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.

IAQVELINE OF BAVARIA, THE 28▪ Gouernesse in Holland, Zeeland and Friseland, and Contesse of Henault.

[illustration]

2•…•…. •…•…acoba Bauari•…•…▪

Foure times in marriage I my fruite did try, Yet could I not increase my Progenie; Gorrichom I won, gainst William of Arckel, In which Exploit three hundred English fell Beneath my Conduct: while one day did shine, My husbands ransome, made me to resigne My Contries to the Duke of Burgondie: Ten yeares with paine, I sat in soueraigntye; And now in one Graue with my Grandfather. Peace did my bodye to his rest conferre.

THE Lady Iaqueline (or Iacoba as the Hollanders terme her) the [ A] daughter and onely heire of VVilliam of Bauaria, Earle of Hol∣land &c. succeded after the death of her father in all his Earldoms and seigniories. She was then widow (as we haue said) to the Dol∣phin of France, being 17. yeeres old, keeping with her mother, the Lady Marguerite daughter to Iohn duke of Bourgongne, father to Philip. Her fathers obsequies and funerall pompe being ended, she was conducted throughout all the townes of Henault, where∣of she tooke possession and receiued the homages of her subiects and vassals. By reason of her widowhood and her youth shee had much trouble in the gouernment of her * 1.1 [ B] Contries, especially of Holland: for that the two factions reuiued againe, the Hoeckins holding the Countesses partie: and the Cabillautins a contrarie one: by reason where∣of, all the time of her gouernment shee was much disquieted.

As soone as the Ear•…•…e her father was dead, all the banished men, and those whom in his life time he had oppressed, reioyced: amongst others, Iohn Lord of Egmond, and Wil∣liam * 1.2 Lord of Iselstein brethren: who consulted how they might recouer their Landes which the Earle had forfeited. The Lord of Iselstein with some troupes hauing intel∣legence in his towne, found the meanes to haue a port opened, and entred secretly in the night, without any discouerie or opposition, yet he could not at that time get the Ca∣stle. The Lady Iaqueline being then with her mother in Henault, during her absence, [ C] some Noblemen affectionate to her seruice, preuailed so with the succors of them of V∣trecht and of Amerssord, as they came and besieged the saide Towne of Iselstein: At which siege there commanded Walrauen of Brederode, and Iohn Vicont of Montfort. * 1.3 Befo•…•…e they could be ready for the siege, the two brethren of Egmond found meaens to get the castle, into the which they shut themselues. Those of Vtrecht did much affect this siege, knowing that Herman of Lochorst, and Iohn vanden Spiegel, were also with∣in it, and therefore they built certen Bastillions, Caualiers, and other places for battery, foure dayes after that the Campe was planted there, almost all the townes of Hollande came with their coullors flying, to conquer it. Iohn of Bauaria bishop of Leige, vncle to the Countesse Iaqueline, came thither also with good troupes; so as the Towne was be∣sieged [ D] on all sides. These brethren of Egmond seeing so mightie an armie before them, consulted of their affaires: so as by the meanes and intercession of Iohn of Heemskerk, there was an agreement made with them, by the which it was said, that the said Lords of Egmond, and the banished of Vtrecht should depart out of the towne and castle of Iselstein with bag and baggage, the which they should deliuer into the handes of the Lieutenant and deputies of the Countesse of Holland; and that all the inhabitantes of * 1.4 the towne aboue thirteene yeares old, should take the oath of fealtie, and submit them∣selues vnder her obedience; which being done the armie entred into the towne. Soone after the lady Iaqueline came out of Henault into Holland, who hearing of this victorie obtained vnder her authoritie, and in her name, thanked her friends, who had been care∣full [ E] of her good. Those of Vtrecht desired that the towne might bee giuen unto them to dispose thereof at their pleasure: which being too lightly granted (not thinking they would vse it in that sort) they demanteled the Ports, towers, and walles, and ruined the * 1.5 castle vnto the ground: the which did much displease the Nobilitie of Holland. And for that those of Vtrecht thought it was two neere a neighbour vnto them, the same yeare they had leaue to burne the whole towne, except the Church and Monasteries. This ru∣in of Iselstein happened during the Consulate of Wolpert of Amerongen, and Didi∣er of Houdam, Bourgmasters of Vtrecht. Which towne remained thus desolate and ruined without walles, vnto the time of Charles the warlike Duke of Burgongne, Earle of Holland &c. Of whom Frederik of Iselstein, afterwards Earle of Buren obtained leaue [ F] to repaire it, and to build a new castle.

