Alexander
Prince
of
Parma
and
Playsance
,
Gouernor
,
Lieuetenant
,
and
Captaine
generall
,
&c.
DEarely
and
welbeloued
,
The
tediousnesse
of
this
inward
war
&
desolation
which
this
Countrey
hath
sustayned
,
haue
giuen
you
sufficiently
to
vnderstand
,
and
as
it
were
palpably
to
feele
the
small
duty
that
you
ow
vnto
the
causers
of
the
same
,
who
in
respect
of
their
own
passions
and
perticuler
interest
,
haue
procured
the
destruction
of
the
poore
people
.
It
is
not
therefore
necessarye
to
repeat
vnto
you
all
such
things
as
haue
passed
since
the
beginning
of
these
troubles
,
sith
euen
the
moste
ignorant
haue
euidently
perceiued
that
the
stirrers
vp
of
these
wars
bent
not
their
indeauour
to
the
maintainance
of
common
commodity
and
quiet
,
but
rather
to
whatsoeuer
tended
to
the
perticularities
of
their
dangerous
deuises
.
For
in
case
wee
should
begin
to
rip
vp
their
dealings
we
should
finde
first
that
the
late
of
Orange
sought
no
other
but
a
continuall
confusion
of
all
things
,
and
neuer
cared
for
succoring
any
one
of
those
towns
which
my
L.
the
Kings
army
besieged
&
conquered
.
The
like
may
we
report
of
the
Frenche
,
for
your selues
are
to
testifie
how
they
purposed
to
entreat
your
wiues
and
children
in
recompence
of
such
and
so
many
honoures
as
you
strained
your selues
to
heape
vpon
them
.
Now
that
God
hath
ben
serued
in
calling
out
of
this
world
as
wel
the
one
as
the
other
,
and
that
thereby
you
doe
on
the
one
side
find
your
forces
decay
,
and
on
the
other
do
perceaue
your
Kings
greate
power
togither
with
such
happy
successe
as
it
pleaseth
God
the
Creator
dayly
to
graunt
vnto
him
to
increase
,
it
were
more
then
time
for
you
to
haue
some
respect
to
your
own
safegard
,
&
the
discommodity
of
your
pore
people
oppressed
&
enuironed
with
so
manye
mischiefs
,
wherevnto
in
the
end
they
shal
be
forced
to
stoope
.
A
Cause
that
being
moued
by
priuate
zeale
whiche
we
beare
to
the
countrey
,
as
well
in
respect
of
the
place
from
whence
wee
be
discended
,
as
also
of
such
courtesies
as
we
there
tasted
in
our
youth
,
wee
haue
hertofore
by
our
letters
endeuored
to
represent
vnto
you
,
euen
as
wel
to
you
perticulerly
,
as
also
generallye
to
al
other
the
townes
&
prouinces
such
meanes
as
in
God
and
our
consciences
,
did
vnto
vs
seeme
most
expedient
for
the
restoring
of
the
whole
country
to
peace
and
quietnes
,
but
in
as
much
as
the
late
of
Orange
and
others
(
who
sought
only
by
the
destruction
of
the
country
&
blood
of
so
many
innocents
to
intrude
themselues
into
the
gouernmente
and
dominion
of
the
same
)
did
wickedly
deteine
&
suppresse
our
sayd
letters
,
we
thought
it
good
now
for
a
final
conclusion
to
write
yet
this
one
vnto
you
,
wherin
we
desire
you
with
al
feruency
&
zeale
possible
to
take
pitty
vpon
your
wiues
,
children
,
&
desolate
countrie
.
Once
againe
call
to
remembrance
&
loke
back
vpon
such
rest
and
felicitie
as
euery
man
hertofore
did
enioy
vnder
the
obedience
of
his
Maiestie
,
&
contrariwise
consider
of
the
destruction
and
extremitie
wherinto
at
this
present
your
countrey
is
reduced
,
which
yet
daily
(
if
the
war
continue
)
wil
more
&
more
encrease
,
vnto
the
very
tipe
&
vttermost
periode
of
the
same
.
Henceforth
stop
your
eares
against
the
lying
inuentions
&
suttle
perswasions
of
those
which
do
maintain
&
feed
you
with
this
error
of
mistrust
of
the
goodnesse
&
sincerity
of
the
king
your
naturall
prince
,
which
neuertheles
is
such
that
notwithstanding
the
iniuries
be
bitter
&
hard
to
digest
,
yet
doth
he
not
stand
vpon
them
,
but
offreth
you
perfit
&
perpetual
obliuion
.
