Boroughmaisters the Skepons the Treasurers the Receiuers the olde Deputies the chiefe Burgesses the Duartermaysters the Wardens the Auncientes of the Handicraftes the Coloâ—lles the Wardens of the â—wyldes the capteynes of the citie your Highnesses most humble and obedient subiectes are exceeding glad to see that you whome they haue alreadie receyued for Duke of Brabande and for their souereigne Lorde and Prince are ready to make your othe vnto this Citie and to receyue it at the hande of the Magistrates Burgesses and Citizens thereof in respect of the Citie it selfe and of the Marquesdome of the sacred Empyre Assuring them selues that your heighnesse wilbe vnto them a good righteous and lawfull Prince to gouerne them according to their fraunchises Lawes and Customes And promising mutually on their behalfe to your heighnesse to bee good loyal and faythful subiects vnto you to spend all their goodes yea and their liues in your seruice and in the maintenaunce of your dignitie rightes and preheminences And like as God hath put into your highnes minde to take vpon you first the protection and defence and secondly the whole Souereigntie of the Low Countries and Prouinces which haue entred into league with you vpon hope that the same God will of his gratious goodnesse and mercie so blesse and prosper your dealings and enterprises as that they shall out of hand see the effecte of that communication in the hyest degree to the accomplishment of your royall and Heroycall desires both in the generall and also in the particular delyueraunce of the Countrey from the calamities and miseries of war wherby they shall haue the better cause to acknoweledge the great goodturnes and benefites receiued at your heighnesse hand and to honour loue and serue you as the very Protector of the land and father of their Countrey When Uanderwerk had made an end and the Dukes heighnes had aunswered him conformably to that which hee had spoken without the Towne the said Uanderwerk told the people alowd y t the Duke was ready to take receiue his oth at y t hand of the Magistrate of al the people Inhabiters of the Citie of Antwerp And that god had vouchsafed to seÌ„d theÌ„ a Prince of so rare and heroycall vertues of so great puissaunce and the onely brother of so great a king that they might well hope that the same God would inable him to ridde these Countries within a while from the great number of calamities and myseries wherewith they were oppressed And forasmuch as his heighnesse had beene receyued with solempne delyberation of the states confederate yea and with solemne resolution of all the members of that Citie and GOD had commaunded men to loue honour and obey their Princes he exhorted the people to yeelde him all humble obedience according to Gods commaundement To which intent the oth as well which his highnesse should make to the people as which the people shoulde make to his highnes should be read vnto theÌ„ Praying God to giue such grace vnto his heighnes as he folowing the same might wel rule gouerne and vnto the Burgesses and Citizens of Antwerp as they might perform their obedience like good loyall and faythfull subiects that Gods name might be sanctified to the benefit prosperitie and safegarde of the Citie and to the great increase of the Dukes puyssaunce honour and glory Then the same Underwerk red the othe which was to be made by the Duke with the style of the Duke of Brabande and all his other tytles Which oth was red to his heighnes in French and receyued by Syr Philip Schonehouen Lorde of Wanâ—roe Borowhmayster without the Citie Which being don y â— said Uanderwerk red y â— oth which the Magistrate people were to make which was repeated word for worde by the Magistrates and a great number of people which were within the hearing of it And this oth was exacted of the Magistrate and people of Antwerpe by the Amptman in the name and by the commaundemente of the Duke Uppon the finishing of these solemnities the Duke himselfe did cast twoor three handfulles of golde and siluer amonge them and then the Herauldes cryed Alargesse and the trumpettes and drummes were sounded euerye where and many instruments of musicke were played vpon as had beene doone afore at his first arryuall When he was come downe from the scaffolde hee wente into the Townehouse with all the Princes Lordes and Gentlemen which were verye manye where he was receyued by the Worshipfull of the Citie and dyned openly at a very sumptuous and royall feast prepared for him and so that daye passed in great ioye contentation and admiration as wel of his heighnesse and his company as of all the reste of the people Towards night were shot off two peales of great ordinance againe and the fires of ioye were continueâ— much greater and mo in number thaâ— afore Thus ended the ioyefull and royall enterteinement of the right noble Prince Frauncis Sonne brother to the kings of France by the grace of God Duke of Braband The rest of the weeke and the daies following the Lordes of the priuy Counsell the Offycers of the Aydes of the Exchecquers of the câ—ambers of the accountes and of the other Corporations Colleges and CoÌ„munalties came to visit his heighnesse and to offer him their humble seruice promising al faythfulnes and obedience All whome hee receyued verye gratiously to their contentation aunswering them so aduisedly with so good grace and fitnesse without omitting anye poynte of that which hee had purposed that all men not onely wondered at him but also were inforced to honour and loue him and to set forth his prayses among the people Fynally the Deputies of the reformed Churches of both the languages being presented vnto him by the Prince of Orendge were gently heard and they spake vnto him as followeth Syr wee be sent vnto your Heighnesse by the reformed Churches of this Citie as well of the language of Lowe Duchland as of the French to shew vnto you with all humilitie reuerence and subiection that wee haue thanked and still doe thanke God with all our heart for voutsafing too bring your heighnes so happily hyther And this our ioy is matched with the toy of all other folkes as wee hope your heighnes hath vnderstoode by the glad and ioyfull receiuing and entertayning of you Also Syr we hope that as the great honour and felicitie which these Countries haue attayned vnto wherein few Countries are able to match them haue beene purchased vnder the souereignetie and gouernmente of the right renoâ—ed Princes the Dukes of Burgoyn which issued out of the most noble house of Fraunce so vnder your guiding and gouernement being of the same house the auncient renoume of the same dignitie shalbe recouered by your prowesse and mayntained by your wisdome It is little more than three hundred yeares agoe that these Countries being gouerned by sundry Dukes Earles and Lordes had not atteyned the renoume which other nations
