The thre bokes of cronicles, whyche Iohn Carion (a man syngularly well sene in the mathematycall sciences) gathered wyth great diligence of the beste authours that haue written in Hebrue, Greke or Latine Whervnto is added an appendix, conteynyng all such notable thynges as be mentyoned in cronicles to haue chaunced in sundry partes of the worlde from the yeare of Christ. 1532. to thys present yeare of. 1550. Gathered by Iohn Funcke of Nurenborough. Whyche was neuer afore prynted in Englysh. Cum priuilegio ad imprimendum solum.

IN the yere of our lord. 1545. was another coū¦cell* 1.1 kept at Wormes, where many thinges we∣re discussed & entreated, as the breakyng vp of the same publyshed maketh mencion. There was also cōcluded as touching matters of religion, that a cōmunication & disputacion shuld be kept at Rain¦sburgh the next yere, whereunto y^e estates of the Go¦spel, or Euangelical princes shoulde appointe. vii••. learned men on their partie, and likewise the Pa∣pistes eyght men on theyr syde, whose mutu∣all agreementes and conclusyons shoulde bee

propounded and declared vnto the Emperoure: That afterwarde he might cōsulte vpon suche thin¦ges as shuld seme to make for an vnitie & concorde.

Whyle these and suche other matters were de∣bated and determined at Wormes, in the presence of the Emperoure and the kyng of the Romaines, the ryght high and myghty Prince, and lorde Fre∣derike* 1.2 Palatine and Electour Imperiall by the Re¦ne, cōsideryng & pondring the necessitie of his prin∣cely graces poore subiectes, wherein they lay mise∣rably captiuated and clogged vnder the yoke of that wicked and detestable Papacy: and how many soules might be lost and brought to dampnacion or euer such vnitie as should be made at Raynsburgh could be brought to passe: And also howe many con¦sultacions and disputacions had bene kept before this tyme, wherein alwaies the papisticall secte had bene conuinced and ouercome▪ and yet neuertheles had alwayes persisted in their Idolatry, and defen¦ded it the longer the more violently, whereby it myght be easely perceiued and concluded, what ho∣pe of amendement or agreement there was to be lo¦ked for: He determined and cōcluded with hymselfe furth with to forsake all popysh abhomination, and not to tarye the yssue or ende of the sayde conuoca∣cion and disputacion, but in asmuche as thorough the grace and mercy of God he had obtained know¦ledge* 1.3 of the truthe and lyght of the Gospell, to can∣se the same without delay to be ministred and decla∣red to his poore subiectes. Wherefore he ordeyned and constituted in all his iurisdictions, that the Po¦pish abhominacion should be put downe, and that in

stede of the same the Gospell of Christ should be fre∣ly preached, that his pore cōmons might be taught and brought into the right and true way of salua∣cion. Our Lorde and sauiour Iesus Christe preser¦••e hym and all the fauourers of his worde to pro∣cede and go forwarde in the settyng furth of hys wyll to the glory of his blessed name. Amen.

This yere also died the doughter of kyng Ferdi∣nando,* 1.4 whiche was maried to Sigismunde the younge king of Pooles, whiche was no small grefe to the kyng her father. But of what death she dyed I could neuer heare no certayntie as yet, only this is manifest that she was not very well entertayned of the kyng her husbande, although it was a syngu∣ler grefe to the olde kyng his father.

When the Emperour (the conuocation at Wor∣mes* 1.5 beyng expired) came downe into the lower par¦tes of Duchlande, he proued the good byshop of Collyn diuers maner of wayes, yf he myght by any meanes haue caused hym to forsake and renoū∣ce the Gospell, and haue brought hym agayn to the obedience of the Pope. But the good christē father remained vnmouable hitherto as a rock surely cou¦ched vpon Christ the true fundacion. God preserue hym to the ende, & vouch saue also to illuminate the Emperours maiestie, that he may knowe the truth and be deliuered from the snares of Antichrist.

After this themperour toke in hand to make pea¦ce* 1.6 betwene the kyng of Englande and the Frenche kyng. For the king of Englande lay yet strongly in campe against the Frenche kyng, but to what effect the said matter was brought shall appeare in tyme conuenient.

In the meane season Henry of Brunswike which* 1.7 before thre yeres had bene expelled out of the land, gathered an hoste of men, as preuely as he coulde. And when he had assembled a competent nombre of men in the bishopriche of Werden, he marched with xv .C. horses or more, and .viij. M. Laūceknightes towardes Rottenburgh into the byshoprike of Bre¦me, trustyng there to obtaine the byshoppes greate ordinaunce. But when they of the citie of Breme had knowledge of his cōming they sent a certayne nōbre of souldiours for the defence of Rottēburgh, which hindred the duke of brūswike of his purpose. When he perceiued that his enterprise toke no bet∣ter successe, he went with all his power into the lād of Lunēbourgh, where he dyd sore endamage the poore people, and so proceded to recouer his lande from whence he was expelled. First he recouered Stonebridge, which yelded vnto him without any great nede. From thence he toke his way towards Woluesbutell, & in his going he wrought much wo to the citie of Brunswike roauing and burnyng in her suburbes, villages land markes & inrisdictions, wherupon he wrote to diuers townes, to make an agrement with him: he did also require money of one of Electours, & of certain byshops, attempting partely as it were by threatenings & minaces to cō∣pell thē to do hym this pleasure. And while the du∣ke* 1.8 raged thus about Brūswike, his ministers Otho counte of Rithberg, Alhard of Hoord with other brought at their Lordes commaundemēt, into the Countie of Deckelenburg about .viij. C. some saye M. horses, & about .iii. M. launceknightes which inuaded the said counte in his dominions, because he fauoured the Gospel,

