be framed and made conformable by the Decrees of the sayd Councel of Trent And finally he affirmed that the thinges which his maiestie had written to her highnesse as hath bin sayd heretofore concerned the prosperitie of Religion and of the countreys there which would be nothyng worth without that Order for that was the onely way to kepe them in iustice peace and tranquilitie And seeyng that her highnesse knewe what commoditie it brought he desired her eftsoones to folow that way whereby the foresayde thynges might take effect for it was the thyng wherby his maiestie should receyne moste contentment as well at the handes of her highnesse as of the Lordes that were about her to whom he would haue her to geue the same charge to the end they should imploy them selues therunto as his maiestie hopeth that they wil without faile because they be sure that he wil like well of it besides that they shall therein doo the duetie of such personages as they be and accordingly as they be bound to doo in respect of their seruis towards God and his maiestie in respect both of the benefit of the whole Countrey there and of their owne peculiar welfare ¶ Margaret by the grace of God Duchesse of Parma and Pleasance c. Regent and Gouernesse c. RIght deare and welbeloued althoughe that euen from the first begynnyng of the reigne of my Lord the kyng ouer these Countreys as wel by the reuiuyng and publishyng of the Iniunctions and Decrees concernyng Religion made by my late Lord of noble memory the Emperour Charles whom God hath receiued into his glory and now ratified and confirmed by the kinges maiestie as by the thynges that he hath written vnto you since specially from his last departure out of these countreys into his realmes of Spayne you might alwayes well perceiue his good zeale and most holy affection in mainteinyng our 〈◊〉 true fayth and Catholike Religion and for the rootyng out of all sâ—…ctes and herefies in these Countreys here yet notwithstanding for as muche as it hath pleazed his maiestie for certeyne occasions to reuiue his most holy intent by his late letters we by expresse commaundement from hym haue thought it good to imparte vnto you what he hath written vnto vs the effect wherof is this that his maiestie coueting nothing more than the maintenance of the said Religion and of his good subiectes hereawayes in good quietnesse peace vnitie and concord and to preserue theÌ„ from the inconueniences that haue bin seene to happen in many parts of Christendome through the chaunge of the sayd Religion purpozeth and intendeth that the Iniunctions and ordinances made as well by the late Emperors Maiestie as also by hym selfe shal be throughly kept and obserued and likewise that men shall most straytly keepe the Decrees of the holy Councell of Trent and the prouinciall Councelles specially in respect of the reformation of the Clergie without gaynsaying of any thing to the ende that heresies may be punished and manners also corrected and men may yeeld all fauour and assistence to the Inquisitors of the fayth in the executing of their office and that the Inquisition may be put in vre as it hath bin hitherto and as it ought to be by the law of God and man which thyng his Maiestie commaundeth expressely by his said letters Wherfore according to this his maiesties writyng againe to the intent to obey the same in a thyng so holy so worthy to be fauored I could not forbeare to write thus much 〈◊〉 you praying and beseching you and on his maiesties behalfe expresly coÌ„maunding you to rule behaue your selues herein accordyng to his appoyntment without withstaÌ„dyng of it in any point or article yea and to giue intelligence therof to the Officers â—…en of Law of the chiefe townes of the couÌ„trey Duchie of BrabaÌ„d that they also may rule theÌ„ selues according hereunto without dissembling or winkyng at thyngs vnder the penalties conteyned in the sayd Iniunctions And that ye may the better intend vnto it you shall appoyâ—… and ordeyne a Counseller of your Colledge who notwithstandyng may be chaunged at euery halfe yeare to the intent that no one man be ouerburthened continually to doo nothing els but to haue an eye to the Countrey of Braband for the keepyng of the Decrees of the said most holy Councell and to adâ—…ertize you from tyme to tyme of all occurrents â–ª that ye may prouide for them accordyng to his Maiesties meanyng And to the intent we may continually know the state of religion in the poyntes aboue mentioned we desire and commaund you as before to write vnto vs particularly of the successe of thinges from three monethes to three monethes to repayre to vs if there happen any hard poynt or to such as are of his maiesties priuie counsel that report thereof may be made vnto vs for the which purpose we likewise wil appoint some CouÌ„seller to take peculiar charge therof and to be answerable to you or to hym whom you shall assigne And to the end that in all the thyngs abouesayd ye may the better perceiue his maiesties expresse wyl we haue caused the poyntes of his letters and other writinges that concerne this matter to be annexed to this letter that ye may rule and guide your selues accordyng to thâ—… forme tenor of them without making any default And thus right deare and welbeloued our Lord haue you in his holy keeping Written at Brussels the 〈◊〉 day of December 1565. H. V. It was subscribed thus Margaret And somewhat lower it was signed thus Of Ouerloepe Agayne vpon the backe iâ—… was indorsed thus To our right deâ—… and welbeloued the Chauncelor and men of the kynges Counsell in Brabant ¶ A Supplication of the Noble men of the low Countrey presented to the Lady Regent the Duchesse of Parma and Pleasance the fift of Aprill 1566. before Easter MAdame it is well enough knowen that the people of the low Countrey haue alwayes yet are styll greatly renowined throughout all Christendome for their great faythfulnesse towardes their naturall Lordes and Princes wherin the Nobilitie and GentlemeÌ„ haue alwayes gone foremost as they that neuer spared either body or goodes in the mayntenance and increasement of their Princes states And in the saine manner we his maâ—…sties most humble subiects are mynded to continue styll from well to better so as we be ready night and day to doo hym humble seruis both with our bodyes our goodes And for as much as we see in what plight thinges stand at this present we haue chozen rather to hazard the bryngyng of some mislikyng and displeasure vppon our owne heades than to conceale suche thynges from your highnesse as might hereafter turne to the preiudice of the kyngs maiestie and therwithal disturb the peace and quietnesse of the CouÌ„trey Hopyng that the euent wyll shewe in time that of al the seruises which we either haue done or shal doo to his
maiestie Which moderation hir highnesse hoped should be such as should be able to content euery man with reason And for asmuch as hir authoritie as the playntifs theÌ„selues might well vnderstaÌ„d and perceiue stretched not so farre as to surceasse the InquisitioÌ„ and Edictes as they required and againe it was not meete to leaue the countrey lawlesse in the behalfe of ReligioÌ„ hir highnesse hoped that the playntifes would hold theÌ„selues conteÌ„ted with hir sendyng to the kynges Maiestie promising to take such order in the meane while till his answere were returned that as wel the Inquisitors themselues where any were alredy as also their officers should in that respect proceede discretly and modestly in their Commissions so as men should haue no cause to coÌ„plaine of theÌ„ And hir highnes trusted that the plaintifs also would behaue themselues in such sort as they should haue no neede to deale otherwize for she hoped to behaue hir selfe so well and dewtifully towardes the kings Maiestie as he should be contented to discharge all others of the Inquisition where it was as may be perceiued by his exemptyng of BrabaÌ„d froÌ„ it at the sute of the cheef Cities therof And hir highnesse inteÌ„ded to preferre all good meanes to hys Maiestie so much the more freely to the end and effect aforesayd bycause she did surely beleueâ—… that the playntifes had no determinate purpoze or intent to alter any thyng of the auncient Religion which had bin obserued in those Countreys but rather mynded to keepe and maynteine it to the vttermost of their power Done by hir hyghnesse at Brusselles the xvi of Aprill 1565. before Easter vnder signed Margaret ¶ The Letters of assurance giuen to the Confederates MArgaret by the grace of God Duches of Parma and Pleasance RegeÌ„t and Gouernesse heere in theis Countreys for my Lord the king to all such as shall see theis presentes greetyng Whereas a great nomber of the Gentlemen of this Countrey togither did put vp a certein Supplication vnto vs in the moneth of Aprill last past the effect wherof was that it might pleaze the kynges Maiestie to abrogate and abolish the Inquisition and Edictes as well old as new which they sayd were ouerrigorous therfore could not be put in execution and in sted of theÌ„ to make others by the generall aduise and consent of the states of the sayd Countrey beseechyng vs to send the same Supplication to his Maiesty that he might prouide for it wherupon we hild many great consultatioÌ„s with the gouernours of the CouÌ„treys the Knightes of the Order the CouÌ„sell of estate