¶ Margaret by the grace of God Duchesse of Parme, and of Plaisance. &c. Regente and Gouernesse.
RIght dere and welbeloued, although that from the beginnyng of the raigne of the Kyng, my Soueraigne Lorde, of the Countries on this side, aswell by the renuyng and publishyng of the Placardes and ordinaū ces of the Emperour Charles, my soueraigne lorde of moste high memorie deceassed (whom God haue in his glorie) touchyng the state of Religion, ratified and cōfirmed by his royall maiestie, that the same whiche hath since béen written you, euē at his last departure frō thesaid Countries, for his Kyngdome of Spain, you might alwaies knowe the good zeele and moste holie affeccion of his said maiestie, to the conseruacion of our old true faith and catholike Religion, and to the weedyng out of all sectes and heresies, in these saied Countries on this side: Notwithstandyng this, as it hath pleased his said maiestie for certain occasions, to renewe againe vnto vs his moste holie intent, by his last letters, we haue thought [Page] good by expresse charge thereof, to represent that whiche his maiestie hath written vnto vs, whiche is thus in effecte: That his Maiestie desiryng nothynge more then the conseruacion of of thesaid Religion, and of his good subiectes on this side, in good tranquilitie, peace, vnitie, and concorde, and to preserue them from the inconueniences, whiche haue been seen to chaunce in many places of Christendome, for the chaungyng of the saied Religion: His saied maiestie willeth and intendeth, that the said Placardes and Ordinaunces, of his Imperiall maiestie deceassed and his predecessors, be kepte and obserued in all poinctes, as it is also the intent of his saied maiestie, to cause to bée well and straitly obserued that which is decréed by the holie Councell of Trente, and the Prouinciall congregacions, especially as touchyng the reformacion of the Clergie, without resistyng the saied decrées in any thyng, to the ende that punishing the heresies, the maners also maie be corrected: Also that all fauour and assistaunce bée geuen to the Inquisitors, of the faithe and the erecucion of their offices, and that the Inquisicion [Page] bée made by the saied Inquisitours, as it hath béen made heretofore, and as apperteineth to them by diuine and humain right, the whiche thyng his Maiestie also expressely commaundeth, by his saied letters. And folowyng this writyng of his said maieste, and to obey therevnto, in a thyng so holy and fauourable, we could not omitte to write this vnto you, for to praie you, require you, and of the behalfe of his saied maiestie to commaunde you very expressely, to call and guide your selues herein, accordyng to the ordinaunce of his said Maiestie, without gainstandyng it in any poyncte or article, and that you cause thesame to be vnderstāded to the officers, and those of the lawe, of the principall Tounes of the Countrie and Countie of [...] to thende that thei maie order theim selues thereafter, without dissimulacion or couine, vnder the penalties conteined in the same Placardes. And so moche the better to haue knowledge of it, that ye appoincte and assigne a Councellour of your Colledge (who notwithstandyng maie be chaunged from half yere to half yere, to thende that one alone be not alwaies [Page] charged) and he to doe none other thyng, but to haue regarde to the saied Countrie of [...] for the obseruacion of the decrées of thesaid holy Councell, and to aduertise you alwaies of that whiche shalbée needefull to bée prouided for, accordyng to the intente of his saied maiestie. And to the ende that wé maie alwaies knowe the state of the saied Religion, as is aforesaied, wee desire and commaunde you as aforsaied, that from thrée monethes to thrée monethes, ye write vnto vs the successe particularly, makyng your recourse to vs in matters of difficultée, or to them of the priuie counsaill of his said maiestie, that report maie be made vnto vs, wheras likewise we will appoinct some Councellor, who shall take the charge particularly, and shall conferre with you, and hym that shalbe sent by you. And to the ende that vppon all this afore saied, you might so moche the better se the expresse pleasure of his saied maiestie, wée haue caused to bee ioyned herevnto, the chief poinctes of the letters and other writynges of his saied maiestie, concernyng this matter, to the ende to order and guide your selues, [Page] accordyng to the forme and tenour of thesame without defaulte. And thus moste deare and welbeloued, the Lorde haue you in his kepyng.
