bonos Quidue agat interea Miles dum cessat ab Hoste Ne se desidiae dedat Inersque siet Denique faelici postquam fera praelia dextra Egeris volitas clara per ora virûm Parcere num victis deceat vel perdere prorsus Quidque horum illustret nobilitetque prius Haec tibi MARS plene ostendit docuitque vt Alumnum PALLADIS vt fueras ante in amore pari Et quoniam in bello multum sibi vendicat Ipsa FORTVNA hanc flexit quo tibi adesse velit Annuit haec siquidem fausto tibi Numine olim Praesenti ac prompta se fore dixit ope Ergò vt caepisti pergas DVX Inclyte bellum Quod nunc prae manibus prouehere atque sequi Donec ad optatum finem perduxeris aqua Cum sit causa DEO grata amica bonis Idem Ad Eundem FOrtunae donum est generis quod Clara propago Te Illustrem efficiat nobilitetque Domum Quod verò proprijs meritis virtuteque adeptus Longe praecellit splendidiusque nitet Namque tua in bello Generosa fortia facta Fermè Orbis totus nouit ad Astra vehens Haec te perpetua decorabit gloria laude Et tibi post obitum Vita perennis erit Tu interea PYLII transcendas Nestoris Annos Et placidos habeas ac sine nube dies Vt Patriae atque Orbi praesis victricibus armis Et cum Pax fuerit Consilio atque fide In illustrissimi eiusdem D. Effigiem depictam MAgnanimi effictam quicunque conspicis arte NORICEI effigiem nobile cernis opus Sed si animum videas quem picta ostendit Imago Dices nil toto magis in Orbe micat Omne Insigne huic vni fata simul dedere DII superi vnde hominum constat tutela Hunc tegite vestris accumulate bonis Vt Victor referat multos ex Hoste triumphos Semperque aeterna gloria Illustris viuat Petrus Bizarus Belga A Table of the principall contents in this Booke THe Translatours Collection of the succeeding Gouernours in the Netherlands and the originall causes of the ciuill warres there 1565. page 1. The Originall warres there vnder the Dutchesse of Parma page 4. Captaine Churchyards seruice page 5. The ciuill warres there vnder the Duke of Alua. pag. 15. The warres there vnder Don Lewis Requisensius pag. 20. The warres there vnder Don Iohn de Austria p. 24. The warres there vnder Alexander Prince of Parma against the Arch-Duke Mathias for the States p. 30. Maister Henrie Knowles seruice p. 46.47 Sir Iohn Norice knight his first comming into the Netherlands 1577. p. 27. His proceedings there vntill 1588. p. 102. The warres there vnder Francis Duke of Aniow for the States against Alexander Prince of Parma p. 43. Captaine Edward Stranges seruice p. 45. The warres there vnder Parma against the Prince of Orange p. 54. Fiue seuerall messengers sent to murther the Prince of Orange p. 55. His death and funerall p. 59. His Title and Epitaph p. 65. The warres there vnder the Prince of Parma and the States p. 67. The warres there vnder the Prince of Parma the Erle of Leycester p. 74. Captaine Thomas Louel Captaine Charles Blunt now L. Mountioy Captaine Thomas Vauiser now Sir Thomas Vauiser p. 74. Captaine Iohn Pryses seruice p. 79. Sir Phil. Sidneyes seruice there his death funerall p. 88. The Erle of Essex his seruice at Zutphen p. 89. The Lord Willoughbie his seruices there p. 88.103.104 Sir Thomas Cicil now Lord Burley p. 84. Sir Henrie Norice p. 88.89 Sir William Russels seruice there p. 95. In Ireland p. 145. The wars there vnder the Prince of Parma against Count Maurice p. 103. The death of Parma where the Belgick historie endeth p. 111. The seruice of Sir Thomas Morgan p. 18.19.32.41.47.106 The seruice of Sir Roger Williams p. 38.42.97.98 His seruice in the Portugale voyage p. 113. The voyage to Portugale p. 112. Sir Edward Norice his seruice there 113.116 A Iournall of Sir Iohn Norices seruice in Fraunce 1591. p. 119. His memorable seruice at Brest in Britaine 1594. p. 134. A briefe discourse of his seruice in Ireland against the Arch-rebell Tyrone 1595. p. 144. Sir Thomas Baskeruil Sir Francis Vere and Colonell Huntley p. 98. Sir William Pelham p. 101. Sir Thomas Knowles p. 74.138 FINIS Tabulae THE TRANSLATORS COLLECTION OF THE succeeding Gouernours in the Netherlands and originall causes of the warres there BEfore I come to the Consequent I must begin with the Antecedent before I frame the vpper building I must fixe a foundation so before I come to the causes of the Ciuill warres in the Netherlands I must by due course of the Dutch and Latin Historie which I fellow set downe the succeeding Gouernours in those Countries by foure circumstances briefly gathered out of my Authors first booke Histor Belgic as he largely by substance deliuereth for former causes of later consequents The first circumstance is this The deriuation of the gouernment of those Countries by processe of time for many yéeres vnder foure Dukes of Burgundy and as many Archdukes of Austrich of which that Philip was the later Archduke who being sonne of Maximilian before Archduke of Austrich and Emperour of Germany and sonne in law to Ferdinando King of Spaine leauing behind him his two sonnes Charles the elder and Ferdinando the younger with foure daughters suruiuing deceased out of this mortall life in the yeere of our Lord. 1505. The second circumstance is this That the said Charles as elder brother Archduke of Austrich and King of Spaine sailing by sea thence into the Netherlands Anno 1517. taking possession of those Countries for his owne behoofe within two yéeres after that is to say Anno 1519. on the 28. of Iuly was elected at Frankford in Germanie both King of Romanes and Emperour of Germanie by the name of Charles the 5. Emperour and so continuing in magnificent and memorable honour and renowne many yeeres gouerned those Countries yet not without some seueritie as it is said Much like the Eagle which seeming naturally to affect her young ones will yet nourish them with great austeritie Although euen in his time for the Religion of the Gospell the ciuill broyles beginning in Germanie he sought by his great wisedome and grauitie to appease the same yet happily liued he after this in great honour and felicitie for he liued and saw his foresaid younger brother Ferdinando chosen Caesar at Colen Anno 1530. and on the fift of Ianuary 1531. crowned King of the Romanes who became an earnest fauourer and furtherer of the Gospell He liued also and saw the felicitie of his lawfull begotten sonne Philip both Duke of Burgundy Archduke of Austrich and King of Spaine Anno 1542. but he liued not to see the life and death of his base begotten sonne Don Iohn de Austria who died as afterwards shall appeare in this historie Anno 1578. To be short he liued yet to see his
seemed was granted him in regard that he staied there about thrée wéekes and then remooued thence to Dublin to the said Lord Deputie there resident Immediatly after the same stay there his Commission was drawne his counsell vsed and hee required to accompanie the said Lord Deputie into the field together with his owne Companie of horse and foote The place appointed for the Rendezuous of the Armie was by Dundalk a towne bordering on Vlster from whence the said Lord Deputie Sir Iohn Norice and others of the Councell with the Armie marched altogether vnto Armah where they found a ruined Church or Abbey But afterwards by the aduice of the Lord Deputie and his Councell that place was thought fit for a Garrison in regard that it bordered vpon the entrance of Hugh Onele the Erle of Tyron that Archrebels countrey and was situate within two or thrée miles of the Blackwater in the countrey of Tyrone where her Maiestie had heretofore a Fort. So this place was forth with made defencible and there were left in Garrison thrée or foure of the Companies which came out of Britaine Now after the fortifying and victualling of that Garrison and other necessaries fit for the holding of it the Deputie with Sir Iohn Norice and the rest of the Armie marched to Monohan another warde bordering vpon the said Archrebels countrey and held as then by Sir Iohn Dowdal an English Knight and his company So after order taken