A SHORT AND true discourse FOR SATISFYING ALL THOSE WHO NOT growing THE truth, speak indiscreetly of hir most excellent majesty, of the Lord Willughby governor of hir majesties succours in the united provinces of the Low countries, and of all the English nation: by occasion of a strange placcat of the 17. of April 1589. the new style, put forth by certain particular persons( as is said) under the name of the general States of those united provinces. By which discourse, every one is prayed and required to speak well and honourably of th'actions of those Estates general lawfully assembled. Together with An Extraict of the authentic evidences and proofs for the chief poincts of this discourse, whereunto they are directed by respective quotation of page. and Line. 1589.   

A SHORT discourse touching the siege before Gertrudenbergh, and the town lost by reason thereof.  
IT is holden a point of some perilous consequence, to breed grudging in a seruant toward his master. This is principally prevented by that Scripture, forbidding us to detain the wage of him whom we set on work. But as the rules of holy Scriptures are not precisely kept in private matters, through mans corruption and otherwise: even so falleth it out in more public affairs, as for example, in the case of Brakeley fortress, and of the towns of Heusden and Gertrudenbergh, where the men of war in garrison for the general Estates of the united provinces in the Low countries, by want of pay and other misseintreaties, about February and March 1588. fell so far more and more miscontent, as notwithstanding the broil of Brakeley quenched by count Hohenloes siege, & that of Heusden redeemed by a great sum of money for pay already far run: yet still that of Gertrudenbergh seemed desperat, the garrison there refusing once to deal either with general or particular States, or with Count Maurice of Nassau, no more then with Count Hohenlo their last governor, as is declared by the placcard itself and many other proofs. But forsomuch as this placcard specifieth in plain language that those soldiers covered these their dealings under her majesties name, taking therof also further occasion by some letters and persons sent to them from the Lord Willughby governor general &c. And forsomuch as some malicious and envious at her majesties greatness, and at the weal and repose of her subiectes & good neighbours, are not ashamed to publish this: that, So as men use the name of her majesty and of her ministers, it is tolerated without pain and chastisement to do evil in those provinces, as if her majesty and ministers made way to wickedness: we must call those evil tounged men to some better consideration of the royal affection and zeal wherewith her majesty proceedeth, in favouring & assisting at al needs and seasons, by all means that God putteth in her princely hands, those provinces & Estates representing soueraingty there. To begin with the warres in time of the late prince of orange of honourable memory, you shall find in the contract made by master Edward Dier for her majesty, what assistance was accorded to that prince and country: besides that every port of her kingdom, gave free passage out & in to all such as assisted or favoured him. It is well known how the marquis of Haurech being sent 1578. by the States general, obtained of the queen great sums of money in prest, which are not yet satisfied. And if we shall but only name the latter wars, since Brabant & Flanders lost, & since the death of the duke of Aniou, & of the Prince of orange, I say since antwerp lost, & the succourless negotiation with the French king broken of, when all things so desperately wavered in those provinces: it will most clearly appear with what cheerfulness hir majesty not sparing hir nobility, employed all means to conserve those countries and States. All this with a most sincere and heroical mind, not so much as accepting the offers to hir made of those countries. So far is hir majesty from suffering or witting and willingly winking at such evils in those countries, whose gracious endeavour hath been with no less care of hir neighbours in all their extremities then of hir own kingdoms. But going thus slily about to obscure hir most high & honourable action, you bark at the full moon or rather seek to shadow the sun, whose brightness breaketh forth through all clouds and is glorious in heaven and earth. Smaller stars perhaps, such as Barons and Lords, though their honor shineth by hir sovereign light, yet may they seem to suffer some darkness by these cloudy oppositions or mists rather smoking out of ditches, except they labour somewhat in declaration of their own clearness.  
This maketh the Lord Willughby governor general of hir majesties succours in those provinces, to say in defence of his honour: First, that this placcard, as in many things else, so affirming him to haue sought by letters and messengers, to maintain them of Gertrudenbergh in mutiny, doth notably forge and counterfeit. For howsoever it were free & lawful for him to sand thither, hir majesty and those provinces being by virtue of precedent contract friends to friends, & enemies to enemies: vpon what reason or ground could he sand thither. Sith at the general States instance to hir majesty, he had already charge and commandement from his sovereign mistress to accomplish their desires, for Narden, Medenblicke, La Vere, and Armude, according as he performed the same one after an other to their full and whole contentment, and to the stoping of these wicked mouths in this behalf, that speak thus slanderously of the Lord Willughby. For like as his obedience and faithful service is apparent in handling th'affairs of these four places: so certain and manifest it is, that for the town of Gertrudenbergh, he never conceived nor intended to do ought that might displease hir majesty and the States, with extreme hazard to his wife, children, and all such honors and means as by Gods mercy under hir blessed gouuernment he enjoyeth in England. What if that garrison would treat with none save with the Lord Willughby on hir majesties behalf? Should that redound to his dishonour, and not much rather to the increase of hir majesties greatness, who by Gods grace winneth such reputation among these stranger soldiers, that albeit they never reaped other benefit or reward from hir, then by virtue of the consederacie of treaty with those provinces: yet they choosed rather to hold that town in hir majesties name unto the generality then to render to th'enemy, though they alleged many occasions of such render given them, which they did afterward more particularly discourse in writing, and which shal be more largely spoken of hereafter. If then there be any spice of dishonour in this action, it must light on them, who by disorder, carelessness, and fault of due pay to that garrison, suffered things there to run to that uttermost that to save the place, these disorders and confusions suffered and wrought by them could not be redressed but by th'autoritie charge, expense, and great travell of hir majesties seruants. Had the Lord Willughby carried this action by his own proper authority, in dead, he should hardly haue answered it to his sovereign mistress and the States, as having exceeded his commission and therefore to be condemned for ambitious, and not content with his own charge. But it is far otherwise as the very placcard sheweth. For being many times required and prayed as well by the general States, the council of Estate, connte Maurice of Nassau & the States of Holland, as also by the Magistrat of Dordrecht, to suffer himself to be employed about appeasing Gertrudenbergh, the Lord Willughby nevertheless to prevent al tongues that might insinuat any pretence in hir majesty, for other towns then comprised in the contract( a thing broadly and lewdly spoken among them the last year) did still put over this business to themselves, as they that had good means to work this by the going between of the Magistrate of Dort, next neighbour to Gertrudenbergh, and following his own affairs and charge all March and april, & principally the restablishment of a council of Estate, which had long time ceased, and th'appointment of Medenblick and Narden, he ever more excused himself as long as he might. And surely he had continued his excuses both for the former reasons, and also for. that being come from the quieting of Medenblicke, God visited him at hague with a long sickness, had not the Magistrate of Dort utterly given over the matter, without effecting any thing according to th'act of authorisation to them given 7. Aprilis aforesaid, and thereupon the Lord Willughby again most earnestly solicited even by count Hohenlo, as appears by his letters the last of the same april and other letters afterward, requiring that he would do his best for some appointment with Gertrudenbergh: forsomuch as( said he) we perceive no other means left, the garrison there having signified by their letters of the 20. and the Magistrate of Dort by theirs of the 28 of the same april, that the soldiers of Gertrudenbergh would treat with none, but with the Lord Willughby in hir majesties name. This was th'occasion that at last his Lordship having achieved the States desire at Medenblick and Narden, being as loth to fail in any parte of his endeavour for preservation also of Gertrudenbergh, a town so greatly importing the province of Holland & the generality, as they had remonstrated many times to him, he took his journey without any promiss making in the world about the 6. of May toward Dort, to aduise with the Magistrate there, how this stir of Gertrudenbergh might be quieted. According to aduise there, he advertised the garrison of Gertrudenbergh the 7. following, that he was there arrived wishing them to sand deputies according to the letters of safe conduct, which his Lordship sent them. But that garrison standing vpon excuse for sending deputies, and beseeching the same Lord Baron to come to them in person, his Lordship because he would not farther endanger those affairs, being yet so smally come on, sent thither Sir John Wingfield knight, M. Thomas Wilford Sergeant maior of the English, & George Gilpin secretary of Estate there, accompanied with M. Ioos Menin counsellor pensioner of Dort, & Dirick Geerbrantsen Stoop, who wrought in such sort with them of Gertrudenbergh, as they sent deputies to Dort the 9. of May, who presently vpon their arrival exhibited to the Lord Willughby, a certain discourse signed and sealed, containing the reasons of their miscontentment, & therewithal, certain articles demanding security to themselves for any thing done in this alteration. Vpon which articles of assurance after good deliberation and communication first had with the Magistrate of Dort, certain points were apostilled, but yet without agreeing any thing definitively to that garrison, which might be interpnted prejudicial, either to the general of the country, or the particular of Holland: yea, quiter to the contrary, his Lordship sharply by word and writing blamed their unreasonable demand to be paid from hir majesty, to whom hitherto they had done no particular service. Their deputies stood hereupon, that forsomuch as these matters could not determine at Dort, it would please the Lord Willughby to come personally to Gertrudenbergh, that so vpon the place all things might take better end, whereunto his Lordship having partly consented with the magistrates aduise of Dort, departed the 13. of May, with intention yet not to enter the town of Gertrudenbergh, but lying in his boat before the town to negociat from out of his boat with the garrison. But by occasion of a treason the next night before discovered, which had been practised by captain Fournet and mark Albanois, both which suffered therefore afterward, the Lord Willugh by was driven to enter the town that very day, & that without hostages or any other assurance, save the signed writing of the Deputies of Dort and Gertrudenbergh, or else the town was to fall in more danger then ever before.  
