The joyful entry of the Dukedom of Brabant, & the Articles agreed upon, and granted by their Lords, and confirmed by the Emperor Charles the fift, and solemnly Sworn by Philippe his son King of Spain. Anno 1549.  
Set forth to the view of all lovers of the truth, who openly may see therein, how the same in no wise is performed, (the Lord in his mercy amend it) but to the contrary, in place of getting and preserving of Privileges and liberties, they are through the inspiration of the Pope and his allied, with all cruelty and Tyranny, broken, taken away, & totally void.  
Printed at Delft in Dutch, and Englished by R. V S. 1581.  
PRINTED AT LONDON BY RObert Waldegrave, dwelling without Temple-bar, near unto Sommerset-House.   

¶ The establishing of the King of Spain, in government of the Low countries upon those Articles following, to the which he is most solemnly sworn.  
Charles' by the grace of God, Emperor of Rome, always augmenting of the Empire, King of Germany, of Castille of Leon, of Grenade, of Arragon, of Navarre, of Naples, of Sicily, of Maiorque, of Sardaine, the Isles of Indies, and fast land of the Ocean seas, Archduke of Austria, Duke of Borgundie, of Letricke, of Brabant, of Limbourgh Luxenbourg, and of Shelre. Earl of Flanders, of Artoys, of Borgoingne, Palatine and of Haynolde, of Holland and Zealand, of Ferrette, of Haguenault, of Namur, and of Zutphen, Prince of Swave, Marquis of the holy Empire, Lord of Freesland, of Salins, and of Mechlen, of the City, Cities, and Lands of Vtreht Oueryssel, and of Groening, Dominator in Asia, and Africa. And we Philip by the same grace, prince of Spain, of both the Secillies of jerusalem, etc. Lord of Hubsburgh of Flanders, etc. To all them that shall see these presents, greetings.  
Forasmuch & to show and declare the better our inheritant lands on this side & the good and true subjects thereof, the upright love, favour, and affection, which we Emperors always have borne and yet are bearing. Not requiring, but that which is and concerneth their common welfaring, rest, peace, and assurance. We have sent for, and caused to come over, our well-beloved prince of Spain, to the intent that he himself should see, examine, visit, and know the said our heritable lands of the Low countries, proceeded of succession, and likewise show unto the subjects thereof, the good and special true love and effection which he beareth unto them. To the intent they should be more inclined, affectioned, and to be bound to remain, and for the same certain other special reasons, have we resolved, and concludteh him to be received, held, and sworn, by the States and members of all our said heritable lands, and among others by the Prelates, Nobles, & four chief Cities of this our Dukedom and countries of Brabant, for their natural and chiefest Prince and Lord, for him his heirs and successors, to be occupied after our disease, the said our Dukedom and countries of Brabant, with his appurtenances, as just and lawful Lord thereof: All which we have caused to be proposed and declared to the aforesaid three States of Brabant in our presence, and in the presence of our well-beloved sister, and Aunt of our Prince, lady Marry Queen Dawgieresse of Hungary, of Boheme, etc. In our absence Regent and governor of our said heritable lands. And that our will and intention hath been, and is yet, that our said son the Prince as our only heir to come, likewise do grant, promise, and swear the joyful income, after the old order and custom. But because that in the joyful income which we and our forefathers have sworn, are in some points and matters already done, and totally performed, others which are not to be performed, nor reasonably for the common wealth and quietness of the same country. And considering that our said son thinks and doth require all that which he shall grant, promise, & swear unto them pointly to observe and perform. So have we caused to be made communication with the aforesaid three States of Brabant, for to have our joyful incoming to be seen over and visited, because that they themselves might consider all that which ought therein to be moderated and variated. And for to reform the articles which should be found not to be observable, nor maintained. According to which there had been kept, divers communications and assemblings together, so that finally after divers delay, advisements, opinions, & reports respectively made one to another, they have in that behalf consented and willed themselves, according to the act hereupon made, signed by them. And also we Prince having sure and well understanded the aforesaid joyful income of our Lord and Father, and likewise the adjoined letters and additions thereof, with also the other adjoined letters and grants of the said our grandfather mentioned in the last article of our aforesaid joyful income, being truly translated and set over in the Spanish tongue, and likewise also the vocation and moderation thereof, & that which thereunto is set by, according to the contention of the aforesaid act, willing and requesting according to the good pleasure of our said Lord and Father, the common country of Brabant, and the good people inhabitants and subjects thereof, their rights, privileges, freedoms, customs, usances, and old proceed, observe and perform, especially considered, the great and manifold services, favours, and fidelity by them at divers times done, and showed to our forefathers, Dukes, and Ducesses of Brabant, of diseased memory, and among others to our remembered Lord the Emperor our Lord and father, as true subjects ought to do to their Lords. And as we trust that they likewise will do to us hereafter. So we have the will, and knowledge of our said Lord and Father, in this our receiving and holding within the City of Louvain, and with our good knowledge and will also granted, given and consented, grant, give, and consent, search, privileges, points, and fastness of rights, as here do follow, promising and swearing unto them for us, our heirs and successors, after the disease of our said Lord and father, (whom God almighty grant a good long prosperous life,) fervent and steadfastly to observe and maintain and cause to be observed and maintained, without breaking, interruption, for ever and ever.  
