A generall historie of the Netherlands VVith the genealogie and memorable acts of the Earls of Holland, Zeeland, and west-Friseland, from Thierry of Aquitaine the first Earle, successiuely vnto Philip the third King of Spaine: continued vnto this present yeare of our Lord 1608, out of the best authors that haue written of that subiect: by Ed. Grimeston.

[illustration]

THE GENERALL ESTATES * 1.1 of the vnited Prouinces.

The wicked counsell of the young King Roboam, The most vnlawfull lust that proud Tarquins mind o'recame, And of those two young kings the great peruersitie, Was th'onely cause that did bereaue them of their royaltie. Of twelue Tribes, onely one to Roboam remain'd, And Tarquin driuen out of Rome, the people straight obtain'd The gouernment, and the chiefe soueraigntie Of Rome, and to the Senat did commit th'authoritie. The crueltie of the Inquisitors of Spaine, That long in the vnited lands did ciuile warres maintaine, In th'end was th'onely meanes and cause, that after we The Spanish yoke long time had borne, obtain'd our libertie. (Book 12)

THE XII. BOOKE. * 1.2 (Book 12)

The Argument.

THe generall Estates of the vnited Prouinces of Gueldres, Holland, Zeeland, Zutphen, Vtrecht, Friseland, Oueryssel, and Groeningen, tooke vpon them the gouernment of the said Prouinces, af∣ter they had declared the King of Spaine to be fallen from the Seigniorie therof by a solemne Edict, hauing abiured him, broken his seals, absolued the subiects of their oath, and made them take a new 〈◊〉〈◊〉, for the preseruation of their countrey, and obedience to the said Estates. The prince of Parma besiegeth Tournay, which in the end yeeldeth. The prince of Orange desireth to quit the place of Lieutenant generall, after the departure of the archduke Mathias, and is intreated to continue it, whereupon he giues some admonitions to the Estates, but to small purpose. The duke of Aniou commeth into the Netherlands, is created duke of Brabant. A bargaine made by the king of Spaine to kill the prince of Orange, who was shot, and in great dan∣ger of his life, and the murtherer slaine. The siege of Oudenarde yeelded to the Spaniard. Alost taken by scalado for the duke of Aniou. Death of the princesse of Orange. The duke created earle of Flanders. An attempt against the duke and the prince of Orange at Bruges, for the which one was executed at Paris. The dukes armie charged neere vnto Gant by the prince of Parma, but it retires safe neere vnto Antuerpe. Lochen besieged by the Spaniard, relieued by the earle of Hohenlo in the Estates name. The strangers called backe in∣to the Netherlands by the disunited forces. The French king refuseth to succour the duke his brother, who as∣sureth himselfe of Dunkerke. Being ill aduised, he seekes to seize vpon the towne of Antuerpe, where his chiefe nobilitie was slaine: the like was attempted in diuers other townes, whereof the prince of Parma seekes to make his profit, and the duke growes odious, and yet the prince of Orange laboureth to reconcile all, the which he did by the meanes of the Seignior of Bellieure, sent by the king of Fraunce. The duke yeelding vnto the Estates the townes which he had seized on, returneth into Fraunce. Another proiect to murther the prince of Orange, by •…•…e Pedro Dordogne, and another at Flessingue, by Hans Hanson. The marshall of Biron retireth with the duke of A•…•…u his troupes. The prince leauing Antuerpe, commeth into Holland, where there is some speech to 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 erle of Holland, but without effect. Imbise called home by them of Gant, he plotteth his owne ruin, and is beheaded at Gant as a traytar, after that hee had sought to yeeld it, with Denremonde, to the Spaniard. Ypre yeelded by necessitie to the Spaniard, and Bruges by the prince of Chymay his practises. Lillo besieged in vaine by the Spaniard. The prince of Orange murthered at Delft. Prince Maurice succeeds his father in the go∣uernment: the towne of Antuerpe blocked vp: the riuer stopped: Gant and Denremonde yeelded. The endeuors of them of Antuerpe: the resolution of the Estates vpon the demaund of a new prince: they send deputies to the French king, who excuseth himselfe vpon the ciuile warres. Nymmeghen, Doesbourg, Brussels, Macklyn, and other places yeelded to the Spaniard. The Estates men defeated at Coestein, and neere to Amerongen: in the end Antuerpe is yeelded. During this siege, the Estates sent their deputies to the queene of England, who accepteth their protection, and sends her lieutenant for their preseruation.

IN the alterations which happen sometimes in an Estate betwixt the So∣ueraigne prince and a people that is free and priuiledged, there are or∣dinarily two points, which make them to ayme at two diuers ends: The one is, when as the prince seekes to haue a full subiection and obedience of the people, and the people contrariwise require, that the prince shold maintaine them in their freedoms and liberties, which he hath promised and sworn solemnly vnto them before his reception to the principalitie. Therupon quarrels grow: the prince will hold a hard hand, and will seeke by force to be obei∣ed; and the subiects rising against the prince, oftentimes with dangerous tumults, reiecting his authority, seeke to imbrace their full liberty.

In these first motions there happeneth sometimes communications and conferences, at [ A] the instance of neighbours, who may haue interest therein, to quench this fire of diuision * 1.3 betwixt the prince and his people. And then if any one of the parties groweth obstinate, and will not yeeld although he seeme to be most in fault, it followeth of necessitie, that they must come to more violent remedies, that is to say, to armes. The power of the prince is great, when he is supported by other princes, which ioyne with him for the consequence of the example, else it is but small: but that of the people (which is the body, whereof the prince was the head) stirred vp by conscience (especially if the question of Religion bee touched) the members ordained for their function, doing ioyntly their dueties, is farre greater. Thereupon they wound, they kill, they burne, they ruine, and grow desperately mad: but what is the euent? God (who is an enemie of all tyrannie and disobedience) iud∣geth [ B] of their quarrels, weigheth them in his ballance of iustice, helping the rightfull cause, and eyther causeth the prince for his rigour and tyrannie to be chased away, and depriued of his estate and principalitie; or the people for their contempt and rebellion are punished & re∣duced vnto reason; which causeth the alterations to cease, and procureth a peace: whereof we could produce many examples, both ancient and moderne, if the relation of this historie did not furnish vs sufficiently.

So the generall Estates of the vnited prouinces, seeing, that king Philip would not in any sort (through his wilfulnesse) yeeld vnto their humble suite and petitions: and notwith∣standing all the offers they could make to purchase a good, firme, and an assured peace, (notwithstanding all the intercessions both of the Emperour, the French king, the Queene [ C] of England, and other great princes and potentates of Christendome, yet would hee not glue eare to any other reason, but what himselfe did propound: the which the said Estates did not onely find vniust and vnreasonable, directly repugnant to the liberties, constituti∣ons, and freedomes of the countrey; but also contrarie to their consciences, and as it were so many snares layed to catch them, which were in no sort to bee allowed of, nor receiued, considering the qualitie of their affayres and his, according to the time that was then. In the end, reiecting all feare of his power and threats, seeing that they were forced to enter in∣to all courses of extremitie against a prince, which held himselfe so heynously offended, as no reconciliation could be expected, relying vpon the iustice and equitie of their cause, and sinceritie of their consciences (which are two brasen bulwarkes) they were fully resolued [ D] (without dissembling) to take the matter thus aduaunced in hand, and opposing force a∣gainst force, meanes against meanes, and practises against practises, to declare him quite fal∣len from the Seigniorie, preheminence, and authoritie, which before the troubles, the breach of their priuiledges, rights, freedomes, and immunities, so often and so solemnely swome by him and dispensation of his othes, hee had or was wont to haue in the said prouinces respe∣ctiuely, whereof they made open declaration by a publicke Edict, the tenor whereof fol∣loweth.

The Generall Estates of the vnited prouinces of the Netherlands, to all those that these presents shall see, read, or heare, greeting. As it is well knowne vnto all men, that a prince * 1.4 and lord of a countrey is ordayned by God, to be soueraigne and head ouer his subiects, [ E] and to preserue and defend them from all iniuries, force, and violence, euen as a shepheard for the defence of his sheepe, and that the subiects are not created by God for the prince, to obey him in all that he shall please to commaund, be it with God, or against him, rea∣sonable or vnreasonable, nor to serue him as slaues and bondmen: but rather the prince

is ordayned for his subiects (without the which hee cannot bee a prince) to gouerne them according vnto equitie and reason, to take care for them, and to loue them euen as a father doth his children, or a shepheard his sheepe, who putteth both his bodie and life in danger, to defend and preserue them. If the prince therefore fayleth herein, and in steed of preseruing his subiects, doth outrage and oppresse them, depriueth them of their priuiledges and auncient customes, commaundeth them, and will bee serued [ F] of them as of slaues, they are no longer bound to hold him and respect him as their Soueraigne prince and lord, but to repute and esteeme of him as a Tyrant; neyther are the subiects (according vnto law and reason) bound to acknowledge him for their prince: so

as without any offence, being done with deliberation and the authority of the Estates of the [ A] countrey, they may freely abandon him, and in his place chuse another for their prince and * 1.5 lord, to defend them: especially, when as the subiects by humble suit, intreatie, and admoni∣tions, could neuer mollifie their princes heart, nor diuert him from his enterprises and tyran∣nous designes: so as they haue no other meanes left them to defend and preserue their aun∣cient libertie, their wiues, children and posteritie, for the which (according to the lawes of nature) they are bound to expose both life and goods; as for the like occasions, wee haue seene it to fall out often in diuers countries, whereof the examples are yet fresh in memorie: The which ought especially to be of force in these countries, the which haue alwayes beene and ought to be gouerned, according vnto the oath taken by their princes, when they receiue them, conformable to their priuiledges and auncient customes, ha∣uing [ B] no power to infringe them: besides that, most part of the sayd prouinces haue al∣wayes receiued and admitted their princes and lords vpon certaine conditions, and by sworne contracts; the which if the prince shall violate, he is by right fallen from the su∣perioritie of the countrey. So it is, that the king of Spaine, after the decease of the Em∣perour Charles the fifth (his father) of famous memorie (from whome all these countries were transported vnto him) forgetting the seruices, which as well his father as himselfe had receyued of these countries, and the inhabitants thereof, by the which especially the king of Spaine had obtayned such glorious and memorable victories against his enemies, as his name and power was renowmed and feared throughout all the world; forgetting also the admonitions which his sayd imperiall Maiestie had heretofore giuen him: but con∣trariwise, [ C] hath giuen eare, beleefe, and credite vnto them of the counsell of Spaine which were about him; the sayd counsell hauing conceiued a secret hatred against these coun∣tries and their libertie, for that it was not lawfull for them to commaund there, and to go∣uerne them, or to merit among them the chiefe places and offices, as they doe in the realme of Naples, Sicilie, Millaine, at the Indies, and in other countries which were sub∣iect vnto the kings commaund, being also mooued thereunto by the riches of the sayd countries, well knowne to most of them: The sayd counsell, or some of the chiefe of them, haue oftentimes giuen the king to vnderstand, That for his Maiesties reputation and greater authoritie, it were better to conquer the Netherlands anewe, and then to commaund freely and absolutely at his pleasure, then to gouerne them vnder such con∣ditions, [ D] which he had at his reception to the Seigniorie of the sayd countries sworne to obserue. The king of Spaine following this counsell, hath sought all meanes to reduce these countries (spoyling them of their auncient liberties) into seruitude, vnder the go∣uernment of the Spaniards: hauing vnder pretext of Religion sought first to thrust in new bishops into the chiefe and mightiest townes, indowing them with the richest Ab∣beyes, adding to euery bishop nine chanons to serue him as counsellors, whereof three should haue especiall charge of the Inquisition: By which incorporation of the sayd bi∣shops, being his creatures, and at his deuotion and commaund (the which should hap∣pily haue beene chosen as well of strangers, as of them which were borne in the coun∣trey) should haue the first place and the first voyce in the assemblies of the Estates of the [ E] countrey: And by the adiunction of the said chanons, had brought in the Inquisition of Spaine, the which had alwayes beene so abhorred, and so odious in these countries, euen as slauerie it selfe, as all the world doth well know: So as his imperiall Maiestie hauing once propounded it vnto these countries, vpon due information giuen vnto his Maiestie, he ceased from any more speech thereof, shewing therein the great affection which hee bare vnto his subiects. Yet notwithstanding diuers declarations which were made vnto the king of Spaine, as well by the prouinces and townes in particular, as by some of the chiefe noblemen of the countrey, namely, by the baron of Montigny, and after∣wards by the earle of Egmont, who by the consent of the duchesse of Parma (then Regent of the said countries) by the aduice of the counsell of Estate, and of the generaltie, had to [ F] that end beene successiuely sent into Spaine: and notwithstanding that the king had by his owne mouth giuen them hope, that (according to their petitions) he would prouide for the contentment of the countrey; yet that hee had since by his letters done the contrarie, com∣maunding expresly, and vpon paine of his indignation, to receiue the new bishops presently,

and to put them in possession of their new bishoprickes and incorporated abbeyes, to effect [ A] the Inquisition, where they had begun to practise it, and to obey and obserue the decrees and * 1.6 canons of the counsell of Trent, the which in diuers points doe contradict the priuiledges of the countrey. The which being come to the knowledge of the commons, hath giuen iust occasion of so great an alteration among them, and greatly diminished the loue and great af∣fection, the which (as good subiects) they had alwaies borne vnto the king and to his prede∣cessors. For they called chiefely into consideration, that the king not onely pretended to ty∣rannize ouer their persons and goods, but also vpon their consciences, whereon they held themselues not to be answerable, nor bound to giue account to any one but to God onely. For this cause, and for the pitie they had of the poore people, the chiefe of the nobility in the country did in the yere 1566 exhibite certaine admonitions, by way of a petition, beseeching [ B] him, that for the pacifying of the commons, and to auoid all tumults and seditions, it would please his Maiesty (shewing the loue and affection, which as a mild and mercifull prince hee bare vnto his subiects) to moderate the said points, and especially those which concerned the rigorous Inquisition, and the punishments for matters of Religion. And to informe the king more particularly thereof, and with more authoritie, and to let him vnderstand, how necessary it was for the good and prosperitie of the countrey, and for the maintenance of peace and tranquilitie, to abolish and disannull those innouations, and to moderat the rigour of pub∣licke Edicts, for matter of Religion, the said marquesse of Berghes and baron of Montigny, at the request of the said lady Regent, the counsell of Estate, and the generall Estates of all the countries, went into Spaine as embassadours, whereas the king, in steed of giuing them [ C] audience, and to preuent the inconueniences deliuered by them (the which, for that they were not remedied in time, as vrgent necessitie required, began in effect to discouer them∣selues throughout the whole countrey among the commons) by the instinct, persuasion, and aduice of the counsell of Spaine▪ he hath caused all them to be proclaymed rebels, and guiltie of high treason, and to haue forfeited bodie and goods, that presented the said pe∣tition: And moreouer (thinking himselfe to be fully assured of the countrey, by the forces and violence of the duke of Alua, and to haue reduced them vnder his full power and sub∣iection) he had afterwards, against the lawes of nations (the which haue beene in all ages inuiolably obserued, yea▪ among the most barbarous and cruell nations, and most tyrannous princes) imprisoned, and caused the said noblemen embassadours to be put to death, confis∣cating [ D] all their goods. And although that all this alteration (which had happened in the yeare 1566, vpon the foresaid occasion) was in a manner pacified by the Regent & her coun∣sell, and that the greatest part of them which had presented themselues vnto her for the liberty of the countrey, were retired or chased away, and the rest brought vnder obedience: yet not to loose the oportunity which the counsell of Spaine had long expected (as it appeared plain∣ly the same yeare 1566, by letters intercepted, which were written by the embassadour Alana to the duchesse of Parma) to haue meanes vnder some pretext to ouerthrow all the priuiled∣ges of the countrey, and to gouerne them rigorously by the Spaniards (as they did the Indi•…•… and other countries, which had beene newly conquered by them) he by the instruction and counsell of the said Spaniards (shewing therein the small affection which he bare vnto his sub∣iects [ E] of these countries, contrary to that whereunto he was bound, as their prince, protectour, and good shepheard) sent into these countries the duke of Alua, very famous for his rigor and crueltie, and one of the chiefe enemies of these countries with a counsell of the same humour and disposition. And although that the said duke of Alua entred with his army into this coū∣trey, without any let or opposition, & was receiued of the poore inhabitants with all reuerēce and honour, expecting all mildnesse and clemencie, according vnto that which the king had so often promised by his letters fainedly written; yea, that he was resolued to come himselfe in person into the countrey, and to order all things to euery mans content; the said king hauing besides all this (at the very instant of the duke of Alua his departure) caused a fleet of shippes to bee armed in Spaine, to bring him hither, and another in Zeeland to goe and [ F] meet him (as the bruite was) to the great charge of the countrey, the better to abuse his poore subiects, and to draw them more easily into his snares: notwithstanding, the sayd duke of Alua presently after his arriuall (although hee were a stranger, and not any way of the bloud royall) gaue it out, that hee had a commission from the king, of chiefe

captaine, and soone after of gouernour generall of the countrey, the which was quite contra∣rie [ A] to the priuiledges and antient customes thereof: and discouering his designes plainely, he * 1.7 sodainly put garrisons into the chiefe townes and forts of the countrey, and then he built cita∣dels in the richest and strongest townes, to keepe them in subiection. And by commaunde∣ment from the king (as they said) he friendly called vnto him, as well by letters, as otherwise, the chiefe noblemen of the countrey, pretending, that hee had need of their counsell and assi∣stance, for the seruice of the king, and the good of the country: after the which he caused them to be apprehended, who (hauing giuen credit to his letters) were come vnto him, whom, con∣trarie to the priuiledges, he caused to be carried prisoners out of Brabant, where they had bin apprehended, causing their processe to be informed before him and his counsell (although they were no competent judges;) and before any due proofes were made, and the noblemen that were accused, fully heard in their defences, they were condemned to haue committed re∣bellion, [ B] causing them to be publikely & ignominiously put to death. Others, who for that they were better acquainted with the Spaniards dissembling, were retired and kept out of the countrey, were declared rebels, and guiltie of high treason, and to haue forfeited bodies and goods: All which was done, to the end the poore inhabitants should not aid themselues in the iust defence of their libertie, against the oppression of the Spaniards and their forces, by the helpe and assistance of these noblemen, and princes: besides an infinit number of gentlemen and rich bourgers, whereof some he hath put to death, others he hath chased away and for∣feited their goods, oppressing the rest of the good inhabitants, as well by the insolencie of the souldiers, as by other outrages in their wiues, children, and goods; as also by diuers exactions [ C] and taxes, forcing them to contribute for the building of new citadels and fortifications of townes, which he made to oppresse them, and also to pay, the hundreth and the twentieth penie, for the paiment of souldiers, whereof some were brought by him, and others newly le∣uied, to imploy them against their countreymen, and them, who with the hazard of their liues sought to defend the liberties of their countrey: To the end that the subiects being thus im∣pouerished, there should be no meanes to hinder or frustrat his designes, for the better effe∣cting of the instructions which had beene giuen him in Spaine: which was, to vse the coun∣trey as newly conquered: to which end, in some places and chiefe townes, he changed their forme of gouernment, and of iustice, and erected new consuls after the Spanish manner, di∣rectly contrarie to the priuiledges of the country. And in the end (thinking himselfe free from [ D] all feare) he sought to bring in by force a certaine imposition of the tenth penie, vpon all mer∣chandise and handiworkes, to the absolute ruine of the commons, whose good and prosperi∣tie consists chiefly in traffique and handiworkes; notwithstanding manie admonitions and persuasions made to the contrarie, as well by euerie one of the prouinces in particular, as by all in generall. The which he had effected by violence, if it had not beene that soone after by the meanes of the prince of Orange, and a good number of gentlemen, and others borne in these countries, banished by this duke of Alua, following the partie of the said prince, and being for the most part in his seruice, and other inhabitants affected to the libertie of their countrey, the prouinces of Holland and Zeeland had not reuolted, and put themselues vnder the princes protection: Against which two prouinces the duke hath since, during his go∣uernment, [ E] and after him the great Commaunder of Castile (sent in his place by the king, not to moderat any thing of his predecessors tyrannie, but to pursue it more couertly and cun∣ningly than he had done) forced the prouinces, who by their garrisons and citadels, were made subiect to the Spanish yo•…•…ke, to imploy their persons and meanes to helpe to subdue them: yet no wayes easing the said prouinces, but intreating them like enemies, suffering the Spaniards vnder colour of a mutinie, in view of the said Commander, to enter by force into the towne of Antuerpe, and there to remaine six weeks, liuing at discretion at the poor bour∣gers charge; forcing them moreouer (to be freed from their insolencies) to furnish foure hun∣dred thousand florins, to pay the said Spaniards: Which done, the said souldiers (growing more bold through the sufferance of their commanders) presumed to take armes against the [ F] countrey, seeking first to surprise Brussels, and in the place of the antient and ordinarie seat of princes, to make it a nest and denne of theeues. The which not succeeding according to their designe, they tooke Alost by force, and soone after forced the towne of Maestricht. And since beeing violently entred into Antuerpe, they spoyled it, sacked it, and wasted it with fire

and sword, in such sort, as the most barbarous and cruell enemies could not haue done more, [ A] to the vnspeakable losse not onely of the poore inhabitants, but in a manner of all the nations * 1.8 of the world, who had their merchandise, debts, and money there. And although the said Spaniards by a decree of the counsell of Estate (to whom the king by the death of the great Commaunder, had conferred the generall gouernment of the countrey) were in the presence of Ieronimo de Rhoda, proclaimed enemies to the countrey: yet the said Rhoda of his owne priuat authoritie (as it is to be presumed, by vertue of some secret instruction which hee had from Spaine) tooke vpon him to be the head of the said Spaniards, and their adherents, so as without respect of the counsell of Estate, hee vsurped the kings name and authoritie, coun∣terfeited his seale, and carried himselfe as a gouernour and the kings lieutenant in these coun∣tries. The which moued the Estates at the same instant to agree with the prince of Orange, [ B] and the Estates of Holland and Zeeland: which accord was allowed by the counsell of State (as lawfull gouernours) that they might iointly with their common forces, make war against the Spaniards: Omitting not as good subiects, by diuers humble petitions, to beseech the king to haue regard vnto the troubles, oppressions, and inconueniences, which had happened, and were like to follow: and that he would be pleased with all conuenient speed possible, to commaund the Spaniards to depart out of the countrey, and especially those which had bin the cause of the sacke and ruine of the chiefe townes of his countrey, and other innumerable insolencies and violences which his poore subiects had endured, to the comfort and ease of them that had endured them, and to the example of all others: Yet notwithstanding, the king (although that he made shew by words, that what had happened, displeased him, and was a∣gainst [ C] his will, and that he had an intent to punish the heads and authors, and to prouide for the quiet of the countrey with all clemencie, as it behooued a mercifull prince) hath not on∣ly neglected to punish the said heads and authors: but contrariwise (as it appeareth) all was with his consent and former resolution of the counsell of Spaine, as certaine letters of his, intercepted soone after, doe plainely shew: by the which it was written vnto Rhoda, and to the other captaines, authors of all the mischiefe, That the king not onely did not blame that action, but did allow thereof, and commend it, promising to recompence them, especially the said Rhoda, as hauing done him a singular seruice: The which at his returne into Spaine, and to all other ministers of the oppressions that were vsed in these countries, he did shew by effect. At the same time, the king thinking the better to blind the eyes of his subiects, sent in∣to [ D] these countries, for gouernour generall Dom Iohn of Austria, his bastard brother, as beeing of his bloud: who (making shew vnto the Estates, that he did allow of the pacification of Gant▪ promised to send away the Spaniards, to punish the authors of all insolencies and dis∣orders, which had happened in the countrey, and to take an order for the generall peace, and the restoring of their antient liberties) sought to diuide the Estates, and to subdue one coun∣trey after another. By the permission and prouidence of God, who is an enemie to all op∣pression, hee was discouered by the intercepting of certaine letters, where he was comman∣ded by the king to gouerne himselfe in these countries, according to the instructions that should bee giuen him by Rhoda: And to couer this practise the king had forbidden Dom Iohn to see or speake one vnto another, commanding him to carrie himselfe vnto the chiefe noble∣men, [ E] with all mildnesse and courtesie, to win their loues; vntill that by their assistance and meanes, hee might reduce Holland and Zeeland, and afterwards worke his will of the other prouinces. Wereupon Dom Iohn, notwithstanding that he had solemnly sworne in the pre∣sence of all the Estates of the countrey, to obserue the said pacification of Gant, yet contrarie thereunto he sought by meanes of their colonels (whom hee had alreadie at his deuotion) and great promises, to win the German souldiers, who were then in garrison, & had the guard of the chiefe towns & forts of the country, whereof by that meanes he made himselfe master, holding himself assured of those places they held, & so by that means to force them that wold not ioyne with him, to make war against the prince of Orange and them of Holland and Zee∣land, and so to raise a more bloudie and intestine warre, than had beene before. But as all [ F] things that are treated cunningly & with dissimulation, cannot be long kept secret, Dom Iohns practises being discouered, before he could effect what he had designed, hee could not bring his conceptions and enterprises, to the end that hee pretended: Yet hee reuiued a new warre, the which continues vnto this day, in stead of rest and an assured peace, whereof hee did so

much vaunt at his comming. Which reasons haue giuen vs great occasion to forsake the [ A] king of Spaine, and to secke some other mightie and mercifull prince, to helpe to defend these * 1.9 countries, and to take them into his protection: And the rather, for that these countries haue endured such oppressions, receiued such wrongs, and haue beene forsaken and abandoned by their prince for the space of twentie yeares and more, during the which the inhabitants haue beene intreated not as subiects, but as enemies, their naturall prince and lord seeking to ruine them by armes. Moreouer, after the death of Dom Iohn, hauing sent the baron of Sel∣les, who (vnder colour of propounding some meanes of an accord) declared sufficiently, That the king would not auow the pacification made at Gant (which Dom Iohn notwithstan∣ding had sworne to maintaine) setting daily downe more hard conditions: Yet for that wee would discharge our selues of our duties, wee haue not omitted to make humble suit by wri∣ting, imploying moreouer the fauour of the greatest princes of Christendome, seeking by all [ B] meanes without intermission, to reconcile our selues vnto the king; hauing also of late kept our deputies long at Cologne, hoping there (by the intercession of his imperiall Maiestie, and some princes electors) to haue obtained an assured peace, with some moderat tolleration of religion (the which doth chiefly concerne God and mens consciences) as the estate of the af∣faires of the country did then require: But in the end we found it by experience, that nothing was to be obtained from the king, by the conference at Cologne: and that it was practised and did onely serue to disunite and diuide the prouinces, that they might with the more faci∣litie vanquish and subdue, first one, and then another, and execute vpon them their first de∣signes. The which hath since plainely appeared, by a certaine proscription, which the king [ C] hath caused to bee published, whereby we and all the inhabitants of the vnited prouinces, and officers that hold their partie, are proclaimed rebels, and to haue forfeited liues and goods: Promising moreouer, a great summe of money to him that should slay the said prince, and all to make the poore inhabitants odious, to hinder their nauigation and traffique, and to bring them into extreame dispaire: so as dispairing of all meanes of reconciliation, and desti∣tute of all other succours, and ayd, wee haue, according to the law of nature (for the tuition and defence of vs and other inhabitants, the rights, priuiledges, antient customes and libertie of the countrey, and the liues and honours of vs, our wiues, children, and posteritie, to the end they fall not into the slauerie of the Spaniards, leauing vpon iust cause the king of Spaine) beene forced to seeke out and find 〈◊〉〈◊〉 other meanes, such as for the greater safetie and [ D] preseruation of our rights, priuiledges, and liberties, wee haue thought most fit and con∣uenient.

Wee therefore giue all men to vnderstand, That hauing duely considered all these things, and being prest by extreame necessitie, Wee haue by a generall resolution and consent, decla∣red, and do declare by these presents, the king of Spaine, ipsoiure, to bee fallen from the seig∣niorie, principalitie, iurisdiction, and inheritance of these said countries: And that we are re∣solued, neuer to acknowledge him any more, in any matter concerning the prince, iurisdicti∣ons, or demeanes of these Netherlands, nor to vse hereafter, neither yet to suffer any other to vse his name as Soueraigne Lord thereof. According to the which we declare all officers, pri∣uat noblemen, vassals, and other inhabitants of these countries, of what condition or qualitie [ E] soeuer, to bee from henceforth discharged of the othe which they haue made in any manner whatsoeuer, vnto the king of Spaine▪ as lord of these countries, or of that wherby they may be bound vnto him. And for the aboue named reasons, the most part of the said vnited pro∣uinces, by a common accord and consent of their members, haue submitted themselues vnder the command and gouernment of the high and mightie Prince, the Duke of Aniou and Alan∣son, &c. vpon certaine conditions contracted and accorded with his Highnesse: And that the archduke of Austria, Mathias, hath resigned into our hands the gouernment generall of these countries, the which hath beene accepted by vs. Wee enioyne and commaund all judges, officers, and all others, to whom it shall appertaine, That hereafter they leaue and forbeare to vse any more, the name, titles, great seale, or signet of the king of Spaine: And in stead there∣of, [ F] whilest that the duke of Aniou, for his vrgent affaires, concerning the good and welfare of the countrey, shall bee yet absent, for as much as shall concerne the prouinces which haue contracted with his Highnesse, and touching the rest by way of prouision, they shall vse the title and name of the chiefe and counsell of the countrey. And vntill that the said heads and

counsellors, shall be named, called, and really established in the exercise of their charges, and * 1.10 [ A] offices, they shall vse our name, except Holland and Zeeland, where they shall vse as they haue formerly done, the name of the prince of Orange, and of the Estates of the said Prouinces, vn∣till that the said counsell shal be in force, and then they shall gouerne themselues as it is agreed, touching the instructions giuen for the said counsell, & the accords made with his Highnesse. And in stead of the kings seals, they shall hereafter vse our great seale, counter seale, and signet, in matters concerning the gouernment generall, for the which the counsell of the countrey, according to their instructions shall haue authoritie: And in matters concerning the policie, administration of iustice, and other priuat acts of euerie prouince, the prouinciall consuls and others, shall respectiuely vse the name and seale of the said prouince, where the matter shall be in question, and no other, vpon paine of nullitie of the said letters, or dispatches which shall be otherwise made or sealed. And to the end these things may be the better obserued and effe∣cted, [ B] we haue enioyned and commaunded, and doe enioyne and commaund by these pre∣sents, that all the king of Spaines seals, which are at this present within these vnited prouin∣ces, shall be deliuered into the Estates hands, or to him that shall haue commission and autho∣ritie from them, vpon paine of arbitrarie punishment. Moreouer, We ordaine and command, that from henceforth the name and armes of the king of Spaine, shall not be put nor stampt in any coynes of these vnited prouinces: but there shall bee such a figure set vpon them, as shall bee appointed for the coyning of new peeces of gold and siluer. In like sort we enioyne and commaund the president and lords of the priuie counsell, and all other chauncellors, presi∣dents, prouinciall consuls, and all presidents and chiefe masters of accounts, and others of all [ C] chambers of accounts, being respectiuely in these countries, and also all other judges and offi∣cers (as holding them discharged of the othe which they haue made vnto the king of Spaine, according to the tenor of their commissions) that they shall take a new othe in the hands of the Estates of the Prouince, where they are, or to their deputies, by the which they shal sweare to be faithfull to vs against the king of Spaine, and his adherents, according to the forme set downe by vs: and there shall be giuen to the said counsellors, masters of accounts, judges and officers, remaining in the prouinces which haue contracted with the duke of Aniou, in our name, an act of continuance in their offices, containing in steed of a new commission, a cassa∣tion or disannulling of their former, and that by way of prouision vntill his comming. And to counsellors, masters of accounts, judges, and officers, being resident in prouinces, which [ D] haue not contracted with his Highnesse, a new commission shal be giuen vnder our name and seale, if the petitioners were not found faultie, to be of bad behauiour, to haue gone against the priuiledges of the countrey, or to haue committed some other disorder.

We also command the president and them of the priuie counsell, the chancellor and coun∣sel of Brabant, the gouernor, chancellor, and counsel of Gueldres and the countie of Zutphen, the president and counsell in Flanders, the president and counsell in Holland, the gouernour, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 and counsell in Friseland, the president and counsell at Vtrecht, the bailife at Tour∣•…•… •…•…d Tournesis, the receiuors or chiefe officers of Beoosterscheldt and Bewesterscheldt in 〈◊〉〈◊〉, the scout of Macklyn, and all other judges and officers whom it shall concerne, their lieu•…•…ants, and euerie of them, presently without any delay, to publish this our decree in all [ E] p•…•…ces of their iurisdictions, and wheresoeuer they are accustomed to make proclamations, to •…•…e end that no man may pretend any cause of ignorance: And that they may keepe and ob∣serue, and cause to be kept and obserued inuiolably this our decree, without any fauour, sup∣port, or dissimulation; for we haue so thought it fit and conuenient for the good of the coun∣trey. For the effecting whereof, wee giue to euerie one whom it shall concerne, full power and authoritie, and speciall commission. In witnesse whereof we haue caused our seale to bee hereunto annexed. Giuen at the Hage in our assembly the six and twentieth of Iuly 1581. Vn∣derneath was written, By the ordinance and decree of the said Estates, and signed I. Van Asseliers.

According vnto this declaration of the Estates, there was a new forme of an othe drawne, [ F] in maner of an abiuration of the king of Spain, and promise of duetie and obedience which e∣uerie one should owe vnto the said Estates, by the publike officers, and magistrats of euerie towne and prouince, as followeth.

I sweare, That hereafter I shall not follow nor yeeld obedience to Philip king of Spaine,

nor acknowledge him for my prince and lord, whom I do renownce by these presents, and [ A] doe hold my selfe freed from all othes, and bonds, by the which I might be formerly tyed vn∣to * 1.11 him: whereof finding my selfe presently deliuered, I sweare a new, and bind my selfe to the vnited prouinces, and namely to them of Brabant, Gueldre, Holland, Zeeland, and their

allies, and to the soueraigne magistrats that are appointed, to be faithfull and loyall vnto them, to yeeld them all obedience, aid, and comfort, with all my power and meanes, against the king of Spaine and his adherents, and against all the enemies of the countrey. Promising as a good vassall of the countrey, to carrie my selfe faithfully and loyally, with shew of all obedience to my superiours: So helpe me the Almightie God.

This decree being thus proclaimed, all the seales, counter seales, and secret signets of the king of Spaine, were broken and cancelled with solemnitie, by all the consuls of the said pro∣uinces, [ B] and others new made, by order of the generall Estates, for that which concerned the gouernment, and the affaires of the generalitie. And as for matters of iustice and policie, they vsed the seales, names, and titles of priuat gouernours, and prouinciall consuls. From that time there was no coins of gold, siluer, or copper, made with the name or titles of the king of Spain, but vpon stamps which the Estates had caused to be made in euerie prouince. All gouernors, superintendents, presidents, chauncellors, counsellors, and other officers, were discharged and absolued from their precedent othes, and did sweare fidelitie to the generall Estates, against the king of Spaine and his adherents, according to the forme aboue mentioned, to whom an act was sent for the continuation of their commissions. Many notwithstanding made great difficultie to abiure the king, and to take this new othe. Among others a counsellor of Frise∣land, [ C] a man of great iudgement and experience, called Raalda, hearing this abiuration, pro∣pounded in open counsell at Leuwarden, and the renewing of the othe (whether it were through a sodaine amazement, or for the affection which he bare to the king of Spaine) was so mooued and troubled, as he fell presently into a conuulsion, and died sodainely. They were then in great doubt, that this would cause the king to arrest all the ships and merchandise of the Netherlanders, that were then in Spaine: but the great and extreame necessitie of corne which they had at that time in Spaine, was the cause that nothing was attempted against them.

Mathias Archduke of Austria, hauing (as we haue said) willingly resigned vp the gouerne∣ment * 1.12 of the Netherlands, parted from Antuerpe the nine and twentieth of October, to retire [ D] himselfe into Germanie, with a goodly traine and well attended, being richly and honoura∣bly intreated by the Estates, at his departure, as well by annuall pension, rich presents, readie money, and discharge of his expences and debts, as in many other gratuities and courtesies, notwithstanding that he was for a time suspected to haue had intelligence with the king of Spaine, his vncle and brother in law, and that he had a practise against the prince of Orange, his lieutenant (for the which his baker was committed to prison, who hauing confest some points of his interrogations, gaue cause to the world to giue some credit to these suspitions) not for any loue he bare vnto the Spaniards, but for that, by the calling of the duke of Aniou, brother to the French king, to the duchie of Brabant and earledome of Flanders, hee would not willingly haue seene these prouinces transferred into any other house, than that of Au∣stria, [ E] out of the which hee himselfe was issued, and from the which they were like to be dis∣membred.

At the same time the prince of Espinoy, gouernour of Tournay and Tournesis, sent to sur∣prise * 1.13 the towne of Guislain in Henault, three leagues from Mons. Captaine Turquean had the charge of this exploit, whereof he discharged himselfe happily, so as this towne was redu∣ced vnder the States commaund, to the great griefe of the earle of Lalaine, great bailife of Henault: but soone after it was recouered againe by the prince of Parma, where the said Tur∣queau was taken prisoner, who was afterwards so tortured, to make him confesse the secrets of the citie of Tournay, and of the prince of Espinoy, as he died thereof, being in a maner torne in peeces, against all law of armes. [ F]

The prince of Espinoy being called (as we haue said before) by the foure members of Flan∣ders to commaund their armie, going out of Tournay, hee had carried with him the best part of the garrison of the said towne, to march towards East-Flanders. The prince of Parma, by the aduice of the marquesse of Roubay, brother to the said Espinoy, taking hold of this occa∣sion,

and considering how much the towne of Tournay did import him, for the freeing of the [ A] countries of Arthois, Henault, and the Chasteleine of Lille, in the middest whereof it is seated, * 1.14 he made shew as if he would follow the prince of Espinoy, and his troups, to make frustrat a certaine enterprise which he had vpon Graueling: but turning head sodainly, hee went to be∣siege Tournay, the which was vnfurnished both of gouernor and garrison, except the castle, where the princesse was remaining with the seignior of Estrailles, the princes lieutenant, and * 1.15 some few souldiers of the ordinarie garrison. The siege being laid, the campe intrencht, and artillerie planted, in great number, and in diuers places, both the town and the castle were bat∣tered together with six and thirtie peeces, and many mines and counter-mines were made of either side, after many sufficient breaches, diuers furious assaults being giuen, the which were valiantly repulst by the besieged, in the which they slew a great number of the enemie: the [ B] bourgers, boyes, wiues, and maidens, shewed themselues as hardie and as couragious, as the old and well experienced souldiers. In which assaults the seignior of Vaux, newly made earle of Buguoy was slaine, with the seignior of S. Florisse, sonne to the lord of Glaison, and brother to the earle of Herlies, the seignior of Bours (before gouernour of Macklyn, who had yeelded vp the citadell of Antuerpe to the Estates) with many other famous and good captains, as wel Spaniards as others: At the which the lord of Montigny, chief of the male-cōtents (afterwards marques of Renty) and Gaspar of Robles, lord of Billy, were hurt. At these assaults, among di∣uers remarkable things, the Spaniards hauing blowne vp a mine, there were certaine maidens labouring at the rampar, buried in the ruines vp to the shoulders; the lord of Montigny com∣ming to the assaults, and spying them, taking pitie of them, he commaunded they should be ta∣ken [ C] vp, suffering them to returne safe into the towne. During the siege, in the end of No∣uember there entred some three hundred horse into the towne, vnder the command of colo∣nell Preston, a Scottish man, who hauing forced the Germans quarter in the Spanish campe, beat some horsemen, among the which was the prince of Chimays band of ordnance, of the which they carried away some thirtie. But these succours did not so much fortifie the besie∣ged, as it did them harme in wasting of their prouision, and to discourage the burgers (among the which those of the reformed religion were the most resolute) by the report which they made vnto them, that they might not expect any succors from the duke of Aniou, who was gone into England, and his troups dispersed, although that the princes of Orange and Espi∣noy did hope well, that they would ioyne with their forces which they had in Flanders, and [ D] so to go ioyntly and succour them, as the duke had done before Cambray: vpon which hope the besieged had alwayes done their best endeuors in all assaults. The princesse of Espinoy (in∣couraging the souldiers and bourgers vpon the rampar) was shot in the arme.

In the end the Protestant citizens, vpon whom alone depended the whole burthen of the defence of the towne (the Catholikes being persuaded by frie•…•… Gery, not to defend themselues against the kings men) and withall Arthur bastard of Meleun, seignior of Fresne, lieutenant of the towne, growing cold, euery man did the like, neither did the bourgers performe their accu∣stomed endeuors. The princesse and the seignior of Estraylles dispairing of all succours, they resolued to capitulat with the prince of Parma, after some conferences held betwixt her, the marquesse of Roubay her brother in law, and the marquesse of Renty, called Emanuel of La∣laine, [ E] lord of Montigny her owne brother: whereunto the prince of Parma did willingly giue eare, and the rather for that he began to haue want of many things in his campe, especially of money and victuals, Winter also growing on, his men fell sicke, and many died of fluxes and other diseases, others grew weake and faint for want of good nourishment, and for cold and o∣ther extremities which they endured, which made him to make the more hast, and to yeeld * 1.16 them a good composition: The conditions were,

That the princesse might retire where she pleased, with al her family and houshold seruants, mouable goods, and baggage.

That the garrison should depart with their colours flying, armes, bag and baggage, whither they pleased. [ F]

That the townes men to redeeme themselues from spoyle, should pay two hundred thou∣sand florins.

That the Protestants that would retire themselues, and go liue in any place that were neuter, should enioy their goods, causing it to be receiued by Catholike persons.

That all prisoners taken during the siege, of either part, should bee set at libertie without a∣ny [ A] ransome. * 1.17

That king Philip should take the towne into his protection, and pardon all that had carried armes against him.

That they of Tournay should be held faithfull subiects, and acknowledge king Philip for their naturall prince, who should not alter nor change any of their priuiledges.

That the artillerie and munition should bee deliuered vntouched, to the said prince of Parma.

And thus the towne was yeelded the 29 of Nouember 1581.

The princesse was much solicited by her brother and brother in law, to remain stil in Tour∣nay, or at their house of Antoin, and to persuade the prince her husband to leaue the Estates, [ B] and reconcile himselfe vnto the king. But she continued constant, and retired, with all her fa∣mily, goods, mouables, and iewels, being accompanied by the seignior of Estrailles, the souldi∣ers that were in garrison in the castle, and many good bourgers and rich merchants, going to∣wards Audenarde, and so to Gant. The seignior of Fresne, bastard brother to the prince, re∣mained still in the towne, following the kings partie, yet liuing as a priuat man, and without any credit.

The towne being yeelded on S. Andrewes day (whom the Burguignons hold for their pa∣tron) and all things set in good order, Maximillian of Morillon, vicar to the cardinall of Gran∣uelle, in his archbishopricke of Macklin, was made bishop of Tournay, in the place of thé seig∣nior of Oyenbrugghe (who retired also with the princesse, for that hee had beene placed there [ C] by the sole authority of the prince of Espinoy) and liues at this day a priuat solitary life in Hol∣land. It was then time to fortifie Audenarde, lying neerest vnto Tournay of any towne that held the States partie, and to man it with a strong and sufficient garrison. The which the vn∣willing or vnaduised bourgers refused, saying, they were sufficient of themselues to defend the towne. By reason wherof the seignior of Mansard, a gentleman of Tournesis (who had alwaies followed the prince of Orange) being gouernor of the place, sought by policy to draw in soul∣diers for the prince and States: Which the bourgers discouering, after they had done him ma∣ny affronts and indignities, hauing besieged him in the castle, in the end they forced him to forsake the towne with his company of foot, refusing to acknowledge him any more for go∣uernor, neither was he. The prince of Parma hearing of this mutinie, and meaning to make [ D] his profit thereof, he sent certaine horsemen, who approaching neere vnto the towne, presen∣ted their seruice, but they would not hearken to them, which made the prince of Parma to goe and besiege them, as we will presently shew.

About the end of this yeare captaine Sale, gouernor of the towne of Bourbourg in West Flanders, for the Spaniard, hauing intelligence with captaine Bouffart of the States partie, pro∣mised to the prince of Orange and the said States, to deliuer them the town, to make his peace with them, and to purchase his reconciliation. Captaine Bouffart with some French men of the regiment of monsieur de Villeneufue, were sent for the execution of this exploit, who with part of his men past ouer the towne ditch, in a certaine place where there was least water: the rest which should haue followed him, loosing their way by the darkenesse of the night, remai∣ned [ E] behind. Bouffart thinking that he had beene followed, and seconded by the rest, marched on, & entred the towne, where the seignior of la Motte pardieu, gouernor of Graueling, was at that time. At his entrie (which was not without bruit) Sale and his followers went to ioyne with him▪ giuing an hot alarme: la Motte & his people comming to incounter them, there was a cruell fight, whereas Bouffart for want of being followed, was slaine, and all they that entred with him, were either slaine or prisoners. Sale was also slaine, desiring rather to die, than to bee taken prisoner. And so this enterprise failed.

On the fifth of December the seignior of Bersele (sonne to the lord of Gaesbeke, brother to the seignior of Heze) marquesse of Berghen, in the right of his wife, who was daughter to the lord of Petershem, of the house of Merode, hauing vntill that time carried himselfe a Neuter, [ F] and liued in his castle of Woude, a league from his towne of Berghen vpon Soom, hauing ga∣thered certaine troups together, with the seignior of Haurepenne, gouernour of Breda, they made an enterprise vpon Berghen, thinking to wrest it from the States, and to reduce it vnder the king of Spaines obedience. For the effecting whereof, hauing some intelligence within

the towne, they caused foure hundred men to approach, whereof a part entred into the town, [ A] by a hole ioyning to the Sluce, although there was a centinell placed there, the which at that * 1.18 time was halfe deafe, besides the fogge was so great, as they could not discerne three paces off, the which did wonderfully fauour their enterprise: But two hundred of those vndertakers be∣ing entred without discouerie, by chance a souldier of the town guard, walking vp and down, met them, and knew them, so as he presently cried to armes, the which staied the rest that wold haue haue entred, finding also some other stop. Yet those that were entred marched in good order through the towne, vnto the market place, bending towards the port of Woude, which they thought to breake open by force, and to'draw in the horse which were there attending. The French garrison which was within the towne, of la Gards regiment, was at the first much amazed with this sodaine surprise: but colonel Allein and captain Durant arriuing, they took courage, and charged the enemie with such furie, as they had no means nor leasure to breake [ B] the said port, all flying to the rampar, to cast themselues downe into the ditch, and so to saue themselues. Whereof there were some seuentie slaine, and about an hundred prisoners, among the which was captaine Paulo Boboca: captaine la Riuiere was slaine, and there were not many escaped, but were hurt. See how by this enterprise which succeeded not the marquesse of Ber∣ghen declared himselfe an enemie to the States, and so hee carried himselfe vntill his death, which was two or three yeares after.

In the meane time the affaires of Flanders were nothing pleasing to the prince of Orange, for the repairing whereof he was much troubled, and yet preuailed little, parting in December from Gant, he returned to Antuerpe, where on the twentieth day of the moneth the generall [ C] Estates being assembled, he gaue them to vnderstand, That by the voluntarie departure and * 1.19 retreat of the archduke Mathias (whose lieutenant he had beene in the gouernment of the Ne∣therlands) he was in like sort discharged of the said office, and therefore they should otherwise aduise for their affaires. Whereupon hee was intrea•…•…d by the Estates, to continue his charge vntill the end of Ianuarie following, when as they attended the comming of the duke of An∣iou. Whereupon he made answer, That seeing for his honour, for the good of the countrey, * 1.20 and for their seruice, they found it conuenient it should be so, he would in the meane time put

them in mind of things which had happened the yeares past, for want of their good gouerne∣ment. And although (said he) that the enemie being master of the field, had in a manner done what he would, which they could not hinder, yet (God be thanked) he had not won all: see∣ing [ D] that with all his forces dispersed here and there, hee had not much aduanced in Friseland and Guelderland, nor yet in Brabant, but had been forced to imploy his chiefe power of men and artillerie, in Arthois and Henault, for the warre which the townes of Cambray and Tour∣nay made him, hauing spent a whole yeare about Cambray, without whose great endeuours Tournay could not haue so long subsisted, and the enemie would haue beene far aduanced in Flanders. He said, That a yeare before (to preuent those losses) he had giuen the deputies to vn∣derstand, being then assembled, that they must haue three thousand horse, and two regiments of foot of increase. That they were to render thanks to God, and after him to the duke of An∣iou, for the deliuery of Cambray, the which they had no meanes to succour, no more than Tournay, and all by their own fault, for if they had those three thousand horse, and the sup∣ply [ E] of foot with their other troups, and had ioyned with the duke of Aniou, without doubt they had chased the Spaniard out of the countrey: being yet to be feared, that by their negli∣gence, delayes, and weake resolutions, they would fall the yeare following into greater incon∣uenience 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 [ F] 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 coun∣sell 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 reue∣nues, [ A] treasure, iustice, or policie, and in all other things concerning an estate? Being impossible * 1.21 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.

[ B]

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 [ C] that quarter, thought it good to giue order for the seuen Forrests, and to hold them better assu∣red. 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, & hea∣ring 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. [ D]

The duke of Aniou (as we haue said) gone the first of Nouember into England, beeing ac∣companied * 1.22 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, Ferua∣ques, 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 Do∣uer. 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 adui∣sing him aboue al to win the hearts of the people and of the nobilitie, and to vse their counsel: [ E] 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 Hons∣don, 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 [ F] 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 * 1.23 [ A] 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 Nether∣lands (after so long sufferance) should in the end be freed. Whereupon the Duke hauing im∣braced 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 * 1.24 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 in∣to 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 [ B] the smoke of the canon, which was discharged from the town and ships) he was conducted to the towne-house, where his lodging was prepared, and dinner readie, staying there vntill the next day, from whence after his repast (being then exceeding cold) hee wenton foot with all the princes and noblemen, to Middleburg, which is a good league distant from thence, where he was receiued very honorably without the town gate, by the deputies of the Estates of the countie of Zeeland; the bourgers being ten ensignes, were in armes wel appointed both with∣out and within the towne, to guard him. The next day hee had a very stately banquet made him at the towne-house, the which was the most rare and sumptuous (considering their small time of preparation) that had been made him in all the Netherlands, which made him admire [ C] the riches and sumptuousnesse of such a towne, seated in so small an island, besides the goodly presents which the magistrats made vnto him: hauing staid vntill the 17 day, he departed to go vnto Antuerpe, and lodged that night in the fort of Lillo, vpon the riuer of Escault.

FRANCIS DE VALOIS, DVKE OF AN∣iou, * 1.25 of Brabant, &c. Earle of Flanders, &c. Protector of the Belgicke Libertie.

[illustration]

FRANCISCVS VALESIVS D G DVX ALENSON ET BRABANT COMES FLANDRIAE PROTECT BELGICAE

By royall race I was the sonne of valiant Henrie The second, king of France, and did behold with wofull eye The massacre that in my youth in Paris once was made, Whereat I was in heart sore grieu'd, and great compassion had. The warres in France once finished, I did then vndertake To aid the Netherlands, that me their soueraigne prince did make; Where peruerse counsell of such men as enui'd my estate, Seduced me, and made my actions proue vnfortunate: For seeking Antuerpe to subdue, in their defence They did become my mortall foes, and draue me out from thence. So, deadly hated of them all, in France I then retir'd, Whereas in Chastean Thirry death my vitall dayes expir'd.

THE twentie ninth of Februarie the Duke of Aniou (to make his ioyfull * 1.26 [ A] entrie into the towne of Antuerpe, where hee was attended in great de∣uotion with an incredible preparation, all his ships of warre hauing their pauillions and standerds flying, with a wonderfull noyse of trumpets, drummes, and canon shot) he sayled along the towne, whereas all the kayes were full of men in armes, and landed beyond the castle, in the suburbe beyond the towne, whereas the salt pits be called the Kiel: At which place there was a great scaffold made, and richly hanged, where being mounted, there was read vnto him in the vulgar tongue, and interpreted into French, the priuiledges, statutes, and ordinances of the duchie of Brabant, of the towne of Antuerpe, and of the marquisite of [ B] the holy empire, which belongs to the same towne, and the iurisdiction thereof. The which he sware and promised to entertaine vpon the holy Euangils, in the hands of the seignior The∣odore of Lysfeldt, chancellor of Brabant. As in like sort the chiefe noblemen, gentlemen, and * 1.27 others there present, his vassals, by reason of the said duchy and marquisit, tooke their othe, and did him homage, all with great ioy of the people, and of all the assistants. Then was hee attired by the princes of Orange and Espinoy, with the dukes robe of crimson veluet, surred with Er∣mins; the prince of Orange saying, Let vs make fast this button, that the robe may not be pul∣led away. Then was the hat put on his head, the prince Daulphin saying to the prince of O∣range, Brother set it fast on, that it fly not off. All was performed with great pompe and cere∣monies, the which continued almost two howers, there being all that day aboue twentie thou∣sand [ C] men in armes, as well within as without the towne. All these solemnities of his recepti∣on, inuestiture, othes, and homages, being ended, the pentioner of the towne of Antuerpe, cal∣led M. Iohn vanden Werke, made (by commandement of the magistrat) a speech vnto the peo∣ple, shewing, That the Duke would in like sort take a particular othe, for the marquisite of the holy empire, and that they should pray vnto God, that by such solemne acts, redounding to his honour and gloire, the countrey might flourish in all happinesse and prosperitie. This Ora∣tion being ended, the Duke tooke the said othe in the hands of the seignior of Stralen, Ampt∣man of the towne, who in signe of acknowledgement and obedience, presented him a gol∣den key, the which the duke returned him backe againe, and commaunded him to keepe it safely. [ D]

These solemnities being finished, the heralds with their coats of armes of Brabant, Lem∣bourg, and Lothier, bare headed, began to crie, God saue the Duke of Brabant, and the trumpets sounding, they cast among the people many handfuls of gold & siluer. On the one side of the coynes was his picture with his name and titles, and on the other his deuice, drawne from the vertue of the Sunne, with these words, Fo•…•…et & discutit, that is, He doth nourish and chase a∣way. This done, the Duke going from the scaffold with the princes and noblemen, that did accompanie him, went to horseback, being mounted vpon a goodly Neapolitan courser, and so went towards the towne. Before him there marched in goodly order, first the sergeant ma∣iors the officers of the town house, the trumpets of the towne, merchant strangers, Dutch and Easterlings, all in white, and well mounted, the English in blacke veluet, the colonels and cap∣taines [ E] of the towne, then many gentlemen, as well of the Netherlands as French and English: after followed the magistrats and chiefe officers of the town, as the Amptman, Bourgmasters, Sherifes, Pentioners, Secretaries, Treasurers, Receiuers, and other officers, beeing followed by the trumpets of the Estates. Then marched in order the deputies of the Estates of euery pro∣uince, first they of the duchy, and nobles of Brabant, after whom followed the chauncellor of Brabant, and with him cont Lamoral of Egmont, as baron of Gaesbeke: then his guard of Swit∣sers, being followed by many gentlemen of the countrey, French and English: after whom came the Duke in his ornaments, hauing before him, first the Markgraue of Antuerpe, bare headed, carrying his long rod, the marke of iustice: then the baron of Merode, seignior of Pe∣tershem, who that day supplied the place of marshall of Brabant, carrying a naked sword: the [ F] said nobleman marched in the middest of three of the sworne companies of the towne, that is of crossebowes, archers, and harguebusiers, with as goodly armes as could be seene, seruing him as a guard: then followed his French guard on horsebacke, carrying petronels, attyred in crimson veluet, laid with silke and gold lace, the Duke marching in this pompe towards the

towne. At the port there were six gentlemen, carrying a canopie of cloth of gold, richly [ A] embroidered, who attended him, vnder the which hee rode alone through the citie vnto * 1.28 his palace.

At his entrie he found a triumphant chariot of the vnion, on the which was set a faire vir∣gine, * 1.29 richly adorned, representing the virgine of Antuerpe: and at euery corner of a street, where he should passe, scaffolds were made, whereon they did figure diuers histories and mo∣rals, fit for the reception of a new prince, to serue him as an example and president; the which for the most part were interpreted vnto him, with many arches, colosses, pyramides, and other shewes of triumph. All which solemnities and ceremonies continued vntill night, the canon still thundering from the rampars. In the end he was conducted with this royall traine vnto his palace, in the abbey of S. Michael, where supper attended him, being also prepared for al the [ B] noblemen that did accompanie him.

Thursday following (being the two and twentieth day of the moneth) the duke went vn∣to the towne-house, before the which there was a great scaffold erected, and richly appointed, where (according to the accustomed solemnities and ceremonies) he tooke a particular oath * 1.30 to the towne of Antuerpe, in the bourgomasters hands, with an oration to the people, pro∣nounced by the pentioner. Then the Amptman did read with a loud voice in the vulgar tongue to the bourgomasters, sherifes, officers, counsell of the towne, and to all the people, the oath which they made vnto the duke, so as lifting vp their hands, they did sweare fealtie and obedience vnto him; which done, they cast gold and siluer abroad as before: after which the duke, with all the noblemen, French, English and Netherlanders, went and dined in the [ C] State house.

The duke being thus inuested in the duchie of Brabant, and the Marquisite of the holy empire, the Romish Catholickes of the towne of Antuerpe did importune him to haue free and publicke exercise of their Religion, relying vpon the dukes profession of the same Religi∣on: to whom in the end there was graunted (by the aduice of the prince of Orange and the counsell of Estate) that they might assist at Masse, Euensong, and other ceremonies in the temple of S. Michaels abbey, when as the duke should be present, vpon condition, that they should take the oath which was propounded vnto them. On the other side, the prince of O∣range presented vnto him the deputies of the consistories of the Protestant Religion, who came to congratulate his happie comming to this new Estate and duchie of Brabant, offe∣ring [ D] him all seruice, fidelitie, and obedience, as to their prince and soueraigne lord, beseeching him, that he would in like sort receiue them vnder his defence, safegard and protection, as his most humble subiects and obedient vassals: and representing vnto him the example of his grand father Francis the first, they besought him to haue learning and learned men in recom∣mendation, and then they ended their speech, with a prayer vnto God, That hee would giue him the courage of Dauid, the wisedome of Salomon, and the zeale of Ezechias. Whereupon the duke answered, That hee was glad and very well pleased to see their concord and vnitie; that he did hope so to gouerne them, as they should neuer be frustrate of that good expectati∣on which they had of him, wherein he would imitate the steps of his predecessours; and so thanking them for the loue and affection they seemed to beare him, he receiued them and all [ E] the people in generall vnder his defence and protection, intreating them, that they would per∣seuer in their profession and good endeuors, promising to maintaine them therein, & to grati∣fie all learned men, professors, schollers, and others.

