The Spoil of Antwerp. Faithfully reported, by a true Englishman, who was present at the same. Novem. 1576.  
Seen and allowed.  
Printed at London by Richard jones.   

❧ Faults escaped, to be considered of the Readers: and to be amended, as followeth.  

In. A. the third leaf, the second side, and last line for, Fuora villiavo: read, Fuora villiacco.  
In. A. 4. leaf. 2. side, and. 7. line: for, take Caves: read▪ take Arms.  
In. A. 6. leaf, the first side, and 20. line: for, West or south-west: read, East or Southeast.  
In. B. the first leaf, and first side, the 22. line: for, west side: read, east side. And in the same leaf, the. 2. side, and. 7. line: for, south-west side: read, Southeast side. And in the. 15. line: for, East side: read, West side.  
In. B. 4. leaf. 2. side. 9 line. for aeste ville: read, ceste ville. And in the. 13. line, for Trumpete: read, Trumpeter. And in the. 17. line: for Cavaille: read, Canaille.  
In. C. 1. leaf. 2. side. 1. line: for fleeing: read, flaying.    

To the Reader.  
I Shall earnestly require thee (gentle Reader) to correct the errors passed and escaped in printing of this Pamphlet, according to this table. And furthermore, to understand that this victory was obtained with loss but of five hundredth Spanierds, or six at the most: of whom I heard no man of name recounted, saving only, Dom Emanuel. Thus much (for haste) I had forgotten in the treaty, and therefore thought meet to place it here in the beginning: and therewithal to advertise thee, that these outrages and disordered cruelties done to our nation, proceeded but from the common Soldiers: neither was there any of the twelve which entered the english house, a man of any charge or reputation. So that I hope (these extremities notwithstanding) the king, their Master, will take such good order for redress thereof, as our countrymen in the end, shall rest satisfied with reason, and the amity between our most gracious Sovereign and him, shall remain also firm & univolate: the which I pray God speedily to grant for the benefit of this Realm.  
Amen.  
 
¶ Note in the Model: that the troop of Almains by the rivers side, should be footmen. And also that the troop next the windemyl should be horsemen.   

¶ THE SPOIL of Antwerp.  
SInce my hap was to be present at so piteous a spectacle, as the sacking and spoil of Antwerp, (a lamentable example which hath already filled all Europe with dreadful news of great calamity) I have thought good for the benefit of my country, to publish a true report thereof. The which may aswell serve for profitable example unto all estates of such condition as suffered in the same: as also, answer all honest expectations with a mean truth, set down between th'extreme surmises of sundry doubt full minds: And increased by the manifold light tales which have been engendered by fearful or affectionate rehersals. And therewithal, if the wickedness used in the said town, do seem unto the well disposed Reader, a sufficient cause of Gods so just a scourge and Plague: and yet the fury of the vanquishers do also seem more barbarous and cruel, then may become a good christian conqueror: let these my few words become a forewarning on both hands: and let them stand as a Lantern of light between two perilous Rocks: That both amending the one, and detesting the other, we may gather fire out of the Flint, and Honey out of the thistle. To that end, all stories and Chronicles are written: and to that end I presume to publish this Pamphlet: protesting that neither malice to the one side, nor partial affection to the other, shall make my pen to serve any jot from truth of that which I will set town & saw executed: For if I were disposed to writ maliciously against the vanquishers: their former barbarous cruelty, insolences, Rapes, spoils, Incests, and Sacrileges, committed in sundry other places, might yield me sufficient matter without the lawful remembrance of this their late stratagem: or if I would undertake to move a general compassion, by blazing abroad the miseries and calamities of the vanquished: their long sustained injuries and yokes of untolerable bondage: their continual broils in war: their doubtful dreads in peace: their accusations without cause: and condempnations without proof: might enable a doom stone to talk of their troubles, and fetch brinysh tears out of the most craggy rock: to lament and bewail the burning houses of so near neighbours. But as I said before, mine only intent is to set down a plain truth, for the satisfying of such as have hitherto been carried about with doubtful reports: and for a profitable example unto all such as being subject to like imperfections, might fall thereby into the like calamities.  