troublyng and spoylyng the poore people with bur¦nyng and raunsaking to piteously. After this the sayd hoste marched towardes the water called the Weser, where they endamaged certayne gentelmē and fermers of the Lādgraue: And after that they had constrained a certayne officer belonging to the Byshop of Minster and of Minden, whiche dwel∣led in the place vpon the hyll, to disburse vnto them a certayn summe of money, they departed from thē∣ce to Duke Henry before Woluesbutell. In the mea¦ne season had the said Duke Henry caused the coun¦trey* 1.9 to receiue hym agayne as their Lorde, with due solempnities according to the custome and ma∣ner in that behalfe done accordingly, the towne of Shennigen whiche was garnysshed wyth soul∣diours by the confederates of Smalcalde onely ex¦cept. After this he beseged the towne of Woluesbu¦tell with both the sayde armyes, and caused the wa¦ter to be conuayed out of the diche that compasseth the Castell, whiche lytell preuayled hym. For they that kept the Castell defended them selues manful∣ly, and with skyrmysshing and shutyng they vexed and harmed their enemies very sore, stoppyng also and fyllyng the diches and sluses, whiche their ad∣uersary had digged to let out the water. Besydes this God sent a rayne whereby their for saide dyche was soone fylled with water againe.

Whyle nowe Duke Henry was troubled in his* 1.10 affaires, Philip Lādgraue of Hessen as a Capitain of the Euangelicall confederacion establyshed at Smalcalde, prepared hymselfe, hauyng also men sent hym from the Electour of Saxō, whose Capi∣tayne

was Duke Ernest of Brunswike, Duke Phi¦lippes Sonne, and also from all the Estates of the sayde confederacion. To hym came also duke Mau¦rice* 1.11 of Saxon with a 1000 horses, &. 4000. &. 500. laūceknightes, & a competent tyre of ordinaūce, at hys owne charges to helpe the sayde Electour and the Landgraue. When the sayde Landgraue ther∣fore had a competent nombre of warriours in a rea¦dynes, he went furth and pytched hys Campe by the towne of Northeim, where bothe the aboue na¦med princes came vnto hym. But when the sayde Duke of Brunswyke had knowledge of thys com∣myng of the Landgraue, he lefte Woluesbutell and went to mete the Landgraue, pitching hys Campe besydes Bierbergh, in a vyllage called Calfelde, a good duche myle from the Landgraues Campe. And on Saturdaye the .xvij. daye of October, cer¦tayne horsemen wyth certayne launceknyghtes of the Brunswykers shewed them selues vpon the hil of Northeim, and schirmysshed with the Landgra∣ues men, whiche were soone repelled with the smal ordinaunce, and turned backe agayne to their Cam¦pe.* 1.12 In the meane season Duke Maurice at the re∣quest of Marquis Iohn, who had a daughter of Brunswyke to wyfe, and of certayne other Prince∣cely persons sought meanes to make a peace and a∣greemēt betwene the Duke of Brunswyke and the Landgraue. But whyle the Landgraue durst con¦clude nothyng wythout the counsayll and consent of the other confederates, the matter was delayed. vpon this the sonday next folowyng whyche was the .xviij. daye of October, Duke Henry brake vp

with his army to take and recouer a certayne hyll, and a Cloyster, from whence he myght haue done notable hurt to the Landgraue with his ordinaun¦ce. But when the Landgraue perceyued this, he caused that hole to be stopped. For the thre princes with all their power (except a small quantitie of horsemen and a certaine nombre of launce knyghtes whiche were left in the Campe to kepe the ordinaū∣ce) toke in the sayde hyll before hym. In so muche that there was muche shutyng on both parties, in whiche conflycte many good men and horses were endamaged and hurted on both sydes. And whyle this skyrmyshing and shutyng endured duke Mau¦rice proceded (to auoyde muche sheding of bloude if it were possible) to set a stay in the matter, by the whiche his earnest labour he brought to passe, that* 1.13 a truce was taken frō that ho••re vntyl the monday at nyght. In the meane whyle dyd Maurice cōmen w^t the duke of Brunswike howbeit there coulde no certainte be gottē at his hand, but he went without any respect of the said truce, & caused his horsmen to* 1.14 spoyle and take. x••iij. wagens sent for prouand••r with horses and all their appurtenaunces belon∣gyng to the Landgraue, whiche also kylled certain husbandmen at the takyng of them. But the Land¦graue and his men were quiete and peaceable vn∣tyll the tewesday the .xx. daye of October within night. And then about midnight the watche worde was geuen that euery man shoulde be ready with his weapon, and so the hole hoste, which after the common sayeng of warriours contained an hū∣dreth thousand men (a great nōbre to be assembled

within the space of one moneth) marched ouer a cer¦tain water called the Rume, which the Landgraue had caused to be furnished ouer with brydges accor¦dingly. (For what Henry of Brunswike had caused to be concluded and determined in the meane sea∣son, was refused for diuers good causes) and early in the mornyng they came to an hill not farre from the Brunswykers Campe by a landmarke, whiche the Landgraue caused hastely to be dygged vp and cast downe in many places, that he myght brynge thorough his armye without stoppe or let. For the Brunswykers intended there to stoppe thē of their passage whome the Landgraue at the last was fay∣ne to beate away with his ordinaunce. Nowe whē the armis of y^e Landgraue & of the other were both brought through y^e Lādmarkes vpō the plaine of y^e hil, ther were also brought through into y^e felde thre great slynges, & certain Canons, whiche, as sone as the enemies were espied, were discharged & shot a∣mong the thickest of them. But as soone as the Brunswykers sawe this they dyd furthe withse∣ke meanes to flee and turned thē selues towardes an hyll lyeng by a wood, whome the horsemen folo∣wed without delay. When duke Henry sawe thys, that there was suche shuting towardes his hooste, and that they were put to flyght▪ all his bolde cou∣rage was done, and his proude harte fainted, wher¦fore he sent incontinently to Duke Maurice, desy∣ryng to impetrate some grace & fauour for hym at y^e handes of the Landgraue. And although the Lād graue shewed hymselfe gentyll & ready, yet would he not trust hym (for he suspected y^• Duke Henry &

