together with the writing the same euening exhibited as I was foorthwith enforced to departe for the cause you wote of The chiefe Officers for certayne respectes and notable aduertisementes whiche sithence come haue commanded me that ouer and besides our Ladie Churche and S. Georges that were this day named that you should like wise for the present abstaine from S. Iames and S. Michaels Which your obedience shall greatly please the Magistrate and you therin shall shew your good willes And so with my commendations I end In post haste the 23. of August 1566. All yours Iames of Wesen becke Pensioner of Antwerpe WHen they of the Religion heard that they were forbidden the occuping of these foure Churches aboue specified they had conceiued this opinion that the Magistrate woulde bee contented at the least to winke at the seruing of their turnes with the rest of the Churches Wherefore they that spake Flemish would needes preach on sunday morning being the 24. of August at the Borough Churche and the Walonnes meant to preach at the Iacopins But the very same morning there came two Gentlemen from the Prince shewing them that they must at no hande haue recourse to anie of the Churches howebeit that the chiefe Officers coulde bee contented that they shoulde meete together in the newe Towne And for this purpose they deputed one of the Sberiffes to goe and appoynt the wardes to suffer the people peaceably to passe as they went to the Sermon in that place But forsomuchas the Fleminges were already assembled in great multitudes in the saide Churches it was thought beste to let them alone for that morning vppon condition that they shoulde in the Afternoone goe to the Sermon in the newe Towne as the Walonnes did Who beeing not as yet gotten into the Iacopins for they kepte the doores shut vppon them when as they heard that there was a discharge brought that they shoulde not come in any Church assembled themselues in the new Towne by the authoritie and permission of the Magistrate Nowe at that tyme was greete trouble in Antwerpe as well by reason of the pulling downe of the Images as also in regarde of the publique Sermons whiche then serued in steede of Masses Insomuche that the whole Citie kepte almoste continuall watche and warde and the Gates and shoppes thereof were close shutte vppe Whiche was the cause that the Prince of Orange who as before is saide was gone to Bruxelles made speedye returne to Antwerpe the sixe and twentye of Auguste with the charge as Gouernour appoynted by his Maiestye for the pacifiyng of the troubles For the bringing of which to passe he caused two gentlemen to require at the handes of the two Churches to witte the Fleminges and Walonnes to depute ech of them foure wise skilfull personages who should communicate with his excellency what meanes were best to appease assure the people both of the one religion and of the other To this charge were chosen and deputed for the Fleminges Marke Peris Charles of Bombergue Herman vander Meere and Cornelius of Bombergue And for the Walonnes Frauncis Godyn Iohn Carlier Nicholas du vinier and Nicholas Sellyn Whiche eight deputies were allowed and authorized to this charge by the Prince the 28. of August and by the chiefe Officers the laste of the sayde moneth by their deedes graunted to these endes Nowe for the first conference his Excellencie propounded to the sayde Deputies these fifteene Articles ensuing with the aunsweares to euerye of them exhibited by the sayde Deputies in the name of both the Churches and his Excellencies aunsweares againe to euery of their answeares To my Lorde Monsieur the Prince MY Lord forsomuchas in your Excellēcies absence we may haue some other his Ma. Liuetenant not endued with such wisedome iustice and affection vnto the common weale quiet of this Citie as your selfe we are therfore inforced for our greater assurance in time to come to haue certayne poynts to vs propounded more particulerly to be cleared manifested which we woulde not thinke needful if wee were assured alwayes to haue to deale with your Excellencie by reason of the great trust whiche we repose in the same The first and second Articles FIrst you shal be no let to the Papists for their going to their Churches neither yet trouble them for the hauing of such exercise of their religion as they shall thinke meete conuenient 2 You shall not preache in any Churche but onely in the newe Towne and that in suche places as shall bee assigned to you The Answeare ALthough the Churches are common and free for all the Burgesses and not particuler to the Papistes yet doe wee promise neither to take nor occupie eyther by force or violence anye of them neyther yet trouble the Papistes in the exercise of their Religion Yet notwithstanding wee humblye beseeche your Excellencie to appoynt vs some Churche of theirs for the exercise of ours hauing regarde to the multitude and to the right that wee haue as Citizens whiche wee can by no meanes loose by reason of the embracing of the doctrine of the Gospell The third Artile 3 You shal haue but two Preachers and those to be of the same countrey borne The Answeare WE pray that the number of the ministers may be according to the multitude of the people and that you will graunte vnto vs for the present necessitie at the least eight for the Flemishe Churche and three for the Walonnes For the rest wee agree that the ministers of the word shal be of the same countrey borne the kings subiectes or receiued Citizens in some good citie hereabout The fourth Article 4 You shall not carrie any forbidden weapons vnto the Sermons but shal lay downe at the Princes feete al forbidden weapons The Answeare AS for the first poynt wee verily beleeue that his excellencies meaning is not but that it shal be lawfull and free for euery of vs to weare a sworde and a dagger and that hee will not graunt a larger libertie vnto the rest then the said sword and dagger And as for the seconde poynt which is to laye downe all forbidden weapons at the Princes feete vnder correction it should seeme that such a proposition concerning the priuiledges of the citie ought to be made generall to all Citizens and inhabitants of the same The fift 5 You shall make a Catalogue or rowle of all their names that bee of your Churche and the Prince shall call them before him to knowe of them if they had the same Catalogue The Answeare FOrsomuchas the libertie which we presently enioy is not confirmed by the king and the generall Estates therefore there are manie that will hardly graunt to haue their names in writing and withall it will be very harde to make such a Catalogue as his Excellencie desireth by reason of the great multitude of the people and therefore we beseech him not to take it in euill part if herein we satisfie not his desire but
countries should be franke and free from the daunger of ciuill warres And so long as the subiects saw al things goe well forward they alwayes continued constaunt in their obedience and fidelity and although the Brabanders who heeretofore flourished in all kynde of trade of merchandise had in the former warres beene in great perill and daunger yet for all that they gathered a greate peece of money so that it is too too manifest that the king was well assured agaynst all the force of any Monarches and Princes and that which is more beyng reconcyled with his enemies he was not onelye discharged of all the debtes whiche grewe by reason of the warres but also in a very fewe yeeres attayned to woonderful great wealth prosperity and honour For when his Maiesty was raysed vy to so high a degree of honour forren Potentates Princes feared him because his subiectes so honoured and reuerenced him and his Maiesty was thought to be the most mighty Monarch yea so farre passing al others as that it must of necessity needes bee granted that whatsoeuer they were that would goe about to impeach and disturbe this his so great good felicity must vndoubtedly by this notable vuyon be oppressed and beate downe Iusomuch that all they haue greatly offended whiche haue busied themselues about matters preiudiciall or hurtfull to his Maiestie and the common weale and done such thinges as are worthy punishmeÌ„t to the example of others wheÌ„ as the warres being suppressed they haue renewed fresh coÌ„motions and caused ciuill warres and therfore the Prince of Orange doth verily and stedfastly beleeue that they which haue brought the countrey of Brabant into this extreme misery calamity bondage ought likewise to be punished and chastised And sith the Prince of Orange is publikely in the Indit ement accused by the Attorney generall to be the original first mouer of the alterations happened in Brabant he is coÌ„ten ted to abyde the paynes in the said Inditement expressed if so be it bee true that the Attorney hath set downe The sayde Attorney generall affirmeth that the Prince is ambitious and of an vnbrydeled mynde to gouerne whereuppon ensueth that hee hath a purpose to take vppon him and enioy an other mans office and Estate and hath pretended nothing els in al his counsels and affayres For the confutation of this article as the originall and chiefe poynt of the complaynt of the Attorney generall it is sufficient that he referre the matter ouer vnto all such as know the prince of Orange by whom it may be vnderstoode if euer hee was desirous of rule and besides that he hath well gouerned his goodes and possessions whiche by Gods grace were lefte and geuen vnto him by whiche hee hath more increased his honour and reputation then by any other charge that euer he had And al men know that if the Prince had sought and hunted after his owne particular gayne that hee had a farre better waye and meane to haue heaped riches together by which hee might haue come to estimation and authority there held him then to be at great charge and expenses in Court in hope to come to authority by others procurement so that all the world knoweth that the prince in all his actions and behauiour neuer sought his owne particuler benefite And besides the Prince neuer once thought to drawe awaye his Ma. subiects from their obedience due vnto the same notwithstanding that the people alwayes most earnestly loued him but contrariwise continually to keepe them in a good liking of his Ma. but the very cause in truth of this their estraunging them is the cruelty of the commissions newly published This then is the onelie waye and meane that maye bee saide that the Prince euen to the last cast hath alwayes shewed his good and sincere affection vnto his Maiesty his lowe Countries and it must of necessitie be graunted that the Prince at no hand hath at any time ment to take vpon himselfe any authoritie ouer his Maiestie which as some thought might more commodiously haue been conserued in tranquilitie and peace whereupon followeth that the Prince his meaning was farre otherwise For his Maiesties authoritie coulde no way haue been peaceably conserued if so be the Countrey of Brabant should hane been conserued in her auncient and former prosperitie but by consenting to the exercise of the cruell Inquisition For he ment to oppose him selfe agaynst the sayde Inquisition All which his actions doe witnesse that he is no whit ambitious but cleane contrary For long before that time hee had resigned his dignitie of the Counsell of Estate as also the dignitie of the kinges chiefe officer of the treasure that arose vppon penall Statutes which is the meetest office of all other to binde the Estates to be beholden vnto him Yea hee was offered to take vppon him the gouernmente of altogether if hee woulde haue accepted of it whereunto all the rest of the nobilitie laboured most carefully to attayne But the Prince so abhorred this Ambition as that hee resigned these two dignities into his Maiesties handes when he considered that hee coulde doe his Maiestie but slender seruice in counsell by reason of certaine beastly dealings which bereaued him of the meane for that seruice Neuerthelesse when his Maiestie had appointed him to be of his Counsell hee so duetifully administzed this function and dignitte as his conscience witnessed vnto him to be necessarie to each mans most profitte although he afterwarde perceiued that his Maiesties loue altered and abated through the practise and deuise of one or two noble men But after that his Maiestie had aduisedly euery way considered of the Prince of Oranges good and faithful seruice as he departed out of Zeland towards Spaine hee most earnestly besought the said P. to be of his counsell who after long excuse accepted thereof Nowe when as the Prince saw that they helde on their olde course and far otherwise then his M. had commanded and appointed him two yeeres after or neere there about he agayne besought that he might be discharged Wherefore the â—e we deuises were more and more set forwarde which were the causes of the beginning of the troubles and commotions By which the Inquisition was somewhat moderated and a fresh surceassed But as in these Countries the Regiment of Aimaines as a necessary thing was brought into them for their defence and safegarde they were suffered to haue Sermons as well in the Townes as in the fieldes abroade and namely in diuers places some except where the reformed religion had been alreadie accepted of in the Countreys neere there about kept the exercise of the sayde religion secretly whereby the sayde reformed religion dayly encreased in this so populous Countrey so that at the last in fewe yeeres the name of the Inquisition became very odious considering that by it aboue fifcie thousande had been put to death in Europe and a greater number were enforced to forsake their goodes kinsfolkes and
maiestie howbeit no whit agreed vnto neither yet published Ouer and besides this in the end of the same yeere his maiestie gaue expresse commandement that the new bishops should bee brought in without contradiction or els proclaime the decrees of the councell of Trent giue vnto the Inquisitors their authoritie and power by which they had both teÌ„poral ecclesiastical knowledge authoritie that the determination couclusion of the Tridentine councel shold foorthwith be put in execution with all seueritie The copies of this commandement were by and by sent vnto al the cities townes of the low countries expresly coÌ„manding them to rule theÌ„selues according to his maiesties commadement and commissions This was the second cause and chief occasion of the alterations and disorders as hereafter shal be shewed Seeing then that the inquisition principally was by his maiestie expresly coÌ„manded it must of necessitie follow that al the fault of the troubles and disorders passed is to be laid vpon himselfe vpon none els Wherfore it neither agreeth with the truth nor yet any way like to be true that through the exhortation of the prince of Orange the subiects should rebel against his hignes or that he first of all should by his perswasions draw them out of the way stir vp the greatest part of the nobilitie to confederate theÌ„selues with him or to be mutinous and by an oth confirm their league to the end to oppose defend themselues at all times against his maiestie his ordinances which were from the first beginning obserued kept And besides it is vnlike to be true that this asseÌ„bly and confederacie was made in his courts of Breda Bruxelles so accordingly to be the authour fautor chiefe of the obstinate mutinous rebels or disturber of the publike weale For he neuer stirred vp sedition or dissention against his maiestie therefore ought not to be accused thereof for the saide conspiracie began not by any exhorting of his but through the griefes proceeding from the Inquisition and because that the promises and other incidents made in the yeere 50.55.62.65 as before hath been declared and shewed were not performed and kept Wherefore the prince of Orange affirmeth that by the foresaide league and the accusations and other matters ensuing the selfe same thing came to passe which the Dutches of Parma heeretofore had spoken in open councell to wit that the declaration of the cruell commissions published by his matestie woulde cause a merueilous alteration seeing that many had conceiued som good hope of the good tidings that the Count of Egmont would bring with him at his returne out of Spaine And it is sithence also come to passe that it was written to the Dutches as she herselfe hath confessed in her answere that the declaration of the Commissions published by his maiestie was the cause of the whole alteration which commissions as before is said are the very spring head of the league made against his knowledge and will But so soone as the same declaration was come to the handes of the said Dutches and vnderstood the content thereof 15. dayes before the confederates had assembled themselues at the Towne house she saide and expresly declared that the same declaration liked her not in al those points that she could not deuise howe the rigour of the commissions coulde by any meanes keepe the lowe countries in peace and â—nitie Surely her highnes tooke not the meaning of the consederates to bee sedicious seeing shee vertly beleeued that the confederates woulde attempt nothing against his maiestie nor their countrie neither yet any thing that might be hurtful thereto so that this is a cleere case that these alterations troubles came first and principally from the Inquisition Here are to be considered and weighed the examples of Germanie Fraunce England and Scotland ho wheit it must needes bee graunted that his maiestie meant to shewe nothing els by the setting forth of these cruell commissions but in time vtterly to destroy the countrie of Brabant And contrariwise in the countries where the religion or at least the libertie of conscience is graunted and agreed vpon where the Inquisition hath had nothing to do there is a peaceable and quiet abiding and dwellyng Which thing witnesseth vnto vs that there is a greater difference to liue with libertie of conscience without the Inquisition then in all malice iniquitie and licenciousnes without correction and chastifemeÌ„t neyther yet did it euer like the princes potentates of Germanie who euer desired the peace of theyr countries alwayes sought the publyque weale of them vnto whome the matter as greatly apperteineth as vnto his maiestie but to suffer the libertie of religion or conscience if at any time they feared commotions and rebellion Moreouer his maiestie might well enough vnderstande the meaning of the confederates seeyng they neuer shewed themselues obstinate or went about by force to obteine that which they craued but only besought his matestie to vnderst and their grief and supplication thereupon take the aduise of the generall Estates promising hereafter to liue in the cause of religion according to the ordenauce determination of the said Estates And theÌ„ if any man should be disobedient seditious or a disturber of the common weale that he might be punished according to the qualitie of the offence Now the confederates desire nothing els but to haue their supplicatioÌ„ heard or that the generall Estates might be called assembled together and seeing that this busines had so fallen out in Brabant that is was also necessary that a thing of so great importaÌ„ce should be propounded to the said estates who in all ages vpon such occasions according to the tenure of theyr priuileges were called together by the Emperour Charles the fift to determine conclude vpon the state of religion according to the ordenances which cleerely may be seen in the text graunted and published in the yeere of our Lord. 1531. Wherefore the confederates thought it lawefull for them to requyre and craue so much sith it hath been alwayes the custome in such sort to require such kind of things As also in the bookes of the Machabees we shall finde good and holy confederacies made for the aduauncing of the glory of God the welfare and health of the Gouernors and Magistrates and the prosperity of the common wealth of the countrie Likewise the prince of OraÌ„ge thinketh that the confederacie of the nobilitie ought not to be takeÌ„ for sedition or rebellion against his maiesty forsomuch as coÌ„cerning the same the coÌ„federates haue toyntly promised to ayâ— and assist one the other against the same but yet vpon this condition that this conspiracie as before is sayd should end when as his maiestie had by experience found that the Inquisition wold be enemie to all peace tranquilitie wherefore they also offred to desist leaue off theyr petition purpose yeelde vnto his maiestie alobedience
foure thousande horse of Spaniards Italians Almaynes Burgonions and others With this armie hee encamped before Mastright to stay the enemie for passing ouer at the Maze hee made also a bridge ouer the Maze that he myght euery way cut the enemie from victuals The Prince of Orange tooke by assault Arenberg The prince taketh certaine places and Ep pen two townes standing betweene Coloigne and Duren and Hormeson also belonging to king Philip where his Ma. garnison was staine which caused the Duke of Alua to spare none eyther yet to receiue any to mercie But as the prince marched still for ward the Duke knew not whether he wold into France to ayde the Prince of Conde or whether he would come downe into the lowe countries howbeit the Princes armie coasted the riuer of Maze euen vnto Stockum where he passed the ryuer to meete with the Duke of Alua his campe Whyle these matters were in hande the Duke of Alua caused aproclamation to bee made in Antwerpe that euery man which had or knew of any goods belongyng to the Gueses shold tell it to the Lorde Treasurer or to the magistrate and officer of the place where those goods were vpon paine that whosoeeuer concealed them or suffered them to bee carryed out of the Countries shoulde pay the valure of the saide goods The one thirde part whereof shoulde bee to the Informer and the rest confisked to his maiesties vse but hee that was not able to restore them shoulde be arbitrarily punished This Proclamation caused great mischiefe In the ende of September the Duke of Alua came on Mastright side The Liegeois woulde haue taken vp a certaine passage for the stopping of the armie but the Prince marched with his people on the other side and although there had beene a controuersie between the bishop and the Liegeois yet they agreed by a coÌ„mon consent to leuie sixe ensignes of men for the defense of the citie The fifteenth of October the Orangians discomfited certain ensignes of Aluaianes But when the Prince had passed the Maze bee marched forwarde the twentieth of October leauing on his right hande the towne Tilmont and passed the riuer whiche diuideth the lande of Lieg from Brabant seeking all the wayes he could to fight with the enemie howbeit the Duke of Alua had no will to hazard it and therfore fearing the Prince of Orange his forces kept himselfe in his trences before the Citie of Mastright But Don Fredericke of Toledo his sonne came one day out of the campe with sixe Culuerines foure thousand shot and an hundred men at armes but no great matter was exployted saue that in skirmishing many on both sides were thrust out of wages When the Prince sawe that Winter drewe neere and the time passed away without giuing battaile to the Duke of Alua who lay in his Trenches before Mastright although at the first the Princes armie might haue fought and discomfited the enemie had it not beene through euill counsell or els that the Lorde GOD would not suffer it because hee woulde further punish the lowe countries for their horrible and grieuous sinnes But nowe againe to our purpose the Prince meaning to auoyde the vnprofitable charges in the consuming and spending of victuals money and munition thought it the best Councell to forsake for a time the lowe Countries and make a voyage into Fraunce where the Marshall Cossey pursued him with two thousand shot two hundred horse which was to his great hurt Whiche thing the Marshall dyd at the request of the Duke of Alua and followed the Prince euen vnto Cambresie The Frenche woulde gladly haue had the Germayne horse men to haue come downe into Fraunce But the greatest number of them returned home into Germanie for want of pay and taking their way through Champaigne entred into Lorayne and beeing come neere vnto Straesbrough they diuided themselues not well pleased with theyr pay and thus ended this warr betweene the Prince of Orange and the Duke of Alua who euer sithence hath continued a more tyrannous persecutor in murderyng emprisoning cuttyng off of heads hanging burning confisking of goods publishing of Proclamations and Commissions and bringing in of newe Bishoppes as at Leewarde in Friselande where Cunerus Petri was ordeined the first bishop the first of February 1568. And afterward were very solemnely ordeined certaine others in the prouinces of the low Countries Nowe this tyraunts great persecution and tyrannie aforesaide continued from the yeere 68. vnto the yeere 72. When as the miserable and comfortles inhabitaunts of the lowe countries had through Gods assistance and mercy some ease of their calamities by reason that the saide Duke obstinately persisted in demanding of the tenth penny without regard of the complaints of all the Estates of the lowe Countries thinking thereby to heape vp suche an infinite treasure and keepe a continuall mine of golde and siluer to withstande all kinges princes and potenrates that woulde oppose themselues against his vnnaturall tyrannie And although the Lorde hath suffered this tyrant to bee a scourge to plague the lowe Countries which sometimes so notably florished yet hath it been to none other end but to aduertise vs that we in the time of our great prosperitie wallowing and tumbling in all worldly pleasures forgot the Lorde our God and that forsaking our wicked life through the chastizement of this rod wee might frame our selues to newnesse of life according to his most holy and blessed commandements For the good God chasâ—iseth all those whome hee loueth neither hath these lowe countries been onely so greatly scourged through the tyrannie of this cruell and vnnaturall monster but hath also visited them with a most fearefull ouerflowing of waters Insomuch that the first of Nouember in the yeere 70. were drowned in Hollande Zealand Friseland Gelderland and others many thousandes of people and an innumerable multitude of cattaile for mans sustenance This wounde Gentle Reader is healed and almost for gotten but the tyrannie of the Duke of Alua is yet in force Wherefore let vs beseech the Lord our God to deliuer vs out of the handes of this tyrant to the ende wee may serue and honour him in peace and tranquilitie all the dayes of our life And heere an ende of the second Booke The thirde Booke of the Histories of the troubles in the low Countries wherin shal be set downe the second inuasion of the Nobilitie Gentlemen and other fugitiues and banished men into the same IN the first and seconde bookes Gentle Reader hath been declared vnto thee what hath come to passe from the yeere 1566. vnto the yeere 1572. and the very first originall of this present warre But in this thirde shall bee described all the matters that haue fallen out from this yeere 72. vnto the taking of the Councell of Estate in Bruxelles which was put in execution by the Lorde of Heze Captaine of the same citie the 4. of September 1576. by the ordinance of the Estates of Brabant And nowe to