After the conquest of the towne of Tournay, the prince of Parma suffered his armie to rest some time in the townes and places which hee had recouered from the Estates, where they made themselues to be serued and obserued after the Spanish manner. And in the mean time hee held a counsell with the Estates of Arthois and Henault, not onely concerning the gouernment generall (which the duchesse his mother, being returned to Namur, pretended, as we haue said) but chiefely to cause his Spanish, Italian, high Dutch, and Bourguignon for∣ces to returne, who (according to the treatie of their reconciliation) were gone out of the [ F] countrey: whereon he did the more insist, pretending that the said article was put into the treatie, onely to induce and moue the other prouinces of Brabant, Flanders &c. to enter into the reconciliation, who if they had reconciled themselues, as they did, the said troupes had then beene quite excluded, as vnprofitable in these parts. But now (said he) seeing it hath not

succeeded, and that the vnreconciled prouinces had now showne themselues greater ene∣mies [ A] to the king and them, than euer, hauing called the French to their aid, it was more * 1.31 than necessarie for their good and the kings seruice to haue those strange souldiors called backe. Whereunto in the end the Estates of Arthois and Henault yeelded, for the which an Act was made, which Damp Iohn Sarasin, abbot of S. Vaast in Arras, carried into Spaine, hauing his brother N. Sarasin (a taylor by profession) with him, whom the king (for the loue of the sayd abbot) made a knight, and afterwards (by meanes of the church goods, and the helpe of my lord abbot) hee attained to great wealth, and among other things hee purchased the Seigniorie of Alennes: by meanes whereof, and of his knighthood, this tay∣lor (by the recommendation of his brother) obtained letters of Estate, to be admitted with the chiefe noblemen in the assembly of the Estates of the countie of Arthois: and so might [ B] the said abbot (whom the king had made counsellor of Estate in the Netherlands) discouer the secrets of the particular Estates of Arthois: for which cause hee was afterwards exclu∣ded by the auncient nobilitie of the countrey, not without an affront, which hee disgested quietly.

This abbot (when as all men would seeme to make shew to be well affected vnto their countrey, against Dom Iohn of Austria) did write a bitter inuectiue against the tyrannous and cruell gouernment of the Spaniards. He was learned and well spoken, a right Cour∣tier, and exceeding ambitious, in the end he became archbishop of Cambray, in which hee dyed, in the yeare 1598. According vnto the dispatch of this abbot, touching the accord which was made with them of Arthois and Henault, the king did presently leuie [ C] two regiments of Spaniards, two of Italians, and some of the high Dutchmen, both horse and foot, sending seuen hundred thousand duckets for the warres of the Nether∣lands.

A little before, and also at the same season, the king honoured some noblemen (his vas∣sales) of those countries with goodly titles, but more honourable than profitable. Robert of Melun, lord of Richebourg, and, by his wife, Vicont of Gant (although that in the time of Dom Iohn he had beene a great enemie vnto him) and gouernour of Arthois, was created marquesse of Roubay, the which being heretofore but a baronie, which his mo∣ther (the princesse of Espinoy) had giuen him: Oudard of Bournonuille, Seignior of Ca∣pres, gouernour of the towne and citie of Atras, had his baronie of Hennin Lietard tran∣slated [ D] to an earledome: Iohn of S. Omer, Seignior of Morbeque, gouernour of Aire, was made earle of Morbeque; but he dyed before his letters patents came, and his sonnes afterwards neglected it: N. of Longueual, lord of Vaux, sometimes gouernour of Arras, was a little before his death made earle of Bucquoy: Maximilian of Villain, Siegniour of Rassinghem, gouernour of Lille, Douay, and Orchies, had his Seigniorie erected into an earledome: and afterwards, Valentine of Pardieu, Seignior of la Morte, gouernour of Graueling, of a poore gentleman was made earle of Eckelbeque, the which hee had bought of a Frenchman: The king of Spaine would also haue the marriage to be made and solemnized of the daughter and onely heire of the deceased marquesse of Renty, brother to the duke of Arschot, with Emanuel of Lalain, lord of Montigny so as the king [ E] of Spaine did gratifie and honour many of his seruants with vaine titles▪ without any charge.

The duke of Aniou being newly created duke of Brabant, came into the assembly of the generall Estates of the vnited prouinces, in the towne of Antuerpe, with the prince of Orange, to settle some good order for all that did concerne the well gouerning of the countrey, and to haue an assured assignation of two hundred florins a moneth for the en∣tertainment of his armie, besides those troupes which the Estates entertained in their fron∣tier garrisons and other places: Those of Brabant had vpon their charge the garrisons of Liere, Macklyn, Brussels, Herental, Diest, Villeuorde, Hoochstraten, Westerlo, part of that of Berghen vpon Soome; those of the forts of Lillo, Willebrouck, and S. Marguerite, [ F] with all the shippes of warre vpon the riuer of Antuerpe. They of Flanders had also vp∣on their charge an hundred and thirtie companies of foot, and twentie cornets of horse∣men, not comprehending the garrisons of Guelderland, Friseland, and Oueryssell: all which beeing vnited in one bodie of an armie, and ioyned with the duke of Aniou his

forces, had beene sufficient to chase the Spaniards and all strangers out of the countrey: [ A] but all these places must of necessitie haue garrisons, for feare of some alterations and * 1.32 reuolts.

At that time the Estates men being yet in Menin, defeated a great conuoy, neere vnto a village called Warcoin in Tournesis, conducted by two hundred Albanois horse, where they had a rich bootie, and many good prisoners. They of Friseland in the beginning of this yeare, by fauour of the yce, surprised the towne of Meppel, and the castle of Brouchorst, which they tooke by force.

At that time there was a certaine Spanish marchant liuing in Antuerpe, called Gaspar de Anastro; who seeing his affaires to decline, and that he was likely to become bankerupt, if he were not presently relieued with money by some other meanes than marchandise, his cre∣dit [ B] beginning to decay, he then bethought himselfe of the sentence of proscription giuen by the king of Spaine against the prince of Orange, and of the reward promised to him that should murther him. Hee being greedie of this prey (after that hee had conferred with some of the king of Spaines partie, and among others, with Valentine of Pardieu Seignior of la Motte, gouernour of Graueling) to put this proiected murther in execution, he first addressed himselfe to a seruant of his, who kept his accounts, and (with teares in his eyes) shewed him into what danger he was like to fall, and to become bankerupt, if hee were not helped with money, the which (he sayd) there was no meanes to preuent, but in get∣ting the reward promised in the proscription for the murther: hee therefore intreated him (as he knew his secrets) to vndertake this act. The young man pitied his estate, and would [ C] willingly haue assisted him with all meanes possible, but hee excused himselfe, saying, That he had not the heart nor courage to doe it. Then hauing a little bethought himselfe, * 1.33 he said, that there was not any one more fit for such an exploit, than Ioan Iauvreg•…•…i (whom hee called Ioanille) Anastro his boy, who might bee easily persuaded and aduised to vn∣dertake and performe it, being a most wicked villaine, and resolute to doe any mischiefe whatsoeuer. Ioanille being called, they breake it vnto him, and hee vndertaketh it reso∣lutely, without any pausing or further excuse: hauing concluded when, how, and after what manner it should be effected, this marchant Anastro leauing his people ingaged, re∣tyred himselfe out of Antuerpe, and went to Graueling to la Motte, to assure the fact. Be∣ing vpon the way, he writ to Ioanille, That hee should not fayle to put two rounds, and [ D] to take the measure behind, which was, that he should charge his pistolet with two bul∣lets, and shoot him behind in the head. The day for this execution, was taken vpon Sun∣day the eighteenth of March, which day there was a feast appointed at the duke of Aniou his court, the prince of Orange assisting. But Ioanille doubting that the prease would be too great, and that he should not approch so neere vnto the prince his person, as was need∣full to doe the deed, he thought it more conuenient to execute it at dinner, in the prince his owne house, he being at the table. This boy being thus desperately resolued, a certaine Iacobin Frier (called Peter Timmerman) came to confesse him in Anastro his house, forti∣fying him in his resolution with many sweet words, yet persuading him and making him beleeue, that hee should goe inuisible, hauing giuen him some caracters in paper, and [ E] certaine little bones, as of frogges, which they found in his pockets, with many coniu∣rations and such like fooleries written in his tables. Beeing thus assured and preserued (as he thought) he drunke a cup or two of Malmesey, and being accompanied with the Monke (who went still exhorting and strengthening him therein) going towards the ca∣stle, they came vnto the prince his court, whereas his ghostly father hauing giuen him his blessing at the stayres foot, left him, and went away. The prince of Orange was set at dinner with the earles of Laual and Hohenloo, the lord of Boniuet, with many other noblemen, and some of the Estates. Ioanille entereth into the dyning chamber, who (be∣ing attyred almost like a Frenchman) they tooke him to bee seruant to some of those French noblemen: he sought to approch neere vnto the prince his person, but hee was so enui∣roned [ F] by his gentlemen, as hee could not get neere for to shoot at him behind, as hee was instructed; yet hee thrust himselfe forward twice or thrice, and was still repulsed. Dinner beeing done, and the prince going to retyre into his chamber, this boy fixed

himselfe before a window in the hall, close by the dore of his withdrawing chamber. The [ A] prince passing on (before hee entred) shewed vnto the earle of Laual the cruelties which * 1.34 the Spaniards had practised in the Netherlands, the which were wrought in the tapistrie; and hauing his face turned on the left side, this murtherer discharged his little pistoll, thinking to hit him in the hinder part of the head: but the prince turning at the same in∣stant, the bullet entred in at the throat vnder his right chap, being so neere, as the fire en∣tred * 1.35 with the bullet into the wound, burning his ruffe and his beard; it brake him one tooth, and pierced the iugular veine, and yet his tongue was nothing perished, the bul∣let came out at the left cheeke, hard by his nose.

This blow being giuen (wherewith they were all terrified) one of the halberdiers could not contayne himselfe, but hee thrust him through with his halberd, and then a page [ B] made an end of him. The surgeons being called, found, that the fire which had entred into the wound, had cauterised the iugular veine, and done him much good, wherefore the wound was not mortall. The murtherer being at the first vnknowne, the bloud where∣with * 1.36 hee was poluted and defiled, was washed off, and then he was bound vpright vpon a scaffold which went vpon wheeles, and carried from street to street, to see who did know him. He was in the end knowne, and with that which they found written about him, they were fully assured, that hee was Anastro his seruant: without doubt, the tu∣mult was great in Antuerpe, before that he was knowne; for that (beeing attyred like a Frenchman) they did imagine, that the Frenchmen which were new come, had caused it to be done; neyther could the bourgers be pacified, vntill that he was knowne, and that [ C] they were assured, that the prince was not mortally hurt. Presently Anastro his house was forced by the bourgers, and the Cassier, the keeper of his booke, his seruant, the Monke, and in the end he that made the pistoll, were all prisoners, but soone after relea∣sed, except the keeper of his booke and the Monke, who (after some dayes that the body of the murtherer had beene publickely quartered, and hanged at the towne gates) were also hanged and quartered, like vnto the murtherer. It was to bee feared, if the prince had beene slaine, and the murtherer not so soone knowne, that both the duke of Aniou and all the Frenchmen, yea, and all the Romish Catholickes which were in the towne, had beene in great danger, notwithstanding the great endeuour of the magistrate to pa∣cifie the tumult: for the people beeing much mooued, cryed out nothing else, but, Be∣hold [ D] the marriage of Paris, let vs spoyle these murtherers. The duke of Aniou was much per∣plexed and troubled in his court, beeing inuironed by the bourgers and the sworne com∣panies, who were all in armes. I haue since heard him confesse, That he was neuer more deuout, nor neuer apprehended death more. He commaunded his followers to lay downe * 1.37 their armes, and sent to entreat the prince of Orange to take him into his protection, who writ vnto the colonels of the towne, excusing the duke, assuring them, that neyther hee nor any of his had any hand in that action; but contrariwise, that hee was a mild and so∣ber prince, who sought nothing else but their good and safeties. In the end, the tumult beeing somewhat pacified, the duke went to visit him, and did also grieue at his mis∣fortune. [ E]

The prince of Parma on the other side, supposing that the prince of Orange was slaine, and meaning to make his profit of this accident, writ presently to Brussels, Mack∣lyn, Gant, Bruges, and Antuerpe, letters full of sweet words, sending them word, That the prince of Orange (who was the sole author of all the troubles) beeing dead, the king of Spaine would vse on their behalfes all mildnesse and clemencie, and would for∣get all that was past, if they would returne, and yeeld themselues vnder his obedience, for the which (he sayd) he had full commission from his Maiestie: wherefore they should be well aduised, whilest that the gate of grace and mercie was open for them, and not to suffer it to bee shut againe, and to loose so good an occasion as was then offered vnto them. [ F]

The duke and the prince of Orange were not ignorant of the prince of Parma his pra∣ctises: wherefore letters were written in their name, and in the name of the Generall Estates of the vnited Prouinces, vnto the gouernours and magistrates of the townes of

Brabant, Flanders, and other places, to containe them in their duties: and there was a new [ A] forme of an oath propounded to the Romish Catholickes, which they must take, if they * 1.38 would remaine free in the exercise of their Religion, the which was onely allowed in the duke his court: which oath did in effect contayne the abiuration of the king of Spaine, and fidelitie vnto the duke of Aniou, as duke of Brabant, and that the penaltie of a hun∣dred crownes, imposed vpon them which should goe vnto the Masse, should bee taken away.

The prince of Parma hearing of this oath which the Romish Catholickes had taken, who would more willingly haue seene him commaund in those parts, than the duke of Aniou, made and sent foorth a proclamation in the king his name, not to discourage them, nor to make them despaire of grace and fauour: by the which hee did pardon the [ B] sayd oath, imputing it to force, and (as it were) extorted from them, if from that time they would submit themselues vnder his protection and obedience, and shew themselues faithfull.

Some three thousand foot and sixe hundred French horse of the dukes, hearing that the earle of Barlamont, gouernour of Namur was absent, came in the night with ladders made of * 1.39 rope blackt, to scale the castle of Namur, where at that time the duchesse, mother to the prince of Parma, was. But they could not carrie their enterprise so secretly, but they were dis∣couered, and enforced to retyre, leauing their ladders behind them, with some part of their baggage.

The Seignior of Sainseual, with captaine la Croix and le Braue, going out of Cambray * 1.40 [ C] with their horse and some few foot, surprised the towne of Lens in the middest of Arthois: but hauing sacked it, and thinking to hold it, the prince of Parma sent to besiege them by the marquesse of Roubay and the lord of Capres, so as they were not onely forced to leaue the towne and the bootie which they had gotten, but also their horses and their armes, the place lying in an open champian countrey, and not be held; for seeing they had onely an intent to spoile it, they should presently haue abandoned it: but as it is said, they committed such insolencies and villanies, as God would punish them, taking from them all meanes to de∣fend it.

The prince of Orange being hurt, as we haue sayd, the esclarre of the cautere which the fire had made in his wound falling, the iugular veine opened, and fell a bleeding in such [ D] abundance, as all remedies which the physitions and surgeons could applie, preuayled nothing, so as they began to doubt of his life: for notwithstanding that they did caute∣rize it with an astringent cautere, yet the esclarre falling, it bled afresh, so as hee grew exceeding weake by the losse of so much bloud: in the end they concluded, that nature in time, by the suppression of the iugular veine, and the growing of the flesh, should stop and retayne the bloud, the which was done: and there were appointed both physiti∣ons, surgeons, and gentlemen of his chamber, who for nine dayes together, euery one keeping his turne, should continually, night and day, hold his thumbe in the wound, vpon the veine that was cut; during which time (Nature working) it closed: and so the prince of Orange (by this onely troublesome meanes) was freed at that time from [ E] danger.

Colonel Martin Schenck of Nydeck, a gentleman of good qualitie, and a souldier of great enterprises, hauing beene vpon the fourth of Aprill surprised in the towne of Xen∣ten in the countrey of Cleues, by the Seignior of Hoochsasse, gouernour of the towne of Gueldre for the Estates (whither he was led prisoner, and there detained long) in the end, discontented with his long imprisonment, and seeing himselfe abandoned by the king of Spaine, who made no meanes to free him (no more than the earle of Egmont, the baron of Selles, and other noblemen his subiects that were prisoners) he grew into such a griefe and despight, as to be deliuered of this captiuitie, hee left his partie, and hauing treated with the earle of Moeurs, deliuering his strong castle of Blyenbecke, and other places [ F] where he commaunded to the Estates, he followed their partie, sending his wife and chil∣dren vnto them for a gage of his promise: afterwards hee did great seruice to the Estates, wherein he died.

The prince of Parma meaning to besiege Audenarde (which is one of the strongest towns [ A] in Flanders) before he came neere it, he made a shew as if he would besiege Menin, and mar∣ching * 1.41 along the towne with his armie, the bourgers hauing six companies there in garrison, sent foorth three to charge his rereward. But the prince turning head, defeated them, & then * 1.42 casting about with his armie, hee inuested the towne, beeing weakened by the losse of these three companies: he planted fiue and twentie peeces of Ordnance, and tooke the castle of Gaure, a league from the towne, that they might not be relieued that way, nor his campe in∣tercepted of their victuals: he also surprised by practise the castle of Castens, of another side, that he might assure his campe on all parts. Then he battered the towne twelue houres to∣gether, without ceasing, and made a sufficient breach: but the waters grew so high, as hee could not giue an assault (notwithstanding that hee had bridges to passe the water of the [ B] ditch) they within the towne hauing stopped the course of the riuer of Escaut, which run∣neth through the towne. The Gantois by meanes of this inundation, did sometimes succour them with small barkes. At one time among the rest they thought to relieue them both with horse and foot but the marquesse of Roubay defeated them, and pursued them euen to the ports of Gant, in the which there were fourescore horsemen slaine. There was a great fort without the towne, which defended them on that side: the prince of Parma tooke it by as∣sault, but the besieged sallying forth presently with great furie, chased them out of it, and re∣couered it againe, where there were slaine about a hundred of the Spaniards, and but foure of the besieged; of such force is a suddaine and a couragious resolution. The prince seeing this, and that he preuailed nothing by his batterie, caused a bulwarke to be vndermined of a∣nother [ C] side; the which hauing woon, he lodged his men therein, whereupon they within the towne did presently cast vp a halfe moone before it.

The duke of Aniou and Brabant being desirous to raise the prince of Parma from this siege, sent for all his garrisons both of horse and foot, and for colonel Norris, with his regiment of English: so as it was supposed, that if the towne could haue held out but a little longer, there would haue beene a battaile giuen; but it yeelded by composition, in a manner like to that of Tournay: the prince of Parma, for that he would not be forced to rayse his siege, nor * 1.43 to hazard a battaile, graunted them all they would desire, for else they had not escaped so lightly. The conditions were, That the bourgers to redeeme their towne from spoyle, should pay thirtie thousand florins within six weekes: All such as would depart and leaue the town, [ D] should haue a yeares respite to sell their goods: The souldiers leauing their ensignes, should depart with their armes and baggage whither they pleased. It was yeelded vp the nine and twentieth of Aprill, after three moneths siege. If they had beene assured of succours, they would haue held it longer, for they neyther wanted victuals, nor any munition of warre.

The duke to recompence this losse, caused an enterprise to be made the two and twentieth * 1.44 of the same moneth, vpon the towne of Alost, by Oliuer vanden Timpel, Seignior of Corbeke, gouernour of Brussels, Charles of Lieuin, Seignior of Famas, gouernour of Macklyn, and the Seignior of Thiant, gouernour of Nieuwenhouen in Flanders. These commaunders gaue a scalado to the strongest part of the towne, whilest that the garrison of Lydekerke gaue an a∣larme [ E] on a weaker side, so as they woon the rampar by force, fighting furiously with losse on either side, whilest that some of the assailants were labouring to breake open the port towards Brussels (after that they had cut the corps de guard in pieces) to draw in the horsemen, with∣out the which, those that were alreadie entred and had woon the towne, had been in all shew the weaker: but the horsemen being entred, they had an assured victory, and became masters of the towne, the which was sacked, where the Seignior of Thiant was appointed gouernor, the rest returning to their gouernments. A little before this surprise, there were aboue foure hundred churchmen retyred into Alost, whereof some of the most busie tooke armes at this surprise, and were there slaine; others who had remained quiet in their lodgings, were ta∣ken prisoners, and ransomed. Many saued themselues by leaping ouer the wall. The lord [ F] of Monsqueron and the abbot of Nieuwenhouen were taken there, and set at great ran∣somes.

The prince of Parma seeing Alost thus taken from him, for a reuenge, sent his men to sur∣surprise

the castle of Gaesbeke, belonging to the house of Egmont, two leagues from Brus∣sels: [ A] their enterprise was in this manner: There came certaine souldiers vnto the castle gate, * 1.45 who said they were of the garrison of Alost, and that they had a good bootie, which they would willingly put in safetie: they giuing credit vnto their words, and seeing their cassocks, opened the gate, whereon they seized, and giuing entrie to the rest of their men, became ma∣sters of the place.

Some other of the prince of Parma his souldiers thinking to doe the like vnto the towne of Dyest (belonging vnto the prince of Orange) as the duke of Aniou his men had to A∣lost, they scaled the towne, entred as farre as the market place, and fought valiantly against the garrison, part whereof went presently to the gates, the which they defended, and kept out the horsemen: so as they that fought in the market, seeing their horsemen, did not se∣cond [ B] them, fainted, and fled to saue their liues, of the which there were about two hundred slaine and taken prisoners.

The second of May there was a generall fast commanded by the duke and the generall E∣states throughout all the vnited prouinces, to giue God thankes for the prince of Orange his health, and that they had obtained a good prince, in making choice of the duke, who did de∣fend and maintaine them against the Spanish tyrannie.

The lady Charlotte of Bourbon, wife to the prince of Orange, hauing first conceiued an exceeding griefe for her husbands hurt, and afterwards by his recouerie an incredible ioy, be∣ing deliuered of child, she fell into a continuall burning feauer, whereof she dyed the fifth of May, leauing vnto the prince six daughters, who had all great marriages. Shee was buried in [ C] our ladies church in Antuerpe, with a stately funerall pompe.

The eight of Iune following, there also dyed in the same towne the lady Mary of La∣lain, wife to Peter of Melun, prince of Espinoy, Seneschall of Henault &c. and was buri∣ed in the Quier of the Church of S. Michaels abbey in the same towne, without the Ro∣mish ceremonies.

About that time the Seignior of Hautepenne, sonne to the earle of Barlamont, made a rode with six hundred horse about Antuerpe, from whence he carried a great bootie in pri∣soners, cattell, and other goods. Captaine Alonzo (a Spaniard, who serued the duke) a braue souldier, being in garrison in Liere, w•…•… •…•…forth with his troupe of horse, and charged them, but he was hurt and taken, yet he w•…•… p•…•…ntly rescued and carried backe into Liere, [ D] where he remained sicke in his bed of this wound, vntill that hee was traiterously sold to the prince of Parma by a Scottish captaine, as you shall presently see. At this time the duke of Aniou his men made another enterprise vpon the towne of Arschot, with some troupes of * 1.46 horse and foot: but being entred a good way into the towne, they were repulsed, with the losse of thirtie men. All this Summer was spent in enterprises on eyther side, but few suc∣ceeded: yet the garrisons of Dyest and Herental surprised Tillemont in Brabant for the Estates; in the which there were three companies for the prince of Parma lodged in a cloy∣ster, which they defeated in their retrenchment: then they sacked the towne, and abando∣ned it.

The prince of Parma keeping then his court at Tournay, went to Namur, to receiue the [ E] troupes, which the earle of Martinengues and Dom Iohn of Manriques de Lara brought vnto him. The duke of Aniou and Brabant about that time made certaine proclamations for his greater assurance, and brake quarter with the men of warre, commaunding them not to take a∣ny enemie to ransome. He also brake the licences (which are certaine customes and tols impo∣sed vpon all marchandise passing from one countrey to another) not suffering that any thing should be transported either by water or land vnto the enemie, and generally not to traffique, nor to haue any correspondencie with them, by exchange, or otherwise, in what sort soeuer.

The foureteenth of Iuly, the duke (being accompanied by the princes of Orange and Espi∣noy, and all their traine) departed from Antuerpe to go into Zeeland: from whence on the six∣teenth [ F] day he went to Scluse, to make his entry the next day into Bruges. The bourgers went forth of the towne well appointed in armes, to meet him along the riuer which goeth from Bruges to Dam, hauing some number of the sworn companies of crosse-bows, harguebusiers, and archers, in very good equipage appointed for his guard. They of the towne of Antuerpe

of the same qualitie, did attend him thither, and then returned home. The duke entring into [ A] the towne, was receiued with great humilitie, by the foure members of Flanders, and was * 1.47 conducted through the streets with all the honour they could deuise, hauing triumphant ar∣ches, liuely representations made vpon scaffolds, artificiall figures painted, statues, pyramides, porches, with such like, and diuers kinds of flames and artificiall fires flying in the aire: where∣by they made shew how pleasing and acceptable his comming and entry was vnto them, re∣ceiuing him for their prince and lord, as earle of Flanders.

The duke being in this towne of Bruges, there was a great treason discouered, inuented by a Spaniard (or a Spaniards sonne) called Nicholas Salcedo, of one Francisco Baza, an Italian, * 1.48 of a horseman of Fernando of Gonzagues companie, and of one Nicholas Hugot, called La Borde, a Frenchman, who were corrupted and set on by the prince of Parma, or his coun∣sell, [ B] in the name of the king of Spaine, to murther the said duke and the prince of Orange both together, or apart, in what sort soeuer, as it appeared by the confession and processe of the said Salcedo, and by that which happened to Francisco Baza. This Salcedo had beene at the dukes request saued from the gallowes at Rouan, being accused of coyning: being after that retyred for a time into Spaine, he returned into Lorraine, where he came into the dukes seruice at the victualling of Cambray, and so followed him continually vnto An∣tuerpe, thinking to be there employed, and to haue some charge: but he was alwayes held in iealousie by the prince of Orange. And as the said Salcedo was very familiar with the Seignior Amoral (afterwards earle of Egmont) whom the prince loued not onely for the good remembrance of his father, but for that the Countesse his mother had recommended [ C] him and all her other children vnto him at the houre of her death in Antuerpe: and also for that the said Seignior Amoral made profession of the Protestants Religion, and receiued the Communion: these reasons made the prince to aske him once in secret, what great ac∣quaintance and familiaritie he had with the said Salcedo? Hee answered him, That hee had none but for the loue of Alchimie: whereupon the prince replyed, That hee feared some worse matter, aduising him to beware of him, and not to conuerse any more with him, wi∣shing him withall, not to discouer any thing of this aduertisement to Salcedo. Yet notwith∣standing, this young nobleman, whether it were of lightnesse (or for that it is the nature of man to affect that most which is most forbidde•…•… •…•…im) at his first encounter with Salcedo he discouered all vnto him. Vpon certaine aduertisements and strong presumptions, Salcedo [ D] was apprehended: Francisco Baza was without the court attending for him, and seeing that he came not, in the end he asked for him, and so was in like manner laid hold on. La Borde fearing or discouering something, saued himselfe. Salcedo and Baza being examined vpon the aduertisements and circumstances which they had to confirme the presumptions of their fact, they did confesse and signe it, that their designe was to haue murthered or poysoned the duke and prince in what sort soeuer. The young lord Amoral was in like sort exami∣ned, who confessed presently, that he had bewrayed vnto Salcedo all that the prince had said vnto him, touching the conuersation and familiaritie he had with him. And although he excused himselfe of that wherewith Salcedo had accused him, yet was he for a time detained prisoner, and after (at the duke of Anious retreat out of the Netherlands into Fraunce) deli∣uered. [ E] Francisco Baza hearing on the nine and twentieth of Iuly, that being found guiltie by his owne confession, they would put him to some cruell death, the next day he slew him∣selfe * 1.49 in the prison with a knife, whereupon he was drawne to the gibbet, and there hanged; but afterwards (by a new iudgement) he was quartered, the which were hanged vpon gib∣bets, with a writing, that he had attempted to murther or poyson the duke and the prince, at the persuasion, and by the expresse commaundement of the prince of Parma. Salcedo was at the request of the French king and the Queene his mother sent vnto Paris, after the reuiew of his processe and his consession, to haue receiued foure thousand duckets of the king of Spaine, hauing also reuealed some other secrets concerning the person of the king, and of the duke his brother, wherewith some great men in France were touched, the fiue and twentieth [ F] of October he was (according to his sentence) in the presence of the king, the queen his wife, the queene mother, princes of the bloud, and other princes & noblemen of his court, drawne * 1.50 with foure horses, and dismembred aliue, his quarters were hanged vpon gibbets, and his head planted vpon a pole.

The duke and the princes of Orange and Espinoy departed from Bruges to Gant, the [ A] chiefe towne of all the countie of Flanders, where he made a stately entrie, and there was re∣ceiued * 1.51 with great ceremonies, and ioy of the people, and acknowledged for earle of Flanders, * 1.52 after that he had taken the oath, and receiued an oath of the deputies of the foure members of the earledome. Then hauing (according to the custome) renewed the magistrate, he went from thence to Dendermonde, where the like reception was made vnto him, according to the capacitie of the towne, and from thence he returned to Antuerpe. What happened vnto his armie all the time that hee remained and continued in Flanders, we will present∣ly shew.

The first of August the towne of Liere in Brabant, three leagues distant from Antuerpe, * 1.53 betwixt Macklyn, Antuerpe and Dyest (a good towne, and of great importance for all that [ B] quarter of Brabant) was trecherously deliuered to the Spaniard, after this manner. There was a Scottish captaine (called Sempil) in garrison in this towne, who complained often of the small entertainment he receiued from the Estates, and that the Seignior of Heetuelt (go∣uernour of the towne) was not a meanes to haue his companie payed, making this his pre∣text, to treat with the Spaniard, to deliuer vp the towne for a certaine summe of mony, which they promised him. For the effecting whereof, the first of August he came vnto the gouer∣nour, and told him, That he knew where there was a good bootie, desiring leaue to go forth, the which he graunted: being abroad, he returned about 2 of the clocke after midnight, cry∣ing vnto the guard to open the gate, and that he had brought a bootie of oxen, kine, sheepe, and wagons with stuffe, and that hee knew the enemie followed to rescue it, if it were not [ C] speedily put in safetie. The gouernour commaunded the wicket to be opened: but he cry∣ed out still, that they should open the great gate, to suffer the cattell and the wagons to enter, the which the gouernour refused, sending him word, that he should stay vntill day to bring them in. Sempil vnderstanding this, entred by the wicket, and hauing his men in guard at the port, he ouerthrew the captaine, being a bourger, who carried a bunch of keies, the which he wrested from him. The porter seeing this, thinking to goe vp and to let downe the port∣cullis, he was ouertaken vpon the stayres, and there slaine; and so with the helpe of his men he opened the great gate, and let in the Spaniards, being about sixe hundred horse, which the Seignior of Hautepenne had gathered •…•…ether out of the neere garrisons: being entred, they slew all they found armed (the goue•…•…nour sauing himselfe speedily in his shirt in a [ D] small boat) spoyling the towne, and ransoming the bourgers with all extremitie. Captaine Alonzo the Spaniard was found there in his bed, being wounded at the encounter before mentioned; and for that he was a Spaniard, and did serue against the king, the Spaniards hung him vp by one foot, & so put him to death, then they quartered him, and hung his quar∣ters vpon gibbets without the towne: which the horsemen of Antuerpe did afterwards take downe and burie honourably in our ladies church, with militarie ceremonies, for his valour, and the good seruices which he had done vnto the estates and the prince of Orange, although he were a Spaniard.

The newes of the taking of Liere did much trouble and alter them of Antuerpe, the ports thereof remayning and continuing shut for a time, being doubtfull what to resolue: [ E] in the end it was concluded and agreed vpon, to burne all the champian countrey of Campaigne, that the enemie being in that towne, should reape no commoditie, causing the abbey of Saint Bernard to be fortified (being taken before, and afterwards abandoned by the Spaniards) a goodly place, seated vpon the riuer of Escaut, beeing a league from Antuerpe.

During this time, the duke of Aniou and Brabant had caused his armie to passe vnder the leading of the earle of Rochepot into West-Flanders, about Graueling and Dunkerke: the Spaniard thinking to doe him an affront, came to take view of him, and was beaten, neere vn∣to Wynoxberghe, a league from Dunkerke, where he lost some of his horsemen, & the baron of Balanson (afterwards earle of Varax, brother to the marquesse of Warenbon, a high Bour∣guignon) [ F] was taken prisoner by the light horsemen of Colonel Norris, and carried to An∣tuerpe. The duke went thither to ioyne with the troupes of the Seignior of la Pierre, and the Reisters which the earle of Mansfeldt brought: who passing along the frontiers of Picar∣die, through the countrey of Arthois, coasting along the riuer of Authies, they spoyled all,

and tooke diuers castles, as Labroy, Aussi-le Chasteau, & others: which troupes by the dukes [ A] commission, in stead of entring into Arthois, as they had bin appointed, were by a new charge * 1.54 commaunded to come into Flanders, whereby there was a good oportunitie lost in the coun∣trey of Arthois.

The duke hauing stayed some time with his armie in that part of Flanders, retyred the seuen and twentieth of August towards Gant, where the prince of Parma followed him with all his forces, meaning to fight with him, and to defeat him if he could, finding him∣selfe much stronger than the duke, who at that time had not aboue foure thousand men, the which went to lodge in a village neere vnto Gant.

The next day after their comming to the place, the Corps de guard of the dukes armie discouered the fore-runners of the Spanish campe, which came to charge them. The Seignior of la Pierre, marshall of the campe, being aduertised thereof, put all the troupes [ B] in order with what speed hee could, and seeing the Spaniards approch, hee caused some horsemen of the regiment of the dukes guard to entertaine the skirmish, where the Seig∣nior of Saintseual commaunded, giuing libertie for the baggage to retyre out of the village, to the end that according to the dukes commaundement the retreat might be made with∣out fighting, considering the inequalitie of their forces: for without doubt, if they had wilfully made defence in that village, they had beene all defeated without any rescue. And although that all the Spanish forces aduaunced (wherein they did not shew their ac∣customed diligence and furie) and that the dukes men were pressed and pursued, yet they still marched in battaile, retyring easily in good order towards the towne, for their more [ C] safetie.

In the head of the armie was the English regiment of colonel Norris, being seconded by the Reisters of Cont Mansfeldt: after came a French regiment of colonel Boucks, hauing on his wing colonel Norris, with three companies of English horse, and foure others of light horse, Frenchmen: all these made the foreward. After marched three companies of French horsemen, and the regiment of Fouquerolles, with all the Dutch and Scottish com∣panies, which made the battaile. For there reward, there was the regiment of horse of Saint∣seual, with a regiment of English, in the which there were many pykes, and some compa∣nies of foot of Saintseual that were gathered together.

The troupes being thus ordered, and the Spaniard marching, the two marshals of the dukes [ D] armie put themselues in the head of the troupes, commaunding the souldiers to march with∣out disorder, and not to turne their faces. The foreward of the Spaniards being about a 1000 horse, and a great battailon of foot, prest and pursued the dukes men, who retired slowly. And as they marched towards the towne, notwithstanding the first order (the which was an act of lightnesse, yet it succeeded well) there were certaine ambushes laied a quarter of a league one from another, by the regiments of Fouquerolles and Bouck: so as being seconded by some horse of the foreward, they charged so fitly, as the Spaniard encreasing still as his troupes arriued, they were kept at a stand: and when as they would haue passed this high broad way, whereas the ambush lay, they were entertained with such store of shot, as notwithstanding that the ar∣mie was fresh and full of resolution, yet they lost many men, without any great hurt vnto the [ E] dukes troupes, hauing still some horsemen vpon their wings. In the meane time, the earle of Rochepot, who was yet sicke at Gant (whereas many captaines also had stayed the day before at the dukes comming) went out of the town, and seeing his men prest by multitudes of Spa∣niards (who had alreadie seized vpon a little hill and the myls neere vnto S. Lieuins gate) hee caused the foure companies, which marched in the foreward with colonell Norris horse, and some English pikes, to returne to the charge, who did so well (especially the English) as they staied the Spaniard againe, who was now come very neere vnto the towne. This made the re∣treat the more easie for the dukes men; who cōming to the rampar with the princes of Orange and Espinoy, were of opinion that the army should retire vnder the wals, whereas the 2 cur∣tains might gaule the enemie, if he should approch any neerer. But the skirmish being renued [ F] againe, before they could get thither, and be couered with the rampar of the town, there were many slaine on either side, so as the Spaniards recoiled againe. As the dukes army being put into battaile, retired vnder fauor of the towne, the artillerie from the rampar whereas the duke stood, plaied vpon the Spaniards, and slew many.

The prince of Parma beeing now arriued with the body of his armie, seeing the dukes [ A] forces in safetie, made a stand almost two houres, still renewing the skirmish, whereof fol∣lowed * 1.55 the last charge which was giuen. Whilest that matters passed in this manner, the duke commaunded, that the horse should retyre without disorder or confusion, except three cornets which should remaine in guard neere vnto the foot, that by this meanes they might haue time to refresh themselues, and to lodge. The which was not done without good con∣sideration, seeing there was no more question (as it seemed) of fighting: yet the prince of Parma seeing the dukes horsemen retyred, came againe to charge the footmen, whom hee draue vnder the towne wall: but he was so well receiued, as he lost many men, and in like manner there were some of the dukes men both slaine and hurt. Night being come, the prince of Parma rallying his army together, and burying about two hundred of his men neere [ B] vnto Gant, and filling all the wagons hee could get with dead and wounded men, hee was in the end forced to retyre.

The next day the dukes armie marched towards Dendermonde, where he made his entry in qualitie of earle of Flanders: and from thence hee tooke his way to Antuerpe with the prince of Orange, where they arriued vpon the second of September, hauing left the prince of Espinoy in Gant, to haue a care and charge of all thinges in that quarter of Flanders.

At that time colonel Verdugo, gouernour of that which the king of Spaine held in Frise∣land, besieged the towne of Lochum in the countie of Zutphen. Cont William Lewis of * 1.56 Nassau, gouernour of Friseland for the Estates, with some small troupes (in despight of all [ C] the Spanish forces) put certaine wagons laden with victuals and other munition, into the towne, and then retyred: his retreat was very pleasing vnto the Spaniards; and therefore a∣bout the middest of September, knowing well that they of Lochum (before reduced to extreame necessitie) had not receiued all necessarie prouisions for a place besieged, and so vnfurnished, made his profit of this small reliefe. Whereupon hee fortified himselfe with good trenches, and made sixteene or seuenteene forts about the towne. Hee also made three vpon the mountaine, whither hee retyred himselfe in safetie, when need required. The earles of Hohenlo and of Nassau being aduertised of his worke, hauing gathered to∣gether what forces they could in Gueldre and Oueryssell, making about two thousand foot and a thousand horse, they resolued to goe and see the Spaniard againe, carrying with [ D] them two demie canons and foure smaller peeces. Being come neere vnto them, they skir∣mished both with horse and foot. Verdugo and his men retyring vnto this mountaine, made a stand there to see what would follow.

Two daies after, the Seignior of Allein commaunding a French regiment, went to as∣sayle one of the Spaniards forts, the which was most necessarie for them: they of the towne hauing made a sallie, being seconded by d' Allein his lieutenant, tooke a fort at the port of Moulin, where there were about foure hundred Spaniards slaine. And although it were newly assaulted by a great number of enemies, yet were they valiantly repulsed: and after∣wards the besieged laboured with such dexteritie, as the bridge of the riuer, which had been broken in that place, was repaired strongly againe, and the towne victualled the same day by [ E] that bridge, better than before.

The night following two other forts were forced. But the next day the Estates horse∣men going to a charge somewhat disorderly, they were easily put to rout, with the losse of two captaines, and a good number of men; some slaine in fighting, others, in cold bloud; and so the Estates small armie was quickly dispersed. The Seignior d' Allein bee∣ing entred into the towne with his regiment, assured it the more: in the which were also the earles, Herman, Frederic, and Henry vanden Berghe, nephewes by the mother vnto the prince of Orange (who since turned to the Spaniards partie) and the chiefe nobilitie of Guelderland.

The Spaniard being not farre retyred, returned suddenly againe, recouered his forts, [ F] and besieged it more streightly than before, for the space of fiue and twentie dayes; yet could they not keepe the besieged from making of gallant sallies, and taking of many prisoners out of the Spanish campe, whether came supplyes of sixe hundred horse and fifteene hundred foot, led by Cont Charles of Mansfeldt and the Seignior of Hautepenne:

then they summoned it more resolutely than before. In the meane time, the earle of Ho∣henlo [ A] was retyred to Zutphen (and afterwards came with the said three earles brethren to * 1.57 Antuerpe) beeing readie to gather together some troupes, to succour Lochum againe. And fiue dayes after these supplies which came to Verdugo, there went to ioyne with the earle of Hohenlo two thousand fiue hundred foot, and one thousand fiue hundred horse, French and Reistres, with the three English cornets, commanded by colonel Norris. With this equipage Hohenlo returned cheerefully the third time to relieue the besieged. His troups were no sooner discouered, but Cont Charles Mansfeldt left his quarter disorderly in all hast, and passed the water to be neerer to Verdugo. The earle of Hohenlo seeing this, marched speedily with the Estates armie to lodge in that quarter which Mansfeldt had abandoned; yet they came to blowes at a fort on that side the towne, in which skirmish there were manie [ B] slaine on eyther side. The earle of Hohenlo caused a fort to be made in that place, betwixt * 1.58 two other forts which the Spaniards held, by the fauour whereof, a bridge was presently made, by the which he might commodiously passe ouer with his footmen, and draw such as were wounded and vnprofitable out of the towne, whereas colonel Amaurie, being new∣ly arriued with a regiment of Gascoines, entred first of all, hauing no leysure to refresh themselues, nor to take breath. This done, they built another fort, which fauoured the end of the bridge, that it might not be taken by the Spaniards: Whereat Verdugo and Mans∣feldt being much amazed, presuming, that the towne was relieued; and fearing least they should goe and charge them behind, they began to retyre, and to abandon all their forts, and so marching in battaile, they went towards Grolle. The next day the Estates men vi∣ctualled [ C] Lochum at their ease, and all the forts which the Spaniards had made, were razed. During this siege, there was slaine with an harguebuse shot from the towne the baron of An∣holt, of the house of Battenbourgh, colonel of a regiment of Germanes, who had so much sollicited this siege of Lochum, for that his towne of Anholt it is not farre off, the which was dayly annoyed by the garrison of Lochum, euen vnto their gates.

This siege raised, and the towne thus relieued, the Estates forces went to besiege the castle * 1.59 of Keppel in the said countie of Zutphen, the garrison whereof hauing endured a little batte∣rie, yeelded by composition, deliuering the lord of the place (who had bin vnwilling to yeeld) into their hands. From thence they went before the castle of Bronchurst, which did also yield by composition. [ D]

At that time there was some mutinie among the souldiers of the garrison of Brussels, for their pay, yet they protested to keepe the towne for the duke of Aniou. The prince of Par∣ma would willingly haue made his profit thereby, aduauncing some troupes about that towne and Alost, as if he would besiege them. They of Boisleduc (which is one of the foure chiefe townes of Brabant) beeing before summoned by the duke to acknowledge him for their duke and lord, in qualitie of duke of Brabant, they not only refused it, but offered the prince of Parma an hundred thousand florins to goe and besiege Brussels: The which hee did not, but only burned some villages of that iurisdiction: and the souldiers were paid to appease the mutinie.

In the end of September, the duke of Aniou sent Monsieur S. Luc, gouernour of Bro∣uage, [ E] and the colonels Timpel and Seisseual with two thousand foot and fiue hundred horse, and some peeces of ordnance drawne out of Antuerpe at the request of the Brussellois, to besiege the castle of Gaesbeke, where there was a companie of the malecontents, Wallons, and halfe a cornet of horse. These commanders being come, and hauing made some foure∣score shot, they within began to pa•…•…le, hauing no hope of succours, and fearing to bee taken * 1.60 by assault, they yeelded, and went forth with white wands in their hands. This done, S. Luc caused the castle of Thoulouse to bee summoned, the which was yeelded vpon the same tearmes.

The earle of Rochepot (lieutenant generall of the duke his armie) to annoy Liere in Brabant, went with a thousand French foot and two peeces of Ordnance to besiege the [ F] castle of Enchouen, beeing a league and a halfe from Liere. They of the garrison seeing the Canon planted, being somewhat loth to attend the hazard, yeelded like vnto the * 1.61 two others, yet not before the earle and the colonel la Garde had beene both hurt with shot.

The king of Spain knowing that he had a mightier enemy than before, would also increase [ A] his forces, the which he caused to march from all parts towards the Low countries. And as * 1.62 the duke of Montpensier and the marshall of Biron were come out of France into Picardie, to ioyne their armie with the duke of Anious other troups, the prince of Parma caused all his frontier places of Arthois and Henault, to be well manned. And about the end of Summer, there came vnto him out of Italy, one and forty ensignes of Spaniards, which made fiue thou∣sand men, vnder two colonels, Christopher of Mondragon, and Dom Pedro de Pas, sixteene en∣signes of Italians, euerie one being three hundred strong, being also fiue thousand, vnder Ma∣rio Cordoini, and Camillo de Monte, colonels, besides the Landskneckts, & high Bourguignons, with a great masse of treasure, which the prince receiued out of Spaine, to pay his whole ar∣mie, where there was besides these foure regiments of Spaniards and Italians, of ten thousand [ B] men, six regiments of Germans, the colonels wherof were, Robert Goudtberg, the earl of Arem∣berg, the earle of Barlamont, Dom Iohn Manriques de Lara, cont Charles of Mansfeldt, and the seignior of Floion, brother to Barlamont, nine regiments of Wallons, vnder the marques of Renty, the earle of Egmont, Gabriel de Liques, the earle Octauio of Mansfeldt, the earle of Man∣derscheit, Philip of Liques, he that was seignior of Bours, the baron of Aubigni, and the seig∣nior of Manui. And aboue all these the regiments of Hautepenne and la Motte Pardieu, besides the Bourguignons of the marquesse of Varenbon, with the garrisons vpon the frontiers of France, and those that were neere vnto the vnited Estates, and the regiments of the lord of Bil∣ly, Verdugo, and the baron of Anholt in Friseland, with some companies of horse. As for his horsemen, there were thirtie seuen cornets, Spaniards, and Italians, and twelue bands of ord∣nance, [ C] which altogether might amount to foure thousand horse: So as all the king of Spaines forces in the Netherlands, both of foot and horse, in the moneth of September 1582, amoun∣ted to threescore thousand men, the which according vnto the relation of some commanders and Spanish treasurers, cost monethly (if they had beene well paid) six hundred sixtie eight thousand, eight hundred fiftie and seuen florins, besides the charge of artillerie, carriages, and all other things thereunto belonging, as well in pioners as otherwise, which could not be lesse than a third part of the charge of the armie: Yet the prince of Parma complained, that of this great number of souldiers, he could not put thirtie thousand men to field, by reason of the ma∣ny garrisons which he was to supply. Without doubt it was a great power, and an excessiue charge, which he was to entertaine so many yeares together, Winter and Summer, against his [ D] owne subiects, and yet preuaile little; the which the Romans and other mightie kings and mo∣narchs would haue reputed great, and sufficient to haue effected great matters. Against which forces there were at the same time for the States, as braue, valiant, and expert captains and soul∣diers in militarie actions, both Dutch, French, English, Scottish, and Wallons, as the earth could beare. All which forces of either side, being well vnited and ioyned together, had been able to conquer a whole world.

The duke of Anious men being busie about the fortification of a bourg betwixt Valenci∣ennes and Cambray, the prince of Parma went and forced them to leaue the worke, and to re∣tire: then he summoned Castle Cambresis, in the which there were an hundred and fiftie * 1.63 French souldiers, who yeelded, to haue their armes and baggage saued. Then hauing taken [ E] some other castles and forts in that quarter of Cambray, as Bohain, and others, he then led his armie before the little towne of Nyuenhouen in Flanders, the which for want of succors yeel∣ded, and so did the castles of Lyderkeke and Gaesbeke, with which places, and for that he had his armie camped thereabouts, he thought to famish the towne of Brussels a farre off: but be∣ing well prouided of all sorts of victuals (into the which there were two thousand French and English foot put, besides the twelue companies, and the foure cornets which they had of the ordinarie garrison) finding that he should preuaile little, after that he had spoyled the country thereabouts, his armie hauing also eaten vp Arthois and Henault, hee thought to goe into the land of Waes in Flanders: but the duke had so well fortified all the passages, as hee could not enter, so as dearth and famine began to creepe into his campe, all victuals beeing cut off and [ F] forbidden by the way of France; besides that, Winter drawing on, his souldiers were much tormented with raine and cold, the which his new come Spaniards and Italians were not ac∣customed to feele: all these considerations made the prince to breake vp his campe, and to put his men into garrisons. As in like sort the same Winter the duke of Anious Frenchmen

suffered much hunger and want, as wel by the bad gouernement of the victuals, as for want of [ A] good pay, and the rigour of the Winter. * 1.64

The seuenteenth of Nouember colonell Verdugo surprised the towne of Steenwicke in the * 1.65 countrey of Ouerissel, by scaladoe: for the relieuing whereof (as I haue said) the States had taken so great paines. It happened by the direction of a peasant, who working in the town dit∣ches, had noted one place which might be waded through, by the which he guided Verdugoes men vnto the foot of the rampar, being duely informed before, that captaine Hans Crom and Bocholt were gone forth with most of the souldiers of the garrison of the towne, about some enterprise.

At the same time the earle of Hohenlo besieged the towne of Meghen in the countrey of * 1.66 Gueldres, the which he won, with some other, neither could the earle of Mansfeldt (who lay [ B] not far off with his troups) hinder him.

The seuenth of Ianuarie after the new stile (the calender being reformed this yeare by the pope) the lord of Boniwet being conducted by a souldier of the country, called Heincker Scher∣mer (who went first vp to the rampar) surprised the towne of Eindouen in Brabant, neere vnto * 1.67 Boisleduke, in the countrey of Campeigne, where there were fiftie horsemen Albanois spoy∣led, most of them hauing saued themselues, or yeelded. From thence the Frenchmen went be∣fore Helmont, Horst, and other places of the same quarter, the which they also won; so as it seemed they would besiege Boisleduke, the which was long in great feare, they of the towne thinking (for that they had no garrison) to compound with the duke, but his mind was of ano∣ther prey, as we will presently shew. [ C]

The duke by the intercession of his mother (as she made shew) had long solicited the French king for succours in his affaires of the Netherlands, against the king of Spaine: but the king re∣fused * 1.68 him, fearing and foreseeing the danger which might happen vnto his realme, seeing hee was not assured (if his brother should die) of any recompence: yet he said, That if the Estates would acknowledge him, or else the crowne of France for heire and successor vnto the duke in the Netherlands, he would then do his best, which the Estates could not well yeeld vnto. The Agents of Spaine being in France, neere the king, and the dukes aduersaries (which was the house of Guise) made their profit of this deniall, which was the cause why the prince Daul∣phin and the marshall Biron, were so long before they entred the countrey with their armie: the which past not into Flanders, before they had deuoured all they brought out of France. [ D] Some counselled the king, That to ioyne all the Netherlands in one bodie with the crowne of France (the which would afterwards be inuincible) he should not assist his brother, but in his extreame necessitie, when as he had exhausted all his meanes, and so weakened the coun∣trey, as they should be forced to sue vnto him, and be content to receiue such conditions as he would prescribe them. Attending which time, and doing so, the king of Spaine should be al∣so bare of money and credit: that then the king might make himselfe strong of men, money, and all things necessarie, and should know what contrarie designes the princes of the empire, the emperour, those of the house of Austria, and the allies and adherents to Spaine might con∣ceiue. As for the duke (said they) he will the sooner humble himselfe, and submit to such con∣ditions as it should please the king his brother to limit him, rather than bee forced to abandon [ E] to his enemies that which he held, and which had cost him so much. And that the king vsing this manner of proceeding, and hauing obtained of his brother what he desired, the countrey being ouer toyled and tired with warte, hauing consumed all their meanes, and seeing them∣selues frustrat of their hope which they had conceiued in the dukes person, through dispaire euer to be reconciled with the Spaniard, fearing also the proceeding in the calling in of ano∣ther prince, would demand nothing more, than to giue themselues vnto him. And as for the other prouinces which remained vnder the obedience of the Spaniard, that hee should make open warre with all violence vpon the frontiers, suffering no victuals to enter, beeing an easie matter to hinder it, seeing that hee had no ports at his deuotion. As for the Rhine and Meuse, which are riuers running through the said countries, they were to be stopt, keeping an army [ F] in the countrey of Luxembourg, and being master of the townes thereof, as of Luxembourg the chiefe, Theonuille, and Malmedi, the Spaniard should eat vp the countrey where he was. They might also make roads and burne the haruest, which would force him to yeeld; so as the French king did stand vpon his guard, without hazarding any thing vpō the euent of a battel,

still lodging vpon the aduantage. And if it should so fall out, yet might the king better en∣dure [ A] it than the enemie, who beeing once ouerthrowne, could neuer rise againe. Where∣as * 1.69 beeing neere vnto France, hee might sodainely recouer new forces. But if the king reie∣cted all these goodly occasions, and would not imbrace the Netherlands actions, that it was to bee feared hee should bee forced thereunto, if hee would not haue a new ciuile warre in Fraunce. And the duke his brother hauing no more meanes to resist the Spaniard, would be contemptible to them that had called him, not onely for the great charge they had beene at, but also to see themselues frustrat of the great expectation they had of him. That the said duke, rather than they should doe him any disgrace, would seeke to assure himselfe of some places within the country, and then would returne into France, to complaine of the smal suc∣cours and friendship which hee had found in the king his brother, reuiuing the discourse [ B] which he had made the yere before to the parliament of Paris, and in other places: that for the greatnesse of the Estate and crowne of France, beeing freed so long from frontier enemies, which should ease the realme from so manie charges and impositions, they should not neg∣lect so goodly an occasion, seeing that their father, grandfather and predecessors had made so long warre against the house of Bourgoigne, to conquer in the end but a towne or two: and that now the whole countrey and the townes offered themselues, and were in his posses∣sion, the which hee might loose againe for want of succours from the king his brother. And that therefore seeing hee had no assistance from him, hee desired fauour from the generall Estates of Fraunce, to preuent so great a disgrace, and not to let slip so goodly an oportuni∣tie, which tended to the greatnesse and profit of all Fraunce. Wherefore they counselled [ C] the king to consider well of this action, which touched him neerer than any league or ami∣tie with the king of Spaine.

Such aduice and counsell was giuen vnto the French king, concerning the affaires of the Netherlands, which came all vnto the knowledge of the Duke his brother, making him to fall into diuers conceits and iealousies, as well of the king, as of those that were chiefe in counsell about him, and neerest his owne person: which seemed to make him run another course, thrust on by his yong courtiers: who hearing that his forces being led by the duke of Montpensier, and the marshall of Biron, had past by Cales, and lay about Dukerke, hee sent for them to come into Brabant.

The Duke being in Antuerpe, and hearing that his forces were arriued, hee caused his ar∣mie [ D] both old and new to approach neerer vnto Antuerpe, into one of the suburbs, which they call Bourgerhout: the Switsers were lodged in another, called the Kyel, behind the castle a∣long the riuer of Escaut.

In the meane time, as the towne of Dunkerke did import him much, to keepe a passage * 1.70 open, and free from Flanders into Fraunce: the duke to assure himselfe thereof in time, ha∣uing sent some French men thither, hee commanded monsieur de Chamors to seize thereon; the which hee did easily, during the absence of the seigniour of Treslon, admirall of Zeeland, and gouernour of the towne. Chamors pickt a quarrell against the bourgers, about the diuisi∣on of some bootie, so as they fell to blowes, and many were slaine: And whilest that they of the towne had sent to make their complaint to the Duke and the Estates being in Antuerpe, [ E] Chamors hauing in the meane time fortified himselfe with more men, chased away the States garrison, and became master of the towne the sixteenth of Ianuarie. This was the first act of ill counsell which the Duke put in practise, which afterwards lost him the Netherlands, and was the cause of his owne ruine.

Without doubt the Duke (of whom for his owne disposition they had expected all good, and on whom the Estates of the countrey had grounded the preseruation, health, and main∣tenance of the people, against the oppression of the Spaniards) had done wisely, and had made himselfe wonderfull great, if hee had giuen credit to the counsell of the prince of Orange and the Estates, who had called him to those goodly principalities and seigniories, wherewith hee was so lately inuested: And that if in stead of preferring the French nobilitie [ F] (who were but strangers in the Netherlands) hee had countenanced the Netherlanders, and not haue contemned them, and held them in such disdaine: for aboue the ordinarie counsell which he had of the said prince and other noblemen borne in the countrey, although he shold

not haue any other for matters of state, and the gouernment of the countrey yet hee had a se∣cret [ A] counsell, which they called The Counsell of the Cabinet, composed of yong giddie headed * 1.71 French men, most of them being pensioners to the king of Spaine, or relikes of the actors in the massacre at Paris. This secret counsell put into his head, that neither the prince of Orange nor the States did respect him as an absolute prince, and would willingly haue seene him fully obeyed; the which the Spaniards had so much affected, and had beene the cause of the trou∣bles and miserie which had happened and continued so long in the said countries. For the obtaining of which obedience and absolute commaund, for the putting in of gouernours and French captaines into all townes and forts, and the excluding of noblemen, gentlemen, and others that were borne in the countrey, to restore the Romish religion, and root out the Pro∣testants; finally to reduce these prouinces into a worse estate, than it may bee they had beene [ B] in during the rule of the Spaniards, they aduised him to make himselfe master of the chiefe townes of Brabant and Flanders, but especially of Antuerpe, with the which they thought and bragged to subdue all the world.

In this counsell there were three sorts of humors of men, euerie one tending to a cenaine * 1.72 end, but diuers and contrarie. The first (which we may say were the best) had no other aime (as faithfull seruants are bound) but to the greatnesse and setling of their masters estate, which prospering, they could not but prosper themselues, and those were for the most part young, aspiring to aduancement and honour. The others were secret pensioners to the king of Spain, who by a strange alteration in this new estate, sought nothing, but to worke for the Spaniard, and to send the duke home, from whence hee came, and so corrupted by gifts, presents, or [ C] pensions, to fill their purses: and these had most accesse and credit with the duke. The last were such as looked to nothing but to spoyle, relikes (as we haue said) of the massacrers of Pa∣ris, thinking by the spoyle of these rich and mightie townes, to make themselues all gold in one day: the which were knowne and noted for such, who two or three dayes before the ex∣ecution of this their designe in the towne of Antuerpe, went vnto the chiefe merchants, ta∣king view of the richest iewels, plate, tapestrie, and other rich merchandise, making shew as if they would buy them, and agreeing vpon the price of some: saying, That they would fetch them, and pay for them on such a day, which was the day of the execution: but it had beene with the Lions paiment.

Consider then, if of these last two sorts of men, being of the dukes counsell, an vpright [ D] prince could make any good vse. It was therefore concluded among them in this counsell of Cabinet (whereunto they also called the seigniour of Thiant, gouernour of Alost, a stir∣ring young gentlemen, whose humor these counsellors knew to bee conformable vnto theirs) that this designe (without the priuitie of the duke of Montpensier, the earle of La∣uall, and other noblemen of the Protestant religion) should bee executed vpon the seuen∣teenth of Ianuarie that yeare 1583, on Saint Anthonies day, as well in Antuerpe, as in the townes of Bruges, Dendermonde, Alost, Dixmuyden, Nyeuport, Ooestende, Villeuorde, and other townes: So as the French men of those garrisons, and other supplies that should bee sent vnto them, should make themselues masters thereof. And as for their proiect laid vpon the towne of Antuerpe, the which succeeded vnhappily for them, it was in this [ E] maner.

The sixteenth of Ianuarie, the eue before the execution of the French mens designe vpon * 1.73 Antuerpe, doctor Peter van Alost, bourgmaster of the towne, hauing receiued some aduer∣tisement, that the same night there might be some enterprise made against the town, went late vnto the duke, to let him vnderstand, That among so many souldiers that were entred into the towne, there might some slip in that were not well affected to his seruice, who they feared would attempt something to the preiudice of the towne: and therefore they intreated the duke that hee would forsee it, and that the •…•…haynes might be drawne an houre sooner than of custome: Whereunto the duke yeelded, after that hee had answered, That they had no cause to distrust his troups, which were come to do him and the whole countrey seruice: adding [ F] thereunto many good words and faire promises. So the chaines were drawne betimes, and lanternes with lights hung out at the windowes in the streets all night long, as they are accu∣stomed to do in any time of doubt and distrust.

