WHē the Queene of Englād and Mounsire the Duke of Aniowe vnderstoode by re­port made to her Maiestie and his highnes by Moun­sire de Pruneaux, (who had bin sent ouer a litle before from the Duke to the Prince of Orenge, and had prosecuted the treatie the former yeres as his ordiniarie Am­bassador,) what good will & great longing he had found in the prince of Orenge, who was come into the Ile of Walckeren with a great number of Gentlemen, and with the deputies of the States & of the chiefest and best Cities of the Lowe Countrey, to receiue his highnes and to do him most humble seruice: And when they had also heard the Ambassage of y ^• Lords of Ohain and Iunius, sent from the Lordes of the State to the Duke, to shewe vnto him the exceeding great desire whiche all the people had to see his highnes, for the present ratifiyng of the former couenants y ^• had passed betwixt thē: for the accōplishing wherof it was need­full that he shoulde passe ouer with all speede: [Page] wherby the same thing was cōfirmed whiche had bin declared oft afore by y ^e Lord of Mount Saint Aldegond, ordinarie Ambassador to her Maiestie and his highnes: Upon the intelli­gence of these things, it was resolued by her Maiestie and his highnes, that the Mounsire shoulde depart. Wherevpon the Queene cal­ling the Lord Haward, commāded him (for the Erle of Lincolne the high Admirall of Eng­land was thē sicke,) to take vpon him y ^e charge of the Admiralship, and to goe to Rochester, & there to chooze vessels meete for the transpor­ting of the Mounsire and his traine, and to furnish them with men of warre, Marriners, and all maner of necessaries as well of warre as of vittels. Which thing was done with such diligence and speede, that the ships being rea­die with all thinges in lesse then eyght dayes, passed out of the riuer of Rochester and the Thames, and were conueyed to the Downes nere to the town of Sandwich, where y ^• Moū ­sire was to take shipping. And forasmuchas y ^e Mounsire came into Englande accompanied but with a fewe princes and Lordes, and they also had left their traine in France, & some of the same Lords were sent backe againe after­ward by his commandement & for his seruice. [Page] The Qneene determined to giue him a com­panie & traine meet for his greatnes, taking his iourney about so great and noble exployt. And therefore shee commaunded the Erle of Leycester master of the Horses, the Lorde of Hunsdon gouernour of Barwicke, her Maie­sties neare kinnesman, & the L. Hawarde the Uiceadmirall, (of whom the first two were of her priuie Counsell, & al three were Knightes of the order of the Garter,) to attende vpon him, and to assemble as great a number of En­glishe Lordes and Gentlemen, as coulde bee gotten in so litle time, to honour him withall: Whereunto the saide Lordes obeyed verie willingly: and there went with them to ac­company them, the Lord Willowghbie, the Lorde Windsore, the Lorde Sheffeelde, the Lorde Hawarde, and the Lord Awdley, second sonne to the late Duke of Norffolke: master Sydney, Nephewe to the forenamed Erle of Leycester, sir George Caree, and master Iohn and Robert Caree all three sonnes of the saide Lord of Hunsdon: master William Hawarde brother of the said Lorde Haward: sir Tho­mas Shorley, sir Iohn Parrat, sir William Russell, sir William Drurie, and sir George Bowser Knightes, and a great number of o­ther [Page] Gentlemen, so as the whole traine that at­tended vpon the said Erle, was to the number of a hundred Gentlemen, and of mo than three hundred Seruingmen. The Lord of Hunsdon had of Gentlemen and others together to the number of a hundred and fiftie: and the Lorde Hawarde had as many.

The Queene determined to accompanie the Mounsire to the seas side: and yet neuer­thelesse commaunded the said Lords to keepe their course, and to attende vpon his highnes to the said place, with all maner of solem­nities, interteynments and feastings. Hee on the other side desired and besought her Maie­stie, not to depart out of London, as well for that the iourney would be painefull vnto her, as for that he sawe the wether fayre and winde fauourable, and therefore was loth to loose a­ny occasion of perfourming his voyage withal speede. But hee coulde not preuaile. Where­vpon her Maiestie tooke her iourney with her whole Court, the first day of Februarie, and lodged that night at Rochester. The next day, abiding stil at Rochester, her Maiestie shewed him all her great ships w ^t were in that place, in­to most whereof his highnesse and the Prince and Lordes of his trayne entered, not without [Page] great admiration of the Frenche Lordes and Gentlemen, who confessed that of good right the Queene of Englande was reported to bee Ladie of the Seas. Also he behilde howe all those shippes were ready furnished and well appointed. And her Maiestie tolde him, that al those vessels and the furniture of them, shoulde doe him seruice whensoeuer he would imploy them: For the which he humbly thanked her Maiestie: and so after all the great ordinance had bin shot of, they returned for y ^t day againe to Rochester.

