A thankfull remembrance of Gods mercy In an historicall collection of the great and mercifull deliverances of the Church and state of England, since the Gospell began here to flourish, from the beginning of Queene Elizabeth. Collected by Geo: Carleton, Doctor of Divinitie, and Bishop of Chichester.

CHAPTER XI. (Book 11)

WE are now come to that fatall yeare,* 1.1 which the Astrolo∣gers called the Marveilous yeare;* 1.2 some said it was the Climacteri∣call yeere of the world. And they that trust not in the liuing God, but in superstitions tooke the opportunitie of this fatall yeare as they supposed, now vtterly to overthrow the Church of England and State. Which before they could not doe. The Pope and Spanyard layd vp all their hopes vpon this yeares destiny.

The rumors of warre daily increased, at last it was certainly cōfirmed by the newes on all sides, that in Spaine there was an invincible navy prepa∣ring against England; that the most famous Cap∣taines

in military knowledge, and the best soul∣diers were sent for into Spaine, from Italy, Scicily, yea from America. For the Pope, and some religi∣ous Spanyards, and English fugitiues, now recalled the Spanyard to the cogitation of surprising of England, which purpose was interrupted by the Portugall warres. They exhorted him earnestly to doe God this service, that had done so much for him: now that he inioyed Portugall, with the west Indies, & many rich Ilands: to adde England to all, were an especiall service of God, fit for his Catho∣like Maiestie. By this meanes he might adde these flourishing Kingdomes to his Empire, & so keepe the Low-countries in peace, secure the navigatiō to both Indies. That the preparations of Spaine were so great that no power was able to resist it. They made him belieue that it was an easier mat∣ter to overcome England, then to overcome the Dutch-land, because the navigation from Spain to England was much shorter, then to the Nether∣lands. And by surprising of England, the other would easily follow.

Herevpon the consultation began to be had, of the best way and meanes to oppresse England. Alvarus Ba••••anus, the Marquess of S. Crosse, who was chiefe commander in the Navy, advised first to make sure some part of Holland or Zealand, by the land-forces of the Duke of Parma, and by sen∣ding before some Spanish shippes, so to take some place on a suddain, where the Spanish navy might haue a receptacle, and from whence the invasion might with cōvenience begin. For in the English

Sea, which is troublesome, the windes oft chan∣ging, the tydes vnknown, the Navy could not be in safety. With him agreed Parma, who much vr∣ged this expedition. Yet others disliked this counsell, as a matter of great difficultie and dan∣ger, of long time, of much labor, of great expence, of vncertaine successe. And that neither secretly nor openly it could be performed, and easily hin∣dered by the English. These thought that with the same labour and expenses England might be wonne: and the victory would be sure, if a well prepared army from Spaine, might with a strong navy be landed on Thames side, and of a suddain surprise London the chiefe Citty by an vnexspec∣ted assault. This seemed a thing most easie to be effected. And therefore all agreed vpon it. Yet some among them thought good that a denun∣tiation of the warre should be made by an Herald, which they held a politik devise, both to remoue suspition out of the minds of neighbour Princes, and to force the Queene as they supposed, to call to her helpe ••orrain mercenary souldiers, concel∣ving, that according to the vsuall insolency of mercenaries, they would tumult and spoyle the country; and so might the Queene be brought in∣to hatred of her owne people: that so all things in England would be brought into a confusion, which might be helped by the English Catholikes. But neither could this advise be heard. For they being confident of their owne strength, thought it was sufficient to commend the invincible Navy to the prayers of the Pope, and of their other Ca∣tholikes,

and to the intercession of Saints: and to set out a Booke in Print, to the terror of the English, in which Booke, all the preparation was particu∣larly related. Which was so great through Spain, Italy, and Scicily, that the Spanyards themselues were in admiration of their owne forces, and therefore named it the Invincible Fleet.

