of the Estates it was much better fortified then before It hath agoodly bridge vpon the riuer at the end whereof they did then build a good fort to defend it by which bridge they may goe both on horse-backe Wagon and foote to all the townes of Ouerysel Friseland and Groning or else if they will by the chanells which rune through the country Hauing past this bridge going towards Vollenhouen Geelmuyden you enter into a goodly great and spatious pasture full of diches which they cal Maester brouk which yeelds as good butter and cheese as any part in Holland besides that in a short time it fats a great number of goodly Oxen. This pasture hath at the least foure leagues in circuit from the bridge of Campen vnto Geelmuyden along the riuer of Vidre passing before the towne of Hasselt then passing on to Swolle it returnes from thence to Campen which circuit is a halfe dayes iorny It is good cheape lyuing in this towne there is aboundance of fresh water fish and good cheape as Salmon Sturgion Carpes Barbels and Pikes I did once buy three Carpes there either being a foote and a halfe long for sixe Patars a peece the which tide to the barke and swimming in the Zuyderzee I brought a liue to Amsterdam All sorts of victuall are good cheape there especially foules and Ducke and Mallard This towne is full of Gentlemen and learned men the houses are faire and high built and streets very cleane It is much inlarged and beautified within these twelue or thirteene yeares The Magistrates are affable and the people ciuill and courteous whereas those that are fled thether for relligion are kindly entertayned yea they are drawne thether to set vp their trades being very fit for it for that the Marchants and workemen may goe in one night with a good wind to Amsterdam and going from thence at night after the dispach of their busines they may bee the next day againe at their owne houses which is a great commodity This towne hath priuiledge to coyne mony and they carefully entertaine a free schole SWOLLE IS a land towne of a round forme situated vpon a little Brooke running into the riuer of Vidre and from thence by the blacke water into the Zuyderzee It is held to bee strong hauing euer had double walles and double diches since these troubles it hath beene fortified with new rampars and Bulwarks In former times it was wont in time of daunger to bee the retreat of the Gouernor and of the Councell of that country who made his residence at Vollenhouen It is good cheape liuing there but the streets are not so cleane kept as at Campen by reason of the Cattell which they keepe within the towne and the great multitude of Wagons which come thether from all parts for it is of greater trafficke then Campen It hath not bene any way anoyed by siege during these troubles like to Deuenter and Campen being fallen into the Estates power by the preuention of the well affected Burgers who chased away them of the Spanish faction whereby they are become rich It hath two chanels which passe through it vpon the greatest of them stands the Market place which is faire and spatious and ioyning vnto it the great Temple of Saint Michel then a little lower is our Ladies Church In honor of this Town these foure latin verses were made Swolla diu celebris meruit virtutibus arma Quae populum fortem nobilitare solent Inde salutifera vetere pâ—etate fid que In Tripolim recipi faedere digna fuit Swolls vertue whilom got these armes that grace the vndanted troop that won them and their race And for hir faith and Martial brood 't was shee was only held fit guard for Tripoli For that it is the third imperial Hans Town of this Prouince of Oueryssell hauing priuiledge to coine both gold and siluer as the two others wee haue described these three chiefe Townes let vs now come vnto the lesser but strong and wel fortified STEENWYCK IS situated vpon a brooke called Blockerzyel comming out of the country not far from the towne and falls nere vnto Vollenhouen into the Zuyderzee In lesse then twenty years it felt two sieges the one by Charles Earle of Mansfeldt for the Prince of Parma who was forced to retire the towne beeing victualed by Count William Lewis of Nassau Philippe Earle of Hohenloo and Generall Norris Being afterwards surprised by the Spaniards Prince Maurice went to besiege it in the yeare of our Lord 1592. the which hee did so importune both by batterie and myne as notwithstanding the great losse of his men he himselfe being also shot in the cheeke hee forced them to yeeld by composition It is not ten yeares since the Spaniards made an other enterprise but it succeeded not It was much defaced by these two sieges but it now begins to recouer it selfe HASSEL THis town is called Hassel vpon the Vidre to distinguish it from Hassel nere vnto Tongre in the country of Liege it is two leagues from Volenhouen in ancient time a good and ritch towne by reason of the commoditie of the riuer of Vidre which runnes into the Zuyderzee at Gheelmuyden beeing mingled with the two little riuers of Regge and Veecht It is at this day reasonably well fortefied but it hath no such trafficke as it it was accustomed yet it is a prettie towne and well gouerned OLDENZEEL IS the towne which they call in Latin Veteres Salij from whence some will maintaine but without any great ground that the lawe Salike comes It hath also felt the fruits of their last warres hauing beene besieged in the yeare of our Lord 1605. and yeelded to the Marquis Spinola for the Arch-dukes Albertus and Isabella of Austria Dukes of Brabant Earles of Flanders c. It is a reasonable great towne and of good trade where they make great store of fine lynen cloth which they sell in the Netherlands and is sent into Spaine OTMARSVM IS called in Latin Veteres Marsii which are the old Marsians whom Pliny and Titus Liuius doe often mention being seated in the country of the Tubantins which at this present is Tuent a quarter in the Prouice of Oueryssel It is a little towne and of small importance yet hath it thrise tasted the fruites of warre as well by siege as otherwise Beeing vnable to endure a long siege by reason of the weaknesse thereof lying in an open country whereas either partie being Maister of the field might easily cut off their victualls In the yeare 1592. Prince Maurice tooke it in lesse then foure and twenty houres where as the Siegnior of Famas Generall of the artillery for the Estates was slaine a gentleman much lamented by the Prince and of all men of warre of his partie within these three yeares the Marquis Spinola recouered it with as much ease To conclude this towne and Oldenzeel are so weake as they must yeelde to the first enemie that comes with
wrath retyred into Freezeland and there without his priuity he marryed the Potestats daughter of the country by whome hee had two sonnes Thierry and Simon Being afterwards reconciled to his Father he had certaine land alotted him for his portion which was measured by the great rod the which in the country language is Brederode fâ—om whence they tooke their name His father gaue him also the Castle and Territory of Theylingen the which Zyphard at his death disposed to his two sons to Thierry he gaue Brederode and to Simon Teylingen from whence are issued the two families of Brederode and Teylinge the which ended by the death of two bretheren who were slaine with their Prince VVilliam King of Romans in the warre against the Frisons As for that of Brederode we haue seene foure bretheren of the right lyne dye also in the warres against the French in few yeares so as it fell by a collaterall line vnto VValrauen Lord of the said Brederode Vianen Ameyden c. who hauing not any children and not likely to haue any by reason of his age and his wiues all must returne to Floris of Brederode his Brothers sonne who may raise vp the house being now halfe extinct The beginning of the house of Egmont is doubtfull for the Lordes thereof cannot truly shewe a continuance of their descent for three hundred yeares yet they say they are issued from Radbod I know not which King of the Frisons but I thinke it would bee a tedious thing to finde out this pedigree Such as contradict it say that they are descended from a Receiuer of the Abbay of Egmond which Office had beene called Aduoe and vnder this title hauing inriched them-selues with the goods of this Abbaie by little and little they attained to great wealth and thereby to great allyances which haue augmented their house as well in possessions as degrees of honour so as in the end they marryed a daughter of the famous house of Arckel the which was heire to the Dutchie of Geldres Whereas Arnold of Egmond the first Duke of that house had one sonne called Adolph who did much trouble his father yea hee detained him in prison vntill that Charles Duke of Burgongne sette him free Adolph retyring into France marryed a Lady of the house of Bourbon who hauing one son named Charles hee was afterterwards slaine being Generall of the Ganthois before Tournay After whose death the Emperour Charles the fift vnder coullor of some transport which hee pretended that Duke Arnold had made vnto duke Charles of Burgongne beeing in dislike with his son hee seazed vppon the whole Duchy but Charles of Egmond sonne to Prince Adolph for he was neuer Duke with the helpe of the Princes of the house of Bourbon who stirred vp the French King returning into his Countrie hee was receiued and acknowledged for Duke in many townes the Emperors men chased away Afterwards being of a turbulent spirit hee had great warres so as in the end hee dyed about the yeare 1536. without any children and in him failed the distrect lyne of this house of Egmond The Seignieury of Egmond falling to the yonger house who was father to Iohn the first Earle of Egmond which Iohn had one brother MaximliaÌ„ of Egmond Earle of Buren Lord of Iselsteine whose daughter being issued of a Lady of the house of Launoy and the onely heire marryed with William of Nassau Prince of Orange so as the possessions of these two houses of Buren and Launoy are discended to Prince Philip eldest son to the deceased Prince of Orange as wel by his grandfather as by his father Some do account next among the most ancient and Noble families that of Vander Merwue as descended from Merouee King of France in honour of whome some beleeue that in that place the riuer of Wahall was changed into Meruwe but this Original is farre fetcht There is yet some remainder of a Tower in the midst of Meruve which in old time was the place where they payed toll the which is now receiued in Dordrect whereas the Baron of Meruve who is also Lord of Aspren hath one day in the yeare all right of superiority and power to pardon murthers and al other offences The house of Arckel did for a long time command insolently in the Earldome of Teysterbandt betwixt the Wahal and the Leck the which the riuer of Linge doth crosse and passing through Gorichom it fals into the Meruve In this County