resolued by her Maiestie and his highnes that the Mounsire shoulde depart Wherevpon the Queene calling the Lord Haward commaÌ„ded him for the Erle of Lincolne the high Admirall of England was theÌ„ sicke to take vpon him y e charge of the Admiralship and to goe to Rochester there to chooze vessels meete for the transporting of the Mounsire and his traine and to furnish them with men of warre Marriners and all maner of necessaries as well of warre as of vittels Which thing was done with such diligence and speede that the ships being readie with all thinges in lesse then eyght dayes passed out of the riuer of Rochester and the Thames and were conueyed to the Downes nere to the town of Sandwich where y â— MouÌ„sire was to take shipping And forasmuchas y e Mounsire came into Englande accompanied but with a fewe princes and Lordes and they also had left their traine in France some of the same Lords were sent backe againe afterward by his commandement for his seruice The Qneene determined to giue him a companie traine meet for his greatnes taking his iourney about so great and noble exployt And therefore shee commaunded the Erle of Leycester master of the Horses the Lorde of Hunsdon gouernour of Barwicke her Maiesties neare kinnesman the L. Hawarde the Uiceadmirall of whom the first two were of her priuie Counsell al three were Knightes of the order of the Garter to attende vpon him and to assemble as great a number of Englishe Lordes and Gentlemen as coulde bee gotten in so litle time to honour him withall Whereunto the saide Lordes obeyed verie willingly and there went with them to accompany them the Lord Willowghbie the Lorde Windsore the Lorde Sheffeelde the Lorde Hawarde and the Lord Awdley second sonne to the late Duke of Norffolke master Sydney Nephewe to the forenamed Erle of Leycester sir George Caree and master Iohn and Robert Caree all three sonnes of the saide Lord of Hunsdon master William Hawarde brother of the said Lorde Haward sir Thomas Shorley sir Iohn Parrat sir William Russell sir William Drurie and sir George Bowser Knightes and a great number of other Gentlemen so as the whole traine that attended vpon the said Erle was to the number of a hundred Gentlemen and of mo than three hundred Seruingmen The Lord of Hunsdon had of Gentlemen and others together to the number of a hundred and fiftie and the Lorde Hawarde had as many The Queene determined to accompanie the Mounsire to the seas side and yet neuerthelesse commaunded the said Lords to keepe their course and to attende vpon his highnes to the said place with all maner of solemnities interteynments and feastings Hee on the other side desired and besought her Maiestie not to depart out of London as well for that the iourney would be painefull vnto her as for that he sawe the wether fayre and winde fauourable and therefore was loth to loose any occasion of perfourming his voyage withal speede But hee coulde not preuaile Wherevpon her Maiestie tooke her iourney with her whole Court the first day of Februarie and lodged that night at Rochester The next day abiding stil at Rochester her Maiestie shewed him all her great ships w t were in that place into most whereof his highnesse and the Prince and Lordes of his trayne entered not without great admiration of the Frenche Lordes and Gentlemen who confessed that of good right the Queene of Englande was reported to bee Ladie of the Seas Also he behilde howe all those shippes were ready furnished and well appointed And her Maiestie tolde him that al those vessels and the furniture of them shoulde doe him seruice whensoeuer he would imploy them For the which he humbly thanked her Maiestie and so after all the great ordinance had bin shot of they returned for y t day againe to Rochester The third day they went to Sittingboorne where dining both together the Queene was serued after the Englishe maner by the greatest Ladies of her Court and the Mounsire after the Frenche maner by the Gentlemen of his traine which Ladies and GentlemeÌ„ dined afterward togithers Then his highnesse be sought her Maiestie againe to goe no further declaring vnto her that the fayre wether pas sed away But notwithstanding his intreatance the Queene weÌ„t on still to Cauntorburie At which place after one dayes tarriance when shee had openly feasted all the Frenche Nobilitie eyther parte tooke their leaue of other not without great greefe and shewe â—f verie great amitie specially betweene her Maiestie and the Mounsire Whiche thing was perceiued also in the Lordes and Gentlemen of both the nations and likewise in the Ladies to all whom it was like greefe to depart after they had been conuersant and had liued friendly and brotherlie together by the space of three monethes without any change or alteration of their good willes But the honour which inforced his highnesse asswaged his griefe and made him to proceede on his iorney with the said Prince and Lords of both the nations The sixt day of the same moneth whereas hee was determined to haue taken shippe hee was counseled to lodge that night at Sandwiche because the winde was somewhat changed Howebeit some of the Englishe Gentlemen namely master Killegrey master Dier and others to eschewe thronging at their imbarking went to Douer there taking shipp the same night lay a while at anker and somewhat after midnight sailed away with certain other vessels The seuenth day in the morning about ix of the cloke his highnesse tooke the sea in three great ships of war In y â— greatest of theÌ„ named The Discouerer sailed the MouÌ„sire himselfe with the Erle of Leycester and the Lorde Hawarde the Uiceadmirall In the seconde called the Sentinell went the Prince Daulphin and in the thirde went the countie of Lauall and the Lord of Hunsdon Nowe as his highnes was yet at anker there came a poste from a Lord of Englande who brought him worde that the States of the lowe Countreys were reuolted and namely the citie of Antwerpe and therefore he prayed him not to depart vntill he had more certayne newes Notwithstanding this his highnes determined to depart and so sayled away with fifteene shippes and hee had so fayre a weather whiche continued euen vntill after his entering into Antwerpe and his feasting solemne entertainement there that the heauen the windes the sea and the earth seemed all to fauour his voyage to further y â— gladnesse which the people shewed in receyuing him with so great good-will In the meane time the Prince of Orange seeing the time fit departed from Middleborowgh where hee had taryed the Mounsires comming sixe weekes and more and came to Flushing to take order for althings that were requisite for the honourable and commodious interteyning of so great a Prince At y â— which place vnderstanding by the letters of the saide Lords Ambassadors others that the Mounsire
being there might at one time view both the Citie and the Castle and behold the Counterskarfes the deepe Ditches full of fayre water cleere to the verye bottome of the chanell inclozed on eyther syde with heawen stone the great and fayre buildinges the goodly walles beawtifull to looke on and very thicke and the broade Rampyres garnished with trees planted by hande that it resembled a litle forest The Mounsire was brought vp to this Theatre accompanied with y â— prince Daulphin the only sonne of y e duke of Mountpanuser the Erle of Leycester and other English Lords representing the Queene of Englande the Princes of Orendge and Espinoy the countie de Lauall the other english Lords the Countie de Chateauroux and a great sort of other barons lords gentlemen besids the chiefe Magistrates and Maisters of the companies of the Citie of Antwerpe The Lordes of the State of Brabande waiting vpon the Theatre came duetifully downe to go meete his highnesse which thing hee perceiuing did stand still Then the prince of Orendge stepped foorth to take his place among the States as one of the chiefe Lordes and Barons of the Duchie of Brabande As soone as they had saluted his highnesse and with great humblenesse kissed his hande they mounted vp the steppes againe with him after whom followed the Princes and Lordes of Fraunce and Englande and when they were come vp aboue they raunged themselues on eyther side There was set for the Mounsire a chayre couered with cloth of gold wherin he sat him down And vpoÌ„ y â— theatre there was likewise a trauers of cloth of Golde al the Theatre was couered w t Tapistrie On the front of the Theatre on the highest part thereof were the armes of the Marquesship of the holy Empyre and a little beneath them on the ryghte hande stoode the armes of Brabande with a wreath of fruites and on the left hand stoode the armes of the Citie of