for the victualling of that place and other necessaries the Armie marched backe towards the Newry in the Prouince of Vlster where Sir Henrie Bagnal Knight the Marshall commaunded fiue Companies which lay there continually in garrison But the Archrebell Tyrone hearing of the Lord Deputies returne backe did purpose as it was thought to haue possessed himselfe of the pace before him that lieth betwéene the Newry and Dundalk aforesaid thereby to offend him in his passage Word being brought to the Lord Deputie hereof and he knowing that the said Archrebell purposed to passe within foure or fiue miles of the place where the Lorde Deputie encamped the next night thereupon there were Scoutes sent out word brought by them that they had descried the said Archrebels army Whereupon order was giuen that there should be certaine horse and foote made readie to attend the Lord Deputie and Sir Iohn Norice who went forwards with those men vntill they came within sight of the Archrebels whole armie being then reputed foure thousand strong of horse and foote But whether the Lord Deputie were ill guided or whether the enemie in feare to saue himselfe made more haste then the English could follow I know not but for that time they escaped But it seemed that feare serued to some good purpose for afterwards in our passage through the place we were not at all intercepted although the Enemie might haue done it with great aduantage Now after leauing some companies at the Newry and Calingford the English returned to Dundalke where after the establishing of that Garrison and others in the English pale the Lord Deputie with Sir Iohn Norice and the rest of the Councell went to Dublin Shortly after their being there it was concluded vpon that Sir Iohn Norice then Generall should draw an armie into the field The place for the companies to ioyne was appointed and other preparations for the armie as cariages Pioners victuals c. sparingly prouided Not fully so well prouided as when the Lord Deputie went himselfe and therefore not so much expected to be performed by him as by the Deputie although the numbers of men were left vnto himselfe for to name it was giuen out that the Generall should goe to victuall Armah whatsoeuer was besides pretended and indéede that charge was faithfully performed by him and as much for the Queenes honour as any thing that hath béen done since the Archrebell Tyrone first entred into his rebellion For after that by a tedious trauell with the whole army to and fro about foure or fiue times from the Newry to Armah which the Generall was faine to doe in regard he was but sparingly furnished of Cariages besides his armie which were but thirtéene hundred strong thereby much weakened at this time did the said Tyrone take all the aduantage he could And at the Generals last returne from Armah the Enemie sent thrée hundred of his best shot to lodge in a place where our English armie should passe thorough to méete the Generall and intercept him in his passage But it fell out that our men in their march had possessed themselues of that pace before the Enemie which the Generall perceiuing and withall knowing himselfe followed in the arriere of our armie both with horse and foote of the enemies made a halt in the place where he perceiued them to follow and so staied vntill two hundred of the archrebels horse came vp to charge him But they finding him as readie to ioyne as they retired backe to the archrebell who was readie with other horse to haue seconded them if they had attempted any thing to any purpose Hereupon Tyrone sent down of his foote 200. Scots and 300. shot to haue galled the Generals troupe of horse but he although vnarmed made good that place where he first made a stand which was with the losse of some of his best horse vntill he had sent for thrée or foure wings of shot from the Colours himselfe in this stand which was in effect against Tyrones whole army was shot in the arme and in the bellie his horse vnder him shot in thrée or foure places His brother Sir Thomas Norice shot thorow the thigh Sir Richard Wingfield Commander of the Generals horse had his arme broken with a shot no other man hurt of any name only of horse and foote about eightéene slaine besides some twentie or thirtie hurt This stand so honourably made by him was to good purpose otherwise it could not be but that our whole armie had been ouerthrowne but how Tyrone vpon the slaughter of two hundred of his Scots besides some of his best shot was followed he liueth to make report of it if he list but I am sure so botly that in foure daies he could not heare of twentie of his men together in a companie they had so dispersed themselues in the pursuite After this seruice done by the Generall within short time he came to Dublin where after a moneth of sixe wéekes stay there he went downe to his gouernment of Munster Tyrone oftentimes after this conflict did send a fained shew of submission vnto the Lord Deputie namely whiles that the Generall was in Munster and thereupon he was hearkened vnto and Commissioners were sent from the Lord Deputie to talke with him vpon some Articles besides Sir Henry Warren Knight was employed in that seruice and had free accesse to Tyrone The cause why Sir Iohn Norice the Generall retired himselfe from those publike affaires after his good seruice done is knowne to many and euery priuate man could speake of the crossings betweene the Deputie and him whosoeuer was faultie But the state whiles
would forsake his trecherous course and become a faithfull obedient subiect He answered with great protestations that he was sorie for his offence and that there was no Prince in the world whom he did or would more honour and reuerence then her Maiestie neuer naming her Highnes but with his hat off all which shewes of obedience in him made many beléeue that he meant to become otherwise then since he hath proued himselfe But those that haue liued long in that countrey amongst them know by experience that they are a people full of malecontentment inconstancie rebellion and treason desiring no other gouernment but their owne rude barbarous and disordered kinde of life and manners most horrible and odious to all that feare God obey their Prince and loue their Countrey It was euer doubted by Sir Iohn Norice and to be beleeued of euery one that know the Rebell Tyrone that he neuer meant to be faithfull in his word wherefore his trecherous delaies could not be imputed to any remisse course held by Sir Iohn Norice towards Tyrone But there is no question had Sir Iohn Norice liued he would haue made it appeared vnto the world as he hath done heretofore that the zeale he did beare to doe her Maiestie and his Countrey seruice was such as that priuate malice in crossing him shuld neuer haue had power either to make him faile in the least point of his alleageance or to burie any of his honourable intended enterprises I haue heard him say my self and so haue others which now liue in Ireland that if he could but hope that the Rebel Tyrone would vnfainedly accept of her Maiesties grace and mercie towards him and that he the said Sir Iohn Norice might haue béen the instrument to haue perswaded him to become a faithfull subiect he would not haue cared what labour or paines he endured to be assured thereof It was thought that the prosecuting of Feugh Mac Hugh was contrary to the Articles agreed vpon betweene the Commissioners and the Rebell Tyrone and it should appeare that he disliked thereof For after his pardon was sent him by Sir Edward Moore and he in all things to the shew of the world readie to haue accepted thereof on the sudden his pardon was brought backe and he returned excéedingly discontented After the time of this last treatie with Tyrone which was in the latter end of Ianuary aforesaid he remained vpon the borders of the North still expecting direction how to procéed in those Northerne affaires which continued from the moneth