Furthermore
in
case
you
be
disposed
,
according
to
the
desire
of
more
then
half
your
Bnrgesie
of
Antuerpe
(
as
by
such
aduertisements
as
dayly
and
hourely
from
all
parts
we
do
vnderstand
)
to
enter
communication
&
parlie
,
we
do
promise
ye
that
for
our
parts
we
wil
in
such
wise
concurre
with
you
in
whatsoeuer
honestly
and
reasonablye
you
maye
propound
,
that
you
shall
effectually
perceaue
that
wee
bee
rather
led
by
a
fatherly
affection
and
vnfayned
good
will
the
we
beare
to
your
priuate
benefite
and
tranquilitie
,
then
any
other
our
own
interest
and
particuler
passion
,
or
mistrust
of
the
successe
of
oure
enterprises
.
Whereas
contrariwise
if
you
do
purpose
to
be
obstinate
&
stubborne
,
your selues
will
procure
the
empayring
of
all
conditions
of
reconsiliation
:
furthermore
protesting
that
our selues
are
altogither
blamelesse
in
the
shedding
of
so
much
innocente
blood
,
as
also
of
whatsoeuer
calamities
may
hereafter
ensue
.
To
the
end
therefore
that
hereafter
no
man
pretende
cause
of
ignoraunce
of
this
our
good
wil
togither
with
suche
offers
as
wee
make
vnto
you
,
we
do
write
our
Letters
to
the
same
effect
,
vnto
the
great
Counsayle
called
Den
Breeden
Raedt
,
and
other
the
Fraternities
:
beseeching
the
Creator
so
to
touch
the
harts
of
those
that
may
do
most
among
you
,
that
the
wealth
&
quiet
which
you
are
hereby
to
hope
for
,
maye
according
to
our
hope
,
shortly
ensue
.
And
so
praiing
the
Lord
to
haue
you
most
dearely
&
welbeloued
in
his
holy
&
worthy
protection
,
we
cease
.
From
our
Campe
at
Stabrocck
this
13.
of
Nouemb
1584.
Signed
Alexander
,
and
somewhat
lower
,
Garnier
.
The
superscription
,
To
our
dearely
and
welbeloued
the
Borrowmaisters
,
Sherifes
,
and
Counsaile
of
the
towne
of
Antuerpe
.
The
Aunswere
.
MY
Lord
,
your
Highnes
Letters
of
the
13
,
of
this
Moneth
,
respectiuely
written
vnto
the
Magistrate
,
the
deanes
of
Fraternities
,
&
the
great
Counsaile
of
this
Towne
haue
bene
receaued
&
read
,
as
well
by
our
College
,
as
by
all
the
members
of
our
towne
in
the
great
counsaile
of
the
same
expresly
assembled
to
that
end
:
Whervnto
of
one
consent
we
haue
resolued
for
aunswere
to
shew
to
your
highnes
in
all
reuerence
,
that
the
exhortation
to
vs
made
that
we
should
consider
of
the
entent
of
those
that
haue
bene
procurers
of
this
inward
warre
,
wee
haue
accepted
in
very
good
part
as
proceeding
from
your
highnesse
good
affection
that
you
beare
to
these
countries
,
which
you
do
wishe
to
bee
reduced
to
some
better
quietnesse
,
as
our selues
do
also
hartily
desire
the
same
,
and
in
consideration
thereof
do
most
humbly
thanke
you
.