The next day the duke did conferre as well in person, as by his secretarie Pin (called [ A] Quinsay) with the prince of Orange, the bourgmasters, and the colonels of the bourgers, * 1.74 sent expresly to that end. And as the prince told plainely and openly, That hee knew well, that they had pretended and resolued that day, to force a port, and to draw in the whole ar∣mie; the duke protested, that he had neuer any such thought, and that they should haue no such suspition of his souldiers: that hee desired to know who had inuented that surmise, to punish him as hee had deserued: shewing what great affection hee bare to the confederat prouinces, the countrey of Brabant, and especially to the towne of Antuerpe, seeking by all meanes to pacifie, and to giue contentment to the prince, the bourgmasters and colonels: the which was easie for him to doe, seeing that their aduertisements had no verie great ground, neither would they euer haue thought that it had beene true, much lesse that his [ B] Highnesse would euer haue executed such a designe, considering that he did see plainly they knew something, and that they were growne into suspition. Whereupon the prince persua∣ded and intreated him, not to go out of the town, nor to take view of his armie that day: the which he promised him: But the marshall of Biron beeing gone the day before to lodge in the armie, and hauing concluded, that the like designe should be executed in other townes, * 1.75 on the same day, wherby al their villanie should be discouered, if they should delay it any lon∣ger, about one of the clocke in the afternoone, the duke with all his nobilitie, making in all (besides those which marched before, and which came after) some two hundred horse, and with all his guard both Switsers and French, went out of the towne by the port of Kip∣dorpe, the which they had expresly left open by commaundement and charge which hee [ C] had giuen them.

Some of his men which went before, stayed vpon the bridge, as if they had there atten∣ded his Highnesse: others which remained behind, ran from one street to another, towards that gate, causing the chaynes to bee let downe, as if his Highnesse should haue past by all those streets.

Beeing past the port, and the second draw bridge, one of his gentlemen did counterfeit as if his legge had beene broken in the prease: some of the bourgers drew neere vnto him, to helpe him, and to carrie him into the towne, to the first Surgion: but hee crying out and la∣menting (the which hee did to win time, vntill the footmen of the armie might approach) seeing the footmen come, drew his sword, and tooke one of the bourgers of the towne, [ D] which offered him his seruice, on the head, and withall, all his Highnesse courtiers fell pell mell vpon the bourgers, beeing before their Corps degard, bare headed, to see their prince passe, hauing no doubt or fear of any such treason to be practised and committed against their towne.

After this beginning the noblemen and gentlemen (except such as past beyond the port) aduanced with all the rest of the armie, and first there entred foure cornets of horse, and se∣uenteene ensignes of foot, crying out, The towne is won, The towne is won, Liue the Masse, Liue the Masse: the which they did, by that meanes hoping to draw all the power of the Ro∣mish Catholikes, and other the discontented rabble of the towne, to hold their partie: his Highnesse pressing his men to enter, and saying that the towne was his, and that it was [ E] woon, caused the Switsers, and the rest of the troupes to aduance, so as hee became master of the said port, without any difficultie, although there had beene great resistance: for it was dinner time, when as the bourgers were at table, and the most part of the guard were gone home to their dinners, and besides the bourgers of that quarter had that day the guard in ano∣ther place.

So these foure cornets, and the dukes courtiers, with the seuenteene companies of foot, be∣ing entred into the towne, ran ouer all where it pleased them; some went along the rampar to∣wards the emperors gate, to seize vpon the artillerie, as they did: some ran towards the Meer∣bruge, others through the new street, some along that streight street of Kipdorpe, and one part vnto the rampars of the Red gate, and of Saint Anthonies street, crying continually, [ F] Kill, hill, God saue the Masse, The towne is woon. But as soone as the bourgers vnderstood, that they pretended by this treason to surprise and spoyle the towne, going presently with as much speed as they could out of their houses, some armed, some without arms, and in small numbers, they went like gabions close together, & planted themselues before this great troup

of Frenchmen, keeping them from passing any further. In the meane time the towne drums [ A] began to beat, and to giue a generall alarme, the bourgers comming in troups from all parts, * 1.76 some by whole companies, who marching in battaile, went and charged the French, God (to whom the honour and glorie of this victorie is to be attributed) giuing such courage to the bourgers, and the inhabitants, as they made them to turne their backes in all places, and to flie in great disorder out of the towne, some casting themselues from the top of the rampar in∣to the ditch, to saue themselues, after that they had beene masters of the port aboue an houre, with their colours flying, won the market place and the Meere.

In the meane time the duke caused his Switsers (being about foure thousand) and the rest of his armie, to aduance, to second them that were alreadie entred: but the bourgers hauing recouered the rampars, discharged their ordnance vpon his squadrons, the which staied them sodainely, and forced them to retire, finding that all went not well with them in the town; nei∣ther [ B] could they enter, for the great number of the dead, which lay heaped one vpon another in the port, the height of two men. The duke hauing at the first seene the port won, and that without any resistance or striking stroke his men were entred into the towne, hee said then to some noblemen (who were not acquainted with his enterprise, and did complaine of it) that the towne was won, and that he had aboue foure thousand men in it. Whereunto some of these noblemen answered, That it was not yet won, and that within halfe an houre they should see a change, as it fell out by the grace of God, not without great effusion of bloud, of either part: for of the good and valiant bourgers (besides them that were wounded) there died some * 1.77 foure score, among the which were colonel Vyerendeel, and the captaines Balthazar Tas, Re∣nold [ C] Michaut, and Iasper of Hoemaeker, sargeant maior to the seignior of Schoonhouen. The seignior of Waenroy bourgmaster, being gone forth of the towne with his highnesse, mar∣ching in ranke with the nobilitie, and hearing this brute, escaped verie dangerously, and with the assistance of the said sargeant maior, caused the chaines to be drawne, which sergeant was slaine close by him, with diuers other valiant bourgers, which died fighting, to their immortall praise and honour.

Of the French there were found both within and without the towne, vpon the rampars, and in the ditches, aboue fifteene hundred men, that were numbred and buried, besides such as died afterwards in the town, and the wounded and prisoners, among the which there were many gentlemen and men of qualitie: Besides there were some foureteene or fifteene hun∣dred [ D] taken prisoners, and among them some great personages, barons, and other of the French nobilitie. And although that the French souldiers would not haue spared any one, but would haue spoyled the towne, and vsed all sorts of crueltie, if they had been masters, yet after this vi∣ctory the bourgers did not hurt any man, but drew from among the dead many that were yet liuing and panting, whom they preserued.

After this grosse errour the duke retired with his noblemen, and the rest of his armie, the same night, to be out of the danger of the towne canon, into the suburbs of Berchem, lodging himselfe in the castle of that place, from whence he writ vnto the magistrat of Antuerpe, with a certaine instruction, which he gaue vnto two colonels bourgers, Landtmeter and Scholiers being accompanied by a gentleman of his houshold, whereunto they of the towne would [ E] make no answere in particular, referring themselues to the resolution of the prince and the ge∣nerall Estates, who thought it expedient to send their commissioners vnto his highnesse. You may coniecture in what case the prince of Orange was, during this foolish and furious enter∣prise of the French in Antuerpe, and whether he were assured of his person, vntill hee heard that all went well with the bourgers, and that the French were repulst: then hee went to the rampars with his guard and gentlemen, to moderat the iust furie of the townes-men, who would haue plaied continually with their ordnance vpon the dukes armie, if hee had not for∣bidden them, yea intreated them: and he came happily to saue some of the nobilitie, yet was he forced to heare and endure some taunts and reproaches of some ill taught bourgers. In the end hauing ceased from killing (which had not lasted an houre) and the prince being retyred [ F] into his lodging, the bourgers fell to spoyle and strip the dead bodies, where some got rich spoyles, as well of chaynes of gold and iewels, and of gold and siluer.

The most remarkable among the dead, were the earle of S. Aignan, the marshall of Birons * 1.78 eldest sonne, the earle of Chasteauroux sonne, a verie yong nobleman, with the seigniours of

Thiant, Seisseual, and others. Among the chiefe prisoners were the seignior of Feruaques, [ A] the baron of Beaulieu, the baron of Chaumont, the seignior of Fresnoy, and others (whereof * 1.79 many were of the Protestant religion, ignorant of the fact) all put vnder good guard for a time in the fencers chamber, and from thence they were sent to some bourgers, vntill they were knowne: Feruaques was carried to the towne-house, and the common souldiers to the pri∣son of Backers tower, and other places, from whence they were afterwards deliuered with∣out ransome, and sent by sea to Callis, yet many died of cold, want, miserie, and of the stinke one of another, the prisons being so full as they could hardly stirre.

Such was the issue and end of this foolish enterprise of the duke of Aniou vpon the towne of Antuerpe, thinking by meanes thereof to make himselfe more absolute lord, than euer were any dukes his predecessors in Brabant, and to haue that ful and perfect obedience, which [ B] neuer any had, neither could the king of Spaine obtaine it, how mightie soeuer he were. He lost in one day his estate, his credit and his reputation, beeing forced to flie, and to make a retreat vnworthie of his greatnesse: for from his lodging of Berchem, he went the next day to the abbey of Saint Bernard; hauing beene there one night, going to Villeuoorde, he found a second mischiefe at his quarter of Duffell, to the great losse of his men and baggage, by the inundation of the countrey, which grew by the opening of the sluces at Macklyn: And if a countrey man had not shewed them a foord, at the old riuer which was woont to passe from Macklyn to Brussels, the losse had beene greater, and hee himselfe had beene in daunger, as the duke of Montpensier was, who, besides this misfortune, was much grieued for the dis∣loyaltie which had beene shewed to the towne of Antuerpe: for the way was verie narrow, [ C] and hard to hold, whereas many making too great hast, were carried away by the swiftnesse of the streame, and there perished. The duke of Montpensier beeing mounted vpon a lustie horse, was in this danger, if hee had not beene speedily succoured, who beeing verie wet in so cold a season, being come to Villeuoorde, after that hee had beene well chafed, was let bloud for the recouerie of his health. The duke of Aniou ran to visit him and to comfort * 1.80 him: Montpensier did reprehend him sharply, for the errour which hee had committed in Antuerpe, imputing this disaster to his periurie. To whom the duke answered, Cousin, leaue these speeches, you will kill my heart. Montpensier replying in choller, looking with an angrie eye vpon the noblemen which did accompanie the duke, beeing the chiefe authors of all the mischiefe, said, Nay, kill the hearts of all those traytors, that gaue you that counsell. At [ D] which reply the duke of Aniou retyred verie sad and melancholie, without speaking of any word.

His Highnesse being vpon the way to Villeuoorde, hee wrot his letters to them of Brussels * 1.81 and Macklyn, laying all the fault of this inconuenience vpon them of Antuerpe, as if they had giuen him some occasion, saying (wherein he did contradict himselfe) That it was but a mutinie of his men: whereof the contrary is most manifest, for the same day that he thought to suppresse Antuerpe, he attempted the like in diuers other townes, as in Bruges, Alost, Dix∣muyden, Nieuport, Ooestend, and Villeuoord, and it may be in other places whereas his mini∣sters durst not begin.

The enterprises which the dukes men had vpon Dendermonde, Dixmuyden, and Ville∣uoorde [ E] succeeded, but not without great oppression and outrage done vnto the inhabitants. But they of Bruges, vnder the leading of the seignior of Fougeres, failed, although there were fiue companies of French before within the towne: for as Fougeres desired to haue passage onely through the towne, to goe and ioyne with the dukes armie neere Antuerpe, with sixe companies: Being entred, and in battaile vpon the market place, Fougeres and the prouost ge∣nerall of the French, meaning to stay some time, and rest them there, went to the town-house, to haue tickets for their lodging. The bourgers discouering this practise, began to put them∣selues in armes, and thereupon the magistrats commanded Fougeres not to depart from them, but to write to his men, that they should depart presently out of the towne, else he should re∣maine their prisoner. In the meane time they prouided, that the other fiue companies of the [ F] old garrison, should not ioyne with them that were on the market place, who according to their colonels command, departed out of the towne, and so did al the rest. Thus this enterprise went to smoke, and the Brugeois were happily and easily freed from the French, who as Fou∣geres and the prouost did afterwards confesse, had made pitifull worke in the towne.

There was the like enterprise vpon the towne of Wynocx-berghe, the which succeeded, [ A] but modestly, Colonel Villenenfue a French gentleman and a Protestant, causing Capraine * 1.82 Blocke onely to retire with his company of horse, to be master there alone, as he was vnder the Dukes authoritie, vntill hee yeelded it vp by his consent, of the Estates and the Prince of O∣range, vnto la Motte Gouernour of Grauelingue, as we shall hereafter shew.

I haue thought good to insert here the letters which the Duke of Aniou did write from the castle of Berchem to the Magistrate of Antuerpe, sending them by the Colonels Landt∣meter and Scholiers, with the instruction which followeth.

My masters, I send vnto you the Seigniours of Landtmeter & Scholiers the bearers here∣of, * 1.83 with an instruction which they shall present vnto you on my behalfe; whereunto I attend an answer that I may resolue: the fault shall be yours, if it be not for your good: referring my [ B] selfe then to their sufficiencie, I will conclude, praying God to haue you in his keeping: from the campe at Berchem. Signed Francis, and vnderneath, Pin. In a post-script was written, I haue thought good to accompanie these two Bourgers, with this gentleman the bearer here∣of, to let you vnderstand my intention more at large. Here followeth the tenour of the instru∣ction.

His Highnesse by his wisdome and accustomed patience, after that he had exposed his per∣son to hazard, lost and ruined many gentlemen and souldiers, some in the warres, others by diseases, and the most part by miserie, famine and want, to trie by all meanes, to let the people of these countries know how much hee desired to drawe them out of all the miseries and op∣pressions which they had suffered, hath in the end found that he laboured in vaine, reseruing [ C] the proofe of his saying for another time and place, to discouer more plainly to all the world, the spring and beginning of all the mischiefe, the which was sufficiently knowne to all good men. The neere ruine of the people, with his Highnes disgrace which followed, hath with great reason (beeing a Prince as euery man knoweth him) much altered his good nature and disposition, seeing himselfe so vnworthily intreated, as he may iustly say, that the absolute and soueraigne authoritie was in other mens hands. But the extraordinarie indignitie which hath beene done him this day, with so small respect, yea in contempt of his person and qualitie, hath so incensed him, as that hath ensued which you haue seene, for the which hee is won∣derfully displeased and grieued. And for that his inclination is yet still disposed to the good of the common weale, and of all good men; hee would let them vnderstand it, to knowe how [ D] they would carrie themselues to him, before hee did resolue of that which hee had in hand: whereof they should bee intreated to deliuer their mindes plainely to the Seigniors of Landt∣meter and Scholiers, of whom they should learne more, according to the instruction which his Highnes had giuen them. They should be also intreated to suffer all French men that were in Antuerpe, to depart and goe freely vnto his Highnesse, and the Earle of Mansfeldt also; gi∣uing free passage for all his Highnesse mooueables, of the duke of Montpensier, the Count Laual, Marshal of Biron, the Scigniors of Rochepot, Rochefoucaut, Espruneaux, and Mauuis∣siere the first steward of his houshold: as also and especially his Highnes papers, & the goods of the Seignior of Quinsay, his Secretarie, and his other Stewards, Treasurers, and houshold seruants, against whom he assures himselfe they haue vsed no rigour, beeing innocent of that [ E] which hath happened. His Highnesse hath his chiefe Almoner sicke in Antuerpe, whom hee shall intreat them to send vnto him, and not to vse him vnworthily. Made in the campe at Berchem the 17 of Ianuarie.

These letters and instruction were imparted by the Magistrate of Antuerpe, vnto the gene∣rall Estates and the Prince of Orange; the particular Estates of Brabant thought it expedient to send Commissioners vnto him: whereunto were named, Doctor Elbert Leoninus, chan∣cellor of Geldres, Meetkerke president of the Prouinciall Councel of Flanders, both Councel∣lers of estate, and Bloyere Colonel of the bourgers at Brussels, to goe and treate with the Duke, who was gone to Saint Bernards Abbey, and that according to the instructions which they had receiued from the Prince of Orange, with the aduice of the generall E∣states. [ F]

The Duke beeing ariued at Duffell, he wrote vnto Oliuer vanden Timpel, Seignior of Cor∣beke, Gouernour of Brussels, as followeth.

Mounsieur Timpel, the indignities which I haue receiued by them of Antuerpe, with very

small respect of my qualitie and person, haue so transported mee, as meaning on monday last [ A] to goe out of the towne vnto mine armie, there fell a tumult at the port betwixt them and my * 1.84 men, whereas the souldiers lying at Bourgerhout ariued, so as to my great griefe there follow∣ed * 1.85 great disorder: whereof I thought good to aduertise you, and to let you vnderstand that this accident hath nothing diminished my affection, to assist the good with all my meanes and forces, who in my opinion should not growe colde, as I am assured you will not, continu∣ing in the oath which you haue made vnto mee. I will also continue for my part in my first will and affection: and especially in regard of you, whom I haue also knowne to be a louer of the publike good. Intreating you moreouer, beeing at this time incommodated in my armie for want of victuals; to prouide that I may haue some sent mee, by some number of boats, as speedily as may be, and they shall bee well satisfied and paied. And for that I meane shortly [ B] to let you vnderstand more particularly the true and iust causes of my griefe, I will now make an end, &c. From the campe at Duffell the twentieth of Ianuarie, 1583. Signed Francis.

Many thought diuersly of this enterprise of the duke of Anious: some said it was onely to * 1.86 force the bourgers of Antuerpe to paie his armie, as the Spaniards had done in the time of the great commander of Castilia, at the daie called For a Veillacos, whereof wee haue made menti∣on. Others said that the duke beeing newely come out of a realme, whereas the king com∣mands and hath absolute authoritie, could not fit himselfe vnto a countrey, which stands vp∣on their priuiledges and auncient statutes, desiring to rule after his owne will. Some feared that if hee had become master thereof, hee would haue deliuered them ouer to the king of [ C] Spaine, with whom (they said) hee had secret correspondencie, and seeing they could not compasse it by force and open warre, they should effect it by subtill practises, as hee had now thought. These men were farre from his intention. Some others said it was to settle and esta∣blish the Romish religion, and they grounded the chiefest argument of this their iealousie vp∣pon the crie of God saue the Masse, during the exploit: beeing also notorious that he had with him diuers of the chiefe massacrers of Paris. And as the name of French men by reason of their insolencies and excesse, was hatefull both to catholikes and protestants, by that crie of God saue the Masse, they thought to drawe the catholikes to their partie, and in the end to vse them as the rest: this might haue some shew. But my opinion was, and I haue heard it allow∣ed by many of good iudgement, that this young councell of the cabinet beleeued, that the [ D] duke holding this rich and mightie citie, and hauing caused the castle to be built againe, hee might by the meanes thereof conquer all the world. Whatsoeuer it were, this designe must be most pernitious to the one or to the other. To the towne if he had preuailed (yet what the is∣sue would haue beene if it had succeeded, I will not rashly iudge) for him if he had failed, as he did.

Wherefore it is a matter to be duely weighed and considered: as I haue heard the mar∣shall of Biron did propound all the dangers vnto him, beeing without the towne, euen at the verie instant when the exploit should begin, shewing him the artillerie vpon the rampar, the chaines in all the streetes, the bourgers become more warlike then euer, by reason of their first losses by the Spaniards, then the dishonour, and last of all the great losse, and irrecouera∣ble [ E] blame if it succeeded not, counselling him as much as he could to desist from it. But con∣trariwise the others said, Why sir, will you for feare of tenne or twelue rascals which are at the port, loose the opportunitie to make your selfe a monarch this daie? Whereupon the duke was a while in suspence, but the worser counsell so by their vnhappie aduise preuailed, that they carried it: God hauing so in his eternall wisdome decreed to punish these wicked reliques of massacrers, and to make them of Antuerp, and the estates more circumspect in their affaires.

The prince of Parma hearing that this enterprise was thus failed, meaning to make his benefit thereof, wrote his letters to the Bourgmasters, great councell, and colonels of the towne of Antuerpe, exhorting them to reconciliation with the king of Spaine: the mes∣senger [ F] which brought the letters was ledde into the towne with his eies blinded, which made many to thinke that they feared some alteration, for some times they might heare the bourgers (seeing that the duke of Aniou sought by all meanes possible to circumuent

them) mutter among themselues, and cry, God saue the King. Wherefore it was prohibited [ A] by a publike proclamation within the towne, That no man should presume to speake of ma∣king * 1.87 peace with the king of Spaine, nor to receiue any letters from the prince of Parma, for that hee had written the like to them of Gant, Bruges, and other townes, so as some townes of Flanders and of Brabant, sent their deputies (among the which was the abbot of S. Gheer∣truyde) to the prince of Parma, to treat of their reconciliation.

The queene of England hauing newes of this accident, sent her embassadors to the Estates, requiring them with all speed to reconcile themselues vnto the duke of Aniou, for that it was to be feared, that if they did not agree, the prince of Parma beeing growne weake for want of victuals, would fortifie himselfe more than before, whereon they should bee verie carefull. [ B]

The same newes being come to Rouan, and to Paris, and made much greater than it * 1.88 was (as if the duke and all the princes and French nobilitie, had beene slaine there) the Parisi∣ans staied all the merchants and goods of Antuerpe, who (the truth of the matter beeing knowne) had great difficultie to recouer their goods againe, and not without some losse. The king sent the seigniour of Mirambeau, to excuse his brothers fault, and soone after monsieur de Bellieure, a counsellor of state, with letters to them of Antuerpe, by the which hee excu∣sed (as much as hee could) his brothers errour, laying the blame vpon his youth, his bad coun∣sell, and the mutinie of his souldiers: promising them, that in reconciling themselues vnto him, hee would giue them all fauour and assistance. The duke himselfe did write afterwards vnto the Estates, colouring somewhat his enterprise, and promising them all seruice, both of his person and meanes, desiring to enter into some friendly conference with them, and to [ C] satisfie them that were distasted. But the common people seemed at the first so much altered, as no excuses could preuaile, refusing to acknowledge him any more for the protector of their libertie, and much lesse their prince: but they tearmed him an enemie to the publike good of the countrey, so great was their spleene in the beginning, after the deed was done against his Highnesse: yet it had beene much better they had beene sooner reconciled toge∣ther vpon some good conditions; seeing that (beeing thus discouered) they should euer after haue lesse feare of him than before: and it was to bee hoped his future actions would bee such, as they should deface that first blemish. For the Spaniard (who slept not) bee∣ing watchfull to imbrace all occasions, seeing the countrey destitute of a head, of succours, [ D] and of support, might easily haue ouerthrowne all their designes, to his great aduantage, and the hazard of their fortunes.

All this beeing well knowne vnto the prince of Orange, one day in the assemblie of the great Counsell (which they call Breeden Raed) in the towne of Antuerpe, beeing re∣quired to speake his mind, touching the reconciliation with the duke of Aniou, hee de∣liuered his opinion at large, the which was presented also in writing vnto the generall Estates of the countries of the Netherlands: where, after that hee had excused himselfe, hee sayd.

That the Estates should remember what hee had propounded vnto them, when as by * 1.89 the losses of Tournay and Maestricht, they were in a dangerous estate, the Spaniard go∣ing [ E] on still, and prospering: and that it was then needfull to seeke ayd and succours from some great prince, to preserue and maintaine them: Intreating them, that they would re∣uiew the acts, and all that had passed betwixt them and him, when there was question to chuse the Duke of Aniou. In doing so (for that it seemed they would blame him for this election) they should see to whom the fault was to bee imputed: seeing that hee had al∣wayes protested, That if the Estates could find any other better expedient, that hee would follow it vnto the death: That they themselues could witnesse, that at that instant they had no other helpe, but to call in the said Duke of Aniou, as it was resolued by them∣selues. Wherefore it were verie vniust (although the mischiefe which hath happened had beene greater) to blame him alone for this election, and to lay the fault vpon him for that [ F] which is past. He would not deny (for that the duke had done and attempted against his othe, according to the treatie of Burdeaux) but that he was fallen from the right of this euocation, & the seigniory of these countries, whereof hee had receiued the inuestiture, although that hee

confessed, That his aduice was to call him to their succours. But if they would iudge there∣of [ A] without passion, they must also confesse what benefit they haue receiued in three yeares, * 1.90 that by his meanes they had made head against the enemie, who at that time had two migh∣tie armies, the which by the grace of God and the dukes assistance, were made vnprofitable, the one before Cambray, the other much greater the last Summer. Moreouer, that with his succours you had raysed the enemies siege from before Lochum, on which towne depends the countrey of Gueldres, and the countie of Zutphen and Ouerissell. That no man could denie the succours which hee had giuen to the reformed churches in Fraunce, hauing beene the meanes to procure them libertie of religion. Holding it most certaine, that by the name and armes of the duke of Aniou, the name and forces of Spaine were obscured. But in this present action, there were three points, whereon they must resolue. The reconciliation with [ B] the Spaniard, for one, or with the duke, for another, and the third is to maintaine and defend themselues alone with their owne proper meanes. Hee said, That for the Spaniard there was no likelyhood to effect it, although the name and armes should cease: for if they thinke to reconcile themselues with him, vnder the name of the male-contents, as la Motte writes, and that to that end the marquesse of Roubay, and the lords of Montigny and Rassinghem, are met (whereunto it seemes some yeeld an eare) hee conceiues as much as may bee in this mat∣ter of estate, that those men will not doe any thing, without the will of the prince of Parma: whereof they may be sufficiently persuaded by the treatie of Cologne, in the yere 1579, made betwixt some priuat men among the male-contents, and the said prince of Parma: the which was no sooner past, but they sent them greater numbers of Spaniards and Italians, than euer [ C] before. Besides, the treatie which now they may make with the male-contents, would mini∣ster matter to the duke of Aniou, to reproach the Estates withall, that whilest hee offers to re∣concile himselfe with them, they treat with his enemies: the which should helpe to iustifie him with the French king his brother, the queene of England, and other princes and poten∣tats, and make their cause odious. And that to reconcile themselues with the Spaniards, and male-contents, were all one deed. The question is, Whether the Wallons (the Spaniard bee∣ing retired) would be more tollerable vnto them, than the Spaniards, or French, seeing they know well that the said Wallons haue the chiefe charges and commands; one beeing lieute∣nant 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 [ D] 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 at∣tempt newly happened, that whensoeuer the French shall haue committed any errour, or bro∣ken 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 comman∣dement, beeing in warre against the vnited States, hauing the chiefe members thereof profes∣sed 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 [ E] 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 re∣gard of the duke of Aniou, whom hee would not denie (according to the treatie of Bourde∣aux) to be fallen from all his rights in these parts, and that he hath no ground to challenge a¦ny 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 [ F] 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 [ A] them. Finally it were to bee feared, that they which are about his person would counsell * 1.91 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 in∣to [ B] 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 re∣paired, 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 else∣where, 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 [ C] 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 be∣sieged, 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 re∣tired, 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 [ D] 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 mo∣ney 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 propoun∣ded vnto them an order which they should hold, as well in the gouernement, as in the man∣naging 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 exhi∣bit 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 mentio∣ned, hee confest freely vnto them, that hee had alwayes held the third to bee the best, so farre [ E] 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 see∣ing 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 resoluti∣ons) 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 churches vnto danger. And if this counsell, which he giues them, bee not allowable (as hee hopes it is) for the difficulties which they shall find in the putting it in execution, yet he would tell them plainly and openly, that hee sees no [ F] reason to enter into any conference of peace with the Spaniard. And if they must of force make a new accord with the duke of Aniou, let them prouide that no towne fall into danger, and bee well assured of all the forces, and that the captaines may be to the contentment of the Estates.

This was the prince of Oranges aduice vpon the three points of so great importance, en∣treating [ A] them of Antuerpe to conforme themselues vnto the generalitie, without doing any * 1.92 thing of themselues, and to take this his aduise in good part, protesting, that he would expose all his meanes, yea his life, for Religion, the generalitie, and for the towne of Antuerpe in particular.

We haue said, how that Monsieur de Bellieure was come vnto the Estates from the French king, as an intercessor for the duke of Aniou his brother. The Estates hauing heard his O∣ration, and according vnto that which he propounded and required, begun to treat with him in the dukes name, deputing Elbert Leonin, chancellor of Gueldre, and Adolph of Meelkerke, * 1.93 president of Flanders, with some others on their behalfe; and for the duke were deputed men of authoritie, pleasing vnto the Estates, among the which was the earle of Laual, the Seignior [ B] of Espruneaux, and others.

During all this trouble, the Estates found small support in their neighbours of Germanie and England, but from Fraunce they had many goodly promises, which notwithstanding ta∣sted of some threats. They had small meanes of their owne to free themselues, and they fea∣red much, that they should be exposed as a prey, and deliuered to the Spaniards, which made them to enter the more speedily into the said conference. On the other side, the duke feared least the townes which he had at his deuotion should want victuals; being also desirous to free his nobilitie from prison out of Antuerp, for S. Anthonies day, which made him yeeld vn∣to vnreasonable conditions, giuing hope, that hereafter by his good carriage he would wipe a∣way this blemish and disgrace. So in the end they made a prouisionall treaty the 28 of March, [ C] the which was concluded in Antuerpe as followeth.

His Highnesse should willingly content himselfe to chuse his abode at Macklyn, yet con∣sidering that they will treat of new articles, and that the ratification of the oath which his Highnesse demaunds, hath not beene presently concluded,

1

His Highnesse hath resolued, according vnto the offer which hath been made vnto him by the Estates, to chuse the towne of Dunkerke, to reside there for some daies, during which time he desires to treat of al things concerning the good of this estate, and to determine all dif∣ficulties that are now offered.

2

His Highnesse promising vpon the faith and word of a prince (that being finished) that he hath no other intention, but is fully resolued to returne presently, and stay in the towne of [ D] Macklyn, according vnto the articles contained in the Estates instruction on the eleuenth of March last past, to be assured of the passage of Flanders, promising not to attempt any thing against the estate of the countrey, the generall Estates, nor their deputies, who shall in like ma∣ner promise and sweare.

3

Those of his guard, nor of the garrison of Dunkerke, shall not attempt any thing against the inhabitants of the said towne, nor the reformed Religion: and his Highnesse shall haue free exercise of the Catholicke Religion in any Church hee shall please to chuse within Dun∣kerke, euen as he had in Antuerpe.

4

His Highnesse shall cause his French garrison to retyre out of Villevoorde, hauing a pro∣mise from the Estates, to fulfill all things that shalbe agreed vpon: and three of the said depu∣ties [ E] shall remaine with his Highnesse, and the towne shalbe manned with such as are borne in the countrey, and pleasing to the Estates of Brabant.

5

His Highnesse shall commaund his armie to goe and lodge in the quarter of Lempeloo, where it shall be supplied with victuals. And the next day the Estates assuring the summe of thirtie thousand crownes of gold to be put into the hands of a Commissarie, sent to that end, to deliuer them vnto the said armie, it shall march to Villebroucke, whereas the commaun∣ders, colonels, captaines and leaders of the men of warre shall take an oath, well and truely to serue his Highnesse and the generall Estates: and not to attempt any thing against his High∣nesse nor the Estates, neither in generall, nor in particular, but shall employ themselues for the seruice of his Highnesse and the Estates, against their common enemies, Spaniards, Ita∣lians; [ F] and their adherents: and to passe the riuer, hauing receiued money; the sayd oath being taken, his Highnesse armie being payed, and the sayd summe of thirtie thousand crownes furnished, to be diuided among the souldiers, according vnto a rate which shall be made.

6

This done, the armie shall passe into Hellegat, where it shall in like sort bee furnished [ A] with victuals, when as the English, Scottish, and other souldiers shall retire to Ruppelmonde, * 1.94 and take the like oath vnto his Highnesse. And at the same time, when as the hostages shall ar∣riue, and the said payments be made, his highnesse hauing receiued the hostages, and the garrison of Dendermonde being with him, the towne to be left and appointed to such as are borne in the countrey, and pleasing to the Estates of Flanders, and that he shall march towards Eckeloo.

7

The armie hauing receiued these things, in passing at Villebrouck, at the same instant the English, Scottish, and other souldiers which shall be retyred out of the land of Waes shall passe the riuer of Escaut at Ruppelmonde, to be employed where need shall require: and from that time all shalbe paied equally out of the money that shalbe appointed to that end, and be furnished with victuals, without respecting one more than another. The exercise of the catho∣licke [ B] religion shalbe free to them of the armie, and in the campe.

8

Doing this aboue specified, and yeelding vp Dendermonde, hostages shall be presently giuen, for the assurance of the deliuerie and libertie of all the prisoners that are in Antuerpe, and other places, detained since the 17 of Ianuarie last past, together with the restitution of papers which were in a box in his Highnesse cabinet, & were taken in Quinsays lodging, and the goods carried to the towne-house, vnder the magistrates commaund, without taking of any exception in regard thereof. And as for the moueables which are in priuate houses, and Frenchmens lodgings, they shalbe also restored, as much as was found in being the tenth of this present moneth.

[ C]

9

His Highnesse shall also promise, that the decrees made in France shall be reuoked, and that the prisoners, goods, and ships arrested at Dunkerke, belonging to any person inhabiting in these prouinces, shall be set at libertie. His Highnesse hath named for hostages, Philip of Schoonhouen, Seignior of Wanroy, bourgmaster of Antuerpe, Iohn of Stralen, Seignior of Mercxen, Amptman of the said towne, Roger of Leesdael, Seignior of Meulem, first sherife, Noel of Caron, Seignior of Schoonwael, bourgmaster of Franc, with the three deputies that were at this present treatie, that is, Adolph of Meetkerke, president of Flanders, Henry of Bloyere, bourgmaster of Brussels, and William Euerardi, pentioner of Antuerpe. Alwaies prouided, that if any of the aboue named cannot come, by reason of sicknesse, or any o∣ther impediment, that then the Estates shall send others of the like qualitie, to his Highnesse [ D] content.

10

His Highnesse shall retaine two or three hundred horse, and foure or fiue hundred foot, for the safetie and guard of his person vnto Dunkerke. And if any of the magistrates of Gant or Bruges will come to see his Highnesse, when he shal approch neere vnto their towns, they shalbe graciously receiued and conducted backe when they please with all safety: and the necessary bridges of Steeken, vpon the riuer of Waes, and in other places, where he shall passe, shalbe repaired and made vp.

11

His Highnes shall carry the hostages to the neerest lodging that he shall make to Nyeu∣port, whither all the prisoners (detained in Antuerpe, and elsewhere) shalbe safely brought vn∣to him, with all the papers and moueables aboue mentioned. Prouided alwaies, that the pri∣soners [ E] shall pay their charges, debts and gratuities promised, and moderated by the intercessi∣on of the magistrat, and that one shall not be staied for another, nor any goods, if he hath not willingly entred into bond: The Estates making a declaration, that no Frenchmen nor their goods being in Antuerpe, or elsewhere, are detained but for their proper debts; which being satisfied, they shall remaine in full libertie, to dispose thereof as they please.

12

And after that his Highnes hath caused his French garrison to retire out of Dixmuyden, the guard whereof to be giuen to such as are borne in the countrey, his highnesse shall retaine the said hostages, vntill that the prisoners and papers be restored: which done, they shall be re∣leased and fully deliuered, and are not to be detained for any goods remaining in priuat hou∣ses, where the French had lodged, the same being not in the magistrats power, neither yet for [ F] those prisoners, which haue not paied that which they owe.

13

And his Highnesse shall continue his way vnto Dunkerke, there to treat and resolue of all things, concerning the good and greatnesse of his Highnes, and of these countries, whither the deputies of the Estates shall goe to that end.

14

The deputies of the townes and prouinces, and all other of these countries, may goe [ A] freely to his Highnesse, and stay and returne when it shall please them with all safetie, as also * 1.95 all marchants and passengers may imbarke and goe out of Dunkerke, as they did before. His Highnesse leauing the townes, out of which he shall retyre his French garrisons, furni∣shed with such artillerie, munition, and victuals, as is in them, and shall be then found in being.

15

Vpon the conclusion of these articles, the Estates shall aduertise their prouinces, and shall doe their best endeauours, that with all speed they may send their deputies to his High∣nesse to Dunkerke, with full power and authoritie, to enter into an ample treatie, and to de∣termine and conclude what shall bee held most conuenient for the seruice of his Highnesse, and the good, safetie, and preseruation of the country. And all persons shall carry themselues [ B] indifferently one with another, as well bourgers as souldiers, like good brethren and friends, and the traffique and negotiation on either side, as well by sea as by land, shall be free, as hath beene accustomed.

16

His Highnesse shall write his letters vnto the French companies that are in Winocx-Berghen, commaunding them to depart out of the said towne, leauing the guard thereof to such of the countrey as shalbe pleasing vnto the Estates, and that vpon paine of disobedience, and to incurre his indignation.

17

And vpon the conclusion of that which shall be determined at Dunkerke, the said E∣states shall make an Act, well and truely to entertaine and keepe it in all points and articles, together with the treatie generall made at Bourdeaux the 24 of Ianuarie 1581, and the oath [ C] shalbe made which is requisit in that case in such places and townes, where it hath not yet bin taken, whereof an authenticall Act shalbe deliuered vnto his Highnes.

18

According to the said treatie, all things past shall be forgotten, from the tumult & trou∣ble which happened the 17 of Ianuary, vnto the conclusion of this present treatie, with a de∣fence to all persons, of what quality soeuer, not to offend, reuile, or vse any reproches by reason thereof; but they shall carry themselues modestly and courteously one vnto another, as it be∣longs to good brethren and friends.

19

There shalbe a conuenient and safe place prouided for the sicke men of the army, where they mayremaine vntill they bee cured, and the Estates shall appoint some honest persons to assist them, and to see that they be not disquieted nor molested.

[ D]

20

Thus made and concluded in Antuerpe the fiue and twentieth of March 1583, his Highnesse hath promised and sworne, faithfully to obserue the contents of these present arti∣cles, according to their forme and tenor. The 26 of March 1583, signed Francis, and vnder∣neath, Pin.

These articles being allowed by the Estates, and proclaymed in Antuerpe the second of * 1.96 Aprill, after the payment aboue mentioned duly made, the Frenchmen went out of Ville∣uoorde, vnder the commaund of the earle of Rochepot: and the hostages beeing deliue∣red, the duke departed from Denremonde the sixt of the moneth, and on Easter Eue came to Dunkerke.

On the fifteenth day the French garrison went out of Dixmuyden. The gouern∣ment [ E] of Villeuoorde was giuen vnto the Seignior of Timple, gouernour of Brussels: that of Denremonde was giuen to the Seignior of Rihouen, great baylife of Gant, and Dix∣muyden to the Seignior of Water-Vlyet, with garrisons in all these townes for the generall Estat•…•…s.

The duke of Aniou being departed from Denremonde, before he entred into Dun∣kerke, hearing that the plague was somewhat rise there, hee sent to request them of Bru∣ges, that he might lodge in the towne: but they (remembring the surprise of Antuerpo, which was yet fresh in memorie, and what the Seignior of Fougiere had in charge from him) refused him flatly, and so hee continued his way to Dunkerke, where hee stayed some time. [ F]

They say commonly, that one mischiefe commeth not alone: for at that time, in the citie of Antuerpe, when as the bloud of the Frenchmens wounds was not yet stanched, there fell out another vnfortunat accident: for the foure and twentieth of Februarie, the place for the marchants meeting, called the Bourse, which is an excellent building, hauing open galleries

beneath, with pillars of blew stone, and shoppes aboue for all sorts of ware, was about tenne [ A] of the clocke at night, at one instant set on fire at the foure corners, beeing past helpe, and * 1.97 past any mans knowledge, how it came; some imputing the fault to one thing, and some * 1.98 vnto another: but the French were not freed from blame, nor the prisoners without great feare; some saying, that they had caused it to bee done, to be reuenged; others spake other∣wise, and all diuersly; but howsoeuer it came, the losse was very great for the poore mar∣chants. This great fire made the bourgers of the towne to doubt some treason: where∣fore they continued all night in armes, and vpon their guards, with the chaynes of the streets drawne.

In March one Cornellis of Hooghe was beheaded and quartered at the Haghe in Holland, tearming himselfe to bee bastard sonne to the emperour Charles the fifth: hee was conuicted to haue treated with the king of Spaine, promising (vpon hope to be aduowed for his na∣turall [ B] brother, and so entertained) to make the vnited Prouinces reuolt; and that he had drawne many to be at his deuotion, who (when time serued) should take armes, to make some new broyles in Holland. But he was discouered by his owne follower, conuicted of his designes, and punished according to his merits, not for that he qualified himselfe the em∣perours bastard (whereof some doubted, by reason of his resemblance) but for his apparent practises.

In the same moneth there was taken in Antuerpe, and discouered vpon small grounds, a certaine Spaniard, called Pedro Dord•…•…igno, who confessed, that he was expressely come out of Spaine, to kill the prince of Orange, and that he had treated with the king himselfe: al∣though [ C] afterwards he would haue excused it, saying it was but with his Secretarie. Hee confessed, that passing by Grauelingue, he had conference with la Motte, gouernour of that place. He did counterfeit himselfe to be a high Germane, saying, that hee was of Croa∣tia: he was expert in the knowledge of many tongues, hauing also beene at the sacke of Antuerpe: he was redde hayred, nothing like a Spaniard: there was neuer any man of so saint a courage after his sentence, for so great an attempt. According vnto his confes∣sion, he was afterwards strangled, and then quartered, thanking the Iustice for so mild a death.

The seuenth of Aprill there arriued in Zeeland the lady Louyse of Coligni, daughter to Gaspar of Coligni, lord of Chastillon, admirall of Fraunce, who was murthered at the mas∣sacre [ D] of Paris, in the yeare 1572, and widdow to the lord of Teligni, brother to the la∣die of la Noue, who was also murthered at the same massacre: which lady Louyse, the prince of Orange married for his fourth wife the twelfth day following, in the chappell of the castle of Antuerpe, of whom, vpon the six and twentieth of Februarie, in the yeare fol∣lowing 1584, he had a sonne, called Henry Frederic, a prince well bred, and of a great hope.

The thirteenth of the same moneth, Hans Hanssz, a rich marchant of Flessingue, was be∣headed, who for meere hatred he bare vnto the prince of Orange, sought to kill him, and all those that should be with him, setting fire to certaine barrels of gunne-powder, in a cellar ioy∣ning to the house where the prince should lodge: and thereof hee had treated with the Spa∣nish [ E] embassador, being in the French kings court. He was discouered by another marchant (called Anthony Auquema, a Frison) whom he trusted, thinking to haue him his confederat in so execrable an act, but God would not suffer it.

The towne of Eindouen was at this time besieged by Cont Charles of Mansfeldt, in the which, the lord of Boniuet, sonne to the lord of Creuecuaer, a Frenchman, commaunded, with eight hundred souldiers: but by reason of the difficulties that were betwixt the duke of Aniou and the Estates (although they hoped, that the marshall of Biron should goe and relieue him) the lord of Boniuet not able to hold it any longer, yeelded it, vpon condition to depart with their armes and baggage, and their colours flying, whither they pleased: * 1.99 the sayd lord excusing it vpon the want of powder, hauing first capitulated, That if with∣in [ F] eight dayes he were not relieued, to yeeld the towne, as he did vpon the nineteenth of Aprill, seeing no succours come into the towne, as he expected: for during all the siege, the Estates armie (vnder the commaund of the marshall of Biron) was about Antuerpe, with great preparation to goe and relieue it: but for want of money, the succours could

not be readie in time, wherein they of Antuerpe were somewhat restie, remembring how [ A] much money they had voluntarily furnished for the reliefe of Maestricht, in the yeare * 1.100 1579, so as nothing was done at all, and the towne was lost for want of a speedie re∣solution.

After the losse of Eindouen, the marshall lying with his armie before the fort of Versele in the quarter of Liere in Brabant, after that he had battered it a little, it was yeelded by composition the three and twentieth of the same moneth, captaine Wensel, who comman∣ded there, and his chiefe officers remayning prisoners, and the rest of the souldiers departing with their rapiers and daggers. At this paltrie siege, the Seignior of la Garde, a French co∣lonel, master of the dukes artillerie, was hurt by one of his owne pieces, which brake, wher∣of he dyed, hauing done great seruices to the prince of Orange, and the Estates of Holland [ B] and Zeeland, in their first warres, during the time of the duke of Alua and other gouernors, hauing continued there vntill his death. His body was carried to Antuerpe, and interred in S. Georges church with an honourable militarie pompe. He had been one of the most valiant, wise, modest, and most expert captaines in all the vnited prouinces, a man of great counsell, learned, and well red in the lawes, and politicke gouernment. Hee behaued himselfe worthily at the victualling of Leyden, and therefore was much lamented of the prince and Estates.

After the taking of this paltrie castle, the marshall went to besiege the strong castle of * 1.101 Woude, a league from Berghen vpon Soom, from whence the marquesse of Berghen, lord of that place (of the house of Gaesbeke) was dislodged some few daies before. There was [ C] in it sixe score souldiers, Italians, and an hundred and fiftie pesants. Hauing spent some fif∣teene hundred canon shot (although there were no sufficient breach made) an amazement seized on the besieged, so as they yeelded it by composition vnto the enemie, the souldi∣er departing with their rapiers and daggers onely the ninth of May, and all the pesants re∣tayned prisoners, and put to ransome. The Italian captaine (who had commanded there∣in) at his returne to Breda, lost his head for his reward, by the prince of Parma his com∣maundement.

At that time they of the priuie counsell of the vnited Prouinces, whome the duke of Aniou and Brabant had established, comming to Antuerpe, were declared to be suspen∣ded of their offices, by an act made by the generall Estates, the which was signified vnto [ D] them by an vsher, forbidding them from thence-forth and at all times to take knowledge of any sutes or matters of controuersie, vntill it should bee otherwise determined and de∣creed by the Estates, hauing treated with the duke. Whereunto they of the counsell oppo∣sed, and continued their course in matters of iustice, as before: maintayning, that they had beene established by commission, not from the Estates onely, but by the duke, the which must continue and hold good, vntill that he had beene declared an enemie, and fallen, and that the said Estates had no authoritie to forbid them, as the duke did after∣wards write vnto them at large; yet the sayd Counsell did, not long after, disperse of it selfe.

At the yeelding vp of the French prisoners, which should be made vnto the duke of An∣iou, [ E] there fell a controuersie in Antuerpe, betwixt the bourgers and the Seignior of la Pierre, (a French colonel, and marshall to the duke of Aniou) for the baron of Balanson, who had been found in the towne, being taken at an encounter betwixt Dunkerke & Winocx-bergh: the bourgers maintained, that by the fact of the seuenteenth of Ianuarie hee should bee their prisoner, and la Pierre held the contrary, seeing that all the prisoners on that day, & their goods being in esse, should be restored by the prouisionall accord made with the duke. By vertue whereof, the bourgers were debarred of their pretension, and hee was afterwards sent a∣way, hauing payed his ransome. It was he, who (beeing called earle of Warax) was afterwards, in the yeare 1597, defeated with his troupes, and slaine at the encounter of Turnhout. [ F]

The earle of Mansfeldt hauing taken Eindouen, and some castles and forts of that quar∣ter of Campaigne, hee went to besiege the towne of Diest, belonging to the prince of O∣range, * 1.102 where colonel Paule Sohey commaunded, with foure companies of Netherlanders, and two of English, the which could not in all make aboue three hundred men: True it is,

there were about fiue hundred bourgers carrying armes, but very vnwilling, remembring, [ A] that since the beginning of the troubles they had beene six times taken and retaken: besides, * 1.103 the towne was very weake, ouer which certaine small hils commaunded, so as it might be woon without artillerie: the which did much discourage the bourgers, and made them to feare, that if they held out, the towne would be sacked, whereupon they forced the colo∣nel to treat, the which he did, yeelding the place vpon condition, that the souldiers should leaue their colours, and depart with their armes and baggage, as much as certaine wagons graunted to the captaines, could carry. By which agreement, such bourgers as pleased might depart and retyre themselues, and so the eight and twentieth of May the souldiers retyred to Bourgerhout, in the suburbes of Antuerpe. Colonel Sohey was committed to pri∣son, and the souldiers cast, except the English. But afterwards colonel Sohey iustified him∣selfe, imputing it to the small number of men, and want of horsemen, to the weakenesse of [ B] the towne, and the vnwillingnesse of the bourgers, who were stronger than the souldiors, and for other reasons which he alledged, whereof he caused an apologie to be printed, and presen∣ted it vnto the Estates, whereupon he was set at libertie.

From thence Mansfeldt went to besiege Westerloo in the same countrey of Campaigne, * 1.104 vpon the riuer of Nethe, in a good situation. Some pesants (ill affected to the besieged, and to the Estates) shewed the earle of Mansfeldt the meanes how to cut off the water that ran to the castle halfe a league off, the which was done, so as the ditch became dry. Captaine Vlyet, who commaunded within the place, seeing this, and that they battered it furiously, he was ad∣uised to yeeld the place the fifth of Iune, retyring towards Antuerpe, where he was wonder∣fully [ C] blamed by the bourgers, and put in prison, but he iustified himselfe so well, as hee was cleared and inlarged.

The prince of Parma being at Liere, and meaning to pursue his conquests, hearing, that there was diuision in the Estates campe, for that the English and Scottish could not agree with the French, the marshall of Biron, generall of the armie, beeing lodged at Roosendael, and the English and Scottish about a league off, the said English and Scottish being not fully intrenched, the Spaniard came and charged them with such furie, as a great part of them were defeated, and the rest put to rout neere vnto Seuenbergh. And although the generall Biron were at Roosendael, in a strong lodging, and well fortified, whereas the prince of Parma durst not assaile him, yet rising from thence, he set fire on his lodging, and went and encamped vn∣der [ D] Berghen vpon Soom, whereas the prince of Parma went to affront him, but it succeeded not so happily as against the English, being forced to retire, his men in the retreat leauing part of their bootie to the Suitsers: the marshall was shot in the foot in a skirmish, but not great∣ly hurt.

The prince of Parma knowing that he had to doe with an old politicke captaine, caused * 1.105 his armie to march presently away before the towne of Herental, hauing taken the towne and castle of Zichem in his passage, the which were yeelded vnto him by composition, vpon the first summons. Hauing planted his siege before Herental, he sent some of his troupes to the fort and abbey of Tongerloo, not faire from thence, the which was also yeelded vnto him: and hauing continued his siege before Herental vntill Iuly, without any profit or any [ E] great hope of preuayling, for that they of Antuerpe (fearing least after the taking of all these forts and castles, the prince of Parma would come and besiege them) had sent sixteene hun∣dred men thither in garrison, hee was enforced to rise with shame and losse in his re∣treat.

There was about that time some tumult in the towne of Lille, for the establishing of a new gouernour, after the death of Maximilian Vilain, lord of Rassenghem, newly created earle of Yseghem by the king of Spaine, dying in his castle of Lemme, for that they would haue giuen them a Spaniard to be their gouernour, and not one that was borne in the coun∣try, the which was contrary to their treatie of reconciliation: but in the end the lord of Liques a Frenchman borne was made their gouernour. [ F]

In the meane time the Estates affaires impaired daily, they hauing taken vpon them againe (since the duke of Aniou his folly) the gouernment of the vnited prouinces, yet could they not agree together, some enclining to the Spaniard, others to call in the duke of Aniou again, and some were of another opinion: so as for want of a good and speedie resolution, there was

a great confusion in their affaires. The deputies of the Estates were gone to Dunkerke, as [ A] it was decreed by the prouisionall accord made the eight and twentieth of March, to see if * 1.106 they could reconcile all discontents: but the duke seeing that nothing was done, and that by their irresolutions, or rather diuisions, matters were protracted, growing wearie, and see∣ing his reputation blemished with them which were ill affected, and that the marshall of Bron with his armie preuayled little against the Spaniards; and finding withall, that the French nation was generally hated (the which encreased dayly by their meanes, that were affected to the contrarie partie) he grew so distasted, as during the time that the Estates should remaine disputing of their affaires, hee resolued to goe see Fraunce. And after that he had sent backe the deputies, and the hostages, which had beene giuen him for assurance of the deliuerie of his nobilitie and seruants, that were prisoners in Antuerpe, hee departed [ B] from Dunkerke the eighteenth of Iune, being accompanied by the prince of Espinoy, and the lord Lamoral of Egmont, being freed from prison at Scluse, at his request, and the same day he landed at Calais.

The duke of Aniou was no sooner departed from Dunkerke, but the prince of Parma * 1.107 (hauing raysed his siege from Herental) sent la Morte, gouernour of Graueling, to inuest and besiege it; whe•…•… the duke had left the Seignior of Chamois to guard it, with twelue hun∣dred souldiers strong, as he had made him beleeue, and furnished with all other things ne∣cessarie, but of twelue hundred he had not full fiue hundred men. La Motte began his batte∣rie aboue the hauen with foure peeces onely, and two which played vpon the entrie of the hauen, which was crossed ouer with two great cables, to stoppe the passage into the towne. [ C] The duke hauing appointed a hundred and fiftie men to reenforce it, being in a tall shippe, and hauing a strong Northwest winde, which had beene able to breake six cables, yet they were afraid, and durst not enter, but retyred to Calais. Chamois seeing himselfe straightly be∣sieged, and that his supplies succeeded not, began to faint, and without any great importunity yeelded basely, retyring himselfe with his troupes (which he had made so great to the duke his master) to Calais, where both he & his captaines receiued certaine taunting scoffes from Mon∣sieur G•…•…dan, gouernour of that place.

Dunkerke being yeelded to the prince of Parma, hee went and encamped with his ar∣mie * 1.108 before Nieuport, the which was suddenly yeelded vp, without any great toyle or charge. [ D]

Vpon these doubts, the prince of Orange had caused Oostend to be very well fortified and furnished, being also a sea towne vpon that coast; the which the prince of Parma went to besiege: but seeing himselfe so hotely receiued, and finding it stronger and better fur∣nished than he expected, he retyred, and went before Furnes and Dixmuyden, lying in the * 1.109 champian countrey of West-Flanders, the which hee tooke without any resistance, yeel∣ding at the first summons. He thought to find the like at Wynocx-berghen, beeing but a league from Dunkerke: but the Seignior of Villeneufe, who was within the towne with his French regiment, made such resistance, as he thought it best to retyre, and to temporize, hoping to haue it in the end. From thence he went to besiege the towne of Ypre, one of the foure members of Flanders; which siege continued long: wee will relate the yeelding [ E] thereof hereafter.

The vnited Prouinces beeing now without a head, or protector ouer them, the Spa∣niards embraced the opportunitie and occasion, and made vse thereof: For finding but small resistance, they made themselues masters wheresoeuer they came; yea some, who vn∣till that day had carried a low sayle, and swom (as it were) betwixt two streames, began then to shew themselues openly on their partie. In the end they wrought so, as through the fauour of Seruaes van Steelandt, great baylife of the land of Waes and of his confederats, as of Rowland Yorke, an Englishman, married to the lady of Wolferdoucke, and others, they seized vpon the fort of Sas by Gant, which is the entrie into the sea for the Gan∣thois, whereas Iohn of Imbise had passed the day before, returning out of Germanie, to * 1.110 [ F] settle himselfe againe in Gant, from whence he was expelled, being bourgomaster, in the yeare 1579. This fort of Sas beeing gotten by the Spaniards, they presently went and seized vpon the townes of Hulst and Axelles, and not long after seized vpon Gant it selfe.

The prince of Orange hearing, that the people of Antuerpe (at the instigation of some [ A] men vnder hand) began to murmure against him, and to taxe him openly for that which * 1.111 the duke of Aniou had attempted against them, saying moreouer, That he did countenance him (it may be) to haue done worle, and to haue intended some greater misc•…•…. To •…•…∣uoid all disorder, seeing that the magistrate durst not punish them that accused him so bold∣ly and rashly, he retyred himselfe out of Antuerpe the two and twentieth of Iuly, and we•…•… with all his familie to Flessingue in Zeeland, where hee kept his court for a time, hauing left Philip of Marnix, Seignior of Mont S. Aldegonde, a gentleman of deepe iudgeme•…•…, and very fit for such a gouernement, for the chiefe bourgomaster of the towne of An∣tuerpe.

In the meane time the earle of Hohenlo spoiling the country of Campaigne, to famish the [ B] prince of Par•…•…aes armie, the seignior of Hautepenne was sent thither to hinder it, if he might: but they did no great exploits one against another.

Those of the garrison of Herental spoyled the towne of Weert in the County of Horne: and the prince of Parma his troupes did the like vnto the towne of Steenbergh in Brabant, * 1.112 which was of great importance not onely for the said countrey of Brabant, but also for Holland and Zeeland, ioyning to the sea of the said prouinces. Whereupon the Estates were to be very watchfull of Berghen vpon Zoome, which is but two leagues off, into the which they put two thousand foot, and foure cornets of horse: for the payment whereof, there was fiue and thirtie thousand florins appointed monethly, whereof they of Holland and Zeeland should pay twentie thousand, and they of Brabant the rest. There was alreadie [ C] in Herental twelue hundred foot and two hundred horse, as in like manner Brussels & Mack∣lyn were well manned: and so the Estates resolued vpon a defensiue warre only, garding their frontiers well.

The priuate Estates of Zeeland (to restrayne and keepe in them of Dunkerke) sent foorth certaine shippes of warre, the which they caused to lye at the entrie or port of their hauen.

The duke of Aniou his men, which had remayned in the vnited Prouinces, whom the generall Estates had dismissed, and would haue sent backe into Fraunce, were stayed for a time by the prince of Orange, vntill they had a more ample commission. The duke of An∣iou (before his departure out of the Netherlands) sent a gentleman with letters vnto the [ D] Queene of England, to acquaint her with the reasons of his retreat out of the said countries: but the Englishmen growing iealous of his proceedings, they gaue no great credite vn∣to him.

The Seignior of Villeneufe, who was colonel of a French regiment of foot, beeing in garrison in the towne of S. Wynocx-bergh, was fully resolued to defend it, if they came to besiege him: but la Motte, gouernour of Graueling, seeing, that there was no more but that towne onely in all the quarter of West-Flanders, holden for the Estates, for the getting whereof by force, they must spend much time, and bee at an exceeding great charge: hee thought good to trie the Seignior of Villeneufe, to see if hee might win him thereunto by promise of pay, or by any other meanes. But he would giue no eare or consent thereun∣to, [ E] vntill he had receiued the aduice and counsell of the duke of Aniou his master, of the prince of Orange, and of the generall Estates of the vnited Prouinces, according •…•…nto the which he would dispose and gouerne himselfe, were it to liue or dye. Whereupon they gaue him to vnderstand, That seeing there was no meanes whereby to succour and relieue the towne, if he should be besieged, or neerely blocked vp, as la Motte did threaten him; therefore he might freely (and without feare of any publicke scandale or reproch) seeke to make the most honourable agreement and composition that he could, as well for his owne person, as for his men. Vpon which answere, he entred into composition with the sayd la Motte, promising to deliuer vp the towne vnto him, in giuing him three moneths pay for his whole regiment; the which was graunted and payed, vpon condition, that neyther he [ F] nor any of his regiment should serue the prince of Orange nor the generall Estates for one whole yeare, but should retyre into Fraunce. And thus the towne of Wynocx-bergh came into the power of the king of Spaine, with all the rest of that quarter of West Flanders, except Oostend.

