The Coppy of the agreement and accord , betweene the Prince of Orange , & them of Middelborrow and Armew as foloweth &c.

FOr as much as Sir Christopher Montdragon Knight , Lorde of Rembicourt , Captayne generall of the Wallowne Souldiers ; being instante in the townes of Myddelborrow & Armew : vpon request made vnto him by the Captayne of Strenchamps , commyng agayne out of Prison ) by his Letters dated the xvi . day of the same present Mourne , vnto the right highe & excellent Prince , the Lorde William prince of Orrange county of Nassau &c. Beseeching his Maiestie to send his Commissioners vnto the Castell of Rammekens ( named Seborrow ) to parle with them , concerning the yeeldynge vp of the afore named Townes and Cities .

¶ To the whiche requeste his Maiestye willingly graunted : and sent his Commissioners to propose certayne Articles and Conditions to the Commissioners of the Lorde Mondragon , by the which meanes , their aforsayd offer to yeeld vp the Townes might be accepted . In consideration whereof , the Commissioners mett together at the tyme appoynted , where betweene them the Conditions and Articles aforesayd were fully concluded and agréeed vpon on both sides , in maner and fourme followyng . &c.

FIrst , the Lord of Montdragon , shal yelde and geue ouer the townes of Middelborrow and Armew , without spoylynge of any Forte or demynishinge any strengthe thereof presently . And also al the Ordinance and munition of Warres , with all such Ships , Goodes and Marchandies as are therin . Yea , and he with al his Soldiers ( such as wyl not sweare vnto his excellency ) shal immediatly avoyd out of the Iland of Walcheren , takeyng with them their wepons and Ensignes , with bagge & bagadge to them be longing , simply and faithfully : not medlyng with any other Goods or parcelles , what soeuer to them not belongynge . And who that shall transgresse the saide Ordynaunce , carrynge away more then his owne , shall stande to the punishment of the saide Prince .

¶ Moreouer , if that the Lorde Montdragon do not deliuer in safetie , within the space of two Monethes into Hollande or Sealande , or some other place , vnder the iurisdic●ion of the said Prince , these persons hereafter named : That is to say : Phillip of Mariner Esquier , the Lord of Mownte S. Aidegonde , the Captaine Iacob Simoissen , a Captaine that was taken in the HAGHE whose surname is Citadelle , the Liutenant of the Captain , William of Angeren , and one more , whose surname is Pe in : then shall remaine in prison , three Captaynes , three Liutennauntes , three Ensigne bearers , three Seriants of the Band : & three Corporals , accordyng to the law of Armes vntyll such time as the Persons aforesayde be delyuered .

¶ Likewise it shall be lawfull to departe oute of the sayde Towne , all Victellers , Gonners , Commissioners , Shippers : Ian Coppes , Iaques Pardeuille , with their Seruants , writings , Letters Bagge and bagage , what so euer it bee , as also the Priestes and Monks , and men of Religion , onely with their habites ( yf they wyll . )

¶ And his Maiestie shall set such good order in the premisses , that all those which departe oute of the Iland with their goodes , as is before expressed , shal be shipped ouer into the Coasts of Flaunders in good safetye , promisinge the subscribed Commissioners and Deputyes , by their faith and hon●●● to stablish and perfourme in ful and ample maner , this aforesayde agréement of the Prince of Orange , and the Lord Montdragon , respectiuely : & for the more assurance wherof , Pledges on both sides shal be deliuered .

¶ These foresayd Articles being agréed and concluded in the Fortresse of Rammekens , the xix . day of February . ANNO 1574.

Beneath were written the one after the other : Duttem , Gillis de villain , Anthoni de Gerardt , Francoys de Bouchant , Iunius de longe , Arendt van Dorpe , Charles de Boisot . And a litle lower was written , We William of Nassou , on the one side : & I Christopher Montdragon Knight , Lorde of Rembycourte , of Lus , Gussanuille on the other side : haue seene and perused the aforenamed agreement and accorde : which with our wyls and ful consent is concluded . For the confirmation wherof we haue promised , & by these presents doo promise by our princely wordes and Honors , to performe and accomplish , and cause to be perfourmed and accomplyshed , the whole consents of the same in al poynts and Articles , without gaynsaying , or suffer to be gaynsayde , them , or any parte of them .