The third day they went to Sittingboorne, where dining both together, the Queene was serued after the Englishe maner, by the grea­test Ladies of her Court: and the Mounsire af­ter the Frenche maner, by the Gentlemen of his traine, which Ladies and Gentlemē dined afterward togithers. Then his highnesse be sought her Maiestie againe, to goe no further, declaring vnto her that the fayre wether pas-, sed away. But notwithstanding his intrea­tance, the Queene wēt on still to Cauntorbu­rie. At which place, after one dayes tarriance, when shee had openly feasted all the Frenche Nobilitie, eyther parte tooke their leaue of other, not without great greefe and shewe [...]f verie great amitie, specially betweene her [Page] Maiestie and the Mounsire. Whiche thing was perceiued also in the Lordes and Gentle­men of both the nations, and likewise in the Ladies, to all whom it was like greefe to de­part after they had been conuersant and had li­ued friendly and brotherlie together, by the space of three monethes, without any change or alteration of their good willes. But the ho­nour which inforced his highnesse, asswaged his griefe, and made him to proceede on his iorney with the said Prince and Lords of both the nations.

The sixt day of the same moneth, whereas hee was determined to haue taken shippe, hee was counseled to lodge that night at Sand­wiche, because the winde was somewhat chan­ged. Howebeit, some of the Englishe Gentle­men, namely master Killegrey, master Dier and others, to eschewe thronging at their im­barking, went to Douer, & there taking shipp the same night lay a while at anker, and some­what after midnight sailed away with certain other vessels.

The seuenth day, in the morning about ix. of the cloke, his highnesse tooke the sea in three great ships of war. In y ^• greatest of thē named The Discouerer, sailed the Moūsire himselfe [Page] with the Erle of Leycester, and the Lorde Ha­warde the Uiceadmirall: In the seconde cal­led the Sentinell, went the Prince Daulphin: and in the thirde went the countie of Lauall, and the Lord of Hunsdon. Nowe as his high­nes was yet at anker, there came a poste from a Lord of Englande, who brought him worde that the States of the lowe Countreys were reuolted, and namely the citie of Antwerpe, and therefore he prayed him not to depart, vn­till he had more certayne newes. Notwith­standing this, his highnes determined to de­part, and so sayled away with fifteene shippes: and hee had so fayre a weather, (whiche conti­nued euen vntill after his entering into Ant­werpe, and his feasting & solemne entertaine­ment there): that the heauen, the windes, the sea, and the earth seemed all to fauour his voy­age, & to further y ^• gladnesse which the people shewed in receyuing him with so great good­will.

