MOst gracious lord conside­ring that the gouernment of countries hath bene al­wayes esteemed not onely amongst the Philosophers but also amongst all nati­ons, to be a matter of great waight and impor­tance, specially when as a Prince and Gouernour doth faythfully attende on the same. Therefore now that we haue conceiued suche hope of your highnes, we haue bene moued firstly in all reuerence to salute your highnes, and thereafter as true subiectes to present and shewe all obedience.

My louing friendes I thanke you hartely for the loue and kindnes which you doe shewe vnto me. And also do promise neuer to frustrate you, nor make any default of the duetifull good con­fidence which ye do beare to my person.

We looke for nothing else of your highnes, but for the office of a good Prince. Which is to protect and defend his subiectes from all wrong, outrage, and violence. And to loue them as the father loueth his children, and the shepeheard his sheepe, which doth venter his lyfe for to defend them.

My friendes you speake very well and I will al­so feruently endeuour my selfe to the same, for I hope euen as you shall find me alwayes a benigne and faythfull Gouernour, that I lykewise shall haue you obedient subiects, for like as the father is bound to loue his children, and the shepheard his sheepe, euen so the shepe likewise are bound to follow their shepeheard and shew him obedi­ence.

Your highnes shall be hereof ynough assured ha­uing read ouer our auncient Consequences and Chronicles. Wherein euery where is to be founde the greate affection which we naturally do beare to oure lawfull Princes and Lordes. But in case your highnes did vouchsafe to heare vs, it woulde not seeme vnto vs to be inconuenient, (because your highnes shoulde haue knowledge of all thinges, which is moost needfull for well to administer the gouernement of countries,) that we nowe speaking togeather, might briefly discourse or run ouer the estate of these our lowe countries, and the summe of things which theirin be passed since the beginning of the troubles vntill now.

My louing friendes, I am very well pleased to heare the same and that more is, I thinke it who­ly necessary, to haue knowledge thereof. Bycause we might thereby in all thinges deale the more circūspectly, to the welfare of the countrie, and [Page]the saluation of vs all. And therefore I requeste you in no wise, to hide from me the knowledge of such thinges.

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, [Page]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 y^e 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 intēding 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 [Page]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 cōmaunded to receiue the Bishops, and to place thē 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 [Page]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 vpō 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 [Page]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 [Page]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 coū ­trey: 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 Cō ­mandador (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 y^e cloke that they were in sedition before the face of the great Cōmandador, [Page]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, [Page]force and violēce which they vsed, yet the said Rho­da by his owne authority, or else (as it is to be pre­sumed) by vertue of some secret Instructiō which he might haue frō 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, [Page]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 becōmeth 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 y^t 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 y^e aucthors of [Page]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.

Therof my louing friendes you nede not in a­ny wise to doubt as long at it shall please the al­ [...]ightie God to graunt me his grace.

The well willing Comminaltie.

We besech the almighty God that it may please him here vnto to preserue your highnes, and to grant vs togeather much ioy, and ad­uauncement, that we may spedely see the enemy conquered by our handes.