but had been forced to imploy his chiefe power of men and artillerie in Arthois and Henault for the warre which the townes of Cambray and Tournay made him hauing spent a whole yeare about Cambray without whose great endeuours Tournay could not haue so long subsisted and the enemie would haue beene far aduanced in Flanders He said That a yeare before to preuent those losses he had giuen the deputies to vnderstand being then assembled that they must haue three thousand horse and two regiments of foot of increase That they were to render thanks to God and after him to the duke of Aniou for the deliuery of Cambray the which they had no meanes to succour no more than Tournay and all by their own fault for if they had those three thousand horse and the supply of foot with their other troups and had ioyned with the duke of Aniou without doubt they had chased the Spaniard out of the countrey being yet to be feared that by their negligence delayes and
was made earle of Morbeque but he dyed before his letters patents came and his sonnes afterwards neglected it N. of Longueual lord of Vaux sometimes gouernour of Arras was a little before his death made earle of Bucquoy Maximilian of Villain Siegniour of Rassinghem gouernour of Lille Douay and Orchies had his Seigniorie erected into an earledome and afterwards Valentine of Pardieu Seignior of la Morte gouernour of Graueling of a poore gentleman was made earle of Eckelbeque the which hee had bought of a Frenchman The king of Spaine would also haue the marriage to be made and solemnized of the daughter and onely heire of the deceased marquesse of Renty brother to the duke of Arschot with Emanuel of Lalain lord of Montigny so as the king of Spaine did gratifie and honour many of his seruants with vaine titles without any charge The duke of Aniou being newly created duke of Brabant came into the assembly of the generall Estates of the vnited prouinces in the towne of Antuerpe with the prince of Orange to settle some good order for all that did concerne the well gouerning of the countrey and to haue an assured assignation of two hundred florins a moneth for the entertainment of his armie besides those troupes which the Estates entertained in their frontier garrisons and other places Those of Brabant had vpon their charge the garrisons of Liere Macklyn Brussels Herental Diest Villeuorde Hoochstraten Westerlo part of that of Berghen vpon Soome those of the forts of Lillo Willebrouck and S. Marguerite with all the shippes of warre vpon the riuer of Antuerpe They of Flanders had also vpon their charge an hundred and thirtie companies of foot and twentie cornets of horsemen not comprehending the garrisons of Guelderland Friseland and Oueryssell all which beeing vnited in one bodie of an armie and ioyned with the duke of Aniou his forces had beene sufficient to chase the Spaniards and all strangers out of the countrey but all these places must of necessitie haue garrisons for feare of some alterations and reuolts At that time the Estates men being yet in Menin defeated a great conuoy neere vnto a village called Warcoin in Tournesis conducted by two hundred Albanois horse where they had a rich bootie and many good prisoners They of Friseland in the beginning of this yeare by fauour of the yce surprised the towne of Meppel and the castle of Brouchorst which they tooke by force At that time there was a certaine Spanish marchant liuing in Antuerpe called Gaspar de Anastro who seeing his affaires to decline and that he was likely to become bankerupt if he were not presently relieued with money by some other meanes than marchandise his credit beginning to decay he then bethought himselfe of the sentence of proscription giuen by the king of Spaine against the prince of Orange and of the reward promised to him that should murther him Hee being greedie of this prey after that hee had conferred with some of the king of Spaines partie and among others with Valentine of Pardieu Seignior of la Motte gouernour of Graueling to put this proiected murther in execution he first addressed himselfe to a seruant of his who kept his accounts and with teares in his eyes shewed him into what danger he was like to fall and to become bankerupt if hee were not helped with money the which he sayd there was no meanes to preuent but in getting the reward promised in the proscription for the murther hee therefore intreated him as he knew his secrets to vndertake this act The young man pitied his estate and would willingly haue assisted him with all meanes possible but hee excused himselfe saying That he had not the heart nor courage to doe it Then hauing a little bethought himselfe he said that there was not any one more fit for such an exploit than Ioan Iauvregâ—…i whom hee called Ioanille Anastro his boy who might bee easily persuaded and aduised to vndertake and performe it being a most wicked villaine and resolute to doe any mischiefe whatsoeuer Ioanille being called they breake it vnto him and hee vndertaketh it resolutely without any pausing or further excuse hauing concluded when how and after what manner it should be effected this marchant Anastro leauing his people ingaged retyred himselfe out of Antuerpe and went to Graueling to la Motte to