France and England sent for into the Low-countreys and a Peace concluded with the Prince of Orange an Enemie to Religion to his King and Countrey truly they held it their duties with united forces to oppose the Confederates lest they expelling the the Kings souldiers out of the Low-countreys should likewise shake off which they had now in design the Royall Government That the sack of Antwerp was lamented by all men but merited by the City having received contrary to their faith obliged by Oath the forces of the League and attempted to besiege the Castle so as the Spaniards could not defend themselves and the Fort without calling in their fellow souldiers though some oneby by divine Providence came unsent for Who if they behaved themselves more fiercely or cruelly in defending the Fort and beating the Enemy out of the Town that was done upon a sad necessity when they must either kill or be killed Yet that it is not easie to hold mens hands when Victoriâ— shews them both Revenge and Bootie But howsoever they excused their military licentiousnesse common Fame absolved them not but reported their valour in taking the citie against twenty thousand Defendants to be no greater then their covetousnesse in plundering that richest Port-town of Christendome for three dayes together forcing the richest Citizens and Merchants to redeem their merchandise and goods out of which they made twenty hundred thousand pistols Many câ—using sword-hilts helmets and breasts to be made them of pure gold but discoloured lest they might be taken notice of And those poor men which entered this rich citie went out rich men and left it a poor town as the Low-countrey Historians say with an odious commendation of the Spanish courage Unlesse in this as in other things they have exceeded the truth out of their hatred to that Nation Though I am not ignorant that the Captains and common souldiers occasioned for the most part these disorders the Colonells and superiour Officers having all shares in the fault not all in the spoil Nay I am assured that Sanchâ— Avila Governour of the Castle restrained the rage of many both by command and punishment And Camillo a Monte one of the first that took the town when he had secured the Florentine Merchants and might have had a great summe of money of them out of so much wealth took nothing but a little bitch as if he strove by his continence to expiate the transgression of their plunder I likewise know the destruction of Antwerp was not the crime of the Spaniards alone but the Low-countreymen Burgundians Italians and Germans had every one their part in that tragick desolation and diverse of them acted more barbarously then the Spanish Indeed some great moneyed men taken by the Spaniards when Cornelius Vanindems souldiers would have had the prize were as they say betwixt despair and envie cruelly murdered Among whom Giles Smissart a rich Lapidary and therefore more greedily searched for by the plunderers was miserably used who at last being found out and buying his life and fortunes of the Spaniards for ten thousand Florens could not avoid death so For a companie of Germans coming in that saw themselves defeated of the profit they gaped after a quarrell growing about it one of them thrust him through the back with his pike See the unhappie fate of riches how much more easily may he avoid the spoilers hands that never hath allured an envious eye For no naked man is sought after to be rifled Little things being by their littlenesse secured Touching the execution done and the number of the dead they that were present do infinitely vary Some affirming them of the Spanish side to be at least two hundred others not above fourteen But of the States souldiers and the townsmen the Low-countrey men and Spaniards which is strange agree upon the number of six thousand unlesse perhaps those out of their hatred and these out of their pride do over-reckon whereof they say almost three thousand were killed by the sword fifteen hundred burned or trod to death and as many drowned in the waters thereabout and in the River Schelt where they say a Low-countrey horseman pursued by Pedrâ— Taxiâ— as he was armed with his Lance in his hand leaped from a huge height into the Town-ditch and swimming it with his horse got off safe without so much as breaking of his Lance. And yet at the very same time Count Otho Oberstein Commander of the Germans and Governour of the Town Garrison when he was taking boat upon eaven ground his foot slipping was in a moment devoured by the water Nothing is therefore to be presumed upon or despaired of since the Levell precipitates those that stand on plain ground and precipices save men falling headlong The End of the eighth Book The Historie of the LOW-COVNTREY WARRES The ninth Book Don Iohn of Austria Son to Charles the 5th Governour of the Low countreys Don Iohn took time to consider of it for the disbanding of the Spaniards troubled him And calling to him Iuan Escovedo and Octavio Gonzaga his intimate Counsellours and Confidents very much troubled he desired their advice Gonzaga immediately denyed that it could be either advantagious or honourable For saith he if the Prince of Orange were this day of Counsell with you what else do you think he would perswade but to send away the Spaniards and to establish the Government of the Low-countreys in the love of the Low-countreymen not in the fear of a forrein and hated souldiery Which is in effect that you dismissing your Garrisons might with moreâ—ease lie open to the Plots and Stratagems of turbulent persons injoying at present a kind of Government during pleasure and upon the first breath of the giddie multitude none at all We are deceived if we hope this people differing from us in Manners and Language many of them in Religion all in Resentment of our Countreymens late victory will be governed of their own accord without the terrour of our arms They article with an armed Governour what will they do when he is disarmed Let them know there is come a sonne of Charles the fifth lesse then his Father in Power not Courage to whom it belongs to give not to receive the Law But they are resolved except this be granted them not to admit a Governour Let them be compelled If it be disputed by the sword can our men and theirs have other thoughts then such as are familiar to the Conquerours and the conquered If you seek praise by this Indulgence it is â—ver hasty and will be of no long continuence with proud people made impudent by our modestie These names of humanitie and favour will shew more noble after a victory when they are demonstrations not of Necessitie but Moderation It may be objected that some good subjects well-wishers to the Royall party would have all forreiners disbanded I would gladly know these Low-countrey Royallists for