The marshall of Biron, lieutenant generall of the duke of Aniou his armie, who (as [ A] we haue said) had beene stayed with his troupes by the prince of Orange, vntill a second * 1.113 commaundement (the iealousie and distrust of whome and of his men beeing growne so great, as they would not receiue them into any place (although that Brussels, Macklyn, and other frontier townes, which feared the Spaniards siege, would willingly haue had some (especially of the Suitsers) in garrison. In the end, beeing come vnto Biervlyet, which is a towne and Island in Flanders, beeing refused to land in Zeeland, hee was enforced to goe to sea, and to returne into Fraunce the seuen and twentieth of August. In the meane time, the duke of Aniou gaue it out, that he would leuie new forces, to send them into the vnited Pro∣uinces by the way of Luxembourg. Whereof the prince of Parma being aduertised, hee sent some of his troupes vpon those frontiers, and vpon Flanders side, to stop the passage: but [ B] it was all in vaine, for not a man appeared.

The Estates seeing themselues now destitute and depriued of the meanes and succours of the duke of Aniou, and that they had no more a head (without the which they thought their estate could not long subsist (after diuers deliberations and consultations vpon eyther side) the prince of Orange was propounded to bee created Earle of Holland and Zeeland, the which rested without any effect, through the diuersitie and contrarietie of opinions of the townes: although that the most were wonderfully well affected vnto him therein, know∣ing him to be such a one, as they could not easily recouer the like, that would more freely expose his life, goods, bloud, friends and kinsmen, than he: but fearing he was not powerfull ynough of himselfe to defend them, and that it might breed ielousie in kings and princes that [ C] were their neighbours, the Estates concluded to send ioyntly to the French king, and to the duke of Aniou his brother, to craue new succours from them: for which seruice, the Seigni∣or of Lamouilerie, and Iohn d' Asseliers, Secretaries of the generall Estates of the vnited prouin∣ces, were deputed.

During this time, some Ganthois, turbulent spirits, and greedie of innouations, reiecting the duke of Aniou, had written to the duke Iohn Casimire, entreating him to send them backe Iohn d' Imbise their bourgomaster, and Peter d' Athenes, sometimes their Minister, both remay∣ning then at Frackenthael, whom they knew to be enemies to the duke of Aniou & the prince of Orange, that by the meanes of these two (who in former times had beene in great credite with the people of Gant) they might worke some alteration; whereof Imbyse made good [ D] tryall.

In the meane time the prince of Parma hauing some intelligence of these broyles, the more to alter them, hee tooke the nauigation from them; and that no victuals might enter by water, he cut off the three riuers which passe through the towne of Gant, which are the Escaut, the Lys, and the Dendre: the which he might easily doe, holding the towne of Aude∣narde, by which the Escaut passeth, and Courtray, which the riuer of Lys runs through: then betwixt Gant and Dendermond he made a palisado ouer the riuer of Dendre, building a fort on either side of the riuer against the palisado. He did also seize vpon a small riuer which goes from Eckloo to Gant.

The bourgomaster Imbise being returned to Gant, and setled in greater credit than be∣fore, [ E] seeing all these proceedings of the prince of Parma, he began to consider, into what danger the towne (and by consequence himselfe) were like to fall, if he did not foresee it and preuent it in time: and suffering himselfe to bee persuaded by some of his familiar friends, who had beene the motiues of his recalling home (but especially by the lord of Champagni, brother to the cardinall of Granuelle, being yet a prisoner at Gant, with the bishops of Bru∣ges and Ypre, who gaue him to vnderstand, That the prince of Orange (whom hee knew he hated deadly) was very importunate to haue the duke of Aniou called backe againe) he sought to put his authoritie in practise, chasing out of the towne all such as he knew to be affected to the said duke and prince: among the which, was Adolph of Meetkerke, president of the prouinciall councell of Flanders. Then he sent his deputies vnto the prince of Par∣ma, [ F] to treat a reconciliation for the towne with the king of Spaine; yea, he spake it open∣ly, That he had rather haue Spaniards there in garrison, than French. Moreouer, hee cast all them in prison, that did aduise rather to reconcile themselues with the duke of Aniou, than

with the king: among the which was Doctor Ryme, a lawyer, and other men of qualitie. He [ A] then thought that he should bring this treatie to a desired end, by reason of his great credit, * 1.114 and the authoritie which he did vsurpe ouer all men, no man daring to contradict him: for as hee was a most ambitious and high minded man, hee alone would haue the honour of the reconciliation. And for the well ordering and managing of his affaires, as soone as hee was returned backe out of Germanie, and created bourgomaster in the towne of Gant, he displaced all them that had beene chosen into any place or office of the towne, during his absence, substituting others in their places, at his appointment and deuotion. Then hee disappointed them of the Protestants Religion of all magistracie, and put Romish Catho∣lickes in their places. The greatest and chiefest cause which mooued him to send deputies vnto the prince of Parma, was, that he had intercepted certaine letters written by the prince of Orange, contayning a Commission to seize vpon his person, and vpon all his follow∣ers [ B] and adherents: Which letters he caused to be read before all the people, giuing them to vnderstand, That it behooued him for to stand vpon his guard, for feare of the sayd prince.

The prince of Parma hauing heard the deputies that were sent by Imbise, hee sent backe to Gant the Seignior of Manu•…•…, gouernour of Audenarde, and colonel Segura, a Spaniard, allyed to Imbise by his wife, to treat with the Ganthois. These were very kindly entertained, and much made of by some of the people, which held Imbises party, for whose assurance he had sent hostages to Audenarde. A truce was concluded betwixt them and the Ganthois for twentie daies: the which were spent in sending vp and downe to their confederats, espe∣cially [ C] into Holland and Zeeland, to renounce their confederation, which had made them to abiure the king of Spaine. But in all these practises they found many difficulties, as wee shall hereafter shew.

They of Brussels seeing the Ganthois to be wauering, and how desirous they were to re∣concile themselues vnto the king of Spaine, writ vnto them letters with a large discourse, persuading them to perseuerance, with many allegations, reasons, and examples, exhorting them rather to die, than to renounce their allyes, and to ioyne againe with the king. They of Antuerpe sent them letters of the like tenour, entreating them to consider and examine with iudgement the consequence of this reconciliation, setting before their eyes the cru∣elties of the Spaniards, practised vpon the poore Indians, against whom they had not (by [ D] the thousandth part) the like occasion, as they pretended had beene giuen them by the Netherlanders. In like sort, they alleaged the miserable vsage of them of Granado by the same Spaniards; who (beeing once their lords and masters) would pare their nayles so short, as they should neuer haue more meanes at all to scratch. And to the same end and purpose, there was a small booke printed in the vulgar tongue, dissuading them, vtterly to flye from this reconciliation, tearming it deceitfull, abusiue, yea and trecherous: pre∣tending moreouer, that they had no cause to be terrified and daunted at any thing, for that they found themselues strong ynough to resist the Spaniards forces; the which they then obiected, for that the earle of Hohenlo had at that time a good army in field for the Estates in the countrey of Gueldres, and that they hoped the Queene of England and the Protestant [ E] princes of Germanie would giue them succours.

They of Bruges were not a little perplexed for the towne of Ypre, their neighbour, be∣ing blocked vp on all sides, and desiring to relieue it, they sent a conuoy of victuals with two hundred souldiers: but comming within two leagues of the towne, not farre from Vyuer∣bergh, this conuoy was defeated, all the victuals taken, the souldiers put to rout, and many slaine, the Spaniards hauing not lost aboue twelue men. The bourgers not content with this losse, prouided eightie wagons more, laden with all sorts of victuals and munition, with an hundred and fiftie baskets carried by pesants, the which was conducted by three hun∣dred launciers, an hundred muskettiers, and fiue hundred harguebusiers, most part Scottish∣men. These being come within halfe a league of the towne, the Spaniards sallyed out of [ F] their forts, in the which there were three hundred horse and two thousand foot, the which charged this conuoy, & defeated them quite; so as little of all this prouision entred into Ypre, but most of it fell into the enemies hands. The bourgers beeing very much perplexed

for these two losses, sought by all meanes possible to prouide better for their affaires, and [ A] to fortifie themselues: whereupon they built certaine forts and trenches in the most accessible * 1.115 places vnto their towne, drowning the countrey round about, which was to bee drow∣ned, so as the enemie could not approch; and they did the like three leagues off, at a little towne called Oostbourg. And as the towne of Menin, lying in the champian countrey, in the middest of all their enemies, was a great charge vnto them, they retyred with their Scottish garrison that was in it, and abandoned it, not without great ioy of them of Lille and Courtray, betwixt which two it lyeth: the which was done by the aduice of the prince of Chimay, gouernour of Flaunders, who then sought meanes to reconcile him∣selfe with the king of Spaine, deliuering him the towne of Bruges, the which hee did af∣terwards. [ B]

At that time there was sharpe and cruell warre in the diocesse of Cologne, for that Gebhard Truchses, archbishop and prince Elector of Cologne, hauing married one of the Countesses of Mansfeldt, would haue retained still the said archbishopricke and Electo∣rall dignitie, with libertie of Religion throughout all his diocesse, maintaining, that his marriage was not repugnant to the word of God. But the Chanons and Chapter oppo∣sed themselues strongly against him, and (with the assistance of the Pope, and the Empe∣rour) deposed him, and caused him to be excommunicate, chusing in his place Ernest of Bauiere, sonne to duke Albert, then bishop of Leege and Fressinghem, with diuers other spirituall dignities. Truchses had fortified himselfe in the towne of Bonne, three leagues aboue Cologne, where the archbishops doe often keepe their Court, and haue their [ C] Chauncerie. One of the Chanons of Cologne, of the house of Saxonie, named Frederic; holding part with Ernest of Bauiere, and some other of his brotherhood, with their kins∣men, friends, and allies, went vnto the field, and tooke diuers places in the new elected bi∣shops name. Truchses hauing also an armie in the field, vnder the conduct of the earle of Moeurs and of Nyeuwenoort, seized vpon the townes of Rhinbergh, Ordenges, and o∣ther places. Duke Iohn Casimire came likewise to his succour with some troupes, but he did little. Augustus duke of Saxonie should also haue sent, but his slacknesse discouraged the rest: so as they which held Truchses partie, retyred themselues by little and little. The Bauierois besieged the towne of Bonne, which (by a mutinie of the Germane souldiors, which were there in garrison) was sold vnto him for foure thousand Rycx-dallers, deliue∣ring [ D] the Seignior of Truchses, brother to the archbishop deposed, being their gouernour, into his enemies hands. In the end, the archbishop of Truchses seeing himselfe thus dis∣possessed and chased out of all his diocesse, hee retyred into Holland in the moneth of A∣prill 1584, where he entred into league with the generall Estates of the vnited Prouinces, holding still the towne of Berke, and afterwards Bonne, which Colonel Schenck surpri∣sed, and also that of Nuys, with the which hee did much annoy and hurt Cologne, vn∣der the gouernment of the earle of Moeurs, and the said colonel Schenck beeing marshall of his campe.

In the end of this Summer, the towne of Zutphen, Metropolitane of the Countie of Zutphen, was taken by the prince of Parma, after the manner which followeth: There [ E] was a souldier of that garrison taken prisoner by the Spaniards at an encounter, going a∣broad to seeke some spoyle: his captaine caring not to redeeme him, suffered him to pyne in prison. He finding this, and being desirous to bee freed from this extreame and misera∣ble captiuitie, presented his seruice to colonel Taxis, and to captaine du Bois, giuing them * 1.116 diuers instructions, and shewing them the meanes, how they might surprise and take the towne of Zutphen, and reduce it vnder the king of Spaines commaund and obedience. Taxis being loth to let slip so faire an opportunitie as this (promising vnto the souldier, be∣sides his libertie, to giue him a good recompence, if the enterprise succeeded well) lod∣ged himselfe, and captaine Bois, with some few of their men, in a little house, not farre from the port, where in the day time they were vsually accustomed to put some of their [ F] men in guard: in which place they likewise should lye hidden, vntill a signe were giuen vnto them by this souldier. Day being come, and the port opened, the Spaniards sallied out of this house, and charged vpon the townes-men, which were come to open the port, the which they forced, woon the entrie, and so, by the signe that was giuen vnto

them, entred into the towne: whereof (notwitstanding all the resistance of the bourgers) [ A] they made themselues masters, and spoiled it; and then they put in a good garrison both of * 1.117 horse and foote.

They of Deuenter (which are but two leagues from thence in the countrie of Oueryssell) beeing much amazed at the losse of this neighbour towne, to keepe the Spanish garrison that was in it (passing the riuer of Yssel) from spoiling the countrie of Veluwe, euen vnto the ports of the towns of Guelderland (which are seituated along the riuer of Rhin) of Vtrecht and of Amersfort, they built a great fort with the helpe of the Gueldrois, right against the said towne, vpon the riuers side, but soone after the waters did rise so high, as they were forced to abandon it, and it was presently seized on, finished, and manned by them of Zutphen. And as this towne and fort did wonderfully annoye and bring a thousand discommodities to the [ B] countries of Gueldres, Vtrecht and Holland, by their spoiles and ransomings, the said Pro∣uinces interessed, made it knowne vnto the general estates, of what importance this fort might be vnto them, by the which they receiued daily so great losse and spoile: for the preuenting whereof, the earle of Hohenlo was sent thither with a little armie, who marching by the Ve∣luwe went to besiege it; who seeing that hee could not take it by force, he blockt it vp round on the land side with diuers forts and trenches; so as if they of the fort or towne would make any courses into the Veluwe, they must make their passage with boats either beneath or a∣boue the said trenches: the which was very discommodious for them, for that the states men beeing in their forts, seeing them crosse the riuer, troubled them at their landing: so as Colo∣nel Taxis went and enuironed all these forts and trenches with a good number of horse and [ C] foote, they within them (whom the earle of Hohenlo had left there in garrison) behauing themselues very valiantly, although they were not furnished with victuals and other muniti∣on fit to make head against an enemie, the which was promised should be sent them; atten∣ding the which, they were prest so neere, as there was no meanes to succour and relieue them, without some great force to raise the Spaniards. Yet captaine Oger who commanded in the said trenches, had aduertised the particular estates of the prouince of Vtrecht, aboue twelue daies before the preparation which Taxis made to come and inuest them, assuring them that they should be speedily besieged. But he had no other succours but foure hundred florins to make a small lendings to his men, with the which money he was commanded to returne, and to set all things in as good order as he could, meaning within fewe daies to send him a good [ D] refreshing of victuals and necessarie munition. These twelue daies were spent in consultation which towne or prouince should send these victuals and succours. In the meane time the frosts grew very sharpe, during the which, in the end there were sent from Amsterdam cer∣taine wagons with bisket, but it was too late, for they had no meanes to enter, the passage beeing too well stopt.

You may see what it is to embrace an occasion and opportunitie in due time, when it is offered; for when as they had good meanes to doe it, they neglected it, and when they desired it, they could not, and all their expence was fruitlesse. So it often falls out in long and irreso∣lute consultations, although there be no treacherie, where they resolue not speedily to preuent the enemies diligence. Thus in the ende these forts and trenches fell into Taxis hands, beeing [ E] forced by necessitie to yeeld: who considering their extremitie, graunted them a reasonable composition, suffering them to depart with their armes and baggage, and not tying them by any oath (as he might well haue done) not to serue the estates or prince of Orange for a cer∣taine time, as commonly they doe in places that are forced to yeeld by necessitie.

In October the Seignior of Nyeuwenoort and Assinga Entens tooke in the countrie of Gronigue the fort of Fermsum and Orterdam, the which they manned with good garrisons, and built other forts about the towne of Gronigue. They also built the fort of Reed, but in vaine, beeing forced to retire.

The earle Vanden Berghe and his wife, sister to the prince of Orange, his children and se∣cretarie, were arrested prisoners in the towne of Arnham in Guelderland, being charged to [ F] haue had some secret intelligence with the Spaniard: whereof a little before one of the said ladies seruants (who carried a secret hatred vnto the prince her brother) was conui∣cted. In the end, the earle of Vanden Berghe and his children were set at libertie, who soone after went to the Spanish partie, and had charge and gouernment of some troupes.

Iohn d'Imbise bourgmaster of Gant, Seruaes van Steelandt great bailiffe of the land of Waes, [ A] and the prince of Chimay there commander, sought all meanes and occasions, by some nota∣ble * 1.118 seruices, to reconcile themselues to the king of Spaine. Steelandt first of all yeelded vp the * 1.119 townes of Hulst and Axell, and all other places of the land of waes to the Spaniard, with the fort of Sasz, which is the entrie for the Ganthois vnto the sea, by the sluces which are there. And the 28 of October, he also deliuered vp the castle of Ruppelmond to the prince of Par∣ma, who by this meanes was master of all the land of Waes, and of the riuer which runs from Dendermond to Antuerpe, by the which he might with more ease annoy the Ganthois: be∣sides neere vnto Courtray he caused the towne of Dinse to bee fortified, and towards Bruges, he had Eckloo and other places at his deuotion. The said Steelandt did also practise to deliuer three ships of warre which he had vnder his charge into his hands, if the mariners and souldi∣ers [ B] which were in them had not disbanded and fallen from him, choosing rather to serue the estates (for that they were most of them of Antuerpe) than the Spaniard.

They of Antuerpe beeing grieued for the losse of Ruppelmond, did besiege and batter it, but they preuailed nothing; whereupon they cut certaine dikes or causies and drowned all the fields and meddowes about the villages of Burcht and Calloo. They also built a fort at Burcht and fortified the head of Flanders right against their towne. To conclude, they spared no cost, but with one generall consent, did voluntarily furnish to the summe of 1300000 florins.

At the same instant the Earle of Hohenlo entred into Flanders with 19 companies of foot, where he built a mightie fort at Terneuse, right against Zeeland, to assure the nauigation to Antuerpe, and from thence to spoile that which the Spaniard held in Flanders: he also cut [ C] through many dikes, which did much harme and annoyance to the countrie: but as hee thought to proceed further, he was preuented by the practises of the prince of Chimay.

Those which at that time had the gouernment of Gant, hauing also (as I haue said) intelli∣gence with the Spaniard, making a shew to put in a new garrison into Alost, of such as were borne in the countrie, and to retire the English, sought to deliuer it to the prince of Parma, but the English would not depart without their ful paie and arrerages. They sought to haue done the like at Dendermond, whither they sent their commissioners the 27 of October, the which were 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Tryest, Anthonie Heyman, and Ieams Somer, with charge to displace the Seignior of Ryhouen great bailiffe of Gant, and gouernour of Dendermond: but hee being then at Gant and hauing some notice therof, meaning to preuent them, went to horse-backe, and notwith∣standing [ D] all lets and hinderances, was there before them, taking them prisoners, and seizing vp∣on all their papers and instructions. Somer who was pentioner of Gant, escaped hanging ve∣ry hardly.

Afterwards the said English garrison of Alost beeing mutined for their paie, the Ganthois did not only refuse to giue it them, but did threaten to force them out, or else to famish them. In the meane time the prince of Parma did not let slippe this opportunitie to make his profit thereby, but did sollicite them by faire wordes and promises to paie them; and these English companies not accustomed to endure hunger and want, began to giue eare vnto him, for that their Colonel sir Iohn Norris and the states were somewhat slowe to prouide for their paie: * 1.120 for the which they intended to giue order, but it was too late: for after that the English had [ E] chased away the rest of the garrison which were of the countrey, then did captaine Pigot Vin∣cent, Tailor, and others, agree to deliuer vp the towne vnto the Spaniard, giuing them for their paie, which they receiued, thirtie thousand pistolets. And so the said towne was deliuered vnto the Spaniard in the beginning of December, and filled with Wallons. Most of these En∣lish went to serue the prince of Parma, in his campe before Eckloo, but finding that he tru∣sted them not, they ran in a manner all away.

The prince of Parma beeing in his armie betwixt Bruges and Gant, all deuices were put in practise by them that fauoured the Spaniard, to aduance the reconciliation of the townes of Flanders with the king of Spaine: yea by small pamphlets printed in the name of them of the protestant religion, among the which Imbise, Bouckle, and Borlat were at Gant, and the prince [ F] of Chimay and his minister Heren at Bruges, in the which it was discoursed that it was not with the Spaniard, that this reconciliation was intended, but with them of Arthois, Henault, Lille, and others alreadie reconciled, or subdued by armes; and that therefore they should en∣ioy the libertie of religion, and their priuiledges, according to the pacification: wherefore

they made so great a shewe. Whilest they were thus busied at Gant and at Bruges to talke of [ A] of peace, the lord of Montigni was in the fort of Werteren, betwixt Gant and Dendermond, * 1.121 where he had made a Palisado in the riuer of Escaut, so as they might goe on drie-foote from one banke vnto another; at either ende of which there was a fort, which did stoppe the naui∣gation from Dendermond to Antuerpe. In the meane time the Ganthois had their deputies with the prince of Parma at Tournay, to conclude their reconciliation, in hostage for whom, there was in Gant captaine Segur a a Spaniard, and Colonel Manui, who with the assistance of the Seignior of Chapagni, treated so farre with Iohn d'Imbise, as the 24 of March, 1584, hee commanded him that charge of the shippes, (whom they cal deane of the shippe wrights) to furnish certaine small boats, making preparation of ladders, beames, firre-boards, plankes, hur∣dles, and such like, to be set vpon the riuer of Escaut. But as it could not be done easily, nor so [ B] couertly but it was discouered, some magistrates went and told Imbise that the common peo∣ple did not meane that those boats and other preparation should be carried forth, which put them into some iealousie: whereunto hee answered, that they should let them goe, for hee knewe well what he did, and that it was for the great good of the towne. But the people not beeing satisfied therewith, the boats beeing staied by them, could no•…•…y any meanes goe forth that night.

The next daie the shirifs and councell of the towne beeing assembled in the towne house to resolue vpon this matter, Imbise caused his Colonels companie to come downe presently in armes, to drawe the chaines and to enuiron the place: the which some one of the councell espying, going out of the State-house to one of the Sergeants, he pulled away his halberd and * 1.122 [ C] perswaded the bourgers to armes: so as some that were there present with their swords and daggers, and such armes as they could in hast recouer, fell vpon the said companie, tare away their colours, tooke the captaine and all the officers prisoners, and put the rest in rout. In the end, all the towne beeing in armes and the streets full of armed men, they seized vpon Imbise and many others of the councell, whom they put from their offices, and degraded Imbise of his estates of Colonel and bourgmaster, they cassierd his guard, drewe forth of his house the three peeces of artillerie which he had in his court before the gate, and then cast him into pri∣son, for that the bourgers had intercepted certaine letters, which were written that day by the lord of Montigni from Werteren to captaine Segura: by the which he sent him word that he maruailed much that the boats and all the other equipage was not yet arriued, seeing that [ D] he was well informed of the depth of the ditches, and that it was but three hundred foot broad; hauing also wonne the captaine of Dendermond, and that the night following hee would put his designe in execution, and that the king of Spaine would not faile to acknow∣ledge it. Captaine Rowland Yorke was also of this enterprise, who beeing apprehended, con∣fessed it all. The Seignior of Ryhouen gouernour of Dendermond, sent to the baron of Mor∣tagne his cousin, commanding there in his absence, willing him to seize vpon Walter Seton a Scottish man, lieutenant of the horse that were there in garrison, aduertising him of the treson that was practised by him, with Imbise and Yorke, to deliuer the towne vnto the Spaniard. The said Seton beeing apprehended, and hauing confessed the whole conspiracie, was hang∣ed, and quartered, the thirtieth daie of March. Then were there sixe companies of supplies [ E] sent by the Seignior of Timpel gouernour of Brussels to Dendermond. The Seignior Charles of Vtenhouen was appointed in the place of Imbise, to supply the place and office of bourg∣master at Gant.

The fifteenth of Maie some deputies of Gant beeing returned from Tournay with the articles of their reconciliation propounded by the prince of Parma (which the Flemish pro∣testants did tearme to be an accord that was captious, fraudulent, deceitfull, and full of dissi∣mulation) the catholikes and those which demaunded nothing but peace, as well nobles, as the chiefe and best bourgers in the towne, beeing assembled vpon the place before the State-house, with armes, would haue forced the magistrate to accept of the said accord, cry∣ing * 1.123 out openly, Where are they that will haue no peace? we will haue peace. The protestants bee∣ing [ F] also in armes, and in battell, drewe neere vnto the place, the rest seeing them come, grewe fearefull, and fled here and there. Yet by the aduice of the councell, they that had spoken the wordes, and beene the motiues and stirrers vp of this tumult were put in prison: and they all resolued with a common consent to liue and die in the vnion of the generalitie, and to

persist therein vnto the last gaspe, reiecting all articles and practises of peace with the Spani∣ard: [ A] And they required succours to bee sent them from Antuerpe and from Brussels, from * 1.124 whence about the twentieth of Maie they receiued sixe hundred foote, and a hundred horse, the which did afterward conduct captaine Yorke prisoner from Gant to Brussels, to deliuer him to the guard of the Seignior Timpel. Hee was happie to haue found such good friends, else hee had beene in danger to haue runne the like fortune with Walter Seton. But the prince hauing pardoned him, he was after wards restored to his credit by the earle of Leicester, which fell out vnhappily for the generall Estates of the vnited prouinces, as we shall hereafter shew.

In the meane time they of Ypre beeing thus besieged, or rather straitly blockt vp, since the moneth of September, hearing that they of Gant and Bruges tended to reconciliation with the king of Spaine, which they did hope should bee generall, seeing their vittailes and con∣uoies [ B] still defeated and taken, so as nothing aduanced for to deliuer them, and that the suc∣cours which they attended from the other three members of Flanders, which are Gant, Bru∣ges and Franc, appeared not, that they neglected them, and that they fell into extreame ne∣cessitie and want; in the end they were forced (forsaking their constancie and finne resoluti∣on which they had to the vnion of the generalitie) to giue way to necessitie, and by the con∣sent of the Seignior of Marquette their gouernour, to treat an accord with Anthonic Grenet Seignior of Werp gouernour of Courtray, commaunding then in all the forts which had blockt vp the said towne.

The composition was made the twelfth of April, by the which all strange souldiers should * 1.125 depart with their full armes, and those that were borne in the countrie with their rapiers and [ C] daggers onely: that the towne should paie fiftie thousand florins to redeeme it selfe from spoile: that the prince of Parma should haue foure bourgers at his choice, to dispose of them at his pleasure, their liues reserued, the which redeemed themselues afterwards for 20. thou∣sand florins: the bourgers should be maintained in their priuiledges, all exercise of religion, and that which depended thereon, should be taken from them, and they should receiue an I∣talian garrison into the towne.

During all the practises of Imbise, and other alterations in Gant and else where, the prince of Orange foreseeing (by the inconstancie of mens humors, and the falling away of townes from the generalitie) a ruine in their affaires, if they were not supported by some forraine po∣tent prince; he first had aduised the general Estates to send their commissioners to the French [ D] king and the duke of Aniou his brother, for new succours: and now in the moneth of March last past, he procured Colonel Norris generall of the English to goe into England giuing him particular instructions from himselfe, to impart vnto the Queenes Maiestie, as followeth.

First, the prince of Orange doth intreat monsieur Norris to let her Maiestie vnderstand on his behalfe, that hee is fully persuaded and resolued to continue in the maintenance of true religion in these countries, and the liberties thereof, vnto the end of his life. And to op∣pose himselfe (according to the meanes which God hath giuen him) against the attempts of the king of Spaine.

That the said prince hath not beene ignorant what great forces the king of Spaine hath had heretofore, and what he hath at this present, or may haue. He is also well acquainted with [ E] his alliances and leagues: and that by reason of his victories, and yet more by his meanes and practises, which hee hath in most of the kingdomes and common weales of Christen∣dome, he hath filled almost all Europe with the terrour of his name.

That the said prince is not also ignorant of the small power and meanes which God hath giuen him: and hee knowes sufficiently by experience, the inconstancie of humane things, the varietie of mens hearts, and the great errours which are daiely committed in these coun∣tries, and in affaires of state, and what the inconueniences bee which vsually followe such confusions.

But beeing one the other side assured that the king of Spaines heart will neuer bee moo∣ued nor yeeld to a toleration of religion, and will neuer endure that it should encrease, no not [ F] to haue it entertained: & to admit that by the persuasions of some he might be drawn to dis∣semble his bad intent for a time, yet he knoweth for certain that the true inuocation of Gods name should soone bee extinct in these countries, and the libertie generally opprest. The which the said prince foreseeing, hee cannot in conscience desist from his enterprise, with

out condemning of himselfe before God and men.

[ A]

The said prince hath long knowne the inward heart of the king of Spaine, and the * 1.126 grounds of all his councels of estate: And euery one knowing how long hee hath dealt in the affaires of this countrie, and of the councel of estate, may persuade himselfe that it is not without reason that hee doth attribute vnto himselfe this knowledge. And therefore bee in∣treats all men of iudgement, especially those that make profession of the religion, to allowe him something which cannot bee knowne but to such as haue pierst into the bowels of the affaires of Spaine, as he hath often and long time done.

But hee is content that all good men, which haue interest in the cause, should consider of that which is set to the viewe of euery man, and knowne to all the world, and then iudge of the king of Spaines resolutions: that is, whether the beginning of this monarchie of [ B] Spaine, bee not wholly grounded vpon the strict leagues, intelligences, and corresponden∣cies, which the kings of Castile and Aragon haue had heretofore with the Pope; which a∣mities beeing many yeares since begunne, haue still increased, by the continuance of mutu∣all offices which they haue done one vnto another, the pope augmenting this crowne of Spaine, and the king of Spaine embracing the popes quarrels against all the world, without a∣ny reseruation.

The popes haue augmented the house of Aragon with the realmes of Naples and Sici∣le, and haue made the way for the house of Spaine to conquer Lombardie, and to hold the princes of Italie subiect at his deuotion, some by citadels, some by feare, and some by practi∣ses, alwaies managed and coloured by the popes: So as if at any time the house of France [ C] hath practised some little fauour from the Pope, presently the house of Spaine hath felt the foundations of his Seigniories in Italie to shake, and readie to fall, the historie whereof is well knowne to all men of state.

If then there were no other reason but this onely, the house of Spaine knowing well of what importance the estate of Italie is, would neuer attempt any thing, but as he should be in∣structed by the spirit of the court of Rome, with the which no good man can haue any grea∣ter familiaritie, then Christ had with Belial.

But euery man knoweth that the great empire at the Indies, which Spaine doth at this daie enioy, is due by the Spaniards vnto the free gift of the Romish Sea; and likewise the con∣iunction of the crownes of Aragon and Castile, to the popes dispensation: as also the con∣quest [ D] of the kingdome of Nauarre, and of late of the kingdome of Portugall, and countries subiect to the crowne.

For these reasons then we must thinke, that neither the king of Spaine, nor any of his suc∣cessors after him, will euer seperate themselues from the amitie of that sea: and consequently, he will be of necessitie an open enemie to the true religion, the which can no more endure the the pope and his adherents, than the sea doth a dead carcasse.

And for as much as all the dangers whereunto the said prince may be exposed with these countries, (the which are very great, to iudge according vnto man) are yet nothing in com∣parison of the ruine of the true religion, whereof they that persecute it are enemies, and the said prince should be treacherous if he should abandon it: for these considerations, hee is re∣solued [ E] (with the helpe of God) to continue constant in his first resolution vnto the end of his life; and (if God giue him the grace) so to assure these countries, as after his death, he will leaue it able to defend it selfe against the power of Spaine and his adherents.

The said prince is not ignorant what reports are spread abroad by his enemies, in regard of that which is treated betwixt the Estates of Holland, and his person; and that before that hee would yeeld vnto them, he had foreseene and dulie considered, both by himselfe, and with many men of worth and reputation: and moreouer, hauing condescended thereunto, he had protracted the busines, to auoyd the slaunders of the wicked, and the suspition of some, who are not of themselues badde, but may interpret the said treatie sinisterly, not knowing the true cause and ground.

[ F]

But the said prince beeing vnwilling to make any long discourse vpon this point, where∣in hee should do himselfe wrong, for that it could not be so simply written, but it would tend something to his praise, he is content to say, & intreats monsieur Norris to assure her Maiesty, the lords of her councel, & al good men, that if the said prince had not bin persuaded by many

pregnant reasons which haue beene propounded vnto him by many men of qualitie, whose [ A] pietie to religion, affection to their countrie, and wisdome to iudge, are well knowne vnto * 1.127 him, that it was necessarie and conuenient for the preseruation of religion, and to keepe so ma∣ny good men from vniust deaths by the crueltie of their enemies, and that others liuing in simplicitie and ignorance should not bee seduced by the practises of the children of this world, hee had neuer proceeded further; and yet matters being as they are, if they can shew him a more safe way, hee protests that he is ready to follow it, and to march constantly after him that shall guide him.

The said prince doth intreat all good men so to temper their iudgements, as they giue no place either to slaunders or false reports, nor to opinions grounded onely vpon suspition, ho∣ping that his word shall be sooner credited, than a bare suspition, the which may bee as soone [ B] refuted, as it growes in the spirit of man without ground and assurance.

Nothing then hath mooued the said prince to take that course which he hitherto followed, but this holy resolution aboue mentioned.

And if it shall now please her Maiestie to vnderstand what meanes the said prince pro∣pounds vnto himselfe for the maintenance of so iust and yet so difficult a quarrell, to obey her Maiestie, to whom he desires to continue a most humble seruant, and not to forget to aduer∣tise her as much (as he may) of the estate of his affaires, hee intreats the Seignior Norris to ac∣quaint her Maiestie with that which followes.

That first of all the great and eternall power of God is knowne vnto him, not onely by his holy doctrine where he hath learned it, but also by many experiences which hee hath made, [ C] and diuers effects which he hath felt in the aduancement & preseruation of the true Church: and first in the time of his ancestors in the kingdom of Bohemia, and in his time in Germanie, Switser-land, England, Scotland France, and (in the end) in these countries, and euen in his owne person: And that in all these kingdoms and prouinces, God hath made it visibly known to all the world, that he suffered men to propound in their councels, but he knew how to dis pose of all things, and to him alone belonged the honour and glorie of the preseruation of his people.

And although that this resolution he setled in his heart, and that he referres himselfe to his holy prouidence, yet he knoweth the will of God is, that with his blessing wee should vse the meanes which are giuen and distributed vnto vs by that singular prouidence of God. Where∣fore [ D] looking vnto that which God puts into his hand, to vse it to his glorie: if many times councels and resolutions succeed not as he desireth, yet hee comforts himselfe in that he hath obeyed God, putting that in practise which he hath made him to see: and beeing nothing grieued (after that he hath done his dutie) that God doth make it knowne that he is the master and controller of all our councels, wisdoms, and resolutions.

This is the cause why he doth first seeke so to vnite the hearts of all these prouinces, as with one resolution and will, they may repulse the violence of their enemies: he hath hitherto felt many contradictions, for diuers towns, and many priuate persons, some through want of cou∣rage, and others through manifest treacherie, haue chosen the enemies partie, choosing rather not the delights of Egypt, but the cruell yoke of Pharaoh (which they will feele (too late) to [ E] be insupportable) rather than to endure with the people of God, a temporal affliction.

And as her Maiestie and the lords of her councell know well, that there is in the world great diuersitie and peruersitie of willes and iudgements; he doth also beseech them to con∣sider, that euen among them which hold firme against the Spaniard, there are many, where∣of part through pride, part by couetousnesse, and some through errour doe very much hin∣der

the aduancement of that which is most profitable for them. The which the prince will forbeare to discourse of, for the small delight her Maiestie would take in such a subiect, and he in deliuering it: the which he referres to the sufficiencie and discretion of the Seignior Norris, who for his long continuance in these parts, is able to satisfie her Maiestie, if it please her to do him the honour to demand it.

[ F]

This designe was managed a whole yeare and more, and yet the said prince to his great griefe could neuer effect his intentions, so as euery one gouerning himselfe after his own fantasie, and he (hauing only a goodly name and title of honour) could not execute any matter of importance, neither in assailing nor defending; hauing not the meanes, nether yet

could he aide (as he desired) the townes and priuate prouinces, for that they haue relected his [ A] counsell, and the meanes which he laid open vnto them, as well to vse the meanes which they * 1.128 had, as to seeke succour and an assured support in Germanie, when it was time.

By these errours there haue not onely ensued losses, but also such confusions in the publike and priuate affaires of prouinces, and a generall ignorance of that which was done and trea∣ted, or that should be done; as the said prince could not with his honour write to any, nor ad∣uertise them of that which was vnknowne vnto him, and ouer the which hee had no power nor authoritie. The which the said prince intreats generall Norris to represent vnto her Ma∣iestie, and to beseech her most humbly to hold him excused in this point. And moreouer, to let her vnderstand how long the said prince had beene in speech with him to take the oppor∣tunitie of his voyage, to aduertise her Maiestie more particularly of all things concerning the [ B] affaires of these countries.

The said prince then seeing such disorder, and foreseeing, yea feeling by effect the miseries that might ensue, continuing notwithstanding the solliciting of this generall vnion of all the prouinces, not in name, title, or paper, but in resolution, will, meanes, and faculties, hee hath thought it necessarie to deuise the meanes, vntill that this generall vnion might be concluded and put in practise, to vnite most of the townes and prouinces he could, that they may serue as a firme rampar for a time, to oppose against the violence and furie of the enemie, whilest that the others should resolue in one will: And in the meane time also to preuent all extrea∣mities, that the said prouinces (in case that worse should happen) should defend themselues by their owne proper forces and meanes, and also succour their neighbours, allies, and confede∣rates, [ C] according to their small power and forces, hoping that God would blesse and prosper their resolutions.

According to the which, the said prince hath of late set downe a proportion of horse and foote, which may be entertained at the charges of the said prouinces which haue committed vnto him the charge of the warre: with the which he will endeauour (with the help of God) not onely to defend the said prouinces, but also to succour the rest, as hee hath done within these fewe daies, and doth now at this present, hauing sent what forces he could to hinder the enemies incursions into the dutchie of Gueldres, and to chase them out of the said countrie, if it may be. He hath not also omitted by the same meanes and forces to succour the countrie and countie of Flanders, in releeuing the towne of Oostend, and forcing the enemie to raise [ D] his siege; making it knowne to all the world, that the enemie did not thinke to take the townes of Flanders by force, but by practises and amazement; for as soone as they found men resolute to resist them, they thought it best not to spend their time against such, but to continue their designes with them that had other discourses, which were ill grounded: ouer whom they haue easily preuailed, holding it for a great honour, the which they haue not purchased by force, but by the in esolution of many, who (it is said) held their partie.

Since, to fauour the towne of Gant, which was resolued against the Spaniard, and to keepe the enemie from taking away the nauigation to Antuerp, he hath caused Terneuse to be for∣tified with the same forces; and by the same meanes to entertaine the garrison, the which be∣sides the benefit which our men hold and retaine thereby, hath disappointed many of the e∣nemies [ E] enterprises.

And thus the said prince is resolued to continue, according to the occasions which shall be offered, beeing well assured that a conuenient armie to oppose against the enemie, and to chase him away, were very necessarie. But hauing not the meanes without some better reso∣lution of the prouinces, and forraine succours to raise it, he is content with that which hee can doe, which is but little, if it please not God to assist him from aboue, as he praies and hopes.

The prince doth what he can to perswade them that haue not this resolution, to embrace it, that by their vnited forces they may breake the course and proceedings of the enemie, in the which he will labour vnto the end: seeing that such as will not giue eare to this resolution, are some of them vndone, and some in the way to be vndone through their owne follies. And [ F] although that these affaires be so great and so waightie, as it is impossible for the said princeto beare them, without the singular assistance of God; yet besides all these important affaires, hee sees them of Mons Truchses elector of Cologne, to be very intricate, and not in so good an e∣state as it were to be wished. For he is in like sort assailed by great and mightie enemies, who

with open force make warre against him, and for his part, hee hath not at this day any prince [ A] that fauours him, and openly assists him; the which hath beene very preiudiciall vnto him, for * 1.129 that he promised vnto himselfe greater aide and assistance than he hath yet found.

And forasmuch as the conformitie of religion, the neighbourhood of countries, and the same aduersaries which presse him and vs equally, should incite vs to aide one another with our meanes; the said prince continues to treat a league and alliance with him, that vntill it shall please God to giue vs other succours, wee may imploy those forces which God hath gi∣uen vs, one for another: hauing in the meane time (notwithstanding our owne difficulties) assisted him with a good summe of money.

But the said prince knowes well, that all the said meanes (to speake as a man) are not able to resist halfe the forces of the king of Spaine, the pope, and all those that fight vnder their en∣signes, [ B] or that contribute to this warre: hee will therefore endeauour to purchase as many friends as he can, as well by his owne meanes, as the said elector, in Germanie and else-where, and especially of them of the religion; the more easily to withstand, or at the least to diuert the the forces of the enemie, the common enemie of Christendome.

According vnto the which, he hath intreated generall Norris to acquaint her Maiestie with the forces of the enemies of these countries, and of the elector: Her Maiesties accustomed bountie, which shee hath extended often to them that were in like sort oppressed, and name∣ly the fauour which it hath pleased her to shew to them of this countrie, who are much bound vnto her, for that the enemie hath beene long staied from the execution of his designes. Hee shall represent vnto her Maiestie her happie and royall succours giuen vnto France, and to [ C] Scotland, beeing oppressed for the same quarrell: her Maiestie hauing deliuered one of the said kingdomes from the oppression of Rome, and hath giuen meanes to the other (liuing in peace after so many miseries) to quench the blood which did yet flowe in all parts, and to pur∣chase a quiet aboad for so many good men fearing God.

In doing whereof, her Maiestie hath purchased so great honour and reputation with all that beliuing, and shall leaue so pleasing a memorie to posteritie, & hath so wonne the hearts of all men, as they would as willingly imploy their liues for her seruice, as if they were her na∣turall subiects. And therfore he shall most humbly intreat her in the behalfe of the said prince, seeing that the necessitie seemeth greater than euer, the enemies bending all their forces a∣gainst these countries, hoping that after they haue compassed their designe ouer this little [ D] countrie, the rest of the world shall serue them but for matter of trophie; that shee will bee pleased not to suffer, that before her eies, so many good men, and her most humble seruants, should perish by the hands of such as are mortall enemies to her Maiestie, to her crowne, and to the true religion, whereon aboue all the princes of our age, shee hath beene as it were, the sole nurce and defendresse.

The said prince intreats generall Norris to propound some particular meanes, fearing ei∣ther to demand too little from her Maiestie, considering her power, which he neither can, nor ought to limit; or that he should require too much, considering the extreame necessitie which doth presse vs, referring all to her Maiesties good pleasure, the said prince hoping that she will bee more liberall to doe good to this countrie, than hee for his part hath beene bolde to [ E] demaund it.

And although the meanes of these countries (exhausted with long warres) are very small, yet her Maiestie knowing better than our selues, wherein it may please her to doe them of this countrie the honour to imploy them to doe her most humble seruice; and for the great know∣ledge which God hath giuen her of all the Estates of Christendome, and especially of her poore neighbours, her Maiestie knowes, if there yet remaines any meanes to doe her ser∣uice, namely for the prouinces of Holland, Zeeland, and Vtrecht, we humbly beseech her to let vs vnderstand it. And the said Seignior Norris shall assure her, that the prince will doe his best endeauour to giue her Maiestie contentment, beseeching her to hold as well the said prince, as the generall Estates, and particularly them of Holland, Zeeland, and Vtrecht, in her [ F] good grace and fauour.

He shall also let her Maiestie vnderstand, that my masters the Estates haue sent their Em∣bassadours to the French king, and to his highnesse, and that their commission and instructi∣ons are altogether conformable to that which it pleased her Maiestie to let the prince vnder∣stand

by sir Francis Walsingham her chiefe secretarie of estate.

[ A]

Finally, the said Seignior Norris shall most humbly beseech her Maiestie, and intreat the * 1.130 lords of her councell alwaies to shew some testimonies of their fauour to the subiects in ge∣nerall of these countries, and particularly to them of Holland and Zeeland.

Soone after the departure of generall Norris into England with these instructions, the prince of Orange receiued a discourse sent out of Germanie to his Excellencie, by Cont Iohn of Nassau his brother, persuading him to a reconciliation with the king of Spaine, and to re∣iect the amitie of the French; whereunto his Excellencie made an answer, the which for that it is a discourse of state, and worthie your reading, I haue thought good and necessarie to set downe at large. [ B]

The Prince of Orange to Cont Iohn of Nassau his brother.

MY lord and brother, I haue seene the discourse which you sent mee, the which I cannot thinke proceeds from you nor your iudgement, for I find it better and more solide, than to build vpon such weake reasons, as are produced in the same writing. Wherfore you shal not take my answer as directed vnto you, but vnto them that haue forged it, and sent it.

In the beginning the author spends much time to discourse of the great forces and meanes the alliances and intelligences of the king of Spaine, of my smal means, of the doubtful euents [ C] of warre, and of the inconstancie of the peoples mindes; then hee speakes of the bad opinion which some of the religion haue conceiued of me, by reason of the treatie with the French; of the small assurance there is in their friendship, of their former errors, of the duke of Anious small meanes, and of the feare that the king will not enter a warre against so great and mightie a prince: and in the end hee comes to discourse of that which concernes our house more particularly.

As for the king of Spaines forces, I thinke there is none doubts, but I know them as well as any man liuing, for that I haue had speciall and long imployment in the affaires of these countries, as also hauing vndertaken so necessarie and honourable a warre, I haue for these many yeares felt them, tried them, and endured them; and whereof I assure my selfe, that this [ D] countrie (with the helpe of God) had beene long since discharged, if they (whom it concer∣ned and were of the religion, at the least made profession) had not beene drawne, some by their owne ambition and desire to commaund and manage the affaires after their owne fan∣tasies (although they had no experience neither in matters of warre, nor of gouernment) some beeing induced and persuaded by others, who tooke pleasure to follow priuate coun∣sels, farre dissenting from mine and them of the publike; if those I say had not armed the proper members of this countrie one against another, and against their owne bodie, by means whereof they haue againe drawne in the Spanish forces: and the griefe is, that such as haue committed these errors, beeing not yet amended, they giue the Spaniards meanes still to haue as many victories ouer them as they please, and vntill theybe otherwise resolued, they will run [ E] headlong into greater ruine.

I speake this to shew, that these great forces are not inuincible, seeing that we haue seene them in a manner readie to be wholly defeated and chased shamefully out of the countrie. And in like sort, seeing God hath giuen me the grace to withstand them so long, it is no won∣der if I know them well; so as all these admonitions can teach me no new thing. And as for that which concerneth my weakenesse, the which I hope (with the helpe of God, and their good resolution, which are determined to obey me) is not so little as it hath beene: neither do I expect that fourescore thousand men shall fall vpon mee, led by a duke of Alua, as hereto∣fore, when I was much weaker, I haue felt them, and yet God did not abandon me, neither I hope will he at this daie.

[ F]

But as I haue discoursed at large in my instructions which I haue sent to the Queene of England, whereof I send you a copie, I take the soueraigne guard of the vniuersall God for my chiefe foundation, who hath hitherto made my weakenesse strong, and I hope hee will continue it vnto the end.

And when I come to examine all these difficulties by my selfe, that is, when I come to [ A] compare the king of Spaines forces with my small meanes, and what we commonly see in the * 1.131 alteration of mens mindes; and when as I also discourse of that which may happen after me, I must confesse plainely, that if I tooke counsell of the flesh and humane vnderstanding, that I should find great cause and subiect of amazement.

But seeing the question is for the glorie of God, and for our consciences, for the libertie of the countrie, and the preseruation of the liues of so many good men (ouer whom the crueltie of the Spaniards should passe like a deluge of waters, if wee should suffer them to recouer the power they sometimes had ouer these countries) I can resolue no other thing, but that hauing recommended my selfe vnto God, I conclude, that there remaines nothing but to oppose a∣gainst such dangers with constancie vnto the end: resoluing that for me and mine, there are [ B] no dangers comparable to a miserable desertion which I should make of so good a cause, if I should abandon so holy and so honourable a partie, the which I haue followed vnto this pre∣sent daie.

And whereas he obiects that some of the religion loue me lesse than they should, admit it were so, it were no new thing, the which I haue long since foreseene; for what man is he that hath had a chiefe charge, be it in the church or common-weale, that hath not had many ene∣mies, not onely of them abroad, but euen of such as followed their partie, and tearmed them∣selues of the same religion? Such an one was Moses, who could not auoide the slaunders and mutining of Corath and Dathan: such a one was Dauid who had his Semes: such an one was Ieremie, who was buffeted in the temple: and such an one was S. Paul, who was persecuted by [ C] them that preached Christ by contention: yet none of them haue left to continue con∣stantly in their charges, knowing well that God was their rewarder and not men. In like ma∣ner, when I vndertooke this great charge, I had no other hope, hauing seene the like happen to many great personages, who vpon semblable occasions had sustained the like quarrels in our time.

But I hope that such men (who it may be are not abandoned to so great ingratitude, so much through their owne malice, as by the induction of others) will not continue in that er∣ror, but will remember themselues, as many haue alreadie done, being warned by their owne follies, and so many losses which they haue had, following their priuate affections. And if they should continue vnto the end (the which I hope not) yet considering the great nūber of [ D] such as resolue with me, I shal haue no great cause of discontentment for any other thing, than for the ruine of those men, who haue drawne more vpon them by their owne rashnes, than the enemie by his force.

But that which hath beene hitherto toucht in the discourse is not the authors chiefe de∣signe; but me thinkes all this beginning is like vnto some trialls of the disposition of the bodie, which fencers vse, before they plaie in earnest, or like vnto a musitians preludium: for all these preparatiues are made, to fall in the end vpon the alliance of France, which is the chiefe and maine point the author meanes to treat of, and for the which hee hath taken so exceeding great paines.

But I obserue in this part, among other things, want of iudgement in the author of this [ E] writing; for as no man can denie it, but that all doth proceede from the councell of Spaine, or their partisans, what is he but will presently iudge by the viewing and reading of this dis∣course, that the Spaniard doth doubt and aboue all things feare, lest the French king should vndertake this quarrell: knowing sufficiently by the situation of the countries, by the said kings forces, and by the reason of his friends and seruants, what meanes hee hath, not on∣ly to aide vs, but also to confine the king of Spaine beyond the Alpes and the Pyrene moun∣taines.

And as I can take no better counsell than of mine enemie, to choose that which hee fea∣reth, and reiect that which he desireth; so I confesse, that if I had neuer so much as thought on the alliance of France, that (hauing no other inducements or persuasions) this discourse [ F] would make me to affect it much, and should giue me occasion to beleeue, that this counsell to treat with the French, is very good, seeing that it is so much feared and distrusted of the enemie.

The chiefe reasons are, that there is no assurance with the French, that we shall be circum∣uented [ A] by thē, that they are no friends to religion, & that for the good of our house we should * 1.132 not incense our enemies more, hauing such a weake support as the French. First, to answer to that where he saith, that I haue made my name famous enough, I thinke it needlesse, for ne∣uer any such vanitie did mooue mee to endure so great trauell, and so many losses, and to su∣staine such and so dangerous hatreds.

If then they thinke that the alliance of France be (for the aboue named reasons) not onely dangerous, but also vndoubtedly pernitious; what counsell then remaines? for as for mee, I confesse that I am vanquished, by many townes and prouinces of this countrie, which speake not secretly but openly, not before one or two, but before all the Estates, that it is necessarie to reconcile themselues with the king of Spaine, or to seeke sufficient succours elsewhere: and [ B] that hauing sought first to the princes which make profession of religion, and beeing forsaken & abandoned by them, they found no other means, than to haue recourse to the French king, and to his brother. I say I am vanquished, for when as such things are propounded to the E∣states, I can make no other answer, but that wee must make proofe thereof, for if there comes no other good, yet we shall keepe the French king from beeing our enemie, that hee shall al∣waies keepe the king of Spaine in breath, and make him consume a great treasure: it shall also be auaileable for them of the religion in France, to liue in peace, the which the king hath gran∣ted them, the preseruation whereof we ought to procure by all meanes possible. Neither doth the author of this discourse speake any thing contrarie to this conclusion, for he himselfe doth persuade by all the meanes hee can to make a reconciliation and attonement with the king [ C] of Spaine.

But if I may not for conscience sake make any agreement with the French king, how may my conscience be dispenst withall to accord with the king of Spaine? doe they differ in reli∣gion? the king of Spaine, is hee not the best beloued sonne to the holy Apostolike sea of Rome? and the French king a putatiue sonne, and that in title onely. The king of Spaine hath the popes fauour for the foundations of all his greatnesse: and the pope should acknow∣ledge that he hath not a foote of land, but by the benefit of the auncient kings of France, who doth now requite it with so great ingratitude.

To say that the king of Spaine is the naturall prince of these countries, that question hath beene long since decided, and put out of doubt, seeing that by a generall iudgement of the E∣states, [ D] after so many duties done as well to him, as to other princes, he hath beene declared fal∣len from his right: so as if wee must now treat with him, I must treat to submit my selfe to a stranger and an enemie, yea persecutor of the religion.

They will obiect the massacre at Paris, the which as it is not to be excused; how will they excuse also the massacre of the poore Moores, where there were aboue threescore thousand slaine after the accord was made and sworne. And if they say they be no Christians, yet can they not denie that the king of Spaine and the pope are more cruell enemies to our religion, than to that of the Moores. If they will not beleeue me, let them looke vnto the difference of the effects of that which they haue practised against the Christians and the Mahometans, and then let them iudge without passion.

[ E]

At the least, wee cannot denie, but vnder the gouernment of the French king, there are many townes, castles, villages, and gentlemens houses, where there is exercise of the religion, the which could neuer bee obtained from the king of Spaine, so much hee was incensed a∣gainst the true religion, the which hee cannot make shewe to endure. The like is not found in the French king, who allowes free exercise of religion in many and diuers places, and where it is not openly permitted, yet is it exercised without any great search, euen within the citie of Paris.

I would willingly that some of your diuines, which are so readie to iudge of another mans conscience, would shewe me by the word of God (which should be the rule of our con∣sciences and not a zeale without that guide) that wee ought to agree rather with the king of [ F] Spaine (who will demaund for the first article, that religion shall bee quite abolished) than with the French king (who for the first article will make no difficultie to graunt and allowe of it.)

And whereas they say that the French will deceiue vs, and take away our liberties, seeing [ A] for those reasons they hold that we should agree with the Spaniard; it followes then, that you * 1.133 will inferre that the Spaniard will not deceiue vs, but will preserue our liberties. And there∣fore they adde, that all the world will be better pleased that we accord with the Spaniard than with the French.

I wish that all priuate passion and affection might be laid aside, and that the persons and all other circumstances might be well examined of all sides, to iudge, by whom we should most feare to be deceiued, either by the French or the Spanish.

I wil not deny but there is danger on both sides, but if we must passe ouer one of these two bridges, I thinke that any man will choose that which is most large and strong, rather than the weaker and narrower. And to iudge indifferently of all dangers, in my opinion, wee must [ B] alwaies regard the power of him that can do harme, and will. But in these two points, we shall finde that the king of Spaine exceeds the French king without all comparison, if in doing ill we may say that the one exceeds the other.

The king of Spaines power is such in this countrie, as without bringing in of any Spani∣ard or Italian, within lesse than a yeare, and without any armie he may roote the reformed re∣ligion out of the countrie. The multitude of people that fauour him, and are of his religion, much exceede all the rest, and will not be backwards in all seruile obedience to doe all that the Spaniard shall commaund them, as it is daily seene; for if the enemie winnes any towne or part of the countrie from vs, the people doe presently seruilely obserue them, and do what they please.

[ C]

This cannot be said of the French; for when any opposition was to be made against them, all haue ioyntly banded, some for religions sake, others to fauour the Spaniards, as experience hath taught, that such as haue most exclaimed against them, haue yeelded to the Spaniard, and haue betrayed the countrie, although that some ill aduised, haue esteemed them the bet∣ter, for that they spake so ill and so boldly against the French, as the author of this discourse doth. But the end hath shewed their drift and intention, which was to deliuer vs to the Spaniards.

The olde officers which are yet in the countrie, carrie the king of Spaine grauen in their hearts, & all that haue receiued any rewards, pensions, or recompences, which are very many; besides, so many that are voluntarily banished, who would come in an instant like pigeons to [ D] adoue house, the which would not onely be at the king of Spaines deuotion, but also all the proctors, sollicitors, and ministers of seuere decrees.

By these reasons wee may see, what power the king of Spaine hath to hurt vs, when as hee hath euen within vs all instruments prepared to ruine vs, both in goods, bodie, yea and in soule, if he could: and on the other side, the French haue no such might. Neither doe I doubt but that the king of Spaine and his adherents haue as great a wil to hurt vs, as they haue might and power.

Kings neuer esteeme offences light when they are committed against their owne per∣sons, by such as they hold to bee their subiects: and therefore they hold their subiects that haue attempted any thing against them, guiltie of high treason. But when such an insurrection [ E] and of so great consequence happeneth, as that which wee haue seene in this countrie, there is no kind of crueltie but they practise against their subiects; for if nothing hath beene omit∣ted that may be called cruel, vpon the Indians, who owe no obedience, what mercie can wee expect in this countrie?

His chiefe officers haue beene put in prison, chased away, and their goods seized on, and the ordinarie officers haue had no better intreatie: his armes haue beene beaten downe, an other prince first called in against his will, vnto the gouernment, and after that another cho∣sen to be absolute lord. Shall wee thinke or imagine that hee will euer pardon or forgiue such things? He I say, who for small pretended faults, hath so cruelly intreated men of that honour and reputation (by their good counsell and seruice deseruing so well of their [ F] countrey) as the earles of Egmont, and Horne, and the marques of Berghes, and the baron of Montigni: and who hath begunne to persecute me and mine so outragiously for so small matters, in comparison of that which hath followed.

And if God should giue me the meanes (after this reconciliation) to retire my selfe into [ A] some place of safetie, although I know not where I may liue more safely than in this coun∣trie; * 1.134 yet this infinite multitude of people, and so many good men which haue embraced the religion, and haue opposed themselues against this crueltie, whither shall they retire themselues?

The duke of Alua going out of this countrie, did vaunt that he put to death by the hand of the executioner, eighteene thousand men. Let vs now compare what had beene done by the inhabitants of this conntrie, before the comming of the duke of Alua, with that which hath followed, and thereby we shall iudge of the kings mind beeing incensed.

As for particular persons, first of all the Clergie (which are in number like Locusts) will de∣maund their reuenues, their houses, and their goods: and after them, the gentlemen, and [ B] all other sorts of people: but finding it not, shall not the poore men of the religion paie for it? yea they who did neuer benefit a halfe-pennie by them.

The said clergie men, nobles, and others, without any reason, but onely a poore pretext of religion, haue burnt, hanged, drowned, and banished them that had but a little tast of religion: and now beeing incensed as much as men may be, doe we thinke they will be more merciful, seeing they haue not yet cast off the wolues disposition? but contrariwise, it is more augmen∣ted, as if one should cast a heape of dried wood into a burning furnace.

It auailes not to say, that many of ours haue excelled measure, the which is true: and all good and modest men knowe that it was not my fault. But doe we thinke the Spaniards can or will make any such distinctions? Nay will it not bee a sufficient crime to be condemned, [ C] to say he is a Christian? whereby will follow the ruine and losse of life, or at the least of worldly goods.

All these things cease in regard of the French; but if they will obiect that they are affe∣cted against them of the religion: first, they are not all so, as the Spaniards and their adhe∣rents be, who are generally their enemies. The French are not incensed; they haue no goods to demaund, as the Spaniards pretend. By these reasons wee may easily conclude, that if for these apparant mischiefs, it is dangerous to accord with the French, (as the author of this dis∣course saith) without all comparison, it is farre more to bee feared in all kindes with the Spaniard.