If two moneths and more before this time, the soldiers of this garrison for want of pay, had changed their Colours tearing and renting their Cornets, ensigns and Banderols from their launces and standards, as this placcard rehearseth, we leave it to the consideration of all men, yea of these evil speakers, and even of these which did impertinently reproach a certain promise never thought of, together with th'apostilles of the ninth of May, we leave it I say to all good consideration, whether the lord Willughby might not justly doubt of his own safety, being now in the hands of a sort of warlike malcontents, without one farthing to content them. But being taught by experience in such cases to make virtue of necessity, his Lordship carried himself so with them, as by Gods grace and th'assistance of the Deputies of Dordrecht he calmed their choler, and brought them so far on, as to yield their demand in writing the fourteenth of May, which was one and thirty moneths pay, releasing all surplus.  
They insisted vpon ready money, but were brought by the Lord Willughby, yet so far further on as to give one moneths day: notwithstanding their alteration had already continued two moneths. About which matter his Lordship not having other commission save to hear and understand, after he had required them to hold all good and soldier like discipline, while the States & Count Maurice of Nassau being advertised might resolve vpon this their demand, he left with them at their request Sir John Wingfeld for entertainment of some better order: & so departed from Gertrudenbergh the 15. of May, without promise of one half penny to them. What a strange thing is this then, that together with these occurrents should come to be alleged the apostilles of the 9. of May, as if by them had grown some prejudice to the country, sith all that passed at Dort was but to make way to these affairs, & to the Lord Willughbies journey toward Gertrudenbergh, and sith that by the apostilles nothing was to that garrison agreed definitively, but the final accord concerning that alteration differred more thē two moneths, that is to say, till the 26. and 27. of Iulie following, whereof the States and Count Maurice of Nassau having signed that contract are not ignorant. What shall we say to these calumnies? No novelty, a thing well known to the whole world, that is that the Lord Willughby being entreated to mediate in this extreme necessity, and at his own charge to prepare an appointment of that alteration, which happened through want of pay and other evil usage, is now requited with this ingratitude and disacknowledgement together with a practise of persuading lies against him to the people, specially in that point of th'apostilles by which I say, it is notorious that no damage could come to the country nor to any person in particular. For Count Maurice of Nassau being advertised of all this by the Secretary of Estate George Gilpin, thanked the Lord Willughby therefore by express letters of the 11. of that month.  
The rest is in substance, that the Lord Willughby after his departure from Gertrudenbergh the 15. of this month, advertising the States and Count Maurice of Nassau, of the privy-councillors foresaid demand and of the time which by his means they gave for satisfaction, he went to Walckerland at their instance also, specially of the States of zealand, for to appoint th'affairs of Vere & Armude, which towns but specially Vere, the States of the country and Count Maurice of Nassau did hold as good as besieged. This zealand business at the first seemed to promise speedy dispatch. But at this very time Ostend finding itself threatened with siege by th'enemy, called the L. Willughby thither: so was the contract of Vere stayed till about the 20. of june. having achieved these things to the great contentment of the States of zealand and of Count Maurice of Nassau, the Lord Willugh by hir majesties general sailed up to Holland to the counsel of Estate, where being arrived, it was  told him that Gertrudenbergh matters stood in the same plight he left them at his going down to zealand, or rather in worse, by reason the soldiers now refused the reckonings offered to them, without also giuing ear or any reverence at all to Count Maurices letters of the 29. of May in his Lordships absence, written to put them in mind how the town of Gertrudenbergh appertained to his late Lord & father, after whose death he was coheir with his brethren and sisters who had no way offended the garrison there: and that therefore he desired to sand commissioners to treat with them vpon their pretences.  
Hereupon the States general & they of Holland particularly, renewed their earnest request for his Lordships employment in this appointment of Gertrudenbergh: because, they said, they knew no other remedy. To which end also Count Maurice of Nassau gave him authentic copies of two commissions, the one dispatched by the States general the 2. of june, the other by the States of Holland the 3. of the same, pourporting that Count Maurice as governor of Holland & proprietary of Gertrudenbergh, should treat with them of that town jointly with the Lord Willughby or by means of his Lordship onely: with restrainct nevertheless that by whatsoever appointment to be made, the town must not be separated fro the province of Holland, according as the commission containeth. The Lord Willughby seing himself this pressed on every side, overcome with the desire which he knoweth to be in hir majesty his mistress, who taketh nothing more to hart then to defend al those provinces with every of their towns and places, and greatly carried in his own affection to do all good office and pleasures to the States and Count Maurice of Nassau, according as already he manifested the same by appointing and bringing home into their duotion to their contentment the towns of Medenblick and Narden in Holland, and of Vere and Armude in zealand, he yielded to assist the compassing of this appointment according to those commissions. And this did he the rather moved by letters of the 10. of june to Count Maurice of Nassau from S. John Wingfield knight, containing that the soldiers there had threatened that they would quickly find a sovereign Prince, sith the queen of England would neither take them into protection nor procure assurance of their persons & pay: besides other advertisements by letters of the 19. of this month, to his Lordship from the Magistrat of Dort, how the soldiers of that garrison began to speak of harkening to the enemy, & of a purpose to receive the enemies letters whensoever they should be sent, notwithstanding that hard before they had hanged up Captein Fournet & the Albanois with others for a particular treason. So then to prevent these apparent dangers and vpon these their earnest instances the Lord Willughby accompanied Count Maurice of Nassau & the Deputies of the States, having commission of the seven and twentieth of june, from the States of Holland, to promise to that garrison 20. moneths pay or two hundred thousand florins. coming thus before Gertrudenbergh to appease this alteration they proceeded so far remaining still in their boats, as diuers times offer of the said sum was made to the deputies of the garrison the 28. of this month. But the day following, the Lord Willughby seing them refuse this offer and to stand obstinately vpon four & twenty moneths pay as appears by their writing: he could not but marvel with some disdain, whereupon he sent a sharp letter into the garrison, and yet not so content, he declared by word to Count Maurice of Nassau, and the States deputies there, and to them of Dort, that for his particular he held it best sith the soldiers stood so obstinate, rather to assail the town by force then to burden the provinces with such a sum. Or else that if in further treaty with them they would articulate, that his Lordship with his gard might enter the town for conduct of the money to be paid them, that he would vpon that event do his best to bring the town into the Countes hands as owner thereof.  
This proposition thoroughly deliberated in counsel, it was answered by the Count and all the deputies, that( notwithstanding th'enemy had then no army at hand that might induce the garrison to change party) yet to attend th'event of the forcible attempt were too too hazardous, and to promise any more they wanted commission. whereupon the said Lords, Count, Lord Willughby and deputies of the States, departed from the float before Gertrudenbergh, and went to the hague without any final composition of this alteration. Lo here that promise for which some slanderers do find fault with hir majesties Lord Lieutenant general, as if neither remembering the ten thousand dangers which he hardly escaped within that town in May last, nor perceiving th'extreme perils now also imminent there, he would most unadvisedly presume to promise by himself alone to render that town, and thereupon make sir John Wingfield to give his hand to Count Maurice of Nassau, which self same town all the united provinces thought not good to set vpon by force, but rather by their departure seemed to abandon, notwithstanding his Lordship then promised his best offices to bring it about to their desire, if they had liked to follow his aduise. In which employment he offered himself with the very same affection to do pleasure and service to Count Maurice of Nassau & the States, as he had done in the other four towns which they presently held in possession to their whole contentement. 