nearly concerned to preserve Religion then greatly indangered in France and they very well affected to the cause had laid their designes the Queen Regent by the by propounded some Marriages wherein she would have ingaged her Daughter but the Queen of Spain and the Duke of Alva returned thereunto no absolute answer reserving the finall determination of all things to King Philip. Lastly upon occasion of an Embassadour sent from Soliman the Turkish Emperour to renew the league between King Charles and him the French spake of renouncing the said League and that their King should joyn with King Philip and the Emperour against the common enemie But this though it was opportune took no effect the Queen of Spain declining all overtures but onely concerning Religion which she at the Duke of Alva's earnest motion again commending to them after they had imbraced and kissed they took their leaves The Hereticks that guessed at their intentions exceedingly fearing lest by the meeting of these Princes as by the conjunction of malevolent Starres was portended some fearfull storm that would fall upon their heads And indeed that great massacre of the Hugonots which seven years after was acted at Paris was they say plotted at this meeting which I will neither denie nor affirm Though I am rather inclined to believe that the mutuall succours which since this time we see have been often sent by the French into the Low-countreys and from thence into France against the Rebells to Religion and their Prince together with the marriage five years after solemnized by King Charles and Elisabeth daughter to the Emperour Maximilian were concluded at this conference For King Philip in the fore-mentioned letter gives an intimation of mutuall assistance to be from thenceforth given to expell heresie out of their Kingdomes and plainly faith the Queen had not directly declared her self against the marriage but left a door open to a new consulation since in regard of their tender years the young Prince and Princesse he being but fifteen and Princesse Elisabeth eleven might very well stay a good while before they married In the beginning of March Count Egmont came to Madrid contrary to the exspectation and command of his Majestie who would have had his journey put off I suppose because the Governess had informed him that the Count was willing to go in hope of his private advantage Yet the King received him very graciously answerable to the quality of so noble a person and so great a Generall famous for many victories and often with good approbation heard him move for relief to the publick necessities of his Countrey Nay when he descended to his particular affairs the King granted his suit almost in every thing Finally his Majestie gave him large instructions in writing for answer to the Governess and that he might resolve upon more certain grounds he advised in that which concerned Religion with Divines which to that purpose waited on him In that Assembly of learned men I have heard one that was present say The pietie of the King was admirable For having summoned the greatest Schoolmen and Casuists and demanding their opinions touching the Libertie of Conscience which some Low-countrey Towns so earnestly petitioned for when many of them considering the present condition of the Low-countreys said That for the avoiding of a greater evil much to be feared in Cities ready to revolt and shake off Obedience to their Prince and to the Orthodox Faith his Majestie might without offending God allow his subjects the free exercise of their Religion He replied That he sent not for them to instruct him whether such a Permission were lawfull but whether it were necessary And when they told him they saw no necessity then the King in their presence kneeling before a Crucifix And I said he pray and beseech thy Divine Majestie thou King of all men O God that thou wilt please to keep me alwayes in this mind that I may never care that the men which deny thee for their Lord may either be or be called my Subjects and then he opened his determination concerning Religion in those Letters which I told you were delivered to Count Egmont But before he had his dispatch the King dealt plainly with him That he was not a little offended at the last conspiracie of the Lords when they gave the Coats and Cognizances wherein they aenigmatically threatned Cardinal Granvel that especially Egmont reputed the Authour of that invention might therein have shewn if not more fidelity at least more discretion But Count Egmont faithfully assured his Majesty that it was mere mirth and childish sport at table to make a jest to laugh at in their cups not to be feared by any man that done he omitted not to accuse the Cardinall as the principall cause thereof because he daily mustered those of his faction against the Nobility and therefore deserved to be requited with the like Assemblies Yet in these meetings and this he often confirmed by oath they did not so much as think of any thing contrary to their sincere Allegiance to his Majesty Nay if he had found any of their party an Enemy to the King he himself would have been first though he were his own brother that should have stabbed him to the heart This Discourse having passed between the King and Count Egmont of all which the King by a private Letter certified the Governess Instructions were given to the Count thus indorsed Instructions of those things which thou Prince of Gavera Count of Egmond our Cousen and Counsellour in affairs of the Empire art commanded in our Name to communicate to Our Sister the Dutchess of Parma The summe of his large Instructions was this At his arrivall in the Low-countreys after he had saluted the Governess from the King and returned her his royall thanks for her good Government of those Provinces and for sending into Spain the fittest man to negotiate for the Low-countreys he was to deliver her this answer from his Maiesty That in the first place he was struck with unutterable grief to hear of the growth of Heresie and that he was firmly resolved and would have the whole world know that he would not suffer it within his Dominions though he were to die for it a thousand times Therefore he desired the Governess to call a Senate extraordinary to which divers Bishops should be summoned particularly Rythovius Bishop of Ipres with the like number of Divines and such Counsellours as stood best affected to Religion and their Countrey The pretended occasion should be to examine the Councel of Trent but the reall meaning to find out an Expedient how the people might be kept in their ancient Religion how their children might be virtuously bred up at School how to proceed in punishing Hereticks by some other course that might take off the odium not that he meant to pardon them for that he neither resolved to
