to haue a moneths paie deliuered them by the 15. of that moneth In witnesse whereof we haue signed these presents and set to our seales of armes in the presence of the Vicont of Gant Monsier de Capres and of Monsier D'Allennes the day and yeare aboue mentioned This accord was published by the Baron of Montigni in an assemblie of the States of Arthois held at Arras as followeth My Lord the Baron of Montigni in an open assemblie of the States of Arthois and deputies of the States of Henault Lille Douay Orchies held in the Abbaie of Saint Vaast in Arras the 7. of Aprill 1579. hath shewed the contract accord made by him with the Seignior of La Motte the which declared that the oth mentioned therein tended to no other end but to serue his Maiestie for the maintenance of the pacification of Gant the Vnion which followed the perpetual Edict especially for the reall retreat of the Spaniards out of al these countries with sufficient cautions of a durable peace Behold vpon what coullor the disvnion was grounded and the priuate reconciliation of them of Arthois Henault Lille Douay Orchies conceiued the which burst forth and shewed it selfe the 29. of Maie following although the first foundation was laid 9. moneths before as it appeared by the failing of them of Arthois in their taxation by the Estates of Henault the 15. of October 1578. by their instruction sent to the Prince of Espinon their gouernor and to them of Tournay and Tournesis of the which we wil hereafter speake meaning first to declare the course that was taken to attaine vnto the heigth of this diuision wherof those of Lille made the first open demonstration by their resolution which they sent to the generall Estates assembled at Antwerp the which wee haue thought good to insert with the States answere to their letters the tenor whereof was My Lords we would not fayle to aduertise you of that which by a generall and ioynt consent of the members of state of this Prouince hath beene resolued and decreed in an Assemblie held this daie as well for the vniuersall good and generall assurance of all these countries as for the quiet and maintenance of this Prouince in particular which is to seeke and imbrace the meanes to put the Spanish souldiars and other strangers out of the countrie being the spring and original of al our miseries Or at the least once for al to take away al difficulties doubts if his Maiesties intention be to hold effect that which his deputies offer vnto vs in his name or that those promises be but baites to diuide vs and to reduce one by an other the which breeds all these diuisions distrusts which at this present do so miserablie dismember the whole country as the cleering therof may plainely cause a reunion yea a full and absolute peace And to this end as by our faith and oth we are al bound we haue aduised and resolued to send deputies on our behalfe to the assembly of the states of Arthois to the deputies of his Maiesty the Prince of Parma to let them vnderstand that we haue alwaies bin and are yet ready to submit our selues to his Maiesties due obedieÌce if it shal please him to cause the pacification of Gant the generall vnion and the perpetuall Edict to be really obserued with good and sufficient assurances giuing powre to our sayd deputies if they find matters likely to be effected to treat further of necessarie assurances And as those points be the only foundations for the vniting of these Prouinces and that wee can pretend nothing more vnlesse we will greatly offend we hope that your Lordships wil find it verie conuenient yea and will aduance it all ye can And to the end there be no difficulty in the effecting thereof and that during these treaties no inconueniences may happen wee hold it fit and will put to our helping hands to raise a great army that in case the Spaniards and other strangers shall make refusall to goe out of all these countries to imploy them more resolutely against them then euer The which wee most humblie beseech your Lordships to take in such part as the true and sincere affection which we beare to the publike good of all these contries doth merit the which shall receiue an incredible benifit thereby either by being freed from their aduersaries wherevnto they haue alwaies chiefely aspired and imployed all their meanes for the effecting thereof or by such an explanation to bee out of all difficulties and diuisions wherein we meane not in any thing to disioyne our selues but rather to seeke the generall good wherevnto wee haue alwaies aspired as your Lordships may more particularly vnderstand by the act of the sayd resolution herevnto adioyned And so pray vnto God c. from Lille the last of March 1579. the subscription was your most affectionat to please your Lordships the states of the towne and Chasteleine of Lille Douay and Orchies and the Clergy and Nobility of the same Signed Fontaine Such was their resolution The 30. day of March 1579. in the assemblie of the foure chiefe Iustices of the Chasteleny of Lille the Aldermen and Councel of the sayd towne of Lille representing the states of the sayd townes and Casteleines of Lille Douay and Orchies with the Prelats Clergy and Nobility thereof Deputies of the accounts Officers of the gouernment of Lille and other preuileged persons resolue touching the reconciliation with his Maiesty and the maintenance of the Prouinces strictly vnited during the treatie and reall effecting thereof The said States Prelats Clergie Noblemen and preuileged persons in the presence and with the aduice of Mounsier de Villerual Gouernor of the sayd towne and Chastelenies and of the Baron of Montigni considering that the treatie of the sayd reconciliation begun long since on the behalfe of his Imperiall Maiesty had no successe and that on the other side his Catholike Maiesty as well by his Commissioners and deputies sent to the towne of Arras as by the letters of the Prince of Parma written vnto the states being in Antwerp the 9. of this moneth to entertaine and keepe in euery point the pacification of Gant the vnion and the perpetuall Edict and to giue sufficient caution and assurance Hauing also plainely discouered that many of the other vnited Prouinces will not imbrace the sayd reconciliation without interposing matters of religion The sayd States Prelats Clergie Nobles and preuiledged persons of Lille Douay and Orchies haue resolued to accept of the sayd offer Alwaies prouided that the obedience demanded by his Catholike Maiesty be conformable and nothing derogating to the sayd pacification vnion and perpetual Edict And as the first and chiefe point of the sayd pacification vnion and Edict and the onelie meanes to take away all iealousie and distrust consists in the retreat of the Spaniards Bourguignons Italiens and other strangers men of warre
towne accompanied with the Earle of Moeurs and the Earle of Heynsbergh nad Iohn his sonne the lord of Bââ¦ren Prouost of Aiz and about 300. horse besides his ordinarie traine The Duke attended at the Port the Bourgeoises hearing thereof held a councell where it was agreed that the Duke should enter with his ordinarie traine of 120 horse and no more Seuen of the Bourgesses went vnto him who hauing opened the Port the first entred and the rest thrust forward in a prease the Duke entring with the last into the towne The Reuward went with him to the court the next day the Duke came vnto the Towne-house and let the councell vnderstanâ⦠that his comming thither was to to entreat some good accord with his brother and the Barons But the Reuward was gone to Louvaine to the Assembly of the Nobles The Duke fearing that hee should returne with him into Brusselles and seaze vppon his person demaunded of the magistrates that if it should so happen wheââ¦her they would open him the gate or not They to assure him said that if hee had any doubt thereof they would deliuer vp the Keyes of the gates into his handes wherewith he remained satisfied But the inhabitants were not in quiet to see those strange soldiers bragging in Tauernes with their swords in their hands that they should be all rich before they went out of Brabant so as the night following they assembled in Armes vppon the market place being aduertised of some dissein of the Earle of Heynsberg and others who should seaze vpon the Market place that night at the sound of a bell and then of the whole towne some soldiers were also found armed vppon their beddes The inhabitants therefore sent in all haste for the Reuward who came posting from Louvaine with all the Nobilitie and Deputies of townes Entring into Brusselles he thanked the Bourgesses for that they had so constantly preserued the towne and day being come hee went to the Court to the Duke where hee caused most of his houshold seruants to be apprehended dismissing others that were not prisoners and soone after hee suffered them to depart that were come into the towne with the gentlemen strangers but the masters as the Earles of Moeure and Heynsbergh with other gentlemen to the number of 150. were deteyned prisoners The lord Reuward seazed vppon all the horse and armes of the Earle of Heynsberg and others and disposed of them to whom he pleased The Emperor Sigismond writ for these Noblemen that were prisoners to the states of Brabant for their libeââ¦ties threatning them with a proscription of the Empire The like letters were written by the Princes Electors to the Reuward to whom he made no other answer but that hee had caused them to be iustly stayed according to the custome of the Countrey as they themselues had required and therefore their cause remained doubtfull vntill they had wonne the fauour of Gerrard vand Zype chiefe counsellor and most familiar with the Reuward who by the perswasion of the saide Vande Zype freed them out of prison vpon certaine conditions All things being thus past and the troubles ended the Earle of S. Pol Lord Reuward resigned vp his office of Reuward which is a dignitie which the States of Brabant haue power according to their Priuiledges to giue vnto whom they please to reduce their Dukes vnto reason when they stray from their duties into the hands of duke Iohn his brother who was by the said Estates confirmed in the gouernment of his Countrie Before that the Earle of S. Pol went out of Brabant there were beheaded Euerard of Tserclaes knight Steward to the duke Adolph of Coudenbergh William of Pipenpois and some 14. of the cheife of Brusselles who had beene the cause or at the least had wincked at the dessigned treason and trouble of Brusseles and there were 600. Crowns promised to him that should bring in the signior of Asschen aliue or dead for that hee had beene the motiue of the unkindnesse and quarrell betwixt the Duke and his wife Then the Earle of S. Pol retyred into France the Contesse and her mother remaining still at Quesnoy discontented still with duke Iohn for some of the said Ladyes councell found not the Bull of her marriage lawfull hauing not been allowed but held it to bee fraudulent and of no force By reason whereof in the yeere 1423. she went into England from whence she sent to cyte duke Iohn to the court of Rome to heare his marriage declared voyde according to the Canons Pope Martin referred this businesse to two Cardinals to determine thereof who assigned a day for the Duke to appeare before them and he appointed certaine Proctors at Rome to defend his cause The Countesse Iaqueline hearing that the Processe would be teedious and long without attending a definitiue sentence allyed her selfe by a promise of mariage to the Duke of Glocester vncle to King Henry the sixth of England then raigning vppon condition that the marriage with the Duke Iohn being declared vnlawfull shee should obtaine a dispensation from the Pope to marry againe Soone after the duke of Glocester came with the Contesse Iaqueline his betrothed Spouse vnto Calais with a great Army marching toward Henault and therefore hee diuided his Armie into three battailions The Lady Marguerite of Bourgongne mother to the Countesse requested the Nobilitie of Henault to accompany her and to goe and meet them and so by assistance and fauour of the lord of Haures Lieutenant to Duke Iohn they entred into Henault The duke of Brabant demanded succors from the duke of Bourgongne and Iohn of Bauaria who promised him all assistance The Duke of Bourgongne sent him the lords of Croy Lisle-dam and Mailly with good troupes of souldiers In the yeare 1423. Iohn van Vlyet had his head cut off at the Hage in Holland being accused by some of the Cabillautin faction that he had poisoned Iohn of Bauaria whereof he had been sick and recouered for the which hee was quartered and his quarters hung at the entrance of foure of the chiefe townes in Holland Iohn of Bauaria hauing receiued letters from the duke of Brabant demanding succors sent him word that if his health would giue him leaue hee would come vnto him with good Troupes within three weekes But hauing his armie readie to march he fell suddenly sick it may be the poison had not been well purged and dyed at the Hage on Twelffe day and was buryed there in the Iacobins Cloister Hee being dead all the Noblemen that had been of his faction called in Iohn duke of Brabant and receiued him for their prince notwithstanding that Iaqueline their Contesse was married againe to the duke of Glocester who hearing how hee had beene receiued held a counsell with her friends by what meanes she might seaze vpon some townes and castles in Holland and to that end she sent Floris of Kifhoeck with men to surprize the
promise with him and payed him the somme as hee agreede vpon whether hee would then haue reuealed the fact the poore foole answered no and therefore hee presently caused his head to bee cut off About that time Lewis the leauenth King of France made a proclamation throughout the Earldomes of Flanders and Arthois that none should presume to inrowle him-selfe in the seruice of Edward King of England nor any way assist him He would also haue raised an impost vpon the sault in Bourgongne the which had neuer beene practised before But the duke would not admit of the one nor the other for hee was a friend and had made a truce with the King of England Wherevpon hee sent the lord of Chimay to the French King to shewe him the causes why hee could not allowe of such innouations in his countries and to intreate him to forbeare But the sayd lord was long at Court before hee could haue audience Seeing one daie that they fed him still with delaies hee attended so long before the Kings chamber as in the ende hee came forth When the King had seene him hee asked him what manner of man the duke of Bourgongne was Is hee of an other mettell then the rest of the Princesse of my Realme yea my Leege answered Chimay beeing a bold man and of great courage the Duke of Bourgongne my Maister is of an other stuffe then the Princes of France or of all the Countries about for hee hath kept you nourished and supported you against the will and liking of the King your father and all others whom it did displease the which no other Prince would nor durst doe At these words the King held his peace and returned into his chamber Afterwards the sayd Lord of Chymay returned making his report vnto the Duke The French King being resolued to pay vnto the duke of Bourgongne 450000. crownes and redeeme the townes which were ingaged vnto him in Picardie on this side the riuer of Some by the treatie of Arras he gathered together great store of treasure from all parts of his kingdome for there was no Abbay Chanonlerie nor riche Marchant that was esteemed to haue money throughout all France but did eyther giue or lend him And hauing recouered the sayd summe hee sent it to Abbeuille to the Duke of Bourgongne from whence the Duke caused it to bee brought to Hesdin where hee then kept his court Soone after in the yeare 1463. the king came thether in person the Duke went to meete him and receiued him with great honour and state and lodged him in his owne lodging in the Castell where hee promised to accomplish all that remained of the Treatie of Arras but hee fayled afterwards in some points During his aboad at Hesdin the duke sent diuers messengers to the Earle of Charolois his sonne being then in Holland to come and doe his dutie vnto the king But hee refused to come saying That so long as Ihon of Bourgongne Earle of Estampes and the Lords of Croy and Lanoy should be about the King hee would not come holding them for his mortall enemies for these Noblemen had left the Dukes Court and retired them to the kings seruice for hee knew well they were of his secret councell charging them with the practise of Ihon of Koesteyn and to haue councelled the Duke his father to accept of the money for the redeeming of the aboue named townes The Duke was wonderfully discontented at his sonnes refusall and would not for a long time after see him The King parting from Hesdin the Duke intreated him to confirme those seruants which hee had placed in the redeemed Townes in their offices Hee granted it but hee performed little changing all the Gouernours Captaines Prouosts and Magistrates thereof appointing and committing in their places such as hee thought were not greatly affected vnto the duke as the Lords of Lanoy Croy and Estampes The discontentment betwixt the Duke and the Earle of Charolois his sonne continued so long vntill the States of the Netherlands to whom the Earle had made his complaints especially of the lord of Croy had reconciled them together according to whose aduice the Earle accompanied with many Noblemen Knights Gentlemen and the chiefe Deputies of the sayd States came to Bruges where the Duke was All the chiefe Noblemen of the Court and the Magistrates of the Towne went to meete him conducting him to the Duke his fathers lodging where hee lighted and went vp vnto his chamber as soone as hee saw him hee kneeled downe three times and at the third time he sayd My most honored Lord and Father I haue vnderstood that you are offended against me for three things declaring the same three points which hee had made knowne vnto the deputies of the States whereof he excused himselfe Notwithstanding said he if I haue in any other thing moued you to anger I most humbly cry you mercy As for all your excuses answered the Duke I know the trueth speake no more of them but seeing you are come to aske forgiuenesse be you a good sonne and I will bee a good father to you then hee tooke him by the hand raised him vp and pardoned him all This done the Deputies tooke their leaue of the Father and the Sonne being glad to haue performed so good a worke The same day that this reconciliation was made the Lord of Croy parted early in the morning from Bruges and retired to Tournay to the French King who was there then In the moneth of Iune 1464. the French King came to Amiens and from thence to Saint Pol where hee found the Duke of Bourgongne The Earle of S. Pol feasted them with great state then they went together to Hesdin whereas the king required him to yeeld vnto him the gouernment of Lille Douay and Orchies satisfying him the sum of two hundred thousand Liuers and paying him 10000. Liuers of yearly pension for which summes of money hee said the sayd Gouernment had beene ingaged by a King of France long since to an Earle of Flanders Wherevnto the duke answered that when his Grand-father duke Philip called the Hardie sonne to Iohn King of France tooke to wife the Lady Marguerite daughter and onely heire to Lewis of Male Earle of Flanders the said Chastelenies were giuen to him and his heires males for euer by the King and in case he had not any then to returne vnto the Crowne for the sayd summe and yearely rent The King made certaine other demands vnto the duke but he would not hearken vnto them for that they were vnreasonable The duke for his part made three requests vnto the King the first was that he would receiue the Earle of Charolois his sonne into his grace and fauour for that he heard the King had beene displeased with him The second was that he would not force the Gentlemen his subiects and resident in his countries holding any fees
from towne to towne with foure Sergeants and other Officers together with the Atturney generall or his substitute persecuting imprisoning and offering violence to all those that hee suspected to be of the Religion to carrie himselfe discreetly in the execution of his charge and to the said suppliants magistrates of townes to giue him all assistance aide and fauour in the execution of his charge the K. Edicts according to his Ma. intention and the good quiet of the countrey in doing so said the Gouernesse there was hope that the inconueniences represented vnto her by the Suppliants should be preuented by that meanes By this aunswere those of Flanders vnderstood sufficiently the intention of the Court and therfore durst not at that time presse it any further In the meane time M. Inquisitor triumphed through all the villages of Flanders seeking to augment his iurisdiction and power And so did the new bishops which had beene admitted So as in the moneth of May 1566 hee of Bruges practising dayly some innouation hauing forbidden to burie certaine marchants strangers presumed to offer to prescribe a law vnto the magistrate touching the entertainment of Religion and of the counsell of Trent sending them a certaine rule by the which they should gouern themselues the which concerned meerely the policie of the towne Whereunto the magistrate making some difficultie for that thereby the temporall iurisdiction must depend vpon the Spirituall and the bourgesses must be answerable to the bishops court refusing to yeeld vnto it the said bishop and Inquisitor made complaints against them to the counsell of Flanders as refusing that rule and forme which they had propounded them wherein to speake truly the magistrate had been but the beadle officer and executioner of the wils and passions of the said bishop and Inquisitor Whereupon the foure members of the countie of Flanders together with the magistrate of Bruges sent their deputies to court to complaine of the attempts of the Clergie and the rather for that they did see their neighbours of Brabant were not yet charged requiring to be maintained in their auncient rights and priuiledges that the Inquisition which did directly contradict them might bee disannulled in regard of lay men and that the Clergie might not deale with the temporall iurisdiction wherein they had neuer any thing to doâ⦠also that they might bee no more tyed than other prouinces to entertaine the Edicts and Inquisition But to foure of these petitions exhibited by the Flemings there was neuer any prouision no not in the least point which they demaunded but that after long pursute and a petition made by the Noblemen the counsell of Flanders was restrained vpon the pretensions of the bishop and Inquisitor who was also enioyned to surcease his persecutions For vpon so many delaies giuen by the court vnto the petitions and complaints of diuers prouinces of the Netherlands the people were generally moued And considering that all the answeres and hopes they gaue were but to abuse them the nobles resolued speedily to preuent the mischiefes which were readie to breake forth after they had had the aduice of some learned Diuines and Lawyers for the drawing of their petition the which they presented vnto the Gouernesse as well in their names as of all the people For the presenting whereof there met in the towne of Brussels the first second third and fourth day of April many gentlemen accompanying Cont Lodouic of Nassau ââ¦d the Lord of Brederode all without armes and very modestly attending the Earles vanden Bergh and of Culenbourg who were not yet come The fourth day they demaunded audience The next day they marched in goodly order fiue in a ranke towards the court being about foure hundred noblemen and gentlemen going out of Culenbourg place whereof the last as it were shutting vp the company were the said earle of Nassau and the lord of Brederode where they found the Gouernesse the counsell of state the knights of the Order and the gouernours of prouinces which attended them When as the Dutchesse did see them comming from aboue in such good order and so many in number she was somewhat troubled The lord of Barlamont who had before been of aduice not to suffer them to enter into the towne or if they entred to draw souldiers secretly into the Court to murther them when they should come to present their petition to assure the said lady said That they were but a rabble of Gueux or beggers Vpon which speech and for that Barlamont and his adherents did at that time accuse them of rebellion they resolued to shew that their intentions tended to the contrarie and to beare a marke or badge among them to let the world know that they pretended to liue and die in the kings seruice taking the subiect of their deuice vpon a wallet and a dish fit for beggers and on the one side of the medailes were they of gold or siluer was grauen the kings picture with this inscription Faithfull to God and the king euen to beare the wallet inferring thereby and by their symbole of a dish and a wallet that they were better seruants vnto the king than Barlamont or his adherents and retaining this epithite of Gueux and their embleme they gaue the world to vnderstand That they did not refuse to be Gueux or beggers yea if need were to carry a wallet that is to say to suffer the losse of all their goods and possessions as they protested in their petition to doe the king faithfull seruice preseruing the quiet and prosperitie of their countrey The lord of Brederode tooke vpon him the charge to deliuer it who aduancing for them all presented it with great humilitie vnto the duchesse gouernesse with a breefe speech as followeth Madame the gentlemen assembled here in this town and others of the like quality of a competent number who for certain respects are not here present haue resolued for the K. seruice and the publike good of his Netherlands to present this petition vnto your highnes whereupon you may giue such order as you shall thinke fit and conuenient beseeching your highnesse to take it in good part Moreouer Madame we are aduertised that we haue bin charged before your highnes the lords of the counsell others that this our deliberation was chiefly taken in hand to moue tumults seditions and reuolts and that which is much more abhominable that we haue a desire to change our prince hauing practised leagues conspiracies with forraine princes and captaines both French Germans and others the which neuer entred into our thoughts and is contrary to our loyaltie and to that which your highnesse shall find by this petition beseeching your highnesse to name and discouer vnto vs those that haue so vniustly blamed so noble and honourable a company Moreouer Madame the noblemen here present haue vnderstood that there are some of them particularly charged accused to haue bin actors and to haue sought to
soldiars led crying Behold the Hangman of Groninghen They were all three led to the Conuent of Iacobins to keepe the other Captaines company Doctor Wendorp was also taken prisoner not-with-standing all his protestations On the Monday following the soldiars of Dain arriued bringing with them Captaine Sterck and their Ancient prisoners and they ioyned with them of Groninghen taking the like oth vnto the States And the same day Meysken Lieutenant of Groninghen was kept prisoner in his house with a Guard of fifty men On the tuesday came the garrison of Delfziel with Captaine Bernemi Court a Gentleman of Bethune Seignior of Fouquieres and his Ancient both which were put in good guard After that the troubles ceased vntill they did vnder-stand what the States would determine vppon the report which Martin Stella was gone to make So as in the end all matters were well ordred the States sending the Earle of Renenbergh thether to gouerne in the place of Collonel Robles wherein hee discharged him-selfe at this time for afterwards hee turned his coate as wee shall see so wisely as he drew the Towne and all the Country of Freezland to bee at the States deuotion and the Castell of Groninghen which was then much aduanced defencible towards the Towne by the Earles commandement at the suite of the Burgers was wholy ruined and pulled downe The States seeing them-selues ingaged in warre of all sides against the Spaniardâ⦠who were proclaimed enemies to the countrie fearing some disvnion among them by the inticing perswasions of such as sought to dismember them they resolued before that Don Iohn should enter into the Country to make a generall vnion among themselues as well of Prelats Noblemen and Townes as of others of the seauenteene Prouinces which was allowed by the Lords of the Councell of State committed by the King for the gouernment generall of the said countries Whereof the Originall remaines in the Custody of the States of Brabant of which Vnion the Tenor followeth Wee who haue signed these presents Prelates men of the Church Noblemen Gentlemen Magistrates of the King Townes Castells and others making and representing the States of the seauenteene Prouinces beeing presently assembled in this Towne of Brusselles and others beeing vnder the obedience of the most high mightie and famous Prince King Philip our Soueraigne Lord and naturall Prince wee giue all men to vnderstand both present and to come that seeing our common countrie afflicted by a more then barbarous and tyranous oppression of Spaniards wee haue beene moued thrust forward and forced to vnite and ioyne our selues together and with armes councell men and money assist one an other against the said Spaniards and their adherents beeing declared rebells to his Maiestie and our enemies And that this Vnion and coniunction hath beene since confirmed by the pacification last made and all by the authority and consent of the Councell of State committed by his Maiestie for the generall gouernment of the said countries And as the pretended end of this Vnion requires all fidelitie constancie and mutuall assistance for euer and that we would not by any misprision haue cause of Iealousie or distrust and much lesse of any bad affection or disposition in any of vs. But contrarywise to haue the affaires of the said Vnion procured and effected with all sincerity fidelitie and dillygence that may bee so as not any of the subiects and Inhabitants of the said countries and Prouinces may haue any iust cause to bee displeased or discontented or to doubt of vs. For these considerations and reasons and that nothing may bee treacherously done to the preiudice and hurt of our common countrie and iust defence or that omitted by negligence which shall bee necessary for our iust and lawfull defence Wee haue by vertue of our power and commission respectiuely and otherwise for vs and our successors promised and do promise by the faith of Christians of honest men and true country-men to keepe and entertaine inuiolably for euer the said Vnion and Association so as not any one of vs may breake or fall from it by dissimulation secret intelligence or in any sort whatsoeuer And that for the preseruation of our holy Catholicke and Romish faith and the accomplishment of the pacification as also for the expulsion of Spaniards and their Adherents with all due obdience to his Maiestie for the good and quiet of our countrie and the maintenance of our priueledges rights freedomes statutes customes and Ancient vses For the effecting whereof wee will vse all meanes possible imploying both money men Councell and goods yea and our liues if it were necessary And that none of vs may in priuate giue any councell aduice or consent nor haue any secret conference with them that are not of this Vnion nor yet reueale vnto them in any sort what hath or shall be treated of in Assemblie or resolued but shall wholy conforme him-selfe according to our generall and common resolution And in case that any Prouince Estate Countrie Towne Castell or house were besieged assaulted inuaded or opprest in any sort what-soeuer yea if any of vs or any others hauing indeuoured him-selfe for his country and the iust defence thereof against the Spaniards or for other causes depending thereon as well in generall as in particular should bee sought after imprisoned ransomed molested or disquieted in his person and goods honour and Estates or otherwise wee promise to giue him assistance by all the sayd meanes yea and to procure the libertie of them that shall bee imprisoned either by force or otherwaies vppon paine to bee degraded of their Nobilitie name Armes and honour and to bee held periured disloyall and enemies to our countrie beefore GOD and men and to incurre the note of Infamie and cowardise for euer And for the strengthening of this our holy vnion of association wee haue signed these presents the tenth of Ianuary one thousand fiue hundred seauentie and seauen Vnderneath were the signatures of the Deputies of euery Prouince Prelates Noblemen and Commissioners for townes and vnderneath them was written the agreation of the councell of State as followeth The Deputies of the generall Estates heere vnder-written hauing required them of the Councell of State committed by his Maiestie for the gouernement of the Netherlands to consent vnto and allowe of that which is conteined in the vnion aboue written The Councell in regarde of the sayde request and the reasons therein conteined haue as much as in them laied allowe and doe allowe by these presents the sayd vnion according to that forme and tenor Made at Brussells in the State-house in the assemblie of the sayd States the tenth of Ianuary 1577. And vnderneath was written By the commandement of the Lords of the Councell of State Signed Berrij IN the meane time the Spaniardes beeing by meanes of the towne of Mastricht dispersed in diuers places ouer all the countries of Luxembourg Faulquemont Dalhem and other places beyond the riuer
of Meuse were incountred the same moneth neere vnto Iupille halfe a League from Liege by Balfour a Scotish Collonel who charged them so furiously as many of their souldiars were slaine vpon the place and the rest of them that scapt were all put to flight Whilest that the States made warre of all sides against the Spaniards those of Antwerp Alost and there aboutes in the Prouinces of Flanders and Brabant had a desseigne to beseege Brussells but hearing that Don Iohn of Austria the King of Spaines Bastard brother was come to Luxembourg to bee Gouernor and Lieuetenant Generall for the Kings Maiestie in the seauenteene Prouinces they desisted and would know how matters should after that time passe Don Iohn hauing staied some time in Luxembourg the Generall Estates sent the Noble Lords of Rassinghem and Villeruall the Bourgraue of Gaunt Meetkerke and other deputies to treate with Don Iohn so as after manie voyages at the last hee came to Marche in Famine the fifteene of December where they agreed vpon a generall truce and surcesance of armes for fifteene daies in the meane time hee sent Octauio Gonsaga and his Secretarie Escouedo to Antwerp Mastricht and Liere to deale about the sending away of the Spaniards as hee sayd and on the twentie and one of December the estates sent their deputies to Namur thinking that Don Iohn would haue come thether that by conference to gither they might roote out all iealousies but hee came not himselfe but sent the Lord of Rassinghem for to desire them to grant a longer respite for eight daies whereby hee might haue a full resolution from the Spaniards in Antwerp and other places Desiring moreouer to know what securitie and assurance the States would giue him for their obedience vnto the King after the departure of the Spaniards saying that it stood not with his honour to disarme himselfe and to put himselfe into their hands that were armed and therefore hee desired that the Estates should in like sort resolue to haue their souldiars disarmed and all strange souldiars amongst them to depart out of the countrie as well the Spaniards as any others Moreouer hee desired to knowe with what securitie the Spaniards should depart and whether by water or by lande And for that the matter in controuersie with the Estates of Holland and Zeelande and the Noble Prince of Orange was to bee decided by the generall Assembly of the States hee desired to knowe when and where that assemblie should bee kept and held and what pledges and securitie they would apoint for his person By which demands the estates found that his meaning was not to let the Spaniards depart out of the Prouines and countrie before the question for Relligion and other controuersies with the Hollanders and Zeelanders were ended wherevpon they resolued to follow and persist in their demands that the Spaniards should presently depart out of the Netherlands and vpon the last day of December for his full satisfaction they sent vnto him by their deputies fiue attestations Two beeing written in parchment signed and sealed by the Bishoppes Prelats Abbots Deanes and Pastors bearing date the seauenteene of December in the yeare of our Lord 1576. A third signed and sealed by the Deanes and facultie of diuinitie in Louvaine of the six and twenty of December 1576. A forth attestation of the doctros and professors of both lawes in the same Vniuersitie the same daie and yeare and a fifte from diuers Prelats directed vnto the Pope conteyning the state of relligion in the Netherlands dated the eight of Nouember last past betweene the generall estates of the one part and the Prince of Orange with the Estates of Holland and Zeeland on the other part And further-more to let him vnderstand that in the sayd contract of pacification there was not any thing that might diminish or any way preiudice the lawfull obedience due vnto the Kings owne Royall Maiestie they also deliuered him an Attestation from the Lords of the councell of State appointed by the King to gouerne the Netherlands bearing date the 20. of December 1576. signed Bartii The first of Ianuary 1577. the Abot of Saint Gelein chosen bishop of Arras the Marquis of Haurec the Bourgraue of Gant the Baron of Liedekerke and Adolph van Meetkerke deputies for the States offered to meet him at the townes of Lovuen or Mecklen to determine and conclude vpon that which was agreed vpon at Luxemburg betweene him the counsell of Estate for his Maiesty and the deputies of the generall Estates And for the assurance of his person besides the security offred by the generall Estates he should chuse a Commander and a garde of Netherlands such as were in the States seruice which Commander with his soldiars should take their othes vnto him to keepe and defend his person therewith to content him and that further they were content to deliuer him 4. Hostages to be taken out of the Estates or their deputies that should yeeld themselues into the bishop of Liege his hands a Prince that was their Neighbour vntill the peace were full concluded wherevnto vpon the same day Don Iohn made answer that in regard of the great loue hee bare vnto them and the desire hee had to the welfare and peace of the land hee would chuse the Lord of Hierges for the captaine of his guard with a regiment of 3000. souldiars that then were vnder his command as well for the defence and preseruation of his person as of the place which the would chuse to bee one of the two which they had offered vnto him and for Hostages hee would haue the Marquis of Haurec the Burgraue of Gant Emanuel of Lalain Baron of Montigny and the Abot of Saint Gertrude which should remaine in the castell of the Bishop of Leige and there be kept as he sayd they promised him and so hee would bee ready to meete them at Lovuen or at Mechelen there to bring the matter to a good conclusion Wherevnto the States made answere that al the Prouinces in the Netherlands had promised and vowed each to other and signed it with their hands not to abandon one the other but to make warre vntill that the Spaniards were gon out of the country promising neither to change Prince nor religion wherevnto they of Holland and Zeeland likewise had signed still holding their religion till it were otherwise ordered by the generall estates As also that they had not granted him to chuse his Hostages for that those which he had named they could not spare but they would nominate others not of the same qualitie and yet men sufficient inough and also touching the Lord of Hierges they sayd they could not grant him for diuers reasons to be commander ouer his guard but if hee would come parle with them he might if it pleased him meet them at Huy in the Land of Liege a newter place and with the like number of men as they brought
Meetkerke counseler and receiuer of our territory of Vrien in our Earledome of Flanders committies and deputies for the generall Estates of our said Netherlands and since that in our towne of March and after that in the towne of Hoyd in the land of Liege by intercession and Mediation in the said towne of Hoyd of the lords hereafter named and ambassadors messengers and committies of our right high and worthy well-bee-loued brother Rodulphe the second of that name chosen Emperor of Rome c. specially appointed ordained and sent by the said Emperors Maiesty to further the said reconcilation agreement and accord namely our louing and good friend Gerrard van Grueesbeeke Bishoppe of Liege duke of Bullion Marquis of Franchimont and Earle of Loon. c. Prince of the holy Empire Phillip de Alde Barron van Wieeborgh president and Andreas Galle Doctor of the lawes counselor to the said Emperors Maiestie Warner Lord of Glimmich Drosser of the Land of Iuliers and Iohn Louerman licentiate in the laws both counsellors to the high and mighty Prince our wel-be-loued vncle William Duke of Iulliers and Cleues c. Prince likewise of the holy Empire as Messengers for the said Duke also Ambassadors for the Emperors maiestie to effect that which in the said Dukes absence should bee agreed vpon with our well beloued and faithfull friends of our counsell of estate by vs appointed to gouerne the said Netherlands and to be of our secret counsel there and the afore said Lord Abbot of Saint Gilden elected Bishoppe of Arras Bucho Ayta Arch-deacon of Ipre Fredericke Perenot Barron of Rouse Lord of Champigny gouernor of our towne of Antwerp Iohn de Saint Omer Lord of Moreberke gouernor of our towne and Castell of Arien Francis van Halewin Lord of Sweueghen chiefe baley and Captaine of our towne and Castle of Oudewater Knights and the afore named Adolph van Meetkerke committies and Deputies of the aforesaid States and lastly in our towne of Brussels where to continew and fully to conclude and agree vpon the said treaty and accord with those of our afore-said councell of estate and the afore-said States meete and assembled to gether with the aforesaid Lords ambassadors of the empire and the substitutes of the said Duke of Iulliers and our louing and trustie seruant Don Octauio Gonsaga Knight one of our councell appointed and committed there-vnto by our aforesaid good brother where betweene them diuers points and articles being propounded tending vnto and concerning the aforesaid reconciliation accord and vnion and for the full effecting of the same wee by deliberation counsell and aduice of our aforesayde good brother Don Iohn of Austria and of our aforesaid counsell of estate in conformity and according to the contents of the treaty propounded betweene vs of the one part and the aforesaid estates on the other part haue for vs our successors ordained and decreed ratefied and by these presents ordaine decree and ratifie in manner of a perpetuall edict neuer to be recalled the points and articles hereafter following Frst that all offences iniuries misdeeds wrongs generally all manner of crymes and actions don happened and committed by reason and occasion of of the afore-said alterations charges and troubles by all and euery one of the inhabitants and subiects of our Netherlands in what place or places and in what manner so euer it was done as well in generall as in perticuler shall bee wholy forgiuen and forgotten as if they had neuer beene done nor committed in such sorte that there shall neuer bee any repetition molestation trouble question nor search made here-after for the same against any of the said inhabitants and subiects aforesaid And for that the Bishoppes Abbots Prelates and Spirituall persons of our said Netherlands as also the Diuines and Doctors of the Lawes of our vniuersitie of Lovuaine by their seuerall attestations haue witnessed and testified that according to the estate of the affaires of our said Netherlands beeing there present the treatie of Peace made and agreed vppon in our Towne of Gaunt bearing date the eight of Nouember last past betweene the aforesaid Estates of the one part and our cousin William van Nassau knight of our order of the golden Fleece Prince of Orange and the Estates of our Earldomes of Holland and Zeeland with their Associats on the other part contained nothing therein that might or could bee repugnant to our holy faith and the Catholike Apostolike Romish religion but to the contrary was to the furthering of the same and that also in like sort our said Councell of Estate haue testified and auerred that according to the Estate of the affaires in the Netherlands they likewise beeing present the said treatie of peace included nothing that tended to the deminishing of our authority and the submission and subiection decreed vnto vs by our said Netherlands and especially for that the aforesaid Lords Ambassadors and messengers of the Empire as also the substitutes of the aforesaid Duke of Cleue do witnesse and iustifie the aforesaid attestations made by the aforesaid Bishoppes Abbots Prelates and other Spirituall persons and by the said Councell of Estate to bee iust and true Wee in regard thereof haue agreed vnto approued and ratified and by these presents do agree vnto approue and ratifie the said treaty of peace in all and euery article and point thereof promising vppon our faith and word of a King for our parts and for as much as concerneth vs to keepe and obserue the same inuiolably for euer and likewise to cause the same to bee kept and obserued by all and euery one to whome it shall belong and appertaine vnto and according to the same do agree and consent that the conuocation and assembling of the generall Estates of our said Netherlands mentioned in the third Article of the aforesaid contract of peace shall bee done in such manner and forme and to the like effect as the said Article more at large specifieth and declareth Item wee agree ordaine and appoint that all and euery one of our soldiars Spaniards high Duches Italiens Burguignons and other forrein soldiars both horse-men and foot-men beeing at this present time within our foresaid Netherlands shall and must depart freely and vnmolested out of the same and not returne nor yet bee sent thether againe hauing no forrein warres and generally hauing no need thereof nor any want of them in that place as the generall Estates of our said Netherlands shall like of and allow And touching the determinate time of the departure of our said soldiars we appoint agree and consent that all the Spaniards Italiens and Burguignons must and shall depart within twenty dayes after warning giuen them by out aforesaid good brother out of our Castell and Towne of Antwerp and out of other the Townes and Castells and Holds of our said Netherlands which they now hould and keepe in their hands or where so euer they bee and out of all our aforesaid Netherlands and namely
obtained that which hee so much desired which is the restitution of his goods and honour with the departure of the Spaniards whereon hee did ground his taking of armes that it is more then time to settle the countrie in peace and to banish all suspition on his behalfe imploying himselfe sincerely in so good a worke And if hee bee not satisfied with all this but doth demand some other thing let him speake plainely what hee pretends more for his safetie to the end that full contentment may bee giuen him For the effecting whereof it is verie requisite that the perpetuall Edict of the treatie made by the generall Estates with his highnesse and proclaimed at Brussells the seauenteenth of February and successiuely in other townes and Prouinces in confirmation of the sayd pacification of Gant may bee also proclaymed in Holland Zeeland and other associat places whereas hetherto it hath not beene published In like sort seeing a peace is made and proclaimed it is necessary that generally all acts should cease which tend to hostilitie and may giue any occasion of distrust as the entertayning of souldiars the fortification of townes and places practises and allyances leagues and confederations euen with strangers casting of new Ordinance the which ought to remaine in the same Estate vntill the resolution of the generall Estates And for that and other things specefied in the pacification to giue order for the full accomplishment of a desired peace and the publike tranquillitie it is fit to aduise speedelie when the sayd generall Estates shall assemble All which points the sayd Commissioners for his Highnesse require the Prince of Orange and the Deputies of Holland and Zeeland to carry them vnto the Estates of Holland and Zeeland as they will doe vnto his Highnesse and to the other Estates the points and articles which shal be giuen them by the sayd Prince and deputies Hoping there shal be a fauorable answere giuen reciprocally of either side and that all things in the meane time shall remaine in peace and tranquility The answere of the Prince of Orange and the Deputies of the Estates of Holland and Zeeland to the sayd Proposition MY Lords vpon the Proposition which it hath pleased you to make on his Highnesse behalfe that to take away all iealousie and distrust which seemed to hinder the sinceritie of the peace wee should propound assurances which wee thinke conuenient for the effecting thereof The Prince of Orange and the deputies of the Estates of Holland and Zeeland haue made answere that it were a superfluous thing to demande new assurances seeing that the conditions promised by the pacification were not yet accomplished and that to take away distrust there was no better meanes then to beginne by the fulfilling of the points and articles of the pacification of Gant the which wee beeing readie for our parts to accomplish if any remayning desiryng that you would doe the like on your behalfe and that moreouer it hath pleased you my maisters to require vs to put in writing the points and articles which wee pretend are not yet fulfilled To satisfie your desire therein the Prince of Orange and the deputies of the Estatââ¦s of Holland and Zeeland haue thought good to exhibit these articles following First that the aduice and answere which the Prince of Orange and the Estates of Holland and Zeeland haue giuen by writing to all the generall Estates of the Netherlands by the hands of Mounsier de Villerual dated the nineteenth day of February in the yeare of our Lord 1577. containes many Articles by which it appeeres that the pacification made at Marche in Famine was not conformable to all the Articles of the pacification of Gant for which cause the sayd Prince Estates haue not allowed of the said pacification but vpon expresse condition that the generall estates should for their parts passe an act obligatory in due forme signed by them and the Gouernors of Prouinces commanders and colonels conformable to that which is more particularly specified in the said aduice and answer Where-vpon they haue by an act giuen and dated the first of March declared their intention to haue alwaies beene to maintaine effectually the pacification made at Gand and to seeke to redresse all that they should finde done or attempted to the contrary or against the preuiledges rights liberties and customes of the Netherlands as well in generall as in particular and they promised to cause the like resolution to be signed by the Gouernors of Prouinces commanders and collonels as being bound to gouerne them-selues accordingly which promise and condition hath not beene effected nor accomplished for the Germains are not yet gone out of the country which is contrary to the said pacification of Gand. Item the goods haue not beene neither are yet restored to the Prince of Orange as well in these parts as in Bourgongne and Luxembourg Neither is the Earle of Buren his sonne deliuered which doth not onely impugne the said pacification but also the preuiledges and liberties of the country and the conditions of the said aduice and answer Item the Prince hath not his gouernment yet restored vnto him as hee had it by commission from his Maiesty seeing that neither the country and towne of Vtrecht nor the townes of Tholen Heusden and others are not yet vnited to their ancient gouernments as they were in former times where in my Lords of the councell of State haue shewed them-selues partiall writing letters to them of Vtrecht by the which they haue kept them from submitting them-selues vnder their ancient Gouernor according to the said pacification and the preuiledges of Vtrecht although that they of Vtrecht haue often required that they might submit them-selues Moreouer in steed of augmenting and maintaining the priuileges of the country as had beene specefied not onely in the said pacification but also in the conditions of the said aduice and answer giuen vnto the generall estates we see them now deminished yea broken and violated in diuers sorts for my Lords the States haue by their Instruction giuen to certaine deputies sent vnto Don Iohn lately sence the said aduice and answer where it had beene expresly mentioned subiected the assembly of the States as wel general as particular vnto the good pleasure of Don Iohn the which should remaine free according to the ancient rights preuiledges and liberties of the Countrie in those Prouinces and places that haue preuiledges Item those of the religion are not admitted in any places and townes of other prouinces to remaine there according to the pacification of Gand as may bee verified by many examples if they will take informations And yet not-with-standing all this and that the promises and obligations contained in the said pacification of Gand and sence in that which the estates haue promised to the Prince to the estates of Holland and Zeeland be not accomplished yet they haue receiued the said Don Iohn for Gouernor and Captaine generall without the aduise
to make his armie in the Countie of Luxembourg The Earle of Lalain generall of the States Armie lying about Namur sent one thousand Hargubuziers and some few horse to discouer the sayd Towne The garrison sallied out vpon them where they skirmished for a time There is a small Towne vpon the riuer of Meuze called Bouines halfe a league from Dynant very commodious to stoppe the victuals and munition going to Namur and to Don Iohns Campe The Earle of Lalain found meanes to seaze vpon this Towne as also vpon the Castell of Despontin the which hee tooke by force killing all that hee found armed This done passing the riuer to the other banke hee intrencht himselfe meaning to cut off the passage to Don Iohn's men The States had at that instant three Campes one did besiege the Towne of Amsterdam by sea and land for thau they would not acknowledge the generall Estates nor the Prince of Orange for their Gouernour whereas Collonell Herman van Hellins thinking to surprize it for the States was slaine and his men chased out of the Towne They had an other Armie in the countrey of Oueryssel where-as the Farle of Reneberg commanded who tooke the Townes of Zwol and Campen and the third was before Ruremonde and Weert in the which the Earle of Hohenloo was Generall but to small effect Don Iohn seeing no meanes to succour Amsterdam feared much that Ruremonde should bee forced to yeeld Wherefore hee commanded the Germaines that came out of Antwerpe beeing in the countrey of Luxembourg to marche thether with all speede the which they did as couertly and as speedily as might bee and meeting vpon the way some companies of the Regiment of Champaignie who some-time before had defeated them neere vnto Antwerpe they put them to route and returned them their exchange but with more crueltie for they stript the poore souldiers which they had taken prisoners naked because they would not bloudie their shirts and then they murthered them like beasts in colde bloud whereof some escaped thus naked and among others N. of Fiennes Seignior of Vermeille brother to the Lord of Esquerdes one of the Captaines of the sayd Regiment who for that hee was an actiue man and could runne well and leape ouer large ditches saued him selfe thus naked wee did see him returne to Antwerpe with old ragges in a very pittifull estate These Germaines hauing defeated and ouer-come this troope thought to enter into Ruremonde but Collonell Polwiller Gouernor of the Towne made them answer that hee had no neede of men to eate and drinke that little which hee had remaining but hee had more need of victualls and munition Wherefore hee willed them to returne and to tell Don Iohn that hee should rest well assured of the Towne and that hee should onely seeke to succour it with some victualls considering that this Towne beeing seated vpon the riuer of Meuze was of too great importance to suffer it to bee lost the which hindered the trafficke of the Hollanders by water into the countrey of Liege and some part of Germanie Don Iohn had then receiued some Bourguignons and Italians wherefore hauing heard these newes from Collonell Polwiller hee commanded the Earle of Barlaimont and Collonell Mondragon to goe and victuall Ruremonde with all the speede they could before it should bee forced to yeeld For the effecting whereof they gathered together some 4000. men both of foote and horse and marched directly to the States Campe the which consisted but of two and twenty companies of foote and sixe of horse Being aduertised in the campe that the Spanish succours were on foote and did marche finding themselues too neere to fight with them which vndoubtedly they would haue done not-with-standing that they had seauen Fortes about the Towne they thought it good to put their Artillerie into the strongest of those places and to retire them-selues abandoning the other sixe forts But considering the enemies forces and not thinking them-selues well assured they imbarked and went towards Boisleduc and Geldre yet not-with-standing all their speed their retreate was not so sodaine but they lost some of their reere-ward two field peeces and good store of victuals and munition Thus through the care and dilligence of Barlaimont and Mondragon the States Armie was forced to retire and the Townes of Ruremonde and Weert sufficiently victualed of all things necessary This being done after they had a little refresht their souldiers they retired into the countrey of Luxembourg from whence they came MATHIAS ARCHDVKE OF Austria Gouernor generall of the Netherlands MATTHIAS D. G. ARCHIDVX AVSTRIAE DVX BVRGâ⦠COMES TIROL GVBERNAT GENER BELGICAE My Gransire my father two great Emperors were And liuing yet my brother doth th' Emperial scepter beare To honor me the more the states elected me Of the vnited Prouinces their gouernor to bee The which though yong of yeares I did theÌ not refuse Although the King supposed I did him much abuse And for that cause disliked of my gouernment The states likewise perceiuing that no great aduancemeÌt Did rise to theÌ by me thank't me for my goodwill And at my going froÌ theÌ with guifts my purse did fill THe 18. day of Ianuary in the yeare 1578. the Arch duke Mathias parted from Liere in Brabant and made his entry into the towne of Brusselles where he was receiued in triumph by all the Noble-men of the country holding the party of the States And the twenty day hauing takeh the aceustomedioth hee was acknowleded for Gouernor gââ¦nerall for the King of Spaine of all the Netherlands vpon certaine conditions set downe in diuers articles the which we omit for breuitie sake and for that they were to smale effect and the little good and seruice he did in his gouernment who hauing sworne them at his reception the Prince of Orange whom the Arch-duke called his father was not-with-standing all his excuses chosen for his Lieutenant not without the Ielousie of the choese Noblemen of the country and namely of the Earle of Lalain who as Generall of the States army had promised vnto him-selfe this dignity The same moneth arriued the Seignior of Selles Captaine of the King of Spaines gard Brother to the Lord of Noircarmes who was sent by the King to make answer to the States letters of the twenty foure of August and the eight of September by the which they besought him that Don Iohn might be called home and an other gouernor sent in his place He had very ample letters of credit signed by the King at Madril the twenty of december the which hee did impart vnto the States wherevnto answer was made and this answer was carried by him vnto Don Iohn who made a replie informe of an act and signed Vassear the which he sent backe by Selles and with it a letter which hee did write vnto the States the fifteene of february this yeare 1578. where-vnto the said States made answer by