In witnesse wherof we haue subscribed and Sealed to the same , the foresayde .xix. day of February in the yeare aforesayde . And beneath was subscribed . Guillam de Nassou . Christopher de Montdragon .

The coppy of the Proclamation , set foorth by the Prince of Orrange .

WE William , by the grace of God , Prince of Orrang , County of Nassou &c. Gouernour of Holland , Seeland Freesland , & Vtreght : vnderstandynge that the Burgemasters of the Towne of Middelborrow , haue simply declared & moste humbly haue caused to be shewed vnto vs , in the name of them selues , their Cittezins , & the Coronel Montdragon : their extreame muertes , hunger and calamities : haue therfore of meere compassion , earnestly mouinge vs to embrace Christian mercy , aboue rigor and crueltye , thought it good to declare vnto them by these presents these Articles followyng .

¶ First , the aforesayd Cittezns , such as wyl sweare to vs on the behalfe of the Kings Maiestie , shal be vnder our obeysance in his Maiesties behalfe as other Cities and Townes : and therby saue and retayne their bodies & goods without reproche , or rehearsall of any matters that ar past . For the assurance wherof , we shal cause a certaine nomber of our Burgises of the townes of Sieri●zee Vlissyng : and Camphere to be placed in the same to keepe out our Souldiers & Mariners . Intendyng also by all meanes possible to suppresse & quench the hatred of other townes conceiued against them .

¶ And who so euer is not disposed to be sworne as afore is sayde , we wyll chuse of them ten men , which we shal keepe in the ile of Walcheren , to the end they shall cause to be delyuered ( by what means so euer it be ) the Burgemaster with other Cittezins of Harlam in lyke nomber .

¶ The other good Cittizins that are there present , or heareafter shall come , shall hencefoorth occupy their trade of Marchandies : and vse and enioy their rightes & Priuelidges within theyr limmits , as they haue bin accustomed in times past , we ( only ) retayning to our selues the power to make prouision for them of Camphere , Vlissynge , and Armew , with other such lyke places , for al such necessaryes as we shal se good and expedient .

¶ Wee doo you to vnderstande also , that notwithstandyng the proposition of thrée hundreth thousand Gildens , being demaunded of vs : the Cittizens shall pay by generall consent , such a reasonable some of Mony to the mayntinance of the Army , and helpyng to driue away the Enemy of our natiue Land , and Country , according as we shall finde it meete to cease them after their abillytie , not comprehendinge heerein the Vplandysh men which haue sustayned and followed our aduersaryes , concerninge whom wee wyll heere after consider off , and set order for them .

¶ More ouer the Cittizens shal be bownde to take dillygent heede that none of the Marchandize , or spirituall Goodes , or any other thinge be conuayed priuely , digged , or caryed away : but shall foorthwith , present al such goods & Iuelles as they shal know to be buried , conuated away or geuen to any Body to keepe , or otherwise belongyng to spyritual , or other persons , that keep themselues without the Ilande of Walcheren : and that vpon paine of bodily punishment .

¶ Further , concernynge the request of the Burgemasters aforesaid : ( namely ) that the Citizins , that ar fled before this time , might now come again to their goodes and possessions : wée shall hereafter consider therof , and dispose the same , as shal be méete and conuenient in that behalfe .

And also , touching the foresaid request of the Burgemaisters , and Commissioners of Middleborrow : concerning priestes , spiritual persons , deuine seruice , Churchegoods : and debtes , made by occassion of this warre : with other poinctes giuen vp by them in writyng : the Priestes and spirituall persones , shall departe with their habittes vpon them : the rest , we shall dispose at tyme conuenient , for the moste profit of the Citie and countrey , in such reasonable order , as hereafter shal be thought méete .

* Geuen , in the Towne of Vlissing , vnder our hande and Seale : the .xix. daye of Februarie . Anno. 1574.

¶ Hereafter foloweth a short rehersall of the calamities , great hunger and extreme myseries , that they sustayned in Middleborow and Armew , before they yelded vp the saide Townes .