But
vnder
your
correction
,
it
seemeth
that
your
highnesse
are
not
sufficiently
enformed
of
the
true
originall
and
fountaine
of
this
warre
▪
for
it
is
manifest
to
all
the
World
that
against
our
willes
,
and
to
our
greate
greefe
we
were
forced
thereto
by
the
driftes
and
practises
of
those
,
who
for
their
owne
priuate
purposes
,
and
to
the
end
to
establish
in
these
countries
a
dominion
in
effect
more
than
roial
,
haue
vnder
pretence
of
religion
,
with
their
sinister
informations
procured
at
the
Kings
Maiesties
hands
(
vnto
whom
as
also
to
all
other
the
high
and
mighty
Princes
his
predecessors
,
these
countries
haue
euermore
borne
as
faithful
and
true
obedience
,
as
euer
any
other
nation
in
the
world
did
beare
to
their
Prince
)
generally
against
al
the
inhabitants
of
the
country
,
of
whatsoeuer
estate
,
condition
,
age
,
or
kind
,
the
erection
of
the
most
horrible
&
cruell
persecutions
the
were
euer
herd
of
or
practised
,
togither
with
infinite
confiscations
of
goods
,
proscriptions
,
banishments
,
and
bloody
executions
,
by
fire
,
sword
and
halter
,
against
al
sortes
of
pore
,
honest
,
and
innocent
people
,
who
euen
vnhearde
in
their
iust
&
lawfull
defence
,
haue
ben
without
imposition
of
any
crime
condemned
,
only
for
gathering
together
to
pray
and
call
vpon
one
God
,
through
our
onely
mediatour
Jesus
Christ
,
according
to
his
owne
word
and
commaundemente
:
wherevpon
contrary
to
the
treaties
,
agreements
and
edictes
,
so
firmelye
made
and
published
by
the
Ladye
of
Parma
,
your
Highnesse
mother
,
with
the
aduow
and
consente
of
the
whole
counsaile
of
estate
,
yea
euen
in
the
kings
name
,
vnder
his
authoritie
and
seale
,
haue
ensued
such
tirannicall
executions
by
the
late
Duke
of
Alua
,
and
the
Spaniards
,
not
against
the
pore
commons
only
,
but
also
against
the
principall
gouernours
,
Lords
,
Barons
,
&
Nobles
of
the
countries
,
of
whom
his
maiestie
had
receaued
most
notable
seruice
:
the
manifest
infringing
of
al
rights
customs
&
priuileges
,
sworne
vnto
by
al
Princes
of
these
countries
:
the
subuersion
of
all
seats
of
Justice
,
which
haue
bene
committed
vnto
such
men
as
by
all
auncient
lawes
&
priuileges
of
the
countrie
,
were
vtterly
vncapable
of
the
same
.
The
raising
of
diuersforts
,
and
vntollerable
,
vniust
,
&
vnlawful
exactions
,
togither
with
the
vtter
oppression
of
all
the
liberties
of
the
whole
countrie
.
Which
things
being
so
notoriously
committed
against
al
ordinary
forme
of
Justice
,
could
not
possibly
bring
forth
any
other
fruite
then
this
miserable
war
which
haue
ouerwhelmed
vs
in
this
floude
of
mischiefes
&
sea
of
calamities
.
We
do
therefore
beseeche
your
highnesse
to
beleeue
that
we
neuer
entred
into
this
war
of
any
pleasure
neither
by
the
motion
or
perswation
of
the
late
Lord
the
P.
of
Orange
of
famous
memory
,
who
came
not
hether
,
but
at
the
instant
request
of
the
estates
,
as
well
of
the
Prelates
,
as
of
the
Nobles
&
towns
,
neither
vsurped
any
other
authority
then
with
greate
importunity
was
layd
vpon
him
.
But
that
of
meere
extremitie
,
and
ineuitable
necessitie
we
were
forced
and
constrayned
to
take
Armoure
,
and
to
enter
into
these
Conflictes
,
whereof
wee
desire
nothing
in
this
Worlde
,
more
earnestly
,
then
some
good
end
by
a
happye
peace
and
generall
tranquilitie
.
We
doe
also
most
humblye
thanke
your
Highnesse
for
such
Parley
as
at
this
presente
you
doe
offer
vs
the
fruition
of
,
and
can
not
sufficiently
commend
&
extol
your
magnanimity
,
who
hauing
more
then
any
other
Gouernor
your
predecessors
,
made
profe
of
your
vertue
and
valiauncie
in
armes
,
do
neuerthelesse
so
curteously
offer
to
accompany
the
same
with
all
gentlenesse
and
clemency
:
a
vertue
vndoubtedly
most
commendable
,
euen
in
the
greatest
Princes
and
Monarks
.