Antwery Also there were set vp twoo banners of â—ilke azured with the armes of Aniow and in one partition were written these verses O Noble prince whose footsteps faith and gentlensse preserue Receiue thou heere the honour which thy vertue dooth deserue That these Lowe Countries may at length take breath by meaues of thee And thou a father to vs all in name and doings be Aâ—er that euery man had taken his place and silence was made the States of Braband began their Orarion by the mouth of Mounâ— de â—esseiles doctour of both the lawes Secretarie to the said estates and one of their Counsell the summe whereof was that the Barons noblemen and deputies of the chiefe cities and of the other good Townes representing the states of the Duchie and country of Braband hauing now the good hap too see among them and to beholde face to face the prince in whom next vnto God they had wholly set the hope of their deliuerance and of the stablishing of their auncient rest and liberty Did highly thanke the almightie Lord which had shewed them that fauour taking it for an assured warrant that hee of his infinite goodnes and prouidence had not forgotteÌ„ nor forsakeÌ„ their iust quarel but had choseÌ„ his high nes too bee the defender of his people and the administrer of his iustice too the ende that too Gods glorie and to his owne honour and renowme the stormes of al troubles and of al other thinges that anoyed their estate might by the beames of his princely maiestie wisedome and prowesse bee chaced away and the â—ightues of their former prosperitie heretofore knowne to all nations be made to spring vp and shine foorth againe In respect wherof they gaue his highnes most humble thanks for the singuler loue and good wil which he of his owne onely motion and princely disposition had voutsafed to continue towardes them vnto that instant notwithstanding all y e crosse dealinges and practises that cunning heades coulde skill to put foorth to the hinderaunce of their affaires forasmuch as they were not ignoraunt that for their calamities and miseries sakes nothing coulde haue fallen in whiche coulde haue made more to the fauour and furtherance of their case Which thing they had esteemed would esteeme for euer as a peerelesse president of his incomparable stayednesse and rare constancie for the which and for the great number of his other benefites and gracious dealings towardes them they were and euer shoulde be bounde to acknowledge themselues indetted to his highnesse with all faithfull obedience and were ready that day by Gods grace to submit themselues to him as his humble vassalles and subectes And although they doubted not but that his highnes did well vnderstande and was fully satisfied not onely of the generall causes which had vniuersally moued the states of the Prouinces of the Lowe Countreys together to sewe to him for succour and to put theÌ„ selues into his hands but also of the particular causes which the states of that Duchie and countrie of Brabande had to renownce their obedience to the King of Spaine Yet notwithstanding to the intent to put his highnesse in remembraunce thereof and to confirme that sacred resolution and high interprise of his builded therevpon and moreouer to yeeld some reason of all their doings to the Princes and Noblemen and to the rest of that whole company who for the honour of his highnesse were come thither of courtesâ—e to further the solemnity of his interteinment to the intent y t at this his repaire thither which alwayes was called ioyfull they might vtter the more good will and gladnesse of heart they would say no more but this that as long as the Dukes of Brabande specially since the falling of that duchy into the hands of the Dukes of Burgoyne and other the famous Auncetours of his highnes gaue themselues to the gouerning of their subiects by them selues thereby making it to appeare that they loued them and were not carelesse of them they reaped so great commodities and notable seruices at their handes that their names puissances became oftentimes renowmed yea and sometimes dreadfull toâ— the greatest Monarkes kings and common-weales of Christendome whereof their wars and conquestes made proofe howbeit that of those thinges as of matters familiarly known by the histories it was not requisite to make discourse in that place and time whiche were appointed to greater matters But after that their Dukes and princes eyther by other alluremeÌ„ts or being w theld in their other couÌ„try and Sentories begaÌ„ to leaue them for a time and afterward at length to forget them abandoning them to the pleasure and willes and sometimes also to the lust and couetousnes of their vnder officers wherof the king of Spain had lastly finished and perfected vp the work leauing them disdainefully as husbandlesse fatherlesse vtterly destitute of his presence by the space of twentie yeres It came to passe that hauing altered chaunged almost all the whole state of the countrye committed the offices
Braband of olde time Wherevntoo when his highnesse had agreed the Prince did first put vpon him the sayde mantle and fastening the button thereof sayd theis wordes My Lord you must keepe this button fast clozed that no man may pull your mantle from you And then he set the bonnet vppon his head and sayde vnto him Sir I pray God you may well keepe this attyre for nowe you may well assure your selfe that you be Duke of Braband Then the saide Hesselles tolde him howe the custome required that the States shoulde presentlie bee sworne too him ageine to yeelde him fealtie Wherevppon he vttered to the people the forme of the othe and then the saide Chauncelor required it of the Barons noblemen and deputies and they pronounced it after him according too the manner of the former othes reuerently doing againe their homage promising their fealtie and obedience After the taking of the othes on both sides as well by the Mounsire as by the States of Brabande whyle his highnesse was yet still in his robes of estate the Magistrates of Antwerpe commaunded their Recorder and Counseller Master Uanderwerck too come vp vpon the stage to make him an offer of the Marqueshipp of the sacred Empyre in the name of the citie of Antwerp Which thing he did as followeth Most gracious Lord and Prince the Markgraue Amptman Boroughmaisters Skepons the Treasurers and Receiuers y â— cheefe Burgesses and Quartermaisters the Wardens and auncientes of the Handycraftes togither with the Colonelles Wardens of â—wyldes and captaines of the Citie were very glad when they vnderstood of your highnesses happy arriuall in the yle of Walckeren as they haue caused too bee very largely and with all humilitie and reuerence shewed vnto you by their deputies sent vntoo your highnesse for the same purpose But now forasmuch as they see your highnesse not onely arriued in the countrie of Braband but also receiued for Duke and for their prince lord their forecoÌ„ceiued ioy is greatly increased and made fully perfect trusting y â— by this your comming there will once ensue an end of the desolations calamities and miseries whereinto the Country hath bin brought by the vniust gouernment past by the more vniust and wrongfull warre which the enemies hold yet still to bring the whole country too destruction with all manner of calamities and oppressions which they are able to deuise And therefore they giue your highnes most humble thankes for the peynes and trauell which you haue voutsafed too take too come intoo this countrie yeelding infinitely like thankes vntoo God for that he hath giuen and sent them such a Prince as not onelie is of abilitie and power but also is willing and well disposed to defend them from all enimies and to rule and gouerne them with all good pollicie and iustice according to the priuiledges