his Maiesties priuy Counsell after we had preferred the whole vnto him togither with our aduice therin For asmuch as we sawe that the sayd GentlemeÌ„ might perchaunce haue some scruple or dout that y kyng would take in ill part their sayd Supplication togither with the confederacie which they had made therupon amoÌ„g themselues all that had insewed therupon which misdoutyng might cause some greater mischeef in those couÌ„treys We thought it good by the aduice aforesayd and vpon deliberation as is mencioned afore to sew to the kynges Maiestie that it might pleaze him likewize to giue them letters of assuraunce that they should not be charged with any thyng hereafter that had bin do by the occasioÌ„ therof Whereupon his Maiestie hath certified vs of his good pleazure and meenyng accordyng wherto we tenderyng the benefite rest and tranquilitie of the sayd Countreys and to mainteine the sayd Gentlemen in such wise as they may the more willyngly yeld their obedience and seruis to his Maiesty accordingly as they be bound as well by nature as by othe and as they themselues haue alwayes offred we I say at their request and information by the power authoritie which we haue vnder his Maiestie as Regent Gouernesse generall of theis his Countreys and by the aduice of the foresayd Gouerners Knightes of the Order and Lordes of the Counsell of state beyng with vs haue for their sayd assurance giueÌ„ them a Charter signed with our hand in maner and forme followyng HEr highnesse c. We doo you to vnderstande that all things afore mentioned considered and by the kings maiesties consent and good will and by the power and commaundemeÌ„t whiche we haue from hym we in the name and by the power aforesayd haue promised and by these presents do promis that nother his Maiestie nor we wyll blame or charge the said Gentlemen for the foresayde Supplication or the confederacie made therupon or for any thing that hath insued of them vnto this present so their othe and faythfulnesse whiche they haue giuen and plighted vnto vs as well for them selues as for the confederates be conformable to the poyntes and articles aboue specified and wherunto they haue bound them selues Therefore on the kings maiesties behalfe we wyll and commaund all Gouernors Knights of the Order Lords of the Counsell of Estate the Chiefe the President and the Lordes of the priuie Counsel and all other his maiesties Iustices and Officers to whom this cace perteyneth to mainteine this present assurance and to cause it to be mainteyned inâ—…iolably continually causing suffering and permitting the said Suppliants to vse and inioy it fully quietly and perpetually without causing procuring or dooyng and without suffering to be caused procured or done presently or in tyme to come directly or indirectly any trouble or impeachment to the contrary and also without attempting any thyng against the said Suppliants in any maner of wise for any cause aboue specified For so is it the kings maiesties pleasure and ours In witnesse whereof we haue signed these presents with our name and set thereto our seale Giuen in the Citie of Brusselles the. xxv day of August 1566. Signed vpon the foldyng on the right side of it thus Margaret And on the left side of the same foldyng was written thus By the expresse appoyntment of her highnesse And vndersigned Of Ouerloepe These letters were sealed with her highnesse owne Seale in red waxe vpon a double Labell ¶ The copie of a letter written by the kyng with his owne hand vnto the Prince of Orendge translated out of Spanish into French. WIth great good wyll haue I receiued your letters one the 〈◊〉 of May and afterward an other the. 〈◊〉 of Iune You might haue vnderstoode by that which I wrote to my syster how small cause you haue to thinke the thinge that you writ to me in your letter of May or rather that you ought to thinke the cleane contrary And surely you should be much ouerseene if you should thinke that I trusted you not in all thinges or that if any body had gon about to make me conceiue amisse of your duetifulnes towards me I would haue bin so light of credit as to beleue it hauyng had so great experience of your loyaltie and good seruis Therefore you may forbeare your mistrust in that behalfe and referre your selfe to the letters whiche you
that hir highnesse hath shewed vnto him is conteÌ„ted vpon the aduice of his lords y knights of the Order others as wel of his Counsels of estate as of his priuy Counsell that the Inquisition whereof they complayne shall ceasse Secondly his maiestie coÌ„senteth that a new Edict should be made but he was not resolued whether it should be done by meane of the states in general or no. Neuerthelesse hir highnesse hoped that she should shortly haue his full resolutioÌ„ therein accordyng as his maiestie had writteÌ„ to her And she would willingly doo hir indeuer stil at al tymes that his maiestie might voutâ—…afe to coÌ„descend to y thynges aforesayd as he had done by his letters agayne And as touchyng the assurance wherof they made mention in their last sute her highnes was determined to giue it them so farre forth as lay in her And as nowe shee was able to put theÌ„ out of all doubt for as much as his maiestie had consented hereunto giuen her authoritie coÌ„cernyng the maner forme of it as shee should fynd it coÌ„uenient Wherfore shee said declared vnto them that his maiestye abhorryng nothyng more than rigor beyng desirous by his accustomed clemeÌ„cie to put them all out of suspition whiche might thynke that he was misinformed of theÌ„ to discharge theÌ„ of the mistrust which had caused those troubles was contented that her hyghnesse should for the pacifying of al incoÌ„ueniences make theÌ„ al kynds of letters that might serue to that purpoze and in such forme as shee should perceiue to be moste for their safetie for what soeuer was past CoÌ„ditionally that henceforth thei behaued theÌ„selues like good loyal vassals subiects towards his maiesty which thyng her highnesse hopeth that they wyll not faile to do as becommeth them like as shee was ready to accept their presentment And nowe for as much as they haue ful whole satisfactioÌ„ made vnto them her highnesse wyl not refuze the offer that they had made diuers times coÌ„cerning their imploying of theÌ„ selues in the seruis of his maiesty of her highnesse for the benefit rest tranquilitie of the countrey wherto the duetie of faithfulnesse of nature bindeth theÌ„ According wherunto shee intendeth that they shall giue her their faith first that they shal nother do nor procure directly nor indirectly any thyng agaynst his maiesty his states countreys subiects but that they shal imploy theÌ„ selues wholy to al maner of thyngs that good loyal vassals subiectes ought to performe towards their soueraigne Lord natural prince In doyng wherof they shal to the vttermost of their power saythfully helpe to stay the present troubles coÌ„motions vprores and to restraine the insurrection of the people that the sacking pilling pulling down of churches chappels cloysters religious houses may cease in al places yea they shall helpe to punish such as haue coÌ„mitted such sacriledges outrages abominations see that no wrong be done to any ecclesiasticall persons ministeâ—…s of Iustice Gentlemen or any other of the kynges subiectes and vassalles IteÌ„ they shal earnestly indeuor that y weapoÌ„s which y people haue takeÌ„ in haÌ„d where through so many mischefes haue bin coÌ„mitted and may be coÌ„mitted hereafter may be layd away incoÌ„tineÌ„tly Also they shal do the best they can by al good seruis to prohibit preachyng in places where none hath bin afore and to prohibit al force cause of offence publike disorder where preaching is vsed already Moreouer they shal indenor and put to their helpe accordyng as they are bound by oth fealty towards his maiesty to the expulsing and repressyng of al strangers that are enemyes rebels to his maiestie the Countrey Finally they shal do their indeuor according to the credit which they haue among such as are now rizen vp for religion or otherwise to cause them to submyt them selues to the thyngs that hys maiesty shal decre by the general aduice of his estates for the furtherance of religion the quietnes and tranquilitie of the same Geuen at Brusselles the. 23. of August 1566. Undersigned Margaret ¶ A copie of the letter which the Confederates sent backe in answeare to the Regent WE Lewis Countie of Nassaw Eustace of Fiennes Lord of Esquerds Charles of Reuel Lord of Andrignyes Barnard of Merode Lord of Rumen Charles of Vander Noot Lord of Risoire George of Mountegnie Lord of Noyelles Martin of Sarclas Lord of Tilly Philip Vander Meeren Lord of Sterbek Philip of Marbais lord of Louuerual Iohn of Mountegny lord of Vilers Charles of Lieuin Lord of Famars Francis of HaefteÌ„ and Iohn Sauage Lord of Escaubecke as wel in our own names as deputies coÌ„mitties for all the rest of the Lords gentlemen confederates that dyd put vp the supplicatioÌ„ to the kings maiesty in the moneth of April last concernyng the Inquisition Iniunctions for heresie Forasmuch as this day we haue receiued certaine letters patents froÌ„ the right high excelleÌ„t princesse the duchesse of Parma PleasaÌ„ce RegeÌ„t Gouernesse for the kyng in theis couÌ„treys heere authorized therunto by the king our souerein Lord naturall prince in maner forme