1 That we shall be the good and true Lords, and shall not do nor suffer to be done to them, any force and will in any wise, and that we shall not meddle ourselves, nor suffer to be meddled with the foreign laws and judgements. But that we shall use and cause to be used all our Prelates, almshouses, Banrotches, Noble, and good people, and subjects of our Cities and Towns of the Country of Brabant and Ouermaze, use & cause to be used in all matters with judgement, and with law according to the laws of the Cities and Benches, whereas the same aught to be done and shall appertain. And that the judges of our said Country shall be bound to keep their term times of law without any means of prolongations by any their doings or procurement. Reserved that the foresaid judges may prolong their terms of Lordships once, & no more.  
2 Item, that the privileges and charters belonging to the said countries and good people, which they have at this present, & hereafter shall or may get in their countries behalf, shall remain in the Castle of V●uoorde, in the keeping of an honest worshipful and well qualified man, borne and resident in Brabant, thereunto by the prince committed, or to be committed. Reserved that the same Commissionor shall besworn by the Prince in the presence of the States or their Deputies: whereunto the Prealates and Nobility have appointed two Prelates, and two Noble men, which the laid Prince, or his Deputy, shall commodiously find at the time when as the said Commissioner shall do his oath. And shall the third estate, to wit, the four chief cities (thereunto being required by the prince) appoint one out of every chief city which shall be called thereunto for to be likewise by the swearing of the same oath, which oath shall be and shall contain to be good and true to the said Prince, and not to alienate nor variate change nor hide the same charters and privileges by himself, nor any others in any wise. And that the said Commissioner shall give over and deliver to the States a general Inventory of the privileges and charters belonging to the said country and good people of Brabant, which shall be made by the said Commissioner & keeper, in the presence of the Chancellor of Brabant, so extendeth that every one of the States may know thereby, that which concerned and belonged unto them, for to be kept by the said States into their coffer, & to deliver to no man in particular the copy, But the same States, and every of them, and of the four chiefest cities, at their request and by order of the said Chancellor shall have the sight thereof, Moreover that the said keeper of the charters shall be bound (being thereunto required) by the said States or any of them to give the sight and copy auctentyke of such original letters, as the same States, City or Cities or any of them shall require and have need of, and that by order of the said Prince or his Counsel of Brabrant.  
3 Item, that we shall never bind ourself as Duke of Brabant, and county of Limborch, and for the matters of the Lordships of the same countries, for to make wars, nor lay to gauge, nor cause for to be done upon any of them, except it be by the counsel and will of our cities and Country of Brabant, and that we shall not scale, nor promise other matters wherewithal our countries, limits, or cities, or any of them of the said countries, or the laws, liberties, & privileges shallbe interrupted, or diminished, wherewithal our countries and subjects thereof might be put to charges, or loss in any wise.  
4 Item, that we shall take upon us the title and arms of Lotrycke, of Brabant, of Limbourgh, and Marquis of the holy Empire as it appertaineth, and that we shall cause to be made and gathered a seal according to the said Title and arms, with a special mark, different of our other seal, which we shall, nor may cause to be altered, or any others to make, or cause to be counterfeited thereafter, neither will nor consent thereunto in any wise, except it were for reasonble causes which we should then do, by the consent of their States of the said country of Brabant, which seal shall always remain in the said county of Brabrant, and not be carried thereout, and therewithal shall be sealed all the matters belonging to our said county of Brabant and Ouermaze, and the subjects thereof, and none others, and that the letters thereof shall be made by one of our Secretaries that shall be ordained for the matters of Brabant.  