assure the fact Being vpon the way he writ to Ioanille That hee should not fayle to put two rounds and to take the measure behind which was that he should charge his pistolet with two bullets and shoot him behind in the head The day for this execution was taken vpon Sunday the eighteenth of March which day there was a feast appointed at the duke of Aniou his court the prince of Orange assisting But Ioanille doubting that the prease would be too great and that he should not approch so neere vnto the prince his person as was needfull to doe the deed he thought it more conuenient to execute it at dinner in the prince his owne house he being at the table This boy being thus desperately resolued a certaine Iacobin Frier called Peter Timmerman came to confesse him in Anastro his house fortifying him in his resolution with many sweet words yet persuading him and making him beleeue that hee should goe inuisible hauing giuen him some caracters in paper and certaine little bones as of frogges which they found in his pockets with many coniurations and such like fooleries written in his tables Beeing thus assured and preserued as he thought he drunke a cup or two of Malmesey and being accompanied with the Monke who went still exhorting and strengthening him therein going towards the castle they came vnto the prince his court whereas his ghostly father hauing giuen him his blessing at the stayres foot left him and went away The prince of Orange was set at dinner with the earles of Laual and Hohenloo the lord of Boniuet with many other noblemen and some of the Estates Ioanille entereth into the dyning chamber who being attyred almost like a Frenchman they tooke him to bee seruant to some of those French noblemen he sought to approch neere vnto the prince his person but hee was so enuironed by his gentlemen as hee could not get neere for to shoot at him behind as hee was instructed yet hee thrust himselfe forward twice or thrice and was still repulsed Dinner beeing done and the prince going to retyre into his chamber this boy fixed himselfe before a window in the hall close by the dore of his withdrawing chamber The prince passing on before hee entred shewed vnto the earle of Laual the cruelties which the Spaniards had practised in the Netherlands the which were wrought in the tapistrie and hauing his face turned on the left side this murtherer discharged his little pistoll thinking to hit him in the hinder part of the head but the prince turning at the same instant the bullet entred in at the throat vnder his right
beleeued for that Schenk was often accustomed to make vse of the garrison of that towne in that manner His men being thus in armes Patton insteed of Schenk drew in Haultepenne The Bourgers descouering this to soone put them-selues in defence but it was in vaine many flying into the castle which they were forced to yeeld paying their ransome By this treason Collonell Schenck lost his horses armes and all his moueables and treasor which Patton seazed on And as the Prouerbe saies From the Diuell it comes and to the Diuell it goes For al this wealth which Schenck had came by spoiles This Patton by the meanes of his great wealth gotten this waies married the poore widdow of Ponthus of Noyelle Lord of Bours who helpt to pull the Castell of Antwerp out of the Spaniards hands as wee haue said before This Ladye was of the house of Bieure whome the Lord of Champaigny thought to haue married but his gout and Pattons money hindred it the very same night that hee should haue beene made sure to her Prince Maurice of Nassau hauing as wee haue said the gouernment of the Vnited Prouinces committed vnto him in the absence of the Earle of Leicester beeing very desirous to draw the Duke of Parma from the siege of Scluce hee caused the Earle of Hohenlo his Lieutenant to make a roade into Brabant with a smal armie which his men did spoyle and burnt twenty two villages and two small Townes making a shew as if they would besiege Boisledu which hee then thought easie to bee done by reason of the high waters and the dearth of corne where-with the Townes were as then but badly furnished But the Duke of Parma hauing more men then hee needed before Scluce he sent Haultepenne Barlaymonts sonne with two and fortie companies offoote and twenty fiue troopes of horse who incamped at Bixtell not very farre from Boisleduc In the meane time the Estates protracting the succors for Scluce they began to feele the want of the Earle of Leicester and to desire him many saying that his authoritie and presence was very necessary The which the Earle vnderstanding supposing that this should recouer his honour which had beene interessed by their former Imputations and reproches Hauing obtained leaue from her Maiestie hee parted from England and returned into Zealand the sixth of Iuly with many soldiars which hee brought with him where hee was attended with great deuotion where hee made preparation to succor Scluce and to raise the Duke of Parma from the siege Prince Maurice hearing of his comming went vnto him accompanied by Generall Norris who was then to go into England Collonell Schenck and other Collonells with their troops as well of Netherlanders English as Scottish Leauing the Earle of Hohenloo