of Ianuary aforesaid 1596. vntill the moneth of May in the yéere 1597. following for the space of foure moneths At which time he the said Generall Norice receiued aduertisement out of England that the Lord Borowes should come ouer Deputie into Ireland So vntil his comming the Generall kept himselfe vpon the borders of the North. It was thought at the Lord Borowes comming ouer the old grudge would be renewed but I think that matter was carried into England before the Lord Borowes departed thence For that after their méeting contrarie to the expectation of many Sir Iohn Norice caried himselfe very discréetly and respectiuely towards him besides that he made knowne vnto him the state of the countrey at that present together with his best counsell and aduice for the reforming of the desperate estate that then the kingdome was left in In so much as it was thought before Sir Iohn Norice his going into his gouernment of Munster that they were both good friends But now vpon the Lord Borowes his receiuing of the Sword Sir Iohn Norice was absolutely sequestred from all commaund except that of the Prouince and so sent downe into Munster with an opinion to get leaue to passe into England But that fell out contrary to his expectation So he hast ouer three moneths with a shew of his health although inwardly he felt his owne griefe And thus the cause of his conceiued griefe was the hastening of his death and so iudged of by most men which knew the same The manner of his death was answerable to his honourable life and knowne to some of his seruants and followers who now with great griefe must rew it He died the third day of September 1597. at his Brother Sir Thomas Norices house in the towne of Mayallo in the Prouince of Munster within the kingdome of Ireland at the 50. yéere of his age hauing spent 26. of them being the most flourishing time of his life in her Maiesties seruice against her enemies in the Netherlands Spayne Portugall France Britaine and Ireland as particularly before and here finally is mentioned The Honourable Lord Henry Norice Baron of Rycot father of the said Lord Generall had fiue sons moe all Martiall men vz. Master William his eldest sonne seruing in Ireland and there deceased Sir Edward his third sonne seruing lastly at Ostend now liuing Sir Henry Norice his fourth sonne and Sir Thomas his fift sonne both seruing lastly in Ireland hurt and died there but buried in England and Master Maximilian his sixt and youngest sonne died in France The honorable Ladie Margerie Mother to all these died at London 1599. The said honourable Lord Henry their father died at Rycot Anno 1601. Thus being intreated to set downe what I knew that passed vpon Sir Iohn Norices side at his latter daies in Ireland I haue although not iournally yet of my certaine knowledge truly and duly described all the notable occurrents that passed from his last comming out of Britaine to the time of his death in Ireland as before is said All this seruice in Ireland was set down by Daniel Gyles sometime Page and after lately seruant to the said Generall Norice at his death as aforesaid FINIS 1547. 1. Edw. 6. Exordium de quatuor circumstantijs The first circumstance Historia Belgica lib. 1. The second circumstance Historia Belgica lib. 1. The third circumstance Historia Belgica lib. 1. The fourth circumstance Historia Belgica lib. 1. Historia Belgica lib. 2. Anno 1566. The States finding thēselues greatly iniuried and grieued by y e Spanish Inquisitiō do exhibit vnto the Regent a iust protestation of their cause The keyes and custodie of Antwerpe in Churchyards hands at this vprore witnes Master Ioseph and his brother Master Richard Candeler Churchyard Captaine of 30. thousand in this time at Antwerpe The Prince of Orange and Counte Nassaw departeth out of the troubled Low Countries in happie time Churchyard then fled to England in a Priests apparell and came to y e Queene The Protestants chuse Churchyard their Captaine The Duke of Alua sent as Gouernour ouer the Low Countries vnder King Philip Lib. 3. He made a general restraint of Englishmēs ships goods Historia Belgica lib. 4. Anno 1569. Certain Christian Princes assist y e Prince of Orange to fortifie the Low Countries Historia Belgica lib. 3. King Philip imprisoneth his owne son The Duchesse of Parma departeth into Italy
The King of Spaine proscribeth the Prince of Orange and two other estates Tergoas besieged Frederick the sonne of Ferdinando besiegeth Zutphen Harlem fortified by the Prince of Orange Captaine Barnabey Rich his notes The same besieged by Fredericke the Duke of Alua his sonne Anno 1573. The Duke of Alua departeth out of the Low Countries Don Lewis de Requisensius a Spaniard succeeded in that gouernment Anno 1574. Midleborow yeelded to the Prince of Orange Historia Belgica lib. 5. Leydon besieged by Spanish forces Lacke of looking to necessitie in time loseth all in fine Anno 1575. The Spanish kings Armado sent into the Low Countries cast away by tempest Ziricksea besieged Anno 1576. Historia Belgica lib. 6. Historia Belgica lib. 6. The offer made by the Prince and States vnto Don Iohn of Austrich The pretended contract of Don Iohn with y e Prince of Orange proueth in fine fraud in frendship Historia Belgica lib. 6. Don Iohn made Gouernour Generall for the Spanish King Anno 1577. Historia Belgica lib. 7. The double dealing of Don Iohn discouered and defeated The States write to the Spanish King of Don Iohns indirect dealing The Archduke Matthias sent for by the States Sir Iohn Norice his first comming into the Netherlands Captain Cripses note Enuie and slander euermore enemies to good enterprises Iohn Stow pages 1167.1168.1169 Historia Belgica lib. 7. Alexander Duke of Parma brought into the Low Countries by Don Iohn The States forces then at Gembleu ouerthrowne by Don Iohn Duke Iohn Casimire commeth into England Captaine Whitstocks note The battell on Lammas day betweene Louaine and the Leger Anno 1578. Historia Belgica lib. 8. A fierce fight for 7. houres Captain Cripses note Generall Norice hath the honour of the field Three Binghams brethreÌ„ Historia Belgica lib. 8. Sir Richard Bingham deceased in Anno 1598. Fiue hundred Spaniards slaine Historia Belgica lib. 9. The death of Don Iohn His birth and properties described Historia Belgica lib. 9. Anno 1580. Historia Belgica lib. 10. Historia Belgica lib. 10. The Garrison in Stenwick The Gouernours of Stenwick send to the States for supplie The first supplie sent surprised and set vpon Historia Belgica lib. 10. The second supplie sent also surprised by the enemie The States better aduising theÌ„selues send now thither Colonell Norice Historia Belgica lib. 10. The now Generall Norices victorie ouer the Renenbergers besieging Stenwick This affirmed by Captaine Strange The enemies bragging chalenge Historia Belgica lib. 10 The fight in S. Iohns Camp betweene Generall Norice and Countie Renenberg This affirmed by Captaine Strange Exod. 16.13 Historia Belgica lib. 10. Generall Norice relieueth Stenwick besieged with victuals the 20. day of Februarie 1580. Captaine Whitstocks note confirmed by Captaine Cripse The Lord Nienort his victorie ouer the Renenbergers the 9. day of Iuly 1580. Renenbergs death Historia Belgica lib. 11. Generall Norice marcheth to meete Verdugo Historia Belgica lib. 10. The battaile at Northorne The Archduke departeth the Netherlands the Prince of Orange succeedeth Historia Belgica lib. 11. Francis Duke of Aniow coÌ„meth into England Captaine Churchyard was with the Duke all that while The preparation of the Prince of Parma and Duke of Aniowes forces for the fight Lib. 11. Captaine Edward Stranges relation of the seruice at Gaunt The enemies forces discouered at hand Generall Norice and Sir W. Knowles foure english miles from Gaunt assailed by English Rebels Coronell Cotton and Coronell North. Generall Norice honoured by the French forces The offer of the French Nobles to the English Generall Norice Historia Belgica lib. 11. The Prince of Orange and Duke of Aniow behold the fight The Duke of Aniowes metamorphosed minde and manners The Citie of Antwerpe all on a tumult by the Dukes displeasure Historia Belgica lib. 11. Generall Norice sent to meete the Duke Historia Belgica lib. 11. Historia Belgica lib. 11. Comming into France he falleth sicke Practise of Queene Mother They prouide for their safetie His description and properties Historia Belgica lib. 11. His funerall Numb 22.5 Exod. 7.3.31 Prou. 28.15 The first messenger sent to murther the Prince of Orange 1582. The second 1583. one Peter Dordoigne Lib. 11. The third 1584 one Iohn Ianson Lib. 11. The fourth 1584. a French man Lib. 11. Historia Belgica lib. 12. The fift and last messenger which murthered the Prince of Orange Anno 15â—5 2. Cor. 11.14 Matth. 