That it was very certaine that the K. of Spaine had determined longe since to make warre with Englande [ deleted: wan] ^wanting^ only thopportunitie of tyme to see those troubles of Fraunce and of the Lowe Countries once ceassed the easeler then and with more advauntage to atchieve his purpose./
Lyke as it dothe manifestlie appeare by the sondarye allyauncs so often renewid tending in generall to the utter ruyn and rooting upp of all those of the reformed religion / amongist ^whome^ the English nation kept the first place and in particular to invade Englande [ deleted: ish] provoked therunto by a nomber of sufficient reasons which maye give the occasion and pretence to their desired execution./
And to prove that the same is so it hath ben many waies [disco] discoverid and expressed not onlye by a nomber of speaches and particuler discourses hearde and observed even from the K of [S] Spaines owne mowthe and som other great personags of his [Cour] Courte also that which is more by Letters and writings full of apparennt tokenes and demonstracon of this resolucion agreid uppon against Englande besides the ordinary speaches and [ deleted: threatening the saide Realme and] devises that still passed amongest the Spanishe souldior bothe presumptously threatening the saide Realme and state And noles detracting the honor and Majestie of the Q her selfe /
But also it is confirmed by many sinister driffts parctises and other arts of hostillitye even commytted and disclosed in the face of her Majestie and of her whole Realme As by the popes bull and other declaracons fastend in open places and dispersid aswell with out England as with in by the saide K of Spaine and his adherent to the blemishing of [her] [fol. 295v] Majesties honor and greattnes and to the sturring upp of her subjects and people against her by sedicon treason and tumults and lastelie in exposing her Realme for a pray to those that by invencon or practise could first cease of it: Ther fore how great and dangerous these proceadings have bene all those may well judge that have had any [ deleted: kow] knowledge of the affaires of christendom for some years present which yet to this daye doth holde their authoritie and right more then ever before in Spaine for thobeying and executing of any of the popes [ deleted: decress] ^decrees^ involably /
Withall it is evident that those Bulles and declaracons wear newlie and Immediatelie accompanied with sondrye conspiracies uproares and wicked platts proceading from very principall personages in Englande suborned & sturred upp therunto by suche ministers as had the handlinge of theim and handelid with suche vehemencye as there is none but maye easlelie beholde / what was and is pretendid and from whence thoriginall grounde proceaded /
Also that the causes which might move this the rather in the K of Spaine were so apparaunte and of suche moment as might perswade any of sounde Judge ment to [ deleted: sce] see that the saide K coulde not be removid from them for [ deleted: he] if he pretendid as it was in deede his whole pretence to make an absolute Con [ deleted: quest] ^quest^ of those whome he esteemeth to be his subjects in the Lowe Countrye and yet be not which may the more declare howe ambitiously he woulde usurpe he muste of necessitie [ deleted: beinge] ^bring^ Englande to his obedience also with out which the foundacion wheruppon he wolde [ deleted: setl] setle his greatenes and securitye were moste weake and of no continewence /
Being needeles to alleadge what good grounde or speciall coullor he had therunto seeing that the religion onlye of those in Englande was more then a sufficient cause to make title to what soever he woulde, whome he pursueth as he doth the rest of the profession, with an Immortall hatred never to be reconciled / esteeming them worse then either Turks Marranes Jewes or infidells the blasphemers of gods holy name and of ^his^ sonne Jesus And heere with the Injuries & wrongs that he presumeth to have receaved of the English nation and Realme being knowne to be the Vindicativest of all other princs in nature and malice are of noles force then the quarrell of religion to the purpose especially while those of the Lowe Countries whom he hath condempned as his sworne and deadly enemyes whose memorye he wolde abollishe from the very earthe have founde not only pitifull [ deleted: thinges] ^refuge^ and hospitallitie in England [ deleted: mayn] mainteyned and protected there with all humanitie and freedome and in the true exercise of the religion somuche hated of the Spanyards but also have had open supportacon and ayde both of men and munition in those warres that have bene so extremely made against theim for their lives and liberties /