¶ An extract of the last letters and writynges sent by the Kyng to Madame the Duchesse, with the last dispatche, concernyng the state of Religion.
First of all, as concernyng the Placardes and Ordinaunces aswell old as newe, touchyng thesaid state of Religion, that his Maiestie vnderstandyng the estate wherein the affaires of Religion nowe stand on this side, it is not conuenient to make, as touchyng the saied Placardes and Ordinaunces any chaunge, but that the saied Placardes of the Emperours Maiestie deceassed, and those of his saied Maiestie be also executed. And his Maiestie [Page] hath perceiued the cause of the euill which hath chaunced, and of that it is so augmented & gone so farre, to haue béen by the negligence, slouthfulnesse, and dissimulacion of the Iudges. And that if there be any Iudges, whiche dare not or will not execute them, for fear of any tumult, then let his Maiestie thereof haue knowledge, to the ende that he maie prouide other of stouter harte & better zeale, to the excucion thereof, wherof there can be no default in those saied Countries, seyng there be so many Catholikes, and men desirous to serue God and his Maiestie, and that doyng this, and executing thesaied Placardes, it is to be hoped that by that meanes, the hurt whiche is doen maie be the better and soner remedied.
For the seconde, as concernyng that whiche toucheth the Inquisitours of the faithe, his Maiestie chargeth her highnesse, to helpe that thesaied Inquisitours bée fauoured in that, which toucheth the execucion and administracion of their charge, in asmoche as is conuenient for the profite and sustentacion of the Religion, beyng thintent of his Maiestie, that thesaied Inquisicion be made by thesaid [Page] Inquisitours, as it hath béen vntill this tyme, and as to thē belongeth by diuine and humaine right, and that this is no newe thyng, seyng that it hath been alwaies doen so in the tyme of the Emperours Maiestie deceassed, and of his maiestie also. The inconueniences whiche are to bee feared, beyng moche more apparaunt, more nigh, and greater, when there is not prouision made for the saied Inquisitors, of that whiche apperteineth to their office, and that thei are not assisted. And because her highnes doeth vnderstande what this importeth, his Maiestie chargeth her as moche as she maie to doe whatsoeuer shalbe necessary thervnto, and that she doe not consente, that any other thing be intreated of, her highnesse knowyng how moche his Maiestie hath the harte, desire, and contented that it shall thus bee.
For the third, his Maiestie commaū deth her highnes, that seyng that the holie Councell of Trent was alredy published, that there rested nothyng but that whiche toucheth the execucion, whiche belongeth to the Bishops, her highnesse should cause them to make all spede and [Page] assistance possible, to thende that she enforce her self as behoueth. Also that the same be executed, whiche the said Councell of Trente hath decreed, as concerning the reformacion of the life and maners of the spiritualtie, his maiestie chargyng as well her highnesse, as the officers of his saied Maiestie, to geue all the fauour and encouragyng that should be néedefull, and that if in case it should bée requisite, that on the behalf of his Maiestie, she should cause it to bee dispatchte quickly, especially where the people of the Churche, will not obeye to the reformacion made by the Bishops, conformable to the decrée of thesaied Councell of Trente.
And for conclusion, sithe that whiche his Maiestie writeth to her highnesse, as is aforsaied, is that whiche belongeth to the profite of the Religion & of the countrie on this side, whiche were nothynge worthe without thesame, and that this is the waie for to keepe them in Iustice, peace, and tranquilitie. And because her highnes séeth what it importeth, his maiestie requireth her againe to folowe the waie, whereby that whiche is aforesaied, [Page] maie be brought to effect, & that it shalbe the thing, wherby his Maiestie maie receiue moche contentacion, aswell of her highnesse, as of the Lordes beyng vnder her, to whom her highnesse should geue in charge thesame, to the ende that thei implose themselues as his Maiestie trusteth that thei will not faile, knowyng the contentment that thei shal doe vnto him, besides that thei shal fulfill the duetie of soche personages as thei be, and accordyng to the obligacion that thei haue to the seruice of God, and of his maiestie and to the vniuersall profit of the countrey on this side, and also of theim selues perticularly.