The Duke of Parma also in Flanders, by the commandement of the Spanyard, built ships, and a great company of small broad vessels, each one able to transport thirty horse, with bridges fitted for them severally. And hired Mariners from the east part of Germany. And provided long peeces of wood, sharpned at the end, and covered with i∣ron, with ••ookes on the side. And twentie thou∣sand vessels, with an huge number of fagots; and placed an Army ready in Flanders, of 103 com∣panies of foot, and 4000 horsemen. Among these were 700 English fugitiues, which were had of all other in most contempt. Neither was Stanly re∣spected or heard, who was set over the English, nor Westmerland, nor any other who offered their helpe: but for their impiety towards their owne Countrey, were shut out from all consultations, and as men vnominous reiected, not without de∣testation. And Pope Sixtus V. that in such a pur∣pose would not be wanting, sent Cardinall Alan into Flanders, and ren••ed the bulls declaratory of Pius V. and ••rep XIII. He excommunicateth the Queene, deposeth her, absolveth her subi••cts from all alleagance, and as if it had beene against the Turks and Inf••dels, he set forth in Print a ••ruceat,

wherein he bestowed plenary indulgences, out of the treasure of the Church, vpon all that would ioyn their help against England. By which means the Marquess a Burgaw of the house of Austria, the Duke of Pastrana, Amady Duke of Sauoy, Ves∣pasian Gonzaga, Iohn Medices, and divers other no∣ble men were drawne into these Warres.

Queene Elizabeth, that she might not be surpri∣sed at vnawares, prepareth as great a Navy as she could, and with singular care & providence ma∣keth ready all things necessary for warre. And she her selfe, which was ever most i••dicious in discer∣ning of mens wits, and aptnes, and most happy in making choise, when she made it out of her own iudgement, and not at the commandement of o∣thers, designed the best and most serviceable to each severall imployment. Over the whole Navy she appointed the Lo: Admirall Charles Howard. In whom she reposed much trust; and sent him to the west parts of England, where Captaine Drake, whom she made Viceadmirall, ioyned with him. She commanded Henry Seimor the second sonne to the Duke of Somerset, to watch vpon the Bel∣gick shore with 40 English and Dutch shippes, that the Duke of Parma might not come out with his forces. Albeit some were of opinion, that the ene∣my was to be expected, and set vpon by land for∣ces, according as it was vpon deliberation resol∣ved, in the time of Henry the 8. when the French brought a great Navy vpon the English shore.

By Land there was placed on the South shores, twenty thousand. And two Armies besides were

mustered of the choisest men for warre. The one of these which consisted of a thousand horse, twenty-two thousand foot, was the Earle of Lei∣cester set over. And camped at Tilbury on the side of Thames. For the enemy was resolved first to set vpon London. The other Army was governed by the Lo: Hunsdon, consisting of 34 thousand foot, and two thousand horse, to guard the Queene.

The Lord Grey, S^r Francis Knolles, S^r Iohn Nor∣rice, S^r Richard Bingham, S^r Roger Williams, men fa∣mously knowne for Military experience, were chosen to confer of the land fight. These thought fit that all those places should be fortified, with men & mu••ition, which were commodious to land in, either out of Spaine, or out of Flanders▪ as Mil∣ford hauen, Falmouth, Plimmouth, Portland, the Ile of Wight, Portsmouth, the open side of Kent called the Downs, the mouth of Thames, Harwich, Yarmouth, Hull, &c. That trained souldiers through all the maritim Provinces should meet vpon warning gi∣ven, to defend these places: that they should by their best means and power hinder the enemy to take land; if he should take land, then should they wast the country all about, and spoile every thing that might be of any vse to the enemy, that so he might find no more vittals then what he brought vpon his shoulders with him. And that by conti∣nuall Alarums the enemy should finde no rest day or night. But they should not try any battell, vn∣till divers Captaines were mett together with their Companies. That one Captaine might be named in every Shire which might command.

At this time divers told the Queene, that the Spaniards were not so much to be feared without, as the Papists within; for the Spaniards durst make no attempt vpon England, but vpon confidence of their helpe within. And therefore for the secu∣ritie of the whole, their heads were vpon some pretenses to be cut off. Producing for this thing, the example of Henry 8. For when the Emperour & French King at the Popes instigation, were com∣bined and ready to invade England, King Henry presently executed the Marquess of Exceter, the Lord Montacute, Edward Neuil, and others, whom he suspected to favour the enemies, which thing as soone as he had done, the intended invasion was stopped, and proceeded no further. But this advise the Queene vtterly disliked, as being cruell, she thought it enough to commit some of the Papists to Wisbich Castle in cu••tody; and casting her eyes and mind on every side, she stirred vp her Nobles with Letters often, though they were carefull & watchfull of themselues. She certified Fitz Williams, Lord Deputy of Ireland, what she would haue done there. She sent to the King of Scots to warne him to take good heed of Papists, and the Spanish faction. But he knowing well what a tempest and desolation was hanging, and threatning both alike, having already set his heart vpon the maintenance of true religion, and resolving to take part with the truth in prosperi∣tie and adversitie, which is onely able to saue and deliver her maintainers; had a little before refu∣sed to heare the Bishop of Dumblan, sent th••ther

