till that order was then taken for the same when the Merchants Marriners and their ships were released and dismissed but the goods liable to the value of the Spanish Kings treasures was answered accordingly Thus the crueltie of the time and state in the Netherlands increasing most odious vnto other Christian princes it was Gods good pleasure to put into the mindes of the States of Germanie also of Charles the 9. King of France for mitigation of these calamities to enter a league with William Prince of Orange and Count Nassaw to leuie forces of men and munition vnder conduct of the Count Lodwicke of Nassaw brother to the said Prince being also associated with the two valiant Captaines Ienlisij and the Lord of Laxone who with their said forces part Germans part FrenchmeÌ„ part Dutchmen and part English voluntaries bending their endeuours to the surprising of the strong towne of Mounts in Henault on the 24. of May in the foresaid yéere obtained the towne by fight and possessed the same by strong fortification thereof In that yéere saith my author King Philip vpon suspition that he had of his only son Charles Prince of Spaine that hee should prepare himselfe with habiliments by sea to step away into the Netherlands and ioyne with the States vz. the Prince of Orange Count de Egmont Graue van Horne and others to manage ciuill warres against his father and his Commander before named for that cause cast his said sonne into prison where continuing a certain time he died yet as it was thought by bléeding The foresaid Gouernesse Duchesse of Parma and Placencia departed about the end of Iuly home into Italy being conducted vpon the way to the sea side by the Commander Generall who returning to his Court at Bruxels cited thither the said Prince of Orange Count de Egmont and Count Horne hauing before proscribed them to appeare vpon their alleageance to the King before him as his Lieutenant generall ouer all those Countries The Prince of Orange kept him aloofe out of his daunger the other were taken laid in prison and afterwards beheaded in the Market place at Bruxels In that yéere also was Tergoas besiged the second time by Tseratius for the Prince and the States who was afterwards made Gouernour of Flushing there at Tergoas hauing made his ditches and plotted his stations for his Ordinance to be discharged by and by made he a breach in two places of the walles At the which assault the French souldiers vnder Monsieur and the English stipendarie hired souldiers vnder Captaine Thomas Morgan and others néere vnto the chiefest gate of the towne being 25 paces broade about midnight made entrance into the Citie whilest Creitius the Colonell being by his Frenchmen greatly furthered therein bestirs him to scale the other side of the gate but being countermaunded by the souldiers within sufficiently defending that place both hée and they were repulsed and forced to giue back froÌ„ that assault Whereby Mondragon the Spanish Captaine newly thereupon come thither reserued Tâ—â—goas from any further siege himselfe and his souldiers wading thorow déepe waters sent thither in great oportunitie by the Commaunder Generall as it were to resist the assault and rescue the towne which was performed with the losse of two hundred English and French souldiers slaine and fallen into the waters there Frederick the sonne of the Duke of Alua hauing béen with his said father very forward in all actions about the 21. of Nouember 1572. with the forces which he had vnder him from his father besieged Zutphen in Gelderland and shortly after tooke it Thus the Duke of Alua hauing with great crueltie gouerned for the King making hauocke of all with little mercie wheresoeuer hée came casting downe strong holds and killing man woman and child to make an end of his mischiefes when now the citie of Harlem in Holland had for her own best safegard receiued the Garrison of the said Prince of Orange pitched there his Tents bringing thither his armie consisting of Wallons and Frenchmen vnder their Captaines also Englishmen and their Captaines by name Captaine Turner who serued there some 8. yéeres Captaine Cotton Captaine Christopher Hunter Captaine Candish Captaine George Gascoyne and others which were all voluntaries and of certaine Scottish Regiments sending thither also all kindes of necessarie victuals furniture and prouision for the said armie thither then came the said Frederick sonne to the said Duke of Alua and with his fresh forces of diuers countries sent thither by the King of Spaine laieth great and long siege vnto the same which enduring from the said yéere 1572. néere at ende till the 15. of August 1573. hée at length preuailed so farre that profligating the Princes armie and dispersing them here and there he entred the same citie and obtained and kept it in possession for the King vsing the inhabitants thereof with no little extremitie About the 20. of August in the said yéere 1573. his said father Don Ferdinando Duke of Alua partly his crueltie being by the King perceiued and partly by the States of the Netherlands complaiâ—â—d vpon leauing his said sonne to gouerne and beaâ—e armes for the King with a conuenient retinue departeth