acts of hostilitie Whereunto the Queene answered That shee was well informed by some gentlemen of Genoa that the said monâ—…y belonged vnto certaine priuate marchants and as she had then need for her priuate seruice she would retaine it paying reasonable interest for a time Whereupon the duke stayed the persons shippes and goods of all the English marchants in the Netherlands Whereat the Queene complayned by a publicke proclamation maintaining that the duke proceeded against her and her subiects against equitie anâ—… iustice The duke the better to discouer the Englishmens goods and to arrest them appointed one William Parker and Doctor Storie his substitute an auncient man and an Inquisitor in England in the time of Queene Mary to search the shippes and to arrest all that he found belonging to the English This doctor going one day to search the shippe of Cornellis van Eyck a mariner of Berghen vpon Soom whilest that he was busie searching vnder the hatches the master hoysed sayles and went directly for England where he deliuered this busie doctor who as traytor to his Queene and countrey was hanged and quartered The Queene hearing of the arrest and stay of her subiects as well in the Netherlands as in Spaine graunted the like arrest and letters of reprisall against the subiects and marchants of the Netherlands and Spaine to take them their ships and goods wheresoeuer they could whereby the English were well satisfied for their losses whereof great complaints were made at the court at Brussels The duke of Alua meaning to repaire the fault which he had committed sent Christopher d'Assonuille a counsellor of State into England to the Queene to reconcile this difference But her Maiestie being discontented seeing that he brought no letters of credit from the king of Spaine would not heare him nor acknowledge him as an embassadour seeing that he came but from the duke of Alua sending him to treat with her counsell the which d'Assonuille refused to doe for that he had no such commission and so depaâ—…ted without audience yet the Queene sent him word That although she found her selfe greatly interessed yet she would not begin the warre except the duke of Alua began first Shee did also write the like into Spaine complayning of the duke of Aluaes presumption who afterwards sent Chiapin Vitellâ—… marquesse of Cetone with the counsellor Frincket and the Secretarie Torre to demaund the money that was stayed and to free all arrests on either side After them were sent the Seigniors Francis of Halewin the Seignior of Swegem and Thoâ—…as Fiesco a marchant of Genoa but they preuailed no more than the rest Whereupon the duke of Alua caused all the marchants cloth which he had arrested to be sold So as the traffique betwixt England and the Netherlands ceased and the English marchants transported their cloth to Hambourg whereas they held their Staple The duke of Alua fearing least the Queene should attempt something vpon Zeeland sent Chiapin Vitelli and Gabriel Serbelloâ—… his enginour to fortifie such places as lay most open vpon the sea for that hee had vnderstood that the English had taken a Flemish shippe vpon the coast of Zeeland wherefore he made himselfe strong in men and shipping to resist all those that would hinder his designes fearing least the English should take him vnprouided The same yeare in May Pope Pius the fifth sent vnto the duke of Alua a sword and an hatte which hee had blessed with great solemnities They were brought and deliuered vnto him by his Nuncio with great ceremonies as to the true defendor of the Romish Church whereaâ—… all the Spaniards made great feasts of ioy and publicke Tourneyes in Brussels The emperor Maximiliaâ—… being daily importuned by the noblemen gentlemen that were fled out of the Netherlands to be an intercessor for them to the K. of Spain to auoid greater effusion of bloud which was verie apparent by a long and continual war being also intreated therunto by many princes of the empire that were louers of peace he sent Charles his brother into Spaine with ample instructions to the king to persuade him to pardon his exiâ—…d subiects and to giue them peace and quietnesse in his countries but all preuailed not the king answered him by writing and that was all the fruit of his legation The duke of Alua knowing that the prince of Orange and cont Lodowic his brother were ioyned with some troups of horse vnto the duke of Deux Ponts marching to succor the Protestants in France he also sent in the name of the king his master Peter Ernest earle of Mansfield with 25 companies of foot Spaniards and Wallons and 2000 horse of the bands of ordnance of the Netherlands to succour the French king who ioyned with his armie vnder the duke of Aniou The duke of Alua hauing made the prince of Oranges great armie vnprofitable as we haue said and by that meanes made the Netherlands reasonably quiet vnder his gouernment hee began to build many citadels as at Valenciennes Groningen Graue Vtrecht Flessingue and aboue all hee finished that of Antuerpe in the which for an eternal memorie of his prowesse he caused to be set vp a stately sumptuous and proud trophie in signe of victorie cast in brasse representing his person all armed but bare headed the right arme stretched out vnarmed holding in the left being armed the troncheon of a great commander treading vnder his feet a body with two heads and six arms one of them holding a paper the second a toarch the third a broken hammer the fouâ—…th a mace with pointed nailes the fifth a purse the sixt a hatchet betwixt his legs was a maske or false visage behind this monstrous bodie was seene a fowld from out of the which came serpents at the eares of one of these heads hung little dishes and gourds such as beggers carrie about All this worke being fifteene foot high was set with a plate of brasse on a great square stone of marble answerable to the greatnesse and proportion of the figure On the front before were grauen these letters F. A. A. T. A. D. P. H. 2. H. A. B. P. Q. E. S. R. R I. C. P. P. F. R. O M. F. P. The signification whereof in Latine you may read before in the yeare 1567 whereas mention is made of the building of the citadell of Antuerpe The sence of it in English is To Ferdinando Aluares of Toledo Gouernour of Belgia for Philip the second king of Spaine for that the sedition being pacified the rebels chased away religion restored iustice maintained hauing setled the Prouinces in peace as a most faithfull seruant to the King On the right side of this square stone was grauen the breake of day alluding to his name Alba at the comming whereof all the enemies of the night hide themselues and men begin their worke the which was signified by the shepheards leading forth their sheepe to feed the superscription was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
questions which haue not beene decided as it was then agreed there shall be deputies and arbitrators appointed of either side to that effect as hath beene resolued by the said treaty who shall assemble within sixe moneths in places appointed for the same if the parties agree if not they shall appoint some other place 18. And for as much as in the diuision of the lands appointed to the diocesses of Arras Amiens Saint Omer and Boulogne there are some villages of France vnder the Bishopricks of Arras and Saint Omer and other villages in the countries of Arthois and Flanders belonging to the Bishops of Amiens and Bologne so as often-times there growes disorder and confusion it is agreed that hauing the consent of the Holy father the Pope commissioners of either side shall be deputed who shall assemble within one yeare in some place appointed to resolue of the exchange which may bee made of the sayd villages to the best commoditie of the one and the other 19. All prisoners of warre being deteined of either side shall be set at liberty paying their charges what they may otherwise iustly owe without being tied to pay any rāsome vnlesse they had first agreed promised it and if there be complaint made of the excesse therof the Prince in whose country the prisoners are detained shal moderate it 20. All other prisoners subiects to the sayd Kings which through the calamitie of the warres may be deteined in their Maiesties Galleys shall be presently deliuered and set at liberty without any delay vpon what pretext so-euer demanding nothing for their ransome nor charges 21. And there shall be reserued vnto the said Catholick king of Spaine and the Infanta his eldest daughter and their successors all their rights actions and pretensions which they pretend to belong vnto them in the said realmes countries siegnories or elsewhere for any cause whatsoeuer the which neither he nor his predecessors haue not expresly renoūced to make his pursute by an amiable course of Iustice not by armes 22. And touching that which hath bin said by the Catholike kings deputies that to attaine vnto a perfect peace it was requisite that the most excellent Prince and Duke of Sauoy should be comprehended in this treatie The Catholike king desiring and affecting the good and preseruation of the said Duke as his owne for the neernesse of bloud and the alliance he hath with him The which is also signified by Gaspar of Geneue Marquis of Lullin councellor of Estate Chamberlaine and Collonel of the sayd Dukes guards his Lieutenant and Gouernor in the Dutchie of Aoust and the citty of Vrce his Deputie as appeares by his commission here-vnto inserted that the said Duke his maister hath the honor to be issued from the brother of the Christian kings great grandfather and from a cousin germaine to the Queene his Mother that his intention is to giue the king contentment and as his most humble kinsman to acknowledge him with all honor seruice and obseruance of friendship to giue him better satisfaction hereafter of him and of his actions the which time and occasions past would not giue him the meanes to doe and he promiseth vnto himselfe of the sayd king that knowing this his good affection he will vse the same bounty and shew of loue vnto him which the last foure kings did vnto the deceased Duke his father of happy memory 23. It hath bin concluded and agreed that the said Duke shall be receiued and comprehended in this treaty of peace And to signifie the desire which he hath to giue the most Christian king contentment he shall restore the towne and castle of Berra within two moneths after the date of these presents faithfully and without delay or difficultie vpon any pretext whatsoeuer and the said place shall bee deliuered by the Duke to him or them that shall be deputed by the king precisely within the time and in the same estate it is now in without demantling or weakning it in any sort or demanding re-inboursement for any fortifications made in the said towne and castle nor for that which may bee due vnto the soldiers being in it leauing all the artillerie that was within the place when it was taken with the bullets that shall be found therein fit for them and they shall haue liberty to retire those peeces which haue bin brought in since if there be any 24. It is also agreed that the said Duke shall disauow and abandon Captaine la Fortune being in the towne of Seure in the county of Bourgogne and that he shall not giue to him ◅nor to any other that shall vsurpe the said towne against the most Christian kings will neither directly nor indirectly any ayde or fauour 25. And touching all other questions differences betwixt the most Christian king and the said Duke of Sauoy the said deputies in their name do agree for the good of the peace that they shal be referred to the iudgment of our holy father Pope Clement the 8. to be decided by his holinesse within one yeare from the daye of these presents according to the answere giuen by the sayd King in writing the fourth day of Iune last beeing hereafter inserted And whatsoeuer shal be decreed by his holinesse shal be fully executed and accomplished of either side without any delay or difficulty or any pretext whatsoeuer And in the meane time vntill they shal be otherwise decided by our holy father matters shall remaine in the same Estate they are at this present without any alteration but as they are enioyed of either side not beeing tollerable to extend themselues any further to impose or exact contributions out of the territories of those places which are held by either party 26. And according vnto this it hath beene agreed that from this present there shal be a firme and stable peace amitie and good neighbor-hood betwixt the sayd King and Duke their children borne and to be borne heires and successors realmes countries lands and subiects one of an other without any breach vpon what pretext soeuer 27. The subiects and seruants of either side both Clergy and temporall although they haue serued a contrary party shall returne and enioy all their goods offices and benifices as hath beene sayd for the subiects of the two Kings the which is not to bee vnderstood of Gouernors 28. As for prisoners taken in the warres they shall bee intreated as it is agreed betwixt the two Kings as it is before expressed 29. And the treaties made heretofore with the most Christian Kings Kenry the second in the yeare 1559 at Chasteau Cambresie Charles the 9. Henry the 3. and the said Duke of Sauoy shal be in all points and articles confirmed but in that which shal be derogated by this present treaty or by others and according vnto this the said Duke of Sauoy shall remaine with his countries and subiects a good neutrall Prince and common friend to the said Kings And from the