folowyng that is to say Margaret by the grace of God Duchesse of Parma Pleasance RegeÌ„t c. as in the letters of assurance aboue rehearsed We do you to vnderstaÌ„d that according to the same letters of assuraÌ„ce we haue promised do promis solemly by our fayth and in the word of Gentlemen as trew loyall vassals subiectes of his maiestie That we will obserue mainteine fulfill all maner of pointes articles aforesayd as well on our owne behalfe as on the behalfe in the name of all the rest whose deputies we be whose power coÌ„missioÌ„ authoritie coÌ„mauÌ„deâ—…eÌ„t we haue we giue will giue our wordes that both we and the rest of our confederates shal keepe mainteine and performe the same in respect wherof we hold our former coÌ„federacie as voyde broken vndone so farre forth so long as the foresaid assurance promised by hir highnesse in the kings maiesties name shall hold In witnesse whereof we haue signed theis preseÌ„ts with our names Made at Brussels the xxv day of August 1566. Signed vnderneath thus Lewes of Nassaw Eustace of FieÌ„nes Bernard of Merode C. of Vander Noot Charles of Reuel George of MouÌ„tegny Philip vander Meeren Philip of Marbais lord of Louerual I. MouÌ„tegny Lord of Vilers Charles Lieuen Lord of Famars Iohn Sauage Mart. Tserclas and FrauÌ„cis of HaefteÌ„ And vpoÌ„ the backeside was written This present XXV of August 1566. the deputies and coÌ„mitties for the Lordes geÌ„tlemeÌ„ coÌ„federate named in the sayd writyng sauyng the L. Lilly FrauÌ„cis of Haeften which were absent tooke their solemne requisite othe as well for theÌ„selues as for on the behalf of the rest of that coÌ„federates to mainteine obserue performe all euery poynt article
and haue redy dispatch of their matters and yit neuerthelesse bearyng the Lordes of the Counsell in hand that they should answer all alike for the inconueniences if any happened Which thing seemed very strauÌ„ge and vnreasonable to some of the Counsell who also aduertized the kyng thereof by their letters accordyng as he had left order that they should do in such caces And they certified his maiâ—…stie therwithall howe that of a Bishop he was become a Cardinall and one Viglius a Priesâ—… one of the chiefe about hym was made President and the report went that there should be new Bishoprikes and incorporations of Abbies and Prelacies and an executyng of the determinations of the Councell of Trent thinges agreed vpon by his Maiâ—…stie before his departure by the connsayle of the two aforesayd and of three or foure others that went about to satisfie their owne ambition and 〈◊〉 therby wherethrough the people was sore vexed and disquâ—…ted insomuch as there was no meÌ„ber nor degree of theÌ„ which fealt not it selfe greatly touched with it For the Lords and Noble men were of opinion that this authority of the Cardinall and his new bringyng in of Bishoppes which should relye altogether vpon hym tended to their depressing to the puttyng of the gouernment and rule of the Countrey into the handes of the Churchmen and to the depriuyng not only of al othâ—…r men but also of the kinges maiestie to whom the said Church-men could fynde in their harts nother to yeeld nor to owe any obedieâ—…ce at al And that the Abbyes Prelacies Couents and Colledges should serue but to inrich the sayde Bishops with their spoyles specially by incorporatyng the Abbeyes and Prelacies whereby they shoulde bereue them of all election and hope of attaynment to their accustomed dignities And the pâ—…ple were of opinion that that was the high way to infrindge all their libertis fraunchises priuiledges to bring in the Inquisition to renue the rigour of the IniuÌ„ctions finally to bring them in bondage to the clergy Which thyngs were the very causes and welsprings of all the distrustes troubles mischiefes that insued afterward in as much as some would haue put the things in execution which those good Counsaylers had perswaded his maiestie to doo who ought of right to be blamed and rebuked for their so dooyng wherof they go about to cleare the Cardinall and to charge vs therewith without any colour or likelyhood at al. And although it appeare in histories that alterations troubles and rebellioâ—…s haue happened vpon lesse occasions yet notwithstandyâ—…g that Countrey was so intirely affectioned towardes their soueraigne Lord prince as those causes had not yet taken their ordinary and accustomed effectes because it was hoped that the States of the Countrey beyng commended to his Maiestie by their 〈◊〉 and seruice done in the former warres myght turne his mynd so as he would rather apply his determinations to the tyme and stop all new deuices yea and the proceedynges of the Bishops and the Inquisition and the rigorous Iniunctions at the request of so loyall and faythfull a people accordyng to their treaties and priuiledges than to further so vnmeasurable alterations at the pleasure of a straunger and of certayne vnknownen persons agaynst the oportunitie of the time the priuiledges of the Countreys his owne promises and in effect euen nature it selfe specially consideryng that the troubles in France were styrred vp at the same tyme by occasion of Ordinaunces and Edictes tendyng to like effect howebeit that the Realme of Fraunce is not so frequented and on al partes so inclosed and inuironed with Countreys that folowe the Religion contrary to the Romishe Religion as the sayd low Countreys are And their hope was that he would doo it so muche the rather because the sayd innouations began also to be misliked of strangers namely of the Archbishops and Bishops of the Empire whose iurisdiction within their own dioces was impeached by the foresayd erection of the newe Bishoprikes and that his Maiestie would reape none other profit by them than to bestowe his authority vpon such as made open profession that they woulde neuer thinke them selues beholden to hym for it In respect of which reasons and other like which euery man dyd set before hym accordyng to the capacitie of his wyt and specially vpoÌ„ hope which the said Countreys as well generally as particularly conceyued of his maiesties goodnesse for as muche as he no lesse than his predecessors had alwayes dealt reasonably with them by Iustice and accordyng to the customes of their countreys and that wherin soeuer they fouÌ„d them selues greeued they had bin woont to open it vnto his maiestie by waye of request and complaynt their desire was to take the same way nowe also and thereby to aduertise his maiestie of the sayd innouations and inconuenicnces that wer like to ensue if they were not remedied out of hand in consideration wherof as well on the behalf of the Regent as of the Lordes assembled in counsell whom the Cardinall bare in hand as is said afore that they should be burthened with all incoÌ„ueniences that might insue as wel as he the Baron of Mountignie a knyght of the Order was sente to his Maiestie in post with all speede that might be with charge instructioÌ„s to shew the state necessitie of the CouÌ„treys their generall mislikyng of the sayd innouations which made the Noble men and states of the Countrey to surcease all further and particular pursuite of the matter in hope that his Maiestie would vpon such declaration take order for some amends or at leastwise for some mitigation of those poyntes wherewith they found them selues distressed and greeued the rather in as muche as for the staying of the incorporation of the Prelacies and Abbeys then vacant in Brabant the Prelates other Noble men of the Countrey like as they of Andwerp also had done had sent their deputies afore to stop the Inquisition and the bringyng in of the newe Bishop whiche thing helde the Countrey for a tyme in suspence without any commotion or trouble vpon hope that by those deputies of theirs they should obteyne some such good redresse and coÌ„position as the state of the case required But yet notwithstandyng the state of Religion went foreward styll on all sydes in so muche that in some places men began to preach not only secretly which thyng could neuer yet be letted by any rigour but also openly namely at Ualenciennes Tournay and diuers other places the occasions wherof wer geuen or at leastwise increased by the libertie of the Religion agreed vpon in Fraunce for to their seemyng they had deserued no lesse at the handes of their kyng and prince than the Frenchmen had at theirs and in as muche as they had in many respectes bin dealt withall after the same maner that the FreÌ„chmeÌ„ had bin they thought also that they deserued to obteine liberty of coÌ„scieÌ„ce