When the Leydens heard of this enterprise they tooke al the paynes that was possible to receiue them for they attended the saide Barques on the Rhin with certayne Freebutters or rather desperate Aduenturers Boates but all in vayne for this matter and yet their goyng out was not altogether in vayne for they tooke by force neere vnto Haynault bridge two wasters and speedily dispatched those that were within them When they had thus done they vnladed these shippes of all the prouision and furniture that was within borde as artillary munition victualles bread beare silkes veluets parchment lace of gold siluer and silke fifteene peeces of ordinances called Bases three Barrelles of Corne pouder and a very great number of bullets and fraught their owne boates with them Afterwarde they bouged one of the enemies vessels and sounke her and set fire on the other returning in the morning with their prize to the Towne The Spanyardes who encamped at Leyerthorpe made their account to stay these boates with all the whole prize within them at the wood bridge but the Citizens beyng in armour looking for the comming of their boates with the victualles aforesayd very couragiously salyed out of Hoogweert gate and gaue the Alarme to Leyerthorpe forte and skirmished so lustely with their enemies as that the boates and the prize passed by and besides they afterwards for the defence of the cattell which the enemy went about to carrye away so skirmished with them as that they returned all together with the sayd butyn without losse of any of the Towne cattell hauing taken Prisoner amongest those shippes one Peter Quaegelate an horrible Traytor to his countrey whom they foorthwith executed and quartered and set vp his quarters vpon the citie gates which thing the Leydens signified by their letters to his Excellency dated the 7. of Inne The Citizens dayly exercised them selues more and more to the Skirmishes aswell the youngest sorte A young youth named Lyon by reason of his valâ—ancie as also the auncientes But amongest the rest there was a proper young youth of the age of sixteene yeares named Lyon and in courage and valure a Lyon in deede For at the first siege of Leyden hee behaued him self not as a younge youth but like a Lyon against the Enemie and that to their cost This young Lyon was afterwarde in a Skirmish and laying him selfe downe vpon the grasse the Spaniards tooke him and hauing cut off his nose and eares they hoong him vp by the toes But being a very hable and strong man hee layed handes on the haulter and imped vp to the toppe of the Gallowes wher the Enemy slew him with harquebuze shot From this Lyon such an other which was taken with him the sayde Baldez wronge much matter as touching the affayres and state of the Towne Maister Thierry of Bronchorst his excellencies Substitute at Leyden and being now made Gouernour thereof The Magistrate and Nobilitie considering that the siege might last long and thereby turne to a distresse of famine during this Moneth of Iune made all the necessariest ordenaunce that possibly they could aswell for the long sauing of their victualles as also for the fortifiyng of their Rampars and Gates the better and longer to keepe their Towne And when an Inuâ—ntorie was taken of all the Come within the Towne there was found to be 4125. Busshels Ther were also then in the Towne 14000 persons Wherfore there was appoynted to euery one for the first two moneths halfe a pound of bread which oftentimes would scarsly suffice some tauellers to breakfast And therfore the Gentle Reader may easily ghesse vpon what kinde of victuals they fed most There was also an ordenaunce set down for pot hearbes and no milke to be solde whereon butter might be made Whiles the Towne of Leyden was in this sorte besieged and that the Townsmen were altogether occupyed about making of prouision of al things necessary for the defence thereof the principall parte of the sayde Commaundators Armye arryued in the quarters of Bommel Gorcum and Louuestein Howbeit the Prince the Estates made no great reckoning thereof For at Bommell which was well prouided of all things necessary was Captaine Baufour Colonell of the Scettishmen with seauen Ensignes of Scottes who dayly salied out with some Citizens and Gentlemen Hollanders to skirmishe brauly with the Enemie And besides the sufficient Garryson that was at Gorcum and Louuestein there was alwayes meanes to sâ—ccour and delyuer the Towne of Gorcum as afterward well appeared by the cutting and pearsing of the dikes The Spaniard afterward determined to goe against Worcum where lay in Garrison fiue companies of the Prince to trouble and annoy the Spaniardes as much as was possible that came from Antwarpe where by constraint and force they made the Citizens pay them foure hundred thousande Florins besides the common dammage which they there presentlye susteyned about their costs and charges This little village was shrewdly beaten with Artillery but because the Prince of Orenge would not cast away his men about the defence of so ruinous a place Worcomme taken by the Spaniards and standing onely vpon fiue familyes or housholdes he therfore commaunded theÌ„ which were in it to forsake it and so they did howbeit they could not so well nor so speedily enbarque them selues but that they lefte aboue 150 persons behind them When the Spanyardes the 8. of Iune beganne to buyld their forte and trench themselues neere Lammen which is about a quarter of a myle from Leyden standing vpon a passage of waters which flowe ouer towards Delft zoeterwood and Leyerthorpe the Leydens hauing intelligence thereof and considering what mischiefe and domage might ensue to them therby haled out the 8. of the saide Moneth sixe smal Vessels to lette their fortifying and entrenching But when they were come neere to Lammen the Enemie so lustely charged them as that notwithstanding their merueilous defence they were inforâ—ed to retyre and returne backe to the Towne neither could they so speedely doe it but that they were fayne to leaue foure of the hyndermost vesselles behynde them by reason that the nose of one of them so touched vpon the shore of the Ryuer as that she was not able well to turne her selfe about and therefore they forsooke them and saued all her people in the rest of the vessels except foure or fiue The 9. of the saide moneth the Leydens had giuen the Prince to vnderstande hereof and wroate That if it so fell out as that the enemy went about to trouble their coÌ„ming with their boats which they hoped they would not yet that commandemeÌ„t was giuen to them of Woerden Ouldwater and the rest to be still molesting of Harlem Mere in the meane while they for their parts wold indeed according to their bounden duties shew their great zeale affection and continuall trauell towardes the benefiting of the common weale of theyr countrey And on the other side the enemy slept not but still went
were whether President Counseller Boroughmaister or whatsoeuer officer els were enforced before the Inquisitors to take knowledge of as many as were preseÌ„ted vnto them punish al those that were fauourers of herefie and heretikes Furthermore the Inquisitors tooke a note of all merchants artificers poore or rich that were any way suspected of the reformed religion The Inquisitors are commonly Franciscanes or preaching Friers which take a note of al suche as come not to confession or that offer not to their boxe giuing a copie of theÌ„ to the new bishops whose officers as vshers Sariauntes first of al by coÌ„position burdened the poore soules who soone after were enforced to flee the countrey if they would not be taken so put to death as by experience often was seene At that time it was noysed all the low countrey throughout A brute rumor of warres in the low countries supposed to be a most certaine truth that Duke Erike of BruÌ„swike had leuyed a mighty army both of horsemen footmen to plant the Inquisition in the low countries by force of armes accordingly as he had before by the deuise purpose of the Cardinal of Granuelle enterprised to accomplishe so by that meane meaÌ„t to make a conquest of the prouinces of the laÌ„d of Belgique and abolish al priuiledges and franchises and in the end make an absolute kingdome of it for this cause was the charge committed to the rulers and captaines who had receiued money of Duke Erike for the leuying of men of warre These newnes engendered such a great feare in the hearts of the people as that the notablest richest merchaÌ„ts of the countrey Many merchants got theÌ„ away into other countries got packed vp al their goods together went away into other laÌ„ds insomuch that the artificer had no work to set himself vpon al reÌ„ts reuenues decreased many cities townes were vnpeopled so that it was a lameÌ„table thing to see into what a miserable estate the low couÌ„trey which before was the Paragon of all trade of merchandise not the like in the vniuersal world to be found was fallen now become thus sodainly desolate ruined Againe there were certaine gouernours officers of great authority wealth who first considering of the horrible effect tenure of the letters manifestly declaring that in case there were any man that would oppose himself against the meaning of those letters not ayde the Inquisitors for the accomplishing of their commssion that he whatsoeuer he was should be deposed from his estate another placed in his roome next of al they seeyng the fury and wrath of the people to be greatly moued through such disorderly charges and tyrannies and become so outragious mad that they would not spare any magistrate or officer whatsoeuer And last of all considering that they coulde not with a good conscience in such a case be both plantifes Iudges they were fully resolued to yeelde vp their offices into the kings hands if he purposed to persist in that his intended opinion On the otherside the ancient enemies of the house of Burgoin woulde in no wise let slip this occasion but carefully and dilâ—geÌ„tly sounded the heartes of the enhabitaunts of this low Countrey to see if they could by any meanes possible make them shake off their sidelitie from their Prince Lord hauing gotten men for that purpose to she we vnto them howe insupporlable a bondage that is by which all other franchifes priuiledges and other ordinaunces are defaced and broken and that there shoulde be other Lawes and Statutes appointed after the manner of Spaine which should haue full power and authoritie ouer their moueable and vnmouable goods their wiues and children yea that all the goodes which they haue so long possessed should now be no longer theirs but shoulde themselues also be brought into flauerie and bondage Howebeit they tolde them that this thing shoulde not take effect before such time as his Maiestie shoulde submit himselfe vnto the Inquisition Neither did they forget to shewe the great dammage and losse whiche the countrey was like to receiue through the want of the recourse and company of the Marchantes seeing that marchandize is the very nurse of these Prouinces and that by reason of the trade thereof in other partes the enhabitantes of the lowe Countreys should be ready to starue And that which is more that the bondage of conscience wherunto they shoulde be alwayes tyed was nowe concluded vppon Moreouer they compared all these thinges to other prouinces and regions with their franchises and liberties saying that these prouinces farre passed all other in trade of marchandise and goodnesse of Ground and further tolde them of the great commoditie which other prouinces receiued from these lowe Countreys and coulde not be without them Neuerthelesse their fidelitie and constant loyaltie to their prince was so great and wrought so in them as that they gaue no eare to such suborners but aduertised the Magistrate to be ware of this fetch and drift and preueut it howbeit they were no whit the more abashed for all this neither knewe they what was best for them to do or what best to be left vndone Now for the better vnderstanding of the cause why The bringing in of the new Bishoppes and in what fort these new bishops were erected we are to know that the Priestes Inquisitors for their better assurance of the bringing in of the inquisition into king Philips dominions considering that certaine ecclesiasticall prelates in some measure fauoured the Protestants and were in great authoritie and very rich they therefore greatly enuied them for it For which cause the Inquisitors imagined to erect a newe estate of prelates and to deuide the Archbishopricks Bishopricks Abbaies Pryories c. into many partes And to this ende in the yeere 1558. was appointed at the request of king Philip by the Exclesiasticall estate Francis Sonnius a Doctor in 〈◊〉 and sent to Rome Sonnius sent to Rome who hauing set foorth the noblensse of the lowe Countries and the great riches of the Ecclesiasticall prelates there wrought his matters so wisely as that hee compassed this much That Pope Paule the 4. of that name by the aduise of seuen Cardinalles appointed for that put pose gaue the saide Sonnius audience and graunted him his demaund Whereupon they tooke from the Archbishopricke of Coloigne whose dyocesse was ouerlarge the Bishoprick of Vtrecht made the same an Archbishoprick wherunto they subiected fiue other Bishops to wit the Bishoprick of Deuenter in the countrie of Tranfisselaine the Bishopricke of Harlem in Holland the Bishopricke of Leauwarden in Friseland the Bishopricke of Middlebourgh in Zealande and the Bishoprick Groening in the countrie of Wedde All which plates are farre distant from the Citie of Coloigne neither doe their languages agree with them of Coloigne and therefore the sentences pronounced at Coloigne could not wel bee
an assured occasioÌ„ of trouble and muteny amongest the people which coulde in no wise abyde to be spoyled of the benefit that they tasted of by preaching and that this surceasing would turne to an vtter abolishing therof because the Estates had not met together as also experieÌ„ce had taught them besides many other reasons It was tolde vnto his excellency that it was neither reasonable dealing with God nor yet expedient for the common benefite of the citâ—e to surcease the said preachings And so by this meanes the exercise of the religion was contynued And as for the bearing of weapons when as they of the religion had shewed in what daunger they stood by their meeting together out of the city without weapons it was told them that they might very wel vse them whiles they were in their assemblies But that they should leaue them without and not bring them backe againeinto the Citie wherwithal they were very wel contented therein more and more shewing their simplicitie in not looking into the waranting of theÌ„selues their wiues and children against these helhoundes that then lay abroade The 18. A solemne procession of out lady of Antiâ—erpe of August solemne processions of our Ladie of Antwerp were made after the old custom wherin they carried about with them the image of our Ladie garnished and apparrelled in cloth of gold with many other precious iewels as if she had been a Queene This Image was carried about by the worshipfullest men of the Citie alwayes changing them at certayne quarters and crosse wayes of the Streetes There were at that tyme at the prince of Drange his house the Princesse his wife his brother the count Lewys and many other Gentlemen to beholde this solemne festiuall procession When this solemne procession was ended the Image was set vp in the midst of the Church as it was wonted to be where it was accustomed to stande vntill the Saterday following But because my masters of the Chapiter feared some disorder to come by reason of certayne wordes that the people spake in the time of the processioÌ„ saying O Marie Marie the Carpenters wife this shall he thy last festiuall day shee was taken away and setup againe the Tewesday following in her owne Chappell where she was wont to stande The 19. of August the Prince departed from Antwerpe The prince of Orange his goyng to 〈◊〉 and went to Bruxelles to the endelto receiue with the rest of the Counsell of the Estate an answere which her highnesse had promised to make to the deputies of the nobles the 20. or 21. of that instant by reason of a supplication which they had exhibted tending to the withstanding of the apparant troubles and commotions in the Countreys Nowe as they continued in maner and fourme as aforesaide in their common and publike Sermons certaine of lowe Flanders began to put downe the Idols and Images which thing was prosecuted in many Cities of the Countrey and amongst the rest at Antwerpe with such assuraunce and diligence as if some man had had expresse commandement from the Magistrate to execute suche an exployte with expedition This defacing of Images was the morrowe after that the Prince was gone from Antwerp to Bruxelles which was on Tewesday being the 20. of August about sixe of the clocke in the after noone And the occasion hereof grew by this meane that the Sunday next before as afore is sayde a great Image of the virgin Marie was caried about in solemne procession which was wonted to be set vp and left in a certayne place of the Temple for eyght dayes together about which euery man and woman according to their deuotion crept on their knees two or three times and on the Tewesday following the Priestes hauing shutte vp the Church doores placed her agayne in her ordinary roome And about two of the clocke in the afternoone there came to our Ladies Church certayne Mariners and other yong fellowes and merueiling that they had so often remoued the Image cryed out and sayde Marie crie vine les Gueux that is God saue the Gueses wee will giuâ— you the place with such other like pleasantiestes They asked also the woman that was wonted to sell the waxe candles and gather vp the offrings why they had so often remooued the saide Image and sayde further vnto her that shee might nowe shutte vp her Shoppe well inough for there were none that woulde buie any of her marchandize The woman mooued and grieued with these woordes cast the Ashes which shee had there in a pot into their eyes Whiles they were thus iesting and sporting there went to the Towne house two substanciall men and tolde the Magistrate of these tumultes and vprores The Magistrate amazed with these newes went to the Colledge and comming thence after he had paused there a while he went with the Margraue accompanied with foure Seriantes foure Halberdiers and a great trayne of people vnto the Church And when the Boyes and young Fellowes sawe the Magistrate they went out of the Churche and then beganne the Magistrate to vse these discreete speeches vnto the people saying My good friendes I pray you get you hence howebeit there was neuer a man that woulde once styrre so that hee was fayne to gette him out without any more to doe Soone after the young fellowes aforesayde came backe to the Church with one of the captaynes of the Guarde of the preachers shutting in the Church doores fel a singing of Psalmes which Psalmes being sung euery man begaÌ„ to pull down deface the Images in so much that the very same night they had throwen downe the Images not onely in the great temple called our Lady Church but also in all the rest yea and in all chappels Cloysters where they made very great vnwonted caues as if they would haue drowned the Hoggesheades of wine and beare after they had drunke more then ynough and carried away all the stoore of fleshe and of other prouision whiche they coulde lay handes on Howebeit there were none that did thus but beggers women and wilde headed young fellowes And besides they deliuered out of prison in the couente of the Franciscane Fryers a poore Fryer that had been kept in prison 12. yeeres for the preaching of the trueth and deliuered also a French Baker who had been a yeere and an halfe in the towne Pryson for the religion and confession of the Gospell The Wednesday and Thursday following the worshipfull companies of liueries or brotherhoodes that had their Alter or Chappell in the aforesaide Ladie Church beganne to pull downe that that remayned and carried it out of the Churche whereupon there were others that followed them in the same Church and also in the rest to pull downe also that whiche they had leaft and this was done as if they had had commission to doe it the Magistrate not once setting him selfe agaynst them to defende it vntill at the last it came to passe that his Maiesties
concluded vpon and subscribed as aforesaid the 12. of September 1566. And signed by William of Nassau Mandato commissorum Polities AND although there were two or three poyntes heerein whiche the Deputies woulde gladlye haue altered or at the leaste haue hadde them more playnely sette downe yet neuerthelesse beeyng satisfied with the woordes of his Excellencies owne mouth this accorde was signed by the Ministers and Gouernors of the Church with a good number of the beste qualified and other members thereof The first day of the said conference and communication with his Excellencie the saide deputies hauing vnderstood of the slaunders that they of the religion were still more and more charged with and that the chiefe Officers made shew to beleeue them First that the people had beene excited and stirred vppe by the Sermons to pull downe Idolles as hauing beene taught to thrust out all Idolles not onelie from their heartes but from their eyes also and not onelye to breake them in peeres but also to burne them to ashes that the memorye of them might cleane bee quenched out Moreouer that the sayâ—e Suppliantes had hyred certaine people to pull downe the Images Item that the ministers had also taught that they were no more bounde to paye the Assyses or custome or at the least not so greate as heeretofore they had done Item that they had concluded to take the Towne house chaunge the Magistrate and expulse all such out of the citie as were not of their religion Item that they should bragge that they would not once suffer any exercise of the Romish religion in this Citie and many such other like leasings whereupon they were inforced for the purging and iustifiyng of them selues to exhibite a supplication as well to his Excellencie as also to the Magistrate and Counsell of the Citie of Antwerpe conteyning ouer and beside the saide Iustification a graunt of certayne Churches built within the sayde Citie so greate and so manye as shoulde bee thought necessarie for the greatnesse and multitude of the people Moreouer the saide Suppliants of the religion prayed to haue a good answere vnto their supplication of euery act with a copie therof foorthwith a graunt that they might cause the same to bee imprinted for the benefite vnity and quiet of the citie of Antwerpe Now there was no answere vnto their supplication because the chiefe Officers presupposed that the Articles whiche were ready to be concluded vppon shoulde bee a sufficient prouiso for the whole And as for that poynt of the burying of the dead it was sayde vnto them that they might bury them in the publique churchyardes of the Citie There was also at that time published the abolition of the Spanishe Inquisition and commissions in manner and forme as followeth A Proclamation proclaymed and set foorth by Syr Iohn of Imersele knight Lorde of Bowdrie the Scoute or Marshall the Boroughmaisters Sheriffes and Counsell of the Citie of Antwerpe the last of August 1566. BE it knowen vnto all men on the behalfe of my Lorde the Prince of Orange The abolishing of the inquisition and commissions as geuernor and chiefe of thie Citie of Antwerpe appointed thereto by his maiestie and also on the behalfe of the Lordes of the saide citie First that our soueraigne Lorde the kings most excellent maiestie according to his greate clemencie and natur all goodnes tender affection hauing had regard and consideration to and of the quiet benefit and prosperitie of the lowe countries his true and lawfull inheritance hath expresly agreed declared and consented that the inhabitants and citizens of this citie and of all the lowe countries shall bee deliuered and for euer continue acquited discharged and vtterly disburdened of the Inquisition which not manie monethes sithence hath beene so muche spoken of and muttered at through out al the sayde lowe Countreys And hencefoorth shall bee and so still continue franke and free vtterly discharged of all the ordinaunces and Commissions sette downe and graunted about the cause of heresies and controuersies in religion which haue any way heretofore been had and published And that for and vntill such time as by newe and generall Commissions which by his Maiestie with the aduise of the generall Estates of the said countreys about the state of religion shall bee ordeyned and established it bee generally otherwise purueyed for and ordeyned according to which from that tyme forwarde euery man oughte to behaue and gouerne himselfe and whereon they must relie and be assured A Grapheus AND to the ende that they of either the religion might bee more assured and rest the quietlier there was another edict published by which the chiefe Magistrates tooke vppon them to procect both the one and the other forbidding eyther of them not to seeke to wronge and deale cruelly one with another as by the tenure hereof ensuing may appeare A Proclamation made and sette foorth before the Towne howse by the Lorde Diericke Vander Meeren vnder the Scowte or Marshall the Boroughmaisters and the Sheriffes and councell of the citie of Antwerpe the 3. of September 1566. TO the end that all troubles and diuisions within this Citie might be preuented withstood therewithall in like sorâ— that the negotiation and trafficke might be restored to his olde trade and that euery man might vnderstand knowe that hence foorth hee may assuredly without any doubt or feare of empeachment or disturbance most peaceably exercise his negociation and so eftsones the exercise of his religion Bee it knowne and by my Lorde the Prince of Orange c. The appointed gouernour in the name of his maiestie and likewise of the chiefe officers of the citie it is commaunded First That no man whatsoeuer hee bee doe take in hande or vppon him to empeache or trouble the seruice of the Churches Monasteries and of the olde Catholike Religion neyther yet missay or wronge any eyther in woorde or deede in whatsoeuer matter vpon payne of the losse both of bodie and goodes or otherwise to bee punished by arbytrement according to the merite of the facte for an example to all others Item That no man of what Estate and condition soeuer hee bee shall empeach nor trouble the exercise of the other religion at this present permitted by waye of tolleration neyther ill or wronge anye man anye kinde of way eyther in worde or deede for the same vpon the like payne and punishment Ouer and besides declaring that his Excellencie and the Citie doe take in hande to protect and saue harmelesse all the enhabitannts and dwellers of the same in general without respect whether they bee of the Catholike or of the other religion whiche as before is suffered by way of tolleration and hath alredie been treated of and agreed vppon with condition notwithstanding that euery man shall liue peaceabile and quietly and obediently to the Magistrate in all matters of policie without charging huntyng after and molesting anye man eyther of the one religion or the other
ancient customes priuiledges franchises of this Citie or against the Citizens and enhabitauntes thereof but ayde defende and keepe them asmuch as is possible for men to do 21 And if they vnderstande any thing tending to the hurte of his Maiesties seruice or the disquieting of the Citie they shall be bounde forthwith to aduertise their Captaynes thereof that they maye make reporte of the same to those to whome it shall appertayne 22 All which they shall do vpon paine and punishment both of bodies goodes limmes and banishment or other arbitrary or pecuniarie correction according to the demerite of the fact and circumstances thereof 23 Vnto all which articles euery one of them when they shall bee enrolled shall bee bounde to sweare and really promise vnto God almightie to keepe and not crosse any maner of way nor yet rebell against them vpon the payne and perill aforesaid Ouer and besides all this the Lieutenant Captaynes Ensignes Corporalles Seriauntes of bandes and diseners shall sweare and promise with all their power to holde and keepe so farreforth as they are able all the Souldiers and Dizaines in good policie obedience and modestie and shall effectually bryng to passe whatsoeuer at any tyme shal be commaunded them to do with their companions and dizaines and likwise to countergard and preuent all discorde sedition and ill will which may aryse betweene the souldiers and the Citizens And if it so fall out that they be not able to appease them then immediatly to aduertise his Excellencie his Lieutenaunt or their Captayne for redresse thereof And so it was subscribed By his Excellencies appoynted De Penants AT the very same tyme there was openly solde a printed picture in which was pictured Commissions and letters from his Maiestie with the Inquisition tyed and hanging at a Bowe that was bent The Protestants or those of the religion going about to pull it downe with ropes The Pope and his shauelings labouring with might and mayne to vpholde and maynteyne them The Protestantes crying out and saying Pour Placcars et Inquisition casser trauaillous tous sanscesser To witte for the ouerthrowing of these Commissions and this vile Inquisition wee neuer cease trauelling till wee haue brought them all downe The Pope on the other side answering and saying Per force et aussi conseil bon Retenous les Placars et le Inquisition to witte And wee for our partes with all the force and counsayle wee can will retayne and keepe them in despite of any man All these thinges aforesayde were done whâ—lest my Lorde the Prince of Drange was at Antwerpe but the pulling downe and breaking of the Images was the cause that the Catholikes yeelded more to the Protestantes then they at the first intended For the feare of the rage and furie of the people and the helpe of the Gentlemen Straungers strooke them to the verye heart and besides they knewe well ynougheâ— that the kinges Maiestie was a great distance off to helpe them wherefore they were enforced to behaue themselues accordingly as the tyme serued and of necessitie to make a vertue in dispice of them and of their great sorrowe and griefe In the meane while The L. Regent tollerateth the sermons the Ladie Regent by the counsayle of the Lordes of the Goulden Fleese and others graunted and permitted the Protestauntes to haue publique Sermons promising to appoynte them some place without the Citie for the exercise of their religion Ouer and besides that the Inquisition and seuere Commissions shoulde from thence foorth bee abolished so that no man shoulde any more be pursued and bunted after for his conscience But yet vpon this condition that the confedered Gentlemen which tooke no parte shoulde sweare that they woulde procure the people to forsake and lay downe theyr armour and weapon and that the Churches should bee no more spoyled nor any thing that shoulde bee preiudiciall vnto the Cleargie men or Catholikes To be short that they should be ready to yeelde all obedience vnto his Maiestie Hereupon an accord was made in August 1566. Duer and besides this the Regent had procured the most qualified Catholikes to bee sworne to the same and confirmed by his Maiesties commaundement which was proclaymed in diuers places The noble men for the perfourming of their promise and oth wrote and declared to the Consistories all those thynges which had been treated of which was that they should lay down and leaue off their armour and weapon and behaue themselues as good and obedient subiects ought to doe towards their prynces for if they so did not the matter would goe yll with them whereupon the people to shew theyr obedience willingly leaft off and layd downe theyr weapons During these troubles king Philip being aduertised by his suborners and flatterers of the pulling downe and breaking of the images was marueilously angry determined in his owne person to come downe into the lowe countryes with a mayne force for the auengyng of the contempt and misbehauiour committed and doone vnto his matestie But before hee had called together his councel at Madrid to consult about the appeasing of the low countries it was concluded that his maiestie shoulde not goe thyther because that this sire might otherwise bee well enough quenched by force of armes howbeit as for the chosing of a generall that should execute the same they were of sundrie opinions For many were of the opinion that the prince of Spaine Don Charles his maiesties onely sonne and heyre should bee appointed generall not onely for that that by right of nature it apperteined vnto him but also by reason of the good affection which the catholikes of the lowe countries be are hym as beeyng theyr naturall prince and the onelye sonne of the kyng theyr Lorde vnto whom they would sooner yeelde theyr obedience and loue then to any other The duke of Alua 〈…〉 be generall of the armâ—e for Flaunders Some of them were loth to lay vpon this young prince so waightie a burden and warlike commission but saide that the Duke of Medina Celi was a meete man for that purpose Some others againe gaue theyr consent to the Duke of Alua whereupon in the end it was so determined The young prince being aduertised of this resolution was greatly greeued and despited therewith and for that cause conceaued a marueilous great harred against the Duke of Alua and other Lordes which beeing once knowen together his good affection that hee had to the lowe countries was the cause of his death as heereafter more at large shal bee declared Whiles they were about to make readie for this warre The kings letters vnto the ladie Regent his matestie wrote to the ladie Regent and to other chiefe Lords of the lowe countries very sharpe letters expresly signifying how angry and greeued he was at the insolencies passed commanding in flat wordes a restauration of the commissions vnto their former strength and accustomed course with many other things hereafter following Hereupon the