By which Christian disposition theyr blouddy purposes coullred with the pretence of restoring religion in to the Lowe Countryes which they meane by placing the Spainish Inquisition theare hath bene made frustrate and vaine having thought at one instant to have spoiled so noble a Countrye of her riches prosperitie liberties & priviledgs & [fol. 296r] with the bloude of so many of Gods creatures to have quenched their cruell thurst and with their goods to have sattisfied their greedy hands But whiles Englande remayneth either unsubdweid to their powers or anallured to their desiers they see no apparaunce at all /
And therefore doo they make it an open quarrell that Englande hathe bent allwaies and is the principall roote of all the heresies (as they terme them, that have spredd theim selves abroade into the Lowe Countries and nourished them at home which concludeth that their malice even hate against the said state is occasion sufficient to sturre theim upp to any revenge /
But laying aparte both the respect of religion and of any offence that might be conceyved the greate and singuler commodities which the kingdome of England might bringe unto the Spainyards are causes of theim selves to sturre upp any attempte for the subdewing of it Namely when as they shalbe able from thence with greate ease and expedicon to keppe the lowe Countryes under as a sclave to Spayne furnishing uppon every occasion from so neare and so aboundaunt a place both shippes, [ deleted: munision] ^munition^ and all other necessaryes besids for the keeping of theim in perpetuall dutie and servitude. And besids this in having Englande the profit woulde bee great and incredible that would rise to their traffiques and [ deleted: inter] entercourses which in one instant would make them [ deleted: bes] both quiet Masters of the whole / Ocean: and of the greatest wealth in the worlde /
But contrary wise if the Realme of Englande should be an enemye to them or remaine but halfe suspect therof it appeares [presentdly] into howe many and sondry inconveniencs they fall into of necessitie The passage first of Spaine and of the Lowe Countryes being therby cut of and consequentlie / the m ^e^ ane taken awaie which in a state that hath his members so faire devided from the bodye is still seene, to compasse their [ deleted: desired pur] purposes. Lastly, the warehouse that they hope to make of Spaine with the spoiles of the Lowe Countryes sholde have but a shorte reckening & they misse of their intent in the very begynnyng /
So as if all other respect which are very greate shoulde not move the Spanyards againste Englande yet this latter shewith that it is [impos] impossible but that they who in kinde of all other are moste Ambicious have decreed to suborne Englande to establish wheruppon their greatnes and securitie who otherwise should want bothe corage and judgement if this platte were not thoroughlie attemptid /
And herewith beholding that their is no yssue of her Majesties bodye to succeade in the Realme after her, but the matter like to fall amonge many competitors the same dothe serve also as a newe fire brande to kindle upp the covetous desire of the Spainishe K. who taking parte with one side then mighte the better oppresse the reste and then by some more allyaunce with the next of the bloode to assure hym selfe of the whole state [ deleted: for] for ever /
Who havinge this disposition as certainly he hath yea rather forced and constrayned to have yt if he will mainteigne him selfe safelie in his owne state and reputacion what better commoditie might he wishe for having [fol. 296v] subdewed the Lowe Countries to his will and theare quietlie established his tyranye then to bringe over his power and Armye yet blouddy and terrible of the murder and oppression of the people into Englande /
To the which albeit that he him selfe had either small or no desier at all yett the pope and other princes confedarats [ deleted: elswhear within] ^aswell in^ Italy as elswhear woulde certainely constraine him to this enterprize even for his owne promise made in that behalfe unto theim: partily to be revenged of the English nation of whom they thinke theim selves greatilie and many waies Injured / and partilie to enterteigne the K of Spaine still in warres in the remotest partes from Italy for that it cannot be chosen but [ deleted: those] that his greatnes if he should be quiet and neare theim would growe suspicious and dangerous unto them /
And to further this bothe the fr. K and the house of Guise would give all the [ deleted: sub] assistaunce the might aswell for those comen reasons before remembrid whearin they be joyned with the princes confederats as for some particular [rea] reasons that doo concerne the Crowne of Fr. it selfe But especially the hatred that the house of Guise beares to her Majestie (as shee that hathe been and is the sole disturber of their wicked enterprizes intended againste / Scotlande and other places woulde sett fourthe any mischeife a gainste England as maliciously as might be and the rather that by the same meanes the mighte tourne from the Realme of Fraunce nowe so wasted and weakened by theis Inwarde warres and by the murther of suche a nomber of valyaunt subjects the puissant fury of the / K of Spaine to some other placs A neighbor no les dreadfull then suspected.