hys Sonne sought wayes to escape) but marched strayghtwayes wyth his hooste and artyllery to∣wardes hys enemies, and shot among them fearce∣ly, vntyl suche tyme as Duke Henry and his sunne* 1.15 Charles victor thorough the Counsayll of Duke Maurice, yelded and submitted them selues into the handes of the Landgraue. At whiche tyme the Landgraue made vnto Duke Henry this shar∣pe oration. Yf thou myghtest haue somuche power* 1.16 ouer me, as I haue nowe ouer the, surely thou woul¦dest not saue my lyfe. But I wyll vse my selfe better towardes the then thou hast deserued at my hande. Why hast thou presumed to disobey∣the Emperoures maiestie, and to refuse seques••ra∣cion? For if thou haddest obeyed, thou shouldest not haue brought thy selfe into thys trouble, neyther should so many poore men haue bene endamaged, vndone and destroyed. And furth with he com∣mitted hym and hys Sonne to the kepynge of cer∣tayne of hys chyef gētylmen, which toke them both into their custody. Whyle these thynges were a doyng betwene these two prynces, the Landgra∣ues company both on horseback and on fote pressed in among the company of Duke Henry in suche sort that but fewe of them should haue bene left on lyue, yf Duke Maurice had not the sooner aduertysed the Landgraue thereof, who as then rode hastely among them, and with much a do stylled and paci∣fyed hys men, and turned them backe from fygh∣tyng* 1.17 and shutyng.

Nowe when the people was qualifyed and pa∣cified the Landgraue called Duke Henryes com∣pany

before hym, and required thē to sweare, that within the space of thre moneths next ensuing they should worke nor pretende nothyng agaynst the E∣uangelicall confederation. Whiche some of them promysed without delay, but the horsemen depar∣ted by heapes with opē banners without any othe or promyse made: whom the Landgraue pursued in haste, and ouertoke the next day, wherefore they attempted to make resistaunce, but when they sa∣we that they were ouermached, they layed downe their banners, and made an othe not to enterpryse ought agaynst the sayde confederacion within the space of syxe monethes. When this was done both the father and the sonne of Brunswyke was with a strong garde caried to Cassell, and the father from thence into the Castell of Zigenheim. After thys dyd the Landgraue take in agayne the lande of the sayde Duke Henry, and caused thinhabitauntes of* 1.18 the same to sweare agayne of newe to the confede∣ration of the Gospell, and consequētly turned hym selfe agaynst the Erles, Ihon of Shauenburgh, & Otto of Rithbergh whiche are both lonemen to the Landgraue, and yet had succoured them of Brun∣swyke with men, artillery, and other necessaryes, insomuche that Iohn Erle of Shauenburgh was* 1.19 deposed from his stronghold Buckēbourgh, which was geuen to his brother and other of the stocke, to enioye, on this conditiō that they should not suffre hym to come in agayne oneles he were before suffi∣ciently agreed with the sayde confederation for all hys offences committed against them. But Rit∣bergh* 1.20 was geuen vp to the Landgraue by the pos∣sessours

thereof. When all this was done, and by Goddes grace finysshed without greate bloudshe∣dyng, the warriours being honestly contented and payde, were licensed to departe euery man home to his owne. All these actes haue I drawen and ex∣tracted out of the Copie of the Land graue, & ther∣fore described them so muche the more at large whi¦le suche writynges, whiche are called newes are cō∣monly soone dilated. Neuertheles consideryng that thereby the common sorte of people and our po¦steritie may haue a shorte and sure information and declaration of these marciall affayres, I truste that no wyse man will mislyke this my labour and dili∣gence.

About Migh••lmas dyed Albert Archebyshop* 1.21 of Mentz, whiche was Marquis of the Marke, brother to the olde Marquis Ioachim. In whose rowme was elected by the chapiter sir Sebastiane of Housenstone, a Doctor of a notable stock, whose dwelling and mansion was betwene Aschaburgh and Franckeforde.

Also not long after this Albert the sonne of Casi¦mire* 1.22 lorde Marquis of Brandenburgh assaulted Onoldesback which is cōmonly called Onesback w^t 600. horses in the name of one of knobelsthorp who was the chefe amōg the rulers of the land, which y^e lord Marquis George (deaceassed a littell before) had left to his young sonne, whome he had by the daughter of Duke Henry, sister to Duke Maurice of Saron, and requyred the same to be deliuered vnto hym. But the Ruler of Knobelsthorpe beyng warned of thys, gate hym out of the way. So that

thesayd Lord Marquis was fayne to departe not hauing his purpose.

In Hungary raged the Turke with roauyng &* 1.23 spoylyng of the pore subiectes of Ferdinando, whō he put to muche losse and hynderaunce.

This yere also dyed the younge Duke of Orle∣ans* 1.24 the Frenche kynges Sonne.