out of those Countries not without many a curse banning and exclamation made vpon him for his farewell wheÌ„ he had so there tyrannized about the space of 6. yéers little more or lesse Vide HieronymuÌ„ Connestagium in Historia Portugaliae The Warres in the Netherlands vnder Don Lewis Requisensius Gouernour for the Spanish King ABout the beginning of October 1573. succéeding the said Duke of Alua came thither sent by the King of Spaine another Noble man named Don Lewis Requisensius he taking gouernment vpon him smally enterprised to purpose in the latter end of that yéere In the next yéere following 1574. he bestirreth him by all meanes possible to leuy his forces to besiege diuers townes and to fortifie some others amongst which when the Zelanders had attempted to besiege Midleborow they so farre proceeded that the towne suffered great penurie and distresse of all things both by sea and by land and by meanes thereof was in the end yéelded vnto the said Zelanders for the Prince of Orange who supported their powers and forces therein What time in the yéere aforesaid 1574. this newcome Commaunder brought his forces to besiege the citie of Leyden one of the chiefest cities in Holland the said Prince of Orange sent thither for safegard thereof vnder Lieutenant Edward Chester an Englishman ten Ensignes or companies of English souldiers all voluntaries who appointing certaine of them for a garrison in the citie procureth the citizens to make speedie prouision of corne and graine for the necessarie sustentation of his souldiers But finding the want thereof at his comming and their slownes in preparing the same at that time he complaineth greatly y t they the lesse regarding or foreseeing the
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
all things distressed he takes his way towards the Abbey of S. Bernard from thence purposing to passe ouer the riuer Schaldis and Dermonde the Citizens of Antwerpe with all festination sending their shippes of war against him doe stoppe the way at Macklin in Brabant Hereupon also forthwith was the noble Generall Norice addressed with 23 Ensignes of English men and Scots into the countrie of Waste to withstand his passage that way who out of hand drowneth a great part of the countrie néere vnto Dermond with the waters there abouts but the Duke necessitie so constrayning him with great hazard passeth at Duffle ouer the riuer Nete and so with no little shame returned home into Fraunce where he afterwards for very sorrow sore repenting him of these things ended his life in such manner as I shall declare truelie reported in the historie thus procéeding This Duke of Aniow and late Duke of Brabant by the Sates so created as before you haue heard thus being sore abashed at his owne indirect dealing and returning as he came first with his powers by Dunkerke into Fraunce when he was there ariued the Duke of Parma presentlie beséegeth the same towne of Dunkerke and taketh it with certaine other Cities left at all aduentures being therein aided by the Citizens of Gaunt and by the Prince of Chymay the Gouernour And the said Duke of Aniow then being in Fraunce notwithstanding all former inconueniences tolerated by the States they yet once againe séeke for mutuall reconciliation with him and offer their friendships to receiue him againe vpon good assurance of better expectation but he newlie returned with his souldiers dismissed scattered abroad and discouraged as well falling sicke in bodie as wearied in minde with thinking vpon his former great misfortunes saw in himselfe now y t which he loathed being laughed to scorne of his aduersaries and besids that little accounted of with manie others by reason he was at some discord and ods with the King his brother Againe the Quéene mother a woman of most subtill wit and perillous mind who had first fostered the discord betwéene these her two sonnes to the end shée might preuaile in her purpose otherwise then practized to reduce them to vnitie and brought the matter to that passe that the Duke as humble suter for fauour acknowledging his fault should craue pardon of the King his brother Being constrained so to doe that hée might againe insinuate a renued mind into the affections of the States to make the former breach a more firmer knot of amitie concord and league with them who had by experience well learned that the Duke without the king his brothers countenance and supportation could not well accomplish any thing answerable to their expectation for they hoped hereby only the French forces shuld the rather returne vnto them and by his more carefull consideration all should yet againe be amended which before was farre amisse And in this behalfe the States beforehand prudentlie prouiding for their securitie do send the Lord Schonwalley as their Ambassadour vnto the French king and the said Duke his brother but or euer this ambassage could take effect or once be solicited the said Duke of Aniow remouing himselfe to the Castle of Theodor incontinentlie fell most grieuouslie sicke the blood gushing out of all the pores of his bodie as if his veines had béene burst with too much vehement ryding So as at length refusing naturall