lawes and customes of the couÌ„trie For although they be ioyned in league with the rest of the â—tates of Braband and generally with all the states of the low couÌ„tries aâ—d that they haue all entered intoo armes ioyntly togither yet their so dooing hath not bin to exempt and withdraw themselues from the iust goâ—ernment of their Lorde Prince but onelie too mainteyne their auncient liberties lawes and priuiledges that being gouerned according to the same they might liue w t all duetifull obedieÌ„ce in good rest peace tranquillitie The full accomplishment of which their desires they thinke themselues too haue most happily obteined â—ith it hath pleased God of his infinite grace and mercie to put into your highnesses heart to take vpoÌ„ you the souereintie of these lowe countries the Dukedome of Braband the citie of Antwerp and the Marqueship of the sacred Empyre For seeyng that God hath stirred them vp so great a Prince the brother of a mighty king they haue no doubt at all but that your highnesse will by Gods grace soone finde meanes to deliuer these Countries from the wretched wars wherin they haue bin so long plunged The Markegraue Amptman Boroughmasters Skepons and other members of this citie thinke it not expedient too repeate the causes of the warre and the equiâ—ie of the cace whereon they stande forasmuchas it hath diuers times heeretofore beene discussed largely ynough by the generall estates and moreouer beene notably knowen too the worlde and manie wayes allowed by your highnesse Yet againe therefore with all humble submission and reuerence they thanke your highnesse that it hath pleased you too agree vnto them and to promise the maintenaunce of their priuiledges Lawes and customes yea and of the articles comprised in the principall composition and in the ioyfull enteraunce intoo the Duchie of Brabande Assuring your highnesse that the people of the citie of Antwerp and of the Marqueship of the holye Empyre shalbee and continew right humble subiectes too you euen too the spending of their bodies and goods whatsoeuer else they bee able to make for the increasing of your honour and glorie Heerevntoo his highnesse answered verye graciously that hee thanked those noblemen for their good wil and affectâ—n towards him and that he ment to shew them by his doings how desirous hee was too gouerne and rule the countrie with good policie iustice And all this hee did at large and with very great grace This doone the sayde Uanderwercke turning himself to the people cryed with a lowd voyce that his highnesse as Duke of Brabande Alaunson Aniow Berrey c. woulde bee sworne to the citie of Antwerp and the Marqueshippe of the sacred Empyre desiring them to praye vntoo God that by that so good and solemne deede Gods name might bee sanctified the safetie and prosperitie of the countrie procured and the honor and glorie of the sayde Duke increased Then was the othe which his highâ—esse shoulde take read openly too the people in the flemishe toong by the same Uanderwerck Which beeing doone Mounsieur the Amptman read the same othe too his highnesse in French and his highnesse made and perfourmed the same in his handes whiche the Borowghmayster of the Towne of Antwerpe hild vp because the receiuing of the othe at his hande belonged vntoo him Also the sayde Borowghmaister whose name was Syr Philip of Schoonhouen kneeling downe before the Dukes highnesse at the same tyme gaue him a â—ilte key in token of subiection and that he might dispose of the citie as of his owne which Key was deliuered againe by his highnesse too the Borowghmaister too whom he saide very graciously that he assured himself that the saide Borowghmaister and all the Burgesses and InhabitaÌ„ts of the citie would keepe the citie faithfully for him as they had doone vnto that instant After the finishing and accomplishment of all the saide Solemnities the Herawltes of Braband and Lotrick or in the vulgar Braband Wallon Lothyer that is too say Lotharing or the true Lorraine cryed with a Iowd voyce God saue the Duke of Braband And then sownding the trumpets they made a Largesse
that they also may yeelde obedience to your heighnes and to the Magistrates whome it shall please you to set ouer the people And here to make an ende wee hartely pray God to preserue your highnes long time in happy estate amoÌ„g this people and to giue you the grace to rule and gouerne them iustlye and vprightly to rydde them out of the handes of their enemyes to maynetayne them longe in happy peace and to restore this state agayne to the ancient dignitie greatnes renowme felicitie that after your deceasse you may leaue a most blessed and famous rememembrance among al nacions And for the bringing hereof too passe wee yet agayne beseech the king of kings great prince of princes too make you as valiant as Dauid as wyse as Salomon as zelous of his glorie as Ezechias Herevntoo the Duke answered y â— he was very glad too see such a consent of all the people in the receiuing of him that he hoped so too rule gouerne them as they shoulde not bee disappoynted of the hope which they had conceiued of his gouernment which he would fashioÌ„ out after y â— patterne of his predecessors great vncles who had gouerned these countries so happily And he thaÌ„ked them for their good will and loue praying theÌ„ to continue y â— same promising too take them into his protectionâ— togither with the rest of the people in generall that as he had heretofore a singular regard of learned men so would he bee willing to continue the same heereafter After this maner began this great prince â—o gouerne that people with great authoritye and modestie and the people too yeeld vntoo him very wissing and honourable obedience And all men hope both generally and particularly y â— God wil giue him the grace so to hold on in that so holy and commendable gouernement as that by his example he shall shew too all princes and too all others that come after him how greatly the iust and lawfull gouernment auayleth And that the people on their syde shal shew what maner of obedience loue constancie is dew to good Princes in which vertewes there was neuer yet any people that could skill to surmount them nother shall any hereafter by the helpe of the great God and euerlasting father of our sauiour Jesus Christ too whom in the vnitie of the holy spirit be all glorie for euer and euer Amen ¶ A Summe of the Priuiledge graunted to the Printer by the foremencioned Mounsire Duke of Braband Aniow c for the printing of the foretranslated booke FRauncis of FrauÌ„ce the kings only brother by the grace of God Duke of Lothyer Braband Limbourge Gelders Aniow Alaunson Touram berry Eureus y â— castle Thierrie Earle of FlauÌ„ders Holland Zeland Zutphen Mayne le Perch Manutes of Melaun Beaufort Marques of the sacred Empyre Lorde of Fryselande and Malines hauing reteyned confirmed Christopher Plantine for his Printer hath giuen him power to print all Proclamacions commissions Letters Patentes Statutes Ordinaunces Placardes and other thinges concerning the common weale in generall or any citie in particular and specially the discourse of his interteinement and receiuing intoo the citie of Antwerpe and the rest of the countrie thereabouts And he forbiddeth all other persons of what state condicion or qualitie so euer they bee too printe or cause to be printed to sell or distribute abroade the same or anie the like vppon payne of forfeyture of the same bookes and to bee fyned at his highnes pleasure and to paâ—e all the sayde Plantines costes and domages as is more largelye declared in the letters Patentes giuen at Antwerp the xvii day of the Moneth of Aprill 1582. Vndersigned I. Van Assehers ¶ Imprinted at London at the three Cranes in the Vintree by Thomas Dawson for william Ponsonby 1582.