5 Item, that we shall entertain seven worshipful persons, whereof the one shallbe Chancellor and sealer, bound within our said country of Brabant, speaking three languages, scilicet, Latin, French, and Dutch, which shall keep our said seal, and the fore borne resident and inherited in our said country of Brabant and that do possess of themselves, or by marriage in our said country of Brabant Barronnies, and the other two of our part of our counsel, as we shall think best understanding dutch, which which seven and others thereunto, now ordained them that shall please us hereafter to the said counsel to ordain, we or our governor, or governaunt general shall cause to meddle and do all the matters of the same Countries, & the inhabitants thereof concerning justice, and all that is thereunto depending, It be of provisions ordinaries of justice of statutes, placeats edicts, ordinances, commandments or others by counsel and advisement of the same, and the aforesaid counsel of Brabant, without that there shall be done any let or impediment, nor that they shall stand to the order of any man, but of us, our governor or governant general, and all them that shall be ours or our successors, Counsellors, or secretaries, before they shall meddle with office of counsel or offices by such faith, fidelity, and oath as they shall have done to our successors, that they to our three states in our country's behalf, shall promise and grant that they shall never stand over or come by, make letters, sign seal wherewithal any of our countries, Cities, Castles, people revenues or Lordships by water or by Land, laying on this side, or on the other side of the Maze, shallbe encumbered, charged, sold, alienated, given away, or acquitted in any wise, except it be by consent, and assent of the afore said three States, And if it be found that any of our Counsellors, do seal or the secretaries subsigne in their Counsel, office, and service, and do so misrule themselves: we shall then correct by counsel of the nobility and good Cities of our said country of Brabant, or the most part thereof.  
6 Item, that we henceforth shall take nor maintain none to our sworn counsel of Brabant: except they be good men borne of lawful birth in our country of Brabant, and resident within our country, inherited or possessing barronnies in our said country proceeding of themselves, or having them gottem by marriage, except the two of our counsel which have the said dutch tongue.  
7 Item that we shall set good men of our counsel of Brabant, for to keep a counsel chamber in our behalf, in the place whereas we shall keep our residence in the said Country, & if it did happen us to be therewith, so shall we ordain the same to be kept within the same country, in a fit place, which shall have full power, all men to discharge in our name, and that likewise our reckoning chamber shall be kept as it hath been kept until this time,  
8 Item that all letters aswell open as closed that shall be granted and & sent forth from henceforth in our name out of our counsel of Brabant, either if it be for us, or at the request of parties, shall be made dispatched, & sent in such speech as is spoken in the places, whereas they shall be sent unto.  
9 Item that we shall set no chancellor, nor sealer, into our Countries of Brabant, except he be of lawful birth, born within our Country of Brabant, & there dwelling, inheriting possessing Baronies & in our said country of his own succession, or by marriage, speaking three languages as aforesaid, and being apt & for the purpose, and profitable to the office and Land, which Chancellor shall do the oath to the same office belonging in our presence, and of the three states to the use of the common country, after the sort as here before is in one point comprehended, concerning the promises which our Counsellors, Sealer's, & secretaries, shall do to the said three States. And that our Secretary of Brabant, and the Clerk of our freelandes shall be borne in Brabant: reserved that we may ordain two secretaries, though they are not borne in Brabant.  
10 Item that our Chancellor, & men of counsel, Secretaries, the men of our chamber of reckonings in Brabant, and Clerks, Sheriffs, Masters of Warrants, masters of Woods, and all others that have any great offices or doings, And likewise also all offices upon the flat land, and also the Burugh masters, and Schepens of our Cities, and all others that do, or administer justice in our or in our Vasselles name, shall swear upon the holy Evangelists that they shall observe these our joyful ent●rye in all points, forasmuch as it doth belong to every one of them, without any doings to the contrary thereof with counsel or deed in any wise,  
11 Item that they of our Counsel, and all other our officers, justices, Burughmasters, Schepens, men of Counsel, men o● free lands, our farmers that have power to ask judgement, and to give judgement and likewise that keep offices & services in our said Country of Brabant, of what offic● there be none reserved, both in cities, town● & villages, shall be sworn, Doing their e● that they shall not cause to be taken an● gold, goods, gifts nor any kind of things, not cause nor suffer to be promised or taken by themselves or by any other, for to advance or to hinder, but that they shall do to all men aswell rich as poor, Equity and justice without any dissembling, Moreover that they do not have respect upon Burughmasters, Schepens, Counsels, goods, money, gifts, nor any manner of services, good deeds, given or promised, nor offered, or cause to be offered, give nor offer, nor caused to be offered in their names nor required, or praying therefore in any wise, and whosoever doth to the contrary, that in no wise such never shall or may enter in our counsel, service, nor in any law or government of our Cities, Towns, or Villages.  