So
that
hauing
before
time
ben
thus
perswaded
of
your
highnesse
,
if
we
could
haue
bene
certefied
that
you
had
sufficiently
ben
authorised
to
haue
graunted
vnto
vs
whatsoeuer
accerding
to
your
wisedome
&
discretion
,
you
had
knowne
necessary
for
the
establishing
of
a
good
and
perfite
peace
,
we
would
neuer
haue
so
long
delayed
the
committing
of
our selues
into
your
protection
:
neyther
would
we
haue
soughte
to
enter
into
any
other
communication
and
conditions
then
youre
Highnesse
of
your
own
discretion
,
togither
with
your
clemencie
&
courtesie
.
shold
haue
thought
reasonable
,
as
nothing
doubting
but
that
willingly
ye
wold
haue
followed
&
moued
the
King
likewise
to
followe
the
path
of
the
Noble
and
commendable
examples
of
other
the
great
kings
and
princes
his
Predecessors
,
who
in
the
like
disease
hauing
more
nearely
searched
out
the
roote
of
the
mischiefe
,
haue
found
it
vnpossible
to
attain
to
the
perfite
cure
thereof
,
&
to
the
maintaining
of
their
subiectes
in
a
stedfast
peace
&
firme
quietnesse
,
accompanied
with
al
faithful
dutie
&
obedience
to
their
superiors
,
without
graunting
them
libertie
of
their
religion
,
wherof
at
al
times
they
offered
to
giue
account
to
any
vnsuspected
or
not
partial
Judges
,
in
all
free
assemblies
&
lawful
synodes
.
For
in
this
respect
haue
they
found
the
especial
and
most
soueraigne
remedie
for
all
these
mischiefes
to
consist
in
moderate
condiscending
vnto
the
iust
&
lawfull
request
of
their
subiectes
,
as
appeareth
by
the
examples
of
the
moste
victorious
&
mightye
Emperours
of
famous
memory
Charles
the
v.
Ferdinand
and
Maximilian
in
Germany
,
also
of
the
most
Christian
kings
in
Fraunce
,
&
the
kings
of
Polland
,
in
their
dominions
.
But
when
as
by
infinite
testimonies
,
&
euen
by
sundry
declarations
whiche
youre
highnes
haue
made
vnto
vs
,
we
were
certainly
aduertised
that
it
lay
not
in
you
any
way
to
dispose
of
that
point
,
whiche
neuertheles
is
the
only
ground
&
principall
piller
wherevppon
this
peace
or
war
doth
consist
,
yea
&
that
the
King
finding
himself
subiect
to
the
Spanishe
Inquisition
,
&
the
Pope
of
Romes
commandements
,
had
neither
autority
nor
liberty
to
graunt
to
his
christian
subiects
the
same
which
the
Pope
&
sundrie
Italian
Princes
doe
permit
to
the
Jewes
&
Turkes
,
&
without
the
which
it
is
vtterly
vnpossible
to
turne
from
the
people
a
continual
course
of
al
sorts
of
calamities
,
we
found
our selues
past
al
hope
of
attaining
vnto
any
thing
the
might
breed
our
assured
rest
,
the
same
necessitie
which
forced
vs
to
enter
into
these
wars
,
did
also
constrain
vs
to
continue
the
same
,
thereby
to
defende
our selues
from
so
vntollerable
&
wicked
oppression
,
so
the
after
infinite
most
humble
supplications
,
petitions
,
declarations
&
protestations
as
well
by
writing
as
by
our
deputies
sent
into
Spaine
,
besides
the
manifold
intercessions
&
mediations
of
diuers
christian
kings
&
princes
in
vaine
prosecuted
for
the
space
of
20
yeares
or
more
,
we
wer
finally
compelled
to
haue
our
recourse
to
forrain
Princes
:
And
at
this
present
pondering
the
great
&
singuler
wisdome
,
equitie
&
moderation
wherby
the
most
christian
King
doth
maintain
his
subiects
as
wel
of
the
one
as
the
other
religion
in
al
rest
&
tranquilitie
,
&
finding
also
our selues
in
suche
want
&
necessity
,
we
cannot
dissemble
with
your
highnes
,
but
must
needs
giue
yē
to
vnderstand
the
al
the
vnited
prouinces
which
are
confederat
with
vs
by
a
general
&
vniuersal
resolution
haue
already
had
recourse
to
the
most
christian
Maiestie
,
&
most
humbly
haue
besought
him
to
take
our
cause
in
hand
,
&
as
his
subiects
to
receiue
vs
into
his
protection
,
to
the
end
to
defend
vs
from
so
extreme
rigor
&
crueltie
:
wherein
he
hath
giuen
vs
so
curteous
audience
&
good
hope
that
according
to
the
dutie
wherein
solemnely
&
generally
we
all
stand
now
bound
vnto
him
,
it
is
no
longer
in
vs
to
enter
into
any
communication
or
Parlie
the
may
neuer
so
little
bee
preiudicial
to
our
offer
&
promise
,
vnles
we
wold
willingly
incur
a
iust
reproch
of
the
greatest
vnstedfastnes
&
ingratitude
in
the
world
.