there are many other Townes then Gorichom with the Castle as Leerdam Henkelom Haerstricht Aspren Euersteyn Hagesteyn and Gasprien wherof the three last and Haarstrecht haue beene burnt and ruined It seemes that all the neighbour Princes haue conspired against this house for their great pride For Frederick Bishop of Vtrecht hauing taken Gaspren Hagestein and Euersteyn he ruined them quite The Lord of Vianen wrested Rhynstein from him Arnold Duke of Geldres tooke Leerdam and Steenvoerd Albert Duke Bauaria Earle of Holland took Haestrecht from him and ruined it Afterwards the said Duke bought of Iohn the last Lord of so many townes and Seigieuries that of Gorichom with consent of his sonne and vnder his hand writing who notwithstanding soone after disavowed the contract the which hee brake after his fathers death and found meanes to surprize the said towne The Countesse Iaqueline went thether with an armie besieged it and took it by assault whereas the said young Lord receiued the reward of his disloyalty for he was slain there These Lords of Arckel were so mighty as besides the County of Teysterband in the which are the townes aboue mentioned they had liuing in Brabant Lembourg Bar Vtrecht Geldre Holland and Zeland which possessions made them proud arrogant hatefull vnto their neighbours ouer whom they did insult vntill they came to the end which we haue spoken of The house of Batenbourg is without al question one of the most ancient taking their name from Prince Batto from whome Battauia is come whereof there were of great fame for their vertue some fiue hundred yeares since Albert Rodolphus and Thierry Lordes of Battenbourg as of late Thierry Gâ—sbercht and VVilliam who beeing Lieutenant to the Prince of Orange leading an army to victuall Harlem beseeged by the Duke of Alua was defeated by the Spaniards This Towne of Battenbourg was afterwards burnt and the Castell held long by the Spaniardes The sayd Ghisbrecht had besides William three other sons wherof one was traiterously slayne at Collogne Ghisbrecht and Thierry beeing taken prisoners in the Warre by the Earle of Arembergh hee deliuered them to the Duke of Alua who caused their heades to bee cutte off at Brusselles with other Gentlemen of their religion But it was not long before this Earle receiued his due punishment for before a yeare past hee was slayne in Battaile in the same Countrie where hee falsified his faith to these two young Barons The race of the Lordes of Harlem is also very ancient and noble who they say
know not by what title Cont William King of Romaines gaue the Lordshippe of Hoochmade to this house as also an other William Earle of Holland and Henaut gaue them the village of Coudekerke vppon the Rhine a League from Leyden where there was a mightie castle the which was razed by the factions in the yeare 1489. It was before called Horne whereof the proprietaries were called Lords of Horne whose memory lies buried with their persons Gerard of Poelgest a Knight did afterwards cause this ruined castle to be repaired with the consent of the Emperor Charles the fift as faire as euer who died to soone for his children The castle of Alcmada from the which they of the house take their name is situated in the iurisdiction of Warmond whereof the ruines are yet to bee seene for that which is now called Alcmada standing vpon the current of Marne was wont to bee called Poelgeest as appeeres by the letters of Thierry Vicont of Leyden saying that hee had giuen the inheritance thereof to Isbrandt of Poelgeest We finde that Henrie of Poelgeest and Floris of Alcmada bretheren by the mother liued in the yeare 1320. Those of Culembourg are descended from that Noble and famous Lord Ralfe of Bosicom of the race of the Earles of Teysterbandt The towne of Culembourg is reasonable good standing vpon the riuer of Lâ—ck two leagues from Viane and one from Buren it is now erected to an Earldome belonging to the Lord of Palant Abcoude was wont to bee a famous and mightie family the which had great possessions in the diocese of Vtrecht the towne and castle of Wyckter Duersâ—ede did also belong vnto them the Lord whereof did build the castle of Abcoude in the Moores midde-way betwixt Vtrecht and Amsterdam One Ghisbert of Abcoude did purchase the Lordship of Gaesbecke who gaue it to his yongest sonne Asueres who married a daughter of the Earle of Lygnes by whom hee had one sonne called Iames verie rich and mighty in possessions for beeing Lord of Gaesbeck hee was Siegnior of Abcoude Putten and Streuen all which are goodly Signeuries hauing iurisdictions It was he which fouÌ„ded the Chartreux nere vnto Vtrecht who since after the death of his sonne only heire being taken prisoner in battaile by the Bishop of Vtrecht was to redeeme his liberty forced to yeeld him the Lordship towne and castle of Wyck where since the bishoppes haue kept their ordynarie residence and the castle of Abcoude which since hath beene the aboad of one of the Marshalls of the Diocese of Vtrecht and of his gard which is there in garrison The house of Persin is also an honorable family from the which are issued manie Knights gentlemen of Waterlandt and the I le of Marke right against Monikendam It is at this time wholy extinct The castle of Persin is yet standing without the wood at the Hage The house of Raphorst is noble and very ancient whereof it appeeres that two bretheren had been slaine with their Prince Cont Floris in the warre against the Frisons That of Matenesse hath in like manner with many others taken their beginning from the Lord of Wassenare Vicont of Leyden The house of Vlyet was in old time banished not as guilty of the murther of Cont Floris but in hatred of his brother the Siegnior of Woerden one of the cheefe conspirators so as Gerard van Vlyet going into exile was dispossest of his lands degraded of his armes But afterwards by the intercession of the Lords of Duyuenvoorde and Liâ—htenberg for his valour shewed in battaile for the Earle of Holland where the bishop of Vtrecht was slaine he was receiued into grace and restored to the possession of all his goods The honors which the houses of Woerden Wesson were accustomed to haue were lost in the persons of Herman van Woerden for the murther of Cont Floris whereof Gerard being the first author executioner was cruelly executed beeing rowled vp down in a pipe ful of nailes in the town of Leyden where hee died miserably Herman his father in law being brother to the Lord of Amstel escaped and died poore in exile The house of Amstel was also blemished with this murther namely Ghysbrecht of Amstel Lord of Amsterdam Amsterweel and Iselsteyn who died in exile poore and miserable beeing dispossest of halfe his goods and the rest remayning to his wife sonne Arnold who were besieged a whole yeare in the towne of Amsterdam and were in the end forced to yeeld it vpon condition that for all their goods they should content themselues with the towne castle of Iselsteyn which since came vnto the house of Egmond whereof the Emperor Maximilian the first created Frederic of Egmond first Earle of Iselsteyn of Leerdam Iohn of Henaut Earle of HollaÌ„d had giuen the signeuries of Amstell Woerden to his brother Guy then Prouost afterwards bishop of Vtrecht during his life the which hee caused to bee built but after his death they were anexed againe to the reuenues of the Earle of Holland which then was Cont William surnamed the good The signiors of Schagen are descended from a bastard of Duke Albert of Bauaria Earle of Holland and Henaut who gaue this goodly Siegneury with that of Burchorne to William the first Lord of Schagen and from him successiuely to him that is now vnder the Estates of Holland So the Signiory of Hoocht-wood came from Duke William of Bauariae called the mad Earle for that after two battailes which hee had against the Empresse Marguerite his mother whereof hee lost one with eight thousand men nere â—o Vlaerdingen and the other he wonne hee was distracted of his wittes fifteene yeares and as a madde man was kept close vnto his death to whom Duke Albert his brother succeeded This William gaue vnto his base Sonne the possession of Hocht-Woude and Aertswoude which are two goodlie villages But this line fayling these two places haue past from one to an other Hochtwoude belonging at this day to Cornellis Mirop Receiuer generall of Holland and Westfrisland signior of Caelslagen Sweiten c. The house of Haemstede did begin at Witte who was the first Lord and bastard to Cont Floris That of Horst is of great antiquity the which seemes to haue had many branches as that of Bronckhorst in Gelders that of Lochorst in the countrie of Vtrecht and that of Raphorst whereof the old castle is yet standing betwixt the Hage and Leyden then Bockhorst twise or thrise ruined being a league from Nortwyck but not in that estate it hath beene The family of Dune is also very ancient the only daughter and heire whereof married some thirty yeares since to Thierry the second sonne of the Lord of Brederode who left the title thereof to his children yet carrying the armes of Brederode and not their mothers It continues still in that race who doe also enioy the Siegniorie of Sprangen which came by marriage from them of Wyelsteyn The house of Zyle
wars and troubles since the yeare one thousand fiue hundred seauenty two they haue with all their meanes both of bodies and goodes with them of Flissinghe more then any other of their neighbours repulst the tyrannie of the Inquisition of Spaine in diuers exploits and enterprizes of warre both by Land and Sea And especially with their braue Captaines at Sea in the beginning of the yeare 1578. they did before Bergen vp Zoom aid to defeate that mightie Spanish Fleete in view of the great Commander of Castille which went to victuall Middelbourg beeing straightly beseeged by the Prince of Orange so as this victualling fayling them they were forced to yeelde vnto the Prince Afterwardes their Captaines did in the like manner helpe to confound that feareful and inuincible sea-armie as they did write it which the King of Spaine sent in the yeare one thousand fiue hundred eighty eight to inuade England Flisinghee OR Vlissinghen is the third town of the Iland of Walchren right against Flanders and a league from Middelbourg It is also a Marquisate belonging to Prince Maurice of Nassau as La Vere not that they are two Marquisats but one onely euery one apart carrying diuers armes Flissinghe was in old time but a country village and did serue onely for a passage into Flanders But within these hundred yeares Adolph of Bourgongne Lord of La Vere and Flissinghe caused it to be walled in and then it began to take the forme of a good towne So as in the yeare one thousand fiue hundred seauenty one the Duke of Alua pretending to build a Castell on the ditch side towards Ramekins which should also command the hauen After that the Prince of Orange Gouernor of Holland and