our cace accordyng to the desert of it openly and without partialitie or affection Protestyng yit once agayne that all is nothyng which is or shal be done sayd ordeyned iudged or decreed to our preiudice by the said Duke of Alua suspected and refuzed as an incompetent Iudge as is sayd afore or by any that shal be put in Commission for him and in his steade And for asmuch as all this serueth to none other end but to do you to vnderstand the sayd declarations offers and protestations that by you and others such regarde may be had of them as is meete I will pray to the Creator to haue you Maister Attourney in his holy keepyng Written at Dillenbourch the thyrde of Marche 1568. Under-signed William of Nassaw The superscription of it was To Maister Attourney Generall ¶ An answere sent to the Duke of Alua by the Prince of Orendge vpon the Citation or Summons SIr for asmuch as my doyngs may be a sufficient testimonie that froÌ„ my youth vp I haue desired nothyng more than to imploy my selfe in the seruis first of the late Emperour of noble memory and afterward of the kyng my Maister I haue hoped that his maiestie beyng aduertized from me lyke as my Lady of Parma then Regent was also that I was come into this my county of Nassaw for certeine very vrgent affaires of myne would in respect of my faythfulnes good wil not haue ceased to haue shewed me so much fauour as to commauÌ„de me wherin soeuer I could haue done him seruis which I offered hym continewally by my sayd letters of aduertizemeÌ„t or at leastwise that I should haue vnderstode at your hand that the kynges Maiestie was mynded to haue me to leaue myne owne affaires heere and to returne immediatly thither as wel as you gaue intelligence of his maiesties minde to all other Lords states and Cities But as I was stil wayting with great longyng for his Maiesties commaundementes I was aduertized that processe was gone out agaynst me to seaze vpon my Lordshyps Landes and goodes and whiche woors is by ProclamatioÌ„ vnder the name of the Attourney generall ful of false and vntollerable slaunders and afterward by the apprehendyng of my sonne whom I had left at Louane that he might be the better able to serue the kyng and the coÌ„mon weale heerafter Whereat I wondered very much me thought it was right strange that they should proceede in such sort against a man of my calling forgettyng so soone the great and noble seruices done as well by my predecessours and by my selfe and in theis last trubbles by name Wherfore where as I haue reasons allegations well framed to Iustifie my cace with all and to cleere declare myne innocencie the wrong that is done me in this behalfe which I reserue till fit time place may serue I thought it inough at this tyme to answere the Attourney general with speede and to lay open and to shewe to him the insuffiâ—…iencie of his Summons by other reasons which I had agaynst the same before the expiring of the ouer hasty terme that is prefixed vnto me to the ende that men should not thinke I felt my selfe gilty in any thing or that I â—…eene not to pursew my right so farre forth as I shal finde it expedient by reason And thereof Syr I thought good to aduertize you also by sendyng you Copic of the letter that I wrate to maister Attourney togither with this letter to the intent there may be no more proceedyng or dealyng agaynst me or myne through ignoraunce furtherforth than may be iustified heerafter by order of law whereto I hope I shall one day haue my recours And to the ende that this may not serue to any other effect I pray God Syr to giue vnto you health and whatsoeuer is for your saluation and vnto me that my Prince may once truly vnderstand the sinceritie of my dealynges From Dillenbourch this thyrd of Marche 1568. The subscription of it was Your brother of the Order William of Nassaw The superscription was To my Lord the Duke of Aluaze grace ¶ The Copie of an other Letter written by the foresaid Frauncis of Alua Ambassadour for the king of Spaine in Fraunce to the Duchesse of Parma c. Regent besides that whiche is inserted heertofore in the page 106. No. 6. MAdame the aduertizemeÌ„t which your highnes hath giuen me of the affaires where you are hath confirmed the opinion which I haue alwayes had namely that this styrre was neuer made without the knowledge and supportaÌ„ce of the greatest and specially of the three whiche make so fayre countenance For as your highnesse hath considered with greate care and discretion you must also beleue that all the mischief spryngeth of them three I haue not fayled to aduertize the kings Maiestie of all thynges and specially of that matter And I am sure that whereas your highnesse hath informed his Maiestie of them you shall not neede to handle them as they should be and accordyng to your owne information for they may be well assured that they shal be the first whom his Maiestie will deale with not to shewe them fauour for they be not worthy of it but to punish and correct them as their rebellion deserueth Therfore your hyghnes shall not neede to giue them any euill countenance or to make any shewe of misliking for feare of marring the matter But you must hold them stil in hope that the kynges Maiestie taketh them for his faythfull seruauntes that will stand vs in great stead For by causing them to beleeue so you shall ouertake them the eassyer But when the time coÌ„meth you shal talke to them in an other maner of language And your highnesse must assure your selfe that if your will be good to make them receiue the payment that they haue deserued his Maiestie wil be no lesse willyng to do what soeuer is needefull in that behalfe Also Madame to aduertize you in what assuraunce we bee of succour in Fraunce accordyng to the instructions that you gaue me I must bee fayne to tell your hyghnesse that we haue promises inough made vs but I feare me they will stand vs in no great stead and in the end all will turne to bare words bycause they haue not their own willes nor are able to helpe vs as they promise by reason that the Hugonotes heerawayes are strong and doo make head I will not fayle to do what may be done and to aduertize your highnesse thereof vpon all occasions But in any wise I beseech you to behaue your selfe very cunnyngly towards the three persons whom I haue named vnto you And so c. From Paris the xxix of August 1566. ¶ Letters of the Prince of Orendgis to the Regent MAdame I haue receyued the letters which it hath pleased your highnesse to write vnto me together with the Counselles letters concernyng my gouernment whereby I vnderstand the kinges maiesties intent consistyng in three
States nor cause any leuying of money or men of warre no nor any coyning of money to bee made there without the consent and aduice of the States of the same Countrie And for the more confirmatioÌ„ and assurance therof after the rehearsall of the particular poyntes and Articles of the said Entrie whiche are many they added in effecte this conclusion folowing That if they their heyres or successors shall by them selues or by any other either wholy or partly doo or cause to be done any thing contrary or preiudiciall to the premisses after what sort soeuer it be they consent agree and graunt to their Prelates BaroÌ„s Knights Townes Cities Liberties and al other their subiectes that then and from thencefoorth they shall not doo to theÌ„ their heyres or successors any kind of seruis nor owe them any duetie of allegeaÌ„ce nor obey theÌ„ in any matters wherein they shal haue neede of them or which they shall desire or require at their handes vnlesse that vpon reconciliation satisfactioÌ„ and attonemeÌ„t they be by the states of the same Countries accepted new againe And to the same intent they decreed and ordeyned that all officers appoynted or placed contrary to the faythful purport and true meanyng of this their sayd Entrie should be dischargcd displaced and likewise that what soeuer thing were or should be done or attempted in preiudice or impeachment of the premisses should be esteemed as voyde and of none effecte In witnesse and euerlastyng confirmation whereof the said Emperour the Prince his sonne did set their handes and seales to the sayd othe in writyng at Louane the fift day of Iuly 1549. And this is it that is called the ioyful entrie Whereby and by many presidentes of their stories whiche make mention how the people of those Countries haue refuzed renounced reiected remoued and depozed diuers of their Lords soueraignes for their misgouernment and for infrindging their sayd othe and in their places elected appoynted set vp and established others of whose Iustice they had better opinion aud likelyhood which thyng notwithstandyng they haue not vsed to doo but vpon most vrgent and extreme necessitie after long sufferance and seking of redresse by all reasonable meanes with most duetifull iutreatance submission supplication and humilitie It may playnly appeare that the state of the lowe Countreys is not an absolute Monarchie or heritable kingdome after the maner of this Realme and of Fraunce and such other like but a State with condition terminable and not to continue any longer than the Lorde whom they doo so accept vpon hope of his good gouernment dooth continue in reignyng and rulyng accordyng to his oth taken at his entrie Which if he violate then are they by the same his othe discharged of their subiection and obedience to hym and haue full authoritie and free libertie both to resist hym and his Officers and also to chooze and take to them any other head or Soueraigne that wyll be more frendly and beneficiall to their Countrey as appeareth by that solemne and autentike deede of Duke Iohn dated at Louane the fourth of Maye 1420. and by diuers other Records to the same effecte Whereupon it foloweth that this IustificatioÌ„ of the Prince of Orendge and of suche as take his parte and of the cace wherein they stande is most iust and rightfull euen in these respectes though there were no further proofes wberof notwithstandyng there are very many in this treatise folowing Thus I commyt thee to God who giue thee the spirite of iudgement to discerne accordyng to