Wheare unto may be added that if the Spanishe K should come ones to effecte with his purpose over the Lowe Countries which god defende he woulde be so puffed upp with prowde overwe ^e^ ning and with thopinion of his owne greatnes as nothing could be thought harde to his exploytes nor / once able to resiste his only name, so as the same name sould serve as a terror to a stonishe the Nations from the boldenes once to resiste him in any thinge that either he might attempte or woulde [ deleted: preser] prescribe unto theim /
And having the lowe Countries thus at comaundement he should finde him selfe streight possessed of suche a strengthe by sea such a nomber of good Shippes well furnished with skillfull Mariners and with plenty of of all munition and Artillerye as also with well trayned and resolute souldiours such as boyling in heate to converte their weapons allready bathed in Civill bloude and made blunte with the distruction of a Countrye spoiled and Ravished aganst a Countrie [ deleted: entier entrie] ^entier^ both a strainger to theim welthy riche and aboundant of all necessary things to sturre upp their courage the more /
[fol. 297r] Whiche partlie the devision that is there aswell for religion as for privat humor and offences, nourished by sondrye as for the quarrell of scotland whiche is stomacked by mightie persons bothe at home and abrode with the uncerteintie of succession before mentioned serve to enkindle the mynds of a nombre to desier innovation and to conspire with the Spanyards where unto their good successes in the Lowe Countryes woulde give courage to the Englishe Papists which are not a fewe in nomber to desier and hope for a like alteracon at home who also shoulde be holpen by those that nowe Lurke as Newters / a sorte moste dangerous of all other / til thocasion were presentid to discover them selves at full And here with considering the longe ease and quietnes that England hath enjoyed / and the people enured with pleasuer and delicacye farre from the hardenes and experience of warres it bothe provoketh the enterprize the more and maketh it the easier and of les daunger /
The facillitye then where of according to all apparaunts as sufficient to inflame the Spanishe nation to enterprize this warre [ deleted: with] whose naturall and highe ambition accompanied with vayne glorye and speciall hatred towards England dothe make theim thinke the tyme very long which is not employed ther in allready which undoubtedly concludes that the warres of the Lowe Countryes once finished the [Spanya] Spanyardes have nothing in more certein determinacon then to prove their forces against Englande /
Which very easely and without great charge might be mett with by her Majestie In case shee shoulde prevent the harme [ deleted: to] ^in^ tyme and cutt of the blowe before hande in ayding those of the Lowe Countries nowe to resiste the power of the Spanyards who being let of this course [ deleted: where] were the assured meane to enterteigne her Majestie quiet with the quiet also of whole Christendome therby, a matter that requiers but a small power and les coste for brydling of them as eche man may perceave that hath but a meane knowledge of the state of the said Lowe Countries / And in effecte when every thinge is rypely weighed it shalbe founde that there is no meane so fytt and so expedient to turne the warres from Englande as this is which other wise is most certenly to followe if the Spanyards atteigne their purpose quietly over the saide Lowe Countryes /
But if ther affaires of the Lowe Countries be strengthed and Countenanced to holde oute then is it a thinge assured that the Spanyards shall not only Loose their longing for making an Invasion in Englande, But also be excluded from the meanes howe to disquiet theim in any degree /
Wheare with some of the proper actions and proccedings that the [ deleted: Sp] Spainyards have theim selves shewed to the worlde woulde be considered of howe since the tyme that those inwarde warres have begone in the Low Countryes they have contrary to their accustomed hartie manner of dealinge with the Q Majestie used suche forced and hypocriticall humblenes and such delligent meanes to winne her favor as lastlie what by great intreatye & what [fol. 297v] by importunate [ deleted: so] solliciting they have obteined an greement for the entercourse of Marchaunts and a confirmacon of theallyaunce betwene her and the house of Bourgondye though with great disavauntage and prejudice to their side / which ^as^ it is open dissimulacon apparant to all men so are they compellid ther unto for the tymes sake Least that the affaires of Hollande and / Zealeande succeading well her Majestie might joyne with theim also to their utter destruction. Which occasioned the D. of Alva so speedly to take upp the matter with [ deleted: that] ^what^ condicons so ever he might / An acte that is accomptid to him in wisdome and Industrye the greatest that ever he did having pursued therby his courses which certanely were readie to fall) And wynning the [ deleted: comodi] commoditie with all to compasse his secret [ deleted: part] ^practises^ in the same whose faith towards heretiques (for so reckoneth he of her Majestie and of all those of her profession) is to be kept with theim as may serve his owne turne and the tyme hereafter /
Thus is it easely perceaved what mynds the Spainyards hand & [ deleted: weare] ^wheare^ unto they presently aspire in that they feare nothing somuche as that her Majestie shoulde declare her selfe of their side that be thus afflicted in the Lowe Countries and so were their whole platt of mischeife overthrowen at once by her Majesties goode resolucion which depended enterly of her goode or ill will so sclender was was their power without her /