Medenblicke. Narden. La Vere. Armude.   
To speak truly and certainly of these occurrents, we must stay vpon the manage of every affair as it passed from day to day, in which behalf he that couched and signed the placcard either erreth of misinformation, or else misreporteth of malice. An abuse offered to none somuch as to his own Maisters, blindfolding their eyes as if they saw not that which all the world seeth: and therfore, forsooth, men must vpon great pain be forbidden to say that which is apparently true, that is, That certain particular persons who were the very cause of that town lost, seing their own fault irreparable, will needs colour their excuse by the Lord Willughby. And this is not their first wrong done him in his honor. For heretofore when he was governor of Berghes op Zoom, they shamed not to calumniat his actions as if he had had some sinister drift against that town, which his Lordship held always very deere. 
Berghes op Zoom defended.  But that this their imagination was a false lye, fell out evident, when with the peril of his life( all glory be to God) the town was maintained against a royal army of the enemy.  
To proceed with the town of Gertrudenbergh, it makes well for our purpose to show how the same town was yet further preserved, though as good as given over by the retreat of Count Maurice and the States as aforesaid, as appears by the daily handling of those matters. You must understand that after the States general, the counsel of Estate, Count Maurice of Nassau, and the States of Holland had better weighed this matter in counsel at the hague, the L. Willughby was again required in full counsel the 9. of july, to sand Richard Allen an English Gentleman( which his Lordship did) together with commissary George Matrut, to declare to the garrison at Gertrudenbergh, that within few daies they should haue their demand, and that in the mean while they should bear themselves in all fidelity and good discipline. And forsomuch as in this Interim the state of Gertrudenbergh was in great wavering, and thereupon might ensue an utter breach without fit remedy provided, it was thought good that the deputies of the general States, Count Maurice of Nassau, the Lord Willughby, the deputies of Holland and of Dort for their particular, should vpon the 24. following, be all before the town of Gertrudenbergh, where came to them into their boats the deputies of that garrison, with certain points & articles concerning a final accord and their own assurance. Which being considered in counsel were finally set down for agreed the 26. following, and signed by Count Maurice of Nassau as proprietary of that town and governor of Holland, and by the Lord Willughby for hir majesty. For, as for the States you understand already that the garrison would not once treat with them. Now whereas in the second apostille vpon there foresaid article was comprised, that the horsemen in the garrison should be made into one Cornet of 100. launces, and 50. carrabines onely, and their footmen into one ensign of 150. and no more, so as the residue might range themselves under the companies at hir majesties charge in Berghen or otherwhere, the whole garrison being advertised thereof by their deputies, found themselves greatly interested, and setting forth the 27. of july following their griefs and difficulties, declared that they never meant to be separated one from an other, for which purpose they had condicioned in their second article that they might retain their garrison, adding thereto that the half of their privy-councillors could not be ordered under one Cornet and one ensign, and that also the same should be to them great charge and expense to go seek service in an other garrison. Which point Count Maurice and the States finding hard to be resolved, without being vpon the place among the soldiers, especially their number being yet unknown, they left all to the Lord Willughbies discretion, giuing thereof to the soldiers an act signed by the Count and jointly by the Lord Willughby at th'instance of the States. Here is the conclusion of final treaty with them of Gertrudenbergh until the very day, made in the boats before the town.  
Now for th'execution of this treaty you must understand, that the soldiers being somewhat better contented with this last apostill, the Lord Willughby went his way from the float toward Gertrudenbergh, at th'instance of Count Maurice of Nassau & the States, and according to the second article of the treaty: where after hostages delivered as well on the part of the Magistrat as of the garrison there, his Lordship entred but very reasonably attended, taking immediately such order with that forlorn state, that vpon the 28 of this month, commissaries Orsemall, Parasis and Matrut, deputed thereto by the Count & the States, began to make payment. And albeit the Lord Willughby might well haue sought the government of that town for himself, or in his absence for sir John Wingfield according to the content of the treaty, articul. 3. yet to clear him of all ambition as well for his own part( being highly contented with the Honor hir majesty vouchsaueth him) as also for sir John Wingfield his near ally: his Lordship did by letters of the 28. of that month to the counsel of State, which had commission to govern the provinces, beseech them and that vnfainedly that they would bestow that government on colonel Schenk, who had sued for it. This done, the Lord Willughby forthwith even the self same day advertised Count Maurice of Nassau, who was then gone from the float to Dort, that to reduce and redress those men of war into convenient order( which thing yet the very next day before was resolutely left to the Lord Willughbies discretion in regard of those difficulties before moved by the garrison) there were no other way but to content them by making one Cornet of 200 launces, and one of 100 Carrabines: one company of foot of 200. one other of 150. which thing though his Lordship had already, as is before said, authority by discretion to do, yet did he writ that he would not do it without first knowing the Countes aduise, according as also he never attempted any thing in the world about reducing and reformation of these men of war till first and foremost having received two of his letters, containing his aduise before imparted with the deputies of the States first at Dort then at hague. But so soon as his Lordship had received those letters he set on hand to reform & reduce those companies, as the necessity, the country service, his own Honor and the holding of that treaty required: yet still according to the Counts aduise, as before said, containing a general clause that his Lordship might dispose of things as appears by th'originalles of 28 and 30 of this month. Things being so far on, to finish likewise the rest, his Lordship, according to the second article of the treaty, propounded to the garrison the draft of an oath to be taken by them, in such maner and form as they of hir majesties succours had done, that is to say, to the States general &c. even as the commissaries themselves had set it down. The soldiers hearing but the name of the States general, cried hand over head tumultuously that they had not contracted with the States, neither would they in any sort swear to thē. The Lord Willughby perceiving that to avoid one difficulty was to fall into an other, finding himself in some perplexity as being their alone, not assisted by any of that country, was forced to alter the draft of the oath by omitting the name of States general: because otherwise the money already paid and to pay being within the town had been utterly lost, besides all this negotiation overthrown and his Lordships person to come in exceeding danger. Yet would not he pass further herein, finding the soldiers reasonably well satisfied by putting out the names of the States general, till he sent immediately both the oaths drawn as they were to Count Maurice of Nassau, declaring to him that as by the first it was impossible to quiet those men of war, so by the second their was good likelihood they might be contented. Count Maurice wrote back by express letters of the last of july that he allowed well of this alteration: signifying also ioinctly with the States of Holland to his Lordship, that they found it not good to give the government of Gertrudenbergh to Colonel Schenk. Hereupon the Lord Willughby went on, giuing order for that which remained, that so the whole payment being once made as equally and as much for the countries profit as was possible, the foresaid commissaries being daily therein occupied, his Lordship then might grow to finish that business as well for reforming the companies as for giuing their oath according to those ample commissions which already his Lordship had. The rest seemed of ready dispatch. But the money not being ready, and if it had been ready, yet not being sufficient to pay the soldiers( as the commissaries appointed for the payment can well witness at this day) the Lord Willughby was fain to advertise Count Maurice of Nassau, the counsel of Estate, the States of Holland and the Magistrat of Dort respectively, to th'end that they might presently make provision for it, as by his Lordships letters of the 2.3.5. & 6. of August following appeareth. Count Maurice first communicating this with the States, answered that the money was not yet all levied, earnestly desiring the L. Willughby to deal with the Magistrat of Gertrudenbergh & Dort to take up that which wanted, and the States of Holland would assume and undertake to repay it. This request according to letters to him thereof, his Lordship performed with such diligence, as the whole payment being quickly made, he proceeded according to his former commission to redress the companies, causing them to take that very oath which( once again I say it) Count Maurice of Nassau had not onely approved, but therewithal had sent the garrison a general pardon, which was to them vpon th'instant delivered according to the first article of the treaty,  