sustenance after the fortieth day of his sicknes come gone he died on the 10. of Iune in the yéere of our Lord 1584. At his death being in good mind memory it is affirmed he would not haue anie Monke or such other person for his Confessor He acknowledged professed and protested to such as were present at his death That hee reposed all his hope in the bloodshedding of Iesus Christ onelie as his onelie and alone Sauiour which thing for certaine the author of this historie had related vnto him by credible persons then present which his death some say was not without suspition of poysoning His desire before he died was to be buried as Gouernour and Duke of Brabant with his coate armour shields of armes and such other appurtenances to the same dominions vsuall and accustomed but his brother the French kings Counsellors thought it not so conuenient for fauour that they bare to the king of Spaine He was somewhat aboue the meane stature of men well compact of bodie of a swart complexion blacke eyed blacke head curled of a hie forehead a greater nose then anie his ancestors had he was very fierce of nature wittie eloquent affable nobly minded bountifull ambitious nothing blood thirstie or desirous of reuenge but mercifull and curteous not contemning anie man for religion sake yet vnquiet quicke and hastie in his doings but for all this as his disposition sufficientlie well shewed a peaceable person as appeared by his indeuours when hee went vnto the king of Nauarre now king of Fraunce as then being his aduersarie the Ambassadors of the Low-countries then thither accompanying the said Duke Men say that he two dayes before his death sent a copie of his testament vnto the king his brother and therein declared the great sorrow of his heart in that he had offended his Maiestie with his doings and enterprises he requested of him manie things especiallie he humbly beséecheth him to bee gratious Soueraigne Lord vnto many his retained Nobles and Officers at armes lately seruing him in the Low-countries and there impouerishing themselues And further where he in conscience was touched with consideration of a certaine debt to the summe of 300000. Florens which he had not yet satisfied he humblie besought his Maiestie of all brotherly loue betwéene them to take some order for the payment thereof acknowledging touching his presentabilitie that he could not leaue behinde him sufficient restitution or satisfaction neither should he carrie away with him out of this world into his graue anie other riches but the teares and sighes of sorrowfull persons to conclude he desired neither sumptuous nor statelie funerall but wished the monument of his memorie to be founded and fixed in the mindes of his friends and vassals Whose funerall in decent and honourable maner the king his brother accordingly accomplished within the Citie of Paris in the month of August that yéere 1584. Thus much for the manner of the gouernment actions life and death of the said Duke of Aniow after he was Gouernour in the Low-countries being for the space of two yéeres and a halfe as before is declared You haue heard hitherto what interchange of Gouernours haue béene on both sides as well for and vnder the king of Spaine as for the States what wars what slaughters of men and what infinite charges and troubles it hath béene for all parts and yet no placart of peace purchased at the Pope and King of Spaines hands but rather the one more like blood thirstie
lyonlike force practised against the nobles and States of the Low Countries infringing their ancient priuiledges breaking fidelitie in contracts violating the bonds of amitie and violentlie oppressing al integritie of loyal subiects and faithfull seruants of God seeking to make hauocke of high and low rich and poore young and old with more then Turkish tyrrany in those dominions most vntollerable Neither rest these two there contented with the great effusion of innocent blood like conquerours preying on or spoyling euery sillie shéepe with their iawes imbrued waxing euer more hungrie neuer rest raging hither and thither casting down Bulles threatning silly lambs swift of foote and gréedie of tooth to teare in péeces the christian members and to quaffe vp their blood in their vnquenchable thirst in those Countries but this Anti-Christ and his adherent vniustlie without cause giuen them as the iust God iudge and reuenger of all wrongs knoweth doe now also bend all their forces euen in this yéere against the most lawfull naturall christian and religious Phenix of feminine sexe and the most peerelesse Paragon of true professing Princes Elizabeth Quéene of England her gratious Royall person her noble lawfull kingdomes naturall faithfull subiects and happie peaceable estate and gouernment This Antichrist I say this Romish seauen headed tenne horned and triple crowned Dragon whose taile draweth the third part of the starres from heauen and casteth them to the earth presumeth to approch néere the woman the Church of God the defender of the faith and watcheth wililie with inward and outward Serpentine malice to deuour the innocent harmelesse child whereupon although this Dragon send forth his angels to war