long since been in the Low-countreys and there served a Volunteer against the French at his return for Italy he was an earnest suiter to King Philip to whom he delivered his son Alexander that he would please to restore him the Castle of Piacenza kept as yet with a Spanish Garrison The King though he resolved not to grant his suit yet lest the Prince should return discontented whom by long experience he had found faithfull and serviceable to the Crown of Spain in his command against Herecules the French Generall in the War of Italy and the obedience of whose Cisalpine Countreys would greatâ—y advantage Spain conferred the Government of the Low-countreys and Burgundy upon his wife acquainting the Duke with it as if he did it for his sake assuring himself whilest those Provinces which he looked upon with so much love and care were in his absence committed to the Farnezes they would rest well contented with so high an argument of confidence and affection Nor did Octavio sleight the favour nay as it often happens that a present bounty is the step to a future rise he hoped by the tie of this Government every day more to endear his Majestie to his Sister and to the House of the Farnezes The King lessened not that hope which he knew would serve to make the Farnezes intentive to the Government of the Low-countreys for by how much the Governess might advance his interest in the Low-countreys as well because of her Religion as her Prudence so much the gladder he was to have such Pledges from them The King therefore not onely kept his son Alexander to aw the mother but he thought it concerned him to give the father hope of the Castle of Piacenza well knowing some mens natures are more obliged by receiving one then many benefits Margaret Dutchesse of Parma and Piacenza Daughter to Charles the 5th Governesse of the Lowcountreys His Majesty having thus instructed the Governess and assigned her an Annuall persion of thirty six thousand Crowns to encrease the publick joy in the assemblie of the Estates at Gant he created eleven Knights of the Order of the Golden Fleece in their places that were deceased for so many wanted to make up fifty one the number to which Charles the fifth had multiplied the Order whereas Duke Philip the Founder at first onely instituted twenty five and after added six to make up the number one and thirty Lastly the King appointed a time to hear the Petitions of the Deputies to the Estates Where Granvel in the Kings name made a speech to them answered by Borlutius of Gant Speaker for the Estates Granvell gave reasons for the Kings going into Spain Declared Margaret Dutchess of Parma under the Kings Majestie Supreme Governess of the Low-countreys and Burgundy she then sitting by the King Disputed for the Old Religion against Hereticks that corrupted it And in the first place earnestly commended the protection and observance of Religion to the Governess till his Majestie should return to the Low-countreys Borlutius after he had presented the Estates humble thanks and promises of obedience to the King and Governess delivered the Heads of their desires That his Maiestie by the example of his Father the Emperour would please to call out of the Low-countreys all forrein forces and use none but their own Coâ—ntrey Garrisons nor admit of any Alien to sit in the Great Councel The King giving them fair hopes promised to with-draw the forrein souldiers that remained for he had already freed them of the maior part within foure moneths next ensuing So dissolving the Assembly all his business in the Low-countreys being now dispatched From Gant he passed to Zelanâ— and weighing anchors from the port of Ulâ—â—hen in the moneth of August made a happy voyage into Spain The Governess the Dutchess of Parma and the Duke of Savoy having waited on the King aboard the Duke with his Princely Bride tooke leave for Italy Her Excellence retired to Bruxels the ancient seat of the Belgick Princes and in September one thousand five hundred fiftie and nine began her Government over the Low-countreys The End of the first Book The Historie of the LOW-COVNTREY WARRES The second Book KIng Philips departure from the Low-Countreys fell out very inconvenient for that new condition of affairs For every change in Cities and Kingdomes like young trees when they are transplanted had need of present looking to till we be sure they have taken root Doubtless it had been farre better for the Netherlands if the King so the necessities of Spain would have permitted had stayed there for some time till he had seen at a nearer distance the course and motions of things which he had altered in those parts And not to have taken them upon trust from others uncertain relations For many times the water changes the tast by running long and severall wayes under ground nor can he that drinks it a farre off judge of it so well as he that sits at the spring head and hath it from the fountain Truly the King had with more certainty looked into the designes of men and consequently the misfortune had been less which after he left them involved the Low-Countreys in a difficult and tedious warre And as when his father Charles went into Germany to be crowned Emperour the Spaniards immediately took up arms against his Lieutenants so the Low-Countreymen when K. Philip went for Spain to take possession of his Kingdome after they had kept a foot a civill war between them and their governours at last the confederate Provinces fell off from their obedience to their Prince The causes of which evils I being now to represent I must confess I never read of any tumult or war whose originall was so variously and contradictorily reported by the People and written by Historians I believe that some when they found the reasons that went currant for causes of this war fat too weak for the raising of so great commotions they themselves guessed at others that rather agreed with the writers wit then the truth of history Some again have framed causes according to their factions and religions passing over all those in silence that made against their party Others not so much to cozen the Reader as being cozened themselves with the shew of pretended causes ignorant how much Causes and Beginnings differ have failed to clear the originals of these differences When an Historian is obliged first to inform himself of the beginnings of Peace and War or of Seditions and what their grounds and causes were and in the next place to inform his Readers lest they not understanding the difference of causes and beginnings should judge amiss of actions and events and so History the mistress of wisdome become the handmaid of errour Nor was it an idle dispute among the ancient Historians what was the ground of the warre wherein