10.16 Lib. 12. The Caitiues deceitfull doings Virgil. Ecloga secunda The villanous murthering of the Prince of Orange Lib. 13 The execution of the villanous murtherer The funerall and solemne order of the Princes buriall The time of his life and description of his personage Lib. 12. His Stile His Matrimoniall estate His Issue His Progeniâ— His Brethren His Sisters Historia Belgica lib. 12. * Qui falsis subscriptionibus insinuatus Aulae * Quae promulgata A.C. M. D.XXC proposito percussori praemio 25000. coron * Andegauensis qui obierat eodem die mensis praecedentis Reuel 12. Lib. 13. Reu. 15.14.16 Historia Belgisa lib. 13. The articles contained the yeelding of certaine townes as pledges to the Queenes Maiestie Sir Philip Sydney sent ouer and made Lord Gouernour of Flusshing Lib. 13. His honourable actions in the Lowe countries this yeere 1585. Histor. Anglica Anno. 1585. The Prince of Parma marcheth to meet Generall Norice The battell bidden by the Prince but the Generall had the victorie Generall Notice made gouernour of Briel Captaine Thomas Louels note Historia Belgica lib. 13. Historia Belgica lib. 23. The Queenes Maiesties letters vnto the States of the Netherlands Historia Belgica lib. 10. Note here her Maiesties meaning and commandement The answere of the States to her Maiesties letters The word Absolute interpreted Exemplum Romanorum The Erle Generall receiueth contributions c. The Generall maketh orders for Militarie Discipline Captaine Iohn Pryse his relation of the seruice performed at the Citie of Graue Anno 1586. Generall Norice taketh counsell with Count Hollocke how to relieue Graue The Generall appoynteth Captatne Pryse to his charge Captaine Iohn Pryses good seruice against the enemies A view of the losse of men on both parts Historia Belgica lib. 13. Historia Belgica lib. 13. The Erle Generall marcheth to meet the Prince of Parma Historia Belgica lib. 13. The English forces suddenly assaile their enemies The enemies well beaten and scattered The English forces approching towards Zutphen Sir Philip Sydney mortally wounded Historia Belgica lib. 13. Anno 1586. Parma falleth sicke The Erle Generall assaileth the little wing neere Zutphen Master Edward Stanley Knighted The Erle taketh certaine Castles The Erle incurreth the States displeasure Lib. 13. 1586. Historia Belgica lib. 14. Sir William Russel Anno 1587. Lib. 14. Parmaes preparation to march towards Sluce Sir William Russel made Generall of Flushing Sir William Russels care for prouision Sir Roger Williams Lib. 14. Historia Belgica lib. 14. The Erle Generall returnes into the Netherlands The resistance of the Slucians The losse on both partes The Erle Generall prepareth forces to relieue Sluce The Erle assaulteth the fort of Blanckberg The yeelding vp of the Sluce The Erles last returne into England The death of the Erle Generall The Lord Willoughby his birth His seruices from time to to time His seruice in the absence of the Earle Generall His seruice at Zutphen He taketh an Albanoys Captiue He challengeth the Marques of Guasto Historia Belgica lib. 15. Parma marcheth toward Berghen opt Zome Colonel Drury Colonel Morgan Historia Belgica lib. 15. Outragious spoylers The Prince of Parma layeth siege to Berghen A pretie practise of two Englishmen to beguile Parma The politike deuise of Redhead and Grimston The enemies â—ntrapped slaine and drowned Historia Belgica lib. 15. Parma raiseth his siege and departeth from Berghen Count Maurice inaugurate the Marques of Der Vere Historia Belgica lib. 15. A sedition amongst the chiefest of the Spaniards Historia Belgica lib. 15. The Prince of Parma falleth into many griefes The Prince of Parma his death Aprill 11 28. 29. 30. 1591. May. 3. 12. 13. May. 14. 15. 19. May. 23. 24. May. 26 Iune 1. 10. 11. Iune 12. 13. 24 Iune 29. Iulie 2. Iuly 9. Iuly 26 30 August 1 August 3. 5. 7. 8. 21. 24. The 26. of August 27. 31. The second of September 3. 11. 24 28. The seauenth of October 15 The second of December 19 28. 29. Ianuary 8. 9. 10. 11. 28. Februarie 1. 18 21. March 1. October 2.3.4 5. 6. Sir Anthonie Wingfield slaine with a Cannon 7.8.9.10.11 24 Nouember 7. 1. March 1595. Generall Norice departeth for Ireland May. 5. He landeth at Waterford Iulie Sir William Russel Lord Deputie The Lord Deputie comming forwards Tyrone returned backe 1595. August September October Nouember Munster in good quiet 1596. Aprill Messengers appointed betweene the Commissioners and Tyrone May. 1596. Nouember Ianuarie Tyrones answere Sir Iohn Norices doubt of Tyrone 1597. Aprill 1597. May. Generall Norice conceiueth a griefe The good Generall Norice deceased in Ireland 1597. at his brothers house at Mayallo
same in time do not so spéedely prouide for the premisses and still he earnestly calleth vpon thē to looke well to the present necessitie in time so for their safetie and defense he doth the part of a good carefull Captaine that in the meane time they resisted and repelled the enemies forces for thrée moneths And he telleth them they should lack no helpe that he could performe or procure any way notwithstanding they of the citie being to too negligent and slow in following his aduice in time shortly after for want of better prouision in due time fiue Ensignes of those English souldiers were constrained to step aside to the enemie contrarie to their promise to the States This towne was rescued by cutting certaine bankes and letting in the sea which drowned many of the enemies troupes In the beginning of the next yéere 1575. the King of Spaine hauing victualles manned and rigged a Nauie of souldiers purposely sent to inuade the Netherlands a great part of the same Nauie ariued by contrary winde and weather vpon the coasts of England all for the most part of these ships were such as they call Assabres Pinasses so small as that they might passe thorow the narrow and deepe riuers of those countries who when they chanced vpon the coast of the I le of Wight in England such a friend was the Quéens Maiestie vnto them that by the helpe of certaine her Highnes and subiects ships they were wafted ouer to Dunkerke where after they had landed their souldiers and conueied their treasure which they brought to the Commaunder staying vpon those coasts the latter part of that winter these ships with those that were left in them by huge and terrible tempests there arising were one frushed with the other quite sunke and cast away a thing surely reputed for Gods wonderfull worke This yeere also the States of Holland and Zeland by the chiefe perswasion of the Prince of Orange after much and graue consultation with no lesse aduice and deliberation determined condescended and agreed to make suite vnto some forreine Prince to protect and defend them from the horrible furies and outragious tyrannies of the Spanish gouernment In that yeere 1575. was Ziricksea also besieged by the enemies forces which continued for nine moneths space where when the Prince of Orange had resisted the enemie what he could with men munition and money to his power it was afterwards sore against this good Princes will yeelded vp vnto the