with the woman though he send forth his Iesuits the English fugitiues whom he hath nuâ—led vp in Popish abhomination manie yéeres and though he againe likewise infect and enforce the Locusts and Scorpions of the bottomlesse pit with his infernall furie such as Francis Throgmorton and manie other vipers which would haue wrought intestine warres and ciuill bloodshed against their naturall most gracious Prince their countrie and friends by forraine confederacies of the Pope and Spanish King their abbetters subborners and supporters yet to the perpetuall glorie of God these wicked Angels Locusts and Scorpions hauing no power to hurt anie good or godlie member but such as themselues which haue not the seale of God in their forehead were ouertaken by Gods power and prouidence and cast out into the earth and so the Lord of hosts fought for our Quéene and vs in peace mercie to our comforts but in his iustice and iudgement against our inward and outward enimies for which God make vs thankefull to his glorie for euer After the death so sought for and procured of the aforesaid noble Prince of Orange by the said Pope and Spanish king as afore mentioned the ordering of the affaires both ciuill and politike rested in the wisedome of the Nobilitie and States of the Low Countries who seeing themselues like sheepe left without a Shepheard a nation without a Gouernour and a bodie without a head plucking vp their spirits vnto them taking heart and christian courage vnto them in their godlie iust and lawfull cause for defence of Gods true religion of their auncient priuiledges themselues their wiues children and countrie and for eschewing the horrible tyranny of the forraine vsurping Pope and Spaniard their Idolatrie vniust exactions oppressions vnmercifull vexations and horrible desolations doe with most carefull consideration take oportunitie of time and with mature deliberation to consult vpon some peculiar and speciall protection of themselues and their countries thus grieuouslie distressed Whereupon in the next yéere following 1585. after conference had amongst themselues in the month of May that yeere they dispacht into England an honourable Embassade which ariued at London on the 26. day of Iune being personages of great account in the Netherlands Namelie the Lord Iames Gryse the Lord Roger Harsellus in the behalfe of Gelderland Maister Noelus Caronus Lord of Schonwall who at this day is resiant in England Agent for the Estates and Iohn Dousta Lord of Nortwich for the south part of Holland with eight others men of great account which for breuitie I doe here omit whom they substitute as their deputies to sollicite their cause vnto the Queenes Maiestie of England these were lodged about the Tower street and had their diet in worshipfull manner appointed at Clothworkers hall in London vpon her Maiesties owne charges On the 29. of Iune they repaired to the Court at Greenewich where they presented vnto her Maiestie the Soueraignetie of those Countries which being ratified contained at large 31. seuerall Articles as to the Duch historie I referre the Reader With godlie and neighbourlie commiseration whereof her Maiestie being pittifullie moued to put forth her helping hand to saue that which was in extreme perill considering well by former accidents how sinister a minde the Spanish king by the Popes instigation had of long time vniustlie borne of late put in practise and would now likelie proceed further if God and good regard in due time were not her best friends her excellent Highnes therefore to preuent the worst prouideth first for her own safetie and her subiects at home trayning and mustering of able men in all places of the realme for necessarie domesticall defence whatsoeuer might befall and afterwardes in the month of Iulie presseth out of the Citie of London certaine conuenient companies of Souldiers furnished for the warres at the charges of the Fraternities or Societies of the same Citie and on the 13. of August following with certaine special braue Knights approued Captains and worthie Seruitors ouer them transporteth all these into Holland Zeland Brabant c. as other the like Souldiers had beene before time sent out of other parts and places of the realme Of these seuerall Companies at this time was sent the before named valorous Generall Norice chiefe Commaunder who comming from thence for that purpose a little before taking his leaue of her Maiestie and her Nobilitie embarked himselfe and his retinue on the 24. of August this yeere 1585. and with a prosperous winde ariued in Holland about the 26. of the same where his forces being before ariued he disposed of them as was most conuenient till time and opportunitie serued for their purpose About this time the Right noble by birth and for vertue renowmed Knight Sir Philip Sidney sonne and heire of that most noble Sir Henry Sidney Knight sometime Lord Deputie of Ireland and then Lord President of Wales was by her Maiestie sent ouer after the said Generall Norice on the tenth day of October in the yéere aforesaid who ariuing in safetie at Flushing was on the ninetéenth of that moneth by the States established Lord Gouernour of Flushing in Zeland where by his valour wisedome and great diligence he surprised the towne of Axel in Flaunders and at Doesburgh in Gelderland made manifest proofe of