from the Pope: and had caused a league to be made among the Protestants of Scotland, for resi∣stance of the Spanyards: and himselfe comming to Anandale with an army, besieged Maxwell and tooke him, and committed him to prison, who was lately returned out of Spaine against his faith and alleagance, and came with an intent to favor the Spanish side; he declared the Spanyards should be held as enemies, and against them caused all with great alacritie to be ready in Armes.

Among these preparations for warre, which were great on both sides, the councels of peace were not vtterly cast away.

Two yeares before, the Duke of Parma conside∣ring how hard a matter it was to end the Belgick warre, so long as it was continually nourished and supported with ayd from the Queene, he moued for a treaty of peace, by the meanes of Sir Iames Croft one of the privy councell, a man desirous of peace, & Andrew Loe a Dutch man, and professed that the Spaniard had delegated authority to him for this purpose. But the Queen fearing that there was some cunning in this seeking of peace, that the friendship betweene her and the confederate Provinces might be dissolved, and that so they might secretly be drawne to the Spanyard; she de∣ferred that treaty for some time. But now, that the Warres on both sides prepared, might be turned away, she was content to treat of Peace, but so as still holding the weapons in her hand.

For this purpose in February delegates were sent into Flanders, the Earle of Derby, the Lo: Cobham,

S^r Iames Croft, D^r Dale, and D^r Rogers. These were received with all humanity on the Dukes behalfe, & they presently sent D^r Dale to him, that a place might be appointed for the treating, & that they might see the authoritie to him delegated from the Spanish King. He appointed the place neare to Ostend, not in Ostend which then was holden of English against the King: his authority delega∣ted, he promised then to shew when they were once met together. He wished them to make good speed in the businesse, least somwhat might fall out in the meane time, which might trouble the motions of peace. Richardotus spake some∣what more plainly, that he knew not what in this interim should be done against England. Not long after D. Rogers was sent to the Prince by an ex∣press commandement from the Queene, to know the truth, whether the Spanyard had resolved to invade England, which he and Richardotus did seeme to signifie. He affirmed that he did not so much as thinke of the invasion of England, when he wished that the businesse might proceed with speed. And was in a maner offended with Richar∣dotus, who denied that such words fell from him. The 12 of April, the Count Aremberg, Champigny, Richardotus, D. Mae••ius, & Garnier, Delegated from the Prince of Parma mett with the English, and yeelded to them the honor, both in walking and sitting. And when they affirmed that the Duke had full authority to treat of Peace: the English moued that first a truce might be made. Which they denied, alledging that that thing must needs

be hurtfull to the Spanyard, who had for six moneths maintained great Army, which might not be dismissed vpon a truce, but vpon an abso∣lute peace. The English vrged that a truce was pro∣mised before they came into Flanders. The Spany∣ard against that held, that six moneths since a truce was promised; which they granted, but was not admitted. Neither was it in the Queenes pow∣er to vndertake a truce for Holland and Zealand, who daily attempted hostility. The English moo∣ued instantly that the truce might be generall, for all the Queenes territories, and for the Kingdome of Scotland: but they would haue it but for foure Dutch townes which were in the Queenes hands, that is, Ostend, Flushing, Bergen vp zom, & the Briel; and these onely during the treating, and twenty dayes after, and that in the meane time, it might be lawfull for the Queene to invade Spaine, or for the Spanyard to invade England, either from Spain or Flanders. Whilst these delayes were made con∣cerning the truce and place, which at last was ap∣pointed at Bourburg; Cr••ft vpon an earnest desire to peace, went privatly to Bruxells without the knowledge of the other Delegates, and privatly proposed some Articles. For which afterward by Leicesters motion, he was imprisoned: albeit those articles proposed by him were in the iudgement of the other commissioners not to be disallowed. But Delegates haue their limits circumscribed, which they are not to passe. At last, when the En∣glish could not obtain an abstinence from armes, & could by no meanes see the Charter by which