Concluding therfore that all their practises and humble sutes for thobteyning of this accorde tendid to plaine mischefe and deceite /
And otherwise to thinke once that they mene sincerelie towards Englande the lowe Countries once subdewid were farre from reason and from any good grownd both for the weight of those former [ deleted: a] ^ar^ guments rehearsed as in respecte of their owne Nature which in their prosperitie [ deleted: should] shewid allwaies an arrogant and proude behavior towards Englande A matter not lyghtlie to be forgotten the memory of yet is so freshe and of that gravitie /
Onlye they would temporize till the said lowe Countryes as forsaken of her Majestie aide weare suppressid and then to invade Englande at [ deleted: the] their [ deleted: mosh] moste ease /
Preparing in the meane season their platts and intelligencs with suche of the said land as they knowe to be favorable to their side and desirous of Novellties to thende their turne maye be served of them as thopportunitie of the tyme and cause would suffer /
Which might be avoided with very small charges if her Majestie at this tyme would declare her selfe against the Sp. K in open manner and this wear the waie the said prince of Orenge alleadgid to enterteigne the Low Countries insuche a ballaunce of as neither the Spainyards shoulde devour it nor shee her selfe to be molestid though all his force were at once imployed against her which was of no small consequence the same being so devided as it is and so weakened and shaken other wise / bu rather it shoulde be an evident undoing to all his stat the more he strove therin And [ deleted: so] to saye in one worde the Q only countenance with out further power / declaring her selfe openly favorable to those of the lowe Countries / [fol. 298r] woulde make all the rest of the placs there to revolte so generally [ deleted: doo] doo they abhorre the Spanishe gouvernment and so great is her authoritie if she did but once discover her selfe thus farre by whiche goodnes shee might preserve the whole Countrye to her Immortall commendacon and suertye And the kinge him selfe woulde thinke it most happie to receave what Composicon her Majestie woulde give seeing once this assured / resolucon in her /
[ Marginalia (by unknown hand): Her majestie might deale easely & safely] For why those of the religion doo besides other portes that they have kepte the three principall keyes of the Low Countries in their handes Flessinge, The Bryll and Inckhusen whoo doo Master and shutt in all those seas [theare] theareabouts And then howe can the king of Spaine be furnished of a [ Marginalia (by unknown hand): The Protestants having the rule of the sea] sufficient Navye either to offende or defende with out the frendshipp of Englande having neither commoditie of havons nor shipping nor yett [ Marginalia (by unknown hand): The Sp. K. having neyther havens shippes mariners etc.] of skillfull Marriners to attempte things [ deleted: which] with all as hath [ deleted: well] well apearrid in there encounters of late in Zealande and is a notable mayne unto him /
Besides that he is not able to supplye him selfe with that nomber of [ Marginalia (by unknown hand): Almans can do him no good.] Souldiors which the dainger of his estat and of thexploite that he should doo doth importe But it may be saide that he maye reteigne some Almans to his service which helpes nothing at all for that the Almain footeman is ^not^ only unproffitable uppon the Sea, but is not fitt to handle harquebuze a wepon at this instante well nighe sole and proper for the marine affaires /
Then of frenchemen he cannot be furnished whiles this warres in Fraunce doo contenewe for that the Country it selfe hath want of theim /
For bourgonyons and Italiens there are not manye in nomber to be had /
Yet let it be admitted that he had of this nations suche a nomber as he might desier howe coulde he imploye theim against England or against any place by Sea whiles he is deprived ^both^ of [ deleted: having] havens shipping and Marriners /
Which want of Shipping cannot be supplied from the coste of Spaine for that all the pitch tarre cables mastes and other apparill for a Navye must come cheifely by their meanes of the Lowe Countries thither which being nowe impeachid doth take awaie the meane how either to furnish fourth A navie theince or to mainteigne the same that they have allready there unles it be by Englande /
Then it is further knowen that Spaine canot make oute anye greate nomber of men of their owne other by Sea or lande especially nowe that the Turke threateneth them so neare and so puissantly as he dothe Besids that it is nether easie nor possible to sett fourth Shippes appointed with victualles and necessaries from thence like as it is from other placs /
For when there is question or necessitie to have any armed Shippes fourth to conducte or waste only a fleete of Merchants yt asketh allwaies the respect of .7. or 8 monethes to do yt
Which prooveth [ deleted: there lyes] ^then by all degrees^ that there is no cause at all to feare any dainger or Invasion at that whole side /
But then let their wealthe be examined which to a nomber apperith bothe huge and fearefull and [ deleted: manye] may supplye many defects but the experiance of things past and present hath well discovered that it is nether of bothe. for in respect of the great chargs they have bene and be at /