12 Item that our Countries of Lymburgh and beyond the Maze shall remain for ever with our country of Brabant.  
And that they never shallbe separated thereof, that we likewise shall release, and discharge our other countries of over Maze, as we shall be able to do, and bring them to our country of Brabant, for to remain with them, without being separated. That moreover to the said our Countries of Brabant, shall remain the Earl and Oyen with their appurtenances, and others which are thereof alienated. And specially to procure so much, that through the aforesaid place of Oyen, at this present is out of our hands, that notwithstanding the same place be brought and set again into our hands, and remain together as it hath been before, if right may be done. And that we, our lands, and castles of over Maze, with all their appurtenances, shall not encumber any more or further, then there are encumbered at this present time. And when they shall come into our hands and power, that we shall then immediately cause them to be ashamed, with our said country of Brabant without any delay, with good sureties on this side of the Maze, and to deliver the houses thereof to our Countries, and the said houses and towns to be inhabited by Brabanders, or the same people of the same Country, and them that shall assure our Countries, so well with good sureties resident on this side of the Maze, so that we and our country shallbe well assured thereof, that they shall not be separated of the said our countries in no wise. And that we from thenceforth never shall enlarge, nor encumber any more the said countries, castles, & towns of over Maze in any wise. And that the subieces of our said countries of over Maze, shall keep their laws and justices, whereas it shall appertain according to the use of the Benches.  
13 Item, that we shall keep all our subjects and people, of our Countries, and Cities: and Towns of Brabant, & over Maze, peaceably and quietly in the countries of holland and Zelande, and all other countries to travel by water and land, free and frank upon their customs as they were wont to do. And that we moreover, shall keep our said subjects and people of our Country, Cities, and Towns, free & frank to travel, pass, and repass, without any molestation of any debts & promises which we or our predecessors, might owe and be debuable or have promised, or that we might owe and promise hereafter. Moreover, we have confirmed and allowed to our citizens of our City of Bolducke, and do confirm and allow by these presents, such letters as they have of Duke john of Brabant, and Lady jacob, Duchess in Beyre diseased, concerning that they should be free of custom in holland & Zealand for their merchandise: and we shall command our letters to be made thereof sufficient, according to the letters, and as the country of Gealre, that they shall be likewise free of custom, pass, and repass in the aforesaid country, according to the letters which they have likewise thereof. And if it were so, that any of due subjects by reason of debts, or promises of our said prodecessors, or of us should fall in talk that we shall keep them harmless thereof according to the contention of letter thereof written in Wallon.  
14 Item, that we shall keep open all our free streets as we ought to do without fraud or guile, for every man to pass and repass there through paying their custom, except of debts or promises which he did owe, or any forfeits or offences which might have offended.  
15 Item, that we shall compel or cause to be compelled all them that own our said Countries, any ways, bridges, or passages through their land and goods, and cause them to amend well and sufficiently the same ways, bridges and passages from time to time, and if that therein were any fault, that in such case the chief city where under such ways, bridges, and passages do lie, shall and may do upon the cost and charges of him that is bound thereunto. And for that intent and for the observation of all neighbourly rights shall no man be excused.  
16 Item, that from henceforth they that shall hear or have part of our customs in our said countries, during the term of their hiring. Also likewise them that have part in our cities in the coining of money, shall or may not be ordained, are also likewise received,  
17 Item, that whatsoever man or person that is taken prisoner within our said Countries of Brabant and over Maze, that we shall not carry nor cause to be carried out of our said Countries.  
18 Item that we shall cause no money to be coined with our said country of Brabant, except it be by the will and consent of the common countries aforesaid, and that the same piece of money, never shall or may be made lighter, and if that it be made lighter, that we shall & may take the same upon our coiners life and goods, without delay or exception, & that the said piece of money shallbe made in one of our free cities, and to warrant the same according to the contention of the charter, or letter heretofore made in Wallon.  
19 Item, that no man that is not of a lawful birth, shall or may be Counsellor, Sheriff, nor justicer in Brabant, nor have any office of us.  
20 Item, if in case there did fall any difference or fightings in our said Countries that then all that be not guilty of the differents or fightings, shall have fast and sure quietness from the hour that the said differents or fightings were done the space of 24 hours, and whosoever do some what in the matter, shall be more quieter.  
21 Item, that we shall grant no man freedom in the country, any that hath slain a man, except he be first reconciled with the friends of the diseased.  