And to make the matter more perspicuous, I must derive the beginning of this discourse a little beeyonde the beeginning of the massacre: That the cause being partly opened, the effect may be the more plainly seen.  
It is then to be understood that the sacking & spoil of ANTWERP hath been (by all likelihood) long pretended by the spaniards: And that they have done nothing else but lain in wait continually to find any lest quarrel to put the same in execution. For proof whereof, their notable rebellion and mewtinye beegun in the same, when their watch word was Fuora viliavo, might sufficiently beewray their malicious and cruel intent. And though it were then smoothly coloured over, and subtly appeased, by the crafty devisers of the same, yet the coals of their choler being but raked up in the embers of false semblance, have now found out the wicked winds of wiliness & wrath: Which meeting together have kindled such a flame, as gave open way to their detestable devices. For thus estates of all the low countries being overwearied with the intolerable burden of their tyrrannies: and having taken arms to withstand their malice and rebellious Mewtinyes, the town of Antwerp (being left open and subject unto the Citadel) did yet remain quiet, and entered not into any martial action. Whereat the spaniards being much moved, and having not yet opportunity to work their will so colourably as they wished, beestowed certain Canon shot out of the said Castle, and slew certain innocent souls, with some other small harm and damage done to the edifices: Thinking thereby to harden the hearts of the poor flemings, and to make them take ●ues for their just defence: whiles they thereby might take occasion to execute their unjust pretence. And this was done on the xix. or. xx. of October last.  
Now to answer all objections, I doubt not but it willbe alleged, that the Castle beestowed the said Canon shot at the Town, because they of the Town did not shoot at the prince of Oranges Ships, which lay within sight thereof: But alas it is easy to find a staff, when a man would beat a dog.  
For the truth is, that those Ships did no greater hurt, either to the town or Castle, then friendly to waft up all manner of Grain and victuals, for the sustenance of the said town: which even then began to want such provision, by reason that the said spaniards had built a Fort on Flaunders side upon the same River: And thereby stopped all such as brought Uictuall to the said Town: burning and destroying the country near adjoining, and using all terror to the poor people, to the intent that ANTWERP might lack provision.  
And about the same time also the Spanierds cut of a bridge, which was the open passage beetween Antwerp and Machlen, at a village called Walem. A manifest proof of their plain intent to distress the said town, and to shut up the same from all the rest of Brabant. Since they were walled in with the River on the one side, and on that other the Spanish horse men occupied all the country, and so terrified the poor people as they durst not bring their commodities to the same. All this notwithstanding, the chief rulers of the said Town of Antwerp, appeased the people and put up these injuries until they might be better able to redress them. Soon after the spaniards (assisted by the treason of certain high Duchess) entered the town of Maestrecht upon a sudden, and put the same to sack: killing, and destroying great numbers of innocent people therein: a thing to be noted. For that Maestrecht had never revolted, but stood quiet under their garrisons as faithful subjects to the king. And the one half thereof pertained also unto the bishop of Liege, who had yet meddled nothing at all in these actions. The chief rulers and people of Antwerp perceiving thereby the cruel intent of the spaniards, and doubting their dutch garrison which was of the Count Euersteines regiment (as they were also which betrayed Maestricht,) began to abandon the town, leaving their houses & goods behind them: and sought to withdraw themselves into some place of safer abode. Whereat the estates being moved with compassion, and doubting that the town would shortly be left desolate, levied a power of three thousand footmen, and eight hundredth, or one thousand horsemen, and sent the same under the conduct of the Marquis d'Haurey, the young Count d'Egmont, Mounser de Capres, Mouns. de Bersel, Mouns. de Goonnie, and other nobles & gentlemen to secure & defend the town of Antwerp, against the cruel pretence of the said spaniards: And they came before the gates thereof on Friday the second of this instant: at a port on the west or south-west side thereof called Kybdoerporte: Whereat the Spanierds being enraged, discharged sundry shot of great Artillery from the Castle, but to small purpose. At last Mouns. de champaign, who was governor of the Town: and the Count d'Euersteine which was Colonel of the garrison, demanded of the States wherefore they approached the town in such order: who answered that they came to enter the same as friends, & to entrench & defend it from the spaniards: protesting further, that they would offer no manner of violent damage or injury to the persons or goods of any such as inhabited the same.  