This is the plain course and very true carriage of these affairs, so to be proved by al & every th'instructions, commissions, letters & warrants before mentioned, as they are yet extant to be seen, and for more plain evidence are extracted in th'end. What a foul placcat then is this, publishing to the world against al truth, that forsooth the Lord Willughby had redressed those companies as himself listed, giuing them an oath to their liking vpon his own head. But his commissions & sincere actions are so evident to the contrary, as by allegation of them the people themselves may easily judge the truth, & we need speak therof no more. Yet thus much more then need, that over & besides all the particular ordonances & warrants already spoken of, according to which his Lordship governed himself, he hath more over to show an act of thankesgeuings for all his sincere actions, which Count Maurice of Nassau and the States of Holland jointly gave him before his coming from that town: a thing alone that may maintain his Honor & reputation with all the world. And that yet so much the more, because in the conclusion of the same act, the Count and States do confess and say, as by other the like they had done, that the Lord Willughby was employed in appeasing this altered town of Gertrudenbergh at their great instance and earnest suit, hoping that hir majesty of England( so are the words of the act) will take it in very good part, because say they, by this his employment the province of Holland and consequently all the countries had received a very principal benefit. The Lord Willughby finding himself this kindly thanked by this act, and considering how Count Maurice of Nassau & the States of Holland had preferred S. John Wingfield( though yet it were no more thē contained in the treaty) before Colonel Schenck, in the government of Gertrudenbergh: he grew desirous to requited courtesy with courtesy. Whereupon, voluntarily, frankly, and to show that he never affencted that government neither for himself nor any other( for as for sir John Wingfield he was there established by Count Maurice) he then & not before, made promise under his hand, in substance, this, that forsomuch as he had been forced to intermeddle in this affair, and to enter the town for appeasing th'alteration there, & that God of his goodness had so blessed his actions as to bring thē to pass, that for all this he would pretend nothing for himself in the town, but ever would be ready, as far as were in his power, to restore it to Count Maurice of Nassau: so as again the Count would perform & hold what was promised to the soldiers there, for conservation of their lives, wives and children, according to that which was also hir majesties desire. Here appears sufficiently that Count Maurice of Nassau had passed to the garrison a former promise, by the precedent contract, the promise of the Lord Willughby having relation to a promise formerly made to the garrison, as the very letter of his promise plainly sheweth. Let the world judge how honestly these men deal in giuing the people to understand against all truth, that the promise made by the Lord Willughby should go before the treaty with Gertrudenbergh, the words, I say, of this promise being so clear to the contrary, so confirmed also by these circumstances, as the meanest handicrafts man on earth ignorant of all policy may easily judge that this promise of the Lord Willughby was rather the close and period of all this business, referring itself to the precedent treaty. Before that treaty a man may well judge by these occurrents, that things could not haue been so reduced, and how it might haue been afterward compassed, let men judge by that which followeth. The Lord Willughby then, vpon his entry into the town having by Gods good grace, conducted th'affairs to this point, & being no less desirous to pursue this course of his sincere actions, caused the soldiers to restore to the Magistrat and burghers of the town their arms, a point yet not mentioned in the treaty, and so being called away for hir majesties service, he went from thence about the eight of August to hague, for the continual setting forward by his presence, as much as in him might lye, the government of the counsel of Estate. But the doubt of Berghen op Zoom and Ostend not yet being over past but increasing rather, because the Spanish fleet drew near, it was thought good that his Lordship should transport presently to Middleburgh, for giuing order to those two towns as need should require. Now forsomuch as in such cases it is a necessary point to haue men of war, and the rather for that hir majesty had already sent for 1000. soldiers into England under the leading of Colonel Morgan; the Lord Willughby forthwith about the 15 of this month of August, sent for 200 horses from Gertrudenbergh to be employed as need should fall out. And by many advertisements in diverse places, their was great apparance that those 200 horse would haue come forth of the garrison. But vpon news that the Lord our God had given hir majesty victory against the better part of the Spanish fleet, and that the rest were chased Northward, the garrison esteeming the great danger to be well over, began to excuse by letters of the 17. of August, alleging certain difficulties yet to be discussed between them and the townsmen, namely an oath of fidelity from the burghers for assurance of the town and themselves, which once done they would be commanded any where either for service of hir majesty or of the united provinces of the Low countries. While these things passed, the Lord Willughby seing Ostend quit from an imminent siege by overthrow of the Spaniards, transported himself from Middelburgh to Berghen op Zoom in the beginning of September, from whence he advertised Count Maurice of Nassau of certain intelligence that Gertrudenbergh was not yet assured through some jealous fear in the soldiers( for fear of punishment evermore tormenteth th'offendor) & that therfore it were good there to stablish a counsel of war for recovering in of the soldiers by little and little, otherwise the town would certainly become a den of freebuters. Now if after these occurrents & advertisements, Count Maurice of Nassau and the States established there no counsel of war, they must impute it to themselves, & the rather for that not one of them during nor since the treaty, would or durst ever to this day once look into the town, not so much as to accompany and assist the Lord Willughby in this weighty affair, nor yet afterward by courteous conversation & entertainment to bring the garrison out of this jealous fear, and to induce them to conserve a town so much importing religion and all the country. What could the Lord Willughby do more for bringing a good government into the town then before his departure to cause the soldiers( though no such matter were in the treaty) to restore to the Magistrat and Burghers their arms again? what could he do more then call forth 200 horses as vpon so good occasion he did? Verily these three things thus falling out, who would doubt of his duty and not hold it assured?  
The placcat maketh mention of certain powder, whereunto we answer shortly that it was never used in hir majesties service, but withdrawn to the profit of the States and the country, one part during Berghen op Zoom besieged, & the other part in zealand. The substance of that which remaineth may be said in few words.  
The Duke of Parma, being disappointed of his attempt in Flanders vpon the coming of the Spanish fleet well beaten, he thē besieged Berghen op Zoom with so puissant an army as for many yeares before he had not the like, where the Lord Willughby was engaged, from the 24 of this September until the 13 of november, inclusively following. AT the beginning of this siege his Lordship thought good to sand for 100. of foot men from Gertrudenbergh to the succour of Berghen op Zoom. But they made difficulty to come as well for that th'enemy lay near them, as also for the just fear they had, least they should not be permitted to return after the siege levied( which yet should haue been a breach of the contract with them) by reason whereof his Lordship was fain to promise them free return. By these soldiers which were the best trained in all the troops, and other soldiers sent for from Ostend, Vlissing and Briel, and specially by the succours which it pleased hir majesty to sand thither in October, the town was defended. The placcat saith in this part, that Count Maurice of Nassau with some of the Deputies of the States about the beginning of november, did put the Lord Willughby in remembrance of his promise, that accordingly he would bring the town into the Countes hands. What needed such hasty remembrance of a thing, which hitherto( as appeareth by al former occurrences) could not haue possibly been done? And now in the time of Berghen besieged, what apparance was their of bringing it to pass, or what reason to demand it? even now, I say, when Count Maurice of Nassau with the deputies of the general States, & the counsel of Estate lay vpon their gard in defence of the country of Terthole, & might look vpon th'enemy in his camp before Berghen, within which the Lord Willughby was fast shut up, & the better part of hir majesties forces with him. Al men of sober iudgement will reckon those remembrancers unseasonable, when, to attempt it, was to suffer the loss of Berghen op Zoom, withall inconveniences thereon depending, and yet with great casualty of effecting ought at Gertrudenbergh. Well, God almighty so disposing all things for conservation of both these towns for this time, as th'enimy withdrew his artillery by night from the North dike, it pleased the deputies of the counsel of Estate, and of the States of Holland and zealand to pass over from Terthole to Berghen op Zoom,( for by th'enimies artillery withdrawn the river of Volsemer was freed) among whom the chief were, M. james Valcke counsellor of Estate, M. Iaspar Vosberghe counsellor of Holland, & M. John barnevelt advocate of the States of Holland, who were right welcome to the Lord Willughby, not onely for their special degrees and places which they held but also for coming as good signs of some more liberty like to be now, that th'enimies artillery was carried away, in which respect they passed their dinner at the Court of the Lord Willughby in ioility & hearty cheer. In this doubtful time, the circumstances of our business then in hand requiring no new matter to be set abroach which might call us