22 Item, that all them that hencfoorth shall give the office of Majors, Bailiffs, & they that have them already at this present time, that they shall serve the same, and that they shall or may not, transport, nor sell them, nor let them out, and them that keep commons, or do other services, upon the flat lands, and that have authority to administer justice to the people, shall without delay, put in certain sureties afore they shall or may have their offices, & that in the hands of the justice, whereas they do serve in the behalf of them that might suffer any hurt by them.  
23 Item, that the officers of our country of Brabant, concerning justice shall not be let out, nor belent, but they shall be served as they have been used to have kept and observed in old time to be served, & all letting out thereof, shall be of no value nor effect.  
24 Item, that we shall not suffer that any man of our Countries, shall or may arrest, encumber, nor trouble out of our countries for any matters wheresoever they be, except he flee away before, without fraud or guile. Likewise also that whosoever of our subjects doth call the other our of the Country for to fight, or cause to be called to fight, they shall forfeit two hundredth marks of fine gold, or other ways to be corrected to the moderation and abiterment of them, of the Counsel of Brabant.  
25 Item, if any of our subjects did rob or steal, in our country of Brabant Ouermaze or the inhabitants thereof, & furthermore if they did lodge into their houses or succoured, with their will and knowledge any enemies to us as Duke of Brabant, Limburgh and Lords of the Countries of Ouermaze, that he shall lose his life and goods, and we shall nor may never grant him again the said our countries, & if that we did give pardon to such, that such pardon shall be of none effect.  
26 Item, that if in case that any women were forced, so that she did cry out, or that it were found to be true, that it were done against her will, and that she did remain and continued with the man, then shall we have all her movable goods, and her lands during her life, and after her death, shall the lands return and succeed where as they ought to go. And if she did not remain and continue by the man. In such case we shall have neither the movable goods neither lands, and shall the man that committeth such things, and all his helpers, and likewise they that with their knowledge do help succour and lodge him, do forfeit their lives, and all their goods for ever, if in case that they may forfeit it, And if in case that any man did by force convey away any child being under age, either man child or woman child, so shall they and all their helpers have forfeited their life and goods without exception, and against the same no man shall have excuse by S. Peter's manship, freedom of Cities, or others, but there shall be used according to the laws of the countries.  
27 Item that women shall be accused, nor may be accused which should hinder him concerning bloodshed, neither of killing of any body, if in case that he dare trust himself to stand to the truth thereof, and will come to his notgyltinesse, until the time that he shall be vanquished. Reserved that the officer of the place shall and may arrest him and keep him in prison, keeping the goods of him in safety, proceeding against him to the definitive, either of condemnation or absolution.  
28 Item that all our good people and subjects of our Cities and Countries of Brabant and of Ouermaze, touching all public mishaps which may happen to come to their bodies, or their Children, servants and family in whatsoever sort or manner it were, Whereby they or any of them did come from life to death, without any proceeding faults, the same shall stand and remain free and frank of any forfeits or confiscation of their goods. Of which mischance the magistrates of the places shall visit and consider the matters (at the request of the officer there) and that being done shall declare whether it ought to be kept for mischance or not, And such as they shall declare concerning the matter, shall be kept observed and performed, and if in case, that there be found any fault before, then shall and may the Magistrates punish the offendor extraordinarily, according to the state of the matter.  
29 Item whatsoever Cities, Towns Lordships or fortresses, which we shall win with force of arms and common war out of our countries of Brabant, upon what soever Princes or Lords, that they shall remain and appertain, to our Country of Brabant aforesaid, without turning back again, and that they shall use and do as our common country ought to do without parting likewise, as our said Country of Brabant.  
30 Item whosoever requireth adjoining within our said Country of Brabant and overmaze, that we shall cause him to have against all men.  
31 Item that Saint Peter's men & all they that are of Saint peter's manshapes company shall be used and kept as they ought to be kept by all equity and justice.  
32 Item if in case that any parties two together being low persons do go to law concerning any goods, having within our said countries and the said parties having proceeded to the end and condemnation, so that the one do lose the process or judgement, and if the same wherefore the process was there judged from him, and if he did show the same to any priest. Clerk or other spiritual person, or likewise to any other for trouble, & molest the other out of the Country which had the judgement upon him, if also any person resident within our Country had the advancement of the matter, or that also any person resident, within our said Country that did give over the matter to any others for to trouble and molest the party out the Countries, that he that did any of these things shall forfeit two hundred Marks of gold, or otherways to be punished at the arbitrement and moderation of them of our counsel of Brabant.  