Hereupon the said Mouns. d'Champaigne and Count d'Euersteine went out unto them and conferred more privately together by the space of one hour, and returned into the town leaving the estates power at a village called Burgherhout.  
On the morrow being the third of this instant, they were permitted to enter, and came into the town xxi ensigns of footmen, and vi cornets of horsemen. Immediately after their entry, the inhabitants brought them sacks of wool and other such provision, wherewith they approached the yard or plain ground which lieth before the Castle. And placing the same at th'ends of five streets which lie open unto the said Castle yard, entrenched under them with such expedition that in less than five hours, those streets ends, were all reasonably well fortified from the Castle for any sudden. At this time and. xii. days before I was in the said town of Antwerp upon certain private affairs of mine own: so that I was enforced to become an eyed witness of their entry and all that they did. As also afterwards (for all the gates were kept fast shut & I could not depart) to behold the pitiful stratagem which followed. The Castle thundered with shot at the town: but it was a very misty day, so that they could neither find their marks very well, nor yet see how the streets ends were entrenched. It was a strange thing to see the willingness of the inhabitants, and how soon many hands had dispatched a very great piece of work: for before midnight they had made the trenches as high as the length of a pike: and had begun one trench for a Counterskarfe between all those streets & the Castle yard: the which they perfected unto the half way from S. George's Churchyard unto the water's side by S. Michel's, & there left from work, meaning to have perfected it the next day. That Counterskarfe had been to much purpose if it had been finished, as shall appear by a Model of the whole place, which I have annexed to th'end of this treaty: by view whereof the skilful reader may plainly perceive th'execution of every particularity. These things thus begun & set in forwardness, it is to be noted that the spaniards (having intelligence of the states power when it set forwards from Bruxelles: and perceiving that it bent towards Antwerp) had sent to Maestricht, Liere, and Aelst, to draw all the power that could be made unto the Castle of Antwerp.  
So that on Sunday, the fourth of this instant in the morning, they all met at the said Castle. And their powers (as far as I could gather) were these.  
There came from Maestricht very near to a thousand horsemen, led by Dom Alonso de Vergas, who is the general of the horsemen: & five hundredth footmen or more, governed by the Campemaster Francisco de Valdes.  
There came from LIERE, five hundredth footmen or more, governed by the Campemaster Julian de Romero.  
There came from Aelst two thousand footmen, which were the same that rebelled for their pay & other unreasonable demands immediately after the winning of Zierickzee. These had none other conductor than their Electo (after the manner of such as mewtine & rebel) but were of sundry companies: as Dom Emanuel's & others. Nevertheless I have been so bold in the Model as to set down the said Dom Emanuel for their leader: both because I think that (their mewtiny notwithstanding) he led them at the exploit, and also because, he was slain amongst them at their entry. Thus the nwmbre of spanierds was. iiii. M. or there abouts, besides some help that they had of them garrison within the castle: And besides a M. high Almains, or more, which came from Maestricht, Lyere, and those parts. And were of three sundry regiments: viz. Charles Fuckers, Poelderuills and Froemsberghs: but they were led all by charles Fucker. So that the whole force of the Spanierds & their complices, was five. M. and upwards: the which assembled & met at the castle, on the said fourth day about. x. of the clock before dinner.  