¶ The President and Councell of the Kynges maiestie of Hollande, Zelande, and Frieslande.
NOble, worthie, and discrete, and also good frendes, we haue receiued certaine letters of the Duches, Regent of the Kynges Maiestie in these lowe countries, with express;e commission and commaundement vnto your honors. For to certifie how his maiestie, nothing in the world more doeth require then the conseruacion of the Catholike religion, and his good subiectes of these [Page] countries in good peace, reste, quietnesse and vnion to maintaine, and thesame to kepe frō all inconueniences, the whiche in many places of Christendome, by the chaungyng of religion, be chaunsed and happened: Doeth will you to vnderstāde that the Proclamacions and ordinaūces of the late Imperiall maiestie, made vpō poinctes of religion to be kept, and in all poinctes to be mainteined and executed, as also the minde of his maiestie is well and straightly to maintain that, whiche by the holy & generall Councell of Trēt by the Prouinciall synodes hath béen ordeined and statuted, and in especiall as touchyng the reformacion of the Spiritualtie, without any thyng againste the same, to doe that in correctyng of the heresies, euill maners, by thesame maie be amended and punished: Therefore his maiestie doeth will that the Inquisitors of the faithe, in the executyng and exercisyng of their office, shall haue all the helpe and assistance that you are able to shewe or do vnto them: and that the Inquisiciō by the same Inquisitors be doen in like sort, as it hath béen vnto this present tyme, accordyng as it apperteineth [Page] vnto them, by Spirituall and Temporal lawes, the whiche his Maiestie expressely hath commaunded, and in thesame to his Maiestie, in so holy & good a matter to be obedient, we could no lesse do, then to write these presentes, and in thesame to require, and in the name of his Maiestie to commaūde very earnestly, that in these you will dooe, accordyng vnto the will & ordinaunces of [...]is maiestie, without doyng, or suffring to be doen against thesame in any poincte, vpon paine and penaltie of the Placarde and ordinance comprehended, like as by vs hath béen in the departyng of his maiestie out of this lowe Countree, by his maiestie at large hath béen writtē. You shall further kepe and obserue the laste Proclamacion, published the .29. daie of Marche afore Easter. Anno .1563. touching the Midwifes with also that that hath been cōmaūded you by our letters missiues, at ye sending of thesame proclamacion, as to kepe and take good regard vpon al suche as do absent themselues frō the churche, not heating Masse vpon the Sondaie & holy day in that his Maiesties letters, the .29. daie of Marche Anno .1563. and ours the 11 of [Page] Aprill. An 1564. after Easter, & vnto vs. Certified that daily more and more, vpō the stretes, wagons, boates, and shippes, and other places, dishonest & vnreuerent songes he vsed against the holie Sacramentes of the Altar, Baptisme, and others: We charge & ordein your honore, thesame cōming vnto your knowledge, with all comely maner, thesame to let & hinder, and those to apprehend that shall syng any suche Songes, contrary to the christen faith, vnto the tenour of his maiesties Proclamacion aforesaied, and to the intent that you, and also all the subiectes, the better ordein your selues, vnto the good pleasure and will of his maiesties Proclamacion: you shall henceforthe take better regarde, that the Proclamacion vpon the poinctes of Religiō namely the Proclamacion of the yere of our Lorde .1556. euery halfe yere bee renued and published, to thende that suche as bee enclined to any newe learnyng and sectes, by the penaltie in the Proclamaciō conteined, might be retired.
Noble worthie, discrete, & in especiall good frendes, our lorde God be with you:
writtē at ye Hage the 8 of Ianuary. 1565. Stilo curi.
¶ The Proposicion made by Mounsire de Brederode, to Madame the Duchesse, before he presented the declaracion.