casting a greate sorte of peeces of goold siluer among the standers by Theis peeces were of two sortes the one sort had on the one side the image of the Mounsire then Duke of Braband the other sort had on the one side the armes of Aniow and Brabande and about the verges was written Frauncis of Fraunce Duke of Braband On the other side of theÌ„ all was a deuice of y c Sonne with the Mounsires owne inscription Cheriseth and Chaseth which is the Mounsires ordinary poesie Without the Towne were three Regimentes of the Citizens too the number of a three thousand men in order of battell who made a goodlie shewe with their faire armours and their antesignes displayed And they neuer went out of their place vntill all the Ceremonies were dispatched and that his highnesse was gone intoo the citie Besides theis there was an infinite number of people in the citie whereof many were Straungers who marueiled greatly at theis sightes and especially the Frenchmen who woondered to see their maister in that apparell and spake diuersly of it as is woont too bee doone in matters that are new and erst vnseene But when they vnderstood howe it was the Dukely apparell and that he wore it as a representation of antiquitie the like whereof is worne yet still by the Electors of the sacred Empire in their greate ceremonies they were astonished and thought him to bee a Prince of more stately countenance and maiestie then afore insomuch that it was sayd alowd amoÌ„g them that seeing it was y e mantle of the Duchie it should cost the liues of fiftie thousande Frenchmen before it should bee plucked froÌ„ him againe As soone as the Ceremonies were ended his highnes came downe from the Theatre and mounted vpoÌ„ a whyte courser of Naples couered with a coperison of veluet richly imbroydered with gold And so hee be gan too take his way towardes the right re nowmed and rich citie of Antwerp and was conueyed along by the counterscarfe vntoo the sumptuous and stately gate called Keizars gate or Sainct Georgis gate whereat he entred into the good citie of Antwerpe The order of his entering in was such as this FIrst marched the 2. Serieant Maiors or Marshalles of the citie accompanyed of two PursiuaÌ„ts with the armes of the citie after whom followed the Trumpets with the armes of Braband The first companie was of Almayne Merchantes commonly called Easterlinges well mounted and well apparelled after the maner of Almayne Next them followed the English merchaÌ„ts in excellent good order all appareled in Cassockes of blacke veluet all of one fashion Then came the Colonelles captaines of the citie after whom followed a great number of Gentlemen as well of the same countrie as of other nacions Behind them went the bodie of the citie that is to wit the Wickmaysters the Wardens the auncient Magistrate the masters of the Wardes the Burrowghmasters deputies y â— Wardens of the halles the Usshers the Secretaries the Registers the Receiuers and Treasurers the Skepons the Amptman and the twoo Borowghmasters all appareled in Clokes of black veluet and all of one fashion After them came y â— TruÌ„pets of y e States of BrabaÌ„d Lembourg and Lothyer after theÌ„ the states themselues in this order First went the deputies of the vnder cities The Deputies of the citie of Antwerp The Deputies of Brusselles Then succeeded the noblemen of Braband as The Chauncellour of Brabande and aboue him Lamorall Egmonde Brother too the Countie of Egmond Baron of â—asebecke A great number of Lords of the same countrie of Fraunce and of Englande well horsed and richly apparâ—ed The Swissers with their drommes and fiffes The Mounsires owne housholde among whom were intermingled certaine Lordes of England Next this came the countie de Lauall hauing on either hand an English Lord The Prince of Espinoy hauing on his right hand the Lord of Hunsoon and on his left the Lord Haward The Prince Doulphin hauing on his right hand the Earle of Leycester and on his lefte the Prince of Orendge The Markgraue of Antwerp bare headed bearing the mace of Iustice The Lord Peterson Baron of Merode taking vppon him that day as Marshall of Braband and bearing the naked sword before the Dukes highnesse Then came the Duke himselfe mounted apparelled as yee haue heard afore Next behinde the Duke followed CouÌ„tie Morice of Nassau sonne too the Prince of Orange hauing on his right hand CouÌ„tie Philip of Nassau nephew too the said Prince and sonne to countie Iohn of Nassaw and on his left hand the Lord Shefeeld His Highnes was garded by the coÌ„panies of the Guyldes that is to say by the auncient brotherhoods of the Archers Crossebowes Harg webuzers in so goodly armour as fayrer could not be found The is went afore him and about him on a cluster without order like flowredeluces vpon a royall robe After them followed the gard of FrenchmeÌ„ on a like heape and after them the Prince of Orendges gard on foote Then lastly in very good order came the twentie Antesignes of citizeÌ„s which had stood in order of battell without the Towne Ouer the gate where his highnes entered there was a compartement of Doricke work wherein was written as followeth Too Frauncis the Sonne of Henrie the second and onelie brother of Henrie the thirde King of Fraunce called by Gods singuler prouidence to the souereigne Principalitie of the low Countries and to the Dukedom of Braband the Marqueship of the sacred Empyre which God graunt to bee most happie and luckie vnto him as to their inuested Prince whom they haue most earnestly wished for who as now is happily come intoo this his most â—er uisable citie His moste harty Fauourers The Senate and People of Antwerpe THe Chariot of the Mayden of Antwerp could not goe out of the citie for waÌ„t of roome too turne in and therefore it tarried for his highnesse at the gate within the citie This Chariot was called the Chariot of Alyance wherein sate a damosell apparelled in Satin red and white which are y â— colours of Antwerp who had in her left hand a branch of Baytree and on her heade a garlande of Laurell in token of victorie against the tyrannies of the king of Spayne in token of the deliuerance whiche the people hoped for by meanes of their new prince through his gracious goodnes faithfulnesse victoriousnes and defence too whom with her other hand shee presented the keyes of the Towne according to the verses written ouer her head which shall bee set downe hereafter Before her were the armes of the Marquiship of the holy Empyre On her ryght hand was Religion apparelled like one of the Sibylles holding in her one hande an open booke named The Law and the Gospell and in her other hande a swoorde named Gods word on her left hand was â—ustice holding a balaÌ„ce a sword in her haÌ„d ouer the Balaunce was written Yea and Nay Before the