Spanish King and his forces in the next yeere following 1576. The same next yeere following 1576. what time the said Commaunder Generall with his Spaniards and others bent their forces to inuade Antwerpe there then the Marques of Hauery being General and Champigny another valiant Captaine for the States ioyned their forces to the full resisting of that inuasion and valiantly withstood the enemie But then the Earle Obersteyn making haste from the Offerlings house in Antwerpe being pursued by the Spaniards thinking by flight to escape that daunger rushed into a Flemmish ship in the riuer where by the way through the heauines of his armour borne downe he fell from that ships side and was drowned At that inuasion also were missing pursued by the Spaniards certaine others of the chiefest personages of authoritie and valour in Antwerpe There then also the young Count Egmont was taken prisoner in the Abbey of S. Michael and with him Capreyse and Gogneyse two Noble men and so caried captiues away Then the Spaniards thus inuading the noble citie of Antwerpe entring it with fire and sword most furiously sacked ransacked and spoyled the same citie in horrible manner so that they were Lords and conquerours of the same by the fourth day of Nouember in the yeere aforesaid 1576. where I note by the way that on the selfe same day when the noble citie of Antwerpe most tyrannously and most lamentably was thus taken burnt and spoyled by the Spaniards euen then the same day Don Iohn de Austria the bastard sonne of Charles the 5. Emperour before remembred and new sent Commander Generall for the King of Spaine came into the Netherlands to gouerne the same As for the late Commander Don Lewis Requisensius when he had so serued his Prince King Philip as Generall of the Netherlands foure yéeres he deceased at Bruxels vpon whose death by the author were written these verses following IN MORTEM LVDOVICI REquisens Regis Hispan Commendatoris magni praedicti in Belgia 1576. Carmen I Lle Requisensus Regi percharus ipsi Vrbis Quirini flaminis Nunc chlamydem quandoque togam quandoque cucullum Triplex Chymera gestitans Belgarum genti Rector datus ante faeraci Praefectus Insubriae Mitis Horrenaus turgens abdomine Praedo Prouinciarum subdolus Emunctor populi Procerum Calcator Asylum Rasis Piorum Carnifex Numen Iberorum Batauorum terror Iniquus Belli atque Pacis Arbiter Ad generum Caereris subito se contulit illuc Citatus à Vitellio O stupidos Belgas passi qui talia Monstra Adhuc supini stertitis FINIS The ciuill Warres there vnder Don Iohn de Austria IN Ianuary following the next yeere 1577. after he was there setled a certaine space the Prince of Orange and diuers of the chiefest of the States by a certaine humble endeuour to doe all things for the best doe offer him in friendly manner for his present intertainment vse and benefit the possession of Louaine and Machlin to the intent to haue some treatie of pacification confirmed by him The said Prince and States at his request first demaunding the same on their parts giuing for hostages the before named Marques of Haury the Burgraue of Gaunt and the Abbot of S. Gertrude He accepteth their proffer made receiueth the hostages and bearing them in hand if he might be beleeued he would remaine either at Machlin or at Louaine where he would further procéede in treatie according to their former request to him so made In so much as the same being on the 5. of Ianuary 1577. condescended confirmed published by the aforesaid Prince of Orange and the States at Bruxels Don Iohn then as it seemed being moued by many reasons to make vnitie with the States promised them first to send away and quite dismisse the Spanish Kings forces out of those Countries and after that maketh them many faire promises on his part to be performed to the number of 19. Articles which were on the other partie likewise by and for himselfe and his Councell on the 17. of February 1577. condescended confirmed exhibited and published But howsoeuer this appeared in outward shew as the Poet saith it fell out Exitus acta probat caret successibus opto For the Prince of Orange and the States looking into his water more iudicially and prudently preuenting the worst sought by al meanes to prouide in time for their owne securitie and safetie and like prospecting Patriotae for the protection of themselues
and their countrie fortified themselues and the same euery where Notwithstanding on the 7. Ides of Aprill Anno Dom. 1577. King Philip confirmeth this as a perpetuall decree Hereupon the Prince and the States doe call vpon the new Gouernour Don Iohn the Bastard of Austrich for money and hauing receiued some certaine pay doe satisfie in part the souldiers there so long soiourning So the Spanish Italians and Burgundian souldiers as well footmen as horsemen on the 11. of May doe forsake and depart from Vtrich and from all the Castles and Fortresses thereabouts About the same time the before named Countie Egmont captiue with the other two Noblemen taken by the Spaniards the last yéere and besides these Valdesius with fiue or sixe others taken by the States were all dismissed and sent home and at length all other strangers also vnto whom their promised pay being now made Countie Maunsfeld Gouernour of Luxenberg performeth safe-conduct departing out of Luxenberg into Italy very rich and passing ioyfull To conclude Don Iohn who before the departure of the Spaniards out of the Netherlands could not be made gouernour of the same now in the meane time prepareth himselfe to take vpon him that gouernmēt at Louaine where when very many Noblemen came to congratulate his thither comming on the Calends of May this said yéere 1577 he with a great number of Noblemen of his traine in great solemnitie honour and triumph went to Bruxels where on the 4. of May he was enstalled Gouernour General for the Spanish King ouer all those Netherlands The people verely perswading themselues that henceforth now perfect stabilitie of peace would possesse their expectations But within a while after he seeing the gouernment of the Countrie in his absolute power and possession began forthwith to execute that authoritie which in secret manner he had from the King enioyned him And hereupon priuily conferreth out of hand with the Germane souldiers as yet staying in the Netherlands to this end especially that he may haue certaine chiefe Cities there by some suttle sleight or cunning deuice rendred into his hands But his Letters mentioning those secret deuices were intercepted as God would haue them in France and so his fraude or guile being now discouered he aforehand taketh the citie of Namur But when he attempted the like thing against Antwerpe his enterprise had no successe for the Castle being fortified and defended by Boursius in the behalfe of the States this meanes policie and power sufficiently preuailed against the enemies enterprise Againe also Bergen opt Zome Breda and Shertogenbusch this Don Iohns forces were discomfited by Champigny in the States behalfe valiantly encountring and ouermatching the enemie at all assates Hereupon the Prince of Orange and the States doe write vnto the Spanish King accusing the said Don Iohn of his indirect dealing contrarie to the confidence they reposed in him They also certified his Maiestie that this Don Iohn faining peace and the procuring thereof amongst them would not sticke to depart the countrie if he were sure to bring it to passe thereby that the Catholike Religion as he termeth it and the kings authoritie might so rest in safetie And yet in the meane time after all this protestation this Don Iohn sendeth for the Spanish and other dismissed souldiers to come backe againe To crosse him therefore another way preuenting his purpose the States doe cast downe the Castle of Antwerpe mistrusting he would forth with be their euill neighbour there first of all and incontinently they prepare them to warre against Don Iohn Therefore