from thinking how to take order by all means still to resist that siege continued, the camp not rising from Berghen op Zoom till ten daies after, yet needs must Berneuelt at any hand that afternoon make great complaints against Gertrudenbergh, alleging that during this siege they had taken certain merchandises going for the country of the enemy, by name for Breda, Rosendale & other places thereabouts, and which had paid all rights due for licence, which taking of theirs because it was an offence against a resolution and ordinance of the States general, the garrison must therefore be well punished according to their fault. And forsomuch as they could not be easily punished( as he said) except the town might come to the States hands, he therefore desired the Lord Willughby to remember his promise, and his Lordship not having leisure to breath from continual resisting, th'enimies army still being before Berghen, he must forthwith bethink how to bring Gertrudenbergh into the Counts hands, or else( {quod} barnevelt) I know how otherwise to bring it under the States, protesting that he rather wished Gertrudenbergh to fall into th'enimies hands then to remain in that case. These indiscreet words uttered with loud speech in great chaufe of choler and bitterness, coming to the soldiers ears of the garrison of Gertrudenbergh, whereof there were, as you haue heard, one hundred in the town of Berghen op Zoom, it was no need to bid them to make hast home to their garrison so soon as ever th'enemy had raised his camp, neither could all the offices and inducements of the Lord Willughby stay them, his Lordship having in truth, lost all his former interest, credit, and wonted power of persuasion with them, by means of this kind of broad speech from barnevelt, & having now no other way but faire means to use toward them, because before their coming out from Gertrudenbergh thither, they were promised a free return.  
Th'enimy raising camp from Berghen the 13 of november, as is said, the Lord Willughby took order for that which was to be done after the siege, and transported himself to Dort, where sir John Wingfield who also had been somewhile at Berghen in the siege, came to see his Lordship the 19 of this month, and  told him that the soldiers of Gertrudenbergh for more part were vpon point of an other mutiny, by reason of barnevelts loud & open speech at Berghen, being such( said they) as they perceived they were not sincerely and plainly treated withall in july last, & therefore sith, by barnevelts speech, it seemed that the States pretended to recover into their hands the town of Gertrudenbergh, belike, to thrust in another garrison, they would on the other side aduise for their own surety. The Lord Willughby hearing this, sent back S. John Wingfield to Gertrudenbergh presently, as well for prevention of all inconveniences likely to fall by his absence, as also to declare to that garrison that they should do well to give no heed to such speeches, but to continue their good and faithful service, and, as for his Lordship, he would endeavour no thing more heartily with the States then to set forward by all means whatsoever might serve to th'accomplishment of the treaty. Thus much being delivered by sir John Wingfield, though it were very acceptable to the soldiers, yet ceased they not by faire words to win away the burghers arms, for their assurance & safety, as they said. For, the offendor still casteth all back reckonings. Some taking pleasure to speak evil, go no further then these terms of the placcat, and seeing this conference at Dort, are not ashamed to say against a direct truth, that all this was by former consent of the Lord Willughby. But all the world may see the vanity of this abuse, by his Lordships letter of the 25 of this november, sharply blaming there former attempt, with express commandement on hir majesties behalf to render the arms before taken from the burghers. Whereunto if they obeyed not, the fault must be laid vpon barnevelts braving speeches at Berghes, which renewed such doubtful fears in those privy-councillors brains as caused all this mischief following.  
And if we had not thus evidently where to lay this fault, yet all men of good and sound iudgement know you may not pike these quarrels at other men by such extravagant presumptions & circumstances, who by better proofs setting forth the truth can clear themselves. For to proceed by circumstances and presumptions, a man might even so judge that barnevelt( whose signature was th'autentike warrant to pass this placcat) were the greatest traitor in the land, because some will not let to say that he wrote to Richardot president of the Duke of Parmas counsel of Estate, that he the same barnevelt would so carry the affairs of the States of the united provinces in the Low countries, that they should fall into the hands of the King of spain. And could any man wish a better concurrence of circumstances or more evident proof, then the self same way that he taketh? to wit, to draw dry the thresors of those provinces already so far in arrearages, and all to levy secretly an army wherewith to assail by water and land a town confederated with the generality, bringing to the bouchery all the best soldiers of that country. A man may easily judge by what faithful and martiall aduise the men of war of that country, left their trenches to th'enimy before Gertrudenbergh, neither razed nor thrown down, as also vpon what reason Count Maurice of Nassau might not be suffered to accord with the garrison of Gertrudenbergh, when the minister of the Church there & the Schoute beseeching mercy, offered to Count Maurice reasonable conditions on the part of the town and garrison. wherefore would not barnevelt accept those offers, except it were thereby to do th'enimy good service, and therewithal also to be aduenged of Dort where he hath born and doth bear a particular hatred, because that town did ever greatly respect the queen and could never approve all th'actions of some calling themselves deputies to the States of Holland, & least of all did Dort allow this rash siege most unadvisedly enterprised and performed. On the other side, experience now sheweth, what a special piece of service barnevelt did to the Spanish king, when he maintained by open speech in public assemblies sundry times to certain ministers of the gospel, deputies for the Church of Holland in summer 1587. that it was a great abuse & most pernicious error to think that the united provinces were not sufficiently able, in richesse, and pvissance, to maintain, conserve and defend themselves against the common enemy, without any need of succours from the queen, or any other Princes aid in the world. This vain counsel brought all that country into a terrible confusion & mutinery of soldiers, bereuing it of all authority, counsel, leaders, soldiers and money, making it a contempt to all neighbours. every politic man then may judge barnevelts deeds to agree well with his letters. Likewise Greffier Cornelius Aerssens, who signed this placcat, being heretofore examined and attainted of treason, and thereupon suspended from his office and restrained to his house in utrecht, for writing and holding correspondency with th'enimy, namely with the Magistrat of brussels promising him service and friendship, we shall not need more particularly to discourse after what sort he had before that time sent his wife secretly to antwerp carrying an other womans name for laying of the better foundation to all his correspondence, with such a passport as to that end he himself had dispatched and signed.  
Now to go to the offer made by Sir John Norris, and the coming of M. Bodley counsellor of Estate in the Low countries, which the placcat mentioneth; first you must understand that those two persons for the places which they held, if they could advance the matter of Gertrudenbergh, it was either by force or faire means, by deeds or by words. As for any inducement by faire means, it is already shewed to how little purpose that had been, by reason that though the garrison was content to give some ear, yet thorough barnevelts braving former speeches they refused to give trust or credit unto any thing propounded, making full account that we went about to entrap them, as the said Lord ambassador found by experience, when he thought to haue drawn from them some soldiers for Portugal service, according to such counsel and aduise as the Lord Willughby had before given to that effect. To bring any thing there to pass by force, was not thought good during the alteration, which yet had it seemed good, could not haue been done during the siege before Berghē op zoō for the reasons already spoken of. After th'enemy gone from Berghen op Zoom, to go against Gertrudenbergh with the privy-councillors having endured the siege together with those others which had lain abroad in Tertholen beaten with rain and wether, was a thing never propounded, the said Ambassador never declaring any charge from hir majesty for besieging any town confederated with the generality, but for gathering a certain proportion of privy-councillors according to his enstructions for the service of Portugal. 
Wachtendonck.  And had he had other charge, as he had not, yet the Duke of Parmas campe( after th'enimy gone from Berghen op Zoom) being before Wachtendonck until the same lost about the 27 of December, did set them a work so as there was no leisure to set vpon Gertrudenbergh, though they would never so fain haue forced it. Finally when after S. John Norris departure they assailed Gertrudenbergh not making the Lord Willughby of their counsel but by all means concealing it from him, and( which is more) without the privity & counsel of the counsel of Estate, & so consequently quiter against the treaty with hir majesty, we see to our grief how well they sped.  