In the meane time, I can assure you, that hitherto I haue not much busied my selfe to [ D] persuade the Estates to enter into any such treatie. But many prouinces and townes of conse∣quence propounding and making open declaration, that they must of necessitie accord with the one or the other; I confesse that if of the two, wee must choose one, I would rather con∣sent to the one than to the other. And withall I adde, that euery one that is acquainted with the affaires of Spaine, must confesse, that the king of Spaine must of force (to maintaine his monarchie) hold himselfe linckt to the pope, the emperour, and other catholike princes and potentates. The French king on the other side, to cl•…•…ppe his wings, shall bee forced to allie himselfe with them of the religion, and by that meanes in fauouring them, by their aid hin∣der their greatnes, which seeke to fill the whole world, as the king his father did vnto the em∣perour Charles, when as he thought to haue commanded all Europe.

[ E]

And as at that time the princes of the empire (graue and indicious men) did their best and vtmost indeauours to persuade the French king to that resolution, whereon depended so great a good for all Germauie; so also our duties should bee to doe the like: But con∣trariwise, as if we were grieued that these two princes are not ioyntly armed against vs, wee doe what wee can to vnite them by all meanes possible, not weighing their forces and our owne infirmities.

If they will also touch our house in particular, I am assured that both you my Lord and brother, and I, haue done so good offices to the king and emperour, and that the memorie thereof is so well grauen in their hearts, as the remembrance thereof can neuer bee defaced. The which I desire not to trie in any sort whatsoeuer, but am rather resolued to all extremi∣ties [ F] for the defence of these countries, religion, and libertie; hoping that God will not aban∣don me in so iust and necessarie a quarrell: for the which I pray vnto him with al my heart. Made at Delft, the 18. of March, 1584.

After the yeelding vp of Ypre, they of Bruges beginning to looke backe, refused to take a [ A] garrison from Holland, the which the Protestants would willingly haue receiued into their * 1.135 towne: but the Catholickes, at the instigation of the prince of Chimay, who was their go∣uernour, and of Iohn Heren his Minister (who was become an Apostata, and afterwards ioy∣ned to the Iesuits sect, hauing written against his first profession) did oppose themselues a∣gainst the Estates party, so as there fell a diuision among the bourgers, the Catholickes being the stronger: who (after long contention) sent their deputies to the prince of Parma, being at Tournay, to desire to be reconciled to the king, in renouncing the vnion which they had with the Estates. In what manner this diuision passed in the towne of Bruges, and by what meanes the Catholickes became the masters, we will shew it succinctly, beginning to de∣scribe what the prince of Chimay was, being called Philip of Croy, sonne to the duke of [ B] Arschot.

This nobleman in his youth had beene well instructed, and was of a quicke capacitie, the which he afterwards applyed ill: beeing thrust on by an ambitious spirit, to make himselfe great, he left the party which his father held, which was that of the Spaniard: first, vnder the cloake of Religion, whereunto he shewed himselfe wonderfully zealous (the issue of his de∣signes hauing since shewed what his heart might be) he let not a Sermon escape, but he was at it, receiuing the Communion oftener than any other: yea, he did write a small pamphlet in praise of the Protestant Religion, extolling the duke of Aniou to the heauens, to the blame and suppression of the Spaniard, whom he disgraced all he could: so as if it had not beene that his mother was issued out of the house of Halewin a sworne enemie to the Reli∣gion, [ C] to the prince of Orange, and to all them of the house of Nassau, he might haue attay∣ned vnto the marriage of the prince of Orange his eldest daughter. But hauing vnder this maske of Religion married with the lady Marie of Brimeux, Countesse of Meghen, widow to Lancelot, earle of Barlamont, a lady much affected to the said Religion, he went first to Bruges, where hee was presently made gouernour; and not long after, blinding the world with this goodly shew of Religion, he (in like manner) got the gouernment of all Flanders: during the which, and especially after the duke of Aniou his retreat, matters being thus con∣fused throughout all Flanders (in the which he was an actor) his courses began to bee sus∣pected vnto the prince of Orange, whom all his counterfeit zeale could not please: who did once write vnto him, that hee should otherwise gouerne and moderate the deuotion [ D] which he seemed to carry vnto God, the affection vnto his countrey, and the respect vnto his owne honour; the which had small credit, and wrought lesse effect with him. as it ap∣peareth by a small discourse which was dedicated vnto him, and printed at Dusseldorpe: in the which all his actions are orderly set downe vnto him: among others, his practises, thereby to deliuer all the countrey of Flanders to the Spaniards: the meanes which he had held to ouerthrow the resolution to receiue in the duke of Aniou againe: That hee had beene the cause, that the townes of Dixmuyden, Nicuport, Furnes, and others had beene yeelded to the Spaniard: That by his meanes the marshall of Biron, with the Suitsers, and the rest of the duke of Aniou his French troupes, had beene mooued to retyre: That the towne of Dunkerke had not beene succoured: That that of Menin had beene abandoned [ E] by the Scottishmen: That the dikes were not cut, which might haue drowned the Spa∣niards campe: That he had ill informed the Estates of duke Casimire his succours, to ex∣clude the duke of Aniou: That he had left the garrison of Alost in such extreame pouer∣tie and miserie, as the Englishmen were mooued to yeeld it vnto the Spaniard, who did thereby seize vpon all the land of Waes, with many other practises wherewithall hee is charged.

If the actions and dealings of the prince of Chimay were suspected and odious vnto the prince of Orange, they were no lesse vnto the Seignior Iaques de Grise, great baylife of Bruges, to Kasenbroth bourgomaster, to Maximilian of Horne, to the Seignior of Lorke∣ren, and many others, who were resolued to seize vpon his person: for the effecting where∣of [ F] (although they had the companies of the bourgers at their deuotion) yet they thought it good (by the aduice of the prince of Orange) to impart it vnto the colonel of the Scot∣tishmen, and to require his assistance.

This colonel (whose name was Bloyde) did presently and willingly offer them his

seruice: but soone after, vpon the tenth of Ianuarie 1584, a little before it should haue beene [ A] executed, he went and discouered all to the prince of Chimay, who presently sent for the * 1.136 Seignior of Grise, and the bourgomaster Casenbroth, telling them what he had heard of their enterprise, accusing most of all the Seignior of Lockeren, whom (as being no bourger of the towne, but a meere stranger) he put in prison, not daring to attempt any thing against the rest, who were in great credit and authoritie with the people: but hee complayned much of them, and did taxe them before the magistrates of the towne and of Franc, whereby hee tooke greater occasion to aduaunce the reconciliation with the Spaniard as secretly as hee could.

The Seignior of Grise being no lesse perplexed than the Seignior of Lockeren, he rety∣red himselfe out of the towne, and after that he had conferred with the Estates, he resolued to returne with fiue hundred men, through the fauour of the good bourgers: but as the tre∣cherie [ B] of colonel Boyde was well knowne vnto him, and that he durst not trust in the garri∣son (although that captaine Balfour and others had alwaies carried themselues faithfully in the Estates seruice) hauing also taken the aduice of them of Zeeland, and of the Seignior of Groeneuelt, gouernour of Scluse, this second enterprise was likewise discouered to the prince of Chimay; who finding himselfe the more grieued, caused all them that were ac∣quainted with this exploit, to bee put in prison. Then hauing grieuously accused the magi∣strates before all the people, he tooke occasion thereupon to displace them, and to chuse new after his owne fantasie, whom he knew to be at the Spaniards deuotion: by whose assistance he did easily induce the people to this reconciliation, so much affected by him, yea he drew [ C] them of Franc and of the towne of Dam to his partie, and to doe as they of Bruges did; the which caused many good countreymen and Protestants to retyre, some vnto Scluse, others to Oostend, where there was a good garrison: so as the prince of Chimay and his new magistrates were in great doubt, seeking all meanes (both by promises and money) to draw vnto them those garrisons; but they preuayled not: for the finishing of this nego∣tiation of the reconciliation with them of Bruges, the prince of Parma sent the duke of Arschot, father to the prince of Chimay, thither, to the end hee might also draw vnto him them of Scluse and Oostend, which were of farre greater importance vnto him, than Bruges: and on the other side, the Estates sent doctor Iunius thither to dissuade them, who preuay∣led so much with his reasons, as neither the duke of Arschot nor the prince of Chimay [ D] could doe any good, considering that they of Gant had renewed a more firme league with the generalitie. And as a great number of them of Bruges were retyred out of the towne, it was easie for the prince of Chimay to conclude this reconciliation with the prince of Par∣ma, the which was proclaymed with great triumph and pompe vpon the fiue and twentieth * 1.137 of May, with reasonable conditions, to draw on them of Gant, Scluse, and Oostend. The Scottish garrison which were in it, were left to their choice, to retyre, or to continue in the king of Spaine his seruice, of the which few remained: and although that colonel Boyde did soone find how little the prince of Parma did esteeme him, yet he durst not trust the Estates. By this treatie of Bruges, they of Franc and Dam were also reconciled, in restoring the Clergie men vnto the possession of their goods, and leauing all exercise of the reformed [ E] Religion, suffering euery man to liue with libertie of his conscience, not committing of any scandale, and enioying of their goods; the which continued not long. The Seigni∣or of Croisilles, of the house of Montmorency, was appointed gouernour there without any garrison, seeing that the Catholickes (who had fled away before) and the Clergie were fully restored.

The prince of Chimay, after the publication of this treatie of reconciliation, required of the ministers of Bruges (wherein it was thought, that he did both mocke them and their Re∣ligion) a certificat of his good life and profession. But beeing departed with his Minister, home to his own house, they soone left their Religion, the prince discharging all his houshold seruants, which desired to continue in the profession thereof: by the which renunciation [ F] and trecherie, he purchased euen with the same partie which he tooke, dishonour for euer, with a marke of inconstancie and lightnesse. The Contesse of Meghen discouering his heart and his manner of liuing, would no more follow him, but retyred to Scluse, and from thence in Holland.

The prince of Parma hauing at that time seized vpon the village of Burcht on Flanders [ A] side, vpon the riuer of Escaut, halfe a league from Antuerpe, and hauing caused it to be forti∣fied, * 1.138 to keepe any thing from passing by water to Gant, Brussels, or Macklyn, they of An∣tuerpe sent their shippes of warre thither, to chase them from thence, or to hinder the forti∣fication, but it was in vaine; by reason whereof they made another fort on the other side of the riuer, vpon Brabant side, about the village of Hoboken, right against Burcht, to defend their nauigation to the said townes: then they pierced the dike betwixt Burcht and the head of Flanders, the which drowned the whole countrey, vnto Beueren and Calloo. At the breaking of which dike, they made a fort opposite to that of Burcht, the which did batter one another continually with their great ordnance, and with musket shot, hauing nothing but the said breach betwixt the two forts. But this fort was made by them of Antuerpe [ B] somewhat too late, many shippes being passed by this hole to Calloo, during the siege of the towne.

They of Bruges, Franc, and Dam, being (by reason of their reconciliation) well accorded with the king of Spaine, yet were they no lesse free from enemies round about them, than if they had beene besieged, for that they of Gant, Scluse, and Oostend cut off their victuals vpon all passages: wherfore they did write to them of Gant on the seuenth of Iuly, to induce them to their party, shewing, that they being one of the foure members of Flanders, they had no reason to reiect the reconciliation with their king, and not to ioyne with the other three members, alreadie reconciled, alledging many persuasiue reasons, the which for breui∣ties sake I omit. [ C]

Hereupon the Estates of Brabant, Holland, and Zeeland sent their deputies to Gant, to shew them, that such priuate reconciliations could neuer b•…•…eed a good peace, but rather a dangerous and miserable warre, vnsheathing more the enemies sword against their brethren and friends. And, if it happened that Brabant, with Holland and Zeeland, were in warre against them, that Flanders would be more miserably oppressed than euer, considering the hinderance of the nauigation by sea, whereof the Spaniards were barred, the breaking of the dikes in the land of Waes, and the inundation which should cut off their victuals on all sides: besides, that Fraunce nor England would neuer suffer the Spaniard to lodge so farre within the countrey, whereby they might doubt to haue warre against him. And touching the two points which the king of Spaine demaunded, which was the Romish Religion on∣ly, [ D] and the absolute obedience which he maintained to bee due vnto him: as for the Religi∣on, if onely the Romish were receiued there, the reformed then must bee quite banished. And to assure this obedience, they must repayre and build the citadels vp againe, and make new, the which must be continually entertained with strong garrisons, and so they should be in worse estate than before.

These and such like reasons were layed before them of Gant on the Estates behalfe, with good hope to bring a goodly armie shortly to field, the which should come into the country of Flanders, as soone as they had woon the forts of Zutphen, whereof they hoped soone to see a good end; the which retayned the Ganthois for a time, and kept them from making of any reconciliation, vntill that their affaires were otherwise disposed, as we will present∣ly [ E] shew.

At that time there was a Dyet of the Electors and other princes of the empire held at Bottenberch in Germanie, to treat of the meanes to keepe the Empire in quiet, rooting out all distrust which was among the princes, by reason of the diuersitie of Religion, where∣by it was easie to comprehend, that Monsieur Segur, embassadour for the king of Nauarre (being sent vnto the said princes, to draw them into league with his master, and them of the Protestant Religion in Fraunce, and withall, to moderate the difference of Religion be∣twixt the Protestants of Germanie and the French) should returne with small fruit of his embassage: for they said, that Augustus duke of Saxonie answered them, That hee would not trouble the prosperitie of his Estate with the affaires of Fraunce; and that the Landt∣graue [ F] of Hessen had sayd, That age and experience had taught him, how dangerous a thing it was to enter into league with any strangers. And therefore they did imagine (or else some would persuade them) that the French (vnder colour of Religion) did seeke to

make some broyles in Germanie, and (in the meane time) to assure their affaires, that the [ A] prince of Orange and the English might the better settle the estate of the vnited Prouin∣ces, * 1.139 against the violence of the Spaniards, who began now to prosper more than they did before.

Among the townes of the vnited Prouinces, it was propounded, Whether they should continue the customes imposed for the maintenance of the warre (vpon all marchandize that came in or went out) or take them quite away. Some said, that seeing the countries and sea townes depend vpon the profite which commeth vnto them by the traffique and free negotiation of all marchandise, that therefore this imposition was necessarie for the maintenance of the warre: That the countrey of it selfe could not spend and consume the great abundance of commodities which it yeeldeth, as butter, cheese, and fish, drie or salt, [ B] wherewith most of the people get their liuings: That if they prohibite the inhabitants of the countrey to send them vnto the enemie, that other neighbours which haue the nauiga∣tion free, would not fayle to furnish them at their owne wils, reaping the gaine and profite which they of the countrey (from whence such commodities come) should haue them∣selues, as of their owne growing; and in so doing, it were to cut off the chiefe meanes they had to make money, to support the charges of the warre. Others were of a contrarie opi∣nion, saying, That it was a great shame and dishonour to feed their enemies; the which if they did forbeare, they should see them perish for want, hauing no meanes to put an ar∣mie to field, nor to besiege any townes, and that thereby should follow the discouragement and mutinie of the enemies souldiers. To them it was answered, That it was impossible [ C] to famish them, being so neere vnto Germanie and Fraunce, from whence they might sup∣ply their wants. Yet in the end, to auoid all murmure and discontent of the common peo∣ple, vpon the two and twentieth of Iune it was forbidden by publicke proclamation, not to transport any thing into the enemies countrey, nor to receiue from thence into the vni∣ted Prouinces, vpon paine of confiscation of all such wares and marchandizes. It was al∣so forbidden, to carrie any thing into Fraunce, lower than Rouan, nor into England, nor into the riuers of Ems and Meuse, neerer than the places which were limitted by the pro∣clamation: And that those that would sayle towards the West, should be bound to lanch into the maine sea: and if they were found and taken along by the coast of Flaunders, all should be good prize, and confiscated. The like was required of the French king, and [ D] of the Queene of England, for otherwise all this defence had beene vnprofitable. And there were certaine shippes of warre sent to that end by the Estates, into the riuers of Ems and Meuse.

Although this defence was in force for a while, yet soone after, the Frenchmen by Cal∣lais, and the Englishmen by Dunkerke, furnished the Spanish armie of what they wan∣ted, which otherwise had beene forced to retyre from Antuerpe: whereupon it follow∣ed, that the marchants of the vnited Prouinces did the like, and that these defences were no more obserued.

In May, the prince of Orange and the Estates sent the earle of Hohenlo againe with greater forces, to besiege the towne and fort of Zutphen, being then well furnished with all [ E] things necessarie, ioyning vnto him the troupes which the Elector Truchses, and the noble Henry of Brunswicke had brought out of Germanie: with all which forces the earle of Ho∣henlo besieged the towne, in the which colonel Taxis was in person with two thousand men. The earle of Hohenlo tooke from him at the first the vse of the riuer, both aboue and beneath: Verdugo seeing that the siege could not be raysed without great force and fighting, durst not attempt nor hazard any thing; and the rather, for that hee knew there was much due vnto his souldiers for their pay, fearing that they would not fight without mony: wherfore he sent vnto the prince of Parma, to haue directions from him, and that if he would haue him to raise the Estates campe, he should send him greater prouision both of men and mony. Whereupon the Parmois writ vnto him, That he should do his best to force the Estates campe, and to raise [ F] them, sending him money for his men, and the regiments of Dom Iohn Mauriques de Lara, of the earle of Aremberg, and of some others, with good store of horse; who being ioined with Verdugo, had the honor to raise this siege, without striking stroke, for that the earle of Hohenlo

would not attend their comming, nor hazard any thing vpon a doubtfull battaile, but ray∣sed [ A] his campe in time, and retyred part to Deuenter, and part to Arnham in Guelderland, and to other townes along the riuers of Yssel and of Rhin, not without many reproches and * 1.140 scoffes of the common people of those townes, saying, that they durst not fight, and that they had fled before they had seene the enemie. The horsemen layed the fault vpon the footmen, who (they said) would not make head against the enemie, vntill they were payed, as it is the Germanes vse, when they must fight, whereof there was a good troupe, belon∣ging to the Elector and to noble Henry. So the next day after their rising and departure, the king of Spaine his men entred into Zutphen without any resistance, where they rested one night, meaning the next day to pursue their victorie: but hearing that the Estates armie had passed the riuer, they dislodged not. [ B]

The tenth of Iune, Francis of Valois, onely brother to the French king, duke of Aniou and Brabant, Earle of Flanders, &c. before he was fully reconciled to the Estates of the vni∣ted prouinces, dyed at Chasteau-Thierry, not without suspition of poyson. At his death he much lamented for that which had beene done the yeare before (through the aduice of some pernicious counsellors) in Antuerpe, and would willingly haue repaired it, if hee had escaped death. I haue heard him grieue nine or tenne daies before his death, beeing vpon his bed (whither he commaunded, I should be called) that hauing beene duke of Brabant, * 1.141 he had neuer beene in Brussels, where the pallace is of the dukes of Brabant. He comman∣ded me to recommend him to the Seignior of Timpel, gouernour of that towne (besides the letters which he writ vnto him) and to tell him, that as soone as he should be able to tra∣uell [ C] on horsebacke, or in carosse, hee would goe to Brussels so well accompanied, as the towne should haue no cause to feare any enemie. By his last Will hee did seriously recom∣mend vnto the king his brother the affaires of the vnited Prouinces, bequeathing vnto him all such right as hee had by election, title of donation, or otherwise, in the dutchie of Bra∣bant, earledome of Flanders, and elsewhere in the said Netherlands. To the queene mother he gaue the Dutchie towne and citadell of Cambray and Cambresis. There were diuers opinions of his death, and of the manner of the poyson which had beene giuen him. Du∣ring his sicknesse, he did nothing but bleed at diuers passages or vents, vntill that hee gaue vp the ghost. All the time that he lay sicke nor in his extremitie, hee would not haue any priest to confesse him, declaring publickely, that he had confessed himselfe sufficiently vnto [ D] God, and that hee had grounded the hope of his saluation vpon the merits of Iesus Christ, the Redeemer and Sauiour of the world, as those haue testified, that were present at his death. He desired to be interred with the ornaments, armes, and blason of the dukes of Bra∣bant; the which the French kings counsell did not thinke conuenient, for feare of offending the king of Spaine.

This death of the duke of Aniou did breake the bankes which did bound and keepe in the ouerflowing ambition of the league in Fraunce, for that they feared him more than the king, but it began now to shew it selfe, as you may reade at large in the French Inuentarie, vnto which I will referre you, for that it doth belong properly vnto that Historie. Hee that brought the first newes of the duke of Aniou his death vnto the Estates in Holland, [ E] was within one moneth after the murtherer of the prince of Orange, as we will present∣ly shew.

The third of Iuly the prince of Parma sent colonel Mondragon with fiue thousand men and tenne pieces of artillerie, to goe and besiege the forts of Lillo and of Lyefkens hoek, both opposite one vnto another, at the mouth of the riuer of Escaut, which goes from Antuerpe into the sea. The Vicont of Gant (then newly called Marquesse of Roubay) besieged Lyefkens-hoek, on Flanders side, the which he caused to be battered with all speed, being not yet fully finished; where, after he had spent three hundred canon shot, he caused an assault to be giuen, but at the first charge, they were sharpely repulsed. At the second assault hee cau∣sed certaine carts laden with hay and straw to be brought neere vnto the breach, and to be [ F] set on fire, which made such a smoake, carried through the fort by the wind, as the be∣sieged being not able to stand at the rampar, to withstand the furie of the assaylants, they were forced; the marquesse causing all that hee found armed, to bee slaine, and amongst the rest, many bourgers of the towne of Antuerpe, who were come for fresh supplyes.

He caused some to be hanged afterwards in cold bloud, the which was deere for the Spani∣ards [ A] that were prisoners. He also slew with his owne hand N. Berendrecht, a captaine in the * 1.142 fort, who in former time had beene steward to the prince of Espinoy his brother. Colonell Petaine, borne in Arras, seeing the place forced, and the massacre of his men, hauing al∣most escaped, was taken, and brought before him, being desirous to see him, whom he also stabbed, and being vpon the ground, he caused his men to make an end of him, exercising his accustomed rage and madnesse vpon all that hee could meet; for hee was of such an hu∣mour, as he cared not for the death of a man or two, hauing begun, tenne yeares before, his first apprentiship of murthering, vpon Cont Philip of Mansfeldt, sonne to Cont Peter Ernest, gouernour of Luxembourg in the towne of Brussels; and the second a yeare or two after vp∣on a gentleman named Ponthus Naye, Seignior of Chapelle, in the open market place of Be∣thune, [ B] being a prisoner, in the hands of iustice. These first beginnings in his youth, could yield no good fruits in his riper age.

Whilest that the Marquesse was busied before this fort of Lyefkens-hoek, the Superinten∣dents of the towne of Antuerpe (whom it imported more to guard the fort of Lillo) sent a full companie of their best trained young men, and some hundred men out of their sworne bands, to fortifie the garrison, who in the beginning were but sixe score men. Soone after, captaine Gau (being come from Terneuse) entred with a companie of Gascoines: Mondra∣gon beeing busie to plant his artillerie, the said captaine Gau made a braue sally vpon the Bourguignons, so as hee put fiue companies to rout, with the losse of aboue a hundred and fiftie men, bringing away two captaines prisoners. The Seignior of Teligny, sonne to the [ C] lord of la Noue, was sent by the Estates of Brabant to commaund there, who entred with good troupes of Frenchmen, whereas a little before there were foure Scottish companies en∣tred, being of the regiment of colonel Balfour. Mondragon seeking to plant foure canons vp∣on the dike on Zeeland side, these Scottishmen sallyed forth, thinking to take it from thence, or else to cloye it: but as the dike was too narrow to make any speed thither in troupe, they could not aduaunce themselues, but the Spaniards made head against them; yet they did them a great affront, slew about three hundred of them, and carried away their master myner prisoner with them, who discouered vnto the Seignior of Teligny all the mynes which Mondragon had caused to be digged, remayning after that time in the Estates ser∣uice, where hee did discharge himselfe both faithfully and truely in his place of Master [ D] myner.

Mondragon, after he had spent fiue hundred canon shot, and made a faire breach, he made his preparatiues to giue an assault vnto the fort. The besieged perceiuing it, they presently made a spacious myne vnder the breach which they should assayle, that hauing drawne their enemies thither, and then they retyring, as if they gaue backe, to blow it vp. The inuenti∣on was not bad, if it had beene well followed. But as the besieged went out by the sayd breach, to goe and encounter with their enemies, comming to the assault, making present∣ly their retreat and being pursued euen into the breach, he that had charge of the said myne, gaue fire too soone, so as there were some thirtie of their owne men blowne vp, and no harme done to the Spaniards that pursued them; whom the canon of the fort notwithstanding did [ E] much annoy, and tooke from them all appetite to approch any neerer. They of Antuerpe sent two great canons more, with the which they did dismount a part of the enemies ar∣tillerie.

Colonel Mondragon finding, that notwithstanding all his endeauours, he could not stop the passage of the riuer, but that they of Lillo receiued what they needed from Antuerpe: the better to stop this passage, he caused certaine ordinance to be planted on the other side of the riuer, right opposite vnto the sort, and neere vnto Lyefkens hoek, which might shoot close by the water, euen vnto Lillo: but for all that, they did not forbeare to goe in and out, and to passe and repasse from Holland and Zeeland to Antuerpe; and seeing that they made no esteeme thereof, he brought other artillerie to the dike that was broken at Calloo, where [ F] the riuer was most narrow, assuring himselfe, that by that meanes hee should take away their nauigation: but he preuailed no more than before.

In the end, the prince of Parma considering the strength of the place, the which had al∣waies a port open by the riuer, and could not bee taken away, hearing also, that the besieged

were reenforced with fifteene or sixteene companies, and sufficiently prouided of all things [ A] necessarie, hee commaunded him to rayse his siege, not without shame and losse, hauing * 1.143 spent three weekes before it, and done what he could: yet hee left some of his men, neere vnto Lillo, in certaine forts which he had caused to bee built at Coesteyn, Oordam, and Blaugarendyck, where he also planted some artillerie, to shoot at the shippes that went and came from Antuerpe by the riuer into Holland, Zeeland, and other places. They doe hold for certaine, that during this siege, what by sallyes, and the canon from the fort, the Spaniard lost not lesse than two thousand men: whereat wee must not meruaile, seeing the besieged in six and thirtie houres spent two thousand weight of powder. Most of the Estates souldiers that were sent to defend this place, after the Spaniards retreat, were drawne foorth, and sent into other garrisons. Those which remained (the greater part of [ B] them being French) did mutine soone after for their pay, chased away the Seignior of Teligni, their commaunder, captaine Plucket and other captaines, demaunding their pay within a short space, the which did much perplexe the Estates of Brabant: wherefore they were forced to prouide speedily, by reason of the great importance of the place (fearing least the Spaniard should make his profit and aduantage of such a mutinie) so as they were pacified with the receit of foure moneths pay in money, and fiue in cloth and ap∣parell.

Although the prince of Parma had left the siege of Lillo, yet had hee planted artillerie in diuers places along the riuer vpon the banke; whereby they of Antuerpe knowing him to be master of the field, iudged, that he would seeke to cut off the passage of their nauiga∣tion; [ C] and would build forts all along the riuer; the which beeing furnished with artillerie, would commaund it, and so would retrench the sayd towne, which is the store-house of all the countrey of Brabant, from Holland and Zeeland. Whereupon they of Antuerpe and the Estates of Brabant being then assembled there (among the which there were some barons, and the Seignior of S. Aldegonde for the towne of Brussels) hauing taken coun∣sell what was to be done, for the preseruation of the sayd towne, they sent the Seignior of Grise, lately great baylife of Bruges (holding still the partie of the generall Estates) into England, to leuie fifteene hundred men vnder colonel Morgan; for the leuying where∣of, the Wallon and Dutch churches within that Realme disbursed twentie thousand flo∣rins, and they were sent ouer. They sent likewise into Fraunce, thinking that colonel Al∣lein [ D] should bring some, but nothing came: for that the money which the said Allein had receiued to make the leuie, was kept by him for the arrerages of his pay, in regard of the seruice which he had done vnto the Estates.

There was an aduice giuen by the colonels that were bourgers of Antuerpe, who then had taken vpon them (although vnworthily) the knowledge of all matters concerning the * 1.144 warre, in the said towne, and in all that quarter of Antuerpe, to abandon Herental, and to retyre the garrison and the munition, to imploy them elsewhere. But this was done with such disorder, as all the powder was lost. After they had prouided and taken order for the defence of Antuerpe, the Estates of Brabant found it needfull to entertaine foure∣score companies of footmen, and sixteene companies of horsemen, as well for the sayd [ E] towne, as for Brussels, Macklyn, and other places, whereof Antuerpe should beare the greatest part of the burthen: so as they were forced to charge them with great impositions, which came to aboue three hundred thousand florins, besides other impositions which they payed afterwards.

Many of the chiefe bourgers and marchants of Antuerpe, seeing the fort of Lyefkens∣hoek thus poorely lost, and their fellow citizens that were in it, so miserably slaine; that they had neither prince nor head; that the Spaniard began to build forts vpon the riuer, and to furnish them with good artillerie, they began to feare; so as some hundred of them rety∣red out of the towne, who were afterwards commaunded by a publicke proclamation to returne within a certaine time, to helpe to defend the towne, and the place where [ F] they had gotten so much wealth, vpon paine of confiscation of such goods as they had remayning within the towne: yet fewe returned; yea, there dayly retyred more and more.

The tenth of Iuly the prince of Orange hauing made his residence aboue a whole yeare [ A] at Delft in Holland, was traiterously murthered in his lodging, at the issue of his dinner, by * 1.145 one Baltazar Gerard, a high Bourguignon, borne at Ville Franche, whereof wee will relate * 1.146 the historie, or rather Tragedie, truely as it happened, and as succinctly as wee can. The Spaniards thinking, that they had no other enemie in this world, and that he being dead, they should attaine vnto their wished desires in the Netherlands, they neuer ceased, vn∣till that (in the end) they caused him to bee murthered, after the manner which fol∣loweth.

In May there arriued at the princes court (being then at Delft) a certaine young man, a∣bout seuen and twentie yeres old, of a meane stature, and carrying but a simple countenance: who as in passing deliuered a letter to the said prince, who demaunded of him from whence [ B] it came: whereunto he answered, That it was his owne letter, whereby he would giue him to vnderstand matters of great moment for the seruice of the countrey: the sayd letter was subscribed Francis Guyon. The next day he addressed himselfe to one of the princes secre∣taries, who sent him to Peter•…•…l Oyseleur, called Villiers, a minister and counsellor to the said prince, whom he requested to procure him an answere of his letter, saying, That hee had matters of importance to impart vnto him, concerning the countrey and the Religion. Cer∣taine daies after, the prince of Orange vnderstanding the tenor of this letter, commanded Oyseleur to heare what he would say•…•…: and so this gallant gaue him to vnderstand, that his name was Francis Guyon, borne at Besanson, and that he had beene alwaies a most affectio∣nate seruant vnto the said prince, being Vicont of Besanson (as he was) and the greatest no∣bleman [ C] in all high Bourgogne: That he had alwaies desired to doe him seruice, and especi∣ally since the death of his father, who was borne at Lion, but married at Besanson; who after the enterprise of the Seignior of Beauieu made vpon the sayd towne of Besanson, was (vpon false suggestions) put in prison, and executed, for that he made profession of the Religion. Since which time, for the dishonour of his fathers death, and for his conscience sake, hee was mooued to come and liue in a place where there was exercise of Religion: which made him still desirous to retyre himselfe, to serue the said prince: for which occasi∣on he was come out of his countrey aboue two yeares since, with a good horse and armes, to put himselfe vnder some companie there. But as he passed through the Dutchie of Lux∣embourg, he was desirous to see a cousin of his, called Pre, Secretarie to Cont Peter Ernest [ D] of Mansfeldt. This cousin persuaded him to remaine some time with him; the which hee did: yet was he still desirous to be gone, for that he continued there against his conscience, and although he were often intended to depart, yet there was something still which retay∣ned him. Notwithstanding at Easter last, God (as it were) forced him to retyre, for that there was a priest of Brussels in the earles house, very seuere against them that were suspe∣cted to bee of the Religion, going often into their chambers to see what they did: so as both he and his cousin had a great desire to play him some bad part: for he threatened to ac∣cuse them, if they went not to confession and to the Sacrament: which made him retyre from thence to Treues, there to passe the feast of Easter: but being returned, this priest de∣maunded of him, where he had receiued the Sacrament? hee answered him, in the Iesuites [ E] church at Treues, whereas one of the chiefe Iesuits had ministred the Sacrament vnto him. But as this Iesuite came vnforrunately to Luxembourg, the priest asked him, if Francis Guy∣on had receiued the Sacrament at his hands; the other answered, no: whereupon the sayd priest knowing, that Guyon was in the castle of Fontaine, neere vnto Luxembourg, with the earle, he came thither, and would haue taken him, but he defended himselfe, and hurt the priest with his dagger, so as he escaped, and went to Treues, from whence hee sent to his cousin for his horse and some little money: but as he stayed too long, fearing to be discouered to haue vndertaken this voyage vnto the prince of Orange, to doe him ser∣uice, as hee had both desire and meanes: and in saying so, this impudent affronter drew out of his sleeue a packet full of blankes, sealed by the earle of Mansfeldt, saying, That [ F] hee had the sayd seale often at his commaundement and disposing, beeing chiefe clerke vnto du Pre; and that therewith he had giuen many pasports to victuallers and others that had need thereof.

All this discourse being deliuered vnto the prince by Oyseleur, hee commaunded him to [ A] inquire of him to what vse they might serue. Hee answered, That therewith they might * 1.147 make an enterprise vpon any towne in Luxembourg, or if that were too farre, it might serue for spyes to goe through the countrey. This being deliuered vnto the prince of Orange, he replyed, That there was no meanes to attempt any thing with those blankes: but they might serue to cause messengers to passe from Brussels to Cambray, commanding, that they should send part of them to Brussels: as for the rest, the prince hauing conferred with the Seignior of Espruneaux, embassadour for the duke of Aniou, an occasion being offered, it was resolued, that Caron, Seignior of Schoonwal, returning then into Fraunce, should car∣ry him with him, to know if the Seignior of Biron (who it was sayd should bee gouernour of Cambray) could make any vse of those seales, to make pasports for his men. Whereup∣on [ B] Caron hauing his dispatch from the prince, was charged to take him with him, as hee did. This villaine being in those parts, he writ into these parts, That he did hope to see the Seignior of Beauieu shortly (he called the murther which was proiected by him, Beauieu) who did well temember his father, that dyed in his seruice, by whose meanes he did hope to be aduanced, and to attaine vnto some better estate. See the constant cosenage of this wretch.

Soone after, Caron sent him backe with letters vnto the prince and the Estates, aduerti∣sing them of the duke of Aniou his death. The prince hauing red these letters, sent for Guyon into his chamber, being yet in bed, to vnderstand the particularities of the duke his death (this wretch did since confesse, being in prison, That if at that time he had had a dag∣ger, [ C] or a knife, yea, a pen knife, that he had slaine the prince in his bed) who, after that he had talked a while with him, he dismissed him. After that, hee came vsually to prayers and sermons: He red commonly du Bartas workes, and especially the Historie of Iudith, where there are certaine persuasions to encourage men to root out tyrans. Sometimes hee bor∣rowed a Bible of the Porter, to read some chapters before him, whereby (vnder colour of Religion) he grew familiar with some of the princes houshold. In the end, his dispatch being made to returne into Fraunce to Monsieur Caron, he was commaunded to depart, ha∣uing no more to doe there. Whereupon he entreated them to giue him some money, shew∣ing his hose and shoes, which were not worth any thing. The prince commaunded, that in deliuering him his dispatch, they should giue him tenne or twelue crownes, the which was [ D] done, and he receiued his money the eight of Iuly. The next day hee bought a pistoll of a souldier of the princes guard, called Rene; but finding that it shot not true, he bought 2 more of one called Iohn de la Forest, sergeant to captaine Claude Caulier, the which he tryed three or foure times, and found them good.

The tenth of the same moneth he watched when the prince should goe downe into the hall to dinner, from whom he demaunded a pasport, speaking (as the princesse did obserue him) with a hollow and vnsetled voice: so as she demaunded of the prince (her husband) what he was, for that she did not like his countenance. The prince answered her, that hee demaunded a pasport, the which he would cause to be giuen him. During dinner time, he was seene walking about the stables, behind the house, towards the rampar of the towne. [ E] Dinner being ended, the prince going out of the hall, the murtherer stood behind a pillar in the gallerie, with his cloake hanging vpon one shoulder, and vnder his left arme these two pistols hidden, holding in his right hand a paper, as if it had beene his pasport, to haue the prince signe it: as the prince passed, hauing one foot vpon the first step of the stayres, this traytor aduancing, drew foorth one of his pistols so suddenly, as no man did perceiue him before the blow was giuen, shooting him from the left side to the right, through the * 1.148 stomacke and the vitall parts. The prince feeling himselfe hurt, sayd nothing else but, O my God, take pitie of my soule, I am sore wounded: my God take pitie of my soule, and of this poore * 1.149 people. Hauing spoken these words, he began to stagger, but his gentleman Vsher stayed him, and set him vpon the stayres, but hee spake no more. Then the Countesse of Swart∣zenbourg [ F] (his sister) asked him in high Dutch, if he did not recommend his soule to Ie∣sus Christ our Sauiour, to whom he answered in the same language, yea, and neuer spake more: but drawing towards his end, he was carried into the hall where he had dyned, and

there gaue vp the ghost. Such was the end of the most wise, constant, and vertuous prince [ A] of Orange. * 1.150

The murtherer assuring himselfe that he had done the deed, sought to escape by the sta∣bles, whereof he had before obserued the paslages; and as hee was to goe downe foure or fiue steppes of the gallerie, he leaped them all at once, wherewith the other pistoll fell from vnder his arme (with the which, being charged, hee thought to defend himselfe) hauing * 1.151 no leysure to take it vp, for that he fled away as fast as he could, passing through the stable into the street which goeth vnto the rampar. But as hee ran ouer a dunghill, beeing the neerest way, the straw being long, he fell, yet he rose againe, thinking to get vnto the wall, and so to cast himselfe into the towne-ditch, where he was taken by a lacquey and an hal∣berdier, with the helpe of some others, which came running, who brought him vnto the [ B] Court. At the first he was much amazed and perplexed: but seeing they did not kill him suddenly, and that they would keepe him, he began to grow resolute. And as one of the prince his seruants sayd vnto him, Thou art a wicked traytor, he answered, I am no traytor, I haue done that which the king commaunded: what King? demaunded one: The king of Spaine (my master) said he. And when as captaine Bastien, a Frenchman, sayd vnto him: Art not thou a wicked traytor, who haddest thought to haue killed the prince, if God had not preuented it? What (sayd he) haue I fayled! cursed be the fault. From thence hee was carried to his lodging that kept the court, whither the magistrat of the towne of Delft came to examine him. There he demanded paper, pen and inke, promising, that seeing he was a priso∣ner, and as good (sayd he) as dead, he would lay open the whole truth; the which he did not: [ C] adding many lyes to some points that were true.

He confessed, that he was called Baltazar Gerard, of Ville-Franche in Bourgoigne, and * 1.152 that for six yeares, yea, after the breach of the pacification of Gant, he had had a great de∣sire to kill the prince. He made shew of the same desire, for that (hee sayd) remayning at Dole six yeares before with a Proctor, called Iohn Villan, he tooke a dagger, and strucke it with all his force into a dore, saying, I would this blow were through the prince of O∣ranges heart: for the which he was blamed by one Iohn Guillaume, that kept the bridge at Vret in Bourgoigne, who sayd vnto him, That it was not for him to kill princes. And hauing heard within three yeares, that the king of Spaine had giuen sentence of death a∣gainst the prince of Orange, and libertie to kill him wheresoeuer they could, he had come [ D] in Februarie, in the yeare 1582, expressely out of Bourgoigne into those parts, to put this sentence in execution, and that being come to Luxembourg, in March, he had heard say, that a certaine Biscaine had murthered him: for which cause he went no farther, but put himselfe in seruice with Iohn du Pre, Secretarie to the earle of Mansfeldt, gouernour of Luxembourg. But hearing afterwards that he was not dead, but recouered, hee then resolued (whatsoeuer should happen) to execute this designe, hoping to find some good opportunitie, the earle of Mansfeldt being in field, about the place where the prince should be; to whom hee would present some flying seales, and blankes of the sayd earle: assuring himselfe, that in time hee should find accesse into the said prince his court, and so effect this his enterprise vpon the first occasion, and with the least danger that might be. Ac∣cording [ E] to his auncient and inueterate resolution (these are his very words) in Nouember the yeare before, he desired du Pre, being at Dyest, to suffer him to depart, for that he saw no better meanes to approch neere vnto the prince, than at that time, the earle of Mansfeldt be∣ing to returne into Luxembourg: yet du Pre (his master and cousin) entreated him instantly to follow him and serue him, persuading him, that the earle would returne soone vnto the campe, yea, before a moneth were expired: but seeing that du Pre protracted the time to dismisse him, being thrust on vnto the execution of this designe, hee resolued to quarrell with him, and so to get away: But being returned to Luxembourg, hee thought to re∣tyre to finish his worke. His master finding, that some one had stolne from him foure hundred and fiftie crownes out of his cofer, he then stayed in his seruice, to free himselfe [ F] from suspition: but the money being found againe, he sought all meanes possible to draw neere vnto the prince, and to follow some Wallon companies, sent out of Luxembourg into Brabant: whereof hee was likewise preuented by du Pre his sickenesse; the which

continued eight dayes before, and fifteene dayes after Christmas, before hee was fully re∣couered. * 1.153 [ A]

At the last, in March last past, he tooke his leaue of his master: but before hee came into these parts, he went to Treues, where he confessed himselfe vnto a Iesuite, who kept him in their Colledge, discouering his designe vnto him, shewing him the flying seales, which hee intreated him to keepe secret vntill Easter, and then to acquaint the earle of Mans∣feldt therewith: following also the counsel and direction of this Iesuite, he also imparted this fact vnto the prince of Parma, by letters which he did write in Tournay, and presen∣ted vnto the sayd prince: but yet he durst not stay for an answere, fearing least hee should take the stealing away of those seales in ill part. And from thence hee came vnto Delft, where he presented the sayd seales, hoping it should procure him some meanes to execute [ B] that which he had pretended, vntill they thought it conuenient to send him into Fraunce with Monsieur Caron, to deliuer some of these seales vnto the marshall of Biron, and other noblemen, holding the duke of Aniou his partie. But the sayd duke dying soone after, he desired to be sent backe into these parts, the which the Seignior of Caron did, with let∣ters vnto the prince of Orange and the Estates, by the which he did aduertise them of the death of the sayd duke. After which time he sought all opportunities to doe the deed; and finding none more fit, than to shoot him, eyther comming from the Sermon, or going out of his chamber to dinner, or rising from the table, the day before hee bought two pistols, the which he charged, one with three bullets, and the other with two, shooting that which had three through the prince of Orange his bodie, hauing no meanes to vse the other, for [ C] the let which was giuen him by the halberdiers, for the which he was very sorrowfull; prote∣sting, that if he were at that time a thousand leagues from thence, he would returne to per∣forme the murther.

All this and more (which were superfluous) was confessed and written by the hand of the said Baltazar Gerard, in the keepers chamber; and there were found about him two bladders somewhat blowne, with a little pipe to blow them vp, hoping (although he could not swim) with the helpe thereof to get through the towne-ditches. He vsed also many speeches to this end, That if the prince had beene in the middest of fiftie thousand soul∣diers, if hee might haue approched neere him, hee would haue done it, yea, and would doe it againe, beeing very sorrie (for that they made him so beleeue) that hee was not [ D] dead: Hauing asked if hee were not hurt, they told him yea: whereupon hee replyed, That he was very glad thereof, for he could not escape, but must needs dye. Afterwards (being in prison) hee confessed more, wherein hee persisted vntill his execution, as fol∣loweth.

First (besides his former confession) he voluntarily declared, and without torture, That * 1.154 he had not seene the sentence of the princes proscription, and libertie to kill him, where they could, but fiue moneths before; yet hee had heard it spoken of, and that some such thing had beene proclaymed in the Netherlands. Hee sayd moreouer, That in May last he had not beene eight dayes in these parts, but he sought to execute his designe, if he had had the meanes, or any hope to escape: That after the death of the duke of Aniou, he pre∣sented [ E] his seruice vnto the Seignior of Caron, that in carrying his letters, hee might doe that which he had proiected: That hee had neuer imparted this deed vnto the Seignior of Caron, whom he knew to bee too sincere, nor made any creature liuing in those parts acquainted therewith: That he had resolued to doe it the day before at dinner time; but seeing no likelyhood to saue himselfe, he durst not attempt it: That this day (not able to delay it any longer) he was fully resolued and determined to doe it, notwithstanding a∣ny danger whatsoeuer, yea, had the prince beene in the middest of fiftie thousand men: That he was very sorry that the prince was not dead, but not that hee had done his best endeauour, and if he were a thousand leagues off from thence, he would passe moun∣taines, riuers, and all other difficulties whatsoeuer, to come and effect his purpose. As [ F] for the Iesuite of Treues, he persisted in his first confession: And moreouer, talking vnto the standers by, he sayd: That being in Fraunce, he enioyed no rest day nor night, hee was so tormented with an extreame desire to performe and execute this fact: yea, he had

quarrelled with the other seruants, to the end hee should take an occasion to send him [ A] away: and if he could not haue effected his designe at this voyage, that at his returne into * 1.155 Fraunce he would haue beene of the reformed Religion in some Church, and would haue carried himselfe in such sort, as he would haue gotten accesse into the Consistorie, and pro∣cured letters of recommendation, to haue returned into these parts, and so to find the better opportunitie to finish this proiected murther.

Before he was put vnto the torture, he confessed, That he had acquainted M. Gery, doctor of Diuinitie, guardian of the Franciscan Friers at Tournay, with this enterprise, in March last past; in which confession he persisted, being from the racke; and being brought vnto it againe, he sayd, That for that he was a poore companion, and to get some helpe or meanes, he had made the prince of Parma acquainted therewith, who commaunded the counsellor d' Assonuille to treat more amply and at large with him. This counsellor [ B] laying before him the dangers that might be in the execution of so great a fact, sayd vnto him, That hee should doe a great seruice vnto the king of Spaine; but in case hee should happen to be discouered, hee should not in any sort name the prince of Parma: And tel∣ling him of the hard accesse that he should find into the prince of Orange his court, he answered, That he would call himselfe by the name of Francis Guyon of Besanson, sonne to Peter Guyon, sometimes executed for Religion, and lost all his goods; and that he (be∣ing but a poore companion) would faine himselfe to be very zealous to the reformed Re∣ligion: and that he would goe into Holland to the princes court, where (to haue the better reception) he would present those flying seales: wherewith d Assonuille was well pleased, [ C] persuading him to perseuere in this resolution, and to effect it, entreating him (as before) not to make any mention of the prince of Parma, for that it would auayle him little or nothing, and would be a matter of great consequence, and turne to the dishonour of the said prince.

The next day hee confessed moreouer without any torture, that the day before hee came vnto the court, to see if the prince were come out of his chamber to dinner, and fin∣ding him set at the table, he went home to his lodging, and charged his two pistols, and hung them at his girdle on the left side, suffering his cloake to hang downe vpon his shoul∣der, that they might suspect the lesse. He sayd moreouer, that d' Assonuille (after that they had conferred together of this businesse) promised to make report thereof vnto the [ D] prince of Parma; the which he hauing done, he told him, that the prince liked well there∣of, and that (if he could effect it) he would be a meanes he should haue the reward, which was promised by the proscription: That d' Assonuille did propound vnto him againe some difficulties; but finding his courage and resolution, he sayd vnto him: Goe my sonne, if you performe this deed, the king of Spaine will accomplish and performe all that he hath promised, and you shall purchase an immortall name. Whereupon hee answered, That hee would counterfeit himselfe so well of the Religion, as hee might get into some Se∣cretaries seruice, and by that meanes watch an opportunitie to present some letters vnto the prince of Orange, for him to signe, in doing whereof hee would stabbe him into the bodie with a dagger. Being taken from the racke, hee sayd againe, That hee did nothing [ E] repent him of that which hee had attempted against the prince of Orange, and that hee would doe it, if it were now to be done againe, although it should cost him a thousand liues.

The foure and twentieth of the said moneth he confessed moreouer, That d' Assonuille had promised him, That the prince of Parma would bee a meanes, that hee should bee satisfied of that which the king had promised by the proscription, and that hee had vn∣dertaken this fact, to make himselfe rich: That d' Assonuille had shewed the sayd flying seales vnto the prince of Parma, who deliuered them backe againe vnto him, saying, That he was very well content, that he should make vse of them, and that the earle of Mansfeldt should alter his seale, and change it into another manner or fashion: That [ F] d' Assonuille had charged and commaunded him, that (comming into Antuerpe) if hee should bee brought before the Seignior of S. Aldegonde, that hee should boldly shewe those seales vnto him: and that when he should enter into the towne, he should hide them

in some place before he came in, and then fetcht them againe: That the said master Gery ha∣uing [ A] heard his resolution, said vnto him, that seeing hee had vndertaken such a thing, that hee * 1.156 should finish it, and gaue him his blessing, promising to pray vnto God for him: the which the Iesuite of Treues did in like manner promise, assuring him, that in case hee died in the ex∣ecution of this designe, that he should be put in the number of the holy glorious martyrs: the name of which Iesuite he did not knowe, but as he was called the regent of the colledge, ha∣uing a redde haire, who imparted this fact to three other of his brethren.

According to which confessions, wherein he persisted vnto his death, he was condemned, the tenour of whose sentence followeth.

Whereas Baltazar Gerard, borne at Fans in the franck countrie of Bourgogne, belong∣ing * 1.157 to the king of Spaine, beeing at this time prisoner, hath confessed, that to murther the fa∣mous [ B] and mightie prince of Orange, earle of Nassau, &c, deceased, hee came out of the said countrie of Bourgogne into Luxembourg, where putting himselfe into seruice with the se∣cretarie of the earle of Mansfeldt, gouernour of the said countrie of Luxembourg, and there had printed vpon paper a great number of the said earles seales, and learned to counterfeit his hand, thereby to get accesse vnto the prince of Oranges court; which resolution of his, hee had in March last imparted vnto the prince of Parma in writing, beeing at Tournay, who appointed him to treat of that businesse with the councellor d' Assonuille, who had promised vnto the said prisoner, that if he could effect his designe, and execute the king of Spaines pro∣scription against the said prince, that the king should paie him that which was promised by the said sentence, and among other points should giue him for recompence, fiue and twentie [ C] thousand ducats.

That the prisoner hauing consulted with d' Assonuille touching this execution, had agreed and concluded betwixt them, that the said prisoner should goe into the princes court, and call himselfe Francis Guyon, sonne to Peter Guyon of Besanson, in former time executed for religion, and forfeited his goods.

That vnder colour to haue beene zealous to the religion, for the which he had lost his fa∣ther and goods, & vnder this borrowed name, and with these seals and blanks, he should seeke and endeauour to haue accesse vnto the said prince. According vnto which resolution, the said prisoner belying his name, and calling himselfe Francis Guyon, had come vnto the said princes court, and the ninth day of the moneth had bought two pistols, and on the tenth [ D] daie espying the said prince at dinner in his hall, had gone backe vnto his lodging or Inne, where hee charged the said two pistols, one hee charged with three bullets, and the other with two, and then he returned backe vnto the court, with his pistols hanging at his girdle on the left side hidden vnder his cloake; that on the right side he had let his cloake hang off his shoulder, that hee might not seeme to haue any thing hidden vnder it. And that dinner beeing done, as the prince went out of the hall to goe vp the staires to his chamber, the said prisoner had discharged one of his pistols charged with three bullets through the bo∣die of the said prince, with which shotte (to the great griefe and sorrow of all good countri∣men) he had beene slaine: which fact, as a most execrable crime and abhominable treason, committed vpon the person of so famous and renowned a prince (as the prince of Orange [ E] was) ought in no sort to remaine vnpunished, but rather with all rigour to be made an exam∣ple to future ages.

Wherefore the commissioners of the generall and prouinciall councell, together with the bourgmaster and shirifs of this towne, vpon the examination and confession of the said pri∣soner, all beeing duely weighed and considered, haue condemned and doe condemne the said Baltazar Gerard prisoner at this present, to bee laid vpon a scaffold in the market place of this towne, before the towne-house, there first to haue his right hand (with the which hee did commit that execrable mutther) torne and pincht with two hotte burning yrons, then to bee pincht in sixe seuerall places of his bodie with burning pincers, as vpon his armes, thighes, and other places where there is most flesh, the which being thus burnt, his mem∣bers [ F] shall bee pulled off, and in the end quartered aliue, beginning belowe, and so goe vp his bellie, then to haue his heart pulled out and cast at his face, and his head cut off and set vpon a pole behinde the princes lodging vpon the watch tower, and his foure quarters to be hanged

vpon foure gibbets, vpon the bulwarkes of the Hegeport, Oostport, Ketelport, and Water∣slootscheport [ A] in this towne, declaring his goods to be for feited, to whom it shall appertaine: * 1.158 Pronounced vnto the prisoner of Delft vpon the foureteenth of Iuly 1584, signed, Van∣der Meer.

The same day the houre of his death was signified vnto him, that hee might prepare himselfe for the next day. At the first he was much amazed, cursing the houre that he had euer learned that wicked practise at Dole, wishing, that hee had rather beene a poore mechanicke trades-man, than to haue fallen into that disaster; much lamenting his death: yet in the end he sayd, That seeing hee had done and committed the folly, hee must now suffer for his folly. And the next day after he was executed according to the sentence. [ B]

Being there a spectator among many others that went to see this execution, I will shew * 1.159 you what I obserued therein. This murtherer, although hee had his feet scortched and swolne with the torture, yet he went firmely betwixt two hangmen. He was of a small sta∣ture, hauing the hayre of his head, beard, and of all his bodie shauen, doubting least hee had some inchantment about him, which might be the cause that during his torments hee cried little or not at all. Beeing tied vpon the scaffold, hee might visibly see the princers and fire which should serue to that vse, hee might behold the table whereon hee should be quartered, with the kniues and the axe, and yet all this did not mooue him. And as the two hangmen were busied to breake the pistoll (wherewith he had shot the prince) vpon an anuile, one of them striking with his hammer, it flewe off the handle close by the others [ C] eare: whereat the people laughing, this wretch could not containe himselfe, but that hee smiled. Hauing his hand betwixt two burning irons, so as it seemed a furnace, he lifted it vp, as if hee would say and shewe, behold, this is the hand that hath done the deed. And after that hee had beene tormented with burning irons, the hangmen carried him betwixt them to lay him vpon the table: some sillie woman said vnto the assistants, Why do they thus tor∣ment this poore creature? when all is done, hee hath killed but one man, and yet he must en∣dure a thousand deaths: The bourgers hearing the woman to vtter these speeches, thrust her backe with reprochfull words. Those that were something farther off, hearing a noyse, and not knowing what it was, began to murmure, some crying to armes, and beating their drummes. The murtherer being now layed vpon the table, the executioners grew to be [ D] somewhat amazed, and were •…•…cadie to abandon him, and he as readie to rise from thence, and flye away: whereupon the magistrates cryed out vnto the hangmen, that there was no danger at all, and that they should performe and doe their duties. It is to be presumed, that if there had beene any trouble there, or that hee had beene left alone vpon the scaf∣fold, being in that miserable case as he was, he would haue sought to saue himselfe. To conclude, in all his torments which he had, he neuer cryed out, nor seemed to feele any paine, for the which he was resolute, and had so vaunted of himselfe, when he was vpon the racke.

All men that haue any iudgement, or sparke of pitie or remorse in them, may see, if Paradice bee woon by such trecherous and detestable murthers (as they seeke to per∣suade [ E] the simpler sort of people) seeing that both Law, Iustice, and Policie are repug∣nant vnto them, Nature doth abhorre them, yea, euen the prince of Parma his souldiers haue blamed and detested it, as also most of the commons of the enemies partie did not allow of it, neyther would the magistrates o•…•… gouernours in any place suffer (as the Ie∣suites themselues desired) that any bonfires should bee made in the streetes, in signe of ioy thereof.

The foure and twentieth daie of August, the funerall pompe at the interment of the * 1.160 prince of Oranges bodie was performed withgreat pompe, according to the estate and qua∣litie which his greatnes required, and his merits, with the Estates of Holland and the vnited prouinces. Cont Maurice of Nassau his second sonne (the earle of Buren his eldest beeing [ F] prisoner in Spaine, and the yongest beeing but seauen or eight moneths old) was the chiefe mourner, hauing on the right side of him Truchses prince elector of Cologne, and on the left hand the earle of Hohenlo, then followed William and Philip earles of Nassau his cousin ger∣mans:

and after them came the carle of Solins as the last mourner; the rest of the pompe fol∣lowing [ A] in good order vnto the new temple vpon the market place at Delft, where his bodie * 1.161 was intombed.

He died at the age of fiftie and one years, eleuen moneths, and twentie fiue daies, of a meane * 1.162 stature and corpulent, the colour of his haire inclining somewhat to browne, somewhat leane visaged, but otherwise well set of his members. His bodie beeing opened to be embalmed, his inward parts which were not touched with the blowe, were found so sound and perfect, as by the course of nature hee might haue liued a great age. He was of an actiue spirit, and great memorie. As for his vertues, wisdome, constancie, and magnanimitie, his life, his acti∣ons, his toiles, and his patience, wee will rather leaue to all impartiall men to admire it, than attempt to describe it, beeing impossible. [ B]

He had to his first wife, the daughter and onely heire of Maximilian of Egmont, earle of * 1.163 Buren, and of Iselstein, by whom hee had Philip (at this daie) prince of Orange, and Marie countesse of Hohenlo. By his second wife daughter to Maurice duke of Saxony, he had prince Maurice marques of Camphere and Flessingue, who succeeded him in his gouernments, Anne, who is now deceased, who was wife to Cont William, Lewis of Nassau, and Emilia princesse of Portugal. Of his third wife, who was daughter to the duke of Montpenser, hee had sixe daughters, Louyse the eldest, married to the elector palatin of Rhin, the duchesse of Bouillon and vicontesse of Tureine, the princesse of Tremouille, Touars, &c. the countesse of Hennau, &c. and two remaining yet to marrie. Of his fourth wife, daughter to the Admiral of France, and widowe before to the Seignior of Teligni, he had his third sonne, Cont Henrie [ C] Fredericke, at this time he is about twentie and foure yeares olde, of whom the vnited pro∣uinees hope great matters, and expect good fortunes, Delft in Holland beeing the place of his birth.

By this suddaine and vnexpected death of the prince, the vnited prouinces were vnfurni∣shed of a gouernour, the which troubled many of the Estates, some fearing that through the disorder or small concord that would be among the Estates, they should not bee able to re∣sist the mightie attempts of the king of Spaine, and that all would fall into a confusion. Yet * 1.164 the funerals beeing ended, the Estates beeing loath to seeme to faint, made choise of Graue Maurice his second sonne, beeing then but eighteene yeares olde, for their head, beeing as∣sisted in his affaires by a councell which was giuen him, the generall Estates remaining still [ D] in the soueraigne gouernment.

This yong prince did thanke them for the honour which they did him, promising his best endeauour for the defence and preseruation of the countrie, maintenance of their priuiled∣ges, and the reuenge of the prince his fathers death, and not to attempt any thing, with∣out the aduice, resolution, determination, and good liking of the said Estates of the vni∣ted prouinces: whereupon the earle of Hohenlo was made Lieutenant to the Captaine generall.