In the said yeere 1417. the Contesse Iaqueline was in like sort receiued, and tooke * 1.6 possession of her inheritance of Holland, Zeland, and Frise-land, as she had been before in Henault. To fulfill the will of Cont William her father, hauing desired, before his

death, that she should mary again with Iohn duke of Brabant, although he were her co∣sin [ A] germaine. The said duke hauing intelligence of the death of Cont William, went to Gaunt to Duke Iohn of Bourgongne his vncle; to whom he vsed some speech of this marriage. Wherevpon there was a meeting appointed at Byervlyet, whether came the said Duke Iohn, Philip Earle of Charolois, sonne to Duke Iohn of Bourgongne, and many other great Noblemen and Barons; The Lady Iaqueline came also with the Lady Marguerite of Bourgongne her mother, Aunt to Duke Iohn of Brabant, and * 1.7 Iohn of Bauaria bishop of Liege, vncle by the fathers side to the said Lady, all accom∣pained with great traines of Noblemen. There it was determined, that the Will of Cont William the father, should be fulfilled; whereupon a marriage was concluded be∣twixt the Duke of Brabant, and the Countesse of Holland, and there they were made [ B] sure; if the Court of Rome would consent thereunto: wherof their were mutuall pro∣mises, the first day of August the same yeere 1417. and there were letters drawn, with a penaltie to be paid by any of the parties that should repent, or oppose with other conditions: among the which Iohn of Bauaria, bishop of Liege should inioy all that which Cont Albert his father, and Cont William his brother, together with the Ladie Iaqueline his Neece, had giuen and confirmed vnto him: in consideration whereof they Bishop did consent vnto the marriage: and therevpon the Assembly at Byervlyet was dissolued. Presently there was a notable Embassage, sent in the name of the Duke of Brabant, and the Countesse of Holland his spowse, to the Councell of Constance, to obtaine a dispensation for their marriage, notwithstanding the proximitie of blood, [ C] the which was denyed them: for that the Emperour Sigismond, and this bishop of * 1.8 Liege crossed it all they could: for this bishop had such a conceite, and so great a desire to be Earle of Holland, as the same yeere, in September, he went out of Liege (and neuer after returned more) came to Dordrecht in Holland, and sent his deputies to the said councell, with an ample Procuration to resigne into the Popes handes his bishopricke of Liege, the which he had gouerned 27. yeers, and also to hinder the dis∣pensation of the marriage: whereof the Duke of Brabant was secretly aduertised by some friends which he had in the said councell of Constance.

This Iohn of Bauaria hauing left his bishopricke of Leige, and being at Dordrecht, writ to all the townes of Holland that they should receiue him, and acknowledge him * 1.9 [ D] for Gouernor, and Tutor of the Contesse, his Neece, being a widow, who could not be dispenced withall by the Councell, for her marriage; shewing, that hee did onely seeke the aduancement and greatnesse of his Neece, with the preseruation of her E∣state. But God knowes, that he had a contrarie intent to dispossesse her. And to that end, he caused an assembly to be held at Schonhouen, where he made this proposition; but it was denied him by the said Ladie his Neece: who notwithstanding offered to confirme vnto him what had beene concluded at the foresaid treatie of marriage. Iohn of Bauaria seeing himselfe thus refused, returned to Dordrecht much discontented: where hee made a league with the Cabillautin faction, of the which those of Egmond werethe cheef; and was acknowledged in the said town of Dordrecht, for Tutor and [ E] Gouernour of Holland and Zeeland. Vpon which support he sent to somon the sayde Ladie, to submit her selfe vnder his charge: else he would denounce warre against her. He had drawen vnto his faction William of Arckell, Iohn of Egmond, William of Ysel∣stein; by whose fauour and assistance he thought to doe wonders, promising them also to restore them to their lands that were forfeited to Cont William, father to the Con∣tesse. Afterwards Iohn of Egmond found means to surprize the Towne of Gorrichom, * 1.10 in the name of Iohn of Arckel his cousin. The Lorde of Brederode, and other Ba∣rons which held the Contesses partie, seeing the towne thus surprized, retyred them∣selues presently into the castle, which Cont William had caused to be built. William of Arckell ariued soone after, being accompanied with many Knights and Gentlemen, [ F] where he was restored to his siegniorie; but the castle held good againg him. Iohn of Bauaria went secretly to Gorrichom, conferred with the said noblemen, & then retur∣ned to Dordrecht. The Contesse being aduertised hereof, drew what forces she could together, out of all her countreys: and with the assistance of them of Vtrecht and of