And (as I have heard credibly reported) would neither stay to refresh themselves (having marched all night and the day before) nor yet to confer of any thing, but only of the order how they should issue and assail, protesting and vowing neither to eat nor drink until they might eat and drink at liberty and pleasure in ANTWERP: the which vow they performed contrary to all man's reason and expectation. Their order of entry into the Castle yard, and of their approach to the trenches, I did not see, for I could not get out of the town: neither did I think it reasonable to be Hospes in aliena republica curiosus: Yet as I heard it rehearsed by sundry of themselves, I will also here rehearre it for a truth. The Horsemen and footmen, which came from Maestrecht and Lyere, came through a village on the east side of the town called Burgerhout, about ten of the clock before noon, as before said: The Governor and estates being thereof advertised, sent out presently part of their Horsemen and Footmen to discover and take knowledge of them: But before they could issue out of the gates, the spaniards were passed on the Sonth west side of the town dyche, and entered at a gate which standeth on the Counterscarp of the castle yard, called the Windmill port: there entered the Horsemen, and all the footmen, saving the high Almains, who marched round about the Castle, by a village called Keel and trailing their pikes on the ground after them, came in at a small Postern on the Brays by the River, and on the east side of the Castle.  
Those which came from Aelst, came through the said village called Keel, and so through the Castle: issued out of the same at the fore gate, which standeth toward the town. Being thus passed, and entered into the Castleyard about eleven of the clock, they of Aelst and of the Castle, cast themselves into four sinews: they of Maestricht and Lyere, into two sinews: and their Horsemen into a troop behind them: and the high almains into one Squadrone, or Batallyon, by the rivers side. Being thus ordered, and appointment given where every Squadrone should charge and endure, they cast of certain lose shot, from every Squadrone, and attacked the scarmouch: the which continued not one hour, before they drew their sinews so near unto the Counterscarp and trenches, that they broke & charged pell-mell. The Castle had all this while, played at the Town and trenches, with thundering shot: But now upon a signal given, ceased to shoot any more, for fear to hurt their own men: wherein I noted their good order which wanted no direction, in their greatest fury. The Wallonnes, and Almains, which served in the Trenches defended all this while very stoutly. And the spaniards with their Almains, continued the charge with such valour, that in fine they won the Counterscarf, and presently scaled the Trenches, with great fury. The Wallonnes and Almains having long resisted without any fresh relief or supply (many of them in this mean while being slain and hurt) were not able any longer to repulse the spaniards: so that they entered the trenches about twelve of the clock, and presently pursued their victory down every street. In their chase, as fast as they gained any cross street, they flanked the same with their Muskets, until they saw no longer resistance of any power: and then proceeded in chase, executing all such as they overtook. In this good order they charged and entered: in this good order they proceeded: and in as good order their lackeys and Pages followed with Firebrands, and wildfire, setting the houses on fire, in every place where their masters had entered. The Wallonnes and Almains, which were to defend the town being grown into some security, by reason that their Trenches were so high, as seemed invincible: and lacking sufficient Generals & directors, were found as far out of order, as the spaniards were to be honoured for the good order and direction which they kept. For those which came to supply & relieve the trenches, came straggling and lose: some came from the furthest side of the town: some that were nearer came very fearfully: and many out of their lodgings, from drinking and carousing: who would scarcely believe that any conflict was begun, when the spaniards now met them in the streets to put them out of doubt that they dallied not. To conclude, their carelessness and lack of foresight was such that they had never a Corpse du guard to supply and relieve their trenches, but only one in the market place of the town which was a good quarter of a mile from their fortifycations: and that also was of Almains, who (when they spied the spaniards) did gently kneel down letting their Pikes fall, and crying O lief Spaniarden, lief Spaniarden. Now I have set down the order of their entry, approach, charge, and assault: together with their proceeding in victory: and that by credible report, both of the spaniards themselves, and of others who served in their company: let me also say a little of that which I saw executed. I was lodged in the English house ut supra, and had not gone abroad that morning by reason of weighty business which I had in hand the same day. At dinner time the Marchauntemen