They of Gant hauing kept Iohn d'Imbise their bourgmaster a long time prisoner, finished * 1.165 his processe, and found him guiltie of treason in many points, by a sentence giuen by the Shirifs: they caused his head to be cut off in the open market place, and to be set vp for cer∣taine [ E] houres vpon a pole, hauing confest before his death that hee had deserued it. It was strange to see the ambition and inconstancie of this man in his elder age, beeing almost sea∣uentie yeares old. I say ambition and presumption, in that he durst first of all oppose himselfe against the prince of Orange: inconstancie, who (beeing a turbulent and factious man) had often beene the cause of troubles and mutinies in the towne of Gant, beeing readie to cut one anothers throat: beeing retired into Germanie, for feare of the prince of Orange: then beeing called home by the Ganthois, that hee should seeke to turne to the Spanish partie, whom hee had in former time so highly offended, especially in the spoiling of so many churches, wherewith he had greatly inricht himselfe, such was his blindnesse (as they truely said) that his ambition and presumption had brought him to the very place where [ F] hee died.

The prince of Parma after the death of the prince of Orange, by the which hee did hope for some alteration in the vnited prouinces, would loose no occasion to make himselfe

master of Antuerpe, Gant, Brussels, Macklyn, and Dendermond; for the effecting whereof, hee [ A] thought it fit to cut off the nauigation of the riuer of Escaut, which runnes before Antuerpe, * 1.166 both aboue and beneath the town (the which he did almost effect and bring to passe) causing many forts to be built close to the riuer, to batter the ships that would passe and repasse from Holland and Zeeland vnto Antuerpe. And although at the first it seemed a ridiculous thing to stoppe vp so large and deepe a riuer, where the tydes ebbing and flowing are so strong; yet since experience hath taught, that the prince of Parma his diligence and industrie hath made it feasible.

This opinion of men, that hee should not preuaile any thing, was the cause of their slacke∣nesse and negligence to hinder him in the beginning, when as they had good meanes to doe it: he therefore caused a mightie fort to bee built at Calloo in Flanders, vpon the riuers side, [ B] and another right against it at Oordam on Brabant side, which they of Antuerpe and the E∣states did see made at leasure euen before their noses: hee also caused a channell to be digged with great charge (wherein hee continually imployed sixe hundred pyoners, which came from Steeken vnto Calloo, beeing foure leagues distant one from another, to bring what vi∣ctuals and munition should bee needfull vnto all those forts which he had built vpon the ri∣uers side. As for his person, and his chiefe campe, he lodged at Beueren, two leagues from Antuerpe: he had also a pettie campe on Brabant side, in the village of Strabrouke, vnder the commaund of Cont Mansfeldt: where as Colonel Mondragon caused a fort to be built, not faire from the castle of Coesteyn, and foure others betwixt the said campe of Strabrouke and the riuer. [ C]

On the other side, they of Zeeland cut the bankes on Flanders side, neere vnto Saftige, the which did drowne all the countrie from Hulst vnto Beueren and Burcht, except the Doel and some high grounds neere vnto Calloo, the which was afterwards of great aduantage for the Parmois: for by meanes of the said inundation, the dike beeing also broken at Burcht, hee caused his shippes to enter, comming to Dendermond, which came to Calloo by the drow∣ned land, without any danger of passing before Antuerpe, for otherwise they had had no pas∣sage to come.

And to tier them of Gant and Dendermond on the other side, he caused a palisado to bee made in the said riuer at Bassecode, a league from Dendermond. Then he went and planted * 1.167 his campe at Lobec ioyning to the said towne, and sent a herauld to summon it to yeeld. The [ D] baron of Montagne, Colonel who commanded in the absence of the Seignior of Ryhouen their gouernour (beeing then absent in Holland) beeing resolute at the first with the rest of the captaines, answered, that hee would keepe the towne for the generall Estates of the coun∣trie. The prince of Parma finding that they would not easily yeeld, caused the sluces to be taken vp, and the water to be drawne out of the ditch, and then battered a certaine bul∣warke without the towne; where hauing made a very bare breach, hee caused his Spani∣ards to giue an assault, who tooke it with the losse of tenne men onely, and of thirtie that were hurt.

The besieged who were but three hundred souldiers, seeing their ditches drie, and that they should soone haue a breach in the rampar, and besides that, the bulwarke which [ E] the Spaniards had taken did commaund into the towne; moreouer (if they had held three moneths longer) that there was no hope of any succours, they began to parle, and in the end (though to their great griefes) agreed to depart the seauenteenth day of August, with∣out * 1.168 any armour, but their rapiers and daggers onely, and that they should be safely condu∣cted vnto the fort of Villebrouk. The bourgers were free from spoile, and were receiued into grace and fauour, paying sixtie thousand florins within three moneths next follow∣ing: and if there were any that would depart with the souldiers, they might doe it freely, no man should hinder them. There went not aboue a hundred and fiftie souldiers out of the towne, but many women, strumpets, and children: the two ministers were kept backe against the promised faith, whereof the one was drowned, and the other hanged: the which [ F] made many to wonder, that the prince of Parma should so much forget himselfe, as to suffer it.

Soone after, on the sixt day of September Villeuoord did also yeeld, being a little towne

vpon the riuer which goes from Brussels to Antuerpe, where one must passe iust by the port. [ A] By this meanes Brussels lost her nauigation, and the prince of Parma began to blocke it vp * 1.169 with some forts.

The generall estates of the vnited prouinces considering with themselues that they had to doe with a mightie enemie, such an one as the king of Spaine, that his warre would bee long, and in the end might consume them; distrusting of their meanes and abilities to subsist and to maintaine themselues in their warre, they propounded to seeke succour from the French king, or the Queene of England. The French king answered them, that hee would by no meanes enter into warre with the king of Spaine his brother in law, yet hee sent mon∣sieur d'Espruneaux (who had beene Embassadour with the Estates for the duke of Aniou his brother) into Holland, to vnderstand their demaunds more particularly: which were, [ B] That it would please his maiestie to declare himselfe an enemie to the king of Spaine, and to make warre against him: that by the frontiers of Picardie, nor any other parts vnder his obe∣dience, he would not suffer any graine nor victuals to bee brought vnto the enemie, offe∣ring him for assurance the townes of Oostend and Scluse, to put in what garrison his maie∣stie pleased.

Thereupon the Seignior of Espruneaux made a long oration in the open assemblie of the Estates, extolling the bountie and power of his king, with the good affection hee bare vnto them, disgracing as much as hee could the king of Spaine. In the end (yet without any cer∣taine assurance at all) hee promised them in the French king his masters behalfe, all aide and fauour. [ C]

The Estates sent also M. Paul Buys aduocate of the particular Estates of Holland, and some other deputies, vnto the Queene of England, to make the same request; to the end, that if they could not persuade both to succour them, yet at the least that neither of them might bee opposite vnto them: yet it seemed they were more inclined to the English, by reason of the neighbourhood, and the ancient alliances betwixt both countries, and also for that they were stronger at sea than the French.

The prince of Parma hauing (by the taking of Dendermond) no obstacle, (and withall hauing blockt vp the Ganthois on euery side) knowing well that the Estates had no meanes to put an armie to field, which might hinder the fortification of Calloo, vpon the riuer of Escaut, on Flanders side, beeing lodged at Beueren, hee sent Colonel Mondragon to ad∣uance [ D] the shutting vp of the riuer of Antuerpe, as well with long heads, as palisadoes on either side, planting many peeces of artillerie there, so as nothing could goe or passe from An∣tuerpe into Holland and Zeeland without imminent danger of the cannon shot, seeking to cut off the passage quite, as hee had done a little before to the riuer of Brussels, by the taking of Villevoord.

They of Antuerpe for their part wanted nothing that seemed necessarie for their safetie, and the preseruation of the towne: Colonel Morgan with his regiment of English came to their succours, and was lodged in the suburbs of Burgerhout. There was a great summe of money collected in the towne to supply all necessities and charges, as well for the en∣tertainment of men of warre, as for the fortifications which they made along the riuer; as [ E] at Lillo, Terneuse, S. Anthonies houcke, Vaert, Teligni, Toulouse, Melckhuys, Boureschans, Austerweel, and other retrenchments, and also for the reparation of the rampars of the towne.

In the meane time the garrison of Cambray made great roads and spoiles, vpon the coun∣trie of Arthois and Henault, and sometimes euen vnto the ports of Douay, taking all they could carrie: whereof the prince of Parma made his complaint vnto the French king, who made answer that it was not his fault, neither was it done with his leaue or consent: be∣sides, the said towne did not belong vnto him, but to the queene mother, by legacie and succession from the duke of Aniou her sonne. Vpon this answer, the prince of Par∣ma sent la Motte gouernour of Graueling to runne ouer all the countrie of Boulenois, [ F] from whence hee carried away a great bootie. The French complained in like manner to the prince of Parma, but hee made the like answer, that it was not done by his commaun∣dement.

The Ganthois hauing beene a long time coopt vp, and as it were inuested by the enemie, see∣ing [ A] also that Antuerpe was in as great or more danger than themselues; in the end they re∣solued * 1.170 to be reconciled to the king of Spaine, sending their deputies to Beueren to the prince of Parma the seauenteenth day of September: so as after many voiages and conferences, they made an accord or agreement with him, vpon condition to receiue thirtie companies in * 1.171 garrison, Bourguignons, Wallons, and high Dutch, by equall numbers, and no Spaniards, to remaine there as long as hee pleased. These companies beeing entred, the accord or agree∣ment was published, with all solemnities fit and requisite in that case, the chiefe points whereof were:

A perpetuall forgetfulnesse, and absolute pardon for all that had past since the trouble, hol∣ding them from that time for good vassals & subiects: that the bourgers & inhabitants should [ B] inioy all their goods, as if they had neuer offended the king of Spaine. And to take away the impressions which they might haue, that in the end they would confiscate their goods; the bourgers were suffered to remaine within the towne for the space of two yeares, behauing themselues modestly, and without scandall; and in the meane time to consider if they con∣forme themselues to the catholike Romish religion or not.

That at the end of the said two yeares, they might retire themselues freely out of the Ne∣therlands, with all their goods, or els sell them, exchange them, alienate them, or giue them in charge to any other, who might send or conueye them vnto them into any neuter place, where they should please to reside. That all suites ended, and sentences giuen, as well by the prouinciall councel, shirifs, or other iudges, to auoide all confusion, should be confirmed and [ C] put in execution, reseruing their appeales to the great councell. That all obedience should be yeelded vnto the king in the said towne, as before the troubles; and that hee should bee restored to all his prerogatiues, the which during the said troubles might haue bin suspended, or any waies altered.

That all prelates, abbots, chapters, conuents, hospitals, and other religious places, should be restored and put in possession of all their goods, and the towne not to bee bound to the restitution of any thing that had beene heretofore receiued; vnlesse it were some priuate per∣son which had receiued it without any authoritie from the superiours, whereof the iudge of the place shall take knowledge.

But whereas the prince of Parma is giuen to vnderstand, that what hath happened within [ D] the towne, was (to the great griefe of the bourgers) done by some turbulent persons, which had beene expulsed and banished out of other townes, beeing fledde thither, and not by the bourgers of the said towne: hee is pleased, that of twelue men which he had reserued, to dis∣pose of them at his pleasure, onely sixe shall bee retained vnder this restriction: in deliuering which vnto him, the towne should bee freed from all misdemeanours past: and if hee shall so thinke it good, to deliuer three, in punishing the other three, as it should be found they had deserued.

Finally, the bourgers, for the fauour which he had shewed them by the said accord, should paie three hundred thousand florins, before that any one of them should depart out of the towne, promising after the paiment of the said summe, hee will hold the Ganthois for good, [ E] faithfull, and obedient subiects, and will shewe them all fauour possible. Setting first at li∣bertie the lord of Campaigne, of Bruges, and Ypre, & all others that were prisoners by rea∣son of these troubles.

The sixe that were reserued, were M. Anthonie Heyman shirife, and of the councell, Lucas Mayaert receiuer, Lievin Meynkes, Renier de Pestre, Dominicke Derban, and Iosse of Vleeschauwer: the said Heyman and Mayaert escaped, Lievin Meynkes was deliuered at the suit of a gentle∣woman, and the three others were put to ransame. Of the three hundred thousand florins, the king forgaue a hundred thousand, that the inhabitants might not bee too much oppres∣sed: the rest was gathered of euery one in particular, according to their meanes, or as they were able, so as no man could goe out of the towne before hee had paid his part whereat hee [ F] was sessed. The lord of Campaigne made a change of his condition, for hauing remained eight yeares a prisoner in the said towne, he was now made gouernour thereof, with a good garrison of Wallons. This done, the citadel which had beene ruined, was built againe

stronger than before. The port of the towne which was of old masons worke, very thicke [ A] and flat aboue, whereon (during the siege which the Estates held before the citadell, in the * 1.172 yeare 1577, when it was yeelded vnto them) they had planted certaine peeces of artillerie, for that it did commaund ouer the said citadel, was beaten down to the ground. The towne was by little and litle dispeopled of the best inhabitants and bourgers, which during these two yeares retired themselues, some into Holland and Zeeland, some into England, and some into neutrall places.

In the meane time the bishops of Cologne and Treues sent the Seignior of Melro to the generall Estates assembled then at Delft in Holland, to exhort them vnto peace: but he could haue no audience, beeing told him, that they had spies enough without him, and therefore he was commanded to depart presently without any delaie. [ B]

Notwithstanding that the prince of Parma had planted aboue an hundred peeces of artil∣lerie, great and small, vpon either banke of the riuer of Antuerpe, yet the shippes of Holland and Zeeland past without any great danger of the cannon; for sometimes there past a hun∣dred or sixe score, yea more, altogether, whereof by mischance the Spaniards tooke some one * 1.173 in the taile, or sunke him: the which they had not done, but they came with the tyde out of the danger of their forts, vnder those which the towne of Antuerpe had built on either side, as that of Toulouse on Flanders side, that of Austerweel on Brabant side, and others. True it is, that there arriued some daiely, carrying men and women, whereof some were slaine, and o∣thers without armes and legges, but all this did not stoppe the passage, so as there came daie∣ly great store of all commodities. And the superiors of Antuerpe, whilest they had yet this [ C] meanes, had done very well if they had furnished themselues with corne, which the Hollan∣ders would haue brought them in great aboundance, without any respect of the danger, if there had beene vent, and they might haue gained by it: so greedie that nation is of gaines as they sticke not at any perils: and whereas they loose sometimes, they haue a saying in Dutch, the which is in English, We must trie againe, for one lost, two recouered: we must seeke it where it hath beene lost.

Many were of opinion, that it had beene better to haue imploied the money of all those forts, and of the great preparations to batter the Spanish forts (such as was that great and fruitlesse masse of floting wood, the which in mockerie was called Elephant, and the end of the warre; the which cost aboue a hundred thousand florins) in buying of corne, and other [ D] victuals and munition, and in the leuie and paiment of more souldiers (for it is admirable what money they spent during this siege) the which if they had done, it may be the towne had not beene lost: for the winter after that it was yeelded vp, the frosts were so great, and there were such heapes of yce one vpon another, as with the flowing and the ebbing of the tyde, and the force of the winde, if there had beene twentie bridges, and as many stocados, they had beene all broken, and the palisadoes tied with chaines, cables and anchors had beene driuen away. But all this was neglected by them of Antuerpe, & their confederates were care∣lesse to hinder the making of the bridge, and the stocado: and this opinion deceiued them of Antuerpe, and their confederates; for although it had beene impossible, yet should they not haue beene so carelesse to haue neglected or contemned the endeauours and expences [ E] of the Spaniard, nor the prince of Parma his great diligence and industrie. The which falls out commonly to them which haue no regard, or make no esteeme of their enemies, and hold things impossible, which at the length, industrie, diligence, and labour makes possi∣ble, yea easie, as hath beene seene in the prince of Parma his great worke, the which hee ad∣uanced as much as might be, whilest that hee and a part of his armie lodged at Beueren, not farre distant from Calloo, and the other part of his armie at Strabrouke neere to Oordam, on the other side of the riuer, which made the two heads, where his bridge should be made, to succour them that were in the forts of Calloo and Oordam, if the Estates and confederate protestants should seeke in any sort to hinder their worke: which they careles∣ly neglected. [ F]

Besides, they of Antuerpe were very improuident in one point, that hauing cut the dike beneath Burcht, to drowne all the countrie about Calloo, they had set no guard at the hole of the said dike: or at the least, their shippes of warre should haue kept the princes

flat bottomed boats from passing at noone daie, as wee haue heretofore seene them: for if [ A] they had onely sunke two hoyes in the breach and no more, the two and twentie flat bot∣tomed * 1.174 boats which they of Gant and Dendermond sent to make the bridge, had neuer past that way as they did, within cannon shotte of the castle of Antuerpe, and of one of their shippes of warre, who fearing the artillerie of Burcht, durst not once approach them to stoppe their passage. And when as they were past without any opposition or hin∣drance, and come vnto Calloo, which was the place they desired to come to, then they of Antuerp sent to build a fort vpon the dike, close by the hole called Telignies fort, to keep any more from passing, but it was too late.

Afterwards they began to build that great masse of wood in forme of a castle, floting vpon the water, called The end of the warre, of cannon proofe, with foure small bulwarks, and twen∣tie [ B] great cannons planted round about it, besides a number of other smaller peeces: the which could not be battered so neere the water, but there would remaine fourescore muske∣tiers, which could not bee hurt, beeing lodged lower than the cannon could batter. It was very heauie for saile, hauing three maine masts, and three rudders, most troublesome to gouerne, and also very vnfit to resist the violence of winde and tyde. With which castle they intended to beate downe all the Spaniards forts vpon the riuer, from Antuerpe to Lillo. There were within it fiue hundred musketiers, which were so placed, the enemie could not offend them; for this fort (for so it might well bee called, if it had continued alwaies in one place) was but two foot aboue the water, and could neuer sinke, by reason of the great a∣boundance of corke, and emptie barrels bound about with yron hoopes, which did support [ C] it. The rampars were fiue foot thicke, and the bulwarks tenne foot thicke, filled with rotten nets, well rammed in, which made them firme, and almost impenetrable. The top-castles of the three masts, were of musket proofe, full of musketiers, the which might shoot from aboue into the middest of a fort.

In the end when all was done, it was a very chargeable worke, and exceeding hard to bee gouerned, as the euent did shewe, before it began to worke any effect, remaining in the ene∣mies power at the first shot, as we will shew.

About this time, there was one which spake in the open councell at Antuerpe, when as they treated of these preparatiues, after this manner. Although (said he) the prince of Parma * 1.175 could not finish his worke, and stoppe vp the passage of the riuer, doe we not yet see that hee [ D] hath made himselfe so strong on both sides, as it is impossible to chase him from thence? and

besides, hee is master of the field, and can cut off the passages, so as nothing shall be brought vs into the towne. Hee hath neere vnto him a mightie armie, and inuincible for vs: hee hath raised his forts and trenches so high aboue the water, as the tydes ebbing and flowing cannot annoy them. And besides all this, the passage of the riuer is so stopped, as wee can haue no traffique of merchandise remaining, without the which the people cannot liue, nor the towne subsist. Wherefore all these difficulties beeing well weighed and considered, in my opini∣on wee should seeke in time to reconcile our selues to the king, else this siege will prooue but vnfortunate for vs.

Some of the bourgers muttered the same words as they walked in the streets, so as in the [ E] end there were some fiftie foure who presented a petition to the Seignior of Lysuelt chancel∣lor of Brabant, earnestly intreating him to be a meanes that they might accord with the king. This petition beeing come to the knowledge, of the magistrate and the Colonels, the bour∣gers went presently to armes, as if the enemie had beene at the rampar; but it was onely to seeke out and seize vpon them that had presented this petition, whereof there were some thirtie put in prison, and euery one condemned to paie a certaine fine. Then a proclama∣tion was made, vpon paine of confiscation both of bodie and goods, that none should pre∣sume to talke of peace, or any agreement. Yea, there was a newe oath propounded, which the bourgers should take; which was, to hold the king of Spaine and his adherents for their perpetuall enemies, that they should neuer make any peace with him nor his, that they [ F] should neuer speake of it, neither in publike nor in priuate, that if it were offered them, they should not accept of it: concluding, that hee or they that should goe against this oath, should bee punished both in bodie and goods, according to the exigence of the case. And the

more to terrifie the bourgers, they gaue them to vnderstand, with what crueltie the prince of [ A] Parma (contrarie to his promise before made) had intreated them of the religion in Gant, * 1.176 whereof hee had cast a great number in prison. And when as their friends made offer to sue for them, to haue them deliuered out of prison, and presented any petition vnto him, they were answered, that he did not receiue any more petitions, and that they should be intreated after another fashion.

Hereupon the Seignior of Saint Aldegonde forraine bourgmaster of the said towne (which indeede is the chiefe dignitie) made an oration in the open assemblie of the great councell of the bourgers, to perswade them to defend the towne yet halfe a yeare longer; before the expiration of which terme, hee hoped to see a goodly victorie ouer their ene∣mies; and that they should not onely chase them from their walles, but with the assistance [ B] and succours of many great princes, as of the Queene of England, and the French king, who had taken their cause and protection in hand, they would force him to abandon the Nether∣lands. Without doubt the halfe yeare had not past, from the twentieth of August (when as the towne yeelded) but the yce had ended the quarrell of this Stocado: the which, the winter following, beeing in Antuerpe, I haue heard the Spanish captaines confesse, who could not wonder sufficiently at the great heapes of yce which laie one vpon another: and where as they found any staie or let in their passage, they carried all away with the tyde: such is the force of the water, the which is much more greater, when as it hath the assistance of the winde.

The prince of Parma in the meane time aduanced his worke, not sparing either cost or la∣bour, * 1.177 vntil that the two heads of either side, beeing made as farre as was possible they could [ C] be into the riuer, they began with the flatte bottomed boats, which they of Gant and Den∣dermond had sent, to make the bridge, to passe ouer from the fort of Calloo to that of Oor∣dam, and so from one campe vnto another, out of Flanders into Brabant, and backe againe; the said riuer of Escaut diuiding the two countries. The passage of those two and twentie flat bottomed boats, at the broken dike by Burcht (which they of Antuerpe did not esteeme, nor thought would haue beene preiudiciall vnto them) made the prince of Parma to hope for a good and happie ende of this great and painefull designe: yet in the first bridge made of these flat bottomed boats, there was some hindrance, beeing tied together but with cables: for sixe or seauen mariners boyes went thither in the night, and attending the returne of the [ D] tyde, sawed in sunder these cables, so as the bridge beeing dispersed with the comming in of the tyde, some of their boats ranne a ground neere vnto Antuerpe: but it was soone repaired and made good againe; for that other flat bottomed boats, with some shippes of burthen, and a good number of mariners came vnto him daily, by the channell of Steeken, which hee had caused to be newly digged.

At that time there came a spie from the States into the prince of Parma his campe, who was knowne and brought before him, not without great perplexitie, as you may easily guesse. The prince seeing him, willed him not to feare, and hauing caused him to see all his forts and trenches, and all his equipage, which he had prepared to subdue the towne of Antuerpe, then suffered him to depart freely, without any violence done vnto him, and commanded [ E] him to tell the superintendents of the said towne of Antuerpe, that hee was resolued rather to die in that place, and neuer goe further, than to rise, before hee had finished that which he had begun.

They of Holland and Zeeland did in the meane time fortifie Berghen vpon Soome, the which they did man with a good garrison, as well of the naturall countrie-men, as with Eng∣lish, to serue as a bulwarke for their frontiers. They of Antuerpe had also eight hundred Englishmen in the suburbe of Bourgerhout, whereof thirtie went and yeelded themselues to the prince of Parma at one instant, to whom hee gaue a crowne a man. And thereupon he tooke an occasion to write vnto them of Antuerpe, persuading them, that they should not expect any succour or assistance from the Queene of England, seeing that the English [ F] did reuolt from their seruice, exhorting them moreouer to reconcile themselues vnto the king, promising them all fauour and assistance to haue them receiued into grace, although they had grieuously offended him. The bourgmasters, magistrates and Colonels of the

bourgers answered him also in writing, thanking him also humbly for his good will and ho∣nest [ A] offers, the which they did greatly commend and extoll: but beeing yet bound vnto the * 1.178 French, they could not forsake them, vnlesse they would be taxed of lightnesse, inconstancie, and ingratitude.

At the same time the Seignior of Teligni, sonne to the lord of la Noue, who the yeare be∣fore had valiantly defended the fort of Lillo against all the Spaniards campe, parting in the night in a galley of Antuerpe to goe into Holland, hee fell among the prince of Parma his * 1.179 ships before Calloo, by whom he was set vpon: but seeing that he could not hold out, finding himselfe wounded in the shoulder with a musket shot, after that he had lost three of his men, before he yeelded, he cast a letter which he carried into the water, containing certaine secrets of the same towne, and among others to cut Coesteins dike. This letter was perceiued and [ B] fisht vp, by the which the prince of Parma vnderstood all. Teligni was carried prisoner into Gant, and afterwards hee was carried to the castle of Tournay, where hee was detained sixe yeares.

The Seignior of Saint Aldegonde had insisted long (before that the prince of Parma had built so many forts along the riuer) to haue a fort built at the dike called den Cruydyck, be∣neath Lillo, in the mouth of the riuer, and to cut the dike neere vnto the village of Coesteyn, to preuent the prince of Parma, that hee should not build one, and hinder the opening of the said dike: the which the Seignior of Coesteyn did aduise and vrge very earnestly, as one that knew the importance of the place better than any other, and the good that would redound thereby vnto the towne. [ C]

But this good counsel was ouerthrowne by a rabble of butchers (which make a great com∣panie in the towne of Antuerpe) who had their pastures there for their fat cattell, and some o∣thers which had arable land in that place, who would not suffer it to be drowned, seeking ra∣ther their owne priuate profit, than the common good: and who for this occasion grew in∣to such hatred of the Seignior of Coesteyn, as they forced him to forsake the towne, and to retire himselfe to the prince of Parma, vnto whom he reuealed the counsell which in that case he had giuen to them of Antuerpe, and they so mechanikely reiected. By reason whereof he was well entertained by the said prince, who after the yeelding vp of the towne, in requitall of this aduertisement, he honoured him with the place of Markegraue, which is the most honou∣rable degree of a magistrate in Antuerpe. [ D]

In Gant after the yeelding vp of the towne, all such as were suspected to be of the prote∣stants religion, were put from their offices, and Romish catholikes substituted in their places: and their armes were taken from the said protestants, and giuen vnto the papists who were in their places; of the which the prince of Parma made foure seuerall companies, to guard the ports of the towne.

They of Brussels, after that the nauigation of the riuer to Antuerpe had beene taken from them, began to haue want of victuals, and other necessarie prouision, but yet they would not by any meanes giue eare to any accord. The towne of Antuerpe did once relieue them, and sent them a hundred wagons of victuals, the which entred safely with a good con∣uoy, whereby they of Brussels were greatly comforted and relieued: but in their returne, [ E] they were attended at the passage by the garrison of Villevoord, who defeated them, and took almost all the wagons.

The prince of Parma hauing finished all his forts along the riuer of Antuerpe, the shippes of Holland and Zeeland could no more passe so freely as they had done before, for that the cannon from those forts did shoot close by the water, wherewith many were spoiled; so as of a hundred or thereabouts, which were sent in the feast of Christmas, beeing laden with victuals and munition, fiue were lost, two sunke, and three were taken. The prince meaning to trie them of Antuerpe once more by his letters and admonitions, sent them word, among other points, that according vnto their auntient priuiledges which they had sworne, they ought not (seeing they did build so much vpon their said priuiledges) to [ F] giue a law vnto their prince and soueraigne lord, and much lesse to take armes against him: and whereas they did vaunt that the French king had taken them vnder his protection, that he would presently let them see the contrarie, and how much they were deceiued,

by the kings owne letters, the which for the better proofe and manifestation, he sent vnto [ A] them, reproaching them sharpely for their rebellion, and yet promising to doe his best with * 1.180 the king of Spaine, to receiue them into grace and fauour, if they would reconcile them∣selues, and giue ouer those excessiue propositions and demaunds which they had before made.

The magistrates of the towne sent these letters vnto the Estates, beeing assembled at Mid∣dlebourg in Zeeland, intreating them to aduise thereon, the which they said they did not finde conuenient to open, for feare lest the people (who then seemed to bee inclined vnto peace) should mutine against them. And in the meane time the French king sent another Embassadour to the prince of Parma, to quench the brute which was generall, that hee had taken the Netherlands vnder his protection; declaring that he would not mingle the quiet of [ B] his realme, with the troubles of those countries.

The Seignior of Hemert beeing gone with a good conuoie of horse and foote, to carrie another victualling to Brussels, hee found trees cut downe and laid in the high waies where he should passe: and withall the Spaniards were in all places in guard: seeing that it was impossible for him to passe with his wagons, turning head againe, hee was charged at the passage of a little riuer neere vnto the castle of Eyckhouen, defeated and put to rout, whereas many of his men were slaine. After this badde encounter, the Seignior of Merode laid be∣fore them of Brussels, the small hope they had of any succours or reliefe from their confede∣rates, who hereafter should haue worke enough to defend themselues: wherefore conside∣ring the great necessitie and want which began to presse them, he did counsell them to agree [ C] with the king.

Whilest that the riuer and towne of Antuerpe were thus blockt vp with these forts, and * 1.181 the riuer readie to be shut vp. The Estates of Brabant, Gueldre, of that which remained of Flanders, of Holland, Zeeland, Friseland, Vtrecht, and Oueryssel, being in their generall as∣semblie, they consulted, seeing that by the death of the duke of Aniou, they were without a lord, and by the death of the prince of Orange without a gouernour, to what prince they might best giue themselues.

The French and English were both in feare, lest the vnited prouinces should returne vnto the king of Spaine; who hauing recouered them, at his pleasure would attempt warre against the one or the other. The Queene of England would not willingly haue seene the French [ D] king growe so mightie, by the adiunction of the said prouinces, who by the meanes of their shippes, might haue made himselfe master of the sea, and take from the English their traf∣fique and nego•…•…iation by sea. In regard of the inclination of the Estates of the said prouin∣ces, it seemed (by reason of the errour so lately committed by the duke of Aniou) that they would rather affect the English, than the French: the which the Queene of England and her councell finding, would not make them assurance of any thing, vntill they had good townes, and places, of strength, and importance deliuered them for their assurance, where∣by they might bee stronger within their owne countrie, than the Estates themselues were: which made them to bethinke themselues, so as some said, that the gouernment of the Eng∣lish would bee in that case more wayward and insupportable, than the gouernment of the [ E] French, or of any others: whereupon some held opinion, that the religion which the Eng∣lish had common with the said countries, might easily moderate that, and therefore they should not reiect the alliance of England.

But there fell out another great difficultie, which was the doubt of the succession to the crowne of England, after the Queenes death; the which might fall into the hands of the Queene of Scotland, although shee were then a prisoner: and that shee beeing of the Ro∣mish religion, and wonderfully affected to the king of Spaine, might deliuer vp the said coun∣tries into his hands: and withall they could not ground any firme assurance vpon the king of Scotland. Whereas on the other side, the succession of the crowne of France was more assu∣red vnto them, seeing that after the kings death, it fell to the king of Nauarre, a prince making [ F] profession of the reformed religion: besides, France had more means, & power, to defend these countries against the Spaniard. And that by this confederation they should be in perpetuall friendship with all their neighbors. And althogh the king were not of the protestants religion,

yet would he giue offices to protestants, and other good countrimen, whereby the countrie, [ A] the churches, and their religion, should remaine in peace and rest. All this beeing well deba∣ted * 1.182 by the generall Estates, and the councell of estate, they resolued to offer themselues abso∣lutely to the French king, with the best conditions they could deuise and agree vpon, with∣out any restriction or reseruation, that Holland and Zeeland had beene formerly giuen to the prince of Orange and his heires, as it had beene concluded with the duke of Aniou (the which had bred iealousie (as some said) betwixt him and the prince, and had beene the cause of the error which was committed by the said duke in Antuerpe the seauenteenth day of Ia∣nuarie two yeares before) Finally after long deliberations and consultations, there were de∣puted by the generall Estates, and the chiefe noble men of the said prouinces, the third of Ianuarie 1585, twelue men of account: for the dutchie of Brabant, doctor Iunius bourgma∣ster [ B] of Antuerpe, and Quentin Taffin Seignior of la Pree: for the dutchie of Gueldte, the Seignior of Oyen, and doctor Elbert Leonin, called Longolius chancellor of Gueldres: for the countie of Holland, Arnold van Dorp Seignior of Maesdam: for Zeeland, Ieams Valck: for the Seigniorie of Vtrecht, N. de Menin: and for that which remained yet in the countie of Flanders, Noel Caron Seignior of Schoonwall: for them of Brussels (who were then distres∣sed) Arssees keeper of the seale of Brabant, to the which there was adioyned in the behalfe of the Estates, the Seignior of Lamouillene; and for the chiefe of the embassage, the prince of Espinoy, to offer absolutely vnto the king all the said countries, with the propertie, Seig∣niorie, and soueraigntie, for him and his successors, beeing French kings, vpon conditions limited, and to bee limited. All which deputies, (except the prince of Espinoy, who was a [ C] long time before retired backe into France with the duke of Aniou) hauing a good conuoy of eight shippes of warre, parting from the Brill, thinking to land at Diep, were through the extremitie of fowle weather, forced to goe on shoare at Bologne, from whence they tooke their iourney to Abbeuille in the moneth of Ianuarie, attending the kings pleasure, hauing giuen him notice of their arriuall; who commaunded them to come vnto him to Senlis, whi∣ther they went with a goodly traine, and were there honourably receiued, and their ex∣pences were defraied by the king in al places where they past: from thence the king returning vnto Paris, to haue the aduice and counsell of his court of Parliament, concerning their af∣faires (whereof the deputies attended an answer) the said deputies followed him: the suc∣cesse of which legation you shall heare hereafter. I was sent vnto them from the Seignior [ D] of Saint Aldegonde, and the magistrates of Antuerpe, to let them vnderstand, and conse∣quently * 1.183 the king and queene mother, of the estate of the said towne which was then besie∣ged, and of the great neede they had, together with the townes of Brussels and Macklyn, to be releeued.

The fourth of Ianuarie the Seignior of S. Aldegonde made a long oration to them of Antuerpe, in the open assemblie of their great councell, exhorting them with many liuely and pregnant reasons, to preserue and defend themselues, feeding them with a continuall hope of succours, and of the good successe of the affaires of the said deputies. And then the better to prouide for the defence of the towne, he created foure new Colonels, men of action, and capable of such a charge. And moreouer he decreed, that such as had ab∣sented [ E] themselues out of the towne, as abandoning it in her greatest neede and want, should be called backe by a certaine daie prefixed, vpon paine of confiscation of such goods as they had left there: but few or none at all would returne for the great danger there was in the passage.

The countries of Arthois and Henault, beeing continually tormented and troubled by the garrison of Cambray, made a truce for the space of one whole yeare, with the Seigni∣or of Balaigni, gouernour of the said towne (the which they could not obtaine without bri∣bing him) hauing since continued it for many yeares, so as this truce brought him in a good reuenue.

The Seignior of Nyeuwenoort being in the field in Friseland for the Estates, he cunning∣ly [ F] seized vpon the village of Otterdom in the countrie of Groningue, vpon the riuer of Ems, preuenting his enemy who thought to lodge there, where in view of the Spaniards he intren∣ched him, and fortified with all diligence, though they were stronger than he. But hauing a

good number of ships, both great and small, to cary his men in, and the Spaniards being igno∣rant [ A] at the first which way he would turne head, hauing meanes to land them betwixt Mae∣ren * 1.184 and right against Embden, they could not ouertake him, nor yet march so fast with their horse and foot by land, as hee did by water, so as they could not hinder his landing, nor his fortifying. Verdugo knowing how much this place did import, meant in the Win∣ter time to besiege it on both sides vpon the dike: and for the effecting thereof, hee sent colonel Rhyneuelt of Vtrecht, to winne it by famine, whilest that the shippes of Holland should bee retyred, by reason of the yce. But the Seignior of Nyeuwenoort had set so good an order for all things, as during that Winter they wanted not any thing: so as the Spring being come, the Hollanders shippes returned, which (in despight of all the resi∣stance which Rhyneuelt could make) did succour the fort, and forced him to retyre, hauing [ B] yet (before his retreat) taken three of the Hollanders shippes, laden both with victuals and munition.

Whilest that the towne of Antuerpe was distressed, as we haue formerly related, the earle of Hohenlo, lieutenant to Graue Maurice, after that he had conferred with the Estates, gathered together some foure thousand men, the which hee lodged couertly, not farre from the towne of Boisleduc, one of the foure chiefe townes of Brabant, and approched as secretly as he could with some companies of foot, and two hundred horse, close vnto the towne. Captaine Cleerhaghen, a gentleman of Brussels, hauing married a wife in Boi∣sleduc, of the house of Erp, was conductor of this enterprise; who (knowing all the pas∣sages) went vpon the tenth of Ianuarie with fiftie good men, who clyming ouer the [ C] port, seized vpon two corps de guard, whereas no man remayned in the night time: the which they did so quietly, and without disturbance, as they were not heard nor disco∣uered.

The next day in the morning, about eight of the clocke, the port beeing open, those of the guard which were sent to discouer, were presently slaine by Cleerhaghen and his men; who (at the same instant) enforcing the rest of the guard, the which were at the port, made themselues masters and commaunders thereof: and the said captaine sent certaine souldiers vnto the toppe of the gate, to be assured of the port-cullis, whereas they found none but an old man, whom they vsed in such sort, as they left him in the place for dead. This being done, the earle entred with his two hundred horse, and such footmen as [ D] he had neere vnto the port, who began to runne vp and downe the streets, crying, Victo∣rie. At this crie, the souldiers which were appointed to guard and keepe the port-cullis, went downe, fearing least they should come too late vnto the spoyle, according to that which the earle had promised them, to abandon the towne, if hee might become master thereof.

The day before there was come into the towne about fortie launciers, Bourguignons, and Italians, and some three or foure squadrons of foot, hauing conueyed certaine mar∣chandize thither, else there was no garrison. These horsemen were readie to goe to horse∣backe, to returne when the alarum was giuen, not knowing any thing, but hearing of the noyse, they made hast to horsebacke, and went to encounter the earles horsemen, who ran [ E] dispersed through the towne; whereof they charged part, and slew as many as they en∣countred thus disbanded. At the beginning they did fight a little: but when they saw these squadrons of footmen come to charge them, they thought they had beene betrayed (for they had assured them, there was no garrison) and fled towards the port to saue them∣selues: some which could not get out at the port, cast themselues from the toppe of the rampar.

The earle seeing that there was some resistance, and that his horsemen did fight, he po∣sted with all speed, to cause the rest of his troupes to aduaunce. In the meane time, the old man, whom the souldiers had left for dead ouer the port, hearing the noyse, and that they did fight hard, and some fled, seeing no man neere him to hinder him, being fore wounded, [ F] he laboured to let downe the port-cullis. The earle returning with colonel Iselstein, was much amazed, seeing the port-cullis downe, and his men to cast themselues ouer the ram∣par into the ditch; among the which was the Seignior Iustin of Nassau, bastard to the prince

of Orange, at this present Admirall of Zeeland, who saued himselfe by that meanes; but [ A] many were drowned and cast away: and there dyed in this ill conducted enterprise foure * 1.185 hundred men, through the fault of those spoylers which were set at the port-cullis, for else all had succeeded well ynough. The earle cursing the fault, retyred to Gheertruy∣denbergh.

They of Brussels hearing of these newes, the famine encreasing more and more among them, and being without all hope of succours, they sent their deputies to the prince of Parma, to mediate an accord: but for that they propounded no articles that were plea∣sing, or to be accepted, hee sent them backe, more like spyes than deputies. The pouertie began to be so great there, as many dyed of hunger. Some to auoid this miserie, sought meanes to flye away, and to escape, if they could possible; but beeing taken vpon the [ B] way, the Spaniards chased them backe againe into the towne, or caused them to bee hanged.

They of Antuerpe were at that time nothing enclined vnto peace, and caused a newe Edict to be made, prohibiting to giue eare to any accord, vpon greater penalties than be∣fore, causing the bourgers to renue the oath in the forme that followeth: I sweare, that * 1.186 with all my power I will maintaine the ordinances of the generall Estates, and will helpe to maintaine and defend them, according vnto the sentence which they haue giuen against

the king of Spaine and his adherents, enemies to the countrey: and that I will neuer de∣part from the sayd ordinances, nor make any accord nor agreement with the said enemies, nor will vse any speech openly nor couertly, nor meddle in any sort whatsoeuer, but will [ C] hinder (as much as in me lyeth) all motion of accord, vnlesse I be first allowed by the ge∣nerall Estates. And if I may vnderstand, that any thing hath beene done or attempted, or is done or attempted against this present oath, I sweare to reueale it to the bourgomasters and counsell, or else to the quarter masters of this towne.

In the meane time, the prince of Parma aduanced the worke of his bridge and stoca∣do, and they of Antuerpe went slowly to worke to hinder it, presuming that hee should neuer effect it: and that whilest a sayle might passe, they should not haue any need: neither would he trouble the Estates in any other place, so long as they should keepe him occupi∣ed there. The prince sent a herauld vnto them againe with letters, and a copie of the pre∣cedent, being of opinion, that they had not beene imparted vnto the people: the which [ D] (he sayd) had happened through some turbulent spirits, who sought more their priuate profit by this warre, than the publicke good, aduising them, that through the infidelitie of such men, they should not suffer themselues to be carried away to their vtter ruine: but rather embrace a peace, which was offered them, and no longer ingage themselues with these turbulent spirits: for whereas they persuaded themselues, that the French king would take vpon him the protection and gouernment of the Netherlands, and come to succour them, that they were but deuices, wherewith they did abuse themselues: And that the French king would not breake the league and friendship he had with the king of Spaine, to please his rebels, nor vndertake a new warre, to the preiudice of his owne Realme. [ E]

And indeed Dom Bernardin of Mendosa, embassadour for the king of Spaine in Fraunce * 1.187 (after that he had beene chased out of England) sayd openly vnto the king: That the Generall Estates and all the Netherlands reuolted from their king, had beene long since conuicted and declared guiltie of high treason, both against God and man; the which, (according to the sentence of condemnation pronounced against them by the counsell of the Inquisition of Spaine) must be quite rooted out: And therefore that hee should re∣member the league, alliances, and consanguinitie that was betwixt him and his master, and not giue eare thereunto, but rather chase out of his presence and out of his kingdome such reuolted rebels: The which should not onely redound vnto the good of Fraunce (being so neere a neighbour vnto Spaine) but also to all Christendome, which was put [ F] all into combustion by such reprobate people: That therein they did manifest wrong vn∣to all kings and princes, to whome such examples goe neere, and are very preiudiciall, if they will giue credit, fauour and support vnto their rebels. The French king answered

him, That he would giue audience vnto the deputies of the generall Estates, not as vnto [ A] rebels, reuolted from their lord, but as afflicted people, who complayned of the oppres∣sions * 1.188 that were done them: That (in all ages) Christian kings and princes did neuer re∣fuse to ayde the afflicted, neyther ought they refuse them, especially such as desire no∣thing, but to be reconciled to their prince (for that the deputies of the Estates had gi∣uen the king to vnderstand, That they had made diuers and sundrie petitions and suppli∣cations vnto the king of Spaine, and could neuer obtaine any answere thereunto) where∣fore (and that, according vnto the lawes) hee thought it to bee lawfull and allowable for euery man when right and iustice is denyed vnto him, to seeke support where hee can find it: and therefore he was not once to be blamed at all, if at the least he did heare them.

[ B]

The Queene Mother told the said deputies (making a shew of loue which she bare them, and to feed them with hope) that as heire to the duke of Aniou her sonne, she would come in person, and take possession of the town of Cambray, to be the neerer to the generall Estates of the vnited Prouinces.

Many in the Netherlands were of diuers opinions concerning this legation of the deputies of the Estates to the French king. Those that were best affected to the king of Spaine, could not persuade themselues, that the French king would embrace the cause of the Netherlanders, and that he sought nothing but the quiet of his owne Realme. Others made themselues beleeue (considering the good and honourable reception which hee had giuen them at their comming into Fraunce) that the king would take them into his [ C] protection, to the which they had charge to submit and yeeld themselues, and all the vni∣ted Prouinces, both to him and to his successors for euer hereafter. At their comming vnto the court, the king sent them first vnto his mother; who hauing conferred and con∣sulted with them about two whole houres together, gaue them good hope and comfort. But those of the Parliament of Paris told the French king plainely, That hee neyther could nor ought to assist the Estates, beeing rebels to their king, beeing a matter of too bad example, and contrarie vnto the law of Nations: yet the king heard them halfe an houre, and then he entreated them to haue patience for a little while, vntill the comming of the earle of Darby, who was embassadour for the Queene of England, whom he ex∣pected; with whom hee must first conferre withall, before he could giue them any an∣swere. [ D]

The said earle of Darbie arriued soone after, being honourably attended. He brought vnto the French king the order of the Garter, which the Queene of England sent him, as a testimonie of her loue; the which was very pleasing and acceptable vnto his Maiestie. The said embassadour did recommend vnto the king, in the name of the Queene his mistresse, the cause of the Netherlands, to the end the king of Spaine might not grow so migh∣tie, as hauing ouercome and subdued them, hee should fall vpon one of those two Realmes. But to the end that we may not passe ouer slightly the successe of this legati∣on of the deputies of the Estates, wee will discourse somewhat more at large thereof; wherein the same did chiefely consist, when they had their audience, and what their an∣swere [ E] was.

They had audience giuen them vpon the twelfth of Februarie, in the which they be∣sought his Maiestie (the prince of Espinoy speaking for them all) That it would please him to take them, their prouinces, and communalties, into his safegard and protection, as his owne proper subiects and vassales, and vnder his iurisdiction, as they desired to be, vnder such honourable and reasonable agreements and conditions, as it should best please his Maiestie to graunt vnto them; the which they would faithfully promise, and bind themselues to obey, by vertue of the Commission and authoritie which they had receiued to that end and purpose from all the Estates of the said vnited Prouinces of * 1.189 the Netherlands. Whereunto the king answered them with a great affection and good [ F] grace: That their comming was very pleasing vnto him, thanking them much for the

honour which they did him by so goodly an offer and presentation, together with the loue which they bare him, saying, That before hee held himselfe bound vnto the sayd

countries, for the great honour which they had done vnto the late deceased duke of An∣iou, [ A] his brother, of worthie memorie: and now he confessed himselfe to be more tyed vn∣to * 1.190 them, by this great and honourable offer which they made him, whereof hee made very great esteeme, and for the which hee wished them all prosperitie and happinesse, promising to shew himselfe hereafter (on their behalfes) a good, iust, mild, and gracious prince: And seeing that they entreated him in what sort he should best please, and how he might with most conueniencie, to assist and helpe them, and to haue a future care both of them and of the sayd countries, like vnto a good and carefull father, as hee hath of his owne naturall subiects, and that they were readie to bind themselues vnto him vnder some good and reasonable conditions; for the which hee gaue them great thankes. But seeing that a matter of so great importance deserued to be duly considered and aduised of, he thought [ B] it very fitting, that their intention were set downe in writing, to the end that it might be imparted vnto his mother, his Parliaments, and his other counsellors, and then to re∣solue &c.

The Queene Mother hauing heard their reasons, and what they demaunded; after that shee had conferred with the Seignior of Bellieure, the Secretaries of Estate, and o∣ther of the king his priuie counsell, he gaue them a full answere thereof, as we shall here∣after see.

On the other side, the counsell of Spaine hauing a due consideration and regard of all those things which concerned the people of the Netherlands, did see plainely, that the French king might easily, and with small toyle, get the possession of the said countries [ C] vnder his gouernment, whereunto the subiects hearts were much enclined; and that hee should want no meanes for the effecting and compassing thereof: The which did much perplexe and trouble both the counsell of Spaine and the prince of Parma: for which con∣sideration he did greatly sollicite them of the towne of Antuerpe by his letters, to a re∣conciliation with the king of Spaine; fearing, that being in so faire a way to conquer it, the French king should crosse his victorie, if hee should embrace the affaires of the vnited Prouinces.

He had in December before sent one Augustino Graffino (an Italian) into England; but being a subiect of the Popes, hee was charged to haue beene acquainted with the prince of Orange his murther, so as he had no audience at all. And the Spaniards seeing, that [ D] their practises preuayled nothing in the vnited Prouinces, nor in England, they bethought themselues of another course, to kindle a new ciuile warre in Fraunce, by the meanes of them of the house of Guise, as you may read thereof more at large in the Hystorie of Fraunce.

The French king seeing himselfe suddenly assayled by the Guisian league, in the which many of the nobilitie of Fraunce, gentlemen, and good townes were ingaged and carried away, vnder a colour of Religion and the publicke weale; he had no other helpe or meanes, but to flye vnto his Edicts, forbidding by publicke proclamation all his sub∣iects and vassales that were vnder his iurisdiction, to leuie any men, or to serue them, with∣out his leaue, declaring, that this league and confederacie was ill grounded, and against [ E] all reason. But all this auayled him little or nothing, being forced for this time to strike sayle, and to forbeare to accept the offers that were made vnto him by the deputies of the Estates of the vnited Prouinces of the Netherlands. And finding himselfe suddenly oppressed by the league, being without any forces, and the aduerse partie growne to bee so strong, as they might easily haue deliuered halfe the countrey of Fraunce into the king of Spaine his hands; he gaue the embassadours and deputies to vnderstand (with whom he had begun to treat of the conditions) That (to his great griefe) he could not receiue them vnder his protection or gouernment, nor at that time assist them in any sort, saying, That his shirt was neerer vnto him than his doublet, complayning much of the violence which the king of Spaine and they of the house of Guise and the league did [ F] offer him, entreating them to maintaine and defend themselues as well as they could, vntill that he had setled his Realme in peace, promising to ayde and helpe them wil∣lingly with his fauour and counsell in any thing he could. And as the Queene of England

had recommended the vnited Prouinces vnto him, in like sort hee entreated the earle of [ A] Darbie (the Queenes embassadour) to recommend them vnto her Maiestie, that it would * 1.191 please her to succour them, and to take their defence in hand, making the like request vnto the Queene by his owne embassadours, and also to the king of Nauarre; the which hee pro∣mised by the faith of a king, and hath beene euer since well affected vnto the sayd vnited prouinces.

The prince of Parma, to finish his worke, and to stoppe vp the passage of the riuer of Antuerpe from them of Holland and Zeeland, he sent for all the masters of shippes, ma∣riners, and shipwrights of Flaunders and Brabant, whom hee caused to come to Calloo: So as vpon the fiue and twentieth day of Februarie the bridge was fully finished, where∣by they might passe out of Flanders into Brabant, and the passage to Antuerpe quite stop∣ped [ B] vp: the which was a singular worke, and of great admiration to all the world, be∣ing built after the manner which followeth. On eyther side of the riuer hee had caused a mightie fort to be built; one at Calloo vpon Flanders side, and the other at Oordam, on the bankes of Brabant, in eyther of the which hee had planted twelue double cannons, which shot euen with the water, and the workes were aduaunced as farre into the riuer, as the foundation would suffer it: besides the heads which were made of bridges, set vp∣on pyles of fiftie foot deepe, rammed into the ground, and well bound together. And whereas the depth or the swiftnesse of the streame would not suffer it, the rest of the bridge, from one side vnto the other, was made of one and thirtie flat bottomed boats, e∣uery one beeing made fast with two ankers, one before, and the other behind, tyed to∣gether [ C] with strong chaynes and cables, vpon the which were great beames layed crosse, and vpon them certaine plankes, which finished the bridge; so as they might passe on horsebacke, or with waggons and carts, to eyther side. About a thousand foote from this bridge, both aboue and beneath, there was a floate made of mastes of shippes, that were bound together, and vpon them other mastes, crossed and pointed, sticking forth some twentie foote long, like vnto stakes, and therefore they were called Stocadoes, all being made fast in the bottome of the water with ankers, like vnto the bridge, and on eyther side of the riuer bound with chaynes and cables, vnto the heads: so as the bridge and the Stocadoes did rise and fall with the tide, the sayd bridge beeing two thousand foot long, lacking but two, from one head vnto another: And on eyther side thereof, [ D] there lay fiue shippes of warre, well appointed with men and artillerie, to withstand the first assault, before they should approach neere vnto the Stocadoes. Moreouer, there were planted on eyther side of the riuer, betwixt the two Stocadoes, aboue a hundred peeces of artillerie, both great and small: the which in truth was a royall worke; for the making whereof vnprofitable, they must vse other meanes than force, or else they should haue foreseene it in time, and not suffered them so much to haue aduaunced it: for if they had done their endeauours to breake it, as they began the worke (the which they might well haue done) he had not so easily finished it.

But beeing done and ended, they sought to breake it with the force and violence of shippes of warre, as well of Holland and Zeeland, as of Antuerpe: yet before they [ E] could get this preparation readie, and a faire wind withall, as they desired (for the which there was aboue a hundred shippes, laden with men and munition, attending with great deuotion) and during all these delayes and expectations, the prince of Parma finished this great worke, and the riuer was shut vp by this bridge and Stocadoes: The which bred a great discontentment and murmuring amongst the common people, as well of Brabant as of Zeeland; and for the which the Zeelanders did partly blame their admi∣rall Treslon, and others which had had the chiefe charge: but euery man excused him∣selfe of this negligence in the preuention thereof (in the which there was also some pri∣uate commoditie or aduantage, as it is the vsuall custome in matters which passe by ma∣ny heads and hands) yea, they did greatly taxe the Hollanders therewith, some saying, [ F] that the prince of Parma could not haue finished this worke without them: and it was ge∣nerally spoken, that they had deliuered him cables and ankers, wherewith hee had made his worke firme.

The towne of Nymeghen in the countrey of Gueldres, situated vpon the riuer of Wa∣hal [ A] (which is one of the hornes of Rhin) was at that time wauering, and it was to bee fea∣red, * 1.192 that they would change their partie, and fall to the king of Spaine. The earle of Moeurs (who was gouernour) sought all meanes to draw in a greater garrison for the Estates, the which he could not effect, the bourgers opposing themselues, not without great daunger of his life, two millers hauing discharged two shot vpon him, wherewith hee had beene slaine, if he had not beene armed at proofe: and in like manner hee was set vpon by two brewers, the one thinking to thrust him through with his halberd, and the other striking him on the head with a hatchet, but he was armed.

This being past, and the tumult pacified, he put such out of the towne, as he had noted. Whereupon the bourgers tooke counsell how they might chase away the garrison which [ B] was in towne: for the effecting whereof, there were fiftie men of one resolution, who thought to put it in execution vpon the first of March: but there fell out some other oc∣currents, which stayed it. Being afterwards aduised by an old captaine to suffer some of the king of Spaines men to enter, who might ioyne with them, they durst not attempt, fearing least the other bourgers, who were ignorant of their designe, would rather hinder the entrie of the Spaniards, than chase away the Estates souldiers.

These vndertakers were in great perplexitie and feare to bee discouered: for there were * 1.193 fiue dayes respite from the day they should haue executed it, before their companie came in guard. These fiue dayes past, and the matter was not discouered. The day of their guard being come, some of this enterprise going the round about the breake of day, they found [ C] in one quarter, that those that had the guard, were all Catholickes, with the which be∣ing fortified, they went to the corps de gard of souldiers, whom they shut vp there, and then seized vpon the Arcenal, and on the market place. The other bourgers which were in their houses hearing this noyse, ranne towards the market place. These vndertakers went and met them, telling them, that the souldiers were in a mutinie, and meant to spoyle the towne. Whereupon euery man went to armes, and ioyned with the first motiues of this tumult, to defend themselues, the towne, their wiues and children, falling vpon the souldi∣ers and other bourgers which held their partie, whom they disarmed, and afterwards chased the whole garrison out of the towne, renewing their magistrates, and all their law. Yet at the first they would not receiue the king of Spaine his garrison; although that Martin [ D] Schenck and Camillo de Monte did much insist to put in some, whilest they were in these garboyles: The which being pacified, they of Nymeghen sent their deputies vnto the prince of Parma, with whom they agreed to submit themselues vnder the king of Spaines obedience.

Whilest that this was working at Nymeghen, Taxis, lieutenant to Verdugo, tooke the * 1.194 castle of Nyenbeeke, in the quarter of Veluwe in Guelderland, by force, whereas some of them were hanged, after they had yeelded vp the castle, and others put to raunsome. From thence hee went before the castle of Hackfort, the which held out long, and did him much despight: yet beeing forced in the end to yeeld themselues vnto his mercie, he cut all those in pieces that were within the place, except onely one clarke of a band, [ E] who was knowne by a Chanon that was there, at whose suite his life was saued, and hee put to ransome.

Those of Doesbourg, being a towne that is seated vpon the riuer of Yssel, which is * 1.195 one of the armes of Rhyn, seeing how the Spaniard prospered, and that they of Nyme∣ghen had had good successe in the expulsion of their souldiers, they did the like vnto their garrison, and sent messengers for others to Zutphen: so as vpon the nine and twen∣tieth of March they concluded with the prince of Parma, as they of Nymeghen had done before.

The earle of Moeurs was all this time at Arnham, the chiefe towne of the Duchie of Gueldres; the which did in like manner wauer: for the which the sayd earle was much [ F] troubled, and would gladly haue assured it with a greater garrison, for that hee found the bourgers to be halfe shaken, who would soone haue followed the example of them of Ny∣meghen and Doesbourg: wherefore he caused some souldiers to come neere vnto the port:

the watch who was in the steeple giuing the alarme (whether that he were woon by the [ A] earle, or that the bourgers mistooke him) the townesmen being all in armes, went to ano∣ther * 1.196 port, than that whereas the souldiers were, who in the meane time entred, making them∣selues masters of the bourgers corps degard, whom they chased from thence. And by this * 1.197 meanes the towne was assured for the earle of Moeurs, holding the Estates partie; the which was much displeasing to some bourgers, who desired rather to haue had the Spaniards in their towne.

The tenth of March, Oliuer vanden Timpel, Seignior of Corbeke, and gouernor of Brus∣sels, * 1.198 after that he had beene long besieged, and seeing no hope of succours, made an ac∣cord with the prince of Parma for himselfe, the souldiers, and bourgers, as followeth: That the sayd Seignior of Timpel should not for sixe moneths space serue in the coun∣trey [ B] of Brabant against the king, nor the captaines for three moneths, nor the souldiers for foure moneths; the which should depart with their armes and baggage: and vnto stran∣gers that serued them, should bee payed what was due vnto them out of their entertaine∣ment: for confirmation of which accord, there were sent into the towne, on the princes behalfe, Richardot President of Arthois, and Garnier, Secretarie of Estate. In regard of the bourgers, it was agreed, That hee should settle againe the Romish Religion within the towne, and restore the churches which the Protestants had held: That their priuiledges should be maintained, vnlesse there were any that might minister occasion of new trou∣bles, the which should be consulted of, and moderated by the counsell of Estate: That nothing should bee imputed vnto them for all the warres past: That they of the Prote∣stants [ C] Religion should haue two yeares libertie to doe their businesse, whether to stay or depart: That the king should be restored to all his rights and prerogatiues: That the hou∣ses of the Cardinall of Granuelle, the earle of Mansfeldt, and of other noblemen, ha∣uing followed the kings partie, which the bourgers had ruined, should be repaired and built vp againe, and all the goods which had bin taken there, restored, or the value therof: That the impositions which they had raised, if they were not vnreasonable and vniust, should be payed vnto the end of the terme. The same conditions were also propounded to them of Antuerpe and of Macklyn.

At that time, William of Blois, Seignior of Treslon, who in the beginning, in the yeare 1572, with the Seignior of Lumay, earle of Marche, had taken the Island of Bryel, being [ D] Admirall of Zeeland vpon the riuer of Antuerpe, was sent for to come to Middlebourg; where hee was presently committed to prison by the Estates, beeing charged with many things. But being about to make his processe, the Queene of England wrot in his fauour, and withall, being able to iustifie himselfe, hee was set at libertie; yet he lost his place of Admirall; the which was giuen vnto Iustine of Nassau, base sonne vnto the prince of Orange.