MAdame, the gentlemen assembled in this toune, and others of like qualitie in compitente nōber, who for certain respectes, are not here present, haue staied for the seruice of the kyng, and the publike weale of this lowe Countrie, to present vnto your highnesse with all humilitie, this declaracion, vpon the whiche it shal please you to geue soche order, as shalbée thought conuenient, humbly besechyng your highnesse, to take it in good parte. And further Madam, we are aduertised to haue been charged before your highnesse, before the lordes of the Councell, and others, that this our deliberacion, hath chiefly béen made for to raise vp tumultes, vprores & sedicions, and, whiche is more abhominable, thei haue charged vs that we would chaunge our Prince, [...]auyng practises, leagues; and conspiracies, with Princes & Capttaines straungers, aswell Frenchemen, Almaines, as others, whiche thyng we neuer thought [...]pon; and is altogether contrary to our [Page] loyaltie, and to that whiche your highnes shall finde by this declaracion: besechyng neuerthelesse your highnesse, to name and discouer vnto vs, theim that haue so vniustly blamed so noble and honourable a company.
Moreouer Madame, the Lordes here present haue vnderstandyng, that there is some emongest them, who perticularly are accused and charged, to haue taken in hande and gone about, to bryng to effecte the forsaied wicked enterprise, aswell with Frenchmen, as other straū gers, whereat we feele our selues greatly greued. And therefore humbly besech your highnesse and fauor, as to name the accusars, and accused, to the ende that the wronge and mischief beyng discouered, your highnesse maie make brief and manifest Iustice, and by that meanes suppresse the euilles and slaunders, whiche might come vpon it, beyng well assured that your highnes will neuer suffer, that soche a noble and honourable company, should remaine charged, with so greate infamies and wicked actes.
¶ The request of the Nobilitie of the lowe Countrie, presented to Madame the Duchesse of Parme and Plaisance. &c.
MAdame, it is well enough knowē that throughout all Christēdome hath alwaies been greatlie renowmed (as it is yet at this presente) the greate fidelitie of the people of this lowe Countrie, to wardes their lordes and naturall Princes, wherin the nobilitie hath alwaies kept the chief rācke, as thesame whiche hath neuer spared neither bodie nor goodes, for the conseruacion and encrease of the greatnesse of theim. In the whiche we the moste humble subiectes of his maiestie will alwaies continue from good to better, so that bothe daie & night we kepe our selues redie, for to doe hym most humble seruice, bothe with our bodies and goodes: and seyng in what case the affaires are at this presente, haue thought beste to charge our selues with some ill will, then to keepe secrete from your highnesse, thynges whiche might hereafter tourne to the preiudice of his maiestie, and forthwith altogether trouble the rest and tranquilitie of this countrie. Trustyng that theffecte will appere [Page] in tyme, that emongeste all the seruices which we might haue doen, or hereafter maie do to his maiestie, this same ought to be accompted emongest the moste notable, and to best purpose, whereby wée assuredly perswade our selues, that your highnes can not take it but in very good part. Although then, Madame, that wee doubte not but that all that, whiche his maiestie hath heretofore, and also nowe presently of newe doeth constitute, touchyng the Inquisicion and straite obseruacion of the Placardes for the state of religion, hath had some foundacion and iuste title, to wit, to continue that which the Emperor Charles, of most high memorie decessed, had established for a good intente. Neuerthelesse consideryng that the difference of one time from an other, bryngeth immediatly with it diuersitie of remedies, and that now of late within these fewe yeres thesaied Placarde, notwithstandyng that thei were not executed with all rigour, haue neuerthelesse giuen occasiō to many greuous incōueniences. Certainly the last resolucion of his maiestie, by the whiche he forbad not onely that thesaid Placardes should not [Page] be mitigated, but also plainly commaū ded, that the Inquision should bee obserued, and the Placardes executed with all rigour, doeth geue vs sufficient iuste occasion to feare, that therby not onely the saied inconueniences should greatly encrease, but also that in thende should folowe a commotion and generall sediciō, tendyng to the miserable ruine of the whole countrie, accordyng as the manifest tokens of the alteracion of the people (whiche nowe appeareth on euery side) doeth geue vs plainly to vnderstande.