might not value or receive them with due reverence She said he might safelier treat with the Prince of Orange in regard the like admonition formerly sent from Paul the fourth had struck him with a fear of loosing his Principality neverthelesse she would prepare him for the Legate But for his liberall offer of assistance from his Holinesse she acknowledged her obligations to the great Bishop and desired Pavesio to represent her for that favour kneeling at his feet and humbly kissing them though she had not power to admit of his promised supplies unlesse the King would please to give her leave But she assured his Holinesse that the Cause of Religion should be alwayes to her as it had ever been dearer then her life Lastly touching the nature and industry of the Low-countrey Bishops for Pavesio intreated her to instruct him in that particular she very graphically discoursed their lives and manners and gave him their severall characters telling which deserved Rebuke which Praise or Pitie The Legate finding all she said to be true and the Prince of Orange the easier to be wrought upon belike her Excellence had prepared him as she promised admiring her industrie and pietie professed that he would publish in the Court of Rome how Religion standing now in the Low-countreys on a dangerous precipice was supported onely by her Highnesses vigilance and prudence But the Factions and Tumults ceased not for all this The Covenanters being returned as I have told you into their respective Provinces and giving it out that they had the publick Faith of the Knights of the Golden Fleece for their indemnitie all those that had been banished for heresie came back from the adjacent Countreys and such as had lyen concealed at home appeared again magnifying the name of the Gheuses calling them the Assertours and Champions of their libertie and putting themselves under their protection Thus the number of the Covenanters was much increased especially in Antwerp even the Merchants themselves began to wear the Habit aud Cognizante of the Gheuses Nay there sprung up a new-brotherhood of the Common People wearing in their hats besides the wallet stampt in silver a wreathed pilgrims staff the ends bowing acrosse signifying as I suppose that they were to go a pilgrimage out of their Countrey and seek libertie in another Climate This conspiracie was spawned out of the other it being the off-spring as the Governesse wrote to his Majestie of that two years before raised by the Lords against Cardinall Granvel where they first wore hoods and then Darts But that which at the beginning was onely private difference at Court and the ambition of a few afterwards turned into the publick mutiny of the Provinces Great men it seems never can offend alone and vices whilst they passe from hand to hand are soyled with being touched and grow still fouler Neither did the Governesses letters to the Magistrates concerning the counterfeit Declaration in the Lords names do any good nor the Kings letter to the Governesse and the Provinces about that time received wherein his Majestie promised That having now secured himself from the Turks and Moors he would presently make a voyage into the Low-countreys and in person moderate the severitie if any such were of his fathers Edicts In the mean time he rested confident that the troubles would be quieted by the Lords endeavours whereupon formerly relying both his father the Emperour and he himself never feared what their enemies could do and now he doubted not but their old loyalty would easily compose a sedition raised by a few private men Onely the pardons which the Governesse in her letters to the King desired for certain persons were by his Majestie more resolutely then seasonably put off till another time In the interim the evil increasing and the opportunitie of applying a fit remedie being past his Majestie lost the Grace and favour he intended And truly mischiefs sprung not up severally or by intervals but compleated and in a knot breaking forth all at once For in the bordering Countreys the Master-hereticks watching how discord prospered in the Low-countreys that they might take occasion to vent their outlandish wares and sell them the new Gospel flocking in crouds the Calvinists out of France and the Lutherans and Anabaptists out of Germany invaded and as it were attached their nearest neighbour-towns First they held their Conventicles in the fields by night then successe smiling upon them fearing likewise that if differences chanced to be composed they should fail of dispatching what they came for they thought it best by way of prevention to shew themselves in the light and before the people that ran to meet them out of towns and villages boldly to preach against the Spanish tirannie against Religion corrupted by the Bishops and for the pure and sincere light of the Gospel Emulation made them more impudent lest the Calvinists that had indeed fewer great persons of their faction but more Proselytes and applause should be lesse powerfull then the Lutherans And the Anabaptists being farre more in number then the Lutherans scorned to be worsted by the Calvinists or that the Lutherans should have more great Protectours then both the other Sects Therefore they made haste in zeal of spirit to feiz upon Cities and Towns as if they were to make new plantations every one being for himself and all against One. Miserable and calamitous at that time was the condition of the Low-countreys many of the noblest Provinces being suddenly hurried into factions and running upon the rocks of errour Whilst impure men Apostates both from divine and humane faith whilst the scumme of their own nations the Refuse of Germany and France promised themselves a kind of sovereignty in the Low-countreys and ran up and down as if hell had been broke loose filling all places with turbulent sermons infamous libells hopes fears and jealousies Whilst such a multitude first out of the next villages but at last out of great towns came with incredible desire to hear these trumpeters of the new Gospel that once in the fields of Tournay above eight thousand men were seen at a sermon Near Lisle they appeared in greater shoals At Antwerp in one day were gathered together thirteen thousand next day fourteen thousand a while after sixteen thousand men Lastly taking more freedome in many places especially at Valenciens and upon the borders of Flanders they married people in the fields and baptized infants after the Calvinisticall manner And that all this might be done with safety they meet at these Conventicles and Sermons armed with pikes and muskets I know the Reader will not a little wonder to hear what they say the Low-treymen themselves were amazed when they saw how the Peopleâ— zeal of hearing sermons came to such a height that neither the Magistrates by authoritie nor their Officers by force nor