they send speedely for the Prince of Orange not farre off as then whom they condiscend to make the chiefe Gouernour of Antwerpe Hereupon groweth a ielousie whereby many of the Noblemen being mooued in some manner contrarily doe send for the Archduke Matthias brother to the then now still Emperour Rodolphus 2. and sonne of Maximilian before Emperour hoping vnder his authoritie to haue particular iurisdiction in the seuerall Prouinces there which thing when they of Gaunt did heare of they take the Duke of Ascot with others of that faction and commit them to safe kéeping Here it is especially to be remembred that on the 17. day of Iuly that yéere 1577. came first to the Prince of Orange a worthie and forward souldier Master Iohn Norice second sonne to the Lord Henry Norice Baron of Rycot in Oxfordshire a Gentleman of great courage and dexteritie who as Captaine Peter Cripse a follower of him in this his first seruice and in all others afterwards for a long time saith landed first at Dunkirke with thrée hundred Englishmen where he arming thē marched toward Antwerpe with them where the said Prince of Orange remained and so from thence to Brokam where he made pay to all his souldiers the last day of that moneth of Iuly 1577. aforesaid Duke Matthias being come into those countries and at the first thus forsaken of them whom he should haue had his assistance by the perswasion yet of the Prince of Orange is by the States chosen and ordained their chiefe Gouernour for the King and Don Iohn is publikely proclaimed an enemie to all the Low Countries Datum Bruxellae 7. Decemb. 1577. The States in this yéere send their Ambassadours vnto diuers Monarchs and Princes of diuers kingdoms and countries to excuse themselues and accuse Don Iohn of the misgouernment of the Netherlands In France they were offered by the King his brother and Quéene Mother both fauour and furtherance for their defence And here it is to be remembred that whereas by reason of the same request of the States made vnto the Quéenes Maiestie of England certaine euill disposed persons flattering the King of Spaine bore him in hand that the Quéenes Maiestie did ambitiously seeke to vsurpe the gouernment of those Low Countries contrarie to his good pleasure Her Maiestie therefore being giuen to vnderstand of those slanderous and false bruites giuen out against her to purge her selfe of such sinister dealing and of that false and vndeserued surmise suggested to the said King and dispersed abroad to blemish her Highnes credit and estimation with other Christian Princes to the intent she would rather be knowne to God and the whole world To eschue euill and doe good to seeke peace and insue it Psal 34.13 and not to be an intruder into those troubles as it was falsely surmised to nourish the ciuill warres in those Countries laboureth by princely and friendly meanes of perswasion to the Spanish King for carefull conseruation and preseruation of the same and likewise in Christian and friendly manner exhorteth the Prince of Orange and States of those Countries to submit themselues to their soueraigne Lord and King in all humilitie and obedience and so ceasing from ciuill discord if that they would reiect their weapons and practise to appease those troubles with patience no doubt of it God would worke in the Kings heart to forget and
forgiue all that was past to remedie all euils present and prouide for the best to come These friendly motions made by her Maiestie for both the King and his subiects written in Latin and in English seuerall copies were sent from her Maiestie to the King of Spaine by a wise and learned Gentleman named Master Thomas Wilks on the 20. day of December Anno 1577. In the beginning of the yéere following 1578. the said Don Iohn brought in a new Alexander Farnesius the sonne of Lady Margaret before named Duchesse of Parma and Regent of the Low Countries now by the name and title of Prince of Parma as another enioyned Generall for the Spanish King with his Spanish and Italish souldiers come into those countries In whom Don Iohn hauing great confidence proclaimeth open warres against the Prince the States and those Countries The Pope Gregorie alias ante Hugo the 13. of that name on the other side sendeth his Crosse and denounceth his curse against the Prince of Orange all the States and their partakers in those warres Hereupon Don Iohn taking great encouragement vnto himselfe and those whom he had in charge vnder him set vpon the armie of the States at the towne of Gembleu in the County Namure and there discomfited them with great spoyle and ouerthrow of them on the 30. day of Ianuary 1578. And so still prosecuting his purpose in hope of further victorie he subdueth afterwards Louaine Phillipville Limburge and certaine other townes which he together with the Duke of Parma his forces had accomplished before Iuly following In that Ianuary vz. on the 22. day about 7. of the clocke at night Duke Iohn Casimire Countie Palatine of Rhene and Duke of Bauaria landing at the Tower-wharfe in London was there by diuers Noblemen and others of England honourably receiued and conueied to Sir Thomas Greshams house the Queenes Agent in Bishops gate streete in London where he was feasted and lodged till Sunday next that hee was honourablie brought to her Maiesties Court royall at Whitehall and after lodged at Sommerset-house on the 8. of February following he was made Knight of the Garter and on the 14. of February hee departed homewards with great rewards giuen by the Quéenes Maiestie the Nobilitie and men of honour This noble Duke being a valiant Martiallist became afterwards a stipendarie warriour of great valour and accompt and did much good seruice against the Spaniards for the Prince of Orange and the States of the Low Countries The Warres in the Netherlands vnder the Prince of Parma for the King and the Archduke Matthias for the States VPon the first day of August amongst vs English commonly called Lammas day in the yéere of Christ our Sauiour 1578. which day the Spaniards doe highly honour especially Don Iohn who as this day ouercame the Turks in a battell by sea they endeuoured by all meanes to enterprise some great exploite so as they sent out of Louaine two scoutes or espials in very base apparell to prie about and descrie the Prince of Orange his Tents at that time remaining in the Leger which two souldiers should indéed vse al their endeuour to burne vp the houses neere vnto those Tents and whilest they should so set the inhabitants on worke to quench the fire al the whole Spanish host which consisted of foure thousand horsemen and seuen thousand footemen vnder conduct of Mondragon a Spanish Captaine although Don Iohn the Bastard of Austrich and Alexander Fernesius Duke of Parma were both in person there also should suddenly and at vnwares surprise and suppresse the Prince of Orange his armie But as it was Gods good pleasure and fauour to the contrarie those same two Spies were taken and the enemies were disappointed of their purpose being valiantly encountred by the English Scottish Frenchmen from nine of the clocke in the morning vntill foure of the clocke in the afternoone of the same day and that with a hot and fierce fight fortune so fauouring the States and their forces that they put their enemies to flight and pursued them to the vtmost the space of thrée miles and more The first of the English Captaines which set vpon the enemies was that valiant Lieutenant William Marckham a Nottinghamshire man sterne of countenance strong of hands and couragious of heart like a Lion casting downe ouerthrowing and ouermatching whomsoeuer he met with In whose commendations the States themselues sent diuers Letters into England But in truth the greatest glorie of this fight fell to the then couragious Colonel Norice who comming that Lammas day from Brokam aforesaid very early in the morning to Remingham Leger where the States armie were in fight