of Rine The Duke of Cleues and Iuliers aduised Ernest of Bauaria Bishoppe of Cologne and Leige to make a friendly accord with Schenck or at the least to gette more time to make preparation to beseege it that he should make a truce with him As touching an accord which was propounded by the Duke of Cleaues commissioners Schenck would willingly haue giuen eare vnto it except some poynts concerning the contribution But it seemed vnto Bishop Ernest that this accord would bee some blemish to his reputation authority and greatnesse and that there-by hee should incense the King of Spaine so as nothing was done desiring rather to call the Duke of Parma to his succors to his great charge and his subiects ruine who afterwards sent the Prince of Chymay to beseege it as we shall here The second of December some of the Estates men surprized Ville-woord two Leagues from Brussells the which they spoyled but being scituated in the champian country and not able to keepe it they abandoned it in their retreat some lewd persons seâ⦠fire of it so as many houses were burnt The Queene of England being importuned by the king of Spaine to make a peace who vnder this pretext sought to lul her a sleepe vntill that his sea army were all redy was resolued to giue eare therevnto and to enter into some conference with his Deputies the place of their assembly being appointed at Bourbroue in Flanders and to that end she sent in October past vnto the generall estates of the vnited Prouinces Doctor Herbert one of her Maisters of request and Ioachim Ortels agent in England for the said estates to vnderstand their disposition and resolution toward a peace giuing them charge to protest openly that either they must send their Deputies with hers to treat of a peace or else she would call backe her troups into England The Estates hauing assembled all the Nobility gentlemen and townes not-with-standing all forraigne and home-bred troubles the mutinies of their soldiars ciuill factions and the threats of the great Spanish Armado which they were well informed was comming with so great a power waighing all circomstances with a constant and firme resolution they absolutly reiected all treaties of peace with the enemy And although they had giuen the Queenes Ambassadors a very resolute answer yet this yeare 1588. they sent Sebastian Loze and Leonard Cazembroot two councellors of estate vnto her Maiesty to disswade her from all treaty of peace for the which these were partly their reasons That in respect of her Maiesties honor they were to conforme themselues to any thing that should be pleasing vnto her yet they thought it fit to aduertise and fore-warne her that she could not expect any firme and assured peace from the king of Spaine being the head of the holy league which all former acts contracts doe plainely testefie for there is no disposition in the King of Spaine to yeeld to the free excercise of the reformed relligion wherfore they besought her Maiesty to surcease al treaties of peace for a while saying that time would soone teach them more experience desiring to know what conditions the Duke of Parma propounded and what her Maiesty pourposed to demaund on their behalfes and how shee ment to proceed touching the ancient alliances betwixt her Kingdome and the Netherlands Moreouer it was to be considered that the Estates of the vnited Prouinces were not to be held so poore nor desperate in regard of their power and willingnes to raise necessary contributions for the common defence of the country seeing that in the said Prouinces during the espace of two yeares whilest the Earle of Liecester was gouernor they had leuied foure score hundred thousand gilders which amounts to eight hundred thousand pounds starling onely for the extraordinary charges of casuall warre by sea and by land and that the Prounices being well and orderly gouerned were able not only to contribute the like summes but to rayse more so as they had no reason to despaire of the successe of their affaires In regard of the scituation and strength of the Prouinces which are vnited that there is no country in the world stronger then it hauing yet aboue sixty townes and forts able to resist the enemies forces where by they were not afraide of the enemies approch neither yet doubted to make head against him wherefore their countries cause was not to be held desperate As for the diuisions and factions that were within the said Prouinces they would presently cease the treaty of peace being broken of and that her Maiesties resolution might be openly deliuered that for the mayntayning and preseruing of those countries in vnity and concord she would appoint some Nobleman of quality according to the contract which they had made with her to gouerne the same and obseruing all good order to yeeld vnto euery one his due according to his office and authority which hetherto had not beene done and was the fountayne of all mistaking The treatie of peace would bring with it a despaire both in the maintaining of religion and pollicie and an abandoning of the country by the best Inhabitants and among such as are not yet well grounded and setled in religion a kinde of suspition and falling from the Church of God And they of the Romish religion should bee thereby the more imboldned and dayly fortified Many of the reformed religion and good common-weales men would presently make difficultie to contribute their money as thinking ready money their best marchandise to take with them when they shall bee forced to forsake the country And they of the Romish religion would refuse and hinder the contribution there-by to presse them to a peace The chiefe Collonels Captaines and Soldiers both by sea and land would bee the worse paide and would feare that a peace being concluded they would be little esteemed and for that cause they would practise priuate mutinies and treasons to purchase the enemies fauour and to get what money they could to the apparent losse of many frontier townes and fortes The prouinces and townes that are most diuided and in contention one with the other and haue alwaies beene so would now by procurement of the enemie in case it happened seeke their priuate reconciliations not-with-standing all promises what-so-euer made by them to the contrary Through the apparent disorder of men of warre the ceasing of contribution with many other inconueniences which might happen the common people would bee drawne into disobedience and the affaires of the countrie brought in question the which although she would cease all speech of peace her Maiestie should not be able to preuent neither by her owne nor by the Estates authority so as the enemy should haue meanes to prescribe what conditions he pleased A peace being once concluded yea with the fairest and best conditions the one halfe of those that are best resolued in religion would go out of the country and the rest
effect concerning the matters in controuersie betweene both parts as well touching religion as otherwise that then his aforesayd declaration and agreeation should bee of no force but remaine as if it had neuer beene made and that by vertue thereof it should not bee vnderstood nor interpreted that hee had or would loose any of his right or title nor the Estates thereby to haue any aduantage but that all things should remaine in the same state they were and euery man to haue his due and that from thence-forth it should be lawfull for each party to doe as they thought good With this agreation hauing deliuered a copie thereof in Spanish French and Dutch Frier Iohn Nayen made a long discourse of the sinceritie and vprightnesse of the King of Spaine in that respect and that hee had caused the same to passe through the hands of his councell that it might bee the freer and more assured to take effect although hee should dye wherein hee sayd hee was much to bee commended in that hee expressed the true and vpright intent and meaning of his direct dealing therein promising no more nor binding himselfe no further then hee meant to performe and cause to bee effected whereas other-wise if hee had meant to deale deceitfully hee would not haue done so but rather haue made the agreation with-out any explication whereas now to make knowne his iust proceeding hee had declared his full pleasure and intent there-by to shunne and auoyde that which here-after might seeme to bee brought in question Mounsieure Verreyken also made a very long speach touching the sinceritie and direct dealing of the Arch-dukes concerning that poynte and of the greate inclination and desire they had vnto peace which was plainely to bee seene by their proceedings therein and how earnestly they had endeuoured themselues to doe all thinges which the Estates had by any meanes desired or could in any sort pretend The general Estates hauing receiued the copie of the said agreation and perused the same they found it to be very badly and negligently written by leauing out of many wordes and some defects to be in the writing of many wordes which were not placed as they ought to bee and also in the forme not being signed with the Kings name nor written in French And after they had imparted the same vnto the Ambassadors of France and England vppon the seauenteenth day they had further conference with the sayd Fryer Iohn Nayen and Verreyken to acquaint them with the sayd defects and to knowe if there were no other agreation to bee expected who letting them vnderstand that there was no other agreation to bee had from Spaigne but that in the proceedings with the principall pointes of the treatie all doubtes and difficulties might bee better seene into and preuented vpon good deliberation and after diuers consultations had with his Excellencie and the Ambassadors aforesaid Vpon the second of Nouember they resolued to giue the Deputies an answer which was that the said letters of agreation according to the declaration of the Deputies not only in the wordes and stile but also in the sealing insertion and omission of many words were not conformable to the promises made and that by the last clause therof besides the propositions of Fryer Iohn Nayen there might be pretended a disanulling of the sollemne promises thereby made it being not to be contradicted That the sayd King and the Arch-dukes with their Councels know well that the general Estates of the vnited Prouinces as being Estates of free countries and Prouinces where-vnto the aforesaid King and Arch-dukes pretend no soueraignty by the grace of God almighty and the said assistance of such Princes as are allyed vnto them can finde good meanes to maintaine and vphold the welfare estate and gouernement of the sayd countries and the Inhabitants of the same without making any mention thereof in the principal treaty concerning peace or truce notwithstanding any thing which might bee pretended or propounded by the King or Arch-dukes to the contrary vnlesse they would crosse or seeke to disanull the aforesayd sollemne and formall promises And although there might some question be made whether vppon the said letters and propositions they might proceed to a treatie Neuerthelesse to the end this worke begun for the freeing of those countries from these long continuall and bloody wars and the setling of a godly honourable and an assured peace may not be hindred they would shew the said letters as much as concerneth the approbation of the promises made by the Arch-dukes and the like declaration of the said King whereby he declareth that he is content that in his name and in his behalfe a treatie shal be made touching peace or truce with the generall Estates in qualitie and as holding and acounting them for free countries Prouinces and Estates where-vnto he made no claime besides all generall and particular obligations which are requisite and necessary vnto the Prouinces townes and members of the same respectiuely and within sixe weekes next enfuing giue intelligence vnto the said Deputies whether they intended the e-vpon to enter into any treatie or not with expresse protestation from thence-forth neuer to make any question to any poynt of the aforesaid letters which might bee vnderstood to be directly or indirectly against the said agreation and declaration togither with the promises of the said Arch-dukes And if it were founde fitte and conuenient vppon the sayd agreation and declaration or vppon any other that within the sayd time acording to the promises made might bee sent out of Spaine and deliuered vnto the said Estates to enter into a treatie the Estates were of opinion that neyther in the said Kings behalfe nor the Arch-dukes there should be any thing propounded or pretended that might bee preiudiciall to the state welfare and gouernement of the vnited Prouinces or the Inhabitants thereof contrary to the sayd promises And that the Arch-dukes will take order within tenne daies after the receipt of the saide aduertisment to send their committies with instructions according to the originall offers to the Hage fully instructed and authorised and also to vnderstand the Estates intent to deliuer their meanings plainely and effectually And there-vppon to make a short and briefe resolution and that the Estates in that respect would appoint certaine Committies with the like authoritie to treat with them This answer being made it was giuen to the said Frier Iohn Nayen and to Vereyken vpon the third of Nouember and there-withall they were demaunded whether they would deliuer the Originall letters of agreation whereat they made some doubt whether they might leaue them with the Estates or carry them backe againe to Brusselles and therefore they desired respite for certaine daies wherein Fryer Iohn Nayen might go to Brusselles to fetch a further commission concerning that point which being graunted them the Fryer went from the Hage vpon the fifth of Nouember the fourteenth of the same
our soules And we do also confesse that by reason of your bishopricke you haue much land and many rents tithes possessions and other reuenues which haue beene giuen by my auncestors vnto the church of Vtrecht for the honor of God and the entertainment of divine service the which I would be verie loath any way to impeach or hinder As I also would intreat your lordship your subiects to vse the like moderation towards me and my vassals and so he ended his discourse After these two goodly victories which Cont Thierry had gotten against Adelbold bishop of Vtrecht he resolued to reuenge the death of his father in Friseland for the effecting wherof he was assisted by the Emperour Henry the 2 who sent Godefroy with the great beard duke of Lorraine vnto him with goodly succors of souldiers The Earle hauing also leuied a goodly armie of his owne subiects leading the bishop prisoner with him entred into the countrey of Friseland where going to affront the Frisons armie a sodaine terrour and feare seized vpon the Hollanders without any apparant cause which made them sodainly to disband flie as if they had been chased and followed at the heeles by their enemies so as it was not possible to stay them to fight euery one seeking his owne safetie The Frisons seeing this vnexpected rout pursued them at their ease in which pursute the Duke of Lorraine was taken and the bishop escaped from the Hollanders retyring himselfe vnto the Frisons incensing them more and more against Cont Thierry who hauing made his retreat to Harlem he speedily gathered together his scattered armie with the which he marched directly to Heyligerlee where he met the Frisons with the bishop who came boldly and resolutely to charge him hauing forced the Duke of Lorraine to accompanie them to the battaile the which was fierce and very bloudie whereas the Earle had the victorie with great slaughter of the Frisons the Duke being freed from their hands and ioyned with the Earle after that the bishop beeing wounded had saued himselfe with great danger of his life they both together with their vnited troups fell vpon the country of Friseland putting all to fire sword destroying the whole countrey vnpeopling it of men and cattell taking and carrying away all they could find And thus the Earle reduced all the countrey of Friseland vnder his obedience the which he gaue to his yonger sonne Floris and forced the inhabitants which remained to acknowledge him for their lord and to take an othe of fealtie holding the said seigniorie notwithstanding in fee of the Earle his father who returned victorious into Holland Floris remained in Friseland the which he gouerned with power and authoritie all his lifetime Cont Thierry finding himselfe at rest from all his wars hauing subdued all his enemies he went accompanied with the lord of Arckel his faithfull subiect and a great traine of gentlemen to Ierusalem where the said lord of Arckel died of sicknesse and was honorably interred there by Cont Thierry who being returned into Holland after that hee had finished his pilgrimage liued some yeares intrest and quietnesse with his wife and children then hauing ended the course of his life he died in the yere 1039. hauing raigned 46 yeares and was buried in the church of the Abbey of Egmont by his fathers The lady Withilde his widow returned into her countrey of Saxony where she died foure yeares after In the said Abbey of Egmont there was found preserued from ruine the Epitaph of these three Earles Thierry the 1. 2 and 3. Earles of Holland and Zeeland Lords of Friseland of the lady Gena wife to the first and of the lady Hildegarde wife to the second as we haue extracted and inserted them here for the reuerence of antiquitie The odericorum tria corpora magnificââ¦rum Hic sita sunt titulis quaeque not at a suis. Hi fundaââ¦rant loca nostra Patresque fuerunt Istsus ornatus ordinis atque status Hic Comitissarum sociantur membraduarum Virtus est quarum non celebrandaparum Genna prior dicta tum pracipue benedicta Hildâ⦠garda suo digna legititulo Auropraeclâ⦠am tabulam quae struxit ad aram Multiââ¦dis donis iure sequendabonis Progenies borum mores imitare tuorum Quos coeliregio sumpsit ab exilio In the said Abbey is also found the Epitaph of Sicco or Ziffrid of Holland first lord of Brederode sonne to Arnould brother to Thierry the 3. Earles of Holland as followeth Status sepe morum statu immutatur honorum Quod Comes exegst quem lapis iste tegit Siccogââ¦nus Comitum Comitatum ponit auitum Dum quod amat sequitur sic minor efficitur Sed fundis seruis aerisque nitebat aceruis Inferior solo Principe fratre suo Qui dum perpendit quo mundi gloria tendit Iuris multa suitradit huic domui Stââ¦rps de Siccane processit in hac regione Florens diuitijs viribus ingenijs Iulius in Nââ¦nis tulit hunc vt conditionis Cui vera sit quies perpetââ¦sque dies THIERRY THE FOVRTH OF THAT name and fift Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland 5 Theodoricus Quartus Nine yeares I liued Earle of Holland fortunate Not knowing nor yes caring what belongd to mariage state The Germans I compeld the towne of Dort to leaue That sought by all the meanes they could my life for to bereaue Who being ouercome and put vnto the flight Turn'd backe and shot a shaft at me which in my thigh did light The names of three of my forefathers I did beare And with them in their sepulcher my bones interred were THIERRY the 4. of that name after the decease of Thierry the 3. his father was the fift Earle of Holland and Zeeland and Lord of Friseland Hee was neuer married and therefore he left not any children to succeed him On a time a torney being appointed in the citie of Liege whither came many Princes and Noble men Cont Thierry went thither in like sort accompanied with many Noble men and Barons his vassals As the Princes Noble men were at the torney it happened by an vnfortunat blow that the Earle slew the brother of the bishops of Cologne and Liege so as the noble men of Germanie sought to reuenge the death of this yong knight Thierry vnable to make his partie good retired secretly with all his traine out of the citie The Germains aduertised of his retreat pursued him and hauing ouertaken the last of his traine they slew some among the which were two knights Cont Thierry hauing recouered Holland without danger went to Dordrecht and caused all the ships of Cologne and Liege to be burnt tooke all the Germaine marchants prisoners and put them to great ransoms to reuenge the death of his two knights and of his other seruants The bishops of Liege and Cologne bearing this indignitie impatiently sent an armie vnder the command of the Marques
being iealous of their libertie would no longer obey his lieutenants and officers of iustice nor receiue any commandements from them The Earle being much moued at this contempt went with an armie to reduce them vnto reason Beeing entred into the countrey some yong gentlemen of his armie being lodged in a village called Schoerle went with some few souldiers to discouer their enemies The Frisons lying in ambush brake forth and hauing compassed them in on euerie side they slew many the most apparant of them were Simon of Anuers William of Voorhout Baldwin of Harlem Floris Roesschen Gerard Drossart Allard of Egmont Bruyn of Castrichom Euert of Noortwick Gerard of Monstre all knights the which were drawne from among the dead and buried in the Abbey of Egmont After this vnfortunate skirmish Cont Floris hauing fortified his armie hee went himselfe in person against the Frisons whom hee did wonderfully destroy to reuenge the death of his knights his souldiers killing all they could incounter both men and women The Frisons seeing their owne miserie submitted themselues to his mercie and promised vnder their hands and seales neuer to rebell against him nor his successors the which they held not long Being thus reduced vnto reason the Earle returned into Holland where hee liued the remainder of his dayes in peace In the yeare 1131 the regular Monks of Middelbourg in Zeeland were for their disordred life expelled their Couent by Gombault bishop of Vtrecht who placed other Monks there that came from Antuerpe which was to change a pour-blind man for one that had no sight the said town of Middelbourg being then but a village with a castle which they cald Burcht but by little and little they began to wall it in by reason of the ordinarie incursions which the Flemings made into the isle of Walchren And the other islands began to erect seigniories among the which that of the family of Borssele as the most antient of all was the most aduanced and rich in lands In the yeare 1133 Prince Floris Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland hauing gouerned his countries in peace except the troubles of Friseland for the space of 31 yeares died the sixt of the Nones of March leauing three sons and one daughter as we haue said This Prince exceeded all his predecessors in wealth state and liberalitie aboue all hee was a great giuer of almes of a quiet disposition and very considerat before he entred into any warre For said he that Prince which loueth his subiects will not rashly vndertake a warre if hee bee not forced He is buried in the Abbey of Egmont by his fathers whose Epitaph was found as followeth O Florens species lege cerne quid citò fies Quod teres tumuli forma decet tituli Floruit vt palma serie Florentius alma Cultor Iustitiae iura tuendo piae Duxerat vxorem claram Regisque sororem Ambo praeclari parbenè iuncta pari Larga manus dantis altar sacrum venerantis Donis non minimis praecipuè decimis Tempus ei pacis labor est victoria Patris Attulit optato suppede Marte dato Quum senas nonas Sol martis tempore donas Contigit hanc lucem morte mutare ducem THIERRY THE SIXT OF THAT name and twelfth Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland THIERRY espoused the daughter of the Earle PALATINE SOPHIA cald that trauailed with him in Palestine Where wearied with long ââ¦yle it was ãâã to die Twice in one day the Frisons he subdued valiantly Vtrecht he did besiege and ruled fortie yeare And in the Abbey of ãâã his bones ââ¦rred ãâã Intombed with a diademe of thornes the which the King Of Idumeas ensigne was which he from thence did bring THIERRY the sixt of that name son to Floris the second was twelfth Earle of Holland and Zeeland and Lord of Friseland who tooke to wife the ladie Sophia daughter to Otho Palatin of Rhin of whom he had foure sons Floris the 3. that succeeded him Otto Earl of Benthem Baldwin bishop of Vtrecht and Peregrin Vicont of Montfort with three daughters Sophia that was abbesse of Fontenelle Hedewic that was a religious woman there and Petronelle who was a faire and louely lady but I know not to whom she was maried He had also one bastard called Robert of Holland We haue formerly said That in the yeare 1086 the Emperour Henry the 4. vpon sleight suggestions had giuen the counties of Oostergoe and Westergoe in Friseland to Conrard bishop of Vtrecht which Marques Egbers had giuen to the bishopricke of Vtrecht to hold them of the empire during the time that he was competitor with the Emperour Henry but Lothaire vncle by the mothers side to this cont Thierry the 6 reuoked this donation as soon as he came to the empire after Henry as purchased vnlawfully by stealth restoring those two quarters of Oostergoc Westergoe with the seuen Forests in the which three parts consists al Friseland vnto Cont Thierry his nephew annexing them to the estate of the Earles of Holland Who so desires to know the limits of these three iurisdictions of Oostergoe Westergoc and the seuen Forests let him read our particular description of Holland Zeeland Vtrecht Friseland Oueryssell and Gronningue which are sixe Prouinces of the vnited Estates of the Netherlands gouerned by Prince Maurice of Nssaau and Cont William of Nassau his cosin In the yeare 1132 the Frisons rebelled againe against Cont Thierry whom hee suffered in the beginning but the Winter following during the sharpest frosts when as the ice did serue as a bridge to passe ouer all riuers and marisââ¦es where with that countrey doth abound the Earle went with an armie to reduce them vnto reason The Frisons beeing nothing amazed went to incounter him with all their forces had in one day two battailes against the Hollanders in both which they were defeated with such losse of their men as the number of the dead could not be knowne After this victorie the Earle returned triumphing into his country of Holland and his men laden with spoile and prisoners The said Cont Thierry as we haue said had one brother called Floris the black a bold man and proud who whether that he enuied the estate and prosperitie of his brother or for some other priuat and domesticke quarrell the which is easily kindled among great men through iealousie or otherwise falling into difference one with another he retired himself out of Holland to the Frisons who complained of the excessiue impositions and charges that they were forced to beare to whom Floris was verie welcome hearing of the hatred that was betwixt his brother and him making him their General with whom he entred into Holland ruining all the Castles and places of strength in the earledome euen vnto Harlem hee spoiled the towne of Alcmar and all the villages round about the which they did daily and at night they returned laden with spoile
increasing the Cabillautins sent their deputies to duke William of Bauaria Earle of Osteruant the Empresse eldest sonne being then resident in Henault intreating him to come into Holland to vnder-take the gouernment of the country hauing decreed among them no longer to indure the Mothers rule At the first he refused it but they did so importune him as in the end he came secretly to the towne of Gorrichom Those of Delf hearing of his comming went vnto him and carried him by force into their towne making him their head and Captaine generall with whom or by his commandement they issued often forth spoiling the Villages and country houses belonging to the Hoeketins In the end the Townes of North-Holland the Kennemers and the West-Frisons receiued him for their Lord and Prince doing the homage and taking the othe due vnto the Earles of Holland in despight of the Empresse their naturall Princesse his Mother The Hoeketins seeing themselues thus ill intreated by the Cabillautins had their recourse refuge vnto the Empresse whose party they held and began to furnish their townes Castels and Forts with men victualls munition of warre On the other side the Cabillautins went to befiege their places and to batter and beat downe their Castles whereof they did ruine seuenteene in lesse then a yeare The Empresse writte vnto her Sonne that she wondred at his presumption that he would intermedle with her authoritie and command seeming to bee very much incensed against the townes of Holland The Earle answered that the country did belong vnto him by right of donation which she had made vnto him And refusing to giue ouer his course begun the Empresse with the succours which the Queene of England her sister had sent her made a goodly armie with the which she imbarked and went and landed at La Vere in Zeeland Earle William landed with his troupes in the same Iland whereas both armies of the Mother and the Sonne being entred into fight one against an other the combate was furious and bloudie great numbers being slaine and drowned on either side In the end God gaue the victory to the Mother so as the Sonne escaped with great difficulty and fled into Holland This battaile was in the yeare 1351. William of Bauaria being safely returned into Holland made hast to leuie new forces and to raise a greater armie then the first the which consisted of Hollanders Kennemers and Frisons with the succours of many Lords and Knights of Iohn Lord of Arckel Iohn Lord of Calenbourg Iohn Lord of Egmont the Lady Mathilda van Voorne widow to the Lord of Walckenbourg Gerard of Heemskerke Gerard of Harler and many other Knights Gentlemen and good soldiers which came vnto him out of the countries of Cleues Geldres and Germanie with the which armie hee gaue a day and appointed a place vnto his mother to haue his reuenge in open battaile betwixt Bryele and Grauesand The Empresse had her armie composed of good soldiers English Henniuers Zelanders Walcharins accompanied with a great number of Barons Knights and Gentlemen She like a couragious and noble minded Princesse making no doubt of a second victory marched against her sonne and caused her men to begin the charge The two armies at the first incounter charged one another with such animositie and furie as there was nothing to be seene but glaiues broken lances a thicke shower of Arrowes in the ayre breaking of harnesse cutting in sunder of targets and bucklers and heads armes and legges falling to the ground there was nothing to bee heard but the cryes with the lamentable and fearefull groanes of men wounded and dying the bloud ranne ouer the field like a violent streame to conclude there was such murther and spoile on either part with such obstinacie and continuall furie as they could hardly iudge of the issue of the battaile vntill that the Empresse troopes opprest and tired with the great numbers of the Hollanders armie to saue themselues ranne into ditches and riuers where they were drowned so as all the Empresse armie was put to route and shee fled in a small Barke into England The Generall of the English troupes was slaine and lyes buried in the Church of Losdanen where as his tombels yet to be seene in blacke Marble Costin of Renesse Floris of Hamstede and many other Noblemen Knights and Gentlemen were also slaine there with an infinite number of good soldiers There was in this battaile which was in the same yeare 1351 so much bloud spilt as for three dayes after the old riuer of Meuse at a full sea was all redde in that place Finally after that so many valiant men had lost their liues there and whereas the Lord Didier of Brederode and many Knights on the Empresse part were taken prisoners there was an accord made betwixt the mother and the sonne By the which it was agreed that the Empresse should hold the Countie of Henault during her life and Duke William should haue the quiet possession of Holland Zeeland and Friseland After this battaile the Empresse liued yet fiue yeares and dyed at Valenciennes in her countrie of Henault where she was interred Notwithstanding this accord made betwixt the Mother and the Sonne yea after her death when as Duke William was sole and absolute Lord of the Counties of Henault Holland Zeeland and Friseland the factions of the Cabillaux and the Hoecks were not mortified but did continue their hatred aboue a hundred and fiftie yeares after vntill that time of Maximillian the first as we shall shew in its place WILLIAM OF BAVARIA THE 5. OF that name the 25 Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland and Earle of Henault called the madde 25. Guilielmus Quintus This William did obtaine in nuptiall state Mathilda of the house of Lancaster A husband Childlesse and vnfortunate Attempted Vtrecht and did factions stirre Vnder the names of Hamocons and Merlus Distracted in his flowre of youth he grew Since in his age he was vndutious To his graue Mother whom ââ¦e did pursue With many troubles though she had defects Yet children to their parents still must owe Remission of their faults and ãâã respects But death doth on his life his rest bestow AFter this cruell and bloudie battaile fought vpon the bankes of the old riuer of Meuse as we haue said William Duke of Bauaria Palatin of Rhine Earle of Holland and Zeeland and Lord of Friseland according to the accord whereof we haue made mention was absolute Prince of the said Prouinces Then after the decease of the Empresse his Mother did also inherite the county of Henault Hee had to wife the Lady Mathilda daughter to Henry Duke of Lancaster in England by whom hee had not any children In the yeare 1355. this Earle by the bad aduise of some of his councell thrust on by their priuate passions sent about S. Martins time in winter to defie the Bishop of Vtrecht
these spoiles and thefts which the Hollanders of the Cabillautin faction holding the part of Iohn of Bauaria did commit vpon their friends of Vtrecht and Amersfort they held it their best course to make open warre and to that ende they allyed themselues to these Lords William of Brederode Philip vicont of Leyden the vicont of Montfort Iohn of Heemstede with all the rest of the Hoackins faction that were chased out of Holland against the lords of Egmond and Gerrard Boel lord of Hemskerke cheife counsellors to Iohn of Bauaria and against all their Allyes The yeare following Iohn of Bauaria and his faction did ruine many of their aduersaries castels in the quarter of Woerden Suylen Houthorst and Nessen On the other side the lorde of Broderode the vicont and the siegnior of Hemsted ioyned to them of Leyden did also burne some of the Cabillautins castels as Zuyck Raphorst Rhinburch others running as far as the Hage but they only spoiled it sparing the fire in respect of the Princes court palace the honor of the earls that had built it In the same yeare Iohn of Bauaria tooke the castle of Poelgeest situated in the village of Coekerke by assault causing all their heads to be cut off that were within it from thence hee went to the castle of Does the which was yeelded vnto him then he besieged the castle of Waert in the village of Leyrdorp the which hee battered and tooke by force killing most of the besieged then razed it to the ground he in like sort wonne that of Zyl by Leyden whereas there dyed many men and then hee ruined it Hauing taken all these castles and gathered together greater troupes hee went and besieged the towne of Leyden the space of nine weekes so as in the ende he forced them to yeeld vpon composition by the which it was agreed that all soldiers strangers and namely they of Vtretch should depart with bagge and baggage and that Iohn of Bauaria should be receyued into the towne without the oppression of any man The which being thus concluded the vicont Philip and the inhabitants did onely acknowledge him as Gouernor of Holland The souldiers of Vtrecht thinking to retire safely vnto their towne the lord of Egmond lay in wait for them at a passage and pursued them vnto their gates On the other side Iohn of Bauaria against the said Accord forced the vicont of Leyden to resigne and yeeld vp his viconty vnto him and not to retaine any thing for himselfe nor his successors but the castle the Toll and the Gruytte whereas before a vicont of Leyden had a great command and prerogatiue in the Towne as the placing of a Bayliffe foure Bourghemasters and seeuen Sherifs Henry the viconts eldest sonne held at this siege the part of Iohn of Bauaria against his father who also made session of the said Viconty This towne being thus yeelded to Iohn of Bauaria they went with them of Dordrecht to besiege the Towne and castle of Gheertruydenbergh whereof Didier vander Merwen was Chastelaine or Gouernor whom in the ende hee forced to yeeld to haue their liues and goods saued That yeare 1420. Iohn Duke of Brabant came from Antwerp into Zeeland at the request of Iohn of Bauaria and landed at saint Martensdyk whereat the pursuite of the siegnior of Aschen they assembled without the priuitie of the Contesse Iaqueline in the house of Floris of Borssele where the duke of Brabant did ratifie and confirme vnto Iohn of Bauaria the gouernment of Holland Zeeland and Frizeland for seuen yeares longer and moreouer did yeeld vp vnto him the towne of Antwerp and Marquisat of Herentael The duke of Brabant being returned to Antwerp by the aduice of Euerard Tserclaes his steward discharged and put away all the Contesse Iaquelines ladyes of honor and maydes and quite altred and changed her estate and traine giuing her the contesse of Moeurs the lady of Weesmael Asschen and others to attend on her The which did wonderfully displease the lady Marguerite of Burgongne Douager of Holland mother to the Countesse who departed presently with her daughter towards Brusselles and comming to the court to the Duke and his councell shee sought to perswade him to dissolue this new estate or traine The which not able to obtaine shee departed discontented and went to her Inne called the Looking glasse The Contesse her daughter followed her weeping with one only Page the which did breed admiration and pittie in all that beheld her The next day the mother and the daughter retyred themselues into Henault where they liued at Quesnoy le Conte Whilest these things were acting the barons nobles and townes of Brabant held an assembly in the towne of Louuaine where it was decreed to displace Euerard of Tserclaes steward to the Duke and the siegneor of Asschen whereunto the Duke opposed firmely for that they were his two mignons and chiefe councellors Whereupon the Estates of Brabant sent to Paris to Philip Earle of S. Pol brother to duke Iohn intreating him to come into Brabant to gouerne the countrey and to rule his fathers inheritance complayning that Duke Iohn suffered himselfe to bee ruled and gouerned by a companie of flatterers and pick-thanks who sought nothing els but to set diuision betwixt the Nobles and townes of the countries and their Lorde and Prince Although the Earle were loth to vndertake this charge yet at the intreatance of the king himself he went into Brabant where hauing saluted the duke his brother at Brusselles hee went to Louaine there hee vnderstood the causes of the complaints made by the state and the reasons of either partie which being heard he went to Quesnoy from whence hee brought the Contesse Iaqueline and her mother to Louvaine Then hee appointed an other assembly of the States on the 29. of September at Vilvoord whereas the sayde Earle being present with the two Ladyes Princesses mother and daughter and all the Deputies of the Estates of Brabant they attended the Duke onely who counterfeited himselfe to be sicke hauing expected him there some space hearing that he went from Towne to towne to auoid this Assembly the States by the aduice of the Ambassadors of the King of France and duke of Bourgongne resolued to create the Earle of S. Poll Reuward of Brabant which election was made the first of October Duke Iohn of Brabant hauing beene perswaded by William lord of Bergen vppon Soome his chiefe councellor and Euerard of Tferclaes to make Iohn of Bauaria gouernor of Holland and Frizeland hauing also beene the cause of the changing of the Contesse Iaqueline his wiues traine The Bastards of Holland beeing incenced for this cause slue the lord of Bergen in the Duke his masters chamber On the other side the Duke hearing that Cont Philip his brother had the title of Reuwart of Brabant and had displased and changed the magistrates of Brusselles came before the
the lord of Humbercourt the last hated him mortally for a lie which the Constable had giuen him in a conference of State betwixt the King and the dukes men the which did afterwards cost him his head This assembly of Bouines was in the yeare 1474. In the which it was concluded by both their deputies that the Constable for certaine reasons set downe in writing was guilty of high treason against both these Princes and all that should serue or assist him Moreouer the King should giue vnto the duke the towne of S. Quentin withall his treasure and mouables that should be found in the Realme of France with all the lands and Seigneuries which he had held of the duke Among others Ham and Bohain strong places and well appointed And at a certaine day prefixed the King and the duke should haue their armies ready to goe and beseege the Constable in Ham. But hee flattered the King in such sort as all that was disapointed for afterwards there was an entervewe betwixt the King and him the Constable comming armed conferring togither at a bar where he was reconciled to the King and to the Earle of Dompmartin making his excuse that hee came armed for the hatred and feare of him from thence the Constable went to lodge at Noion and the next day at Saint Quentin well reconciled as hee sayd and thought The King hearing what the world sayd of this his conference with the Constable he excused himselfe for his folly and basenesse to haue treated with his subiect and seruant accompanied with 400. men at armes all his owne subiects and entertained at his charge hauing a barre betwixt them From that time the Kings hatred increased daylie against the Constable Herein the Kings basenesse is excused for if hee had not done it the duke of Bourgongne would easily haue receiued him yeelding vp Saint Quentin We haue said before that Prince Adolph of Geldres deteined his father Duke Arnold in prison in the yeare 1464. which was the cause of great warres The Duke of Bourgongne did often seeke to reconcile them but he could not in the end the Pope and the Emperor dealt in it commanding the Duke of Bourgongne to drawe Duke Arnold out of prison the which hee did vpon a sommons made to Prince Adoph the which he durst not refuze seeing so many Potentates to deale in the cause and fearing the dukes forces so the duke of Geldres was brought to Dourlans to the duke of Bourgongne at such time as the French King was about Amiens Prince Adolph his Sonne appeered also vpon the same adiournement Once among the rest being called into the dukes chamber thinking to reconcile them in a great assembly of his councellors where they pleaded their cause the good old duke presented his gage of battaile vnto his Sonne The duke of Bourgongne for the alliance which Prince Adolph had made in his house and through the recoÌmendations of the deceased duke Philip his Father desired much to reconcile them yet he fauored the yong Prince most offring vnto him the title of gouernor of Bourgongne and the country of Gelders withall the reuenues except the towne of Graue scituated in Brabant the which should remaine to the father with the title of duke the Sonne should be called Mââ¦bour Gardien or Regent of the country The lord of Argenton in his memorials writs that hee was commanded by the duke of Bourgongne to deliuer this message vnto Prince Adolph who answered That hee had rather haue cast his Father headlong into a well and himselfe after then make such an agreement That his Father had beene duke forty foure yeares and that it was now time hee were in his turne but hee would willingly yeelde him 3000. florins a yeare vpon condition that hee should neuer come into the Countrie of Geldres with manie more wicked and impious speeches The Duke of Bourgongne hearing the villanous speeches of this young Prince was very much mooued and would force him to make an ende with his Father But as the duke after the taking of Amiens parted to goe to Hesdin this Prince attyred himselfe like a Frenchman and escaped away with one man in his company to goe into his country passing a bridge neere vnto Namur where there was a certaine Toll to bee payed hee payed a Florin for his passage But a Priest knowing him discouered him to the Tol-gatherer who stayed him and caused him to be ledde to Namur from thence he was carried to Gand where hee remayned prysoner vntill the death of the duke of Bourgongne duke Arnold his Father was verie ioyfull of his imprysonment who to reuenge the iniury and outrage that had beene done him resigned his Duchie of Geldres to the duke of Bourgongne who kept his sonne prysoner who tooke possession thereof notwithstanding the great resistance he found there and inioyed it vntill his death The duke of Bourgongne after the Inuestiture of this Duchie of Geldres returned into his country hauing his heart swollen with pride to haue inlarged his territories and increased his reuenues with this goodly Prouince He beganne to haue some taste in these matters of Germany for that the Emperor Frederic was a quiet still man who suffred much to auoide charge and who of himselfe without the Princes of Germany had no great power Hauing a desire to take something from the Germaines hee prolonged the truce with the French For the effecting whereof there fell out happily for him a quarrell betwixt two Noblemen competitors for the bishoprick of Cologne the one was brother to the Landtgraue of Hessen the other kinsman to the Palatin of Rhine The duke of Bourgongne would hold the Palatins partie and vndertooke to put him into possession by force hoping to get some share And in the same yeare 1474. hee went to beseege Nuys fiue leagues from Cologne and of that Diocesse a strong Towne in the which the Landtgraue of Hessen himselfe was and many of his Kinsmen and friends to the number of 1800. horse The duke had neuer such goodly troupes of Caualerie and among the rest 1000. Italian launces which the Earle of Campobachio a Neapolitan led who afterwardes betrayed him and was the cause of his death Those of Cologne did their best endeauors to succor the towne The Emperor and the Princes of Germany assembled about this businesse and resolued to rayse an armie The French King had sent to sollicit them vnder hand The Princes sent an Ambassador vnto him intreating him that as soone as the Emperor should goe to field he would straight gather him with 20000 men the which hee promised vnder the commande of the lords of Craen and Salezard This Germaine armie was great for all the Princes both spirituall and temporall with the Bishoppes and Townes had sent their forces The Emperour was seauen monethes in raysing of this army with the which hee went and campt within halfe a league of
restrained like a very prisoner in the towne of Bruges some townes of Flanders as Alost Deudermonde Oudenarde Hulst others insteed of liking and approuing the folly of the Ganthois Brugeois did them contrariwise much mischiefe by spoyling and burning euen vnto their very Ports making them to taste of the wrong they did vnto their Princesse father holding him so treacherously and presumptuosly prisoner The which imprisonment was no sooner come to the knowledge of the Emperour Frederic the Kings father but hee made his moue to the Princes of the Empire complaining of the presumption and treacherie of the Ganthois and Brugeois requiring them that all affaires and excuses set aside euery one would come with his forces according to his estate to the Rendezuous that hee should assigne them and so with their vntited forces marche towards Flanders and deliuer the King his sonne Many Princes Earles and Barons came about mid-May others sent their Lieutenants with forces and so did the Imperiall townes The Pope was also intreated to interpose his authoritie wherein Herman of Hessen Archbishop of Cologne was imployed to perswade them of Gaunt Bruges and Ypre by threats and ecclesiasticall censures to set at libertie the King his Officers and houshold seruants within a certaine time limited or that otherwise hee would proceed against them by way of excommunication These Flemings not so much for feare of the Popes thundring as of the storme which approched by the Emperor set the King at libertie suffring him to goe where he pleased yea they made meanes vnto him to pardon them and that hee would bee reconciled vnto the foure members of Flanders Wherevnto the King did not refuse to giue eare The which did much discontent the great Councell of Macklyn and the Prouinces of Holland and Zeeland who by the Emperors comming whom they did expect would gladly haue seene these mutinous Flemings punished Notwithstanding some deputies of Brabant and Zeeland assisted by Adolph of Cleues Lord of Rauesteyn came to Bruges to the States of Flanders Whereas matters were so handled as it was concluded that the King should bee contented for certaine thousands of Crownes to renounce the gouernment of Flanders where there should bee appointed certaine Curators vntill the Prince Philip were come to age But the States of Brabant Holland Zeeland and West-Frisland would not haue nor acknowledge in their Prouinces any other Curator or head then the King of Romaines father to their Prince wherein they had reason There were also in this conference many points agreed vpon which seemed to be profitable for the country the King and their Prince according to the which the King was deliuered but not his seruants Yet hee pardoned them all and tooke a solemne oath to entertaine this accord for assurance whereof he left Philip of Cleues sonne to the Lord of Rauesteyn in hostage In the meane time the which was cause of great warre and miseries which followed the Archbishop of Cologne proceeding to the execution of his Commission the Flemings hauing not inlarged the King by the day limitted pronounced the sentence of excommunication against the townes of Gaunt Bruges and Ypre the which made them odious to all the world calling them excommunicated and damned persons no man being willing to conuerse nor to haue to doe with them Yet afterwards by the intercession of the French king soueraigne Lord of Flanders held immediatly of the Crowne of France they so purged themselues to the Pope as he absolued them from the Archbishops cursse Whilest that matters were thus handled in Flanders the Emperor Frederic aduanuanced still with his armie and that of the Princes and Imperiall Townes vntill hee came to Macklin whereas Maximilian King of the Romaines his sonne went to meete him and to receiue him being accompanied with the Princes Barons Noblemen Knights and chiefe Captaines of his traine whom hauing thanked for the great paines they had taken to come and succour him comming before the Emperor his father he cast himselfe vpon his knees beseeching him most humbly to pardon them as hee had done them of Bruges if it were but in respect of the oath which he had made and the faith which hee had giuen them wherevnto the Emperor would by no meanes yeeld some Prelates perswading the King that his oath did not binde him to people that were excommunicated The Ganthois knowing that the Emperour came in Armes against them intreated Philip of Rauestein to be their generall as it had beene agreed at the treatie of Bruges the which he accepted There were with him in the Citty of Gaunt the Earle of Vendosine and many Noblemen Captaines come out of France to succour them You may see how the French Kings councell not-with-standing the peace sought all meanes to annoy the King of the Romaines and the estate of Prince Philip his sonne The Lord of Rauesteyn being in field with his Ganthois surprised by pollicie the Towne of Scluse in Flanders which is the onely Sea Port by the which the Brugeois haue accesse into the Brittish Seas The Emperor and the Noblemen of Germanie marched with their Armie vntill they came about Gant and Bruges spoiling the champian country onely without any other memorable exployt They incountred some-times with the Flemings but they neuer came vnto a battaile neither did they take any Townes one from another The Germaines thought once to surprise Dam where there is a stay of the Sea-water betwixt Scluse and Bruges but their enterprise succeeding not they were repulst with great losse among others a brother of the Marquis of Brandenbourgs was slaine The 21. of May thinking to do as much at Gaunt many of their men being entred marching in the street that was before them thinking that they had wonne the towne the Ganthois hauing suffered as many to enter as they thought good and might easily maister they cut downe the Port-cullis of the gate where they were taken likewise in a trappe and were all slaine or drowned In the end the Emperor seeing that he should with great difficultie preuaile ouer these mightie Townes of Gant Bruges and Ypre his horsmen hauing ruined all the countrie of Flanders and eaten all that was to bee found so as there was nothing left hauing done no memorable act worthy the writing and the hard time of winter approching the Germaines louing their Stoues too well after that they had furnished the Townes of Alost Oudenard Deudermonde Hulst and other Townes with good garrisons the Emperor retired into Germanie leauing with the Archduke Maximilian his sonne king of Romaines Albert Duke of Saxonie Landtgraue of Misnia whom he made Gouernor of the Netherlands to make warre as well against the Flemings as the Frisons as we will briefly shew ALBERT DVKE OF SAXONY LANDâ⦠graue of Misnia second Gouernor Lieutenant and Generall for the Prince in his Netherlands ALBERTVS DVX SAXONIâ⦠GVBERâ⦠BELGIâ⦠ãâã ãâã the Flemings and the Frison race The which the