In the meane time, the Prince of Orange, seeing the time fit, departed from Middlebo­rowgh where hee had taryed the Mounsires comming sixe weekes and more, and came to Flushing, to take order for althings that were requisite for the honourable and commodious [Page] interteyning of so great a Prince. At y ^• which place, vnderstanding by the letters of the saide Lords Ambassadors & others, that the Moun­sire was departed from London and comd to Cauntorburie: and therefore thinking that it woulde not be long ere he arriued there: hee dispatched Mounsire Treslon his viceadmi­rall of Zelande with a little Pynnesse called the Chasse, to goe before to meete the Moun­sire: commaunding him that as soone as hee had discouered his fleete, hee shoulde giue him a watch worde thereof by the shot of two Can­nous. Mounsire Treslon hauing about noone tyde discouered the shippes that were parted from Douer, and thinking that they had been the great fleete: gaue his watchworde, whiche was the cause that a certaine vessel went forth to the sea to meete his highnesse. But anone after, perceiuing his errour, he returned to Flushing, where by and by the fleete of Do­uer arriued. Then Mounsieur Treslon go­ing foorth, founde the Mounsire and the great fleete betweene Newporte and Dunkirke: where after salutation giuen and taken on ey­ther side, the Mounsire standing vpon the Hatches of his shippe, espied his owne Secre­ [...]arie named Nephewe standing likewise [Page] vpon the Hatches of the Chasse, to whom hee sent his shipbote, commaunding him to come a boord to him, which thing hee did, and there aduertised the Mounsire, that as concer [...]ing the reuolting of the states, there was no suche matter, but that all thinges went very well, and that his Highnesse was wayted for with great longing. That day by reason the winde [...] turned Northeast, they could goe no fur­ther, but were faine to cast anker ouer against a place called Eastende, where they passed that night, wayting for the tide the next morning. His shippes were perceiued by them of Flush­ing, where anone after midnight arriued the Lorde of S. Aldegond, who assured the prince Orenge, that the next morning the Mounsire would arriue there with the tide. Wherevp­on the prince of Orenge and the prince of Es pynoy with a great number of Gentlemen tooke sea the next morning, but because the tyde was against them: and on the other part the Mounsire hauing a side winde with him was constrained to haste to the Lande: by meanes thereof the Prince being not able to come aboorde to him with his ship, was fayne to turne sayle back againe to Flushing, where the Prince Daulphin had taken lande alredy, [Page] and sought euery where for the prince his bro­ther. When they had embraced and saluted one another lyke brethren, the prince of O­rendge perceiuing the Mounsire to approche very neere, tooke the water againe. But when he perceiued him to come downe into his boate to take land, he turned backe againe, and hyed him so fast that he tooke land before him, and there tarried his comming. As s [...]ne as he was arryued, while hee was yet in his boate ready to come a land, the prince receiued him with great reuerence, and embracing his highnesse knee, because he sawe the weather was cold, sayd vnto him in fewe woordes, that he was very glad to see that happy day, which had been so long expected, wherein he had the honour to behold his highnesse, and to offer vnto him his most humble seruice, with goods and life and all that he had besides: hoping that by meanes of his highnes, that countrye hauing indured so great aduersitie, shoulde now be fully set at libertie. Whereunto the Mounsire answered very wisely and breefly, And when he had imbraced him with such ho­nour as was dew in respect of his age and do­ings: he came a land, and was brought by the prince to the palace of the citie, howbeit not [Page] without great difficultie, by reason of y ^• great preace of men of warre and other people pe­string one another, the folke of that countrey pressing to see his highnes, and the English­men which as then were come downe thither in greate number, pressing to know the prince of Orēdge: In y ^e mean whyle y ^• trūpets & [...] sounded with such noyse, y ^t the ayre rang of it, and [...]ll the Ordinanceshot off, (as well of the Queenes ships as of the other ships whereof y ^• number was great which lay thē in y ^e rode,) with so greate roring and thundering, that they conu [...]yed the newes of his highnesse hap­py [...]yuall in the Lowe countrie, to Caleis and to other places of Fraunce. They of Flu­shing shot twoo peales, with so great noyse by reason of the great number of y ^• peeces y ^• are in the towne, that al y ^e ground rang of it. The Mounsire found in that place all sortes of his Officers: for his housholde and his garde of Swisses and Frenchmen, departing from Caleis and Bolloin foure dayes afore, were come to Middlebrowgh. The Magistrate of the citie waited for him at the gates of y ^e citie, who told him by y ^e mouth of their Recorder y ^• they were very glad of his cōming & thought thēselues happy to see him, in hope that by his guiding and gouernment, they should see their [Page] country restored to trāquillitie, & set vp again in hir former renowme.

The states of Brabād speaking by y ^e mouth of Mounsire Uan Stralen Amptmā of Ant­werp, after their welcōming of him declared with what mind y ^• noble & good cities of Bra­band had expected him, beseeching him most humbly to honour the country of Braband w ^t his presence out of hand. Next them the depu­ties of the citie of Brusselles (besides the declaratiō which they made of their own goodwil, & generally of all the peoples of that country) declared also particularly, with what greate good will & affection his highnes had bin wai­ted for in that city, the cheef seate of the lords of y ^t country: & that after so many mischeefes which they had suffered for withstanding the tyrannie of the Spaniards, next vnto god they had not any hope but in the comming of his highnesse their prince and Lord.

Afterward they of Antwerp were heard: who declared y ^• affectiō of y ^e people towardes his highnes, their lōg lōging for him, and the great desire w ^t they had to see their prince & so­uerain. The colonels & captains of y ^• towne spake afterwarde, and declared vnto him how carefully and diligently they had kept y ^• [Page] citie, in hope to put it shortly into his handes, and reioycing likewise at his comming.