Zealand had by the Earle of Marche Lord of Lumay his Lieutenant surprized the Iland and towne of Bryel when as the Seignior of Wakenes the Vice admirall pretended to put a Spanish garrison into the towne beeing fauored by the Magistrate the people discouering it fell to armes forced the Arcenall and chased away the Burguemaisters and Aldermen and being maister of the Ordinance and of the towne gates they shotte at fiue or sixe shippes full of Spaniards which thought to enter into the Towne who by reason of the contrary tide sent a man swimming to land to intreat them that they would not sinke them promising them to retire vpon the first â—â—oud as they did going towards Berghen vp Zoom whereas they could not be entertained This town being thus freed from the Spanish yoake it was in a short time fortified and in a short time with the helpe of the Prince of Orange who presently sent them a garrison of Wallons they made sharpe wars with them of La Vere against Middelbourg and Arnemuyden which were held by the Spaniards going to Sea with their ships of warre they brought in good prizes and many good prisoners among others the Duke of Aluas Cousin who notwithstanding any ransom that he offered could not redeem him-selfe from the gallowes so hatefull the Spaniards were vnto the Flessingers in the first warres as al that they took they either cast them ouer-boord or hung them at land wherein the women and children tooke great delight They had an Admirall called Captaine Worst who did continually annoy them of Antwerp and Scluse and did set vppon all ships going vp to Antwerp one day he incountred a Spanish Fleetâ— in the which was the Duke of Medina Celi who came to gouerne the Netherlands in the Duke of Aluas place The combat was very furious neere vnto Sâ—luse but in the end the Duke was forced to leap into a boat and to saue him-selfe in Sluse It is infinit to tell what the captaines both by sea and land that were at time in Flissinghe did against the Spaniards They besieged the strong castle of Ramekin called Zeebourg both by sea and land standing vpon the Dyke betwixt Flissinghe and the head of Middelbourg the which they tooke in lesse then ten daies At the battaile of Berghen and in all other incounters the Flissinghers were alwaies the formost Snce they haue much inlarged their towne especially on that side where as the Duke of Alua had begun to build the castle where there are three goodly Bulwarkes two towardes the land and one to the sea which defends the hauen on that side flanking it at the port In this inlargement they haue drawne in a new hauen and a Sluse capable for many great shippes where they haue also built a new temple for the English nation within these twelue yeares they haue built a faire towne-house vpon the market place not in greatnesse but in building much like to that of Antwerp To conclude the towne as wel in fortifications as in buildings is now so changed as hee that hath not seene it these thirty yeares would not now know it It is second to Middelbourg in marchandise but it exceedes it in herrings where they are barreled vp and marked and from thence are transported throughout all Christendome This important towne to speake trâ—elie nay rightly be termed the Key of the Netherlands for the sea for at all times it cuts off the nauigation from Antwerp so as nothing can come vnto them by sea wherefore the Duke of Alua should haue beene more carefull to keepe it in time and not to haue esteemed it so little as hee did when the newes of their reuolt came vnto him answering onely Pitcilingo so he called it es nada And in truth the Emperor Charles the fift knowing better the importance of that place then the Duke of Alua going last out of the Netherlands to returne into Spaine where hee died vpon his departure hee did secretly and seriously recommend this towne vnto the King his sonne But as they say He that contemnes the fathers admonitions will be deceiued as it prooued in this towne ARNEMVYDEN OLd Arnemuyden which was wont to be situated in an other place not far from that where it now stands was a goodly village with a good castle well peopled with ritch Bourgers Marchants hauing a good commodious hauen wheras many great shippes might lie safely where at that time there was greater traffick then at Middelbourg it selfe This old Arnemuyden is by Inundations quite eaten vp by the sea so as there are no reliks to be seene neither can they coniecture that it stood in any other place but betwixt the hauen of Middelbourg and new Arnemuyden vpon the plaine which is betwixt S. Ioes Lands and the right chanel of Arnemuyden as it is at this day The greatest breach which happened to old Arnemuyden was in the yeare 1438 in the time of Gyles of Arnemuyden the Lord of that place who caused all the Bourgers and the Inhabitants to go with their families vnto the Dyke out of the danger of the sea whereas now the town of Arnemuyden stands The which as well for the coÌ„modity of Roads and Deeps as for the situation vpon the sea hath and doth
he held of the temporaltie to the end hee might succor him to preserue that which belonged vnto the spiritualtie in this towne and state And for that the Emperour was then in Spaine hee did impart it to the Lady Marguerite his Aunte who was Douager of Sauoy and Regent of the Netherlands so as in the end it was concluded that on the 15 of Nouember 1â—27 he should come in person to Schoonhouen whether the Emperor should send some men of account on his behalfe amongst which were the Earles of Buren Hochstraten the chancellor of Brabant and the President of the Prouincial councel of Holland where being arriued at the day appointed after many consultations they concluded that the Bishop should yeeld vp resigne transport all the rights interest and pretensions which hee had to the temporall iurisdiction in the diocese of Vtrecht and the country of Oueryssel to the benifit profit of the sayd Emperor of which rights he did put his Imperial Maiesty in possession as Duke of Brabant Earle of Holland not in quality of Emperor as well for himselfe as for his successors descended of his bloud whervpon the Earls of Buren and Hochstraten the chancellor and other deputies did promise vnto the bishop in the Emperors name their maister and did bind themselues to make war against his enemies and to settle him in his Episcopal seat and make him duly to enioy his spirituall dignity The Duke of Geldres beeing aduertised of this treatie and accorde hee made sharper warres then before and so incensed the cittizens of Vtrecht against their Bishoppe Henry as they sought by all meanes to depriue him of his Episcopall dignitie choosing in his place by the Dukes instigation and councell the Earle of Bilg a chanonine of Cologne TheÌ„ did there grow a furious warre betwixt the Emperor and Bishop Henry against the Duke of Geldres and the comunalty of Vtrecht holding the Dukes partie and their new Bishops So as after much bloud spilt and many spoiles done in the country there were some citizens of Vtrecht well affected to Bishop Henry who brought the Emperors men into the towne the 1. of Iuly 1528. who entred early in a morning by surprize where there was some little opposition the Earle of Maeurs lieutenant to the Duke was taken prisoner with many of the chiefe of the towne and some chanoins Three daies after the bishop entred and caused some of the mutines to bee executed by the sword yea he made two chanoins to bee put into a sack and cast into the riuer and he would haue taken a sharper reuenge without the intercession of the Earle of Hochstraten eight daies after he asseÌ„bled the three Estates in the publick place by the which he was acknowledged to bee their bishop Prince all sollemnly swearing fidelity obedience vnto him Afterwards the bishop hauing conferred againe with the said Estates hee propounded vnto them how that being in the town of Schonhouen he had let them vnderstand his resolution to submit the temporalty of his Siegneury to the Emperour shewing them how necessary it was for their quiet and publike preseruation to the end that this Estate being vnder the gard and protection of so mighty a Monarke it should bee defended and preserued from all enemies which did enuiron it intreating them to like well of that which he had resolued and to yeeld vnto it The matter being diuersly debated after many allegations on either side in the end for that they could not auoide it the Emperors men being already in possession of the town seeing they had coÌ„mitted an error and that their oppposition would auaile them nothing but incense the Emperor their Prelat they yeelded vnto it That is that the citty of Vtrecht with the iurisdiction and limmits of al the townes villages borroughes forts territory champian country mountaines woods forests riuers pooles lakes mills rents and reuenues to conclude all that was of the temporall demeins of the sayd Estate and countrie of Vtrecht together with all the right title and interest which hee had to the high diocese that is to say to the country of Oueryssel and ouer the town of Groning the iurisdiction of the Groningers and the Omelands with all their rights should be vnited and incorporated to the demeins of the Dukes of Brabant and Earles of Holland The which hauing beene agreed vpon and concluded the Traiectins were absolued of their othe of fealtie which they had taken vnto the sayd bishoppe who freely discharged them vpon condition that they should take the like othe and doe homage to the Emperour and to his lawfull heires issued of his bloud Dukes of Brabant and Earles of Holland The Bishop reseruing nothing for himselfe and his successors but the spirituall iurisdiction and reuenues and that sumptuos Palace in the towne ioyning to the cathedrall church built by Charles Martel Duke of Brabant father to Pepin King of France who gaue it to Gregorie the third Bishop of Vtrecht All things being thus concluded betwixt the Bishoppe Henry of Bauaria and the Emperor Charles Duke of Geldres finding his forces to weake to incounter so great a Monarke hee purchased a peace with his Maiesty the which was concluded the first of October following And the 21. of Nouember the Earle of Hochstraten as gouernor of Holland for the Emperor was sent by the Ladie Marguerite Regent into the sayd towne of Vtrecht who tooke a sollemne possession in his Maiesties name as Duke of Brabant and Earle of Holland and receiued their othes and homages the like hee did at Amersfoort Wyck-ter-Duyrsted Renen and Montfort as for the soueraigntie this last towne hauing a particular Lord and Vicont of that place returning back to Vtrecht the chiefe towne of the country he disposed of the Estate gouernment And as al things were well setled vnder the Emperors authority bishop Henry had a desire for some reasons to retire into Germanie to his other Bishoppricke of Wormes chosing for Bishop substituting in his place William of Enckwoort borne at Boisleduc Cardinall and Bishop of Tortone as Pope Adrian the sixt had beene before hee was Pope who resigned the said Bishopprike vnto him before hee came to the Popedome This Enckwoort was a Courtier at Rome and came not to his Bishoprike of Vtrecht making Iames Vteâ—engen his Vicar vntill he died in the yeare 1533. In the meane time Pope Clement the seauenth hauing seene the Contracts and Instruments of the cession and transport made by the Bishop Henry of Bauaria to the Emperour of the temporaltie of Vtrecht and the appourtenances hauing had therein the aduice and consent of the Colledge of Cardinals they did approue and ratifie all decreeing that this cession and transport should be of force and take full effect But for that this Estate and Seignieury is a fee of the Empire and doth hold of the Imperiall Chamber the Emperour was forced to demand the Inuestiture of the said Chamber in his