truth that thou be not lead into errour to allowe the thyng that is euyll or to condemne the thyng that is good ¶ A Iustification of the Prince of Orendge against his sclaunderers SUch as haue experience of the affayres of states and common weales are wel able to discerne them that seeke to trouble the trauquilitie and quiet of the publike weale through ambition and desire of priuate commoditie and doo take all maner of straunge and vnaccustomed kinde of dealyngs which meÌ„ of power credite and authoritie doo vse to bee sure and infallible tokens of lyke driftes And therefore to shewe who haue bin the chiefe ringleaders and authours of the troubles that haue happened in the low Countrey the onely thyng to be considered is who they were that had cause to desire innouation in that Countrey for any commoditie or profit which they looked for and were the first beginners and putters therof in execution For the doing wherof in my opinion it is necessarye to set downe the state of the sayd low Countrey in such wise as it was before the late troubles and after the warres whiche as well the late right high and cenoumed Emperour Charles as the kyng of Spaine Princes of the same lowe Countrey and soueraigne Lordes of the subiectes there maynteyned in maner continually by the space of ten yeares together against the French king Which state was such that although in the meane season the people were in some vnquietnesse by reason of the Inquisition and Iniunctions that were obserued iu diuers Prouinces in the case of Religion whiche vnquietnesse augmented dayly more and more through the increase of the Religion and through the rigour of the Iniunctions which grew so extreme and so farre out of all square as it was a woonder that they were suffered and borne withal so long tyme and so patiently in so freee a Countrey as shal be declared hereafter yet notwithstaÌ„ding it was euidently seene that in all other respectes the subiectes were ready not onely to yeelde al due obedience but also to spend their bodyes and goodes for his maiesties sake For the Nobilitie behaued them selues with incredible courage and forewardnesse in the sayd warres and the States of the Countrey dyd freely and of their own accord geue an incredible masse of money towards the charges thereof amountinge fully to the summe of fourty millions of Florens that so wyllyngly as there was neuer any signe of iniâ—…ikyng perceyued for the matter by reason wherof it might wel haue bene thought that the Countrey was so affectioned towardes his maiestie as they would not haue spared any thyng for the mayntenaunce of his state and honour against his enemyes And therefore his maiestie might easily thereby assure hym selfe thereof against all forreyne powers And for as muche as it is a naturall thyng that all great seruices and well dooinges shoulde ingender truste it could not be but that the said countrey namely the Noble men in consideratioÌ„ that by their peril bloudshed prowesse his maiestie had atchieued so many honourable victories and the commons for that he had dispatched so long and tedious a warre with so great honour by their succour ayde and aâ—…istaunce must needes be in great hope that his maiestie would haue regard of their so great duetifulnesse and notable seruice wheÌ„ so euer occasion were offered By meanes whereof a man might also haue openly warranted the Countrey
from al inward troubles and commotions For when the subiecte can looke for nothyng but well at his Princes hand he continueth the more wyllyngly and earnestly in his obedience So that cōsideryng how the state of the Countrey florished by the intercourse of al kindes of trafique and marchaundise and of all other thyngs dependyng therupon although it were sore nipped by the former warres and ouercharged in maner oppressed with tallages impostes and exactions layde vpon them by reason of the said summes of money which they had graunted to be leuyed for the charge of the sayd warres yet is it most apparāt that beyng sure frō enemies with out and vnited with their Prince within and mainteined with priuiledges ordinaunces accordyng to the tyme it would not onely haue bin refreshed set cleare discharged of all dettes but also haue atteined to that top of all worldly felicitie within few yeares By meanes wherof his Maiestie cōmyng to bee renowmed and feared of straūgers and to be reuerenced loued of his subiectes might haue bin taken for the greatest kyng happiest Prince of his time In somuch as it must nedes be confessed that they whiche haue bin the hinderers of this prosperitie happy state by breakyng the sayd vnion by turnyng away the sayd affectiō haue committed so great an offence to the domage of his Maiestie and of the cōmon weale that they deserue to be punished and chastised to the example of others And I beleue that all such as see the coūtrey at this presēt how it is brought from so apparaunt felicitie to extreme wretchednesse bōdage and miserie wil◅e of myne opinion and iudge as I do And we William of Nassaw Prince of Orēdge beyng takē for the author of this alteration by the Attourney generall accordyng to the letters patētes of summons citation refuse not the sayd punishment in case that the suggestion of the said Attourney be true Who to pretend some cause and occasion that might haue prouoked vs thereto and hauyng not any likelyhode that wee would enterprise it without cause alledgeth that our ambition and vnordinate desire of authoritie was the cause of it Whereupō it followeth that the finall cause of our doings and attēptes should be honour desire of dealynges and extraordinarie authoritie But to bereue the Attourney of that groūd wherupon he pretēdeth to build his accusatiō it might suffise for such as are acquaynted with our person to alledge myne owne naturall disposition whiche is nothyng inclined to such desires and for other men to alledge the portion of worldly substaunce wherewith God of his grace hath indewed vs by good gouernment order where through we might rather hope for aduauncemēt and authoritie then by any other kynde of dealynges For all men must needes graūt that to get vs home to our owne house and to liue priuately was a much better meane to gather treasure and riches wherby to get preserue and mainteine authoritie than to spend wastefully in the Court in hope therof by vsurping superioritie vpō vs For they that haue any vnderstandyng at all of our dealynges do know very well that I neuer passed for any superioritie And in asmuch as the coūtrey is so affectionate to his maiestie as is said afore there is nothing more vnlikly thā to charge vs with intent of vsurpation aboue the authoritie of hym and of the countrey Specially seyng I was alwayes of opiniō that his Maiestie should rather keepe still his subiects in the sayd loue good wil by mitigating of his Edictes than turne them away from it by proceedyng with newe deuises of rigour which is the only point meane wherby it might haue bene pretēded that we would haue atteyned to the foresaid attempt For it cannot be denied but that loue good will are the meanes wherby a Prince may mainteine his authoritie and keepe his countrey And therfore it must needes be confessed that in being of that opiniō we sought the preseruatiō of his Maiestie and not the vsurpyng of authoritie ouer h◅n Now thē whereas others were of opiniō that it was more expedient that his state should be mainteined by rigour it followeth of necessitie that I was of contrary opinion vnto them onely as touchyng the meane of the maynteinyng therof but not as touchyng the maintenaunce and preseruation it selfe whiche thing experience sheweth to be vnpossible to be done by rigour so long as the foresaid countreys continue in this apparaunt prosperitie wherein my desire was that they should haue bene mainteined vnder his Maiesties iurisdictiō whiche thyng was next Gods seruice the onely cause that I allowed not y rigour of the foresayd Inquisitiō Ed◅tes Wherof all our other doynges also will beare record in that they be alienated or rather cleane contrary to all ambition For euen before that time I had giuē ouer my roome which I had in the Counsell of Estate the office of Lord Treasurer apparant places to win the attendance sute of all the states yea to bryng as it were the ouerrulyng of all affaires to my hands if I had listed whereof other men had so good skill to make their owne gayne But God be thāked I was so farre of frō such meanyng that when I saw I could not do his Maiestie good seruice in those offices as I would ◅aine haue done by reason of the practises of other mē that letted me I surrendered thē both into his handes And yet notwithstandyng like as his Maiestie after our sayd demeanour and vpon the surrender of our cōmissions left not to call vs often tymes to counsell so we on our part haue discharged our selues as much as is possible in coūsellyng him what we thought best for his seruice and for the benefite of the coūtrey And it was a great hart-breaking to vs to see that a two or three persons should so ouerthrow his Maiesties good meanyng Neuerthelesse whereas his Maiesty haning knowē the sinceritie of my dealyngs and my forewardnesse in his seruice of all that tyme and beyng then in Zeland on his way towardes Spayne ◅treated me very earnestly to take vpō me agayne the state of a Counseller I after much excusing of my selfe obeyed him Howbeit when I saw afterward that thyngs kept on their wōted trade and went farre otherwise than his Maiestie had put me in hope of I sewed to be put of againe about a ij yeares after And for asmuch as I saw them indeuer by all meanes to bryng the countrey to bondage which some mē terme full obediēce as shal be shewed hereafter bycause I would haue no occasiō to deale with that poynt which seemed to tend wholly to the hinderaunce of his Maiestie and of the common weale I made the more earnest sute and intreataunce to be discharged of my gouernement that I might withdraw my selfe and intend wholly to myne owne priuate affaires and not bee blamed for the inconneniēces that were like to