To proceed to the month of january 1589 following, certain complaints coming to the Lord Willughby concerning contributions out of the country of Breda belonging to the princess of orange, about which they of Gertrudenbergh were said to demean themselves somewhat inordinately: his Lordship forthwith sent thither one of his folk able to redress th'abuse if any there were, and therein was so much done, as not onely all complaints ceased, but the princess had, to hir desire and contentment, restitution of all goods remaining at Gertrudenbergh since Count Hohenlos government. What could the Lord Willughby do more for all parts? well, the placcat saith on, that the garrison of Gertrudenbergh seing the contributions, which they dealt with, sufficed not for their pay, and that( according to their treaty) the time of their count and reckoning for satisfaction of that which wanted, drew near, to wit, February following: they got certain magistrates of the town to go to the hague, to signify from them all this matter to the States general and counsel of Estate, for some convenient order therein. The Magistrates so endeavoured as the 25 of january they obtained for the garrison a good and profitable resolution. That is to say, in effect, that the States & counsel of Estate of the united provinces of the Low countries intended to give reasonable satisfaction to thē of Gertrudenbergh, within ten daies after the first six moneths which should expire the 15 of February following. Likewise Count Maurice of Nassau by the 27 of the same month, sent them word that they should haue all maner reasonable contentment. The Lord Willughby in this mean while making a journey to Vlissing, and after his return falling into some infirmity, gave nevertheless continually the best order that could be( for performing hir majesties commandements and the countties service) to transport for England one after an other the soldiers appointed to the Portugal voyage, and specially the horsemen remaining. This business almost all dispatched, it pleased hir majesty to honor him with hir letters of permission to come home into England for some short while, according to his long suit for the same. In which letters hir majesty signifying a care that the matter of Gertrudenbergh should be discreetly handled, the L. Willughby caused thereof an extract translated into French to be delivered to the general States the 18 of February together with certain memorials from himself to that purpose, praying that it would please the States general to aduise how that garrison might be somewhat contented, offering his own service in that behalf, with more ample declaration, that in that service, together with such as might please them to deputy of their assembly and of the counsel of Estate, he would employ himself as zealously, sincerely, and affectionately as he had ever done in service of hir majesty and that country. Hereto it pleased not the States to vouchsaue any answer at all, though a matter ministering good cause of contentment to them, for hir majesties princely desire & good will shewed thereby, as also to employ the Lord Willughby, who for satisfying hir majesties commandements and his own duty, offered his service: the rather for that in january past they had already resolved to satisfy that garrison in some reasonable sort. Well, not receiving any answer, he wrote his second memorials to the same end the 21 following. Whereunto he was answered by way of apostille( quiter contrary to the resolution of the 25 of january past) that the deputies of the general States had none authority from there superiors to deal with the garrison of Gertrudenbergh, and that so much the less as the Lord Willughby had not( said they) performed his promise of bringing the town to Count Maurices hands, without which the country was not to pay this sum sufficient to do greater service to hir majesty & the country: not leaving out in this resolution such abuses as had passed in that town. To this apostille the Lord Willughby answered summarily, how the treaty of Gertrudenbergh had passed from the beginning to th'end, making good proof also that therein he had been not the alone actor but a third person, warranted by diuers commissions to accord them, who without his coming between would never haue agreed, because things were come to such extremity for want of payment which the States ought to haue made in time and place. In which employment no more then in any other, his Lordship proved that he never received any thing from them to induce this promise, but was so far from making any such promise before the contract with Gertrudenbergh, that quiter contrary, it was long after, as appears by the very words thereof making express relation to that former promise of Count Maurice of Nassau to thē of Gertrudenbergh at the treaty making for preservation of their lives, wives and children. His Lordship farther set forth in this answer, the offices he had done in reforming th'abuses befallen in that town so often as ever they came to his ear.  
This resolution of the States cutting of all hope of there further treaty with Gertrudenbergh, yet to prevent the apparent breach and utter disunion, if that garrison should come to any inkling of that which had thus passed, and to leave nothing undone for accomplishing all the good pleasures and commandements of hir majesty his mistress, his Lordship made his journey for England by the way of Gertrudenbergh. Where finding them in reasonable disposition, expecting contentment according to the resolution of the 25 of january, he by nourishing this their hope, brought them so far on( notwithstanding the jealousy they had conceived of him) that by his persuasion they promised under their hands, to give over all meddling with contributions and public revenues, as well within their town as in the country adjoining, thereby preventing all farther complaints and making manifest to hir majesty and all others, that they sought not to be maisters of the general contributions and other revenues, but rather desired one or two thresurers to be appointed for receipt thereof, allowing them but there count and reckoning from six moneths to six moneths according to the treaty, as appeareth by their original declaration given to the L. Willughby to be signified to hir majesty that she might be pleased to give notice therof to Dort their next neighbour, because they coveted nothing but good neighbourhood & amity with all. These things thus well brought about, the L. Willughby being well paid to haue holden the matters in so moderate terms, took ship from Gertrudenbergh to Midleburgh in zealand about the 3 of March, from whence after order given for some things concerning onely the English nation, his Lordship went to Vlissing to embark for England. But while he stayed there for a good wind, tidings came the 15 of March that Count Maurice of Nassau & the States had besieged Gertrudenbergh. The Lord Willughby could but wonder at it, & wrote expressly to Count Maurice of Nassau that sith he purposed thus to besiege the town, he might yet haue given him some little watchword that so he might haue withdrawn his brother in law and sister there, which thing to do his Lordship had many times heretofore offered, as well in particular as to the States generals themselves before his coming away fro the hague. But notwithstanding his Lordships letters, on went the siege, and that with great extremities quiter against the treaty of the 26 and 27 of july passed and the general pardon thereupon: yea without any regard of their own resolution of the 25 of january last, whereby they had promised to that garrison reasonable contentment: finally not suffering their hardened hartes to be entreated by the Christian beseechings & lamentable tears of the Minister of the gospel there, & of the Schout which were sent from out of the town to make supplication for mercy and pity, so fell the town most unhappily into the hands of the Duke of Parma.  
By this journal manage of matters & by these allegations and probations, we trust that as in the conscience of all men it may be most truly said, and without boast on the part of the Lord Willughby that next after God, under the name of hir majesty & the princely respect wherein she is holden, the town of Gertrudenbergh had been so many moneths kept through his Lordships travail and good offices: even so we may hope that these worst speakers of him, now seeing the truth disclosed, will let the blame of this great loss rest vpon them that were causers of it. And so much the rather because such as were then in Gertrudenbergh do say that during the siege, the so much urged promise of the Lord Willughby, was sent in to the besieged from th'assailants, with a false date later then the original, as if one would haue done a thing for the nonce to provoke them to yield the town to th'enimy. And least this our often mention of the general States of the united provinces in the Low countries, should be misenterpreted to any derogation of their reputation, honour and authority: all Princes, States, Lords, Gentlemen, counsellors, Magistrates, & all persons in particular of whatsoever quality, estate or condition, are most humbly prayed and desired with all reverence and instance, not to conceive, by occasion of this discourse, any other opinion then right good of the general States of those provinces lawfully assembled, nor yet, by occasion hereof, once to speak otherwise then well and right honourably either of themselves in general or particular, or yet of their actions or comportements. For, the purpose of this discourse is chiefly to touch the slanders and slanderous insinuations of the placcat against the Lord Willughby. As for the case between the States & the garrison of Gertrudenbergh, as we mean nothing less thē to determine or to debate it, but leave thē to be judged according as they deserve, even so do we not pursue the placcat for the disproportionable and vile valuation of English Gentlemen, Capteins, & soldiers there with the rest, by a few more or less gildres or Florins: neither for the iniquity thereof in proclaiming and banning them to death vniudged & unheard, not so much as summoning them who in an equal court are ready to come in to answer, & therfore can not be said contumaces or refusing to be justified: nor yet for the inhumanity thereof, in exposing them to the violence of every bloody hand: nor yet for the barbarism thereof, in provoking and rewarding such perilous confusions & private violences; besides other untruths, impertinencies, & disorders more like to come out of some Spanish vessel of the same humour with him that penned the Turkish ban against the late right worthy Prince of orange, then to pass with the consent of th'onorable States general in a just assembly, or to be decreed in any other Christian court. This were a labour apart. We will leave these wrongs to the righteous and almighty judge of the world, whom we beseech on behalf of the States to show thē such grace and favour as by their own proper forces with th'assistance of their good neighbors, they may be able to maintain their state, to th'aduancement of Christs gospel and th'enlargement of his Church so be it.   