[fol. 298v] And of these longe inwarde troubles consumyng and taking awaie the whole revenue with all they are unprovided either of wealth in their purse or of credit with marchaunts having undon the best marchaunts and Counters througheout Christendome by breaking with theim / and though marchauntes woulde give credit yet can they not do yt for any / round somme of Longe as the affaiers of the Lowe Countryes / continew in this trayne they are in the traffiqcue decaying therby every wheare both in generall and particuler /
Which hath taught the K of Spaine that the weakenes of his state is such and the difficultie and dearthe of victualls so great / the want with all of traffique the nomber of Banquerouts and the lacke of that meane howe to employ Artifficers whearof the Lowe Countryes stande moste by with a thousand other [ deleted: com] incomodites which the Civill warres have joyned unto yt that all his states to gether cannot beare out Longer the / necessary charges of theis warres nor suffer him to stand as a kinge [ deleted: of] if present remedy be not founde / But howe much more shoulde he be pressid in dede and driven to the very well if her Majestie of Englande did joyne with those of the Lowe Countries in so just and lawfull a cause as nowe is defendid /
As for example if one only Towne of Flessinges which is nether riche nor puissant nor hath bene assisted in all this tyme by any prince or forren ayde hath yet bene able to make suche sharpe warres uppon the K of Spaine shutting upp the whole passage against him & so often stopping the releife that should have come to Myddelborough how much more ware it impossible for the Spanyards if the Q Majestie woold declare her selfe against them either to [ deleted: maynteigne] mainteigne any warres in the the Lowe Countryes or to advaunce yt against England but rather consequently to be overthrowen for ever /
But it may be abjected that the Towne of Middelbrought The Ramkins and Armoy notwithstanding all this dooe holde out still which objection is of small weight for her Majestie in assistinge those of the religion with some money a few souldiours and comons to besege Middelborought in goode earnest it coulde not endure 12 daies at / thuttermoste against theim which is a matter so well [ deleted: kno] knowne as cannot be denyed And the same a place not only weake and subject to the Canon but to be easelie famyshed which had bene done er nowe if their forces of [ deleted: Flesa ] Flessinges and Hollande had bene some what greater and not applied to other places /
But be it as it may be while those of the Religion be Masters of the Sea as hetherto by gods grace they are bothe in nomber of Shippes in vertue and experence of Marryners the Spainyards thought they kept not only that they have in Zealande but had 10 Townes more as good as Middlebroughe yet sholde they never be able to sett fourth any Navye sufficient to invad or annoye Englande with all which is utterly impossible for theim to doo whiles their men kepe their owne or to passe once out of Zealande to the seawarde but to their apparaunte [distruction] so farre be they with in the dainger and subjection of those of the religion /
[fol. 299r] Wher by her Majestie mighte with great facillitie deliver the Countrye & subjects at once both of all daingers of warres and of all suspicons that might grow therunto which a small ayde of men and monney woulde performe making her able to give with condicons of peace and agreement shee would to the Spainish K and be as humbly obeyed in the same by hym /
But of the Contrary side if shee staie till those of the Lowe Countries whiche god defende be once subdewed then runnes the warre furiously uppon her owne state and people And will coste whole myllions of golde befor it be ended [bes] beside the dainger to losse all according to the uncertein events of Warre / Englande being a Countrye Void of stronge holds to staie The nemye any while by the way which then will either drive it to a generall hazarde at the first or to a longer warre by Temperizing which every good prince for / preservacon of his estate and subjects is in duty bounde to prevent what soever League or amytee there bee which with Ambitious neighbours and malicious serves but to cloke their secret projects tell they come to their [full] full ripnes and so wine the advantage they seke for. Uppon which pointe I had often repeated unto me that the plenty of Englande and the delivery of the people did geve great and many advauntages to the enemy which two if they shoulde be accompanied with thinteligent and aide of Conspirators with in Land And with the scottish faction with in Lande and with out would make well nighe all thinges open for a Conquest /
Wherefore the said prince of Orenge concluded that one of her Majesties wisdome and magnamintye woulde provid in tyme for the tranquillite of her subjects and her selfe knowing with whome she had to deale by the best and aptest meanes that God doth presente (which were not presented in vaine and with the least spoile of her Countrie and burther to her State which were easlie done if once her Majestie were but resolute which I humbly commended to that [singuler] singuler prudencye and grace that god had wonderfully indewed her with for the staie of whole Christendome /