the thyng that might assure vs of the execution of our charge The same may also serâ—…e vs for answer in respect of their coÌ„sistories in as much as both before our commyng yea and eueÌ„ before there was any publike preachyng the Protestants kept their Consistories for in dede they had their consistories euery where eueÌ„ in all rymes also because that although we neuer coÌ„sented vnto them yet we neuer saw any likelyhood of trouble to insewe by meanes of them It is very true that to let the assemblyng of the coÌ„mon people vpon euery occasion I affirmed and thought good that some should be appoynted to deale in the name of all the rest because I saw no way els to performe my charge and to mainteâ—…e and preserue the peace and to auoyd all confusion and disorder Againe I could not perceiue that any inconuenience or danger should folow of their buildyng of Churches as some surmized seeyng that a Church could cause no more euil than a house or any other place and that for as much as I was sent to kepe the citie in peace and tranquilitie it behoued me for the auoyding of all inconueniences rather to disappoynt the occasions and purposings of attaynyng thereunto than to styrre vp prouoke the parties by impeachyng the erection of a Church or by any such other meane aâ—…d so to giue occasion of other troubles whiche it should haue bin impossible to haue ouerruled afterward without doyâ—…g directly agaynst our Commission and without settyng of all thynges in a broyle Also this may serue partly for a solution to the last part of the foresayde Suminons which conteyneth that I should suffer the leuying taxing and gatheryng of money to be imployed afterward vpon the reteynyng of souldiers and men of warre For I know of none other leuyinges taxations and gatheryngs than onely such as were made afore my commyng for the reliefe of the poore and the maintenaunce of the Ministers and afâ—…erwarde for the buildyng of the Churches And it shall neuer be found that any collection was made to my benefite or imployed vpon the leuying of souldiers or vpon the intertaynment of men on myne owne behalf by reason wherof I should haue apparant occasion to suffer the said taxations and collections Moreouer my refuzing of the fiftie thousand Florens that were offered me from the accountantes by the Sates of Holland for the good serâ—…is that I had done to the kyng and the Countrey duryng the troubles by appeasing the vprores there dooth as I thinke sufficiently shew that it was not mine intent to suffer any such collections taxations and leuyings which it was not otherwise possible to let in Cities of traffike as in Antwerp where ther was in maner nothing els but gatheryng of money for diuers purposes For as much therfore as I haue most euidently as I hope shewed that no euyl or inordinate affection of mine vpon any ambitious desire to vsurpe aboue the authoritie of the kyng wherof all our countenances sayinges and doinges haue bin cleare yea and cleane contrary to it hath bin the cause of any trouble as wherby we could not haue hoped for any benefite so that I was not the cause of any innouation that might set the people in any broyle or vnquietnesse but that on the contrary part the sayd Cardinall of Granuill was the cause of al the said innouations and of al the mislikyng that was ingendred afterward betweene the king and the people by his vsurping of extraordinary authoritie aboue all the Counsels yea and euen aboue the Regent in hope to mainteyne augment and increase the same his authoritie by institutyng of new Bishops by confirming of the Inquisition and by renewyng of the Iniunctions to satisfiâ—… his owne ambition and couetousnesse whiche caryed hym away so headloÌ„g at other times also that he dyd set dissension and miâ—…iking betweene great Potentates yea and euen betweene the late right high and happy Princes Charles the Emperour and his brother Ferdinand and his sonnes I thinke that such as are of iudgement and haue experience in matters wyll not sticke either to acquit me of the mischiefes and inconueniences that haue happened in the said couÌ„treys and of the alteration of the apparaâ—… felicitie thereof into extreme bonâ—…age penurie and wretchednesse or to charge the said Cardinall with them whom men go about to set vp againe in authoritie by the ouerthrow and destruction of the countrey in recompence not of any good seruis of his for the which had he done neuer so many and so great good turnes he and his had sufficiently cut out their own shares already without leauyng any part to the discretion of the kings maiestie but of the mischiefes inconueniences abouesaid and to giue hym oportunitie to worke mo wheras al our seuices done to the great damage and hinderaÌ„ce both of vs and of our auncetours of whom some haue dyed in his seruis and euen at the feâ—…te of his Emperiall maiestie are forgotten and we spoyled not only of our goodes by trifling false and surmised causes reasons and allegations and by such kind of proceedings as are vtterly against all right law and custome as hath bin shewed heretofore and by an other writing of ours but also of our honour and our childe which are things dearer to vs than our lyfe all which is to the preiudice not only of vs but also of the kyngs maiestie of whose couenants bonds othes and promises there is no regard at all had which is so vnorderly vnreasonable and spitefull a kind of dealing as it can not be auoyded but that it must one day breede some inconuenience which I beseech God that the kyngs maiestie being inlightened with his diuine brightnesse and light may turne away and preuent and rightly take intelligence of the dooynges of his good seruants and faithfull subiectes which are now wrongfully selaundered persecuted and afflicted so as the world may know that the thinges which haue passed proceeded not of his maiesties own nature but of the misreportes tales and sclaunders of such as haue disguised the truth and concealed it from hym euen to this hoâ—…re ¶ The Summons or Citation sent out against the Prince of Orendge PHilip by the grace of God kyng of Castile Lyons Arragon and Nauarre â–ª c. To our chiefe Hussher or Serieant at Armes vpon this required Greeting We are informed by our welbeloued and faithfull Counseller and Attorney general that the Lord William of Nassaw Prince of OreÌ„dge hauyng receiued both of our late Lorde and Father the right noble Emperour Charles the fift to whom God grant rest and also of vs since our commyng to our state many honors and promotions as our choozing of hym to be a brother of our own Order our naming and admitting of hym to be of our couÌ„sell of estate and our preferryng of hym to diuers goodly Roomes Charges Offices as namely to the gouernment of Burgundie Holland Zeland and Utreight
maiestie hereafter this is worthy to be takeÌ„ for one of the noblest and to best purpoze in respect wherof we be throughly perswaded that your highnesse can not but take it in good worth Therefore Madam although we doubt not but that all that euer his maiestie hath decreed both heretofore and now newly again at this present concerâ—…yng the Inquisition and the streight obsernyng of the Iniunctions in the case of ReligioÌ„ haue some good grounde and iust title namely for the continuyng of the thynges which the late Emperour of noble memorie Charles had vpon very good meanyng determined and stablished yet notwithstandyng seeing that the diuersitie of tymes bringeth diuersitie of remedyes with them and the sayd Iniunctions haue already geuen occasion of many griefes and inconueniences now many yeares since for all the executyng of them with extreme rigour Surely his Maiesties laste resolution whereby he not only forbyddeth the mitigatyng of the Iniunctions any whyt at all but also commaundeth expresly that the Inquisition should proceede and the Iniunctions be executed with all rigour doth giue vs sufficient cause of iust feare that therby not onely the inconueniences wyl be greatly augmented but also there wyl in the end insue some general commotion and insurrection tendyng to the miserable ruine of the whole Contrey accordyng as the manifest tokens of mâ—…tinie among the people which appeareth already euerywhere doo shewe vs openly to the eye Wherfore consideryng the apparaÌ„ce and greatnesse of the dauÌ„gers that manace vs we haue hoped hitherto that either the Lordes or els the states of the Countrey would haue aduertized your highnesse therof one tyme or other that you might haue remedyed it by remouyng the cause and grounde of the mischeef But when we sawe that they did not put forth