AN EXTRACT OF COMMISSIONS, ordonnances, letters, instructions, advertisements, intelligences and other such warrants, extant to be given in evidence for proof of the principal points of this discourse, whereto they been respectively quoted, page. & line.  



Pag. 6. Line 3.  1 A Commission dispatched the 7 of April 1588. stil. now. authorizing the magistrates of Dort, to appoint th'alteration at Gertrudenbergh, because the garrison there would not in any sort treat w●th the States.  

Line 11.  2 Letters from the garrison of Gertrudenbergh the 20 of April 1588, declaring they would no haue communication with any save with the Lord Willughby in behalf of hir most excellent majesty▪  

Line 12.  3 A letter from the Magistrat of Dort the 2● of April 1588, that the same garrison would common with none, save with the Lord Willughby hir M●iesties Lieutenant in th'united provinces of the L●w countries.  

Line 13.  4 A letter fro the Magistrat of Gertrudenbergh, of the same date and tenor.  

Line 6.  5 Letters from Count Hohenlo of the last of April, requiring the Lord Willughby to deal in appointing the same alteration, for preventing th'en●mies drifts and practices.  

Line 26.  6 A letter of the Lord Willughby the 7 of May 1588, requiring the garrison of Gertrudenbergh to sand deputies to Dort according to a siufconduct for that purpose dispatched, for further declaration to his Lordship of their demand and meaning.  

Line 31.  7 A letter from the garrison of Gertrudenbergh the 8. of May, for excuse of deputies to be sent praying his Lordship to come personally thither for the better appointment of things vpon the place.  

Pag. 7. Line 2.  8 Letters of credence from the L. Willughby the 9 of May, for Sir John Wingfield, M. Thomas Wilford, M. George Gilpin & the deputies of Dort, sent to Gertrudenbergh to persuade them to sand deputies to Dort notwithstanding their former refuse.  

Line 12.  9 Articles exhibited to the L. Willugbby by the dep●… tes of the garrison of Gertrudenbergh after their ●… rival at Dort, concerning their assurance.  

Line 11.  10 A discourse of the reasons of the alteration of the soldiers in garrison at Gertrudenbergh.  

Line 15.  11 Th'apostilles given vpon the former articles by the L. Willughby with aduise of the Magistrat of D●rt, where among other things, that garrison is s●arply blamed for demanding pay from hir majesty 〈◇〉 whom they never yet had done any service in particular.  

Pag. 10. Line 7.  12 Letters of very loving thankes from Count Maurice of Nassau to the Lord Willughby the 11 of May vpon particular advertisement to the same Count by M. George Gilpin, of every thing passed. whereby appeareth that the reproach of the placcat concerning the apostilles of the 9 of May is far fro the purpose.  

Pag. 8. Line 30.  13 The demand of the privy-councillors of Gertrudenbergh by writing of the 14 of May for 31 moneths pay, releasing the rest.  

Pag. 11. Line 2.  14 Letters from Count Maurice of Nassau the 29 of May to the garrison of Gertrudenbergh, declaring that the same town after death of his Lord and Father of honourable memory, appertaineth to him and his brothers and sisters who had never offended that garrison, and therefore desired commissioners from thence for better understanding of their meaning.  

Line 16.  15 A commission from the general States the 2 of june 1588, to treat with the garrison of Gertrudemb.  

Line 17.  16 A commission from the States of holland the 3. of june 1588, to appoint th'alteration of the same garrison.  

Pag. 12. Line 8.  17 A letter from S. John Wingfield the 10 of june to Count Maurice of Nassau, advertising very particularly the state of Gertrudenbergh.  

Line 22.  18 A letter from Count Maurice of Nassau the 11 of june, requiring the L. Willughby to hasten ●is return from Ostend for appointing th'alterat●on at Gertrudenbergh, for so much as it would not be without him.  

Line 14.  19 A letter from the Magistrat of Dort the 19 of june, advertising the Lord Willughby thē in Walckerland about the affairs of Vere, &c. that the privy-councillors of Gertrudenbergh would give over to th'enemy, except his Lordship stayed it.  

Line 22.  20 A letter from the States of Holland the 20 of june, praying the Lord Willughby, that leaving all business he would approach as near Gertrudenbergh as he could, for appointing th'alteration of that garrison to hir majesties contentment.  

Line 24.  21 A commission from the States of Holland the 27 of june, to promise 200000. florins or 20 months wages to the garrison of Gertrudenbergh.  

Pag. 13. Line 5.  22 A letter from the L. Willughby the 29 of june, sharply reproving that garrison for refusing the former sum.  

Pag. 15. Line 17.  23 Instruction for M. Richard Allen an English gentleman and for commissary Matrut the 9 of july 1588, being sent by the Lord Willughby, at request of the States to let the garrison at Gertrudenbergh understand, that they should be satisfied with in few daies.  

Pag. 16. Line 4.  24 The contract made with them of Gertrudenbergh t●e 26 & 27 of july by the L. Willughby in the name of hir majesty and of Count Maurice of Nassau in presence of the deputies of the States.  