the Duke of Parma had this authority granted to treat of peace: they proposed these things; that the ancient leagues betweene the Kings of Eng∣land and the Dukes of Burgundy might be renued and confirmed; that all the Dutch might fully in∣ioy their own priviledges; that with freedome of cōscience they might serue God; that the Spanish and forrain souldiers might be put out of Dutch∣land; that neither the Dutch, nor their neighbou∣ring Nations might feare them. If these things might be granted, the Queene would come to e∣quall conditions concerning the Townes which now she held, (that all might know that she tooke vp armes not for her own gain, but for the neces∣sary defence both of the Dutch, and of her selfe) so that the money which is owing therefore be re∣payed. They answered: that for renuing the old leagues there should be no difficulty, when they might haue a friendly conference of that thing. That concerning the priviledges of the Dutch, there was no cause why forrain Princes should take care, which priviledges were most favoura∣bly granted, not onely to Provinces and Townes reconciled, but even to such as by force of armes are brought into subiection. That forrain souldi∣ers were held vpon vrgent necessity, when as Hol∣land, England, and France, were all in armes. Tou∣ching those Townes taken from the King of Spaine, and the repaying of the money, they an∣swered that the Spaniard might demand so many myriads of crowns to be from the Queene repayed him, as the Belgick warre hath cost him, since the

time that she hath favoured and protected the Dutch against him.

At this time D. Dale by the Queenes command going to the Duke of Parma, did gently expostu∣late with him touching a Booke Printed there, set out lately by Cardinall Allen, wherin he exhor∣teth the Nobles, and people of England & Ireland to ioyne themselues to the King of Spaines forces vnder the conduct of the Prince of Parma, for the execution of the sentence of Sixtus V Pope a∣gainst the Queene, declared by his bull. In which she is declared an heretick, illegitimate, cruel against Mary the Scots Queene, & her subiects were com∣manded to helpe Parma against her: (for at that time a great number of those bulls & bookes were printed at Antwerp to be dispersed through Eng∣land. The Duke denied that he had seene such a bull or booke, neither would he doe any thing by the Popes authoritie, as for his owne King, him he must obey. Yet he said that he so observed the Queene for her Princely vertues, that after the King of Spaine, he offred all service to her. That he had perswaded the King of Spaine to yeeld to this treaty of peace, which is more profitable for English, then Spanish. For if they should be over∣come, they would easily repaire their losse: But if you be overcome, the kingdome is lost. To whom Dale replied: that our Queene was sufficiently fur∣nished with forces to defend the Kingdom. That a Kingdome will not easily be gotten by the for∣tune of one battell, seeing the King of Spaine in so long a warre, is not yet able to recover his anci∣ant

patrimony in the Netherlands. Well, quoth the Duke, be it so. These things are in Gods hands.

After this the Delegates contended among themselues by mutuall replications, weauing and vnweauing the same webb. The English were ear∣nest in this, a toleration of Religion might be granted at least for two yeares to the confederate Provinces. They answered, that as the King of Spaine had not intreated that for English Catho∣licks: so they hoped that the Queene in her wise∣dome would not intreat any thing of the King of Spaine which might stand against his honor, his oath, & his conscience. When they deman∣ded the money due from the States of Brabant, it was answered, that the money was lent without the Kings authoritie or privitie. But let the ac∣compt be taken, how much that money was, and how much the King hath spent in these Warres, and then it may appeare, who should looke for repayment. By such answers they driue off the English of purpose, vntill the Spanish fleet was come neare the English shore, & the noise of guns were heard from sea. Then had they leaue to de∣part, & were by the Delegates honorably brought to the borders neare to Calis. The Duke of Parma had in the meane time brought all his forces to the sea shore: Thus this conference came to no∣thing; vndertaken by the Queene, as the wiser then thought to avert the Spanish fleet; continued by the Spaniard, that he might oppress the Queen, being as he supposed vnprovided, and not expec∣ting the danger. So both of them tried to sow the Fox-skin to the Lyons.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A. D. 1588.
• * 1.2

  Octogesimus octavus mi∣rabilis an∣nus.