with three thousand men horse and foote in the Iurisdiction of Boisleduc to keepe the Frontiers of Holland attending greater forces from Gelderland Freezeland Vtrecht and other places which came not Yet notwithstanding the Earle of Hohenloo left not to besiege the Fort of Engelen the which hee tooke by force and razed The Lord of Haultepenne being come to raize the siege was incountred by Hohenlos horse-men and defeated Hee was by mischance hurt with the bough of a tree which fell vppon his necke beeing broken downe with a peece of great Ordinaunce from the shippes whereof hee dyed the fourteenth of Iuly in the towne of Boisleduc The Earle of Leicester beeing returned into Zealand for the releeuing os Scluce the Generall Estates came vnto him vnto whome Doctor Leoninus made a speech in his Excellencies behalfe Giuing them to vnderstand that hee was very glad of their arriuall hoping that by his presence hee should bee assisted in the executions of some millitary exploits that were in hand and required expedition the which especially the reliefe of Scluce his excellencie did so much affect as neglecting his owne priuate affaires hee had made hast to returne into these parts for the preseruation of the generall VVhere-vnto his Excellencie hath brought so great an affection that although hee findes his honor interessed by reason of some scandalls which haue beene raized during his absence and certaine letters which were sent into England yet hee desires not by reason of those mistakings the said exploites of warre and other affaires concerning the publike good should be delayed intreating them to enter into conference concerning the Estate of the men of war their pay armes munition and necessary victualls to the end that Scluce might be releeued in conuoied to Bresque where they were receiued by the shippes of Zeeland and transported to Flussingue Thus was Scluce after that it had beene valiantly defended for the space of two monethes in the end giuen ouer for want of succors for the which it seemes they that defended it were but hardly censured by the Estates in giuing it vp so soone Wherevpon Sir Roger Williams in his booke called a discourse of warre makes a breefe relation of the seruice they did within the towne and to iustifie their proceedings the which I haue thought to insert here for the Readers better satisfaction of the particularities I protest sayth hee by the faith of a souldiar that what I write is true As neere as I can remember wee kept the towne of Scluce some three score daies diuers thinke it no time for that Harlem Mastricht and others were kept longer little doe they thinke how those two places were furnished with all things necessary when as the lesser of them both had in it sixe thousand hands to fight and worke Let vs bee rightly censured I will prooue that Bouvines was the most furious siege since the Duke of Aluas arriuall vnto this houre the which beganne and ended in lesse then twenty daies and yet there were more captaines and souldiars spoiled by the sword and bullet then at Harlem which continued ten monethes experimented captaines will confesse that they fury of all breaches are tried in fewe houres Wee were not in Scluce one thousand sixe hundred men to fight worke and all we had to keepe accounting the two forts aboue two miles and a halfe It is well knowne that before wee entred the towne had lost one fort If wee shewed any valour in our entrie let Sir Henry Palmer and his sea-men with them of Zeeland iudge the daunger was such as of the vesselles which carried vs in fiue were taken the next comming out The third tide Sir Charles Blunt afterwards Lord Montioy and Earle of Deuonshire offred fiftie pounds besides the commandement his maisters and marriners receiued at his imbarking to carrie vs in some necessary prouision from Sir William Russell then Lord Gouernor of Flussing who indeed was the causeof our entrie resolution and quick dispatch sending vnto vs a good quantitie of victualls and munition and to say the truth without his importunitie and diligence wee had not entred and then the world knowes the towne had beene lost without blowes as
to marry He had to his second wife the daughter of the Lord of Croix of the house of Noyelle of Arthois He was one of the most pollitike although hee were vnlearned and subtill Captaines of his time Mounsier de Villars gouernor of Rouen and Newe-hauen being come with certaine troupes of horse and foote to releeue the beseeged within Dourlans was incountred and charged by the Earle of Fuentes men and put to rout many of his men were slaine he himselfe being ouerthrowne from his horse was taken prisoner hauing his leg broken afterwards the Spaniards stabd him with their daggers in cold bloud for that hee had forsaken the league and reconciled him-selfe to the King Dourlans being in this sort beseeged by the Spaniards and the Castell furiously battered the forts betwixt the towne and the Castell wonne and by the blowing vp of a mine a small breach made the beseeged who thought of nothing lesse then an assault holding the breach not assaltable yet the Earle of Fuentes caused a furious assault to bee giuen with such a multitude as the soldiars thrust one another forward with their