Unto all these Orations his highnesse an­swered very sagely and breefly as vnto all the residew, to the well liking and coutentment of all that stood by.

The prince of Orendge taryed a while with the Mounsire in the towne house of the citie: and then taking his leaue went to visit the princes and Lords of both the nations that came with him, to see how they fared, and to take order that they shoulde want nothing, so farre foorth as the abilitie of the towne of Flushing (whiche is none of the grea­test) coulde extende, where suche prouision was made, that all were well lodged and ser­ued, notwithstanding that aboue [...]iue hundred men of the only english Lordes were come a land that day. All that afternoone was spent in feasting, in making of Bonsires, in fire­woorkes, in sounding of trumpets, and in all manner of tokens of toy, which all men vtte­red vniuersally for the comming of so greate a prince.

Also the foure members of Flaunders, which came by the councell of the prince of Orendge, wayted to present themselues vnto [Page] him at middlebrowgh.

The Prince of Orendge perceyuing that the Monsyre was mynded to go next daye too middlebrowgh, told him that there were three wayes The one about by the castle of Rame­kins to euter in at the great chanell of Mid­dlebrowgh, by the bowght of the foreland. An other by the little chanell through the coun­trye: and that he had kept shippes in a readi­nes too goe the outer way, and a greate sorte of boates to goe the inner waye, because his highnesse could not iourney eyther by coche or on horsebacke by reason of the winter: and there was but onely one causey whereby folk traueled ordinarily on foote. The Mounsire beholding the fitnesse of the time, (for in deede it was very fayre wether, and vnderstanding that y ^e way was not past a good french league in length, vndertooke to go it on foote: and so did all the rest of the princes lordes and gen­tlemen as well of the same countrie, as of Fraunce and England. A greate sorte of the Mounsires house whiche were lodged al­ready at Middlebrough, came to meete him, specially his gard of Frenchmen and Swis­sers. A good way out of the towne, the magi­ [...]rate of Middlebrough came too meete him, [Page] as it were about a third part of the way: and there making an oration to him, tolde him of the great and long desire which all the people had of his comming, and that the people of Middlebrowgh for their owne parte thought themselues greatly honoured, in that hee had voutsafed to come to their [...]itie, offering all duetifulnes vnto him. His gard also met him in the same place, and then began y ^• Swis sers to march on in their order, stryking vppe their drums after their maner. Moreouer sixe companies of the citizens well armed and wel arayed, stood imbatteled without the towne: who kept their place til y ^• M [...]ūsire was past, and then they followed after leizurely behind.

The deputies of the states of the Erledome of Zeland, wayted his comming at the towne gate. Who hauing declared y ^e gladnes which they conce [...]ed, reioyced at the happy successe which his highnes had had in making y ^e peace in Fraunce, and in rescowing the city of Cā ­braye by his armye and in his owne person, and in his passinge into England, which they knewe he had taken vpon him for none other cause, then for the furtherance of the affaires of those countries, & finally for y ^• hauing put his person in danger of y ^• passage, he was now [Page] happilie arriued in zeland: most humbly than­king his highnes, & declaring what hope they had conceiued of his presence and therewithall offering right humbly what soeuer their due­tie required.

At the entery of the gate one brought him a courser of Naples: but he determined with himselfe, (seeing that the princes and Lordes had not their horses there) to go through with his iourney on foote, and so entered into the citie of Middlebrowgh in this order.