of my Country which came out of the town, and dined in my chamber, told me that a hot scarmouch was begun in the Castleyeard, and that the fury thereof still increased. About the midst of dinner, news came that the shot was so thick, as neither ground, houses, nor people could be discearned for the smoke thereof: and before dinner were fully ended, that the Spaniards were like to win the trenches. Whereat I stepped from the table, and went hastily up into a high Tower of the said English house: from whence I might discover fire in four or five places of the town, towards the Castleyeard: and thereby I was well assured that the spaniards in deed were entered within the Trenches. So that I came down and took my cloak and sword, to see the certainty thereof, and as I passed toward the Bource, I met many, but I overtook none: And those which I met were no Townsmen, but Souldyeres: neither walked they as men which use traffic, but ran as men which are in fear: Whereat being somewhat grieved, and seeing the townsmen stand every man before his door with such weapons as they had, I demanded of one of them, what it ment? Who answered me in these words, Helas mounsieur, il ny a point de order, & voila la ruin de ceste ville. Aiez courage mon amy (quoth I,) and so went onwards yet towards the Bource, meeting all the way more & more which mended their pace. At last, a Wallon Trompeter on horseback (who seemed to be but a Boy of years) drew his sword, and laid about him crying, Ou est que vous eufuiez canaille? faisons teste pour le honeur de la patrie. Wherewith, thirty or three score of them turned head, and went backwards towards the Bource. The which encouraged me (per company) to proceed: But alas, this comfort endured but a while: For by that time I came on the farther side of the Bource, I might see a great troop coming in greater haste, with their heads as close together, as a skoule of young fry, or a flock of Sheep: Who met me on the farther side of the Bource, toward the market place: And having their leaders foremost (for I knew them by their javelins, boarspears, and staves) bore me over backwards, and ran over my belly and my face, long time before I could recover on foot. At last when I was up, I looked on every side, and seeing them run so fast, began thus to bethink me. What in God's name do I hear which have no interest in this action? since they who came to defend this town are content to leave it at large, and shifted for themselves: And whilst I stood thus musing, another flock of flyers came so fast that they bore me on my nose, and ran as many over my back, as erst had marched over my guts. In fine, I got up like a tall fellow, and went with them for company: but their haste was such, as I could never overtake them, until I came at a broad cross street which lieth between the English house & the said Eource: there I overtook some of them groveling on the ground, and groaning for the last gasp, and some other which turned backwards to avoid the tickling of the spanish Muskets: who had gotten the ends of the said broad cross street, and flanked it both ways: And there I stayed a while till hearing the shot increase, and fearing to be surprised with such as might follow in tail of us, I gave adventure to pass through the said crossestreate, and (without vaunt be it spoken) passed through five hundred shot, before I could recover the English house.  
At my coming thither, I found many of the Merchants standing before the gate: Whom I would not discomfort nor dismay, but said that the spaniards had once entered the town, and that I hoped they were gone back again: Nevertheless I went to the Governor, and privily persuaded him to draw in the company and to shut up the gates: The which he consented unto, and desired me because I was somewhat better acquainted with such matters than the Merchants, to take charge of the Key: I took it willingly, but before I could well shut and bar the gates, the spaniards were now come forwards into the same street: And passing by the door, called to come in? bestowing five or six Musquette shot at the grate where I answered them, whereof one came very near my nose, and piercing thorough the gate, struck one of the Merchants on the head, without any great or dangerous hurt: but the heat of the pursuit was yet such, that they could not attend the spoil, but passed on in chase to the new town: where they slew infinite numbers of people: And by three of the clock, or before returned victors, having slain or put to slight all their enemies. And now to keep promise, and to speak without partiality: I must needs confess, that it was the greatest victory, and the roundlyest executed, that hath been seen, read, or heard of, in our age: and that it was a thing miraculous, to consider, how Trenches of such a height should be entered, passed over, and won both by Footmen, and Horsemen: For immediately after that the Footmen were gotten in, the Horsemen found means to follow: and being many of them arquebusiers on horseback, did pass by their own Footmen in the streets, and much hastened both the flight of the Wallones, and made the way opener unto speedy execution.  