be forced to accept of unjust conditions But whilst Orange and Egmont to whom she would needs bid Farwel disswaded her from the journey the news was all over the Town and some of the Citizens shutting up the Gates others went to the Governess humbly beseeching her that she would not by her flight adde to the impudence of wicked men and make the Kâ—ng condemn that faithfull Citie under the notion of Conspiratours against his Majestie Nor did she alter her resolution for all this though a great man informed her Excellence that the Prince of Orange speaking of her going away to some at Court told them among other discourse That if the Governess would leave the Town and consequently desert the State he himself was resolved his Towns and Fortunes should not become a prey to any That their French neighbours might easily possesse themselves of Flanders and that long since they pretended a title to Artois and Haynolt nor could the rest of the Provinces want new Lords But that which most of all troubled the Governess was a rumour dispersed in Bruxels that she was the onely cause why the Gheuses had not their Petition granted which she might do of her self having received plenipotentiary Authority from the King to signe any conditions for quieting the Low-countrey tumults And that if still she pretended to exspect answer from Spain putting them off with such flammes there were some in readiness that seizing upon her together with Viglius Keeper of the Seal and Egmont himself would extort by force what they could not obtain with modestie Such reports as these though at first the Governess accounted them vain threatnings of the Hereticks which had cunningly named Egmont to make her think the Conspiratours hated him Yet when she saw the same affirmed by many that seemed utterly to despair of any good once more attempting to get out of Town and being staid again Fear overcoming her she at last was induced to grant some of the Covenanters demands Which after other businesse she wrote to his Majestie in these words Now when I come to add what finally I granted to the Covenanters unworthy my Resolution unworthy your Majesties Religion truly the grief of it peirces my very soul and shame comes upon my face in blushes I call God to witnesse who knows the secrets of my heart that often and with my utmost power I resisted them many nights together I have not shut mine eyes being at that very time afflicted with sorrow and a fever At last besides the spoil of Churches which I heard of from other quarters when the storm hung over this Citie and that so many openly rung in mine ears that the destructive spight to holy things would never cease til I should grant two demands made by the Covenanters When my house was besieged my mind languishing and my body sick sending for Orange Egmont and Horn and protesting before them that my consent was extorted thereunto I made a concession of pardon and indemnity to the Covenanters and to the rest I gave libertie to hear their Ministers preach onely in places where they had been accustomed so to do provided they came unarmed and molested not the Catholicks With a speciall clause limiting these two Grants to such time as the King with consent of the Estates of the Low-countreys would be pleased to allow Yet to both these I consented not in your Majesties name but in mine own so as when you please you may avoid them without the least blemish to your Honour which you have not your self ingaged and being ill-ingaged by me you should not and I hope will not make it good Nay I beseech and conjure you Mighty Sir by that which is dearer to you then your life your care to defend the Catholick faith that immediately not exspecting the convenience of the Spring you will please to come in person and revenge the wrongs dâ—ne to afflicted Religion which now sadly and solely addressing her self to your Majestie exspects relief which otherwise she dispairs of from that right hand of yours renowned for faith and power indeed unlesse this one hope remained my life which lingers in a miserable manner would soon part from me though perhaps this hope it self will be hardly able to keep off death Thus her Excellence fainting under the burden of her grief wrote privately to the King but publickly shewed no womanish passion and still intent to affairs of State gave Count Mansfeld Commission to govern Bruxels as her Lieutenant put into the town a new Garrison of horse and foot fortified the Count left nothing undone that either concerned her own or the Cities preservation Indeed having made that agreement with the Covenanters they gave her jealousies a short breathing-space for upon the foresaid terms taking a new oath of obedience to the Governesse they so ordered the matter that upon the day appointed the Gheuses attempted nothing against the Church Nay the Prince of Orange returning to Antwerp hanged three of the sacrilegious villains and banished three more setting open the great Church commanding the Priests to exercise their function and boldly to instruct the people Which had not a little rejoyced the Governesse but that in the same letter which he about it he inclosed two petitions delivered him by the Germans that desired some Church in Antwerp where they might freely exercise the confession of Auspurg This took off much of the Governesses contentment especially because the day after she understood by other letters from the Prince of Orange that he and the Senate of Antwerp had permitted Hereticks to preach in the citie and to use all the other rites of Luther and Calvin assigning them three places for that purpose The reason whereof the Prince of Orange explaining affirmed to the Governesse who very hainously resented it in three letters sent immediately one after another that he was extreamly unwilling to make conditions with the Hereticks but some considerations inforced him First that he might by this means restore the Churches and Churchmen to securitie Then whereas no lesse then twenty thousand men used to go out of Town to sermons he greatly feared lest at their return some pragmaticall knaves gaping after pillage might joyn with them and the multitude prevailing plunder the rich Merchants houses Lastly because the Hereticks already had sermons in Antwerp therefore in pursuance of that agreement he had assigned them places in the citie Notwithstanding the Governesse liked not the proceedings of the Prince of Orange perhaps because she her self was guilty of too much indulgence and likewise in fear to be reproved for anothers fault perhaps because the Prince of Orange had indeed given further allowance to the Hereticks then they could challenge by their articles which licensed their Sermons within the walls but not their Baptisme Marriage or other Hereticall ceremonies But