as by the example of that mightie Emperour Alexander surnamed Seuere well appeareth who beeing an Heathen Prince an Idolater gaue leaue to the Christians whom hee tooke to bee heretikes to haue Churches in Rome beyng the chiefe citie within his dominion and also of the Emperour Constantine surnamed Constantine the great because that contrarie to the order of his Predecessors hee licensed the Christians to haue certain places for theyr meetings euen as the Heathen had theyr Temples In doing whereof he surpressed an infinite number of quarrels staied the apparant effusion of blood ruled his Empyre peaceably and by mean of this accord his authoritie prospered and hee dayly encreased And if any man shall put into your maiesties head that it is another thing to suffer christians to haue the exercise of theyr religion then heretikes as it pleaseth some to esteeme of vs first of all our preachings prayers and exercise of religion doe right well shewe vs to bee Christians and neither Heretikes nor yet Idolaters which we are readie more at large to verifie if it shall please your maiestie to giue gentle and safe audience Moreouer if so bee that we were as notable heretikes as the Iewes Arrians and Nouatians yet the present example of the Pope who callyng hymselfe the head of the Churche and sayth he cannot erre doeth not only mayntaine the lewes the very professed and sworne enemies vnto our Lorde Iesus Christe but also suffereth them to haue theyr Synagogues and the exercise of theyr religion within his own citie of Rome and in diuers other places vnder his subiection And besides all this the examples of the Catholique and wel instructed Emperours which haue graunted Churches to the Arrians and Nouatians may bee a great quieting to your conscience And chiefly your late father of most hygh and inumcible memory the Emperour Charles the fifth whâ— by the aduise of the Estates of the Empire graunted the like to the Protestants in Germa nie notwithstanding that hee tooke them to bee heretikes as also the Frenche king not long sithence hath doone vnto his subiects All which doynges ought to quiet and content your maiestie to graunt vnto vs this grace vntill suche tyme as by the consent of all christendome wee might all agree in one and the selfe same religion and manner of diuine seruice By meane whereof both your maiestie and also these countries shall without all doubt receiue great blessing and prosperitie for so much as God vndoubtedly shall bee serued through the auoyding of a very great most apparant and pitifull effusion of blood and that your Countries shal be peaceably maintained wtout beyng thrust out as a pray vnto your neere neighors the merchaunts and in habitants of the Countrie remaine in suche safetie as that all suche and many others as are gone out of the Countrie for the selfe same cause shall haue occasion to reforte thyther agayne with theyr goods tytles and trades Lastly all these matters by this meane beeing brought to a quietnesse and contentation both to one and other the countries shall floryshe more then euer they did with an increase of your crowne and dignities and all men shall bee so muche the more bound continually to pray vnto the Lorde for the prosperitie and high estate of your maiestie Subscribed by your maiesties humble subiectes the Citizens and inhabitants of your Citie of Antwerpe professing the Gospel so farre foorth as they are therein permitted for somuch as it toucheth and apperteineth vnto them as members of the supplyants in this behalfe THis Supplication was exhibited by the handes of Marke Peres with the assistance of Giles de Graue Charles de Bombergue Giles Vander Banderies Francis Godin Henrie Vander Broecke Cornill de Bombergue Thomas van Geer Iohn Carlier Nicholas de Vmier Nicholas Sellyn as deputies and in the name of the supplyants of the member of Antwerpe vnto my Lorde the Count of Hoogstrate gouernour for his maiestie and to the right worshipfull the Burroughmasters and Shierifs of the saide Citie of Antwerp assembled in the colledge of the same Citie in the presences of the right worshipful the Margraue Allemman the 27 of October 1566 betwixt 12. and 1. in the afternoone When the Counte Hoogstrate had seene this supplication The suppilâ— on sent to the Lady regent hee sent it to the Ladie Regent and to the councell that were with her that it might bee sent to the king with conuement and meete commendation to the ende the fame myght take good effect A thyng so necessary â—ouing Reader as thou in thy wisdome and discretion maiest iudge and vnderstand But so soone as the Regent and Gouernours of the lowe Countries had seen â—he contents thereof they thought it to bee but a proude and arrogant bragge of theyr riches and great treasure euen to engen der in the hearts of manâ—e honorable personages some sinister and lewde suspition as if the Protestants had made this supplication to drawe vnto them thereby strange princes and great potentates to the end they might haue aide and succour of souldiers Howbeit notwithstanding all this the people gaue not ouer to deuise bethink theÌ„selues of all the meanes possible they could not only with the Dutches who was not to be intreated but also with the noâ—ilitie who had promised although they were in the selfe same predicament and danger that the people was as may appeare by the ende of this tragedie to accomplish new promises and to forsake theyr fayth for the libertie of consctence protestyng notwithstanding that for the exercise of the religion they woulde doe all possible duetie that might bee for the obtayning thereof But sith that shee had not giuen her promise the subiects should bee founde giltie of all the mischiefes that shoulde come in the lowe countries about that cause Wherefore the Lorde Heury Brederode The L. of Brederode exhibiteth the supplication by the nobilitie appointed for that purpose required the 15. of Februarie 1567. the Lady Dutches that hee might haue audience albeit shee had forbidden him to come within the citie of Bruxelles notwithstanding he so behaued hym in his businesse as that the supplication was deliuered vp into her own hands wherin was shewed to her highnes that the people could no longer abide and suffer the great contempt and horrible persecutioÌ„ which the catholiks vsed towards them and therfore had implored and lamentably besought the assistaÌ„ce of the nobilitie that by them they might obtaine the performance of that which was agreed vpon And therefore seeing they sawe that no contract could take effect but by the consent of both parties and that the one party making default the other had great reason to complaine Duer and besides this sith they were appointed vnto her highnes as pledges and answerable for the ProtestaÌ„ts who at that present by reason of the catholikes breaches of promise they found themselues greatly greeued they could do no lesse then speake vnto
perturbers of the common weale The Lorde of Brederode gaue the Secretary none other answere but this Thou art a man not worthie any answere c. The Antwerpians after long resistaunce agreed with the Dutchesse in manner and fourme following That the Sermons shoulde cease but none to be syfted or troubled for the cause of Religion And therefore for the very same purpose it was ordeined and proclaymed in Antwerpe the 7. of April 1567. That all ministers shoulde depart thence and the preachinges cease That all Catholikes shoulde bee restored to their offices and the first Commissions be obserued and kept Alwayes prouided that no man shoulde bee sifted or troubled for the religion vntill such time as his Maiestie by the aduise of the generall Estates had otherwise appointed it This matter was accomplished after that the ministers were gone out of the Citie of Antwerpe and their Churches were fast shutte and sealed vp In this sort passed the matters of Flanders Hollande zeland and the rest of the Prouinces and the persecution dayly encreased against such as had taken armes vpon them broken downe the Images and opposed themselues against the Edictes and Commissions The 18. of April The Lady Regent entred into Antwerp Count Manfields garnysoneth Antwerpe and with her the Count Mansfielde with 16. Ensignes of footmen and fiue hundreth horse After that the Prince of Orange was departed thence which was the 11. of the sayde Moneth with a great number of Citizens and enhabitauntes of the same Citie in very great miserie and with much weeping and wailing When the Lorde of Brederode had receyued the sharpe message aforesayde hee soone after in the deade of the night The L. of Brederode flyeth from Amsterdame departed the Countrey with many noble men and other souldiers whome the Count Megue pursued but it was to small purpose The 5. of May the same yeere there fell in Friselande into the Count Arenberge his handes certayne of the nobilitie that were betrayed by a Mariner who in steede to carry them ouer the seas set them on the playne grounde where they were taken by Captayne Mulert as a captayne of one of the companies of the Count Arenberge The Lords of Battenbrough and two Lordes of Friselande to witte Herman Galama and Sir Beyma besides many other Gentlemen and Captaynes The tenth of May there entred into Amstelredame certayne bandes of Souldiers and a little before into Bostleduke and Vyane of whiche the Duke Ericke of Brunswike was chief and the Countrey of Vtryght was deliuered to the Catholikes The 21. of May The Marques of Bergues died in Spayne The Marques of Bergues as it is said was poisoned in Spayne of whom wee haue before spoken And the Marquesse his wife at another time caused many Infantes to bee baptized and many to be married agayne by the priestes whome the ministers had before baptized and married and suche as refused it muste forsake the Countreye so that many menne and women were fayne to departe and goe into other Countreys The 24 of this Moneth by her highnesse appoyntment was a Proclamation proclaymed in Antwerpe muche more for the behoofe of the Catholiques then for the Protestauntes wherein was declared That as manye as woulde remayne in the Countrey shoulde from thence foorth lyue peaceably and in quiet and that all mynisters and suche as frequented Sermons and had defaced the Images shoulde lose both bodies and â—oodes and that the Father Master or Lorde shoulde answere fortheir children and seruantes And besides that all Infantes which were baptized by the ministers shoulde bee rebaptized by the Priestes after the maner of the Catholique Churche Also that no Schoolemasters might teache before such tyme as they were examined and their bookes allowed Moreouer against Printers and Statyoners which solde bookes not allowed of and agaynst all such officers as did permitte and suffer them Against all such as without his Maiesties knowledge be collectors of money vpon any of his subiectes Against euery assembly which is made agaynst the ordinaunce or consent of his Maiestie Against all Straungers which depart not the Countrey within 24 houres or bring not a testimoniall from the place from whence they come and the cause of their remayning there Lastly that no man shoulde withstande any Ecclesiasticall person The persecution dayly encreased whiche caused the people to forsake the Countrey by thousands There were in one day at Tournay an hundred and sixe riche Merchauntes and many others spoyled of their goodes and a great number put and deteyned in pryson and there ill entreated The 18. of Iuly The Dutchesse departed from Antwerpe to Bruxelles and the Count Manssielde remayned there with his Garnison An addition of certayne thinges woorthie remembrance which happened in diuers places and prouinces THe 26. and 27. of Iune 1566. The publique preaching of the syncere woorde of God beganne throughout all the low Countreys with the administration of the Sacraments in many Cities and Townes About the 16. and 17. of August the same yeere The images in diuers cities and townes of the lowe Countreys were broken in peeces and the alters and ornamentes of the Churches pulled downe and destroyed The date of this yeere when this geare was done is to bee founde by the Capitall letters of this verse following Con Cio saCra â—â—Vit tVMidi CeCidere deastri The 6. of September the same yeere were in three parishe Churches of Leawarde all the Alters pulled downe and the Images broken by the appointment of the Magistrate The 8. of the sayde moneth and the same yeere were the first Sermons made in the chiefe parish Churche of the Citie of Oldenbone by the ministers of the woorde of God and that by the consent of the Magistrate And the 15. of the sayd moneth was the supper of the Lorde there administred The 10. of September that yeere were the Aulters of the franciscane Fryers in Grâ—ening pulled down by the leaue of the Magistrate and the Images broken The 25. of September the same yeere was the first stone of the foundation of the reformed Church in Antwerpe laide The same day were they of the reformed Religion of the citie of Nymmegue in Gelderlande driuen out of the same The 3. of October the same yeere the Ministers of the woorde of GOD were forbidden at Bruxelles vppon payne of hanging to preache within the said Citie or in any other places there about This was the first dispersing sithens the publique preachings The 17. of October aforesaide there were certayne insolent partes playd by certayne young persons in our Ladye Church of Antwerpe Whereupon the Lorde of Hooghstrate Gouernour at that time beset the Churche rounde about with souldiers and entring into it tooke certayne prisoners and the next day in the morning about the dawning were sixe or seuen of them hanged in the market place The 10. of Ianuarie 1567. The ministers of the reformed religion were expulsed the Citie of Leunwarde in Fryselande The 9. of
against the catholike religion for he hoped therby to get into his clouches the counts of Egmont and Horne But after that the Inquisition and the councell of troubles were ordeined instituted the Inquisitors at the first chop caused many to bee imprisoned christened againe the Protestantes children married againe all such as had been married in other Churches in the catholike Churches And some of the fugitiues which returned home to their houses vpon the vaine hope aforesaide were sent to prison by the councell of troubles condemned to death insomuch that blood was there spilt as plentifully as if it had been water For many had their heads cut off some were drowned and some hanged In the beginning of September The Duke of Alua taketh away the keyes from them of Gaunt the Duke of Alua with full power and authoritie tooke from the Lordes and Citizens of Gaunt the keyes of the Citie and deliuered the castle into the handes of Colonel Alfonse a Spaniarde The Gauntois complained hereof to the counte Egmont gouernour of Flaunders which count went to the Duke of Alua in their defence and tolde him that be had done them great wrong The Duke answered him that which hee had done was for the benefite and seruice of his maiestie howbeit this complaint of the Gauntois stuck very neere his heart When the Estates of the lowe countries were met together at the citie of Bruxelles The Estates see the authority of the D. of Alua. the Duke made them partakers of the authoritie and power which the king had giuen him and sent the countes of Egmont and Horne to pryson as followeth The Duke sent for them to come to councell and when they were there he brought them into a little hall or parlor as it were as though hee woulde haue had some secrete conference with them In which hall was his sonne accompanied with certeine spanish souldiers armed who tooke them and kept them prisoners The Dukes sonne caused the Countes weapons to wit their rapiers and daggers to be takē from them telling them that they must become his Maiesties prisoners The Countes of Egmount Horne become Prisoners asking them also if those were the weapons wherewith they had defended the low countryes in great despite and anger threw away their rapiers and Daggers This being done the Duke commaunded the Captayne of the Castle of Gaunt to receiue the Spaniards into the Castle which was done The same day also were taken Prisoners the Lorde of Backezele Iohn Casimbrot a Counseller of the Count Egmount and the Count Hornes Secretary within a few daies after the saide Egmount and Horne were carryed to the Castle of Gaunt by three thousand Spaniardes The same day likewise did the Count Lodron take the Lorde Stralen neere Antwerpe and brought him to Bruxelles and the saide Lodron made an Inuentorye of all his goodes and sealed it with his seale Not long after there were many taken Prysoners in the lowe Countrey whiche caused a great number of the lowe Countrey to gette them ouer into Englande as also into Germanye and the East Countries amongest whom one of the chiefest was the Counte Charles Mansfield with manye Gentlemen Captaynes and other souldiers The 24. of December The buylding of the castle of Antwerpe after that the Duke of Alua was arryued in the lowe Countrey beganne the Castle of Antwerpe to be built so strengthened with Rampares and Platformes as that the like was not to be found The buylder and Engyner whereof was one Pachiotto a Sauoyan whom the Duke had appoynted for that purpose Nowe when this Castle was made defenceable and meet to receiue a garnison the Duke of Alua came to Antwerpe with foure hundreth horse leauing the rest of the Souldiers at Bruxelles But as he was riding towards Antwerpe the munition house at Malynes hadde taken fire When the Duke was come to Antwerpe hee caused fiue Bulwarkes to bee buylt within the castle giuing to euerye of them his seuerall proper name The first was called Duke the Seconde Toledo the Thirde Ferdinande the fourth in the honour of his rase and stocke Toletan the fist in the honour of the Enginare or maister workeman Pachiotto The very same time The Duke of Alua aydeth the French the Frenche desired the Duke of Alua of ayde and assistaunce and because he would continue the amitye betweene the two kinges hee sent vnto them the Count Arenberge with twelue hundred low countrey men and Burgonions and two thousand Spaniardes and Burgonions In the Guydones of the horsemen was a deuise figured with two armed handes thrusting themselues out of an Azure Cloude and out of two blacke ones clipping one another in manner of a Crosse and at the ende of eche Cloude was a kingly Crowne with a crosse And vpon the 2. blacke ones were two hartes and two crownes interlaced and bound together with a silke rybbande and in the middest was a Crosse a Chalice and a singing cake which ribbande houng verye lowe garnished with very riche knottes This deuise was interpreted as followeth The two Cloudes did signifie the Diuinitie The two hartes the amitye and vnitye of the two kinges the armed handes their force and power the Chalice the Catholike religion for defence whereof warres were made in both the Realmes For the building of the saide castle of Antwerpe whiche was made to keepe them of the Citie in obedience and awe it was agreed by the great Counsell of the saide Citie that there should be gathered foure hundred thousand Florins which were taken out of the hundreth pennie two tenthes and two twenties of all the moueable goodes whiche were within the iurisdiction of the same citie for the receipt of which were appoynted for Supertendentes Maister Paul Schuermans Sheriffe M. Frauncis Crosse and M. Giles Smith Merchantes This Castle being as it were almoste finished the Duke caused an Image of Brasse to be set vppe in the middest of the saide Castle very artificiallye wrought by that excellent Woorkeman Iames Ioughelinke of Bruxelles liuelye representing the sayde Duke hauing vnder his feete a body with two heades representing the chiefe Gouernour of the Gueses as hereafter more at large shal bee declared and then the Duke going from Antwerpe returned to Bruxelles In this meane while at the instance of the Attorney general there was by a publike edict of his Ma. proclaymed cited to appeare to wit the nienteenth of Ianuary William of Nassau Prince of Orange who now long time agoe departed out of Brabant kept himselfe within the county of Nassau the tenure whereof ensueth His Ma. beyng enformed by the Attorney general A Proclamation or Citation against the prince of Orange how William of Nassau Prince of Orange being as well by the Emperour Charles the fift of famous memory his Lord father as also by his Ma. aduaunced to high and great dignity as to bee made Knight of the order of the golden fleese
authority aboue his Ma. froÌ„ wheÌ„ce haue proceeded al these troubles grifes But al these things new deuises aforesaid bread such great sorow heauines in the P. of Oranges heart as that he desired not once nortwise but many and sundry times to be discharged of his Counsellership of estate of the Lord Treasorership of the reuenewe of his highnes forfaitures of penall lawes desiring nothing so much as to haue these new deuises abolished But wheÌ„ the said Prince coÌ„sidered vnderstood that they sought by al meanes possible vtterly to bring in subiectioÌ„ the couÌ„trey of BrabaÌ„t to that end he might be no occasioÌ„ to wtstand and gainsay the same he carefully stood vpoÌ„ it to be discharged of the said offices dignities seeing it was neither hurtful either to his M. or yet to the coÌ„moÌ„ weale to the end he might be at a more leysure to look to his own busines not be fouÌ„d guilty of the disorders which he foresaw was like to come through the strage new deuise And for this cause he besought both his Ma. also the Duchesse of Parmathen Lady Regent to be discharged of his estate gouernmeÌ„t sith that the gentlemeÌ„ coÌ„federates had exhibited their supplicatioÌ„ wherof the aduersaries talked diuersly their pleasures Truly if the Prince had been so ambitious as to haue taken to him selfe his Ma. authority it is most likely that his highnes wold haue discharged him not expressely commanded him to continue in his Estate for it is a moste iust law to discharge ambitious noblemeÌ„ of their estates least in the end they wold go about to take vpon them the possession of all the kinges countries make theÌ„ theyr owne And therefore this is cleane contrary to that that the Atturney generall hath set downe for it is before sufficiently declared that the prince neither before nor yet after his highnesse departure was suspected to bee ambitious or meant to take vpon him his maiesties autoritie either yet make himself Lord of BrabaÌ„t seeing it is most euident that the prince sought by al possible meanes to bee vnburdened of his Estate For all men may well vnderstand that will at least consider any thing of the matter that sithence his maiesties departure the cardinall of Granuell hath had all power and authoritie and therefore it may truely both by many testemonies and examples bee verified that I had great reason to seeke to bee discharged of mine estate dignitie howbeit I cannot forget to speake one thing which is this that the dutches of Parma hath confessed that sithence the departure of the said Cardinall that she within a few monethes vnderstood more of the state and affayres of Brabant then she did in all the tyme that the Cardinall continued there Moreouer when as in the last troubles at Bruxelles the dutthes was purposed to flie vnto mons in Haynault and from thence towards the Alpes to giue place vnto suche as desired to haue greater authoritie then she had The Prince in the company of other noble men instantly besought her not to work such iniury to her selfe nor shame to his maiestie whereupon euidently truly appeareth that all the Princes actions and purposes are far from all ambition for if the prince woulde haue taken vppon him the whole gouernment he could neuer haue had a better fitter occasioÌ„ to haue brought it to passe theÌ„ the dutches departure howbeit he was of another mind therefore vsed all the meanes possible he could to stay her going preueÌ„t the disorderly dealing And desides when councell was giuen to his maiestie that it would be very profitable for his couÌ„cel of Estate to be increased with noble men and wealthie learned men for the preuenting of all dissention discord that all things might be better administred and chiefly because that the ordenances of the councell aforesaide might be obserued diligently executed to be short to the end that all occasions might be cut off from euery one for the mouing of coÌ„trouersies according to euery maÌ„sfaÌ„tafie or els to hunt after and seeke theyr owne game of the goods of the common weale to the which end also the Dutches of Parma required the prince to set downe vnto her the names of meeke and worthie men for the same estate the said Prince for the auoiding of all suspition in seeking after his own perticuler commodity referred the matter to his maiesties good pleasure which is a manifest token that hee neuer sought his owne particuler aduantage so that it must needes followe that it is very farre of that he is ambitious desirous of rule as he is accused seeing it is the propertie condition of all ambitious men ordinarily to to beare sway alone without companion or mate now his meaning was cleane contrary for his purpose was to haue moe councellors of the estate that many might be partakers of the same authoritie And further he required said that he was minded to get him home to his owne house leaue his roome to some other as the Dutches and diuers els of the councel of estate had thereof rendred good testimonie It is therefore not necessary to lay open more certaine apparant occasions of these troubles namely when a man weigheth considereth how desirous the BrabaÌ„ders are most earnestly to defend their priuileges which they so long â—yme haue mioyed by vertue of the mutuall contracts made betwixt their Dukes and them and also to maintaine their priuileges which they haue obtained partly by those Dukes partly by the Emperours of old time graunted vnto them especially when they feared to haue been bereaued of them through the great oppression and burden of strange people But as the Cardinal of Granuell persisted continued in his imagination and opinion and that in his absence his adherents and complices proceeded on further in the matter foorthwith all discord diffention began to reuiue so that it could not be met withal by reason of the dissention that was betwene those of the councell of estate of the priuie councel the treasurers of the receipt of the reuenewes of the forfaitures of penall lawes who were so ouer ruled by the cardinal the Lords that tooke his part as that they could neuer agree together And because that this and many other such like thinges bred and nourished great dissention wherfore to the end to meet with all apparaÌ„t disorders mischiefes it was determined that the Count of Egmont should bee sent vnto his Maiestie at whose returne euery man comforted himselfe with good hope and an expresse declaration of amendment and remedie of euery thing and especially for the moderation of the Inquisition And for the same purpose in the yeere 1565. there assembled three Bishops three Diuines three Doctors of the ciuill lawe and as many Canonistes to conclude a moderation vpon the saide Inquisition whereupon in the ende it was sent to his