quiet If all things go well and are in quiet said the Earl how comes it that thou bailife and judge of thy quarter hast vsed force and violence against a poore countrey man that is my subiect taking away his cow out of his pasture in despight of him then calling for the poore man he asked him if he knew him and what he could say for his cow The bailife answered That he had giuen him another Yea said the Earle but if it were not so good as his doest thou thinke to haue satisfied him therewith no no not so I will take the cause in hand and be the judge The bailife and the countrey man referred themselues willingly to what it should please the Earle to decree Wherupon the Earl appointed the escoutette of Dordrecht that as soone as he should returne to his house hee should presently without delay pay vnto the countrey man a hundred crownes of good gold to be leuied vpon the bailifes goods and that he should neuer after molest the countrey man neither in word nor deed This sentence thus pronounced both parties were satisfied which done the Earl said vnto the bailife Thou hast now agreed with the poore man but not yet with me then he commanded the escoutette to retire himselfe and to fulfill what he had inioyned him but the bailife should remain by him to make reparation of his fault and hauing sent for a ghostly father and the executioner he condemned the bailife to loose his head to serue for an example to others then being confest the Earle caused him to come before his bed and he himselfe drawing out the sword gaue it to the executioner who cut off the bailifes head in the Earles presence beeing thus sicke in bed who hauing called the escoutette said vnto him Take your cosin with you and beware of such facts least the like happen vnto you The escoutette returning to Dordrecht carried backe the bailife in two parts and paid the countrey man his hundred crownes Soone after this good Earle William worne with yeres and with sicknesse called for the earl of Ostreuant his eldest sonne to whom he gaue many godly and fatherly admonitions first of the loue and feare of God then of the administring iustice equally to all men to entertaine his subiects in peace and rest not to surcharge his people with extraordinarie impositions and taxes to reuerence church men and not to be offenciue vnto them with many other goodly exhortations to liue well Hauing ended his speech he gaue vp the ghost the 9 of Iune 1337 after that he had gouerned the prouinces of Henault Holland Zeeland and Friseland 32 yeares He was a very vertuous prince victorious in war a good man at armes well spoken iudicious a great louer of peace gratious to all men and well beloued in all courts of princes He was interred with great pompe in his towne of Valenciennes After his death the contesse his widow went and liued among the religious women at Fontenelles where she died fiue yeares after her husband We haue before made mention how that the Frisons slew the gouernor whom the king of Denmarke had giuen them whose wife was deliuered six monethes after of a sonne the which was bred vp in the court of the king his vncle This sonne being growne great and desirous to be reuenged of the Frisons hauing no meanes nor power of himselfe he intreated the king to giue him only one ship well appointed to see if by policie he could exploit any thing against the Frisons with this ship he entred into the riuer of Ems where he vnderstood that the judges and officers of the countrey of Friseland were assembled about Groningue he resolued therefore to cast anker there thinking that if hee stayed any time they would come and demaund what hee was and what hee did the which fell out accordingly for the officers seeing this goodly ship in the road went to see it and to heare somenewes comming neere they demanded according to their custom of whence the ship was what commodities he carried whither he was bound This yong man shewing himselfe vpon the hatches saluted them honourably and answered them modestly That hee had no great marchandise in his ship that hee was a rich marchants sonne and that hee was desirous to see hauens and port townes and especially the countrey of Friseland requesting them to come aboord and tast his wine and he would do the like on land with them They doubting nothing went aboord the yong man receiued them courteously presenting them a banquet whereas they dranke so well as most of them were drunke and fell asleepe He finding so fit an oportunitie weighed anker sayled directly towards Denmarke with these drunkards who hauing disgested their wine found that they were cousened This young gentleman comming into Denmarke presented them vnto the king who blamed their disloyaltie much hauing murthered his lieutenant they excusing themselues that it was not done by them nor in their time besought the king to saue their liues The king answered although I haue good reason to put you all to death yet I will giue you all your liues if you can settle me in Friseland as I was before The which they promised In the end the Frisons by the persuasion of one of these Iudges that was sent vnto them were content to acknowledge the king of Denmarke for their lord and to receiue a lieutenant in his name with whom the Iudges and Officers were sent home The gouernor hauing receiued the homages of fealtie of the Frisons caried himselfe modestly ynough for a good time but in the end seeking to bring in the Danish lawes and to entreat them extraordinarily beyond their priuiledges they reuolted againe as the Dutch Chronicle sayth Vel odio seruitutis vel amore libertatis and expelled their gouernor out of their countrey In the life of good Cont William the chief noblemen in Holland and Zeeland were William earle of Ostreuant eldest sonne to good Cont William Iohn of Beaumont earle of Blois his brother Henry and Didier of Brederode brethren Symon and Didier of They lingen brethren also Iohn lord of Heusden Iohn lord of Drongelen his vncle Iohn lord of Arckel Didier Seignior of Valkenburch Monioye brother to the wife of the lord of Brederode lady of Voorne Nicholas lord of Putten and Streyen Philip vicont of Leyden lord of Wassenare Iohn Seignior of Leck and Polanen Iohn Seignior of Henckelom Otto Seignior of Aspren Iohn Seignior of Egmont Walter his son Ghisbrecht Seignior of Iselstein Henry Seignior of Vianen Iohn of Persin Seignior of Waterlandt Guy of Holland Seignior of Hamstede Arnold Seignior of Cruyningen William Seignior of Naeldwick Floris of Spyck Ieams vanden Voude Floris Merwen Didier and Herman Zwieten brethren Gerard of Hemskerke Gerard of Raphorst Gerard of Polgeest Floris vanden Tol Ogier van Spanghen VVilliam Kuser baylife of Rhinlandt Didier of Sassenhem Daniel of Matenesse and Didier
had beene forced to endure more to the ruine of their goodly houses and the losse of their goods The town of Vtrecht being by this means come into the Emperors hāds according to the accord made the Bishoppe for the temporall Iurisdiction of the said Countrie there was a Nobleman sent from the Court at Brussells to do iustice vpon the rebels and to pacefie all partialities and mutynies and the better to keepe them in obedience and awe theie bulit a Cittadell by Saint Katherines port which was called Veredenbourg that is to say the Castell of peace the which from that time continued vnto the yeare 1577. that many Cittadells and Castells in diuers parts of the Netherlands were ruined as wee shall heareafter shew The Emperors armie beeing returned from Tyes there was a meeting appointed in the Towne of Gorrichom betwixt the Duke of Gelders and the Bishop of Vtrecht whether came commissioners on the Emperors behalfe and for the Duke of Gelders for the Emperor came the Earles of Buren and Hochstraten the Bishop of Palermo Chancelor and the Audiencier or Secretarie for the Duke of Gelders came Henry Kiespennick Rolland Kerckelandt and Veressen who after much debate in the end concluded a good peace betwixt the Duke of Gelders on the one part and the Bishop of Vtrecht on the other and the Emperor being ioyned to the said Bishop and also for his owne particular touching the temporall Iurisdiction of Vtrecht which accord conteyned many articles the which wee omitte to auoyd tediousnes By the which the Earle of Maeurs and Doctor Wynant were deliuered without ransome beeing taken prisoners at Vtrecht and a time lymited for the banished men of Vtrecht and Swoll to returne home to their houses for the confirmation of which accord and peace there went to Brusselles the Earles of Buren and Hochstraten and the Baron Schencke for the Emperor and the Bishop of Vtrecht and for the Duke of Gelders Iohn van rossem Lord of Brouchuysen Doctor Erckelens and others who finding not the Lady Marguerite Douager of Sauoy the Emperors sister and gouernesse of the Netherlands at Brusselles theie went vnto her to Macklyn whereas the said Ladies Councell in the Emperors name and the Dukes Councell in their maisters name did sweare the said peace in Sainte Peeters Churche The Queene vsed the Dukes Comissioners very honourably giuing to euerie one of them a faire Cup full of golden Carolus who returning by Antwerp went to make report vnto their Prince whereof hee was exceeding ioyfull A while after the Duke sent Martin van Rossem Lord of Puydroyen to the French King to aduertise him of the peace hee had made with the Emperour where-with the King was well pleased In the yeare 1529. Henry of Bauaria Bishop of Vtrecht discontented with the warres and seeing himselfe thus depriued of the temporall Iurisdiction of the said Bishopricke which the Emperor had gotten into his possession resigned his Bishoppricke in Iuly into the hands of Pope Clement the 7. going to gouerne the Bishopricke of Wormes after they had beene at Vtrecht fiue yeares to which Bishopricke there was aduanced an ancient man called William van Engueuoort borne in Brabant Cardinall and Bishop of Tortona in Spaine who being at Rome tooke posession of the said Bishopricke of Vtrecht by his Atorney leauing Iohn Vtenengen his vicegerent to gouerne it whether hee neuer went but died foure yeares after in Rome in the yeare 1533. A Peace beeing concluded betwixt the Emperour and the French King in the yeare 1529. the Emperour arriued with a great fleete at Genoa where hee had newes of the Peace concluded at Cambray the which did amaze all the Princes of Italie fearing they should bee now abandoned by the French whose entrie into Bologne I haue thought good