shoulders to make them enter the breach such as it was the which they hauing forced at a confused cry of victoria victoria the beseeged grew amazed and abandoned this breach euery one beginning to fly and to saue himselfe as he could And so the towne was taken at this assault the last day of Iune whereas the slaughter was very great but their insolency against wiues and virgins exceeded all measure It is a strange thing that a thousand fiue hundred men which were within it among the which there were so many bragging Gentlemen and of the Nobility could not repell such an assault at so insufficient a breach but it seemed that GOD would purge France of these Lees of the league who had but for faction sake reconciled them-selues vnto the King About that time the Earle of Fuentes vnder coullor to punish a certaine mutinie made of purpose by the Germaines who were in garrison in the towne of Brusselles thought to draw two thousand Spaniards into the towne the which the Burgers discouering preuented So as for spight beeing in like manner kept out of Macklyn and Vittevorde they fell vppon the Champian country of Brabant who by this meanes were more afflicted by their owne men then by their enemies besides the dearth was generally very great which made the poore commons to weepe and to lament their miseries yet knew they not to whome to flie for remedie to relieue their wants For which consideration the Estates both of the Clergie and the Secular of those Prouinces which remained vnder the King of Spaines obedience but especially the Nobilitie were moued of them-selues to seeke some meanes of peace and after diuers conferences togither hauing receiued pasport from the Estates of the vnited Prouinces to send their Deputies into Zealand to the said Estates and to Prince Maurice They deputed the Seignior of Lyesvell sometimes Chancellor of Brabant in the Duke of Anious time with Hartius and Maes Lawiers with a Secretarie of the Duke of Arschot The which on the fourteenth of Aprill came into Zealand where they conferred with Prince Maurice being accompanied by Iames Valck Tresorer general and Christopher Roels Pentioner of the Countie of Zealand requiring that they might bee admitted to propound some way of an Accord betwixt the King of Spaine and his reconciled Estates with the sayd Prince and the confederate Estates of the vnited Prouinces Where-vppon the Prince made answer that the generall Estates confederate had no intent to treat but with the said Estates of the reconciled Prouinces and not with the King of Spaine against whome as their mortall enemie they were allied with other neighbour Princes who were also his enemies and that they had long since abiured him Wherefore they held him so irreconcilably offended as they knew well hee could neuer forget the wrong which hee holds hath beene therein done him But that vppon the first opportunitie hee would be reuenged building vpon the Canon of the Councel of Constance Cum hereticis non est seruanda fides But if the Estates vnder the King would faithfully and sincerely enter into any conference of peace that the sayd confederate Estates of the vnited Prouinces were content to conuert their wars into peace and friendship therewith sending their resolution in writing conteyning foure Articles which they must resolue vpon before they would begin to enter into treaty with them which were 1 First that they should cause all strangers and soldiers to depart out of the countrie and to reduce them-selues into an absolute freedome whereby they might treat of a peace without the King and that the Deputies and Estates of the said Prouinces which should treat of a peace should be appointed by them without the King with whome the generall Estates of the vnited Prouinces would then treat as desiring nothing more then to see those long and bloudy wars conuerted into an assured and firme peace vpon good and tollerable conditions 2 Secondly that nothing should be altered nor changed in religion but it should be referred to the discretion of the Estates of each Prouince and that no man else should deale therein 3 That the Prouinces which were willing to treat of a peace with the vnited Prouinces among other conditions must be content to enter into treaty with the French King and the Queene of England and to vndergoe all the charges of the whole body of the generall Estates all the debts where-into the vnited Prouinces are falne for the defence of their liberties against the Spaniards and other strangers 4 Lastly that peace beeing made vppon those and other conditions the said vnited Prouinces offered all their power and meanes to helpe to maintaine the other Prouinces in their liberties and freedomes and to oppose them-selues against all that should seeke to molest wrong or dismember them In this case the sayd Ambassadours had no other commission but to moue a treaty of peace betwixt the King and his Estates on the one part and the vnited prouinces on the other so as the question betweene them now was whether the king should be comprehended therein or not where-vpon the Ambassadors returned againe speedely and made report what had beene propounded the which was sent into Spaine with the opinion of the said Ambassadors The Articles of the confederate Estates were by some which held the King of Spaines party very ill taken and by others which desired a peace in some sort tollerated saying that they were not altogether voyd of reason and that by a good conference they might be easely moderated And therefore considering the quality of the time which prest them and the pouerty and lamentations of the people they should not let slippe so good occasions without treating and if they did absolutly reiect the said conference of peace it was to be feared that