Of wondres and sygnes happened this yere, o∣ne in especial to be noted is come to my knowledge, whiche chaunced in the lande of Poles, and myght be sene of all thinhabitauntes of the same on sonday the .xxix. day of Marche which was on Palmeson∣day* 1.25 about .viii. of the clocke in the mornyng. At what tyme there was heard suche a fearefull thon∣derclappe, that the hole lande trembled. After that, there apeared in the east thre red crosses, twoo of them aboue, and the third vnder them both. In the middes whereof apeared a man armed, with a fyry sworde. agaynst whom came a great multitude of warriours on horseback and on fote, which fought with hym vntyll one of the clocke at after none, and were in fine ouercome of hym that they al peryshed and vanyshed awaye, he remaynynge alone in the fielde betwene the crosses. Immediately after this came a terrible Dragon behynde the man, and de∣uoured hymwith the sworde. When this visiōwas past, the skye waxed all red and of a fyry coloure, whiche lasted about an houre, euen vntyll twoo of the clocke or there about, then arose there suche blacke cloudes vnder the skye, that it was as dar∣ke as though it had bene nyght, whiche conti∣nued so vntyll the next daye, the thyrty daye

of Marche in the mornyng about .ix. of the clocke. And then the skye wyth the day appeare dagayne. There appeared also thre goodly & well fauoured Raynebowes one aboue another whereon sate an holy Aungell, whiche appeared by the space of an houre and a half. And after this it was fayre we∣ther for the space of certayne dayes. These thyngs were written out of the Lande of Pooles, and af∣terward set furth in printe openly, but the interpre¦tacion thereof wyll I committe to the iudgement of other.

The rest of the Sommer of this yere was very propice and warme, the frutes of the earthe were competent, and the wynes had good successe and chaunced very good, so that they caused muche dis∣sentiō and debate, and also manslaughter betwene suche as abused them.

This yere in the lande of Bullenois there cam∣ped in Iannuary on the West syde of Bullyn beyōd the hauen an army of Frenchemen to the nombre of. 18000. & lay there the space of .x. dayes, & the .vi. day of Febru. they were all put to flight by the erle of Harforde & the lorde Admirall, with a small com∣pany of men and without any bloudshedyng on the Englyshe syde, but diuers of the other were slayne, they left al their ordinaunce with bagge and bagga¦ge behynde them.

This yere about the .xx. day of Iuly the Frenchmē with a greate nauy of shyppes muaded the Ile of wight in England, where as they were driuen back and a great nomber slayne.

In the yere of our Lorde. 1546. euen in the be∣ginning

of the yere was a conuocation of the Euan¦gelicall* 1.26 confederation kept at Francke sorde on the mayne, & the disputacion to be kept at Raynsburgh was also begonne. &c.

This yere was doctor Martyn Luter and doc∣tor* 1.27 Iustus Ionas called too Isleven of the Erle of Mansfelde, to caste of and accorde certayne deba∣tes and dissentions that were happened betwene them. Where doctor Martyn Luter was ouerco∣me with the olde impedimentes and diseases of his body, whiche renewed vpon hym whereby he felt and perceiued his ende to be at hande. Wherfore he called hartely vpon the name of our Lorde Ie∣sus Christe, and with open confession commended his soule into the handes of God oure heauenly fa∣ther. In so muche that the eighten daye of Februa∣ry he departed out of this miserable worlde into the handes of God with Christ whome he had bol∣dely confessed before the worlde all moste thyrty yeares aswell by his paynfull preachyng and tea∣chyng as by continuall wrytyng.

Hys body was at the commaundement of the Princely Electour caried from Isleven, by the Er∣le of Mansfelde accompanied with fyfty horses to Wittenburgh, and of all estates of the Princely E∣lectours Court bothe of high and lowe degrees, &* 1.28 of the vniuersitie of the citie he was sorowfully but yet honorably brought into the Castell, and reue∣rently buried besydes the burials of the Electours of Saxon the .xxii. day of February. the .lxij. yere of his age.

This man so highly endued with knowledge

from God, was apointed and ordeined of our hea∣uenly father to be a minister and teacher of his chur¦che and a preacher of his Gospell, euen as in al ages he hath raised and ordeined some to be Prophetes, some to be Apostles, and some to be teachers of hys congregacion. For he opened and declared vnto the worlde (by Gods grace) the necessary and holsome doctrine of the Gospell, and taught the true repen∣taunce and comfort of the harte, whiche is feared with the knowledge of Goddes wrath. He hath godly set furth the doctrine of Paule, whiche saith: That a man is iustified and made ryghteous by the faith in Christe. He hath also declared the differen∣ce betwene the Lawe and the Gospel, betwene the rightousnes of y^• spirite, & of the outward workes. He brought to light agayne the true worshypping of God, whiche had bene vnknowen to the moost parte of the worlde by the space of a thousand ye∣res. And brought the vniuersall Church from that fonde opinion, whiche imagineth, that God is wor∣shypped although y^• minde of man being suppressed with perpetual doubting, abhorreth to come to god

He taught also howe we ought to pray in faith & with a good concience, and ledevs to the only me∣diatour Christ the sonne of God▪ whiche sytteth at the right hand of the father euerlastyng, and ma∣keth intercession for vs: And not to the soules of dead men as the vngodly Papistes haue taught with fyre and fagot. He declared also what good workes were acceptable to God. He hath so garnis∣shed and establyshed the temporal lawes and gouer¦naūce, that sence the Apostles tyme it was neuer so confirmed by Scriptures. He dyd also abolysh the

chyldysh custome and ceremonies of mans tradi∣cion, whiche hyndered true prayer, and seperated them from the necessary workes. To thyntent also that the heauenly doctrine should extende to hys posteritie, and that the people whiche shall come af∣ter myght haue knowledge, he translated the Pro∣pheticall and Apostolicall Scriptures into Dutch with suche lyght and clarite, that the reder maye haue more knowledge thereby, then by some mens expositions.