to describe for the statelynesse thereof although it doth not concerne our subiect The Emperour Charles the fifth went towards Bologna la grassa whereas Pope Clement was then resident beeing neare the Cittie fiue and twenty Cardinalls went to meete his Maiestie comming neere him they all lighted to doe their duties vnto him then they tooke their moyles againe conducting him into the Cittie hauing of either side of him the Cardinalls of Ancona and Farneze entring into the Cittie there marched first 300. light horse in a liuerie after came ten great Canons with their pioners carrying euery one a Lawrell branche then the Captaines well mounted Don Anthonio de Leua followed with some field pieces being carried in a Carosse trimmed with tawney veluet hauing with him foureteene enseignes of Germaine foote after the which marched two Noblemen in complete armes and their horses barded before whome were carried two Standards of cloth of gold with an Eagle in the midest and betwixt those two was an other Standard of watchet satten with a red crosse which the Pope had sent vnto the Emperor The Earle of Rieux Lord Steward of his house was next accompanied with three hundred men at armes all in cassakes of one liuerie yealow red and blew then the Grandos and Noblemen of Spaine with foure hundred horses barded After them fiue and twenty pages of honour belonging to the Emperor all in cloth of gold mounted vpon Genets of Spaine richly furnished then sixe hundred halbardiers all apparelled in yealow in the middest of whome marched the Emperor vnder a canopy of cloth of gold beeing mounted vpon a Hungarien horse with a rich caparison hauing the bit and his stirrops of massie gold being armed vnder his coate of armes with cloath of gold his Marshall went before him carrying a naked sword in his hand about his horse went fiue and twentie Bollonian gentlemen on foote all in white satten dublets cut vpon cloath of gold and breeches of chrimson veluet The Earle of Nassau came after also with foure score men at armes and a great traine of Nobility then others attired in diuers liueries to the number of two thousand horse and behinde six companies of Spanish shot all in yealow The Emperor beeing entred into that cittie they brought him a crosse of gold the which he kist The Pope was carried out of his Pallace vnto Saint Petronelles Church where hee did sit downe in his pontificall seate with his Cardinalls about him The Emperor approching neere the staires lighted from his horse withall his Noblemen who marched vnder his canopie vntill hee see where the Pope was sitting who made three curtesies vnto the Emperour and hee kneeling downe kist the Popes feete and then rysing hee kist his hand and his face then all the Noblemen followed and kist the Popes feete which done he rose out of his chaire and kist the Emperor three times of the cheeke saying I cry you mercie and yeeld my selfe vnto you it was not my desire that you should kisse my feete but to obserue the accustomed ceremonies at the coronation of Emperors The two and twenty of February in the yeare 1530. the Emperor hauing staied almost
spent in occurrents to receiue aduises and commandements from Spaine these countries for want of preuoyance should fall into some bad inconuenience One thing there is that comforts him in this his departure from you That hee leaues you vnder the gouernment of the King our Lord here present his onely sonne and naturall heire whom you haue accepted and also giuen your oth who is of ripe yeares and allied the second time vnto the Queene of England the which is an alliance very profitable for these countries besides that hee hath long had the gouernment of many realmes and prouinces wherefore he is the more capable of this charge with the good helpe counsell and support of you my masters his faithfull vassals and subiects who may supply the place of his imperiall Maiestie giuing thankes vnto God who hath giuen him meanes so to prouide and to preuent the inconueniences which might otherwise haue happened to one that had beene young of yeares and not capable of so great a gouernment knowing the king not onely sufficient but also endued with a desire and affection to maintaine you and to employ himselfe for the good of these countries whom hee hath resolued to inuest in all his prouinces and realmes one after another as he hath not long since begun that by little and little he may inure himselfe to beaâ—…e this burthen the which he shall doe more easily than if at one instant so great a chaâ—…ge should fall vpon him before that he had beene acquainted with it According to this dâ—…rmination his imperiall Maiestie trusting that for these reasons you will like thereof and that for the loue of him you will willingly accept in his place the King our Lord and Prince his Maiestie doth now with ioy giue ouer these countries resigning them generally into the hands of the king his sonne leauing vnto him from this day forward the full and absolute possession thereof as hereafter by his death should lawfully fall vnto him by succession to administer rule and gouerne as his owne proper and patrimoniall inheritance entreating you â—…arnestly to receiue him willingly and cheerefully And according thereunto he doth quit free and absolue you of your oath of fealtie and homage which heretofore you haue made vnto his imperiall Maiestie that you may take the same vnto the king at the reception of your estates and offices holding him hereafter for your prince and soueraigne lord His imperiall Maiestie doth also entreat you most louingly to take in good part the loue and affection which by the effects he hath shewed you hauing omitted no trauell nor care belonging to his dutie with the good aduice and assistance of those that haue beene seruiceable vnto him and namely of my lady the queene his sister who hath employed all her studie and paines therein and vnder-gone many a long and painfull iourney being sorry that he could not assist them as he desired confessing that hee hath had good and loyall subiects who for their parts haue giuen him all faithfull assistance and dutifull obedience His imperiall Maiestie doth also thanke you for the succours which you haue giuen him in all his great and weightie affaires as with your good counsels and meanes hauing supplyed him at sundry times with many and great summes of money the which with those of his other Prouinces and Realmes which haue beene very great you know haue beene employed for the good and preseruation of these countries being exceeding sorry that after so great toyle trauell and charge hee hath not the meanes to free you from this warre neyther are you ignorant of his endeauors therein wherewith the queene his sister hath acquainted you in the last assembly and what hath past at the ouertures of peace and vpon what tearmes the French were resolued notwithstanding he hopeth that God who is a iust and righteous Iudge will one day giue him meanes to bring them vnto reason And that the king our prince will seeke all meanes to defend and maintaine you hoping that you will alâ—…o ay de him as you haue euer done his imperiall Maiestie vnto this day seeing that all tendeth to your preseruation to repell the danger and to repaire the mischiefe which warre may breed His imperiall Maiestie entreateth you that you will shew your selues somewhat bountifull in your owne affaires and need as for him he will giue him meanes to entertaine him honestly in his estate and to be able to arme against his enemies how great and mightie soeuer they be by whom through want of succour and helpe you may fall into great disasters the which by your good assistance may be auoided hee helping you therein all that he can Moreouer his Maiestie cannot otherwise doe but before his departure for your owne good and honour admonish and recommend the holy seruice of God vnto you vnder the obedience and reuerence due to our Mother the holy Church and to keepe and entertaine inuiolably the Edicts thereupon made by his imperiall Maiestie it is the point which he doth commaund and especially recommend vnto the king that hee may haue an especiall regard and care thereon whereunto bee you also the more enclined by the example of others that haue made the way to the end that doing your best endeauours towards him he may striue to doe you good and deliuer you from the oppression of your enemies That you also beare all honor and reuerence vnto Iustice that for want thereof humane societie and the common profit be not lost but that thereby you may liue in peace and concord with a carefull regard that the countries be no otherwise seperated nor diuided than the members from the body euery one helping and succouring one another according to his office and function by which vnion not only the enemie shall be kept from annoying you but you shall liue together ioyfully in rest tranquilitie experience hauing taught how well these countries could defend themselues vnto this day against all them that would offer them violence Finally he recommends vnto you the honor respect reuerence and obedience which you owe vnto the king our soueraigne prince and so to carry your selues towards him as you haue done hitherto to his imperiall Maiestie his affection to you being as sincere as can be desired giuing him occasion to continue so still and that he may bee a mild and gentle prince to you seeing that in viewing his life past we may iudge of his inclination to whom God giue his grace and fortifie him for the encrease of his estate and your defence and preseruation This speech being ended the Emperor began to speake as if he would confirme that which the Orator of Brussels had said whereupon the king rose stood neere his father who spake French the better to vnderstand what he would verbally declare The Emperor then said That he had forty yeares since in the same place been emancipated by the Emperour Maximilian his grandfather and put in
neither the Emperour king Ferdinand nor the other princes and states should doe wrong to any of the Empire in what sort soeuer by reason of the confession of Ausbourg that from thence forwards they should not force by edicts or other meanes the allies of this confession to abandon their religion but should suffer them to enioy it freely with their goods tributes rights and possessions with many other priuiledges graunted in fauour of the religion Some moneths after there were bruites giuen out of enterprises and practises made by the Pope and his adherents against the allies of the confession of Ausbourg It was thought that the Pope was wonderfully discontented with this decree made at Ausbourg by the which they did leaue the religion in peace and libertie and that he did sollicite the Emperour to disanull it Moreouer vnder colour of going to the baths at Aix the Archbishops and Electors of Ments Treues and Cologne met together the which was not without some cause but it proued nothing and the Cardinall of Ausbourg published a writing to excuse the emperour and himselfe also as if he had beene the conductor and manager of such practises so Germanie began to breath after so many stormes and the Emperor hauing as we haue said giuen ouer the affaires of the Netherlands of his realmes to leaue them to the charge of his sonne king Philip resigned also the Roman Empire into the Electors hands by an embassage hauing held it seuen and thirtie yeares The sixteenth of Ianuary 1556 were celebrated in Brussels the funerals of the king of Portugals brother and the next day king Philip accompanied wâ—…th a great number of the nobilitie departed from Brussels to goe to Antuerpe to hold the feast and Chapter of the golden Fleece whereof his father had lately made him chiefe King Philip following the counsell of his father and sollicited by Mary queene of England his wife enclined vnto peace for the effecting whereof after many iourneyes a truce was made the fifteenth of February for fiue yeres The earle of Lalain went to Blois to see the king sweare it and the Admirall of Chastillon