De facto for so the Text said had without the Emperours knowledge seazed vppon and reduced vnder their obedience many townes and baylewicks which they call Grittemes in the countrey of Freezland to the preiudice and contempt of the imperiall Maiestie and of the whole Empire with other Letters of Inhibition to the Groningeois not to attempt any thing further but repaire all new attempts and innouations restoring the sayde townes and bayle-wicks vnto their first estate notwithstanding any voluntary consent vppon paine of proscription by the Empire and confiscation of all their goods priuiledges and freedomes The said Letter dated the 5. of Iuly 1493. At Lins in Austria where intimated by an Vsher of the Imperiall chamber to the Superintendents of the towne of Groninghen who to purge themselues and to procure a reuocation of the last Letters sent their letters to the Emperour but by reason of his death they could not obtaine any thing besides the Sneckois and others of the Schyringers factions had their Agents in Court who crost them all they could A while after the Emperor Maximilian the first of that name sent the same Commissioner van Langen into Freezland to reconcile them who being come to the towne of Sneck sent to the States of Oster-goe Wester-goe to the seuen forrests which are the three members of Freezland giuing them an Assignation to come by the first of Ianuary 1494. to the said town of Sneck to heare the causes of his comming to vnderstand the tenor of his Commission and that the 18. of the said moneth hee went to Groninghen to acquaint them with the Emperors pleasure for the better execution whereof according to his Commission he made a truce betwixt the Groningeois and the Frisons vnto the first day of May following hoping in that time to finde some meanes to reconcile both parties but hee found the Groningeois too wilfull and obstinate and therefore he returned into Friseland The States beeing assembled in the Emperours name by the Commissioner Otto van Langen the Prelates Nobles Townes and commonalties of Wester-goe Oster-goe and the seuen Forrests that were not allyed to the Groningeois came thether There in the presence of them all the said Commissioner hauing showed his Commission and declared his charge by mouth Which was To ratifie and confirme their ancient Priuiledges in paying the arrerages of the annuall tribute due vnto the Empire He did also counsell them in the Emperors name according to their Priuiledges and ancient customes To choose some one of their owne Nation some worthy man indued with good parts and well affected to the good of his Countrey to bee their Potestate as they had beene in olde time gouerned who might bee carefull and vigilant to preserue their Liberties and Freedomes Else the Emperour without doubt would himselfe make choise of one of these Noblemen Of Albert Duke of Saxony of Philip Lorde of Rauesteyn or of the Earle of Emden Wherefore he aduised them to follow his counsell and That they should doe well to choose one that were not partiall amiable courteous and tractable well acquainted with the humors and disposition of men and the estate of the Countrey The States hauing heard this proposition after some priuate conference among themselues iudging that if they did it not the Emperour might appoint one by his authoritie the which would derogate much from their Priuiledges they resolued therein to follow the Emperors will and the aduice of his Commissioner Hauing therefore appointed certaine Prelates and a Notarie to set downe their suffrages and voyces in the election they went to choose one of the chiefe of their Nobilitie in the end by the pluralitie of voyces the office of Potestate was layd vpon Iuwde Roma van Baret a Gentleman both vertuous and honourable that was nothing partiall nor factious quiet and gentle hauing marryed the sister of Iuwe Hero and Iarich Hottinga who were the chiefe of the faction of Schyeringers So as Dekaââ¦a was pleasing to all the assembly of States The which did also wonderfully content the said Commissioner Then the sayd States during the Assembly made choise of 24. men to be Iudges and Assistants to the said Potestate wherall together three or foure times in the yeare should treat of affaires concerning the good of their Common-weale This new Potestate did present the Commissioner for a remembrance of his loue with two new peices of gold the one of Harald Camego in the yeare 794. and the other of Wibo Reynalda of the yeare 812. the which had bin in their time Potestates of Friseland The siegneor Iuw Hottinga did also giue him two that were forged at Franyker in the yeare 1419. by Sycko Syaera which the Commissioner receiued thankfully promising to giue them vnto the Emperour the which he knew would be pleasing vnto him This Election of a Potestate thus made in the Towne of Snecke where did not assist the Siegneors Iuw Iongama of Bolswaert Tyerck-walta those of Calama of Roarda of Herema nor their alleyes the Commissioner thought it fit to make the like Assembly in the town of Bolswaert that he might by their approbation of the said Election settle the whole Countrey in concord loue and quiet appointing them the fourteenth day following for that Assembly At what time the Commissioner parted from Snecke with the Nobles and Prelats that had bin at the first Assembly and went toward Bolswaert entring into the Towne the children and Boyes in the street began to cry and sing Heer Otto van Langen is vohyer gevanghen morgen sal ââ¦y hangen That is to say Otto of Langen is now a prisoner and to morrow will be hanged The Commissioner heard them and vnderstood them well but dissembling it he past on for that hee would not discontent any hoping to doe some great good Being come to the Franciscans in the presence of Iââ¦w Iangama Tyarck-wal and other Gentlemen the Commissioner made the like proposition vnto them that he had done at Sneck requesting them that they would approue and confirme the election of the said Potestate or if they refused it the Emperour would prouide in an other fashion Whereupon Iuw Iangama answering in the name of all his Partisans sayd That neither he nor any of his would heare speake of such a Potestate vntill that the whole Countrey of Friseland were vnited into one body And as for him that had bin chosen at Sneck that they would neuer consent vnto it for that he was allyed to the Family of Hottinga which had beenalwayes enemie vnto them therfore they would not haue any one that was allyed to that Family to be aduanced to any command or to be in greater credit then themselues Whereunto Iuw Hero and Iarich Hottinga brethren hearing that for their causes their brother in law was reiected Iuw speaking for the rest of his brethren saide That he see well that Iuw Iongama with his friends and Allyes did
Geldres Prince Charles of Austria takes possession of the Netherlands George duke of Saxony resignes his interest of Friseland to Prince Charles Hee holds the feast of the golden sââ¦ce at Brusselles Philip Bastard of Bougongne Bishop of Vtrecht Maââ¦ten van Rossen Gouernor in Friseland Prince Charles crowned King of Spaine the death of the Emperor Maximilian Charles the ââ¦ift chosen Emperor the Lady Marguerite Duchesse of ãâã Gouernesse of the Netherlands Troubles in Spaine the King being absent warre in Friseland warre betwixt the French and the Bourguignons the Peasants warre in Germany the Groningeois reââ¦ing the Duke of Geldres giue themsselues to the Emperor the second bloudy Edâ⦠made by the Emperor aââ¦st the Protestants of the Netherlands A tumult at Vtrecht who call in the Geldrois against their Bishop VVilliam van Enkeââ¦oort 59. Bishop of Vtrecht the Coronation of the Emperor Charles by the Pope An Impââ¦iall diet at Ausbourg whereas the Protestant Princes present a confession of their faith A wonderfull deuoâ⦠rinâ⦠Inundation in the Netherlands Mary of Austria Queene Douager of Hongarie succeeds in the gouernment of the Netherlands after the death of the Ladie Marguerite her Aunâ⦠warre betwixt them of Lubââ¦c and Holland An Imperiall dyet held at Ratisbone concerning religion A peaâ⦠betwixt the Emperor and the Duke of Geldres warre betwixt the French and the Bourguignons The townes of Geldres mutine against their duke the Emperor comes out of Spaine through France to punish the Ganthois warre betwixt the Emperor and the French King A peace concluded CHARLES the second of that name the 35. Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland eldest sonne to the Archduke Philip of Austria and of Lady Iane Queene of Castile was borne at Gand in Flanders the 24 of February 1500. After the death of his Father he did inherit ouer and aboue the counties of Holland Zeeland West-frisland the Dutchies of Bourgongne Brabant Styria Carinthia Carniola Lembourg Luxembourg and Geldres The counties of Flanders Arthois Henault Bourgongne Ferrete Kyburg Namur and Zutphen the Landtgraueship of Elsaten the Marquisate of Burgau and of the holy Empire the Principalitie of Suaue and the Seigneuries of Windismark Portenau Salins and Macklin Afterwards hee conquered the Dutchie of Milan and did incorporate the country of Friseland Vtrecht Oueryssel Groningen Cambray and Cambresis all holding of the Empire The Emperour Maximilian hauing as we haue sayd taken vpon him the gardianship of his Nephews and Neeces retiring out of the Netherlands to goe into Germanie about the affaires of the Empire hee appointed his daughter the Lady Marguerite Douager of Sauoy Aunt to the Princes Charles and Ferdinand Regent of the low-countries in the name of the Prince her Nephewe who meaning to come out of Flanders into Zeeland she imbarked at Nyeuwerhauen right against Flesingue Philip of Bourgongne lord of Somersdike Admiral Adolphe of Bourgongne lord of Beueren with the Noblemen and deputies of the states of Zeland went with a good number of flie-boates shaloups other light boates to receiue her at the sayd place of Nyeuwerhauen Whilest that the sayd Noblemen were gone to land to entertaine the sayd Princesse the ships of war lying before the hauen shoting off their great Ordinance in signe of honour it happened that fire fell into the poulder of the Admirall so as many were slaine drowned and wounded but there were not any of these Noblemen in her al being gone to land in their long boates to salute the Gouernesse At that time died the vertuous Lady Anne bastard of Bourgongne Lady of Rauestein of whom we haue formerly spoken after that shee had recouered and walled in many Islands that were drowned in Zeeland To whose goods succeeded Baldwyn and Philip of Bourgongne her brethren except the Island of Duyueland the which returned to them of the house of Borssele from whence it first came William of Egmont Lord of Iselstein with the consent and coÌmission of the Emperour Maximillan and of his councell went to take and ransome some Inhabitants about Bommel for that they said they were of the Iurisdiction of Geldres and contrarywise the said Lord of Iselstein would haue them of his Princes Iurisdiction where-vpon the Duke of Geldres tooke occasion to reuiue the warres Saying that the Bourguignons had first of al broken the peace where-vpon the Geldrois lay in waite for the marchants of the Netherlands at their returne from Francfort Mart whome they spoiled and carried away prisoners to the towne of Gelder setting them at great ransomes besides their losses which they had taken from them In the same yeare 1508. Raoul Prince of Anhault of the noble and ancient house of Ascagââ¦e cheefe of Maximilian the Emperors Armie in the Netherlands ââ¦nt againe to beseege the castell of Puydroyen in the month of March from whence the duke of Geldres had forced Iohn of Egmont to raise his seege who hauing battred it and giuen diuers assaults in the which the marshall Seewint was slaine in the end it was yeelded to his mercie which was that the beseeged should depart euery one with a white wand retaining twelue to dispose of at his pleasure whom he caused to be presently hanged before the port then he caused both castell and fort to be ruied and razed In the meane time the duke of Geldres thought to surprise the towne of Harderwick which the Bourguignons held yet but he failed from thence the Prince of Anhalt went to beseege the towne of Wesep and the Castell of Muyden both together being but a quarter of a League one from an other The French king sent an ambassador to the Princes campe who did mediate the yeelding vp of the said two places by some good accord to the said Prince in the Emperors name after that the Geldrois had first been chased from the Block-house of Amsterdam and the Lord of Aymeries with his walons defeated vpon the mont of Muyden where the Lord of Iselstein was slaine In the yeare 1509. there died in the citty of Cologne Cont Henry of Stolburch Gouernor for the Duke of Saxony in the contry of Freeseland he was much lamented of the Frisons for his mild gouernment being a good Iusticer an vpright man fearing God after whose death Duke Georges Mareshall came into Friseland bringing with him Euerwin earle of Benthem with the dukes Comission to be gouernor of the said contry In the yeare 1510. there fell out great warre betwixt the King of Denmarke and the townes of the East contries as Lubeck Wismare Rostwicke and others Theyof Lubeck did write into Holland Zeeland and Freeseland for-bidding them to sayle into Denmarke but they would not forbeare for that the greatest profit of those contries consists in nauigation where-vpon the Lubeckers tooke some of their ships at two seuerall times their second losse was by the default of the Danes who did not succor them as they ought The yeare following the Esterlings came
by sea and land without any respect who durst not reuenge themselues in Freezeland Those that held the Princes partie were forced to send for deputies to Vtrecht to an assemblie that was held there Doctor Kempo Martua and Thyart Boââ¦ma made knights and councelors to Prince Charles to show vnto the ambassadors and deputies of princes the rebellion and obstinacie of the Geldrois persidious brââ¦akers of the truce Intreating that noble assemblie to take some course in that behalfe that the Geldrois might obey or else that order might be taken such as they should thinke fittest for their better securitie In the meane time Arkelens went into Geldres to the Duke his maister where hauing staied sometime he was dismissed from his charge Martin van Rosseâ⦠Seignior of Puydroyen being substituted in his place They came both together into Freezeland being arriued there Rosseâ⦠called an assemblie in the towne of Sneeke of the states which held the duke of Geldres partie to appeare there the second of August where among other poynts he propounded that the imposts of wine beere such other like things shold be takeÌ away as they were already in those townes which hââ¦ld the Bourguignon party for that the comodities which did pay a custome to the Geldrois were transported into the townes of the Bourguignon faction to be freed to the great preiudice of the duke and the townes vnder his obedience That the said imposts being taken away they should finde some meanes to entertaine their troopes and to defray other charges of the countrie Vppon which proposition after long consultation it was resolued that the imposts should bee taken away and that they should agree to giue him a yearely summe of money towards the maintenance of his house and state There were also certaine articles propounded by the saide states which they required to haue confirmed by the Duke the which Arkelens carried with him promising to make a good report and to do his best indaeuour to procure the Duke to ratefie them There was a certaine Pirate at sea called Grand-Pierre or great Peter with the Duke of Geldres commission who made as great spoiles at sea as the Geldrois did at land for there were not any ships which past him from North or South Esterlins or others but they were all good prize But aboue all he did seeke to ruine the Hollanders for as many as he tooke he threw them ouer-boord with out pittie or mercy The 28 of September after many great spoiles which this Grand-Pierre had done at sea being 25. ships strong in the which he had 1200. men giuing it out that he went to Harderwycke to the duke he directed his course towards Horne hauing landed his men couertly for want of good guard hee surprised the towne by Scaladoe hauing spoiled it and his men laden with pillage hee retired presently to his shipps At his returne hee met with a ship of Enchuysen the which he borded himselfe and cast the maister and his seruant ouer into the sea for that they were Hollanders After the death of Don Fernando of Arragon King of Spaine Prince Charles of Austria Duke of Bourgongne c. Earle of Holland Zeeland c. receiued letters from Pope Leo the 10. and the Emperour Maximillian his grand-father With others written vnto Cardinall Pimero and the Councell of Spaine by the which they required them to receiue and inuest Prince Charles in the realmes of Castille Leon Arragon c. These letters being red in Spaine some would haue apposed and among others Don Piedro Giron eldest sonne to the Earle of Vrenate who by descent and genealogy pretended to showe that he was the nearest after Queene Iane who was benââ¦med of her members to the crowne of the saide realmes thinking this occasion to be happely falne out for him by the death of Don Fernando father to Iane. Cardinall Pimero seeing this beginning of an alteration which might haue turned into a ciuill warre by the aduice of the deceased Kings Councell sent presently for Prince Charles who was then in the Netherlands to come with all speed and receiue the possession of the saide realmes These letters being come to the Court at Brusselles it was decreed that before his departure out of the saide country he should make choyce of some one to gouerne those countries in his absence For the which the Emperour Maximillian his Grandfather was appointed as Curator but for that he was for the most part absent out of those Countries and at that time busied in Germanie and in the warres of Italie he appointed the Lady Marguerit his daughter widdow douager to the duke of Sauoye aunt to Prince Charles to be Regent and Gouernesse of the Netherlands as she had bene in the yeare 1508. The Lord of Cheures his gouernor remaining neare his person The which being thus appointed and all his equipage ready the Prince accompanied with the knights of the order and the states of the Netherlands with many Princes Ba rons Knights and gentlemen parted from Brabant and arriued in Iune 1517. at Middelbourg in Zeeland where he staied till the twelfe of August and then with a prosperous winde he had a short and happy passage comming to the coaste of Spaine about the towne of Tassone in the countrie of Asturia The country-men of the quarter seeing so great an armie at sea feared they had bene the French or some other pirats and enemies so as hauing hidden their wiues and children in the mountaines they presented themselues in armes vpon the sea-shoare Prince Charles reioiced to see them hauing commanded to put forth their standards ensignes banderolls and flags with his armes he caused them to cry Spaine Spaine where-at casting downe their armes they fell vpon their knees receiuing him with great ioy being landed in Spaine he marched by land from one towne to an other where he was honourably receiued by the chiefe nobillity of the realme hauing attended his comming at Valiodolit where he made his entry with a royall and stately pompe The Prince hauing staied there about sixe monthes in February 1518. They beganne his coronation in Saint Pauls Church To this solemnitie came many great Princes strangers the Ambassadors of Kings Princes and Christian Potentates the cââ¦iefe officers of the crowne of Castile the Princes Dukes Earles Barons and the greatest of all Spaine were there euery man in his ranke and degree The chiefe Noblemen of the Netherlands had followed the Prince to shew themselues at this coronation among others those of the house of Melun of Croy Lalain Egmont Bossu Berghen Lygnel Horne Lanoy and many other Barons and Knights euery one richly attired in emulation of the Noblemen of Spaine both in their owne apparell and in their liueries and the furniture of their horses Wherein they did not onely equall the Spaniards but exceeded them On the 7. of February Prince Charles was crowned with the solemnities and
be committed to prison and put some of them to death MARGVERITE OF AVSTRIA DVTches of Parma bastard daughter to the Emperor Charles the fifth Gouernesse of the Netherlands for king Philip. MARGARITA AVSTRIA DVCISSA PARMAE BELGâ⦠DITâ⦠P. HISPA REGâ⦠NOMINA GVEER Who ere he be that sees this picture in this booke Vpon the bastard daughter of th'Emperour Charles doth looke That first was macht with one of th' house of Medicis And afterward espoused in the stocke of Farnesis And had a sonne that was a man of worthinesse This bastard wholly gaue her mind to craft and subtilnesse And with dissembling face did vaile her bad and foule intent For while in Netherlands she had the gouernment The gentlemen thereof she knew how to deceaue And many men of good account in troubles great did leaue But ere she saw the effect of her disloyaltie Another had her gouernment and did the place supply MARGVERITE of Austria bastard daughter to the Emperour Charles the fifth was first married to Alexander Medicis the first duke of Florence who was slaine by his owne cousin then she married againe to Octauio Farnese duke of Parma and Placence Anthonie Perrenot Cardinall of Granuelle before bishop of Arras caused her to be preferred to the gouernment of the Netherlands before all the princes of Austria sonnes to the Emperour Ferdinand and the dutchesse of Lorraine neece to the Emperour Charles daughter to Christierne the second king of Denmarke and to the lady Isabella sister to these two Emperours and so cousin germane to king Philip The which the said Cardinall a great counsellor and mignion had laboured to the end that this lady Marguerite comming out of Italie new and vnacquainted with the affaires and state of the Netherlands might be wholly directed and gouerned by his counsell and he by consequence haue the whole managing of the said countries the which he obtained as you may see by the progresse of our Hystorie The which caused a great iealousie against him and by his practise bred a diuision betwixt the noblemen the knights of the Order and other of the counsell of state of the said countries who diuided themselues into partialities and factions one against the other the one to supplant and the other to maintaine the credit and authoritie of this Cardinall King Philip hauing now made peace with the king of France determined to go into Spain there to aid the Inquisition being certified that certaine noblemen there were great fauorers of the reformed Religion and also from thence the better to further the generall counsell which two causes had chiefely moued him to hearken vnto a peace And therefore he caused all the states of the Netherlands to bee summoned to appeare in Gaunt there to declare his mind vnto them and to take his leaue much recommending his sister vnto them and vnder her according to the auncient custome he appointed a counsell of estate for matters of great importance as making of peace or beginning of warre intelligences with forraine princes and countries and the defence of the Netherlands and a priuie counsell for making of laws giuing of pardons ministring of iustice and other publicke causes and a third counsell for the Treasurie and the gouernment of the kings demaines and all receits of moneyes and incomes of reuenewes belonging thereunto those three seuerall counsels hauing seuerall assemblies so that one had not to doe with the other they of the counsell of estate were Anthonie Perrenot bishop of Arras who not long after was made Cardinall of Granuelle William van Nassau prince of Orange Lamorale Degmont prince of Gauare and earle of Egmont Philip de Staden baron of Glayon Charles baron de Barlamont chiefe of the Treasurie and doctor Vigilius president of the priuie counsell After that Philip de Montmorency earle of Horne admirall and Charles de Croye duke of Arschot were ioyned with them He appointed further That the knights of the order of the golden fleece being called thereunto by the lady regent should also be admitted to sit with them and those also of the priuie counsell and of the treasurie He likewise gaue them secret instruction whereby they had authority to sit in counsell make enquiries and heare causes but should not resolue vpon any thing without the aduice of the Cardinall the prince of Orange the earle of Egmont the baron of Barlamont and the president Vigilius The priuie counsell consisted of twelue more or lesse doctors of the lawes and each counsell had their secretarie He ordained a gouernour in euery prouince that were knights of the order of the golden fleece as in Brabant the regent had the chiefe charge as generall gouernor being resident there the prince of Orange was gouernour of Holland Zeeland and Vtrecht and after that also of the earledome of Burgundie the earle of Egmont was gouernor of Flanders and Artois Iohn de Ligni caââ¦le of Arenbergh was gouernor of Friseland Ouerissel Groning and Lingen Charles de Bunen earle of Megen was gouernor of Guelderland and Zutphen Peter Darust earle of Mansfield was gouernour of Lutsenburg Iohn marques of Berghen was gouernour of Henault Valencia and the castle of Camericke The baron de Barlamont was gouernor of Namure Iohn de Montmorency lord of Currieres was gouernor of Rissel Doway and Orchiers and Florence de Montmorency brother to the earle of Horne was gouernor of Dornicke and Tournesis These were all the principall lords of the Netherlands and had authority ouer the souldiers and execution of iustice He also appointed the ordering and gouernment of the bands of ordinarie horsemen vnto those lords that were three thousand horse wel mounted and esteemed to be the best brauest horsemen in Christendome and were entertained and held in pay both in time of peace and warre the colonels were the prince of Orange the duke of Arschot the earle of Egmont the marques of Berghen the earle of Horne the earle of Mansfield the earle of Megen the earle of Rieulx the earle of Bossu the earle of Hooghestrate the baron de Brederode the baron de Montigni and the baron de Barlamont each colonel hauing his lieutenant his treasurer And at the same time the king held the order of the golden fleece in Gaunt where amongst others he inuested certaine lords of the Netherlands therewith as the baron of Assicourt the lord Florents of Montigny the marques of Renti and the earle of Hooghestrate of the house of Lalain The states of the land hauing behaued themselues so well towards their prince wherby he had attained to so honourable a peace and the gentlemen in his seruice hauing ventured both their liues and goods the commons likewise willingly paying their nine yeares contribution deliuered an earnest petition vnto the king to desire his Maiesty to send the Spanish other forraine souldiers out of the Netherlands ouer the which souldiers the prince of Orange the earle of Egmont and the Earle of Horne were colonels
couragiously defended them in their warres did most commonly deserue and win the ciuill and politick gouernment thereof and to honor them for the same obtained the names and titles of dukes earles and barons c. In regard whereof they haue had no greater nor absoluter authoritie ouer the subiects and inhabitants of the same than such as at their entries and coronations were specified declared and set downe But as many heads or rulers cannot defend and preserue that which belongeth vnto them so well as one alone that hath good well deuised and politicke meanes therefore necessitie compelled them to chuse and appoint amongst them a certaine small number of fit persons to whom they gaue the commission charge and care to vphold and maintaine their priuiledges and they in that behalfe were called by the names of the States and by that means the people were diuided into three parts or members of the Commonwealth as Spiritualtie Nobilitie and citizens or townesmen and those protectors of their said priuiledges were called being so diuided the second or third estates of the lands as in Brabant the foureteene Abbots represent the Spirituall state the eighteene barons and the gentlemen of their houses represent the state of the Nobilitie and the deputies of the foure head townes of Brabant with their appendances make the third estate representing the whole commons of the Dutchie The like doe they of Lutzenburgh Henault Artois Namure and Zeeland Flanders representeth her estates by the foure members of the said Countie Guelderland consisteth in barons gentlemen and townes in Vtrecht the States are represented by the fiue Capitals the gentlemen townes in Holland Oueryssel c. the States consist of the ancient nobilitie and the townes and in Friseland in another sort So that these prouinces at all times when they haue had no lord or such lords or princes as were incapable of gouernmeÌt or els such as were vnder yeres or not receiued and installed in their gouernment were ruled and gouerned by the States aforesaid whereby their gouernment may well be called Aristocratique or paucorum potentia wherein notwithstanding the superior lords and princes gouerning wel and wisely according to their priuiledges may vse great authoritie and do whatsoeuer they will so it be well done but doing the contrary they are to be ordered by the States and the States by the commons that are diuided into handicrafts guilds and fellowships which are ruled by their masters and wardens whereby some men call it a mixed or composed gouernment The Netherlanders get their liuings most part by handiworks marchandises and seafaring and that vprightlier and trulier than any other Nation being compared together as all Nations generally and vsually report of them being a people much addicted to labor and getting of riches and therefore greatly desirous of peace and haters of warre patiently bearing any wrong or iniurie and meeke in crosses and aduersities but very iealous of their freedoms and stubborne hauing bin oftentimes deceiued they are subtile politicke and industrious in all things whereunto they apply their minds hauing no prowd nor great conceit of themselues as other Nations haue and by that meanes are diligent ready and fit to learne any things of others that may benefit them which maketh them hauing learned an occupation to be great and willing trauellers to see and visit other countries to learne all kind of trades and to speake diuers kinds of languages hauing many both great and indifferent learned men in all arts and sciences within their countries as also diuers godly zealous and religious persons as many things doe and will manifest the same By these meanes aforesaid they are become a rich populous and mightie people to withstand so long and continuall a warre and yet possesse but a small circuit of land which notwithstanding is as full of great and mightie townes as any land or countrey within Europe For the meaner sort of gentlemen there are not many in the same for that in regard that the countrey is not great therefore much land is inherited therein by such as haue beene rich bourgers and citizens of townes and by the Spiritualtie which the great zeale of the seruice of God hath caused so that in diuers prouinces there hath beene order taken that the Spiritualtie may not buy any lands or inheritances And this hath beene the cause that in some prouinces the number of the meaner sort of gentlemen is much diminished and yet there is a great many of good gentlemen of auncient houses in euery prouince which possesse great indifferent and smaller liuings as many as in any other countrey whatsoeuer yet more in one prouince than in another And for that there are no great number of meane gentlemen in the said prouinces their lords or princes tyrannously addicted could not well brooke their subiects but were forced to deale ciuilely And it hath many times happened and fallen out that the lords and princes by ouer-much prodigalitie falling into great debt sold pawned and made away all their lands iurisdictions and demaines which by their rich subiects haue been bought redeemed and freed againe wherein chiefely the common sort of people and the townes haue had the greatest hand which done they freely gaue them againe to their sayd lords and princes vpon certaine conditions and contracts which are called priuiledges and chatters and were the causes to procure great and speciall friendship betweene the sayd princes and their subiects but their successors forgetting those former fauours and forepassed good deeds were by those conditions charters or priuiledges put in mind thereof by the old or chiefe magistrates states counsellors and officers who euery man entering into their offices did likewise sweare to obserue and maintaine the said priuiledges and when they would not hearken vnto them by want of means and aid of any great number of meane gentlemen their high minds instabilitie or tyrannies were cut off shortened and bridled and yet notwithstanding did many times enter into armes wherby also the tumultuous disordered and vnbrideled manners and behauiors of the common people haue beene cooled and abated so that by meanes of the priuiledges aforesaid the said gouernment hath hitherto beene well maintayned or equally ballanced and may rightly be called a mixed or composed gouernment participating with Monarchia Aristocratia and Democratia contenting themselues with meane princes as Dukes Earles and Barons not absolute but bound vnto their subiects by contract These great authorities and priuiledges of the prouinces and states did commonly much dislike the great and mightiest princes ruling ouer them and amongst the rest duke Philip the Good and his sonne duke Charles the Valorous which sought and intended to haue cut off and bridled the same but to effect it the goodnesse of the one and the great troubles and businesse of the other hindered their intents whereunto there wanted no flatterers nor prouokers which told and made them belieue that they were not bound to any such
consent counsell and aduice of the generall states yet they said in behalfe of the lords of the Order of the golden Fleece and others of the principalest of the nobilitie that they had all resolued and agreed together That if it pleased the king to graunt vnto these three poiuts to do their endeuors to pacifie the state of the Netherlands then so troubled and disordered and to be a meanes to plant peace and vnitie amongst them by secret practises of good men whereof there were yet a great number within the land and well addicted vnto them and so to compell the bad by force to liue in peace and subiection Which they were charged to desire at his Maiesties hands and had fully determined to put the same in practise so they might haue the kings good will and consent thereunto vnlesse it pleased his Maiesty to make great hast to come into the Netherlands and yet not without conuenient and fit oportunitie Much being argued and disputed hereupon both the embassadors said plainly and flatly as the Spaniards reported and after inserted the same in the processe made against the said lords that the noblemen and gentlemen of the Netherlands had no intent meaning nor purpose to rise vp in arms if it pleased the king to grant vnto the points of their embassage propounded but were fully determined euery man to keepe at home in his owne house making further complaint That they were scorned and despised of the Spaniards which presumed that they ought to haue the commaund and rule ouer the lords and knights of the Netherlands as they haue in Millaine Naples and Sicilia which the Netherlanders could not endure with many such like speeches as they report While they proceeded in this manner and that the counsell in Spaine were busied about this matter the Regents letters were brought from Brussels into Spaine to certifie of the peoples assemblies and gatherings together in many places of the countrey and of their open preachings which were done about Dornick Rissel S. Omers and Ypre and that certaine French preachers were among them and that the like was done in Antuerpe For which cause shee desired the king to send a good and a short resolution and to consent vnto the three points before alledged for that she nor the lords of the Order of the golden Fleece neither yet her counsell could find no other meanes to preuent the apparent troubles and the rather as she said for that the secretarie gaue it out That it was by their consent and commandement which they should preuent and make known by the effects that their intentions had beene and was good ââ¦lse the world might thinke that theiâ⦠petition which they said was presented for the preseruation of the countrey had beene the onely cause of these preachings and if any one among them had incited the people thereunto hee had exceeded the bounds of their compromise and petition Whereupon the nobles answered by writing punctually to euery article in the forme that followeth Madame We cannot giue your highnesse sufficient thanks for the good offers which were propounded vnto vs at Duffel the 18 of this moneth by the prince of Orange and the earle of Egmont on your highnesse behalfe who left it vs in writing as followeth the which seems to containe nine articles whereof the first is That your highnesse hath sent the marquesse of Bergen and the baron of Montigny vnto the king to acquaint his Maiestie with our petition For the which Madame wee most humbly thanke your highnesse and we hope that those noble men being so sufficient will doe all good offices with his Maiestie whereby hee may vnderstand our iust intentions to be conformable to our petition Secondly We are put in mind of the promise which we made to die in his Maiesties seruice and ãâã your highnesse feet Wherein Madame we desire to continue alwayes neither had we euer any other will For the third That we know that since our petition there hath beene no innouation touching the Inquisition and edicts according to our demaââ¦nd and that therein your highnesse hath satisfied ãâã We beleeue that your highnesse hath altered nothing since our petition but the magistrats haue not duely obeyed your highnesse letters but haue continued still in the apprehension and imprisonment of people by vertue of the Inquisition and edicts That which we persuade our selues is directly contrarie to your highnesse intention and command Fourthly That aâ⦠good and loyall subiects according to our promises we should restraine and suppresse the insolencie of sectaries As for our promises Madame wee hold that we haue wholly satisfied them both in generall and particular yea wee haue done our best endeuours to containe the people in all modestie and to hinder the preaching from whom wee cannot take away the persuasions which they haue conceiued vpon the stay of his Maiesties resolution for that it was said vnto vs That within two monethes after the presenting of our petition to your highnesse we should haue a direct answer And also the manner of assembling the prouincial states which haue beene held in some places contrarie to the vsuall custome and the threats which are vsed daily both against vs and the people namely by the church men all which reasons haue drawne the people together to their publike preachings the which they haue continued vnto this day as they themselues haue told vs plainly And wee desire your highnesse should know that had not beene the presentation of our petition and the good offices which we haue done both before and since they had not so long conteined themselues being prest by their conscences as they say Fiftly That matters tend to a popular sedition and that strangers are dealers in it and those which are our antââ¦ent enemies To that Madame we answere that whensoeuer any strangers shall bee dealers in it we will be the first that shall goe to horsebacke to hinder them but that we or any others ought not to oppose our selues against the kings vassals and subiects wee find it not for his Maiesties seruice but contrariwise the ruine and ouerthrow of al the Netherlands for that they submit themselues to the resolution of the generall estates as shall be related more amply hereafter The sixth article That the sectaries giue it out That it is by our consent and commandement so as it may well ââ¦e iudged that our petition which wee say wee had presented for the preseruation of the countrey is the onely cause of their publike preaching We answer Madame that neither in general nor yet in particular euer any one of vs did incite mooue or persuade the people to make the said preachings but contrariwise haue endeuoured to hinder them by all meanes by reason of the troubles and disorders which we did feare might grow but seeing that wee could not persuade nor diuert the people we haue suffered them to do as they thought good and so farre as
hearts leapt for ioy to see the confederats thus altered and although she had long before from the moneth of May receiued letters from the king as we shall presently see quite contrarie to that which she said vnto them and caused the said prince and earle of Egmont to deliuer to whom nothing was imparted of these letters that they might take the more tast thereof and be the better assured fearing to marre all if shee had beene too hastie or that her practises had beene discouered wherein she was more politike than the counsell of Spaine shee left them in suspence of their last petition vntill she had discouered whereto all the mischief tended and that the apostume of the people which she said was supported by the nobilitie came to break and to shew the effects After that shee had sent for the said gentlemen the 20 of August to make the promise which shee required of them according to the contents of their petition holding her selfe then a conqueresse and to haue preuailed ouer that which before she had so much doubted yet shewing them still a good countenance she gaue them letters of assurance whereof we will hereafter speak and she writ her letters to all the townes and prouinces of the Netherlands as followeth Most deare and well beloued As we do visibly see the apparent and instant ruine and generall desolation of our antient Catholike religion and of the common estate of these countries if it be not speedily preuented by fit conuenient means and the greater more apparent and neerer that the danger is the greater care and diligence should you vse to answer before God the king oâ⦠lord and all the world of your duties fidelities and executions of your charges and othes Wherefore we require you and in his Maiesties name expresly command you that presently you confer with the principall and chiefe men of the towne of honor respect the best affected to the preseruation maintenance of the antient Catholike religion seruice and obedience to his Maiestie and the quiet and prosperitie of the country and aduise together of all sit meanes and remedies by the which the said perils and dangers may be preuented and auoided and that aboue all your towne your persons your wiues children and goods may be assured and preserued from all sedition oppression and spoile as well within as without keeping good guard in all places day night diuiding your men into squadrons and quarters as in such dangerous times you are accustomed to do for your preseruation and as the necessitie and importance of the case shal require so as the commonweale may not incur any inconuenience nor danger doing your best deuoirs to retire and diuert the people from their preachings and vnlawfull assemblies be it by mild and amiable exhortations or by force and constraint shewing them the danger wherinto they run incensing thereby the king their naturall prince and their lords superiors magistrats and gouernors besides the plagues and punishments which God doth commonly send in those places where there is change of religion whereof doth follow the desolation and ruine of the commonweale state Assuring moreouer fortifying and comforting the commons as much as you can vntil his Ma. comming who hath promised to be here shortly in person to settle an order in all things and to defend preserue all his good subiects countrey And to the end this may be the better effected and accomplished you shall confer in like sort with your gouernour and the prouinciall counsell entertaining good mutuall correspondencie with them in that respect so as in all cases his Marshal retaine the supreme authoritie command the forces And in case you should haue need of our succors assistance or of the said gouernor you are presently to aduertise vs and the gouernor with a declaration of what you shall stand in need of to assist and succour you or to aduance put in execution the means which you haue thought fit that with as much speed as may be whereof we wholly trust in you who for the faith you owe vnto his Ma. and the preseruation of the countrey would not faile in any thing that shal be thought requisit for the aduancement of Gods glory his Ma. seruice and the preseruation of his countries c. In this sort the duchesse entertained both the one and the other the nobles by a promise of their assurance and the towns to confirme them in their duties for their discharge vnto the king although it were difficult yea impossible to satisfie both parties equally For on the one side she was priuy to his Ma. intent touching the noblemen on the other side she could not keepe the people in awe by the magistrats and gouernors of prouinces vnlesse shee cut off the the right arme from the nobles as also she could not frustrat and disappoint the intention of the noblemen but she must presently quench the heat fury of the commons who in the beginning depended onely vpon the hope of good that should come vnto them by the presentation of the noblemens petition whereon they did ground all assurance of their consciences and libertie of their religion Whilest that all this past betwixt the noblemen and the duchesse the prince of Orange was much troubled in Antuerpe to conteine the people who were greatly moued for many reasons according vnto the complaints which they made daily the which were satisfied but by halues and as they said for a fashions sake Among others the 10 day of August there was a great tumult for that one Peter Rythou a diuine and pastor of the parish of S. Peter at Louuaine came in a disguised habit to reprehend the minister which preached at Kyel ioyning to the towne of Antuerpe comming out of the pulpit and as the minister or preacher answered him That they should go into some neere house out of the presse of the people to confer together This doctor persisting in his loud clamors with such allegations as came in his head a great number came running thither and seeing that their minister by many arguments and texts out of the holy Scripture had made the doctor mute the people gaue such a shout and crie as he was forced to retire some incensed against him pursuing and would haue massacred him if certaine burgesses had not preserued him with the hazard of their liues drawing him into a house where they hid him in a seller the common people remaining before the said house and offering to draw him out by force The brute hereof being come vnto the towne moued the rest of the people and this had turned to a bad consequence if the prince had not sent the officer of iustice thither in time who apprehended the doctor and put him in prison the which pacified the people but he was soone after sent out of the towne by the riuer And for that the prince was forced
to deale with the gentlemen about the same this commission ensuing That they should hold and obserue the points contained in the letters of protection and for that she perceiued the great and imminent necessitie then raigning she was content that the said lords should enter into an accord with the confederated gentlemen and certifie them that the common people laying downe their armes in such places where as the preaching was then presently exercised and keeping themselues from giuing any cause of scandale or disordered actions there should no wrong nor iniurie be done vnto them nor to any others that should for that purpose trauell to and from them vntill such time as his Maiesty with the aduice of the counsell of estate should take other order therein vpon condition that they should not in any wise hinder the proceedings of the Catholicke religion but should suffer the Catholickes freely to enioy their churches in manner as they had them before Giuen in Brussels the thirteenth of August 1566 with this charge to deale and conferre with the confederated gentlemen she sent the prince of Orange the earle of Egmont the earle of Horne the baron de Hachecourt and the counsellor Dassonuille which met and consulted with the deputies of the gentlemen being Lodowicke earle of Nassau Eustace de frenes baron D'esquerdes Charles de Reuel baron Dandreguyes Bernard de Merode baron de Rumen Charles vander Noot baron de Risoire George de Montigââ¦t baron de Noyles Martin de Serlues baron de Sterbeeke Philip van Marbays baron de Lounerual Iohn de Montigni baron de Villers Charles de Lieuin baron de Famars Frauncis de Haeslen Iohn le Sauage baron de Descouberque These after long conference at the last drew vnto a conclusion agreement and accord in his Ma. behalfe which for that it is of so great importance and consequence and that all the troubles and warres that after ensued had their foundation from the same I thought good to set downe the true copie both of the proclamation and act made in manner of a securitie or protection Marguerite by the grace of God Duchesse of Parma and Plaisance Regent and Gouernesse for the king my lord in these his countries to all to whom these presents shall come greeting Whereas many gentlemen of these countries haue presented in Aprill last a petition to the end that it would please his Maiestie to take away and abolish the Inquisition and both the old and new Edicts which they said were too rigorous and therefore might not be put in execution and to make others in their places by the aduice and consent of the generall estates of the countrey requiring that the said petition might be sent by vs vnto his Maiestie to prouide accordingly Whereupon wee held many great consultations with the gouernours of prouinces knights of the Order and counsellors of State to his Maiestie And after that wee had represented all with our aduice vnto the king for that wee thought it good that by reason the said gentlemen might haue some doubt or scruple that his Maiestie would not take in good part the said petition together with the compromise which they had thereupon made together nor that which followed after and that such doubt might be the cause of greater mischiefe and trouble in the countrey wee by the same aduice haue also entreated That his Maiestie would be pleased to giue them letters of assurance that hereafter nothing shall bee imputed vnto them vpon that occasion whereupon his Maiestie had aduertised vs of his good will and pleasure According vnto the which we desiring the good quiet and tranquilitie of the said countries and to make the gentlemen petitioners more willing to yeeld all obedience and seruice vnto his Maiestie according vnto that whereunto they are bound both by nature and oath and as they haue alwayes offered themselues wee haue at their request and according to the power and authoritie giuen vs by his Maiestie and as Regent and Gouernesse generall of the said countries and by the aduice of the knights of the Order gouernours and counsellors of State being with vs giuen for their assurance this writing signed with our hand in forme as followeth Her highnesse hath caused the gentlemen petitioners to returne the twentieth of August for answer of their petition during the which time she hath happily receiued letters from his Maiesty whereby she shall haue the better meanes to giue them a certaine and absolute answere And first she lets them know that his Maiesty hauing regard to her highnes informations seeing that they which are at this day altered for Religion or otherwise offer to submit themselues vnto that which shall be decreed by his Maiesty with the aduice of the generall estates for the good of Religion and the quiet and tranquilitie thereof with the aduice of the lords knights of the Order and counsellors of state is content that the Inquisition whereof they haue complained shall cease Secondly his Maiesty hath consented That there shall be a new Edict made but it was not fully resolued if it should be done by the generall Estates or otherwise yet her highnesse hopes that by the first she shall haue a resolution according vnto that which his Maiesty hath written vnto her wherein she will alwaies do her best endeuour that his Maiesty may graunt it as she hath already done by sundry letters And in regard of assurances whereof they make mention in their last petition that her highnes was well aduised to giue it them so farre forth as lay in her as presently she can assure them seeing his Ma. hath consented giuing her full authoritie to do it in what forme and manner shee shall thinke fit Wherefore she lets them vnderstand That his Maiesty desiring to free them of all suspition who might thinke that he were ill informed of them and to take away all distrust which was the cause of these troubles meaning to shew his accustomed clemencie abhorring nothing more than bitternes is content that her highnes for the auoiding of al diffidence and distrust shall giue them such letters of assurance as she shall thinke fit and requisite for their greater securitie and for that which is past so as they carry themselues like good and faithfull vassals subiects to his Maiesty hoping they will not faile in the duties which they owe him The which her highnes is presently ready to effect And as they haue full satisfaction in this point her highnesse will not refuse the offer which they haue often made to employ themselues in the seruice of his Maiesty and her highnesse for the peace quiet of the countrey as they are bound by nature and their allegeance according to the which her meaning is they should giue their Faith First That they shall not do nor procure directly nor indirectly any thing against his Maiesty his estates nor subiects but shall employ themselues to doe all things that good
stupiditie to his owne perdition and the totall ââ¦uine and desolation of his house or that God the punisher of our offences being iustly incensed against these prouinces for their disordered libertie being giuen to all vices voluptuousnesse and wickednesse after that they had once begun to tast the fruits of peace which he had giuen them after such long and bloudie warres against the French or that Egmont had not yeelded the onely honour vnto God of those two goodly victories of S. Quintines and Grauelingues hauing often braued it more than was fit to the contempt and disgrace of them that lost them not acknowledging that it was God onely that gaue him power to win those victories and that men are but his instruments they could neuer persuade him to thinke otherwise of his affaires eyther by a retreat as the prince and others had done or by opposing himselfe and redressing the vnion to encounter and repulse the duke Neither could he euer discouer any thing vntill that he was taken in the toyle as we will presently shew The duke of Alua being arriued at Brussels the eight and twentieth of August was honourably receiued of the Regent which informed him of all thinges at large and shewed him by what meanes and how according vnto her opinion hee should pacifie the countrey and bring the prince of Orange and other noblemen and gentlemen that were sted to become well deuoted willing and readie to doe the king seruice and that if there were but a meane vsed therein there should be no cause to feare but that all things would bee peaceably and quietly ended But the duke supposing and presuming that the most part of the troubles in the Netherlands were procured and continued by the sayd Regents lenitie and slackenesse thought to rule the matter in other sort and at that time shewed his commission vnto the Regent and the States but not altogether for his was greater and extended further than that of the Regents as hauing authoritie to place and displace all gouernours of prouinces and townes and all other officers beeing made captaine generall of the kings forts holds and souldiers hauing full power and authoritie ouer the counsels of estate and the Treasurers He caused as much of his commission as hee thought good to be put in print that euery man might know it and yet he had a further and more absolute commission to giue iudgement and take order in all causes of crimes and rebellion to punish and pardon all offences and to recompence and reward men for their good seruices as it appeared by a particular instruction made and giuen vnto him by the king himselfe bearing date in Madril the last of Ianuarie 1566. Which when the Regent saw and perceiued that the duke tooke all authoritie vpon himselfe and that he made shew to take an other course suffering her to keepe the court but without traine and that hee lodged in the house of Culenburgh and had all the company following him she thought that she had nothing to do there and for that cause sent vnto the king to craue leaue to depart from thence that she might go into Italie to the duke of Parma her husband The duke being in the gouernment he caused all his souldiers to lodge round about him in the neerest townes as the regiment of Naples in Brussels all Spaniards the regiment of the earle of Lodron in Antuerpe discharging many of the Wallons whom he mistrusted He tooke the keyes of the gates from the townes-men whereof they of Gand by a request presented vnto him by the earle of Egmont made complaint which put the duke in a great rage and said That he would doe what he thought best to be done for the kings seruice and not otherwise And presently as soone as he saw himselfe established in the gouernment in steed of moderating the proclamation and other things requested and sought by the lords and gentlemen of the Netherlands he ratified confirmed and ordained the old proclamation and the Inquisition to beââ¦d and executed in the same and in steed of assembling the generall states hee appointed ãâã of twelue men that had full power to deale in all things that in any sort touched oâ⦠concerned the aforesaid troubles and to take order therein which was called the bloudy counsell and in French the counsell of troubles This counsel consisted of Netherlanders mixed with straÌgers as the barons de Barlamont Noircarmes the presideÌts of FlaÌders and Artois but the chiefe and principallest of them were the Licentiat Iohn Vergas doctor Bois del Rio the Fiscale of Burgundy Iohn de la Porta aduocat Fiscale the counsellor Iacob Hessel the counsellor Belin Brese aduocate Fiscale of Mechlin and du Bois attourney generall wherof the duke himselfe was president but in his absence Vergas sat as president in his place of whom it is reported That for rauishing an orphane child committed to his custody he was banished out of Spaine a man aboue all others most sterne and cruell seeking nothing but riches and bloud But the Spaniards said That the cankered wounds of the Netherlands had need of so sharpe a knife as Vergas was to cut away their dead flesh The secretaries were Vlierden la Torre Praeââ¦s and Mesdagh The first two or three moneths the duke and the lords assembled and sat in counsell euery forenoone and afternoone all being directed by the duke himselfe whose meaning was that the opinion of the counsell should be but consultiue as counsell giuers and not absolute as giuing iudgement in any cause and so intended to haue all things depend vpon him alone and they to stand to the iudgement that hee should giue For which cause the said counsell for that many of them could not endure the crueltie therin propounded sought meanes to be discharged thereof others being ashamed stayed at home whereby the said counsell being twelue was oftentimes but fiue foure and sometimes but three persons as it appeareth by diuers iudgements and sentences of life and death giuen out by them and particularly by that of Anthonie van Stralen which was signed onely by the aforesayd president Vergas doctor Boys del ââ¦io and Secretarie de la Torre And by this counsell and by the duke himselfe all power and authoritie was taken from the prouinciall counsels of the land and the inhabitants robbed and dispoyled of all their ordinances iurisdictions appeales and resorts cleane contrarie to the priuiledges of the land with an expresse prohibition sent forth vnto all iudges and officers not to take any knowledge of any thing touching the last vprores yea and the counsels themselues both high and low were forced to stand to the iudgement of the said counsell which had commaund ouerall noble and vnnoble spirituall and temporall so that the dukes will was an absolute law without suffering or allowing any appeale reformation or reuiewing of their sentence once giuen and pronounced by the duke hauing full and soueraigne