He made also many expositions, whiche do far∣re excell many other, as Erasmus of Roterdame witnesseth in his writynges. And as it is writen of them whiche repayred Ierusalem, that they buyl∣ded wyth one hande and helde the swoorde in the other: Euen so warred Doctor Martine Luter with the enemies of the true doctrine and buylded neuertheles the heauenly doctrine. Besydes thys he dyd helpe many mens conciences, with good coū¦sayll. And whylest a greate parte of his doctrine is aboue mans reason, (as the doctrine of remission of synnes, and of faith) it must nedes be graunted that he was taught of God. In prayer for the vniuer∣sall Churche of Christe was he very earnest and di∣lygent. He dyd also eueryday chose a certaine hou∣re to recite certayne Psalmes, wherin also he mix∣ed his prayer with great deuotion. He taught also that it is not ynough to praye only with the minde and with sighing, but that the maner & fourme of prayeng is prescribed vnto vs by the Counsaill of God, that the hartes by the reding may be stirred, and moued, yea that the voyce also may knowledge

and confesse what God we worshyppe.

He was also in the assault and resistaūce of the e∣nemies of Gods truthe of a constant mynde and of a bolde courage, neyther was he abasshed for their threatenynges. He was also in difycult matters of a sharpe and hygh wytte, and well spoken, as his famous do sufficiently declare.

For asmuche therefore as this man was garny∣shed with suche a great witte and other godly ver∣tues, and was specially ordeyned of God to repay∣re his temple agayn, wherin he hath not bene negli∣gent, we ought not to suffre his vertues and bene∣fites to peryshe among vs, and whylest he was an instrument of God, we ought gladly to folowe hys Doctrine, and therein to learne the vertues necessa∣ry for vs, as the feare of God, fayth and feruentnes in prayer, diligence in the office of the worde, Cha∣stite, abstinence and abhorryng from sedition or tu∣multe, diligence and desyrous to study. &c. whiche God graunt vnto vs all. Amen.

In the moneth of Marche anone after that the conuocatiō at Raynesburgh was ended, there was an horrible act committed at Neweburgh besides the Danube, in the iurisdiction of the Palatine, be∣twene two brethren being Spanyardes, of whom the one was called Iohn Diasy, well learned in the Lar••e, Greke and Hebrue tonges, a man that fea∣red God, and loued the sincere doctrine of Christe and his holy Gospell, and was at that season sent from Raynesbourgh by the Dysputers of the Go∣spell, wyth whome he had greate acquayntaunce,

towards Newburgh, to correcte and fynyshe cer∣tayne bookes to be imprinted.

But when his brother Alphonse Diasy, a Doc∣tour* 1.29 of the lawe and at Rome in hygh office, a ser∣uaunt of the Pope, and an enemy to the Gospell of Christe, was come from Rome to Raynesburgh, & there had knowledge,

that hys brother Iohn was at Newburgh, he hasted hym selfe thyther with all spede, to see his brother, where he attempted in cer¦tayne dayes with many disputacions to drawe and turne hys brother from the pure doctrine of the Gospell to the wicked doctrine of the Pope wyth many checkes.

But Iohn remayned constaunt in the doctrine whiche he had learned and searched to the bottom, and instructed his brother wyth inuincible argumē¦tes and testymonyes of the doctrine out of the Pro¦phetes and Apostles, in all the Articles of the Chri∣sten fayth, endeuouryng hym selfe wyth all diligēce to conuerte hys brother to the sincere doctrine of Christe.

When Alphonse sawe the constauncy and per∣seueraunce of hys brother, and that he could not re¦sist nor confute his doctrine, nor yet bryng hym to the Popes way, he dissembled & behaued hym selfe as thoug he had gladly and earnestly embraced the Euangelicall doctrine, and gentely suffered hys brothers charitable and Godly instructions and ex¦hortacions, abiding wyth hym almoste thre dayes. In so muche that he sayd vnto hym: whyle he sawe and perceiued that hys doctrine of the Gospel was the very sounde and true doctrine of God, and

knewe that there were many honest men at Rome, and also in other cities and townes of those parties whiche were very dysyrous to be instructed in the true and sincere doctrine of Christ so that they lac∣ked nothyng but men of good learnyng, that were expert in settyng forth of the same doctrine accor∣dyngly: wherfore he besought hym of Brotherly lo¦ue, to goo with hym to Rome, where he myght by his godly doctrine do muche good, and a dede accep¦table to Christe.

But what happened? This good mā Iohn Dia∣sy, being symple and suspecting no gyle, suffered his brothers perswasion to take place, & graunted hym his request, howbeit he wrote back vnto the Dispu¦ters and Auditours of the Euangelicall doctrine, desyrynge to haue their counsayll in this matter: who perceyuyng the crafte and papisticall murde∣rysh harte of his brother, gaue hym counsayl not to go to Rome with his brother.

Nowe when Iohn Diasius folewed their coun∣sayll, and gaue hys brother an aunswere that he could not at that tyme go with hym to Rome, the sayde Alphonse behaued himselfe frendely towar∣des hym, and gaue hym certayne crownes and du∣cates for his farewell, takyng hys leaue and depar∣ture of his brother very louyngly and frendely, as though he would haue gone strayghtwaye towar∣des Rome.