Wherfore, knowyng the euidencie & greatnesse of the daunger, whiche doeth threaten vs, haue hitherto hoped yt either by the lordes, or by thestates of the countrée, declaracion should be made in conueniēt time vnto your highnes, to thend to remedie it, by taking awaie the cause & originall of the euill: but since hauyng séen, yt thei haue not executed it for some occasiō to vs vnknowen, and that in the meane while the euill encreaseth daily, in somoche yt the danger of sedicion & generall rebelliō is euen at hand, we haue thought it good, folowing ye othe of fidelitie & homage together, with ye good will yt [Page] we beare to his maiestie and the Countrie, not to tary and longer, but rather to set forthe our selues with the firste, to do the duetie required, and so moche the more boldly, because wee haue more occasion to trust that his maiestie will take our aduertisement in very good part, seyng that the matter toucheth be nerer, then it doeth any other, seyng that wee are in more daunger of the inconueniences and calamities, whiche customably come of soche like accidētes, hauing for the moste part our houses and goodes scituate in the fieldes, and readie to be a praie to euery man: consideryng also generally, that folowyng the rigour of the saied Placardes, as his maiestie hath expresly cōmaunded to procede, there shall not bee emongest vs any man, no nor in the whole countrie on this side, of what estate or condiciō soeuer he be, that shall not bee founde giltie of the confiscation and forfeicture of his bodie and goodes, and subiecte to the reproche of the firste enemie, who to haue parte of the confiscation, will accuse hym vnder colour of the Placardes, not hauyng any other thyng left hym for refuge, but onely the [Page] dissimulacion of the officer, into whose mercie his life & goodes are wholly put. In consideracion whereof, wee haue so moche the more occasion, moste humbly to beseche your highnes (as in deede we beseche you by this present requeste) for to geue good order herein. And (for the importaunce of the matter) to sende as spedely as maie bee, an expresse and fitte manne to his maiestie to aduertise hym, and beseche hym moste humbly on our behalfe, that it would please hym to prouide as well for the tyme present, as the tyme to come. And forasmoche as the same can not be doen, suffryng thesaied Placardes to remaine in their force, seeyng that thereof dependeth the sprynge, and originall of the saied inconueniences: that it would please hym to abolishe thesame, the whiche shalbe nedefull for the withstandyng of the totall ruine and losse of all his countries on this side.
And to thende that his maiestie haue no occasion to thinke that wee (whiche pretende nothyng but to doe hym moste humble obedience) would take in hande to bridle hym, or make hym a Lawe at our pleasure (as wee doubte not but our [Page] aduersaries will interprete it for our disaduantage) it maie please his maiestie, to make other Ordinaunces, by the aduise and consent of all the estate generally assembled, to the ende to forsée to this aforesaied, by other meanes more apte and conuenient, and without so euident daungers. Besechyng also moste humbly his highnesse, that vntill soche tyme that his maiestie shal attende to our iust request, and geue order accordyng to his good and iust pleasure, that in the meane tyme he forsee vnto the saied daungers, by a generall staie, aswell of the Inquisicion, as of all execucion of thesaid Placardes, vntill soche tyme that his maiestie haue taken other order.
Protestyng expresly, that in asmoche as to vs apparteineth, wée are acquited of our duetie by this presente aduertisemente: Sith that from henceforthe, wée discharge our selues before God and mē, declaryng, that if any inconuenience, disorder, sedicion, rebellion, or sheddyng of blood, do hereafter come to passe, through faulte that there hath not been remedy taken in tyme, we can not be blamed for kepyng close so apparant an euill, wherin [Page] wée take God, the Kyng, your highnesse, and the Lordes of his Counsell, to gether and our conscience in witnesse, that we haue proceded as behoueth good and lawfull seruitors, and faithfull subiectes of the Kyng, not exceadyng in any thyng the limites of our duetie, wherefore also wee so moche the more instantly beseche, that your highnesse will see vnto it, before that the euill happen.