assembly at Deuremond But these noble men doe trust and sticke to their innocency concluding none otherwise but to propounde to the Dutchesse the contente of this letter and to keepe them selues safe from it And that which might be herein more talked of hee trusted that the Lordes which were then in prison had more at large declared the same And as concerning the rest of the articles of the inditement to wit that the Prince had counselled the L. of Brederode to fortifie and fense his castle of Viane against his M. that is a very lie and against all truth But this is true in deede that about certain yeeres past the prince himselfe being at Vyane the L. of Brederode said vnto him That the L. his father had appoynted him as it were by will to make vp the ditches and rampares of Vyane already begun whereupon he answered that for the accomplishing of his fathers will he would doe it But there was not a word spoken of the king neither had he once the heart to attempt any thing against him And as touching the aduice of fortification the nobilitie were in all times at their free choise and livertie to fortifie their Mannors when it pleased theÌ„ Moreouer Viane with all the iurisdiction thereunto belonging properly apperteâ—neth to the L. of Brederode and although his ancesters haue bin in sute for it yet hath the L. of Brederode continued stil in peaceable possession Wherfore there can be no matter of treason concluded vpon in this behalfe for that talke which they had together was nothing els but about the fortifiyng of the sayd Town but no mention was made of his Maiesties affayres and this conference was long before the time of these troubles As touching the other point that the Prince suffered the Lorde of Brederode to leuie men of warre at his pleasure in the Citie of Antwerpe and sent secretly to Vyane certayne munition against the Dutchesses Countermaund The P. answereth that hee came to Antwerpe to deliuer the Citie from those suddayne troubles and when hee vnderstoode the case he aduertised the Margraue thereof who neuer founde out any thinge of the matter but onely suche as were sytting at a table hauing Commission to leuie men howbeit they secretly got themselues away True it is that the Prince offered vnto the Lorde of Brederode certayne peeces of Artillery that were made at Vtright howebeit this was long before these troubles and at that time it was about his Maiesties seruice so that hee coulde not refuse them seeing that Vyane was not farre from Vtryght and beesides hee had also required and demaunded them And as concerning those pointes that the Prince should forbid the receiuing of his Maiesties garnisonnes into certayne places and Townes especially in Zelande where hee him selfe had sent men of warre to take vp the place and stoppe his Maiesties enteraunce by sea As for the garnysonnes the Prince saith that he neuer had it once in his thought to forbidde them and if in case it be true they ought to tell when and at what time and in what place this geare was wrought Notwithstanding when he was in Zealand he was aduertised that there was a practise to take Zealande if it were possible which was a matter of great importaunce and therefore hee commaunded the Lorde of Boxtell that no Garnison shoulde be receiued without his leaue for that is the maner of all Lieutenaunts But when hee was afterwarde aduertised by the Captayne of the Rammekins which was vnder his charge that two hundred of the Dutchesses souldiers were there arriued requiring to haue the Castle opened vnto them which the Captayne denied howebeit hee was afearde of some muteny and sedition by reason his people were vnpaide and the Castle but hardly bestead with victualles hee commaunded him that no man shoulde entre into the Castle without the Dutchesses commaundement and his leaue whereof the Dutchesse being aduertised was well pleased and sent them their pay although the Dutchesse had been before otherwise informed whiles shee lay at Bruxelles and he in Antwerpe and if the saide souldiers had entred the Castle he must haue answeared it Moreouer the Antwerpians desired that they might haue no garnisons thrust into their Citie promising to be alwayes obedient vnto his Ma. and neither spare body nor goods to doe him seruice no not once to hinder him in these affayres It is very true that certeine small vessels were laden with souldiers to come to Antwerpe who for the common quiet of the City could not bee suffered to enter wherefore they sayled towardes Zeland where they were forbidden stayed for comming on land Insomuch that they inforced through famine to returne to Antwerpe and as it is sayde that as they were in the L. of Brederode his seruice being about a mile from Antwerpe to wit at Easterwell and comming on lande were there discomfited When the reformed Churches of Antwerpe heard of this they armed themselues to help the said souldiers which caused a great alarme within the citie so that the Prince in the ende appeased the same without the effusion of any citizens blood By which bee gaue them to vnderstand that he neuer pretended to atteÌ„pt any thing in Zealand which might any way tend to the hinderance of any of his maiesties deuises practises But in that he would not receiue garnisons into the country and townes he did that for the auoiding of all dissention and to keepe the subiects in peace vnttie Wherfore the prince greatly marueileth that such great learned men as would be so well thought of would set downe and propound such matters as neuer can nor shal be any way verified There is besides in the Articles of this inditement declared that the prince was sent to Antwerpe to appease the troubles but that he suffered the exercise of all hereticall Sectes indifferently Whereunto he answereth That hee expressely tolde the Counsell that it was impossible for him to stay those of the religion notwithstanding that he woulde be as carefull to do what so euer lay in him to be done as a man mought be Insomuch that all the Townsmen gaue him great thankes for the appeasing of the troubles through his aduise and counsell The Magistrate of the Citie and not he suffered the building of the Churches and the exercise of the religion for the aueyding of a greater offence and mischiefe The Consistories were ordeyned before he came thither yea euen before the publique preachings and to meete from thenceforth with al troubles he permitted them a way or meane whereby all the circumstaunces of the affayres that might suddenly happen might be talked vpon and dealt withall and did not belieue that his Maiestie by this occasion coulde any way be endemnified seeing it serued more for the keeping of his subiects in peace and tranquilitie For the last Article where it is sayde that hee shoulde ordeyne impositions and exactions or leuie money for the paying of souldiers hee fayeth
Count Lodwike hauing espials euery where to aduertise him out of what quarter of the countrie counte Lodwike meant to goe At last the Duke was aduertised that counte Lodwike stayed at Iemming in the count of Embden his dominions and had there pitched his campe beeing a fit place for intrenching consideryng that on the one side hee had water enough and on the other he had the iolly citie of Embden to furnish his campe with victuals and all other necessary prouision When the Duke of Alua was heereof throughly aduertised hee caused his army to marche towardes counte Nassou his campe and sent before him captaine Sancho de Auila and captaine Mentero to holde them play and apply them with skirmishes thereby to withdrawe the Nassouans from the commodious place wherein they were And after him he sent Iulian Romero master of the campe with fiue hundred harquebuziers three hundred musketiers After him followed Don Sanches de Lodogno with a thousande harquebuziers appointed for the two wings of the foote men and Caesar Gonzage Martinengo with two bands of horse men the rest of the vauntguard were vnder the conduct of Alfonse de Vlloa and Don Consaluo de Bracamont with express commandement that none of those souldiers should otherwise be placed In the reareward were specially appointed sixe ensignes of Almaines and after them fifteene ensignes signes of Wallons who followed the light horse one by one For the passage was very straight and full of water on eyther side When the Nassouans sawe the mightie armie of the Duke of Alua in steed of shewing themselues valiant and couragious they beganne to crie out Money money and woulde not once fight shewing themselues to be neyther of valure nor yet wise and they who shoulde not haue fought for money but for the defence of religion durst not nowe once put in hazard their liues eyther for theyr countrie or yet for religion Whiche thinge when the Duke of Alua sawe and consideryng of theyr pusylanimitie or faint heartednesse set vpon count Nassou his campe about ten of the clocke in the morning and so put them to flight and in killyng of a certaine number he paid them the wages which count Lodwike ought them Howbeit many of them were saued in passing the ryuer of Embden by boate and especially the most valiant count Lodwike and some of the noble men escaped the tyrants handes notwithstanding that hee stood to his defence euen to the last man for when he saw that his souldiers woulde not fight hee saued himself with great peryll of his life by passing the riuer in a very small boat The count of Hoogstrate was but two dayes before gone from the campe and count Iuste of Scouwenbourgh saued himselfe and the greater number of his horsemen at the begynning of the battaile when he perceiued the souldiers would not fight but called still for money When the Duke of Alua had gotten this victorie The Duke of Alua writeth to Bishop of Munster he wrote the particularities of this battaile vnto Iohn bishop of Munster who was the chiefe within the compasse of Westphalia by whiche letter the sayd Duke coÌ„plained of the wrong which counte Lodwike had done that he woulde haue no peace and contemned the Emperours message and excused himselfe of that that hee had burdened and endamaged the count Embden by the entring of souldiers laying all the blame on the count Embden who had holpen count Lodwike with victuals and shewed him selfe in very deede the king of Spaines enemie seeing hee had duryng the tyme of the Battaile discharged vppon the Spaniardes certayne great ordenance out of the shippes After this great victorie the Duke of Alua tooke his way by Amstelredame towardes Vtright where hee cut off the head of one of Duke Lodwikes captaines whom hee had taken prysoner The twentie of Iuly the Prince of Orange by an Apologie and certaine publique writings declared the occasion cause The prince publisheth his defence and necessitie which inforced his excellencie his friendes and the confedered noble men to take armes against the Duke of Alua and his adherentes to wit by reason of his horrible and detestable tyranny and persecution against the poore and blameles professours of the worde of God and of the holy Gospell and also against the generall Estates of the lowe countries to theyr vtter rooting out and desolation but because the saide Apologie hathe oftentimes beene printed and thereby gotten into the handes of all the worlde wee haue not here for breuitie sake put it in Wee haue heeretofore saide howe that the prince of Orange had waged a great many both foote men and horsemen who being arriued about the monasterie of Romerstorf in the countrie of Treues remained there vnto the ende of the moneth to the great burt of the countrie men The captaines of the horsemen were Fredericke de Rolhuisen Marshall of Hessen who was a famous man in the French wars 1562. Thierry of Schonbrough count Iust of Schuwenbourgh count Albert of Nassau counte Burchart of Barby Ottho of Malsbrough Herman Riedesal and Adam Welles The Colonels of the foot men were Nicholas of Harstadt a man of an auncient and noble house an expert man of war and for his valure very famous Feyt Schooner and Balthazar of Woluen The French captaines were Ienâ—is Moruillier the baron of Renty Mouy Antrycourt Esternay the parson and others of twelue bands of horse and a thousande harquebuziers Captayne Poyet was also a captaine of souldiers With these also ioyned counte Lodwike after his discomfiture at lemmingen In the beginning of September the prince caused the campe to marche on after that they had made a generall muster and passed the Rhine at Saint Vit a towne within his iurisdiction The Princes armie was 44 ensignes of Almaynes The armie of the Prince foure thousande French and Wallons the most of them shot and 7. thousand horse men well armed som of the foot men had in theyr ensignes this posie Pro lege grege rege That is to say for the lawe the people and the king Some beare the Pellican by reason of the loue shee beareth to her young ones nourishyng them with the blood which issueth out of her hurt brest Vpon theyr Morions were roses painted an olde Englishe deuise as if the Queene of England had assisted them Ouer and besides the prince had ten peeces of ordenance sixe faucons and four canons but small prouision of munition and this was in haruest a very moyst and raynie season and therefore very vnfit to marche with so great an armie When the Duke of Alua had heard these newes at Vtright he mustered his people The Colonel of the Alamaines were the Count Lodyon and count Phillip of Ouerstein Ouer and besides hee had fortie ensignes of Spaniardes and fortie ensignes of VVallous sauing those that lay in garnison in the townes castles who for the more part were Spaniards whoÌ„ he most trusted Hee had also
continue this our historie The Duke of Alua seeing that the Prince with his armie had forsaken the low Countries as a triumphant conquerour pursued the tyrannous persecution which hee had begun against those of the reformed religion as more at large is set downe in the booke next before and although that in these Countries the warres were for the space of foure yeeres surpressed to wit from the yeere 1568. vnto the yeere 1572. Yet haue they not been free from the abundant spilling of innocent blood through the horrible furie of this vnnaturall and cruel tyrant But when the Lorde woulde graunt vs a beginning of our deliuerance hee suffered this foresaid Tyrant to abuse hymselfe through his owne insatiable couetousnes The duke demaÌ„ deth the tenth pennie by demanding of all the merchandize both going out coÌ„ming in vnto these low Countries the tenth pennie also the xx pennie of all the vnmoueable goods that should be sold within the said countries although all the Estates of the Prouinces tolde him of the inconueniences that might fall out by reason of this extreeme exaction yet persisted he in his demaunde thinking that no man durst once gainsaye him notwithstanding that it was cleane against their Priuiledges Which thing greatly moued the common people and the Citizens of all the Cities were maruellously grieued as wel for the tenth penny which the Duke woulde haue no nay of as also for the great tyranny hee vsed Lastly hee purposed to put this tenth pennye in execution in the Cytie of Bruxelles where his Court was thinking that by reason of his presence no manne durst say him naye But the Bruxellians dyuerslye sette them selues against it For neyther woulde the Brewers brewe anye drinke nor yet the Bakers bake anye bread To bee shorte there arose so greate troubles in this Citie of Bruxelles as that the Duke him selfe feared the tumulte and furye of the common people And therefore the Citizens of Bruxelles are woorthye all honour and prayse for so boldelye defending the Pryuiledges of theyr Countrey During these troubles in Bruxelles the common people of the rest of the cities and townes both in Brabant Flanders were also troubled so that the Hollanders and Zelanders begun likewise to rowze themselues out of their sleepe which made the fugitiues and banished men to thinke on their businesse and determined once againe to inuade the low countries seeing the Inhabitants of the said countries began to oppose themselues against the tyrant Wherfore De Lumay Earle of March being in England Briele taken by the L. of Lumay hauing at his commandement certayne ships got himself his retiâ—â—e to Sea vpon the sodaine tooke the Briele a towne in Holland the 1. of April 1572. For the saide Count first set the South gate on fire by meane whereof Inhabitantes kept them selues close in their houses and in the meane while the souldiers skaled the towne and the North gate and so woon it afterwarde brake and destroyed the Images and altars of the Churches The Duke of Alua was forthwith aduertised of this sodaine taking and although the newes pleased him neuer a whit yer made he small accompt of his enemies because he had continually most victoriously driuen them out of the countrey Wherfore he sent two ensignes of Spaniards from Vtright to the Briele to driue out the Gueses Howbeit the Gueses met them with theyr boates who discharging their Harquebuzes vppon the Spanyardes and comming on lande made the Spaniardes lustely flye through the myre and dyrt and droue them to Dordright The Count Bossu hauing the charge of ten ensignes of Spanyardes considering with himselfe that the Gueses would not willingly forsake and lose the Briele but were rather more like to get many other townes he therfore came to Rotterdame willing them that he might passe through the towne Whiche thing the Citizens at the first choppe denied him neuerthelesse in the end they were contented that his people shoulde passe by Diâ—aines A Massacre in Rotterdame but they making hed al at once at the gates entred together into the towne and villaynously murdered a great number of the Citizens and this was done the nienth of Aprill 1572. Three dayes before Flushing reuolteth whiche was Easter day the towne of Flushing reuolted wherein was a garnison of Walonnes And it so fell out that as the Citizens were at Churche sodaynely there was an vprore by reason that it was bruted that the Spaniardes were comming to lodge in the Towne and as the Harbingers were appoynting the lodginges they pycked a quarrell with one of the Citizens and gaue him yll language as they coulde well ynough The Cytizens who were at Churche hearing of this noyse came foorth and draue the Walonnes cleane out of the Towne and kepte the gates themselues When the Spanyardes were come before Flushing they woulde not let them come in whereuppon they hearing that the garnison of the Walons were driuen out tooke their course to Middlebrough the chiefe citie of the Isle of Walcheren where they were receyued Nowe when the Captayne of the Spanyardes who was the Duke of Alua his kinsman arryued at Flushing hee thought to haue found the Spanyardes there But the Townes men who knew wel inough that he was comming went to meete him byddyng him welcome and doyng him great honour as the maner is to honor such noblemen howbett that honour lasted not long for they foorthwith layde handes on hym and hanged him on the gallowes And so this towne hath been euer sithence kept for the prince of Orange which is the chiefe key of the Sea to come into the lowe countries to bee brought into subiection howbeit it is worthie great commendation by reason of the noble feates of warre which the Citizens haue exployted against the practizes and stratagemes of the Spaniardes for the defense of the countrie The 24. of May following after that the count Lodwike of Nassou had made a new couenaunt in Fraunce with the confederates he surprysed Monts in Haynault after this maner Mons in Haynault surprised The nyght before there went into Mons twelue aduenturers apparrelled like merchauntes and beeing at the table in the euenyng they asked of the hoste what tyme in the morning the Gates were opened The hoste tolde them at foure of the clocke and if so bee they woulde goe out any timelier he said that if they woulde giue the porter the wyne the Gates should bee opened for them as early as they woulde These iollye Merchants rose very timely and caused the Gates to bee opened promising to giue the Porter a peece of money But so soone as the Gates were open they dispatcht the Porter with a Pistoll shot and tooke away the keyes When the Gates were open counte Lodwike entred the towne with fortie men and placed them at the corners of the streetes and if any man went about to open eyther dore or window they would discharge their
draue away the Wallons which lay in Garnison at Doccum Now there were fiue of these Walons whiche had gotten vp into the Church steeple shot at as many as went abroad in the streetes Which when the Gueses saw they set fire on the steeple to cause the said Walons to come downe howbeyt there was but one of them burnt and the rest tarried still in the steeple vntil the 16. of September 72. when as the Walons draue the Gueses out of Doccum and recouered the Towne which was burnt and sacked so that the Citizens were in great misery for they are alwayes the men that are driuen to the wall and paye for all When the Lord of Billi acunning an expert man of warre perceiued that the Gueses souldiers for the most part were coūtrey men and Prenteses who were vnacquainted with discharging of an haguebuze he made voyde theyr seconde enterprise which they tooke in hande at Stauere where the Gueses had besiged the castle For hee came with his Wallons The castle of Stauere ayded and draue them from Stauere and so set fire on the towne But as the Wallons returned from Stauere with great butin the Gueses of Sneecke Boelswerd and Franique gathered themselues together to take away the butin from the Wallons ouerthrowe them but so soone as the captaine of the Gueses was stricken from his horse with an harquebuze shot all the rest fled and the other Gueses were driuen from the fortes that stoode vppon the baucke and other places with shame enough hauing gotten neither wealth nor yet victorie on their enemies The Prince had once againe assembled a very great army about Duyibourgh who passing the Rhine tooke by assault The Prince winneth many townes the fourth of Auguste the Towne of Ruremonde and passing further into Brabante Louayne rendered to him and Malynes with many other Townes were surprised After that hee marched on towardes Montes in Haynault to ayde Count Lodwike his brother A massacre at Paris the 24. of Aug. 1572. Howebeit the massacre committed at Paris and in many other Townes in Fraunce so altered the case as that the Prince retourning by Malines with his armie vnto the Rhine discharged his armie himselfe with a small companie of men of warre went into Holland whether he was sent After the long battery of Mants Monts in Haynault rendred Count Lodwyke seeing no way how to be holpen fell to a part and the 21. of September rendred the Towne to the Duke of Alua vpon certaine conditions to wit that Duke Lodwyke should be sent with a safe conuay vnto the borders of the empire Which thing when the garnisons of Malynes Duremond and others which kept them to his vse vnderstood they forsooke the same townes went theyr wayes The Duke of Alua returning with his army from Mouts Malynes sacked came to Bruxelles and sent his souldiers to sacke Malines which they did the 1. of October notwithstanding that the cleargie and all the Citizens of the towne receiued thē in with banners streamers displayed to appease their fury but all was in vaine For the Duke had giuen the souldiers the Towne who wholy spoyled it killed many citizens and defloured great store of women and young maidens The Prince being come into his gouernement of Holland trauelled in all hee coulde about the affayres for the warres and the Duke of Alua cleane contrary sent Colonel Mondragon with twenty ensignes of Wallons into the I le of South Beueland where they arriued at a lowe water marke through the conduct of certaine traitours to theyr countrie and raysed the siege from before Tregoes which was greatly distressed straitly couped vp The 21. of Nouember the Duke of Alua his armie came before the towne of Zurphen Surphen taken without resistance which was taken without any resistaunce for the citizens had set the gates wide open for them to come in at But so soone as they were entred the Duke exercised very great tyrannie both vpon the citizens and also on the souldiers hanging some and strangling and drowning other some in the riuer of Yssell This tyrannie of the Duke so greatly feared the rest of the Townes that the count Berge forsaking all the Townes which hee had gotten fledde from thence with all his souldiers And so did likewise the count Scauwenbourgh in Friseland in memorie whereof they of Sneecke enprysonned their Patrone the Lord of Netherwormter whom they had sent for and with great solemnitie receiued into the towne Duke Fridericke the Duke of Alua his sonne A massacre at Narden and Lieutenaunt came from zurphen towardes Narden in Hollande where hee so cruelly and vnnaturally handled the Citizens that had yeelded them selues as that it is a fearefull thing to thinke on and that against all the lawes of armes eyther in Christendome or heathenesse For when the Spaniardes were entered and louingly receyued and had been as well entreated as was possible there was immediatly after proclaymation made by the sounde of the Droombe that all the Citizens and enhabytauntes of the Towne shoulde come to the Hospitall Chappell where shoulde bee declared vnto them suche ordinaunces as they must line and direct them selues by But when the miserable Citizens were come thither the Spaniardes murdered euery mothers sonne of them sackte and burnt the towne rauished the women yea and murdered some of them and left the rest liue in great Martyredome Nowe when I call to minde the wonderfull woorkes of God I can not passe ouer but tell you howe that after the murder and massacre of Narden and the whole Towne on a flaming fire a young ladde of the age of seuen yeeres was saued by running out of the gates of the Towne into a little garden full of roots The father of this Boy was murdered and his mother beeyng rauished was hanged vp by the armes of the tyrannous Spaniardes and when the fire came and tooke holde of her house shee being tyed by the armes coulde not get away so that shee was burnt in her owne house This young ladde hauing not eaten any thing for the space of three whole dayes together wept bitterly both for the death of his Parentes as also by reason that hee was hungerbit But God who neuer forsaketh his sent him reliefe for the very same night there came vnto him a well fauoured young man in white apparell who gaue him whereon to fedde and sayde Weepe no more my fatherlesse childe for I will neuer leaue thee Eate and be of good cheere for they that haue murdered thy father and mother shall haue a double plague light vpon them Thy teares shal be turned into toy and gladnes and their laughing into teares and mourning And forthwith the young man vanished out of sight Thus wee see gentle reader the mercifull and bountifull goodnes of God who neuer forsaketh his but keepeth them as the apple of his eye After the massacre and murder at Narden