left hande was written the word Chaceth on which side also was painted a French Captaine in armor following his allyes confiderates and souldiers to doe men to vnderstande that by the treaties leages and agreementes made with the dukes highnes all tyrannie violence and discorde shoulde bee chased a way that by y e beames of that sonne the countrey should receiue al peace prosperitie and abundance Upon the forefrunt were these verses Like as the rising of the Sonne doth chace the night away And with his kindly heate the grounde well cherish ay Euen so thy comming noble Prince doth Chace all tempests quight And folke with cheerefull hope of freedome much delight This Arch was impossed aloft with scutchions of the armes of Aniowe compassed about with braunches of Olif all vpon Azure Also there were diuers other sâ—utchions whose field was gewles bordered with argent and a great nomber of burning torches And the said Arche was furnished with diuers instruments of Musicke the musicions themselues were clad in the colours of the citie His highnesse passing vnder this triumphal arche came to a place called the Owure that is to say y â— banke where were two companies unbattelled armed like all the residue And so passing by the Ward there he went to y â— place that is right oueragainst the Mint before the which there was a huge and monstruous sea-horse of twentie foote high vpon whom sate a Nimph called Concord bearing a shield wherin was painted a booke a rod which was named The rule of truth In her hand shee bare a flag wherin was writteÌ„ faithfull aliance This monster of the sea was named Tyranny and he had a brydle in his mouth with double Reynes of yron cheyned called law reasoÌ„ Whereby the dukes highnes was done to vnderstaÌ„d that he as a true Perseus was to deliuer y t countrey from all tyrannie and afterward to gouerne it by iustice reason Ouer against y e mintgate where y e streete is narrowest were two Obelisks or round Spires between theÌ„ a triumphaâ— arch with his pillers of CorinthiaÌ„ work gilded inriched w t his relief vnder him Upon y â— forefront were his highnesses armes and likewise on y e sides were other armes w t banners torches and cressets Under the armes of his highnes were these verses following Fulmighty is that coÌ„moÌ„weale in a happy cace And blest with all commodities through Gods most heauenly grace Where prince behaues himself as head commons him obey As members eyther carefully regarding others stay From this tryumphall arch vnto the palace y t is to wit all along S. Mighels street which is a mile in length stoode on either side threescore ten pillers with a space of 22. foote betweene piller piller Euery piller was 12. foote high vpon the pillers was a continual Tarras on euery ech other piller was a cresset on y e pillers between were the armes of Braband Aniow Antwerpe deuided according to y e spaces between the said pillers And y e pillers were crested about w t garlaÌ„ds of iuy On the side of the street towards the palace was a pageant with banners torches and pyramids Upon the vppermost part of one of y â— sides wherof was a Crane and vpon the other side a Cocke Giuing knowledge as well to y â— heads as to y e members y t watchfulnes is needful A litle spaniel betokening faithfulnes and a litle lambe betokening peace were painted accompanied with y e Sibils which represented wisedome loue faithfulnes obedience vertue honor without the which no true peace can continue And al these were guided by the light of the holy Ghost which was resembled by a certaine brightnes that discouered y e chief instruments of discorde namely Enuie SlauÌ„der who peered out be hind Enuy gnawing her own hart SlauÌ„der hauing double heart double tongue double face howbeit with small effect Foron y â— two sides of this pageant were two counterfets on the one side Hercules on the other Dauid as it were in Copper haning gotten the vpper hand of Golias betokening streÌ„gth stowtnes and vnderneath was Concord who hild discord in a cheine with collers about his necke which discord offering w t his one haÌ„d an apple of gold and w t his other hand threatning meÌ„ w t his force tyraÌ„nie was yet neuer theles driueÌ„ into the dungeon of sorrow where he is kept prisoner by coÌ„cord who kepeth the dore fast shut betokening the same thing which y e couÌ„trey looketh for at his highnes hand according to his posie Cherisheth Chaseth Upon the forefrunt of the compartiment made of Phrygian worke were these verses O let the earth the kissings sweete of peace and iustice see And let her powre her riches foorth in all mens bozoms free Let godlines and faithfulnes goe matched arme in arme And let the bond of endlesse loue keepe all things knit from harme Before the duke came at S. Mighels where the palace was prepared for his highnes y â— day was so far spent y â— they were faine to light vp their cressets torches which cast so great and cleare a light through the whole towne that y e dukes highnes the princes lords which accompanied him likewise the souldiers with their glistering armors were seen more clerely then at any time of the day And as the multitude of people was verie great in the citie so the neerer y t his highnes drewe to his palace y e greater still did the number grow So at leÌ„gth the Duke of Braband and Aniow entred into his palace in the order aforementioned hauing moreouer a two or three hundred as well of offenders as of banished folke w t followed him â—are headed and fettered crauing mercie The Herawlts did cast peeces of goolde and siluer abroade as they had doone at the meetinges of all the Streetes as they passed through them At the entrie of the palace was an Arche of twentie foote high resting vpon three pillers of Phrigian worke UpoÌ„ the top wherof was a coÌ„partiment wherein were the three Graces that is to wit Vertue Glorie and Honor who offered vntoo his highnes an Olifbranch in token of peace a Lawrelbowgh in token of victorie a Crowne which was sent him froÌ„ heauen And vnder the compartiment were written theis verses O Prince whose merites passe his prayse whose vertewz haue no peerz Whose mynd surmounts his fortune far whose thewz exceede his yeerz Take gently heere this Olifbraunch this Lawrelbowgh and crowne Three presents giuen thee by three Nymphe and sent from heauen downe The othe made by Frauncis Duke of BrabaÌ„d to the members of the right renowmed citie of Antwerpe and the othe made by them againe vnto his highnes THe Duke of Braband being come into his palace caused a peale of a twentie or thirty thousand Hargwebuzers to be shot of and then all the coÌ„panies sauing those which were