and Charolois And to that end to cause the generall Estates of the said countrey to assemble or the particular Estates in euerie prouince or els to obserue any other course that shal be thought fitting for this donation cession and transport to signifie it to take an othe to the Estates and the subiects of the said countries to demaund the inuestiture and admittance to euerie peece and seigniorie if the case shall so require As also to receiue a fit othe of them to bind them to al that wherunto they were reciprocally bound by precedent othes Andvntil our said daughter shall haue taken or caused to be taken in her name the reall possession of the said Netherlands and countie of Bourgoigne and Charolois in that maner as it is set downe by her patent wee doe make and constitute our selfe possessor thereof in the name and behalfe of our said daughter In witnesse whereof we will and ordaine That the same letters patents bee deliuered vnto her granting vnto our daughter the Infanta to retaine admit and establish in the said Netherlands and Bourgoigne Gouernours Iudges and Iustices as well for the preseruation and defence thereof as for the administration of iustice and policie and the receit of reuenues or otherwise And moreouer to do all that which a true princesse ladie of the inheritance of the said countries by right or according to the customes might or ought to doe and as wee haue done and might yet doe alwayes obseruing the conditions hereunto inserted To which effect we haue quitted absolued and discharged and doe quit absolue and discharge by these presents al bishops abbots prelats and other church men dukes princes marquesses earls barons gouernors heads and captaines of the countrey townes courts presidents men of our counsell chancellors them of our treasure and accounts and other justices captaines men of warre and souldiers of forts and castles their lieutenants knights squires vassals magistrats bourgers inhabitants of good townes boroughes franchises and villages and all and euery of our subiects of our said Netherlands and the countie of Bourgoigne and Charolois and euerie of them respectiuely of the othe of fidelitie faith and homage promise and bond by the which they were bound vnto vs as to their lawfull prince and soueraigne lord willing and expresly commaunding them to sweare and to accept the said Infanta our daughter for their true princesse and ladie and to giue her their othe of fealtie faith and homage promise and bond after the accustomed maner according to the nature of the countries places fees and seigniories And moreouer that they shew vnto her and to her future husband all honour reuerence affection obedience fidelitie and seruice as good and loyall subiects ought and are bound to their lawfull prince and naturall lord as they haue hitherto made demonstration And to supply all defects and obmissions as well in law as in fact which may bee omitted in this present donation cession and transport and which might be wel inserted of our owne motion certaine knowledge and full and absolute royal power which by these presents we will vse we haue derogated and do derogate to all lawes constitutions and customes which may impugne and contradict these presents for such is our good will and pleasure And to the end that all that is formerly said may be for euer firme and stable wee haue figned these presents with our name and caused our great seale to be hanged thereunto willing and commanding that it shall be registred to be held of force in euerie counsell and chamber of accounts Giuen in our citie of Madril the 6 of May 1598 of our raigns of Naples and Ierusalem the 45 of Castile Arragon Sicile and others the 44 and of Portugall the 19. It was paraphed N. D. V. Signed Philippes And vnderneath By the King signed A. de la Loo This resignation was also ratified by the letters patents of prince Philip at this time king of Spaine the 3 of that name as followeth Philip by the grace of God Prince sonne and onely heire of the Realmes Countries and Seigniories of king Philip the second of that name my lord and father To all present and to come greeting Whereas my said lord and father hath resolued to marie the ladie Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia our most deere and well beloued good sister to the Archduke Albert our good vncle and cosin And that according to the same his Catholike Maiestie hath determined with our liking and consent being thereunto induced for certaine great reasons and respects for the common good namely for the generall quiet of all Christendome and in particular for the peace tranquility of the Netherlands to the end that our said sister may be prouided for according to her qualitie