Amersfort, accompanied by her mother, sayled vp the riuer of Merwe, and went be∣fore * 1.11 [ A] Gorrichom. The chief of her armie were Walrauen of Brederode, then Lieutenant to the said Ladie in Holland, Zeeland and Friseland. Where the said Princesses being arriued, they were welcommed into the castle, and their armie camped round about. The night following their men went to the Sapp, and made a breach betwixt the castle and the towne, the which was so great as they might enter with their armie in battell. The Lord of Arckel seeing this breach, put his men suddenly in order, beeing about 4000. The Lord of Brederode hauing disposed of his troupes, aduanced to enter; but the Lord of Arckel had suddenly cast vp a trench betwixt the Towne and the Castle, so as they could not passe, nor easily approach. Notwithstanding they of Vtrecht and A∣mersfort [ B] hauing lept ouer the ditch, marched brauely in battell into the towne. The Lord of Arckel hauing his troupes very resolute, went boldly to incounter them: the charge was furious and very bloody, the one striuing to conquer, the other to defende. * 1.12 But in the end, the Lord of Arckels men beginning to faint, hauing no hope of any sup∣plies, and seeing the Contesses forces to increase hourely, they turned their backes and fled: there was the lord of Arckel slaine, and with him the Earle of Osburch, the siegni∣or * 1.13 of Pettersen. Henry, bastard of Arckell, Allard of Buren, Splinter the bastard of Nyen∣rood, Otto of Gelechom, Otto of Ghemmen, William of Appeldorn, & about a 1000. other gentlemen, Bourgeses and souldiers. Amongst the prisoners were William Earle of Ver∣nenburch, the Earle of Hulberch, Henry of Hoemoet, the baron of Batenburch, Didier of [ C] Lyenden. Arnold of Ordange and Raes his brother, Didier of Heumen. The siegnior of Orflot, Arnold of Egmond sieignior of Marestein, Otto of Buren, Iohn of Heteren, Iohn of Oyen. Arnold of Craenhem, and Arnold of Haerlaer, all Knights. Those of Vtrecht had the Lord Iohn of Egmond, and aboue a 1000. prisoners of all sorts.

Of the Contesse Iaquelines side, their died Walrauen Lord of Brederode, her lieu∣tenant, * 1.14 through the negligence of his seruants, the which was a great losse for that Prin∣cesse, which caused her to mourne: This battell was giuen in the towne of Gorrichom, the first of December. The lord of Brederode left two sonnes, Renold lord of Brederode, and Ghysbrecht cathedrall Deane, and afterwards elect bishop of Vtrecht, of whom wee shall speake heareafter. Pope Martin by his bulles of the 22. of Nouember, of his owne [ D] authoritie notwithstanding the refusall of the councell of Constance, dispenced with the marriage of Iohn Duke of Brabant, with the Lady Iaqueline, Contesse of Holland, with∣out * 1.15 •…•…ny respect to the proximitie of blood: sending the Bull secretly to the Duke by his Ambassadors. The which being come to the knowledge of Iohn of Bauaria her vncle, he made his complaint to the Emperor Sigismonde: who taking it ill, sent to the Pope, letting him vnderstand what quarrels and Factions might growe thereby among Christian Princes: the which did mooue the Pope to reuooke this dispensation, of which reuocation Iohn of Bauaria, sent an authenticall Coppie to the Duke of Brabant, thinking to terrifie him therewith, that hee should not proceed any further in this marriage. But the Duke seeming not to know anything, the 13. of Ianuarie, * 1.16 1418. sent cont Engelbert of Nassau, Lord of Leck and Breda, with Henry lord of Ber∣ghe [ E] vpon Soome, to the Lady Iaqueline, being then at the Hage in Holland, with his Bull.