They of Antuerpe knowing that the bridge and the Stocadoes were finished, made a great shippe, to be a meanes to breake all this worke of the prince of Parmaes: this great shippe was made of masons worke within, in the manner of a vaulted caue: vpon the hatches there were layed myll-stones, graue-stones, and others of great weight; and with∣in [ E] the vault were many barrels of powder, ouer the which there were holes, and in them they had put matches, hanging at a thred, the which burning vntill they came vnto the thred, would fall into the powder, and so blow vp all. And for that they could not haue any one in this shippe to conduct it, Lanckhaer, a sea captaine of the Hollanders, being then in Antuerpe, gaue them counsell to tye a great beame at the end of it, to make it to keepe a straight course in the middest of the streame. In this sort floated this shippe the fourth of Aprill, vntill that it came vnto the bridge; where (within a while after) the pow∣der wrought his effect, with such violence, as the vessell, and all that was within it, and vpon it, flew in pieces, carrying away a part of the Stocado and of the bridge. The mar∣quesse of Roubay Vicont of Gant, Gaspar of Robles, lord of Billy, and the Seignior of [ F] Torchies, brother vnto the Seignior of Bours, with many others, were presently slaine; which were torne in pieces, and dispersed abroad, both vpon the land and vpon the water.

The same day the Hollanders and Zeelanders woon the forts of Lyefkenshoek (where∣as [ A] the marquesse the yeare before had committed horrible murthers when he tooke it) and * 1.199 that of Doel, which were not farre from the prince of Parma his forts vpon the riuer of * 1.200 Antuerpe, that of Lyefkenshoek being right against Lillo. The captaine, who had com∣maunded therein, for that he had yeelded it vp so lightly, lost his head, by the prince of Parma his commandement. The said burning ship strucke such a terror into the prince his men, which were within the forts of Calloo and Oordam, as they abandoned them for a time, not onely for the fire which flew, but also for the great abundance of water, which the violence of the powder cast into the said forts out of the riuer; so as the souldiers knew not what should become of them, no more than if the world had instantly perished by fire and water. If they of Antuerpe had followed, and charged them presently, it is to be [ B] thought they would haue done some great exploit. But to what end serueth it, to batter a towne, to make a sufficient breach, to amaze and discourage the besieged, if withall they will not giue an assault. They of Antuerpe had their forts not a league from them, and their shippes of warre neerer, which might haue made a great attempt. But the wind being contrarie, they could not (in a manner) doe any thing, but a long time after. The Hollanders which were in the fleet, on the other side of the bridge, heard it, yea, it was also heard into Zeeland, but they knew not what it was: and so they found it too late, that they had lost a goodly opportunitie, wherein they might haue done some great ex∣ploit. The prince of Parma caused that to be soone repaired, which this fire had broken and carried away. [ C]

The eight and twentieth of March, la Motte, gouernour of Graueling, made an enter∣prise * 1.201 vpon Oostend, the which succeeded so happily in the beginning, as he woon the old towne, in the which there was an old church, from whence he might commaund with his musket shot ouer all the towne. This part is diuided from the new towne by a bridge, which the said la Motte had giuen in guard to one of his captaines, attending the rest of his troupes, which should enter by the hauen: but the souldiers of the garrison, which were within the new towne, beeing in armes, strucke such a feare and amazement into the hearts of them which were in the old towne as they suddenly abandoned it, and so it was presently recouered by the enemie: the which did wonderfully discontent la Motte, being forced to retyre, by reason of the cannon, which played from the towne [ D] vpon his troupes, the which he led backe, cursing, not knowing to whom he should impute the fault.

At this time, the deputies of the generall Estates of the vnited Prouinces returned from their embassage out of Fraunce, after that the king had thanked them, and made his excuse vnto them, as we haue said; yea, he aduised them to depart as speedily as they could, and to stand vpon their guards, for feare of them of Guise, hauing gratified eue∣ry one of them with a goodly chayne of gold: so as the deputies taking their leaue, gaue his Maiestie most humble thankes for the good will which he shewed to the vnited Pro∣uinces.

The Queene of England hearing how the affaires of the vnited Prouinces had pas∣sed [ E] in Fraunce, was in great doubt, that the Estates through dispayre (not able to de∣fend themselues with their owne forces) should be reconciled vnto the king of Spaines obedience, beyond all expectation; by reason whereof, she dispatched away the Seigni∣or of Grise, great baylife of the towne of Bruges (who had beene sent vnto her Maie∣stie for some succours of men) by whom she gaue the Estates to vnderstand of the good will that shee bare vnto them, offering them her friendship: for which cause, the Estates being assembled together, to conferre vpon these offers, they propounded certaine points in counsell, whereupon they might enter into treatie with her: yet not omitting any thing that might serue for their owne safegard and defence. And as these parlyes of treatie betwixt her Maiestie and them, were somewhat long, by reason of so many sen∣dings [ F] to and fro (wherein they must attend the wind) it could not bee so soone concluded, nor succours sent as they desired: so as the towns of Brussels and Macklyn, and in the end An∣tuerpe were forced to yeeld.

Colonel Martin Schenck, and the Seignior Bentine, gouernour of Stralen in Guelder∣land, for the king of Spaine, crossed through the Betuwe in the Veluwe, and presented * 1.202 [ A] themselues before Arnham, the chiefe towne of Gueldres holding for the Estates, whereas the garrison sallyed out vpon them, and there was a fie•…•…ce encounter, with the losse of many men on both sides, so as neither part had any cause to brag of victorie. Schenck was wounded there, and carried to Nymeghen.

In the beginning of May, they of Antuerpe sent their great floting fort (called, The end of the Warre) downe the riuer, neere vnto the fort of Oordam, where the Spaniards were. But comming too neere vnto the dike, it runne on ground, so as in the end they were forced to abandon it, hauing retyred with the Ordnance and all the prouision and munition that was within it: the which fell afterwards into the Spaniards hands. It was [ B] a worke of excessiue charge, the which most men held to haue cost a hundred thou∣sand florins, and yet did neuer seruice, but to their enemies, who had built it with so great cost.

The seuenth of May, the earle of Hohenlo and Colonel Iselstein came with all their shippes laden with choice souldiers, and a good number of pioners to cut the dike of Coe∣steyn, to the end that they might passe with long boates and oares neere vnto the fort of Lillo, through the drowned meadowes vnto Antuerpe, leauing the riuer and the Spaniards forts vpon the left hand; the which had beene easie to effect, if they could haue beene ma∣sters of the dike, as they expected. But as the earle had put his men in order, and that the pio∣ners began to digge, the Spaniards charged them with such furie, as well vpon the dike, [ C] as in their shippes with their canon (whereof some were sunke) as after the losse of three hundred men, they were forced to retyre vnto their ships, and to saile away, sauing themselues as well as they could.

Colonel Verdugo, gouernour for the king of Spaine at Groningue and in Friseland, * 1.203 after that he had taken the castles of Rha, Rechteren, and Ruttenberch, in the countrey of Oueryssel, went with two peeces before the castle of Schuylenburch, a place strong by na∣ture and by art; yet the besieged fearing they should not be able to hold it long, yeelded it vp.

Whilest that Verdugo preuayled thus in the countrey of Oueryssel, Cont William of Nas∣sau, * 1.204 gouernor of Friseland for the Estates, with the regiment of Frisons and Waterlanders, be∣sieged [ D] the fort of Slyckenbourgh, ioyning vnto Kindert, the which was yeelded easily vnto him, although it were a place of great importance, to subiect the seuen forrests (which they cal Seuenwolden) to contribution.

At the same time, the earle of Moeurs, lieutenant and chiefe of all the troupes vnder Truchses, elector of Cologne, hauing drawne forth some part of the garrisons out of Rhyn∣bergh, * 1.205 and other townes of Gueldres, both horse and foot, he surprised the towne of Nuys in the diocesse of Cologne, a very famous towne, for the great siege which Charles duke of Bourgoigne layed before it. It was surprised by scalado at the first by a few men, who, without discouerie of the guard, went from the rampar to a port, whereas captaine Kunyt attended with the horsemen; the which being broken open with hammers, and an engine [ E] called a Goats foot, he entred in with a great noise, running through all the streets: the bour∣gers being awaked, put themselues in defence, some being armed, and some vnarmed. The horsemen ran to the Ehenport, where the bourgers had insconced themselues with carts and wagons, from whence they returned, and seized vpon the market place. All the resistance the bourgers made, was to no purpose, and without order, hauing beene much better for them to haue stayed in their houses, and compounded with the earle to redeeme themselues from spoyle: for this resistance which they made, was the cause that they were sacked, and many bourgers taken prisoners. The souldiers had a rich spoyle: for that all the nobilitie therea∣bouts, the cloysters and abbeyes, the pesants, yea, and some of Cologne had sent their goods thither, as to a place of assurance, thinking it safer there than in any place else. Besides the [ F] spoyle, the bourgers were forced to redeeme themselues, and to lay downe their armes, the which were to be deliuered to the earle, or to his lieutenant. The earle made Herman Fre∣deric Cloet, a valiant captaine, gouernour of the towne, who from that place did afterwards

make sharpe warres against all the diocesse of Cologne, vnder the authoritie of the said ele∣ctor, [ A] but afterwards he had a pitifull end (as we will shew) at the recouerie of the said town by * 1.206 the prince of Parma.

Colonel Martin Schenck hauing taken a disdaine, that the king of Spaine had made no more account to free him, being a prisoner in Gueldre, as we haue said, and that the seig∣nior of Hautepenne was preferred before him (and all by the instigation of the bourgers) to the gouernment of Nymeghen, he had afterwards such a hatred against the said towne, as to bee reuenged, hee desired to bee discharged of his regiment, the which the prince of Parma graunted him. Then hauing treated with the earle of Moeurs in the behalfe of the Elector Truchses, who was in league with the Estates (and with the consent of the sayd Estates) he came to serue them in May, deliuering vnto them for assurance of his [ B] faith his strong castle of Blyenbeeke, by meanes whereof hee had so much annoyed the diocesse of Vtrecht and the countrey of Gueldre: from which time he sought many occa∣sions to be reuenged vpon them of Nymeghen; but in the end they of Nymeghen were reuenged of him. Soone after his comming vnto the Estates, hee surprised the towne of Roeroort, at the mouth of the riuer of Roer, which comming through Westphalia, fals there into the Rhyn.

At that time, Cont Philip of Egmont, prince of Gant, was exchanged with the lord of la Noue, vpon certaine conditions.

The two and twentieth of May they of Antuerpe made new engines to breake and burne the bridge and Stocadoes which the prince of Parma had made. For the effecting where∣of, [ C] they bound sixteene flat bottomed boats together, with yrons sharpe at the point, to cut the cables of the anchors, which held the Stocadoes firme; the which they let go with the tyde: but comming neere vnto the Spaniards forts, they were drawne by them vnto the sands; the which was easie for them to doe, after they had once turned them out of the right course of the streame, for that they drew but little water, so as all their paines and cost was lost.

Afterwards they sent foure ships prepared like vnto the first, which they had sent downe the fourth of Aprill, to worke their effect altogether. But as they went not equally, the first was stayed by the Spaniards, and anchored right against the fort of Paysande, which was held by the garrison of Antuerpe, where hauing remained some time, it tooke fire, and did [ D] more harme to their owne fort, than to any place else. The other two approching neere the bridge, it was opened, and they passed through a good way, before they wrought a∣ny effect, which was without any hurt to the Spaniard. The fourth beeing taken at the beginning by the Spaniards, the matches were found, and put out without any danger, in the which they found good store of powder: and so all this designe was more profitable to the Spaniard, than to them of Antuerpe, who receiued at this fort of Paysand more hurt than the enemie.

The six and twentieth of May (as they of Antuerpe had sent down the day before twelue * 1.207 such ships with fire, to breake the bridge) they brought through the drowned land their flat bottomed boats, neere vnto the dike of Coesteyn: the Hollanders and Zeelanders hauing [ E] for their parts sent with the tide certain ships with fire, presented themselues before the breake of day with a hundred and twentie boats, neere vnto the said dike, shooting with such furie, as they that were in small forts and trenches of the dike, where they would pierce it, were forced to retire to the great fort. The Protestants hauing landed vpon the same dike, carrying with them sacks full of earth, store of planks and hurdles, with wooll-packes, entrenched themselues suddenly vpon either side of the dike, whereas their souldiers lodged themselues, to defend their pioners, whilest they should be working in two or three places to cut through the dike. The Spaniards made many furious charges to chase them from thence, where they were as wel repulsed, with the losse of very many souldiers and captains: for the artillery from the pro∣testants ships shot so into the midst of them, as they neuer failed; so as they of Antuerp assured [ F] themselues of the victory, hauing been masters of the dike aboue three houres, commanding their ships laden with corn to approch, to passe through the holes which were almost ready in the said dike, wherby they might haue past safely through the drowned medows to Antuerpe.

The prince of Parma was not farre off, being much perplexed in his mind to see the Pro∣testants [ A] so farre aduanced, and his Spaniards so repulsed, as they had no more any will * 1.208 or desire to attempt it. For as one Pedro de Padille, with eight braue caualiers, would make the point of a new charge, at his first approch he had his hand shot off, and was af∣terwards slaine: which presumptuous charge was very shamefull and preiudiciall to the Spaniards. The prince of Parma taking counsell with the old earle of Mansfeldt, what was to bee done, the sayd earle sayd vnto Cont Charles his eldest sonne: Charles my sonne, here you must eyther vanquish, or die. Whereupon there were three peeces of Ord∣nance brought; the which playing vpon them of Antuerpe, the sayd Cont Charles came resolutely (with a regiment of Wallons and another of Germanes) to charge the Prote∣stants in their trenches on the East side. He was twice repulsed, but at the third time he [ B] forced them, and woon their fort, whereas they slew all they met, and the rest fled vnto their shippes, whereof some were drowned, comming too late. Those that were retyred to the shippes, being loth to giue ouer, stayed so long skirmishing with their cannon and musket shot, as the tyde was spent, and some thirtie of them being on ground, fell into the Spaniards hands, in the which they found many dead men, and great store of armes and munition for warre. Whilest that the Protestants held the dike, thinking themselues to be victors, the earle of Hohenlo and the Seignior of S. Aldegonde were gone to An∣tuerpe, to giue order for the safe keeping of the same dike. But hearing that the prince of Parma had recouered it againe, the earle returned through the countrey to Berghen vp∣on Zoome. [ C]

There dyed in this fight (on both sides) aboue fifteene hundred men: among others of the Protestants side, the Seignior of Honteyn, gouernour of the Island of Walchren, with many gentlemen and captaines of good sort. On the Spaniards side there dyed ma∣ny more captaines and commaunders (marching in the head of their troupes) than of the Protestants. Most of them were naturall borne Spaniards and Italians, as they were also that endured the first charge at their landing, and made the first attempt vpon the tren∣ches made by the Protestants vpon the dike, as soone as they had made any thing to defend their pioners.

The next day (as nothing was done in Antuerpe, but they were presently aduerti∣sed thereof in the Spanish campe) newes came vnto the prince of Parma, that they of [ D] Antuerpe would come with a great shippe of warre, and three gallies, to free their flo∣ting fort; the which (as we haue said) was runne on ground, and had beene abandoned, that beeing degaged, they might plant it before one of the forts of Oordam or Calloo. The prince to hinder them, sent the earle of Arembergh and the young earle of Mans∣feldt with good shippes and well appointed; who vpon the eight and twentieth of the sayd moneth charged the said shippe and three gallies, and in the end tooke the shippe and two gallies; the which they brought with the floting fort to Calloo, ioyning to the bridge which did shut vp the riuer.

Colonel Hautepenne, gouernour of Nymeghen, had built certaine forts about the towne of Graue, to shut it vp: in the meane time Colonel Schenck went thither with [ E] certaine troupes for the Estates, thinking to chase him away from that part of the coun∣trey. But Colonel Hautepenne hauing drawne the garrisons out of the neighbour townes thereabouts, thought to stoppe vp his passage from comming thither. Colonel Schenck being aduertised of his comming, and finding himselfe too weake to encounter or fight with him, hee retyred with his forces to Arnham. In the meane time, Verdugo and Taxis did besiege the fort of Berchhooft in the countrey of Bethune, the which was bat∣tered, and endured some assaults: but being vndermyned, and readie to bee blowne vp, they that were within the fort, yeelded it vp, and went foorth without their armes. From thence Verdugo retyred vnto his gouernment at Groningue, and Taxis went to Zutphen. [ F]

They of Antuerpe considering, that all their designes and enterprises, to breake the bridge, and cut through Coesteyns dike, prooued vaine and fruitlesse, they began to be∣thinke themselues how they might make an accord with the prince of Parma; to which

end the Seignior of S. Aldegonde should goe vnto the campe on Trinitie Sunday, being [ A] the third of Iune. But there was yet some let: for they of Zeeland made a new preparati∣on * 1.209 of Hulkes, the which with a strong gale and a Spring tyde should come with full sayles vpon the Stocadoes and bridge; and although it could not be put in execution (as it was proiected) without the losse of men, yet was it liked and allowed of. But these Hulks approching to Lillo, the wind began to grow scant, and when the wind was good, the tyde was spent, or was against them, so as it was not possible to make them worke their effect.

This falleth out commonly, when they embrace not the occasion which is offered, or neglect it: for (to say the truth) if they had shewed halfe those endeauours in the beginning (when as the prince resolued to make the bridge and Stocadoes) as they did afterwards when [ B] it was finished, he had neuer compassed it, but had beene forced to leaue all with shame and losse. But there were so many errors committed, from the first day of the siege vn∣to the ending, through negligence, or by contempt of the enemie, as they cannot bee excused.

On the eleuenth of Iuly, the earle of Hohenlo going out of Lyefkenshoek, went to as∣sayle one of the Spaniards forts neere vnto it; in the which there commaunded one cap∣taine Wiiflenen, who defended it valiantly, and repulsed the earles men, whereof some were slaine vpon the place, and the earle himselfe had two horses killed vnder him, the which made him retyre. At his departure he cryed out vnto them of the fort, that they should tell the earle of Arembergh, That of late he had borrowed two of his horses, the which [ C] hee had brought backe, and he should find them before the fort. Three dayes after, the sayd earle of Hohenlo did againe attempt this fort; but hee preuayled no more than he did at the first; for hee had one of his captaines hurt, and sixteene of his men taken pri∣soners.

This Summer, in Iune, Iohn William, prince of Iuilliers, Cleue, and Bergh (his father * 1.210 duke William being yet liuing) married with the lady Iaqueline, daughter to the marquesse of Baden; and the solemnities of this marriage were celebrated with great pompe in the towne of Dusseldorp, in the countrey of Bergh. It was an vnfortunate marriage for this young prince, not onely for that she was giuen vnto lasciuiousnesse and loosenesse of life (whereof she was publickely conuicted) being also barren; but for that shee had drawne [ D] the Spaniards and other of the king of Spaine his souldiers into those Duchies, who haue not onely ruined them, but haue beene the cause, that the Estates souldiers haue beene often there to dislodge them, all redounding vnto the desolation of those neutrall coun∣tries. This good ladie dyed afterwards in prison, being committed thither for her adul∣teries. Shee had so filled her husband with diseases, as his sences were much weakened thereby. God doth sometimes send such instruments, when hee will punish a prince or his people.

There was another proiect to breake the bridge before Antuerpe, made by one of Berghen vpon Zoome; the which the generall Estates (being then at Middlebourg) did like so well of, as within eight dayes he came before Lillo with his inuention, beeing of fiue [ E] great shippes of fourescore foot long apiece, tyed from both sides one vnto another, with seuen cables wreathed all in one, and with certaine long beames fastened from one shippe vnto another, vnder the lower decke; which holes were well stopped, so as the water could by no meanes enter; and aboue the sayd decke, vnder the hatches, there were many emp∣tie barrels well stopped, which could not bee carried away by the water, although the shippes had beene full of water, vp to the hatches: aboue the which, and vpon the bar∣rels, there was great store of straw, wood, faggots, ropes tarred, pipes full of pitch, tarre and rosine, and other stuffe, fit to entertaine a long fire, which might not bee quenched, nor the shippes seperated one from another, as the Spaniards had done to the flat bottom∣med boats of Antuerpe, for that the cables, and other bonds, which kept them firme toge∣ther, [ F] were deepe in the water: for in the bottome of the said shippes there were many holes stopped with leather; and when as they would sinke the shippes vp to the first decke and barrels, they might easily doe it in piercing the leather with a halfe pike, whereby the

water might enter by little and little into the shippes vnto the hatches and barrels, and no fur∣ther; so as after they which did guide them, had made those vents and passages through the * 1.211 [ A] leather, and set fire on those things which were subiect to burne, lying vpon the hatches, they had leisure enough to make shift to saue themselues in their long boats. In the meane time these shippes thus sunke, but not on ground, had gone on burning vnto the Stocadoes, which they must needes haue burnt and consumed. This designe was easie to be executed, and without any danger, beeing all readie, yet nothing followed; and they did not make any vse of it, although that the inuentor did offer, that in giuing him fiue or sixe men, hee would put it in execution: but it seemed that God would not suffer it, and that hee himselfe would worke his will vpon the towne of Antuerpe.

The earle of Moeurs, Colonel Schencke, and the Seignior of Villers gouernour of Vtrecht were with the Estates armie about Amerongen, betwixt Vtrecht and Rhenen, whither Verdu∣go gouernour [ B] of Friseland for the king, sent Iohn Baptista Taxis his Lieutenant, the three and twentieth daie of Iune, with certaine troopes of horse and foote, the which he laid in ambush in a wood neere vnto Amerongen. The earle of Moeurs men hearing that the Spaniards had beene seene in those parts of the countrie, and that they came neere vnto them, went forth to charge them: the Spaniards to drawe them on, made a shewe of flying, and skirmi∣shed faintly, vntill that the protestants were come into the ambush, then they discouered themselues, and charged them behinde, and those which seemed to flie, turned head vpon their enemies, and fought valiantly for a long time; till in the end the protestants being com∣passed in round about, and charged of all sides, were put to rout: all their foot-men were in [ C] a manner cut in peeces, and foure cornets of horse defeated. The earle of Moeurs saued him∣selfe in Amersfort, and Colonel Schencke in Vtrecht, but the marshall Villers beeing sore wounded, was taken prisoner, with some captaines and diuers souldiers. They thought to haue put Villers to death, for that long before in the deliuering ouer of the towne of Bouchan he had dealt hardly with them: yet in the end hee was set free for a great ransome, and in ex∣change of other prisoners.

This ouerthrowe giuen by Taxis, after a long and doubtfull fight, was much furthered by the two sonnes of the earle of Berghes, who at that very instant came with a troope of fresh horse to helpe them: these two young earles of Berghes are the prince of Oranges sisters sonnes, and brought vp by him; but for that the Estates had their father in suspition, they left [ D] them, and serued vnder the king of Spaine.

The earle of Moeurs and Schencke hauing gathered the scattered troopes againe together, built certaine skonces betwixt Vianen, Vtrecht, and other places, and Schencke not long after recouered some part of his losse from the enemie, by the ouerthrowe of two cornets of horse, and after that he had an enterprise against Groningue, but beeing discouered, hee was forced to retire.

The prince of Parma the more to presse them of Antuerpe, sent some troopes from the campe to seize vpon one of their suburbs, called Bourgerhout, which they wonne easily, the place beeing abandoned by the garrison which fledde. There was in the suburbe a great fort, which the Spaniards tooke by assault, chasing the souldiers that were in it euen vnto the [ E] ports of Antuerpe. There was also another fort ioyning vnto it called Sterckenhof, in the which there were some thirtie souldiers, Wallons, with their captaine, who had the rest of his companie at Cantercrois: he refused to yeeld vntill that he had seene and heard the artillerie, * 1.212 and then at the ninth shot hee did capitulate, so as hee and all his men departed with their armes and baggage, in yeelding vp the said fort, and the other, where the rest of his company was, the which was done.

From thence they went to besiege the castle of Stralen, the which they within it would not yeeld, vnlesse they might see the cannon; the which beeing planted, and they offering then to yeelde, it would not be accepted, but to depart with their rapiers and daggers onely. The souldiers which had beene in these forts, comming to the ports of Antuerpe, they of the * 1.213 [ F] towne would not receiue them. But the prince of Parma caused them to be conducted vnto Berghen vpon Soome.

Hauing the said forts, he commanded the peasants, laquaies, and horse-boies, to cut vp all

the corne and pot-hearbes, and to pull vp all parsnips, carrets, turnups, and other rootes, and to [ A] bring all vnto his carnpe, willing them to spoile all that they could not carrie away, to the * 1.214 end that they of Antuerpe might reape no commoditie thereby. This happened in the end of Iune.

At the same time the prince of Parma went to visit his campe at Strabrouck lying on Bra∣bant side. The deputies of the towne beeing come to Beueren, hauing spoken with the prince, returned the next day, which gaue some hope of an accord, for newes was brought vnto his campe, that they of the towne had nothing the first day of Iune but oate bread, and that the common people cried out that they would haue bread or peace. The councell of the towne assembled often, but by reason of the diuersitie of opinions, they could not resolue any thing. Of eight Colonels there were but two that desired peace, and of fourescore cap∣taines, [ B] most of them holding with the people, demanded it. In the meane time they sent many letters from Antuerpe into Holland and Zeeland, and backe againe, the which fell sometimes into the Spaniards hands: succours were promised by them of Holland, but nothing at all was done.

The marquesse of Gwast general of the Spanish and Italian horse, incountred two corners of horse of the garrison of Macklyn, the which he defeated, whereas captaine Suisse was slaine, and some taken prisoners, the rest saued themselues by flight: and soone after the marquesse of Renti and la Motte were sent with some troopes of horse and foot, and some little artillerie towards Macklyn, to importune them of Macklyn, as they had done them of Antuerpe. At the first they tooke the fort of Walhem and the Blochmy, then Neckerspal, and some other [ C] forts about the towne, some of them by force, and some by composition. They tooke a shippe of warre going from Macklyn, whereas the skout of the said towne was taken, with some other boats laden with victuals and munition.

All these losses moued them of Macklyn to consider of their affaires, and to giue eare to an accord, with the marquesse of Renti, vnto whom they sent their deputies, who concluded vp∣on certaine articles, the which were sent vnto the prince of Parma, and were confirmed by him: whereupon the towne was yeelded, the Seignior of Famas gouernour of the towne, * 1.215 and the souldiers going forth with their armes and baggage, hauing libertie to retire whither they pleased. Of all the captaines, onely Benguatre (a gentleman of Bethune, brother to the Seignior of Ourthon, nephew to Saint Aldegonde) remained with the Spaniards, but very [ D] fewe of his troope of horse. After the departure of the gouernour Famas, which was the nineteenth daie of Iulie, the Seignior of Proneue a gentleman of Bruges, was made gouer∣nour for the king of Spaine. As for the bourgers, there was a perpetuall forgetfulnesse gran∣ted, and that such as would liue in the Romish religion might remaine, and the rest should haue fifteene daies free, to sell and make the best of their goods, and then to retire where they pleased.

In the meane time they attended the deputies of Antuerpe at the prince of Parma his campe: but before they returned, the Hollanders would needes make an attempt vpon the bridge and stocadoes. They had with great charge prepared two great thundring shippes, like vnto those of Antuerpe, in the which there was much poulder and great stones, which [ E] shippes they sent vp with the tyde vnto the stocadoe, which the first brake: but the Spaniards opened the bridge, and it past through, then taking fire it brake, but did no harme; the other in like sort tooke fire before it came halfe way to the bridge. The Hollanders supposed that the first had done much spoile, but hearing the cannon shoot off along the riuer, they were of another opinion.

In the meane time they of Antuerpe began to bee extreamely prest by famine, which was not likely to be releeued, but in the end they must be forced of necessitie to yeeld, or else the commanders would be in danger by reason of the commons want and discontent, who did nothing but murmure and would haue peace: so as the three and twentieth day of Iuly they sent twentie deputies to the prince of Parma, chosen out of the magistrates of the Estates of [ F] Brabant, ancient sherifs, Colonels, captaines, and deanes of companies within the towne: with full power and authoritie to treat and accord with the said prince, according to the arti∣cles which they had propounded in councell; which beeing presented vnto the prince, hee

sent them to the president Pamele, & to Assonville, & Richard vander Burcht, beeing all of the [ A] king of Spaines priuie counsell, with whom the said deputies hauing long debated all manner * 1.216 of difficulties, and in the end fallen to an agreement, there was a certaine treatie of reconcili∣ation drawne betwixt them, the which was sent by some of the deputies vnto the towne, to impart it vnto the great councell, that so vpon the viewe thereof, they might resolue accordingly.

A little before Philip earle of Egmont (who as wee haue said, had beene taken in his owne towne of Nyeuhouen, by monsieur la Noue) returned to the prince of Parma his campe, from a long imprisonment, hauing beene kept at Gant, and in the castle of Ramekins in Zee∣land, since the yeare 1579. And in like sort, the said monsieur la Noue, taken at Engelmonster and kept in the castles of Tournay, and of Lembourg, since the yeare 1580, the said two no∣blemen [ B] beeing exchanged one for another, but monsieur la Noue was tied to harder condi∣tions than the other, promising vpon the penaltie of a hundred thousand crownes, neuer to carrie armes in the Netherlands against the king of Spaine, if it were not by the expresse com∣mandement of the French king his naturall lord; for which promise, the duke of Lorraine was his caution, and the king of Nauarre his counter-pledge. It did much grieue and bred a great discontentment in the earle to be exchanged against monsieur la Noue, who was not equall vnto him in degree and qualitie, and the rather in regard of the promise, which hee thought to be done purposely to his disgrace: but the sweetnesse of libertie made him to dis∣gest these comparisons which seemed odious vnto him. It was confidently reported, that monsieur la Noue taking his leaue of the prince of Parma, said vnto him, Sir, this towne of An∣tuerpe [ C] cannot escape you, when you shall enter into it, I would aduise you to hang vp your sword and * 1.217 armes at the gate, and there to end your victories. To whom the prince answered, You say well monsieur la Noue, and my friends doe also aduise me thereunto; but how may I retire my selfe, beeing ingaged in the Kings seruice, as I am? Doubtlesse monsieur la Noue was not deceiued, for since the prince of Parma did not any thing that might equall the hundreth part of his precedent happie successe in the Netherlands, onely after that time he tooke the townes of Nuys and Scluse.

The deputies of Antuerpe that were returned vnto the towne with the articles of the ac∣cord, to impart them vnto the people, arriued the ninth day of August, and the next day the great councell was assembled, where they were seene and examined, and were allowed of by [ D] some, and reiected by others. Whilest they were disputing in councell vpon these articles, a good number of bourgers beeing tired with this long siege, and not able nor willing any lon∣ger to endure the extremitie of famine, came vnto the market place, where they began to crie out, that they would haue peace. Some of the councell looking out at the windowe, and see∣ing the people thus mooued, grewe afraid that it would turne to a popular sedition, making report thereof to the whole councell, the which did terrifie and amaze them in such sort, as they which at the first had opposed themselues vnto the said articles, fearing some great muti∣nie, and that they should be forced by the commons, yeelded ioyntly with the rest, giuing the people (there present) to vnderstand, that the peace was concluded: the which did so reioyce them, as without any longer stay, they beat downe the duke of Anious armes, and set vp the [ E] king of Spaines.

In this treatie of Antuerp, there was great difficulties vpon the word scandall, the which by the pacification of Gant had beene strictly and bitterly interpreted, the which they desired to haue explaned, and not to haue the word of scandall applied to the least point that should be spoken or done by them of the religion, as it had beene often construed to the worst, since the said pacification of Gant; for it had beene said, that they should liue in libertie of consci∣ence, committing no scandall. This word had beene generally taken against all those that would not conforme themselues to the ceremonies of the Romish church. The interpreters of this maintaining, that such as would not doe as the rest did were scandalous; and there∣fore this word thus construed and vnderstood, the libertie of conscience was nothing, [ F] neither had it beene lawfull to sing a psalme without scandall. The Dutch chronicle saies, that the Seignior of Saint Aldegonde insisted much vpon this word against the prince of Parma, alleadging some points which they would tearme scandalous: amongst others,

that if they did no reuerence vnto the priestes carrying the sacrament through the streets: [ A] whereupon the prince of Parma answered, Truely for the last point it were a manifest scan∣dall: * 1.218 saying moreouer vnto the Seignior of Saint Aldegonde, can you not doe as the coun∣trie man did at Rome, who passing along the streetes before an Eccehomo, (which is the fi∣gure of the representation which Pilate made of our Sauiour Iesus Christ vnto the people, saying, Behold the man) hauing made a reuerence, and passing on, he bethought himselfe, that Pilate might attribute this honour vnto himselfe: wherefore returning and putting off his hatte againe, hee said, It is to the Christ, not to the Pilate. Doe so said the prince of Parma, and thinke that the honour and reuerence which you doe vnto the sacrament, you doe it vnto almightie God.

The eleuenth day of August, the prince of Parma receiued the order which the king had [ B] sent him out of Spaine, with the accustomed solemnities, the which was also giuen to * 1.219 the earle of Egmont, the marquesse of Renti earle of Ouereinden beeing at that time there present, and to the marquesse of Renti who was dead, as wee haue said, the old knights assisting, as the duke of Arschot, the old earle of Mansfeldt, and others with the Seignior of Assonuille chauncellor of the order, the treasurer, and the king at armes, whom they call Toison d'Or, or golden fleece. This was done publikely on a scaffold richly furnished in the fort of Calloo: this beeing ended, the ordinance in all the sorts thereabouts were dis∣charged.

The seauenteenth day of the moneth of August, the treatie of accord with the towne of Antuerpe was fully concluded, and signed by the prince of Parma, who promised [ C] them to get it signed and ratified by the king of Spaine, vnder his great seale, whithin foure moneths at the furthest: which accord was proclaimed in the said towne of Antuerpe with ceremonies, on the twentieth day following, the which beeing set forth in print, we omit for breuities sake.

This proclamation beeing made before the towne-house, in the presence of the prince of Parma his deputies, the magistrates and the superintendents of the said towne, the He∣rald or king at armes hauing his coate on him with the armes of Spaine, cried out thrise, God saue the king of Spaine: the which was seconded by the shouts and cries of the people of the towne.

This beeing done, the prince of Parma his deputies went to the cathedrall church of [ D] the said towne, the which beeing blest by the bishop, and the pulpits whipt with roddes, and then pulled downe, a Te Deum was sung; from thence they returned to the State-house, whereas a costly dinner was prepared for them. The magistrates intreated the prince that hee would staie his entrie into the towne for some few daies, that they might haue some respite to prepare themselues to receiue him in triumph, as a victorious prince, with all the honour and pompe they could deuise. And all strangers, especially the Geneuois, and the companies of trades, did striue who should exceed in sumptuous acknowledgement of their dutie.

So vpon the seauen and twentieth day of the moneth, the prince of Parma (mea∣ning to make his entrie into the said towne of Antuerpe) sent two thousand and foure [ E] hundred footmen, Wallons and high Dutch men, and foure hundred horse men, with two hundred gentlemen following them, among whom there were many great perso∣nages of good account. The bourgomasters, shirifes, magistrates, and regents of the towne went to meete him, and the keyes of the towne were presented vnto him by a faire yong virgin, the one beeing of yron, the other of pure gold, the which he tied to his coller, by his order of the golden fleece. There were along the streetes many artificiall and costly de∣uises, of pictures, images, statues, and writings, all tending to the prince his honour, glorie, and renowne.

At the same time the prince of Parma wrote many letters to the other townes of the prouinces of the Netherlands, to perswade them to a submission and reconciliation with [ F]

the king of Spaine their soueraigne lord and king, after this manner ensuing. Wee haue heretofore and of late written vnto you, and earnestly intreated you in the behalfe of the king your natural prince, to consider of the miserable estate whereunto you are now reduced, & to

embrace the meanes to returne vnto the true obedience which you owe vnto your prince, [ A] before you fall into greater calamities and miseries than those which hang ouer your heads, * 1.220 beeing enuironed on all sides with the oppressions and ruines of warre, which you draw vp∣vpon your selues: into the which, many townes haue fallen, and doe now (but too late) la∣ment their misfortune, seeing that wee are forced to proceede by the way of armes. Not∣withstanding, wee haue alwaies conceiued a good hope of you, expecting a good answer from you, and that you will shew your selues, as it befitteth good and faithfull sub∣iects, if our letters may bee deliuered vnto you; for wee haue beene duely informed, that (God be thanked) your hearts are not so much alienated from his Maiestie, as many o∣thers bee, which persist obstinately in their errours. But, for that hitherto wee haue recei∣ued no answer, wee finde that our letters haue beene supprest by some, who for their pri∣uate [ B] respects and profit, labour by all the meanes they possibly can, to nourish and maintaine aperpetuall warre among you, to keepe you in subiection, and to inrich themselues with the sweat of you and your children. Wherefore beeing mooued with compassion, we would not for our parts, spare neither labour nor cost to discharge our selues, as it belōgs to a faithfull seruant to his Maiestie, and as we haue now written vnto you: That once opening your eies you should not reiect the good meanes that are offered vnto you, to free your selues of these miseries, matters beeing not so desperate, but they are yet in your owne hands: consi∣dering on the one side the kings great forces, which no towne can resist, and on the other side his naturall bountie, which he shewes you, to drawe you to your obedience. And if you will giue eare and yeeld to our persuasions, we promise you in his Maiesties name, [ C] such good and courteous vsage, as you cannot expect better of so milde a prince, whose de∣sires and thoughts tend to no other end, but to deliuer his good countrie of the Netherlands from such bloodie warres, and of his owne bountie to restore them to their freedomes and auncient liberties, wherein they haue heretofore liued happily: the which we would rather seeke to augment, than any way goe about to diminish, if the publike good required it, to the which we carrie a singular affection, and would by all meanes seeke the aduancement thereof: Whereof wee haue hitherto giuen sufficient proofes and testimonies, referring our selues to all the world to iudge thereon: hauing alwaies sought & doneour best endea∣uours to conforme our selues to his Maiesties will and intention, who cannot but with a heauie and sorrowfull countenance behold these countries, which haue alwaies, and [ D] aboue all others, beene so deere and so much recommended vnto him, so much to for∣get themselues, as hee hath beene forced to take armes against them: notwithstanding that his Maiestie in the beginning of the troubles, had sought by all meanes to redresse it, and to pacific them.

Wherefore we doe exhort you againe by these our letters, that you will consider of that which is fittest for you, and that you will giue eare vnto it, and not carelesly to let it passe without regard, and then you shall finde vs very readie to assist you in all that shall tend to your good; knowing well, that by the instigations and persuasions of some wicked per∣sons, you haue beene drawne into this warre, which doth now so much importune you: although it hath not beene so much through the violent attempts of the peruerse (who [ E] beeing but fewe in number gouerne you as we heare) as through the timerousnesse and want of courage in the good. But bee it as it may, the way is open vnto you, whereby you may returne to your first quiet and tranquilitie, vnder the peacefull gouernment and pro∣tection of his Maiestie, your naturall prince and soueraigne, and of vs as his Lieutenant. Wherefore embrace this opportunitie, before that warre oppresse you, and that you feele in effect that which we haue long delaied, before we would seeke to reduce you by force. If you will hearken thereunto, you shall find vs the readier and the more inclined to yeeld you that on his Maiesties behalfe, which you can desire with reason for your publike good. Hereupon wee will with patience attend your answer and full resolution, and as our good friends recommend you to the protection and preseruation of the goodnes of the [ F] Almightie.

The F•…•…ench king beeing forced this yeare in March (by the warres which were very like in a short time to growe within the bowels of his owne kingdome through the practises

of the league) to refuse the soueraigntie of the Netherlands, which was offered vnto him by [ A] the embassadours of the vnited prouinces, and to denie them succours as they demanded: he * 1.221 aduised them to recommend their cause vnto the Queene of England, and to the king of Nauarre. The Queene beeing duely informed of the estate of their affaires, lest they should be forced to make some desperate agreement with their enemies, had sent them many com∣fortable wordes, as well by the Lord of Grise, as by master Dauison her Maiesties Embas∣sadour.

Whereof the generall Estates beeing aduertised, during the siege of Antuerpe, they resol∣ued to giue the soueraigntie of the Netherlands, absolutely vnto the Queene of England, vp∣on lawfull and reasonable conditions; or else to treat with her, to take the protection and de∣fence thereof vpon her, or otherwise to craue her aide and assistance, by some forces to succour [ B] and releeue them.

And to that end, vpon the sixt of Iune, their deputies arriued in England, which were these; for Brabant (although by reason of the besieging of Antuerpe not fully authorized) was sent Iacques de Grise chiefe bailife of Bruges; for Guelderland, Rutgert van Harsolt bourgmaster of Harderwicke, for Flaunders (although likewise not fully authorized) Noel of Caron, Seignior of Schoonewall, bourgmaster of Franc; for Holland and Friseland, Iohn vanden Does, lord of Noortwicke, Ioos of Menin counsellor of the towne of Dort, Iohn van Oldenbarnevelt counsel∣lour of the towne of Rotterdam, doctor Francis Maelson, counsellour of the towne of Enck∣huysen; for Zeeland, Iacob Valck, a ciuile lawyer, and one of the counsell of estate; for Vtrecht, Paul Buys doctor; for Friseland, Ielgher van Feytzma counsellor of estate, Hessell Aysma presi∣dent, [ C] and Laest Iongama: all which had full power and authoritie by procuration, from their seuerall places and prouinces, to treat either for the deliuering ouer of the absolute soueraign∣tie to the Queene of England, or els to make a treatie for protection and defence, or for aide and assistance by some English forces: the Hollanders for their parts were resolued and con∣tent to deliuer ouer some of their townes vnto the Queene, for her securitie.

Their deputies procuration and authoritie was made from the nobilitie, gentlemen, and townes; as Dort, Harlem, Delft, Leyden, Amsterdam, Gant, Rotterdam, Gorcum, Schie∣dam, Briel, Alcmar, Hoorn, Enckhuysen, Schoonhouen, Eedam, Monickedam, Meden∣blick, Woerden, Oudewater, Heusden, Gertruydenberghe, Weesp, Naerden, Muyden, and Purmerend, answering for the rest of the small townes, lordships, and villages of Holland and [ D] West-Friseland in generall.

These embassadours beeing arriued in England, they were well and courteously receiued, (and while they abode there) honourably feasted, and entertained at the Queenes charges; and vpon the ninth of Iune were admitted to her Maiesties presence, beeing then at Green∣wich, where with all honourable and submissiue dutie, in humble wise they presented their request by word of mouth, deliuered by Ioos de Menin, the effect whereof was as here fol∣loweth.

That the Estates of the vnited Netherland prouinces greatly thanked her Maiestie for the honourable and many fauours which it had pleased her to shewe and vouchsafe vnto them in their necessities, hauing not long since renewed and confirmed her princely clemencie, when [ E] after the cruell murther of the prince of Orange, it pleased her Maiestie by her Embassadour M. Dauison to signifie vnto them, the great care shee had for their defence and preseruation; and after that againe by the lord of Grise, by whom shee let them vnderstand how much shee was discontented to see them frustrated of their expectations, reposed vpon the hope they had in the treatie of France: and that neuerthelesse the care shee had for their prosperi∣tie and welfares, was not in any thing diminished, but rather increased, in that shee saw grea∣ter reason to mooue her thereunto: for the which, the whole Netherlands in generall, and e∣uery of them in particular should rest bound vnto her Maiestie for euer, to deserue and re∣quite the same with all fidelitie and submission.

And therefore the Estates aforesaid obseruing that since the death of the prince of Orange, [ F] they had lost many of their forts and good townes, and that for the vpholding and defending of the said vnited Netherlands, they had great need of a soueraigne prince, and chiefe com∣mander to gouerne the same, who by his power and authoritie might protect and preserue

them from the insolencies and oppressions of the Spaniards, and their adherents, who sought [ A] daiely more and more all the means they could, with their vnreasonable arms & other sinister * 1.222 means, to spoile and vtterly roote vp the foundation of the aforesaid Netherlands, and there∣by to bring the poore afflicted people of the same into perpetuall bondage (worse than the Indian slauerie) vnder the vnsupportable and accursed inquisition of Spaine. Finding like∣wise, that the inhabitants of the said Netherlands were persuaded, and had an assured confi∣dence, that her Maiestie out of her princely minde, would not suffer nor endure to see them vtterly ouerthrowne, as their enemies expected and desired, by molesting them with such long and tedious warres; the which the Estates (according to their duties, and in respect of their places, in the behalfe of their fellowes and brethren) were forced to withstand, and as much as in them lay oppose themselues against the manifest slauerie, which they thought to [ B] impose vpon the poore common people, and by their best indeauours to defend and main∣taine their auncient freedomes, lawes, and priuiledges, with the exercise of the true christian religion, (whereof her Maiestie, truely, and by good right bare the title of defendresse) against the which the enemie and all their adherents, had made so many leagues, attempted so many fearefull and deceitfull enterprises, and treasons, and yet cease not daiely to seeke, inuent, pra∣ctise, and deuise the destruction of her Maiesties royall person, together with her estate and kingdomes, which the almightie God vnder the protection of his euerlasting goodnesse hi∣therto had preserued and kept from all dangers, for the good and vpholding of the church of Christ here vpon earth. For these reasons, and many other right good considerations, the E∣states aforesaid, with one full and free consent, had altogether determined, and fully resolued [ C] to flie vnto her Maiestie, in regard it is an vsuall thing for all oppressed and distressed people and nations, in their great need and necessitie, to seeke iust aide and assistance against their enemies, from the kings and princes their neighbours, and especially from those that were in∣dued with courage, feare of God, vprightnesse of heart, and other princely ornaments: and to that end, the Estates aforesaid had sent them, and giuen them charge to desire and beseech her Maiestie, to accept of the soueraigntie and lawfull gouernment of the said vnited pro∣uinces, vpon good and reasonable conditions, especially tending to the vpholding, maintai∣ning, and furtherance of Gods true religion, and the auncient priuiledges and freedomes to them due and belonging, together with the gouernment and managing of the warres, poli∣cie, and iustice of the said vnited prouinces of the Netherlands. And although the said [ D] Netherlands had indured diuers wrongs, and that many of their townes and forts had beene wonne from them by the enemie, during those warres; neuerthelesse in Brabant, Guel∣derland, Flaunders, Macklyn, and Ouerissel, there were yet many good townes and places that held against the enemie, and the prouinces of Holland, Zeeland, Vtrecht, and Friseland, were by Gods grace and wonderfull prouidence still kept and preserued in their whole and entire possessions, wherein they had many great and strong townes, and places, faire riuers, deepes, and hauens, whereby her Maiestie and her successors, might haue good commodities, seruices, and profits, whereof it were needlesse to make any longer discourse, and one in speciall, that by the vniting the countries of Holland, Zeeland, Friseland, and the townes of Oostend and Scluse, vnto her Maiesties kingdomes and dominions, shee [ E] might haue the absolute commaund, gouernment, power, and authoritie ouer the great ocean, and consequently, shee might haue a perpetuall, assured, and happie traffique for the subiects and inhabitants of her Maiesties kingdomes and dominions: Most humbly and submissiuely beseeching her royall Maiestie to vouchsafe of her royall fauour and princely bountie, to agree and consent to the foresaid points of their request, and so to accept for her, and her lawfull heires, or successors, in the crowne of England, defen∣dors of the true Christian religion, the soueraigne principalitie and chiefe gouernment of the said Netherlands, and in regard thereof, to receiue the inhabitants of the same countries, as her Maiesties most humble and obedient subiects, into her perpetuall safe∣gard and protection, a people as true, faithfull, and louing to their princes and commaun∣ders [ F] (without vaine boasting bee it spoken) as any other in christendome. And so do∣ing, shee should preserue and protect many faire churches, which it had pleased almightie God in those latter daies, to gather together in seuerall countries, beeing now in many

places hardly beset, and sore incumbred and oppressed, and to deliuer the Netherlands and [ A] the inhabitants thereof out of miserable thraldome, who (not long before the wicked and * 1.223 dangerous inuasions of the Spaniards) were so rich, and flourishing in all kinds of wealth, by reason of the great commodities of the sea, hauens, riuers, traffique, manuall trades and occupations, whereunto they are much giuen, and very apt by nature. Shee should likewise preserue them from vtter destruction, and perpetuall slauerie both of bodie and soule, and so effect a right princely and most royall worke, pleasing to God, profitable for all Christendome, worthie of eternall praise, honour, and glorie, and fitting well the greatnesse and state of her princely Maiestie, including therein the assured securitie, pros∣peritie, and welfare of her owne kingdomes and subiects. Which done, they presented their Articles vnto her Maiestie with all humilitie, beseeching God, who is the king of [ B] kings, to defend, protect, and preserue her from all her enemies, to the encrease of his honour and greatnesse, and perpetually to hold and keepe her in his holy protection and safegard.

This humble petition, tending so much to the honour and glory of the most magnifi∣cent and royall Queene and princesse in the world, was with all thankefulnesse receiued at their hands.

Thereupon the Queene willed them for that time to depart, and in the meane while she assembled her counsell, to conferre with them, what was to be done in this so vrgent a cause, and to haue their aduice touching the same. To conclude, she found all her sub∣iects generally addicted thereunto, saying, That shee might not by any meanes altogether [ C] abandon or forsake the vnited Prouinces of the Netherlands; alledging the great hatred conceiued against her by the king of Spaine, for the altering of his Religion in England, which he (not long before) had planted therein: which appeared by the treatie of peace made at Chasteau in Cambresis, holden in Anno 1559, wherein he was verie slacke and * 1.224 carelesse for procuring the deliuerie of the towne of Calais vnto the English againe, the which was lost by meanes of his warres; and on the other side he caused the French to deli∣uer many townes ouer vnto the duke of Sauoy, and left her in warre, both against France and Scotland, without any assistance.

They shewed likewise the vnkind refusall by him made, of passage through the Ne∣therland countreys, with munition, armes, and powder, which shee as then had caused [ D] to bee prouided and bought by her factor Sir Thomas Gresham, vnto whome it was denyed.

Further, That when her Maiestie, by her embassadour the lord Vicont Montague, desi∣red the king of Spaine to renew and confirme the ancient contracts made betweene his fa∣ther, the emperour Charles the fifth, and her predecessours, hee would by no meanes bee drawne to yeeld thereunto.

That hee had suffered the Inquisitors in Spaine to persecute her poore subiects with all crueltie and extremitie, and commaunded her embassadour out of Spaine, because of his Religion.

That his gouernour (the duke of Alua) in the Netherlands, had vsed all manner of hostili∣tie [ E] and violence against her subiects, arresting both their bodies and goods, contrary to the an∣cient contracts betweene England and the Netherlands.

That he had sent an armie into her Maiesties kingdome of Ireland, and with colours flying inuaded the sayd kingdome, vpon a supposed gift thereof made vnto him by the Pope of Rome, which hee thereby excused, intending also to enterprise the like against the Realme of England, as it manifestly appeared by the Iesuite Sanders letters, to that end dispersed abroad, and by the Iesuite Creyghton, who was then a prisoner: and many other such like practises also were discouered by the dealings of his embassador Dom Bernar∣dino de Mendosa in England.

Besides these many forepassed iniuries, the Counsell layed before her Maiestie the dan∣ger [ F] that she was to expect, if the Spaniard once obtained merum imperium, that is, full and absolute authoritie in the Prouinces of the Netherlands; how he would alter their Religi∣on, breake their auncient priuiledges, and subiect them wholly to his will and pleasure:

which done, out of his malitious heart and intent▪ he would easily inuade England, with the [ A] aide of the multitude of shipping and sailers of those countries, together with his Indian trea∣sure: * 1.225 first depriuing England of all trade of marchandize with the Netherlands, and within the land procuring domesticall dissention; and that therefore shee was not as then to let slip the present occasion, nor yet to attend vntill the Netherlands were fully planted with Spani∣ards and Italians; for that the warre was not vndertaken against the Netherlands, but with a further intent and meaning to make a greater conquest.

On the other side, there was laied before her Maiestie, what difficulties and troubles might arise, by entring into warre with the king of Spaine: as first, that thereby shee should breake the auncient contract betweene her and the king of Spaine, and that it would not bee well thought on, nor by forraine princes esteemed an honourable action, to aide and assist the sub∣iect [ B] against his lawfull soueraigne, and that shee should hardly be able to contend against so mightie a monarch, so strong of men, money, meanes, and friendship, which he should haue from the Pope, domesticall English malecontents, and many other his adherents; whereby she should haue worke enough in hand to defend her selfe, with many other obiections.

To these reasons aforesaid it was answered, that therein shee should breake no contract nor league made with the house of Burgondie, for that thereby shee was bound to aide and assist the Netherlands, and to vphold them in their auncient lawes and priuiledges, and not to per∣mit or suffer strange nations to plant and settle themselues there, and so intrude themselues into the gouernment: and that if shee let slippe this faire occasion, and did not assist them, the French might set foot therein: moreouer, that shee intended not to aide any rebels against [ C] their king, but to protect and defend her oppressed neighbours, whereunto all princes were bound, especially for religions cause, as the Spaniards had done the like to her in her kingdom of Ireland, with her rebels: as also to keepe backe and preuent the warre, with the miseries and troubles thereon depending, if it be not foreseene and preuented: and how dangerous and troublesome soeuer the warres be, yet were the apparant danger much more and grea∣ter, to be ouerrunne by forraine enemies, and therefore it behoued her the more, both in con∣science and in honour, to seeke to preuent all future danger; for that the prouinces of the Ne∣therlands could not be able any long time to withstand the enemies forces, without some aide and assistance; which beeing once brought vnder his subiection, shee should bee assured to beare the burthen vpon her owne shoulders in England, which would be much more pre∣iudiciall, [ D] insupportable and chargeable to her; and that therefore it were better to haue and maintaine warre abroad, than within the heart of her owne kingdome. As touching the loosing of friends, the cause would bee so honourable and so good, as shee should haue the kings of France, Nauarre, Portugal, Denmarke, Scotland, & other potentates, her welwillers.

These reasons and allegations thus propounded and answered, were communicated with the aforesaid deputies for the Estates, who at that time made knowne vnto her Maiestie, the e∣state and power of the Netherlands, and what contributions the same were able to raise; as also what the charges of an offensiue warre would be, and what by loue and good gouern∣ment might bee hoped for, and gotten from such as were willing thereunto, so as they might be maintained and kept in their freedomes, lawes, and auncient priuiledges: for that it was * 1.226 [ E] well knowne and found to bee true, that Holland alone, since the pacification of Gant, in 9 yeres (besides their owne charges within the said prouince) had contributed to the warres in the Netherlands in generall, aboue 3500000 gulderns. It was further declared, how much it concerned the kingdome of England, hauing beene long vnited to the Netherlands by ma∣ny auncient contracts, and bound to hold and maintaine the same, in respect of the situations of both those countries for that the Netherlands had many great riuers, and England an island lying right ouer against it, who being enemies, might doe great hurt one to the other, and be∣ing vnited together, might rule and haue the soueraigntie of the great ocean sea, whereby they both get their liuings, and without it could not maintaine themselues: England hauing no strong forts, but the high and steepe cliffes vpon the sea side, the Netherlands many strong [ F] townes, which liue most by their traffique by sea, & therfore are ful of ships & sea-faring men, whereby Englands steep banks might in time be made vnprofitable, & so easily assailed: Eng∣land also with the great store of good harbours & hauens that are in it, might greatly impeach

and hinder the traffique of the Netherlands: and therefore in times past these causes especial∣ly [ A] mooued them to make so many reciprocall contracts and alliances one with the other, and * 1.227 not to suffer them to be inuaded or gouerned by strangers; and that not onely betweene the princes of the said c•…•…ntries, but also with the Estates of the same, as perpetuall friends and welwillers.

These things on both sides well weighed, debated, and considered, had mooued the Ne∣therlands, once againe to make a motion vnto England, and likewise had stirred England to heatken vnto their request, and the rather, for that now by meanes of the vntimely death of their prudent protector the prince of Orange, the losse of many townes and castles, and the re∣fusall of aide to them made by the king of France, by the procurement and secret practises of their enemies, they were brought into a miserable and desperate estate: and therefore it was [ B] now much to be feared, that by their mistrust and diffidence (the rather because they had many weake members amongst them, which were continually suborned and solicited by the subtilties of their enemies) they might fall into some treatie of reconciliation and peace, or a∣greement with their enemies, and afterwards inuade England with their helpe and meanes, to the which they bare no lesse enuie and hatred in their hearts, than vnto the Netherlands, as it not long since plainely appeared by the arresting of diuers English shippes in the hauens of Spaine, without any speech or cause of breach of peace, cruelly handling and hostilly tormen∣ting the marchants and sailers of the same.

The Queene of England was herewith not a little in minde perplexed and troubled, being a matter that much concerned both her owne person, and her kingdomes and dominions, [ C] and therefore could hardly be resolued therein.

The reasons why the Queene tooke not vpon her the soueraigntie and chiefe command o∣uer * 1.228 the prouinces of the Netherlands, for an inheritance to her, her heires, and successors, all wise men persuaded themselues to be these: first, that shee was a princesse in yeares, past hope of hauing any children, and that shee had not any man within her kingdomes, fit in all re∣spects to take vpon him the command and authoritie of so absolute a gouernment, and to ex∣ecute the same as it ought to be done: that shee was not mightie enough to rule ouer both places, because shee did not beleeue, nor could be persuaded, that the power and contributi∣on of the Netherlands was so great and so much as it was affirmed to be (wheras for good con∣siderations they made it not knowne to bee so much as it was) but to the contrarie shee [ D] thought the Netherlands beeing compelled by extremitie, had made it much more than it was, and that her counsell had not taken sufficient information of the estate thereof: that shee would not put her selfe wholly to the hazard and aduenture, not onely fearing the great pride of the king of Spaine, but the inconstancie of France, knowing her owne might, and that her subiects were not accustomed to the warres, and vnwilling to contribute any great summes of money for the same, especially to aide and assist a forraine nation. Thus did this wise and pro∣uident Queene aduisedly measure and weigh her owne meanes and affections, (and yet shewed her care and commiseration shee had of the Netherlands in their miseries) with the assurance of her owne estate, first and chiefly to be respected, and after that to aide and assist the Netherlands as time and occasion should offer opportunitie. These and many other like [ E] reasons mooued both parties to the conclusion of a prouisionall succour for the releeuing of Antuerpe, which at that time was besieged, and much distressed: and thereupon it was con∣tracted, concluded, and agreed, between the Queene of England, and the deputies of the Ne∣therlands, by a contract made the second day of August, that the Queene should send foure thousand men to releeue the towne of Antuerpe, and disburse all such summes of money as should be paid for the presting and imbarking of these troops, and to be paied them month∣ly, for three moneths together, from the day of their mustering, which together with the transportation and other things necessarie, was accounted to amount to the summe of fortie thousand gulderns, and the three moneths paie to be 184600 gulderns; which summe should be repaid againe within sixe moneths after the raising of the siege from before Antuerpe, and [ F] if it were not done, then to be paid within twelue moneths after the first daie of their muster: for assurance whereof, it was agreed by the deputies, that the towne of Oostend or Scluse, should within one moneth after bee deliuered ouer to the Queene, with all the prouision

of munition, ordnance, and other marshall furniture therein: and that shee should take sea∣uen [ A] hundred of the said foure thousand men, and place them in garrison in the said towne; * 1.229 alwaies reserued, that the said town should continue (concerning the ciuile gouernment) vn∣der the iurisdiction of the Estates of the said prouinces, and not bee burthened nor charged by the Queene with any thing whatsoeuer.

