The
well
willing
Comminaltie
.
Seeing
that
your
highnes
doth
requeste
this
of
vs
,
we
will
gladly
do
the
same
,
thanking
the
almighty
god
that
it
hath
pleased
him
to
send
vs
your
highnes
hence
forward
to
protect
and
make
vs
free
from
the
tyranny
,
intended
to
be
brought
vppon
vs
by
our
enemyes
.
Your
highnes
must
firstly
vnderstand
that
the
king
of
spayne
after
the
decese
of
the
Emperour
Charles
the
first
of
worthy
memory
.
Of
whom
he
hath
receaued
all
these
Lowe
countries
,
forgetting
the
seruices
,
which
aswel
his
Lord
and
father
as
also
he
himself
had
receaued
of
these
countries
and
the
inhabitants
of
the
same
,
wherby
specially
the
king
of
Spayne
hath
obtained
so
famous
victories
againste
his
enemyes
,
that
thereby
his
name
and
power
became
famous
&
feared
through
all
the
world
.
And
forgetting
also
the
admonition
which
the
Emperours
maiestie
aforesayd
had
gyuen
him
at
other
times
to
the
contrary
he
hath
bent
his
eare
,
and
gyuen
credit
to
those
of
the
counsell
of
Spaine
,
being
neare
him
which
had
conceyued
in
their
hartes
,
and
enuy
against
these
countries
and
there
freedomes
.
For
that
they
might
not
haue
any
charge
to
gouerne
in
chefe
countries
,
nor
to
beare
the
principall
estates
or
offices
as
they
did
in
the
realmes
of
Naples
,
Sicilia
,
at
Millan
,
in
India
,
and
at
other
places
being
vnder
the
kinges
dominion
,
whereof
the
moste
part
of
them
knewe
the
riches
and
power
.
Which
Counsell
of
Spayne
or
some
of
the
principall
thereof
haue
declared
to
this
king
at
diuers
times
.
That
it
was
better
for
his
Maiesties
reputation
,
a
newe
to
Conquere
these
countreys
for
to
commaund
thereouer
fr●ely
and
absolutely
,
(
which
is
to
playe
the
Tyrante
according
to
his
pleasure
)
then
to
be
driuen
to
gouerne
vnder
such
conditions
,
&
restrictions
,
as
he
hath
ben
fame
to
swere
,
in
the
acceptinge
of
the
dominion
of
these
countreys
,
According
to
the
which
the
king
hath
euer
since
sought
by
all
meanes
to
bring
the
aforesaid
countries
from
their
ancient
freedomes
,
and
vnder
a
Tyrrannicall
gouernment
of
the
spani●rds
intending
firstly
vnder
the
cloke
of
religion
to
putte
in
newe
bishops
in
the
cheefeste
and
moste
principall
Citties
,
giuing
and
endewing
them
with
adiunction
and
incorporation
of
the
moste
Richeste
Abbyes
,
and
adioyning
vnto
them
,
nine
Canonicos
or
Regulars
,
which
should
be
of
his
Counsel
.
Whereof
the
three
should
haue
speciall
charg
ouer
the
Inquisition
▪
By
which
incorporation
the
saide
Bishops
(
which
might
haue
beene
aswell
straungers
as
Natiue
of
the
Countreys
)
haue
had
the
first
places
&
voices
in
the
assemblies
of
the
estates
of
these
countreys
,
And
haue
bene
his
creatures
ready
at
his
commaundement
and
deuotion
:
and
shoulde
haue
brought
in
by
the
saide
adioyned
Canonicos
or
Regulars
,
the
spanishe
Inquisition
:
Which
hath
alwayes
bene
(
as
it
is
manifeste
vnto
al
men
)
so
horrible
and
odious
in
these
Countreys
as
the
verye
bondage
it selfe
:
In
suche
wise
that
the
saide
Imperiall
Maiestie
hauing
at
other
times
proponded
the
same
to
the
countreis
he
did
let
it
rest
again
,
by
reason
of
the
remonstrations
which
were
done
against
it
vnto
his
Maiestie
,
therin
shewing
the
affection
which
he
did
beare
to
his
subiects
.
But
howbeit
diuers
remonstrations
which
be
done
vnto
the
King
by
word
of
mouth
as
well
by
perticuler
Prouinces
and
Cities
,
as
also
by
some
of
the
principall
Lordes
of
the
Countrye
,
viz.
The
Lord
of
Montingni
,
and
the
Earle
of
Egmont
,
being
sent
to
Spayn
to
that
purpose
at
sundry
times
by
the
consent
of
the
Duches
of
Parma
then
Gouernant
ouer
the
same
countreyes
by
the
aduise
of
the
Counsell
of
Estates
and
Generalitie
.