succoured and made somewhat in strength and in hope of good fortune the armie meant to passe ouer a little riuer néere Tielmount but by the way were sharply encountred with the whole power of the Duke of Alua where in hazard the Count de Hostraet was shot in the legge of which wound he died andn after The Duke likewise a politike souldier and great gouernour bearded the Prince a while with hot and cruell countenance and so sent Iulian Romero to lie in ambush betwéene a bridge and passage full in the face of the Princes Campe marching to passe the water which Romero most like a rare great souldier in a fine warlike sort couched his force flat on the earth behinde the Forlorne hope sent from the Prince to view and make place for his armies passage Romero came before as one that knew the aduantage of time couching close as flat as they might and so the day consuming all was in rest and both parties in a great wood lay as close as they could The Duke maintaining skirmish followed still after the Réergard of the Prince Romero suffered both the Carriage Vaungard and Battell to passe the bridge and as the Reergard aduaunced themselues to march ouer the passage Romero descried his power of sixe thousand shot and so put al the Forlorne hope to flight or slew the most of them A noble Frenchman called Monsieur de Malberg and all his companie of foure thousand braue souldiers were there defeated with others to the number of eight thousand men which fight and slaughter endured in great and bloodie broyle till the very night approched and compelled both the Camps to lodge within Cannon shot one of another and in the night the Duke priuily stole away for some hidden cause and policie for the next morning Monsieur Ianlis and seuen thousand footemen with fiftéene hundred horse marched ful vpon the Dukes power in a faire plaine néere vnto Namur The Duke dreading Ianlis boldnes and the Princes Camp not farre off turned him backe another way and made his march very fast for feare of a blow then Ianlis and all his noble troupe ioyned with great ioy with the Princes power Immediatly the Prince prepared to besiege a towne called Chasteau Cambresi and marching thitherwards the Duke waited at hand but the towne was strongly besieged notwithstanding the Duke as the Prince had intelligence minded to disturbe him the espials of the Dukes Campe were by the Prince taken which declared in what disorder the Dukes Campe lay whereon without sound of Drumme most secretly the Prince marched to méete the Duke and the barking of dogs vnder the Ruitters waggons gaue warning how both the armies were almost mingled together the night being dark whereat a great alarme arose on both sides but the Dukes Campe within two houres was intrenched and so a great encounter of horsemen a long time passed out the morning in skirmishing with many slaine and hurt The Prince then departing from Flaunders came into France néere Guise and S. Quintins and marched after to disperse his armie towards Strasborogh in the which way Churchyard departing frō the Prince to England so leaues this true testimonie for a witnes that the author which wrote the other historie which Robinson translated left partially out of his booke whereas these matters at that season were worthie of memorie Written fom pag. 5. hitherto by Thomas Churchyard The ciuill Warres proceeding in the Netherlands vnder Don Ferdinando Aluares de Toledo Duke of Alua sent thither by the King of Spaine as Commander Generall AFter all this King Philip still prosecuting his former purpose with further extremities in the yeere of our Lorde 1567. sent thither Don Ferdinando Aluares Duke of Alua by the title of the Kings Commaunder Generall a noble personage no doubt but a notable cruell Tyrant tall of personage leane of bodie like vnto Brutus or Cassius whom Caesar censured to be feared strong of members vpright in stature long and leane faced hollow eyed of fierce and grim countenance with a long and gray beard haughtie of minde stoute of courage and as my Author saith Magnus Aulicus Insignis Dissimulator yet of surpassing skill and knowledge in feates and policies of warre excéeding therein all Spaniards of his time who as he exercised most seuere martiall discipline in his warres so vsed hee great iudgement in leading foorth his armies pitching his Tents and pointing out harbours for his souldiers because he was of long time a continuall practitioner in warres defensiue and offensiue and so bold he was and of such stout selfe-conceit as one fearing no daunger that he would take vpon him no charge of any armie except he might haue the chiefe place and prerogatiue of Commendator Generall as the Spaniards call it As certainly he serued both the father Charles the 5. Emperour before remembred and Philip the sonne now mentioned in chiefest place or calling of Martiall affaires and that in most important and difficult enterprises managing their warres in Italy Spaine France Hungary Germany Africk and the Netherlands who now entring there in person