enginare of the towne slayne with Harquebuze shot so that he was put by for repairing of the Bulwarke and dyed the next morrowe The 29. of the saide moneth Maister Ierome Serates a Commisssioner entred by night with three ensignes of Walons vnder the charge of Captayne Michell Cousin and Vemi The 30. of the saide it was mistie and cloudie which greatly fauoured the Spaniards so that they might digge and vndermyne euen harde to the towne side The last of this saide moneth there issued out of the wood gate certayne Horsemen meaning to surprise the watch but all in vaine for the time was too cleare and the enemie fled so that they got but some of their weapons There issued also certaine out of Scaelwike gate and kild three of their enemies taking from them 22. harquebuzes The first of Ianuarie 1573. the Townesmen made a camisad and issued out of the wood gate comming suddenly vpon the Spaniardes in their trenches who forsooke them But the enemie returning with a greater number the Townesmen also returned carrying away with them but two Countreymen and a young strypling The 2. of the said moneth were brought into the sayd towne twelue fleds laden with wheat and one loden with bread came in at Scaelwyke gate But the 5. of the saide moneth entred 27. fleddes laden with corne a band of souldiers vnder the charge of captaine Mandares The 8. of the sayde moneth the Townesmen hunge vp a souldier on the toppe of the Bulwarke and the enemie whiche had giuen ouer battering from the 20. of December vnto that day beganne agayne the battery with 24. Canon shotte But on the 9. they spent 133. shotte in whiche meane while there entred in by the sayde gate seuen â—â—eddes loden with pouder and Corne. The 10. day at night were sent for the ayde of the Towne of Englishmen Scottishmen Walons and Almaynes about two thousande But by reason of the wonderfull mystie and cloudie weather they went out of theyr way insomuch that many of them got to an house called the clyffe some to the downs others to the wood Howebeit the greatest number went to the Princes Campe by reason they coulde not hitte vppon the Towne and yet there was a great light burning vpon the top of the Tower and the Bell also was rounge whiche was the cause that some of them got to the Towne amongst whom was an Almaine one of the enemies Campe who asked them of the town which were come out of Scaelwike gate to skirmish whether he were neere Amstelredam yea or no who answered and sayde yea and so tooke him and led him to the Towne prisonner where to be short he was hanged This day the enemie had discharged 14. Canon shot The 11. day there were two Alarmes giuen to the Town because the Spaniardes and Walons had made them selues ready to the assault The same night entered into Harlem 48. steddes laden with corne and gunpouder and with all a bande of souldiers vnder the conduct of Captayne Gasper The 12. of the saide moneth the enemie had with batterie greatly decaied the Bulwarke Parapetti Maisons houses cloisters and Churches yea had almost as it were vtterly beaten them downe with the valee of an 150. Canon shot howebeit the Townesmen had in the night with earth and wood so not ahly repayred the breach as that it was thereby stronger then euer it was before And besides all this the enemie had wrought by all meanes possible to haue myned hard vnder the house whiche stood in Saint Crosse streete The 13. day there entred sixe steddes laden with Corne and Meale And the Townesmen also sounded the Alarme when as they sawe the preparation of the enemie The same day likewise were two men slayne as they satte at the Table eating of their meate with a Canon shot and therewith also a mayde seruaunt howebeit there was a locke of hayre of a young Damosell cleane carried away couercheffe and all with an Harquebouze shot without any other hurt The 14. day the Townesmen sallied out and tooke three victuallers and two Almaynes prisonners and brought them away with them And the 15. day the enemie gaue the Alarme to the Townsmen Howebeit they lost an ensigne whiche was had to the Towne The 16. of Ianuarie in the forenoone the Spaniardes had cast an head out of their trenches vnto the Towne Bulwarke whereunto was tyed a little scrowle written with these wordes This is king Philip his head the Captayne Whereupon the Townesmen in recompence of this villanie caused twelue prisonners to be hanged to witte Three victuallers of Amstelredam a Walon and eight Almaynes The night following when the dead men were cut from the gallous they pact eleuen of their heades in a berrell hauing their haire and beardes cut Gueses fashion and so cast it downe from the Bulwarke into the enemies trenches Vpon the head of which barrell was nayled a peece of paper written with these wordes Carrie these heades to the Duke of Alua in payment of the teuth pennie which hath been so long demaunded and not yet payed and therefore besieged he this Towne But for asmuch as he shall haue no iust cause to complayne by reason it hath been so long a comming wee haue sent him the eleuenth for interest and in consideration The 17. of the sayde moneth there entred 65. â—â—eddes laden with Corne and an ensigne of souldiers vnder the charge of Captayne Schram of Brunswike The same day the souldiers others sallied out at Scaelwike gate to skirmish with the Almaynes who had fortified at Rustenbourg house and first they woone the watermyll which the enemie had forsaken and after that entred the trenches at once and draue out the enemie sending into another worlde as many as they could catch where the ensigne bearer of Briell valiantly got an ensigne out of the hands of one of the ensignes bearers of the enemy â—iue him so that they caried with them to the Town that ensigne three droms besides their well and thristie dispsing and cooling of the more part of the souldiers It was also that day ordeyned that that night they shoulde leaue the Bulwarke standing without the Towne because so many men were killed there dayly The 18. of the saide moneth the Townesmen beganne to fortifie Saint Crosses Gate and strengthned it with earth fagottes Horse dungge and other thinges enterlasing it with timber logges after the maner of a Gridiron so that this gate was a greate deale stronger then the Bulwarke aforesaide The same day the townes men sallied out of Scaelwike gate to skirmishe with the Almaines but it was to small effect In the after noone there were sent backe vnto the Princes Campe certayne sâ—edds whiche by the conuoy of three hundred souldiers were brought thwarte the enemie so that the enemie beganne to reuyue the skyrmishâ— who by the lyuely resistinge of the Souldiers of the Towne were put to flight to their great losse for they that coulde
same night a Walon came out of the wood to the towne who was immediatly sent to the prince of Orange The eighteenth of the said moneth the enemie had made readie to assault the towne about noone and the townes men sounded the alarme but there was nothing done Howbeit the next day the enemie had fired a myne but with no hurt or losse to the towne And the 20 day the townes men plaid the like part and the very same effect followed They likewise thought to set fire on the platforme but it had no good successe The 22. of Marche which was Easter day the enemie stood in order of battaile both about the Spittle as also in the higher linkes and in the wood Wherfore the Burroughmasters and Captaines commaunded the alarme to be sounded but nothing was done The same day salyed out of the wood gate fiue or sixe horsemen and 120. shot to make play with them which lay in the wood howbeit they were repulsed with the losse of two souldiers and a few hurt men The same day also came into Harlem in three ships 70. last of corne which are 1625. razieres The 24. of this moneth Maryne Brande Admirall of the Mere brought with him two prisoners who after they had been racked were hanged about Fuyke The 25. of the said moneth at niene of the clocke in the morning salied out of the wood gate about 200. Walons to skirmishe with the enemie which lay at the entry of the wood and got the outwarde trenche of the enemie but because they were not strong enough they retyred to the towne without doyng of any great exploite saue that they hung two souldiers But when the Burroughmasters vnderstood the state of that quarter The Colonels and Captaines determined to surprise the same quarter in the after noone with niene or ten ensignes which was executed at foure of the clocke in the afternoone by sixe companies of souldiers and many citizens who salied out of the water gate about 200. French and Walon souldiers that salied out of the wood gate where after they had shakeÌ„ off their shot they coupled the skirmishers together In the meane while issued out the aforesaid Chase of Harlem certaine small men of warre with her and thereby surprysed the enemie in three or foure places who hauing once discharged their great ordenance tooke their heeles howbeit the townes men followed theÌ„ for life froÌ„ thence to Faert killing slaying so that they flue a thousand of their soul diers a great number of which were meÌ„ of estimation wealth as appeared by the rich iewels apparrel that were brought to the towne And besides the townes men burnt aboue 300. tents and carried their great ordenance out of the field to wit 5. Falconnets 2. brasse peeces with great store of munition pouder and niene ensignes which the souldiers in the euening to the shame and despite of the enemie as it were in great triumph carryed with drummes fifes alongst the new Rampares in the end placed theÌ„ vpoÌ„ the _____ Ouer besides all this they brought to the towne about 30 horse a great number of Cowes calues garments clokes great store of plate rings gilt Morions an in numerable nuÌ„ber of corselets harquebuzers swordes To bee short ther was neuer a souldier of the town but had a good large butin For there was a druÌ„mer that had 200. duckets for his share Which victorie was wonne with the losse of a fewe men for the townes meÌ„ lost not aboue 8. amongst which was one Captaine Derdeind a Walon a very valiant wise man who had doone great good seruice about the fortification of the Towne had in this victorie with his souldiers brauely charged the enemie The 26. of March the townes men had placed in the morning vpon the bulwark 11. ensignes which they had aswel the day before as also at other times got from the enemie But the 27. was slaine from the platforme with a musket shot Thierry Braesseman Launcelot Brederode his Lieuetenant The 28. of this moneth the ships of warre were gotten to the other side halfe way to Easterpe The 29. of the saide moneth were gotten into Harlem Mere thirtie and three shippesand seuen gallies of the enemie whiche woulde haue bereft vs the Mere hauing cut downe the dyke about the Terbert house And the Harlemians had with great speed by reason of a prosperous winde got to the Mere the thirde Gally vnder the charge of captaine Binchorst and also captaine Iohn Mantegnault who with certaine citizens sayled towards Caghe where the rest of their ships lay The 30. day of Marche the enemie had beganne a fort neere Fuyke for the safetie of their ships the last of the said moneth the enemie fyred a myne howbeit no hurte came to the Citie thereby saue onely that the Alarme was sounded by reason of the batterie The first of Aprill there came into the towne a Barque laden with powder which came ouer the fields that were ouerfloweÌ„ The same day the souldiers destroyed S. Iohns Abbey which stood whole and sound till then The second of this moneth came thirtie and eight sâ—ippeâ— Gallies of Amsterdam before Fuyke where from morning vntill the euening they did nothing els but shoote off theyr great ordenance The fourth of the said moneth the townes men hunge vppe without Scaelwyke gate eleuen souldiers whiche were prysoners and drowned a woman And the sixt of the said moneth a Poste came in at the wood gate whiche immediately returned The same day the enemie blewe vp a mine howbeit the towne was no whit hurt thereby The seuenth of the said moneth the townes men salied out at Scaelwyke gate thinking to haue cowpled together in skirmishe but it was to sinall purpose And the eight of the same moneth the townes men fired a myne but it auayled little The nienth of this moneth came as it were about an hundred of the Princes ships from Caghe towardes Fuyke And the harlemians hauing a dosen well appointed shippes first sayled with a great large vessell vnto a bridge neere vnto the wood where shee stayed without being able to passe or yet stirre And the second which was a Caruel flayed against the low dyke But as two hundred souldiers or there about salying out of the water gate to set vpon the enemie were liuely repulsed the souldiers which were in the great vessell and in the Caruell came out of them and some of them came on shoare in a boate leauing both the ships in the power of the enemie The others seeing that the bridge woulde not styrre forsooke also both their vessels and in skirmishing retyred to the towne with the losse of sixe or seuen of their companie in the meane while our vessels kept them of Amsterdam whiche lay before Fuyke play by reason of the Northeast winde the fort of Fuyke where the Spaniardes were prouided of great ordenance they coulde not come to grapple
parled with the Enemy at the place aforesaid The next morow they againe set vp the black flag vpō the Tower to signifie vnto the ships their great penurye distresse The same day returned one of the flying postes with letters from the Prince aduertising them that hee meant the night following to victuall them The same night al the souldiers in the Towne issued out at Scaelwike gate in a Camisado looking ettery houre when the shippss should set their men on land for the ayding and relieuing of the Towne but it was al in vaine The next day the Townsmen parled againe with the Enemy to wit 6. on either side where was the Count Bossu the Count Ouerstein foure others on the Enemies behalfe and Steinbach Iohn Fliet Rosoni Sohey Pellican and Cornelius Mathew on the behalf of the Towne but they could not agree For the souldiers would at no hand depart the town without their armour and weapon The 5. of Iuly at noone the Princes ships shewed thē selues to the townsmen wherupō the citizēs a great number of the souldiers salied out of the town to assist thē which thing the Enemy seeing gaue the Alarm before the bulwark the alarme bell also sounded out so that the enemy was forced to recyer then discharged they the 8. last canon shot bullets of 10256 which had beene discharged vpon the towne frō the beginning of the siege euen vnto the day The 6. of that month was a white flagg set vpon the Tower and they also sent by plaine force in a smal vessell acaptaine of the Towne named Nycholas Barnard to the Prince of Orenge his shippes carrying with him foure Doues and a Letter to the Prince of Orenge aduertising and praying him that he would send victuals by the Barques because they were no longer able to abyde the famine The 7. of the said month came a letter frō the Prince of Oreng subsigned also by the last post praying thē to haue patience for a day or two he would by the helpe of God rayse the camp of the Enemy Which newes greatly reioyced the citizens soldiers of the Town albeit euery man before was ready to haue quite and cleane forsaken it for many of them had giuen away their goodes and apparel to them that would take them and besides the souldieres spoyled some of them of al they had insomuch that it was a lamentable case to see the misery wherin they were The same day also the souldiers forcibly set vpon a lombard or vserers house and tooke away all the goodes he had for they looked euery houre when they should leaue the Towne The 8. of Iuly returned a flying poste with letters from the Prince conteining that he trusted the night following to ayde the Towne that his ships shoulde giue a false Alarme to Fuyke howbeit the whole force lighted vpon them which lay in the wood which newes wakned the geatest part of the town aboue 2000. souldiours citizens watting looking for thē had put on whit shirts to giue them the camisado that they might therby helpe the rest which enterprise as then tooke not effect which greatly discomfited the townsinen seeing that what by reason of famyne and want of victuals they were wōderfully weakned The same night the princes ships gaue a false alarm to Fuyke shooting off their great ordenance wtout doing of any thing that auayled Ther was at the time so great a famin in Harlē as that many died of hōger The 9. of Iuly came in a flying poste bringing newes that the Princes people were discomfited at Mannepat whereupon certaine captaines were of the opinion that the best way was for euery man to prepare him selfe to be gone and leaue the town with the women and children onely in it but yet they did not so for when the women vnderstood that they meant to leaue them and then chldren in the towne they forthwith so disorderly rann about weeping crying as that no good course could be taken therin The 10. of the said month the soldiours of the towne prepared them selues once againe to forsake the towne And for the making of the way sure they first appointed seuen Eusignes for the vauntguard the very body and strength wherof should be altogether shot next to it should the magistrate the swornmen the citizens with their wiues children folow for the rerewarde they appoynted nine other Ensignes Howbeit this enterpryse tooke no effect by reason of a letter which came frō the enemy in the wood containing that as many as were in the towne should be receiued to mercy wherupon the Almain captains soldiers giuing credit therunto this deuice imediatly ceased The same day the Spaniards in tokē of victory had placed vpō their bulwark the 9. ensignes which they had the day before wonne frō the princes people The 11. of Iuly in the euening 4. or 5. Ensignes of walons al shot cōcluded to go out at Scaelwik gate in deede the greater number of thē were already gotten out with many citizens and swornmen so that there was scarse any man left to defēd the breach which was a difordered confused kinde of dealing but because ther were none of those ready at hand which had charg of the letting down of the bridges euery man retyred with great trouble and anoye between the citizens and soldiours in euery quarter And surely if God of his especiall grace had not miraculouslye kept the town the enemy might easily haue surprised it for ther was not a soldiour left at the breach betwixt 11. 12. of the clock at midnight The same day the Townesmen wrote an answere to the Enemie in such sorte as that the messenger went and came backe twise In which day the soldiours had most cruelly murdered M. Quintin his daughter and the sexten his wife of the Church which may be an example for all such as think to do thē selues good by the misery of their neighbours felow citizēs The 12. of the said month in the euening Steinbach Rosoni Christofer Vader 2. Burroughmaisters agreed with the enemy to render the towne vpon composition howbeit this compositiō no whit pleased Rosoni and therefore he foorthwith aduertised the other Walō captaynes who immediatly opposed thēselues against it and pulling vp the draw bridge woulde not suffer the persons aforesayde come in neuerthelesse at last they came in greatly encouraging the citizens souldiers saying that Don Fredericke would shew them greater fauour then they eyther hoped or yet looked for The 13. of the said moneth Proclamation was made by the soūd of the drum that al the companies shuld assemble thēselues at a certaine place where they were asked whether they would tarry in the towne with the fauour or disfauour of the Duke of Alua or els depart without armour and weapon wherupon answere was made that they had rather abide in the towne stand at the curtesie of the said
aforesaid vnderstood that the Spaniards were comming on to seeke them out they marched on and encountred them at Moquerhead The battaile at Moquerhed where a great many of theyr souldiers hauing nothing els in theyr mouthes but money money refused to fight whereupon these valiant Noble men with the rest of theyr people were enforced of necessitie to abyde the charge of the enemie loosing there both tourney and life at once after they had the fourteenth of April 1574. valiaÌ„tly fought it out When the Spaniardes had wonne this victorie The mutinie of the Spaniards in Antwerpe they againe mutined for their pay but by the aduise of Sancho de Auila they were conducted to Antwerpe where they ioyntly entred into the Castle the 26. of Apryll receiuing to their contentment froÌ„ the great commendator which hee had extorted vppon the Citizens of Antwerpe the summe of foure hundred thousand florins vsurping on them all kinde of crueltie and warlike licence libertie Moreouer the Lorde of Champigni gouernour of the sayde Towne was by them enforced to pack out thereof with all his Walons and because they feared the shippes of warre whiche lay there neere for the defense of the citie well purueied of all fortes of munitions they made them depart and ryde farder off from thence Whereupon the Flushingers being thereof aduertised A vietorls of 〈◊〉 Flushingers surprised them on a whitsunday when as the Spaniards were feasting and banqueting in al their iollitie tormenting mastring the poore Citizens of the citie After the discomfiture of the aforesaide Lordes the Spaniardes beeing aduertised that the Towne of Leyden LeydeÌ„ besleged the second time sithence theyr departure was vnprouided of victualles and munition they encamped before it and planted theyr batterie the twentie and sixt of May and more straitly enclosed it then they did at the first For the Spaniards had built in diuers places aboute the water side 22. Bulwarks in either of which were â—woor three peeces of great ordenance The historie of which siege here after ensueth Nowe before such time as I take in hand to touch and handle the principall matter I am Gentle Reader to beseech thee not to take in euill part my summarie declaration of this warre of Hollande and Zealande although it bee heere before described And first to beginne with all The Duke of Alua hauing seene that the taking of Mons in Haynault the wonderfull departure of Count Lodwyke of Nassou with the mightines and strength of his armie and the horrible murder at Paris had made readie so open a way for his blooddy tyrannie hee like vnto a seconde Antiochus full of all pride and arrogancie pursued his victorie and to beginne withall hee in October first sacked the Towne of Malines After that because hee woulde shewe his furie and insatiable erueltie hee the sixteenth of Nouember caused aboue fiue hundred men and women to bee murdered hanged headed and drowned at the Towne of Zurphen and within a whyle after hee committed another farre more cruell and horrible slaughter at the Towne of Narden where hee slue as it were all the whole Towne after hee had made them manie faire promises and bereft them of theyr armour and weapon pursuyng afterwarde with tyrannie the Townes of Hollande Howbeit the Almightie God whose mercy is alwayes most seene in the time of necessitie toke them into his protection myraculously sending vnto them the Prince of Orange as a second Iudas Machabeus to resist the blooddie tyrant Nowe it is well enough knowen by the Stories whiche haue gone before what the bridge was ouer which he entered into the garden of Holland before the citie of Harlem for the coÌ„mitting of his cursed murders here before largely enough set downe after it had abidden the siege for the space of eight moneths where Don Fredericke the saide Duke his sonne was generall of the campe who followed the fathers owne naturall inclination hauing for all that lost at that siege aboue twelue thousand men through the valtantise of the Harlemians after that the towne was rendred vnto him through the discomfiture of the princes armie and extremitie of the famine caused aboue two thousand three hundred souldiers to be executed by the sword halter and the water who valiantly had defended this towne insomuch that the Gentle Reader may manifestly consider that at that time the Hollanders were euen vp to the chinne in the water readie to be drowned and sincke to the grounde For through the losse of Harlem Alkemer and Leyden they were all in great danger Howbeit the Lord God who commonly deliuereth his from oppression depriued the Spaniards of their reasonable vnderstanding when as through their mutinie they leaft pursuing of their victorie which caused the Hollanders to take courage againe vnto them fortified their townes and by a common accorde agreed to abide susteine a defensiue warre for the defending of their wiues children and to hazarde their bodies and goods for the benefit and welfare of their countrie Which in very deede cleerely appeared by them of Leyden who according to the right custome of warres burnt and pulled downe halfe a myle about the towne all the houses castles villages monasteries and trees thereby to fortifie their towne and weaken the enemie And so likewise had the Alkemerians done And to speake the truth the yeelding vp of Harlem was a great losse to the Hollanders but on the other side whosoeuer will consider and weigh what townes and fortresses of the enemy the Lorde God hath giuen deliuered vp vnto them shall find that their conquest hath byn greater then their losse For they conquered the castle of the Rammekens in Zelande called Zeabrough wherby they not only became maisters ouer all ZelaÌ„d but obtained the key of the Sea and of all the low countries And shortly after the L. Lewys of Boyset Admyral of the quarter of the sea for the Prince of Orange wanne a iolly victory against the armie by Sea which was set foorth of Antwerpe where tenne of the greatest ships with the Admirall of the enemy were taken besides those that were sounke and the souldiers which were cast ouer the boord saue only their Captaine Iulian Romero who saued himselfe by swimming where they lost aboue 1500 of their best Souldiers as well Spanyardes as others The iolly victory likewise in North Hollande which the valiannt Captayne Nicholas Ruychauer of Harlem had against the Armye of Amsterdam where were taken Prisoners the Count of Bossue and with him many moe aswel Spaniards as others that were in the Admyrall whiche they thought inuincible I will here for this time passe ouer the siege of Alkmer and the shameful retraite of Don Fredericke after he had giueÌ„ 7. assaultes And also the Duke of Alua his retrayte into Spaine and howe to his shame the proud Image which stood in the Castle of Antwerpe was destroyed and carried away Besides the Arryuall of the greate Commendator of Castile Don
Lewys de Requesens and the seconde battell that was fought at Sea And to make an ende I leaue to the Historiographers the surprysing of the Towne of Gertrudenberge and manye other skyrmishes and thinges because I woulde returne to the said siege of Leyden The Towne of Leyden then was for the first time besieged from the last of October 1573. vnto the 21. of Marche 74. For at that tyme the siege was raysed by reason of the coÌ„ming downe of Count Lodwyke of Nassou into the low countries so that as then Holland was as it were quite ridde of al souldiers For the famous P. of Orange came with his army to Gouicque by Bommel whenas the great commendator laye not farre off with his The principall cause why the Prince of Orange pitched his campe there was for that his brother Counte Lodwyke had written vnto him from about Mastright that he purposed the next morrowe to depart from thence with his armie and woulde bee at Herwerd betwene the Rhine and the Maze by reason hee meant there to set ouer his horse men and ioyne with his brother and therefore requyred the Prince his brother to come and meete him with his men Shippes Barques and Bridges And although this aduercisement nothing pleased his brother seeing that by reason of the shortnes of the time it was impossible to send into the riuer these warlike preparations and furniture yet came he with his armie to the place aforesaide vsing these or such like speeches although the comming of my brother is a thing whiche I like well of yet I woulde he were an hundred myles off with his armie For his Excellencie knewe right well that his comming coulde not bee without great danger as the issue thereof in the end cleerely shewed Howbeit as afore hath been saide this holpe the Leydens well The Commendator aforesaide who after the victorie at Moker head against Duke Christopher of Bauier the Count Palarine his sonne Count Lodwike and Count Henrie his brother seemed to bee very quiet and still was not for all that ydle with his councell at Bruxels but had conceiued in his head three encerprises The first was to subdue North Hollande The seconde to make himselfe master of the Maze and the thirde once againe to besiege Leyden for hee was throughly informed by the Popish fugitiues and others their fautors which were in the towne that they had neither garnison nor yet corne that the villages were bare by reason of the continuall forestalling of certaine ill willers Nowe all the worlde knoweth what good successe the firsie enterprise which hee tooke in hande against the North Hollanders had for he lost at it aboue two thousand souldiers And besides the successe of his Antwerp armie which should haue made him master of the Maze before Lillo is at large set foorth by the dead and drowned souldiers and the Ships which were brought â—â—to Zealande and the taking of the vice Admirall Adolf of Hamsteed There resteth now no more but the third enterprise which is the siege of Leyden The twentie and sixe of May at two of the clock in the morning there came before this Towne Frauncis Baldez with an armie betweene seuen and eight thousand men both of Spaniardes Walons and Almaines His first arryuall was from Amsterdam by Harlem Mere with ships Caruelles Barkes laden with men and victuals harde to Leyerdory bridge where they stroke sayle And about midnight there issued out of the Towne a certaine Captaine named master Andrew with thirtie souldiers who falling into the Spaniardes handes was carried away with a shot dead before the Towne Howbeit the Citizens got him vp and carryed him to the Towne and there honorably buried him neuerthelesse they leaft in his place a dead Spaniard whome they had taken prisoner As the enemie was arriued at Leyden they began againe to make their first trenches bulwarks the citizens which were vpoÌ„ the Rampares began about the day breake to march with two or three Ensignes of souldiers towards Zoeterwood part of which tarryed still at the said place and the rest went to the Trenche or Fort of Leyderdam which Fort through the negligence of the Townes men was whole and sounde The Leydens sent messengers to Hay Delft Roterodam and Dortright where at that present was arryued the Prince of Orange hauing raysed his campe about Bommell to the ende hee might preuent and stoppe the enemie But the valiant Captaine Ruychauer which was at Hay receiued the newes somewhat too late and yet neuerthelesse through his industrie and diligence he did so muche as that what by reason of the Trenches and Skyrmishes at the Spirite bridge they of the religion whiche were in Haye saued the greater part of their moueables although the Papists came that day in the euening not only to Hay but also to LeyderdaÌ„ But when the rest of Baldez armie a fewe dayes after arryued in two companies the one from Vtright towardes Goude sluse and Alsen and the other from Harlem by Northwyke to Falkebrough at which places the Princes people had two fortes and at euery fort fiue hundred English men vnder the conduct of Edward Chester the saide Englishe men abode the first Shocque or charge For Goude sluse was hoatly assayled by the Papistes that came from Vtright howbeit the Englishmen lustily repulsed them to their great shame and losse and that by the valiancie of Captaine Genforde an English man But because the horsemen had none other way to come into Holland but by these forces they were inforced by very lustie hand strokes so to continue the assault The Englishe men driuen out of their fort as that the Englishmen were driuen of necessitie to forsake the saide fort which had not beene so lightly done if their companions at Alsen which is but halfe a myle thence had done their dueties aswell as they which were in the said for t for as they were comming to aide them the fort was alreadie wonne wherefore they all fled at once To be short the Spaniard payed dearely for this victorie for it caused many wagons laden with dead bodies to bee brought thither In this maner then the 27. of May ioyned in part the first troupe that came from Vtright to the campe of Baldez at Leyerthorpe the rest passing the linkes went to Hay The thirde troupe also passing the twentie seuen of May by Northwyke arryued before the great fort which was not fully finished But the fiue coÌ„panies of the Englishmen had forsaken it before they sawe the enemie although they had the night before requyred the Leydens of certaine horsemen to discouer the enemie whome as they saide they had not as yet perceiued and seene albeit they had drawne themselues neere to Waddyng where the Spaniarde pressing harde vppon them gaue them the skirmishe whiche skirmishe the Citizens saw as they stood vpon the Rampares and besides they neuer saw either on the side or yet on the other any man fall