Monasteries are situated betwixt the riuers of Ems and Lanwers and make a Siegneury or Prouince which is numbred among the 17. of the Netherlands and the eight in ranke of the vnited Prouinces which are represented and gouerned by the common consent of the Estates of the sayd Prouince Before that we treat of this Estate in general we wil first speake of the town of Groningue which giues the name vnto the whole Prouince which name some hold was giuen it by Grunnius issued from the bloud of the Kings of Frisland who was the founder and not that Troian of whom Sebastian Munster speakes This towne is seated in a pleasant soyle enuironed with goodly pastures some thinking that it hath taken the name from the greenes thereof this worde of Groen signifying greene Ingen being as an adiectiue which makes vppe the word wherof there are many both in this and other Prouinces of the Netherlands as Husinghe Finelinghe others in the country of Groeningue Harlinghe in Frisland Vlaerdinghe in Holland Flissinghe in Zeeland Poperinghe in Flanders and others els where This towne with the dependances was heretofore giuen to the Bishops of Vtrecht in the yeare 1057. by the Emperor Henry the third and others going before him and by their successors since that the Normans destroied the towne of Vtrecht whereof they gaue letters of Estate to the sayd Bishops of the which they haue alwaies made vse vntill the end of the last age The which notwithstanding was often taken from them as well by the Groningers themselues as by the Princes which haue seazed vpon that Siegneury amongst others Albert and George Dukes of Saxony who had the gift from the Emperors Frederic and Maximilian and Edsard Earle of Embden whom they accepted for their Lord all which did not acknowledge the Bishops of Vtrecht This towne is inricht with two small riuers Huneso and Aha comming out of the countrie of Drenthe through the Ommelands the which compassing about the towne meete in the suburbes which is called Schaytendyep from whence passing by the towne of Dam with other small brookes which ioyne there they fall by the Sluses of Delfzyele into the Dullart which is of the riuer of Ems by the which all ships both great and small take their course to ioyne with the greater which anchor vpon the Dullart and so to goe from thence to sea whether they please There were wont to be twelue churches in this towne whereof three were parish churches the first was Saint Martins the second Saint Walburge which Temple hath the forme of a Mosquee which they say was built by Pagans the Parish beeing now annexed to that of Saint Martin and the third is that of our Lady ioyning to one of the Market places Other fiue are Monasteries and the foure which remaine Hospitalls among the cloisters that of Franciscains being in the midest of the town is conuerted to a colledge for schollers for the study of humanity wherof at my being there doctor Vbbo Ems was Rector the other cloisters monasteries are applied to better vses then to feed idle bellies The foure hospitalls are entertained whereof the first which is great like a parish is called of the Holie Ghost the second Saint Gheertruyde the third Saint Iames and the fourth Saint Anthony There are in this town two goodly market places the one for the greatnesse was called Dat-brede marckt very great and spacious the like whereof is not be seene in any other towne beginning from Saint Martins church-yard going toward the west at the end whereof is the towne-house nere vnto it is the other market-place not much lesse which goes to our Ladies church which they call Ter Aha or fish market At which two market places which is a goodly thing to see there meet 17. of the greatest streets of the towne whereof six go to seueral gates being eight in al that is to Poel port Ooster port Heren port Ter Aa port Botteringe port Ebbing port which gates are called by the name of the said streetes The Spaniards in the Duke of Aluas time did builde a Cittadell at Heren port which the Burgers did ruine when as Gaspar of Robles Lord of Billy a Spaniard Gouernor of the town was deteined prisoner by his owne soldiars and the towne reduced vnder the vnion of the Estates but afterwards it was trecherously yeelded vnto the King of Spaine by George of Lalain Earle of Rheneberg with the murther of the Burgue-master and some Burgers vntill the yeare 1594. that Prince Maurice of Nassau did force it by a siege and furious battery to submit it selfe vnder the obedience of the sayd generall Estates as it continues vnto this day with the Ommelandes This towne hath betweene Poel port and Steeneille port a goodly suburbes with a chanell where the shippes arriue which come from Dam Delfziell and other places of the country with turfes and al sorts of prouision necessary for the towne which suburbes are so fortefied as the Inhabitants thinke themselues as safe there as within the towne it is called Schuytendiep Within these ten yeares the generall Estates for some ielousie which they had of the sayd towne as well for feare of intelligences of some Burgers with the Spaniards as also to take away all occasion for Enno Earle of East frisland to attempt against the sayd towne caused a cittadell to bee built in the which they entertained an ordinary garrison the which kept the mutins in awe There is yet an other suburbe rampared like vnto a fort at the Port Ter Aa an other at the Port of Botteringe and an other beyond the Cittadell all which suburbes haue much endured during the siege and in the last warres as many goodly houses of pleasure as well of gentlemen cittizens as ritch farmers most part ruined doe yet smart for it Finally the situation of this towne is such that as they may carrie and transport whatsoeuer they please by water so may they also doe by land at all seasons of the yeare by the Drenth and other neighbour places to the fronters of Germany which brings great proffit to the towne As for the Ommelandes that is to say the champian country thereabouts which consists of many good Bourges and villages although they bee not subiect to the towne yet by a mutual accord there is such vnity among them as in many things they haue yeelded vnto the towne as the right of the market the staple of marchandise sold by great or by retaile to sell no strange beere nor ale throughout all the country but only such as they doe brew within the towne the which is set downe at large in the letters of the statute in the yeare of our Lord 1455. renewed and augmented in the yeare 1482. And the chiefe point wherein the Ommelands haue yeelded vnto the towne the which they haue enioyed for these many yeares is touching matters of Iustice by the which the wise men of the country are gouerned Inferior
good Schoole there It hath not much tasted of the miseries of these last warres sometime it hath maintained a small garrison of horse and foote without any great charge vnto them Elburgh IT lyes vppon the Zuyderzee like vnto Harderwick from the which it is distant two good leagues and as much from the Towne of Campen in Oueryssell It is a little town of smal trafficke but yet good cheap to liue in and hath during these warres followed the same party that Harderwick did Hattem WAs in ancient time a good towne though none of the greatest seated vppon the left banke of the riuer of Yssell There is a goodly strong Castle which hath tasted of the miseries of these last warres for the Drossart or Lieutenant of the Country thinking to deliuer it into the Spaniards handes being discouered they thought to make it good in this Castle wheras the Estates beseeged them and the Castle was so battered and torne with the canon wherof the marks are yet to bee seene as they were forced and carryed prisoners to Arnham whereas they lost their heads Wagheninghen IS a small ancient strong towne and is the very same which Cornelius Tacitus called Vada as to speake the truth it ma◠properly be so called being in a manner compassed in of all sides with moores and bogs which makes it in-accessible on those parts it lies not far from the riuer of Rhyne beeing of an equall distance from the townes of Arnham and Nymeghen and foure leagues from Culenbourg Tyel THis Towne is the chiefe place of the Iurisdiction or Bayliwick which they call Tyelerweerd the which was wont to be a Peninsula But since these last warres Derick-vick Seignior of Soulen Bailiffe of the town and iurisdiction hath caused a chanell to be cutte through the Countrie to sayle from the riuer of Meuze into the Wahal vppon the right banke wherof the said towne is built ◠by which meanes the said Tyelweerd is now made an Iland for that there is no entrance into it but by water or through the towne It is strong by nature and by art through the dilligence of the said Amptman or Bailyffe who since the last troubles hath made sharp wars against the Spaniards by the meanes of that garrison In the yeare 1528. holding the party of Charles Duke of Gelders their Prince the Burguignons beseeged it in the Emperors name but it was so well defended as they were forced to raise their seege to the great honour of the Inhabitants and the few soldiers that were within it Bommel IT is a faire strong place the cheefe towne of all the Territory of Bommell-weerd which the Rhyne and Meuze doe compasse in making it an Iland the which they say was called by Caesar Insula Batauorum if it extend no farther the which wee may say is now the higher and lower Betuwe on the other banke of the riuer of Ryne as farre as Tyel and beyond to Haerwerden where at this present is the mighty fort of Saint Andrew whereof wee will presently make mention whereas the Wahal and the Meuze kissing as the passe ioyne together at Louestein at the end of the said Bomels-weerd in one body the which soone after from Gorrichom takes the name of Meruve vntill that hauing past Dordrecht it resumes his name of Meuze and beneath Bryell runnes into the Brittish Seas In this Iland there are many fayre Villages and Castles among others Rossem