33 Item that every man shall and may keep his own lands or cause, is to be watched and keep Dogs thereto, the claws unshortened, without calenging and if that it happened that any wild, break his neck, or ware hurted by the dogs, that the same shall so remain laying, and that their dogs shall suffer no hurt or damage thereby, And that further every man shall and may hunt Hairs and foxes thorough out all Brabant without calenging, and likewise Coneys without free warrants, and also fly with Hawks over all without challenging.  
34 Item that henceforth all knights, yeomen and all good people resident within our country of Brabant, shall and may hunt thorough all Brabant in his season, all manner of wild Deer. Without challenging, except. In the warrants and Woods of Zonien, of Zaventerlo, of Greotheyste, of Weeredale and Grootenhout, and to the intent that this point should be observed, so have we promised and sworn, do promise and swear as is said that we shall never make any disending, nor cause, nor suffer to ●e made any commandment to the contrary in any manner of wise, wherewithal these points shall suffer any let, hurt, or interruption.  
35 Item, that henceforth within our said country of Brabant, shallbe any warrants, nor kept any then the free warrants, than those that have been free warrants, since the year 1367. and have been received, so long time for free, of them that oweth them, except that the good people, suffer not thereby any unreasonable damage.  
36 Item, that the debt shall be brought or delivered by the laws or warrants, and ewards excepted, debts proceeding of wood and timber, of old woods of the Prince, of the country, or of other warrants of the Prince of the Country, or of other woods and wards, which from old time have stood under the same law.  
37 Item, that there shallbe in our country of Wallon, a Bailiff, an honest man borne in our country of Brabant, and that his clerk and other officers under borne, and likewise our other justices & officers of our other 6. offices, shallbe borne of our country of Brabant. And that the court of Genepia, shallbe kept as it was heretofore, so that no man that shall have occasion there to do, shall not be used without order of law.  
38 Item, that also henceforth our small Lords, justices, & Officers, Rentmasters, particularly shallbe borne within our country of Brabant, so that they shall nor may have served their said offices by any outlandishbrone, of what so ever quality they be, and also our Lieutenants of our castles, of our said country of Brabant, shallbe inborn Brabant's, except it were that they did possess by themselves, or by marriage any old possessions of the same country.  
39 Item, that we shall keep in state our reformed Benches of Santhoven and of Vccle, as they now be, & as appertaineth, and that our Schepens of Vccle, shall keep their residence in brussel.  
40 Item, that our city of Antwerppe with the appurtenances thereunto belonging, shall remain assembled for ever to our good cities and country of Brabant, after such sort & manor, as she was at the time when she was separated from Brabant, and likewise our City of Nivelle, as she hath been until this day.  
41 Item, that our assembling days which we shall henceforth send to our States, and country of Brabant, and of Ouermaze that we shall write always for them 14. days before the day, that the appointed assembling pay shallbe kept (except the matters, wherefore we would keep the same assemblings, did require great haste, and that we shall appoint such commodious places, whereas our said states may free and frankly without danger, come & go. And that every one of our Prelates, Banrotches, Noble, cities, & Towns, of our said country of Brabant and Ouermaze, before us or elswere, where as it appertaineth jointly or particularly shall & may say open & declare their charges, and satisfy therewithal without any indignation or rebuke of us, or by others to have, or by us to be disfavoured in any wise, and if in case that they therefore did get any hurt, the same do we promise to revenge upon his or their lives & goods without remedy.  
42 Item, that we shall always set & ordain the countries of our free lands in the places whereas we shall keep place of residence, so that the parties, with their witnesses, & other things thereunto belonging may easily come therein, and whensoever it shall happen to us, to be out of our country of Brabant, then shall we ordain an honest man, either our chief Sheriff of Brabant or an other that might be councillor in Brabant: which in our absence, & as long as 〈◊〉 shall please us, shall receive the free lande●● touching us, and in our absence keep th● court days in the place whereas the res●●dence shallbe of our Counsel chambers, an● he shall and may do all that appertained to the free lands, as we might do being o● self present, without giving, or forgiving any thing.  
43 Item, that we shall keep free, & cause 〈◊〉 be kept free, all our fairs being within 〈◊〉 city of Antwerp, aswell by water as by lan● of body & goods, within all our Countrey● liberties powers, & commandments. A●● if it came to pass, that the aforesaid fair we● prolonged 14 days or under, by the Magistrates of our city of Antwerp, we do p●●mise that we shall keep, or cause to be ke●● free the said prolonged days, as free as we are bond for to keep the principal days of the lair.  