become of the rawnesse of the low countrie lay it wast for the deliuering of those that lay oppressed in Leiden to declare vnto the enemy what power and will they had to wit that they had rather ouerwhelm the whole countrey with water The prince and the states conclude to ouerflowe drown the whole country with water and beare the losse as it is thought of 300000. crownes of the soune then suffer their fellow brethren members of one publike weale to be trode vnder foote and depriued of the libertie of their countrey And therfore I say it was concluded vpon and declared by a common accord That better is a waste then an vtterly lost countrey and so agreed that the scluses should be taken vp that all South Holland if it were possibly might bee laide vnder the water both by the laying open of these scluses as also by the cutting of the Dykes which stand eyther vpon the Maze or vpon Yssele procuring by this meane a Sea to ebbe and flowe vppon the firme lande that they might after the water was become once nauigable sayle to Leyden for the victualling and ayding thereof And to bring this matter to passe were deputed M. William de Palestine and Daniel de Wingard who hauing ful commission for the executing hereof departed forthwith from Roterodam with a great number of Pyoners The 3. and 4. of August his excellencie and M. Paule Bushe an aduocate of the countrey of Holland accompanied with certayne of the estates went vpon the chappel dyke of Yssele wheron stood a fort very wel furnished with souldiers cutting downe of the bank in about 16. places so that the formost gate was answerable vnto Issilmond And betweene Roterodam and Delfshauen was likewise a great deepe gate cut through which ran woonderful aboundance of water The scluses at Roterodam Scledam the 5. scluses c. were altogether pulled vp so that Roterodam scluse yeelded maruellous store of water Whē these dyke banks were cut downe Admirall Boysot is sent to take vp men 〈◊〉 the ayding of Leyden the scluse laid wyde open his excellēcy sent into zeland for Admyrall Lewis Boysot and after he had deliberated and consulted with the estates and throughly considered of all the meanes that might be as in what maner with what number of people with what ships artillary Leyden might be soonest ayded and rydde of the enemy he departed towards zeland for the doing hereof And in the meane while there were certain flat bottommed vessels many gallies also made ready for that seruice During these exploytes Baldez hauing encompassed Leydē with his souldiers gaue not ouer the practising of his subtil and threatning exhortations as wel by words as also by this Letter written the 30. of Iuly from Haye the briefe content whereof hereafter ensueth That the Leydens should beware not to suffer themselues to be villainously abused by friuolous and vayne wordes And that they had also caused it to be published abroade amongst their citizens how his Ma. sought a kind of iniurtous seuerity desire of reuenge against them where contrariwise hee shewed all the grace and mercy that was possible as appeared by those of Leydē 100. persōs moe at Vtright els where that this mercy gate stood as yet wide open for them if they would hartily call for the same But if they would still perseuere in their obstinacy that then they were to looke for al disgrace punishmēt cruelty to be presētly laid vpō thē Insomuch that the cōclusiō of this letter was as it were much like vnto Rabsakeis when he cā before the city of Ierusalē Harken saith he what the great king of Assyria saith to wit the great commandator Take heede you be not abused and seduced by Hezekia to wit by your Prince of Orāge leane not vnto a weak shaking reed which is not able to stay deliuer you neuer regard any thing that he biddeth you doe for the Lord will send you a meane for your deliuerance neither shall your Towne of Leyden fall into the handes of the great Commaundator Giue no eare to the Prince but beleeue me that his maiesties intent and purpose is not to depart from before the Towne vntill such time as he hath brought it vnder his obedtence and besides let Delft also know and all the reste of the other Townes that they shal be besieged which the Delftians if they be not wilfully blind may welinough perceiue And therfore see you trust not to the prince of Oreng his ayde for if you do you shal but abuse your selues with a vaine hope But shew you me thus much fauour as to render your selues into my handes be you the first and you shall be sure to obtaine grace mercy The Leydens made no answere to this letter neyther were they any whit the more afeard or discouraged But according to the example of the Bethulians and Iohel his doctrine they fell to prayer and fasting being expresly commaunded by the Magistrate not once to thinke that they deserued any thing by reason of this fast And besides they ordeyned certeine lawes and ordinaunces and the 2. of August they were commaunded to take vp all their horses out of the medowes and stable them in the Towne to the ende their milch kine might feede the longer abrode and at that time they began to kill the kine that were dried vp And the fift day they made ordenaunces concerning their flesh victual and Graynes which they then began to bake which kind of foode although they esteemed not of it so well as of bread yet cost it more then the rye bread for a pound of it coste 13. Holland pence and euery man was allowed halfe a pounde therof a day The Leydens standing in this estate wrote to his excellency the 21 of August The Leydens write a letter to his Excellency as foloweth That his excellency right wel vnderstood by their last Letter in what state they stood that theyr graines would serue them but foure dayes longer whereupon it appeared that they had made a verygood reckoning for 3. mōths to wit to liue the first 2. month with bread the third in misery pouerty And that the greater sort of the cōmō people drōk water by reason that the grains was baked into bread And besides that they greatly marueiled that they neuer receiued Letters from the estates their confederates and therfore supposed that they had cleane forgotten them seeing they knew how greatly their letters would increase the weake courages of their citizens beseeching God in the end of these letters to giue them an inuincible patience and to his excellency wisedome and courage for their ayde and deliuerance But before these letters were dispatched the Leydens had receiued letters from his excellency by which he aduertised thē of all that heretofore hath bin said and how hie the water was already risen wherat they greatly reioysing highly
caused to sounde the retraite Nowe this retraite could not bee without the losse of the princes people especially of those whiche were with the Admyrall of ziericksea There were amongest this company certaine French gentlemen Captaines as Catteuille Durant and Guileresse who were too too forwarde with theyr souldiers against the enemie for they had gotten with their barkes behinde the turf heapes not farre from the enemies houses trenches thinking to haue set them on fire But the Admyrall retyring without any noyse and not knowing them to bee so farre foorth the enemie perceiuing them to bee there so lustily assailed them with such a great number of boates as that Catteuille Guileresse and seuen souldiers moe by reason of the reculing of their barke were drowned But Durant and certaine souldiers with him saued theÌ„selues by swimming neuerthelesse the enemie as it was after well knowne receiued a farre greater losse through the shooting off of the great ordenance For their boates were full fraught with their dead hurt and gald men and carried to Vtright Insomuch that some scoffing fellowes iested and saide That fryers Gray was very deare ware because that whosoeuer woulde goe to the Popes heaueÌ„ must needes bee buryed in a Fryers Minors coule and the time was that they would put them coffyn all into the coule when as they carryed them very vnsauery from the campe as commonly it fell out both at Amsterdam and also at Vtright where they are buried in the body of the Church And although the princes armie had with the great ordenaÌ„ce merueilously annoied the enemie as had also the valiant souldiers of the Colonels of the Baron of Noyelle and of the Captaine of the guarde yet it shoulde seeme that they wonne no great matter by it For the water rose not so high as they looked for and that was by reason of the infinite thousandes of hassocks which sucked vp the water the winde also serued them to no pur pose and besides the enemie vsed many and sundrie meanes to draine the water aside Moreouer the said bridge was marueilous strongly fortifâ—ed and againe the boates which had the demie canons in them woulde otherwise haue beene trimmed so that it seemed all that cost and trauell to be vtterly lost and themselues at their wits end Howbeit the Lorde God purueyed for them two maner of wayes to wit first by reason of the Nottheast wynde which blew vp a mightie gabe the 18.19 20. dayes of September secoÌ„dly through the good counsell that was giuen to M. Peter Wastell one of his Excellencies counsell who in this dealing was very diligent and carefull for as he was deuising with two countrie men they told him that they needed not passe by that bridge seeing they might passe the way called Segwart lying betweene Soetermeir and Benthouse When the councellour heard thus much he tolde it to his Excellencie and returning to the campe sate hereupon in councell with the Admiral Noielles the Captaine of the guarde and with certaine estates of the Admiraltie and they all concluded as abouesaid And heereupon Admyral Boysot accompauied with Wastell aforesaide with the guard eight gallies and senentie souldiers directed his course that night towards Segwart way and there arriued before such time as the enemie had any vnderstanding of them for the vice Admyrall lay with the armie before the said Soetermeir bridge Nowe when they had gotten this way the Captaine of the guard desired Citadelle an Italian Gentleman and the Baron of Noielles Lieuetenant to fortifie and entrench with Vawgiraut and halfe the souldiers on Benthouse side And master Bochart with Captaine Ladriere and the other halfe of the souldiers on Soetermeir side And the meaning here of was this that although the whole force of the enemie should sodenly breake vpon them yet thought they hereby safely to returne to their ships howbeit all in vaine for the enemie seeing himself deceiued had no great stomacke to ferrit them out and the Almaines who lay at Benthouse so soone as night came shewed a faire payre of heeles they which lay at Soetermeir in the morning forsooke their trench retired towards Leyden to wit towardes Northaske Soeterwouwe Kyrkwegge Weyport carrying with them their artillarie and fortified themselues in manie houses Now the treaches in Segwart way were not finished withoute the great trauell of the princes people who labored all that night vp to the knees in the water the wind mightilye blowing at the North-East The next morrow Admirall Boysot sent the Captaine of the guarde to looke for the armie which through Gods mightie hand arriued there without the losse of any one man The Almaines aforesaid were no sooner gone froÌ„ Benthouse but that captaine Ladriere had gotteÌ„ their trench When the Princes people were passed Segwart way hauing set on fire the houses which stood on Soetermeir way Captaine Cret an Orengian arriued at Soetermeir with three companies of souldiers and the arke of Delft This Arke The arke of Delft was a strange buylt and trymmed vessell well furnished with great ordenance but very noysome to the armie by reason of the lownes of the water insomuch that they thought once to haue burnt her but because shee had in her betwixt fifteene twentie peeces of greate ordenance they founde the meanes to bring her to the foresaide place that ryding there shee might keepe the passage This Arke was built of two shippes ioyned together and was rowed neither with sprites nor ores neither yet oriuen with the helpe of any sailes but by wheeles wrought within her so very strongly built all ouer as that no musket shot was able to pearse her She was of burden able to beare fiftie lustie men for defence and twelue to turne the wheeles The next morrow they were determining whether they should goe on or tarrie a while longer The Admirall Boysot thought it best to pursue the enemie reculed and to the ende that both the Leydens and also the enemie might descrie him a farre off hee was resolued to take this enterprise in hande with twentie Gallies and appoynted the rest of the armte to follow him Wee haue heeretofore spoken how the vessels which beare the demie Canons were riuen with the force of the Canon But because they had neede of them they were speedily new calked pitched and tallowed at Delft and beeing trimmed with leadde and salt bydes against the force of the pouder they folowed the armie the thyrde day after The Admirall hauing sailed not passing a myle from benthouse was tolde as it was ghessed that aboute the waters which ranne downe towardes Norta that the enemy might strengthen himselfe in certayne houses thereabout howbeit when they had inquired after it the thing was found to bee farre otherwise wherfore he mad towards Norta and got him euen within a musket shot thereof where hee might perceiue how that betweene two or three hundred well armed Almaines had left two houses and were
would procure their ayde and deliuerance praying them to remaine constant not lightly and vnaduisedly receiue in any victuals without they saw himselfe or some assurance from him for he feared that the Spaniardes vnder his name might by some stratageme abuse and deceiue them A flying messen ger arriueth at Leyden The first flying messenger arriued at Leyden the 28. of that moneth which the magistrate by sound of the bel gaue the people to vnderstand the 29. day he read the letters opēly Declaring vnto them how that his Excellencie himself had been with the armie to giue order for their deliuerance and that he had him commended vnto them all beseeching them yet for a while to continue constant for the Lord of Hostes woulde send meanes to deliuer thē These letters greatly gladded and incouraged the people prayfing God and incessantly as the other confedered Townes had done made their prayers vnto the Lorde Now this great ioy was not without some mixture of sorrowe because that before and the same very day the winde blew vp at the Northeast which caused the water to fall rather then ryse so that the princes armie thought that they had as it were lost all hope of deliuering them if the inuisible meanes of God to wit the great flowing of the water which began that 29. day lasted vntill the second of October had not holpen them Wherfore the Admirall Boysot wrote vnto his Excellencie that if God of his mercy did not help both with wind also with the rising of the water and by suche meanes as no mā was able as yet to perceiue that he sawe not which way possible to bring to passe the reuictualling of the towne for this time and feared that after it woulde be too late considering that there was not a beaste left and that there were but two dissributions moe to be had and these but to last for right dayes Insomuch that the misery besides the pestilence diseases and discord was in the towne verie great as he vnderstood by the messengers and as was also after found to be most true For many of them had not in seuen weekes space eaten one byt of bread drunke nothing els but water Horse flesh also was then as good meat with the wealthiest of them as mutton is at this present Cats and dogs amongst the aduenturers Strange kinds o◠meates whiche the Leydens did cate and others which lay at the gates of the Towne were thought to be delicate meate and so eaten It is impossible to describe vnto you all their maner of cookery although many tolde mee of it Some of them eate vine leaues mingled with Amell floure and salt There was great difference in the leaues of trees therefore they made sundrie kindes of meates of leeke blades rootes and roote stalkes and the roote leaues which fell to the ground was a very ordinary kinde of good meate Rootes and skinnes cut in small gobbins and sodden in butter mylke was an ordinary and common meate for manie Gentlewomen were driuen to eate their little pupprelles in whom before they tooke great pleasure To the place where the flesh was wonced to be cut out and diuided the poore children came and eate blood rawe the peeces of the flesh which fell away in the diuision All the old rottē shoes in the towne which lay in the dirt were takē vp eatē forthwt. The Poore women were seene sitting vpon the dounghils with their clokes cast ouer their heads gathering vp of the best bones they coulde finde and carryed them home to their houses And they no sooner founde the least stalk of a roote but that they immediately eate it vp The young boyes oftentimes sucked the bones which the dogs had gnawne Euery woman that lay in childbed was fain to be pleased with a quarter of a pound of bisket a day Some women againe were so honger bitten as that the childe in theyr wombe was almost pined to death The blood of the cattell was gathered vp out of the filthie stinking gutters of the towne The prices of certaine victuals in Leyden and eaten Neuerthelesse their drinke was somwhat more to be borne withall for beside the water they had Beare made of Dates which cost an Holland pennie the pot Yea some made drinke of the very huskes of the graines mingling therw t hearbe Grace Rue in steed of Hemlock Othersome dranke vineger water mingled together so that whē the town was freed at liberty there was scarcely any vineger to be had A pound of butter was worth xv souls A yellow carot one souls a rootstalk halfe a souls a Peare or Apple a grote There was offered for a sacke of wheate an hundred florins Ouer and besides this great misery the plague was so ryfe all the Towne ouer as that there dyed of it almost sixe thousand persons The young children which were staruen to death said as it is written in the lamentations of Ieremie Where is the bread where is the wine and so fell down stark dead in the streetes or betweene their mothers armes The insupportable calamitie and miserie of the Leydeus and therefore after that many young children were faine to eate horse flesh The men which could scarscely go ouer the bridge were enforced to ward as good as naked and in their returne founde neither wife nor children aliue They that were wont to goe with their dizaines to the warde came backe againe with eight sixe and sometimes three Noble women and their children which were wont to be clad in silkes and fed vppon the most delicate meates dyed of very hunger There was a dead man brought and layde before the gate of the Buroughmasters thereby to shewe hym as it was thought both closely and expresly that hee had beene the cause thereof therfore that it apperteined to him to seeke the mean to preuent it To bee short the extreeme miserie in the Towne was such as is impossible for mee to describe and set downe But they who after the deliuerance thereof had seene their leane faces and small and feeble legges might easily haue witnessed the same And now to returne againe vnto the Princes armie it had not needed to haue tarryed long at Norta if it had beene certainelie knowne that the Leydens coulde haue held out longer time Againe the Prince and chiefe rulers of the armie knewe right well that the neerer Winter drewe on the greater abundaunce of water woulde ensue And the generall of the armie knewe well enough also that hee must passe betweene Soeterwood Suyten house and so did the enemie likewise and therefore had especially placed his whole warde there In the meane while many thought it best to attempt by night Soetermeir Meere way towardes Stompwyke way but it was to no purpose because that all the ditches and chanels lay in and out crokedlie besides the Spaniard also warded there The Papists aforesaid had lying vpon the
Rhyin fiue great gallies and well appointed boates howbeit they wanted maryners As these thinges in this wise most lamentablie stoode the most mightie God and Lord of Hostes who on extreeme necessitie neuer forsaketh his hauing compassion on his miserable afflicted ones woulde needes she we foorth his strong and out-stretched arme for the deliuerie of his desolate people out of the hands of a Tyrant Wherefore he sent the windes his Ministers The waters by reason of the windes arise vp merueylously who so violently blew vp as that the waters arose and wonderfully ouerflowed For besides the great ouerslowing of the waters the Northeast winde wonderfull violently blewe vp and brought againe the fallen water vpon the face of the earth who so prospered the Southeast winde as that it draue the same water towards Leyden Insomuch that the Princes armie which before as abouesaid had but niene ynches of water had then aboue two feet and an halfe and was able to passe euen at the first ouer the high fieldes vnto Ryrkweigh aforesaid if at any time they saw the water faile theÌ„ then would ten or twelue men goe out of euery ship and so lighten her that she might flote afterward passed ouer Kirkweigh wherefore they tooke their course towardes the quarter in the night betwixt the first second of October after they had giuen a false alarme vnto Stompwyke way The order of this armie of the princes by Sea The order of the princes armie at Sea passing ouer the said high Territorie was ranged placed in maner as followeth The Admiralles of Flushing Ziericksea had followyng ech of them fifceene gallies which spred themselues abrode like two winges And first Admirall Boysot accompanied with the Colonell of the guard had the leading of the left wing on Soeterwood side because it was thought that the greatest force of the enemie lay there The Admiral of Zericksea had in his company master Citadell Bultran captaine Paule Duyrant and others The vice Admirall was placed on the right side of Suyten accompanied with the Baron of Noieles master Cornes Bourchart and with Captaines Henrie Grenu Philip de Asseliers master of the ordenance and warlike munitions was appointed to tarry with the great ordenance eight or ten gallies vppon Norta for the keeping of the victuals vntil such time as the said admirals had gotten Ryrkweigh aforesaid that then hee shoulde follow and brauely salute the Soeterwoodens with the greate ordenance which ordenance was charged with pretie little bags stuffed full of leaden bullets to wit 300. in euery bagge finely and artificially couched and those to be dispearsed amongest the thickest of the enemie When all things were thus orderly arranged placed the armie departed about midnight the day aforesaid and the Gallies and ships were seuered an harquebuze shot one behind another hauing in the middest about eighteene or twentie Barkes laden with Pyoners and all kindes of tooles for entrenching to the ende they myght so soone as it was possible fortifie themse lues at the said Church way But the Spaniardes had appointed so great a watch in their small vessels as that it might haue serued for the whole bodie of a ward And when they saw the Admirall somewhat neere they called aloud and said Who is there who is there but not a worde was giuen them vntill suche tyme as the Admyrall was gotten within Gun shot and then he so saluted them with the roaring and thundring of the Canon as that the night seemed to bee day This watch answered them againe with caliuers muskets and certaine faulconet shot and then left their vessels by little and little retyred still playing with their small shot vntill they had goten to the body of their ward which was entrenched at euery corner of the way Then salied they brauely out on euerie side fiercely deliuering their muskets against the OrengiaÌ„s but the Zealanders so resaluted them with such on haile of Bullets as that they were driuen with great losse to retyre to their trenches leauing there behinde them onely a few souldiers to maintaine the skirmish who soone after also made their retrait The Orengland skirmish brauâ—ly against the Spaniards for the French Captaines the captaine of the guard Bultran and Bourchart went on land and entrenched themselues on Soeterwood side and Grenu Ladriere and others on the right side In the mean while that they were quietly entrenching of theÌ„selues before the day breake the Zealanders plaied froÌ„ their ships with their canons vpon the Soeterwoodens but chiefly where they saw any fire or light and shot fier also into some of their houses The Maryners french souldiers which were on land cast fier likewise into diuers of their houses The captaines aforesaid returning on both sides from the skirmishe stucke thicke into the grounde all alongst the way stakes with long yron pykes at the ende of them to the end that the enemie being once driuen from that way might neuer returne thither againe Now when the Orengians had taken this Churche way entrenched themselues placed a ward there they gawged it in three places to make a way for the passing of their gallies In the mean while the ships laden with victuals being about an huÌ„dred were sent away and arriued all neere the armie two excepted which going out of the right way fell on the dry land and so consequently into the handes of the enemie And surely here is one thing greatly to be considered of that in the feates and deedes of armes of so great importance doone in the sight and middest of the whole force of the enemie there were not aboue fiue or sixe men of the Princes side slaine But to say truly this was Gods worke and not mans for the good GOD when it pleaseth hym keepeth and defendeth his euen in the greatest and most perillous dangers to the ende hee woulde shewe vnto Tyrants and proude men that hee is able to abase and throwe downe the power and strength whereof they so highly bragge that thereby he might make his glory magnificence and prayse appeare the greater When all the whole armie by Sea and victuallers had passed that way The Admirall of Flushing directed his course towardes the meere bridge Neuerthelesse after he had sayled a little way where he thought to haue found it deepest it proued very shallow And then the Zealanders shewed themselues to bee men of great stomacke for they for the vnburdening of theyr ships leapt presently into the water and like men that had rather haue carried theyr vessels away vpon theyr shoulders then to haue leaft them by that meanes got to Meerbrough When the Spaniardes and the rest which lay encamped about Soeterwood Church in diuers Trenches had seene the next day in the morning which was the second of October that the Prince his armie had not as yet directed her course towards Leyden thought that because they saw all on a light