Nowe uppon this often conferencs which it pleased the prince to have with me for some lykinge that he had of my proceadinge there in my freends behaulfe he at laste did enter into some nearer and more secret declaracon of the state of [th] that Countrye with me and of his humble devotion borne allwaies to the Q Majestie of Englande whose greatenes and prosperity he said that he singulerly desired having made her privie of his proceadings from tyme to tyme both in Fraunce by his brother and by master Wallsingham her Embassador theare and since by one Casembrod by Boysot and lastelie by 4 that weare sent into Englande to her Majestie in the name and behalfe of the states of Hollande who at [ ... ] severall tymes had presentid to her Majestie the whole Countryes of Hollande and Zealande with ther bodies and goodes to be enterly at her disposition intreating for Christianitie and Justice sake which wear the two thinges that they woulde be Justified by, that her Majestie woulde take theim into her protection and defend their comon cause of religon and libertie againste the tyranny of Spaine and the bloudy device of Rome committing to [fol. 299v] her Majesties hands as pledgs of their humble trust and devotion 4 principall townes even the very keyes of Zealande and Hollande and those which did maister and brydle all the attempts either of Spaine or the Lowe Countryes But her Majestie in rejecting both theim their causes and their offers had turned an incredible greife in the mynds of the better sorte to see theim selves so forsaken of so Christian a prince and especially of her Majestie terming both him and the states of hollande no better then Rebelles to their K with whome shee concluded that shee would have nothing to doo: And yet they had beane enterteigned he saide from / Cassembrods first coming over till this laste aunswer with some better hope /
Protesting for his parte before the almightie Majestie of god that those warres which he had maide were not for ambition or gaine havinge ynoughe in Germany and elswheare to content him with all to the delight & quietines of his mynde and to the comforte of his friends, which kinde of life he did / preferre to all other but for the defence of religion and of his Countrye & for the lives and liberties of the people of the same who ware all to rooted oute for the which he woulde refuse no travaill nor dainger till the laste droppe of his bloode were spente in which resolucon he woulde be founde both constant, alyve and deade commending him selfe and the cause to god who is his / providence might mainteigne yt and toke uppon him the defence of his Churche and people. According to his will declaring that to avoid this note of / ambition how he had ever eschewid the place of Souveraintye as a subject to great envie and more charge permitting also to those of Hollande the gouvernment of their owne thinges by their owne states though intreatid & importuned by them all to take it absolutelie uppon him And to commaunde in whatsoever he woulde be obeyed, which might modestlie shewe howe farre his mynd was from aspyringe, and how litle he regarded those degrees which other men so greatlie desired Yet if thinges were necligently and [ deleted: shortlie] slackly handelid by those that had the charge he was sure the whole faulte woulde be imputed to him as one that weare either irresolute or wanted courrage and skill But touching that they were Rebells he very well knowne the Q Majestie Judgement so cleare therein and so satisfied many waies as small excuse neadid and les declaracon of of their Innocen ^c^ ye in that they woulde Justefie all their actions and the taking of Armes upon him for their just desire to be lawfull both by devine and humaine lawes which hath bene sufficientle tride and / allowed in the [ deleted: Cha] Chamber of Empire at Spires he saide which place is their souvereigne tribunall and resorte aswell to judge with indifferency and with out respect of persones the D of Brabant or Thearles of Hollande as the laste subject of The Empire owing nether dutie nor / hommage to the king of Spine as K of Spaine nor yet to the Lordes of Brabant longer then they mainteigned unto theim their auncient rites and liberties with out Innovation or breache in the / leaste jutte wheare in they are to refuse no judge nor lawe that is indifferent for decision of their right and quarrell. Marye he knowe that the Queenes Majestie in terming him / and theim rebells had some further respect inwardelie then was convenient for so many men to understande being mente perhapes that it shold be known to the worlde that she had used theim som what sharpely which contentid him very well Yet humble beseeching her Majestie to [ deleted: inter] [fol. 300r] interprete graciouslie of those that are not only joined in one and selfe religion with her / that had commendid theim selves thus enterly to her fathe & grace but also that desier to doe her faithfull service with body goodes and life for ever / which they are the more bounde to doo he saide in that her Majestie did take very ill that saime Counsaillor of hers shoulde perswade the [ deleted: rest] reste to acepte those 4 Townes offerd by the states of Hollande and then to deliver theim upp againe to the K of Spaine as rebells which were the waie as the saide Counsaillor thought to wynne an everlastinge truste and freendeshipp with the said K But her modestie & greatnes of mynd did well expresse theim selves at once in this as they had done in all other thinges with a trew proofe of her naturall goodnes which made him the bolder having conceaved very dearly of me he saide to imparte with me thus faithfulle and secretlie the state of thinges as he did And to desire me even uppon my alleagiaunce to [ deleted: deliver] declare [ deleted: to] unto her Majestie and your L what I had hearde and seene of him, who commendid by my mouth into her Majesties hands once againe the entier possession of Hollande and Zealande which was the earnest desier of the states of the Lande so to present her with all if shee woulde as willingely receave their goode willes as they might lawfull perfourme what they offerid. And happely her Majestie might be nowe induced the rather for the preservacon of generall peace which dependid muche uppon [their] their holding oute. And for the respecte of goods cause which was defendid herein to take uppon her their protection and save that which other wise was utterly loste But rather then they would fall into the Spannyards handes if her Majestie refused theim, they \ woulde [ deleted: fall] not only dye with their Countrye but before they died intangle the same with suche a devill as shoulde roote oute the name of the Spannyards for ever from thence whiche they shoulde be compellid to doo reserving their consciences and liberties to live with all /