The 8. of March following, the Duke accompained with many Earles, barons, knights, and Nobles his friends and vassals, came to the saide lady Countesse at the Hage, to ad∣uise of their marriage. The bishop of Tournay, with other Noble men, Ambassadors to Duke Iohn of Bourgongne were there present, with the chiefe of the councell to the Countesse, the Duke of Brabant, and the Deputies of the Townes of Holland, Zeeland, Henault and Frezeland: where they did view and examine the Bull of dispensation, and the coppy of the reuocation, the which not being found authenticall, all well conside∣red, they concluded to proceed in the consumation of the marriage, according to the [ F] ordinances of the church: and so were accordingly married, the fourth of Aprill, by * 1.17 the Deane of the chappell at the Hage, in the presence of the old Lady her mother, of Philip vicont of Leyden, lord of Waesenare, Henry of Leck, and many ladies and gentle∣women, among others, the lady of Saint Martins Dyke, the lady of Ameyden, the lady of Steenbergen and others. The Duke of Brabant was 16. yeeres old, and the con∣tesse

Iaqueline about 18. when as they were married, by the which their patrimoniall in∣heritances [ A] were greatly fortified one by another.

A while after, Pope Martin did write vnto the duke giuing him to vnderstand, that the * 1.18 reuocation which he had made of the dispensation, came through feare of the Emperor, and the importunitie of Iohn of Bauaria, and for no other cause & that without any scru∣ple of conscience, they might liue freely in that state of mariage. The which the Patriarke of Constantinople and the Cardinall of Ostia, confirmed by their Bulles. And so Iohn Duke of Brabant was receyued and acknowledged in the countries of Holland, Zeeland, Henault, Friseland &c. for their prince, as husband to the said lady their princesse: except in the Towne of Dordretcht, and the Iland of Bryele. As also the said Contesse Iaqueline was receiued with great honor in the Townes of the Dutchie of Brabant. And for that [ B] Iohn of Bauaria through the trecherie of them of Dordrecht, would not onely attribute vnto himselfe the gouernment of Holland, but did also take vpon him the title of Earl and procured great troubles to the Contesse his Neece, the Histories of Holland, haue put him in the number (but without rancke) of their Earles, the which we follow; and will describe his gouernment as succin̄tly as wee can, and the disasters of the said Con∣tesse vnto the death.

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Notes

• * 1.1

  The factions reuiue againe in Holland.
• * 1.2

  Those of Eg∣mond returne into Hol•…•…nd. The Lord of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 re∣couers his towne.
• * 1.3

  And the Ca∣stl•…•… into w•…•…ch the bre•…•…hren put themselues.
• * 1.4

  The towne and c•…•…tle of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yeel∣ded to t•…•…e Countesse.
• * 1.5

  Those of V∣trecht 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Iselstein.
• * 1.6

  The Contesse Iaqueline re∣ce•…•…ed in Holland, &c.
• * 1.7

  Anthonie fa∣ther to Iohn duke of Bra∣bant was bro∣ther to Mar∣guerite, who was mother to Iaqueline. A marriage concluded be∣twixt the Contesse of Holland and the duke of Brabant, the 1. of August; 1417.
• * 1.8

  The bishop desirous to spoile his Neece.
• * 1.9

  Iohn of Ba∣uaria seekes to make him∣selfe Barle of Holland.
• * 1.10

  Egmond sur∣priseth Gor∣richom
• * 1.11

  Contesse Ia∣queline be∣siegeth Gor∣richom.
• * 1.12

  Gorrichom taken againe.
• * 1.13

  The lord of Arckle with many others •…•…ne.
• * 1.14

  The Lord of Brederode slaine.
• * 1.15

  The Pope dispenceth with the mar∣riage of the Duke of Bra∣b•…•…nt, with the lady Iaque∣line. The Pope re∣uoketh his dispensation.
• * 1.16

  1418.
• * 1.17

  The marriage consumated be•…•…wixt the duke of Bra∣bant, and the Contesse of Holland.
• * 1.18

  The Pope confirmes his dispensation againe.