Presented by Mounsire Henry of Brederode, Lorde of the said place, with Lodewicke Erie of Nassowe therles of Berge and Culenborgh accompanied with the Nobilitie of the lowe Countrie, the .5. of Aprill 1565. before Easter.
¶ The Answere made in the Counsell of Estate, by Madame. &c. vpon the declaracion goyng before.
HEr highnesse, hauyng vnderstanded, what is required and domaunded, by the matters conteined in this requeste, is fully determined to sende towardes the Kynges maisstie, for to presente it vnto hym, and to [...]se towardes hym all good meanes, that her highnesse shall thynke, [Page] may serue to dispose and encline his sai [...] Maiestie, to condiscende to the request of thesaied suppliantes, who ought not to doubt, but that all thynges shalbée worthy and conformable to his natiue and accustomed benignitie: her highnes hauyng alredy (before the commyng of the saied suppliantes, by the assistaunce and aduise of the gouernours of the Prouinces, Knightes of the Order, and those of the Councell, beyng vnder her) gone about to conceiue and addresse, a moderacion of the said Placardes, touchyng the state of Religion, for to presente it vnto his saied maiestie. The whiche moderacion her highnes hopeth should be found soche, that it should geue to euery one reasonable contentment. And seing that thaucthoritie of her highnes, as the suppliantes maie well consider and vnderstand, doeth not extende so farre, as to be able to stay the Inquisicion, and the Placardes as thei demaunde, and that it behoueth not to leaue the countrie, as touchyng religion without lawe, her highnesse trusteth that the suppliantes will content them selues with this, that she sende (to the ende aforsaid) towardes the [Page] kynges maiestie, and in the meane tyme whilest she waiteth for his answere, her highnes will geue order, that aswell by the Inquisitors (wherof there haue béen vntill nowe) that by the officers whiche haue the ouersight, thynges be executed discretly, and modestly, as apperteineth to their charges, in soche sorte that there bee no occasion geuen of complainte, her highnes trustyng also, that the suppliantes will order themselues after soche fashion, that it shall not be nedefull to vse it otherwise. And it is to bee hoped that by the good meanes, whiche her hignes shall make to his maiestie, he shalbe content to discharge the other of the Inquisicion where she is, accordyng as it maye be vnderstanded, that it is now declared vpon the requeste of the chief tounes of Brabant, that thei shall not bée charged with it. And her highnes will labour so moche the more fréely towardes his maiestie, to the ende and effect aforesaied, in that she is assured that the suppliauntes doe minde and intende determinatly, to bryng in no newe thyng, contrary to the auncient religion, obserued in the countrée on this side, but to mainteine it and [Page] obserue it with all their power.
Made by her highnes at Brusels, the 6. daie of Aprill .1565. before Easter.
¶ The Replie vpon the Answere goyng before made the. 8. daie of Aprill.
MAdame, hauyng séen the aunswer, which it hath pleased your highnes to geue vs, we will not faile first of all to thancke moste humbly your highnesse, for the briefe expedicion thereof, especially of the satisfaccion that your highnesse hath had of this our assē ble, the whiche was made for none other occasion, but for the good seruice of the kinges maiestie, & the tranquilitie of the countrie: And for the better contentmēt, and rest of the same Countrée, wee haue greatly desired that the saied aunswere of your highnesse, had been made more ample and plainer. Neuerthelesse, sithe that your highnes hath not the aucthoritie that we desired, as wée vnderstande, whereof we are very sory, wee truste accordyng to the hope and assuraunce that your highnesse hath geuen vs, that there shalbee soche order made, aswell towardes the Magistrates, as the Inquisitors, enioynyng them to staie themselues frō [Page] all sutes proceadyng of the Inquisicion, Ordinaunces, or Placardes, aswell old, as newe, touchyng the state of Religion, vntill the Kynges Maiestie haue otherwise detreed. Of our parte, Madame, sith that we desire nothyng but to folowe all that whiche by his maiestie, with the aduise and consent of the Estates generally assembled shalbe decreed, for the mainteinyng of the aunciente Religion, wee trust to gide our selues in soche sort, that your highnesse shall haue no occasion of miscontentment. And if any man cōmit any hainous or sedicious acte, that he be by your highnes, and them of the Councell to Estate, appoincted s [...]ke punishement, as the desert of the deede shall require. Protestyng againe that if any inconuenience doe rise, by faulte of not hauyng geuen good order, that wee haue fulfilled our duetie, moste humbly besechyng your highnes to hold that our dutie as agreable and bounden, receiuyng it for the seruice of his Maiestie. Offring our selues to remain moste humble and obediente seruitours to your highnesse: and to dye at his feete for his seruice, as oft as it shall please your highnes to cō maunde [Page] vs.