chamber apart saying that the duke would come speake with them whither Don Frederic of Toledo and many Spaniards entred armed and they were commaunded to deliuer their swords and to yeeld themselues prisoners in the kings name and notwithstanding all their protestations that they were not bound to yeeld them vnto any one but to the king himselfe yet they were taken from them and they giuen in guard to captaine Iulian Romero Afterwards the duke sent them both prisoners with a guard of three thousand horse and foot to the castle of Gand. Cont Charles of Mansfield was then also in court when as these two noblemen were committed prisoners but his father sent to aduise him to retire fearing least the like should happen vnto him for that hee had been one of them that had signed the petition of the noblemen At the verie same time Anthony of Stralen bourgmaster of Antuerpe was taken prisoner by the earle of Lodron who presently caused all his goods to be seised inuentaried and sealed vp The like was done to Iohn of Casenbroot seigniour of Backerseel chiefe counsellor to the earle of Egmont by the prouost of Spelle and put in prison at the port of Couwenbergh at Brussels but his secretarie found meanes to saue him The duke of Alua commaunded the earle of Egmont beeing prisoner to write vnto him that was his lieutenant and gouernour of the castle of Gand That vpon the sight of the letter he should go forth with his garrison and mortpaies and suffer captaine Salnias to enter with his Spaniards the which was done So many imprisonments of great and small the brute whereof did flie sodainly ouer all the Netherlands executions and cruelties made many although they were not guiltie of any crime to retiââ¦e into England Germany the East countries and other places where they thought good abandoning their houses and countrey to liue with the libertie of their consciences free from the feare of tyrans As after all these exploits and imprisonments the duke of Alua was vpon the way going from Brussels to Antuerpe passing by Mackin fire fell into the tower where the gun powder lay the which did very much harme both within and without the towne for the violence thereof was so great as Louvaine beeing foure leagues off did all shake and yet the duke was nothing mooued thereat The 24 of December he laid the first foundation of the proudest citadell in Europe in the towne of Antuerpe on the side of the suburbe called Kyel along the riuer which was the designe and inuention of his enginour Pachiotto a Sauoyard compassed in with fiue mightie bulwarkes and euerie one defended by a caualier or mount to the which he gaue names drawne from himselfe and his familie for the first was called the Dukes bulwarke the second Toledo the third Ferdinando the fourth Toledano and the fifth by his enginours name Pachiotto wherein he entertained two thousand workemen as well masons as ditchers vntill it was finished with the counterscarps and parapets all being laid with free stone and bricke For the building of which citadell the duke obtained of the great counsell of Antuerpe the summe of foure hundred thousand Florins and more the which was raysed vpon a certaine imposition of the hundreth peny of the two twentieths and of two tenthes of all possessions and immouable goods within the territorie and iurisdiction of the towne of Antuerpe This citadell being finished the duke of Alua caused to be set vp in the middest of the place of arms his image cast into brasse treading with his foot vpon certaine men as representing the nobles and states of the countrey verie curiously wrought by one Iames Iongelinck an excellent Statuarie at the foot whereof was grauen Ferdinando Aluares de Toledo Albae Duci Philippi secundi Hispan Regis apud Belgas praefecto quod extincta seditione rebellibus pulsis Religione procurata Iustitia culta Prouincias pace firmauit Regis optimi fidelissimo Ministro positum And lower was grauen Iongelingi opus ex are captiuo For that this image had beene cast of the mettall of certaine artilerie which had beene woon from his enemies This proud peece of worke was not set vp vntill the yeare 1571 and afterwards as too prophane it was taken downe by the great commaunder of Castile Gouernour of the said countries after the duke of Alua as we shall set downe more at large hereafter After the duke of Alua had so well setled his affaires as he thought there was no enemie to be feared within the countrey and therefore had no need of so great forces hee sent by the commandement of the king his master to succour them of the house of Guise in Fraunce against the princes and Protestants of the realme the earle of Arembergh with twelue hundred launces and two thousand foot among the which there were many gentlemen which had signed the petition of the nobles in the yeare 1566 that went at their owne charge The duke of Alua thinking that he had now surmounted all difficulties beeing not content with the fleece of such as were retired out of the countrey but he would haue the skin withal yea and all the flesh he caused Iulian Romero to seize vpon the earle of Buren eldest sonne to the prince of Orange being at schoole in the Vniuersitie of Louvaine against the priuiledges of the duâ⦠hie of Brabant and of the said Vniuersitie notwithstanding the protestations of the rector and of doctor Eââ¦bert Leom a lawyer schoole-master to the said earle who was carried from thence into Spaine and there kept pââ¦soner vnto the yere 1595 that the king sent him into the Netherlands with cardinall Albert of Austria After that this yong earle had beene thus carried away the duke of Alua required by the Atturney generall of the great counsell that the prince of Orange and cont Lodwic his brother the earles of Hoochstraten Vander Berge Culembourch the lord of Brederode and others should be called to answere personally to such things as should be propounded on his Maiesties behalfe touching the troubles by vertue of a commission granted in that respect touching the prince of Orange whereof the copie followes Philip by the grace of God king of Castile c. To our first vsher or sergeant at armes hereupon required greeting Wee haue beene giuen to vnderstand by our louing and faithfull counsellour and atturney generall how that ââ¦illiam of Nassau prince of Orange who had receiued from the deceasââ¦d emperour Charles the fifth our lord and father of famous memorie and from vs at our comming to these estates many honours and fauours as to haue been chosen a brother of our order named and appointed a counsellor of our counsell of state and aduanced to many goodly estates gouernments and offices that is to say to the gouernments of Bourgoigne Holland Zeeland and Vtrecht together with an ordinarie companie of our men at armes besides many other notable rewards whereby
os hemos escandaliza dos pues somos mortales y caducos y nos adiudeys con vuestras Oraciones and so he presently disposed himselfe to death and was soone executed Their heads were set vp opposite one to another vpon two poles tied to the side of the scaffold where they continued vntill three of ââ¦he clocke in the afternoone a pitifull and fearefull spectacle and therein the earle of Egmonts words were verified when as he sent for the earle of Horne to come to court assuring him that hee should haue no worse vsage than hee himselfe The bodies hauing the heads sowed to them againe were put into hearses and embalmed that of Egmont was caried to S. Clares church and that of Horne to S. Guydules and afterwards interred in the town of Wert and Egmonts in his borough of Sottingham The earle of Egmonts seruants set his armes in mourning manner according to the custome ouer the porch of his house but the duke of Alua caused them to be taken downe The emperour Maximilian the second before the death of these noblemen sent a gentleman to the contesse of Egmont to comfort her and to assure her that her husband shold haue no harme for that he would entreat for him But the duke being aduertised thereof made hast of his execution and the same night that the gentleman arriued sent to insinuate the sentence vnto them and the next day caused them to be executed The death of these noblemen did perplexe many being the more terrified euery one iudging that their bloud which was shed would not be stanched by their death but that it threatened greater calamities vnto the countrey So as some pricked by their owne consciences others distrusting their innocencie fearing through the frauds and treasons of their enemies to fall into the hands of the counsell of troubles and to bee forced through tortures and torments to confesse that which they had neuer done nor thought fled out of the country abandoning their goods wiues and children and many more had retyred had not the hope been of a generall pardon Many wondered how in so dangerous a time hauing now warres in hand the euent whereof was doubtfull and vncertaine he should so precipitate the death of these two noblemen for the which there are two reasons pretended the first was for that by the affront which he had receiued in Friseland his souldiers began to wauer not so much for the losse as for that it seemed a sinister presage of the future by so bad a beginning for which consideration he would himselfe goe in person to the army to assure it and to containe his men in their duties the which he could not doe vnlesse he gathered all his troupes together in one body if he had done it in the life time of these noblemen he feared a sedition of the people who would haue deliuered them by force and made them their heads to be reuenged of him knowing well how hatefull that both he and all his Spaniards were growne by reason of their tyrannie of which feare he would free himselfe before he would frame the body of an army The second reason they say was to be reuenged of the death of his Spaniards defeated at Winschote whereas most of the prisoners were hanged It shall not be amisse in this place to declare the deaths of the baron de Montigni brother to the earle of Horne and of the marquesse of Berghen both knights of the order of the golden Fleece which two lords were thought to be the fittest and wisest persons in the Netherlands to bee sent into Spaine there to certifie the king particularly touching the state of the countrey and for that cause were sent by the Regent the duchesse of Parma and the Netherlands as embassadours vnto the king as it hath already beene declared who being in Spaine and hauing informed the king of all things at large were well receiued and entertayned of him But after that when newes was brought into Spaine of the breaking downe of the Images and other troubles in the Low countries the king much mooued thereat and being incited and stirred vp by the enemies of the Netherlands such as were wholly vnexperienced in the affaires qualities and natures of the countrey and the people tooke another course than the said lords thought well of which by their enemies was well perceiued Hereupon the marquesse of Berghen fell sicke and desired the king to haue licence to depart and to returne againe into the Netherlands which the king with faire words refused him but at the last when he became sicker and like to die he had leaue to depart when it was too late and being at the point of death he sent for Rigomes prince of Eboli his old friend and one that was very great with the king to whom he made complaint That his good and faithfull seruice was not onely little or nought esteemed but that it was suspected protesting that he had not done neither sought to do any thing other than that he thought and esteemed to be most for the furtherance and aduancement of the kings seruice not doubting but that in time his good counsell and aduice would be found to be true and with that hee desired God to haue mercie on his soule as truly as he thought and vttered that from the bottome of his heart desiring him in friendly wise to tell the same vnto the king by word of mouth and so died vpon the 22 of May 1567. But this his confession was of no weight to represse nor withdraw his enemies more than a yeare after to summon charge and condemne him by the duke of Alua and his bloudy counsels meanes to be a traitor and all his goods confiscated to the king The lord de Montmorency baron de Leuzi and Montigni gouernour of Turwin and Tournay knight of the order of the golden Fleece and brother to the earle of Horne a wise politicke and well experienced nobleman hauing lost his fellow embassador in Spaine desired leaue of the king to returne vnto his gouernment of Turwin but the king as it was then reported throughout Spaine that hee would in person goe into the Netherlands told him hee should go with him but when the kings mind was altered and his voyage stayed and that he saw the duke of Alua was appointed to go into the Netherlands the baron de Montigni perceiued that the king began to be estranged from him for which cause he spake vnto him and complaining told him that he wel saw and perceiued that his Ma. shewed not the accustomed fauor and grace towards him that he vsed to do which he thought to proceed of some kind of iealousie by his grace vniustly coÌceiued against him beseeching his Ma. if there were any such bad opinion or suspition in his mind against him that it would please him to tell it him praying him to commit him to prison and that so he might cleare himselfe by law Wherunto the
lieutenant vnder him than the prince of Orange See what the taking ransoming murthers and massacres committed by the duke of Alua and Dom Frederic his sonne in the towne of Harlem were for the succouring whereof the prince of Orange had done his best endeuours I will forbeare to speake who was the cause of it for my meaning is not to taxe any man but long resolutions and slow executions are oftentimes the cause of great mischiefes letting slip all good opportunities that bee offered which the Spaniards could fitly imbrace and yet the siege of this towne was longer than the strength of the towne did seeme to require The siege of Harlem hauing endured seuen monethes although the Spaniards had the victorie yet notwithstanding it much diminished their credit and reputation beeing found to bee able to bee withstood and not inuincible although the duke of Alua called his three regiments of Spaniards that he brought with him the one Tales quales the second Inuincibiles and the third Immortales and gaue the townes of Holland time to resolue and prepare to defend themselues and the rather for that the duke of Aluaes souldiers at Harlem were at contention and strife amongst themselues for that the souldiers that stayed without the towne would haue their part of the money that the townes men were to pay as well as they within beeing eight and twentie monethes behind hand with their pay for which cause they draue their captaines and commaunders from them and would come to no agreement before they had money Which mutinie and contention continued amongst them six weekes before they were paid and the mutinie ended whereby they besieged Alcmar too late Summer being past During this siege of Harlem many complaints were made against the lord of Lumay earl of Marke before the prince of Orange and the States of Holland for many oppressions and cruelties committed in diuers parts especially against church men priests and monks whom hee persecuted with all sorts of cruelties to reuenge said hee the death of the earle of Egmont his cousin whereof hee accused the clergie to haue beene the cause Whose tyrannous and cruell acts were displeasing to all good men of what religion soeuer for the which the States committed him to prison and had not the respect of the prince beene who sued for his pardon and promised amendment hee had beene punished Yet the earle did euer after that time hate the prince of Orange as if he had beene the cause of his imprisonment Beeing freed from prison and dismissed from his charge he retired himselfe out of Holland much discontented yet he had afterwards a regiment of foot in the States pay at the campe of Gemblours against Dom Iohn of Austria but being retired before the battaile of Gemblours and returned to Liege he died in the yeare of our Lord 1578. Some said that hee was poysoned The duke of Alua finding with what toyle charge and losse of men hee had won Harlem and hearing that some of his troups were in mutinie for twentie eight monethes pay hauing yet many townes in armes against him and thinking to begin first with Alcmar hee thoght good first to see if he could win them by a proclamation which he caused to be made and printed at Vtrecht the six and twentieth of Iuly 1573 offering the kings grace and fauour to all as a good father to his obedient children forgetting and forgiuing all that was past knowing that their offence grew more by the suggestion of others than of their own natures and dispositions and that the king had not shewed any rigour to such as had willingly subiected themselues and not attended his force and power and yet they continued still obstinat notwithstanding he sought to gather them together as the hen doth her chickens vnder her wings for their owne safeties Praying them therefore to bethinke themselues and without any further delay to yeeld themselues into his ministers hands and not to attend the wrath and furie of his armie giuing them assurance for the enioying of their liberties and Freedomes And contrariwise if they seemed to neglect and contemne his offered mercie and grace hee would haue them to know and to assure themselues that they were to accept all kinds of rigour and crueltie that might be inuented by famine sword and fire so as there should be no memorie of them left to posteritie and that his Maiestie would cause the country to be made desolate and to be inhabited by strange nations for that otherwise the king could not rest satisfied that hee had fulfilled the will of God nor yet content his owne conscience if hee should suffer such rebels to liue vnpunished they knowing him well ââ¦o bee the most gratious and mildest prince that euer liued and appointed to bee their soueraigne Not doubting but that they knew the kings armie which was great with all ordnance and munition fit to bee at their doores readie to destroy them and that in the end the king would bee master c. This proclamation was published in all places During the siege before Harlem the duke of Alua had procured the earle of Bossu to write out of the campe vnto one Huych Ianson bourgmaster of Delft persuading him not to let slip so good an occasion of obtaining peace from the king as to procure some meanes to haue the prince being there to be taken and sent to the duke of Alua which if he would doe saying that he aduised him thereunto vpon meere loue he bare vnto the towne of Delft hee assured him not onely to purchase their pardon but also promised vpon his faith and honour to procure them such freedoms and liberties as they should desire and that therfore they should bee resolute and carefull to performe this worthy and meritorious act whereby they should not onely purchase peace and quietnesse for their towne of Delft but also for all Holland which otherwise would be ruined and made desolat This letter beeing interrupted by the way was brought vnto the prince He also sent letters of the same tenor to them of Amsterdam and to moue them to receiue a Spanish garrison but the messenger being taken was sent vnto the prince The duke of Alua hauing taken Harlem and as he conceiued daunted the Hollanders courage thinking the prince of Orange and the States to bee vnable to mannage and fortifie any place like vnto it and it may be presuming that his crueltie extended vpon that town would terrifie any other garrison who would not willingly aduenture the hazard of a siege he resolued with his counsell of warre to attempt Alcmar as one of their strongest townes which being taken the rest or most of the other townes would yeeld Whereupon he sent Dom Frederic his sonne with Chiapin Vitelli campe-master generall before Alcmar the one and twentieth of August and with him the baron of Noircarmes lieutenant to the generall with Dom Gonsaluo of Braccamonte Dom Pedro of Velasco Dom Pedro of
maisters of his Maiesties countries and to reduce them to perpetuall slauery to the great preiudice of his Maiesties seruice as it hath beene often heretofore made knowne and protested by the saide Estates So as they meane not now to capitulate of any pacification with his Maiestie whom they haue alwaies sought to obey and serue with all humility as their naturall Lord and Prince which makes them humbly to beseech him that it would please his Maiesty as a good father to looke vpon the pouerties and afflictions of his contries with a louing and tender eye and thereby draw them to vnion peace and trafficke as well to augment his estate as the prosperity of his subiects The which without doubt can neuer be effected so long as strangers shal vse their force and tirany who make a greater benifit by troubles and disorders then when the country is orderly gouerned regarding only their owne profit which hath bin the cause of all these warres And therfore that it would please his maiesty to cal away those strangers afterwards by a free conference with the aduice of the general estates of the country duly assembled set such an order as his maiesties subiects may be hereafter assured from all dangers and inconueniences that might happen And for that the contynuance of this warre to speake truly can produce nothing but a depopulation and total ruine of his Maiesties countries and the rather for that it is manifest that the inhabitants thereof do giue them selues daiely to the exercise of Armes forgetting and neglecting their trades and traffick of Marchandise being an vsuall thing for men to giue them-selues to all the licentiousues which war brings with it So as by this meanes a dangerous and preiudiciall decay is to bee feared of all trafficke negotiation marchandise and nauigation redounding to the ruine of his Maiesties seruice The sayd Estates doe also beseech that regard may bee had heerevnto to the end that as well Holland and Zeeland as the other neighbour Prouinces might by his Maiesties authoritie bee discharged of either side from the oppression of these strange souldiars and that presently by way of prouision all acts of hostilitie may cease So as the Comerce and conuersation of the inhabitants bread in your Maiesties countries may be hereafter restored with al security and the one reconciled with the other Wherefore the States do trust that the great Commanders excellency and all other his Maiesties saithfull vassalls will put to their helping hands as they doe intreate them with all reuerence and humility and doe all the good offices of loyall and faithfull subiects This answere made by the States did not please them that had sent the signior of Matenesse and Treslon the which doth well appeere by a letter which the Lord of Chaââ¦paigny writ vnto Saint Aldegonde beeing yet with the Prince and States dated the 2â⦠of Iuly where hee saith amongst other pointes speaking of this answere which hee confesseth to haue receiued these words following But that which they haue brought is farre from the present affaires For neither the title which they take in this writing can bee vsurped by them nor the reasons which they giue for their distraction doe concurre with his Maiesties reputation notwithstanding that they say that their intention was to maintaine his greatnesse the which hath no ground And as for the meanes which the propound they are not accompanied with the respect which I did hope for For it seemes by their writing that the townes which are distracted from his Maiesties obedience carrie themselues towards him as good and faithfull subiects doe to their Soueraigne Prince Therefore you must bring other matter c. These letters beeing imparted to the States that they might not commit any thing that might bee demanded of them with reason and to shewe that they did seriously demand a good peace that might bee firme and permanent they would not shewe themselues vnwilling to propound their greeuances and demandes by petition directed vnto the King the which was deliuered to Saint Aldegonde returning to Vtrecht to prison who deliuered it to the Lord of Champagny to present it vnto the great Commander whereof the tenor was To the King MOst humblie shewing the Nobles Knights and townes of Holland and Zeeland That they haue euer like good and faithfull vassalls and subiects in all things as well to your Maiestie as to your Predecessors of famous memorie yeelded all humble obedience dutie and seruice whensoeuer for the preseruation of your Maiesties greatnesse and State their obedience and humble seruice hath beene required So as they haue no doubt but your Maiesties loue towardes them hath beene thereby greatly augmented to preserue and maintaine them in their rightes and liberties with peace and tranquilitie vnder Iustice and order And although the Duke of Alua carrying himselfe for Gouernor in your Maiesties place should haue behaued himselfe accordingly yet contrariwise vnder the title of his gouernment hee hath vsed such Iniustice and violence to your Maiesties counââ¦rie and subiects aswell Ecclesiasticall as Secular Noble and vnnoble as the Petitioners for the preseruation of their preuiledges rightes and auncient lawdable customes and liberties haue beene to their great greefe foââ¦ced to oppose themselues with an armie against the proud commande and violent manner of gouernment of the sayd Duke and his adherents that were strangers seeking to trouble the publike quiet by Innouations strange exactions and the generall oppression of your maiesties subiects Hauing no other designe but to subiect the sayd countries the inhabitants to their appetites and insolencies to impouerish them and bring them into seruitude to the great preiudice of your Maiesties seruice greatnes reuenues whereon your suppliants haue heretofore made complaint protested openly as also the States of other countries haue respectiuely done the like diuers times But yet notwithstanding the Duke of Alua persisting still in his bad resolution your Maiesties said countries and the inhabitants haue not onely beene drawne into great alterations troubles and calamities of warre but also the neighbour Nations and kingdomes haue growne to hate and to abhorre this ouerweeniââ¦g pride of ãâã strangers enemies of the publike quiet of the sayd Countries with a dââ¦sion aââ¦d losse of all traffick trades negotiation and of their prosperity And as the sayd Petitioners haue neuer sought nor doe not at this present seeke any thing but to aduance and by all meanes possible to procure the generall good of all the country for your Maiesties seruice as it belongs to loyall subiects they beseech your Maiesty withall humility that you would bee pleased as a kinde father to regard with a pittifull eye the present estate of the Netherlands so lamentable and miserable and to restore them to a vnion comerce and quietnesse wherby your Maiesties greatnesse may increase and the prosperity of the inhabitants growe and florish for your seruice And as it can by no meanes be effected so
long as strange nations shall exercise their rule and tiranie ouer the sayd countries for that their profit and aduantage consists chiefely in their trouble and confusion and not in any good order and pollitike gouernment they being by nature as daily experience doth teach more giuen to their priuate appetites then to the generall good of the country wherevnto they are strangers which hath beene the motiue of troubles and present warre That therefore it would please your Maiesty to commande the sayd strangers to retire out of the country and by the free conference and aduise of the generall Estates lawfully assembled setle such good order and pollicy as your Maiesties sayd countries and subiects may be hereafter maintained in vnion and assured peace all dangers inconueniences and troubles being auoided Considering also that by the long continuance of this present warre to speake freely there can no other thing be hoped for but the spoile and totall ruine of your Maiesties countries and Prouinces And the rather for that the inhabitants do giue themselues more and more to armes forgetting and neglecting their accustomed trades and negotiation as men are by nature inclined to all the licentiousnesse and excesse which warre doth commonly bring that by the long vse of armes the bitternesse and hatred of your Maiesties subiects increasing more and more one against an other it is to be feared there will insue a dangerous and preiudiciall decrease and decay of all trafficke negotiation marchandise and nauigation whereby your Maiesties seruice may be greatly interessed They do also most humbly beseech your Maiesty that you will be pleased to haue regard herevnto with all clemency and fauour to the end that as well Holland and Zeeland as all other the neighbour Prouinces beeing by your Maiesties authority freed of either side from the oppression at the least of strange soldiars and withall that by way of prouision al Acts of hostilitie may cease So as the Comerce and conuersation of the inhabitants and those that are borne in your Maiesties countries may be againe restored withall securitie and that they being reconciled one vnto an other may be the better restored to their ancient possessions and residences wherein your Maiesties suppliants will not for their points omit any good office and dutie that shall belong to good and faithfull subiects c. If the writing carried by the signior of Matenesse and Treslon had not much pleased them that were dealers about the peace for the Spaniard this petition liked them much lesse The which the Lord of Champaigny shewed plainely by his letter of the thirteene of August vnto Doctor Iunius Gouernor of La Vere at his returne from hostage hauing beene in Vtrecht for the signior of Saint Aldegonde which Petition Champaigny debates in all points the which for the reasons which he specefies he saies he durst not present sending it backe to Iunius which letter the Doctor answered and for that the answere is succinct and as were an abridgment of that which was donne by way of discourse more particularly I would not omit it My Lord I haue lately receiued a letter from you dated the thirteene of August with the petition which Monsier Aldegondé had brought vnto you to Montfort from the States and townes of Holland and Zeeland the which I haue not failed to impart presently vnto them and to deliuer into their hands whereat they haue beene wonderfully amazed being not able to comprehend the reasons contained in your letter to be sufficient to mooue you to reiect and send backe their petition in this manner which happily might haue serued for a greater good And therefore seeing themselues intreated in this sort not as the Kings subiects and vassalls as they haue alwaies carried themselues where there hath bin question of his Maiesties honor state and greatnesse but rather as the most insidell Turkes and Iewes that are in the world yea as sworne enemies to his Maiesty they haue there by concluded that they are not to hope for any more good of them that thus seeke to abuse the kings name to their ruine And therfore they haue resolued to imploy all their meanes to prouide hereafter for their safeties against the barbarous crueltie and tiranie of those which couer their priuate passions vnder the cloake and name of his royall Maiestie Protesting that seeing their petitions can haue no accesse to his Maiesties eares and that they haue debarred them the meanes which by the lawes of God and nature are granted euen to the most fellonious traitors and disloyall rebells that are or euer were in the world they are forced by such vnreasonable iniustice and tyranie to seeke such meanes as it shall please God to put into their hands Intreating you that you wil be a witnesse to all the world that they haue presented the sayd petition and haue thereby discharged their duties and therefore wheresoeuer it shal be brought in question that you will excuse and iustifie them And to the end your LL. may know the causes and grounds of their complaints and greefes and why they finde themselues so much wronged by the sending backe thereof I did then thinke it good by way of discourse to collect the chiefe points of their complaints vnto your letter the which I had alreadie sent vnto you had I not still staied for your man who should come for mine answere by whome I would not faile to send it vnto you Desiryng you to consider well of the reasons and grounds produced by them vpon your letter the which are ioyned herevnto hauing no intent that this my writing which proceedes from mine owne particular for the zeale which I haue to the quiet of the countrie and loue to your Lordship should in any sort preiudice the sayd Estates and townes or their said resolution I will referre my selfe to the sayd discours the tediousnesse whereof you shall excuse and impute it to my disability or to the difficultie of affaires whereof it treates And so I recommend me humbly c. Signed I. Iunius This discourse whereof mention is made in this letter being verie tedious wee haue thought good to omit and the rather for that wee haue not heard that Champaigny or any other hath replied vnto it And so these practises of peace vanished to smoake for both the Prince and the States did constantly beleeue that it was onelie to circumuent them to make them carelesse and to loose time whilest they made their preparations Afterwards the Prince of Orange propounded certaine points vnto the States concerning their affaires And first that the towne of Leyden was in great daunger to bee lost by a fault of verie great consequence and that hee did see well that by the losse thereof manie other good townes would bee shaken and in danger finally that it would cause a great alteration in their affaires wherefore they should resolue to prouide for it speedely seeing no other meanes but to cut the dikes and
sword where-with his subiects and members of all the Netherlands vntill that time had beene persecuted and most grieuously tormented with vnspeakeable vilde cruelties brought vnto their ends and vtter destruction they for their partes promising in all worldly causes to bee obedient vnto his Maiestie and to serue him as faithfully as euer any of his subiects in times past had done For the securities proferred said they many pitifull examples do sufficiently shew how they may be estemed by al the world especialy if the townes castles shippes and artilery were deliuered ouer before the Spaniards and other strangers were gon out of the Netherlands and that the estates generall should haue taken good order for al inconueniences therefore to avoyd al difficulties and so to proceed to the beginning of a good security they knew no better way then that according to the contents of there request presented in writing the strangers should be sent out of the contry which might the rather be don without cause of suspition for that the Prince States of Holland Zeeland had not any manner of dislike nor quarell with the rest of the other Prouinces but held and esteemed them as their good friends allies neighboures offering to standvnto all reasonable security that there should be no new matter deuised nor vnlawfull act attempted by them during the time graunted for their departure out of the country vntil such time as the general estates might assemble to gether to consult about a good order to be taken in al causes of policy good gouernment Further although their offer aforesaid was sufficient yet would they in the aboundance of their true intents and desires of peace offer more that it might appeare both before GOD and the world that they nether desired nor yet sought their owne welfare and ease noâ⦠yet pretended any other thing then the welfare and common good of the country That although those amongst them that had settled their consciences in the true apostolike religion had rather loose both their liues and goods then they would in any wise deny the same or once do otherwise then it requireth They are neuer-the-lesse content so his maiestie will desist from denying their request touching their religion that not onely that but the point of security and all other causes difficulties and differences should be determined and ended by the lawfull assembly of the generall estates of the Netherlands And for as much as that by withdrawing away of all strangers out of the country all troubles and Insolencies would cease and all the Prouinces without doubt would be fermly vnited together they offered to stand vnto all reasonable condition of security whereby on both sides they might liue in perfect peace betweene the departing and with-drawing of the strangers out of all the Prouinces and the assembling of the generall estates Where-vnto they desired and praied that they might haue an vnââ¦ained and a Catholike answeare with an absolute yea or nay vnto every perticular point of there request While this treaty of peace continewed the Commander generall assembled his counsell of estate priuy counsell and tresorers with certaine of the principale Lords of the state and other councelors of good estates and quality to heare their opinions touching the peace as then in question and the answeares made therevnto by the deputies of the Prince of Orange and his adherents who after long conference gaue there aduice saying that the most assured way was to maintaine the Catholike Romish religion and the Catholike persons in Holland c. as also for the better securing of the Kings inheritances vnto him selfe for that the Prince had giuen forth that he knew those that had a good will to take the same into their handes saying further that seeing the point of sending out of strangers was agreed vpon that it ought to be effected vpon good security the King hauing naturall Netherland Catholike Souldiars inough whereof the experience was euidently to be seene in the time of the regent the Duches of Parma that had pacefied all the controuersies in the country with the subiects of the same which as then were well trusted before the comming of the Duke of Alua and now are in a manner distrusted when as their loyaltie was once againe tried in the yeare 1568. when the Prince of Orange entred with an army into the country and they kept him out they likewise found it expedient that the generall estates should bee assembled where unto they submitted themselues and likewise esteemed it not to be so hard a matter to permit and graunt them freedom of conscience without scandale and exercise thereof as also to stay and dwell within the Countrie as other forraine marchants both Dutch-men and Englishmen of contrary Religion did for that in the meane time GOD might so worke in their hearts by good sermons and instructions as they would be conuerted and that in all places the catholike religion might be erected and giue good examples of honest life and conuersation vsing many such like arguments with allegation of diuers old customes and examples but this would not bee liked of by the counsell in Spaine who had an other desseine intending an absolute conquest which not-with-standing it is said that the great commander himselfe did often complaine of in his death bed and after that the Spaniards themselues These articles being in this sort set downe in the name of the King yet could not the Prince of Orange beleeue that it was the Kings meaning to send the Spaniards out of the Netherlands and for that cause desired to see the Kings owne hand and seale vnto the same which was shewed him by the Baron de Rassinghen who for security thereof kept the same against the Commanders will who imagined that the offers that were made would not haue bin so well accepted and for that cause would haue it proceed no further saying that the King was no marchant or would bee constrained vnto any thing and that hee liberally offered and presented such conditions which they should haue accepted of when they had time and place and so seeking all delaies hee caused his deputies to make answeare that hee would send all the proceedings of that peace into Spaine and attended an answere from thence asking foure moneths time for the same where-vpon the deputies of Holland c. vpon the foureteene of Iuly for there farwell made a declaration in writing the contents whereof were to shew how little the Kings deputies were alwaies afected to deale vprightly in the contracts of peace and that therefore they for there discharges both before GOD and the world would make it knowne vnto them and euery man how they for there parts had alwaies fought and labored to haue an end of the warres and so breefely declared from the beginning to the ending what had past from the first request sent vnto the King by meanes of Monsier Champigny vntill there last declaration which offers
king of Spaine was sent as agent into England by the Commander to intreat her maiesty to banish all the Kings rebells that were retired thether The which was at the first refused him the Queene finding it very strange vnworthy the Maiesty of a Prince to chase away the poore exiled Netherlanders who were fled into her dominions to saue their liues and to auoide the Spanish tirany practised both against their bodies and consciences Shewing the mischiefe which had insued how much the King his maister had bin preiudized in the like case 3. years before when at his request she had driuen out of her Ports the Earle of Marck and them of his company with their ships who beeing thus chased away to all aduentures seeking a place of retreat they seized vpon the Iland and towne of Briele so as it had bin better for the King hee had not made any such request notwithstanding at the instance of the Agent the Queene gaue coÌmandment to all captaines officers of her Ports and hauens not to suffer any one to enter and to cause al those retire that did carry armes against the King of Spaine Among the which that might not enter or that were there already were particularly named The Prince of Orange al those of his house the Earles of Culenburg Vandan-bergh and la Marck the signior of Esquerdes and of Lumbres brethren Rumen Carnesse Noielles Blioul Bredam Boisot Saint Aldegonde Mansart Vanden Dorpe Vander Aa Houtain Vanden Timpel Iunius and many others to the number of fifty by name This was granted by the Queene for that by doctor Wilson her agent she had obtained of the CoÌmander that the Earle of Westmerland al other English rebells should be in like sort banished out of the low-counties and that the English ships 4. at once the which she had also obtained from the Prince of Orange might traffick freely at Antwerp and in al other places During this negotiation the Prince of Orange and the States of Holland and Zeland finding by that had past at the last coÌference at Breda that there was no assuraÌce of peace with the King of Spaine whereby they might enioy the exercise of their relligion they consulted to what part they should turne whom they should seeke vnto to preserue their liues wiues children and goods against the violence of the king of Spaine wherevpon they propouÌded to choose one of 3. great mighty Monarks for their Protector which was the Empire France or England As for the Empire they found great difficulty least hope there considering the diuersity of relligion and the small vnion that was betwixt the Princes of Germany one distrusting an other and euery one troubled with care how to maintaine his owne estate in peace free from the practises as well of the Spaniards as of the aduerse party besides the said Princes would neuer endure that any one of them in particular should take vpon him aboue the rest the state gouernment of the Netherlands wherby he might exceed the rest in force and means Moreouer the King of Spaine had many great friends there first the Emperor his brother in law then the dukes of Bauiere and other Protestants besides the bishops And that before they should incorporate the said Netherlands vnto the Empire their would be a yeare and a day spent before the States thereof would agree vpon so important a businesse the which could not be effected without an Imperial diet wherin they should waÌt no opponents that would contradict it As for France it was not found counenient not only by reason of the periuries massakers cruelties lately committed there but for many other inconueniences which would follow it and that France was now exhaust and drawne dry of money and meanes by reason of the ciuill warres the which were not yet fully pacified And admit the French were wel affected to them yet could it not be done without great distrust of either part which would haue bred a continuall war betwixt the vnited Prouinces of Holland Zeeland and their associates and the Brabansons Flemings Artesiens and them of Henault who had rather haue warre against the French by reason of their old quarrells then against the vnited States As for the English notwithstaÌding the difficulties of the tongues they found not any in their opinioÌs more fit to receiue them vnder their protection not onely by reason of the conformity of religion but also for the Queenes greatnesse her neighbourhood and the nauigation and traffick from one country to another whereby Spaine should be out of hope to be commanders at sea besides the realmes of Denmarke Sueden the county of Emden and the Hans townes of the East countries did not onely desire it but also intreated it might take effect that they might ioyne with them in a new league The which would also cause Brabant Flanders and other prouinces to seeke to be comprehended in this league yea and France it selfe that they might with their common forces weaken the Spaniards and reduce him vnto reason so as by the means of England those countries should be for euer maintained in peace rest and prosperity The estates and the Prince hauing duly considered which of these three might be most auaileable for them seeing that the estate of their affaires required a speedy resolution of the one before that their enemies should preuaile more ouer them they concluded that they must seeke to the Queene of England wherefore applying themselues vnto the time and to reason to that which their religion required their estate had most need of they sent into England Philip of Marnix signior of S. Aldegunde Iohn Vander-dorpe signior of Nortwyck William of Nyuelt Paul Buys aduocate for the states of Holland Doctor Malson a Lawier with others with coÌmission to make a league with the Queene or to submit theÌselues vnder her protââ¦tioÌ or if necessity so required to acknowledge her for their Princesse soueraign Lady issued from the Earles of Holland Zeeland by the Lady Philipot daughter to William the third of that name Earle of Henault and Holland c. Wherevpon the Queene waighing of the one side the hatred of the Spaniards the iealousie of the French the great charges she must bee at if she vnder-tooke their cause grew cold in satisfying of their demands Besides the great Commander had sent the Lord of Champaigny vnto the Queene who preuailed so with his eloquence ' as she resolued rather to entertaine the amity of Spaine then to accept the offers the states made vnto her and to seeke some meanes to reconcile both parties for the quiet of her realme for the which she intreated the King by a particular discourse by protestation that if he would not agree with his Netherlands giue them peace that he should not thinke it strange if for her owne safety she did lay hold vpon Holland and Zeeland
among others that all the ships should be restored of either side that the English marchants should lend vnto the states of Holland and Zeeland a good sum of money This accord made and the English ships restored those of Zeeland being quite spoiled hauing bin so long abandoned by their men the English marchaÌts hauing what they desired would not furnish what they had promised by the accord saying it had bin extorted by force and moreouer arrested the persons and goods of ten or twelue of the chiefe merchants of Holland and Zeeland suing vnto the Queene to haue some ships of war to wafâ⦠their cloath wooll and other merchandise ouer to Dunkerke But the Queene desired to haue all quarrells reconciled and ended to which end Philip of Villiers Minister of the French Church was sent by the merchants of the low-countries remayning in England to the Prince of Orange whilst that these matters were in question and that the English ships of war made their conuoies vnto Dunkerke the English tooke fiue or six Zelanders ships the which they spoiled keeping the captaines prisoners These alterations and discontents did much please the Spaniards who hoped to make good vse therof but the Prince sent captaine Barkley an Englishman with so good instructions as the Queene was wel satisfied whose pleasure was that al quarells should be ended the ships prisoners deliuered to the losse of the English merchants who had bin the motiues After the seazing of the lords of the councel of State some noblemen of authority whereof the Earle of Lalain gouernour of Henault was one of the chiefe sent in the name of the States of Brabant to beseech Frantis of Vallois Duke of Aniou Alanson the French kings only brother to imbrace their quarrell against the Spaniards and to receiue them into his protection For his better satisfaction he came in post with fifteene or sixteene horse to Mons in Henault hauing past by Lens in Henault where he was knowne by some priuate persons and saluted by the Lord of Capres afterwards Earle of Henin Hauing conferred with the Earle of Lalain some others he returned sodenly as he came promising to succor them as soone as the peace should bee concluded in France In the meane time the States of Brabant sollicit the other prouinces of the country and intreat them to ioyne with them to chase away the strangers as well Spaniards Italians Bourguignons as any other that were in league with the mutines The countrie of Henault at the perswasion of the Earle of Lalain the Earle of Reneberg and the Baron of Fresin ioyne first by reason of their proximity and neighbour-hood Flanders Arthois Lille Douay Orchies Tournay Tournesis other Prouinces followed them except Luxembourg Namur wherof Mansfeldt Barlamont that were prisoners were gouernors and they make a league perpetuall vnion betwixt them to aide one an other with all their meanes against the tiranie of strangers The Earle of Roch gouernor of Arthois although hee were brother in lawe to Cardinall Granuelle whether it were to plaie the good fellow or that hee durst not oppose himselfe against the States hearing that some Italiens of these mutines were entred into his gouernment hee sent to all the townes to put themselues in armes against them and euery one to chase them out of his iurisdiction Grenââ¦t brother to the signior of Werp and my selfe went out of Bethune with about fifteene hundred men to incounter them to ioyne with them of Arras Hesdin Aire Saint Omer and other townes so as in all we might haue made fiue thousand men But the onely brute hereof made the Italiens retire towards Cambresis and from thence into Henaut from whence the Earle of Lalain did in like sort chase them The Kings councell was much troubled and perplexed at this mutiny the which turned into a generall alteration which they terme Alborotto and they feared some greater inconuenience if the French should chance to deale in it wherefore they send some speciall persons among them to require the mutined Spaniards to rest satisfied with such money as they had in hand being impossible to furnish any more But it was labor lost for on the other-side Don Fernando of Toledo caused those men which he had in Holland to come into Brabant and so did Don Alonso de Vergas generall of the horse who retired themselues with their men into the castell of Antwerp as into a place of safe retreate Sanchio d' Auila castellan of the said castell sent for the Spanish Merchants that were in the towne intreating them to furnish vpon his word and promise to be paied at a certaine daie as much vââ¦ctualls and munition of warre as hee should demand the which they did so as the castell was well supplied of all things to endure a long seege Iulien Romero did the like in the towne of Liere and captaine Montisââ¦oqua at Mastricht The States on the other side were not negligent to leauy men euery where doing what they could to keepe the Spanish forces as well mutiners as others from ioyning togither or to haue intelligence one with an other suffering nothing to passe to those townes and places which they held There were then betwixt Louvain and Tillemont fiue companies of these mutined Spaniards Italiens and Bourguignons lodged in the Village of Wessenaken The States sent the signior of Glimes to dislodge them from thence hauing with him the garrisons of Brussells and of Louvaine with some men at armes being in all about three thousand men with whom there ioyned some Burgers of Brussells some schollers of Louvaine some to the fight others to get some spoile so as it seemed that he that would not go did not loue his country The Spaniards being aduertised by their spies the Generall Alonso de Vergas beeing ioyned with them with his horse lay in ambush in a little wood neere vnto this village commanding the foote to goe forth and skirmish with the states-men when they should see them approch the which thââ¦y did and were sharply charged by the states-men so as the Spaniards retyring in good order still skyrmishing vnto the ambush being hotly pursued the horsemen breaking forth charged these fooââ¦e-men that pursued for their bands of Ordinance were not yet aduanced who breaking their rankes were put to rout and all defeated so as fewe escaped the which happened in the end of September The last of the same month commandement beeing giuen to all the townes of the Netherlands that were confederated togiââ¦her against the mutined Spaniards to arme among others they of Brussells made a muster of their Burguers from the age of twenty yeares vnto three sââ¦ore whereaâ⦠they found fifteene thousand men well armed And knowing that the Spaniards were incensed against them they began to fortefie their towne causing both men women boyes and maides to labour at the rampar The States were nothing amazed for the route of Wissenaken but