and great merits to giue vnto our said sister the Netherlands and the countie of Bourgoigne in that forme and maner as it hath beene made and past as it appeareth by the letters patents which my said lord and father hath caused to be made signed with his hand and sealed with his great Seale wherof the tenor followeth word by word Philip c. All which being here aboue inserted it is not needful to repeat Wee let them know that hauing particularly vnderstood all that is mentioned therein considering the publike good that may thereby come vnto Christendome especially by reason of the singular loue which we are bound to beare and do beare vnto our sister the Infanta for her graces and great merits we commend approue and allow and by these presents hold for good notwithstanding any preiudice that may grow thereby to vs or our successors hereafter And for the same reason we consent and are content by these presents that the said Netherlands and countie of Bourgoigne and Charolois shall be giuen and transported to our good sister the Infanta as my said lord and father hath done And to the end it may subsist the better for the greater assurance corroboration and strengthening of that which his Maiestie hath disposed and decreed in fauour and for the aduancement of our good sister wee dispose and ordaine as farre as it is needfull by these presents in fauour thereof and in the same forme and manner in euerie point of our owne proper and free wil without any extortion constraint deceit fraud nor any respect fatherly reuerence nor feare nor by any other indirect persuasions our will and intention being that the said countries shal belong and appertaine vnto our sister the Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia and to her successors conformable to the disposition of the king my lord and father And to the end it may take full effect and remaine firme and stable for euer wee haue renounced and do renounce by these presents in fauour of our good sister for vs and our successors all benefits which may by right come to vs or them to contradict these presents or that it were by the law Derestitutione in integrum to the
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
Bourgesses armed which attended to fight with them wherevpon they returned In the meane time the Hornois sent to craue succours from the Duke of Bourgongne Captaine Nagell knowing afterwards that they had beene deceiued by these womanish soldiers approched with his troopes neerer vnto the walles carrying those foure principall prisoners with him and telling them of the towne that if they would not open their gates hee would cut off their heads before their faces yet they refused to do any thing hoping and expecting succours which the Duke had promised them who soone after sent Lisle-dam vnto them with forces who being entred into the towne caused the North-gate to bee set open by the which hee made a sallie vpon Captaine Nagell and his men who endured very much for the troopes of Amsterdam were arriued at the same instant The skirmish continued long and was very furious Captaine Nagel was slaine with a great number of Kennemers those that were swift in flying were pursued to the village of Wongom where as there were many slaine The Seignior of Lisle-dam had two wounds in this skirmish the which were very dangerous so as hee remained a long time in the Surgions hands at Horne whether the Duke came soone after in person and was honorablie receiued aswell there as in all the other townes of Waterland In the yeare 1427. on Easter Tewsday dyed Iohn Duke of Brabant sonne to Anthonie of Bourgongne Cousin Germanie to Duke Philip and husband to the Lady Iaqueline Countesse of Holland He was interred by his father And for that he died without issue all his lands and Seigneuries went to Philip Eatle of S. Pol his brother This Duke Iohn being married so yong as we haue said by the lewd Councell and priuate ambition of some of his Councellors was entertained in perpetuall iealousie of his wife and in trouble without rest besides they of Bourgongne which did gape after Holland Zeeland and Friseland were the chiefe motiues thereof After the death of the Duke of Brabant the Hollanders holding the party of the Contesse Iaqueline raised a good armie being resolued to recouer all the countrie of Holland for her of the which the Lord of Brederode was made Generall who imbarked with his troopes sayling towards Wyeringhen and Texel Those of Amsterdam Horne Enchuysen and other sea townes hauing gathered together a great number of ships followed them at sea The Lord of Brederode seeing them come a farre of landed with his armie in the said Iland of Weyringhen the which he reduced for a time vnder the Contesses obedience And being there the enemies drew towards them either to shut them in or to draw them to fight at sea The Lord of Brederode seeing that they had no desire to land commanded his men to imbarke againe and to be ready to fight presently It was then alowe water so as the great ships could not be well gouerned to fight and the said Lord had a greater number of boates fit for the combate the which notwithstanding to his great disaduantage and losse he did not ioyne together in one body a great part