But within fewe dayes after, he came to Newe burgh agayne from Ausburgh, where he had pre∣pared good post horses to be in a readynes to flee

when he should se cause. And when he came to the sayde towne of Newburgh early in the mornyng at the openyng of the gates,

he taryed hymselfe be∣fore the gate with the horses, and sent his seruaunt (beyng a murtherer, whome he had hyred at Ro∣me for suche affayres, and brought hym forth with hym) into the towne with a lettre, who whan he came to the sayde Iohn,

delyuered hym the sayde lettre, and whyle he red the same, the Murtherer* 1.30 smote hym with a greate sharpe halbarde and cleft his hed in twayne, that he fell downe dead, but the Murtherer ranne out of the towne, to hys Mai∣ster, so that both the Murtherers gate themselues awaye.

Whan thys horrible acte was knowen in the towne, souldiours were prepared and appoynted out of hande to pursue them, whyche at last caught and apprehended bothe the sayde Murtherers at Isebredge, where they were brought to pry∣son.

And although there was muche suet made to the Iudges ordeyned and appointed by kyng Fer∣dinando and the officers there, for due punishment, by the subiectes of the Palatine, whiche had spent about the same aboue foure hundreth guidens, yet coulde they obtayne no iustice agaynst the sayde Murtherers. But manye exceptions were made and propounded, namely that whyle the Brother was a Spanyarde, the matter ought not too bee pleated in Dutche language,

but in Spanysh, and before Spanyshe Iudges. Yea when the Emperoure came to Raynesburgh he was also moste humbly desyred and besought to se iustice ministred concernyng the sayde matter. But answere was made, that whyle the offenders were taken within the Iurisdiction of the kynges maiestie the Emperours maiestie had nothyng to do with the matter.

But in conclusion thys was the last sentence & Iudgement geuen, that for so muche as the sayde Iohn was an heretike, he had deserued death: And forsomuche as his brother Alphonsus was conse∣crated, and a spirituall persone, the temporall lawe had nothyng to do wyth hym, wherfore they were letten go free, and set at libertie.

This horryble murther of Cayn was doubte∣les a forgaine of the detestable warres whiche the Pope & hys Churche of Cayn hath moued against Abell and the fauorers & teachers of the holy Gos∣pell in Germany,

where so muche innocent & Chri∣sten bloude hath beneshed, all the whiche thynges the Lorde God wyll punysh in tyme conuenient, seyng there is no more iudgement in earth.* 1.31

In the moneth of Aprill came the Emperoures maiestie to Raynesburgh on Saturday after myd∣lent Sonday: where he founde but fewe princes of the Empyre, besydes a small nombre of certaine by∣shoppes.

Consequentely after Easter when certayn prin∣ces,* 1.32 and Ambassadours, or Legates of other were come thither, the conuocation was begonne, and the propositions were of the agreement of the Ar∣ticles

in controuersy in religion, of the ordre and e∣stablyshment of the chamber court and of the Coy∣ne, Item howe the Turke myght be resisted.

But in the meane season, when there was great prouision and preparation made to take vp men &* 1.33 warriours in the name of themperours Maiestie thoroughout all Duchelande, the Electours prin∣ces and estates of the confession of Ausbourgh desy¦red moste humbly at Whitsontyde to knowe of the Emperours Maiestie,

against whome suche prepa∣ration of warre was intended, whereupon they re∣ceiued this darke aunswere, that the Emperoures Maiestie woulde punishe certayne rebelles of the Empire.

After this darke aunswere when many thyngs were feared, and the sayde warriours were in a re∣dynes, the conuocacion toke an ende, and another was instituted and appointed against the next yere to begynne the fyrst day of February.

Forasmuche therfore as Duke Iohn Frederike Electour in Saxon, and Lorde Phylyppe Land∣graue of Hessen with the other Princes, Lordes, e∣states and townes of the confession and confedera∣tion of Ausburgh perceiued that the saide great pre¦paracion of warres was enterprised and intended against no man, but against them, they prepared al∣so an hoste of men for their necessary defence, for the mayntenaunce and preseruacion of the pure and sin¦cere doctrine of the Gospell, for the defence also of their Landes, dominions and subiectes, and for the continuacion of the liberties and priuiledges of the Germaine nacion, and went furth in the moneth of Iune

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〈3 pages missing〉〈3 pages missing〉ouerthrowen and destroyed.

Fyftely, the Postmaysters house,

where them∣perour was wont to haue hys posthorses, when he had nede of them, wyth the stables and the horses in the same at that tyme, was quyte stryken awaye by the thonder, and burned vp.

Syxtely, Saynt Barnardes place, wherin the Abbot of S. Barnarde had hys lodgyng when he came to Meghlyne, was vtterly destroyed by the thonder, and the cloyster of the Augustyne freers was a great parte ouerthrowen and destroyed.

Seuently, The Voogstrete, which was a fayre large strete was also in lyke maner ouerthrowen, that there remayned neuer a house standyng, nor yet, as they sayd, block nor stone.

Eightely, The Palace of Hyghstrete, whyche was an excedyng fayre and strong buyldynge, be∣longyng to a certayn great lorde, was quyte and clene ouerthrowen and destroyed: And as the in∣habitauntes of the sayd towne of Meghlyne do af∣fyrme, yf the sayd Palayce of Hyghstrete wyth o∣ther places and greate buyldynges had not bene there standynd, The hole towne of Meghlyn must nedes haue ben vtterly ouerthrowen and destroy∣ed, so that nether house, stycke nor stone shuld haue remayned in the same: For the sayd hygh and strong buyldynges were a greate defence to the towne: Besydes thys there were also other pla∣ces and great buyldinges, whose names (to auoyd prolyxite) are not here rehearsed, whych were in lyke maner ouerthrowen & destroyed of the thon∣der as the other together with seuen hundred hou¦ses.