all armed found all things in peaceable state But within a yéere after he began to be stirre him in the ininoyned Inquisition afresh euery where grieuously vexing and persecuting the inhabitants with new impositions mutinies confiscation of goods imprisonment ciuill warres and vnmercifull death daily inueighing against them that they had broken their alleageance to the King and his supreame authoritie and that they had lost all priuiledge of libertie life and possessions therefore he calleth a generall new Councell of the States abrogating old and establishing new lawes quite contrarie to the ancient former customes of those countries vrging daily the new Bishops to be diligent in executing the said Inquisition Summo iure or rather Summa iniuria according to that saying Sic volo sic iubeo stet pro ratione voluntas he himselfe setting all things in order for ciuill wars fortifieth old and erecteth new fortresses Castles and muniments making prouision for prisons and other such preparations This being in the yéere 1569. our English Merchants and Marriners amongst whom my selfe a poore Clerke trauailing towards Antwerpe for my preferment they some in one place some in another I at Flushing vpon Christmas éeue were taken out of our beds and our ships and goods by the Kings commaundement imbargued so carried to the Geuarghen huise as they called it The cause whereof was that certaine ships with the Kings treasure driuen néere the coast of England by tempest of weather were taken by the Quéenes Maiesties ships brought into the Themes by meanes whereof both English Merchants and Marriners were detained in prison and their ships and goods restrained as well in all the Spanish Kings dominions as also on the other partie the King of Spaines subiects and goods were arested in the Quéenes Maiesties kingdomes of England Wales and Ireland which continued for the space of two yéeres following
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
his deaths wound whereof the said Frier died presently Confirmed also by Captaine Cripse that after the said Generall Norice with his forces had lien there fiftéene daies sacked the towne and taken the spoyle they were commanded by the States to deliuer the towne to Monsieur Famoise who then to take the charge of the towne with his Dutch souldiers and Monsieur Temples Wallons perceiuing the English forces to depart away very rich out of the towne fell vpon them suddenly for the spoyle where they killed moe of the English then were killed at the winning of the towne where Generall Norice himselfe was shot thorow the buttocke and had his horse killed vnder him and euen then Captaine Price a braue souldier forsooke his owne horse and mounted him vpon the same and so altogether they marched out of the towne toward Antwerpe The States againe send the Lord Nienort with his companie thither he in his owne person with the same companie of souldiers boldly assaileth Renenberg with often skirmishing he killeth a great number of the enemies putteth them to flight and as they were flying pursueth them hard at the héeles euen to the very walles of Groning giuing them a great ouerthrow where hée slew aboue sixe hundred of the Renenbergers so as there was left for the said General Norice foure of the enemies Brasse péeces of Ordenance a great number of fardels and very many horses This victorie by the Lord Nienort thus gotten the 9. of Iuly 1580. he pitcheth his Tents not farre from the towne of Groning there resting in better securitie for a season And so the citie of Stenwick after foure moneths siege was in this manner at length by Gods good prouidence deliuered And within a little while after namely on the 23. of the said moneth of Iuly Countie Renenberg himselfe after he had béen certaine daies sick deceased in his Campe as some suspect by poyson After all this on the 17. of September this yéere 1580. a consultation was had at Lewarden in Frizland where it was decréed on the behalfe of the States to send the said Generall Norice to resist the enemie Spéedie dispatch herein was made and an armie was furnished out against a Spanish Generall named Verdugo They I meane the States hauing leuied and armed certaine bands of horsemen and footemen also mustering their companies and paying them one moneths pay aforehand doe make the said Generall Norice chiefe Gouernour of them He with conuenient spéede hauing these his forces well fortified with sixe Brasse peeces marcheth manfully to méete the said enemie But it fell out so that in both armies the plague was very contagious whereby many officers of this armie died in their Tents Here for a certaine space while both armies were thus setled afterwards Verdugo pitcheth his Tents at Northorne Him pursueth hard the said Generall Norice vnto whom came eleuen Ensignes of Englishmen vnder the conduct of the valiant Colonell Sir Thomas Morgan he himselfe hauing vnder his charge ninetéene Ensignes of all these countries vz. foure of Nassawes Regiment nine of Monsieur Sannoy and sixe of Nienorts Regiment so being vnder them thirtie Ensignes which made in all scarsely thrée thousand footemen To these were ioyned the troupes of horsemen vnder