with Don Iohn of Austrich the Graue van Busshy being Generall of the States armie he the said Colonell Norice ioyning with eleuen companies of Englishmen more vz. of Colonel Candish Colonel Morgan and Colonel Cotton who spent fifteene seuerall barrels of powder vpon the enemies at that time before they entred the Campe of the States euen there the said Colonell Norice hauing three seuerall horses one after another slaine vnder him with greatest valour pursued and subdued his enemies being only weaponed with single sword and his pistols which he vsed euen so surely as who had seene how couragiously he laid about him on euery side might well haue said he had seene a new Hector another Alexander or rather a second Caesar foyling his enemies euery where There were also present at this conflict three English valiant Gentlemen by name Bingams all brethren valiantly behauing themselues vntill two of them vz. Roger and Thomas were pursued by the enemie vnto the very death but the third which was Richard Bingham as it pleased God so to fauour him safely then escaping the enemies danger suruiued a man of good valour for his seruice afterwards in Ireland was knighted and there preferred to the gouernment of Connaugh of whose prowesse and fame they that wil may reade more amply both in Iohn Stowes Chronicle and in the Historie of the warres in Ireland In this fight for seuen houres space were slaine of the enemies fiue hundred besides a number drowned and of our Englishmen and of the Scots were slaine to the number of one hundred at the most yet it was thought the Camp of the States would haue been vtterly ouerthrowne that day if the English forces had not come in as they did Towards the latter end of the yeere 1578. after all these troubles and broyles Don Iohn de Austria hauing thus made his last mounting vpon the stage summoned by Death to sound a Catastrophen sickened in his Tent at Namours about the Calends of October and died as some thinke of the plague others rather beleeuing haue giuen it out that hée being sore grieued with a certaine odious disease what for sorow in minde conceiued at y e hatred of the countrie vpō bruiting of his
base birth what for stomacking and furiously fretting at his euill successe in gouernment tooke such extreame thought that it shortened his life so much the sooner This Don Iohn as my Author saith was a lustie young man of thirtie yéeres of age of meane stature hastle rash and proud yet at length manifesting his malicious minde and furious fierce outrage in vndeserued troubles which he brought vpon the inhabitants of those Low Countries because he saw he was despised of them for his base and vnlawfull birth For indeed the high and low Germanes doe most of all others despise and disdaine bastards and the rather for that his mother which bare him was a Germane at that time dwelling in the Low Countries whose report being not so good the Emperour Charles the 5. father bruited of this Don Iohn caused her to be the sooner conueyed thence into Spaine that she might there leade a new life and appointed her a Nurse there to attend vpon her and the childe where notwithstanding perhaps the mother afterwards growing malecontent would rather name another man to be Don Iohns father then that he was begotten by the said Emperour In the yéere following 1579. the said Colonell Norice with other English Captaines and their forces had many small skirmishes with the enemie in Brabant and Holland but neither part attempted any notable exploite for game or losse of that which they had hitherto gotten but watching their oportunitie from time to time passed forth this yéere without any memorable thing done In the winter of this yéere the before named Duke Iohn Cassimire for a certaine time before retained by the States as a worthie warriour came with his forces to Teene and Areschot and lay there in campe all that winter and now and then skirmished with the said Prince of Parmaes other forces But the Prince being too strong for him driue him to the worse so that with very little or no great glorie the Duke departed againe into high Germanie and left his owne souldiers in the Netherlands some vnder one Captaine some vnder another but in the end they followed their first Captaine with better contentment to goe then to stay any longer Anno Dom. 1580. when the Lord George Lelain Erle of Renenbergh so commōly called in times past a faithfull consort of the States and a valiant Leader but afterwards his fates so framing or rather frowning being taken prisoner by this Alexander Prince of Parma became a Reuolt or Apostata he thenceforth made Lieutenant generall vnder the same Duke of Parma when I say he should take his iourney on the 18. day of October this yéere 1580. towards the citie of Steenwick to besiege it then being vnder the States comming with his forces against the same he found the Citie of very little abilitie or strength to resist him and very slenderly manned with one small companie in garrison yet as he thought if he might winne this he perswaded himselfe it would be for his speciall aduantage seruing to strengthen Drent and so in his passage to Frizland fit him for the defence of Vallenhoue Therefore this Countie Renenbergh laid siege to Steenwick bringing to the field 28. Ensignes or companies of souldiers euery one hauing two hundred footemen seuered in this manner that is foureteene bands of Frizlanders nine bands of new Gelders and fiue bands of his owne prouince of Renenbergh all which 28. Ensignes or bands contained sixe thousand footmen and moe and he had moreouer of horsemen twelue hundred speciall chosen Lansiers There was for the States within this citie a man of good valour named Olthoff as chiefe gouernour hauing but one Ensigne or band of men lying there in the garrison There was also another worthie man and a notable good Leader named Corruput with his band or companie and with these were also two companies of Germanes vnder conduct of the Lord Hohenlo commonly called Countie Hollock whose vnder Captaines were Plat and Stuper with their Leader Iohn Berenbrooke gouernour of Gelders but the souldiers of these two last companies were in manner Nouices and vntrained to the warres There were ouer and besides these about thrée hundred citizens but yet amongst them scarse fiftie persons which a man might well trust vnto They had not as yet any Generall sent vnto them neither had they any great Ordenance nor any horse only the officers of the bands had some twelue or foureteene horses for thēselues All these adiuments or helpes thus here recited were the besieged citizens vtterly voide and destitute of wherewith they might the better resist and repulse their approching enemies Wherefore in this present distresse the Gouernours Captaines and Burghers sending spéedely Letters vnto the States doe humbly and earnestly entreate them to send them spéedie succour and rescue But yet onely the said couragious Corruput and prudent Leader before named was after a sort against this intendement for he conceiuing and pondring with himselfe another thing with great héede and foresight sheweth and seeketh other meanes otherwise how to defend the citie whose opinion the foresaid Captaine Plat and his souldiers doe also well allow of In the meane time notwithstanding while the Noblemen of Frizland sent thither for succour and rescue foure Ensignes or companies of footemen and a few horsemen Countie Renenbergh addresseth certaine of his souldiers against them They which were sent for rescue defending themselues what they could were by the way set vpon and slaine of the Renenbergers few or none escaping Once againe the graue counsell and aduice of the said Corruput the second time giuen in presence of the Gouernours Captaines and Burghers touching the cities safetie as aforesaid being still contemned or neglected certaine of the chiefest personages in the citie by writing make and dispatch another motion to the States to haue yet againe more helpe sent vnto them and that the citie with all possible spéede might be deliuered from the enemies siege But now Corruput and the said Berenbrook by their letters perswade the States to deale more aduisedly least they afterwards repent themselues againe as they had done once erst before The States then willing to satisfie the citizens expectation yet for all this send another fresh supplie of sixe Ensignes of footemen vnder Heighmans conduct and appoint them for S. Iohns Campe a place so called not farre from Stenwick But or euer these came thither they also were set vpon by the Renenbergers and although they manfully defended themselues yet were they by the enemies taken slaine and put to flight Hereupon the enemie seeing his aduantage marcheth with great courage to the citie fireth the suburbs and scaleth the walles The citizens seeing the fire fiercely flaming in diuers places as men out of their wits be stir them by all meanes yet little enough to quench the same and the souldiers resist the enemie here and there what they can and with their Ordenance beate the enemie backe from