any man or plunder of any house though the Wealth of the Towne was a great Temptation their Contumacy meriting Destruction The Generall went to their Court and first according to his Instructions disarmed the Townsmen and tooke from the City their Cannon which were 50 and all the rest of their Munition Then he caused Inquiry to be made for the Boutefeu's and Ringleaders of the Rebellion with the Hereticall Preachers and immediately laid 36 Principall rebels by the Heels but could not take any one Minister for they were slipt out of the Towne though the Ports had presently been shut up or guarded with Souldiers but being apprehended at St Amands they were brought back and committed to prison Afterwards the Citisens were beheaded their Teachers and some of their Souldiers hanged Lastly the Magistrates and Treasures and all other publique Officers were removed from their places their Charter and Priviledges forfeited till the King pleased to restore them The Governesse writing all these Particulars to the King and annexing a List of the Commanders and Souldiers Names that had done most gallant Service in the Siege humbly craved Leave to remunerate their Valour and Fidelity out of Delinquents Estates that the Souldiers might reap the Fruit of their Victory and Modesty and others be taught their duty Valenciens being in this manner settled and all consecrated Places restored to their pious Vses the Bishop of Arras likewise sent for out of Artois and eight Companyes charged vpon the Towne that He might keep the people in the feare of God and they in Obedience to the King it was wonderfull to see what a glorious name Norcarmius had got and what an alteration it made among the Rebels and Hereticks of all degrees when they heard Valenciens was taken insomuch as it was commonly reported that in this one Town were found the keyes of all the other Cityes In the meane while her Excellence receiving a new expresse signifying that Ferdinand of Toledo Duke of Alva was to come a little before his Majesty Whilst in the Lowcountryes all went as well as she could wish she thought it best to press what she had long since designed a Protestation from the Magistrates and all Officers of Peace and Warre wherein they should sweare without exception to obey any that should bee appointed in the Kings name Which she did not to sound any ones mind for she could well distinguish the Kings Friends and Enemyes nor in hope to oblige the Vnfaithfull which she knew was not to be done by any Tye but that shee might with lesse envy displace such men as should refuse the Oath or put them to death if they broke their Faith by which meanes the King at his coming might finde all parts of the Lowcountryes pacifyed The Governesse set this afoote in the begining of the yeare and acquainting the Senate with it told them she would take it as a speciall Service if the Lords would give Example which the rest would easily follow The first that Voted for it and promised to take the Oath was Peter Ernest Count Mansfeldt then the Duke of Areschott and the Counts Egmont Mela and Barlamont who afterwards performed what they then promised But Henry Brederod whom the Governesse by expresse Messengers and afterwards by Letters vrged to take this Oath of Allegeance as he that was both the Kings Subject and a Commander under him of a 100 horse of those 1400 raised for the Saftety of the Provinces a great while kept off at last because he was commanded to lay downe his Commission complaining that he was unworthily and injuriously dealt with refused the Oath and sent back the Horse The Oath was likewise refused but with more Civility by the Counts Hochstrat and Horne because they said they had sworne their Allegeance some yeares before and that they hoped was sufficient Hochstrat was at Antwerp Lieutenant Governour there for the Prince of Orange who was then in Holland and from this City gave Orders for Machlin whereof he was Governour in his owne right Therefore her Excellence that had long had an eye upon Hotchstrat as a man not to be trusted gave away the Government of Machlinâ—o â—o the Lord Semer one that was sound in Religion and Fidelity and wrote to Hochstrat how she had provided for that City which the Gheuses having lately had a plott upon it required a Governour that should be there resident Hochstrat as if he Vnderstood not the Governesses Anger lest he should seeme likewise sensible of his owne Offence in his Answer gave her infinite thanks that she had then eased him of that burden only whether he should lay down his Commission before the Senate of Machlin or by Letter signify so much unto them he expected her Highnesses Commands and if she further pleased to substitute another at Antwerp in absence of the Prince of Orange he should take that also for a speciall Favour But writing to Count Mansfeldt he layd aside dissimulation For when the Governesse had returned that she better liked his writing to the Machliners about the Resignation of his Government that Count Mansfeldt at the same time wrote him a Letter to the same effect counselling Hochstrat as his Kinsman for they were married to two Sisâ—ers of the Momorancyes Hochstrat to Elionor and Mansfeldt to Mary by all meanes to pacify the Governesse he answered jeeringly That he was much bound to him who having so many Imployments whereby he much eased the Dutchesse in her Government could yet descend so farre as to thinke of his poor Kinsman and to Vouchsafe him his Advise which Advise notwithstanding he needed not knowing well enough what was to be done In the meane time he joyed him of those great Imployments which shortly would be increased beyond his ambition by the coming of so many Whelps out of Spaine and Italy The businesse with the Prince of Orange went slowlyer on and with more trouble For he refusing the Oath among other Passages wrote to the Governesse that she would please to appoint a Governour for Holland Zeland and Burgundy since he understood it was the Kingâ—s Pleasure that he should resigne This held the Governesse in Suspense because she was not willing he sould declare himselfe an Enemy before she had sufficient Forces to subdue him She therefore sent to Antwerp Iohn Baptista Bertius her Secretary that found the Prince of Orange onely imployed about his private Occasions and having presented his Letters of Credence from the Governesse He made it appeare by many Arguments that the Prince of Orange's determination to resigne his Commands could not be approved either by the Governesse or any of the Lords not only because it would be disadvantageous to the Lowcountryes and dishonourable to the Prince of Orange himselfe but likewise because such kind of Governements confer'd by the