whereas Martin van Rossem Seign ior of Puydroyen was borne a famous Captaine in his time hauing beene Marshall of the field to the Duke Charles of Gelders and William of Cleues who in the yeare of our Lord 1534. did terrifie the Towne of Antwerp and thinking to doe the like to them of Lovuain was forced to retyre In the yeare of our Lord 1598. Arch-Duke Albert of Austria beeing gone into Spaine to fetch his spouse the Infanta Isabella daughter to King Philip the second and sister to King Philip the third now raigning left during his absence Cardinal Andrew of Austria to gouerne the Netherlands which were giuen in marriage to the sayd Isabella and Don Francisco de Mendoza Admirall of Arragon for generall of his armie the which hee sent vnto the frontiers of Germanie to make warre against the vnited Estates that way where hauing done what hee listed and taken from the Estates by seege the townes of Rhynberch and Deutecom and then the Fort of Creuecaeur hee past to the said Iland of Bommell with an intent to beseege the towne the which by reason of their workes at the fortification lay halfe open The which Prince Maurice vnderstanding he posted thether with all speed and assured it with his presence and forces causing a trench to bee cast without the towne from one side of the riuer vnto the other whereas hee lodged the greatest part of his Army where-vppon the Admirall seeing there was no way to force them hee retired farther into the Iland busiyng him-selfe about the building of Saint Andrewes Fort so as the towne of Bommel was freed In this towne was borne that learned man Elbert Leoninus Doctor of the Lawes who dyed in the yeare 1601. being Chancellor of Gelders and deputy for the general Estates of the vnited Prouinces being aboue 80. years old he was sōtimes Tutor to the Prince of Orange which now liueth S. Andrew THis Fort was so named by Andrew of Austria Cardinal of Constance being Gouernor of the Netherlands as wee haue said in the absence of the Arch-duke Albert. It is the mightiest fort that hath bin made in al the Netherlands for the building whereof the Admirall of Arragon disfurnished the whole Iland of trees It is comprehended in fiue Bulwarks after the forme of the Cittadel of Antwerp wherof three are vppon the bankes of Meuze and Wahal and the two others towards Haerwerden either of them hauing a caualier or plat-forme to defend it with broad and deepe ditches without the which is a counterscarpe the which hath also a ditch round about it and small forts to warrant it especially wheras these two riuers imbrace one an other towards Tyler-weerd whereas the Fort of Nassau is set opposite to that of Saint Andrew in a corner which is also made an Island by art beeing called Voorne and is held by the Estates which two Forts did daily salute one an other with their Ordinance The Admirall hauing fynished this Fort thinking thereby to keepe the riuers of Wahal and Meuse and the whole Island in subiection left a garrison of 1500. men in it with store of artillerie and munition and then retired with his army to refresh it in Brabant But Prince Maurice did not dissolue his armie but kept it togither all the winter as well in the towne of Bommel as in the trenches and ships which he had lying by The spring time beeing come hauing recouered the Fort of Creuecaeur he went to beseege that of Saint Andrew the which through want of victualls was
before whome the father casting his gloue defied the sonne But the Duke who loued this Adolph labored to perswade the father to resigne the Duchy vnto his Sonne and that being now very old he should retire to Graue and content him-selfe with that peece and three thousand florins rent wherevpon Adolph like an vnnaturall and barbarous sonne hearing this proposition made by Duke Charles of Bourgongne answered that he had rather cast his father head-long into a wel and him selfe after then accept of that composition That it was reason seeing his father had gouerned forty foure yeares that he should also come in his rancke to the Principality and enioy it as his father had don Adding that he was well content his father should haue 3000 florins yerely for his entertainment but he must depart out of the country and siegneury of Gelders and neuer enter more into it Duke Charles hearing these speeches and noting the cruelty of a sonne towards his father seemed so much incensed thereat as Adolph fearing his fury fled in a disguised habit thinking to saue him-selfe in Gelders but beeing knowne neere vnto Namur hee was taken and put in prison at Villevord from thence carried to Courtray where hee remayned till after the death of Duke Charles In the mean time the father to be reuēged of his son sought to dis-inherit him resigning his Duthcy of Gelders County of Zutphē vnto Duke Charles vppon certaine conditions By which resignation the Princes of the house of Austria haue so much pretended vnto the sayd Dutchy as in the end after the death of the last Duke Charles of Egmont they haue inioyed it although by right it should descend to VVilliam Duke of Cleues whome the Emperor forced to yeeld it vnto him And to return to Adolph he was freed from his prison at Courtray by the Ganthois who made him their Generall against the Frēch king Lewis the 11. where this vngrateful son was slaine before Tournay receiuing the fruits of his desert hauing bin so cruel to his father Duke Arnould dying afterwards at Graue he instituted vpō caution the said duke of Bourgongne to be his heyre dis-inheriting his son Adolph of the succession as contumax ingrat rebellious But the Geldrois refusing to accept of Duke Arnolds disposition testament the duke of Bourgongne went with a mighty army and by force took possession of the country receiuing their othes of fealty homage whervnto he forced the townes the Nobility of Gelders And the better to assure this new Estate he purchased from Gerard Duke of Iuilliers and his children all the interest they had or might hereafter pretend vnto the Duchie of Gelders This done hee sent Charles and Philip the sons of Adolph whome he had by a Princesse of the house of Bourbon to be bred vp in Flanders and by that meanes the Duke of Bourgongne remained in quiet possession of the Estate of Gelders and dying left the succession to his onely daughter and heyre who was married to the Emperor Maximillian but the Geldrois refusing to obey him he raised a mighty Army and came to Boisleduc where-with the Estates of Gelders being terrified they acknowledged him for their Prince in the right of his wife and did sweare obedience vnto him And so Maximillian gotte the quiet possession without any effusion of blood the which he inioyed vntil that Charles the sonne of Adolph who had bene taken prisoner with the Earle of Nassau in an incounter neere vnto Bethune by the French and afterwards by reason of his Allyance by the mothers side set at liberty with the helpe of the French King and his Kinsmen and friendes returned into Gelders with a small Army where without any resistance or difficulty hee was receiued by the people as their lawful Prince and numbred for the eight Duke of Gelders This Duke Charles of Egmont was in his time a valiant and warlike Prince making war against all his neighbors especially against Albert duke of Saxony feudatary of Freezland of Groning Gouernor of a part of the Netherlands for the Emperour Maximillian and the Arch-Duke Philip his sonne who marryed the Lady Ioane of Castile and was afterwards Queen of Spaine after the death of the King Don Ferdinand of Arragon and of Queene Issabelle of Castile her father and mother whereby the Realmes of Spaine came vnto the house of Austria and haue continued vnto this day The said Duke had also great warre against the Lieutenant of the Emperor Charles the fift sonne and successor to the said Arch-Duke Philip so as in the end there was a peace made betwixt them at Gorcum in the yeare 1528. and afterwards in the yeare 1536. there was an other generall peace made in the Towne of Graue The conditions whereof were in substance that Duke Charles of Egmont should hold the Dutchy of Gelders and the County of Zutphen in fee of the Emperor or Duke of Brabant and Earle of Holland for him and his lawful heirs But if hee dyed without issue his Estates and Seigneuries should accrue vnto the Emperor and his heirs This duke died without children in the yeare 1538. And so according to the said Accord and transaction and the rights which his great grandfather the Duke of Burgongne had gotten these countries should descend vnto the said Emperor But Iohn Duke of Iuilliers pretending an interest by reason of their ancient rights renounced and sold as we haue sayd by his Ancestors was not receiued by the Estates so that after the death of Duke Charles of Egmont the Cleuois had laboured to draw some by loue and others by force vnder the subiection of the King and to make them his vassals where-vppon they tooke armes against him And worshipping the sunne rising more then the sunne seting neglecting the old Duke they did chose and receiue his sonne William who was made sure to the daughter of the Duke of Albret and heire to the Crowne of Nauarre which election was confirmed and better established in the yeare of our Lord 1539. by the death of the said Duke Iohn at which time neither the Emperors title nor authority could preuaile any thing to make him to be acknowledged Lord of this Prouince But this was not all for the Emperor being in Spaine his countries were sodainly inuaded by the French King and this Duke William Where-vppon the Emperour beeing returned from his last vnfortunate voyage of Affricke hee went into the Netherlands with a mighty army and sodainly subdued in a a manner all the townes of the Dutchy of Cleues and Iuilliers and among others those of Duren Sittant Where-with Duke William being amazed and fearing this mighty enemy by the perswasion of the Princes of Germany his Allies he went and humbled him-selfe vnto the Emperor in the towne of Venlo to whom he was reconciled yeelding absolutely vnto him the said Dutchy of Gelders and Earldome of Zutphen renouncing also the league which hee had with the French King and