importance and that her Maiestie at that present should binde the Lords of the estates generall most strictly vnto her if it would please her to assist them in that their need by lending them the summe of a hundred thousand pounds starling for the space of sixe or eight moneths vpon condition to pay it againe at the same time and for assââ¦ance thereof the said states should giue her their obligations wherby with Gods helpe she might assure and make them able to compell and force the Spanish souldiers and their adherents to leaue the country either by faire or by foule meanes and to be a meanes that no man else vnder pretence of lending them ayde and assistance should make them-selues maisters of the Netherlands which she knew to be subiect vnto the lawfull gouernment of the king of Spaine their naturall prince as also that it should not bee conuenient for her Maiestie to haue any such neighbours whom she well knew to be no lesse ambitious nor of lesse proud behauiour then the Spaniards were which they neuerthelesse if shee could not ayde them with some ready money must bee forced to vse for that they could haue but small seruice of their soldiers which they had already leuied if they were not paied where-vnto as yet they had no meanes vntill they had taken a generall order therein wherein they begin to proceede but that before the same could be effected the enemy might strengthen himselfe and oppresse them to the vtter ouer-throw of the Netherlands and all the estates of the countries bordering vpon For which cause they desired that her Maiesty would shew how highly and deerely she esteemed of the old aliances and contracts made betweene her kingdomes and the Netherlands by the treaties of intercourses and trafickes of Marchants so necessary for both countries which would not bee maintained if any other Prince should rule ouer the said Netherlands which if it should so fall out as God defend them from it without doubt in time her Maiesty would find her selfe in as great difficulty as the Netherlands desiring her to remember the verse Tunc tua res agitur paries cum proximus ardet These reasons graciously heard by the Queene of England she presently made answere by word of mouth saying that she was sory that the King his Maister was so badly councelled and that shee had twise or thrise sent vnto him to desire him to consider the nature and condition of the Netherlands and to remember how obedient the inhabitants thereof had beene to their naturall Princes which at all times had gouerned them so fortunately and that it was fitter for him to followe the same course then to vse the extremity which is alwaies accompanied with great iniustice and force and can not long subsist as being a most certaine and an assured ruine of all common welthes and that if hee thought it good that shee should bee a mediator betweene them both shee would gladly doe her best to end and pacifie all quarrells with condition that they should obserue such religion as the King would haue them to follow to gether with his soueraine authority and reputation which she as a Princesse vnderstood did of right belong vnto all Princes and that all Princes were bound to ayd and assist one the other for the maintenance of their soueraingty as being a common cause belonging vnto them where-vnto shee sayd hee made her answere that he gaue her thankes for her good offer and that hee hoped to deale so well with his subiects of the Netherlands that hee should not need to trouble any other Prince therein and that if it should come to that point hee would rather trust her therein then any other of his neighbours in that sort as she said reiecting her Princely offer with good words and therefore she said that the Netherlands might assure them-selues that shee would not endure that the Spaniards should rule absolutely amongst them in regarde of the daunger that thereby might bee incident vnto her as also in regarde of the ancient amity confederations and trafickes that her kingdomes had with the said Netherlands alwaies conditioning that they should deale faithfully vprightly and plainely with her maintaining the authority of their King and the religion as they were wont to doe in which respect shee would not let them want nether for mony nor men And when the Lord of Sweuenghen made further request vnto her for money she made answere that shee would doe it and that she would shortly resolue vpon the same After that entring into some other speeches with him she seemed to haue some dislike of the Prince of Orange and of the French-men saying that shee vnderstood of his motion therein made vnto them but shee would by no meanes seeme to like better of the French-men to bee in the Netherlands then of the Spaniards further speaking of the warres and of their commanders leaders and of their army she disliked that the commanders were all in manner young men and as she thought and had beene informed from thence had small experience in the warres to take such a charge in hand councelling them to vse the ayde and aduise of Lazarus Zwendâ⦠a man of great experience and one well knowne in the Netherlands and the like old soldiers of that nation Shee said further it was not long since shee had sent one of her Gentlemen into Spaine to shew the King plainely that if he would not retire the Spaniards out of the Netherlands shee would helpe to driue them out Where-vnto the Ambassador according to his commission answered her at full and after that delt with the Queenes principall councellers as the Lord Bââ¦rghley Lord high treasor or of England The Earle of Lecester secretary Walsingham and others who thought it conuenient to send Captaine Horsley vnto the States to vnderstand their full intents and meanings and whether their pretence were to maintaine their old religion and the authority of their Prince the driuing out of all forraine soldiers and to bee gouerned by the naturall borne subiects of the land and to liue according to their ancient right and priueleges and being thereof assured that then the said Captaine Horsley should presently ride vnto Don Iohn of Austria to desire him that hee would graunt to their request or else flatly and plainely to tell him that her Maiestie would not suffer the Netherlands to bee tyrannized by the Spaniards as shee had likewise sent word vnto the King of Spaine him-selfe With this charge and commission Captaine Horsley went into the Netherlands and there effected his message meane time the Barron of Sweuenghen dealt further with the councell of England which told him that according to the aduise and intelligence that was brought vnto them the Netherlands were not to exââ¦ect much good at the Frenchmens hands saying that they had the coppies of the instructions of Mounsier Boniuet the French Ambassador in Brussels and of the duke of Aniou
Lord how much you loue him and how good and loyall a vassall hee hath of you In the meanetime beeing necessarie for his Maiesties seruice that the foure companies of Cornellis van Eynden should enter into the new towne if perchance the signior of Hierges had not beene with you nor sent vnto you before the sayd entrie notwithstanding that wee haue written it to Mounsier Treslon wee would also make it knowne vnto you by these presents which Charles Foucker shall deliuer vnto you to the end you may knowe that it is done by our commandement as a thing most requisite for his Maiesties seruice In whose behalfe wee sommon you that according vnto the oth which you haue sworne vnto him you will constantly serue him with the companie that is vnder your charge in the garde of that castle adhering to no other but to him and to vs in his name as your Gouernor although you bee otherwaies required and prest incorraging your souldiars to doe their duties as it befits honest men and assuring them that they shal be well intreated and paied to the vttermost c. Vpon these intelligences Don Iohn thought that this desseigne vpon Antwerp the which as wee haue sayd had beene plotted before at Macklin could not faile him and held himselfe verie assured thereof thinking also to haue the townes and countrie of Luxembourg at his deuotion as indeed hee had to haue a passage alwaies open from Bourgongne and Italie hee also mannaged his businesse in such sort as knowing verie well that the States would not satisfie the signior of Hierges desire touching the Gouernment of Charlemont which the signior of Mericourt would resigne vnto him to incense the States seeking some cause of quarrell against them hee promised it vnto Hierges and gaue vnto him the gouernment of Charlemont contrary to the intent of the sayd States and contrarie to all that which had beene decreed by the accord of pacification and the perpetuall Edict Thinking that hee had made his proiects so surely as all should succeed to his defire tas well for that hee held himselfe assured as hee thought of the towne and castle of Antwerp as to haue all the Germaines at his deuotion beeing foure Regiments with those of the Lords of Hierges Megen Floion and Cerf which was wont to bee that of Collonel Mario Cordoni thinking also that the States treasure was all exhausted for that they had dismist their forces that were entertained by the priuate Prouinces Hauing also learned by letters and by a man that was expresly sent what forces they had to expell the sayd Germaines hee resolued to proceed And notwithstanding that two daies before hee had sent the signior of Grobbendoncq vnto the States to let them vnderstand that hee desired to come to Brussells so as all things might bee well ordred touching certaine Articles presented on his behalfe wherein hee had beene formerly satisfied vnder collour of going a hunting whereas the chiefe Noblemen followed him beeing before the castle of Namur and seeming to haue a desire to visit it and to viewe the countrie about hee commanded the duke of Arschot to followe him Beeing entred into the castle hee sayd that for the safetie of his owne person and the dukes together with his traine hee had thought it fit to put himselfe into that place entring into it they found at the port the Earle of Megen and the signior of Hierges Floion and Hautepenne bretheren Sonnes to Barlaimont with pistolles in their hands and presently Don Iohn tooke a pistoll which hee drewe out of the case and shewing his armes sayd that it was the first daie of his gouernment and then hee presently placed his gards the which happened the foure and twenty of Iuly Being thus seized of the castle hee assembled the councell to whom hee made a declaration of the long and the exceeding great patience which hee had had against so manie and such intollerable indignities which he had suffred by the States of the countrie and that hee was resolued not to beare them any longer but to gouerne and to be absolutly obeied according to the charge which hee had from Spaine And yet for that hee would not altogither distast the Noblemen of the countrie which were about his person thinking that it was not yet time to declare himselfe openly hee shewed forth two letters one of the ninteenth the other of the one and twenty but without any subscription of signature by the which they did aduertise him that there was a conspiracie against his person to seize on him at Brussells or at Macklin and therefore he should prouide for his owne safetie alleadging therevpon that hee was now in a place where he held himselfe from the bad practises of conspirators imputing all the occasion of his retreate long before precended yea from his first comming vnto these countries as the proofes did witnesse vnto a conspiracie newely found out seeing that if there had beene any cause of such suspicion hee might haue preuented it by exemplarie iustice beeing Gouernor and Commander of the countrie and generally obeied At the same time hee sent the Lord of Rassengem with the coppie of these two letters to the States at Brussells with certaine Articles the which hee would haue effected before hee returned to Brussells tending in effect to disarme the Lord of Heze who had beene made Gouernor of the towne by the States before his comming and all the Bourgers with all that hee might by that stratageme the better surprize the towne as hee had done Namur and the castle And although the States had great cause to distrust all these courses of Don Iohn and to stand vpon their gard who had so plainely discouered his intention and in so manie sorts broken the treaties of pacification and quietnesse as well of Marche in Famine as of Gant yet they were so farre from making shewe of any Act of hostilitie as they sent vnto him the Abbot of Marolles the Archedeacon of Ypre and the signior of Breuck with great and ample instructions of the fiue and twenty daie of Iulie by the which the States made a plaine declaration of their sincere intentions and meaning vnto him in all faith and obedience beseeching him most humbly that hee would bee pleased to lay a side all suspition grounded vpon doubtfull and false reportes and to preuent all inconueniences and alterations which this his extraordinarie retreate to the castle of Namur with the sodaine taking and seizing vpon Charlemont might causâ⦠promising him at his returne and presence in the sayd towne of Brussells fidelitie and assurance against all men And to doe exemplarie iustice vpon all them that should bee found culpable and faultie of so wicked a conspiracie Wherefore they intreated him that as well the accused vs the accusers might bee named vnto them to make a iudiciall information and to doe iustice accordingly whereof they gaue them a new charge the
which is the strongest part of Antwerpe by reason of the chanels that do enuiron it where they thought to fortifie themselues yet they continued there idle vntill the next day at noone that the snips of Holland and Zeeland began to shew themselues which struck such a terror into the Germaines as leauing the Towne they fled away Foucker to Berghen vpon Zoome and Frunsberg to Breda On the other side the Lord of Champaigni Gouernor of Antwerpe went with his Regiment to incounter the companies of Cornellis van Einden the which hee defeated and kept them from ioyning with them of Breda Don Iohn being much troubled with this vnfortunate crosse writ to Collonell Foucker the eight of August complaining of this misfortune yet he reioyced that the Collonell had escaped out of Antwerpe with his life commanding him to remaine in Berghen vntill hee had seene further order and after the date of the sayd letter hee writ vnto him to goe to Namur to command all the Germaines by reason of the indisposition of the Baron of Frunsbergh But Collonell Fouckers men hauing receiued this great disgrace at Antwerpe did mutinie against him and the tenth of September following tooke him prisoner and deliuered him to the States with the Towne of Berghen The States being freed of all feare of the Towne and Castell of Antwerpe seeing the Germaines thus disperst they assured them-selues of Liere two leagues from Antwerpe dooing that which any man of spirit and resolution that hath his life honour wife children goods and countrey in any recommendation is bound to doe for the preseruation and libertie thereof discharging them-selues faithfully in all things that were committed vnto them for the publicke good of the countrey for they did see plainely that this hatred which Don Iohn had conceiued against them was not newly growne vpon any occasion which they might haue giuen him but had taken roote from his first arriuall and reception to the gouernment as appeareth by those letters that were intercepted And that at the same time when it began to bud out and to shew the fruites by all effects of hostilitie GOD by his grace did so fauour the States as to discouer the first originall by the interception of the sayd letters Whereby they did finde that there was small hope of any redresse and lesse reason to suffer them-selues to bee any longer abused with good words and faire promises Iohn of Bourgongne a Knight Siegnior of Fromont being after the death of the Lord of Barlaimont appointed Gouernor of the countrey of Namur by the States a Gentleman of great age wise and vertuous hauing let Don Iohn vnderstand his error and that those countries were not to bee so gouerned nor abused as hee thought to doe and seeing that all his reasons and admonitions preuailed not and fearing on the other-side that the states would not yet seeke to preuent it by armes meaning to aduertise them to bee carefull of their affaires hee left Don Iohn and came into Brabant to ioyne with the States The Duke of Arschot and the Marquis of Haurec brethren by whom Don Iohn thought to bee assisted and supported waying well all his practises and desseignes and what might in the end happen vnto them and that no perswasions nor admonitions might preuaile to diuert him they made some difficultie to enter any more in councell with him Don Iohn fearing to loose them and to bee abandoned set watches ouer them and held them as it were prisoners yet not-with-standing his good garde hauing caused their horses to bee lead out of the Towne of Namur they slipt away vnknowne to him and without their traine Beeing come to Brussells like good Countrey-men they consulted with the States of the meanes to preuent the danger and to cure this new wound which Don Iohn had made Thus were the States forced against their wills to enter into a new warre against Don Iohn who madde with rage for such vnfortunate successe of all his desseignes did nothing but practise by what meanes hee might bee reuenged continuing his accustomed dissembling And to iustifie his actions after that hee had made his complaint by letters which hee had written to the States hee insisted vpon two points which were the maintenance of the Catholicke and Romish religion and the obedience due vnto the King Saving that hee pretented no other thing and that hauing receiued satisfact on therein hee would aboue all things seeke the good and quiet of the countrey And as for his retreate to the Castell of Namur it was onely for the safetie of his person against the conspiracie which he maintained was practised against him But if hee would haue confessed the truth of this retreate hee must haue sayd it had beene for two reasons the first was to preuent the danger of beeing stayed prisoner beeing at Brusselles or Macklyn and to haue all his desseignes discouered if this attempt vpon the Castell of Antwerpe should faile whereof hee was freed being in the Castell of Namur The other was to haue alwayes a back-doore open hauing the countrey of Luxembourg at his deuotion to drawe as many strangers into the Netherlands as hee pleased Hee did also complaine much of the retreate of the Duke of Arschot and the Marquis of Haurec who beeing aduertised of this practise of the Castell of Antwerpe had abandoned him as wee haue sayd And although sayd hee hee had noted such and the like indignities and affronts which had beene done him yet hee desired to gouerne himselfe according to his first contract seeking nothing more then to haue all things well ordered Hauing to that end intreated the Bishop of Liege to goe to Brussells to conferre with the States the which hee was ready to performe if hee had not beene countermanded in all hast by them of Liege In the meane time the States began to take heart and to gather their forces together whereof at that time the Lord of Champaigni had the charge with the which hee went to besiege the castell of Wouwe beeing held by certaine Germaines of Collonell Fouckers Regiment But seeing they could not maintaine it they yeelded the fourth of August the like did Steenberghen the ninth of that moneth and the Towne and Iland of Ter-tolen in Zeeland the nine-teenth The Queene of England hearing that the King of Spaine did conceiue sinisterly of her proceedings with the Estates of the Netherlands she sent Maister Wilks into Spaine to giue hiâ⦠satisfaction and aduice withall for the pacefying of the Netherlands as you may see by this letter A declaration sent to the King of Spaine contayning a iustification of her Maiesties proceedings with the Estates of the Netherlands By Maister Thomas Wilkes THe Queenes Maiesty being giuen to vnderstand of diuers faulse and very scandalous reports giuen out touching her actions and proceedings with the Estates of the Netherlands tending as it were to make her the motiue and chiefe supporter of the
Of which Prelates and of some others tending to the sayd disiunction some were committed to prison by the suspitious Bourguers Among the which was Damp Iean Sarazin Abbot of Saint Vaast in Arras the keeper of his graine the Signior of Valhuon his great Bayliffe Gerard de Vos Signior of Beaupere Lieutenant ciuill in the Towne Iames de Lattre Aduocate to the Lord of Capres the Chanoine Merline the Signior of Warluzel the Signior of Comtee and ââ¦swatines sonne in lawe to the Signior of Naues President of Arthois the Deputies of the Towne of Saint Omer beeing then resident in Arras the Councellor of the Towne the Register of the States of Arthois the Proctor Pinchon and diuers others of qualitie all suspected to bee ill affected to the generall vnion This I say made the Arch-duke to ordaine the which hee did afterwards reiterate by expresse charge and commandement to Capres Gouernor and Magistrate of the sayd Towne to haue a Colledge erected of fifteene of the quietest and wisest Bourguers of the Towne which should bee elected and chosen out of their fifteene companies of Bourgers three to bee named in euery company and the most capable and sufficient of the three to bee chosen to haue the priuate charge and to watche for the publicke good for all inconueniences that might happen as well by factions and practises as otherwise in all occurrents To the which were named maister Robert Bertoul Signior of Halenges Maister Nicholas Gosson a great Lawyer William Caulier Signior of Belacourt Maister Peter Bertoul Signior of Bois Bernard Iames Moullot a Bachelor of the Lawes Iames Caffart Receiuer to the Vicont of Gant Robert Vassal Nicholas Denis Louis Roche Iohn Widebien Signior of Iumelle Iohn Pottier Morand Campe Sebastien Chocquet Vincent Flamen and Robert Penin a Proctor The election of all which fifteene aboue named was done in the end to the great greefe and discontent of the Lord of Capres and the Magistrates who could not contradict it nor delay the election any longer But they did not cease afterwards to giue vnto the sayd Elect whome they called the Deputies of the Bourgesie all the crosses they could for that they had obteyned a Collegiall chamber in the State-house detracting and slandering them in all sorts although they did not meddle any thing with the pollitike gouernement nor vsurpe any of the Magistrates authoritie nor of the Gouernors vnderstanding this charge freely and without any fee the sayd Gouernor and Magistrates seeking onely to make them odious to the Bourguers that they might be rid of them vpon the first occasion Not-with-standing these fifteene Deputies as well in priuate as in open assembly of the Bourguers labouring continually to maintaine the vnion of the towne representing the great inconueniences which did hang ouer the countrey of Arthois if they should bee at any time so miserable as to disioyne them-selues from their ancient good neighbours and confederate countrey-men the Flemmings and Brabanders beeing as it were allyed to Arthois from whome they had receiued so many benefits yea that of hospitalitie with all good vsage and courtesie when as during the warres against the French they had beene often-times forced to flye vnto them The sayd fifteene producing many re-markeable examples of former times to confirme them In the meane time the Signior of Capres and the young Magistrates hauingââ¦ir first heate of zeale to their countrey cooled whereby their ambition had mounted to the highest degree one being become Pensioner to the Abbot of Saint Vaast another to the said Gouernor other kinsmen fauorers and allies to the said William le Vasseur began to giue eare to them that practised this disvnion By whose perswasion the chiefe of Arthois made diuerse assemblies in the Bourough of Secli at Beauââ¦ort in the Abbey of Mont Saint Eloy and in other places where as some of these young Aldermen assisted to second them that did so much affect the disiunction of this Prouince some-times writing to the Townes of Lille Douay Mons and others to bring them to their bowe But not-with-standing all the aduertisements which thââ¦se fifteene Deputies gaue in vaine to the Arch-duke and the States that they might preuent it for that the Vicont of Gant Gouernor generall of Arthois then well affected vnto them remained in the Armie beeing Generall of the horse and therefore was for the most part absent from Arras The Signior of Capres his partisans and the magistrats proceeding on still in their dessigns had so aduanced their affaires as they held themselues assured of Bethune Saint Omer Aire Hesdin and other places nothing remayning more but Arras where there were so many opponents and so cleere sighted as it was imposible for them to execute their practises if they did not first supplant and displace these fifteene contradicting deputies and the Captaines Ambrose and Gele for the better effecting whereof they appointed a generall assembly of the States of Arthois on the twelfth of October in the towne of Bethune against all ancient custome in the which it was resolued and decreed to free them-selues of the said fifteene at what rate soeuer which resolution was soone after discouered by the chaines that were newly drawne crosse the street vpon all the passages to the little market place of Arras none being so simple but by this innouation he might foresee some strange apparent tumult And the fryday following being the seauenteene of the moneth the Magistrats hauing called all the Bourguers to the towne house and set the sworne company of Harguebuziers in gard extraordinarily vnder the State house the which was not lesse strong then the other companies together This confirmed euery man in the apprehention which hee had formerly conceiued of some future broyles and did so alter the mindes of some of the most zealous to the good of their country who had a promise to bee seconded by captaine Ambrose and his horsemen as about noone they came with a resolution and forced this gard of the sworne band without any effusion of bloud but onely of two or three that were hurt and in this heat they mounted vp into the State house and seââ¦zed vpon all the Maigistrates in the councell chamber whereas a great nomber of the Bourguers were assembled but made no opposition so as without wrong or violence done to any of them they were deteyned except three or foure of the most simple who at the intreaty of the fifteene deputies were presently let goe fower daies vntill the twenty one of the moneth during which time the most resolute and best affected of these fifteene in the absence of Iohn Caffart their companion who was then in Antwerp with the Arch duke and the councell of State to take direction what was to be done in the like troubles were Mediators to reconcile the Magistrates with the Bourguers that were thus transported expecting the comming of commissoners which the said Caffart had required to bee
his familiers bred great suspition in the Kings minde the falt thereof beeing layd vpon Escouedo his Secretary esteeming him to haue added more therevnto then his commission was and therefore hee beeing sent into Spaine by Don Iohn the King gaue expresse commandement that hee should bee staied there and for that Don Iohn wrot so earnestly for money and for his secretary Escouedo the aforesayd Anthonio Perez the Kings Secretary had commission to finde the meanes to kill him as secretly as hee could that Don Iohn might haue no suspition thereof for that the sayd Anthonio Perez was the onelie man that with the King knewe all Don Iohns and Escouedoes proceedings and two or three more that were but partly made acquainted therewith which Perez by his aforesaid booke acknowledgeth to haue done by the Kings commandement vseing therein a certaine souldiar called Gartia Darze and fiue or sixe others who in an euening as hee was going to his lodging sodenly inclozed him about and killed him as if there had bin some priuat quarell betweene him and them The death of this Escouedo brought many iealousies into Don Iohns head who finding himselfe to bee charged with many limmited instructions and commandements from the King hee became still more and more distempered whereby hee knewe not what to resolue as the aforesayd letters declared and therefore his suddaine death gaue men cause of great suspition that it was secretly procured although that greefe and conceite haue more force in Princes haughtie and proude hearts then in meaner persons Don Iohn beeing dead in the armie his bodie with great and stately pompe was borne into the Church at Namur and from thence carried into Spaine leauing his Lieutenant Alexander Farneze Prince of Parma gouernor in his place that was afterwards inuested with the same by the King himselfe this death of Don Iohn fell out verie well for the Netherlands considering the state wherein they as then were as I haue alreadie shewed ALEXANDER FARNESIVS PARMAE ET PLACEN DVX GVBERN ET CAP GENER BELGICAE ALEXANDER FARNEZE DVKE OF Parma and Placentia Lieutenant and Captaine Generall for the King of Spaine Of all the Gouernor that in the Netherland Wherof most were vnfit did take their wars in hand I was the only man that rul'd them prudently And longer then theÌ all maintaind the wars coââ¦agiously Like valiant champion and hââ¦d a most great care My promise to fulfill for such a royall minde I bare That neuer in my life vnto my enemie I falcified my word or faith which was the cause that I A good report obtain'd which was my recompence Else gaind I nought but for my paines was put to great expââ¦nce The Argument of the eleuenth Booke ALexander Farneze Prince of Parma Nephew by bastardise to the King of Spaine Sonne to his bastard sister succeeded Don Iohn in the gouernment of the Netherlands the Ganthois begin to mutine The Prince of Orange is much troubled to reconcilâ⦠them the Duke of Aniou retires into France The building of the disunion of Arthois and Henault the which is concââ¦uded in the Prince of Parmas campe before Masstricht Whervpon they make a more stricter vnion at Vt echt betwtxt the Prouinces which continue in the generality The King of Spaine hinders the Emperor and some Princes of Germany from treating of an accord and generall reconciliation wherevpon an assembly is made at Collogne where they treat of it but in vaine those of Holland Zeeland and their Associats thinking it had beene only to circumuent them Gant falls againe into troubles by the practises of Imbise the Burguemaster the which the Prince going thether in person doth pacefie by the absence of Imbise The taking of townes and ouerthrowes at that time of either part the speech and aduice of the Prince of Orange to the estates of the generall vnion the state of Friseland and Groninghen The Duke of Aniou brother to the French King called for Protector and partly Lord of the countries remayning in the vnion the Archduke Mathias after thankes giuen him retiers by reason of his insufficiency the King of Spaine proscribes the Prince of Orange sets his life to sale to euery point of which proscription the Prince makes answere The vnfortunate seege of the states of Flanders before Ingllemoustier defeated and the signior of La Noue taken prisoner Macklin and diuers other townes surprized by the States the Prince of Conde comming from England into the Netherlands is at Gant the Prince of Parma makes a vaine enterprize vpon the sayd towne but not without great danger thereof what past in Friseland at that time Stââ¦nwic beseeged by the Spaniard victualââ¦ed and succored by the States The death of the Earle of Reneberg and what he was the taking and retaking of townes of either part in Friseland Flanders and else where the Prince of Parma hauing long beseeged and blockt vp the Cittte of Cambray the Duke of Aniou comes in person to suââ¦cor it and victuells it the Spaniard refusing to fight whereas hee was receiued and acknowledged for Duke of Cambray and Cambresis the signior of Inchy remayning Gouernor of the towne and Cittadell in the sayd Dukes name ALEXANDER Farneze Prince of Parma the sonne of Duke Octauio and the Ladie Marguerite bastard to the Emperor Charles the fift being the yeare before come into the Netherlands succeeded after the death of Don Iohn of Austria in the gouernment of the sayd countries beeing before his Lieutenant a Prince much more milde and temperate then the other to whom the whole armie tooke their oth and acknowledged for Gouernor in the campe neere vnto Namur Yet through the death of Don Iohn the Spaniards affaires were somewhat crost and hindred for the duke of Aniou imbracing this occasion went to beseege Bins in Henault the which hee battred and gaue an assault and although hee tooke it not at the first yet in the end hee forced it the Spaniards beeing to much troubled in their campe for the death of Don Iohn so as they neither had meanes nor leisure to succor it and when they would gladly haue done it it was too late for it was forced and taken by assault the French killing all that they found armed spoyling the towne and Churches the which happened the seauenth of October The same moneth the Ganthois meaning to build a fort in the Village of Lauwe a league from Menin they sent three hundred Prioners and Pesants with some of their companies to labour there The Malcontents hearing that this fort vpon the riuer of Lys should be a bridle vnto them went fell vpon these poore laborers and soldiers of Gant whom they defeated and cut some of them in peeces carried others prisoners to Menin from thence they went to the village of Warneton where there is a castle belonging to the Prince of Orange betwixt Menin and Ypre two leagues from the one the other a place very famous for
and other Church-men pretending that they had broken the last accord in suffring Monkes to preach in their Churchs whereas none but their Curats and Viccars should haue beene admitted And in truth a Monke preaching sediciously in Saint Michaels Church was the cause of the first mutiââ¦e The like happened in march at Denremond and Oudenard so as those Townes sell into a greater Labirinth of troubles then before The States armie being as wee haue saide broken and dispersed of it selfe and Duke Casimiers troupes feeding vpon the poore countrymen all the winter about Tillemont and Arschot attending their pay The Prince of Parma marched into that quarter with his army and began to treat with them to make them retire so as in the end they had a pasport to depart out of the Netherlands within fifteene daies robbing spoyling and carrying away all they could lay hand on in the villages where they past hauing no entry giuen them into any towne Duke Casimire being at Flessinghes at his returne from England hearing of the retreat of his troupes followed them with all speed taking no leaue of the Archduke nor of the States being then assembled at Antwerp who hearing of the departure of his army they sent after them intreating the collonels that they might retaine still in their pay two or three thousand men horse and foote but being already vpon the way they would not returne the regiment of Lazarus Muller did also retire The Germains that were in Deuenter after that they had made as great resistance as they could vnder the gouernment of the Seignior of Hauercourt a Bourguignon and had held it from the end of Iuly to the twentith of Nouember making many skirmishes so as of 1200. men which they had they were reduced to fiue hundred after that the. Towne had beene battred three daies togither by the earle of Rheneberg Gouernor of Freezland seeing the assault readie to be giuen they yeelded vpon composition to haue their liues and goodes saued The first of December the Earle of Swaertzenbourgh of whome wee haue made mention before being Ambassador from the Emperor presented him-selfe againe vnto the States by aduise of the Emperor and of some Princes Electors vppon the last propositions and treatie of Peace demanding an answer thereof with the which for the desire he had to pacifie the warres and to settle the Netherlands in peace he transported him-selfe to the Prince of Parma but they could not agree so as it proued fruitlesse The one and twentith of the Moneth Maximillian of Henin Earle of Bossu generall of the Sates Armie Lord Steward to the Arch-duke Mathias Councellor of State being taken with a burning feuer died in Antwerp who was much lamented both of the Nobilitie soldiers and common people The fiue and twentith day the Duke of Aniou defender of the libertie of the Netherlands as he tearmed him-selfe gaue the States to vnderstaÌd by Monsieur Domartin the causes which moued him to returne into France to leaue those countries Among other points he alledged the instaÌce which the king his brother made by reason of some tumults which had hapned in France and that in the NetherlaÌds they had giuen the people to vnderstand that his Presence did hurt the general Peace that was in hand that hee sought to seaze vpon the townes of the said countrie wherein he would disproue them in deliuering vp all thinges after his departure into the States hands He also made an offer that where-soeuer he were he would remaine alwaies well affected vnto them In the end taking his leaue of them he wisht them to remember the great charges he had bene at to succor theÌ leauing Monsieur D'Espruneaux for his Ambassador Leeger with the States The States being amazed at this sodaine and vnexpected departure they sent the Seignior of Fromont and Doctor Gilles Martini Secretarie of the towne of Antwerp to let him vnderstand how much they were greeued beseeching him so to accomodate his affaires as he might remaine in the Netherlands and acknowledging the benefits and fauors they had receiued from him they offred all seruice with a promise of full contentment and satisfaction fit for his greatnesse After his departure a good part of his troopes retired to the Malecontents of Menin especially of his footmen In Ianuarie 1579. Salentin Earle of Isenbrug Arch-bishop and Prince Elector of Cologne leauing his ecclesiasticall dignitie married with the daughter of the Earle of Arembergh The Chapter and the Diocesse could not at the first agree vppon the election of a new Prince yet in the end Trucses was chosen but being also married and seeking to reforme his Diocesse and to retaine the dignitie with his wife there followed great warres the Chapter hauing dispossest him At the last Ernest the victorious Prince of Bauaria hauing chased away Trucses and dispersed his troopes was acckowledged Arch-bishoppe of Cologne Bishoppe of Liege of Frissinghe Hilessem other Bishopprickes and great Benifices and the Popes Legat in the lower Germany The first of March the Prince of Parma caused his armie to aduance before Antwerp trusting it may be vpon some intelligences which he presumed to haue presenting him-selfe in the quarter of Deurne and Burgerhout suburbes of the towne The Burgers hauing drawne the chaines of their streetes set their rounds of euery side appointed euery man his quarter and shewed themselues very resolute and vnited to defend the towne saluting the Spaniards with their great ordinance who were in skirmish with certaine companies of English and Scottish in the trenches of those suburbes and of Berchem whome they charged vntil night but in the end they were forced to retier by the towne canon after they had lost aboue 500. men and 200. of the States The Spaniards retired presently towards Louvaine after that they had burnt some houses and milles of the Iurisdiction of Antwerp The Captaines and chiefe officers of the States side that were either flaine or hurt were brought into the towne the dead were buried and the rest were gratified by the Magistrates for their valour and good seruice those of Antwerp complaining of the bad paiment the States made vnto the soldiers considering the great summes of money which they had furnished to that end for their parts Wherevpon not long after the English companies suing for their pay from the generall Estates beeing assembled at Antwerp seeing they delaid them too much some forty of them attending the comming forth of the States from the Councell about noone day seazed vpon the Abbot of S. Michael a rich Abbay in the sayd towne carrying him in the midst of them through the towne vnto the hauen where they imbarkt him in a ship among their men threatning him that if they were not payd by his meanes to cast him into the water But the Prince of Orange and the Collonels of Antwerp did pacifie them and vppon promise that they should bee speeddily paid
they deliuered the Abbot Wee haue said that before the mutine of the discontented Wallons which had seazed vpon Menin although that this seazure and surprize was not done by the sole and onely authoritie of the Lord of Montigni him-selfe but by a long pretended practise was at the first colloured for their pay and not as they sayd to alter any thing in the generall Vnion of the States The which Montigni him-selfe shewed his letters written vnto the Arch-duke and to the Prince of Orange Where-vpon the said Noblemen were perswaded to send the Seignior of Bours Gouernor of Macklin to treat with them and to reclaime them He went and propounded certain articles vnto them yeelding vnto all they could demand The Malecontents according vnto the articles which were granted vnto them vpon their demands tooke a new oth But the countries of Arthois Lisle Douay and Orchies seeing the Dukes of Aniou and Casimire retired with their forces and that the Malecontents were yet within Menin refusing to leaue it notwith-standing all the promises of the States and their new oth began then to make open shew of the desire they had to forsake the Vni on the which they had kept secret since the moneth of August in the yeare before when as they of Arthois failed to send their contribution for the entertainment of the army And first of all the Prelates of Arthois and Henault did corrupt with readie money the sayd Lord of Montigni of all which trafficke La Motte-Pardieu was the broker for the which he receiued a hundred and fifty thousand florins and as they of Arthois thrust on by the Seignior of Capres and the Abbot of Saint Vaast and also by them of Douay who had bene the first mutines hauing torne the Arch-dukes letters and committed the messenger to prison could not do any thing without them of Lille whereas the Seignior of Villeââ¦val was Gouernor who seemed some-what suspect vnto theÌ or atthe least hard to bee drawne one of these Prelates sayd that he would giue 40000. florins for his part to be assured of him Wherevnto a certaine Gentleman of Arthois replied that he assured him-selfe that for that suÌme he would draw him into their faction And in the meane time the Seignior of Villeruall sent one Charles of Calonne an aduocate of Lille vnto the Prince of Orange with letters of the seuenth of August 1578. and goodly protestations that he would continue in the generall Vnion The Seignior of Bours who had bene as wee haue said sent to treat with the Malecontents of Menin suffred him-selfe also to be corrupted deliuering the towne of Macklin to the Spaniard as well in hope of a marriage which he afterwards obtained as for that he had no greater aduancement from the States nor the pension which hee expected from them of Antwerpe hauing helpt to reduce the Castell The Seignior of Mauny Lieutenant Collonell of the Earle of Egmonts Regiment being entred into Saint Omer and put the Burgers into a tumult ready to cut one an others throat when as some suffred themselues to be ouer-ruled by the perswasions of the Seignior of Rumenghien newly creaâ⦠Earle of Roeux was also corrupted with money The Seigniors of Heze and Alenes marcht in the same round True it is they said that al this money was to pay their Male-contented soldiers but since it was well knowne how they were paid For the making of all these bargaines the Seignior of La Motte treated long before they could agree with Alonso of Curiell a Spanish pay-maister as it appeared by their letters which wee haue seene Finally the capitulation being made in Grauelingh by the King of Spaines Commissaries made mention of seauen hundred thousand Florins that is to say to buy our faith good cheape whereof 200000. were payd to the Lord of Montigni according to the agreement made by La Motte at Mont Saint Eloy Which accord was set forth by them and printed at Douay by Iohn Bogard a sworne printer the same yeare as followeth Wee Emanuell of Lalain Baron of Montigni c. Do acknowledge and declare that wee haue this day the sixt of Aprill 1579. concluded and agreed with Mounsier De la Motte Gouernor of Grauelingh in his Maiesties name in the presence and with the reuerent consent of the Bishop of Arras the Baron of Selles and Mounsier de Valliuon as well for our owne person as for that of the Lord of Heze by vertue of the authoritie which he hath giuen vs and also for all other Collonels Captainââ¦s Officers Soldiers as well of foote as horse which haue obeyed vs in Flanders and other places for these seauen or eight moneths being at this present about seauen or eight thousand foote and some 400. horse and certaine Pioners to serue his Maiestie with that forme of oth which followeth Wee sweare and promise to maintaine and entertaine the Chatholike Apostolike and Romish religion to performe the obedience due to his Maiestie and all according to the pacification of Gant the Vnion which followed and the perpetuall Edict to which end wee promise to serue his Maiestie faithfully against all men and to obey his Lieutenant and Captaine generall whome soeuer he shall appoint beeing pleasing to the vnited Prouinces to maintaine them-selues in the aboue named points To which Prouinces if his Maiestie giue reasonable assurance and doth not retire the Spaniards Italiens Albanois Bourguignons and other men of warre not pleasing vnto the said Prouinces by the day and time that shall be prefixed we shall not be then tyed nor bound by vertue of that promise as also we shall not bee bound to attempt nor vndertake any thing before the retreat of the Spaniards other strangers out of the countrie which oth we will cause to be sworne by our troopes according to the same we will deliuer into his Maiesties handes the townes of Menin Castell and all others which we hold with their artillerie and munition to be disposed of as shall bee thought fit for his seruice And for the paying of what is due vnto the said troopes and for the making of them more voluntary orderly and subiect to Martiall discipline for the well seruing of his Maiestie VVee Valentine de Pardieu Seignior of La Motte Gouernor of Grauelingh promise in his Maiesties name to pay and deliuer into the hands of the Baron of Montigni the summe of two hundred and fiue thousand florins that is forty thousand presently threescore fiue thousand by the sixt of Maie next and the other hundred thousand by the seauenth of Iune following in regard whereof wee Lord of Montigny do promise to entertaine our troopes for all the moneths of Aprill and Maie next cumming and to make a generall muster of the sayd troopes to enter into seruice and ordinary paie in the beginning of Iune next And we Seignior of La Motte do promise to cause them to be receiued in his Maiesties name
together like old souldiers and defended themselues in such sort as they escaped without any hurt the rest were all slaine and spoyled La Noue himselfe thinking it a shame to abandon the artillerie and beeing yet in good hope that it would bee better when the rest of his men came which he still attended from Wackene fought valiantly and did what was possible for him to doe vntill that hee was furiously charged and taken prisoner hauing sent his sonne Tiligny to hasten his men forwards by the which meanes hee with the most part of the horse and footmen escaped The lord of Marquette was likewise taken to whom the greatest blame of that ouerthrow was imputed because he caused not the bridge to be broken downe as hee was commaunded but trusted vnto others Hee lay long after prisoner in Henault till at the last after certaine yeares imprisonment he brake out of prison Monsieur de la Noue being the burgraue of Gants prisoner prince de Espinoy brother to the margraue wrot from Dornicke in his behalfe vnto those of Flanders who vpon the eleuenth of May wrot their letters vnto the burgraue to intreat him to vse la Noue well who by his letters from Cortricke the twelfth of May promised no lesse and yet notwithstanding hee gaue him vnto the king at which time the regiments of Hesse Egmont and Capres mutined and would haue had the earle of Egmont discharged for la Noue for which action the burgraue was much blamed as knowing well that hee should not bee set at libertie for any ransome or exchange whatsoeuer during the wares besides the want of so braue a souldier whereof the Estates had great need and yet hee was allied to the burgraue who had beene the cause of seending for him out of Fraunce to serue the Estates when hee himselfe held with them but pride hatred and spleene made him doe it whereof hee made shew vpon some gentlemen that were taken prisoners amongst the which one was la Noues steward who beeing brought before him hee stabbed him with his owne hands when as all the furie was past which an Albanoys souldier refused to doe commaunding his men to doe the like to all the rest The ordnance munition and eighteene Ensignes whereof most of the men were as then absent were all taken wherewith he rod triumphantly into Cortricke and with him monsieur la Noue his prisoner whom hee sent to Berghen in Henault vnto the prince of Parma The number that were slaine was not great so as the Estates had more misse of such a captaine than any losse in regard it was a great hinderance to their proceedings but they assembled their souldiers againe with all the speed they might by that meanes to keepe the enemie from a further inuasion after their victorie who made shew as if they would set vpon the towne of Niuelle About this time William van Horne baron de Hesse sonne to William lord of Gaesboeeke of the house of Horne brother to the earle of Vtkercken practised in the behalfe of the Estates and the duke of Aniou with whom the States were in a maner agreed to reduce certaine places vnder the Estates commaund or else to doe them some other seruice With whom consented also Iong Warrous lord of Thian gouernour of Cassel who likewise thought to deliuer Cassel vnto the Estates but their practises were discouered and Thian flying escaped away but the baron of Hesse was by the said burgraue and the baron de Montigny taken prisoner and not long after his processe being made by command from the prince of Parma who by that meanes knew how to set the noblemen of the Netherlands together by the eares was beheaded at Quesnoy in Henault vpon the eight of Nouember beeing a lustie young gentleman but wauering and inconstantly minded The lord of Haussy likewise of the same conspiracie beeing sommoned to appeare was forced to flie and came to his house at Liedekerke by Brussels which he deliuered into the hands of the Estates but afterwards by meanes of his wife being found wauering and inconstant and much suspected by the Estates hee was by them committed to prison yet by meanes of Oliuer vanden Temple gouernor of Brussels who had maried the lady of Weerdenborgh his wiues sister hee was released and went into France The eight of Iune in the morning the garrisons of Herentales Brussels and Macklyn with their captaines and colonell la Garde with a Spanish captaine called Alonso secretly and sodainely climed ouer the walls of Diest vpon the marsh side and beeing gotten vp slew the guard at the port of Sichem where they let in the Spanish captaine who serued the Estates faithfully with the horsemen Within were two companies of Wallons that made great resistance but three companies of Dutch men among the which one was a companie of the earle of Lodrons regiment that had serued at least foureteene yeares in the countrey which valiantly resisted and diuers times caused their enemies to retire but at the last they were most of them slaine in the same place where they fought without once retiring a foot fighting to the last man which is not often seene On the Estates sides also there were certaine captaines slaine and many men hurt Sichem and Arschot were likewise taken by the Estates Halen was for saken by the enemie but perceiuing that the Estates proceeded no further they returned thither againe The like enterprise the malecontents of Henault not long before purposed against Brussels thinking to take it vpon Saint Iohn Baptists day being mooued thereunto by a captaine of the bourgers called Otto de Barker Iaques le Court a proctor who had dealt with the earle of Lalaine the baron de Montignie and the bourgraue of Gant hauing deliuered them the print of one of the keyes of the towne gates so as they came thither with good troupes of horse and foot but the foresaid parties hauing made it known vnto the prince of Orange monsieur Aldegonde and monsieur Temple the gouernour they made great preparation for them with shot secretly placed vpon the high way and other places and within the towne there were diuers souldiers secretly lodged in the houses not farre from the said gate monsieur de S. Aldegonde standing readie at the portcullis to let it fall when they should thinke good but for that it had rained all night long and by that meanes the souldiers could not keepe their matches light and being wearie with so long and tedious a march hauing made great hast and some of them being behind the rest for that cause were verie vnwilling but when as day began to appeare whereby they might easily haue beene discouered many of them came to the port which according to promise they found open yet durst not enter but went backe againe they of Brussels shooting after them with their canon and from thence went to the enterprise of Gant aforesaid About the same time they of
said William of Nassau prince of Orange either aliue or dead or else to bereaue him of his life that hee would giue vnto him or to his heires either in money land or annuall rent twentie fiue thousand crownes of gold and therewithall forgiue him all crimes and offences whatsoeuer hee shall haue formerly committed and done yea if hee were no gentleman to make him a gentleman for his valour Promising reward and aduancement to all them that should assist him in the execution thereof according to their estates degrees and qualities Hee likewise declared all those that were his associats and adherents to bee banished persons and their honours liues and goods confiscated if they did not abandon and forsake him within one moneth after the publication of the said proscription and their goods wheresoeuer they should bee found either in Spaine or elsewhere marchandise debts actions or inheritance to be good prize to them that could take them c. This banishment and proscription the prince of Parma commaunded to bee published throughout all the townes of the king of Spaines obedience by his letters written to the gouernors and the Prouinciall counsels This ignominious proscription which the king of Spaine made against the person of William of Nassau prince of Orange did not much aduance his affaires as wee may see by the progresse of the hystorie Many men of great qualitie that were Neuters and good Catholikes did wonder much to see the prince of Parma cause it to bee published and printed seeing that he could not passe without an answere which would touch both the king of Spaine and him to the quicke For as soone as the prince of Orange had seene a coppie thereof hee made an Apologie the which hee caused to bee printed in diuers seuerall languages and did dedicat and present it to the generall Estates of the countries of the Netherlands assembled in the towne of Delft vpon the thirteenth day of December to whom he submitted his authoritie life and goods and made them judges of his seruice and answere whereof I will make a briefe recitall Touching the point of ingratitude wherewith hee doth charge him for his aduancement to the succession of his cousin Rene of Chalon prince of Orange hee said That therein hee was not bound neither to the emperour nor to the king of Spaine for that hee was his fathers brothers sonne and that hee might giue him his lands in Bourgoigne and the principalitie of Orange by his last will and testament according to the priuiledges of Burgoigne called the French countie whereas they may freely giue their lands by testament to whom they please and yet the said king Philip detained them from him wherin he had beene wronged to the value of two millions of gulderns He also complained of the sentence giuen against him for the seigniory of Chasteaubellin the arrerages whereof amounted to 3 hundred and fiftie thousand gulderns And touching the principalitie of Orange he said That no man had any thing to say thereunto for that hee held it of no prince whatsoeuer but was his owne freely without any superiour soueraigne and that in regard of that principalitie hee had no need of any princes friendship and fauour but of the king of France Then he shewed what seruices his predecessors of the house of Nassau had done to the house of Austria First cont Engelbert his great vncle with the baron of Roemont wonne the battel of Guynegast for the emperour Maximilian with many other great and notable seruices Then followed his vncle Henrie of Nassau who in a manner had planted the imperiall diadem vpon the emperour Charles his head he beeing absent in Spaine and the princes electors making often motion to send for the king of France to make him emperour wherein hee was such an iustrument as Charles inioyed that dignitie whereof there could no tokens of thankfulnes be shewed on Spaines behalfe as other kings and princes had done and were yet to bee seene by some peeces of ordnance which the king of Hongarie had giuen to his ancestors as a testimonie of their valour and seruice against the Turke the which were forcibly taken out of their house in Breda by the duke of Alua. After him followed prince Rene who restored the losse which the emperour Chales the fift had sustained by the ouerthrowe of an armie and recouered him the duchie of Gueldres and in the end died at his feet in his seruice Saying moreouer that prince Philibert of Chalon had alone in a maner gotten him the duchy of Milan and the kingdom of Naples and with the duke of Bourbon assured him Rome keeping the pope prisoner And whereas he proclaimed him to be a villaine and a traitour he desired him to tell what villaines and who they were at whose commaundement the cardinall Granuelle should haue poisoned the emperour Maximilian the second and that he knew what the said emperor had said vnto him and how that he after that time had so much respected the king and the Spaniards as he durst not after that make profession of the reformed religioÌ which he notwithstanding held to be the best Touching the gouernments honours and titles which had beene giuen him by the emperour and the king he said they had beene exceeding chargeable vnto him hauing spent aboue an hundred and fiftie thousand florins without any recompence and that beeing generall of the armie he receiued but three hundred gulderns the moneth which was not sufficient for them that pitched his tents Touching the order of the Golden Fleece he faith That he had beene chosen by the chapter of the said order that he was most beholding to the brothers of that order for the same Saying moreouer That the king himselfe was fallen from that dignitie in that he had broken the oath which he had taken by the death of the earles of Egmont and Horne the marquesse of Berghes and baron of Montigny all knights whose proces ought not to haue been iudged but by the knights of the same order as had beene seene in Philip duke of Burgoignes time by Iohn lord of Luxembourg And for that he was of the counsel of state he said That he had often refused it but that the cardinall of Granuelle and others had laboured to haue him called onely to assist them with his authoritie with the people And whereas his mariage with the ladie Charlotte of Bourbon was obiected vnto him as dishonourable in respect of her profession he answeres That the duke of Montpenser her father a prince who was an earnest Romish Catholike was very wel pleased therewith and in like manner all the princes allied to his second wife had giuen their consents neither had he concluded the said mariage rashly nor without good premeditation the which although she were an abbesse was held lawfull by the opinions and iudgements of learned diuines and lawyers and therefore no iust cause why the king