First went the Magistrates of the citie w ^t their vnder officers and ministers of Justice. Next them the deputies of the states of Zelād. After them followed diuers Gentlemen of all the three nations, with the deputies of the ci­ties of Braband, and of the foure members of Flaunders. Then marched the Swissers af­ter their accustomed fashion: in whose traine were a great sort of noblemen and Gentlemē, of whom the most part were Englishmen of the retinew of the three Lords sent thither by the Queene. Behind them insewed as it were in one troope togither, the Prince Daulphin, the Earle of Leycester, y ^e prince of Espinoy, y ^• countie de Laual the lord of Hunsdon, y ^• lorde [Page] Haward, and the rest of the Lordes. Then came the Mounsire himselfe, hauing on his left hand some what more than halfe a pace beneath him, the prince of Orendge, of whom he alwayes asked some question. After him followed his gard of Frenchmen, and after them the garde of the Prince of Orendge, and last of all the six ensignes y ^t stood in battel ray without the citie, and tenne others whiche had marshalled the streetes vnto the market place, where all the rest of the citizens were imbat­telled. Throughout all the streetes from the gate to the Mounsires lodging, there were rayles: and at euery tenth pace on eyther side were burning cressets. And so his hignesse and all the nobilitie which accompanied him, pas­sed on, maruelling to see so goodly a citie in so little an yle, and so neere to three other good townes, not distant one from another a­boue one league. But most of all they woon­dered at the beautie of the marketsted, and of the common hall of the citie. His highnesse lodging was verie well and richly hanged & furnished, considering the small respit that the inhabitants had: so as hee was very well and [...] lodged, both he and al the prin­ces, noblemen, and gentlemen of all nations [Page] that attended vpon him. That euening was passed in feasting, in making of bonfires in the streetes, in artificiall fire woorkes vppon the towres and steeples, and in sounding of trumpets.

The next morning, the twelue deputies of the foure members of Flaunders, speaking to his hignes by the mouth of Mounsire Tay­ard the Recorder of Gaunt, declared at large the great good wil of al the people of Flaun­ders cowards him, and that lyke as they had been of the first that had sent vnto him, so they hoped to be of the first that should yeeld al hum ble seruice and subiectiō vnto him. Wherunto his highnes answered very discreetly, as his custome was. He passed the rest of the time in playing at tennis, with the Prince of Orendge and afterwarde with the other Lordes.

The thirteenth day he had a solemne feast made him in the Townehall, where his high­nes commaunded the tables too bee prepared of purpose, that he might haue the company of the Prince Daulphin, the prince of Orendge, the Earle of Leycester, the Prince of Espi­noy, the Countie de Lauall, the Lord of Huns­don, and the Lord Haward. For the Lordes [Page] of England were highly regarded and hono­red euery where, both in respect of her Ma­iestie which sent them, and also for the woor­thines of their persons. The feast was excel­lently well furnished of all things, and speci­ally of tapistrie worke and other deuices of su­gar: insomuch that both the Frenchmen and Englimen confessed, that they had not beene woont to see suche maner of seruices in their countreys.

The fourteenth day, the prince of Orendge would needes goe see the putting of the ships in a readines, which should cary the Mounsire and his traine, which were in number foure and fiftie: and therefore he would haue gone to the foreland of Middlebrowgh. Whereof the Mounsire hearing, woulde needes goe with him.

On thursday the fisteenth of that moneth, his highnes went to see the town of Ermwy­den which is about halfe a league from Mid­dlebrowgh. And vnderstanding that the eng­lish lords were gone to see the Towne of Ue­re, (called by straungers Camfer by reason of the passage that was sometime in the towne of Camp which is now drowned) he also tooke boate and went thither, where all the cōpany [Page] was very well receiued by the inhabitantes, notwithstanding that they were taken vn­prouided.

The sixteenth day, his highnes was deter­mined to haue taken ship: but there arose so great a storme, that the marriners counselled him to forbeare the sea for that day: by reason whereof his imbarking was deferred till the next morrow, at which time his highnes wi [...]h al his traine sailed away. He himself was cari­ed in a ship peynted all ouer with his owne co­lours, beset with a number of flagges and pen­sills of the armes of Aniow. The residue had theyr accustomed flagges so greatly feared of the Spaniardes, belaied with the coloures of the prince of Orendge. This fleete came y ^• daye against Beerlande in the yle of South Beueland, where they cast ancre & spent that night there.

The next day being arriued luckely at Li­ [...]oo, after manye shot of ordinance from the Fort and from the shippes of warre which ac­companied his hyghnesse, they did cast ancre againe. He himselfe went a land, and lay that night in the captains lodging, longing for the morning. This Forte of Lis [...]oo is buil­ded a three leagues beneath Antwer [...] vpō the [Page] poynt of a dike or causey in the parish of Lis­loo. The place is so commodious, that with a Musket a man may easily shoot from the one banke of the riuer Skeld to the other: and by reason that the streame of the riuer and the tide of the Sea which passeth that way twice a day, doe make it crooked, that place beeing occupied by the enimie, might greatly hinder and anoy the sayling thereof. And therefore the citizens of Antwerp following the aduice and platforme layd foorth by the prince of O­rendge, bestowed great cost in fortifying that place, which hath a great Tower with greate bulwarkes, rampires and ditches, and is so well strenthened and flanked to the purpose, and hath the water so at commaundement, that as nowe it is not too bee woone by anye force.