And
also
that
the
sayd
king
of
Spayne
had
giuen
vnto
them
by
word
of
mouth
good
hope
to
prouide
therein
,
according
to
their
request
,
he
notwithstanding
to
the
contrarye
thereof
,
shortly
thereafter
sharpely
by
Letters
vpon
his
indignation
commaunded
to
receiue
the
Bishops
,
and
to
place
them
in
possession
of
their
Bishoprickes
,
and
incorporated
Abbies
,
To
giue
the
Inquisition
her
course
,
where
it
thertofore
had
bene
,
and
to
follow
the
ordinance
of
the
Counsel
of
Trent
.
Which
was
in
many
poyntes
contrary
to
the
Priuiledges
of
the
aforesaid
countreis
,
which
thing
being
come
to
the
knowledge
of
the
Comminaltie
,
hath
with
good
reason
caused
occasion
of
great
commosion
amongst
them
:
and
an
alienation
of
the
good
affection
which
they
alwayes
as
good
subiects
haue
born
to
the
sayde
king
of
Spayne
and
his
Predecessors
.
Specially
considering
that
not
onely
hee
did
go
about
to
play
the
Tyrant
vpon
their
persons
&
goods
,
but
also
vpon
their
consciences
,
of
the
whiche
they
thinke
to
be
bound
to
giue
reckoning
,
or
make
answere
vnto
no
body
but
only
vnto
God
.
For
which
cause
,
and
for
pitie
of
the
sayd
Cominaltie
,
the
principall
of
the
Countreys
haue
exhibited
a
certaine
Remonstration
in
the
yeare
,
1565.
Requesting
that
for
to
still
the
Cominaltie
,
and
preuent
al
Seditions
,
his
Maiestie
should
asswage
these
poyntes
,
and
speciallye
concerning
the
rigorous
Inquisition
and
punishment
of
the
Religion
,
shewing
therewith
the
loue
and
affection
whiche
he
as
a
benigne
Prince
did
beare
vnto
his
subiectes
,
and
for
to
notifie
the
same
vnto
the
sayde
king
of
Spaine
more
nearer
,
and
with
more
authoritie
,
and
for
to
prooue
how
necessarye
the
same
was
for
the
welfare
of
the
countreis
,
and
to
maintain
the
same
in
quietnesse
,
to
put
or
leaue
of
such
nouelties
,
and
mittigate
the
rigor
of
the
general
Petition
of
the
Place
at
in
matters
concerning
the
Religion
at
the
request
of
the
sayd
Gouernant
,
Counsell
of
the
Estates
,
and
of
the
generall
estates
of
all
the
countreys
,
were
sent
to
Spaine
as
Ambassadors
;
The
Marquis
of
Berghen
,
and
the
Lord
of
Montingni
afore
named
,
But
in
steede
to
giue
attendaunce
vnto
them
,
and
to
prouide
in
the
inconueniences
whiche
there
had
bene
propounded
,
which
by
delaying
of
the
remedye
in
due
tyme
,
according
as
the
neede
required
,
did
alreadie
begin
to
appeare
or
shew
themselues
almost
in
all
Countreies
,
amongst
the
Congregation
,
he
by
the
alluring
of
the
spanish
Counsell
,
hath
caused
the
sayd
persons
which
had
made
the
aforesaid
Remonstration
,
to
be
declared
Rebels
and
to
be
guiltie
of
the
crime
of
Treason
,
and
consequently
to
be
punnished
in
bodye
and
goodes
.
And
moreouer
he
thinking
thereafter
that
the
sayd
Countreys
were
wholy
subdued
vnder
his
subiertion
and
Tirannye
,
by
the
power
of
the
Duke
of
Alba
,
caused
the
sayd
Lords
Ambassadors
to
be
apprehended
,
murdered
,
and
their
goodes
confisked
,
contrary
to
all
common
orders
,
or
lawes
,
whiche
alwayes
haue
bene
inuiolately
obserued
amongest
the
most
cruell
and
tyrannicall
Princes
.
And
howbeit
that
the
greatest
troubles
risen
in
the
sayde
Countries
,
by
the
dealing
of
the
sayde
Gouernant
and
her
Adherentes
,
in
the
sayd
yeare
1566.
was
agayne
pacified
,
and
many
driuen
away
whiche
did
vnderstand
the
freedomes
of
the
countreis
,
and
the
rest
oppressed
and
subdued
in
such
wise
,
that
the
king
had
no
cause
at
all
to
oppresse
the
sayd
Countreis
by
force
of
Weapons
,
yet
notwithstanding
,
to
haue
such
an
occasion
which
the
sayde
Spanishe
counsell
of
long
tyme
had
soughte
and
looked
for
,
according
to
the
same
is
playnelye
declared
by
th●●…
intercepted
and
detayned
letters
of
Alana
,
the
Ambassador
of
Spayne
,
resident
in
Fraunce
,
being
at
that
time
written
to
the
Duches
of
Parma
for
to
anic●●late
all
the
Priuiledge
of
the
Countreis
,
and
to
gouern
the
same
according
to
hir
wil
,
tirannically
by
the
Spainiardes
as
the
Jndians
and
the
new
conquered
Landes
:
He
by
the
motion
and
counsell
of
the
sayd
Spainiardes
,
shewing
the
little
loue
whiche
he
hare
to
his
good
subiectes
,
contrary
to
that
whiche
he
as
their
Prince
,
Protector
and
good
sheapheard
was
bound
to
do
.