But whosoever will therein most extol the spaniards for their vallure and order, must therewithal confess that it was the very ordinance of god for a just plague and scourge unto the Town: For otherwise it passeth all men's capacity, to conceive how it should be possible. And yet the disorder and lack of foresight in the Walloons did great help to augment the Spanish glory and boast. To conclude, the County de Euersteine was drowned in the new Town: the Marquis de Haurcy and champaign escaped out of the said new Town, and recovered the Prince of Oranges ships: only the young Count de Egmont was taken fight by S. Michael's. Mouns. de capres, & Mouns. de Goonie: were also taken: but I heard of none that fought stoutly, saving only the said Count de Egmont, whom the Colonel Verdugo, a spanyard of an honourable compassion and good mind, did save with great danger to himself in defending the Count. In this conflict there were slain six hundred spaniards or thereabouts: And on the Thursday next following, a view of the dead bodies in the town being taken: it was esteemed at. 17000 men, women, and children. A pitiful massacre though God gave victory to the spaniards. And surely, as their vallyaunce was to be much commended, so yet I can much discommend their barbarous cruelty, in many respects: For me thinks, that as when God giveth abundance of wealth, the owner ought yet to have regard on whom he bestow it: even so, when God giveth a great and miraculous victory, the conquerors aught to have great regard unto their execution: and though some, which favour the Spanish faction, will allege sundry reasons to the contrary: yet when the blood is cold, and the fury over, me thinks that a true christian heart should stand content with victory, and refrain to provoke God's wrath by sheadding of innocent blood. These things I rehearse (the rather) because they neither spared age, nor sex: time nor place: person nor country: profession nor religion: young nor old: rich nor poor: strong nor feeble: but without any mercy, did tyrannously triumph when there was neither man nor mean to resist them: For age and sex, young and old, they slew great nnmbers of young children, but many more women more than fourscore years of age: For time and place, their fury was as great ten days after the victory, as at the time of their entry: and as great respect they had to the church and churchyard, (for all their hypocritical boasting of the catholic religion) as the Butcher hath to his shambles or slaughter house: For person and Country, they spared neither friend nor foe: Portugal nor Turk: for profession and religion, the jesuits must give their ready coin: and all other religious houses both c●yne and plate with all short ends that were good and portable. The rich was spoiled because he had: & the poor were hanged because they had nothing: neither strength could prevail to make resistance, nor weakness move pity to refrain their horrible cruelty. And this was not only done when the chase was hot, but (as I erst said) when the blood was cold, and they now victors without resistance. I refrain to rehearse the heaps of dead Carcases which lay at every Trench where they entered: the thickness whereof, did in many places exceed the height of a man.  
I forbear also to recount the huge numbers, drowned in the new Town: where a man might behold as many sundry shapes and forms of man's motion at time of death: as ever Mighel Angelo did portray in his tables of dooms day. I list not to reckon the infinite numbers of poor Almains, who lay burned in their armour: some thentrails scorched out, & all the rest of the body free, some their head and shoulders burnt of: so that you might look down into the bulk & breast and there take an Anatomy of the secrets of nature. Some standing upon their waste, being burnt of by the thighs: & some no more but the very top of the brain taken of with fire, whiles the rest of the body did abide unspeakable torments. I set not down the ugly & filthy polluting of every street with the gore and carcases of men and horses: neither do I complain, that the one lacked burial, and the other fleeing, until the air (corrupted with their carrion) infected all that yet remained alive in the Town: And why should I describe the particularity of every such annoyance, as commonly happen both in camps & Castles, where martial feats are managed? But I may not pass over with silence, the wilful burning and destroying of the stately Town house, & all the monuments and records of the City: neither can I refrain to tell their shameful rapes & outrageous forces presented unto sundry honest Dames & Virgins. It is a thing too horrible to rehearse, that the Father and Mother were forced to fetch their young daughter out of a cloister (who had thither fled as unto Sanctuary, to keep her body undefiled) & to bestow her in bed between two Spaniards, to work their wicked and detestable will with her.  