theÌ„selues to do it by reasoÌ„ of sum occasions to vs vnknowen and that in the meane while the mischeef increaced froÌ„ day to day so as it was lyke to come to a generall insurrection and ceuolt we haâ—…e thought it our dewtie to wayt no longer tyme but rather accordyng to the othe of our faith and allegeauÌ„ce matched with good meening and zeale towardes his Maiâ—…stie and the couÌ„trey to put forth our selues foremost in doyng our needefull indeuer that so much the more frankly as we haue more cause to hope that his Maiestie will take our aduertizement in very good part for asmuch as the matter toucheth vs much neerer than any others as them that lye more open to the inconueniences and calamities that are customably wont to spryng of like accidents bycause the most part of vs haue our houses and possessioÌ„s situaâ—…e in the open fieldes redy for all men to pray vpon and also forasmuch as if we should follow the rigour of the sayd IniunctioÌ„s in such wise as his Maiestie commaundeth vs expresly to procede their should not generally be any man amoÌ„g vs no nor in all the CouÌ„treys heeraboutes of whatsoeuer callyng state or degree hee were which should not roune in daunger of losse both of body and goodes bee subiect to the slaunder of hym that would bee his enemye who to haue a share of his goodes so forfeyted might accuse him vnder preteÌ„ce of the sayd Iniunctions wherein there was none other refuge left for the defeÌ„dant but only if the officer listed to winke at him at whose curtesie both his life his goods did wholly staÌ„d In consideration wher of we haue the more cause to beseeche your highnes most humbly so do we in deede by this our Supplication to voutsafe to take some order in the cace bycause it is a matter of great importance to send a fit and conuenient person to the Kynges Maiestie with all speede possible to aduertize him therof to beseech him most huÌ„bly on our behalfe that it may pleaze him to prouide remedy in that behalfe as well for heerafter as for the present tyme And that for asmuch as that caÌ„not be done by sufferyng the sayd Iniunctions to stand in force bycause they bee the very welspring and roote froÌ„ whence all the sayd inconueniences spryng it may pleaze him to giue eare to the abolishyng of them which he shall finde to be necessary for the turnyng away of the vniuersall ruine destruction of all his countreys heere And to the intent his Maiestie may haue no cause to thinke that we which haue none other meenyng than to yeld him most humble seruis would take vpon vs to bridle him and to bynd hym to the stake at our pleasure as we dout not but our aduersaries will inceÌ„se him to our disaduantage it may please him to make other ordinauÌ„ces by the aduice and consent of all the States assembled generally togither to prouide for the things abouesaid by sum other meanes more fit and conuenient and without any euident daunger Also we most humbly beseeche your highnes that in the meane seazon while his Maiestie may take intelligence of our inst request and determine thereof accordyng to his good rightfull pleasure you will prouide for the sayd dauÌ„gers by a generall surceassing as well of the Inquisition as of all executioÌ„ of the sayd IniuÌ„ctions vntill his Maiesty haue taken other ordre in the matter And we protest expresly that asmuch as in vs lay we haue discharged our dewries by this present aduertizement so that we do now vnburtheÌ„ our selues of it before God meÌ„ declaryng plainly that if any iuconuenience disorder sedition reuolt or sheadyng of blud insew thereof herafter for want of redresse in tyme we cannot be blamed of the coÌ„cealyng of so apparaÌ„t a mischeef Wherin we take God the kyng your highnesse the Lordes of the Counsell and our owne consciences to witnesse that our proceedyng therein hath bin as becommeth the kynges good trusty seruauÌ„tes and faythfull subiectes without passing the bouÌ„des of our dewty in any point in respect wherof also we beseech your highnesse so much the more instaÌ„tly to voutsafe to giue eare to it before any further harme insew thereof So shall you do well ¶ The Answere and Replication made to the sayde Supplication in the Counsell of the States by the Lady Regent was as followeth HIr highnesse hauying considered the petitions demauÌ„des conteined in the said Supplication is fully determined to send it to the kyngs Maiestie and to offer it vnto hym with all kynde of dewtifulnesse that she caÌ„ deuize to serue hir to moue and incline his Maiestie to coÌ„descend to their requestes afore shewed tellyng theÌ„ that there was no cause for them to hope otherwise than for all thynges meete and agreable to his natiue accustomed goodnesse for the furtheraunce whereof hir highnesse by the ayde aduice of the Rulers of the Prouinces the Knightes of the Order and the Lordes of the Counsell had taken peynes to deuize and penne a moderation of the sayd Iniunctions in the cace of Religion before the commyng of their informatioÌ„s to be presented to his
winkyng at them notwithstanding any replication or appeale made or to be made or any Priuiledges Ordinances Statuts Customes or vsages to the contrary al which our wyll and pleasure is to haue to take no place in this behalfe but of our owne â—…ayne knowledge authoritie and full power we haue disanulled them and doo disanul them by these presents And for the performance of that which is saide and of the thinges dependyng therupon we giue vnto you our Iustices Officers and men of Lawe to whoÌ„ this cace belongeth full power authoritie and speciall Commission commaundyng and charging euery man to obey you and to attend diligently vpon you in the dooing therof For so is our pleasure ¶ Secondly of the perpetuall Decree and Edict ordeined and set foorth the. 29. day of Aprill 1550. after the making of other rigorous Decrees in the yeares 1544. and. 1546. FIrst that no person of what estate or coÌ„dition soeuer he be shal print write copie out wittingly haue vnder hym receyue beare about keepe conceale holde vnder hym sell â—…wy giue distribute sow abroad or let fall in Churches streetes or other places any bookes or writyngs compyled by Martin Luther Iohn Oecolampadius Vlrichus Zuinglius Martin Bucer Iohn Caluin or other heretikes and authors of their sectes or of other wicked false sectes disallowed by the holy Churche or of their complices adherents and fauourers whiche are gone astray from our holy Catholike fayth more largely specified in a certaine Declaration and Register ioyned herunto newly made at our commaundemeÌ„t by the Chauncelour and the Students of the vniuersitie of our Citie of Louane dated the xxvi of March last which we auow our selues to haue authorized and doo authorize it willyng and commaundyng that it be followed maynteyned and published with these our present Letters and also that no other bookes made or printed or that shal be made or printed hereafter be suffered without declaryng the author Printer tyme and place ✚ ✚ Nor also paynt or cause to be paynted sell or set to sale haue holde or kepe any Images Pictures or figures reprochful to the virgin Mary or to the Saintes that are Canonized by the holy Church or to the state of the Clevgie nor breake deface or pull downe the Images and Pictures that are made in the honor of them ✚ ✚ Nor in their houses or els wher hold or suffer to be held any secret conuenticles or vndue assemblies nor come in place where the sayde heretikes and seducers doo secretly and priuily sowe and teach theire errours rebaptize and make many conspiracies agaynst holy Church and the common weale Furthermore we forâ—… all men as well laye folke as others to talke or to reazon openly or secretly of the holy scripture specially in great and doubtfull matters or to reade or teache the holy Scripture to others vnlesse they be Diuines brought vp in Diuinitie allowed by some famous Uniuersitis or admitted thereto by the Ordinarye of the place or finally to preach defende alledge or mainteyn openly or secretly any doctrine of the sayd Authors Uppon payne in cace that anye bee founde to haue incountred or done against any of the poyntes aboue mentioned of being punished as seditious persons and distrublers of the state and common weale and to be executed for suche that is to wytte the men by the sword and the womeÌ„ by the pyt so they do not vphold and defend their errors but if they stande in their errors opinions and heresies then they shal be executed by the fire and in all caces their goodes shal be seazed confiscate forfeyted to our behoofe and they shal not be able to dispoze of their goodes from the day that they shal haue done against our ordinance statute and prohibition or bin falue into the said errors And all alienations gyftes conueyances sales settinges ouer Testamentes and last willes made or passed by them after the sayd day shal be as none and nothyng worth and of none effect nor force Further we decree and prohibite euery person of what state or callyng so euer he be to presume to harbor receiue into his house interteyne furnishe or succour with any victuals money apparell or other necessaries or to releeue with his goodes or otherwise wittingly to fauour any that hath bin counted or suspected for an heretike and that al such as shall lodge harbour receyue or keepe company with them knowing them to be suche