of Spaine should take any exception a cepted He complained of the reuolting of the male-content Wallons who had taken vpon them to make warre against their vnited friends contrarie to their oths at such a time when the forreine souldiers and the enemie should haue beene driuen out of the countrey and the towne of Mastricht releeued He likewise complained of the reuolted noblemen and gentlemen who being descended of noble houses and antient families should discouer their lightnesse and inconstancie First seruing the duke of Alua and the great Commander like mercenarie slaues and making warre against him after that they reconciled themselues vnto him and became enemies to the Spaniards When Dom Iohn came into the countrey they followed him serued him and practised the princes ruine Dom Iohn hauing failed of his enterprise at Antuerpe they forsake him and call in the prince whom presently they abandon againe and without any counsell or aduice send in all hast for the arch duke Mathias whom they presently left and without his priuitie called in the duke of Aniou promising him wonders But seeing they could not persuade him to be their head against the Estates and them of the religion they forsake him and ioyne with the prince of Parma and their enemies whose counsellors they had so long held prisoners which shewed their lightnesse and inconstancie Whereas they obiected That he had made himselfe to be chosen by force and tumult gouernor of Brabant he shewed that he had refused it and that in regard of the lieutenant generals place he would not accept thereof without the consent of the commanders that were in the armie which they sent him signed vnder their hands The gouernment of Flanders he also refused notwithstanding the instance that was made vnto him by the foure members of the countrey And whereas this proscription found the vnion of Vtrecht of very hard disgestion he said There was no better remedie against the disunion of the male-contents than this vnion and no surer antidote against the poyson of discord than concord Confessing that he had procured aduanced and sought to entertaine it As touching the receit of money hee said he neuer medled therewith And the rest of the accusations as the chasing away of the nobilitie hypocrisie distrust and the offers that were made him being of lesse importance he refuted At the last he came to the sentence of banishment saying That al those stormes of thunder and lightning did not amaze him and that if any Spaniard or other affected to them of what qualitie or condition soeuer had said or should say as this infamous proscription had published that he is a traitor and a villaine had spoken falsely and against the truth And although the vse of water and fire was forbidden him yet he would vse the same so long as God should giue him leaue And touching the twentie fiue thousand crownes with recompence of gentry and pardon for all offences promised to him that should attempt to murder or poyson him hee said That he doubted not but God had and would preserue him so long as he pleased wherin his enemies had shewed their basenesse that not able to vanquish him by the due course of arms they seeke dishonourably to murder or poison him And although hee feared it not yet if it should so happen which he hoped God would not permit he said there was not so meane a gentleman to be found in any nation where they knew what belonged to gentrie that would eat and conuerse with such a wicked and infamous villaine as had murdered any man for money And that if the Spaniards esteemed such for gentlemen and that men by such meanes were aduanced to honour in Castile he said That it was no maruel if all the world beleeued that the most part of the Spaniards especially those that held themselues nobles and gentlemen descended from the Moores and Iews and obserue that good qualitie as ingrafted in them from their forefathers that betrayed our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ and gaue Iudas money to deliuer him vnto them that they might crucifie him For which cause he said he would beare that misfortune the more patiently if it so fell out Wherefore hee gaue the States to vnderstand that their peace and quiet depended vpon his death for that so long as hee was among them their warres should neuer haue end and therefore he wished that his death might free them from the miseries which his life procured the which should be a sweet and acceptable death vnto him That for their cause hee had suffered his lands and goods to be taken from him lost his brethren yea and his sonne and yet hee desired to purchase their freedome and libertie with his bloud and that if they thought it fit and conuenient they should presently command the same saying That his head was readie ouer which no prince nor potentat had any command but onely they whereof they might dispose as it pleased them for their welfare But if they thought good still to vse him and his experience woon by continuall toile and trauell together with his life and goods hee was desirous to imploy himselfe in theirs and the Netherlands seruice wherein he desired their resolution Whereunto the generall Estates vpon the seuenteenth of December made answer as followeth The generall Estates hauing not long since seene a certaine proscript made and published by the enemie against your Excellencies person whereby they seeke to charge you with some slanderous and vnworthy crimes thereby to bring you into hatred as if by vnlawfull meanes and practises your Excellencie should haue sought the dignities and gouernments which you now enioy and withal abandoning your person as a prey to them that would bereaue you of your life and thereby depriue you of your honour Hauing in like sort seene the answer made thereunto by your Excellencie wee find That for as much as concerneth the Netherlands it is plaine and manifest that the aforesaid crimes and false imputations are vniustly laid vpon you And touching the place of Lieutenant generall the particular gouernments which your Excellencie now enioyeth that a lawful choice and election being made of you you would not haue accepted thereof but at our earnest intreaties and desires and haue still continued therein at our requests with the full consent and liking of the countrey seeking the same at your Excellencies hands with intreatie still to continue and hold the same promising all helpe aid and assistance not sparing any of their meanes together with all obedience vnto your Excellencie And for that the said Estates are well sufficiently assured of your Excellencies good and true seruice done vnto the Netherlands and which from henceforth they expect and attend of you they offer and present vnto your Excellencie a cornet of horsemen for the better safetie and guard of your person desiring you to accept thereof from them who acknowledge themselues bound to
weake resolutions they would fall the yeare following into greater inconuenience than before The which would happen said he for that not any one of them in particular did thinke that this warre did concerne his life goods wife children and posteritie seeking rather their priuat profit than the publike and withall euerie man refused to furnish money according as he is taxed without the which neither he nor any man liuing can make warrè Not that he demanded the mannaging of the money which they knew hee neuer had nor euer desired wherewith some calumnious persons whose knowledge is better would taxe him but he had thought it good to admonish them hereof that they might discerne and prouide for that which was common to them all seeing it hath beene hitherto obserued the which they could not preuent that not only euery prouince but euery towne hath his counsell of warre his troups and his treasure apart True it was they had appointed a generall and head counsell but without authoritie or power for where there is neither authoritie respect nor obedience how is it possible to settle any good order in militarie discipline in the reuenues treasure iustice or policie and in all other things concerning an estate Being impossible that such a counsell can haue any authoritie or respect when as they cannot dispose of a penie as neither he nor that high counsell neuer yet could To conclude said hee behold the fault and the inconuenience which had hitherto detained them and wherein they continued the which as he had formerly prophesied vnto them would be the cause of their ruine if God by his mercie did not preuent it He therefore intreated them to consider well of that point and to call them that vnderstood it to the end the blame might not be laid vpon him But if they would take a good course and foresee it in time they shold find by the effects as he is bound that he would not spare any thing that is in his power Wherein they should striue the more seeing that his gouernment extends but to the end of Ianuarie and that for the present there was no other to gouerne but himselfe and to order all things with all conuenient speed This speech of the prince although it were truly and sincerely deliuered yet wrought it small effect some prouinces being of opinion the warre should be referred to the prince and the counsell of State others said that they must stay their resolution vntil the comming of the duke of Aniou For the hastening whereof the seignior of S. Aldegonde and doctor Iunius bourgmaster of Antuerpe were sent into England The princes of Orange and Espinoy with the other chiefe noblemen of the countrey going to attend him at Middlebourg in Zeeland there to receiue him In the meane time the townes of Doccum Sloten Staueren with the Nyeuwe-zyel in the countrey of Friseland being fortified for the Estates the seigniour of Merode gouernour of that quarter thought it good to giue order for the seuen Forrests and to hold them better assured Whereupon hee commaunded monsieur Nienwenoort a knight to fortifie the Borough of Oldenborne and to lodge there with six companies of foot Colonell Verdugo gouernour of Groningue for the king of Spaine went therefore the 24 of Ianuarie thinking to dislodge him but seeing himselfe so roughly entertained by the sallies of them of the garrison hearing of the preparation which the Estates made to succour it he retired not without losse for the knight Nienwenoort fell vpon his rereward the which he defeated his men carrying away a great spoyle and many prisoners Some time after the places of Brouckhorst and Keppel yeelded to the Spaniard Colonell Norris who was then in Friseland besieged them but hee preuailed nothing The duke of Aniou as we haue said gone the first of Nouember into England beeing accompanied by the prince Daulphin sonne to the duke of Montpenser the earles of Laual son to the lord d' Andelot S. Aignan and Chasteauroux the seigniours d' Espruneaux Feruaques Bacqueuille Cheualier Breton Theligny and others whither also came the seignior of Inchy gouernor of Cambray He was entertained with great pompe and state by the Queen where hauing spent three moneths in great pleasure and delight hee departed from London the first of Februarie being accompanied by the Queene who conducted him towards Douer And the eight day following after leaue taken and that the Queene had recommended the affaires of the Netherlands vnto him counselling him to gouerne them mildly and aduising him aboue al to win the hearts of the people and of the nobilitie and to vse their counsel assuring him that in so doing his estate would haue a good foundation and be durable In the end he imbarked in the Queens ships which attended him being accompanied in his voiage by the earle of Leicester the lord Charles Howard admirall of England and the baron of Honsdon all three Knights of the Garter and of her Maiesties counsell To whom she gaue charge to say vnto the prince of Orange and other noblemen and the Estates of the Netherlands That the seruice they should do vnto the said Duke shee would hold it and repute it as done vnto her owne person There were also many other English noblemen in his companie as the lord Willoughby Sheffeld Windsore and many knights as Sir Philip Sidney Shurley Parrat Drury and the sonnes of the lord Howard with diuers other knights and gentlemen of account with a goodly traine of seruants richly appointed with the which the Duke arriued at Flessingue the tenth of Februarie whereas the princes of Orange and Espinoy and the chiefe nobilitie with the deputies of the Estates went to receiue him after that they had long attended his comming The said princes and noblemen put twice to sea in a small boat to goe and salute him but they could not get aboord his ship nor come neere it so as hee tooke his long boat to go to land whereas the prince of Orange imbracing his thigh said That hee held himselfe verie happie to see that desired day when as he might offer vnto him his most humble seruice all his meanes his person and his life hoping that he should be the only cause that the Netherlands after so long sufferance should in the end be freed Whereupon the Duke hauing imbraced him the prince of Espinoy and the other chiefe noblemen answered in few words and very modestly Thanking them verie heartily for the honor they did him I did obserue at his landing being then present an houshold seruant to the prince of Orange that the duke going out of the boat to step on land tript a little with the right foot and might haue fallen into the water if he had not beene held Some discoursed afterwards of this small mishap and tooke it for an ill presage Being entred into the towne of Flessingue when he could not in a maner see any thing for the
vnto them than the Spaniards or French seeing they know well that the said Wallons haue the chiefe charges and commands one beeing lieutenant of the armie another generall of the horse the third master of the ordnance and the fourth generall of the victuals and munition And whereas some imagine that treating with the male contents and the Spaniard retired they shall bee more assured to recouer their free traffique into Spaine and that the Spaniard being farre from them they shall be in lesse feare of surprise than of the French who are neerer neighbours Seeing it is so as they hold the French an enemie in the same degree with the Spaniard experience hath taught by this attempt newly happened that whensoeuer the French shall haue committed any errour or broken the accord what support they shall find But the condition of the Spaniard is otherwise for hauing not onely the countrey the townes and the dismembred States at his commandement beeing in warre against the vnited States hauing the chiefe members thereof professed Spaniards hee shall not need many Spaniards nor Italians to subiect them to his will those which are borne in the countrey imploying themselues with al violence vnder the kings authoritie which they haue in their hands whereby the inhabitants shal be easily supplanted depriued of their religion and consequently burthened with the yoke of the Inquisition and spoyled of their goods priuiledges and freedoms notwithstanding their treaties without all mercie Wherefore we must consider that the Spaniards are neerer than the French beeing seated in the middest of both for which consideration hee sees no reason to hearken to the Spaniard if you wil not see religion liberties yea and the country lost ruined for euer In regard of the duke of Aniou whom hee would not denie according to the treatie of Bourdeaux to be fallen from all his rights in these parts and that he hath no ground to challenge any benefit by the sayd treatie whereby it appeares what foolish and pernitious counsell hee hath followed considering also the feare in the which both hee and his haue beene since this attempt the which should make him more wise and circumspect to preserue himselfe and his nobilitie beeing not the part of a wife and circumspect man to stumble twice at one stone that it is common to all men to erre the which may happen vnto them if they doe not reconcile themselues with him whereby may grow so great a iealousie and distrust betwixt the two nations as afterwards there will bee small meanes to reconcile them Finally it were to bee feared that they which are about his person would counsell him or that they vnder his authoritie would attempt something against religion Hee said also That he knew well that some among them thought it not good to agree with one that was not of their religion for certaine considerations Whereupon they were to consider that the duke held many good townes in his hands the which in case they reiected him he might deliuer vp vnto their enemies seeing that of himselfe hee should haue no meanes to preserue them whereby many other good townes should fall into great danger especially the enemy being master of the field It was in like manner to bee feared that if they did incense the duke they should also haue the French king for their enemie who would bee more heauie vnto them than any other whereby they should bee in danger to loose their nauigation both into Spaine and France and also to bee sodainely inuaded by two mightie enemies As for the queene of England although he doubts not but shee will disauow the dukes fact yet will she be sorie for the great recommendation and good testimonie shee hath giuen of him to the Estates but when shee shall vnderstand that it is by their faults that these breaches are not repaired and that they would not reconcile themselues againe vnto him her Maiestie will take this refusall in verie ill part They must also consider how few friends they shall haue elsewhere and how euerie one will abandon them And it is to bee feared that if they agree not with the duke the French will presently lay all passages open to the Spaniard not onely for their victuals munition messengers embassadors gold and siluer but euen for whole armies both of horse and foot which shall quite ruine them so as they may iudge if it doth import them or not On the other side they should make a strict examination of their meanes if they be able to defend themselues and to raise the siege of Eindouen or of any other townes besieged as when they were supported by the dukes forces for the doing whereof they had want of good captaines and souldiers of their owne nation not onely for that the warre hath consumed many but also for that their countries were small and that the most part were retired or might retire to the Spaniard whom they had beene accustomed to serue Besides the greatest part of the people are more giuen to traffique and to handie trades than to armes wherefore it should be needfull to call in forreine souldiers which would cost much to leuie to bring hither and to entertaine so as hauing once resolued you must rather trust them of the religion than any other And as for money euerie one knew how troublesome it had bin hitherto to prouide it onely to pay their garrisons so as it is a wonder how for want of good paiment they could euer maintaine their souldiers so well without mutining seeing that money is the sinew of warre without the which all other prouisions are vnprofitable praying vnto God to send them meanes to recouer it The which hauing well resolued hee propounded vnto them an order which they should hold as well in the gouernement as in the mannaging of militarie and politike affaires euerie one maintaining himselfe in his ranke all which notwithstanding should bee without fruit if money fayles Whereupon he did exhibit vnto them a list of the charges of the warre monethly the which beeing not effectually followed and obserued their Estate could not subsist Of the three points aboue mentioned hee confest freely vnto them that hee had alwayes held the third to bee the best so farre forth as they had meanes to which end hee had laboured foure whole yeares to induce the prouinces thereunto vnder a good and firme vnion and yet had preuailed nothing But seeing they had made shew that they would not yeeld vnto it or that they had not the meanes to do it it was thought good by themselues to seeke the succours of some forreine prince And if any one thought to attaine vnto it by the proper meanes of the countrey without putting in practise the order prescribed and limited by him considering the slownesse of their resolutions hee should preuaile no more than he that thinkes to build a castle in the aire and in the meane time he should expose many townes and
that the list of conuoyes by the generall estates might bee augmented as much as possible might be Lastly touching the nominating of the counsellers of estate they should haue a regard that nothing should therein bee added nor altered to the deminishing of the authoritie that belonged to his Excellencie touching the choosing of one in euery Prouince to sit in the counsell of estate dated in the Hage the 24. of Nouember 1586. This act of restraint did afterwards cause great iealousie and dislike to grow it being once knowne and thereby procured great hurt and preiudice to the Netherlands and to the Earle of Leicester himselfe much disquietnesse as here-after you shall heere Before the Earle of Leicester went out of the Netherlands hee caused his image oâ⦠picture at life to be made of pure golde waighing three or foure ounces a peece to giue vnto his friends to weare it in remembrance of him vpon the one side was his picture excellently well made with an Inscription Robertus Comes Leicestrie in Belgia Gubernator 1587. On the other side there was a flocke of sheepe feeding whereof some were scattered abroad and before them a faire English Dogge looking about for the sheepe and many sheepe following him and round about it was grauen Non gregem sed ingratos and vnder the Dog was written Inuitus defero In September Anthonie Perrenot Cardinall of Granuelle first of all Bishop of Arras and afterwards Archbishop of Macklyn dyed in Spaine hauing many riche Abbaies and benefices he was borne the twentie of August 1517. sonne to Nicholas Perrenot Lord of Granuell one of the chiefe Councellors to the Emperor Charles the fift This Cardinall by the quicknesse of his witte being very ambitious would gouerne the Netherlands alone and ouer-rule the Dutchesse of Parma that was Gouernesse and the Princes and Lords of the Kings councell of State at his pleasure whereby there grew iealousies and factions among the great men which were couered afterwards with the cloake of religion so as to redresse it or it may bee to bee better serued with his councell the King called him out of the sayd countries into Spaine where hee did farre worse offices then if hee had remained in the Netherlands for hee did so debase the countrey and disgrace the Princes and Noblemen vnto the King as by his vnmeasured ambition with the hatred hee bare them and his desire to bee reuenged of them hee was to speake plainely the onely Anuill whereon all the miseries of these countries were forged the which doe yet continue vnto this day of whose life and actions wee haue discoursed at large in the eight Booke of this Historie The Earle of Maeurs was gone into Germanie to make a leuie of Reisters which they attended with great deuotion in the Estates campe before Zutphen with the which hee came downe as farre as Bremen in the East countrey whether the Estates had sent a great summe of money for their pay These Reistres beeing come to the Rendez-vous and place of muster the Rytmaisters began to mutine for their pay for the seruice which they had not yet done The Duke of Parma whose father was newly dead hearing thereof sent certaine troupes into the countrey of Linghen to incounter them and if it might bee to doe them an affront At which place some of these Germanie horse went to the Spanish party and the rest disbanded and retired into their countrey so as the Earle was left alone with the Cornet of the Rytmaster Plettenberg and not daring returne into Holland by land being too weake to make his way by force through the enemie being assured that hee should bee charged hee imbarked with the rest of his men Some Princes of Germanie in whose countries these mutines had beene leuied were wonderfully incensed against them for this base act and punished some Gentlemen as well by prison as otherwise by way of infamie and degradation of name honor and armes hearing that they had not wanted any pay seeing there was money sufficient the which was sent back into Holland The Duke of Parma hauing auoyded this storme and disperst these troopes of Germaine horse without fighting which the Estates had expected with such great deuotion hee caused his forces to returne neere vnto Zutphen and commanded to take vp all the corne in the countrey there-abouts and to carry it into the Towne the which was easie to bee done the Earle of Leicester hauing retired all his armie vnto the other side of the riuer vpon the veluwe about the great Fort which hee had taken before right against the Towne into the which hee had put three and twenty companies Wallons and naturall Dutches of the countrey the which were soone after cast and reduced to sixe Ensignes what the cause was I could neuer yet learne All this summer the drought was very great throughout all the Prouinces vnder the King of Spaines obedience which caused an extraordinary dearth of coâ⦠for the corne being twise or thrise sowne as soone as euer the blade began to appeare aboue ground it was presently eaten in one night by a kinde of little graye snailes which in the day time hid themselues in the ground by reason of the great heate of the sunne and fed onely in the night the which I haue seene by experience returning in the night time to my house at Tyl in Flanders whereas all the wayes were so full as they caused a loââ¦thing-in them that went vpon them by reason of their slimie viscositie which made men beleeue that it was a punishment sent from God It hath not beene read of in former histories nor seene since that generally in whole countries a measure of wheate waighing two hundred pounds should bee worth forty fiue Florins in the market And as this drought continued aboue a whole yeare betwixt the yeare 1586. and 87. so as in that of 87. they had three pounds of beefe for one of bread many poore people dyed for hunger and want as well in Arthois which is a great corne countrey as in Flanders where the plague was very violent and withall they were much tormented with Wolues which deuoured men women and children by hundreds so as Flanders was afflicted this yeare with famine plague and with sauage and cruell beasts At that time the Estates to keepe the Esterlings from bringing of any graine into the sayd countries hauing aduertisment that there were certaine ships laden with corne at Hambrough to be transported to Dunkerke they sent some ships of warre vnder the command of Captaine Ludt Iacobsen otherwise called the Great Luth of the towne of Medenblyke in West Friseland towards the riuer of Elbe to stop the passage The said Captaine was sent for to Hambrough before the Magistrate where beeing demanded what made him presume to enter into their riuer to stoppe their nauigation and traficke He answered freely that hee had beene sent by his Masters
to go forth with his men to doe some exployt vpon the enemy whome hee had descouered Being gone forth he returned presently before day bringing with him Collonel Taxis with three Companies of foote and three of horse marching directly to the market place where they put them-selues in battayle after that Taxis had placed gardes in all parts of the towne the which was don so stilly and with so smale brute as the townes-men heard not any thing or if they did they thought it had beene their garrison so as at the breake of day they found they were Spaniards Some among the Protestants were so terrefied as fearing a massaker they cast themselues from the toppe of the walles to saue themselues Taxis hauing placed all his gards began to bee more assured for before hee was not without great distrust hauing with so few men trusted vnto Stanleys word and thrust him-selfe into a towne where there was a good garrsion and a number of braue Bourgers well armed where hee might haue beene taken like a mouse in a trappe Being thus assured hee presently caused it to bee proclaymed at the sound of the trompet that all men might remaine freely within the towne without any wrong done them either in bodie or goods lyuing in the Romish Religion and vnder the King of Spaines obedience Herevpon Stanley made his excuse both to the magistrats and the soldiars and sought to iustifie this trecherous fact saying that he neither was nor could be accoumpted atraitor in respect that hee had done no wrong vnlesse they would hold it treason to deliuer the towne to the King of Spaine to whome of right it did belong being long before moued therevnto as he said in conscience alledging many other such like reasons saying more-ouer that if any of his soldiars would serue there they should be well payed by a most bountifull king and the rest might freely depart where-vpon many but most of them Irish-men staid with him euery one hauing a monetââ¦es pay giuen him and presently the Bourgers were disarmed and likewise suffred to depart with Taxis pasport among the which there wore two Preachers The Bourgers houses were not spoyled that they might draw other townes to doe the like onely a few were ransackt among the which the preachers houses were not spared Stanleys regiment was disperst into sondry garrisons and hee himselfe was left still gouernor of Deuenter At the same time Rouland Yorke being made gouernor of the great Sconse before Zutphen by the earle of Leicester wholy against the liking of the Estates with eight hundred foote and a hundred horse did in like sort sel it to the Spaniard This Yorke had long before serued vnder the States although not with the best credit In Gant hee had beene Lieutenant Collonell to Iohn van Imbise with whome he had conspired to betray Gaunt and Dermond to the Prince of Parma for the which Imbise was beheaded and hee sent prisoner to Brusselles where at the last by the taking of the towne he was set at liberty and after that imployed by the Duke of Parma vppon the water in the riuer Scheld at the bridge before Antwerp at length by the meanes of friends he was reconciled and returned into England with credit and from thence came with the Earle of Leicester into Holland and there was so recommended by Sir Philip Sydney as the Earle of Leicester his vncle put him in great credit and gaue him this gouernment of the Sconse who the same day that Deuenter was battered told his soldiars that it would bee but lost labour for them to stay there wishing them rather to take pay of the King of Spaine where-vpon his soldiars tore their collours in peeces and two Duch companies with some others went away euery man where he pleased but Yorke went to Zutphen where he receiued a reward from the King and for a time kept company with Sir William Stanley but without any credit and there not long after dyed very miserablie and so Taxis like-wise got the sconce Thus the credulity and light beleefe of the Earle of Leicester was the cause of the losse of this goodly and strong towne of Deuenter which is one of the Hans townes and of that important fort of Zutphen the which the sommer before had cost so much to winne and fortefie It was not without cause if they began to murmure against the Earle of Leicester hauing at his very departure placed these two gallants in such important gouernments It was no maruell then if the Noblemen Collonels and gentlemen of the vnited Prouinces were discontented and complained vnto the Earle of Leicester to see them-selues reiected to aduance such traitors to the gouernment of such important places as Stanley Yorke and Patton were of whome wee will speake here-after After the losse of this towne of Deuenter and of the fort of Zutphen the Estates of the vnited Prouinces were much perplexed fearing that all the English garrisons which lay in any other townes and forts would doe the like and deale with them as the French in the time of the Duke of Aniou and Brabant had determined to doe all in one day On the Sonday morning being the first of February the councell of estate being assembled to prouide for their affaires and to preuent the alterations which the losse of Deuenter and the forts before Zutphen might cause thether came the generall estates and the aduocate Barnevelt for their part who declared in their names that considering the necessitie and in what termes the State then stood they held it more then necessary that the Gouerners of Prouincesshould go into their Gouernments there to command by vertue of their commissions And that to hasten the departure of the Earle of Maeurs they had resolued concerning the Ritmaisters as should be seene by the contents of the contract made with them and the means which they had set downe for their paie Secondly that maters concerning the Admiralty might be redrest and ordred for the Gouernment of sea causes as the seruice of the country should require the affaiers of estate being in very great disorder for want of good gouernment where-vpon words grew of either side tending to accusations and excuses Barnevelt saying Is this the way to serue the country where-vnto the Lord of Brederode answered that if they were not contented with the seruices and toyle which the Lords of the councell tooke but they must daily receyue bad words and reproches as if they were subiects and slaues they might seeke for others that would subiect them-selues to their slanders and continuall exclamations Hee was also demanded wherein it was so ill gouerned and ordered and what were the causes there of Barnevelt like a man full of passion and choller answered that it was the councell of the Cabinet where-as many things were done which none but they of the councell knew as of late appered by the Act of restraint which was made
cause a great number of Gentlemen Marchants Countrie people and others to the number of some three thousand strong beeing assembled at Berghen in the countrie of Iuilliers to goe to a Fare as then to bee holden at Cologne with many Wagons and great store of marchandise were set vpon by the souldiars of the garrisons of Bobert and Ghenadeneal most part of them were Spaniards seruing vnder the Bishoppe of Colen which conuoie beeing as I say three thousand strong had deuided themselues into three partes and had with them about the number of a hundred and fiftie souldiars out of Iuilliers to conuoy them who marching in good order with their Cartes and Waggons by ãâã not aboue halfe a mile from Colen were by the garrisons aforesayd assailed and set vpon charging them that were in fore-front and killing all that made any resistance vpon which alarme the second troupe comming on to ayde the first were all likewise slaine and spoiled three hundred of them at least lying dead and scattered here and there in the waie men women and children gentlemen and diuers others were most cruellie murthered not respecting nor regarding any man whatsoeuer and all they had was taken from them They that escaped fled to Colen many hundreds of them beeing sore hurt and wounded this warre beeing a thing taken in hand by the towne of Colen more of selfe-will then for any reason they had onelie because they would not suffer their Bishoppe and chiefe Commander Truxis to marry a wife and yet could indure not without great speech and clamor that their new elected Bishoppe should keepe and entertaine many other mens wiues and concubines this murther and spoile made vpon the people traueling in this sort was much complained of but no redresse nor punishment ensued The like disorders and insolencies were committed in many other places of the countrie for that the Earle of Niewenard Sir Martin Schenck and captaine Cloet made many roades into diuers places and almost vpon all the townes of Westphalia and the Diocese of Colen burning and spoiling all the countrie round aboute whereby at one time there might haue beene seene standing vpon the walles of Collen at the least fiftie villages and places on fire altogither besides the robbing spoyling and murthers by the high-waies which was committed by their owne souldiars that ranne through the countrie spoyling and wasting all the townes and villages In this great perplexitie there was a generall assemblie of the Estates held on the sixt daie of February at the Hage to redresse their affaires least they should growe desperate Wherefore by vertue of the authoritie which they had reserued to themselues they commanded Prince Maurice of Nassau sonne to the deceased Prince of Orange their Gouernor whome from the death of his father they had taken care to bring vp to take vpon him in the absence of the Earle of Leicester at that time Gouernor generall the managing of the Gouernment with the councell of Estate commanding all Collonels Captaines and Officers especially those that were in pay vnder the Generallity of the sayd Prouinces and not of the Queene of Englands to take an oth of sidelitie and obedience vnto the sayd Prince Maurice as vnto their captaine generall sending their deputies to that end into all partes to receiue the oth Not that they ment thereby any way to blemish or dyminish the Earle of Leicesters authoritie but onelie to settle the sayd Prince Maurice in the particular gouernments of Holland Zeeland and Vtrecht as his father had beene for that by reason of these occurrents some things had beene altered in the sayd Gouernmentes against the constitutions and ancient customes of the sayd countries which by his meanes they would haue restored whereby they might hold the other Estates and townes in good tearmes with them and the English souldiars in their fidelitie and obedience for that some had murmured by reason of the treasons of Stanley and Yorke that they must make a distinction betwixt the good and bad English whome they must not mesure all a like to the end that the faithfull and vertuous from whome long before as from Collonel Norrys and others they had drawne great seruices might not confusedly bee comprehended in the number of wicked men and traitors The Estates seeing this dangerous alteration of their affaires had on the fourth of February written letters of complaint vnto the Queene of England and to the Earle of Leicester with an ample relation of the causes of their complaintes and a representation of the poore estate into the which the vnited Prouinces were reduced and the great and apparent inconueniences if they were not speedily preuented which letters by reason of their tediousnesse I thought good to omit beeing verie ill taken by the Earle of Leicester who thought him-selfe wronged in his honour and reputation making them to seeme distastfull vnto the Queene who beeing better informed by the Councell of State which remained there with the Earle of Leicester hauing in the Generall Estates name made their excuse for their sharpe manner of writing beseeching her gratious Maiestie to impute it to the perplexitie of the time and the griese by them conceiued for the soden losse of Deuenter and of the sconce before Zutphen in the end at the instant request of the Councell of State shee sent the Barron of Buckhorst a Nobleman of her Maiesties priuie Councell and of great authoritie into the vnited Prouinces with Doctor Clarke a ciuill Lawier to the end that with the aduise of Collonel Norris and Maister Wilkes they might pacesie all controuersies and reforme all errors to the best contentment of the parties The Lord of Buckhorst beeing arriued in Holland about the end of March in the assemblie of the generall Estates hee required in the name of the Queene his Mistris a more ample declaration of certaine pointes mentioned in their letter of the fourth of February The estates entred vnwillingly into it and would haue wisht that all those complaints had beene forgotten without any further reuiuing of that wound Notwithstanding seeing that hee vrged it so vehemently they answered by an act of the 17. of Iune first they had complayned that the Earle of Leicester would keepe no order in his gouernment nor take any aduice from the Estates or the councell of States as all precedent gouernors of royall bloud yea the Emperors sister had done in the Nethelands That hauing in his absence committed the gouernment vnto the councell by an act of the twenty three of Nouember 1586 the same day by an other act hee had taken their authorty from them retayning vnto him-selfe all absolute power That hee renewed and changed the seale and counterseale of the vnited Prouinces hauing set his owne armes in the midest of the great seale the counter-seale being onely of his armes which neuer any Gouernors had done That vnder collour of piety and relligion hee beleeued flatterers and liars who had taxed the
ouer and aboue the charges disbursed for the maintenance of the shipps of warre a defensiue warr might be well maintayned and withall an army for certaine moneths euery yeare brought into the field so as the managing of the mony and contriââ¦utions might not be committed to priuate persons but to the noble councell of estate All this was presented by some vnto her Maiesty in manner of a declaration and that there ought no peace be spoken of as being altogether vncertaine and that the propositions of peace might be a meanes to seperate and breed diuision in in the vnited Prouinces as euery one by the first reconciliation would pretend their owne furtherance that the collonels captaines and soldiars would euery one seeke to be the first should make his composition and that the king of Spaine would gladly make peace with the vnited Prouinces that so he might with more ease ouer-runne and conquer England and that the kindome of England although it had many enemies by reason of the goodly scituation gneeded not to feare him much hauing Holland Zeland and Freezland for friends but the great number of shippes and saylers and the welth of the said Prouinces being ioyned with Spaine were dangerous for England as it appeared the last yeare by the bringing in of so many ships laden with corne of what power they are at sea and how they stop the riuers of Elbe and Ems with other hauens shewing allso what great meanes they had to impeach the trade of marchandize and the free venting of the English clothes and other commodities And if they were able to doe so much now being in a manner forsaken of all the world what will they doe when they shall bee ioyned to the power countenance and authority of the King of Spaine which would strike a great feare into Denmarke and other countryies and therfore they concluded that her Maiesty should do well not to forsake the vnited Prouinces neither yet to discomfort them least they should be constrayned to make a priuat peace The Queene of England finding that these diuisions partialities betwixt the Estates and the Earle of Leicester increased daily more and more sence his departure out of England into Holland she resolued to call him home into England and to make him giue ouer his gouernment In the meane time the councell of the estates laboured to make a reconciliation betwixt them whereof they were in great hope and to that end had written to the Earle of Leicester But the Queenes Maiesty all matters set a part sent for the Earle to come into England who before hee had receiued the said letter from the councell of estate did write vnto the generall estates on the 26 of Nouember saying THat he was much greeued that her Maiesty was so displeased with their bad cariage towards him without occasion hauing giuen no aduertisement thereof wherevpon her Maiesty had commanded him by one of her seruants to returne againe into England touching certaine especiall affayers saying that it greeued him much hee had not the meanes while he remayned there to aduenture his person in some seruice for the country as hee desired and had alwaies earnestly pretended protesting before God that hee should depart from thence with a good and a cleare conscience as hauing done no more thââ¦n his quality and place required leauing the rest to be answered by them that openly seeke the ouerthrowe of Gods Church and of so many poore people to satisfie their owne priuat willes and appetites but he ment not thereby to charge well minded men who hee hoped would conforme them-selues to her Maiesties good will and pleasure whome it had pleased to giue so fauorable ayde and assistance to these Prouinces as by the charge which her Maiesty had giuen to her Ambassador a Gentleman of good esteeme well affected to the good of the country more plainely will appeere He could be content to bee a meanes to further their cause to her Maiesty so as they made any accoumpt to hold and esteeme her as a friend according to the contract made with her with that which therevnto belonged as reason requireth vntil that by her Maiesty and a common consent it shall be otherwise determined whervnto he desired their answer with the first And as he found by the contract made with her Maiesty that the Gouernor generall appoynted by her should together with the councell of estate haue the ordring and managing of the chefest causes concerning the estate and the wars therefore he thought it conuenient in his absence that the authority should remaine in the hands of the councell of estate according to the contract where the said ambassador should be resident in her Maiesties name and that all dispatches shall bee signed by the cheefe of them there resident the which should continue vntill it were other wise prouided by her Maiesty wherof he would aduertise them with al conuenient speed and for the command of the English forces vnder the Queenes pay her Maiesty had appointed the Lord Willoughby to whome he had giuen in charge to hold good correspondency with them with the councell of the state and other commanders so he referred them to that which Maister Harbert had in her Maiesties behalfe to shew them Subscribed Your good friend ROBERT LEICESTER THis letter came vnto the Estates hands the second of December where-vpon the next day after the generall Estates wrot vnto the Earle of Leicester how that they vnderstood of his going into England beseeching him to recommend the estate of the country vnto her Maiesty saying they had written vnto the estates of the particular Prouinces to meet together who for want of sufficient authority were not yet al come at which their meeting they would resolue vpon certaine deputies to be sent into England to deale with her Maiesty about the affaires of the country So within few dayes after the Earle of Leicester departed out of the Netherlands leauing the Lord Willoughby generall of the English forces and Doctor Harbert her Maiesties Ambassador to sollicit the generall Estates toyeeld vnto a peace The Earle of Leicester beeing returned into England the Queene commanded him to resigne his gouernment of the Netherlands into the hands of the generall Estates from wome hee had receiued it the which hee did the seauenteenth of December by an Act vnder his hand as followeth ROBERT Earle of Leicester Baron of Denbighe c. Lieutenant for the Queenes Maiestie of England Gouernor and Captaine generall of the Vnited Prouinces To all to whome these presents shall come greeting As it was her Maiesties pleasure to giue vs the charge to bee her Lieutenant generall of all the forces sent by her for the ayde and assistance of the vnited Prouinces according to a contract made with the Estates concerning the same where-vppon the said generall Estates had also imposed vppon vs the gouernment of the said Prouinces both for matters polliticke
committed many Insolencies and after-wards cast and the resignation of the Earle of Leicesters gouernment being published all factions and partialities began to cease and the generall Estates to recouer their first authority The Captaines of these mutinies in Campuere and Arnemuyden beeing cashierd and discharged from their garrisons by the Estates thought them-selues to be very hardly dealt withall after their long seruice for the which hauing long solicited the Estates who little regarded them In the end in the yeare 1590. they sent a petition vnto the Queene of England shewing the many yeares they had spent in the Estates seruice and how faithfull they had continued till that vpon the seauenth of September 1587. when as the Earle of Leicester went from thence into England they were commanded without an expresse commission from her maiestie or himselfe not to depart out of their garrisons with their soldiers according to their oth of fidelity taken in that case to her Maiestie the Earle of Leicester and the generall Estates with a promise that if the Estates should refuse to pay them that shewing their due obedience to him hee would in the Queenes behalfe giue them their intertainment Where-vppon for the better defending of their towne by the aduice of Sir William Russell they had increased their compââ¦ies twenty fiue and thirty men a peece for the which they receiued money of Sir William Russell to bestow vppon their soldiars all for her Maiesties seruice who by her letters of the twenty foure of February 1588. charged them to credit and to follow the aduice of the said Sir William Russell who had also both by word of mouth and by letters which they shewed desired them to continue constant in their resolution as they had done and were yet ready to liue and dye in her Maiesties seruice After which it pleased her Maiestie by the Lord Willoughby and Sir Henry Killegrey to discharge them of their oth with command to bee obedient vnto the Estates of the vnited Prouinces So as they entred into treaty with Prince Maurice and the Estates which contract was not held with the Captaines her said supplyants but to the contrary they were discharged from their garrisons and their companies entertainments and after-reckonings taken from them and all for the faithfull seruice they had done vnto her Maiestie and so were fallen into disgrace with Prince Maurice and the Estates forgetting all their former seruices whereby they had as then lost all their credits honors and reputations in regard whereof they desired her Maiesties fauor and aid and to bee accepted into her seruice This petition was signed by Captaine Ioos vanden Ende Cor nellis Palant and Peter de Costere the like was made by the other Captaines as Ambrosio le Duck Adrian Ost others all desiring to serue vnder the English Collonels but they obtained small recompence from the Queene who thought it not to stand with her honor to intertaine such Captaines against the liking of the Estates for that her owne English soldiers were by vertue of the contract bound by oth vnto the Estates yet she gaue her Agent commission to intreat the Estates for them and to deale in their behalfes But they will haue their authorities knowne and better obserued by punishing of such offenders for example to others The Estates of the vnited Prouinces beginning now againe to florish in their authorities thereby to resume their superior command as in former times the Earle of Leiceister hauing resigned his place of Gouernor And for that there was scarce any in England fit for such a gouernment in whome did concurre the knowledge to gouerne in ciuill causes to make war against so mighty an enemie wherefore many in England were of aduice to suffer the Netherlands to gouerne and to follow the wars them-selues and the Queene onely to ayd them with money or else to pay her owne soldiers whereby they might maintaine their owne Prouinces in vnitie But others especially such as had intertainment in the Netherlands vnder the Earle of Leicester sought to perswade the Queene that the vnited Prouinces by meanes of the confused gouernment among them decayed dayly more and more and went to ruine so as all her money would be lost and she her selfe left in great hatred with the King of Spaine vnlesse she would take the soueraignty or absolute protection vpon her by her Lieutenant with ful authority but it was hard to finde a Gouernor among them with al quallities fit for such a charge especially for that soone after in Septem the Earle of Leicester dyed of whome there was great hope that he should haue bene sent againe for Gouernor with limited authority some others likewise at the same time were named as the Lord Willoughby hauing then had some experience of those countries the Lord Gray of Wilton and Sir Iohn Norrice but they were not held capable for so great an office of State Yet the Earle of Leicesters fauorites perswaded them-selues that all things would bee well gouerned by some English Gouernor and the Councell of Estate hauing two English Councellors in it certaine Englishmen also in the tresory all vnder the Queenes authority according to the contract made in the yeare 1588. And so they were of opinion that the countries might be well gouerned and incorporated vnder her in some sort acknowledging the generall Estates and the Prouinciall Gouernors especially for the leuying of the contributions But the generall Estates duly weighing all things although at that instant they were ingaged in great difficulties held that kinde of gouernment to be very vncertaine knowing the English to be vnacquainted with the affaires of that State The Queene being a woman and then of good yeares that her maiestie was not ambitious but onely sought to gouerne well and wisely and to secure her selfe and her owne Estate And if that they should rely onely vpon the assistance of her Maiestie her followers who had nothing to loose within their countries they feared that vppon some sodaine disaster they might be scorned abandoned as they were continually threatned when as any thing fell out otherwise then was expected or else they should be perswaded to hearken to a peace contrary to their mindes or haue dayly causes of distrusts giuen the Englishmen seeking all the preferment the Estates being loath to be serui seruorum where-vpon they resolued to continue in their authorities and to maintaine the same as well as they might But newes came dayly of the comming of the Spanish fleete which made both parties to incline to a good vnion in these dangerous times they were incited there-vnto by certaine counters that were made On the one side whereof there was grauen two Oxen plowing parted with the armes of England of the Netherlands with this inscription Trahite aequo iugo That is draw euenly On the other side were two earthen pots driuen vppon the waues of the Sea with this