their seuerall Captaines as the Colonell Gore Captaine Elenborne and Henry van Eky who were in number scarse fiue hundred So then with such a braue armie marcheth forwards the said worthy General Norice on the 30. day of September that yéere 1580. towards Newziel a place in Frizland Now Verdugo setting his forces in order and battell aray had got to his greatest aduantage for his station the vpper ground néere the ditches where the valiant worthie souldier Captaine Roger Williams before named with the English horsemen vnder his charge together also with Elenbornes horsemen aforesaid doe set vpon one great band of Verdugoes footemen of whom they killed many and put many to flight But as euen then one Wingard a Captaine companion of Verdugo made towards them with certaine especiall troupes while the horsemen of the States had the enemie in chace Verdugo with two troupes of Lansiers by maine force charged into the armie of the States and so assailing them not only found Munition prouision wagons and other necessaries but also caried them quite away and tooke also from them many Ensignes where many of the States souldiers were slaine and taken prisoners but few of Verdugoes company of any reputation were then either slaine or taken And so afterwards Verdugo himselfe confessed that if this armie of the States had forborne and prolonged a few daies more from this fight a great number of these enemies had departed determinately and would otherwise haue prouided for their safetie elsewhere without any field there fought at that time Here in this conflict had the said Generall Norice his right hand hurt with a bullet and many of his souldiers which escaped the enemies hands were for the most part spoyled of their armour and weapons very many of them leauing their armour in those places where necessitie compelled them either to leape or swimme ouer those ditches This also confirmed by Captaine Cripse who being there an actor was in eight seuerall places hurt at the least Thus much my author mentioneth of the conflict at Northorne and thus farre he writeth of the warres managed betwéene Alexander Prince of Parma for and in the behalfe of the Spanish King and the Archduke Matthias for and in the behalfe of the States of the Netherlands which Archduke by occasion of displeasure of the King departed shortly after towards Austrich leauing the gouernment of those Low Countries and the ordering of the warres vnto the Prince of Orange who by generall consent of all the States ordering all things with wisedome and prouident foresight held the enemie at the sword point for one whole yéere from the end of 1580. to the beginning of the second yéere after 1582. at what time Monsieur the Duke of Aniow and brother to Henry the 3. King of France was sent for and chosen to succéed in gouernment of those Countries and ordering of the warres in manner and forme following The Warres in the Netherlands vnder Francis Duke of Aniow against Alexander Pr. of Parma AFter that the said Monsieur with other Noblemen of France ariuing in Kent on the first of Nouember 1581. had beene honourably receiued at London and intertained at her Maiesties Court at Whitehall with princely feastings and banquettings all that Christmas and being accompanied with the Quéenes Maiestie of England she with her Nobles brought him on his way to Canterbury feasted him there also and each of them tooke leaue of other And after that the Quéenes Maiestie had sent with him in fiftéene shippes the Right Honourable Robert Erle of Leicester Henry Lord Hunsdon Charles Lord Howard Baron of Essingham Knights of the Garter the Lord Willowby the Lord Windsor the Lord Sheffield Master Philip
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
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
went the Prince Elector of Colen by name Truckses on the left hand of him went the Erle of Hoghenlo There followed these personages thrée other Lords vz. William Erle of Nassaw Philip Erle of Nassaw and the Erle of Solmes which were the last of the chiefe Mourners for this deceased Prince 13 Then came after these the Generall States 14 After them the Councell of those States 15 Next vnto them the States of Holland 16. and their Councell 17 Then followed the Prouinciall Councell 18 The President of Holland 19 Then the high Councell and the President 20 The Secretaries of the States 21 The Consuls and Senatours of Delft 22 The learned Preachers 23 The Captaines of the Guard 24 The Captaines of the warres 25 The chiefe officers of publike authoritie in the Common wealth whom last of all followed a multitude of common people innumerable With this solemne sorrowfull and mournfull funerall was the good Prince of Orange buried in the chiefe Church of the citie of Delft on Friday the third of August 1584. as aforesaid He liued almost 52. yéeres vz. 51. yéers 11. moneths and 25. daies accompted from his birth He was of bodie well compact of stature little more then meane of good complexion aburne beard somewhat full faced Who so will desire to know his sharpnes of wit and disposition of minde may best discerne them by his honourable actions and godly gouernment so many yéeres 