Hath
sent
towards
the
said
countreyes
for
to
oppresse
them
with
a
great
armie
the
Duke
of
Alba
,
being
infamous
of
hardnesse
and
crueltie
,
&
one
of
the
principall
enemies
of
the
countrey
:
and
being
,
for
to
be
his
Counsellors
,
accompanyed
with
persons
of
like
nature
and
humoures
.
Which
haue
executed
such
innumerable
deale
of
cruelties
and
tirannies
vpon
these
Countreis
,
that
the
same
woulde
bee
to
long
before
your
highnesse
here
to
be
rehearsed
.
And
thereafter
the
great
Cōmandador
(
whome
the
King
of
Spaine
did
sende
to
these
Countreis
after
the
Duke
of
Alba
not
for
to
amend
ought
,
but
for
to
prosecute
the
sayde
way
of
tiranny
by
a
more
secrete
meane
which
haue
compelled
the
other
countreis
whiche
they
kepte
vnder
the
Spanish
subiection
with
their
Garrisons
and
built
Castels
,
for
to
vse
all
their
persons
and
might
for
to
helpe
to
oppresse
them
,
shewing
notwithstanding
vnto
the
said
countreis
which
they
did
employ
in
their
assistaunce
as
is
aforesayd
,
no
more
fauoure
then
if
they
had
ben
their
very
enimies
,
permitting
that
the
Spainiardes
vnder
the
cloke
that
they
were
in
sedition
before
the
face
of
the
great
Cōmandador
,
forcibly
did
enter
into
the
Citie
of
Antwerpe
there
according
to
their
discretion
to
waste
and
spend
for
the
space
of
sixe
weekes
at
the
charges
of
the
Citizens
,
constrayning
furthermore
in
the
meane
tyme
the
sayde
Citizens
because
they
shoulde
be
discharged
of
the
violence
of
the
same
Spainiardes
to
furnish
to
the
payment
of
foure
hundred
thousand
gyldrens
,
their
demaunded
wages
,
and
also
thereafter
the
spanishe
souldiers
vsing
a
greater
boldnes
haue
aduaunced
themselues
publikelye
to
take
vp
their
weapons
agaynst
the
countrey
,
thinking
firstly
to
take
the
citie
of
Brussels
,
and
in
place
of
the
ordinary
residence
of
the
Prince
of
the
Countreis
beeing
there
,
to
make
their
Caue
of
robberie
,
whiche
thing
not
succeeding
vnto
them
,
they
haue
ouerthrowne
the
Citie
of
Aelst
,
and
thereafter
forciblye
taken
,
sacked
,
spoyled
,
murdered
,
and
burned
the
Citie
of
Maestricht
and
Antwerpe
,
aforesayd
,
and
so
handled
the
same
that
the
most
cruell
and
Tyrannicall
enemies
of
the
Countreis
can
not
doe
any
more
nor
worse
,
to
the
vnspeakable
domage
not
only
of
the
inhabitants
,
but
also
almost
of
all
the
Nations
of
the
world
,
which
there
had
their
wares
and
money
.
And
howbeit
that
the
sayd
Spainiardes
by
the
counsell
of
Estates
(
by
whome
at
that
tyme
by
reason
of
the
death
of
the
great
Comandador
was
accepted
the
Gouernmente
of
the
Countreis
by
the
charge
and
commission
of
the
king
of
Spayne
)
were
declared
and
published
for
enemies
of
the
Land
in
the
presence
of
Ieronimo
de
Rhoda
,
for
the
outrage
,
force
and
violence
which
they
vsed
,
yet
the
said
Rhoda
by
his
owne
authority
,
or
else
(
as
it
is
to
be
presumed
)
by
vertue
of
some
secret
Instruction
which
he
might
haue
from
Spaine
,
had
taken
vpon
him
to
be
the
Chiefe
or
heade
of
these
Spainguartes
and
their
associated
,
And
without
to
haue
respecte
to
these
counsell
of
Estates
to
vse
the
name
and
authoritie
of
the
king
to
counterfaite
his
seale
,
and
to
behaue
himselfe
publikelye
as
gouernoure
and
Liefetenaunt
of
the
king
,
whereby
the
estates
were
caused
to
make
agreement
at
this
time
with
my
Lorde
the
Prince
and
estate
of
Hollande
and
Zexlande
,
whiche
agreement
hath
bene
approued
and
bene
found
to
be
good
by
the
councell
of
the
estates
and
lawfull
Gouernours
of
the
countreis
,
for
ioyntly
and
with
one
accord
to
set
vppon
and
driue
out
of
the
countreys
the
Spainguartes
as
common
enimies
of
the
Countreys
.