Insumme, almoost all the houses of the towne were endamaged, fewe or none excepte that hadde not some hurte done by the thonder.

Nyntly, the nexte daye after, when the sayde pi∣teous calamite was done, whiche was the. 8. day of August, when they beganne to make rowme, there were founde about thre hundred persons men, wo¦men, and children which were slaine by the meanes of the thondre, whome they loded in wagens & car∣tes and buryed them in great holes that were dig∣ged for the same purpose. There were also founde aboue, 150. persons sore wounded and harmed.

And there happened one thing in the sayd toune specyally to be meruayled at, which is, that certayn gestes sate in theyr hostes hous drynkynge to ge∣ther and plaieng at the cardes, and while they cal∣led for drynke, and theyr hostesse went doune into the seller to drawe them a pot of byre, in the meane season was the house stryken awaye by the thon∣der, and the players found dead wyth the cardes in theyr handes, as though they had ben styll play∣eng, but the hostesse saued her lyfe by the meanes, y^• she was in the seller whan the sayd hurt was done.

Tenthly, There was also a man founde in a cor∣ner the thyrd daye after that the sayde hurte was done, hauyng no harme whych asked whether the world were yet standyng or not.

There was also a woman founde dead, beynge great wyth chylde, whych was afterwarde cut opē and the chylde taken out of her belly, was baptised

Muche harme was there done besydes, not one¦ly within the towne of Meghline, but also without

the towne, as in the townes, villages, castels, and boroughes lyeng there about, where thesaide we∣ther hath done much harme, and there were many, innumerable, fearfull and wonderful sygnes and to kens sene, so that bothe the Emperoure and the la∣dy Mary had nede to remembre them selues, for it is to be feared that God will beginne to reuenge the innocent bloude, whiche is very piteously shed in the lower partes of Duchelande, for the Gospels sake, for it crieth into heauen and so fylleth the boso me of Gods high matestie that he can suffre it no lō∣ger, yea he wyll laye on yet greater loades, oneles they repente and amende in tyme, for he hath suffe∣red them long ynough.

When this warre betwene themperour, & the e∣lectour of Saxon, & the Landgraue of Hessen had continued into the first moneth, & themperour had declared hymself an open enemy both to the forsaid princes

, onely of his owne mynde, without either right, reason, or warnyng, and without the know∣ledge & consent of the estates & membres of them∣pire:* 1.34 In the meane seasō did Maurice duke of Sax on with great feruentnes prepare a great nōbre of horsemen & pietons, wherefore al men stode in great feare, not knowing against whom he made the same preparation.

And forasmuche as the electour of Saxon was out of his lande, & duke Maurice was next of hys bloude, and his nere kisman bothe on the fathers & the mothers syde, & was also by bym brought vp, & had receiued many benefites at his hand, many we∣re of this hope & iudgemēt, that thesaid preparatiō

was made for the defence & succour of the landes & subiectes of the electour, so that fewe or none suspec¦ted any gyle in duke Maurice.

In the meane season did kyng Ferdinando also endenour hymselfe to stirre vp the Lusenitianes & Bohemianes against the lande of the Electour of Saxon, but with honest & vertuous men coulde he litle preuayle, notwithstāding by the meanes of his importunate labour and instaunt intreataūce he as∣sembled a sorte of Pietons in Boheme being in nō∣bre about eyght thousand men, & in Hungary abo∣ue a thousand husbandmen, a wicked & rauenish ge∣neration, to destory & waste the landes & dominiōs of thesaid Electour, which mē did first inuade Voyt land, & there toke the townes vilages and liberties pertaining tothe Electour, piteously spoyling, roa∣uingburning & destroieng many men young & olde.

* 1.35

And specially therwas an execrable madnes & mur¦ther cōmitted vpō an honest Curate & minister that feared God at Newechurche, whom when thesaid husbād mē had mostcruelly martyred & murthered and sawe that he was fatte, they cut him in peces af∣ter the maner of a fatte Swyne, casting the peces from one to another and sayeng, Lo brother, there hast thou a good roastyng pece of an hogge.

Of whiche innocent bloud are gilty all they that do helpe or consent to the sayde murtheryshe and intestine warres, whereof doutles God wyll take vengeaunce in tyme conuenient.

Nowe when the matter as it was fyrst begonne and purposed against the Electour & his dominiōs (for Duke Maurice had bene first with the kynge

in. Bohemy) toke effect, and apeared euidently as though the kyng woulde ouercome and take in, all the Landes and dominions of the Electour, Duke

* 1.36

Maurice exalted hymselfe with his army, and first toke the townes lyeng to warde the mountaynes, and then he went with thesayde Bohemians and husband men to besege the towne of Zwickowe.

But least I be demed to stande to muche in my∣ne owne conceite, and to take vpon me to Iudge o∣ther wise than it becometh me in this matter. I will set hereafter the true Copye of his lettres where∣by he required and admonyshed the towne of the Electour to yelde them selues vnto hym

, by the cō∣sentes whereof men of honestie and vnderstanding may easely perceyue what good grounde and sure foundacion he pretended in these affaires.* 1.37

By the grace of God we Maurice duke of Saxō Land graue of During, and Marquis of Myssene, aduertyse you our welbeloued and trusty counsayl and commons of Saron. &c. That forasmuche as the myghty Prince our Cosyn Duke Iohn Frede∣rike the Elder

, hath ben founde negligent in doing of hys dutie and it is manifest that men are about to bryng you from the house of Saxon, into the po∣wer of straungers, and we beyng a borne prince of Saxon hauing also parte in the lande wyth our for sayd Cosyn, and be charged by earnest commaundement of the Emperoures Maiestie our moste gra∣cious lorde, for the auoydyng of greuous penalties and corrections, and also by the losse of our Regal∣tie and preeminēce, our seiues to take the same land in possession, or elles to permitte and suffre other to

do the same, whereby oure owne Landes and do∣minions must nedes come in daunger and destruc∣tion.