remaining still to see how the first would behaue themselues and then to second them at need or be more ready to flie The charge was with extreame rowing on either side and the combate was furious and fearfull in the which the Lord of Brederode had the worst and a great number were slaine and drowned The which those of the reere-ward seeing hauing stood still during the fight they began to be amazed and to flie but they could not escape for they were speedily followed so as they had their shares in the losse aswell as the first The which had not happened if all their forces had beene ioyned together The slaughter was great but there were more cast ouer-bord besides the prisoners among the which the Lord of Brederode was one all which were carried to Enchuysen whether all the ships after the victory retired and then held a Councell what they should doe with the prisoners of the which they did behead 80. some would haue done as much to the Lord of Brederode but by reason of his Nobility being descended from the Earles of Holland hee had no harme After the which there was not for a long time any ciuill warres in Holland The 4. of May at the instance and sute of some noble and wise-men Duke Philip of Bourgongne and the Contesse Iaqueline mette together and did agree that the Duke should be acknowledged for Gouernor and next heire to the said Lady in the succession of Henault Holland Zeeland and Friseland This done the Duke appointed Franc of Borsselle for his Lieutenant being sonne vnto Floris Lord of Borsselle of Zuylen and of Saint Martins-dike and the same yeare the Duke condemned them of Alâ—…mar the Kennemers and the Lord of Brederode in certaine pecuniarie fines for that they had taken armes against him In the yeare 1429. Duke Philip of Bourgongne bought of Thierry Earle of Namur with the ayde and helpe of the Towne of Gand the said Contie of Namur In the which the said Thierry did inuest him in his life time and dyed soone after leauing no children Since the said Earldome hath continued in the houses of Bourgongne and Austria vnto this day making one of the seuenteene Prouinces of the Netherlands Of which Earldome the Duke made Iohn of Croy gouernour In the yeare 1430. the fourth of August Philip Duke of Brabant and Luxembourg Earle of Saint Pol after that he had gouerned the sayd Duchies three yeares died in the Castell of Louvain There was great contention for the succession betwixt the Lady Marguerite of Bourgongne dowager of Holland widdow of Cont William of Bauaria and mother to the Contesse Iaqueline on the one part being Ante to the said deceased Duke and sister to Duke Anthonie his father and Philip Duke of Bourgongne his cousin germaine on the other part the which was in the end decided to the benefit of the said Duke Philip. The deputies of the States of Brabant and Lembourg with the Ambassadors of duke Philip treated together of the rights immunities freedoms priuileges customes statutes and ordinances of the said countries which they required to haue confirmed and sworne by the Duke of the which they sent him a forme in writing to Macklyn The which being granted the 5. day of October was appointed for him to take possession and to make his entrie into the towne of Louvain as duke of Brabant and Lembourg the which was done and the third day after the funeralls of the deceased duke Philip were solemnized whose body was interred by duke Anthony his father his mother and duke Iohn his brother Lewis of Luxembourg sonne to Peter Earle of Couversan and Lord of Engien in Henault did inherit the Earldom of S. Pol. Foure yeaâ—…es passed in peace and concord betwixt the Lady Iaqueline Contesse of Holland and duke Philip of
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
into his house and the towne of Emden which is verie famous of great trafficke and one of the Hans and Imperiall townes This quarrell had his beginning and first motiue in the life time of Cont Iohn Brother to this Earle Edsard a peaceable man zealous to the reformed religion and a great protector of the priuiledges of the towne of Emden and of the whole countrie VVhereas on the other side Edsard prouoked by his wife who was daughter to the King of Sueden and would gladly haue commanded like a Queene in that towne notwithstanding their Imperiall priuiledges sought to change the Estate of religion according vnto the confession of Ausbourg with the constitutions and customes of the said towne as well in matters of pollicy as Church gouernement euen vnto the distribution of the publike almes and other deedes of charitie the which the Earle would haue depend vppon his sole authority Against the which the Magistrates and Burgers opposed them-selues constantly and their heart-burning grew so great on either side as they fell to armes But as the Earle who had his Castle within the said towne demanteled feared some bad euent of this warre their controuersie was referred by a mutuall consent to the arbitrement of the generall Estates of the vnited Prouinces of the Netherlands who sent their Deputies to heare both parties in their fort of Delfziel lying vppon the Dollart and the Riuer of Ems two Leagues from Emden to reconcile them and decide their quarrels as they did by arbitrarie