came to Brussels to the Emperour and king Philip to the same effect but it could not last long for both the one and the other had sought nothing but cauilling as it appeared presently the most cunning thinking to deceiue his companion 〈◊〉 whereupon the French who are more stirring began first for that the Admirall of Fraunce thought by subtiltie to surprise Downy by Arthois the which succeeding not the warre continued as before vntill that a peace was concluded by the mariage of king Philip and the duke of Sauoy as we shall see hereafter After that the Emperour had resigned all his Netherlands vnto king Philip his sonne and that he had setled a good order and disposed of all his affaires in the Netherlands being desirous to free himselfe from all temporall cares and to spend the remainder of his dayes in rest and quietnesse applying himselfe wholly to the seruice of God he resolued to retire himselfe with his two sisters the lady Elenor queene of Fraunce and the lady Mary queene of Hungarie into Spaine but before his departure he would also dispose of the affaires and state of the Empire the which he would yeeld and resigne vnto his brother Ferdinand king of Romanes whereupon he writ his letters to the princes Electors and to the States of the Empire as followeth Charles by the grace of God Emperour of Romanes alwaies Augustus king of Castile c. To all Princes Electors of the holy Empire Princes as well Ecclesiasticall as temporall Prelates Earles Barons Knights Nobles Captaines Prouosts Iudges Iustices Bourgmasters Bourgesses Comminalties and other subiects of the Empire of what estate qualitie or condition soeuer they be to whom these letters shall come health and peace Most famous and most reuerent our well beloued cosins most noble worthy reuerent and faithfull friends being moued by many pregnant and iust reasons especially finding our selues surcharged with the heauie burthen of old age and with continuall infirmities the which haue by little and little disabled vs and depriued vs of all strength requisite for the managing of affaires hauing long since resolued to resigne all our realmes of Spaine to the famous prince our sonne king of England hauing taken leaue of our court here wee are readie to imbarke attending onely the first prosperous wind that it shall please God to send By reason whereof seeing that through my absence and departure the rule and gouernement of the holy empire doth of right belong vnto our deere and well beloued brother Ferdinand king of Romanes of Hungarie and Bohemia as our lawfull successour in the said qualitie of king of Romanes the which gouernement he hath often many yeares since diligently deserued in our absence supporting the burthen with a brotherly loue and charitie and discharging himselfe of this charge To the end therefore that the Christian commonweale especially of the holy empire during out absence should not fall into some daungerous inconuenience and that the king of Romanes our brother may manage the affaires with greater authoritie wee haue aduised and resolued that hee in qualitie of king of Romanes hath absolute and irreuocable power to treat negotiat and commaund in all things that hee shall find requisit and necessarie for the greatnesse prosperitie and increase of the empire as absolutely as wee our selues being emperour of Romanes may doe True it is that we were resolued to assist in person at the imperiall diet at Ratisbone there with your aduice to haue conducted the affairs of the empire to some desired end and to haue resigned the gouernment of the said empire into the hands of the king of Romans to haue substituted him in our place to haue recoÌ„mended vnto you the honour respect and obedience which in this qualitie you should be bound vnto him but our indisposition apparent to all men could not endure so long and tedious a iourney by land and the rather for that wee thought it conuenient to haue respect vnto the season of the yeare fir for our voyage Wherefore seeing that we haue not appeared at this imperiall Diet as we would willingly yet being come vnto the effects of our desires and resolutions wee haue thought good by these presents to acquaint you and all others with our conceptions enioyning and expressely commaunding you hereby of our absolute power and imperiall authoritie that you shew vnto your king of Romanes vpon paine of our indignation all loyaltie and obedience honouring and respecting him in all his commaundements decrees and actions without any contradiction with all dutie as you would doe vnto vs if wee were there in person for such is our pleasure and last will Giuen at Zuytbourg in Zeeland vnder our seale the seuenth of September 1556. and of our Empire the 36. This done the fleet being ready in Zeeland he tooke his leaue of
be committed to prison and put some of them to death MARGVERITE OF AVSTRIA DVTches of Parma bastard daughter to the Emperor Charles the fifth Gouernesse of the Netherlands for king Philip. MARGARITA AVSTRIA DVCISSA PARMAE BELGâ—… DITâ—… P. HISPA REGâ—… NOMINA GVEER Who ere he be that sees this picture in this booke Vpon the bastard daughter of th'Emperour Charles doth looke That first was macht with one of th' house of Medicis And afterward espoused in the stocke of Farnesis And had a sonne that was a man of worthinesse This bastard wholly gaue her mind to craft and subtilnesse And with dissembling face did vaile her bad and foule intent For while in Netherlands she had the gouernment The gentlemen thereof she knew how to deceaue And many men of good account in troubles great did leaue But ere she saw the effect of her disloyaltie Another had her gouernment and did the place supply MARGVERITE of Austria bastard daughter to the Emperour Charles the fifth was first married to Alexander Medicis the first duke of Florence who was slaine by his owne cousin then she married againe to Octauio Farnese duke of Parma and Placence Anthonie Perrenot Cardinall of Granuelle before bishop of Arras caused her to be preferred to the gouernment of the Netherlands before all the princes of Austria sonnes to the Emperour Ferdinand and the dutchesse of Lorraine neece to the Emperour Charles daughter to Christierne the second king of Denmarke and to the lady Isabella sister to these two Emperours and so cousin germane to king Philip The which the said Cardinall a great counsellor and mignion had laboured to the end that this lady Marguerite comming out of Italie new and vnacquainted with the affaires and state of the Netherlands might be wholly directed and gouerned by his counsell and he by consequence haue the whole managing of the said countries the which he obtained as you may see by the progresse of our Hystorie The which caused a great iealousie against him and by his practise bred a diuision betwixt the noblemen the knights of the Order and other of the counsell of state of the said countries who diuided themselues into partialities and factions one against the other the one to supplant and the other to maintaine the credit and authoritie of this Cardinall King Philip hauing now made peace with the king of France determined to go into Spain there to aid the Inquisition being certified that certaine noblemen there were great fauorers of the reformed Religion and also from thence the better to further the generall counsell which two causes had chiefely moued him to hearken vnto a peace And therefore he caused all the states of the Netherlands to bee summoned to appeare in Gaunt there to declare his mind vnto them and to take his leaue much recommending his sister vnto them and vnder her according to the auncient custome he appointed a counsell of estate for matters of great importance as making of peace or beginning of warre intelligences with forraine princes and countries and the defence of the Netherlands and a priuie counsell for making of laws giuing of pardons ministring of iustice and other publicke causes and a third counsell for the Treasurie and the gouernment of the kings demaines and all receits of moneyes and incomes of reuenewes belonging thereunto those three seuerall counsels hauing seuerall assemblies so that one had not to doe with the other they of the counsell of estate were Anthonie Perrenot bishop of Arras who not long after was made Cardinall of Granuelle William van Nassau prince of Orange Lamorale Degmont prince of Gauare and earle of Egmont Philip de Staden baron of Glayon Charles baron de Barlamont chiefe of the Treasurie and doctor Vigilius president of the priuie counsell After that Philip de Montmorency earle of Horne admirall and Charles de Croye duke of Arschot were ioyned with them He appointed further That the knights of the order of the golden fleece being called thereunto by the lady regent should also be admitted to sit with them and those also of the priuie counsell and of the treasurie He likewise gaue them secret instruction whereby they had authority to sit in counsell make enquiries and heare causes but should not resolue vpon any thing without the aduice of the Cardinall the prince of Orange the earle of Egmont the baron of Barlamont and the president Vigilius The priuie counsell consisted of twelue more or lesse doctors of the lawes and each counsell had their secretarie He ordained a gouernour in euery prouince that were knights of the order of the golden fleece as in Brabant the regent had the chiefe charge as generall gouernor being resident there the prince of Orange was gouernour of Holland Zeeland and Vtrecht and after that also of the earledome of Burgundie the earle of Egmont was gouernor of Flanders and Artois Iohn de Ligni caâ—…le of Arenbergh was gouernor of Friseland Ouerissel Groning and Lingen Charles de Bunen earle of Megen was gouernor of Guelderland and Zutphen Peter Darust earle of Mansfield was gouernour of Lutsenburg Iohn marques of Berghen was gouernour of Henault Valencia and the castle of Camericke The baron de Barlamont was gouernor of Namure Iohn de Montmorency lord of Currieres was gouernor of Rissel Doway and Orchiers and Florence de Montmorency brother to the earle of Horne was gouernor of Dornicke and Tournesis These were all the principall lords of the Netherlands and had authority ouer the souldiers and execution of iustice He also appointed the ordering and gouernment of the bands of ordinarie horsemen vnto those lords that were three thousand horse wel mounted and esteemed to be the best brauest horsemen in Christendome and were entertained and held in pay both in time of peace and warre the colonels were the prince of Orange the duke of Arschot the earle of Egmont the marques of Berghen the earle of Horne the earle of Mansfield the earle of Megen the earle of Rieulx the earle of Bossu the earle of Hooghestrate the baron de Brederode the baron de Montigni and the baron de Barlamont each colonel hauing his lieutenant his treasurer And at the same time the king held the order of the golden fleece in Gaunt where amongst others he inuested certaine lords of the Netherlands therewith as the baron of Assicourt the lord Florents of Montigny the marques of Renti and the earle of Hooghestrate of the house of Lalain The states of the land hauing behaued themselues so well towards their prince wherby he had attained to so honourable a peace and the gentlemen in his seruice hauing ventured both their liues and goods the commons likewise willingly paying their nine yeares contribution deliuered an earnest petition vnto the king to desire his Maiesty to send the Spanish other forraine souldiers out of the Netherlands ouer the which souldiers the prince of Orange the earle of Egmont and the Earle of Horne were colonels