44 Item, that we shall not suffer our free fairs of our cities of Brussel, Antwerp, and likewise the free fairs of the city of Barrowe, or Zoam, to be troubled or interrupted by any executions, commandments, or dissensions, either by letters of mark, countermarkes, arrestments, or their like, which we might grant to the contrary, herein excepted our own proper debts, & also likewise the ordinance made, or to be made by us, upon the matter of coining, which ordinance we will have observed, as well in the aforesaid yearly fairs as without, for to have punished and corrected the transgressors.  
45 Item, that we henceforth shall grant no privileges, nor liberties to the nations that keep staple in our country of Flanders, that can or may prejudice & hinder our said countries, & inhabitants of Brabant.  
46 Item, that we shall let the inhabitants of our country of Brabant, & their goods which they have in other countries and lands, or shall have hereafter, & the fruits thereof shall suffer quietly and peaceably to have and enjoy, notwithstanding any commandments, or defending, which might be made to the contrary thereof. And likewise the merchants, and inhabitants of all our countries, lordships, and jurisdictions, shall have & may one among another, traffic with their goods and merchandise, and walk, travel, bargain, sell, bring their goods to the market to sell, where their liking shall think best, paying their ordinary custom and charges,  
47 Item, that we shall cause to be kept, & remain unto our country of Brabant, and in the hands of our said country indistinctly, the lands, castles, & towns of Hensden, & S. Shertruydenbergh, with all their appurtenances, if in case we may do it with right and reason, due both for the costs and charges or shall keep or cause to be kept until the money which is den & suffered in the assigning of S. Shertruydenbergh, and the taking in, and providing of Hensden, be duly and totally paid and restituted.  
48 Item, if it happen that the cities of Holland, & Zealand, did not perform and observe such tractat or agreement made, and agreed between the Pensionaries of Brabant, that we shall then do full justice like as if it were of other lawful debt to the Pensionaries of Brabant, having life pension upon the said cities of Holland, and Zealand, in commanding them and the inhabitants thereof.  
49 Item, moreover we have promised, & by these presents do promise them of the States of our country of Brabant, and Ouermaze, that our lands of our city of Grave, with the lands of Duke Ressell, and Oyen, if the law will suffer it, shall always remain annexed and incorporated with our said countries of Brabant, & that the inhabitants of the said land & city of Grave, which the said land of Cuyc Res- & sell Oyen, and shall have their resort to our counsel of Brabrant, & not be thereof in any wise separates  
50 Item, that all merchants of whatsoever country or nation they be, aswell outlandish as inlandish shall and may go by water, to traffect, frequent: buy, & sell peaceably, & quietly in our said country of Brabant, & Ouermaze, both among us, & the small lords of the same our countries, in what cities, towns, or places, whereas it shall please them best, paying their custom & charges, without that the said merchants shall and may be compelled with any restrict commandments, or defending or other ways for to compel to sell the more their merchandises in one particular place then in another. And that the said merchants shall & may choose themselves their dwelling places and keep where it shall please them, without that for any staples sake, or other ways they shallbe let or hindered in their free will, in any wise reserved, that the same which is aforesaid, shall or may not larger be extended then to the Staples which are at this present, within our countries of Brabant.  
51 Item, that we will not nor may suffer to be done that any of our subjects of our countries of Brabant and of Ouermaze shallbe, (for any civil matters) kept and detained prisoners in any castles, but that they shall keep their imprisonments within the counties, except whereas there be no counties, & that notwithstanding the said prisoner putting in surety for civil matters, for to stand to the law and to accomplish the judgement, as appertaineth to the use of the place there, except he were arrested upon condemnations, or for our proper debts.  
52 Item, that every one of what state or condition he shallbe, shall or may not fish upon the river of the Zenne as hath been used, and was in the time of our old grandfather, Duke Philip.  
43 Item, whensoever we or the officers of our justices shall have, apprehend, take prisoner any man, by water or by land, which hath robbed or stolen, or taken away another's goods, money, or substance, and that he had yet the same goods, or knew the same goods where they were sold, so shall the same goods not being forfeited, but the officer under whom this shall happen, shallbe bound to restitute, or cause to be restituted to the party from whom it was taken and stolen, if in case the said party can prove it lawfully to be is own, and that it appeareth lawfully to be his own, reserved that he shall be bound to pay to the officer which did this arrest or apprehension, his reasonable salary at the discretion of the Magistrates of that same place where this was done.  
44 Item that henceforth shall nor may apprehend or arrest any of the liberties of cities or otherways being under us that are of a good name & fame, except the officer of the place shall first and for most have taken full information of the suspection, whereupon he would arrest and apprehend him, and that no man shall or may be put to sharp examinatione, xcept the officer shall first and foremost have showed his information to the Magistrates of the place, and that he be thereto condemned by judgement of the magistrates, except it were a privileged Crime, and whereof the magistrates of the flat land ought to have no knowledge, and that the knowledge-belongeth to us and to our said counsel.  