Pag. 17. Line 25.  25 A letter from the Lord Willughby the 28 of july, desiring the counsel of Estate to bestow the government of Gertrudenbergh vpon Colonel Schenk.  

Pag. 18. Line 7.  26 A letter from the Lord Willughby the 28 of july, advertising Count Maurice that the privy-councillors of Gertrudenbergh would not be satisfied without making one cornet of 200 launces, and one of 100 carrabins, one company of 200 foot, & an other of 150.  

Line 15 and 24.  27 Letters from Count Maurice of Nassau the 28 & 29 of july, referring the reformation of th'aforesaid companies to the Lord Willughbies discretion.  

Pag. 19. Line. 15.  28 Two draughts of an oath sent to Count Maurice of Nassau, by reason the garrison of Gertrudenbergh made difficulty at the name of the States.  

Line 20.  29 A letter from Count Maurice of Nassau the last of july, allowing the name of the States to be left out in the foresaid oath, according to the change which was made thereof, & therewithal advertising that the States thought not good to bestow the government of Gertrudenbergh vpon Colonel Schenk.  

Pag. 20. Line 11.  30 Letters fro the Lord Willughby of the 2.3.5. and 6. of August to the counsel of estate, to Count Maurice of Nassau, to the States of Holland, and to the Magistrat of Dort, to supply the money wanting for pay.  

Line 24.  31 A general pardon fro Count Maurice of Nassau the 28 of july, for all things committed in Gertrudenbergh during the alteration.  

Pag. 21. Line 10.  32 An act of the last of july, wherein Count Maurice of Nassau & the States of Holland, do give great thankes to the Lord Willughby for his travails in appeasing the same alteration.  

Pag. 22. Line 1.  33 The Lord Willughbies promise to deliver Gertrudenbergh to Count Maurice when it should lye in his power, so as the Count would likewise perform that which he had promised to the garrison there, for saving their lives, wives and children according to hir majesties desire.  

Pag. 23. Line 25.  34 A letter from the Lord Willughby the 15 of August, sending for 200 horse from Gertrudenbergh to be employed vpon all occasions while the Spanish fleet was looked for.  

Pag. 24. Line 15.  35 A letter from the Lord Willughby the 4 of September advertising Count Maurice that the town was not assured, and that therefore it was convenient to stablish there a counsel of war, for reducing the soldiers by little and little to some more reasonable order.  

Pag. 29. Line 29.  36 A letter from the Lord Willughby the 25 of november, reproving the garrison of Gertrudenbergh for taking away the Burghers arms there, the tenor whereof is set in the end hereof translated word for word.  

Pag. 34. Line 17.  37 The resolution of the general States the five and twentieth of january 1589, promising to content the garrison within ten daies after the ten moneths which should expire in February following, as it is also translated in the end hereof.  

Line 25.  38 A letter from Count Maurice of Nassau the 27 of january 1589, promising contentment to the same garrison according to the former resolution.  

Pag. 35. Line 11.  39 memorials presented by the Lord Willughby the 18 of February 1589, to the States general praying them to deputy some of their assembly with other of the counsel of Estate, to aduise how the garrison of Gertrudenbergh might be contented for six moneths, together with which memorials his Lordship sent th'extraict of hir majesties letter commanding him to deal discreetly with that garrison.  

Line 31.  40 Second memorials to the same effect from the Lord Willughby to the States general the 21 of February, together with the States resolution declaring flatly that they would not treat with that garrison for want of authority from their superiors, directly against their other resolution of the 25 of the month next before.  

Pag. 36. Line 11.  41 The Lord Willughbies answer to that resolution of the 21 of February exhibited by M. Bodley counsellor of Estate, wherein among other things, his Lordship offered to withdraw Sir John Wingfield out of Gertrudenbergh.  

Pag. 37. Line 15.  42 A discourse of the third of March 1589, wherein the garrison of Gertrudenbergh offereth to the Lord Willughby as in hir majesties name, to quit all dealing with such contributions as hitherto they haue taken, resting content to be paid according to the treaty, desirous also to hold all good correspondency and neighbourhood with Dort, beseeching his Lordship thereof to advertise hir majesty as on their behalf.    

A LETTER FROM THE LORD WILlughby to Sir John Wingfield Knight, governor of Gertrudenbergh, to the captain, Sergeant Maior, Lieutenants, ensigns, and other privy-councillors there holding garrison, and to every of them.  

Pag. 29. Line 29.  I understand, to my great grief, that not manydaies past, using hir majesties name and authority, you caused the Burghers of the town of Gertrudenbergh to yield up their arms, without telling them any reasons leading you thereto. Whereat as hir majesties Lieutenant in these partes I can not marvel enough. For if that had been hir royal pleasure, no doubt, holding the place I do in these countries, she would haue signified so much to me. But so far were you of from having any right or reason to use hir name or authority, that I am sure hir majesty knoweth it not. And had you had commission from hir to attempt such a matter, yet nevertheless ought you not to haue enterprised it of yourselves without making me first & foremost privy, both for that I am hir majesties Lieutenant here, and also your governor chosen and established according to your oath to me in that quality taken. Now for my part I do not nor ever will allow this deed of yours committed utterly without my privity, and for the which you can not but incur hir majesties high displeasure, so much the rather for that heretofore I openly signified by Secretary Gilpin that hir majesties will was to haue you hold yourselves in good accord, streight correspondency and sound friendship with your townsmen, as well for aduancement of the common weal as for the weal of that town. What if some Burghers had committed some offence, your part had been to advertise me, that knowing the cause I might haue set down punishment, according to right and by lawful means. And therein as you should haue found me most ready to do reason to every party, so would I not in any wise haue suffered the good and loyal men louers of their country, inhabiting there and bearing arms these many yeares for love to religion, to their country & for preservation of that town, to receive such a shane as to haue their arms taken away for th'abuse( if any such were) of some particular person. I therefore do earnestly require you and in regard of my place do give order expressly that vpon sight hereof, you satisfy the Burghers there, restoring to every town dweller his arms, least hir majesty may haue just cause against you for not enough respecting these my commandements. But trusting verily that you will not let things run so far out, but rather take some way by gentle means to seek hir majesties favour, and so meet with all inconveniences that might befall, I beseech God to give all and every of you wisdom and discretion to perform well the services of hir majesty, and of these countries.  
From Dordrecht the five and twentieth of november. 1588.   

A Resolution of the States general, promising contentment to the garrison of Gertrudenbergh.  

Pag. 34. Line 17.  VPon declaration to the States general, and counsel of Estate of the united provinces of the Low countries, by the deputies of the town of Gertrudenbergh, in the name of the men of war on foot & horse there holding garrison; for obtaining count and reckoning for six moneths which they haue served by virtue of their new commission: It is resolved that within ten daies after those six moneths expiring at the 15 of February next, the counsel of Estate shall call before them the Tresurers of the companies and others, that haue received and taken the money appointed for entertainment of that garrison; to th'end that they giuing up th'accompts and other credible informations of the money which in these six moneths they haue received and had as well by contributions and all other means of the same town of Gertrudenbergh & other places adjoining under the province of Holland, as also of some villages in Brabant for better understanding how far that pay during these six moneths is advanced by way of impressed: that so after the reckonings made up, that may be done which shall stand with reason.  
So set down and resolved in th'assembly of the aforesaid States at hague 25 of january. 1589. stil. now. Egmont vidit.  
By order of the foresaid States. C. Aerssens.   

AN EXTRAICT OF A SECOND resolution of the same States general vpon second memorials sent by the Lord Willughby touching the garrison of Gertrudenbergh: This resolution quiter contrary to the former.  

Pag. 36. Line 1.  but to enter into any communication &c. The deputies of the provinces think not themselves authorized by their superiors.  
So set down at hague, 21. February 1589. Wermelo vidit.  
By order of the aforesaid States. C. Aerssens.