to watch y â— night began too withdrawe themselues apace Which thing was doone in such order and with such silence that in lesse than halfe an howre al the citie was disarmed after whiche manner they bad also armed themselues in lesse than an houre without any noyse in the morning The Princes also y â— Lordes withdrew theÌ„selues to their lodgings then was all the great ordinaunce of the towne shot of twice as it had bin at the Dukes first comming to the citie that all the towne seemed too bee on fire Cressets were lighted and fires made for ioy through all the streetes and meetings wayes vppon y â— steeples in so great number and so continually y â— all the nyght resembled the day insomuch y â— when they that were without the Towne looked vp into the skye they thought the element was all on fire Theis bonfires coÌ„tinued euery night vntil the next Thursday on â—hich day his highnesse tooke his peculier othe too the towne of Antwerp in the dooing whereof these solemnities insewing were obserued The Amptman Borowghmaisters Skepons of Antwerp came too the sayde Palace of S. Michael the next Thurseday being the 22. day of the same moneth At which place they made humble suâ—e to his highnes that as he had vowtsafed too giue his othe too the States of Braband and the Marquesdome of the sacred Empyre and likewise too receiue theirs so it might please him too giue his othe that day peculiarly to the citie of Antwerpe and likewyse too take theirs at the place of olde time accustomed Where vnto when the Duke had assented they tooke their way in the same order that had bin obserued at his entering into the towne sauing that the Lorde Edwarde de clastro Ambassadour for Don Antonio King of Portingale was that daye in the latter companie of the Princes and Lordes And so they marched along the saide streete of Saint Michaell too the great marketsteede where the sumptuous common house of the citie is And bicause that on the day of his enteraunce in it was not possible for him too take a perfect view of all the showes by reason that the night ouertooke them they were presented vntoo his highnesse ageine as well in the place before the mint as in other places Also there were two pageantes mo prepared which were deuised both in one day The one was Mount Parnasus whereon sate Apollo apparelled like the Sonne and accoÌ„panied with the nine Muses playing vpon â—uers kindes of Instrumentes and with sweet voyce singing a certaine ditie together writteÌ„ in commendation of his highnes This Pageant was in the street called the high street ouer against the street named Reyner streete Right ouer against this Pageant was another on the side of the streete called the flaxe market Which was a mossie Rocke ouer groweÌ„ with drie and withered trees wherein appeared a caue verie hideous darke and drerye too behold and in the same lay lurking the three Helhowndes Discord Violence and Tiranny who feeling Apollos beames and hearing the sweetenesse and harmonie of the voyces and instrumentes shroonke away and hidde themselues in the deepest of the Dungeon afterward peered out ageine to hearken whither that melodie and harmonie continued stil or no mynding to haue come foorth againe to haue troubled the common weale if y e same had ceassed His highnesse passed on and with verie much adoo came to the great Market place by reason of the infinite multitude of people which could not be put asunder without great payne As soone as hee was alighted from his horse he went vp a scaffold which had bin set vp for the same purpose in the middes of the Market place hard by the Towne howse before whom went the Magistrate of the citie and a greate number of Princes Lordes and Gentlemen This Scaffold being great and large of the heigth of fortie foote was hanged with scarlet Upon it was a cloth of estate the backe whereof was cloth of gold frized vnder the which was a chayre of the same The day of his first comming thither there had bin presented vnto him on the right side Wisdome offering him a golden Scepter on his lefte side Iustice offering him the sworde of Iustice from aboue the Chayre and behinde him Clemencie offering him the Cap of the Dukedome Before the chayre as it were at the feete of it were Obedience Faithfulnes Loue of God and Reuerence And by the chayres sides there were with them Concord Sagenesse vaeleantnesse Good will Truth Pitifulnes Perseuerance and Reason of whom two on eyther side held eche of them a torch of virgin waxe and they were all appareled like Nymphes But on this day when his highnesse went vp too this stage the Nymphes were away And in steed of them the chaire was garnished on both sides with pyllers On the right side betweene the pillers was a Lyon holding a naked swoorde to betoken the authoritie of the magistrate Aboue the Lyon was an Eagle feeding her young and turning her selfe towardes the shyning of the Sunne as taking her force of the Prince On the left side was an Oxe with a yoke on his necke and aboue him a Hen brooding her chickens and by her a cocke The Oxe with his yoke signified obedience and the cocke and the hen betokened the watchfulnes care 〈◊〉 of the superior The saide scaffold was garnished with baÌ„ners of azure beaten with the armes of Aniow and with banners of gewles beaten with the armes of Antwâ—rpe and with cressets and torches And aboue among the armes were written these verses At length thou art come and ioyfull wee bee Thy presence long lookt for here present to see And a little vnder at the ryght hand vnder the armes of Braband were these verses Of tryumphes though stately kings boast but in vayne Vnlesse they by iustice doe vprightly reigne And on the left hande vnder the armes of Antwerpe was written thus Nowght booteth law Authoritie or sage forecast of wit Unlesse to lawfull gouernment folke doe their force submit And yet somewhat lower was written God God is he the heartes of kinges which holdeth in his hande He He it is that highest things doth make too fall or stande When he with gracious looke beholdeâ— a people they inioy A goodlie Ruler vnder whom no troubles them anoy But if misliking make him frowne then makes he them a pray Too Tyrantes vnder whom they tast of sorrow euery day FRom this Scaffold he might beholde before him an infinite number of people readie too bee sworne vntoo him and also three companies of banished and condemned men in fetters and bareheaded crauing mercie at his hande which was graunted vnto them Moreouer all the houses about the Market sted had Cressets burning on high before them Nowe then after that roome and silence was made their Counseller and Recorder Uanderwerck propounded the matter as followeth Right gracious Lord and Prince y â— Markgraue the Amptman the