26 His title was this William by the grace of God Prince of Orange Earle of Nassau Catzenelenburg Dietst Viand c. Marquesse of Der Vere and Flushing Burgraue of Antwerpe Barron of Brede Dyest Grymberg Arkize Nozeroy c. Lord of Castebelyne c. Gouernour Generall of the Low Countries viz. of Brabant Holland Zealand Vtrecht and Frizland Admirall of the seas in the lower Germanie 27 His matrimoniall state was first ioyned with the onlie daughter and heire of Maximilian of Egmond and Erle of Buren and Leerdam c. of whom he begot Phillip Erle of Buren which in the yeere 1577. was captiued by Duke de Alua sent into Spaine who is now Prince of Orange Also by the same wife he had one onlie daughter named Marie married to the Erle of Hohenlo He had to his second wife the Ladie Anne onelie daughter of Maurice Duke of Saxonie Prince Elector by her he had one onelie sonne named Maurice at this present Generall of the vnited Prouinces and Admiral of their seas and by his said second wife he had also two daughters the one named Anne and the other Emilia He had to his third wife Charlot of Burbon daughter to the Duke of Montpensyer of whom he begat six daughters namelie Ludouica Iuliana Elizabetha Flandrina Katherina Belgora Charlot Brabantina Aurelia Antwerpiana And he had to his fourth and last wife the Lady Loyse daughter of Iaspar de Coligni Lord Chastillion and high Admiral of Fraunce slaine at Paris in the yéere 1572 of her he begat two sonnes the one named Frederick the other Henry of Nassau and he left begotten of an vnknowne woman his base sonne named Iustine of Nassau at this day Admirall of Zealand These twelue sonnes and daughters left the said deceased Prince of Orange behind him as aforesaid 28 His progenie was this he was the sonne of William of Nassau the brother of Henry of Nassau who had both to father Iohn brother of Enghelbert both which had for their father also Iohn Earle of Nassau and the Ladie Leona his wife to their mother 29 His brethren were these This Prince William of Nassau was the eldest of fiue brethren with himselfe namelie the foure other were Lodwicke Adolphe and Henrie which three were slaine in these wars of the Low Countries the fourth being Iohn the second sonne of Nassau as yet liuing at Dilemberge This Lord hath liuing also manie sonnes and daughters of which sonnes the two eldest Earle William and Earle Phillip did beare armes in the Low Countries stoutlie against the Spanish forces 30 His sisters were many married to many mighty personages full of issues so as Iulian mother of this Prince William Countesse of Sheerenbergh a chaste wife and painefull Ladie when she had liued seauentie fiue yeeres in the yeere of Christ 1578. saw which came of her and her issue Earles Sonnes and Nephewes to the number of 123. personages A goodlie great and most rare blessing of God no doubt and a token of Gods great louing fauour and comfort vnto those noble Parents in their life time and a singular great comfort and mutuall consolation vnto the posteritie after their death vpon which Princes death the authour of this Belgicke historie hath written both this title Epitaph and verses in Latine following ILLVSTRISS MEMO GVLIELMI PRINCIPIS AVRAIci Comitis Nassouiae Cattorum Dietzii Viandae Marchionis Verae Vlissingae Burgraui Antwerpiae Vicecomitis Bisontij Baronis Bredae Diestij Grinbergae Arlei Nozereij c. Domini Castrobellini c. Propraesidis Generalis per vniuersam Belgiam Praesidis Brabantiae Hollandiae Zelandiae Vltraiectini Frisiorum c. Admiralij HEROIS FORTISSIMI ORTHODOXAE Ecclesiae propugnatoris literatorum maecenatis Patris Patriae Belgarum Assertoris pro quibus nec sibi nec suis pepercit Delphis sclopi ictu transuerberati Ioh. Esychius Quod habuit extremum in Dominum suum Clementiss Honoris Monumentum cum luctu posuit Vixit Annos LI. Menses II. Dies XXV obijt Anno Christi M. D.XXCIV Sexto Idus Iulij CARMEN EPITAPHIVM QVem non Hispani imperiosa potentia Regis Dirùm tot annos fulminantis impulit Quem non insidiae scelerum noxâ ante reclusae Terruere non tot Principum inconstantia Princeps Auraicus Belgarum assertor vltor Ecclesiae Ille terror inquirentium Horrisonis praesente Deo Tranquillus in Vndis Burgundio superatur à Falsario Oppetit Quartus pulchram per vulnera mortem Nassouiorum qui iacent pro Belgica Vah Satan ad facinus quem Auri sitis alta coêgit Os dum latice Proscriptionis proluis Infaelix de morte Ducis modò nuntius atra Nox tequé Auctorem premant oblivia Sicut agit penna solvi metuente superstes Rumpatur Invidens Iberus Gloria Auraicum summis certantem Heroibus iam Dijs fidelium Triumphis institum Vnum hoc O Proceres advertite quemlibet ista Scelesto ab vno posse tolli machina Infestam Hispanus capitis septemplicis Hydram Quo iure quáve iniuria dum promo vet AD MAVRITIVM NASSOVIVM G. F. VLturus Patrem Patruum Virtutibus annos Olim Africanus antevenit Scipio Mauriti Patrias si vis vlciscier Vmbras Paterna stringe Scipio Vestigia FINIS The Ciuill Warres there vnder the Prince of Parma and the States MAnifestlie thus it appeareth in the sight of God and all the world what impietie malice mischiefe and crueltie the Pope and Spanish king hath with foxlike subtiltie