WILLIAM of Nassau DVring these alterations of the Spaniards and the sacke massaker of Antwerp the States of Brabant and other Prouinces of their association making one body of the Generall estates of the maine-land although that in them Luxembourg were not conteiâ—…ed wherof Peeter Ernest Earle of Mansfeldt was Gouernor nor Namur where Barlamont commanded to cut of the course of the Spanish tirany which they practized daily and openly in these townes which they held resolued to make them-selues strong both by sea and land and to make a good peace and generall vâ—…ion with the particular Estates of Holland and Zeeland and their Associats together with the Prince of Orange Gouernor of the said countries To which end the Seignior of Haussy brother to the Earle of Bossu who had beene prisoner at Horne was sent to Flessingue to the Prince of Orange who hauing conferred with the States of the said marine Prouinces hee wrought so effectually as after diuers voiages the Deputies of eitheâ—… part assembled at Goude where an accord of pacification was concluded and made and the assurances giuen in the saied Towne the eight of Nouember the same yeare whereof we haue thought good to set downe the declaration and articles at length aâ—… followeth To all those that these preseâ—… letters shall see or heare greeting As the countries in these parts hauâ—… these last nine or ten yeare fallen into great miseries and calaâ—…ities by ciuil warres and the proud and rigorous command gouernment outrages robberies spoiles and other disorders and Insoleneids of the Spaniards and their adherents And that for the preuenting and ceasing of all further troubles oppressions and miseries of the said countries by the meanes of 〈◊〉 â—…e peace and pacification there was in the moneth â—…f February in the yeare 1574. assembled in the towne of Breda commisioners from his Maiesty and from the Prince of Orange with the States of Holland and Zeeland and their associats by whome there were propounded diuers meanes greatly seruing for the said pacification yet the frute that was hoped and expected did not follow but contrariwise dâ—…ing the hope of this consolation clemency and bounty from his Maiestie the said Spaniards haue sought daily more and more to oppresse ruine and to draw the poorâ—… sâ—…biects into pâ—…rpetuall slauery making many mutines thretning the Noblemen aâ—…d the townes and seazing in hostile manner of many places sacking spoyling and burning them So as after they had beâ—… proclaimed enemies to his Maiestie by them that were appointed to gouerne the said Countries and of the publike quiet the States of these Proâ—…inces with the consâ—… of the saide commissioners haue beene forced to take armes only to auoid and preueâ—… their vtâ—…er ruine And that the inhabitants of all these Netherlands being vnited in a firme League and vnion should ioyntly together chase away the said Spaniards and their Adherents Destroyers of the said Countries and restore it againe to the enioying of their ancient rights priueledges and customes freedomes and liberties whence the negotiation trafficke and prosperity of the Country might insue Wherefore with the like agreation of the said Noblemen appointed to gouerne the said countries according to the conference and pacification begun at Breda this present treatie hath beene made to the honor of GOD and for his Maiesties seruice betwixt the Prelates Noblemen Townes and members of Brabant â—…landers Arthois Henault Valenciennes Lille Douay and Orchies Tournay Tournesis Vtrecht and Macklin representing the States of the said Countries and the Prince of Orange with the States of Holland Zeeland and their Associats by commissioners deputed respectiuely of either side that is to say the reuerent Prelats Damp Iean vander Linden Abot of Saint Geertruâ—…de at Lovnaine Damp Guislani Abot of Saint Peter at Gand Damp Matheeu Moulâ—…rt Abot of Saint Guislain Elect Bishoppe of Arras Iohn de Mol Seignior of Ortingen Francis of Hallewin Seignior of Sweueghen Gouernor of Oudenard and commissioner for the renuing of the Lawes of Flanders Charles of Gaure Seignior of Fresin al knights Maister Elbert Leonin Doctor of the Lawes professor in the vniuersity of Lovuaine Peter of Bieure Councellor to the King our Lord in his Councell of Flanders and the Seignior Quentin Du Pere first Alderâ—…an of Mons in Henault with Iohn of Pennants also Councellor and Maister of Accoumpts to his Maiestie in Brabant their Secretary in the behalfe of the said Estates of Brabant Flanders Arthois Henault c. And Phillip of Marnix Seignior of Saint Aldegond Arnhold Van Dorp Seignior of Tamise William Van Zuylen Van Nyuelt Seignior of Heeratsberghe Squiers Adrian Vander Mylen Doctor of the Lawes and Councellor to his Excellencie and in the Prouinciall Councell of Holland Cornellis of Coinc a Licentâ—… of the Lawes and Councellor to his Excellencie â—…le Buys an Aduocat of Holland Peter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bayliffe of Flessingue Anthony Vande Zyckâ—…lo a Councellor of Zeeland and Andrew of Ionghe Bourgmaister of Middelbourg in the behalfe of the said Prince Estates of Holland Zeeland and their Associats according to their authoritie and commission inserted vnto the end hereof making and treating betwixt the said parties and countries a firme and perpetuall peace League and vnion vnder the Articles and conditions which follow First that all offences iniuries wrongs and domages hapned by reason of the troubâ—… les betwixt the Inhabitants of the Prouinces comprehended in this present Treatie in what place or manner soeuer shall be pardoned forgotten and reputed as not done so as there shall neuer any mention bee made nor any one troubled nor molested by reason thereof And the said states of Brabant Flanders Henault c. together with the said Prince and the States of Holland Zeeland and their Associates do promise hereafter to entertaine faithfully and without dissimulation a peace and vnion and to cause it to bee entertayned firmely and inviolably by the said Countries And so to assist one an other at all times with aduice and councell and therein to imploy both their bodies and their meanes especially to â—…ell and keepe out of these 〈◊〉 the Spanish soldiars and other strangers and forreners hauing sought against all right to take away the liues of Noblemen and Gentlemen and to appropriate vnto them-selues the riches of the Countrie and more-ouer to hold the common people in perpetuall seruitude For the furnishing whereof and of all that shall offer to oppose them-selues the said Confederates and Allies promise also to bee ready and willing to yeelde to all necessary and reasonable Impositions and contributions Moreouer it is agreed that presently after the retreat of the Spaniards theiâ—… adherents when as all things shall be in safety peace both parties shall be bound to aduance procure a CoÌ„uocation Assembly of the generall Estates in the same manner forme as it was in the time of the high mighty Emperor Charles the 5. when as hee made a cession transport of these
out of the dukedome of Luxembourge with in other twenty dayes or before if it be possible wherein our aforesaid good brother shall imploy him-selfe with all his power and during the said time of forty daies all and euery one of our said soldiars shall and must behaue them-selues honestly and peaceably without any robbing exacting ransacking and spoyling or in any-wise misusing of our said Netherlands and the subiects of the same nor any of the neighbour countries and inhabitants thereof And touching the time of the departure of the aforesaid high-Duch soldiars they shall and must depart out of our sayd Netherlands presently after that the Estates shall haue contented them as it is further and more at large declared In the 15. article of this our perpetuall edict of peace which is after that they shal be reckoned withall and all and euery reasonable educations made out of their paies as it shall be found to fall out And that all our sayd souldiars Spaniards High-duches Italians Burguignons and all others must and shall at their departures out of our sayd castles and townes leaue all the victualls ordinance and munition of warre beeing therein behind them in our sayd castles and townes which sayd townes and castles with the victualls ordinance and â—…unition wee will by the aduise of our sayd councell of estate appoint to bee deliuered into the hands of such persons as are naturall borne subiects of our sayd Netherlands and as the preuileges of the sayd Netherlands import and such as at this time are acceptable vnto them And touching the oppressions extortions and forcible compossitions which by any of our souldiers whosoeuer they be haue beene done in our sayd Netherlands during the time that they haue beene and continued therein wee will deale in such sort touching the same as right reason and equity requireth and when time serueth as neere as wee can content euery man therein and shall likewise cause inquiry to bee made not onely amongst the captaines and commanders of our sayd souldiars but also amongst all and euery one of our sayd souldiers who in any sort whatsâ—…euer haue misused and disordered themselues either in our Netherlands or the countries adioying and will do right and iustice therein whether it bee in our Netherlands or in our kingdome of Spaine or any other place where wee shall thinke it meet and conuenient Wee ordaine decree and appoint that all and euery one of the prisoners which are holden in prison by reason of the alterations and troubles in the sayd Netherlands on both sides shal be freely and frankly set at liberty and released of their imprisonment without paying any ransome prouided alwaies that touching the sending againe of our couzin Philip William van Nassau Earle of Buren into our Netherlands wee will take orderâ—… that the sayd Earle shall bee freely sent againe into the sayd Netherlands as soone and presently after that the generall Estates shall haue assembled and the aforesayd Prince of Orange for his part shall haue truely and effectually performed that which by them at the sayd assembly shal be ordained and appointed for him to do Item wee ordaine decree and appoint that the question contention and doubt touching the restablishing and placing of certaine Lords and Officers in their gouernments and offices from whence they haue beene discharged and put out by reason of the alterations and troubles aforesayd shal be suspended and referred vntill the end of the assembly of the generall Estates and that then the sayd question contention and doubt shall bee committed vnto the arbitrement and determination of the councell and ordinary iustice of the Netherlands respectiuely by them to bee decided and ended according to law Further wee promise vpon our faith and word of a peace to hold and maintayne and to cause our sayd good brother and all other Gouernors and euery one of them generally and perticularly which hereafter shall by vs and our successors bee placed in our sayd Netherlandes to hold and maintaine all and euery one of the old preuiledges customes vses rights and lawes of our sayd Netherlands and that wee will not suffer any to serue vnder vs our aforesayd good brother nor any other gouernors of our sayd countries neither for councellors nor otherwise in the administration of the common gouernment of the sayd Netherlands but onely such as are naturall borne people and subiects of our sayd Netherlands And likewise the Estates aforesayd for their parts do promise vpon their consciences faithes and honors before God and man to maintaine vphold and defend and cause to bee maintained vpholden and defended the Holy Catholike Apostolike and Romish faith and religion and the authoritie and obedience due and belonging vnto vs in all places of our sayd Netherlands wheresoeuer and not to doe any thing contrarie vnto the same Item the sayd Estates likewise haue promised to leaue breake of renownce and shall and do promise to leaue breake of and renounce all and euery League and confederations which they for their protection and defence haue made heretofore with any forrein Prince or Potentate since the alterations and troubles aforesaid The sayd estates likewise and in like manner haue promised and by these presents doe promise to discharge and send out of our sayd Netherlands all and euery one of the forraine Souldiers which they haue intertained or caused to bee intertained in their paye and to hinder let and withstand that from hence-forth there shall no more forraine Souldiers enter into the same Item whereas the sayd estates in witnesse of their true intent as also of the sincere and good affection which they beare vnto vs and our seruice haue liberally agreed and offered vnto vs the summe of sixe hundred thousand pounds of fortie Flemish groates the pound they doe by these presents promise to pay and deliuer the one halfe thereof in ready money vnto the hands of the aforesayd Lords Ambassadors and messengers of the Empire and the Deputies or Committies of the aforesayd Duke of Iuilliers and Cleue which said halfe part the sayd Ambassadors Messengers and Committies shall pay and deliuer ouer vnto the hands of our aforesaid good brother or vnto such as hee shall appoint by the consent of the sayd Lords Ambassadors and Messengers to cause our sayd Souldiers Spaniards Italians and Bourguignons and other strange soldiers to depart out of our Castle and Towne of Antwerpe and out of all and euery other of our Castles Townes and Forts except the high Dutches aforesaid vntill such time as they shall be reckond and accounted withall as in the next article shall be declared And for the other halfe the said estates shall make it ouer by billes of exchange to Genoa there to be paid vnto those that by our said good brother shall be appointed to receiue the same within two moneths after the said Spaniards Italians and Burguignons aforesaid shall be departed out of our towne and castle of Antwerpe And further the