Baalac cursing the Israelites and the other more like Pharao persecuting and oppressing them but both of these most like the roring Lyon and hungrie Beare which Salomon speaketh of séeking now more and more the pray and spoile of the chéefe godlie Gouernour the Prince of Orange now ruling the Low-countries and defending their warres with the States whom the Pope and Spanish King had proscribed certaine yéeres agone and could no way come by his bodie to bring it into thraldome by wars threatnings nor subtil sleights to circumuent him Now therefore they the said Pope and king of Spaine practise subornation of murdering messengers to hunt and haunt his Court vnder colour of some far fecht and deare bought false friendship as in the last yéere 1582. one Iohn Iaureg with full purpose sent from the Pope and Spanish King to murder this good and godly Prince and Father of his Countrie then kéeping his Court within the Castle of Antwerpe accompanied with the foresaid Duke of Aniow the Councell of the States and the noble Generall Norice with others his faithfull friends euen then the said murthering messenger when he had discharged a dagge at the good Prince the wound as God would was not so desperate but that he recouered within a while after the malefactor in the very déed doing was apprehended stabbed with 27. wounds and afterwards beheaded bowelled and quartered in the market place of Antwerpe And praised he God who preserueth his Elect the said good Prince so recouering liued afterwards full two yéeres Although euen in the next yéere following 1583. another caitiue of Caines crew named Peter Dordoigne a Spaniard sent from that Romish Babylon and Spanish Periander comming in the month of May to Antwerpe about the like purpose was taken at Antwerpe before he could doe the déed as God would haue it who being thereupon imprisoned confessed that he was sent out of Spaine from the king himselfe with whom he had secret conference and encouragement to doe that mischéefe vpon the Princes person but the king concealing it not to be his fault commaunded him to lay the fault vpon one of his Secretaries and so this messenger had his iudgement and was put to death at Gronyng as guiltie in minde will and purpose to kill the said Prince But now in this yéere 1584. the good Prince being assaulted by thrée other seuerall champions of Sathan might seeme to haue sufficient warning by the former persons whom he should simplie suffer to be brought vnto his presence when that subtill Serpent the Diuell that old craftsmaster of theirs deuiseth sundrie meanes to worke mischiefe by As here by the first of these thrée whom I am to speake of vpon the 13. of Aprill one Iohn Ianson a rich Merchant vpon hatred which he conceiued against the good and harmeles Prince comming into a seller néere vnto a place where the Prince was then lodged had prouided with gunpowder to blow vp and destroy the Prince and all his retinue but though the Prince saw not the person yet he smelt the rat found him and laid hold vpon him as God would or euer he had power to performe that mischiefe and so the malefactor was headed bowelled and quartered for the same The second of these thrée and fourth in number of the murthering messngers hitherto sent was a Frenchman and Captaine of a band named Gottus who being captiued a little before by the Marques of Rombase one of the Duke of Parmaes Generals promised the said Marques if he would set him at libertie he would worke such way being very well acquainted with the Prince of Orange that he would with all possible spéede dispatch him out of his life saying that as he was very familiar with him and could easily vpon any occasion come to his presence and haue full conference with him so especially saith he if I shall be inuited to the Princes table to eate of his meate I can subtilly cast that few shall perceiue into some Eele broth which the Prince loueth very well such a powder as infecting the whole dish of meate shall if he eate thereof without long delay destroy him But this French Captaine Gottus hauing gotten himselfe at libertie haunting the Princes presence yet not so farre put in trust nor so much made of as he made account to haue béen and yet imployed in seruice for the Prince and States in a certaine Sconce before he either put his purpose in practise or performed his promise to the before named Marques was by Gods good will no doubt preuented and in defending that Sconce being ouerseene with drinke was shot into the head by a Musquet and so died presently in the said Sconce The last of the thrée missiue Manquellers this yéere sent being the fift and last of all y t were sent hitherto and most mischieuous souldier of Sathans cursed crew was a yong fellow named Balthazar Gerard a Burgunnian of seuen and twentie yéeres old of short stature hard fauour and base constitution dissembling himselfe otherwise to be called Francis Guyon the sonne of one Peter Guyon put to death for preferring the reformed religion when indeede this is that messenger of Sathan here of all others chiefly transforming himselfe as Saint Paul saith into an Angell of light This villaine commeth in the beginning of the moneth of May in the foresaid yeere 1584. vnto the Prince of Orange his Court O that he had here béen so simple as the Doue to haue shunned by flight this mischiefe at the first or as wise as the Serpent to haue vanquished the wisedome of the viperous wretch at the last and pretending to bring letters vnto the said noble good Prince importing great and rare newes out of France vsing a certaine protestation in expresse words of his zealous mind vnto the Gospell and adding for that cause he came farre to preferre his seruice vnto the Prince himselfe aboue all other Princes bringing with him and shewing forth also vnto the Prince certaine writings signed by Countie Maunsfeld called commonly flying seales vnder colour of friendship purporting enmitie namely how Luxenburge and the cities of other Prouinces might craftily be taken by the Prince of Orange his souldiers The Prince perusing ouer the writings and marking well the seales saying there could be no great matter performed by them commaunded him for a while to depart away Here before he went this villaine begged of the Prince some money to buy him hose and shooes wherevpon the Prince commanded his Secretarie to giue him some money for his said necessitie vpon the 8. of Iuly that yéere 1584 which he no sooner receiued but incontinently going his way from the Princes presence and comming to the vttermost court he bought with that money of two stipendarie watchmen two hand-dags But when this villaine had bought them calling to minde as hee afterwards being taken confessed what the Prince of Parma and one other named Assonuil had before