It is also a ruthful remembrance, that a poor English merchant (who was but a servant) having once redeemed his Master's goods for three hundredth crowns, was yet hanged until he were half dead, because he had not two hundredth more to give them: and the halter being cut down, and he comen to himself again, besought them on knees with bitter tears, to give him leave to seek & try his credit and friends in the Town, for the rest of their unreasonable demand. At his return because he sped not (as indeed no money was then to be had) they hung him again outright: and afterwards (of exceeding courtesy) procured the Friar's Minors to bury him.  
To conclude, of the seventeen thousand carcases, which were viewed on the Thursday, I think in conscience, that five thousand or few less, were massacred after their victory, because they had not ready money, wherewith to ransom their goods at such prices as they pleased to set on them: At lest all the world will bear me witness, that ten (yea twenty days) after, whosoever were but pointed at, and named to be a Wallon, was immediately massacred without further audience or trial. For mine own part, it is well known that I did often escape very narrowly, because I was taken for a Wallone. And on Sunday, the eleventh of this instant (which was the day before I got out of the Town) I saw three poor souls murdered in my presence, because they were pointed to be Walloons: and it was well proved immediately that one of them was a poor artificer, who had dwelled in the Town eight years before, & never managed arms, but truly followed his occupation: Furthermore the seed of these and other barbarous facts brought forth this crop & fruit: that within three days Antwerp, which was one of the richest Towns in Europe, had now no money nor treasure to be found therein, but only in the hands of murderers and strumpets: for every Dom Diego must walk jetting up & down the streets with his harlot by him in her chain and bracelets of gold. And the notable Bource which was wont to be a safe assembly for Merchants, and men of all honest trades, had now none other merchandise therein, but as many dicing tables as might be placed round about it all the day long.  
Men will boast of the Spanierds that they are the best & most orderly Soldiers in the world: but sure, if this be their order, I had rather be counted a Besoigner, than a brave Soldier in such a band: neither must we think (although it hath pleased God for some secret cause only known to his divine Majesty, to yield Antwerp and Maestrecht, thus into their hands) that he will spare to punish this their outrageous cruelty, when his good will and pleasure shall be to do the same: for sutely their boasting and bragging of iniquity, is over great to escape long unskorged.  
I have talked with sundry of them, and demanded why they would command that the Townehouse should be burned? And their answer was, because it was the place of assembly where all evil counsels were contrived. As though it were just that the stocks & stones should suffer for the offence of men. But such is their obstinate pride and arrogancy, that if they might have their will, they would altogether raze & destroy the Towns, until no one stone were left upon another. Neither doth their stubborn blindness suffer them to perceive that in so doing they should much endamage the King their Master, whom they boast so faithfully to honour, serve and obey.  
As for the injuries done by them unto our own nation particularly, I will thus set down as much as I know. We were quiet in the house appointed for the mansion of English Merchants under safe conduct, protection and Placard of their King: having neither meddled any way in these actions, nor by any means assisted the estates of the country with money, munition, or any kind of aid. Yea the Governor and Merchants (foreseeing the danger of the time) had often demanded passport of the kings governors and officers to departed.  
And all these with sundry other allegations, we propounded and protested unto them before they entered the English house: desiring to be there protected according to our privileges and grants from the King their Master. And that they would suffer us there to remain free from all outrage, spoil or ransom, until we might make our estate known unto the Castellane, and other head officers which served there for the said King. All which notwithstanding, they threatened to fire the house, unless we would open the doors: and being once suffered to enter, demanded presently the ransom of twelve thousand crowns of the Governor: Which sum, being not in deed in the house, neither yet one third part of the same: they spared not with naked sword and daggers to menace the said Governor, and violently to present him death because he had not wherewith to content their greedy minds. I will not boast of any help afforded by me in that distress: but I thank the Lord God, who made me an instrument to appease their devilish furies. And I think that the Governor and all the company will confess that I used mine uttermost skill and aid for the safeguard of their lives, aswell as mine own.  