seditionâ—… but shall behaue them-selues indifferently and modestly saying or speaking nothing else but that only which tendeth to the instruction and edification of their audience vpon paine aforesaid Forbidding likewise vpon like paine all soldiers of what religon soeuer they be to beare any signes tokens or showes whereby they might moue or stirre each other to strife or contention That they of the afore-saide resormed religion both in Holland and Zeeland and elsse where should bee bound to obserue the lawes and customes of the Catholike Church touching Marriages allready made and which there-after should bee made in respect of the degrees of consanguinity and affinity and that touching the mariages as now done in the third and fourth degree they of the said religion shall not bee molested nor troubled for the same nor the validitie of the said Marriages brought in question or doubt neither yet denied nor with-held from the children produced or to be produced of the sayd mariage Prouided alâ—…ayes that the spirituall affinitie shall not hinder such mariages and that there shall bee no distinction nor more difference made touching religion in the receiuing of Schollers sicke or poore persons into the Vniuersities Colledges Schooles and Hospitalls then there is to receiue them into publicke Almes-houses and other charitable places That they of the religion out of Holland and Zeeland should bee bound to keepe and obserue the festiuall dayes ordained and kept in the Catholick Romish church as Sondayes Fayre dayes the feasts of the Apostles of the Anunciation of the Virgin Mary the Ascention of Christ Candlemas day and the Sacrament dayes and shall neither worke open their shops nor buye nor sell vpon the same That also vpon such dayes as by the sayd Church it is forbidden to eate flesh the Butchers houses and the shambles shall bee shut vp and euery man shall behaue himselfe according to the ordinances of euery place And the better to vnite all the inhabitants of the Netherlands wee declare that both the one and the other of each religion shall bee capeable beeing fitte to bee imployed to hold vse and exercise all manner of offices and states as well of Iustice as otherwise neither shall they of the sayd reformed religion bee forced to take any other oth nor bound vnto any other duties then well and truly to exercise their office and function and to keepe and obserue the ordinances appointed for the same And for that the administration of Iustice is one of the principalest meanes to keepe and maintaine the subiects in peace and vnitie and that the same by meanes of the diuersitie of religion and other wayes is troden vnder-foote in many places to the great oppression and iniury of the innocent and others seeking and desiring iustice Therefore to preuent all slanders at this day too much raigning it is commanded and forbidden vpon paine aforesayd vnto all Iudges Magistrates and particuler persons from hence forth not to apprehend nor lay hold vpon any man without obseruing three accustomed wayes that is in the deed doing or by order from the Iudge vpon lawfull information before giuen or where the party plaintife appeareth and giueth due information by writing And that the persons being by any of the three meanes aforesayd apprehended shall presently bee deliuered into the hands of his or their competent Iudge there to bee iudged and ordered touching his cause or offence as equitie requireth And to the end that all bad humors in the common wealth may bee purged and rooted out euery man is permitted without any perticuler interest to accuse one the other so it bee done by due information and before a competent Iudge that shall be bound within eight dayes after or before according to the custome of the place to doc the party accused right and iustice and therein to proceed with all diligence either to condemne or discharge him as he in iustice shall finde it requisite and conuenient And yet it shall not bee lawfull for any man to slander an other without cause or reason neither yet to bring his name or fame in question or to back-bite him vpon paine aforesaid And touching the execution both of ciuill and criminall iustice to giue euery man reasonable contentment it is ordayned that from hence-forth all the offices of the Magistrates of the perticuler Townes Villages and Lordships of the Netherlands shall bee executed by men of the best qualitie and such as are fauourers and louers of their natiue countrey without distinction of religion Which Magistrates shall onely deale with the causes of Iustice policie or gouernment of the Townes and places where they are appointed in such cases to bee resident Without any trouble molestation let or impeachment to bee done vnto them by any man whatsoeuer neither yet shall any seeme to meddle there-with in any sort whatsoeuer And when as the Magistrates shall be renewed and new chosen those that are called the eighteene or otherwise which were put in their places in greater or smaler number shall bee wholy left of with expresse command not to deale any more therein nor to trouble them-selues with the publicke affaires nor with the fortifications and watches of the townes vnlesse they shall bee specially appointed and chosen therevnto by the Magistrates aforesaid And that touching the same they shall therein giue no commission nor command that is of any importance but by fore-passed knowledge of the Magistrates of the Townes wherein they remaine and by their expresse Commission vpon paine as aforesaid And that this our Edict may the easilier and the better bee obserued and kept the Committies and other Deputies or such as haue power to renew the Magistrates shall nominate and appoint foure notable and sufficient persons of good qualities and behauiours at all times to bee ready and that without request made by any man to inquire about the defects and breaches of the aforesayd Edict which information by them taken and put in writing beeing signed by three of them shall presentlie bee deliuered vnto the Magistrate to take knowledge thereof and there-vpon to proceed by speedy iuâ—…ice and execution of the paines aforesayd against the breakers and suppressers of the sâ—…me Alwayes prouided that the offices of the sayd foure persons shall not continue aboue the space of a whole yeare and that they shall bee likewise renewed and altered with the Magistrates Giuen in Antwerp the two and twentith of Iuly 1578. As this religious peace was a remedie and medicine for many Townes so did it likewise serue such as were ill affected and troublesome to moue and stirâ—… vp strife and contention in some Townes and Prouinces which otherwise likewise were not very well pleased nor contented as here-after I will show In Antwerp Brussels Mechelen Bergen Breda Liere Bruges Ipre c. as also in Friseland Gelderland and other Prouinces and Townes it gaue great contentment and in those places those of the reformed religion had Churches appointed for them
without entermingling matters of Religion seeing that the stay growes neither from the Emperor nor from vs but from those Prouinces which haue entred into priuate treaties the which the enemie finding more auaylable he hath delaied to treate with the generality by the meanes of his Emperiall Maiesty It is vntrue that the Prince of Parma did euer make offer vnto vs by his letters to effect the pacification of Gant as you may plainely see by the coppie of those which he sent vs and our answere therevnto Moreouer other Prouinces haue beene carefull not to treat anything in particular with the enemie or to make declaration vnto him that they would not haue the question of Religion handled So as wee finde you are abused by some wicked spirits disciples of Escouedo which seeke to diuide vs and to stirre vp a warre for Religion and to chase away and massaker one by an other as hereto fore hath happened in Germanie England France and else-where Intreating you aâ—…aine â—…o weigh and consider all things well and to continue vnited with vs to repulse the common enemy and presently to send your deputies hether to determine and resolue of publike affaires by a generall consent and to send our deputies to Cologne to make a good and assured generall peace Wee for our parts doe promise to helpe and assist you in all things that shal be needfull for your quiet and prosperitie and entring into a generall treatie to yeeld vnto all reasonable conditions as wee haue offred to the Prince of Parma as you may see more at large by the coppie of our answer Whervpon we pray vnto GOD c. From Antwerp the eight of Aprill 1579. vnder written your good and affectionate friends the generall Estates of the Netherlands signed A. Blyleuen The superscription was To the states of Lille Douay and Orchies During all these practises of priuate reconciliation of thé of Arthois Henault Lille c. The Prince of Parma holding Mastricht beseeged with a mightie armie where as the sayd Prouinces had their deputies who sollicited all they could Peter of Melun Prince of Espinoy Seneshall of Henault newly succeeded to the sayd Principality by the death of Charles of Melun his elder brother gouernor and the States of Tournay and Tournesis according to the first practises which were made in October 1578. and the instruction giuen vnto the signior of Charpesteau by the states of Henault at the same time when as the states of Arthois and they of Arras began their broiles which instruction we haue also thought good to insert in this place before we proceed as followeth The signior Iosse of CaÌ„pen squier signior of Charpesteau Ostregnis c. at theâ—…e quest and deputation of the states of the country and county of Henault shall transport himselfe with all speed vnto the states of the country towne and Citty of Tournay and Tournesis and shall present vnto them the humble commendations of the said states of Henault their letters of credit According vnto the which he shal giue them to vnderstand that we ought alwaies to stand vpon our gard to foresee al inconueniences that may happen much more when we see the fire kindled we must fly to the remedy to hinder and preuent a greater ruine and combustion It is most notorious that although the Prouinces in these parts laboring to recouer their liberty and to free themselues from the Spaniards and their adherents and from the yoake and seruitude wherevnto they would subiect them had treated