This beeing thus concluded, sir Iohn Norris, that worthie gentleman, was appointed to bee generall of these forces, for the relieuing of the towne of Antuerpe. The inhabitants of the same towne that had fledde from thence, (beeing many marchants and others, as then remai∣ning in the citie of London) did willingly and freely giue the summe of tenne thousand gulderns.

And after that, when the Queene could not be persuaded to take the absolute soueraignty [ B] of the Netherlands vpon her, nor yet to vndertake the continuall protection of the same (al∣though shee found her subiects willing and readie, both with their bodies and goods, to doe any thing whatsoeuer shee pleased to command them) shee dealt with the deputies of the E∣states about a contract and treatie of aide and assistance, which vpon the tenth day of the mo∣neth of August was agreed on at Nonesuch, containing these articles hereafter fol∣lowing.

1 That the Queene of England should send foure thousand foot men, and foure hundred horse men into the low countries, to aide the same: but presently, after it was agreed that shee * 1.230 should send fiue thousand footmen, and a thousand horsemen, ledde by a generall by her thereunto appointed, which should be a man of authoritie, qualitie, and respect, addicted to [ C] the profession of the true religion, with other sufficient commaunders, all to be paid by the Queene during the warres.

2 For the repaiment whereof, the vnited prouinces of the Netherlands, as well in generall * 1.231 as particular, should be bound (when it should please God of his mercie, by her Maiesties help and assistance, to send them peace and quietnesse) to paie all the money which her Maiestie shall haue disbursed for them, as well for prest money for the leuying and taking of them vp, and transporting them ouer the seas, as for their paie and entertainment, in this manner: that is, all the summes of money that shall haue beene disbursed by her Maiestie in the first yeare, shall be paied againe, within the compasse of the first yeare next ensuing after the peace, and the rest within foure yeares then following, euery yeare one fourth part of the said summe, [ D] that shall be found due by iust and true musters to be made on both sides, at the first arriuall of souldiers into the Netherlands.

3 And for the better assurance of the repaiment of the said money, it is agreed, that within * 1.232 one moneth after the confirmation of the said contract, the towne of Flessingue, and the ca∣stle of Ramekins, in the island of Walchren, and the towne of Bryel, with two skonces there∣unto belonging, in Holland, shall be deliuered ouer into the hands of such gouernours, for her vse, as it shall please her Maiestie to appoint, to be kept by her garrisons, vntill such time as her Maiestie shall be fully satisfied and paied, within the citie of London, all such summes of money as shee shall haue disbursed for them: and if the Estates thinke it good for the coun∣trie, and profitable for the common good and vnitie of the same, that her Maiesties souldiers [ E] shall lie in any other townes, or forts in garrison, that the same shall be taken out of the 5000 footmen, and 1000 horsemen aforesaid.

4 That the said townes and places so deliuered vnto her Maiestie for her securitie, shall be * 1.233 prouided of ordnance, powder, and other munition fit for warre, in such sort and quanti∣tie, as the gouernour generall for her said Maiestie shall thinke expedient and necessarie, to defend and keep the said townes and places; vpon condition, that a iust and true inucntorie shall bee made thereof, that (when time shall serue) the same may be redeliuered againe in like order.

5 That the Estates shal retire their garrisons out of the said towns and forts (excepting such * 1.234 persons of qualitie as dwell therein, and are appointed to gouerne in politicke and ciuile cau∣ses) [ F] that her Maiesties gouernours may haue the free command, in al things that concerne the keeping and defending of the said places: alwaies to bee vnderstood, that they shall not med∣dle with ciuile & politicke gouernment, but only in cases concerning the garrison of the same.

6 That neither the gouernour for the Queene, nor the souldiers of the said garrisons, shall [ A] haue any dealing, intelligence, correspondence, nor conuersation with the Spaniards, nor any * 1.235 other of the Estates enemies, neither suffer it in any man, but to the contrarie shall let it, and * 1.236 vse all kind of hostilitie against them, in regard of the safetie and preseruation of the said places.

7 That the said cautionarie townes and places, concerning policie, iurisdiction, priui∣ledges, and freedomes, shall bee gouerned according to their generall and particular con∣tracts and vnions, obseruing their owne lawes, customes, and magistrates, without im∣position of any manner of taxes, imposts, or contributions, on her Maiestie behalfe, or for the souldiers.

8 That the English souldiers of the said garrisons, shall bee bound to paie the imposts and * 1.237 [ B] excises, as all other souldiers (in the Estates garrisons) doe, without abating them, vnlesse it be by the consent of her Maiesties Lieutenant generall.

9 And that the inhabitants of the townes aforesaid may not bee ouercharged by the soul∣diers * 1.238 of the garrisons, her Maiestie shall take order for their paie, and all good discipline: and that the said inhabitants shall not in any wise bee molested and troubled, for the accompli∣shing of any part of the contract, which is to bee obserued on the Estates behalfe, so they doe that which in dutie belongeth vnto them to doe.

10 That when her Maiestie, or her successors, shall be satisfied, contented, and paied, all * 1.239 the money by her disbursed, the said townes and forts with all their ordinance and munition, shall be deliuered againe into the hands of the Estates, without any exception or deniall, and [ C] not into the hands of the king of Spaine, or to any other enemies of the countrie; nor shall be put vnder the command of any other lord or prince, but only for the assurance of her Ma∣iestie, and to the profit of the Estates aforesaid.

11 That the generall and the gouernour of her Maiesties garrisons, shall be sworne to bee * 1.240 true and faithfull vnto her Maiestie, and to the Estates in generall, for the safe keeping and defending of the said townes, places, and dependances, and for the maintenance of the true christian religion, as it is now at this present vsed and exercised in England, and the vnited Netherlands and to obserue and cause to be obserued all points of this contract, concerning them: and that the officers, captaines, and common souldiers shall take the like oath of fideli∣tie to her Maiestie, and to the generall Estates of the said vnited prouinces, as also to be obedi∣ent [ D] vnto their rulers and gouernours. The like shall the inhabitants of the said townes and places sweare.

12 That the souldiers beeing in the field shall be lodged and victualed at reasonable pri∣ces, * 1.241 without any imposition to be taken for that which is to be eaten, and other necessaries, but shall in all things be intreated like other of the Estates souldiers.

13 That the gouernours of the said townes shall bee paid their entertainment euery mo∣neth, * 1.242 which money her Maiestie shall cause to bee brought vnto the same townes: and that the number of the souldiers shall not be greater than the number of the garrisons were sixe moneths before the deliuering ouer of the said townes: and it shall not bee thought any wrong, if it happen that the said paie bee sometimes brought eight or ten daies after the time [ E] of paiment due.

14 That the gouernours and souldiers of the garrisons of the said townes, shall haue the * 1.243 free exercise of religion, as it is now vsed in England, and to that end in euery of the said towns they shall haue a church appointed for them.

15 That the said garrisons shall be vsed as other garrisons that haue lien there before them * 1.244 haue beene, as well for their lodgings as victuals: and the Estates shall take order, that they shal haue victuals at as reasonable prices as the inhabitantes of the said townes haue, and shal haue powder, march, and bullets in like quantity as the garrisons before them haue heretofore had, and as other souldiers in other garrisons vsually haue.

16 That it shall be lawfull for her Maiestie (besides the gouernour generall that shall bee * 1.245 [ F] there) to appoint two of her subiects to sit in the counsell of Estate, beeing men of good qua∣litie, and professors of the true christian religion: and also in the marshals court, as need shall require, to iudge of all such persons as the gouernour and the counsell of Estate shall thinke

good, and as the cause shall require. And that the two gouernours of the townes that [ A] shall haue the sayd garrisons aforesaid in them, shall and may come into the counsell * 1.246 of Estate at any time, when they shall thinke it most conuenient and necessarie, for any matter of importance, touching the seruice of her Maiestie, and the benefit of the vni∣ted Prouinces, and yet shall not be accounted nor held for any members of the said counsell of Estate.

17 That the gouernour aforesaid, with the counsell of Estate, shall haue power and * 1.247 authoritie to redresse all disorders and abuses committed in the Imposts, and to cut off all excessiue fees of the officers, and to see that the moneyes proceeding thereof be emploied to the most profit and commoditie of the countrey, for the better resistance of the enemy, both by water and by land. [ B]

18 That the said gouernour generall, with the counsell of Estate, shall reforme the * 1.248 disorders in the mynts of the said vnited Prouinces of the Netherlands, and reduce them to a conuenient number, and that they shall not exchange the moneyes currant in those countries, or any others, thereby to inhaunce or raise the values thereof, without the consent of her Maiestie, or her gouernour.

19 That her Maiestie, or the generall gouernour of her forces aforesaid, with the counsell * 1.249 of Estate, shall take order for the reestablishment and restoring of publicke authoritie, as also the vpholding and obseruing of martiall discipline, the which at this time are both much de∣cayed, by reason of the equall powers and authorities of gouernors, and multitudes, or confu∣sion of counsels. [ C]

20 That her said gouernour generall, with the counsell of Estate, shall haue the ouersight * 1.250 and ordering of all things concerning the common vtilitie and welfare of the land: prouided alwaies, that they shall not take vpon them to alter any thing in the aforesaid true Christian re∣ligion, neither in the lawes, priuiledges, customes, freedomes, statutes, nor ordinances of the sayd Estates, prouinces, members, townes, colledges, or inhabitants of the same in generall or particular.

21 That neyther the Estates generall nor particular, shall haue any dealing with the e∣nemie, * 1.251 without the knowledge and consent of her Maiestie: nor yet with any forraine prince or potentate, without her knowledge, or the consent of her gouernour generall a∣foresaid. [ D]

22 That her said Maiestie likewise shall not deale with the king of Spaine, nor yet with a∣ny other enemie to the Estates, concerning any cause or matter that toucheth the vnited Pro∣uinces * 1.252 in generall or in particular, without the aduice and consent of the generall Estates, law∣fully called thereunto.

23 That the raising and paying of new forces, which are to be raised for the defence of the * 1.253 land, shall be done by the said gouernour generall, and the counsell of estate, with the consent of the generall Estates.

24 That at the death or alteration of any prouinciall gouernours, or of frontier townes, the Estates or prouinces where any such alteration happeneth, shall nominate two or three * 1.254 sufficient persons, well addicted to the religion, whereof the gouernour generall aforesaid, and [ E] the counsell of Estate shall chuse one.

25 That as often as her Maiestie, for her defence and securitie, shall send any shippes * 1.255 of warre to sea, if the enemie send any fleet into the narrow seas, betweene Fraunce and England, or betweene England and the Netherlands, the Estates shall send foorth as many shippes to sea, as her Maiestie shall then doe, so they exceede not in number and charge the limitted number, in times past presented in Anno 1584, vnto the prince of O∣•…•…nge by M. Dyer, or more, as the necessitie, and the Estates vttermost meanes may reach vnto, which shall ioyne with her Maiesties said fleet, and bee vnder the commaund and appointment of the admirall of England; with this prouiso, that whatsoeuer shall be got∣ten or woon by that fleet, shall be equally diuided, according to the charges and expences dis∣bursed [ F] by either partie.

26 That her Maiesties shippes being at sea, shall alwayes haue free egresse and regresse * 1.256 into the hauens and streames within the said Netherlands, and there bee victualled at a

reasonable price: and that the ships of warre belonging to the Netherlands, shall like wise en∣ioy [ A] the same priuiledge and freedome in all the streames and hauens of England, and others * 1.257 her Maiesties dominions.

27 That the ordering and taking vp of all controuersies and contentions which may * 1.258 fall out and happen betweene any of the vnited Prouinces, or any townes, that cannot be ended by ordinarie course of iustice, shall be sent vnto her Maiestie or to her gouernour ge∣nerall, to take order therein, with the aforesaid counsell of Estate, within the vnited Pro∣uinces.

28 That it shall be lawfull for her Maiesties subiects to carry their horses (which they * 1.259 shall buy in the said countries of the Netherlands) ouer into England, paying the ordi∣narie customes and charges for the same, vpon condition, that they shall not carrie them [ B] elsewhere.

29 That the English souldiers that are desirous to goe ouer into England, shall passe free∣ly, * 1.260 without any other pasport than the generals, signed and sealed with his hand; conditional∣ly, that the number of the Englishmen be complete, and that the Estates be not compelled to any further charges, for taking vp and transporting of new souldiors in place of them that are gone away.

30 That the gouernour generall, chiefe commaunders, colonels, captaines, officers, and * 1.261 other her Maiesties souldiers, shall take the accustomed oath (as aforesaid) to the Estates of the same Prouinces, alwaies excepting the homage and fealtie by them due vnto her Maie∣stie. This contract was in this forme made and concluded at Nonesuch vpon the tenth of [ C] August 1585.

In memorie of this contract, the Zeelanders caused certaine counters to bee made, ha∣uing stamped on the one side thereof the armes of Zeeland, being a Lyon rising out of the waues of the sea, with this inscription, L•…•…ctor & emergo, 158•…•…. On the other side was the armes of the townes, with this inscription, Authore Deo, fauente Regina, that is, The Zee∣lands Lyon clymeth out of the water by Gods power and her Maiesties aid. And according to the said contract, there were certaine souldiers sent ouer, vnder the commaund of Sir Iohn Norris, and others.

At this time the Queene of England caused a booke to bee printed, both in English * 1.262 and in French, therein shewing the reasons that had mooued her, to aid, assist, and protect [ D] the miserable and oppressed Netherlands, wherein there was at large declared, what aun∣cient contracts, intercourses, and alliances had from time to time beene made and passed, not onely betweene the princes of those countries, but with the Estates and inhabitants of the same, as namely the Gentlemen, Spiritualtie, and Commons, for their particular de∣fence. In the same likewise was shewed the barbarous and cruell gouernment and oppres∣sions of the Spaniards vsed in those countries, and what meanes the said Prouinces and shee had sought, to make a peaceable end, but all in vaine; and therefore she was now en∣forced to aid and assist them, for three causes especially: The first, that the Netherlands might be restored to their auncient freedomes, priuiledges, and gouernment, and so brought to a peace: The second, that she might for her part be assured against the inuasion of her ma∣licious [ E] and enuious neighbours: and thirdly, That the traffique betweene her subiects and the Netherlands, together with the aforesaid intercourse and trade, might be assured and kept.

To the same declaration was added the Queenes answere, vnto two seuerall slaunders imposed vpon her, and published by a certaine famous libell, written in Italian: The first, for vnthankfulnesse shewed by her to the king of Spaine, who (as the author reporteth) in her sister Queene Maries time, had saued her life: The second, that shee had sought to pro∣cure certaine persons to kill the prince of Parma, and that two men were executed for the same. To the first the Queene said, That her faith and fidelitie was neuer in any such que∣stion in her sisters time, and much lesse, that euer any sentence of death was pronounced a∣gainst [ F] her, and that therefore hee had no cause why, to seeke to saue her life, confessing and acknowledging neuerthelesse, that she was as then somewhat beholden vnto him, and that in all princely and honourable manner she had beene thankfull vnto him for the same:

Touching the prince of Parma, she sayd, That shee had no reason to bee more enemie to [ A] him, than to any other of the gouernours before him, and that shee had alwayes held a * 1.263 good conceit of him, and neuer sought any other course against him, and that euery man of iudgement might well conceiue, that if shee should practise his death by any sinister meanes, yet the troubles in those countries could not thereby be ended, with many other reasons to that purpose.

According to the contract aforesaid, vpon the nine and twentieth of October 1585, the Estates caused the earle of Hohenlo in their behalfes, and in the name of prince Maurice (the lord thereof) to deliuer the towne of Flessingue and the castle of Ramekins to Sir Philip Sidney, knight, to the vse and behoofe of the Queene of England, who presently put an English garrison into the same, and was himselfe made gouernour thereof. The [ B] like was done at the Bryel, which was (by the earle of Hohenlo, and some of the de∣puties of the Estates of Zeeland) deliuered into the hands and authoritie of Sir Thomas Cecile, knight, gouernour thereof for her Maiestie, where hee tooke his oath in the towne-house, in the presence of the sayd earle of Hohenlo, and the magistrates of the same towne.

Prince Maurice himselfe likewise (as marquesse of the townes of Campuere and Fles∣singue) * 1.264 by aduice of Loise de Coligni, princesse Dowager of Orange, the lords of his bloud, and others his friends and seruants, wrot vnto the embassadour of England (as then M. Dauyson) touching the deliuering ouer of Flessingue vnto her Maiestie, saying, That hee thanked God for the fore-passed contract made betweene the Queene of England, and [ C] the Estates of the vnited Prouinces, beseeching God to blesse the proceedings thereof; and that he was very willing, and well pleased, that the towne of Flessingue, being his patri∣monie, should bee deliuered into her Maiesties hands; and that although the towne was of so great importance, that they in reason (for it, and for many other good seruices done by his father) might well aske some recompence, notwithstanding, respecting the good and furtherance of the Netherlands, he was content to yeeld thereunto; and the rather, for her said Maiesties commoditie, hoping (by her good fauour) to doe her such seruice, as that (in time to come) both he and the house of Nassau should deserue thankes for the same: and that as the house of Nassau had alwayes beene her Maiesties humble seruants and well-willers; so now they thought themselues much more bound vnto her, in re∣spect [ D] of the said contract made with the Netherlands, which both he and Graue William of Nassau by that their protestation auouched: and so he, with the princesse, the chil∣dren, and the whole house of Nassau, desiring nothing more in this world, than the fa∣uour, good will, and assistance of her Maiestie, recommended themselues most humbly vnto her protection; praying the embassadour to recommend them likewise to the earle of Leicester, desiring him to vse all the meanes hee could (if it pleased almightie God to graunt it) that some one of great qualitie should fall prisoner into his hands, that his brother, the prince of Orange, and earle of Buren &c. might be exchanged and set at li∣bertie, and that he would be pleased to be a meanes therein. As also, that if any new soul∣diers were to be raysed for her Maiesties, or the countries seruice, that those of the house of [ E] Nassau might be aduaunced and preferred to some places of commaund. And whereas since the death of the late prince of Orange, certaine gentlemen of Prouence and Dol∣phine sought to persuade the French king, to graunt them the title of the principalitie of Orange, which (for that cause) was brought in question before his priuie Counsell, without any knowledge or consent of the house of Nassau; hee besought her honoura∣ble Maiestie to bee an intercessour for them, and (if occasion serued) to bee a meanes, that the sayd house of Nassau might continue in the auncient authoritie and honour, that his auncestours (the princes of Orange) had alwayes held and maintained, according to the contract of peace made in the castle of Cambresis Anno 1559, betweene Fraunce and Spaine. [ F]

And whereas the principall inheritance that belonged vnto him and his brother, prince Fredericke Hendericke, lay in the earledome of Burgundie, and that there might bee some hope in time to recouer the same into their hands, hee besought her Maiestie to ayde and

assist them, with her fauour and authoritie, vnto the French king and the Switzers, bor∣dering [ A] thereupon and especially to the lords of Berne, that some meanes might be wrought * 1.265 for the recouerie of the same, as occasion should serue.

And further, as it was manifestly knowne, what great losse of lands and possessions, the said house of Nassau had sustained and endured by the king of Spanies, and his adhe∣rents meanes, he besought her Maiestie to interpose her authoritie (good occasion bee∣ing offered) that they might bee recompensed (being now almost depriued of all their inheritance) with some possessions and lands, of the like nature vnto those which they had lost.

And if it should so fall out (as the sayd prince Maurice and the princesse in heart de∣sired) that her Maiestie would be pleased to take the chiefe soueraignetie and gouerne∣ment [ B] of those countries vpon her, he besought her to haue a regard vnto the articles (as shee should find them conuenient) presented vnto her by the Estates, touching the house of Nassau, inserted together, with the articles offered vnto her Maiestie concerning the soueraignetie.

Also if it pleased her Maiestie to employ any men of honour and qualitie of the coun∣trey of Germanie in her seruice, he besought her to preferre Graue Iohn van Nassau, as one well affected to doe her Maiestie any seruice whatsoeuer, and one that alwayes had beene true and faithfull vnto those countries, and whose zeale vnto religion, wisedome, and experience, was knowne vnto all men.

Lastly, he besought her Maiestie to be pleased to cause some act to be drawne and made, [ C] in such order as shee should thinke good, concerning the aforesaid humble petition, made by the said princesse, earles, and children of the house of Nassau, to no other end, than on∣ly to serue for a sufficient testimoniall for those of the said house, to shew and beare wit∣nesse of their endeuours and good meanings, for the welfare and vpholding of the sayd house of Nassau. Written in the Hage the foureteenth of October 1585. Signed, Loise de Coligni & Maurice de Nassau.

And before the comming ouer of the earle of Leicester, the generall Estates gaue vnto prince Maurice of Nassau a commission for the gouernment, captaine generals, and ad∣mirals place of Holland, Zeeland, and Friseland, with due respect to be had vnto the go∣uernour generall which her Maiestie should send ouer. They likewise ordayned and [ D] thought it expedient, to set downe the title of the said prince Maurice, which should be v∣sed in all commissions and executions of thinges that should passe out of the Courts of Holland, Zeeland, and Friseland, in the same manner as followeth: Maurice, prince of Orange, earle of Nassau, Catzenellebourg, Vianden, Dietz, &c. marquesse of Campuere and Flessingue, baron of S. Vijt, Doesbourg, of the towne of Graue, and of the land of Guycke, &c. gouernour, captaine generall, and admirall of Holland, Zeeland, and Frise∣land, and since that time there was added thereunto the earledome of Moeurs, and o∣thers.

The nineteenth of December, Robert lord Dudley, baron of Denbigh, and earle of Leicester, sonne to Iohn lord Dudley, duke of Northumberland, appointed by the Queene [ E] of England, to bee her gouernour generall ouer the English forces in the Netherlands, and in all things to represent her person, beeing followed with a goodly traine, arriued in the prouince of Zeeland, where he was honourably and courteously receiued: of whom, and what was done by him, wee will speake hereafter, and shew (while these thinges passed and were agreed vpon in England) what was done in the warres in the Low countries.

After the losse of Antuerpe, the Seignior of Saint Aldegonde (who had beene bour∣gomaster of the said towne, and a chiefe actor in the treatie with the prince of Parma for the yeelding of the towne) was fallen into disgrace with the Estates of the vnited prouinces of the Netherlands, vpon the false suggestions (as hee pretended) of his e∣nemies, [ F] whereupon hee wrote a letter vnto the Seignior of Metkerke, on the foure and twentieth day of October, concerning the peace, the which I haue thought good to in∣sert here.

A Letter of aduice written by the Seignior of Saint Aldegonde, * 1.266 [ A] to the Seignior of Metkerke, president of Flaunders, touching the peace.

MY good cousin, I doubt not but you are informed of the particularities of the yeelding vp of the towne of Antuerpe, and how that since mine enemies (hauing sought by false and slaunderous suggestions, to blame me, and to wrong mine honour) haue gotten so great credit with the Estates which gouerne there, as they haue written plainely vnto me, that they would not suffer me to remaine in the vnited prouinces, I haue made many complaints to the Estates of Zeeland, but it hath auailed me nothing, so as I am resolued to leaue the coun∣trie, [ B] and to seeke my fortune, applying my selfe to that wherunto God shall call me, attending only the comming of my yong sonne, to make him partaker of his fathers fortunes: assuring you, that aduersities shall neuer change me, nor take from me the assurance that I haue in my God and Father, by his sonne Iesus Christ. I am sorrie to see my selfe reduced to that extre∣mitie, to go wandring vp and down like a vagabond, depriued of wife, children, and all dome∣sticke commodities, yea in my declining age, which hath most need of rest. But I must truely confesse, that the miserable estate of our poore country, doth afflict me much more than mine owne priuate fortune; and the more, for that I cannot assist it, neither with counsell nor with action.

And on the other side, I see in my example, as in a cleere glasse, that such as gouerne the [ C] helme in this horrible tempest, suffer themselues to be carried away by the winds of reports and passions, not giuing place to reason, the which in the end must needs be the cause of all miseries: for this manner of proceeding doth incense many against them, hauing alreadie too many enemies, and puts them in danger with their owne fall to drawe the whole countrie in∣to ruine. We haue seene the examples of times past, when as trusting to some smiles of for∣tune, we made no account to offend all the world, and vpon light and vaine iealousies, we did often laie the foundations of great quarrels. For the present, it seemes that our miserie is come to some Crisis, the good or bad conduct whereof will be of great importance, and may qualifie the last euent.

I would they would take example of the towne of Antuerpe, and others, which haue runne [ D] headlong into these extremities, and haue left no meanes for their preseruation, but what de∣pended on the conquerours discretion and clemencie, who if hee would haue followed the steppes of his predecessors (yea and of many among the rest, who hauing mingled their victo∣ries with much blood & proscriptions, haue yet purchased the title of humanity and clemen∣cie with posterity) I feare the reliques would scarce haue beene preserued. It is true, that the hatred to religion is as great, or rather greater than euer, the which is a great testimonie of the wrath of God, and one of the greatest calamities. But yet I thinke sometimes with my selfe, that if they laid aside all passion, and would proceede with wisdome and moderation, it might happily be helped, at the least some part of it: a milde word doth oftentimes pacifie choller, and time moderates all things. Whatsoeuer it be, they must seeke to auoide the to∣tall [ E] ruine of the countrie, and of religion, either by armes, or els by an accord. If they be resol∣ued to armes, they must then take another course than they haue hitherto done: they must obey and submit themselues vnder a head, which may commaund with authoritie, they must watch and be diligent when it is time, and not attend extremities. If an accord doth please them, they must also seeke it before they be at the victors mercie. In the meane time, I must confesse I should be much troubled to speake my opinion resolutely: but as farre as I can iudge of the princes disposition, if euer any equitie or reason may be expected or hoped for, it will come from him, or not from any that shall come to gouerne in these parts. I know well what difficulties there are in Spaine, but if they become victors, they will bee much greater, and it may bee past all remedie; whereas now it may bee, that in trying the foord, there [ F] would be some hope to escape many dangers on either side. But there is great difficultie to maintaine the common people in their dutie and constancie, if they once open this gappe, and giue them any hope of peace. I foresee it well, and therefore they must proceed wisely

and with great discretion. But there will alwayes some difficulties arise, the which (it [ A] seemeth) may bee preuented, if they vse therein authoritie, wisedome, and diligence. * 1.267 Wee haue seene it in the warres of Holland, that they haue attempted it twice or thrice without successe, and yet we haue not seene the publicke affaires of the Commonwealth runne to wracke and confusion: for when as they discouered the shelfe, they presently turned away the course of their shippe. But there was a good and a wise pylote, who gouerned the helme, and knew well ynough how to fit the sayles to the violence of the wind. Hauing none such now, I know not (if hauing once let slippe a cable) how they shall recouer it againe, but that the storme will soone ouerset the shippe, euen in an in∣stant. It is therefore a very difficult and hard thing to giue any counsell or aduice in this case, and yet there must be an absolute resolution therein: For you must vndoub∣tedly expect, to haue all the burthen and extremitie of the warres to fall vpon you in [ B] those parts: you haue an enemie that is vigilant vpon all occasions whatsoeuer, hardie at assaults, indefatigable in trauell, wise in counsell, and prompt in execution and perfor∣mance of any thing: And yet on the other side, he is so wise and circumspect, as he doth precisely weigh and consider the difficulties and hazards of warre, especially in so strong a countrey, and so disaduantagious for souldiers. He doth also consider, what small pro∣fit or commoditie will redound to him and to his master, seeing that howsoeuer the chance shall fall, hee can attend no other, but onely the losse and ruine of his owne patrimonie. Wherefore I thinke it should bee easie to preuent and auoid the danger thereof, if there were occasion offered to doe it with honour. Wherefore thinke well vpon this, I pray [ C] you, first with your selfe, and then with your wise and temperate friends, and consider what you shall thinke most fit and conuenient to be done. For (to speake the truth) we are in all thinges much inferiour vnto our enemies; their authoritie is absolute and firme, and supported and maintained with the title of a great and mightie king; ours is not one∣ly floting betwixt the inconstant waues of popular humours and fantasies, but (in a man∣ner) nothing at all: the commaunders in the warre differ; the meanes are nothing like; the souldiers are no wayes to be compared, neyther in number, experience, vertue, nor courage to fight. True it is, that wee haue the situation of the countrey for our aduan∣tage: but the duke of Alua his time hath shewed sufficiently vnto vs, that the situation thereof cannot hinder the exploits of warre, no not in the very hardest time of Winter. [ D] And when I doe examine the causes and reasons which crossed his prosperitie and wel∣fare, I can find but small hope or comfort remayning for vs at this present: for on the enemies side you had the crueltie of the Generall, the pride of the leaders, the insolencie of the souldiers, the extreame ouer-weening of the Nation, the examples of excesse that was vsed at Rotterdam, Naerden, Harlem, and other places, being yet fresh in memo∣rie. On our side you had a commaunder that was of great power and authoritie, sin∣gular wisedome, admirable humanitie, wonderfull patience, and incomparable dexteri∣tie, were it to animate the people, to content the common souldiers, to winne the hearts of the captaines, to imploy men of worth and reputation, and to embrace all aduantages both of places and situations, and to iudge presently of all defects whatsoeuer. In the [ E] people you had a great disdaine of things that were past, a dislike of the present, and a hope of the future, a great zeale and desire to libertie, and a great loue and affection to their auncient gouernment: and yet all this was, Dulce bellum inexpertis. Now it is quite contrarie: For on their side, the late examples of clemencie and humanitie which hath beene shewed to many conquered townes and castles, dazell the eyes; the courte∣sie and discretion of the Generall winneth the hearts and minds of all men; the seueritie and discipline vsed against the common souldiers, taketh away all iealousie and distrust. On our side, I know not if we haue a commaunder, if the gouernours haue any shad∣dow of authoritie and commaund, the souldiers and men of warre any kind of obedience, or the common people any zeale to Religion, or to libertie: warre is hatefull vnto them, [ F] and peace their onely wish; traffique and priuat profit is the thing which they chiefely ayme at, and all their hope resteth in the change and alteration of the Estate, and yet no man setteth to his helping hand, to vphold and keepe vs from vtter ruine. I know not

yet what hope prince Maurice doth giue: yet I beleeue, that want of experience will day∣ly [ A] weaken his forces (especially in the middest of so great disaduantages:) and as for suc∣cours * 1.268 to be hoped for from the English; if they be masters, you shall haue an alteration of the people; if they bee not, you shall reape small profit. Wee haue one point yet remay∣ning, which doth serue as a sacred anchor, to be our stay euen in the greatest calamities, which is, that God will preserue and defend his Church in the middest of all stormes, whereof I am assured. But the question is, by what meanes? It may bee his pleasure will be to trie it vnder the yoke of bondage and persecution: it may be he will preserue it by the hand of a mightie Cyrus, an Artaxerxes, or an Alexander: it may bee hee will disperse them into the foure corners of the world, and take the light from among them, that haue not shewed themselues worthie of it. We know, that the church of God is not tyed or li∣mitted [ B] to any certaine place: it is Catholicke, that is to say, vniuersall, not of Alexandria, nor of Rome, nor of Belgia. The examples of Asia, Egypt, Greece, and Affricke, should make vs tremble vnder the mightie and heauie hand of the Lord: Goe vnto Silo, and see what I haue done, sayth he: And his Apostle sayth, If he hath not spared the naturall bran∣ches, doe you thinke he will spare you: Wherefore wee must not in any case relye vpon bare words, and crie, The Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord, or the children of Abraham, and the race of Israel: for God can out of stones rayse vp children to Abraham, and there are none but the children of promise that are accounted for seed. I am there∣fore of aduice, that wee should euery one of vs humble our selues vnder the Lords hand, that we should heare his word diligently and sincerely, and that we should examine care∣fully [ C] the meanes which he hath vouchsafed to giue vnto vs; but aboue all, that we beware of tempting him. I know well, that he is not tyed to meanes, yet his eternall and euer∣lasting wisedome (which hath disposed of the euents of all thinges whatsoeuer before the foundation and beginning of the world, and hath withall determined of the meanes and second causes) will not be tempted: and you well know, that it is not fit nor conuenient, that for our pleasures he should be enforced to worke miracles. Wee doe not allow of it, that our aduersaries should seeke to draw him to that necessitie, when there is any question of doctrine which dependeth immediately of his mouth: and would wee doe it in poli∣ticke actions (the which he hath himselfe, by his admirable wisedome, as it were, tyed and bound to the second causes, to be guided and directed by the counsell, foresight, and [ D] disposition of his creatures) wee know the rule which the sonne of Almightie God hath giuen in the Gospell, for them that vndertake warre against their neighbours: by the which hee doth not take away the meanes from God to giue the victorie to the weaker partie; but he sheweth plainely, what the true experience of all ages hath rightly taught vs (I speake this by way of discourse) for wee cannot by any meanes auoid the ineui∣table necessitie of waging warre, seeing it is but defensiue, the which we cannot aban∣don, vnlesse we will betray the cause and honour of Almightie God, the which wee should more esteeme of, than all worldly considerations whatsoeuer, and which should vtterly deface all other respects, seeing the great bitternesse of the malicious spight∣full aduersaries of his holy Word to bee wholly bent to extirpe and root it out, stop∣ping [ E] their eyes and eares against all reason whatsoeuer, and seeking with all the force and violence they can to subiect the diuine Oracles of the Almightie God to the Ordinan∣ces and traditions of mortall men. Wee must therefore continue the warre with all per∣seuerance that may bee, and attend the end thereof, euen such as it shall please our good God to giue it, seeing that the choice and disposition thereof resteth not in our pow∣er to determine of. But yet the better to sound the ground of this matter, let vs see if this opposition be not subiect to a replye: for when I cast mine eye vpon the infinite di∣uersitie of meanes which almightie God hath in his diuine and euerlasting power, to pre∣serue and defend his Church euen in the middest of wicked Babylon, and that he holdeth and ruleth the hearts of kings and princes in his hand, to worke them and turne them [ F] like waxe, euen at his good will and pleasure, I thinke then sometimes, and consider with my selfe, that it is a very strange and wonderfull thing, why that in all our actions and enterprises whatsoeuer we should seeme (as it were) to distrust or make any doubt of this

his great power and vertue; the which notwithstanding wee see more often exercised by [ A] him, to the good and benefit of his seruants, than that which we attend of him. For with∣out * 1.269 doubt, almightie God is as powerfull to bend the hearts of kings and princes to mer∣cie vnto their subiects, and to make them doe that which they had neuer before preten∣ded, as hee is to giue victorie and conquest vnto them, that without any apparance of meanes (hauing no speciall reuelation, nor warrant) attempt warre against great and mightie kings and potentates: but hee doth it much more commonly: for in persuall of all the auncient hystories of fore-passed ages, you shall find a thousand examples of the one, and scarce one or two of the other. Iacob meeting with his brother, relyed vpon this support, and sped very well. Sending his children afterwards into the land of Aegypt, hee gaue them no other armour but this. His children being in bondage vnder the crueltie of [ B] Pharac, felt the omnipotent hand of God stretched foorth, turning the kings and the E∣gyptians hearts, sometimes to loue, sometimes to hatred, now to crueltie, and then to mercie; sometimes to chase them away, and then againe to stay them. And I pray you by what meanes or miracle did the Israelites obtaine health and prosperitie from king Na∣b•…•…cadnezzar, and afterwards from the kings of Persia, from king Alexander, and in the end from Pompey and the Romanes, by the way of armes? Nay contrariwise, their continu∣ance in armes had alwaies drawne them into miserie and bondage, and in the end quite ruined and spoyled their goodly citie Hierusalem, vtterly defaced the memorie of the Sanctuarie, and dispersed the people into all the corners of the earth, like dust. And there∣unto it is referred, when as the holy Prophets of God doe exhort vs so often to attend [ C] with silence and hope, and to suffer the scourge of God to passe from vs without oppo∣sition. But what? doe I therefore wholly condemne armes? God forbid: for I know full well, that the lawfull calling, the iustice of the cause, and the necessitie to preserue and defend that which God himselfe hath giuen vs in guard, may make them holy and pleasing. But I offer to your further consideration, whether certaine experience doth not dayly teach and make knowne vnto vs, that we may with greater fruit seeke an accord, with hope, that God will mooue their hearts to clemencie, who are now so much harde∣ned to seeke our ruine and destruction. You will say vnto me, that it hath beene often at∣tempted, but in vaine. I know it right well, and doe see plainely, that the greatest mild∣nesse and clemencie which they vse in all their treaties and accords, is still accompanied [ D] with a designe, to root out Christian Religion in time, and the true seruice of God, as it is commaunded and expressed vnto vs in his holy Word: and which is more, they are more vnwilling at this day to heare it spoken of, than they were euer, I meane amongst the common sort of people. But, in the meane time, I see also, that we haue so often at∣tempted armes in vaine, and that the more the warres continue, the more the knowledge of God and of true pietie decayeth (omitting to speake of the ruine and bondage of our countrey) and yet they will againe trie force, and hope euen against all hope or likely∣hood. Why may we not, in like manner, once againe trie the successe of a generall ac∣cord, and hope (beyond hope) that God will yet at length mooue their hearts, and doe that which he hath not yet done? Without doubt, after that we haue a thousand times [ E] attempted armes in vaine, wee may foure or fiue times trie the meanes of a peace and concord. It may happily be in vaine; and peraduenture with great fruit: and if it doth not produce the good fruits which we attend and hope for, it may be God will cause vs to feele some other, which we expected not. If we bee refused in so loyall a request, the necessitie of our warre shall be the greater, and the cause more iust and fauourable, and it may be God will mooue the hearts of some other princes, to haue pitie and compassion on vs, and eyther by force of armes or meanes of intercession to take our cause in hand, and to reuenge our quarrell. All warres from the beginning of the world to this day haue once had an end, eyther by the ruine of one of the parties, or by an accord. To attend the ruine of one partie, it is much to bee feared, that it would fall vpon our side: for [ F] the l•…•…mbe, our head, is a good warrior by the vertue of the spirit, and by the sword of the Word, but he doth sildome employ any substantiall armes; whereas on the other side, the beast which maketh warre vnto the lambe and his followers, is victorious in this

world by armes, and is drunke with the bloud of Martyrs. An accord hath not alwayes [ A] succeeded, after it hath beene attempted: our neighbour (Fraunce) doth shew it, and our * 1.270 owne bowels haue felt it, and the examples of all ages and nations doe witnesse it: But in the end, when the Impostume is ripe, it must be then broken. But some will say vnto me, that they feare too great inconueniences may arise by these treaties of peace; I con∣fesse it, and (without doubt) they are exceedingly to bee feared, yet a wise man must (with due deliberation) consider of the inconueniences on eyther side, and where there is greatest likelyhood of remedie and helpe. If they hope to obtayne victorie against the enemie by armes, to preserue the libertie, lawes, and priuiledges of the countrey, to de∣fend the true Religion, to warrant the Church of God from oppression and ruine; in the name of God let vs resolue to take armes, but let vs vndertake it couragiously and cheere∣fully, and employ both our hearts and hands therein. But on the other side, if our for∣ces [ B] doe dayly decay, if armes doe subiect our countrey and people vnto the yoake of strangers, if armes deface all lawes and auncient policie, disperse the Church of God, ouerthrow all true pietie and Religion, wipeth out all remembrance and respect of the word of God, and in the end draweth vs one after another into our enemies power; why doe wee not then looke vnto that which is most likely to preserue and defend vs? Wee saw by experience, when we had all our forces ioyned together to vphold vs, when wee had a head to conduct and direct vs, when our meanes were entyre, yet the chiefe townes of the countrey were enforced to come to an agreement with the enemie one after another; so as so many townes, so many priuate accords were made and entered into. Wee [ C] know that these priuate accords are a ruine and confusion vnto the countrey, and yet we cannot preuent these priuate accords, nor will not make any motion for a generall peace, in time; but are like men that were inchaunted and drunke with this opi∣nion, that we must attend and hope euen vntill the last houre of our extremitie, and ne∣uer speake or make motion of any peace, but when we are so neere driuen, that we can doe no more: which is the very cause, that all our actions are not guided and ma∣naged by reason, but carried headlong (as it were) by passion and necessitie. With∣out doubt, when wee are brought vnto the vttermost extremitie, it is impossible for vs to obtaine any good or reasonable conditions from the winning enemie: for the victor doth alwayes prescribe a law vnto the vanquished, and hee that sighteth, doubteth [ D] the danger thereof, and oftentimes is compelled to giue eare vnto an vnequall accord. Wherefore the fittest time on good conditions to make peace, is, when both parties are strong, and fit to abide the fight: but when the one is vnderfoot, and not able to hold out any longer, there is no time then of reconciliation, but of humilitie. I doe not yet giue counsell to make an accord: but if that one towne after another shall be forced in the end to agree vnto the enemie, I am of opinion, that they should take an antidote against this deadly poyson, and begin when it is time: for it is better to treat of a re∣conciliation for all the townes together, than for the yeelding vp of one towne in parti∣cular. But it is greatly to bee feared, that if they once speake of a treatie of peace and reconciliation, and that the common people haue once any vent of it, they shall con∣found [ E] and ouerthrow all their course of warre, and bee enforced to runne headlong in∣to ruine and confusion, without any meanes eyther to preuent or withstand the same. Verily I beleeue it, and it is most certaine, that this daunger proceedeth onely from want of authoritie and commaund. If this bee not now to be redressed, what will it bee hereafter, when as wee shall haue sustained greater losses and calamities? But I thinke it is yet to bee repayred, and that there is much lesse difficultie or hazard to doe it pre∣sently, than there will be hereafter. I haue alwayes beene of opinion, that when the ma∣gistrates and gouernours; and those that are appointed to manage the affaires of the doun∣trey, hold a streight hand ouer the people, and doe not allow euery man to speake of a peace at his pleasure, but reserue the authoritie and determination thereof vnto themselues, [ F] they haue meanes to gouerne the helme, and not to suffer themselues to bee violent∣ly carried away with the inconstant humours of the giddie multitude. And therefore in this towne of Antuerpe I was of opinion, to punish those that did but speake of any

accord, and to expressely forbid, that no man should talke priuately thereon; but in the [ A] meane time I thought it fit, that the magistrate and the counsell of the towne should * 1.271 consult alone of that businesse, and manage it with all the wisedome and discretion they could. And so it happened, that the magistrat, after the defeat of Coesteins dike, seeing how we were distressed for victuals, munition, and other necessaries, did make the first motion: but this businesse was handled priuate in counsell, with great alterations for a moneths space, before it was vented to the multitude, the which did auayle vs much for the accord: but the error was, that it was not propounded, vntill we were so bare of vi∣ctuals and other meanes, as what hard conditions soeuer the enemie had offered vs, we must haue beene forced to accept them. If happily we had spoken before we had tryed the fortune of the fight, wee should eyther haue obtained a more easie and fauourable [ B] accord, or had a more happie successe. Wherefore I thinke that our example may well serue for an instruction. Aboue all wee must consider, Quid ferre recusent, quid valeant humeri, and gouerne the affaires of our countrey with wisedome and discretion, and not to stand vpon popular opinions. My meaning is not to giue you counsell herein, for that were presumption and rashnesse; but falling vpon this subiect, I thought good to discourse on both sides, as it commeth often into my mind. I would I were a fit man to serue my countrey, eyther for matter of counsell, or action, eyther in warre or peace. But seeing that my misfortune will not permit it, yet it hath beene some ease and com∣fort vnto me, to discharge my thoughts in the bosome of my friend, whom I hold to be wife, circumspect, and zealous to true Religion and the good of his countrey. If there [ C] be any thing worthie of consideration, you may make vse thereof, and impart it to your discreet friends; if not, in casting my letter into the fire, our dispute shall bee ended. In the meane time, wheresoeuer I shall be, you shall haue a true friend, a good kinsman, and a faithfull seruant, &c.

Ph. de Marnix.

This Summer there were many attempts made against Groning, and the Hollanders and they of West-Friseland (meaning to bring it to extremitie) maintayned and kept certaine shippes of warre continually in the riuer of Ems, for that they of the towne of Groning fetched their victuals and all other their prouision from the towne of Emb∣den, [ D] hauing also intelligence, that the prince of Parma sought to make himselfe master of the riuer of Ems, intending to make vse thereof for the reliefe of his armie, and to get the command of the towne of Embden into his hands, which lay in the king of Spaines way, and crossed his designes, as much as Collen, Leege, Aken, Wesel, and many other townes did.

The Estates shippes of warre lying vpon the riuer of Ems, would not suffer any shippes to passe vp to Embden: whereupon the earle and the towne of Embden sent vnto the admirall of the fleet, whose name was captaine Knoop, and also to the Estates of Holland and West-Friseland, complayning of the great wrong and iniurie that was offe∣red vnto them: but finding no redresse thereof, but onely good words and many delayes, [ E] vntill their enterprise had taken effect, they armed and sent out six shippes of warre, and some small pinnaces; and for that there were at the least fortie shippes of their towne la∣den with marchandize, which were kept out and hindered from entring into the said riuer of Ems by the Estates shippes, vpon the second day of the moneth of Nouember they went out of the towne, demaunding leaue of the Admirall for the Estates, to haue their shippes passe vp the riuer to the towne of Embden, who (being then gone downe with all his shippes vnto the mouth of the riuer, entring into the sea, and lay at Berchum for his best aduantage) made answere vnto them, That as yet hee had no direction nor commaundement from his superiors, so to doe. But whilest that the Embden shippes returned this answere vnto the towne, and attended their directions, vpon the fifth day [ F] of the said moneth of Nouember, there suddenly arose so great a storme of winde and tempestuous foule weather, as all the Hollanders shippes were dispersed, and in great danger; the Admirall for the Estates was sunke into the sea, Knoop escaping hardly

into another shippe: the admirall of Embden was forced to cut downe her maine mast, and [ A] so did many other shippes. The Hollanders shippes beeing thus scattered by the handie * 1.272 worke of God, the marchants shippes got free passage vp the riuer, to goe vp vnto the towne of Embden, and their shippes of warre with them, who (by fortune) tocke a gen∣tleman of Embden, called Onne van Ewesten, prisoner, who serued vnder the Estates, and carried him with them to Embden: which tempest (through the prouidence of Almigh∣tie God) preuented a great quarrell, which otherwise had fallen out betwixt the Estates and the towne of Embden: yet the Summer following, the Estates sent their shippes thither againe, and stayed the comming of the Embden shippes, as they had done be∣fore; but vpon the foure and twentieth of Iune there was an agreement made, by the meanes of certaine Englishmen, who were dealers in it: and yet many times after they fell [ B] out againe.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1581
• * 1.2

  1581
• * 1.3

  1581
• * 1.4

  The Edict •…•…f the general E∣states, decla∣ring the king of Spain to be fallen frō the seigniorie of the Nether∣lands.
• * 1.5

  1581
• * 1.6

  1581
• * 1.7

  1581
• * 1.8

  1581
• * 1.9

  1581
• * 1.10

  1581
• * 1.11

  1581 The forme of the othe of ab∣iuration of the king of Spain.
• * 1.12

  The departure of the arch∣duke Mathias out of the Ne∣therlands.
• * 1.13

  S. Guislain sur∣prised by the prince of Espynoy.
• * 1.14

  1581
• * 1.15

  Tournay be∣sieged by the prince of Parma.
• * 1.16

  Tournay yeel∣ded by com∣position.
• * 1.17

  1581
• * 1.18

  1581
• * 1.19

  The prince of Oranges desire to be dischar∣ged of his place.
• * 1.20

  The States an∣swer to the princes demād
• * 1.21

  1582
• * 1.22

  The duke of Aniou comes out of England into Zeeland.
• * 1.23

  1582
• * 1.24

  Iohn Petit.
• * 1.25

  1582
• * 1.26

  1582
• * 1.27

  The Duke of Aniou created Duke of Bra∣bant.
• * 1.28

  1582
• * 1.29

  The dukes en∣trie into An∣tuerpe.
• * 1.30

  The dukes oth to the towne of Antuerpe.
• * 1.31

  1582
• * 1.32

  1582
• * 1.33

  A plot laid to kill the prince of Orange.
• * 1.34

  1582
• * 1.35

  The murthe∣rer shoots the prince.
• * 1.36

  The murthe∣rer slaine.
• * 1.37

  * Iohn Petit.
• * 1.38

  1582
• * 1.39

  A vaine enter∣prise vpon the castle of Na∣mur.
• * 1.40

  Lens surprised and lost again.
• * 1.41

  1582
• * 1.42

  Audenarde besieged by the prince of Parma.
• * 1.43

  Audenarde yeelded to the Spaniard by composition.
• * 1.44

  Alost surpri∣sed by the Estates.
• * 1.45

  1582 The castle of Gaesbeke sur∣prised by the Spaniard.
• * 1.46

  Arschot at∣tempted in •…•…aine.
• * 1.47

  1582
• * 1.48

  An attempt a∣gainst the duke of Anious and the prince of Oranges per∣sons discoue∣red.
• * 1.49

  Frācisco Baza kils himselfe.
• * 1.50

  •…•…edo 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.51

  The duke of Aniou inue∣sted earle of Flanders.
• * 1.52

  1582
• * 1.53

  Liere betrayed to the Spani∣ard.
• * 1.54

  1582
• * 1.55

  1582
• * 1.56

  Lochum be∣sieged by the Spaniard.
• * 1.57

  1582
• * 1.58

  The siege of Lochú raised.
• * 1.59

  The castles of Keppel and Bronchurst yeelded to the Estates.
• * 1.60

  Gaesbeke yeelded to the duke of Aniou
• * 1.61

  Enchouen yeelded also.
• * 1.62

  1582
• * 1.63

  Castle Cam∣bresis yeelded to the Spaniard
• * 1.64

  1583
• * 1.65

  Steenwick sur∣prised by the Spaniard.
• * 1.66

  Meghen taken by the Estates.
• * 1.67

  Eindouen sur∣prised for the duke of Aniou.
• * 1.68

  The French king refuseth succors to the duke his bro∣ther, & some aduice con∣cerning it.
• * 1.69

  1583
• * 1.70

  Dunkerke assu∣red for the duke.
• * 1.71

  1583
• * 1.72

  Three sorts of humors in the dukes counsell
• * 1.73

  The relation of the enter∣prise of An∣tuerpe.
• * 1.74

  1583
• * 1.75

  The foolish & cruell enter∣prise of the duke of Aniou vpon Antuerp
• * 1.76

  1583
• * 1.77

  The number of them that were slaine.
• * 1.78

  The noble∣men that were slaine.
• * 1.79

  1583
• * 1.80

  Montpensier blames the duke for the attempt at Antuerpe.
• * 1.81

  The duke seeks to excu•…•… himselfe, and to accuse them of Antuerpe.
• * 1.82

  1583
• * 1.83

  The Dukes letters to them o•…•… Antuerpe.
• * 1.84

  1583
• * 1.85

  The dukes letters to moni•…•…ur Timpel.
• * 1.86

  Seuerall opini∣ons of the dukes enter∣prise.
• * 1.87

  1583
• * 1.88

  Embassadors sent to the States from England and France.
• * 1.89

  The prince of Oranges ad∣uice vpon the reconciliation with the duke of Aniou.
• * 1.90

  158•…•…
• * 1.91

  1583
• * 1.92

  1583
• * 1.93

  Monsieur de Bellieure trea∣teth with the Estates for the duke of Aniou
• * 1.94

  1583
• * 1.95

  1583
• * 1.96

  The duke goes to Dunkerke, yeelding the towns he held to the Estates.
• * 1.97

  1583
• * 1.98

  The Bourse at Antuerpe burnt.
• * 1.99

  Eindouen yeelded to the Spaniard.
• * 1.100

  1583
• * 1.101

  Woude castle yeelded to the Estates.
• * 1.102

  Diest besieged.
• * 1.103

  1583
• * 1.104

  Westerloo yeelded to the Spaniard.
• * 1.105

  Zichem yeel∣ded to the Spaniard.
• * 1.106

  1583
• * 1.107

  W Dunkerke be∣sieged.
• * 1.108

  Nieuport yiel∣ded.
• * 1.109

  Furnes and Dixmuyden yeelded to the Spaniard.
• * 1.110

  The Sas sei∣zed on by the Spaniard.
• * 1.111

  1583
• * 1.112

  Weert spoiled by the estates.
• * 1.113

  1583
• * 1.114

  1583
• * 1.115

  1583.
• * 1.116

  Zutphen sur∣prised by the Spaniard.
• * 1.117

  1583
• * 1.118

  1583
• * 1.119

  Steelandt •…•…eelds the land of Waes to the Spaniard.
• * 1.120

  Alost deliue∣red by the English to the Spaniard.
• * 1.121

  1584
• * 1.122

  A tumult in Gant.
• * 1.123

  A new tumult in Gant.
• * 1.124

  1584
• * 1.125

  Ypre yeelded by compositi∣on.
• * 1.126

  1584
• * 1.127

  1584
• * 1.128

  1583
• * 1.129

  1584
• * 1.130

  1584
• * 1.131

  1584
• * 1.132

  1584
• * 1.133

  1584
• * 1.134

  1584
• * 1.135

  1584
• * 1.136

  1584
• * 1.137

  Chimay yields Bruges to the Spaniard.
• * 1.138

  1584
• * 1.139

  1584
• * 1.140

  1584
• * 1.141

  Iohn Petit.
• * 1.142

  1584
• * 1.143

  1584
• * 1.144

  The colonels of Antuerpe abandon He∣rental.
• * 1.145

  1584
• * 1.146

  The prince of Orange trai∣terously mur∣thered.
• * 1.147

  1584
• * 1.148

  The prince slaine.
• * 1.149

  His last words.
• * 1.150

  1584
• * 1.151

  The murthe∣rer seekes to escape.
• * 1.152

  The murthe∣rers cōfession.
• * 1.153

  1584
• * 1.154

  The murthe∣rers second confession.
• * 1.155

  1584
• * 1.156

  1584
• * 1.157

  A sentence a∣gainst Baltazar Gerard the murtherer of the prince of Orange.
• * 1.158

  1584
• * 1.159

  The executi∣on of the mur∣therer.
• * 1.160

  The prince of Oranges fu∣nerall pompe.
• * 1.161

  1584
• * 1.162

  The prince of Oranges age and dispo∣sition.
• * 1.163

  His wiues and children.
• * 1.164

  Graue Maurice chosen gouer∣nour.
• * 1.165

  Iohn d'Imbise beheaded.
• * 1.166

  1584
• * 1.167

  Dendermond besieged by the Spaniard.
• * 1.168

  Dendermond yeelded.
• * 1.169

  1585
• * 1.170

  1585
• * 1.171

  An accord made with the towne of Gant
• * 1.172

  1585
• * 1.173

  The shippes enter into An∣tuerpt not withstanding the cannon.
• * 1.174

  1585
• * 1.175

  A speech in Antuerpe ten∣ding to an ac∣cord.
• * 1.176

  1585
• * 1.177

  The prince of Parma builds a bridge vpon the riuer of Autuerpe.
• * 1.178

  1585
• * 1.179

  Teligni taken prisoner by the Spaniard.
• * 1.180

  1585
• * 1.181

  The Estates consult to whom they shall giue themselues.
• * 1.182

  1585
• * 1.183

  Iohn Petit.
• * 1.184

  1585
• * 1.185

  1585
• * 1.186

  The bourgers of Antuerpe take a new oath.
• * 1.187

  Bernardin de Mendosa his speech to the French king.
• * 1.188

  1585
• * 1.189

  The kings an∣swere to the deputies of the Estates.
• * 1.190

  1585
• * 1.191

  1585
• * 1.192

  1585
• * 1.193

  How Nyme. ghen came into the Spa∣niards hands.
• * 1.194

  The castles of Nienbeek and Hackfort ta∣ken by the Spaniards.
• * 1.195

  Doesbourg yeelds to the Spaniard.
• * 1.196

  1585
• * 1.197

  Arnham assu∣red for the E∣states party.
• * 1.198

  Brussels makes an accord with the king of Spaine.
• * 1.199

  1585
• * 1.200

  The forts of Lyefkenshoek and Doel takē by the Estates.
• * 1.201

  An enterprise vpon Oostend wel begun, but ill followed.
• * 1.202

  1585
• * 1.203

  Schuyléburch taken by the Spaniard.
• * 1.204

  Sclickenbourg taken for the Estates.
• * 1.205

  Nuis surprised and spoyled.
• * 1.206

  1585
• * 1.207

  Another de∣signe to cut Coesteyns dike.
• * 1.208

  1585
• * 1.209

  1585
• * 1.210

  The vnfortu∣nat mariage of the prince of Cleue.
• * 1.211

  1585
• * 1.212

  Sterckenhof and Canter∣crois yeelded.
• * 1.213

  The castle of Stralen yeel∣ded.
• * 1.214

  1585
• * 1.215

  Macklyn yeel∣ded by compo∣sition.
• * 1.216

  1585
• * 1.217

  La Noues speech to the prince of Parma.
• * 1.218

  1585
• * 1.219

  The prince of Parma made knight of the Order.
• * 1.220

  1585
• * 1.221

  1585
• * 1.222

  1585
• * 1.223

  1585
• * 1.224

  The Queene taketh coun∣sell what to do touching the low countries.
• * 1.225

  1585
• * 1.226

  What money Holland had contributed in 9-yeares.
• * 1.227

  1585
• * 1.228

  Reasons why the Queene of England did not take vpon her the abso∣lute gouern∣ment of the Netherlands.
• * 1.229

  1585
• * 1.230

  Aide of 5000 foot, and 1000 horsemen.
• * 1.231

  The time of repaiment of the money disbursed.
• * 1.232

  Flessingue and the Bryel giuē to the Queene in caution.
• * 1.233

  The townes shall be left furnished with ordnance, &c. as they were found.
• * 1.234

  Receiuing in of English gar∣risons, but still holding their owne ciuile gouernment.
• * 1.235

  1585
• * 1.236

  They shall not haue any con∣ference or con spiracie with the enemie, &c. The obseruing and keeping of priuiledges.
• * 1.237

  The English souldiers must paie impost & excise.
• * 1.238

  Prouision for discipline and pay to be made by the Queene.
• * 1.239

  Deliuering of the townes a∣gaine when the money is paid.
• * 1.240

  An oath of fi∣delitie to bee made by the souldiers.
• * 1.241

  Prouision for the field.
• * 1.242

  Monethly paiment.
• * 1.243

  The souldiers shall haue free exercise of re∣ligion.
• * 1.244

  Order for victuals.
• * 1.245

  Entrance and permission to fit in the coun∣sell of Estate.
• * 1.246

  1585
• * 1.247

  The authoritie of the gouer∣nour generall.
• * 1.248

  Reformation of the Mint.
• * 1.249

  Prouiso for publicke au∣thority & mar∣tiall discipline.
• * 1.250

  The gouernor shall haue o∣uersight of all things with∣out altering religion or pri∣uiledges.
• * 1.251

  No compact to be made with the ene∣mie without consent of her Maiestie &c.
• * 1.252

  The Queene shall make no treatie but by consent.
• * 1.253

  Taking vp of new souldiers, & paying thē, to be done by the gouernour &c.
• * 1.254

  To change or chuse new go∣uernors.
• * 1.255

  The authority of the admiral of England.
• * 1.256

  Free vse of the hauens on both parts.
• * 1.257

  1585
• * 1.258

  To end all questions and controuersies.
• * 1.259

  Free passage for horses.
• * 1.260

  The English∣men may passe ouer with the generals pas∣port alone.
• * 1.261

  The comman∣ders oathes.
• * 1.262

  A declaration in print made by the Queen of England.
• * 1.263

  1585
• * 1.264

  Graue Mau∣rice letter to the Queene, for consent of deliuering Flessingue into her hands.
• * 1.265

  1585
• * 1.266

  1585
• * 1.267

  1585
• * 1.268

  1585
• * 1.269

  1585
• * 1.270

  1585
• * 1.271

  1585
• * 1.272

  1585