The next day being munday the nienteenth day of February, his highnes departed thēce, to make his entrie into the renow [...]ed citie of Antwerp.

IN all greate and stately showes and assemblies, they that are the authours and setters foorth of them, indeuour too beautifie & commend as much as they can, the things which they offer to the sight of those whom they intende to honour, & of those which resort thither from strange places, to delight themselues with the beholding of them. The auncient Historto­graphers describe vnto vs manye greate try­umphes, and stately entertainementes of Em­perours, Kings, and great Captaines, and they forget not to put into their writings, the great costlines and charges, and whatsoeuer else was set foorth to the showe, to content the [Page] eyes of the beholders. And albeit that nother gold, siluer, precious stones, tapistrie, cloth of silke, fine linnen, diuersities of vessels, nor va­rietie of paintings were spared, but al such things haue inriched those showes: yet not­withstāding, there is not any thing y ^• hath yel­ded greater grace, beautie, and contētmēt to such assemblies than the multitude and brigh­nesse of armorie and of things perteyuing too martiall affayres, as engines, art [...]lery, and showes of cities and castles beaten downe or taken by force from the enimies, And therfore in the Romane Empyre, (which excelled all the other not onely in conquests, martiall dis­cipline, and politike order of gouernment, but also in sumptuousnes and royaltie) although infinite numbers of publike games and exer­cises were exhibited by them being the grea­test Lordes of the world, who not only spared not any thing that was in their owne power, but also made the cities and countries which were any way bound vnto them, to sende vnto thē whatsoeuer rare & exquisite thinges they could come by, to serue their turnes in the showes which they exhibited to the people: yet notwithstanding their Tryumphes haue so borne the bell aboue all the rest, that the woord [Page] Tryumphing which commeth thereof, hath been applied to all high, great, and stately do­ings Not that in their other showes any thing was spared which might content the eyes [...] of c [...]etous folke, or satisfie the bludthirstie heartes of such as tock [...] no pleasure but too behold the sheading of blood, yea and often­times of mans blood before their eyes. But in their triumphings nothing was so glori­ous as the armorie and personages of y ^• great Captaines that had been conquerers, whiche thing contented the b [...]holders far more with out all comparison. And therefore when men intend to betoken the exceeding huge great­nesse of Rome, they terme it the Tryumphant Rome, which importeth as much as the riche, welthie, and victorious Rome, repl [...]nished w ^t great numbers of noble Captaines, and vali­ant souldiers. And this terme is come of the great numbers of Truimphes, whiche were seene there in y ^• times of y ^• Scipios, Paules, Claudies, Metells, Pōpeis, Cesars & others. True it is y ^• the other showes also were very glorious & beautifull to behold, & did (I wote not how) tickle the heartes of such as were fed with the beholding of their rich [...]s and of y ^e infi nite nūbers of Liōs, Tigres, Pāthers, beares, and swordplaiers incountring one another to [Page] to the death: but yet the beholding of a goodly companie of men armed in goodly armour, marching in good order (besides the conten­ting of the sight, which is farre better then too see riches) doth also wonderfully rauish mens mindes, and driue the beholder into an asto­nishment, setting him after a sort besides him­selfe, and yet neuerthelesse filling him with a ioy and contentation surmounting all others. For as in the pleasures of the bodye, tho [...]e seeme greates [...] which doe moste alter the sen­ces with their plea [...]nes: so [...]ares it also with the delightes of the minde: which bee­come so much the greater, when admiration beeing matched with them, doth also moreo­uer rauish the vnderstanding, and set a man as it were out of his wittes. And therefore when great personages (who can better iudge of matters thā plain simple folk can) do make discourse of things that are beautifull and de­sirable to behold: they speake of gold, siluer, precious stones, pictures, vessels, tablets, and diuers other exquisit Iewels: but yet they passe ouer those things and stand not vppon them, but when they come to talke of fayre armour, good horses and suche other thinges as belong to knighthoode and chiualry: then [Page] they make such taryance vpon them, as they hold it for a thing fully agreed vppon and graunted that in beautie and glory nothing is comparable to a goodly armie. Onely this matter remaineth still in question vndecided: namely whether is