a pacification with the Prince of Orange and the states of Holland Zeland and their associats by the which it was expresly promised sworn not to attempt any thing that might be scandalous against the Catholike Apostolike and Romish religion vpon paine to be blamed and punished as troublers of the saith publike quiet thervpon was made and sollemnly sworne a general vnion contayning the same points yet it appeeres plainly of all sides that the sectaries and heretiks carry themselues most insolently preaching and making publike exercises of their sects and pestiferous religions ruining and profaning the holy Sacraments Cloisters Abbaies spoyling Churches and Images and massacring Church-men and good Catholiks surprizing and doing outrage to monasteries townes and castles forcing rauishing and abusing holy virgins and other chast wiues and maidens applying to their owne vse the goods and reuenues of the church imprisoning putting to death with great indignity Bishops Prelats honorable persons that were iust innocent subuerting al ancient order of iustice gouernment and lawfull Magistrats bringing to that end both men and ordinance to field and doing al acts of hostility And they did not only exceed therein but haue also attempted against the nobility with such fury as it appeers painly and as some of the chiefe of them haue shewed openly that they are resolued and fully determined to ruine and roote them out one after an other and all good Catholiks for euer It is certaine they had not beene forward and violent in their pernicious desseignes if they were not animated and supported by them which haue most sworne promised signed and ratefied the said pacification who at the least for their iustification should seeme to bee displeased therewith and helpe to suppresse and punish such outrages Wheras contrariwise we see that he which is come mercinarily to the great charge of the country to serue and succor it against the common enemies thereof is gone with his forces to succor them being called as the brute goes to be not only their Protector and Defender but also gouernor or Lord of the country leauing and abandoning both the campe and the country in prey to the common enemie if they had power to do it The which wee ought to preuent in time and to seeke all meanes which is the Office of Christians by a common course and in discharge of the vnion so sollemnly sworne by the Prouinces to suppresse such insolencies rashe excesse and outrages The which hath not yet beene done to the great preiudice interest and decaie of our holie saith Catholike and Romish Religion and of all good men and likely to augment daylie and to continue to the ruine and rooting out of all Pietie Nobilitie and order of pollicy and iustice if it be not preuented fore-seeing therfore that the negligence of many Gouernors the dissimulation of some the secret practises of the chiefe and the small zeale and courage which they that hold the better partie carrie to the preseruation of our sayd faith and Religion and the helth and publike peace may soone cause a ruine and generall desolution The sayd states of Henault haue fore-seene that it is needfull and more then necessarie that those Prouinces which are least dismembred and haue maintained themselues till now vnder the pacification of Gant and the sworne vnion should imbrace the affaires with more earnestnesse and resolue of some such remedie as
from the Seigniorie therof by a solemne Edict hauing abiured him broken his seals absolued the subiects of their oath and made them take a new 〈◊〉 for the preseruation of their countrey and obedience to the said Estates The prince of Parma besiegeth Tournay which in the end yeeldeth The prince of Orange desireth to quit the place of Lieutenant generall after the departure of the archduke Mathias and is intreated to continue it whereupon he giues some admonitions to the Estates but to small purpose The duke of Aniou commeth into the Netherlands is created duke of Brabant A bargaine made by the king of Spaine to kill the prince of Orange who was shot and in great danger of his life and the murtherer slaine The siege of Oudenarde yeelded to the Spaniard Alost taken by scalado for the duke of Aniou Death of the princesse of Orange The duke created earle of Flanders An attempt against the duke and the prince of Orange at Bruges for the which one was executed at Paris The dukes armie charged neere vnto Gant by the prince of Parma but it retires safe neere vnto Antuerpe Lochen besieged by the Spaniard relieued by the earle of Hohenlo in the Estates name The strangers called backe into the Netherlands by the disunited forces The French king refuseth to succour the duke his brother who assureth himselfe of Dunkerke Being ill aduised he seekes to seize vpon the towne of Antuerpe where his chiefe nobilitie was slaine the like was attempted in diuers other townes whereof the prince of Parma seekes to make his profit and the duke growes odious and yet the prince of Orange laboureth to reconcile all the which he did by the meanes of the Seignior of Bellieure sent by the king of Fraunce The duke yeelding vnto the Estates the townes which he had seized on returneth into Fraunce Another proiect to murther the prince of Orange by â—…e Pedro Dordogne and another at Flessingue by Hans Hanson The marshall of Biron retireth with the duke of Aâ—…u his troupes The prince leauing Antuerpe commeth into Holland where there is some speech to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 erle of Holland but without effect Imbise called home by them of Gant he plotteth his owne ruin and is beheaded at Gant as a traytar after that hee had sought to yeeld it with Denremonde to the Spaniard Ypre yeelded by necessitie to the Spaniard and Bruges by the prince of Chymay his practises Lillo besieged in vaine by the Spaniard The prince of Orange murthered at Delft Prince Maurice succeeds his father in the gouernment the towne of Antuerpe blocked vp the riuer stopped Gant and Denremonde yeelded The endeuors of them of Antuerpe the resolution of the Estates vpon the demaund of a new prince they send deputies to the French king who excuseth himselfe vpon the ciuile warres Nymmeghen Doesbourg Brussels Macklyn and other places yeelded to the Spaniard The Estates men defeated at Coestein and neere to Amerongen in the end Antuerpe is yeelded During this siege the Estates sent their deputies to the queene of England who accepteth their protection and sends her lieutenant for their preseruation IN the alterations which happen sometimes in an Estate betwixt the Soueraigne prince and a people that is free and priuiledged there are ordinarily two points which make them to ayme at two diuers ends The one is when as the prince seekes to haue a full subiection and obedience of the people and the people contrariwise require that the prince shold maintaine them in their freedoms and liberties which he hath promised and sworn solemnly vnto them before his reception to the principalitie Therupon quarrels grow the prince will hold a hard hand and will seeke by force to be obeied and the subiects rising against the prince oftentimes with dangerous tumults reiecting his authority seeke to imbrace their full liberty In these first motions there happeneth sometimes communications and conferences at the instance of neighbours who may haue interest therein to quench this fire of diuision betwixt the prince and his people And then if any one of the parties groweth obstinate and will not yeeld although he seeme to be most in fault it followeth of necessitie that they must come to more violent remedies that is to say to armes The power of the prince is great when he is supported by other princes which ioyne with him for the consequence of the example else it is but small but that of the people which is the body whereof the prince was the head stirred vp by conscience especially if the question of Religion bee touched the members ordained for their function doing ioyntly their dueties is farre greater Thereupon they wound they kill they burne they ruine and grow desperately mad but what is the euent God who is an enemie of all tyrannie and disobedience iudgeth of their quarrels weigheth them in his ballance of iustice helping the rightfull cause and eyther causeth the prince for his rigour and tyrannie to be chased away and depriued of his estate and principalitie or the people for their contempt and rebellion are punished reduced vnto reason which causeth the alterations to cease and procureth a peace whereof we could produce many examples both ancient and moderne if the relation of this historie did not furnish vs sufficiently So the generall Estates of the vnited prouinces seeing that king Philip would not in any sort through his wilfulnesse yeeld vnto their humble suite and petitions and notwithstanding all the offers they could make to purchase a good firme and an assured peace notwithstanding all the intercessions both of the Emperour the French king the Queene of England and other great princes and potentates of Christendome yet would hee not glue eare to any other reason but what himselfe did propound the which the said Estates did not onely find vniust and vnreasonable directly repugnant to the liberties constitutions and freedomes of the countrey but also contrarie to their consciences and as it were so many snares layed to catch them which were in no sort to bee allowed of nor receiued considering the qualitie of their affayres and his according to the time that was then In the end reiecting all feare of his power and threats seeing that they were forced to enter into all courses of extremitie against a prince which held himselfe so heynously offended as no reconciliation could be expected relying vpon the iustice and equitie of their cause and sinceritie of their consciences which are two brasen bulwarkes they were fully resolued without dissembling to take the matter thus aduaunced in hand and opposing force against force meanes against meanes and practises against practises to declare him quite fallen from the Seigniorie preheminence and authoritie which before the troubles the breach of their priuiledges rights freedomes and immunities so often and so solemnely swome by him and dispensation of his othes hee had or was wont to haue in the said prouinces respectiuely whereof they made open declaration by a