But in the end, all eloquence notwithstanding, the Governor being a comely aged Man, and a person, whose hoary heaires might move pity, and procure reverence in any good mind, (especially the uprightness of his dealing considered) they enforced him with great danger to bring forth all the money, plate, and jewels, which was in the house: & to prepare the remnant of twelve thousand crowns, at such days, and times as they pleased to appoint. And of the rest of our Nation, which had their goods remaining in their several packehouses, & lodgings elsewhere in the Town. they took such pity, that four they slew, and diverse other they most cruelly & dangerously hurt: spoiling and ransoming them to the uttermost vallewe that might be made or esteemed of all their goods. Yea, some one they enforced to ransom his goods twice, yea thrice: and all that notwithstanding, took the said goods violently from them at the last.  
And all these injuries being opened unto their chief Governors in time convenient, & whiles yet the whole sum set for several ransoms of our countrymen and the English house in general, were not half paid: so that justice and good order might partly have qualified the former rygors proffered by the Soldiers, the said governors were as slow and deaf, as the other were quick and light of hearing to find the bottom of every bag in the Town. So that it seemeth they were fully agreed in all things: or if any contention were, the same was but strife who or which of them might do greatest wrongs. Keeping the said Governor & Merchants there still (without grant of passport or safeconduct) when there is scarcely any bittualles to be had for any money in the Town, nor yet the said merchants have any money to buy it, where it is. And as for credit, neither credit nor pawn can now find coin in Antwerp. In these distresses I left them the twelfth of this instant November 1576. when I parted from them, not as one who was hasty to leave and abandon them in such misery, but to solycite their rueful causes here: and to deliver the same unto her Majesty and council in such sort as I beheld it there.  
And this is in effect the whole truth of the sacking and spoil of so famous a Town. Wherein is to be noted, that the spaniards and their faction, being but five thousand, the trenches made against them of such height as seemed invincible: the power within the Town fifteen or sixteen thousand able fight men well armed, (I mean the Townsmen ready armed being counted:) it was charged, entered, & won in three hours. And before six hours passed over, every house therein sacked or ransomed at the uttermost value.  
The which victory being miraculous and past man's capacity, to comprehend how it should be possible, I must needs attribute unto God's just wrath powered upon the inhabitants for their iniquity, more than to the manhood and force of the spaniards: and yet I mean not to rob them of their deserved glory, but to confess that both their order & vallure in charging and entering was famous: And had they kept half so good order, or showed the tenth part of such manly courage, in using their victory, and parting of their spoil: I must then needs have said that Caesar himself had never any such soldiers. And this must I needs say for them, that as their continual training in service doth make them expert in all warlike stratagem: so their daily trade in spoiling hath made them the cunningest ransackers of houses, and the best able to bring a spoil unto a quick market, of any Soldiers, or Mastertheeves that ever I heard of.  
But I leave the scanning of their deeds unto God, who will bryddle their insolency, when he thinketh good and convenient: And let us also learn out of this rueful tragedy to detest & avoid those sins, and proud enormities, which caused the wrath of God to be so furiously kindled and bend against the Town of Antwerp: let us also (if ever we should be driven to like occasion,) (which God forbid) learn to look better about us for good order & direction, the lack whereof was their overthrow. For surely the inhabitants lacked but good guides and leaders: for having none other order appointed, but to stand every man armed in readiness before his door, they died there (many of them) fight manfully, when the Walloners' and high Duchess fled beastly. Let us also learn to detest the horrible cruelties of the executions in all executions of warlike stratagems, lest the dishonour of such beastly deeds, might bedymme the honour wherewith English Soldiers have always been endowed in their victories. And finally let us pray to God for grace to amend our lives, and for power and foresyght to withstand the malice of our enemies: that remaining and continuing in the peaceable protection of our most gracious Sovereign, we may give him the glory, and all due and loyal obedience unto her Majesty, whom God now and ever prosper and preserve.  
Amen.  ¶ written the xxv day of November. 1576. by a true English man, who was present at this pytteous massacre. ut supra.