the pleasanter sight, to see three or foure great battels of footemen well appointed in bright armour, wel flanked with small shot, and with their greate ordinance be­fore them: or to see as many Squadrons of horsemen, or else twoo or three hundred ships furnished with their flagges and banners, and raunged in order as if they were ready to giue battel. But as for the rest of al goodly things, all men are fully agreed that they come ne­thing neere to any of those three, and muche lesse doe them al three togither, if a man might behold them all at once, as it is reported that at one instant a man might haue seene the great armie of Xerxes both footmen and horse men raunged in battell ray: and also the two fleetes of the Persians and of the Greekes fighting vppon the Sea by Salamine, where by the wisdome and valiantnes of Themi [...]o­cles, the Greekes got that famous victorie of the Persians. In mine opinion that is the rause why the glad receyuing and ioyfull en­tering [Page] of Frauncis Duke of Brabant into the Citie of Antwarpt, seemed so goodly and royall to all suche as sawe it: insomuche that there hath not been anye of them whiche hath not confessed that hee neuer saw the like. And yet were there very many present at it, as well of the same countrey as of straungers, whiche haue seene many stately and royall meetings, both in the same citie and in other cities of the Lowe countreys, and also in other great cities of other Countreys, as Paris, London, Roan, and Lions: and yet neuerthelesse the common voyce is, that this last hath passed all the rest. And truly the Citie had no more but sixe daies respit to prepare for it, as I sayde before: inso­much that they coulde not put to making any worke of silke, nor of golde aud siluer beaten or wouen, nor any embroderie: no nor in so shorttime make any meane apparell newe, nor any rare costlinesse of imagertes, pillers, tryumphall arches or other pageantes: but were constrayned to make a shifte with suche thinges as they had in a readinesse aforehande of their own store. In other entertemements, there haue in deede been seene great plentie of riches and royalties in attires of Kinges and Queenes, Princes and Princesses, Lords and [Page] Ladies, Citizens and their wiues: but in th [...] entertainement no such were seene: howebeit there was not any grossenesse, nor ought that might not well beseeme the neatnes and fine­nesse of that people, although it came nothing neere the sumptuousnesse of other intertaine­ments. As touching triumphall arches, Cha­riots, Portratures and such other Showes: al­though there were many wittie inuentions & agreeable to the time: yet haue men seene of thē in other places, which might match these. And as touching the number of their people, although it was great: yet it is well knowen that Paris exceedeth them in that behalfe. But the only reason of this contentment, commeth chiefly of the great nūber of people in armour, being not fewer then twentie thousande, in so good and so fayre armour: and of their order & obedience, and of the small noyse which al that huge multitude made: insomuch that if it had not bin for the thundering of the Canons, and y ^• sounding of Trumpets, Clarions, Halboies, and other instrumentes, there was no more noyse than is among a Counsel of graue men. That thē was in mine opinion the onely very cause, w ^t was greatly furthered by their behol­ding of y ^• Mounsire of Braband, who represē ­the [Page] statelines of old tyme, was clothed in a large Mantle, with y ^e Bonnet of his Duke­dome vpon his head: so that among that great number of people, which were so well armed that three of the best cities in Christendome coulde not shewe so many fayre armours of their owne:) his highnesse resembled a preci­ous stone or Iewel set in fine gold. And by­cause that they which were the beholders ther­of, (for they could not be euery where, nor see e­uery thing) will be very glad to vnderstand of the things that so escaped them, and delight their mindes now with the remembrance of the things which they sawe before, as they de­lighted their eyes and mindes with the behol­ding of them that day: And strange nations too whom the fame of that so renowmed daies woorke is come, will take pleasure to vnder­stande the same, whereof they could not be be­holders: Therefore is this booke set foorth, for the satisfiyng of all men, and also to make it knowen to a number of men, (who partely for enmitie, partly for enuy, and partely for o­ther surmizes and mistrustes will not beleeue it,) with what mind and affection the Prince of Orendge, and the other Lordes and noble­men of Braband, the good cities, and the small [Page] Townes, and namely the most renowmed ci­tie of Antwerp, haue receiued their new prince and soueraine Lord.