WHen thei of Middleborow and Armew , saw that there was no more ayde : and that all their prouision , ( aswell fuell , as meat and drinke ) was consumed : And that their hunger - ( whiche is a sharpe Sworde ) encreased more & more : they imagyned , how to saue their wiues & children : which they could not do , because thei had admitted mo Souldiers , then they were able to gouerne .

Moreouer , ( that is to be lamented ) the Coronel & his Souldiers , by great violence , haue taken out of the poore Citezins Houses , all kind of vittailes wherwith they might haue sustayned the liues of their wyues and children , beatyng them , & handlyng them moste rigorously : yea , takyng the bread and vittayles , euen oute of the Childrens mouthes : and carried al the prouision of vittaylles , into their Campes and Trenches : not regarding the pittyful lamentations and complaints of the Cittezins . By these meanes , were the Citezins constrayned ( with their wiues and children , ) to suffer a moste miserable hungre , the space of seuen weekes longe : so that they were compelled to buy for their meate , Rattes , Cattes , Mice and Dogges : with the flesshe of other Beastes , that are not meete for man to eate , and to pay for the same full dearelye . For a pounde of Horse flesshe , was soulde for . xii.d . a quarter of a Dog , was soulde for two shyllynges .iiii. d. a Rat .viii. d. and a Mowce .ii. d.

When this kinde of sustenance was consumed and eaten : and that there was no more bread lefte : there weare fownde within the Townes certayne Garners , wherin was Hempseed , and Lynseede , wherof the Citizins made them dread : And for asmuche , as they coulde not eate it after it was bakte : they did knead it agayne with water , and bakte it ( as Wafers ) in an Iron .

But ( alas , ) by meanes therof , the Citizins be so rotted and spoiled in their gutts , that it is greatly to be doubted of their lyues and healthes .

And when I call to minde , how that ( aswell ) the Elders , as others , must shut vp their children from their neighbours and fellow Citezins , I can not refraine me from weeping : As for Example : a woman of good credit , comming from Midleborrow , did most pitifullye complayne , that she was constrained to shutte vp her children three weekes long , least they were taken from her to be killed and eaten . But all this whyle , the Coronel and his Souldiers liued of the breade and vittaylle that they had taken so longe ago , tyll they weare come to halfe a pounde of bread a day : after that to a quarter of a li. and at the laste , to halfe a quarter of a pownd . And finally , the Soldiers ( for all their daintinesse , ) haue beene constrayned to eate with the Citizins the oyllie Cakes . And the fat bellyed and wel fed Monkes in the rich Abbey , died for hunger . Wherby may be considered , what great myserie and hungre , the common Cittezins , with their wiues and children , moste lamentably haue sustained .

❧ To the Reader .

WE mean not here ( good reader ) to hide from thée : how fayre and fertill this countrey of Walcheren is : how profitable to all Countreies neare by , that without it , neither Holland , Sealand , Brabande , and Flaunders : yea , the whole Nauigation in no wise ( can be maintayned .

And for asmuche : as , the poore chased Christians , haue now ( the space of seuen yeares ) ben driuen , from one Countrey to an other , & haue ben greatly tormented vnder the Crosse : not knowynge wheare they might haue a restynge place . Our God therfore , of his mercifull goodnesse , ( as it is euident to euery mans sight ) hath ordayned this lande of Walcheren , as a sure lodgyng and refuge , wherin the may maintayne themselues in the time of this Pilgremage . And thus , beséechyng your goodnesses , that we may all together giue hartie thankes to God : and to attribute this victorie all onely vnto him , not doubtyng , but he will so proséede with the other countreys that are yet vnder the Tirrannie of the ennemie : and so gratiously delyuer them : to the magnifieng of his holy name , and the saluation of their soules . Amen .

☞ THE CONCLVSION .

FOr the accomplisshement of that poinct afore rehearsed , makynge mencion of the Lorde St. Aldegonde and the other prisoners . The Coronell Montdragon , hath geuen his Letters of Obligation , that he shall delyuer them , and set them at libertie , within two Monethes , eyther in Hollande , Sealande , or any other place , that is vnder his Maiesties iurisdiction .

For defaute wherof , on his behalfe : the saide Coronell , shall yelde himselfe personally , within the foresaid space , into the handes of his excellent Maiestie .

¶ FINIS . ix . APRILIS .