V ertutis decus ac munus spectabile Iussit M ateriem at linquo soribendi vatibus aâ—plaâ— A showre of gold fell once from Ioue men say M any commend Rhodes wealth Sicilia S ay diuers was the Store-house vnto Rome T rue once but Ceres now is hether come E uen she and all the Deities haue laid R itches on me Be euer ritch they said D rown'd is my seate thereof in fenny strand A nd on wood-piles doe all my buildings stand M y walls are washt with waues that ebbe and flow B ut from those waues doth mine aduancement grow E ach quarter of the world sends ships to me L aden with waues of worth for vse for eye G reat is my gaine by trades but greater yet I s that which by my vent of Corne I gette A ffrica Sicilia and the Idaean field S et paralels with me for that must yeeld S uch is my state recorded by fames hand T o be the Store house of all Netherland O f all things man doth need nay rathermore R itch needy here may all haue choyce and store E uen as the stomachs sole digestion H elps Mans whole forme with growth of flesh bone O ur worth thus tryde made Caesar set a Crowne V pon our sheeld as badge of due renowne S tay now no more but leaue against our will E ternâ—ll matter for a purer quill They of Amsterdam made a great present of money to the Emperor Maximillian the first of that name for the which hee graunted them leaue to beare an Imperiall Crowne vppon the Armes of their Citty a dignity neuer granted to any Towne before There is yet to bee seene in a glasse window of the old Church certaine purses painted with their mouths downeward scattering gold and siluer signifying this liberallity of the Amsterdammers All sorts of people of most nations haue recourse and free leaue to dwell in this towne as French GermaÌ„ Italian Spaniard Portugesse English Scottish Cymbrian Sarmatian Sueden Dane Norweghian Liflander and other of the Septentroniall parts At the same time or shortly after that the Anabaptists domineerd in Munster there was a commotion of the same kinde of people in this towne who one night after they had beene at their priuate assembly tooke armes and possest them-selues of the Market place and the Magistrates house killing some Burgesses and among the rest one Burguemaister but they were repulst and caused to flye some here and some there by Boates into Freezeland and other places Some of them both men and women as they ranne vppe and down the streetes all naked were taken and executed after diuers and sundry fashions An antient Cittizen of this towne hath also made these verses follow ing in honour of his country Haec illa est Battauae non vltima gloria gentis Amnis cui nomen cui cataracta dedit Dicta prius Dammum raris habitata colonis Cum contenta casis rustica vita fuit Hinc Amsterdamum iam facta celebrior atque Fortunae creuit tempore nomen item Vrbs bene nota prope atque procul dictant bus oris Dotibus innumeris suspicienda bonis Diues agri diues preciose vestis et auri Vt pleno cornu copia larga beet Quod Tagus atque Hermus vehit et Pactolus in vnum Verê huc congestum dixeris esse locum Belgiaes bright glory we this towne may call Which had the last name from the riuers fall VVhilom the name was Dam the people such As had they meat clothes thought they had much Hence hight it Amsterdam and with the name The Fortune hath increased and the fame T' is known vnto far Coastes and Continents And may be well so for the good it vents T is ritch in Corne in Coyne in Flesh in Fish And all aboundance that the world can wish Breefely it is so ritch it seemes to hold All Tagus Hermus and Pactolus gold Goude ALthough the Historiographers do dispute much about the name of this town some saying that it came froÌ„ a Lady so called heretofore inheritrix of it others from the golden leaues where-with the Steeple of their church was couered to shew their ritches and magnificence for Goude in the dutch tongue signifies gold yet it seemes to me most probable that it is deriued froÌ„ a certain water called Goude beginning from the sluce of Goude neere vnto Alphen where heretofore the Romains had their abode calling it Castra Albiniana running euen to the riuers of Yssule vppon the which at the entry of that water is the said town built It is a strong town populous and pleasant enuironed with goodly feelds farmes strong wals and deep ditches and within beautifully furnished with faire houses but especially vppon both sides of the hauen and the Market place Abounding in all sorts of victuals by reasoÌ„ of their commodious situation and the continual passing of such infinite number of shippes whereby they haue this aduantage by reason of their riuers and chanels that they may victual theÌ„-selues and serue the Prouinces of Holland Zealand Brabant others the greatest part of their wealth coÌ„ming in by that meanes The aire by reason it is far from the Sea is more healthsome then any other part of the Prouince there runs a chanell of fresh-water through euery streete of the towne by reason whereof here-tofore there hath beene in this towne 305. Brewers who serued all the rest of the Prouinces their beere being called for the goodnesse of it the renenew of Goude but the neighbour townes notwithstanding the goodnesse of it haue taken that commodity from them It hath a faire and spatious Market place in an Ouall forme and in the middest thereof a great and magnificent State-house which the Lady Iaquelin Countesse of Holland caused to be built when at the pursuit of Phillip Duke of Burgondy being abandoned by almost all the townes of Holland shee was forced to retyre to the Castle of this towne yet notwithstanding it seemes this State house was finished after her death in the yeare of our Lord 1440. I haue seene at the Hage a chaire of wood vpon the backe whereof their were two A. A. in gold and these words Trou aen din. These two A. A. signifie Gouda which is in Dutch A. of gold Trou aen din. faithful to thee which was the deuise of the said Countesse confessing that they of Gouda had beene alwayes faithfull and true vnto her vnder the State-house is the Shambles of the towne curiously seated vppon pillars not wrought by the hands of a simple Architect and on the backe part is a high place built vppon the like pillars which is the place of execution be it either beheading by the sword or otherwise The parish-Church of this towne is very magnificent esteemed to be greater then any one in the Netherlands exceeding both in length and greatnes the Archiepiscopal Church of Cologne passing al beleefe in the beauty of glasse windoes made
by two brothers borne in this towne whose equals in this art of painting haue not to this houre bin found The 12. of Ianuary 1552. the steeple of this Church was burnt by thunder and lightning of the date whereof D. Adrians Iuuius in his Batauia hath made this distique LVX bIssena fVIt IanI hora vespere nona CVM sacra IohannIS VVLCano CorpVII aedes The tWeLfth of IanVarâ—e SaInt Iohns SpIre At nIne a cLoCk was MVCH Impaird with fire The which mischieuous fire burnt nothing but the said steeple and a part of the church notwithstanding that it was enuiron'd with houses But about an hundreth yeares before in the yeare of our Lord 1438. the 18. of August vpon Saint Lewis his day the towne was wholy burnt except three houses vpon the Hauen the old ruines of them being yet to bee seene At this time the old charters and priuiledges of this towne were burnt wherevpon this distique was made FLetIbVs Id dIaICI qVIa GoVda Cre Mat LVdoWICI Sorrow allowde with sighes proclaimes That Lodowicks Goude is all on flames It is not long since that about halfe a league from the said towne were found diuers peeces of siluer with this circumscription on the one side HLVDOVICVS IMP. and on the other CXRISTIANA RELIGIO which seeme to haue beene coyned in the time of the Emperor Lewis the Debonaire the sonne of the Emperor Charlemaine and the Father of the Emperour Charlâ—s the bauld who after he had setled Christian religion in those parts gaue the Earldome of Holland to Thierry of Aquitaine the first of that name There is mention made in the ancient charters and priuiledges of this towne how Florentius the fift of that name Earle of Holland told a Knight called Nicholas van Cats that this towne had beginning in the yeare 1272. Others and among the rest Doctor Adrianus Iunius 1262. notwithstanding that the said towne hath beene knowne to haue beene long time before whereof many Gentlemen haue taken their names and chiefly among the rest Thiery Vander Goude one of the priuie councell to Earle William King of the Romaines and the priuiledges granted to them of Vtrecht in the yeare 1252. shew the like A quarter of a league out of the towne is yet to be seene the place where the Church stood and is commonly called the old Church-yard where during the Romish superstition they vsed to goe on procession in Rogation weeke and likewise a way called the old Goude But for that this place was too farre from the riuer of Issell the Inhabitants for their more commodity remooued from their former dwellings to the place where the Towne now stands The freedome and iurisdiction of this Towne at the beginning was no more then the compasse of it within the portes and walls with very little land without but was afterward in the yeare of our Lord 1484. much amplified by the Emperour Maximillian the first and the Arch-duke Philip his sonne with at least a league of land in compasse on both sides the riuer of Yssell The gouernment of this towne appertained heretofore to the Earles of Blois Lords of the same and was seated in the center or middest of the sayd Countie Iohn of Beaumont Earle of Blois by his wife was made Lord of it and Schoonhouen with their dependances by his brother William the Good Earle of Holland to augment his reuenews in the yeare 1306 who by the consent of his brother instituted the first payments and rights of customes with the houses and sluces where hee receiued his right hee inlarged and much beautified the Castle of the sayd towne the which long time after was chosen by the Estates of Holland as a place very strong for the keeping of the charters priuiledges and lawes of their Countie which Castle except the Tower where their charters were kept was in the yeare 1577. demolished at which time there were many others throwne downe in the Low-countries Iohn of Beaumont Lord of Blois died in the yeare 1456. leauing one onely sonne likewise named Iohn who being a Knight of the Teutonique or Dutch order went into Prussia against the Infidels and there died leauing two sonnes Iohn and Guy Earles of Bloys and of Soyson Iohn of Chastillon Lord of Goude riche and strong issued by his father from the Earles of Holland and by his mother from the Kings of France married Madam Mathilda Dutchesse of Gelders and Countesse of Zutphen at that time when the houses of Bronchorst and Heeckers assaied to shutte out the sayd Lady from her patrimoniall inheritance To remedie the which the Earle of Blois came into Geldres accompanied by many Lords and Knights and a good troope of souldiers besieging Wagheningen and Groensvoerdt which he tooke and afterwards in the right of the Lady his wife was receiued into Arnhem and acknowledged for Lord and Prince This Lord and Lady as Dukes of Gelders gaue priuiledge to the Citizens of Goude to saile with their Marchandize through-out the Dutchie of Geldres and Earledome of Zutphen freely without eyther taxe or toll This priuiledge was giuen in the towne of Arnham in the yeare of on Lord 1372. Iohn of Chastillion dyed in the yeare 1381. without children leauing all his goods to his brother Guy of Blois who married Mary the daughter of the Earle of Namur by whom hee had one sonne called Lewis Earle of Dunois who dyed young at Beaumont the two and twenty of December 1397. After whose death the right line of Iohn of Blois was extinct so that the Signeuries of Goude and Schoonhouen with their dependances which were called the Baliage of the countie of Blois returned to the country of Holland in the time of Albert of Bauaria notwithstanding Guy of Blois left a bastard called Iohn of Blois Lord of Treslon and Henault who as the historâ— of the Netherlands makes mention had by his wife six sons It is apparent that the townes of Goude Dordrecht Harlem Delft and Leyden with the Knights and nobles of the country represented the Estates of Holland and Westfreezeland long before the towne of Amsterdam was receiued for a member as it appeareth by diuers records and letters of state past vnder the seales of the said fiue townes together with the iniuries that they of Amsterdam haue done to them of Goude vpon the same The said towne of Goude for the good order which they haue alwaies held in discipline and Scholasticall instruction hath brought forth many great learned personages to their eternall fame as Henry and Iohn of Goude whom Trithemius Abbot of Spanheim puts in ranke of the rarest writers William Herman of Goude whom Erasmus Roterodamus in his Epistles calls his delight a most excellent Poet and Historiographer Hermanus Goudanus a great Diuine Iacobus Goudanus a famous Poet Thâ—odorus Gerardi Reinerius Suoy a Phiâ—â—ion and historiographer who haue all written learned workes worthy to be consecrated to posterity But Cornelius Aurelius likewise borne in this towne surpast them all in