55 Item that from henceforth for ever, no Mayor Shirife-Bailife nor any other officers of our countries of Brabant, by virtue of transport of letter of attorney, which they might have of any man, or yet accept, shall or may arrest encumber attach & charge within their liberties by themselves or any others, any inhabitants of the said our countries, or their goods, by virtue of any debts which the Cities, Towns and Villages, do own of rents of Liffe-pensions or other debts, and if they do to the contrary, that the same shall be of no vallure, and beside that, shall forfeit to the Lord whereas this shallbe done ten Andrew Children.  
56 If that henceforth there shall be given no commons, almosses of Lands and perpetual rents in no manner of wise, and that we shall do all our diligence, for to get and to have reduction of the chair of Rome of the Annates, of all the Cloisters, & all Almshouses which are or may be discomforted therein, more than they have been therein discomforted heretofore, Reserved that the aforesaid prelate's almshouses & cloisters, shall find & pay for the costs and charges needful to the said reduction.  
57 Item moreover we have confirmed and ratified, confirm and ratify by these pattens all our prelate's almsehouses Cloisters, Banrotches knights, Cities, Towns, and all other our subjects and good people of our Countries of Brabant, Ouermaze, and all their laws Liberties, Privileges, Charters, Customs, Vsanses and old proceed of lands which they have, and are given, granted, and sealed them by our forefathers, Dukes and ducesses, and also them which they have used, haunted, and where went to use and specially the odd letter granted to the said three states by our said Duke Philip our old grandfather diseased at his incoming of the date as the letters be of the said incoming. Likewise two other letters granted by the said our grandfather diseased the one of the date. 1451. the 20. day of April, and the other in the year. 1457. 28. days in November, and likewise the two additions of the joyful income of the Lord, our father given at Ghaunte of the twenty day of April in the year 1515 after Easter, and the other given at Bridges the 26. of April in the same year and do give them generally & specially: if in case they do stand to observation, and are able to be oberused, to hold them firm and stabell for ever, for us our heirs & successors, without breaking or doing or cause to be done to the contrary in any wise.  
58 Item we do promise them moreover for us our heirs and successors, that we shall never allege devise or propose, nor cause to be alleged, as that we are not bound & deluable to keep & observe the aforesaid liberties, laws, Privileges, Charters, Customs, usances, and old uses which when we have heretofore confirmed & ratified in general, because and for that we have not granted and promised to them the said points and articles, particularly, which we will that shall do no hurt, hindrance or prejudice to them, And because that we will and desire that all the aforesaid points, articles gifts, promises, confirmations, and assurances, shall be kept and remain sure and constantly for ever. So is it therefore that we have them altogether generally promised in good faith to all the prelates, cloisters, and almshouses, Barons, knights, Cities, towns, and to all our good people and subjects of the said Countries of Brabant and Ouermaze to their heirs and successors, and do promise in good faith, and friendly sworn upon the holy Gospel for us, our heirs and successers that after the disease of our Lord and father, to keep them fast and steadfastly, and there against never to do or cause to be done, nor suffer to be done in any wise. And if in case that we, our heirs and successors did do, say, or uppose here against or caused to be done, by ourself or others in our name, in part or in all, in whatsoever manner it were. So do we in that case consent & do will our prelate's, barons, knights Cities and towns, and all others our said subjects that they shall do to us, our heirs and successors no manner of service, nor be obedient in no manner of Cases that we need, or that we might require & do request of them until the time we shall have made fully amends, and left and forsaken immediately, all the matters afore mentioned, whereunto we will do, discern, and declare, that immediately, all our offices doing to the contrary of this my incoming, shall be left, forsaken, and that all henceforth shall or may be attempted, shallbe of none effect and shall not be observed in any wise hereafter. And all without fruade or guile. In witness of which things and for perpetual assurance, have we Emperor and prince aforesaid caused our seal hereunto to be hanged. Given in our City of Louvain, the fift day of july, Anno. 1549. of our empire of us Charles the 30. and of our Realms of Castille, and others. 34. Thus subsigned, Charles, Philippe, & underneath is written, By the Emperor, & the said Prince, & signed by the audience, and first Secretary Verricken, and this Letter was sealed with the seal of the emperor & prince in red wax with gold and black-silke strings. And underneath was written, Collationated and found agreed with the original, By me I. Facuwez.  
FINIS.