besides the distempers of his mind if he were not poisoned he dyed upon Saint Iames his Eue. Foure dayes before having for a long time equally slighted the cure of Body and Soule God turning his Minde he called for his Ghostly Father and confessing his Sinnes with great compunction sending one to his Father to begge pardon for his Disobedience holding a hallowed Candle in his hand gave up the ghost I know this Relation will not please some that greedily swallow downe the foulest Surmizes without any distinction or respect to Truth or False-hood for whose palates if I were minded to dresse my Discourse I might instance the Rebellion of the Moores at this very time and make Prince Charles their Incourager and say that he sollicited Selimus the Turkish Emperour by Michesius the Jew fled out of Spaine as I have formerly related I might like-wise move a jealousie that the Faction of the Low countrey Covenanters was assisted by Prince Charles and might interpret that to be the reason why they resolved to send into Spaine many thousands of Calvins Catechismes translated into Spanish whereof the Governesse as I told you sent Intelligence to King Philip Pope Pius the fifth wrote to his Majesty that some Chest fulls of them were found at Lyons and Tholouse Nor should I passe over the Death of Queene Isabella Wife to King Philip there being but a few moneths between the Prince his Death and her's as if their too much Familiarity for Isabella should have beene marryed to Prince Charles had been the cause of both their fates Lastly I might tell you how the Prince had a designe upon his Father's life either out of affection to the Crowne or hatred to the King grounding my conjecture upon common fame which spread to farre that to my knowledge this verse of Ovid was used to that purpose in the Low-countreys first applied as they say by Opmerus FILIVs ante DIeM patr Ios InqVIrIt In annos Wherein both the Prince's Fact and the yeare of his Death are expressed in numerall Letters But this kind of learning as darke and intricate I willingly leave to those Writers that by Interpretation of such Oracles are ambitious to be famed for acutenesse of wit and divination they seeming to me besides their uncertainty to have no colour of Truth For not to speake of the Love betwixt the Queene and Prince which if it had been true the King to breake that League would have hastned not put off the Princes Marriage with his Cosen-german if the Prince had plotted any thing against his Father he might every day have executed it by himselfe and with his owne hands as being young and coming resolved against an unprepared old man or if he would have raised Tumults and called in help no doubt but he had needed many hands and consequently when the Prince fell those of his Party I suppose could not have stood yet the Princes Death was the losse of no mans Life Nay the King to lessen the envy both of his Son's Imprisonment and Death knowing himselfe aspersed by diverse persons in particular by Mary the Empresse the Prince's Aunt and desirous to match her Daughter to the Heire of so many Kingdomes would he not have pretended the cause of such Severity to have been his Son 's impious Designes Notwithstanding in his Letter to the Empress he denyed that his Son was found guilty of any â—reasonable Intention but said it was fit he should be imprisoned for his own howsoever for the Kingdome 's Good And a few dayes after his Son's Commitment sending the President of his Councell of Castile to the Archbishop of Rossana the Popes nuncio he assured the Bishop from the King there was no other reason of that Change as the Bishop himselfe wrote to Cardinall Alexandrino in the President 's wrods then his Majesties Resolution to prefer Religion and the Safety of his Subjects before his owne bloud which compelled him in a manner to sacrifice his only Son lest he should have been more than ingratefull for the great benefits God had bestowed upon him Afterwards his Majesty inserted in his Letters to forreine Princes and to his owne Kingdomes that the Rumour spread abroad of a Plot which his Son had upon his life was idle false But this fortune proved peculiar to the two Charles'es the Grand-father Grand-childe that the one's Desire to resigne and the other 's to invest the Soveraignty very much busied the wits of Writers The Low-countrey-Lords and Commons affrighted with the King 's forrein and domesticall Severity every man as his conscience accused him shifted for himselfe few hoped for Pardon many thought of Armes and Revenge In so much as Alva himselfe hardly escaped at the Monastery of Greene-vaile to which he was going in devotion an Ambush being laid in the woods by Ressorius Nohott to surprize him by the way And when he came thither he was in danger to have been murthered in the very Monastery by Charles Ressorius his Brother who had taken the habit of a Monke pretending feare of the Duke Iohn Lignius Count Aremberg Governour of Frisland Generall at the Battaile of Hilligel The death of Count Aremberg incouraged not the mind of the Prince of Orange and the Confederates more then it exasperated the Duke of Alva and hastened his March into Friezland to prevent Lewis of Nassau from joyning forces with the Prince of Orange But the Duke fearing that in his absence some Tumult might be raised in favour of the Lords his Prisoners freed himselfe of that suspicion especially being inraged for the losse of Count Aremberg at the newes brought him that Grave Lewis had hanged many Spaniards in Revenge of his Brother Adolph's Death And though diverse of his Friends did not so well approve his Resolution but indeavoured to perswade him there was no danger of a Tumult in the Low-countryes so long as he had for his Security such Hostages as those Prisoners And that it was no more to be doubted that the Low-countrey-men would out of their affection forceably attempt any thing for the Liberty of the impeached Lords then it was to be hoped that the same affection would disswade them from stirring lest by a popular offence they might wrong those Noble-mens private cause Yet the Duke of Alva despising this Advise as one that long experience had made jealous and of his owne nature was averse to other mens counsells which he looked upon with the aspect of a retrograd Planet especially when they offered themselves on the first of Iune Nineteene noble Covenanters were condemned of High Treason by the Councell of twelve and by the Duke of Alva's Order beheaded in the Sand-market at Bruxells Eight whereof dyed religiously the other Eleven like Hereticks as they were obstinately and therefore the bodyes of those were buryed but the other all but