Wherin I might best serve to sollicite this matter with her Majestie he saide with out suspicon to the cause and with greater truste of that I shoul shoulde deale in being her subjects and a privat partie and then to aunsweare him againe with speade what she would resolve to doo having founde to late he saide that this often and publique Messengers sent out of hollande did bewray before hand the offect of their [ deleted: negociacons] ^negociacons^ by the conjecture of the places from whence they come And might have with drawen some goode parte of her Majesties dispositon to deale there wheare the matter was so openly handelid, Againe he sawe that they had perswadid suche a necessitie wherby her Majestie ought for the said necessitie and for her owne safetie to helpe theim that the commendacon of her bountifull woorke yea their thankes and obligation for the [same] same was taken awaye thoughe shee [ deleted: sh] wolde have holpen theim, But he besoughte her to beleeve that is was only grace that [fol. 300v] they soughte for at her handes as the princesse that did favor religion / and Justice above all other and to whome for them temperaunce of her minde and gouvernment they had only recourse which woulde binde / theim for ever to remaine her most humble and faith full servaunts & to acknowledge her [ deleted: from ^ther^ ] for their souvereigne helper under God /
And in case she did accepte their offer and sett [ deleted: forth] foote in Hollande she shoulde presently have Flessinge The Brill Roterodame, Inckhusen in possession with what other places she wolde desier. They also would yerelie contribute unto her the somme of 8 or 900000 [crowns] and all her charge shoulde not rise to 400000 [crowns] which woulde be gevin with out grudge of any or difficultie in the gatheringe of it for then / their traffique by Sea and their husbandrye at home shoulde to ther great benefite and by her Majesties onlye meane florrishe and be well / able to yelde a greate [ deleted: benefite] reckening then this for the herringe fare woulde yerelie get a notable some The Morgantake which is a rate sett uppon every measur of Lande muche more. the [ deleted: consistation] confiscation of Abbey Landes and of their Landes that are [ deleted: fl] fledde to the D. woulde be a greate revenewe. Ther [ deleted: Cu] Customer impostes Excise / tole for horses and for their turves as also muche And lastelie their dicaige of all which and the rest I have the particuler [ deleted: reates] rates and observacon is a matter of no small value besides loanes & benevolences in which only kinds the D. of Alve had in three yeres of theim 1800000 [crowns] besids the ordinary revenuews of his P. But if her Majestie wolde accept this offer her only Countenance in the cause would procure the rest of the Lowe Countries to revolte and to come to her devotion also to her infinite benefite with whome they have secret intelligence allready and especiallie with some frontiere Townes aswell towards Fraunce as uppon Ryne and the Most. who onlye attende an occaison to discover theim selves to any attempte. In effecte her majestie shoulde have three and in Zealande 32. greate walled Townes both newlie fortified and planted with garrison for they have mainteined by lande and Sea this whole yeare .34000 persons, what pyoners Marriners & Souldiours and have at this instante above 200 Shippes in service, & with all shee shoulde be misteris of [ deleted: his] the puissantest Navye in Christendome and of the aptest havons for thenterteignement of theim and of her owne / traffique with all nations wherby if shee woulde restore this againe in thende she might make thought yett k phillipp hath loste all his righte therof forever and of the lowe Countreyes besides by those reasons that he disclosed to me the honorablest composition and the profitablest that ever prince made And to conclude he woulde procure he said of him selfe that the Germaines shoulde seeke unto her Majestie as to the souvereigne heade of Religion, to have an assured league confirmed betweene her and theim. Wherin they shoulde every one for his degree contribute goode sommes to mainteigne the saide league And so her Majestie might be assured of two of the greatest strengthes in Christendome with out great charge to her selfe /
[fol. 301r] And yet with equall contribution to the cause from many partes /