¶ Requestes of the fower members of Flanders, and the Cities, and Cassellries ioynyng thereunto vpon the effecte of Inquisicion.
SHewyng and requiryng in all humilitie, the fower members of your countrée and Countesse of Flanders, as well for them as for all the Citées, Cassellries in generall of all the Inhabiters, and Subiectes of the same Countrees. How that not long sithens, thei had presented your Maiestie a supplicacion, for that it might please your highnes, to permitte the suppliantes, to emoy in the afore written qualitie, their old libertie and freedome, for the preseruacion of them, and to forbidde the Inquisitours, and other Spirituall persones, for the bryngyng in of any newe matters, through the practise of Inquisicion, and that vpon the afore written supplicacion, as it nothyng had been ordeined. For that your maiestie firste and formoste require in perticular, to vnderstande the meanyng of the suppliantes, accordyng to supplicacions here vnto annered, so is it that thei for the satisfacciō, thei nowe adressyng them selues vnto [Page] your Maiestie, as to the same perforsed by obligacion of their othe, and to the conseruacion and welfare, of your afore written lowe Countrées: as also newly thervnto moued, through the newe practise and subteltie of my Lorde the Bisshoppe of Bridgis, and of miaster Peter Litelman, them namyng Inquisitours, as it appereth by the copie of the articles by them, shewyng herevnto annexed. Therefore requiryng very humbly, that you takyng regarde, vpon the reasons hereby rehearsed at large, by the afore saied supplicacion, and in especiall that your patrimoniall landes, their neighbours not brought to bondage or subieccion, of the aforesaied Inquisicion, by libertie of the whiche, your other patremoniall Countrées, the Inhabitours of the afore written, your countrée of Flā ders, should be occasioned to depart, and to leaue their Countrée and landes, for the auoydyng of soche bondage, vexaciō and subieccion, as alredy hath béen foūd by experience. It maie please your Maiestie, to let the suppliantes enioy peaceably the aforesaied, their rightes, fréedomes, customes, and vsaunces, and for [Page] as moche as the exercise of the aforesaid Inquisicion, is directly contrary to al the aforesaied rightes, freedome, customes, and vsances of the saied suppliantes: the same wholy to disanull, and wholy to frustrate and make voide, in asmoche as it toucheth the temporall persones. Forbiddyng furthermore all Spirituall Iustices, to take any knowlege of matters belongyng vnto the knowledge of temporall iurisdiccion, but thesame to putte onely to the iudgement of the Temporal Iudges. And not to consent that the Inhabiters of your afore written countrees of Flanders, more straightly to be boūd to any inquisite or rigour of Ordinaunces and Proclamacions, made touchyng Religiō, then other their ioynyng countrees and Prouinces, the aforesaied declaracions Your maiestie well assuring that thei of your countrée of Flanders, and the Commons in generall, hauyng no other meanyng or desire, then them selues to employe, & to the countrée masion, and mainteinyng of the old catholike faithe, & to al the seruice of your maiestie, as true and obediente subiectes of thesame.
anno .1565. April after Easter.