shal be bounde to bewray and declare them to the Inquisitor or to the Officer of the place if the place be priuiledged or if it be not to the chefe Officer of the good towne that is next the place where they dwell vnder paine if they make default to be punished as fauourers of the â—…aid heretikes Item we wyll ordeyne and decree that no man of what state or callyng so euer he be shal be admitted or receyued into any towne or village of our Countreys hereawayes to dwell there vnlesse he bring a Certificat of his conuersation froÌ„ the Curate of the place where he dwelt last which Certificat he shal be bounde to exhibite and deliuer into the handes of the chiefe Officer of the Towne or village where he intendeth to lyue vnder payne that they whiche bring not such certificat shall not be admitted to dwell there but shal be taken for suspected And we commaunde our Officers to lay diligently for informations against them to proceede therin as shal be expedient And it shall not be lawfull for our sayd Officers to giue any respite or protection to such persons Also we wyll that all our Iustices officers men of Law together with our vassalles and subiectes Lords temporall and high Iustices shall vppon payne of forfeytyng of their Offices Iurisdictions and high Iusticeships or other penaltie at our pleazure accordyng as the cace shall require be bound to inquire diligeÌ„tly of them and to proceede or cause their vnder Officers to proceede againste all suche persons of what state or callyng so euer they be specially in the poynt of incounteryng of our saide ordinance and in matters fallyng within the compasse of their examination and dependyng vpon their temporal iurisdiction And further that at the request and desire of the Inquisitors of the faith and of the Bishops ordinary Iudges being mynded to procede together or as they chance to meet against any man because the thing concerneth the Ecclesiasticall crime of heresie they shall minister and giue them al the ayde fauour and assistence that they can for the executyng and performyng of their charges and also for the apprehâ—…nding imprisonyng and safekeeping of such as they find to be infected accordyng to the instructions that the Inquisitors haue of vs and the commission that we haue caused to be graunted vnto them to the same end The which Officers Iustices and vassals we coÌ„maâ—…nd to minister the said ayd and assistence without any delaye or lingryng vnder preteÌ„ce of any
or for the peculiar Lordes or for their officers to giue licence or pasport to any suche persons And as touchyng merchant strangers others that list to come into our sayd low countreys our meanyng is not to compel theÌ„ to bring such Certificat with theÌ„ or to exhibit it sauyng that they must lyue there accordyng to our saide ordinances behaue themselues without giuyng cause of offence as is sayd afore Also we wil that al our Iustices officers men of law and al our vassals subiects Lords teÌ„poral high Iustices shal vpon forfeyture of their offices iuâ—…dictions Iustice ships or vpoÌ„ other penaltie at our pleasure according to the state of the cace be bound to make diligent serch to procede or to cause their officers to procede to the verifying of the matters aforesaid against al persons of what state or calling soeuer they be specially in the thyngs that coÌ„cerne the incounteryng of our said ordinances in the caces that belong to their examination and depende vpon their temporall iurisdiction Moreouer when the Ecclesiasticall Iudges meane to proceede against any man because he is faulty iu the ecclesiasticall crime of heresie they shall require of the officers of our cheefe Courtes or prouincial Councels to haue some one of their company or other assistent appoynted theÌ„ to be at the informations procedings which they intend to prefer agaynst suche as are suspected And we wil coÌ„maâ—…nd inioyne al our officers Iustices vassals to yeeld to giue to the said Iudges their felow CoÌ„missioners all the helpe fauour furtherance assistence that they can for the executyng performing of their charge also in the apprehendyng imprisonyng keepyng of such as they shall finde infected without delay or impediment vnder pretence of any sute hanging preueÌ„tion or other occasioÌ„ whatsoeuer vnder peyne to bee corrected at our pleazure And we coÌ„maund our Attourneyes generall and theirdeputies to proceede agaynst such as are negligent to procure sentence vpoÌ„ them to the end they may be depriued of their roomes offices of the priuiledges of their iurisdictions and receiue such other punishmentes â–ª as shal be founde meete accordyng as the cace requireth IteÌ„ that all such as know or vnderstaÌ„d of any that are infected with heresy shal be bound to bewray vtter name geue knowledge of them immediately without delay to the ecclesiasticall iudges the Bishops officers and others to whom the matter beloÌ„geth Also that if any maÌ„ be fouÌ„d to haue don against our decrees prohibitioÌ„s shewing himselfe to be infected or a fauorer of heretickes or to haue done any act agaynst our ordinances commaundemeÌ„tes specially tending to offence coÌ„motion of the people or seditioÌ„ they that know theÌ„ or vnderstaÌ„d of theÌ„ shal be bouÌ„d to giue intelligence of theÌ„ out of haÌ„d to our Attourneys or to their deputies vnder officers or to the officers of y place where such infected persons offenders or fauorers of them do wel that vnder peyne of beyng punished at our pleasure Likewise if they know the place where any such hereticke lyeth hid they shal be bound to bewray him to the officer of that same place vpoÌ„ peyne to be taken as is sayd afore for fauorers receiuers adherentes of the heresie to be punished with the same punishment that the hereticke or offender should be if he were apprehended And to the end that the said Iustices officers which shal haue apreheÌ„ded such heretikes Anabaptists traÌ„sgressors of oursaid ordinaÌ„ces coÌ„mauÌ„demeÌ„ts may haue no occasion to beare with theÌ„ their complices fauourers vnder pretence that the punishmentes may seeme to great rigorous set out but onely to terrifie offeÌ„ders euil doers nor also to punish them lesse greuously thaÌ„ they haue deserued as hath bin found to haue bin done oftentymes heertofore we will that such as shal wittingly haue done agaynst this ordinance by keeping to theÌ„ selues or by printyng sellyng distributyng or puttyng forth any bookes writings or pictures that are heretical and offeÌ„siue or otherwise agaynst the points heertotore declared or any of theÌ„ shal be really punished corrected and chastized with the punishmeÌ„tes aboue meÌ„tioned Prohibityng all Iudges Iustices officers togither with our vassals and subiectes Lordes temporal hauyng authoritie of Iustice their officers to alter mitigate or chauÌ„ge the sayd punishmeÌ„ts in any wise coÌ„mauÌ„ding theÌ„ that as soone as any withstandyng appeereth they vtter denounce the sayd punishment simply according to this decree vpoÌ„ peyne to be rigorously punished vnlesse that for some great notable consideratioÌ„s the iudges finde some hardnesse in the cace about the preeize execution of the punishmeÌ„t that is appointed by our sayd decrees against the traÌ„sgressour in which cace notwithstandyng they shall not of their owne authoritie proceede to any qualification but be bounde to cary or seÌ„d the same crime in all proces faithfully folded vp sealed to the cheef or prouinciall CouÌ„sell vnder the Iurisdiction whereof they shall resort togither to be there looked vpoÌ„ ouersene couÌ„seled whither there be fall any alteratioÌ„ or mitigatioÌ„ of the said penalties or no. And if any of our sayd Counselles finde that any alteration or mitigation is requisite by good Iustice accordyng to right and reason wherewith we charge their coÌ„sciences In such cace they may be well aduized therof put it in writyng seÌ„d it whole backe agayne to the said Iustices officers to dispatch determine y cace according therunto Neuertheles we charge coÌ„maund theÌ„ expresly yea euen vpon peyne to be corrected punished at our pleasure that they cause not such coÌ„sultatioÌ„ to be had without great apparaÌ„t cause but that they deale as farre as they can euen to the vttermost accordyng to the tenor of this present dâ—…ret In the same Edict amoÌ„g other thyngs vvere inserted vvord for vvord the three first points or Articles coÌ„teined in the former Edict and marked there at their begynnynges vvith a dubble Crosse. Likewise there vvere rehersed and repeated the vvordes and substauÌ„ce of all the pointes and Articles noted and marked in the sayd Edict of 1540 vvith a single 〈◊〉 sauyng that vvhiche hath a starre added to the Crosse thus ¶ The Articles of Agreement made vvith the noblemen that vvere the Confederates by the RegeÌ„t in the kyngs name the xxiij day of August and aftervvard put at large into hir letters of Assurance set dovvne heeretofore pag. 99. vvhere the begynnyng of it is touched also HIr highnes caused the geÌ„tlemeÌ„ that had put vp the supplicatioÌ„ vnto hir to returne to the xx of August to receiue aunswere to their demaundes duryng which time it fell out so wel that she receiued letters from the kynges maiestie whereby she was the better inabled to giue them certeine absolute answere And first of all she declareth that his maiestie hauing regard of y thyngs