this inscription vnder the foundation called religion Hac nitimur and ouer the hat of libertie Hanc tuemur as if they would say By the force of truth and vnity grounded vpon religion with the helpe of God we enioye and maintaine our libertie For the generall gouernment of the Prouinces they had a counsell of Estate consisting of gentlemen and lawiers where the Queene of England was to haue two councellers but at that time there was but one which was Maister Thomas Bodley now a Knight and Maister Gilpin Secretarie of the sayd counsell this councell had the ordring of all causes in euery Prouince the generall Estates being not alwaies assembled who commanded ouer this councell of Estate and besides this euerie particular Prouince had their priuate councell After the death of the Prince of Orange they did chuse Prince Maurice Earle of Nassau Gouernor of Holland and Zeeland Admirall of the sea and Lieutenant generall of their forces and Philip Earle of Hohenlo an old souldiar and of great experience his Lieutenant Vtrecht Oueryssel and Gelderland did likewise at that time chuse Prince Maurice for their gouernor William Lodowike Earle of Nassau eldest sonne to Iohn Earle of Nassau was gouernor in Friseland a souldiar of good experience and polliticke Prince Maurice was from his youth trained vp by his father in the warres and in affaires of Estate and was his second sonne his eldest brother Philip William who is now Prince of Orange and Earle of Buren beeing yet kept prisoner in Spaine and for that cause beeing verie fit to supplie the place hee was chosen chiefe Generall and Commander ouer all their forces both by sea and land In matters concerning the land hee was to bee ruled by the aduise of the councell of Estate and touching the sea by the admiralitie and certaine Comities were appointed vnder him when any thing was to bee done concerning the countrie and the limmits of their liberties by whose aduice all causes touching the state were directed in the armie and the particular affaires concerning Gouernment and Pollicie by the Councell of warre chosen out of euerie Regiment and Nation seruing therein And for that Holland was the greatest strongest and mightiest of all the vnited Prouinces therefore many causes which were handled in the councell of Estate were done by the aduise and councell of Iohn van Ouden Barnevelt Lord of Crimpel Aduocate of Holland in regarde of his great wisdome and experience The Netherlanders haue as great meanes to bring in money for the mayntenance of their warres as euer was heard or seene in any Countrie the which is done willingly with a generall consent and with little hurt and preiudice to the Inhabitants and by that meanes the countrie grewe rich mighty and strong for they suffred any thing to bee carried vnto the enemie paying lycense for the same especially such things whereof they had aboundance and superfluitie and that there subiects by making working and carrying it thether may get any thing arysing or abating the rate of the license as they found the enemy to haue neede of their commodities moderating it in such sort as the enemy could not buy it better cheape in any place then of them They suffred the enemy to bring any thing vnto them that they had neede of especially such things as they could not well haue but from thence paying but small custome or lycense mony and contrarywise making them to pay great custome for things which they brought whereof they had no neede hauing still a great regard vnto their trade of marchandise and especially vnto their sea-faring and fishing Besides this they could so well husband their mony and imploy it to the best profit as all Potentates common weales and commanders in the warres might take example by them capitulating with their Collonels Captaines and soldiars as strictly as they could yet alwaies paying them wel which made the captaines to complaine oftentimes for that a captaine seruing vnder the enemy or in other places might reape more benifit by a Company of men then a Collonell vnder the Estates by ten companies but it was vncertaine And for that the vnited Prouinces did pay their men duely and truely there was very good discipline held among their soldiars so as wheresoeuer they past throughout the country they were well vsed and welcome in all places for that they found their necessaries alwaies redy for them the which was truely paied whensoeuer they dislodged to any other place and throughout all the Prouinces they did seuerely punish theeues and such as offred any violence They did not vsually entertaine any great forces but they had old valiant and well disciplined soldiars with the which they did many great exploits At that time they had about twenty thousand foote and two thousand horse besides the Bourgers whom in time of necessity they imployed and paied as soldiars They entertained about a hunderd shippes of warre at sea and within their riuers being all well appointed and whensoeuer they came from any seruice their men were presently to be paid Besides this ordinary charge of shippes saylers and soldiars they tooke order by a generall consent for a certaine prouision of money to be made for the entertayning of an army in the field for certaine monethes in the yeare with ordinance pioners and a supply of soldiars to make an offensiue warre to inlarge their fronters and also to aide the French King with money munition and men both by sea and land The Queene of England also paied to her souldiars in the garrisons of the Brill of Flushing and to those that aided the Estates within the country twelue thousand fiue hundred twenty six pounds starling euery moneth accounting 56. daies to the moneth according to the contract besides extraordinary charges for transportation of souldiars and the apparell both for horse and foote which was yearely to bee prouided By this prouident care and wise gouernment of the Estates and their assistants the vnited Prouinces were exceeding rich and mightie yea in the midest of their greatest warres which commonly makes any countrie poore and miserable and yet they robbed no man at sea but were rather robbed and at land they vsed but the ordinary course of warre and this is euident by their fare great and costly buildings in their townes their strong and great fortifications their aboundance of Ordinance and great numbers of rich and welthie inhabitants who for that their wanted houses for them to dwell in many were forced to dwell in shippes whereof they haue many in that country very sweete faire and necessary for that vse and some townes haue bene constrained to inlarge their walles for the building of more houses with such hauens walles bulwarkes gates and sumptuous workes as it were admirable to bee written the which may well bee seene by many townes from West-friseland along to Walchren in Zeeland In the beginning of this yeare a regiment of Spaniards
a village called Lent on the North side The Dukes armie was great where there wanted no Artillerie the which was commanded by La Motte making their approches the Spaniards lost many men The two and twentie daie of Iulie the batterie beganne with sixe peeces and then with three more so as there were two hundred and thirtie shot made that day and it ceased about seauen of the clocke at night hauing made a small breach a Spanish Ancient mounted being followed by some Irishmen who skyrmished with the beseeged vntill they were forced to retire Prince Maurice hearing that the Spaniard was come into the Betuwe leauing Groning he went thether going downe at Arnhen in Gelderland he past the Rhine there vpon a bridge which he caused to be made with all speed meaning to doe the Spaniard an affront Hauing laid an ambush of horse and foot not farre from the Rhine vnder the conconduct of the Earle of Solms and of Sir Francis Veer Collonell of the English he sent two Cornets to view the Dukes campe who being descouered were charged by six companies of horse among the which the Duke was one who at the first made some shew of resistance but turning their backs sodenly they fled the Spaniards following them vntil they had past the Ambush then they that fled turning head againe they were compassed in of al sides charged so furiously as in a short time they were al defeated or put to rout many were slaine or prisoners among the which were Don Alphonso d' Aualos bastard brother to the Marquis of Guast Don Pedro Francisco Nicilli leading the Duke of Parmas company with his Cornet Cont Ieronimo Manfredi Lieutenant to Don Ieronimo Caraffas company with his Cornet captaine Padilla was sore hurt whereof hee died in Arnhem the Seignior of Lievin brother to the Lord of Famas of the company of Biasio Capesuca and Anthony d' Agina a Spaniard with many Italien Gentlemen slaine vpon the place and aboue two hundred and fifty horse taken The Duke of Parma being in a high place within Nymeghen did with his owne eyes see this defeat of his men The newes wherof being come vnto the campe the whole army was so amazed knowing the Prince Maurice was come thether in person hearing that the ships of Holland were comming downe to shut them in as without any stay they trust vp their baggage and left the seege of Knotsenbourg abandoning two peeces of ordinance which they could not carry away and some great boats which were sonke The Duke parted the 26. of Iuly with his sonne Rene or Raynutius Farneze being newly come out of Italy excusing him-selfe as well as he could and making faire promises to them of Nymegen who at his departure gaue him some skoffing tawnts and hauing left his army vnder the command of Verdugo in a village called Cranenbourg he went to the Spaw abandoning Nymegen as despayring to succor it whereof the States made their profit soone after They of Collogne desiring to entertayne a neutrality and to liue in amity and good neighbourhood with the general estates of the vnited Prouinces sent their deputies to the Hage in Holland in August where-vpon an answer was made them in writing the 19. of September That the estates desired nothing more then to entertaine amity and good correspondency with them of Cologne as well in generall as in particular so as they medled not in any sort with their warres nor with that which depended thereon and so doing there should be no hinderance nor wrong don to any persons goods nor marchandise of the inhabitants of the said towne and contry of Cologne whereof commandement should bee giuen to all the garrisons of the vnited Prouinces The Estates also intreating them of Collogne to bee fauorable to the Lady Walburge Contesse of Meurs and Nyeuwenart in her affayers considering the wrong which their Bishoppe and Prince Earnest of Bauaria did her in the detention of her rents and reuenues lying within his diocese The said estates did in like manner make answer by writing on the 30. of October to the complaints greeuances of some deputies of the neigbour Prouinces and the states of the country of Liege touching some excesse and disorders committed by the Estates men of warre and for some prisoners whereby among others the taxed the Bishoppe and Prince of Liege who is also Bishoppe of Cologne to be a partisan and fauorer of the Spaniards their enemies whome hee supported in his countrie by the seazure confiscation and descouery of their goods that serued them and held their party against all right and duty of neutrality That the country of Liege was iustly wasted by the Spaniards and other soldiars of the league whereof they maintayned whole regiments That they made the Villages contribute to entertayne them That in the saide country of Liege they did not onely proceed against them of the relligion after the manner of the inquisition of Spaine but also against their men of warre by extraordinary cruelties without any forme of Iustice And contrariwise the Spaniards and other enemies did not onely remaine vnpunished for the disorders which they committed but were also supported assisted and succoured By reason whereof although they were well inclined to intertaine all good amitie and neighbourhood with the Country and Inhabitants of Liege yet for these former reasons and in consideration of the treaties they haue with other great Princes and Potentates concerning their warres The said Estates could not yet resolue any thing touching that buisinesse but they would bee more amplie informed and better instructed And then if they found that the Liegeois sought their friendshippe with a good meaning and intent and desired to liue like good neighbours with the vnited Prouinces for their parts they would lette them of Liege know that they would not faile so much as in them lay the like duty Since the which matters past in such sort as the Liegeois promised to remaine more neutrals then they had done in former times and that they would suffer the Estates men to passe through their Country with their Armes and bootie to a certaine number both of horse foote so as they were led by their Captaines and Commaunders And so began the trafficke betwixt Liege and Holland by the way of Breda Prince Maurice after that hee had in a manner chased away the Duke of Parma from Nymeghen and refresht his Armie some few daies after their great marches one while into Friseland an other while into Gelderland making a shew to mount vp the Riuer of Rhyne with his shippes hee turned suddainely downe and went in-Flanders to the land of Waes where with all speed hee planted hââ¦s siege before the towne of Hulst the which finding it selfe not sufficiently fortified neither with men nor with any other things necessary to indure a long siege the batterie and the assaults which the Prince might giue them in a shorte time
Prince and the Estates who appointed Cont Phillip of Nassau cousin germaine to the Prince to bee gouernor thereof This was the conclusion and end of their victories and happy successe that yeare 1591. In the which a remarkable thing they wone the townes of Zutphen Deuenter Hulst Nymegen all townes of great importance with so many forts whereof we haue made mention as well in the country of Groning as other places defeated the Spaniards in field and forced the Duke of Parma to rayse his seege from before the sort of Knotsenbourg and all with such celerity as it is scarse credible they could haue intrencht them-selues and planted their cannon in so small a time as they were before either of the said townes so great and spatious are the townes of Zutphen Deuenter and Nymegen standing vpon great and broad riuers as the Yssel and the Wahal both armes of the riuer of Rhine We haue shewed before how that Collonel Martin Schenck hauing fayled of his enterprize vpon the towne of Nymegen was there drowned and through the fury of the Bourgers his dead body cut in foure quarters the which hung long vpon the rampars and his head on a Lances point in the toppe of a tower but the Marquis of Varenbon Gouernor of Gelderland comming to the towne whilst it held for the Spaniard knowing him to haue beene a braue caualier caused them to take downe that spectacle and that the body thus cut in peeces should be put in a coffin the which was done and layd in a tower where hauing beene found at the yeelding of the towne Prince Maurice caused him to bee honorably interred with a goodly military pompe where hee assisted in person being followed by all the Commanders Collonells captaines magestrats of the towne being renewed a great number of soldiars and the common people vnto the great temple where hee was buried in the monument of the Dukes of Geldres There was a Prouost Marshall in Brabant called Danckart who before had serued the Estates in the same office but hauing beene taken in the castle of Eckeren neere vnto Antwerp by the Spaniards to free him-selfe hee promised to doe the King great seruice And hauing obtayned a new commission he pursued the Estates Frebooters with all violence yea some braue soldiars both of horse and foote when hee could catch them going to the warres or to the picory or seeking any aduantage vpon the enemy whome without any respect of their pasports or putting them to ransome like soldiars seeing there was no quarter broken hee caused to bee hanged some hee burnt and roasted with a slow fire wherevpon he grew so odious and detested of all the Estates soldiars as they sware if they could once get him to shew him the like measure without any mercy And it fell out that they tooke him the leauenth of December in an Ambush which they had laid without the towne of Liere in Brabant with thirty horse which they tooke and put the men to the sword as for him they did cut of his nose and both his eares and hauing dragged him a long time at a horses tayle in the end they roasted him aliue with a slow fire of straw The like happened in Flanders to an other Prouost whome they call Rooderoede that is to say Red Rod who was slaine in fighting his Lieutenant being taken was burnt in a hollow tree with a fire of straw The French King hauing resolued in the end of this yeare to beseege Rouan the leegue sent presently to sue for ayd of the Duke of Parma who being retired confusedly from Nymegen and returned to Brussels to attend the comming of the Emperors Ambassadors He who would not fayle them according to the expresse charge which hee had often receiued from the King of Spaine his maister which was to lay all other affayers aside for the aduancement of his dessigne vpon France he caused his army to march by the country of Henault whereof meaning to take a view neere vnto valenciennes newes came vnto him of the arriuall of the Ambassadors to treat of a peace wherefore the Duke of Parma commanded his army to march by small iornies towards Picardy hee went post againe to Brusseles to giue them audience where hauing conferred with them and appointed Peter Ernest Earle of Mansfeldt his Lieutennant in the gouernment of the Netherlands vnder the obedience of the King of Spaine during his absence hee returned speedely to his army They reason why he marcht thus slouly was to make him-selfe the more necessary to the league and vnder the shew of armes to manage another desseigne which was to procure the Estates of the league to giue the crowne of France to the Infanta of Spaine whome they should promise to one of the heads of that party What he did in this his second voiage into France you may read at large in the French Inuentary The French King hauing resolued to beseege Rouen the Queene of England at the instant request of his Ambassador sent him ouer to his aide 4000. foote and 200. horse vnder the command of the earle of Essex with some ordinance And the general states of the vnited Prouinces did also send him ouer Phillip Earle of Nassau who brought about 3000. foote and among them the company of Prince Maurice his gards being 200. pikes and musketiers vnder van Noot their captaine with eight cannons and some culerins with all necessary munition In the end of this yeare prince Maurice had an enterprize vpon the towne of Gheertruydenberge going from the Hage with 1600. men thinking to giue it a secret scaladoe the ladders were let vp but being descouered they of the garrison defended them-selues so valiantly as he was forced to retire without doing any thing with the losse of two of his Captaines All the winter this yeare 1591. there were of either side betwixt the Spaniards and the Estates many enterprizes and surprizes amongest the which the Estates garrison within Nymegen surprized the towne of Alpen belonging to the countesse of Meurs The Prouinces that were vnder the Kings subiection lay more open to the spoyle then the vnited Prouinces which were well defended with great riuers and forts the number of such as ranne vp and downe the contry to spoyle all passengers increased daily most of them putting them-selues vnder the Estates and were called freebuters being of no companies not vnder any command To preuent these insolencies and spoyles they of Brabant sent forth their Read Roeden or prouost commanding the country people vpon the sound of a bell to aide and assist their Officers or else of them-selues to set vpon those Freebuters And for the redresse of these disorders the Estates of Brabant on the fift of Nouember this yeare agreed to giue thirty fiue thousand gilders a month for the space of halfe a yeare to be raised vpon such wares and marchandise as were sold in Brabant at a certaine rate as for a hogshed
had yet not contenting him-selfe with the Magistrate and people of the said towne which is one of the Hans Imperial townes held immediatly of the Empire and that they had freely and willingly receiued him for their protector and in respect thereof did giue him an annuell pension or gratuity he sought by all meanes to make them his Vassalls yea rather his slaues and to depriue them of all their Imperiall priuiledges granted by so many good Emperors taking violently from them their ancient liberties and freedomes But in the end he reaped little honor lesse profit of all his attempts surcharging his poore subiects of the champian country to maintaine his attempts against the said towne But let vs finish this busines Among the said papers there were some found making mention of this enterprise and how it should be managed whereby the Maigistrat knew plainely what the Earles practise and intent was which made them seeke to seze vpon the partisans of this conspiracy wherof some fled and left the towne wherevpon the Maigistrate was induced although that the towne were greatly charged to giue order to the captaine to leuy 300. men at their charge writing vnto Cont Willian Lewis of Nassau gouernor of the contries of Freezeland and Groning for the Estates that it would please him for their preseruation if neede required to assist them with some men to be redy at hand The said gouernor not onely granted them but he also caused some of the captaines of the neighbor garrisons to discharge some of their men who were presently entertained by them of Emden so long as this trouble continued which was to the end of May and was appeazed by the death of the Cofrer and of Iohn Groenen who were beheadded and by the banishment of some other prisoners whereof some were condemned in great fines Then the Earle tooke occasion to complaine of them of Emden to the Imperial chamber accusing them to haue broken the contract where-vpon he obtayned a commission of adiornement the which was signified vnto them to appeere in the said chamber the 16. of August the same yeare 1598. At which day he propounded for a complaint among other things that they of Emden had with the soldiars of the vnited Prouinces made an irruption vpon the lands and iurisdictions of Marienhoue Visquart Prostthumb and other places to haue taken many prisoners to haue put to death Iohn Groenen and Iohn Kemps after they had greeuously tortured them to haue vnworthely intreated his two sonnes the Earles Iohn and Christoper being at Emden with his instructions and by his commandement to haue vsed a notary ill to haue forced a new oth from the youth of the towne with other points where-vpon the Earle and they of Emden entred into new quarrells one against another and the ould were reuiued of the issue wherof we will treat in the yeare following We haue made mention of an Edict made by the King of Spaine at Pardo by the which he dispensed with him-selfe not to pay his debts retaynââ¦ng all his assiguations vpon his reuenues giuen by him in payment vnto Marchants which had furnished him with great summes But now meaning to discharge his conscience better and fealing him-selfe at the graues brinke hee made another contract of the 14 of February this yeare 1598. with Hector Pocamillo Ambrosio Somola Francisco de Maluenda and Iohn Iacomo Grimaldi hauing ample Procuration from all the other Marchants who dad negotiated with his Maiesty for the lending of mony By the which contract hauing first excused him-selfe for that which was giuen at Pardo he confirmes the assignations giuen by him vpon the said demaynes vpon condition that for an ouer plus and new Loane they should furnish him with the summe of seauen millions and two hundred thousand ducatspaiable euery moneth two hundred and fifty thousand ducats to the Archduke Cardinall Albert to defray the charges of the warre in the Netherlands and that for the space of 19 moneths whereof the first paiment should be expired the last of Ianuary the said yeare 98. making for the Netherlands foure millions and a halfe The rest to be payed in his realme of Spaine or else where at his good pleasure And by this meanes the King of Spaine being resolued to giue his daughter the Infanta vnto the Cardinall Albert would shew that he would not leaue him in need of mony for the continuance of the warre against the vnited Prouinces There is in Flanders a fort called Patience which a Wallon corporall in the yeare 1595. deliuered vnto the Estates of Zeeland there were this yeare some French men in garrison in this fort who dealing after the same manner with the Estates sold it and deliuered it vnto the Spaniards In the midest of Aprill the Duke of Writembergh Earle of Montbeliard sent an ambassador to the vnited Prouinces to demande that his subiects might trafficke freely vnder their safe conduct throughout the Netherlands by the riuer of Neckar which descends into the Rhine and that they would furnish him with some sufficient man for riuers and waters to make the said riuer of Neckar more nauigable His demand was granted touching the commerce and with the Ambassador there was sent on Iohn Bradley a man very expert in water works The 9. of Iuly the town of Calais was restored to the French King into the hands of the Earle of S. Pol and the Siegnor of Viques who was made Gouernor entring into it with 2000. men after that the artillery and munition had beene drawne forth according to the contract and sent to S. Omer The Spanish troupes within Ardes and Dourlans being mutined for their pay made some difficulty for a time but in the end they were pacefied and went out in August following the like did they of Monthulin Chastelet and la Capelle in Tyerash But Blauet was not so soone yeelded vntill that the Duke of Merceur was reconciled vnto the King treating the marriage of Caesar Monsieur the kings Bastard and Duke of Vendosme with this Dukes daughter wherevpon Blauet and all other places which had beene held in Brittane in the name of the Infanta of Spaine were yeelded The King of Spaine finding his strength and helth to decay daily being desirous to see an end of the resolution which hee had taken to giue the Lady Isabella his eldest daughter in marriage to the Archduke Albert his Nephew although he were aduanced to great Ecclesiasticall dignities and namely to the rich Archbishoprike of Toledo he called in his presence in the towne of Madril the 6. of May Prince Philip his only sonne being about 20. yeares old being accompanied by Don Gomes d' Auila Marquis of Vellada gouernor and Lord Stuard of Prince Phillips house Don Christophel de Mora Earle of Castel-Rodrigo great commander of Leon all three councellors of State and Nicholas Damant Knight councellor President and Chancellor of Brabant with the secretary for
which we haue renounced and doe renounce by these presents for our resolute and determinat will is that nothing whatsoeuer shall bee of any force and efficacie against this donation cession and transport which hath beene made of the said Netherlands in the maner and forme aboue mentioned Whereupon we haue giuen our faith and taken our othe vpon the holy Euangilists which we haue touched with our hand to hold maintaine obserue and keepe and cause to bee held maintained obserued and kept punctually all that hath beene said without any excuse or exception nor yet to suffer any other to vse any The which we do affirme and promise by the word of a prince and that we shal giue all aid assistance for the ful accomplishment thereof for that it is our sincere and resolute will In witnesse whereof we haue caused these our letters patents to be made the which we haue signed with our owne hand and caused to bee signed by the secretarie of estate for the king my lord father for the affaires of the Netherlands and Bourgoigne and to be sealed with the great seale of his Maiesties armes hanging thereunto in strings of gold To these were present as witnesses Dom Gomes d'Auila marquesse of Velada our gouernor and lord steward of our houshold Dom Christophel de Mora earle of Castel Roderigo great commaunder of the Alcantara a gentleman of his Maiesties chamber and butler for our person Dom Ioan d'Idiaques great commander of Leon all three of the counsel of state and Nicholas d'Amant knight also counsellor of state and keeper of his Maiesties seales for the affaires of the Netherlands and Bourgoigne chancelor of his duchie of Brabant Giuen in the citie of Madril in the realme of Castile the 6 of May in the yeare of grace 1598. Paraphed M. E. R. T. Signed Philip and vnderneath By the commandement of my lord the prince A. de la Loo These two patents of the kings resignation and of the princes agreation were both sealed with one seale in vermilian waxe with strings of gold These instruments being thus read past signed and sealed in autentike forme the prince of Spaine rising went and kist the king his fathers hands thanking him for the good affection he bare vnto his sister then going to his said sister he did congratulat with her for the good which she had receiued that day who rising in like maner went and kist the king her fathers hands and gaue thanks for his fauours and benefits as in like sort shee did thanke the prince her brother and so the assembly brake vp The rest of the day was spent in ioy and sport in the court yet more had beene continued if the kings indisposition had not beene who began now to grow verie weake Two daies after which was the eight of May the empresse sister to the king and mother to the archduke Albert came to court being accompanied by the embassador of the emperour her sonne the marquesse of Vellada Dom Christophel de Mora Dom Ioan Idiaques and others whereas the mariage spoken of was confirmed the Infanta binding her selfe by an othe in the hands of the empresse to marie the archduke Albert of Austria according to his Maiesties good pleasure Whereupon the said ladie empresse bound her selfe reciprocally that the said archduke her sonne should take her to wife by vertue of a speciall procuration which hee had sent Then the Infanta aduanced to kisse the hand of the empresse her aunt and future mother in law but she retired her hand and would not suffer it and for a greater shew of her loue imbraced her very fast In the end after many kind speeches and mutual curtesies as the empresse retired the Infanta bending downe vpon her knee would againe haue kissed her hand which she pulled backe and making her to rise the empresse kist her cheeke and so they parted All this being thus performed the Infanta sent a procuration in qualitie of princesse of the Netherlands to the archduke her lord by mariage and future spouse as followeth Isabella Clara Eugenia by the grace of God Infanta of all the realmes of Spaine Duchesse of Bourgoigne of Lothier of Brabant Lembourg and Luxembourg Countesse of Flanders Arthois Bourgoigne Palatine of Henault of Holland Zeeland Namur and Zutphen Marquesse of the holy Empire Ladie of Friseland Salines and Macklin of the countrie and citie of Vtrecht of Ouerissel and of Groning To all present to come that shal see these present letters greeting Wheras as wel for the good of all Christendome in general as for the Netherlands in particular and for other good considerations it hath pleased the king my lord and father for the aduancement of my future mariage by the dispensation of our holy father the pope with our most deere and well beloued cosin the archduke Albert with the good liking allowance consent and assistance of the high and mightie prince our most deere and wel beloued good brother to make a gift cession and transport vnto vs of all the Netherlands and of Bourgoigne according to the letters patents which haue beene made and signed respectiuely with their owne hands the sixt of this present moneth of May with other our letters patents touching the acceptation of the said donation and transport To the end that the said Netherlands and Bourgoigne might bee by vs our heires and successors held and enioyed in manner and forme and according to the conditions particularly comprehended and exprest in the said letters patents by the which his sayd Maiestie hath granted vnto vs with absolute power and irreuocable of our owne priuat authoritie not beeing bound to require any other consent or agreation to take and receiue by vs or by procuration to our future spouse the archduke Albert the full and entire possession of all the Netherlands and countie of Bourgoigne and Charolois and to that effect to do in particular according to the said letters patents Wee therefore make it knowne for the reasons aboue mentioned and to follow in euerie poynt the will and pleasure of his Maiestie yea to aduance all that in that regard may be necessarie before our departure towards the said countries wee haue of our certaine knowledge and absolute power authorised and giuen full power and commission irreuocable as well generall as speciall to our future spouse the archduke Albert in our name and on our behalfe by himselfe or other his substitutes as hee shall thinke fit by vertue hereof at once or at diuers seuerall times to doe all things as well in our name and in our behalfe as in the behalfe of the Netherlands and the countie of Bourgoigne and Charolois in generall or by the Estates of euerie prouince in particular that shal be requisit and necessarie to be done and past respectiuely to take accept or retaine in our name the full reall and entire possession of all the sayd countries and of euerie prouince thereof and of
of S. Aldegonde who was much lamented of al learned men being about threescore years old who in his time had done great seruices to the prince of Orange and the general cause of the vnited prouinces The next day there died in the towne of Arnhem doctor Elbert Leonin called Longolius chauncellor of Gueldres sometimes professor and a great lawyer in the vniuersitie of Louuaine a man of great knowledge and experience in affaires of estate of a quick conceit and sound iudgement hauing also done great seruices to the said prince and States He was aboue 80 yeres old when hee died In two dayes together the vnited prouinces of the Netherlands lost these two learned men Cardinall Andrew gouernour of the Netherlands in the absence of the archduke Albert did also send Fernando Lopes de Villa noua gouernour of Carpen to the emperour with the like iustifications with expresse charge in passing to excuse and iustifie him to the prince elector archbishop of Mentz and to make the emperour and all the princes and states of Germanie deafe and blind if it were possible although they did heare and see plainely The prince elector of Mentz gaue him a short and resolute answer which was in effect That he could not allow of that which the said cardinall and admirall had attempted vpon the territories and against the constitutions of the empire That for his part he would not fayle in that which concerned his duetie for the preseruation of the peace and quiet of Germanie being in that maner troubled and interrupted And that for his better counsell he did aduise the said cardinall to retire his armie out of the confines of the empire as soone as might be and not to attend vnto the end of Aprill to repaire all iniuries to restore that which they had extorted and make satisfaction for the dammages which they had suffered both in generall and particular In doing so the princes and Estates of the empire should haue reason to excuse that which was past and to allow of the vrgent necessitie by the which they seeke to purge and iustifie the said actions This answer was giuen to Fern. Lopes by the said prince elector the 25 of Februarie 1599. The Estates of the vnited prouinces sent in like manner their iustifications in writing of all their actions to some of the princes electors and others in Germanie whereof the substance was That they had receiued their letters containing the complaints of the circles of Westphalia for the wrongs and oppressions which the countries of Cleues Iuilliers Cologne and Westphalia did suffer by the souldiers of either partie By the which letters they were required to retire their souldiers out of the confines of the empire without any delay restoring the townes which they held pulling downe the forts which they had built and leauing the countries townes and estates of the empire in their antient peace quiet and tranquilitie Wherevnto their answer and resolution was in like sort requisit In answer whereof the sayd Estates protested That they were verie sorie to heare of any such complaints and the more for that they were put in the same ranke with the Spaniards and the admirall who had not forborne to besiege batter force and take the towns castles forts and houses of gentlemen in the countrey of Cleues and the circle of Westphalia with murthers burning spoyles and rauishing of wiues and virgins without any respect of what estate condition or qualitie soeuer wherwith not content they haue by their garrisons and threats forced some of the said towns ouer and aboue their ransomes concussions to change their religion policie which they had for many yeares past quietly enioyed vnder the authoritie of your excellencies and other princes wherein the king of Spain had no title nor interest and therefore had no reason to colour his attempts Whereas for their parts say the Estates nothing hath beene done but by meere constraint and necessitie which hath no law for the preseruation maintenance and assurance of their vnited prouinces and the which without any contradiction according to the law of armes and martiall discipline may be done whereunto they haue beene forced By reason whereof they besought their excellencies and all men of iudgement in matters of warre calling them to witnesse if considering the admirals attempts seeing they had no other meanes to make head against the enemie but in preuenting him and in fore-occupying the places which he himselfe had incorporated they had seized first thereon and put in some of their men for that the Tolhus which they had seized was not sufficient to resist the admirals forces who in the end would not haue failed to haue come thither where the inhabitants should haue been intreated with the like mildnesse that they were in other places and thereby to haue had an entrie into their vnited prouinces Besides they neuer had any intent to seize vpon one foot of land belonging to the empire nor to any prince or lord that were a neuter to hold or retaine them as proprietories as they said they had of late assured his imperiall Maiestie the princes electors and namely the prince elector of Cologne with whom they desired nothing more than to entertaine all good alliance amitie correspondencie and good neighborhood maintaining themselues in that sort without diminution of their estate vntill they might once see an end whereunto they haue alwayes aspired vnto that houre and the which they haue sufficiently made knowne by their resolution to restore the town of Rhineberck to the said prince elector of Cologne to hold that vnder the lawes of neutralitie if that had not beene preuented by the siege which the admirall laid before it who thereby would giue colour to his attempts vnto those who through impatiency would not looke vnto the ground of the matter Which attempts are the more manifest by the taking and surprising of townes and places and the alteration of religion and policie whereby he doth not onely aduertise the princes and noblemen but he doth teach them plainly how hee will intreat both them and their subiects vpon the first oportunitie to erect the Spanish Monarchie They haue well found by experience how willingly and freely sayd the Estates in the yeare 1590 last past they did at the request of the said princes and estates of the empire deliuer vp diuers places which they had taken from their enemies being scituated vpon the territories of the empire hoping that the enemies would in like manner yeeld vp those which they held and which they had promised the said princes and estates to yeeld being also held of the empire as it is well known to all the world Which yeelding of their parts and refusall of the enemies hath been so preiudiciall vnto them as in the end they haue beene constrained to besiege and force Alpen Moeurs and Berck according vnto the good successe which they haue had It is also well knowne
disorder to Sââ¦luse yet carrying backe all their gallies beeing fauoured by the neerenesse of their retreat There died in this sea fight the generall Frederick Spinola with aboue eight hundred of his men and a great number of them hurt Of the Estates side there were sixe and thirtie slaine among the which was captaine Iacob Michelson and his lieutenant the viceadmirall Ioos de Moor and captaine Leger Peterson with some threescore others were hurt In the viceadmirall and in the gally of Zeeland there were some Englishmen of the garrison of Flessingue who did exceeding well of the which there were eight slaine and some fifteene hurt Ioos de Moor the viceadmirall commaunded at this fight in the absence of the seignior William van Haulstein who was admirall vnder prince Maurice he hearing the noyse of the ordnance parted presently from Flessingue with fiue ships of warre and one fregate to come and succour his companie before the ditch but the fight was ended and the enemie retired before he came In this battaile the saying of the royall prophet Dauid was verified That victories proceeded not from the force and strength of man but from the ayd and assistance of God Elizabeth Queene of England of famous memorie being dead vpon the foure and twentieth day of March and Iames king of Scotland called to the succession of the crowne vpon the 8 of Aprill the vnited prouinces did write a letter vnto the king of England as followeth Most high and mightie prince as we were with great reason grieued in our soules for the newes of the death of the most high great mightie and soueraigne princesse the queene of England of most worthy and famous memorie in regard of the great loue and affection shee did alwayes beare vnto our estate and for the ayd which we did still receiue from her princely bountie for our defence and preseruation against the king of Spaine and his adherents wherby the remembrance of her shall for euer remaine eternized in vs and our posteritie so were wee much comforted and reioyced in our hearts to vnderstand that your Maiestie with a generall applause of the Estates of the whole country was proclaimed the true and lawful heire successor and king of the kingdomes of England Fraunce and Ireland and the rather for that wee assure our selues that your Maiestie comming to the succession of the said kingdoms will not onely continue your princely grace and accustomed fauour but will also of your princely inclination inherit the same princely affection towards vs and our estate which the aforesayd noble queene of worthy memorie hath left vnto you thereby to continue your gratious ayd and bountifull assistance for our preseruation for the welfare of all Christendome and your owne good against the common enemie as we haue long hoped and expected the same And in effect to shew the resolution we haue alwayes had to please and serue your Maiestie so wee beseech almightie God for the first part of our dueties to blesse your Maiestie in this succession to his glorie and the propagation of his holy word to exalt your Maiesties gouernment with all state and happinesse and to giue your Maiestie health and long life not onely to the glorie and comfort of your owne kingdomes and subiects and of our estate but also to the good and peace of all Christendom against the insatiable ambition of the Spaniards and their adherents To which end we most humbly beseech your Maiestie seeing it pleased the aforesaid queene of famous memorie in her later dayes to grant vs leaue to take vp certaine souldiers in England for to fill vp and make compleat the English companies that serue vnder vs as wee likewise besought your Maiestie to suffer vs to doe the like in Scotland for the Scottish companies that it will now please your Maiestie to grant vs the effect thereof that wee may at this present take vp the said souldiers both in England and Scotland to be transported into the Netherlands there to be imployed in our seruice as the necessitie of our cause requireth and especially for the preseruation of the towne of Oostend wherein we refer our selues to your Maiesties consideration kissing your princely hands with all humilitie beseeching the almightie God to preserue your M. throne in al happinesse glory and your princely person in long life prosperitie Dated as aforesaid signed by the generall states of the vnited prouinces Presently after this letter they sent an honorable embassage into England the embassadors were Henry Frederic earle of Nassau yongest sonne to the late prince of Orange Walraue baron of Brederode monsieur Van Olden Barneuelt counsellor for Holland and Iacob Valck treasurer of Zeeland beeing accompanied with diuers gentlemen as the lords of Batenborgh Schagen Trelongh Herdenbrooke Borselle with many others These embassadors arriued in England the 14 of May eight daies after the kings entrie into London and vpon the seuen and twentieth of May they had audience where besides their congratulating of the kings comming to his new kingdomes they layed open vnto him the estate of their affaires and craued a supply of souldiers according to the contents of their letters the which was deliuered both by mouth and writing but for that it is but a repetition of that which hath gone before I forbeare to insert it The king made them a friendly answer in generall tearmes excusing himselfe that he was but newly entred into his kingdome and beeing ignorant of the estate and power thereof hee thought it requisite first to settle his owne affaires and to be fully informed of all particularities beeing most conuenient rather to seeke peace than warre and that with all friendly care and affection he would continue all loue and friendship with them as his predecessor had done with many other exceeding good wordes wherewith the embassadours tooke their leaues The archduke hearing also of the death of the Queene of England sent a gentleman called Nicholas de Schosy into Scotland to sound the kings mind how he stood affected whether to peace or warre and hearing that he had beene alwaies inclined to a good peace he sent to all the coasts of Flanders commaunding them not to touch nor molest any English man neither by water nor by land but to vse them with all loue and friendship and withall to set all their English prisoners at libertie And at the same time he sent an embassadour into England which was Charles earle of Aremberg knight of the golden fleece chancellor of estate and admirall generall for the archdukes beeing accompanied with his sonne the baron of Seuenberghen the earle of Bossu the baron of Robles the lord of Wakene the lord of Swevigem the earle of Phirtburg the baron of Neuele with many other gentlemen his embassage tending besides congratulation to mooue the king to a peace and to crosse certaine designes of the vnited prouinces and for that the plague was great in
by the States with the Ambassadors of forreine Kings and Princes The States of the vnited Prouinces being fully resolued to enter into treaty of peace or long truce with the Archdukes Commissioners vpon the ninth of Ianuary caused a generall day of prayer and fasting to bee held throughout all the vnited Prouinces to praise and thanke God for his great mercies showed vnto the said Prouinces with-all to desire him that their action taken in hand might tend to his honor and the defence and preseruation of the country together with the wel fare of the same It was said before that the Archdukes deputies desired to come into Holland rather by water then by land but for that the frost was great they could not doe it for which cause the States hauing dispatched their pasports for the said Deputies sent them by land to Antwerpe by certaine Trumpeters and with-all wrote their letters to Iustinus van Nassaw gouernor of Breda and to Maasellus Bax gouernor of Bergen vp Zoome to will them to go as farre as Antwerpe to meete them and to conduct them to Breda and Gertrudenberghe and so to the Hage for that they had sent the said deputies their pasports to come that way but in regard of the cold wether and for that Marquis Spinolaes liueries for his meÌ were not yet ready the time was so long protracted as the said gouernor set not forward till the 24. of Ianuary and then they went towards Lire for that the Deputies for the Archdukes tooke that way whether it were for that they would goe right ouer the heath or to diuert the said gouernors from comming to Antwerpe which is a towne full of inhabitants desiring rather to haue them goe to Lide being a towne of garrison and so the said gouernors went to Lire vpon the 26. of Ianuary where they were well intertained by Don Alonso de Luna gouernor of the towne but they found not the Archdukes deputies there for that it was the next day in the euening before they came and so vpon the 28. of Ianuary they departed from thence with a great traine of attendants and carriage and went to Hoghstrate Marquis Spinola for his owne gard hauing 180. horsemen with him The 29. of Ianuary they entered into Breda where they were honourably receiued all the garrison standing in armes and euery man as well prepared as they might be the horsemen without the towne the footmen within Marquis Spinola Richardot Mancicidor were lodged in the castle and the rest in the towne and were well intertained and feasted The next day being the last of Ianuary about noone they came to Gertrudenberge where they were also wel intertained and from thence Spinolaes horse-men returned that euening hee and the rest of the Deputies past ouer the Ice from Beesbos and the Merue in 190. Sleads to Dort where the Magistrates of the towne receiued them without the gates with such a multitude of people as if halfe Holland were come thether to see them and that night and the next day in the morning they were honorably feasted and intertained by the towne The last of Ianuary after dinner they went to Rotterdam vpon Sleads along the Merue and Meuse Banke and were well receiued and intertained there by the Magistrates of the towne and with a great concourse of people and for that their traine was very great and their carriage much they sent the most part thereof before them to the Hage The Marquis him-selfe and the rest of the Commissioners went that ââ¦ore-noone to Delâ⦠where by the Magistrats the like concourse of people they were honorably receiued but not feasted because they had broken their fast at Rotterdam and were certified that Prince Maurice was comming to meet them and therefore after dinner they went towards the Hage where Prince Maurice his brother William Earle of Nassaw diuers Lords Gentlemen met them at Riswick with 8. coaches at their meeting betweene Riswicke and Horne-bridge they all on both sides went out of their Coaches saluting each other with indifferent pleasant countenances which done Marquis Spinola went vp into Prince Maurices Coache and there satte downe in the hinder part thereof and on the right hand of the Prince and in the fore-end sat Mancicidor and Henry Earle of Nassau and on the sides Richardot and William Earle of Nassau the rest with other Lordes and Gentlemen went into the other Coaches Marquis Spinola hauing three Coaches and diuers other wagons appointed for him and the ââ¦est of the Deputies at which time there was such a concourse of people of all degrees and qualities both of the Hage and other places as all the way both by water and land on both sides the frost beeing very great and the yââ¦e able to beare them was filled with the multitude only to see the Marquis Spinola more for noueltie then any other reason not one considering or remembring that hee and the rest were the same persons that for so many yeares togither had sought by all the meanes they could practise to ruine and destroy them and wholy to subiect their Country and estate Most part of that countrie people are so forgetfull blunt and foolish and therefore ceaââ¦ed not to come to the Hage from all Townes and places thereabouts as if they should haue gone to a generall triumphe onely to see the Deputies At their entry into the Hage two Trumpets went before the Marquis sounding their Trumpets passing along the streetes as if they had entred in triumphe to no small admiration of many men of good account that were well-willers to the country who seemed to bee very much discontented thereat In this great concourse of people there were some which are imployed in the gouernement of the country and in the assemblie of the Estates So hard a thing it is for those people to refraine from their foolish customes Marquis Spinola Richardot and Mancicidor were lodged in a faire house in the Hage which standes by the Viuerbergh the which belonged to a Soliciter for diuers companies of Soldiers called Goswine Mââ¦uerskens and Fryer Iohn Nayen and Vereicken In the house of Wasenare The names and titles of the Deputies were as followeth Don Ambrosio Spinola Marquis of Benaffro Knight of the order of the golden Fleece Councellor for the King of Spayne in his Priuie Councell and for the warres and Generall of his armie Sir Iohn Dedonsel otherwise called Richardot Knight Seignior of Barley Counsellor of Estate for the Arch-dukes and President of their priuie councell Iohn de Mancicidor Councellor and Secretary of the warres for the said King Fryer Iohn Nayen generall of the order of Saint Francis in the Netherlands and Sir Lois Vereicken Knight Auditor to the Arch-dukes and principall Secretarie of Estate for the said Arch-dukes In this sort the Deputies were brought into Holland euen into the heart of the countrie where they might haue a 1000. meanes to discouer and
take or atribute vnto them-selues yea although it were the title of a Kingdome Wherevnto the Estates Deputies replying asked them why the Archdukes then bare the armes of those Prouinces in his coate armor whervnto they made answere that it was no strange nor new matter for that in the same manner the King of Spaine wrot himself King of Ierusalem the French King named himselfe King of Nauar and the King of England bare both the name and armes of King of France and diuers others in like sort neuerthelesse they desired the deputies for the Estates that what title soeuer they would atribute vnto themselues they would haue such respect as it might bee done without any disgrace or blemish to their King and Princes reputations The leauenth day of February they assembled together againe wherein the Estates deputies propounded the first article concerning the freedome of their Prouinces and that the King of Spaine and the Archdukes should from thence-forth leaue off and wholy desist from all their pretences to the soueraignty of the vnited Prouinces as also of Drente Linghen and other places vnder their commaund and which the sayd Estates as now hold and enioye not onely for themselues but for their heires and successors together with the title and armes thereof which article the Archdukes deputies desired to peruse and to take aduise therein and so for that time they departed sending presently a coppie thereof with all speed vnto Brussells wherevnto vpon the thirteene day of February they receiued an answere and in the meane time they made their complaint vnto the Ambasadors of France England and others touching the strictnesse of the sayd article The thirteene day of February after dinner they met againe in the Councell Chamber where they declared their consent and approbation as it was set downe with this exception so as all the rest of the pointes and articles that should bee propounded were concluded wherein they sayd that they hoped the Estates also would doe some thing for the King of Spaine and the Archdukes touching the traficke into the Indies seeing that from that time forth they should bee friends in respect thereof and that the sayd Prouinces should haue their free trade and traficke into Spaine and amongst other things spoken of betweene them concerning the same at the last they sayd that the trade into the Indies was the chiefest cause that mooued the King of Spaine to make such large offers vnto them and to enter into that treatie of peace The sixteene day of February the deputies on both sides met in counsell againe where the Estates deputies propounded two articles more the one concerning the forgiuing and forgetting of al forepassed iniuries and that no reprisales nor arrests should bee made nor suffered to bee made but onelie for perticuler debts that might bee made on either side the second for free trade and traficke in all the Kingdomes Hauens Townes and Countries of both parties with protection and no more nor further molestation to bee vsed as if they were naturall borne subiects But presently the Archdukes deputies made answere that they neither ment nor vnderstood that vnder the title of free traficke the trade into the Indies nor any part thereof was to bee comprehended but that to the contrary the subiects of the vnited Prouinces should presently desist from the same which the Estates deputies would not yeeld vnto thinking it should bee a great preiudice vnto the freedome of the vnited Prouinces and their free trafick by sea as also that their Estates would not by any meanes consent to leaue the same and for that the Archdukes deputies did verie earnestly vrge the contrary they brake off for that time without doing any other thing that day and so they disagreed in that point which afterwards was with great vehemency debated betweene them on both sides the Archdukes deputies saying that the King and the Archdukes would not sell the aforesayd title of free countries and Estates for nothing but rather determined to make them pay well for that title hoping by that meanes to abate and deminish a great part of the Estates power and much to aduance their Princes welth and traficke Whereby euery man iudged that in time the subiection of their Estate would ensue which as then seemed to bee so much aduanced and honoured with that title of freedome and for that cause many men beganne to murmur thereat especially the Marchants which trade into the East Indies who perceiued thereby that the Archdukes deputies sought to take their trafficke from them and so to impouerish the sayd vnited Prouinces and therfore they assembled together in the Hage and made many publicke and particuler declarations vnto the states townes and prouinces concerning the same as also vnto the Ambassadors of forreine Princes shewing the great preiudice and hinderance which might growe by that point and how hurtfull it should bee vnto the whole Estate of the vnited Prouinces as also what great trafficke and riches came vnto those countries by the sayd trade what great returnes they had from thence how by that meanes they dââ¦ew vnto those countries all their neighbour Princes subiects money and meanes and that without any charge to the countrie they entertained a great number of mightie shipps furnished with ordinance munition Saylers and other things necessarie such as were not to bee found in many other kingdomes besides and in regarde whereof they were much respected and esteemed by many Princes and great Potentates which peraduenture would not much care for their friendship when they should once perceiue these Prouinces to bee reduced vnto such tearmes as they could neither much hurt nor pleasure them and to that end they deliuered diuerse and seuerall aduertisements some as Merchants concerning their trade alone others somewhat tending to the Estate of the countrie amongst the which one principally was worthy the noting in regarde of many good considerations therein set downe whereof some perticularities were viz. That friendshippe commerce and trafficke are necessarie consequences of peace according to the lawes of Nature of all Nations and of all times commerce and trafficke beeing euident signes of peace and friendship which are neuer refused nor denied but vnto an enemy So as neuer any example was found where any peace was concluded and agreed vppon with exception of commerce and trafficke the which should bee no peace but a kinde of banishment which is neuer vsed but against enemies and malefactors Furthermore that wee who must liue by the Seas and are the greatest Merchants and best Sea-faring men in the world should bee forced to leaue the vse of the greatest part of the Sea and of the richest part of the whole trafficke of the world were one of the greatest disgraces that could bee giuen vs and especially to seeke to rââ¦straine vs from other kingdomes and countries where-vnto hee hath no pretence of Soueraigntie nor ouer the Sea whereon no man hath command