to such as by the lawes and priuiledges of the country were not capable of them or rather to such as would giue most for them yet the vnsatiable couetousnes malice and exceeding tyrannical lordlines of the Spaniards being not contented therewith in the ende when they had abused the whole common-weale after theyr owne lust they grewe intoo so great pride that they fell to â—natching of y â— priuate goods and substance of the inhabitaÌ„ts to liuing vpon the labour and sweate of the poore yea and to rauishing y â— chastitie of mens wyues and daughters and to fill vp the measure of al obhomination and crueltie they fell to taking away the liues and to sucking the blood of those which sought by all meanes to please them Wherevppon in the end y â— greate rightuous God who hath a care of his seruants being offended thereat made that people who had aforetimes been of great valor to cal to mind their former state liberte gaue them both will and courage to maintaine y â— same in such sort as they had receiued from their forefathers Which thing they saâ— could not be better done than by the election which the sayd States of Braband vnited w t the other prouinces had made of his highnes person to be their prince and Lord of purpose to bring all things backe to their former order hauing first sought howbe it in vayne for all remedies of their mischeefes of y â— disorders of y â— estate froÌ„ the causes welsprings there of Declaring y â— the dukes in old time had bin of great valour prowesse and powre and had made many renowmed voyages and exployts of warre that among others they had choseÌ„ a duke of Aniow hertofore who had bin equall with the rest in chiuaâ—rie and feates of armes as their conquests and dominions witnessed That they had had their princes gentle milde gracious familiar fauourable to their subiects that his highnes had in y â— behaâ—fe alreadie giuen such proofes of his geÌ„tlenes truth 〈◊〉 y â— to their seeming some ancient duke of Burgoyne was raysed vp againe vnto theÌ„ Insomuch that in his onely hâ—hnesse they firmely beleued themselues to haue recouered whatsoeuer good renowne the dukes of Brabande 〈◊〉 and Burgoine coulde haue left vnto them Wherefore inasmuch as there remained no more but to proceede to the accomplishmeÌ„t of y â— chief work which it had pleased the soueraingod to put into y â— haÌ„ds of his highues of the sayde states to performe y â— day they on their part were redy and resolute to do him the homage fealtie dewtie and obedince which loyall subiectes good vassalls ought to doe to their rightfull princes of which sort they trusted in God without doubting that his â—hnes was and that he woulde promise by solemne othe vnto God so to continue Herevnto his highnes answered in effect That intending not to holde the States with long talke but onely to bee mindefull of the honour and good will which they had vowtsafed to yeeld vnto him in that among so many other great Princes they had chozen him cut to do deliuer them from the oppression and tyraÌ„nie of the Spantard to rule theÌ„ according to their customes lawes priuiledges he thaÌ„ked them hartily for it assuring them that the iustnesse and equitie of their case their honorable dealings in his behalfe and the loue which they had shewed him had made him to resolue w t himself to take vpon him their protection the restablishing of their auncient libertie and to hazard therein whatsoeuer abilitie God had put into his handes whatsoeuer els it should please the king his Lorde and brother and the Queene of England of their fauour to bestow vpon him yea euen to the sheading of his own blood and the spending of his life This done the foresaid Mounsieur 〈◊〉 told his highnes howe it was y â— custome there to proclame openly before the people in y t duch tongue y â— points articles of the ioyfull interance which y â— dukes of Braband are bound to promise sweare at their admission Hereupon when as one hild the said articles translated into Frenche ready to rehearse them poynte by poynte after the proclayming of them in Duch for asmuch as the day was farre spent and communicatioÌ„ had bin had therof alredy the Mounsire to win time thought it expedieÌ„t by y â— aduice of y â— prince of OreÌ„dg y â— they should be read but only in duch Which thing was done by the sayd Mounsire Hassells with a newe preface added too the articles conteyning breefly the reasons and causes of y â— dealing After the reading of the sayde articles it was demaunded of his highnesse whither hee lyked of them and whither he were conteâ—ted to be sworne to them or whether it were his pleasure to be further satisfied of them Wher vppon he sayde to the prince of Orendge that forasmuch as he had seene the articles conferred of theÌ„ wiâ—h him as they came by shippe out of Zeland he held him selfe well satisâ—ed with them and was well contented to sweare vnto theÌ„ Which speech of his was forâ—hwith proclaymed with further declaration that for their better contentation his highnes was desirous to haue them al knowne y â— although the sayd articles were read but ouely in duch yet woulde hee of his owne good minde with aduized deliveration and certaine knowledge be sworne vnto them Then did the said Monsieur Hesselles recite vnto the people in the duch tongue the first othe which the Dukes of Brabande were of olde time accustomed and bound to take for the obseruing of the saide Articles Which doone deliuering the booke wherein it was conteyned to Messire Thierrey de Leiesfield Chauncellor of Braband he read the same oth ageine openly in French and the Mounsire spake it after him woord for woord Then Mounsieur Hesselles taking the book ageine told the people that y â— Dukes of Braband made another second othe to the BaroÌ„s Noblemen Cities Boroughes and all y â— Inhabitantes and subiectes of the countrey too bee to them a good and iust Prince and not to deale with them after his owne will nor by way of rigor but by law and iustice and according too their priuiledges Which othe was lyke wise rehearsed in the duch tong the booke deliuered ageine to the saide ChauÌ„cellor and the Mounsire repeated the othe after him as he had doone the first Then were the mantle and Bonnet of the Duchie bâ—ought vnto him whiche were of Crimzen veluet the mantle was traâ—ed on the grounde and both of them were furred with powdred ermine turned vp very broade The Prince of Orendge tolde his highnesse that it behooued him too bee apparelled in those Robes And when hee askeâ— whither he must weare them intoo the citie it was answeared yea and that it was the solemne attyre of the Princes and Dukes of