my Father in lawe will paie you your whole dueties How beit all these wordes went for no payment but caried hym on to accompanie the Colonell companie Robles his Captaines made prisoners When thei had thus doen thei tooke also fower moe Captaines to wit Losy Villers Moncean and Champi and their Ensigne bearers After this thei went to the Brake where thei were wonted to bee tortured and corrected when thei had misused them selues or committed any offence and there with Harquebouze shotte and Hatchettes thei beate doune and cut in sunder the cordes and instrumentes wherewith the Strappado was giuen them and cariyng them to the Market place set them on fire and cried with a loude voyce and lustie courage God saue the Prince of Orenge and the Estates And vntill then the Citizens were in a greate maze fearing that suche a like mischiefe would haue fallen vppon them as fell vppon Mastright and Antwerpe c. But after thei had heard that noyse and out crye their hartes were wonderfully eased and gladded This being doen the Souldiers went to the Prouosts house or Deputie for the Estates of the lowe Countreis named Francis Martini Stella whom the Colonell hymself had tortured The Deputie of the Estates deliuered out of prison and being hurt in his torture remained still prisoner And because thei could not in that heate finde the keyes of the Iron Stockes thei with the force of an Iron barre brake them vp and gott out his armes and legges and lead him to the Comptroller his Lodgyng and after thei had put a redd Scarfe about his necke thei lead hym to the Market place amongst all the Souldiers where thei all sware vnto the saied Francis Martini as Deputie and in the name of the Estates to liue and dye with the Estates Ouer and besides all this thei sent the said Deputie accompanied with certaine Citizens in the behalfe of the Towne and certaine in the behalfe of the Souldiers to Bruxelles to declare vnto the Count this Historie requiryng some order to be set doune vnder whiche thei might from thence foorth be gouerned When thei had this doen thei sent 50. Souldiers to Seigniour Fafcus lodgyng the Spanyarde Colonell of Zurphen Colonell Fascus apparelled in a Friers Cowle and not findyng hym there thei went from thence to the Couent of the Franciscanes where thei diligently sought for hym with candles in their handes How beit thei could not finde hym because he was gotten into a Friers Cowle with beard and head shauen and shorne and hym self with a Candle in his hande seekyng as diligently for hym self as the Souldiers did vntill suche tyme as an other Frier an Almaine discouering Fascus and pointing hym out saied Here is a Frier of our Order but none of our Couent whiche wordes when he perceiued that the Souldiers vnderstoode not he againe saied Iesus est tenete eum that is to saie that is the man and therefore holde hym fast Then thei layd holde on him and brought him in his Friers Cowle to the Market place where thei made an example of hym in the sight of all the world Fascus by reason of his newe Habit is made a laughyng stocke to the whole world saiyng that thei had recouered a new Bishoppe vsing these and suche other like reprochfull and skoffyng wordes on hym And afterwarde thei for that night set the Watche and the next morrowe proclamation was made by the sounde of the Dromme that whosoeuer had lodged and hidd Captaine Ferdinando Lopes the Prouost and Captaine of the Warde should bewraie them vpon paine of losse bothe of bodie and goodes and his house to be set an fire So that by this meanes the Prouost was founde in the Chimney of the Curates house and had to Prison and lodged in one of the Dungeons thereof But when thei could not finde the Captaine of the Warde thei sought for hym at the Stewes where for the most parte he was wonted to lye and because thei founde hym not there thei tooke an Whore named long Alice and bindyng her with their matches saied vnto her Thou vile baudie Drabbe tell vs where thy housband is vsing these and many suche other like reprochfull wordes vnto her Then went thei to the Frierie where the Captaine of the Ward had lodged the night before and asking one of the Friers for hym The Captaine of the Wardes whore and a Frier coupled together thei because he could tell them no tidynges of hym coupled hym fast to the saied Alice and so ledd them bothe together through the streates for a spectacle but because thei could get nothyng out of the Frier what was become of hym thei vncoupled hym and â—â—tt hym goe and left the Whore amongest the young boyes whom thei so vilely besmeared with myre and dirte as the like had not been seene many yeres before And after that thei had likewise gotten Doctour Westenthorpe Doctor Westenthorpe prisoner notwithstanding all the protestations that he could make to the Souldiers willyng them to haue a good regard what thei did and take good heede how thei made hym a Prisoner beyng his Maiesties seruaunt yet had thei hym to the Tauerne and there saied vnto hym If the Colonell be Ryng of Spayne then art thou in deede the King of Spaynes seruaunt otherwise thou art seruaunt to a villaine and traitour to thy Countrie and for thy seruyng of suche a Kyng and Maister thou shalt receiue the like hire In this meane while came the rest of the Souldiers with Ferdinando Lopes criyng out and saiyng Ferdinando Lopes called the Hang man of Groe nyng we haue brought the Hangman of Groening and first thei caried hym to the Towne house and afterwarde to the Iacobin Friers where the rest of the Captaines were kept in Prison And the third daie thei found the Captaine of the Ward in a Priestes Gabberdine whom thei laied in one of the Dongeous of the Prison to accompanie the Colonell of Groenyng and Fascus On Mondaie came the ther the companie which lay at Dam The compame whiche late at Dam â—oyne with them of Groenyng bryngyng with them their Captaine Stâ—rke and his Ensigne prisoners and marchyng by night eutred into Groenyng the next daie in the mornyng where the Souldiers by othe ioyned them selues with the rest vnto the Estates The same very dase the Souldiers tooke Mepsque Liutenaunt of Groenyng and caused hym to bee guarded with fiftie Souldiers in his owne house Vpon Tewesdaie at night when the Watche was sett the Souldiers of Delftes Isie came to Groenyng The Franciscanes call againe for Fascus his Friâ—rs weed and brought their Captaine Barnicourt and his Ensignes Prisoners The same daie came twoo Franciscanes to demaunde of the Liutenaunt the Cowle whiche Fascus ware when he was taken the Lintenaunt aunswered that he had nothyng to saie to the matter Wherevpon thei went to the Souldiers who aunswered the Friers that the Couâ—e was where it muste remaine for 〈◊〉
suche importaunce and weight whereon depended the whole welfare or ruine of all the lowe Countreis thei had greatly ouer shotte them selues Neuerthelesse seeyng that thei thinke and constantly beleeue that it is so muche the rather doen for the riddyng of the Spanyardes and other forrainers out of the Countrie thei could not but wishe and with all their hartes doe wish and praie to God that the end maie be suche as all good defenders of their Countries hope and looke for And as for them selues sithe it were now in vaine to yeelde reasons against thynges concluded vppon and ended thei promise and doe assure the Lordes of the Estates to pursue and defende by all meanes possible the pacification concluded vpon at Gant liuyng in good hope also the same to be the meanyng likewise of the Lordes of the Estates and therefore doe beseeche them in all places to shewe that thei for their parte are in very deede readie to doe the like And to the ende that euery man might in truthe see that thei haue none other purpose but to ridd awaie the Spanyardes and the rest of the Forrainers and seeke nothyng els but the procuryng of peace and restablishing of certaine Priuiledges Lawes and Franchises of the Countreis thei are contented to accept and subscribe of and to the saied Articles if it shall please my Lordes of the Estates first to promise firmely and irreuocably it and thereupon passe their deede Obligatorie and the same to bee also subscribed by the Gouernours chiefe Officers and Colonelles of all the Prouinces that seyng the tyme agreed vppon with Don Ihon of Austriche for the driuyng awaie of the Spanyardes is now expired to call to a reckonyng vpon suche a daie of this Moueth as the Estates shall appoint all suche Spanyardes as are not yet departed the Countreis there aboutes and my Lordes the Estates for the auoidyng once againe of all delaies whiche vnto this daie haue been so preiudiciall to cut of and suspende all further communication and treatie with Don Ihon of Austriche and consequently with force of Armes lustely pursue the insolent and proude Spanyardes without meanyng for euer after any more to enter into communication or treatie whatsoeuer with them And besides that it would please them not to passe and communicate the like acte and deede Obligatorie in forme and maner of an agreement otherwise then that after the departure of the Straungers neither thei nor yet the said Gouernours Chieftaines and Colonelles to accept of Don Ihon of Austriche or any other as Gouernour vntill suche tyme as he shall haue restored into their auncient estate whatsoeuer made against the prestinate Priuiledges Lawes and Franchises of the Countreis or otherwise against the pacification of Gaunt by whiche all and euery person and persons whatsoeuer are to bee restored to their Gooddes and Possessions aswell in Burgundie as also in the rest of the Countreis there aboutes and that all the saied Priuiledges and Franchises shall be confirmed as the Lordes of the Estates in the ende of the saied pacification of Gaunt by the Letters of the 28. of October 1576. written to their Deputies had solemply promised Giuen at Middlebrough the 19. of February 1577. And subscribed by Willyam of Nassou And a little beneath By the ordenaunce of the Estates of Hollande and Sealande And subscribed by G. Faymon The Aunswere of the Generall Estates vpon the Protestation of the Prince of Orenge c. And of the Estates of Hollande and Sealande Anno. 1577. The answer of the generall Estates to the protestation of the Prince of Orenge THE first daie of Marche 1577. The Lordes of the generall Estates thereaboutes hauyng seen the writyng of the Prince of Orenge and of the Estates of Hollande and Sealande exhibited vpon the agreement betweene Don Ihon of Austriche Knight of the golden Fleese and the generall Estates of the Lowe Countreis the 19. of Februarie 1577. the said generall Estates pronounce and declare that their intent and purpose hath alwaies been and yet is to maintaine and keepe in deede and truthe the pacification made at Gaunt in Nouember laste betweene the saied Prince his Excellencie the Estates of Hollande and Sealande and their confederates and the saied generall Estates and emongest the reste that thei also entended to cause all thynges to bee redressed whiche thei shall finde out of order and contrary aswell to the generall as to the perticular Priuiledges Lawes Franchises and Customes of the lowe Countreis and by force of Armes likewise driue out of the lowe Countries all the Spanishe Italian and Bourgonion Souldiers according to the conformitie of the saied accord if so be the saied Souldiers bee not in deede gone out of the lowe Countreis by the tyme prefixed and accordyngly as thei were expressely commaunded by his highnesse without any further lookyng to other treatie or communication about the deferryng any waie of the retraicte of the saied Spanyardes And seeyng that the Liutenauntes of the Prouinces Chieftaines and Colonelles of the men of warre are bounde to doe the like we require them also with the same resolution to subscribe For the whiche cause this present Acte is dispatched and by the ordenaunce of the saied generall Estates Subscribed by the Secretarie of Brabant the daie and yere abouesaied And accordyng to the agreement the Spaniardes The Spanyardes driuen to leaue the Citie and Castle of Antwerpe by the appointment of Don Ihon who otherwise could not bee receiued vnto the Gouernement departed the Citie and Castle of Antwerpe the 10. of Marche 1577. with greate butin and spoyle Whiche Castle was deliuered ouer vnto the Duke of Arscot who placed there for his Lieutenaunt the Prince of Chimay his sonne to the greate likyng of the whole worlde because he was a verie noble yong Prince and suche a one as in whom was great hope of good And although the Castle and Citie of Antwerpe were freed of the Spanyardes Italians and Bourgonions yet were thei still kept in subiection For the kynges Almaines and suche as assisted the Spanyardes at the sackyng of Antwerpe remained still there vnder their Colonelles Focquer and Frōsberg who laie there for their paie whiche was an intollerable charge to the poore Citezins The 7. of August in the yere aforesaied The Kyng ratifieth Dō Ihon his peace with the Estates the kyng ratified the perpetuall Edict and Accorde whiche Don Ihon had made with the Estates And the 21. of Aprill the Spaniardes departed Mastright with their butin and theeuerie Don Ihon hauyng hidde the subtill Foxe vnder a plain cloke Don Ihon his entrie in to Bruxelles entred Bruxelles the first of Maie 1577. where he was receiued with greate pompe triumphe and ioye of the lordes and whole commonaltie and the fourth of the saied moneth tooke vpon him the gouernment of the Countrey where he was sworne whiche othe sone after he brake The 11. of Iune Don Ihon goeth from Bruxelles to Malines he departed
from Bruxelles to Malines to talke as he saied with the Colonelles and Captaines of the Almaines who beeyng once paied had their passeporte to departe out of the Countrey after the Spanyardes Howbeit vnder this couler he in verie deede treated with them about the keepyng of the Citie of Antwerpe for hymself to the ende he might the better assure hymself of the Castle In so muche that he retained theÌ„ into his seruice as afterward by the interceptyng of many letters and the doynges whiche thereon ensued manifestly appeared And for the bryngyng of this his saied purpose to passe he sent for the Prince of Chinay to come to hym to Malines vnder a coulorable desire of his companie to the Citie of Namure about the tongratulation of the Queene of Nauarre Appointyng eftsones for his Lieutenaunt in the saied Castle the lorde of Terlon Then departed Don Ihon from Malines Don Ihon goeth from Malines to Namure accompanied with many noble menne whiche at that tyme were there with hym for the conueighyng of hym as Gouernour of Namure Where he in warre like maner seised vpon the Castle the 24. of Iulie vnder the pretence of riding an huntyng When MoÌ„sieur de Froymont Gouernour of the Countrey of Namure a wise and stoute gentleman had tolde Don Ihon of his greate wrong and fault committed considering the vanitie of the act and besides that the Souldiers would not remedie it by force of Armes departed from hym and came to the saied Estates And the twoo brethren to wit the Duke of Arscot and the Marques of Haurech beyng noblemen of greate aucthoritie and suche as Don Ihon had good likyng of perceiuyng his wicked purpose and intente and that no faire and reasonable speeches would once remoue hym from his determination refrained from coÌ„myng to counsaile afterward any more Don Ihon seyng this and fearyng the losse of them caused good espiall to be laied for them for the staiyng of them as it were howbeit for all his good watche and ward thei verie wisely without his knowledge departed from Namure without any of their baggage the 20. of the saied monethe And thei were no soner come to Bruxelles but that thei like good patrones of their Countrey went immediatly to counsell with the Estates for the saluyng of this newe wounde Whiles Don Ihon late at Namure Don Ihon soliciteth Terion and the Almaines he solicited bothe by letters and by worde of mouthe Terlon and the Almaine Colonelles aboute the full accomplishyng of that matter in deede whereof thei concluded emongest theÌ„ selues at Malines which was the supprisyng of Antwerpe Castle But it tourned all to nothing by reason of the greate care paine and fidelitie of MoÌ„sieur le Bours For by his wisedome and noble courage he so handled the matter as that he draue out the Traitors and tooke Terlon prisoner whom he deliuered vnto the Estates the firste of August 1577. When Foueques and Fronsberg heard of this it so amased them as that thei armed their people and in the euenyng withdrewe them selues to the greate Market place of Antwerpe but fearyng that the same would not be strong inough for them and their people thei withdrewe theim selues after Midnight vnto the strongest place of the newe Toune emongest the water conductes where beyng well fortefied and strengthened thei kepte them selues quiete vntill the nexte daie in the afternoone But when thei sawe the arriuall of the Prince of Orenge Shippes thei grewe into suche a feare as that thei forsooke the toune and fled to witte Focques to Bergues vpon Zoom and Fronsberg to Breda After that the Estates besieged the Castle of Waue The Castle of Waue rendred where in Foucquers Regiment of Almaines laie but the 4. of the said moneth it was rendered by composition to Monsieur de Champigni generall of the field at that present for the Estates and so were likewise the Tounes of Thole and Stonebergue the 19. of the saied moneth and yere The 30. of August an Alarme was giuen to the Castle of Leeward The Castle of Leeward rendred into whiche Captaine Mattenes Wylisma had takeÌ„ moe newe Souldiers then his owne thinkyng thereby to haue taken some of the Magistrates Howbeeit the newe Souldiers vnder Captaine Wybe of Goutum got to bee Maisters of the Castle parforce so that by the same meanes arose a greate Alarme by reason that the Souldiers were all in armes one against an other whervpon the Citezens also got theÌ„ to Armes fearyng the Toune had been surprised and so besieged the Castle whiche the Souldiers afterward rendred vnto them vppon condition that thei might be paied Then the Citezeins entred into the Castle the 2. of September and kept it vntill the Gouernour Monsieur de Ville came When Don Ihon sawe that the greate Campe of the Estates drewe neare to Namure where he was but ill prouided of men of Warre he made shewe as though he would againe treat with the Estates to the ende that thereby his force might the better bee gathered together and therevpon required Commissioners for that purpose Then the Estates deputed for that vse the Abbot of Saincte Gislaine Wilerual Grobbendocque and others who after many delaies and conferences retourned without doyng of any thing consideryng that the saied Duke Ihon meant nothyng els but warres The 28. of August The Castle of Antwerpe razed 1577. the Castle of Antwerpe whiche had of long been a denne of murderers was that very daie vtttrly razed and defaced by the Citezens The 9. of SepteÌ„ber followyng the Estates published their Iustification for the takyng of Armes in their defence against Don Ihon and withall certaine letters of Don Ihon whiche theâ— had intercepted wherein was conteined his Treason and because thei haue been Imprinted seuerally by theim selues I haue left the insertyng of them at this present The 10. of September Charles Focquer beeyng at Bergues Bergues vpon Zoome rendred and beyng besieged by the Lord of Ehampigni Baron of Renay Generall of the fielde for the Estates was taken by his owne Almaines and deliuered prisoner to the saied Lorde de Champigni and therefore thei franckly and freely sette out of the Toune The Almaines of the Count Ouerstone Boisleduke rendred who laye at Boisleduke beeyng besieged were forced at laste to departe vpon composition and deliuered vp the Toune to the Count of Hohenloo Generall of the field the 22. of September 1577. The Estates sent to the Prince liyng in Holland besought hym of aide and so he did for the loue he beare to his Countrey The Prince of 〈◊〉 commeâ—n to Brabant And in the ende although long firste he arriued at Antwerpe the 18. of September where the whole multitude receiued hym with greate ioye and pleasure The Prelates of Vilers and Marolles with the Baron of Frezin and the Lorde of Capres were sent by the generall Estates to congratulate the Prince for the receiuyng and bringyng hym to Bruxelles where the 23 of the saied
monethe and yere he was with greate triumphe and ioye marueilously receiued The Almaines at Breda were by the Estates besieged who deliueryng vp their Colonell Fronsberg prisoner departed vppon composition frankly and freely the 4. of October The 22. of October the Prince was chosen Gouernour of Brabande to the greate contentation of the whole Countrey The Prince of Orenge chosen Gouernem of Brabant makyng Bonefiers at Bruxelles in token of wonderfull ioye After that the Duke of Arscot was appoincted Gouernour of Flanders he went to Gande where the Citezens and Enhabitauntes louyngly receiued hym bauyng marchyng before him 23. Ensignes of footmen and 300. horse she wyng all the tokens of ioy that might be Now three daies after that he was receiued as Gouernour to wit the 28. of October thei hauyng some â—umultes and vprores growyng emongest theim selues went of their owne heades to his house and tooke and ledde hym awaie prisoner to the no small greef bothe of the Prince The Duke of 〈◊〉 â—aken prisoner by them of Gaunt and Counsell of Estate and also of the Generall Estates But the 14. of Nouember acknowledged their fault and the greate inâ—urie whiche thei had doen hym thei set hym free and at libertie and yet with this condition that he should forget his euill handelyng and pardon the wrong that was dooen vnto hym and neuer once thinke of it more At the very same tyme likewise thei tooke the Bishoppes of Bruges and Ypres The Baron of Rassingem the Lorde of Champigni the Lorde of Moucron and his sonne The Lorde of Sueuegem and Eycke The first of Nouember 1577. Prelates and Gentlemen taken prisoners at Groenyng the Citizens and Enhabitants of the Citie of Groening in Friselande tooke certaine Prelattes and Gentlemen of the Countrey of Groening prisoners by reason of the auncient quarrell and dissention that the Citie long tyme had against the Countrey men Wherefore thether was sent Monsire Sainct Aldegonde and Sille by his Excellencie the Counsaile of Estate and of the Estates generall Howbeit thei could winne nothyng at the common peoples hande Neuerthelesse some of the Prisoners afterwarde very craftely got out of Prison and escaped out of the Towne also The 9. or 10. of Nouember 1577. appeared a fearfull Comette in the lowe Countreis A blazyng Starre seen wherevpon ensued great sheddyng of blood and the death of Don Ihon. The chiefe Lordes there aboutes The Archduke Mathias commeth into the â—owe Countreis trustyng to mollefie the Kynges harte by makyng some of his owne blood Gouernour generall sent the Lorde of Malstede to the right high Mathias Archduke of Austriche sonne and Brother to the Emperour beseechyng hym to come thether for that ende and purpose But the Archduke seyng that the Emperour was afeard to displease the Kyng and therefore would not consent thereto secretly departed from Vienne without hauyng any bodie with hym saue the L. de Danwiâ—tes his chiefe Chamberlaine And at last came to Antwerpe the 12. of Nouember 1577. The 7. of December Don Ihon and his adherentes proclaimed open enemies Don Ihon and his Adherentes were declared to bee the Kynges and Countreis enemies and so proclaimed the tenure whereof ensueth By the Kyng OUR deare and faithfull Knight Lorde George de Lalayng Count of Renneberge free Baron de Ville Gouernour and Captaine generall of our Countrey of Friselande Oueryssell Groenyng and Lingem Greetyng Whereas certaine Cities Castles Fortresses and other places of certaine Prouinces hereabout especially certaine Noblemen Gentlemen and priuate persons haue gone about and doe contrary to the duetifull sidelitie whiche thei owe to vs and then Countrey directly to ouer reache and crosse the pacification made at Gaunt and the perpetuall Edict whiche thereon ensued by vs agreed vpon and breakyng the vnyon whiche the generall Estates of our Countreis here aboutes made and by some of them subscribed vnto takyng parte with the Spanyardes whom we of late declared and proclaimed Rebelles and had helde and did stil hâ—lde with Don Ihon of Austriche and the saied Spanyardes and their adherentes fauouryng aâ—yng and assistyng them with counsatle Men Munition Victualles Moneâ— and other necessaries shewyng them selues as aduersaries and takyng armes against vs the saied Estates generall and their owne Countrey for the whiche thei are to bee taken as Rebelles and worthie so to bee punished bothe in bodie and goodes And we are further informed and aduertised that the said Cities places and persones whiche fauour our aduerse partie as before hath beene saied seeke by all meanes possible to chaunge alter leuie and recouer their Goodes Reuâ—nues Rentes and debtes whiche thei haue had and yet haue in ouâ— Countreis here about bothe for the helpyng of them selues and also for the bestowyng of the same against vs and their Countrey and more would bestowe if wee on our behalfe looked not to the same in tyme. And therefore wee hauyng considered of the matters aforesaied and beyng very desirous to remedie the same haue by the aduise of our most deare and welbeloued the Prelattes Nobles and Deputies of the Prouinces and Cities representyng the saied generall Estates of our Countries here aboutes presently assembled in this our Citie of Bruxelles ordained and by these presentes doe ordaine all our Lieutenauntes Gouernours Officers Ammans Drossartes Bayliefes Marshalles Prouostes and Receiuers of our Reuenues euery one within his Precinct and Iurisdiction and as many to whom this shall appertaine to take a note and make seysure of all the mouâ—able and immoneable Boodes Aâ—â—ions and Credittes of our saied Aduersaries their adherentes and fauters aswell those which belong vnto the Cities Townes Commonaltie as also to priuate persones and the same to be kept and conserued for the benefite and vse of those to whom it shall appertaine and after to bee ordered and disposed as shal be thought good We also further will and commaund all those whiche haue in possession pawne or that can otherwise tell if any goodes debtes or actions belongyng to suche as take parte with our saied aduersaries and enemies of the generall Estates of what estate and condition so euer thei are that forthwith or at the least within eight daies after the publication hereof thei denounce signifie and declare vnto the chiefe Officer resiaunt amongest them together vnto the Receiuer of our Reuenues there aswell whatsoeuer thei haue in pawne and possession and whatsoeuer els thei owe vnto the saied persones fauouryng our saied aduersaries or whatsoeuer els thei knowe others to haue in pawne or possession or might any waie owe them And besides where wee haue heretofore inhibited and forbidden wee also by these presentes doe inhibite and forbidde all our Subiectes or other Enhabitauntes and Resiauntes in our saied Countreis hereabout of what estate or condition soeuer thei bee to paie or deliuer vnto any of the saied Enemies and Aduersaries of the Countreis or their adherentes whether it be to Cities Tounes Burroughes Fraternities or other priuate
Articles But because the Catholiques had not obserued the saied Articles of a gremente thei of the reformed Religion sent the old Magistrate and Franciscane Friers out of the Toune because thei would not agree to graunt theim of the reformed Religion any libertie and besides thei had also broken that poincte of the agreement whiche was made about the cause of the sworne men As the Spanyardes laie at the siege of Nyuelle Niuelle rendreth Monsire de Villers Gouernour of the Towne abode the Canon and although it was not to holde out yet he so valiauntly helde out fower assauâ—tes to wit from twelue of the clocke in the afternoone vnto seuen of the clocke at night as that the enemte made his retraict without order and afterwarde helde it two daies without parle still lookyng for ayde In the meane while the Prince and the Count of Bossu wrote vnto hym that he should withdrawe hymself with the sauftie of his people aswell as he could whiche thyng he did and departed thence by composition with bodies and goodes swordes and daggers and so did likewise the Captames and Chieftaines of the Horsemen the 15. of February 1578. Duryng these exploites An imperiall diet at Wormes there was an imperiall dyet appointed at Wormes whether was sent Monsire Sainâ—t Aldegonde Counsailour for the Estate by his Excellencie and the Estates to shewe there the estate of the affaires hereabout together for the requiryng of ayd from the Empire and Germaine Princes their good Neighbours as to people who ought to haue had some feelyng and compassion of this their greate miserie and â—alamitie The Estates also meanyng to make the same request to the Queene of England appointed for that purpose the 9. of March The Estates request to the Queene of England the Marques of Hawreche who so well plied his businesse as that he obtained at her Maiesties handes assueraunce bothe of men and money for the aidyng of the saied Estates who was also greatly honored for his owne priuate cause and besides receiued at her highnesse handes a very goodly present The 21. of Marche the greate Counsaile of Friselande was taken at Leeward to witt the President Ygrammes Ichlum Iuliers Dekema Peter Fritzma Forco Bommerts Aâ—thony Leualy Counsailours and many others and in their steade were appointed newe Counsailours to witt Maister Francâ—s Kysinga Maister Fecco Baida Maister Ihon de Steueren and many others And besides the chiefe beyng the Bishoppe of Leewarde was sent to the Castle and also certaine Counsailours whiche was taken and the rest were restâ—ained within their owne houses The 7. of Aprill the yeare aforesaied seuen of the Wallon Ensignes A mutynie amoÌ„gst some of the Souldiers at Mastright of the nine whiche laie in Garnison at Mastright mutyned for their paye and tooke the Baron of Heze their Colonell and Gouernour of the saied Towne prisoner and all the Captaines Liutenauntes Ensigne bearers and Officers of his Regiment And besides conspired to deliuer vp the Towne into the handes of the Enemie But after thei had sent Seigniour Nycholas Salmier Knight Lorde of Melcroye with the saied payes and contented the Souldiers he first of all released the prisoners and afterwarde by his wâ—t and pollicie became Maister of the Conspirators some of whiche were drouned and some hanged and hauyng brought in an other Garnison was assured thereby of the Towne in the behalf of the Countrey The 22. of Aprill An ordenaÌ„ce vpon the pacification of Gaunt there was a newe ordenaunce published at Antwerpe about the obseruation of the pacification at Gant and that all the Enhabitauntes and Citizens there about of what estate or condition soeuer thei were should bee sworne and as many as refused the same to be taken for enemies In so muche that all persones both Ecclesiasticall and seculer tooke the same othe sauyng the Iesuites who because thei would not obeye were merueilously suspected by reason whereof the common people mutyned against them Howbeit thei were for all that no waie miâ—used because of the good order whiche the Colonelles had set in the Towne The Ieâ—uites and Frters goe out of the Citie of Antwerpe saue onely were honestly sent out of the Towne aswell for their priuate assueraunce as also beyng suspected for the benefite and saufetie of the Commonweale whiche thyng was doen vpon Whitsondaie Then the Friers craued tyme to deliberate vppon but when thei sawe in the ende that the rest of the beggyng Friers Prelattes Cathedrall Churches and all Ecclesiasticall persones were obedient to the saied commaundement thei were resolued to doe the like except the Prior and three others of his Couent who obstinately stood inâ—t and therefore were likewise as men suspected tourned out of the Toune Whiles these Friers were deliberatyng what to doe some of the people that were in Armes beyng not well pleased went on forwarde with the matter and would haue enforced them which their fonde dealyng the Burroughmaister clerely frustred Nenerthelesse twoo of the companie beyng Souldiers so farre forgott them selues as that thei helde the pointes of their swordes before hym for the whiche thei lost their heades The Duke of Aniowe The men of warre of the Duke of Aniowe enter into the Countrey sent his men of warre vnto the Borders of Haynault where thei were greatly oppressed by the enemie And the Estates likewise had appointed Colonell Combelle to enter into the saied Countrey and laie with his people at Leus in Haynault a Towne of Monsire de Barlaymont whom the Spanyardes commyng to set vpon were brauely repulsed and ioliilie cooled and therevpon were enforced to retire the 21. of Maâ—e 1578. After that the Spanyards had long time besieged the Toune of Phillippeuille it was enforced at laft Phillippeuille beâ—ged and rendred for want of Victualles and Munytion to yeeld vpon composition the saied 21. of Maie While the Enemie was makyng preparation to besiege Limbourg Limbourg besteged and rendred the Gouernour and Souldiers demaunded Victualles and Munytion and promised that if thei might haue them to keepe the Towne and Castle Then the Archduke Mathias and the Estates prouided for all thynges necessarie And yet notwithstandyng thei fell to a parle with the Enemie and yeelded the same place the 15. of Iune the yere a oresaied The Duke of Aniowe for the better accomplishyng of his deuise came with a small companie to Mons in Haynault the 11. of Iulie howbeit his trame followed hym Campen besâ—eged and rendred The Almaine Souldiers of the Regiment of Polwyler who before the pacification of Gaunt laâ—e in Garnison in the Countrey of Oueryssell in Campen and Deueuter refused to come thence yea thei so greatly and so long dissembled the matter as that the saied peace was broken declaryng then that thei helde the saied Tounes for Don Ihon. Whereupon the Estates besieged them and first the Count of Rennenberge Baron of Ville and Gouernour of Friselande who was there named the generall of the