vnto vs all their pretence of soueraigntie vnto these countries they promised to do that by their letters and that they would not take any thing from vs but by exchaunge and wherein wee should our selues giue our consent To conclude if wee looke into the ground of this matter wee shall find that it was in vaine for vs to maintaine so long warres and to haue consumed so great a treasure and so much of our bloud to maintaine our freedome if with our owne consents wee will make our selues seruile and banished from the two third parts of the whole world It was also needlesse for vs to oppose our selues against the power and forces of our enemies if wee will consent and yeeld to this article That wee should not traffique with al nations and which is more not with those which are not subiect vnto the king of Spaine It was likewise madly done of vs to oppose our selues against the raysing of the tenth penie which would haue driuen all trade of merchandise out of the countrey when as we of our selues shall giue ouer the two third parts of our traffique and trade by sea The reasons and considerations that might yet bee added hereunto are innumerable but these seeme to bee sufficient to conclude That although wee doe sincerely and from our hearts desire a godly honourable absolute and generall peace yet wee would bee loth thereby to abandon the greatest and most profitable trade wee haue and by that meanes to fall into greater miseries than euer and yet wee protest that wee are content to persist in our generall resolution and the letters giuen vnder the hands and feals of the king of Spain and the archdukes and not to deale otherwise than by this treatie to hold and maintaine our freedomes liberties priuiledges and antient customs together with all that which at this present time we possesse and enioy without the which wee would neuer haue begun nor entred into this treatie These in effect are the principall reasons alledged by the companie of Indian merchants why they should not grant to leaue off the Indian trade with many others which for breuitie sake I here omit But for that the gouernment of the vnited prouinces consisteth of many parts amongst the which there are many men that esteeme not much of forreine trade and traffique or at the least not so much but that they are of opinion That the preseruation and maintenance of the tilling of the land and the inhabitants of the Champian countrey concerned them more they could not enter into so good consideration touching the same as was requisit and necessarie to bee had wherefore the wisest men and such as were of greatest vnderstanding and of soundest iudgement determining so to accommodat the matter as both the one and the other might receiue some contentment thereby for that cause had many meetings and conferences with the deputies of the aforesaid king of Spaine and the archdukes as vpon the nineteenth three and twentieth and seuen and twentieth of the moneth of Februarie and vpon the fourth day of March at the which assemblies nothing was done therein but each partie resolutely held their owne opinions and would not yeeld one vnto the other maintaining them with many arguments and reasons concerning matter of state and also with great resolution and earnest pretences in such sort as the Estates of the vnited prouinces who for the most part were of opinion That they ought not to yeeld vnto the deputies of the king and the archdukes in that point nor in any wise to desist from the same at the last they resolued to propound three meanes vnto the said deputies of the said king and the archdukes hoping by the one of them to bring them to consent and yeeld thereunto which were either by that treatie of peace wholly to graunt them their traffique to the Indies and the dependances thereof or by way of truce to permit and suffer it for certaine yeares or to leaue all those countries lying beyond the Tropicke of Cancer in wars and either partie to take such aduantage as hee could in those countries without seeking any amends or recompence against their aduerse partie on this side the Tropicke for any wrongs or iniuries they should receiue in those parts But the deputies on the contrarie side wholly refused those offers first alledging That it was altogether contrarie to their commission which expresly forbad them to yeeld vnto the sayd trade and traffique to the Indies Secondly That the king of Spaine and the archdukes were princes which were addicted vnto peace and not to warres and therefore know not how they should graunt or consent to so strange and monstrous a contract whereby both warres and peace should alike and at one time bee concluded And touching the meane or the middle course they say they were of opinion That something might bee graunted therein so as the Estates of the vnited prouinces of the Netherlands would consent and agree that at the end and terme of the said yeares they would desist and leaue off the said trade But for that the ââ¦states of the vnited prouinces declared That they had no such intent or meaning but at the end of the sayd yeares each partie should remaine as they were at the first and at their owne free choyce nothing was done in that point at that time The Estates of the vnited prouinces finding the obstinacie of the deputies of the sayd king of Spaine and the archdukes made a shew as if they would make a motion touching their trade into the West Indies and to that end sent for the merchants of the West Indian trade causing them to assemble together to see what difficulties might be propounded therin and thereby to further the same But the deputies for the king of Spaine and the archdukes made no account thereof esteeming it to bee but a scare-crow to put them in feare and therefore still they persisted in their first resolution making their complaints to the embassadours of the neighbour princces then resident in the Hage holding that point to bee as vniust and intollerable for the estate of their princes as if they had taken and held them prisoners they could not bind them to harder conditions The Estates also for their parts made their complaints to the said embassadors alledging That they being by the said princes held and esteemed for free countries the said princes sought to impose many conditions vpon them which the prouinces vnder their owne command could not suffer nor indure In the end of Februarie the princesse of Orange came to the town of Hage in Holland by the procurement of the Estates of the vnited prouinces bringing with her out of Franne an hundred and twentie fiue thousand crownes in readie money where shee was visited and welcommed by the most part of all the embassadors and also by the deputies for the king of Spaine and the archdukes The sayd deputies for the king of Spaine
besieged Letters from the state of West-FriselaÌd to the besieged Alcmar freed from the siege A Prouerbe The emperor seeketh the peace of the Netherlands Zeeland Geertrnydenberg surprised by the prince Maesland sluce yeelded ãâã Romerswael yeelded to the Zeelanders The prince of Oranges comming into Zeeland The duke of Alua's retreat What the duke of Alua's enemies write of him ãâã duke of ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã Those of Middelbourg in great extremity Don Lewis his ãâã ãâã The towne of Leyden besieged Braue sallies made by the besieged of Leydââ¦n The small Barkes of the Spaniards giue an alarme to the Zelanders A victory of the Protestants The signior of Boysot hurt The Commander a spectator of his mens ouerthrow Iulien Romero sauâs himselfe and d' Auila flies with his troupes Captaine Strenchant taken Strenchant exchanged for ââ¦uert and Mâ⦠Deputies of either part at Rammeken to makâ⦠a composition fââ¦r Middelbourg A composition for Middelbourg The conditions Cont Lodouic comes to succor the Protestanââ¦s of the Netherlands The Spaniards leaue Leyden Sanchio d'Auila views the Protestants armie Mondragon ioynes with Auila The defeat death of Cont Lodouic of Nassau The spaniards come to Antwerp the 26. of Aprill Champigni would haue beaten the spaniards out of the towne The spaniards being by the castell enter Antwerp where they mutine A Iesuite preachââ¦ng in the market place they said they would haue money nâ⦠preaching The ãâã spââ¦ch to the mutinous souldiars The towne of Antwerp was forced to pay 400000. gilders to appease that mutiny and so it was ended The Zeelanders takes the ships of warre of Antwerp The spaniards returne to Leyden The spaniards about Bomel Gorrichom The taking of Vandrichom Leerdam The Spaniards buââ¦d forts vpon the riuer of Mââ¦use Three diuerse desseignes of the Commander A vaine enterprise vpon Delfe A generall pardon giuen by the King in the Netherlands The spaniards seeme to desire peace Difficulties vpon the order of the treaties of peace ãâã letters tâ⦠Saâ⦠Aldeguââ¦de A petition of ââ¦e Stââ¦es of ââ¦lland ãâã This petition more dââ¦slikt then the first Doctor Iunius letter to ãâã The Princes aduice to the States A couragious resolution of the States of Holland The endeauor of captains Ruyckhauer at the Hage Some English defeated The English rewarded for thââ¦ir trechery by the Spaniard to whome they had yeelded The Spaniards meane not to batter Leyden A short and resolute answer of the besieged at Lââ¦yden A happy incounter vnex pected for them of Leyden Thierry of Bioââ¦chhorst Gouernor of Lââ¦yden A tââ¦xe vpon the victualls Money coined of paper at Leyden A sallie made by the besieged 1574. A surious sallie of the Burgers of Leyden The Prince of Orange ve ry sicke The great resolution of the besieged of Leyden The Admirall Boysot sent for by the Prince Separation of three Iurisdictions The spaniards come to skirmish The army aduanceth tosuccor Ley den 1574. Collonel la Garde informes the Prince The Protestants charge the Spaniards A fault is some times profitable Captaine Catteuille others drowned An other passage to succor Leyden A passage into Rhinlandt The Protestants intrenched at the passage The Spaniards quit their lodging to the Protestants The Protestants enter into the lake of Noorda The Protestants lodge aâ⦠Soetermeer Those of Leyden distressed importunââ¦d A braue answer made by the beseeged of Leyden The Prince comes to visit the army ãâã Proââ¦s ãâã ââ¦uance ãâã succors all ââ¦y can The Protestââ¦nts in great ãâã Stompischwech attempted in vaine A tumult in the tââ¦wne agââ¦st ââ¦he Magiââ¦te The couragious answer of the Burgeumaster of Leyââ¦en A flying messenger Vnexpectâ⦠succors which God sends by the winde The Spaniards amazed A passage opened The Protestants passe the dike The Spaniards ââ¦e Many Spaniards perished in this out The Spaniards loose aboue 100. boats A diuision in the towne of Leyden The extreme famine in Leyden 6000 persons dead at Leyden during the siege What the fort of Lemmen was The spaniardâ⦠abandon the fort of Lemmen The deliuerance of Leyden the 3. of October A testimonie of Gods prouidence A peece of the towne wall falls The Admirall enteââ¦s Leyden with the army The Prince of Orange aduertised of the deliuery of Leyden A gallââ¦nt enterprise with ãâã The Prince comes to Leyden The Princes admonition to the Magistrates of Leyden A generall coââ¦lection of armes to releeue the poore commons of Leyden The courtesie of them of Leyden to the Admirall Boisot Worcum ãâã ââ¦y the Spaââ¦rds Leerdam won by the Spaniards The Spaniards mutine and take Francisco valdes prisoner The Spaniardâ⦠leaue South Holland The Mutyned Spaniards faile to surprise Vtrecht 1575. The great Commander makes a shew to desire peacâ⦠The emperor Maximilian seeketh to make a ãâã The deputies that were sent ââ¦o make peace Articles of the peace ofred by the King vnto them of Holland and Zeeland 1575. The States answer to the King proposition of peace offered to the Netherlands Wherefore the Spaniards are straingers to the Netherlandes The Kings deputies replication to the States declaration touching peace A monethes time dââ¦manded by the States to consââ¦r of the caââ¦e The Erale of ãâã taking his ãâã of the de ãâã ãâã ãâã ââ¦th ãâã ãâã ãâã of ãâã ââ¦use The Statâ⦠declaratioâ⦠in the second assembly at Breda The opinions oâ⦠the comââ¦ers counââ¦ââ¦d others ââ¦ng the ãâã and moâ⦠on oââ¦ââ¦on The Prince of Orang and the States answer to the assembly at Breda The Kings Deputies answer to the ãâã last ãâã at the breaking vp of the treaty of peace 1575 This treaty of peace made the Princes cause to be better thought on by all men The commander resolues to warie The towne cââ¦stell of Buren yââ¦elded Leyden in ãâã ââ¦de an ãâã The Prince of Orange third marriage Ouââ¦water beââ¦ged The fort of the Scluse basely abandoned A gallant ãâã made by captaine Morcant Resolution of them of Oudwater ãâã proffit hurts the geneââ¦all Goââ¦d order in the towne 1575. Oudwater sommoned to yeeld and refuseth The beseeged prepare to defend the breach The deligenâ⦠of the beseegâ⦠Oudwater taken by Assault The cruelty of the Spaniard Schoonhouen ãâã by the Spaâ⦠Schoonhouen yââ¦lded by an honest Composition The Spaniards deâ⦠vpon Ziricxzee The Spanââ¦s ãâã ââ¦nto the ãâã Ziricxzee 1575 The siege of ziricxee A fleete from Spaine with new soldiars The Commander sends an agent into England The States resolue for thâ⦠preseruatioâ⦠1576. The vnited states send to demand succors from England The CoÌmanâ⦠ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã of ãâã The King of Spaines bââ¦bt The demand of Flanders to the commander The request of the comander The fort of Crimpen taken by the Protestants of Holland The death of the great Commander 1576. ãâ¦ã The Admââ¦ll ãâã slame Ziriczee yeelded to the Kings councell of state A mutinââ¦e amââ¦ng the spaââ¦ards ãâ¦ã The mutineâ⦠proscribââ¦d All the contry in armââ¦s to chase away the spaniards The Kings councell of state seazed on and
why The Duke of Arschot made chiefâ⦠of the councell of State Letters froÌ the States of Brabant to the prouinces and townes ãâã partiââ¦ular 1576. 1576. A discontent bââ¦wixt the English and the zelanders The duke of Aniou sent foâ⦠into the low countries A league against the mââ¦tines The Castell of Antwerp a retreate for the chiefe of the ââ¦utines The Stââ¦tes men defââ¦ated at ãâã ââ¦ken by the mutââ¦s ãâã ãâã ââ¦t the ãâã of ãâã won ãâã the ãâã ãâã the ãâã oâ⦠ãâã ãâã ãâã 1576. The States thinking to assure themselues of Maesââ¦cht are preuented by the Spaniards The Cittadell of Cambray suââ¦prized ââ¦or the States The States seeke ââ¦o assuâ⦠them-seââ¦s of Antwerp ãâã inââ¦o de Râ⦠ãâã oâ⦠the ãâã muââ¦s They ãâã Aâ⦠ãâã ãâã sâ⦠agââ¦nst the ãâã The death of the ââ¦p rout ãâã The death of ãâã ãâã ãâã ââ¦alatin The sââ¦ke of Antwerpe by the Spaniards The towne-house burnt The Eaââ¦le of Ouerstein and the Seignior of Bieure drowned The ââ¦arle of ãâã and some otherâ⦠pââ¦soners The number of them that died in this fââ¦ry of either side A Spaniard deceiued 1576. A rort built at Burcht by the Spaniards 1576. Don Iohn giues the Staââ¦es cause to suspect him 1576 1576. 1575. 1576. Brabant and other Prouinces seeke allââ¦ance from Holland Zeeland and the Prince of Orangâ⦠1576. 1576. 1576. The States preparâ⦠their army and send into France and England for ayde The Lord of Sweueghens oââ¦on to the Queene of England 1576. 1576 The Queene of England anâ⦠to the Statâ⦠Ambassaâ⦠1576 A passage free to the sea without passing before Antwerp The castle of Gant besiââ¦ged The castle of Gant yeelded The Castle yeelded The state of Groningue at that ââ¦me Robles Seignior of Billi seeks to spoile them that refuse the ãâã 1577 The Seignior of ãâã taken prisoner by his owne men The Captains are taken prisoners by a generall mutine The soldiars of ãâã sweare vnto the States 1577 The Gouernnor of Zutphen taken prisoner The Earle of Rheneberghe ââ¦ouernor ãâã the place of Robles A general Vnion of the State 1577. 1577. The Spaniards charged and defeated by Collonel Balfour Treaty betwixt Don Iohn and the States aâ⦠Maââ¦che in Famine Don Iohns demands of the Estates 15ââ¦7 The ãâã of ãâã to Don Iohn vpon ââ¦he 17. of Ianuâ⦠rie Don Iohns answere there vpon vnto them The states resolute ââ¦nsw re to Don Iohn 1577 Don Iohn aââ¦pired to be King of ââ¦ngland and Scotland The reason that incited the states to harken to the peace The contââ¦ta of the perpetuall decree of peace made between Don Iohn and the states of the Netherlands 1577. 1577 Much promi sed but no thing performed 1577. 1577. The Castell or Vtrecht yeelded to the States A perpetuall ãâã to the Pââ¦nce and States of Holland 1577. The answer of the states of Holland and Zeeland to the generall estates Touching the free conuocation of the generall estates The Earle of Buren detained still notwithstanding the accord Don Iohn hiâ⦠accord ãâã suspect to the states of Holland c. The Spaniards leaue the Castâ⦠of Aââ¦werp 1577 Prisoners deliuered of eyther side The king of Spaine ratified the perpetuall Edict The great hope they had of Don Iohn The great conceit they had of Don Iohn not durable Don Iohn puts from him them of the countrey and is serued with strangers 1577. Don Iohn admits none to councell but them that are Spaniolized Those that are suspect vnto the state are fauoured by Don Iohn A ãâã at Gheertrudenbergh ãâã May 1577. 1577. 1577. 1577. 1577. 1577 1577. 1577. 1577. Don Iohn takes occasion to go to Macklin Don Iohns letters to the Germaine Collonels 1577 Don Iohn practiseth from the beginning against the States A beginning of ââ¦ster intââ¦rpretation of the pacification of Gant Don Iohns ãâã ââ¦bling Escouedo incenââ¦th Don Iohn 1577. Don Iohn seekes a quarrell against the States Don Iohn seekes to make warre be twixt the States and the Prince of Orange Don Iohn writs into Germany and England against the Prince The warre of Holland and zeeland the chieââ¦e foundation of Doâ⦠Ioââ¦n Don Iohn seekes to retire into some fronter ãâã 1577. Don Iohn thinking to assure himselfe of Antwerp looseth it Hierges and Floien Floion and Hierges The Prince of Chimay sent forââ¦y Don Thon out of the castell of Antwerp 1577. The signior of Treslon in the castle of Anrwerp for Don Iohn Don Iohn his letters to the signior of Pnylomey Don Iohn seekes meaneâ⦠to incense the States 1577 ââ¦hn ãâã vpon the castle of Namur Don Iohn complaines os the States Don Iohn couers his desseignes with an imaginary conspiracy The States shew no discontent but intreated Don Iohn 1577. Don Iohn begins to discouer himselfe A great feare and ââ¦lteration in Antwerpe Don Iohn Escouedo write into Spaine 1577 Extract of a letter written to Antonio Perez 1577. Escouedoâ⦠prophetiâ⦠These letters intercepted discouer Don Iohns inteââ¦on 1577. The states begin to distrust Don Iohn Don Iohn wââ¦tes to Collonell Foucker A letter from the Seignior of Treslon to Don Iohn 1577. Treslââ¦n taken prisoner and the Castââ¦l yeelded to the States The Germains put to flight and defeated Liere assumed for the state 1577 The gouernor of Namur forsakes Don Iohn Don Iohn seekes to iustifie himselfe Two causes of Don Iohns rââ¦treate to Namur Diuers places yeelded to the states Sept. 5. 1577. * Place this betweene Folio 646. and 647. 1577. 1577. 577. 1577. A tumult in Leeuwarden where vpon the cââ¦le is yeelded to the states The castle of Antwerp demanteled Many castlâ⦠ruined in the Netherlands The states print their iustifications against Dom Iohn 1577. The States seek succors from all parts The Prince of Orange comes to Antwerp Breda yeelded and Collonel Frunsberg pââ¦oner The Prince made Rouard of Brabant 1577. A tumult at Groninghen and some prelats and others takeÌ prisoners Don Iohn proclaymed enemy to the Netherlands Don Iohn being retired to Luxembourg sends to the Emperor 1577 Don Iohn fortefied with troupes Bouines taken by the states Champaignis mââ¦n defeated by the Germaines Polwiller reââ¦th succors which Don Iohn sends him 1577. Don Iohn sends to succor Ruremonde A base retreat of the States campe from Ruremonde 1578. 1578. The Arch-duke Mathias receiued for Gouernor The Seignior of Selles sent by the King vnto the stateâ⦠Don Iohn frames the body of an army Ielousie among the Nobllity sor the Leutenancy of the Arch-duke Mathias 1577. Iealousie makes the Noblemen to abandon the armie The defeate of the states Armie neere vnto Gemblours Louuain Arschot Tillemon Diest Lewe and Sichem yeeld to Don Iohn The Duke of Aniou offers succors to the states 1578. Saint Guislain assured for the states Amsterdam yeeldeth to the states 1578 Niuelle yeelded to Don Iohn Many small townes in Henault yeelded to Don Iohn Councellors displaced in Frisland vpon suspition 1578. A change of Magistrat ãâã the Netherlands A mutinie at Maestrick pacified and punished
A decree made by the states to entertaine the pacification of Gant Friars burnt ââ¦or Sodomie at Gant and Bruges What Cornellis a Franciââ¦an Friar of Bruges was 1578 Saint Aldegonds oration made at the assembly oâ⦠the Princes of tââ¦e Empire holden at Worms in the yeare 1578. 1578. A small defeat of the Spaniards by the French The Spaniards beseege Lââ¦mbourg 1578 The Castle of Heude trea cherââ¦usly deliuered to the Prince of Parma Octauio Gonzague preuailes ãâã ââ¦le in Henault The death of the Countesse of Egmont The duke of Aniou comes to succor the states 1578. An vnworthy and cruel ââ¦act of captaine Pont and well reuenged Mary ãâã more worthy of commendation then Lucrece Don Iohn resolues to charge the states at Remenant 1578. The great skirmish by Rymenant 1578. A tumult at Valencienes The duke of Anicus capitulation with the States The duke of Anious ãâã 1578 The states ar mie vnprââ¦table for want of pay The beginning of the male-contents A great skirmish neere vnto Louvain Three castles taken by the states at one instant Some companâ⦠of mââ¦contents surprized at Gaure Menin surprized by the Male-contents 1578. Temples granted in diuers place to the Protestants Peace propounded to Don Iohn by forren Princes 1578 Don Iohn refuseth to make peace but desireth to haue a truce The causes that moued the Stats to tolerate them of the religion The Protestants request for a religious peace 1578. 1578. The states resolution touching a religious peace The preface of the religious peace 1578. The articles of the religious peace 1578 1578. 1578. The Gentlemen in Brussels present a request against ãâã religious ââ¦ce Champigni committed to ââ¦on 1578. Duke Cassimires armie The Prelates and Nobles prisoners in Friseland escape Secret practises in Arras Diuers committed to prison in Arraâ⦠1578. The names of fifteene Deputies in Arras 1578 The States of Arthois ââ¦eld extraordinarily The Magistrats of Arras seazââ¦d on The Magistratâ⦠of Arraâ⦠iââ¦larged reueng themselues 1578. The Seignior of Gosson beââ¦dded in Arras Duke Casimire comes to Gant 1578 The death of Don Iohn of Austria 1578. 1578. 1578. 1578 Bins taken by the Duke of Anicu The Ganthoiâ⦠defeated 1578. Iames Hassel and visââ¦h hanged at Gaââ¦t The Duke of Parmâ⦠pââ¦eth the Meuse The taking of Carpen. The States actiââ¦s ãâã ãâã 1579. Articles propounded to the Ganthois Deputies sent to tââ¦e Ganthois Offers made by the duke of Aniou to the Ganthois The Queene of Englands declaration to the Ganthois 1578. Deputies from Brusselles to Gant The Ganthois answer to the articles propounder vnto them Articles propounded to the Ganthois by the generall estââ¦ts 1578 The Princes reasons to perswade the Ganthois to Concord The Romish Religion established in Gant vpon certaine conditions All things reconcilââ¦d in Gant 1578 The Malecontents treated witâ⦠but in vââ¦e The vicont of Gant and the ãâã ãâã in ââ¦ue the States The retreââ¦t of Duke Casiâ⦠ãâã of ãâã army 1578. Deuenter yeelded to the States Cont Swartzenbergh purââ¦ues his legation The death of Cont Bossu The Duke of Anious retreat into France 1579. 1579. The English men take the Abbot of S. Michaell The coullord reasons of the Malecontents Diuers Knights and Gentlemen cââ¦upted wââ¦th money by the Spaniaââ¦ds 1579. An accord made by the Baron of Montigni A confirmation of the Baron of Montignieâ⦠accord 1579. Letters from them of Lille Douay and Orchies to the generall Estates 1579. The States answere to them of Lille 1579. 1579. Mastricht beseeged by the Prince of Parma The Prince of Espinoy tempted Instructions giuen to the signior of Charpesteau Hee meââ¦nes the Duke of Aniou whom the Earle of Lalain had called or the Prince of Orange or Duke Casimire iudge ââ¦ich 1579. 1579. They of Tournay and Tournesis refuse to Enter the reconciliauon Deputies sent from Brusselââ¦s to the States of Arthois La Noue makes vvarre in Flanders 1579 1579. 1579. 1579. 1579 Many enter into the vnion of Vââ¦echt The signior of Boxtel gouernor of Boisleduc 1579. Fears seizeth vpon the Protestants of Boisledue 1579 Groningen refusing the vnion is forced A tumult at Bruges for the vnion A Collonel made in hast and by force 1579. The States more quicke to succor Bruges Maestricht beseeged by the Prince of Parma 1579. An assault appointed A braue assault well defended A deere Assault without any fuite They of Antwerp ââ¦bot to releeue Maestricht ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã this ãâã 1579. A tumult in Antwerp at a generall procession 1579 The Priests Monks chased out of Antwerp by the people A shamefull enterprise made by the Earle of Egmont 1579. The Liegeois helpe the Spaniards at the campe before Maestricht The states negligent to succor Mastrient An other assault whereas the signior of Hierges was slaine 1579. An assault giuen to Mastricht during a part and the towne taken with fury Captaine Bastien taken prisoner A priuat reconciliation of Arthois Henault c. 1579. 1579 1579. 1579. 1579. Many tovvnes enter into this priuat reconciliation The treaty of Cologne vnprofitable 1579. The behauiour of Iohn d'Imbise in Gant The Prince accept the gouernment of Flanders The first ãâã of Couerden 1579. A conuoy of the Malecon tents defeated Macklyn summoned by the Estates will remaine Neuters La Noue makes the Germaines leaue Villebrouck The taking of Mortagne and S. Amand by the Parmois Niuelle surprised by the Estates 1579 An enterprise by the Malcontents against Cortrike but tooke no effect 1579. The Malcontents horse-men ouerthrowne by La Noue whereby they forsooke many places in Flanders 1579. The Prince of Oranges oration to the states of Holland Zeeland 1579 What sorces the prince of Paââ¦ma then had 1579 1579 The princes aduice for the establishâ⦠of a counsell of State 1579 1579 1580 Another declaratioÌ made vnto the states by the prince of Orange 1580 1580 Consultation made by the deputies of the states assembled in Antuerpe touching the chaÌge of their soueraigne lord 1580 1580 1580 1580 Courtray surprised by the Seignior of Alennes The earle of ââ¦ont taken in Nyenouen 1580 The castle of Leewerden taken by the states of Friseland and broken downe 1580 Harlingen castle taken by the states of Friseland and broken down The castle of Staueren takeÌ by the Estates and broken downe 1580 1580 Groning besieged by the states Images brokeÌ and throwne down in Frise land and Oueryssell 1580 The death of Bartel Entens with a briefe description of his life 1580 1580 Martin Schencks forces sent to releeue Groning Vprore in Swool 1580 A battaile between the earl of Hohenlo Mar Schenck The siege before Groning abandoned 1580 Delfziel yeelded vp to the prince of Parma 1580 Coeoorden taken by the earle of Hohenlo Oxlagh taken by the earle of Renenbergh and broken downe The earle of Hohenloes forces ouerthrowne by Weeden 1580 Coeuoorden taken againe by the earle ãâã Reuenbergh after that Oldenzeel 1580 The earle of ââ¦mont diââ¦ed Pouchain yeelded by composition Macklin taken by the Stââ¦tes
1580 1580 * Iohn Petit. Inglemunster besieged by la Noue 1580 Monsieur la Noue taken prisoner before Inglemunster The lord of Hesse belieaded 1580 Diest won by the States with Sichem and Arschot Niuelle victualed by the States but not long after taken by the prince of Parma 1580 The duke of Aniou receiued for soueraigne lord of the Netherlands Articles between the Netherlands and the duke of Aniou 1580 1580 1580 The archduke Mathias takes his leaue of the Estates Orders made by the Estates for martiall discipline and other things 1580 1580 Conde surprised Steenwick besieged by the earle of Renenbergh 1580 1580 A resolute exploit of a souldier The exploit of the earle of Renenberghs men 1580 1580 Steenwicke ââ¦red with shot 1580 The Estates resolution foâ⦠Steenwicke 1580 1581 A challenge sent to Sir Iohn Norris answered by captain Williams 1581 An Aââ¦gure at Steenwicke 1581 Bullets shot with letters in them Steenwick victualed by Sir Iohn Norris 1581 Steenwick releeued and the siege broken vp 1581 The king of Spaines resââ¦lution to hâ⦠the prâ⦠of Oranâ⦠ãâã therâ⦠The edict of the prince of Oranges proscription 1581 The prince of Oranges Apologie to the proscription His answer for the point of ingratitude 1581 The seruices done by the house of Nassau to the house of Austria Touching the order of the golden fleece Of the coââ¦sel of state Touching his mariage 1581 The inconstancie of the commanders of the Male-contents 1581 The States answer to the prince of Orangââ¦s Apologie made to the king of Spaine 1581 The exercise of the Romish religion restrained in Brussels 1581 1581 Baerle taken and recouered The castle of Breda surprised 1581 Eindouen recouered by the Spaniard Orders made in Antuerpe 1581 An enterprise against Flessingue pretended ââ¦y the prince of Parma but not effectââ¦d 1581 The castle of Staueren won by Sonoy 1581 The death of the earle of Renenbergh 1581 1581 Cambray victualled 1581 Castle Cambresis taken by the duke 1581 1581 1581 The Edict ââ¦f the general Estates declaring the king of Spain to be fallen froÌ the seigniorie of the Netherlands 1581 1581 1581 1581 1581 1581 1581 The forme of the othe of abiuration of the king of Spain The departure of the archduke Mathias out of the Netherlands S. Guislain surprised by the prince of Espynoy 1581 Tournay besieged by the prince of Parma Tournay yeelded by composition 1581 1581 The prince of Oranges desire to be discharged of his place The States answer to the princes demaÌd 1582 The duke of Aniou comes out of England into Zeeland 1582 * Iohn Petit. 1582 1582 The Duke of Aniou created Duke of Brabant 1582 The dukes entrie into Antuerpe The dukes oth to the towne of Antuerpe 1582 1582 A plot laid to kill the prince of Orange 1582 The murtherer shoots the prince The murtherer slaine * Iohn Petit. 1582 A vaine enterprise vpon the castle of Namur Lens surprised and lost again 1582 Audenarde besieged by the prince of Parma Audenarde yeelded to the Spaniard by composition Alost surprised by the Estates 1582 The castle of Gaesbeke surprised by the Spaniard Arschot attempted in ââ¦aine 1582 An attempt against the duke of Anious and the prince of Oranges persons discouered FraÌcisco Baza kils himselfe ââ¦edo ãâã in ãâã with ãâã The duke of Aniou inuested earle of Flanders 1582 Liere betrayed to the Spaniard 1582 1582 Lochum besieged by the Spaniard 1582 The siege of Lochú raised The castles of Keppel and Bronchurst yeelded to the Estates Gaesbeke yeelded to the duke of Aniou Enchouen yeelded also 1582 Castle Cambresis yeelded to the Spaniard 1583 Steenwick surprised by the Spaniard Meghen taken by the Estates Eindouen surprised for the duke of Aniou The French king refuseth succors to the duke his brother some aduice concerning it 1583 Dunkerke assured for the duke 1583 Three sorts of humors in the dukes counsell The relation of the enterprise of Antuerpe 1583 The foolish cruell enterprise of the duke of Aniou vpon Antuerp 1583 The number of them that were slaine The noblemen that were slaine 1583 Montpensier blames the duke for the attempt at Antuerpe The duke seeks to excuâ⦠himselfe and to accuse them of Antuerpe 1583 The Dukes letters to them oâ⦠Antuerpe 1583 The dukes letters to moniââ¦ur Timpel Seuerall opinions of the dukes enterprise 1583 Embassadors sent to the States from England and France The prince of Oranges aduice vpon the reconciliation with the duke of Aniou 158â⦠1583 1583 Monsieur de Bellieure treateth with the Estates for the duke of Aniou 1583 1583 The duke goes to Dunkerke yeelding the towns he held to the Estates 1583 The Bourse at Antuerpe burnt Eindouen yeelded to the Spaniard 1583 Woude castle yeelded to the Estates Diest besieged 1583 Westerloo yeelded to the Spaniard Zichem yeelded to the Spaniard 1583 W Dunkerke besieged Nieuport yielded Furnes and Dixmuyden yeelded to the Spaniard The Sas seized on by the Spaniard 1583 Weert spoiled by the estates 1583 1583 1583. Zutphen surprised by the Spaniard 1583 1583 Steelandt ââ¦eelds the land of Waes to the Spaniard Alost deliuered by the English to the Spaniard 1584 A tumult in Gant A new tumult in Gant 1584 Ypre yeelded by composition 1584 1584 1583 1584 1584 1584 1584 1584 1584 1584 1584 Chimay yields Bruges to the Spaniard 1584 1584 1584 Iohn Petit. 1584 1584 The colonels of Antuerpe abandon Herental 1584 The prince of Orange traiterously murthered 1584 The prince slaine His last words 1584 The murtherer seekes to escape The murtherers coÌfession 1584 The murtherers second confession 1584 1584 A sentence against Baltazar Gerard the murtherer of the prince of Orange 1584 The execution of the murtherer The prince of Oranges funerall pompe 1584 The prince of Oranges age and disposition His wiues and children Graue Maurice chosen gouernour Iohn d'Imbise beheaded 1584 Dendermond besieged by the Spaniard Dendermond yeelded 1585 1585 An accord made with the towne of Gant 1585 The shippes enter into Antuerpt not withstanding the cannon 1585 A speech in Antuerpe tending to an accord 1585 The prince of Parma builds a bridge vpon the riuer of Autuerpe 1585 Teligni taken prisoner by the Spaniard 1585 The Estates consult to whom they shall giue themselues 1585 Iohn Petit. 1585 1585 The bourgers of Antuerpe take a new oath Bernardin de Mendosa his speech to the French king 1585 The kings answere to the deputies of the Estates 1585 1585 1585 How Nyme ghen came into the Spaniards hands The castles of Nienbeek and Hackfort taken by the Spaniards Doesbourg yeelds to the Spaniard 1585 Arnham assured for the Estates party Brussels makes an accord with the king of Spaine 1585 The forts of Lyefkenshoek and Doel takeÌ by the Estates An enterprise vpon Oostend wel begun but ill followed 1585 Schuyléburch taken by the Spaniard Sclickenbourg taken for the Estates Nuis surprised and spoyled 1585 Another designe to cut Coesteyns dike 1585 1585 The vnfortunat mariage of the
Brabant to diuert the siege of Scluââ¦e The Earle of Leicester returnes into Zealand Haultepenne defeated and slaine D. Leonlnus spââ¦ech to the generall estates in his Excellencies name 1587. Sir Roger Willâams words in his discours 1587. 1587. The Earle excuseth himself The generall estates held at Dordrecht where the Earle excuseth him-selfe 1587. The States declaration to the Earle of the Leicester For want of a natural Prince the gouernment returnes to the Noble gentry and townes 1578. The forme of the othe made by the men of warre The Earle of Leicesters answer to the declaration of the first of September 1587. The estates seeke to reconcile the Earles of Leicester and Hohenlo The Earle of Hohenlos answer to the estates 1587. Great consusion by mistaking betwixt the Earle of Leicester and Hohenlo 1587. The Earle of Leicesters declaration to the estates The Earle complaines of their letter to the Queene the forth of February If the estates meanes were not sufficient ther was bope of a peace 1587. The Earle desireth mââ¦re contribuââ¦ion The Queene desiteth to entertaine the ancient contracts The Estates answere to the Earle of Leicesters letters 1587. The ââ¦states complââ¦ine of the act of restraint They excuse tââ¦e bitternesse of their ââ¦etter of the 4 of February 1587. The Hollanders contribution in two yeares The Estates hoped that the Queene vvould make no peace without them 1587. Another declaration made by the Estates to the Earle of Leicestââ¦r 16. October That the Estates haue lausuââ¦l authority ouer the Prouinces The Estates desire an oth of the soldiars accordââ¦ng to the contract 1587. The Estates desire to haue the authority of particular Gouernors maintained A declaration of the Estates of Holland and Friseland touching their preuileges 1587. During the minority of the Emperor Charles the Estates had the soueraignty The contempt of the Estates cause of the troubles 1587. From whence the authority of the Estates is deriued How the towne of Holland Zealand are gouerned The Councell chose the Burguemaisters Schepen 1587. The forme of gouernment What the Estates be Whence the soueraignty of the Estateâ⦠proceedeth 1587. The Duke of Parmas new disseigne The Ministers perswade the Estates to reconciliation with the Earle of Leicester The Estates answer The Magisstrates of Vtrect write vnto the Estates Their answer 1587. The Earle of Leicester seekes to seize vpon Leyden The Estates do wisely conceale the cause of the execution at Leyden Meppel surprized by the Estateâ⦠1587. The towne of Enchuysen desier the earle of Lââ¦icester to forbeate to enter into their towne being iealous of Sonoy Speeches in England touching the Netherlands 1587. The Earle of Leicester called home into England The Earle of Leicesters letter at his departure out of the Netherlands The estates write to the Earle of Leicester 87. The Earle of Leicester resigâ⦠his gouernment of the Vni ted Prouinces Schencks enterprize 1588. Schenke surpââ¦seth Bonne Bonne spoiled and ransomed 1588 Ville ââ¦orde surprized by the estates Deputies from the Queene vnto the states Deruties sent from the estates into England The contributions of the Prouinces in two yeares 1588. 1588. A certaine coyne made by the Estates Commissioners sent out of England to treat with the Duke of Parina The reasons that mooued the Queene of England ãâã treat 1588. Hattem atempted by the Spaniards with great losse Verdugo armes sââ¦ps of war at Delfziel A mutiny at Medenblickâ⦠1588 Medenblicke besieged by the Estates The Queene refuseth to speake any more for them ãâã Medenbââ¦ke 1588. A mutinie inâ⦠Geertruyden berg Bonne besieged by the Prince of Chymay Schinek goes to an imperial dyet An answer made to Schenck at the Imperiall dyet 1588. Bonne yeelded vp againe Sir William Russel entertaines them of Campuere in the Queenes obedience 1588. St. Williá Russel writes to the Councell of Estate The Councell of Estates answer They of Campuere Arnemuyden refuse to obey the Estates 1588. Prince Maurice retiers himselfe notwithout cause That he had not done any thing but by expresse ââ¦rant The Queenes letters to the Estates The Estates answer to the Queene Prince Maurice writs to the Queene 1588. partiallities begin to cease A petition by the Captaines discharged to the Queene for recompence 1588 Opinions on both sides touching the gouernment of the Nether lands 1588. The commissioners sent to treat with the duke of Parma The commissioners for the King of Spaine The Queenes demands The Spaniards answers The Queenes replication 1588. Cardinall Allens booke against her Maiesty The Queene sends to the Duke of Parma about the in vading of England and his ansvver 1588. The last answer of the Spanish comissioners The treatie of peace broke off 1588 The King of Spaine prepares to inuade England and the Netherlands The descriptioÌ of all the ships saylers and soldiers 1588. The description of the ordinance and munition A Kintall is a hundred waight Description of the victuals and other necessaries The Commanders of the armie Chiefe officers and gentlemen The Duke of Parmas preparation to ioyne with this armie 1588. His forces Great noble men came into Flanders The Popes helpe towards the conquest of England the Netherlands Preparation made by the Netherlands 1588. The army of Spaine puts to sea Disperst by a tempest They put to sea againe The Commission of the Spanish army was to ioyne vvith the duke of Parma Difficulties for the effecting of the Spanish commission 1588. Don Pedro de Valdez ship taken A fight before Portland 1588. The duke of Parma prepares himself His troupes are not ready shipt A notable stratagem vsed by the English to driue the Spanish fleet from their anchors 1588 A sight before Graueling the 10 of August The Spaniards losse in the last fight Two Gallions brought into Zeeland 1588. The Spanish army in despaire Many of the Spanish fleet cast away vpon the coast of Ireland The Duke of Medina excuseth himselfe Many Spanish Noblemen and Gentlemen died soone after their returne 1588. The Duke of Parma and la Motte being blamed excuse themselues The duke of Parmaes deseigne to besiege Berghen 1588. A declaration of the troubles in Vtrecht 1588. The Earle of Mââ¦urs reconciles Vtrecht with Holland The action at the ââ¦use of Berghen 1588. 1588 1588. The Duke of Parma raiseth his siââ¦ge from Berghen 1589. Prince Maurice installed Marquis of la Vere Wachtendonk besieged and taken The subiects of the Netherlands arrested out of the country for the States debts Iames King of Scotland sends to the vnited Prouinces for pay due to Collonel Stuart The Estates send Monsieur de Voocht to the King of Scotland 1589. The Queene writes vnto the King of Scotland in fauor of the vnited Prouinces The pollicy of the vnited Prouinces touching martiall affaires 48. daies to the month for the paiement of their soldiers Their care to pay the soldiars where they serue 1588 The vnited Prouinces haue done great exploits with small numbers of men Prince Maurice is
the Archdukes Commissioners touching peace 1607. Iohn Neyen ââ¦vinciall of the Fryers sent into Holland to treat of a peaââ¦e in the Arch dukes ââ¦ehalfe The Arch-dukes declaration touching the freedomes of the vnited Prouinces and their desire to enter into a treaty of peace 1607 1607. The French King sent Ambassadors into thâ⦠vnited prouinces 1607. The States of the vnited Prouinces sent ambasadors into England The King of Spaines agreation sent vnto the vnited Prouinces 1607. 1607. The opinions of the Netââ¦s touching the ââ¦ty of peace Considerations of the Netherlanders touching a peace 1607 Greatâ⦠preparation of ships of warre in Spaine The ships of Emden arested in Spaine 1607. 1607. Presents offred vnto Artsens by Fryar Iohn Nayen 1607. Frier Nayenâ⦠perswations vsed to Artesens Artesens answere to the Frier and his excuses 1607. Artesens report made to Prince Maurice and his opinion therin Presentâ⦠giuen by Iohn Nayen deliuered backe againe 1607. Mounsier Sidlensââ¦e gouernor of Graue taken prisoner Mounsieur du Bois slaine by the enemy The mutinus souldiers of Diest in Brabant The Archduke Albertus seââ¦kes to bee King of Romaines 1607. The second agreation made by the king of Spain touching the peace Friar Iohn Nayens speech vpon the deliuery of this apro bation 1607. Auditor Verrikens dââ¦la ration touching the dukes proceedings The states resolution vpon the agreeation The States answer vqon the approbation 1607. The Arch-dukes Committies makes a difficultie to deliuer the agreation iâ⦠ãâã A letter sent by the Emperor to the States ââ¦ouching a peace 1697. The King of Denmarke sent Ambassadors into Holland to be of Councell with the Estates about a peace A letter of banishment made by the Archduke against the mutinous soldiers of Diest 1607. The Ambassadors of Brandenbourgh come to Hage to and the States in the treaty of peace The generall Estates consultationâ⦠and resolutions about the treaty of peace The Palsgraues Ambassadors come to the Hage to aide the States in ââ¦heir treaty 1607. The state of the Netherlands and the cause that moued theâ⦠to the treaty of peace The Estates answer to the Emperors letters 1608. 1608. The Archdukes answere sent to the Estates touching the peace The deputies names that were to treate of peace for the Archdukes 1608. A generall fast in the vnited Prouinces to desire God tâ⦠ãâã their action of ãâã peace c. Pasports sent to the deputies of the Archduke to come into Holland The entrie of the Archdukes deputies into Holland their entertainment in euery place 1608. The names titles of the Arch dukes Deputies Discourse touching their comming to the Hage 1608. A league made by the generall Estates with the French king Seuerall congratulations welcomes giuen vnto the Deputies of the Archdukes and the liked me by them to others Spinolaes great magnificence during his abode in the Hage 1608. The Estates sent to Marquis Sââ¦pinola to know wheÌ he would eââ¦ter into treaty with them The names of the Deputies nominated appointed by the States to sit vpon the treaty of peace 1608. The 1. assemblie The 2. assemblie 1608. The 3. assemblie The 4. assemblie The 5. assemblie 1608. Reasons aledged by the Indian Marchants of the vnited Prouinces why they should not leaue off their trade 1608. 1608 Diuers mens opinions concerning the Indian trade 1608 1608 The articles of peace deliuered by the Estates 1608 1608 The archdukes articles 1608 1608 1608 The substance of the ââ¦ct for ãâã into India whereon they stood most 1608 Touching the article of truce in the Netherlands which also was so much debated 1608 The States deputies inuited to dine wââ¦h the marquesse Spinola 1608 1608 An admonitioÌ giuen by all the embassadors resident in the Hage vnto the generall Estates touching a truce for many yeares 1608 1608 1608
to depart without any further harme The duke being aduertised that the King came to assaile him leauied a great number of men giuing them halfe a pay to haue them ready at all houres mustring them euery month and yet neuer imploying them But growing weary of this charge hee cassierd them casting away all feare and went into Holland to spend some-time leauing no garrison in the fronter townes Being there hee was aduertized by the duke of Bourbon that shortly the King would make warre against him both in Bourgongne and in Piccardie where as he had great intelligences whereat beeing amazed he went presently to Hesdin whereas hee beganne to enter into ââ¦elousie of the practises they had in his townes yet hee was something long before hee could arme And at the same instant Baldwyn of Bourgongne his bastard brother and some of his houshould seruants leauing him went to serue the French King this did amaze him more fearing it had beene of some greater consequence for at that time the Constable put Saint Quentin into the Kings hands Amiens yeelded by his owne fault for that hee would not enter into it being sent for from Dourlans from Dourlans he retired to Arras fearing the like inconueniences These two chiefe townes of Amiens and Saint Quentin beeing yeelded there was an other practise the Constable laboring to make a marriage betwixt the duke of Guienne and the duke of Bourgongnes daughter saying that otherwise hee was not likely to haue any ende of the warres The duke receiuing this answere knewe well that the Constable did not loue him and that hee was the chiefe Instrument of this warre wherevpon the duke grewe to hate him in such sort as hee neuer left vntill hee had ruined and brought him to his ende Fifteene daies after the yeelding vp of Amiens the duke of Bourgongne went to field neere vnto Arras and notwithstanding any resistance hauing past the riuer of Some at Pygneur where hee did beate the Kings Archers hee went and lodged about Amiens where hee made three campes saying that hee would see if the King would come and fight with him and in the ende hee approched so neere to it as his Cannon shot at randon into the towne and ouer it where hee lay in campe about sixe weekes In the meane time the duke writ sixe lines vnto the King humbling himselfe verie much and complayning that for the appetite of an other hee had assayled him beeleeuing that if his Maiestie had beene dulie informed of all things that hee would not haue attempted it The King hauing read these lynes was very ioyfull for that hee did not credit his intelligences much and besides all long attempts were tedious and troublesome vnto him Hauing sent an answere vnto the duke there was a small truce but in the ende there was one concluded for a whole yeare Whereat the Constable seemed discontented The which beeing confirmed both armies were dismist the King retyring into Touraine the Earle of Guienne into his country and the duke of Bourgongne into his also where hee assembled the States who granted him the some of 120000. crownes the which increased aboue 500000. and did greatly augment the number of his warlike men at armes The duke of Guienne did still presse the marriage of his daughter who ledde him with great hope as hee did all others that demanded her as the duke of Calabria the Archduke Maximilian of Austria Sonne to the Emperour Frederick and others But during the treatie of this great and Noble marriage with the duke of Guienne there was still some new enterprise made by him against the King his brother to blinde the duke of Bourgongnes eyes During all those dissimulations betwixt the King the duke of Guienne the Constable and the duke of Bourgongne intermixt with some petty warres betwixt the French and the Bourgongnons Charles duke of Guienne brother to the French King died the which brake the peace betwixt the King and the duke of Bourgongne hauing beene sworne by the meanes of Peter Dariole Chancellor of France and the lord of Crà an but the King hearing of the death of his brother refused to sweare it Wherevpon the duke to recouer these two principall townes of Amiens S. Quintin entered with an army into Piccardie and tooke Nesle Roye and Montdidier then he marched with his army into Normandie thinking to take Beauvois iu Beauvoisin against the which hee did all he could to force it but preuailed not from thence hee came to Eu and Saint Vallery both which were yeelded vnto him setting fire of all the quarter euen vnto the gates of Deepe Hee tooke Neufchastell which hee caused to bee burnt and all the countrie of Caux at the least the greatest part euen vnto Rouen before the which hee went himselfe in person It was an vsuall custome betwixt the King and the duke of Bourgongne euer when as winter approched to make a truce for sixe monethes according to which custome they made one which the Chancellor of Bourgongne with his Adiuncts did negotiate and treate During which treaty they did murmor on both sides against the Earle of Saint Poll the King and the chiefe of his councell grewe in hatred of him and the duke of Bourgongne much more for hee had beene the cause of the taking of Amiens and S. Quintin during the time of peace and did thinke him to be the fire-brande of all the diuision and warre betwixt the King and him For in the time of truce hee entertayned him with the best wordes that might bee but when the warres beganne hee was his capitall enemie Moreouer hee would in a manner haue forced him to marry his daughter to the duke of Guienne He had yet an other cause of spleene against him for whilst the duke was before Amiens the Constable made a roade into Henalt and burnt the castell of Seure belonging vnto Baldwyn of Lanoy Knight of the order of the golden fleece for it was not then the manner to vse burning on either side which made the duke to set fire on some parts of Picardy and Normandie They diuised therefore some meane to be rid of the Constable of Saint Poll. On the Kings behalfe there was an ouerture made by some that adrest themselues to some seruing the duke that were the Constables enemies and who hated him no lesse then their Maister euery one exclayming on him as the Author of the warres Then they beganne to make a collection of all that hee had sayd against these two Princes they examined his actions descouered his practises and sought his ruine All that yeare during the truce was spent in practises against the Constable for the which there was a meeting appointed at Bouines in the country of Namur whether came for the King the lord of Courton Gouernor of Lymosin and Iohn Hoberge afterwardes Bishoppe of Eureux and for the duke of Bourgongne came the chancellor of Bourgongne and
1601 Oostend 1601 Dom Catris general of the Spanish armie slaine 1601 The estate of the besiged 1601 Aduertisemâ⦠out of the Spanish camp Boisleduc besieged by the prince 1601 The estates raise their siege ââ¦rom Boisleduc 1601 T' was not your archdukes sword but the keene frost That saued Boisleduc it had else bin lost Our archdukes sword as well as the keene frost Defended Boisleduc t' was your paines were lost Oostend The Spaniards charge the English trenches 1601 The towne in danger to be taken Supply of victuals comes to Oostend 1601 Sir Francis Veer makes an oââ¦er to parlâ⦠Succours of men come to Oostend 1602 The archduke giues a general assault to Oostââ¦nd The archdukeâ⦠losââ¦e at thiâ⦠assault A wonderfââ¦ll sââ¦oyle of the Spaniardâ⦠1602 The archdukes souldiers ââ¦utine 1602 Graue besieged by prince Maurice The descrscptââ¦on of Graue 1602 Sir Francis Veer shot before Graue Graue yeelded by composition 1602 Prince Maurice dissolues his armie Mutinie in the admirals army The mutiners seize vpon Hoochstrateâ⦠1602 The admirall discharged of his generals place 1602 1602 1602 160â⦠1602. 1602 1602 The mutiners protected by the vnited prouinces 1602 A fight betweene ââ¦xe gallies and certaine English and Holland ships 1602 One of the gallies sunke o Another gallie sunke The losse of the gallies 1602 Frederick Spinola saues himselfe with his treasure Oostend 1602 The crueltie of the earle of Embden 1602 They oâ⦠Embden demand aââ¦d of the vnited prouinces 1603. Oostend The Poldeâ⦠square taken 1603 A fight at sea with Spiââ¦ola's gallies Spinola slaine ââ¦e nuââ¦ber ââ¦e dead 1603 The vnited prouinces letter to the king of England The vnited Estates sent embassadors into England 1603 The kings answer to the vnited Estates 1603 Lopers of Oostend 1603 Prince Maurice comes before Boisledue 1603 A fort of the Spaniards taken with great slaughter of their men Oostend Crueltie of the Spaniards 1603 The seignior of Ghiââ¦lles gouernor of Oostend 1603 An assembly of the Estates of the empire The emperour writes to the vnited prouinces 1604 Prince Maurice retires from Boisleduc Oostend 1604 The seignior of Ghistelles gouernor of Oostend sââ¦ine 1604 The armie lands The prince master of a the isle of Cadsant Oostend 1604 Isendike besieged Isendike yeelded vpon composition 1604 An enterpise in Brabant made by prince Maurice and the squadron 1604 The prince camps before Sluce 1604 The mutiners reconciled to the archduââ¦e The disposition of the princeâ⦠campe before Sluce 1604 The conuey ouertaken by the prince and defeated Another conuoy in rout 1604 Many souldiers come to the prince The besieged in Sluce in great extremitie 1604 The mutiners serue the Archduke at the reliefe of Sluse Spinola comes to relieue ââ¦luse 1604 Spinolas men run away The great want in the towne 1604 They of Sluce demand a parle The princes offers to them of Sluce The articles of the composition 1604 What the prince found in the towne 1604 They of Oostend resolue to compound An honorable composition at Oostend 1604 The marquesse Spinola goes into Spaine The death of Lodowike earle of Nassau 1604 The vnited prouinces giue their Agent in England the title of their embassador The Spanish embassadour complaines of it The kings answere Death of Ernest earle of Mansfeld His life 1604 His children The archduke will no suffââ¦r the generall Estates of Brabant to assemble 1604 The archduke prepares to warre The vnited prouiaces prepare for warre 1604 Certaine considerations of peace being very weighty containing three points The first 1604 The second reason to mooue men vnto a peace made by a catholike vnder the archduke 1604 1604 The third discourse touching peace in the ãâã made by an indifferenâ⦠partie 1604 Note 1604 1604 The admonition vnto the vnited prouinces against peace 1604 1604 1604. 1605. 1605. 1605. 1605. 1605. 1605. 1605. 1605. 1605. 1605. An enteââ¦pise made by Prince Maurice vpon the riuer of Scheld and Antwerp 1605. The States men defeated The Gouernor of Ordam sconce slaine Wouwe Castle beseeged Prince Maurice tooke the Castle of Wouwe 1605. ãâã The Emperor sends for a pasport to the Hage for his Ambassadors to treat oâ⦠a peace which they refuse The Estates answer to the Emperor who refuse his request 1605. 1605. A vaine enterprise vpon Bercke The Earle of Hertforâ⦠sent to the ââ¦chduke out of England Ladyes attending on the Infanta 1605. Attendance vpon the Arch duke 1605. Shtââ¦s men come out of Spainâ⦠defeated by the Estates shippes Meurs set on fiââ¦e by traitors The Marquis Sp nola marcheth tovvards Friseland The Estates bring their armie neere vnto Rhynebercke 1605. Oldenzeel yeelded to Spinola by composition Spinola besiegeâ⦠and tooke Linghen The indiscretion of the Gouernor Commanders in Linghen Linghen yeelded by composition An enterprize made vpon Berghen vp-Zoome by Mounsier Hericouââ¦t 1605. Berghen in danger The Spaniard repulst from Berghen An enterprize vpon Graue made by the Gouernor of Boisleduc 1605. Bergen vp zoom once againe assailed by the enemy vpon the 20. of Septemb. 1605. The endeuors of them within the towne The Spaniard retires from Berghen Wachtendonk taken by the Spaniards 1605. 1605. Earle Theodoro Trivultio slaine 1606. Marquis Spinola goes into Spaine 1605. A sentence pronounced against the gouernor and captaines of Linghen for yeelding vp the towne The Archdukes in iealousie of the Duke of Bouillon 1606. And abandoned againe Philip Earle of Hohenlo died An enterprise made against Sluce by the Archduke 1606. 1606. Certaine captaines and soldiars punished by the Archduke for failing of the enterprize before Sluce 1061 The castle of Wouvve and Hoghestrate razed An vprore in Antvverp Two women murthered by a Spaniard in Gant 1606. Spinolaes enterprise to get into Suider sea Grol besieged by Spinola 1606. Groll yeelded ãâã Spinola 1606. Reinbergh besieged by Spinola ãâã 6. ãâã ââ¦d ãâã ne ãâã ãâã ãâã why ãâã Mauââ¦uld ââ¦e ãâã ââ¦es ãâã bââ¦o ââ¦rcke 1606. The Estates send to perswade Prince Maurice to releeue Rhynbercke An enterprize vpon Venlo 1606. Reinbergh yeeldââ¦d to Spinola The Spaniards losââ¦e at the ââ¦ge of Rhine-ââ¦erck ãâ¦ã 1607. The mutines of Dyest Peace made betweene the Earle of East-Freezeland the towne of Embden 1607. 1607. The castle of Groning broken downe The Earle of Brooke murthered by the Spaniards Erckelens taken and spoiled by Henrick Earle of Nassaw The King of Spaine the Estates prepare to warre at sea 1607. The Estates shippes sally towards Spaine They resolue to enter into the riuer of Lisbon The Estates shippes go to seeke the Spanish fleet 1607 The number of the Spanish fleete The Admiral Hemskerke slaine 1607. The Spanish Vize-admirall burnt A Galleon burnt The Spanish Admirall offers to yeeld The Estates win the battaile 1607. Their losse of shippes Their losse of men The resolutiof the Estates ships after the battaile The Admiral Hemskerke buried at Amsterdam Mounsier Hurst and maister Iohn Geuarts make an offer of peace or truce ãâã Holland 1607. The States answer to