Neuerthelesse
not
pretermitting
as
good
subiectes
in
the
meane
while
with
all
dilligence
by
diuers
humble
remonstrations
to
the
king
of
Spaine
and
al
fyt
and
possible
meanes
to
sue
and
beseeke
the
king
that
hee
taking
regarde
and
consideration
on
the
troubles
and
inconueniences
which
alreadye
were
happened
in
these
countreys
,
and
yet
were
likelye
to
happen
.
It
might
please
him
to
cause
the
Spainguartes
to
departe
out
of
the
countreys
and
punnish
them
which
haue
bene
occasion
of
the
spoile
and
ruine
of
his
principall
Citties
,
and
other
vnspeakeable
outrages
,
which
his
subiects
haue
sustained
:
for
the
consolation
of
those
on
whome
the
same
had
fallen
,
and
for
an
example
to
other
.
But
the
king
although
hee
fayned
with
wordes
that
the
same
was
chaunced
against
his
will
and
pleasure
,
and
that
he
did
intend
to
punish
their
cheifes
,
and
forthwith
for
the
quietnesse
of
the
Countery
to
be
willinge
to
appoint
some
order
with
all
fauoure
as
it
becommeth
to
a
prince
.
Yet
notwithstanding
the
same
he
hath
not
onely
caused
Iustice
nor
punishement
to
be
administred
against
them
,
but
contrary
wise
it
doth
sufficiently
by
his
deeds
apeare
,
that
al
was
don
with
his
consent
,
and
by
a
proceading
spanishe
Counsell
,
as
the
same
within
a
while
after
found
out
by
certaine
Intercepted
,
and
detained
letters
,
that
by
the
king
himselfe
had
bene
written
to
Rhodas
,
and
other
Captaines
(
being
an
occasion
of
the
aforesaide
mischeife
)
that
he
not
onely
founde
their
doinges
good
but
did
praise
them
for
the
same
and
promised
to
make
recompence
,
especyally
to
the
said
Rhodas
,
as
hauing
done
a
singular
seruice
vnto
him
,
euen
as
also
he
hath
shewen
the
same
in
dedes
,
at
his
return
in
Spaine
,
vnto
him
,
and
to
all
other
his
seruiters
of
the
saide
tyrranny
,
which
haue
bene
in
these
countreis
.
And
the
kinge
also
at
the
same
time
(
minding
so
muche
the
more
to
blind
the
eyes
of
his
subiects
)
did
send
as
Gouernour
in
the
said
countries
,
his
bastard
brother
Don
Iohn
D'austrya
as
one
that
was
of
his
bloode
who
vnder
the
cloake
that
he
did
finde
good
and
approue
the
agreement
which
was
made
at
Gaunt
,
the
promise
to
defend
the
Estates
,
the
Spainguartes
to
departe
and
to
cause
the
aucthors
of
the
violence
and
discordes
which
bee
done
in
these
countries
to
bee
punished
,
And
to
take
order
for
the
common
quietnesse
of
the
countries
and
the
anncient
lyberties
,
did
go
avoute
to
deuide
the
said
Estates
,
and
to
su●dewe
the
one
countrey
after
the
other
,
which
thing
euen
as
that
which
is
fainedlye
done
and
with
outward
shewe
against
,
the
meaning
cannot
longe
continue
secrete
.
So
likewise
the
same
breakinge
out
before
he
had
fully
compassed
his
Intention
.
He
could
not
performe
the
same
according
to
his
purpose
,
but
he
in
steade
of
peace
sturred
and
raysed
vp
newe
warre
,
wherof
hee
did
boast
at
his
comming
and
which
as
yet
doth
indure
,
we
hauing
resisted
the
same
,
according
that
reason
doth
greatly
moue
vs
thervnto
.
Here
you
haue
heard
most
gracious
Lord
the
principall
matters
which
be
chaunced
in
these
our
lowe
Countreis
during
the
time
of
the
aforesaid
troubles
and
therfore
we
besech
you
with
all
reuerence
,
That
seeing
youre
entring
is
moste
hartily
welcome
vnto
vs
,
it
maye
please
you
to
receaue
vs
in
youre
protection
,
and
to
execute
at
all
sines
on
vs
the
Office
of
a
good
Prince
.