Cromer in his Chronicle of Poland writes that in Cracouia in the yeare 1269. the wife of the Earle Buboslas was deliuered of sixe and thirty children all liuing the which is against all the rules of Phisick and naturall Philosophy yea against the course of nature it selfe yet there is no rule but hath some exception whereas the grace or diuine vengeance interposeth it selfe the which ouer-rules Nature and the force of the Elements VLAERDINGHE ALthough this bee but a Borroughe at this day yet it is put in the first ranke of all the walled townes of Holland the riuer of Meuse vpon whose bankes it stands hauing in a manner eaten it vp with the castle and by great tempests driuen it into the sea Thierry of Wasenare doth maintaine that it ought be called Verdinge by reason of the tolle which doth yet belong vnto the Lords of Wassenare where they did bargaine as well as they could it is two leagues distant as well from Delfe as Rotterdam SEVENBERGHE THis towne is seated vpon the riuer of Mâ—ruve three leagues beneath Gheertruydenberghe and as much from Breda The towne lies open it is small but reasonable good where there was a mighty fort during all the time of the last troubles the which was held by a garrison for the vnited Estates It belongs now to the Earle of Aremberghe who hath liberty from the Estates that paying contribution it shall remaineneuter as it hath done All the aboue named townes although they bee not so great as those of Brabant and Flanders yet they are not much inferior beeing for the most part greater by the halfe stronger and better peopled then they were thirty yeares since so as they which haue not beene there since especially in Amsterdam will not know it Of all these townes there are fiue which should bee held for Bourroughs whereof wee will presently speake some thing that is to say the Hage which deserues well the name of a towne Vlaerdinghe Seuenbergh Muyden and Voorn yet there is an other towne not walled in called GOEREE WHich I finde to bee the last of the townes of Holland it is situated in a little Iland inhabited for the most part by fishermen and makers of nets which is their greatest labour and trafficke it hath as good and as deepe a roade as any is in Holland where as great shippes which go long voiages cast anchor attending their last prouision and a good winde This place hath of late yeares beene spoiled by the garrisons of Woude and Hulst as also Hellevooet-sluys opposite vnto it which is the Sluse of the Iland of Voorn on that side towards the sea whereas Bryle lies on the other side vpon the gulphe of the riuer which they call the old Meuse BEVERWYCK THis word is as much to say as a retreate for Baâ—arians for it seemeth that the Kings of France hauing subdued Holland did diuide the inheritances of the countrie amongst their olde souldiars whether they should retire themselues and inhabit the which they did distribute by nations This Bourg is two leagues from Harlem vpon the riuer of Tye not aboue two thousand paces distant from the sea it is well built and hath goodly farmes about it The Noblest of all Borroughes and Villages ending in Wyck is Calwyck whereof there are two the one vppon the sea and the other farther vppe into the countrie which haue beene built by the Cattes fathers to the Battauians or Hollanders who following their Prince Batto went and seated themselues neere vnto the gulphe whereas the Rhine dischargeth it selfe into the sea which place by reason of the commodity of the situation hath beene heretofore ample spatious and verie fit to receiue shippes and marchandise but diuers times destroyed and ruined by the incursions of Barbarians and Pirats Besides there is Suydwyck neere to Wassenare where there is a Mil vpoÌ„ the South side the which by a breuiation they call Suyck then there is Noortwyck on the North side to the which it seemes that the Normans which came out of Denmarke and Suedland gaue the name whereof that worthy man Ianus Douza was Lord and left it to his children Then haue you Osterwyck which some hold was inhabited by the Vandales or Esterlings vnlesse that â—oppo Lord of Arckel gaue it the name of Esterwyck Then is there Naeldwycke wherof the Lords of the direct line are dead and now it belongs vnto the Earle of Arembergh where there is a Chanonry Martin van Dorp a great diuine and a Poet was borne there After it is Riswyck nere vnto the Hage Stolwyck famous for the good cheese which is made there nere vnto Goude Bleyswyck belonging vnto the Siegnior of Bronckhurst Brerdwyck beeing so called of the Bardes Gaules or of the Lombards a people of Germanie Brandwyck Schalcwyck and Hontwyck whereof it were hard to write the etimologies beginnings NIEVPORT IS on the other bancke of the riuer of Leck right against Schoonhoven It hath beene in former times a good towne but as the condition of humaine things is frayle and transitorie it seemes that the spoyles of Barbarous nations the intestine warres which they haue had in Holland hath brought it to decay yet it is still a good Borrough SCAGE IT is a good Bourg well built like vnto a towne the market place is made of a triangle forme and goes into three streetes where there are little passages from the one to the other It hath the best most frutfull soyle of all Holland both for tillage and pasture the Bourgers are verie rich There is a goodly castle all which belongs vnto the Siegnior of Scagen and Barchom who descends from Duke Albertus of Bauaria Earle of Holland It were an infinite thing to describe the other Bourgs and Villages of the sayd county the which we will omit and speake something of the castles as well of those which haue beene ruined during the factions of the Hoocs Cabillaux as of the rest which are yet standing Among those which are ruined are the castles of Brederode halfe a league from Harlem and of Egmont being 5000. paces from Alcmar It was first ruined long since and afterwards in the last troubles in reuenge that the Earle of Egmont the father left the Noblemen of the Netherlands who had entred into league against the Duke of Alua the which cost him his head and for that the sonnes in steede of reuenging the ignominious death of their father followed the Spaniards party Then is the castle of Teylingen where as the Countesse Iaqueline tooke great delight betwixt Leyden and Harlem ruined also nere vnto the walls but it might be easily repaired On the other side of the town of Schoonhouen is the great and mighty castle of Lysfeldt nere vnto the bankes of the riuer of Leck belonging vnto the Duke of Brunswyck if of late yeares hee had not exchanged it together with the towne of Woerden with Philippe Earle of Hohenlo At Vianen there is also a faire
bee filled with buildings The rampars of these new workes are but of earth with mightie bulwarks flanking one another where there is alwaies something to repaire At the same time when as these workes were made the Magistrate caused the Steeple of the Abbaie Church to bee new built vp whereas they now keepe the Court of Zealand they haue drawne a â—ell vppe into this steeple of eighteene thousand waight to strike the houres on and some 24. small ones which serue for the chyme but this steeple is fallen crooked else it were one of the goodlyest peeces in the whole country The Court which was wont to bee an Abbaie is faire and spatious and is the lodging of Princes when they come into Zealand There the Councellors of Estate for the Countie are established as also for the Admiralty the Chamber of account and the Treasor The Admirall and in a manner all the Councellors are well lodged there This house was founded by Goudebault the three and twentith Bishoppe of Vtrecht and afterwardes amplyfied and in a manner built a new by Cont Wiliam King of the Romaines who lyes there interred with Queene Elizabeth his wife the foundation was made in the yeare one thousand two hundred fifty sixe The towne is good of it selfe faire and neate and of great trafficke which the Gallies of Spaine which came to Scluse vnder the commaund of Dom Frederic Spinola restrained for a time But since they haue vndertakeÌ„ long voiages to the East West Indies as wel as the Hollanders froÌ„ whence they draw great commodities withal since the taking of the Scluse the said galleis being falne into the Estates handsthey are no more anoied neither haue they any more feare on that side this town alone hath the right of the staple for all wines that come froÌ„ FraÌ„ce Spain Portugal Candy the Canaries other places by sea not many years since they purchased the Towne of Arnemuyden being then but a Bourg in regard of their roades and the Salt-pits the which they had good cheap from the Proprietary But this sale was afterwards changed as we wil shew in the description of the towne of Arnemuyden In this towne the ordinary Soueraigne Iudge doth commonly remaine they call him the Receiuer of Beuerslersheldt to whom all commandements come from the higher powers for the execution of iustice by the sword in his precinct Many learned excel ent men were borne in this towne Among others Paul surnamed of Middelbourg a famous Mathematician who for his great knowledge was called to Rome and presently made a Bishop Then Nicholas Euerardi a great Lawyer and well seene in matters of State President of the Prouincial