sentence the which was very well accepted both of the one and the other But afterwards it was reiected by the Earle so as they of the Towne were forced to haue some recourse vnto the Emperour and to the Imperiall Chamber where they obteyned a definitiue sentence according to their desires as you shal hereafter here The towne of Ham except the Castle in the country of Vermandois and that of La Fere were then hauing beene before deliuered vnto the Spaniards by the Leaguers in the King of Spaines power The French King had at that time his Armie lying before La Fere the which was a campe ill gouerned and tedious although the King were there him-selfe in person the Earle of Saint Pol and the Lord of Humieres hearing that the Seignior of Gomeron Gouernour of the Castle of Ham was at Brusselles and had agreed to deliuer the said Castle vnto the Spaniards for a certaine summe of money and that he had sent word vnto the Seignior of Deruillers his Brother in law and to his wife to yeeld it vp The said Deruillers refuzing to doe it made a contrary accord with the Earle of Saint Pol and Humieres to giue them passage by the castle to winne the towne vppon condition as the said Gomeron had ingaged him-selfe for the deliuerie of the sayd castle that hee should haue the chiefe prisoners of the Spaniards that were in the same towne deliuered him to redeeme his Brother in law The Duke of Bouillon and the aboue-named two Noblemen beeing entred with good troopes into the castle the twentith day of Iune they of the towne were presently aduertised thereof who intrencht them-selues against the castle so as they must needes attempt it by force The French Kings men hauing beene twise repulst dispayred in a manner to become maisters thereof if the Duke of Bouillon and the Lord of Humieres had not assured and incouraged them to continue so as after twelue houres fight and more they entred the towne with the losse of the Lord of Humieres who was slaine there of Captaine la Croix with some twenty Gentlemen and about sixe score soldiers where there were sâ—…aine aboue seauen hundred Spaniards Italiens French Leaguers and Germaines the rest were taken prisoners among the which were the Collonell of the Neapolitans the Collonel of the Germaines and Marcello Caracio for whome the Seignior of Gomeron was redeemed The King did much lament the death of the Lord of Humieres his Lieutenant in Picardie a braue and valiant Knight who had done him faithful seruice The Earle of Fuentes a Spaniard being then Gouernor by prouision of the Netherlands for the King of Spaine expecting the comming of the Cardinall Albert of Aus tria the Emperors Brother had then sent the Prince of Chymay now Duke of Arschot and of Croy to beseege the towne of Chastelet in the same countrie of Vermandois whilest that he himselfe was with the bodie of his Armie before Cambray Mons de la Grange was within Chastelet with 600. soldiars where he defended him-selfe valiantly but after that he had endured many assaults hee was forced to yeeld it vp hauing an honorable composition And by this meanes the Earle of Fuentes did presse Cambray the more Chastelet being thus wonne the Earle of Fuentes went to beseege the towne and Castle of Dourlans a small towne but well seated vpon the riuer of Anthy Valentine de par dieu Seignior of la Motte gouernor of graueling General of the Artillery for the King of Spaine being neere vnto the Artillery to prepare the battery was shot into the head from the towne whereof he dyed soone after and was carried to be buried at Saint Omer making an end of so many warres and so great seruices which he had done vnto the King of Spaine being now growne very old not long before he had purchased of a French Nobleman the Lordship of Eckelbeke a goodly thing in Flanders which the King of Spaine erected to an Earledome in recompence of his loyall seruices and so he died in the bed of honor and was buried with the title of an earle He was a French man borne a gentleman in the beginning of very smalle meanes both his father and he being young came to serue the Emperor at the Campe before Teroanne at the first hee was entertaynd by the Lord of Bignicourt a Knight the of order where hee had his first aduancement in quality of a Squier to the said Nobleman vntill he was captaine then in the beginning of the troubles besides his company he was Sargent Maior of the Earle of Reux his Regiment during which time he committed great cruelties in Flanders against them of the religion Then he went to be Lieutenant to the Siegnor of Croissoniere gouernor of Graueling after whose death being slaine before Harlem he succeded in the said gouernment and continued vntil his death and had afterwards great charges as well in the seruice of the generall Estates during their generall vnion as of the King of Spaine to whome he did neuer any bad seruice what shew soeuer he made as of Collonel generall of the Artillery Marshall of the campe cheefe and conductor of diuers honorable exployts and enterprises the which for the most part succeded happely with other titles and degrees of honor in the which he gathered together great welth He died without children although hee had one daughter by his first wife the which died being redie