hereabout sent the Count of Swertsenbergh to the Estates offryng theim if it were possible to agree them with their kyng and to be an intercessour for them yea and promised further all the aide and seruice he was able to make and doe for that purpose The Emperour the Frenche king and the Queene of Englande sende their Imbassadours to the Estates The Frenche kyng also by Monsieur de Ballenre and the Queene of Englande by the Lorde Cobham and Maister Secretarie Walsingham one of her Maiesties priuie Counsell beyng sent all at one tyme to his highnes to Monsieur the Prince and to the Estates made the same declaration and offer whiche was to goe to Don Ihon to heare hym speake of that whiche thei pretended to gett of hym whiche thyng thei did and so tooke their iourney towardes him carriyng with them the Articles of the Estates and thei were all so foreward in their businesse as that the Deputies on either side mette at Louaine And as thei had brought the matter to a ioylly forewardnesse the kyng wrate to Don Ihon to leaue of that matter and put it into the Emperours handes Wherevppon euery manne retourned from whence he came without any forewardnesse or conclusion of the thyng And this matter begā to be treated of in the latter ende of August and ended in the beginnyng of September 1578. Duke Casunere hauyng rested hymself for a tyme Casimere coyneth hym self with the Camp of the Estates in the Countrey of Zurphen about the musteryng of his men to witte vii thousande footemen wherof fower thousande were French shotte and sixe thousande horse arriued in Brabande and ioyned hymself with the Estates the 26. of August Certaine Prelates and Gentlemen of the Countrey of Groenyng who were kept in prison in Groenyng seeyng that thei could not bee released by any of the chief Lordes letters to witte neither by his highuesse excellencie and Estates neither yet by the Commissioners whiche were expresly sent thether founde the meane to make an escape and the 17. Certaine prisoners eskape from Groenpng of September thei by a deuise got awaie sauyng three Prelates and three gentlemen who durst not put it in suche an aduenture because thei feared to bee surprised in their departure For there was greate partialitie betweene the Citie of Groenyng and the Countrey men by reason of certain Rightes and Priuiledges whiche was the cause that thei were taken prisoners Thei called also to remembraunce that the Nobilitie had heretofore armed theim selues against the Citie and had leuied and gotten together menne of warre whom the Citezeins of Groenyng draue out of the Castle of Couerden and tooke Bartholmewe Eyents their Captaine prisoner who was afterward released So soone as the force of Monsire the Duke of Aniowe Bins taken by the Duke of Aniowe was gotten into the Countreis he besieged the Citie of Bins which beyng well battered with tenne Canons and sixe Serpentines rendred the 7. of October at the discretion of the saied Duke who pardonyng the Souldiers put his owne people in Garnison The first of October The death of Don Ihon. Don Ihon dyed of the Pestilence in his Campe whiche laie hard by Namure in whose steade came Alexandra the Prince of Parma vnto whom the whole Campe sware their obedience and fidelitie 1578. The 15. of October the yere aforesaid at Leeward in Friseland in the Church called Niewenhoue and in the Franciscanes Churche were all the Images broken in peeces whiche were afterwarde restored by the Letters of the Liutenaunt the Count Rennenberge The 17. of October 1578. the Magistrate of Arras The Magistrate of Arras clapt in prison was by some of the Citezens and with the helpe of Captaine Ambrose and his people taken and kept in the Toune house whiche came by reason of a certaine Rumour that was there sowen abroade that he had receiued certaine intelligeuce from the Enemy How beit the 21. of the saied Moneth the people deliuered hym and some others were clapt vp in prison parte of whiche were afterwarde executed and parte banished Now The originall of the Malcōtentes when the Gantois had driuen out all their Churche men and broken doune all the Images in their Churches because that Don Ihou and his Adherentes had broken the pacification of Gaunt certaine Wallon Ensignes vnder colour of their paye and the restoryng of Gaunt vnto the Romishe Religion she wed them selues Malcontentes willyng that the Ecclesiasticall persones should bee restored to the possession of their goodes and that the Prisoners which were kept in Gaunt from the 20. Montigni taketh Menin of October 1577. should bee released Wherevpon also thei tooke the Citie of Menin who after thei had therein fortefied them selues and their nomber encreased their Chieftaine the Lorde Montigni and thei together beganne to make open warre vpon Gaunt for the reasons aforesaied But Duke Casimere beyng sent for came with certaine Bandes of Boyters to the ayde of Gaunt without makyng the Estates priuie thereto The Almaines that were besieged in the Citie of Deuenter Deuenter besieged and rendred stoode to the defence thereof so long as was possible yea euen vnto the 20. of Nouember and vntill suche tyme as that Count Rennenberge Baron de Ville had three whole daies together lyen beatyng at it with the force of the Canon by whiche meane thei were constrained to render it vppon Composition as thei of Campen had doen before Maister Sainct Aldegonde and soone after hym certaine others were sent to Gaunt to decide the quarrell betweene them and the Wallons howbeit thei founde those matters growne to suche a poinct and the parties so well flesht as that men iudged it to bee most necessarie for the Prince to goe thether The Prince of Orenge goeth to Gaunt for the appaising of them who to that ende tooke his iorney the 24. of Nouember 1578. The first of December the yere aforesaid the Count Swertsenbergh the Emperour his Ambassador was sent againe to the Estates with the aduise of the Emperour and of the Electors about the last treatie of peace and therevpon demaunded an aunswere from the Estates with the whiche he was forthwith changed and all by reason of the great affection whiche he had about the suppressyng of this warre and the restoryng of this miserable lowe Countreis to vnitie and peace with the Prince of Parma The 21. The death of the Count Bossu of this Moneth the Lord Maximilian Count Bossu Captaine generall of the Campe for the Estates Lorde great Maister of his highnesse housholde and a Counsailour of the Estate dyed in Antwerpe of an hot buruyng Feuer to the greate sorrowe and griefe not onely of all the Souldiers but also of all the Lordes of the Countreis and people in generall The 25. of December Mousire the Duke of Aniowe The Duke of Aniowe returneth in to Fraunce defender of the libertie of the low Countreis sent by Maister
Prouinces shall bee bounde to be conformable to the currauntnesse of the Coyne and course of the Money accordyng to the content of suche Ordenaunces as at the first were thereon made and ordeined whiche Coynes the one without the other maie not be chaunged 13 And as for the matter of Religion the Hollanders and Zealanders shall vse their religion as to them shall seeme good And the rest of the Prouinces of this vnion shall frame them selues to liue accordyng to the content of the peace of the Religiou whiche hath alreadie been deuised and set forthe by Archduke Mathias Gouernour and Captaine generall of these low Countreis and his counsell and also by the aduise and counsell of the Generall Estates or els set suche an order herein either generally or perticulerly whiche thei shall thinke to bee most meete for the quiete and benefite of the Prouinces Cities and euery particuler Member of them and as shal appertaine to the conseruation of the goodes and enheritaunces of either Ecclesiasticall or Temporall person or persons whatsoeuer without this that there maie be by some other Prouince some obstacke or staie made seeyng that euery priuate persone is at his owne choyse to haue his Religion free to hym self Neither shall any one finde fault or trouble one an other for his Religions sake but rest onely vpon that point of the pacification made at Gant 14 All Religious houses and Ecclesiasticall persones shall accordyng to the pacification enioye their goodes and possessions whiche were mutually placed in any of these vnited Prouinces And therefore seyng that certaine Ecclesiasticall persones of the Prouinces who duryng the warres betweene the Countreis of Hollande and Zealand against the Spanyardes were vnder the iurisdiction of the saied Spany ardes and forsooke their Monasteries or Colleges vnder the iurisdiction of the Hollanders and Sealanders there shall bee a sufficient liuing prouided for them duryng their life and so shall also the like prouision bee made for all suche as withdrewe themselues out of Hollande and Sealande into certaine other Prouinces of this vnion where thei as yet still remaine 15 And thei also whiche are or haue been professed in any of the Monasteries or Ecclesiasticall Colleges of these Lowe Countreis and whiche either by reason of the Religion or vppon any other reasonable occasion will forsake or that haue alreadie forsaken them a sufficient portion to liue withall shall be taken out of the renenues of their Couent or Colleges during their life tyme so farre forth as the qualitie of their goodes and possessions will extende Alwaies prouided that whosoeuer after the date of these presentes shall enter into any of the Monasteries and afterwarde forsake them shall haue no reliefe out of them but maie for their benefite and reliefe withdraw them selues to the place whether thei caried them And that thei likewise whiche presently are or hereafter shall be in any Couent or Colleges shall bee at free choise to vse their Religion and apparell also saufe that in all other thynges thei shall be obedient to the Prior of the Couent 16 And if it shall so fall out whiche thyng God forbid that any entended mischeef dissention or discord shal arise betweene the saied Prouinces whereof thei will not be aknowne one to an other that then the saied mischiefe in case it concerne any of the Prouinces in perticuler shall be suppressed and decyded by the rest of the Prouinces or by them who in that behalfe shal be thereto deputed But if the matter concerne all the Prouinces in generall that then it shall be decyded by the Lieutenauntes of the Prouinces accordyng to the maner and forme of the 19. Article heretofore mentioned who shall be bounde to yeeld to either partie his right or els agree thereon within one Moneth or els sooner if the necessitie of the matter so requireth after it hath been called vpon or required to that ende either by the one partie or th' other and whatsoeuer shal be pronounced by the rest of the saied Prouinces or their Deputies or by the saied Lordes Lieutenauntes shall be obserued and followed without any further prouocation or tolleration of Lawe therein whether it bee by appeale reliefe reuysion adnichilation or any other quarrelles whatsoeuer which any waie might be required or vsed 17 That the saied Prouinces Cities and the Members of them shall haue greate regarde how thei offer any occasion of Warre to Princes Potentates foreine Countreis or Cities And therefore for the auoydyng of all suche occasions the saied Prouinces Cities and euery Member of them shall be bound to administer true lawe and Iustice aswell to Straungers as to the Enhabitauntes of the saied Prouinces and if any default be herein founde to bee in any of them the rest of the confederates shall procure by all iust and true meanes to finde it out that it is so and all suche abuses whereby any suche thyng might be made frustrate and lawe neglected shall be corrected and reformed accordyng to the lawes and abilities of the Priuiledges and the laudable auncient customes of euery of them 18 Neither shall any one of the vnited Prouinces Cities or any Member of them raise to the charge and hurte of one an other and without common consent any impositions preste money nor any suche like charges neither yet charge or burden any of these confederates more then thei would their owne Enhabitauntes 19 And to the ende that all occurraunces and controuersies might bee well prouided for and looked vnto The confede red Princes shal be bounde at his sendyng for who shall thereto bee aucthorised to appeace if it were possible at Vtright at suche a daie as the same shal be sent for aboute those thynges and cointrouersies aforesaied whiche shal be expressed in the letters missiues neither must the matter by common aduise and consent be kept secret nor yet be determined and resolued on by the pluralitie of voices in maner as aforesaid although there should not some appeare there by whiche euent the rest whiche did appere might also very well proceade conclude vpon whatsoeuer thei should finde might tende to the Commonwealth of these vnited Coūtreis Prouinces And that whatsoeuer thei shal conclude vppon shall likewise be obserued by those whiche appeared not Excepte the matters were of suche greate waight as that thei might abide to bee delaied in whiche case thei that appeare not might bee sent for at some other tyme to appeare at some other certaine appoincted daie vppon paine of losyng their voice for that tyme and that whatsoeuer shall be concluded vpon by those whiche are there present to stande in full power and vertue notwithstanding the absence of all the rest of the Prouinces sauing that that the same Prouince whiche cannot well and conueniently appeare maie sende their opinion in writyng and therevpon suche a regard to be had in the collection as appertaineth 20 To this ende also all and euery of the saied confedered Prouinces
and yere aforesaied And subscribed Ihon de Languedul M Peter Baelde The 29. of Iuly 1579. The Substitutes of the of the 〈…〉 Antwerpe appeared in the saied assemblie of the Deputies of the nerest vnioÌ„ of the vnited Prouinces assembled together at Vtright the Substitutes of the Citie of Antwerpe namely Seignior Ihon de Stralen the first principall Burroughmaister Seignior Phislip de Scoonhoue M. of Waroy Sherief Ihon de Bright the old Sherief Adam Verhult Colonnell Valerius de Dale and Ihon Gysels Deane who declared that thei had seen and perused the poinctes and Articles of the saied vnion and whatsoeuer els by vertue thereof is behofull and the same thought to bee good haue by vertue of their Procuration dated the 22. of Iuly and by their letters of credit dated the 23. of the saied monethe 1579. allowed approued and ratefied and by these presentes doe allowe approue and ratefie them Promisyng with all the reste of the confedered Prouinces to keepe obserue and followe them and euery parte and percell of them in perticuler In witnesse whereof the saied Deputies of the saied Citie of Antewerpe haue with their handes subscribed herevnto the daie moneth and yere abouesaied And vnderneath was subscribed Ihon de Strahen Phillip de Schoonehoue Ihon de Brecht Adam Verhult Valerius van Dale Ihon Gysels The 13. The Deputies of Breda of September 1579. appeared in the assemblie of the saied Deputies assembled together at Vtright the Deputies of the Citie of Breda namely Godard de Lughtenbergh Burroughmaister of the said Citie Geffray Montens Sherief and Lieutenaunt to a Colonnell and a Captaine also Noell Backe Maister of the Orphelins and a dizinier who declared that thei had seen and perused the poinctes and Articles of the 〈◊〉 vnion and whatsoeuer els by vertue thereof is further behoueful and thesame supposed good and by vertue of their Procuration dated the 10. of September 1579. allowed approued and ratefied and by these presentes doe allowe approue and ratefie the same Promisyng with the reste of the confedered Prouinces to keepe obserue and followe them and euery parte and percell of them in perticuler In witnesse whereof the said Deputies of the saied Citie of Breda haue herevnto sette their handes the daie moueth and yere abouesaied Subscribed Godart de Lughtenbergh Geoffray Montent Noell Backe the soonne of Francis The first of February 1580. The Substitutes of Bruges appeared in the assemblie of the saied vnion of the vnited Prouinces assembled together at Vtright Seigniour Guido de Bruecque Sherief of the Citie of Bruges who said that he had seen and perused the pointes and Articles of thesaid vnion and whatsoeuer els by vertue thereof is further needefull and findyng the same to bee good hath without the approbation of Seignior Leuin Steppe Sherief and maister Iames Yman Pensioner of thesaied Citie of Bruges by vertue of their Procuration sealed dated the 7. of Nouember 1579. made at Antwerpe the 26. of the saied monethe by vertue of their letters of Credite and Procuration bothe at once sealed the 15. of Ianuary 1580. allowed approued and ratefied and by these presentes doeth allowe c. thesaied vnion promisyng with the rest of the confedered Prouinces to keepe obserue and followe the same and euery part and parcell thereof in particuler In witnesse whereof the saied Deputies of the saied Citie of Bruges hath signed this with his owne hand the daie monethe and yere aboue saied And subscribed Guydo de Braeck The first of February also 1580. The Substitutes of Franke in Flanders appeared in the assemblee of the saied Deputies of the vnited Prouinces assembled together at Vtright maister Gawter de Ecke Sherife of the CouÌ„trey of Franke who said that he had seen and perused the pomtes and Articles of thesaid vnion and whatsouer by vertue therof is further needefull whiche he findeth to bee good and doeth without the approbation of maister Isebrant Prouin pensioner of the saied Countrey of Franque by vertue of their Procuration sealed and dated the seuenteene of October a thousande fiue hundred seuentie and nine Giuen at Antwerpe the sixe and twentie of Nouember by vertue of his Procuration sealed dated the three and twentie of Ianuary that yeare and letters of credite dated the fiue and twentie of the saied moneth hath allowed approued and ratefied and by these presentes alloweth approueth and ratefieth the saied vnion Promisyng with the reste of the confedered Prouinces to obserue and followe the same and euery parte and parcell thereof In witnesse whereof the saied Deputie of the Countrey of Francq hath signed this with his hande the daie moneth and yeare aboue saied Subscribed Gautier de Ecke The Estates of Artois Haynault Lisle Douay The peace of Artois Haynault with the Prince of Parma and Orchies agreed and concluded a peace the 17. of Maie 1579. with the Prince of Parma forsaking the Pacification of Gaunt and the generall vnion whiche thereon ensued wherevnto thei had bothe subscribed and sworne And the Prince of Parma held for good and stable in the name of his Maiestie whatsoeuer was betweene Sir Matthewe Mowlerdt Bishoppe of Arras Sir Ihon of Noircarmes knight Baron of Selles and Willyam le Vasseur of Valuen Deputies and sent vnto hym and betweene theim of the saied Countries there was at Arras in the Abbay of Sainct Vast a certaine writyng established wherein were comprised 28. Articles signed by either partie and withall by the Marques of Richbrough the Count Lalayng and Seigneor Willeruall Gouernors respectiuely of the saied Countries The Sommarie of whiche Articles is the obseruation of the Catholicke Romishe Religion and the obedience of his Maiestie But because it nothyng agreeth with the Pacification made at Gannt we haue for breuities sake left it quite and cleane out The 12. Mastright besieged and wâ—nne of April 1579. The Prince of Parma besieged the Citie of Mastright and with suche force so straightly couped it vp and gaue so many assaultes as that these greate many yeres the like siege hath not been heard spoken of for although what by force of the Cannon and their wonderfull vnderminyng the Enemie had already woone bothe their Gates and Rampares yet were thei no whit discouraged but valiauntly like noble Souldiers and menne of warre continually repulsed theim wherein thei in verie deede shewed their greate loyaltie and coÌ„stancie towardes their Countrie reprouyng hereby the cowardise of the Wallonnes Nobilitie who for a small portion of a share did so farforth forget it self as that thei became the Spaniar des Pages their professed enemies aidyng them to the vtter ouerthrowyng bothe of theim selues and their people And although the valiaunt Citezens were in verie greate miserie and calamitie by reason of the often batterie of the Enemie and the continuall assaultes yet thei neuer yeelded to that pusilianimitie but still stoutly stoode to this terrible siege and whiles thei were looking so wishely and so long tyme for aide and
Horsemen vnder the charge of Hans Storiff of Enbricke wherevpon he caused his Army to marche towardes the Citie of Oldenzeel whiche Citie not meanyng to tarrie the siege rendred to the saied Count of Rennenbergue the 24. of September When thei of Steenwike heard of this thei receiued in a Garnison and Souldiers for their defence against the Enemie and so fortefied their Citie and Rampars still lookyng for the Army of the Euemie who planted his siege before the same the 18. of October about noone with 20. The Siege before Steenwyke companies of Almaines and others and 1500. Horse Wherupon that Euenyng two of the Gates of the Citie the one named the Giest Gate and the other Onniger Gate were with Earth and Trees fast rampard vp against the force of the Artillary of the Enemy The self same daie the Souldiers of the Toune sallied twise out to skirmish with the Enemie and so also did thei the 19. daie ensuyng and caried home with them fower Prisoners Towardes the Euenyng the Enemie passed the Riuer of Ae with eleuen companies of Friselanders and entrenched about the Chappell Steendicq The 20. daie there issued out of the Citie certaine Souldiers at the Wood Gate and had wonne and defaced the little Trench about the Chappell cariyng home the butin with them whiche Trench the night followyng was made vp againe The same daie in the Afternoone thei againe sallied out at the East Gate and after thei had skirmished with the Enemie thei caried backe with them three Prisoners and two Horses The 23. of October in the night the Enemy marched towardes the Kuynder to the ende thei might light vpon the two companies of Ihon de Eschede and Roeloff de Laughen whiche thyng thei performed For the next daie ensuyng as thei returned to the Campe thei trailed at an Horse taile iust before the Toune one of their Ensignes The 25. daie there was a braue skirmishe where the Enemie receiued a notable losse bothe of Souldiers and Horses and our men returned to the Citie without any losse cariyng with them two Prisoners and three Horses The 28. daie of the saied Moneth the Count George de Lalayng as Gouernor for his Maiestie in Friseland sent a Trumpet to sommon the Citie for the yeeldyng thereof whom Captaine Conrade aunswered that he kept the Citie for his Maiestie the Estates and the Prince of Orenge and would defende it against whom soeuer came Commaundyng the Tumpett to bee packyng without thei loued to be hausled with a Cannon shott The Count of Rennenbergue beyug stirred with this aunswere caused three peeces of greate Ordenaunce to be planted whiche he had that daie receiued and that euenyng discharged against the Citie three of the same Cannot shott This daie at the instaunce of certaine good honest Citezins was an ordenaunce made and a price sett vppon Victualles in maner and forme followyng whiche was proclaimed and afterterwarde set vp vpon one of the postes of the Toune house And first it was ordeined that no man should Brewe nor sell any Beare aboue halfe a Patart the pot of Steenwike measure A pounde of Larde was priced at three Sous A pounde of Butter fower Sous A pounde of Creame Cheese two Sous A pounde of course Cheese one Sous and one Lyard A Stockfishe two Sous sauyng a Lyard Twelue pounde of waightie Rye bread sixe Sous A measure of Eastland Graines eighteene Sous A measure of Countrey Graines sixteene Sous A measure of Barley fifteene Sous A measure of Buckweyt foreteene Sous A Bushell of Salte twelue Sous A pot of Beare called Iupenbere seuen Sous A pot of Rennishe Wine nine Sous A pot of Frenche Wine fiue Sous Whiche was proclaimed and commaunded to bee straightly obserued by the Enhabitauntes of the Citie The 29. of October were sixe greate peeces of Ordenaunce moe brought to the Campe of the Enemie and planted to batter the Citie withall whiche was in deede doen the next daie followyng so that thereby thei had no vse of the twoo Milles of the Citie The same daie the Citie understoode by Captaine Herman Olthoff his man that the Enemie meant to giue them a liuely assault The Citezens make them selues ready for the assault and therefore euery man prepared hymself to giue them an hot repulse and to that ende thei brought al the brewyng Vesselles in the Citie to the Rampars which thei had filled with hot skaldyng water and Lime for the washyng of the heades and bodies of the Enemie Thei prepared also all kindes of necessary Armour and Weapon to defende themselues against the force of the Enemie in so muche that the Souldiers and all the Citezens were fully determined to receiue and withstande the assault of the Enemie who in steade of assaulting the Citie cast vp his trenches from Giest Gate euen vnto Onniger Gate The first of Nouember a Messenger was sent to the Estates to aduertise them of the estate of the Citie And about 10. of the Clocke in the night there issued 26. valiaunt Souldiers vnder the conduct of Ihon Vorberg Captaine Cornput his Lieutenaunt who charged the very body of the Watche whiche laie betweene Giest Gate and Onniger Gate and there so pretely well cooled the courages of 24. men of the saied Watche as that 20. of them were leaft dead in the place and three caried awaie prisoners and one of them whiche would not goe was hurt vnto death and left without the Citie where he died that night but he that was in the watch saued himself with a light paire of heeles The 2. of the saied Moneth in the night the Enemie cast vp the Trenche betweene the foresaied Gates as if he would haue made there some Mount and therefore thei likewise within began to make an other Mount about Giest Gate and then were the Captaines quartered for the defending of the Rampars The same daie also were twoo deepe ditches made at Giest Gate because thei feared that the Enemie would vndermine the Citie The 3. daie at night issued certaine Souldiers and suddenly fell vpon the Pyoners certaine Countrie men and Souldiers whereof many were slaine and afterwarde thei retiered to the Citie with their butin The 7. Daie thei sallied out at the East Gate and brought awaie two Souldiers and a Victualler Prisoners leauyng behinde them vpon the waie many hurte men which would not goe with them Thei caried also awaie with them in despight of the Enemie fiue Kyne and a Souldiers wife The same daie in the afternoone there was the like sallie whereat was a liuely skirmishe so that by reason of the retraict of Captaine Oltholffe his Ensigne bearer and of Captaine Herman Olthoffe they were bothe hurt The Ensigne bearer also of Captaine Cornput standyng vpon the Citie Rampere was with a Cannon shot slaine in the place The 9. daie the Messenger returned with Letters from the Prince and the Estates to the Citie promising to ayde the Citie and raise the Campe of the