Besides that Hollande and Zealande, were able to susteigne [th] thexpences of that quarrell and league alone / for what enemye [w] were there once to provoke her Majestie if shee were thus setlid in those Countryes and so knytte with Germanye Nether were Baion league to prevaile nor yett the league of lansberge who woulde decaye of theim [ deleted: selv] selves by this meane as greate and huge bodies are wonte to doo that [ deleted: want] wante nourrishement for their members: And here uppon he did [ deleted: devse] devise of three men whoe for their calling and wisdome weare meete to deale with her Majestie in this league bothe accordinge to the waightines of the cause and the dignitie of her Majestie. and the Germany princes whome it concernid The first was an Earle of wittensten, a singuler man in Hussia The seconde Zowleger a Counsaillor of the Palsgraves And therde Berlips a noble man Counsaillor to the Ellector of Saxonye and very deare unto him by whose industrie things may take the better and speedier effecte / And to thende that nothinge shoulde be omytted her Majestie he saide had sondry meanes to / reconcile the fr k with his subjects which were a noble and godlie acte bothe to their safetie and her strengthe wher by shee might not only recover Calais againe with goode handelinge but set him uppon the k of Spaines Toppe betwe ^e^ ne whome the jealousee was greate thoccasions weightie sholde move the [ deleted: fr k] fr k. therunto. And thus every parte of Gods adversaries shoulde be enterteigned with their owne harmes and quietnes to be restorid to the poore / afflicted churche by her Majesties only meane under god. But if all this coulde not move her Majestie to deale openly in the cause yet that it might [please] please her to ayde theim secretlie and speadelie with 40 or 50000li in loane with the which they wolde so enterteigne their affaires bothe in Germanye & other places and have therby tyme with all to breathe at home till the revenewes were ready as that the D of Alve shoulde have more cause to defend him selfe elswheare then able to annoye Hollande or those confines and happelie might lose at one tyme as his causes weare nowe which hanged [ deleted: the] he saide uppon a very [ deleted: twyne] ^twynn^ threede, both reputacon and gouvernment. For the which somme in present they woulde bynde to her Majesties use sufficient revenewes and places in hollande that shoulde with in one yeare trulie satisfie the same againe with infinite obligacon for her Majesties goodnes and as secretlie to be kept as they helde deare to enjoye their consciencs and liberties free / and if need be for further assuraunce her Majestie should have a garrison in what place she shoulde choose mainteined at the chargs of the Countrye which mighte be commytted to some trustie man as thoughe he servid there with the other Englishmen for wags And thus in secrecy and suertie shoulde be bothe waies aunswerid. Beseiching her Majestie even for gods cause and for the commen [ca] cause of all goode men) by one of theis two waies to use her favor & aide towards theim with out which as they stoode uppon extreeme termes) using this proverbe to me to expresse their necesitie as it was, Nullum violentum perpetuum, so must they be forcid to sett all uppon 6. and 7. and to / commende theim selves to that resolucon which they wolde be bothe to do and which were halfe a mischeife bothe to theim and their neighbor also / [fol. 301v] yett beseichinge her Majestie firste to make theim some present aunswer to so weightie a sute that accordingly they might provide for their affaires in time hoping that she had the more cause to thinke well of theim that so entierly and earnestlie did commende theim selves and all theirs unto her with out condicon /
Which was theffecte whiche he committed unto me by mouthe with great secrecye and charge to be openid to your L. and my L. of Leicester and so consequentlie to the Q Majestie like as his lres to youe bothe dothe importe Whearein he referres the relation and truste of thinges to my speache and will perfourme no les he avowes then I have saide in his name and there: /
Which for the weigtines therof I have putt in writinge craving pardon if I have made it the more tedyous in that I thought goode to adde the manner and Circumstancs of his proceadings with me assuring your L. that if this be not acceptid by her Majestie the fr k. will ayde theim bothe with men and monye and be Master of the whole, which was a parte of Lombres commyssion if he received no countenance theere to negociat with the fr. k. what was convenient who had written three lres to the prince in hollande for that matter and hath his secret ministers both theare and with C. Lodovicke also which have wroughte very farre therin promising pacification of his subjects. excusing the murder uppon the K of Spaine and the howse of Guise, as though [ deleted: e] uppon the suddainenes of the thinge he were constrained therunto, And that he wolde wholie therfore converte the warres wheare he might moste endomage so maclicious an enemye that had so weakned him in credit and strengthe, Alleaging that if he did laie handes once uppon the Churche goods in Fraunce he hath a sufficient treasure to mainteigne any quarrell [ deleted: from] for many yeares And that the Turke had promised him three Millions [of] of yerelie of Crownes to endomage the saide k. of Spaine, Lastlie he wolde be in hande to have some frontiere Townes to make an entrye againe into the Lowe Countries to kepe the Spanyards also occupied of that side as the Turke shall doe in other partes, In which busines Lombres who is a vaine babling fellowe and wholie frenche hath bene a great travailler with the prince to inclyne him to that side but neaver coulde obteigne goode hearing or countenance in any thinge, as one in [ deleted: deedd] deede that was out of all favor since my cominge to that Countrye till the publicacon of [ deleted: the] thaccorde for thentercourse was certified to the prince to have bene maide with greatt joye at London, Antwarpe and Amsterdam which so movid theim then as they thought it to be their utter undoinge and the verie waie to discouraige their people at home and their freendes abrode which I thought my humble dutie to certifie your Lordship of And so I humbly doo take my leave. At London the xj ^th^ of June 1573 \ Your L most bounden W H