Wherfore we require you to sutmitte your selues vnto vs as Prince of Saxon, and to recey∣ue vs accordingly with due solempuisation.

And we are prone & graciously inclined to desen de you in the Christen religion wherein ye bee, and lyke mayer your bodyes, goodes and possessions, and to leaue you by youre olde liberties and priui∣ledges. And when the matter or controuersy be∣twene the Emperoures Maiestie, the Romyshe kynges Maiestie, and our forsayde Cosyn shall co∣me to an agreement, we shalbe ready, as touchynge the landes whiche we shall haue taken in possession of hys, by the knowledge and wyll of their Maie∣sties, and as muche as maye be done without their preiudice, thorough our owne dominions to be in∣treated & ordered accordyng to ryght and reason.

But yf ye should refuse so to do, it should apeare vnto vs, as though ye would wylfully be put from the house of Saxon, whiche may not be suffered of vs. Wherefore we require herein your directe auns∣were by the bearer of the letter in hast, whyle oure enemy is at hande, that we may auoyde the daun∣ger. Geuen in our Towne of zwickowe the syxt daye of Nouēber. Anno a thousand fyue hundreth fourty and syxe. Duke Maurice, of Saxon. Manu propria.

When zwickowe had yelded vnto him, the syxt day of Nouember, he toke also the townes lyeng there about, and consequētly, Aldenbourgh, Ilen∣bourgh, Grymme, Torgawe. &c.

the .xvi. day of Nouember duke Maurice sent a Trompetter with two lettres, the one to the De∣putie, and the other to the Communaltie of Witten bourgh directed, betwene thre & foure of the clocke at after none, before the Elue gate, but before the lettres were receyued, the suburbes were set on fy∣re whereby was sygnifyed that they intended to stande to their defence.

The same daye dyd he also aduertise thinhabi∣tauntes of Torgawe whiche lay in gareson for the defence of Wittenburgh, that oneles they woulde come home by the next daye before Sunne set, he would sende their wyues and chyldren after them, and besydes that depriue them of all their goodes.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.2

  The Palati∣ne a fauorer of Goddes worde.
• * 1.3

  Popery pa•••• downe & the Gospel prea¦ched in the palatines iu∣risdiction.
• * 1.4

  〈…〉〈…〉g 〈…〉〈…〉 Po¦les 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.5

  〈…〉〈…〉p 〈…〉〈…〉o 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.6

  〈…〉〈…〉pro∣〈…〉〈…〉 〈…〉〈…〉d and 〈…〉〈…〉e.
• * 1.7

  Henry duke of Brunswi∣ke goeth a∣bout to reco∣uer his land
• * 1.8

  The ••ount•• of Deckelen¦bourgh inu••¦ded for the Golpell.
• * 1.9

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••ll beseged.
• * 1.10

  Philip Land¦graue of Hes¦sen Capitaine of the Euan∣gelicall con∣federation.
• * 1.11

  Duke Mau∣rice of Saxō.
• * 1.12

  Duke Mau∣rice seketh ••▪ meanes to ma¦ke a peace.
• * 1.13

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.14

  〈…〉〈…〉 〈…〉〈…〉 by 〈…〉〈…〉i 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.15

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.16

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.17

  The Land∣graue 〈…〉〈…〉qui∣••eth an othe of duke Hen∣〈…〉〈…〉 cōpany.
• * 1.18

  The lande of Brunswike ta¦ken in againe and sworne of newe to y^e confederatiō
• * 1.19

  The Erle of Shauēburgh deposed.
• * 1.20

  Rithbergh ge¦uen vp.
• * 1.21

  〈…〉〈…〉th of 〈…〉〈…〉che 〈…〉〈…〉of 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.22

  The Ruler of 〈…〉〈…〉har•• 〈…〉〈…〉ed by y^e Marquis of Branden∣burgh
• * 1.23

  The fury o the Turke.
• * 1.24

  The death of the Duke of Orleans.
• * 1.25

  Wonderfull apparitions and visions.
• * 1.26

  A conuocatiō at Franke forth.
• * 1.27

  The death of Ma••ten Lu∣ter.
• * 1.28

  The buriall of doctor Martine Lu¦ter.
• * 1.29

  Alphonse dia si a trayte∣rousmurther
• * 1.30

  The good doctor Iohn Diasy mur∣thered.
• * 1.31

  The Emp∣〈…〉〈…〉 com∣〈…〉〈…〉 Rai∣〈…〉〈…〉sburgh.
• * 1.32

  The 〈…〉〈…〉ion beg〈…〉〈…〉 at Rains∣burgh.
• * 1.33

  The begyn∣nyng of the emperours warres a∣gaynst the Germanes.
• * 1.34

  Duke Mau∣rice prepa∣reth 〈…〉〈…〉 to 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.35

  A cruel mur∣ther.
• * 1.36

  Duke Mau∣rice ••••gm∣•••••••• to 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.37

  〈…〉〈…〉 of 〈…〉〈…〉.