Belgick Provinces against the Romans l. 7. p. 70. of the Moores against the King of Spain l. 6. p. 22. of the Hugonots against the King of France l. 6. p. 26. by the Prince of Orange in the Low-countries attempted and matured l. 7. p. 70. the Rebel Cities receive from him Governours Lawes and Imposititions l. 7. p. 72. from whence the Low-Countrey men and the Prince of Orange had their occasion of Rebeling l. 2. p. 48. l. 7. p. 70. first from the Cause of Religion l. 5. p. 133 134. l. 6. p. 1. 7. 11. then from Taxes layed upon them l. 7. p. 71 73. afterwards from the Mutinous Spaniards vide Gentlemen Covenanters l. 8. p. 20. Recovery of Cities Revolted from the King l. 7. p. 77. of Mons ibid. its description ibid. of the Province of Limburg l. 10. p. 2. its delineation l. 10. p. 1. Reformed vide Religion Reformed Regiment of Naples l. 6. p. 30. of Sardinia cashiered and punished l. 7. p. 58. a magnanimous one of the Royallists l. 8. p. 11. a Squadron of Walloones l. 9. p 50. vide Army Register of the Empire l. 1. p. 2. Regâ—ard vide Simon Religion holds forth Worship to God and Peace to men l. 2. p. 33. Preserver of peace and tranquility ibid. holds the People in due obedience l. 2. p. 46. the manner of advancing it in the Low-countries l. 1. p. 18. Penal Edicts against irreligion l. 2. p. 49. l. 4. p. 96. the Cognizance of the Cause of Religion to whom it appertains l. 2. p. 33. l. 4. p. 84 85. l. 5. p. 105. against the Violaters thereof what provision was made l. 2. p. 33. 'T is injured by Luther ibid. the League for Religion approved of by the Hereticks l. 5. p. 138. Religion commended by the Emperour to the Estates of the Low-Countries l. 1. p. 4. by the King to the Covernesse and Estates l. 1. p. 27. l. 4. p. 83 90 96. a Conspiracy against l. 5. p. 141. wrong offered to it l. 1. p. 9. l. 5. p. 113 116 121. Scandalous Libels against it l. 4. p. 77. l. 5. p. 112. hatred to it l. 3. p. 56. l. 8. p. 8. the Cause of the Low-countrey War l. 1. p. 3. l. 9. p. 1. 9 30. its Restitution by the Governesse l. 4. p. 83. l. 5. p. 130. l. 6. p. 18 20. by the Duke of Alva l. 7. p. 64. a new oath formed against it l. 5. p. 107. l. 9. p. 39. liberty of Religion sought for in the Low-countries l. 5. p. 99 102 119 129. extorted l. 9. p. 41. Consultations concerning it l 1 p. 18. l. 6. p. 15. Religion Reformed secured in the Low-Countries l. 5. p. 127. Councels held in France and the Low-countries to destroy it l. 2. p. 46. the Prince of Orange makes use thereof to keep Townes against the Spaniards l. 10. p. 5. vide Gheuses the Disturbers of the Catholick Religion l. 5. p. 134. Revolters from it l. 9. p. 37. Men of doubtful Religion l. 3. p. 75. the Religious turned out of the Low-Countrey Cities l. 5. p. 132. l 9 p. 40 41. their Monasteries l. 2. p. 30. plundered l. 3. p. 64. l. 5. p. 122 127 137. Reliques of Saints preserved from fire and ruine l. 10. p. 5. more valued then Jewels l. 4. p. 94. Remedies seasonably applyed l. 8. p. 19. sometimes bettered by Contempt l. 4. p. 79. and rash in precip tated misfortunes l. 10. p. 21. the best when one Man Governes l. 8. 16 17. the Remedy of imminet Mischief l. 5. p. 112 113. Rene daughter to Lewis King of France married to Hercules Duke of Ferrara l. 1. p. 21. her daughter designed for Wife to Alexander Farneze l. 4. p. 91. Renatus son to Henry of Nassau Clande Chalon l. 2. p. 43. Rendition of Low-countrey Cities and Provinces to the Spaniards l. 6. p. 11. l. 9. p. 52. of many places to the Prince of Orange l. 7. p. 73. of Oudenaerd l. 7. p. 75. of Brill l. 7. p. 70 72. of Mons l. 7. p. 73. of Dendermund l. 7. p. 75. of Centron ibid. of many Towns to the Royallists l. 7. p. 77 78 l. 8. p. 8. of Bommen l. 8. p. 13. of Bovines l. 9. p. 53. of Cimace l. 9. p. 57. of the Abbey d' Espine l. 7. p. 74. of Dallhem l. 10. p. 3. of Harlem li7 p. 78. of Limburg l. 10. p. 1. of Nardâ—us l. 7. p. 78. of Sichem l. 9. p. 54. of Maestricht l. 8. p. 21. of Valenciens l. 6. p. 10. of St. Valerey l. 7. p. 46. of Zeriezee l. 8. p. 13. of Zuitbeverland l. 7. p. 78. of â—utphen l. 7. p. 77. of Aloost l. 8. p. 18. Rentey a Castle of Artois l. 8. p. 4. Reputation l. 5. p. 110. Republick of the Hollanders how great and from how small beginning l. 1. p. 1. l. 7. p. 73. Of the Hereticks Instituted by the Covenanters l. 5. p. 138 142. advanced by Piracy l. 7. p. 73. their Fleet most commonly victorious ibid. Requesenes vide Berlingâ—erio Lodovico his son Galceâ—anâ— and Lodovico Commendador of the Knights of St Iago Restorer of lost liberty an attribute given to the General of the Covenanters l. 5. p. 109. Revolt of Cities and Provinces from the Spaniard l. 7. p. 72 73 l. 9. p. 37. Sollicitors of the Low-Countrey mens Revolt l. 7. p 71 73. Reux rendred to Don Iohn l. 9. p. 57. Ryne a River of Holland l. 8. p. 7. Roan taken by the French l. 3. p. 61. Rich mens unhappy fortune l. 8. p. 24. Rimenant a Village l. 10. p 9. the Battle ibid. Risorius Nohoc layes a plot against the Duke of Alva l. 7. p. 46. from Iuliers passes the Moes ibid. Robert Brederod enemy to Cardinal Granvell l. 2. p. 41. stands for the Archbishoprick of Cambray ibid. Robert Melodune Viscount Gant l. 9. p. 5. Robert Stuart Commander of the Scots at the Battle of Rimenant l. 10. p. 10. Roderick Gomez a Silva Prince of Ebolo one of the Lords of the Privy Councel to the King of Spain l. 2. p. 38. of great power with his Majesty l. 3. p. 8. l. 6. p. 22. his Contest with the Duke of Alva at the Councel Table and in Courr Ibid. his opinion touching the Kings Expedition into the Low-Countries l. 6. p. 23. He advertiseth the Governesse of the Marquis of Bergen's death l. 6. p. 27. and that she must bring his Cause to a Tryal ibid. writes to her in the Kings name of the Army that was to march into the Low-countries Ibid. and acquaints her with the Cause of the Duke of Alva's coming l. 6. p. 29. attends the King at the Commitment of Prince Charles l. 7. p. 44. jeeres his Rival the Duke of Alva for erecting to himself a Statue l. 7. p. 65. Roderick de Toledo a Colonel carried out of the field wounded into the Camp l. 7. p. 80. Rodolph the second Emperour by his Embassadour obligeth himself to