Councel of Holland and afterwards of the Parliament or great Councell of Macklin where he died in the yeare 1532. leauing many children all men of qualitie worthy of such a Father The first was Peter Nicholai Doctor of Diuinity and Ciuill Law Prelat of the Abbay of Middelbourg The second was Euerardi Nicholai a Licentiat in the lawes who was President of the Councel in Friesland afterterwardes as the father of the great Councel at Macklin wher he died in the yeare 1560. The third was Nicholas Nicolai Licentiat in the lawes very learned in al faculties a good Poet Historiographer which aduanced him â—o be Councellor to the King of Spaine and Register of the order of the golden fleece The fourth was Adrian Nicolai who was Chancellor of Geldres The fift was Iohn Nicolai surnamed the second who was an excellent Poet giuing great hope of him but death preuented him in his course Veere or Camp-veere VEere or Camp-veere is a good Sea-towne one of the foure of the Iland of Walchren it retaines this name of the passage it was wont to haue vnto the Village of Campe in the Iland of Northbeuelandt right against it Which Village within these ten yeares with the whole Iland hath beene recouered from the Inondation which happened in the yeare one thousand fiue hundred twentie foure This town was in the yeare one thousand three hundred sixtie eight walled in by the Lord of Borsell Being since made greater it was endowed with goodly priuâ—lidges so as in the time of Maximillian of Bourgongne their Lord it was made a Marquisate And for the commoditie of the feat the goodnesse of the hauen and of the road it was frequented by many nations They were the first that sent vnto the Canaries from whence they brought in the yeare 1508. a shippe laden with sugar They haue trade into France where they haue priuiledge of Franche Grue that is to say free lading and vnlading In like manner into the East-countries they had liberty to traffick before that the townes of Antwerp and Amsterdam had any trade thether As also into Scotland the Scotishmen hauing many yeares since held their staple there for diuers sorts of Marchandize as they do at this day for their cloth and frizes and for their Salt-fish This towne hath also the fishing for herring wherof there is a staple and the marke is well knowne in diuers Kingdomes where the Bourgers trafficke most as to Spaine France and other countries and of late yeares they haue trade to the East VVest-Indies This towne was in the old time honoured with the Residence of the Admirall Generall and the Admiraltie of the Netherlands To which end the King of Spaine as Prince of the said countries caused a goodly Arcenall or Magasin for munition to bee built in the yeare 1568. wherein they laid all their prouision and furniture belonging to the sea The Inhabitants of this towne are growne ciuill and curteous by the daily frequentation of their Lordes and their Attendants keeping their Court within an arrow shotte of the Towne at the goodly castle of Sanderburg which is quite ruined in these last troubles as being too neere a neighbor vnto the towne This Marquisat was sold by decree for the debts of the said Marquis Mazimillian which Philip King of Spaine caused to be bought in his name But when the creditors were not paid it was sold again and bought by the Prince of Orange who to the great contentment of the Burgers and all the subiectes receiued the possession in the yeare one thousand fiue hundred eighty one giuing them goodly priuiledges with high and base Iustice in nine Villages depending thereon whereof Oest capel is one By the death of which Prince and by his Testament the most worthie Prince Maurice of Nassau Gouernor Captaine Admiral general of the vnited Prouinces his son was left heire of the said Marquisat and put in posssion in the yeare one thousand fiue hundred eighty eight and in the yeare after of that of Flissinghe Besides other particularities one thing is specially to be noted that the Magistrate of this towne neuer shewed any rigor against them of the reformed religion yea hath alwaies fauoured and supported them as much as he might so as in the beginning of the
castle belonging to the Lord of Brederode as wee haue sayd with that of Ameden which is betwixt Viane and Nieuport on the same side Wee haue heretofore made mention of the castles of Woerden Goude Gorchom Medenblyke and Muyden There is neere vnto the towne of Alcmar the castle of Assenburg which is the place of the Lord of Assendelf who hath an other castle nere vnto Rotterdam called Hemingen The castle of Abcoude is one of the Noblest and most antient betwixt Leyden and Vtrecht there is a remainder of a little castle neere vnto Hemskerke seated vpon a hill with foure towers the which for the hight doth some times serue as a sea-marke vnto Mariners Those of the house of Adrichom had a castle neere vnto Beuerwyke which the Frisons did raze and ruine with the ruines whereof the Siegnior Antony Vander Bâ—rcht heire of that place by his mother hath caused a house and a farme to bee built there all walled about The old castle of Riuiere nere vnto Schiedam as wee haue sayd doth belong vnto the Siegniors of Matenesse After it is Kenebourg belonging vnto Iames of Egmont van Merensteyn or to his heires Then Mereburg to the Siegnior of Lochorst and the castle of Duyuen nere vnto Seuenhuysen to the Siegnior of Sprangen There was nere vnto the Hage not farre from Voorburg a castle called Elin at this present wholie ruined The ruines of the castle and temple of Hildegarde within a league of Rotterdam are yet to bee seene vpon a high eminent place whereas in old time there kept one Hildegarde a kinde of Sibille or diuine whose Oracles did represent the times which wee haue now seene in Holland There yet remaines a tower all tattered the ground of which castle is the inheritance of the house of Matenesse Within the compasse of the walles of Rotterdam there is to be seene the ruines of Bulgestein and of the castle of Veen which they call Thoff that is to say the Court so as the gate which is set in that place is called the Hoff-port You may see vpon the riuer of Schye the remainders of the castle of Sterrâ—burg the which belongs vnto the Siegnorie of Duyvenvorde there was also in former times an old castle in the village of Capelle whereof the ruines are yet to bee seene it comes from the house of Naeldwycke and doth now belong to the Earles of Aremberghe The castle of Hodenpyle in the iurisdiction of Vlaerdinghe is quite downe The like hath happened to the castle of Polanen the which did belong vnto one of the noblest families of Holland All these ruines happened during their cursed factions of Hoecks Cabillaux wherof these Noblemen were the chiefe supporters taking a diuilish delight to ruine one an others houses yea in townes the strongest factions of the Bourgers chasing awaie the others which factions continued not much lesse then two hundred yeares The castle of Velsen for that Gerarde van Velsen Knight had murthered Floris the fift Earle of Holland was in like manner ruined nothing remayning but certaine old peeces of walles the ground whereof belongs vnto the heires of Ianus Douza Siegnior of Nortwyck nerevnto which ruines Adrian Groeneveen a rich Bourger of Harlem hath built a faire house with large ditches almost like vnto a castle Sandenburg which was a castle of the Earles of Holland after that the Court had beene transported from Grauesandt to the Hage by Count William King of Romaines was also ruined and so remaines The like happened to the castle of Zyle in old time called Thoff van Zyle The castle Ter Does had beene also ruined but within these foureteene or fifteene yeares it hath beene repaired Altena that is to say to nere so called for that it was feared by them of Delfe by reason of the fort beeing neighbour vnto them belongs to them of Almonde Croeswyck on the other side of the riuer of Rotter and Croelinghen halfe a quarter of a league from Rotterdam are also ruined but if the Signior of Croelinghen had a good purse it should bee soone repaired Louestin right against Worcom and Henselaers-Dyck neere vnto Naeld-Wyck are yet in being Of the Nobility of Holland I Will content my selfe with that which diuers Authors haue written touching Nobilitie how it is pourchased and maintained what the dutie is and wherein true Nobilitie consists who desiers to be instructed let him read Adrianus Iunius in his Battauia in the chapter De Nobilitate Batauica But I will here relate succinctly what the ancient Nobilitie of Holland was how it came to decline and what hath remained The ancient Nobilitie of Battauia or Holland tooke their greatest exercises in Armes by the which they sought the degrees of honour for as Tacitus saith Vt Gallos pro libertate Germanos pro praeda ita Batauos pro gloria ad capessendam pugnam olim fuisse instigatos As the Gaules for libertie the Germaines for prey so the Battauians were in old time prouoked to enter battaile for the desire of glorie They were most commonly the best mounted and had the fairest and most resolute troupes of horse that serued vnder the Romaine Emperors After that Holland had a particular Prince beginning with Thierry of Aquitane their first Earle the Nobility of Holland began to shew them selues so they grew to haue many great and worthy families a great number of gentlemen who had pourchased their nobility either from their Ancestors or by their own vertues and prowesse But I cannot but lament that so many great noble riche and mightie families are now extinct as well by their intestine warres against the Frisons as against strangers for which consideration the heyres males fayling the successions fell to the women and so came to other families besides the furie of Gerard van Velsen had many companions all which were put to death and their neerest kinsmen pursued to the death euen vnto the ninth degree a most cruell reuenge and such as could escape were forced to become vagabonds in forraine countries such as had hidden themselues vntill this furious reuenge was past were afterwards forced to take borrowed names of other families and to leaue their owne To come then to that which remaines and to those which are past We will say that the house of Wassenare as wee haue said else-where was the most ancient of Holland as it appeares by this common prouerbe Vassenare the most ancient Brederode the most noble for that they descend from the first Earles and Egmond the most rich Wee haue scene in this last age Iohn of Wasenare the subduer of the Frisons a braue and valiant Knight who was slaine in those warres leauing one onely daughter and heire married to the Earle of Lingue whereby this familie and surname is extinct The memorie of the house of Brederode may easily be found in the Annales of Holland being come from Ziphard the second sonne of Arnulph the third Earle of Holland and Zealand who to auoyd his fathers