day of the publication of the sayd treatie the commerce shal be free and assured betwixt their countries and subiects as is contained in the said treaties and hath beene vsed by vertue thereof and the orders contained therein shal be obserued especially in regard of the officers which haue serued the said Kings although it were derogated by any other treatie 30. Notwithstanding there is reserued vnto the said most Christian King and to his successors al their rights actions and pretensions which they challenge to belong vnto them by reason of the said realms countries and signeuries or els where for any cause soeuer the which he nor his predecessors haue not renounced to make his pursute by any amiable course of Iustice and not by armes 31. In this peace shal be comprehended by a common consent of the most Christian and Catholike Kings if they will be comprehended First on the Catholike Kings part our holy father the Pope the holy Apostolike sea the Emperor of Romaines the Arch-dukes his brethren and cousins their realms and countries the Electors Princes townes and Estates of the holy Empire obeying him the duke of Bauaria the duke of Cleues the Bishop and countrie of Liege the Hans townes and the Contie of East-Friseland And the said Princes doe renounce all practises promising hereafter not to make any neither within nor without Christendome that may be preiudiciall vnto the said Emperor nor vnto the Estates of the Empire but they shall procure with all their meanes the good and quiet of the same so as the said Emperor and Estates of the Empire carrie themselues respectiuely and amiably to the most Christian and Catholike Kings and do nothing to their preiudice And in like manner shal be comprehended the Cantons of the Suisses of high Germany the Cantons of Grisons and their Allies the Kings of Poland and of Sueden the King of Scotland the King of Denmarke the duke and signeury of Venise the duke of Lorraine the great duke of Tuscane the commonweales of Genoa and Luca the duke of Placentia the Cardinal Farneze his brother the duke of Mantua the duke of Vrbin the chiefe houses of Colonne and Vrsins the duke of Salmonette the Lord of Monaco the Marquis of Final the Marquis of Massa the Lord of Plombin the Earle of Sala the Earle of Calorino to inioy in the like manner the benifit of this peace with an expresse declaration that the most Christian King may neither directly nor indirectly by himselfe or by any others molest any of them And if the most christian King pretends any thing against them he may seeke it only by law before competent Iudges and not by force 32. And on the behalfe of the most christian King shal be comprehended if they please the Pope the Apostolike Sea the Emperor the Princes Electors Clergy and Secular townes and commonalties of the holy Empire and especially the Cont Palatin Elector the Marquis of Brandenbourg the duke of Wyrtenberg the Landtsgraue of Hessen the Marquis of Hansbac the Earles of East-Friseland the Hans townes according to the ancient alliances the king and kingdome of Scotland according to the ancient treaties allyances and confederations which are made betwixt the Realmes of France and Scotland The Kings of Poland Sueden and Denmarke the duke and signiory of Venise the thirteene Cantons of Suisses the three Cantons of Grisons the bishoppe and Siegneury of the countrie of Valays the Abbot and towne of Saint Gall Clottenberghe Mulhausen the countie of Neufchastell and other allyes and confederates of the sayd Cantons The duke of Lorraine the great Duke of Tuscan the Duke of Mantua the common-weale of Luca the bishoppes and chapters of Merz Thoul and Verdun the Abbot of Gozzo the signior of Sedan the Earle of Mirande Prouided alwaies that the consent which the catholike King giue to the comprehension of the Earles of East-Friseland bee without any preiudice to the right which the catholike King pretends to their countries as in like manner the defences rights and exceptions of the sayd Earles against it shal be reserued all with declaration that the sayd catholike King may not directly nor indirectly by himselfe nor by any others molest them And if the catholike King pretends any thing against them hee may pursue it by lawe before competent Iudges and not by force in any sort whatsoeuer 33. And there shal be also comprehended in this present treaty all others which by common consent of the sayd Kings may bee named so as within sixe monethes after the publication of this treatie they giue their letters of declaration and bond as is requisite in that case 34. And for the greater assurance of the peace and of all points and articles contained therein this treaty shal be veryfied proclaimed and registred in the court of Parliament at Paris and in all other Parliaments of the realme of France and chambers of accounts of the said Paris as in like manner it shal be proclaimed verefied and registred in the great councel and in al the courts and chambers of accounts of the sayd catholike King in his Netherlands after the same manner as it is contained in the treatie of the yeare 1559. whereof expeditions shal be giuen of either side within three monethes after the publication of this present treaty Which points and articles aboue mentioned and comprehended with all that is contained in euery of them haue beene treated accorded past and promised by the deputies in the names aboue mentioned The which by vertue of their commissions haue promised and do promise vpon bond of all the present and future goods of their said Maisters that they shal be by them inuiolably entertained obserued and accomplished and also that they shall deliuer one vnto an other autenticall letters signed and sealed whereas all this present treatie shal be set downe word for word and that within one moneth after the date of these presents in regard of the most christian King the Cardinal the Archduke and the duke of Sauoy which Archduke shall promise to procure the like letters of ratification from the catholike King within three monethes after And moreouer the deputies haue and doe promise in the sayd names that the letters of ratification of the most christian King Cardinal and Duke beeing made The said most christian King Cardinal and Duke shall sollemnly sweare vpon the crosse the holie Gospel and canon of the masse vpon their honors in the presence of such as it shall please them to depute to obserue and fulfil fully really and faithfully the contents of the said articles and the like oth shal be made by the catholike King within three monethes after or when he shal be required In witnesse of which things the sayd deputies haue subscribed this present treatie in their names at Veruin the twelfth of May in the yeare 1598. The Cardinal Albertus of Austria to whom the Infanta of Spaine was promised and had beene of a long time appointed
being an open contempt against the emperor and empire And as touching the sconce of Grauenweerd commonly called Schencks sconce which the estates did pretend to stand vpon the territories of Gueldres seeing it stil remained sublite pendente it was requisit it shold be deliuered into the duke of Cleues hands or else by forme of sequestration it should be put in some neutrall hands vntill the law had determined of the scituation thereof They also demaunded restitution of the ransomes and other booties gotten by them from the subiects of the empire and assurance that no such excesse should be committed hereafter Moreouer they said That they had expresse commission to complaine of the wrongs done by their souldiers in the territories of Aix whereas they made the peasants to pay contribution euen vnto the gates of the towne as in like maner in Westphalia Iuilliers and the territories of Cleues as also of a sentence giuen by them against those of Gelekerke Besides that the rents of the Foukers of Ausbourg were detained from them in Friseland wiâ—…h such like complaints wherefore they desired there might be certaine committees appointed to take order therein and that in the meane time there might bee a truce or surceasing from armes hoping that by the intercession of the emperor and the empire the aduerse party would be drawne to consent and agree thereunto Whereunto the Estates of the vnited prouinces made answer on the seuenth of Iune saying That they humbly thanked the emperor and the princes of the empire for the great care they had of the Netherlands and that for their parts they had alwaies sought to yeeld all due respect and honor vnto the said princes and to the empire according to their best means with restitution and satisfaction according to the order set downe at Renisbourgh c. being much grieued to heare that the emperor should be so falsely informed of their taking of any new places since the Spaniard had deliuered vp those places which he had held And as for Emmeric they desired them to consider that the towne was not yeelded vp againe by the Spaniard but the Spaniard holding it by force from the empire their generall prince Maurice had taken it from them in the yeare 1598 and deliuered it vnto the duke of Cleues to whom it belonged with condition not to suffer any Spanish garrison to enter any more into it and that when as in the yeare 1599 the Spaniards tooke Genep and Rees and attempted to take it againe the bourgers of the towne desired them to send in certaine souldiers for their defence where they haue euer since continued Touching the castle of Lobith they said it was neuer in the Spaniards power but in the yere past when as the Spanish army marcht that way they were forced to put a garrison into it for their owne securities as they did in Seuenar and other places which garrisons as soone as the Spaniards were gone to Bomelerweert they retired againe the which they were also readie to do at Emmeric if the Spaniards would promise not to take it againe and would leaue Rhineberck with other places which they still detained and that the duke of Cleues would suffer prince Maurice and the earle of Solins quietly to enioy the lands of the countesse of Nieuwenar and Moeurs giuen vnto them by her last will and testament They said they had thrice since the yeare 1597 restored such places to the empire as the Spaniards had taken from it and therefore they hoped that now the fourth time they would not vrge them to make restitution before the Spaniards did the like As for their title to Grauenweerd sconce they said That wheras in the yere 1586 the Spaniards had resolued to build a sconce in that place therby to haue an entry into Guelderland and into Cleueland they were preuented by them who had built a sort there for their defence without any complaint of them of Cleueland as beeing vpon the territories of Gueldres at the last they of Cleueland pretended to haue certaine ciuill iurisdiction ouer the same and yet the soueraigntie of Gueldres was not any thing preiudiced thereby The fort being made in the yeare 1590 the Estates of the vnited prouinces informed the emperour what right they had thereunto wherein as then there was nothing done so as they proceeded in the fortification of the place and therefore they hoped that seeing it was built vpon a void peece of ground adlegitimam defensionem they might hold the possession thereof and for that it was a place which concerned their enemie much and that the duke at that time made no complaint touching the same they were of opinion therefore that hee made no motion for the restitution thereof but onely by the practises and persuasions of the Spaniards And as for putting of the place into the hands of some neutrall persons and they to bee charged with the garrison that would onely be a meanes to pleasure the Spaniards Touching restitution of damages they said That they thought the Spaniards ought to do it who wilfully had entred into the confines of the empire to make it their passage into Holland so as they were vnwillingly forced to oppose themselues and if thereby any incursions were made into the empire it was done against their wils and contrarie to their proclamations and if they had not suffered the Spaniards to enter into their territories no such inconueniences had happened Concerning them of Aix they promised to take so good order therein as they should haue no cause to complaine so as they would remaine neutrall and not more partiall to one partie than to another The like they answered for them of Cologne Iuilliers and others protesting to be sorie for any wrongs that had beene done vnto them And as for the Foukers rents in Friseland if it were found they had any right thereunto they would take order they should haue speedie iustice Touching the foresaid embassage determined on at Renisbourgh tending to the making of a peace they said That it appeared that both the deceased king of Spaine and the king that now liueth sought nothing else but to bring the countries of the Netherlands vnder the Spanish yoake the which was especially intended by the donation of the sayd countries vnto the Infanta by the which gift the Archduke and Infanta are bound by othe to gouerne according to the will and disposition of the king of Spaine contrarie to the priuiledges and laudable customes of the Netherlands as also that the protectorship and mariage of the princes of the Netherlands is reserued to the pleasure and disposition of the king of Spaine the countries freedome being infringed and thereby made feudatorie in perpetuum to the crowne of Spaine the libertie of nauigation restrained and at the king of Spaines disposition beeing also sworne for euer to maintaine the Romish Religion and none else and that all those conditions should bee so strictly obserued as for