Moreouer
as
we
are
but
one
member
of
the
sayd
generalitie
,
also
the
by
solemne
oath
we
haue
bound
our selues
not
to
enter
into
any
parlie
or
treatie
of
peace
without
the
general
consent
&
agrement
of
al
others
the
vnited
prouinces
,
we
cannot
,
though
we
would
,
accept
your
highnes
offer
before
we
haue
obtayned
the
consent
and
good
will
as
well
of
them
,
as
of
the
sayde
most
Christian
Maiestie
.
Herevpon
doe
we
therefore
most
humbly
desire
your
Highnesse
;
the
according
to
this
your
fatherly
curtesie
&
clemency
which
so
freelye
you
offer
vnto
vs
,
it
may
please
you
not
to
mislike
that
before
we
enter
into
any
Parlie
we
doe
according
to
our
dutie
,
send
your
highnes
letters
vnto
the
sayd
vnited
prouinces
,
&
by
their
consent
&
agrement
do
likewise
exhibite
them
vnto
his
sayd
most
christian
Maiestie
,
to
the
end
the
sith
it
hath
pleased
him
to
do
vs
so
much
honor
as
to
hearken
to
our
most
humble
complaints
which
in
other
place
haue
bene
reiected
,
wee
doe
nothing
without
his
leaue
&
tolleration
,
least
we
should
giue
him
iust
cause
to
cast
vs
of
as
deceitfull
,
inconstant
,
&
vnthankfull
persons
.
As
concerning
the
protestation
which
it
pleaseth
your
Highnes
to
make
toward
the
ende
of
your
letter
,
we
do
vndoubtedly
beleue
that
your self
are
not
the
cause
of
sheding
so
much
innocent
blood
,
neither
of
such
mischiefs
as
may
insue
,
for
that
the
originall
of
this
warre
proceedeth
from
an
other
foundation
.
But
withall
wee
doe
most
humbly
pray
you
to
consider
that
for
our
parts
we
are
not
iustly
to
be
blamed
,
as
being
entered
only
into
defensiue
war
,
not
tending
to
any
other
then
the
maintaining
of
our selues
,
our
wiues
&
children
in
life
&
libertie
of
conscience
&
in
the
free
calling
vpon
the
name
of
God
,
through
our
only
Sauiour
&
mediatour
Jesus
Christ
,
&
that
therefore
for
our
partes
we
wold
willingly
cease
from
al
shedding
of
blood
,
in
case
it
might
likewise
please
your
highnes
in
effect
to
prosecute
the
moderation
&
clemency
whiche
in
letters
it
pleaseth
you
to
shew
vnto
vs
,
by
staying
the
same
likewise
on
your
side
,
to
the
end
the
by
the
verification
of
this
beginning
,
we
may
iudge
of
the
assurance
of
the
rest
:
farther
beseeching
your
highnes
to
beleeue
that
we
do
both
admire
&
loue
your
vertues
,
&
withall
our
harts
doe
desire
to
yeelde
vnto
you
most
humble
seruice
in
what
soeuer
our
honor
,
Oath
&
conscience
,
(
which
we
praye
that
we
may
reserue
to
God
only
)
may
any
way
permit
.
Herevpon
my
L.
most
humbly
kissing
your
Highnes
hands
,
we
beseech
God
to
send
vnto
you
whatsoeuer
may
be
most
for
your
health
.
From
Anwerpe
this
23
of
Nouember
.
1584.
Of
your
Highnesse
The
most
humble
at
commaund
.
The
Borrowmaisters
,
Sherifes
,
Treasurers
,
Receiuer
&
counsail
of
the
Town
of
Antuerp
,
hauing
imparted
the
same
to
others
the
members
assembled
at
Breeden
Raedt
,
and
the
Fraternities
of
the
same
Towne
.
By
their
decree
and
signed
,
B.
Berlecom
.
The
Superscription
,
To
his
Highnesse
.