The nienteenth day of the foresaid moneth in the forenoone, Mounsire y ^• Duke of Aniow departed from Lisloo and sayled towardes Antwery, hauing in his companie but twen­tie shippes: for the rest had gotten to Antwery afore, as well to put themselues in a readines as for other affaires. And he came about eight of the clocke, nigh to the new towne, and pas­sing along by the townes side, left the forelād of Flaunders on his right hand and the towne on his left, and passed beyond all the towne & the place where the Castle was. By the waye he heard all the Canons shot of from that part of the towne which faceth the riuer, & from a great number of shippes which rode at ancre there: and he saw all the wharfes furnished with men of warre of the citie, well armed, who welcōmed him with their shot, and were answered againe by the shippes of warre that accompanied him, conducted by Mou [...]sire de Tres [...]on and the Uiceadmiralles and diuerse Captaines of Flushing. And so the firste foote that hee did set on lande in Brabande, was at a Uillage called Riell, whiche is at [Page] the Canon wharfe of Antwerpt. The states of Braband, the Magistrats of the Citie, and di­uers other States, comming in like order on horsebacke to the same place with their trum­pets, Serieants and Heraults apparelled in cotes of y ^e armes of Lothyer, Braband, & Lim­bourge: alighted there, and wayted on foote at the wharfe to receiue his highnesse, and to shewe him the good will and affection of the States and people. But the preace of people was so great, which resorted thither to see the prince, whom they looked for to be their duke: and againe there were so many impediments in his landing: that it was founde better for them by the aduice of the prince of Orenge, to returne backe and to tary for his highnesse vp­on a Theatre which was prepared for him.

This Theatre was set vp towards a corner of the Castle, and opened towardes the citie, so as his highnes being there, might at one time view both the Citie and the Castle, and behold the Counterskarfes: the deepe Ditches full of fayre water cleere to the verye bottome of the chanell, inclozed on eyther syde with hea­wen stone: the great and fayre buildinges, the goodly walles, beawtifull to looke on and ve­ry [Page] thicke: and the broade Rampyres garnish­ed with trees planted by hande, that it resem­bled a litle forest. The Mounsire was brought vp to this Theatre accompanied with y ^• prince Daulphin the only sonne of y ^e duke of Mount­panuser: the Erle of Leycester, and other En­glish Lords representing the Queene of Eng­lande: the Princes of Orendge and Espinoy, the countie de Lauall, the other english Lords, the Countie de Chateauroux, and a great sort of other barons, lords & gentlemen, besids the chiefe Magistrates and Maisters of the com­panies of the Citie of Antwerpe.

The Lordes of the State of Brabande waiting vpon the Theatre, came duetifully downe to go meete his highnesse: which thing hee perceiuing, did stand still. Then the prince of Orendge stepped foorth to take his place a­mong the States, as one of the chiefe Lordes and Barons of the Duchie of Bra­bande. As soone as they had saluted his highnesse, and with great humblenesse kissed his hande, they mounted vp the steppes againe with him, after whom followed the Princes and Lordes of Fraunce and Englande, and when they were come vp aboue, they raunged [Page] themselues on eyther side. There was set for the Mounsire a chayre couered with cloth of gold, wherin he sat him down. And vpō y ^• the­atre there was likewise a trauers of cloth of Golde, & al the Theatre was couered w ^t Ta­pistrie. On the front of the Theatre on the highest part thereof were the armes of the Marquesship of the holy Empyre: and a little beneath them on the ryghte hande, stoode the armes of Brabande with a wreath of fruites: and on the left hand stoode the armes of the Citie of Antwery. Also there were set vp twoo banners of [...]ilke azured with the armes of Aniow, and in one partition were written these verses.

A [...]er that euery man had taken his place and silence was made, the States of Braband began their Orarion by the mouth of Moun­ [...] [Page] de [...]esseiles doctour of both the lawes, Secretarie to the said estates: and one of their Counsell: the summe whereof was that the Barons noblemen and deputies of the chiefe cities, and of the other good Townes, repre­senting the states of the Duchie and country of Braband, hauing now the good hap too see among them and to beholde face to face, the prince in whom next vnto God they had whol­ly set the hope of their deliuerance, and of the stablishing of their auncient rest and li­berty: Did highly thanke the almightie Lord, which had shewed them that fauour: taking it for an assured warrant, that hee of his infinite goodnes and prouidence, had not forgottē nor forsakē their iust quarel: but had chosē his high nes too bee the defender of his people and the administrer of his iustice, too the ende that too Gods glorie, and to his owne honour, and re­nowme, the stormes of al troubles, and of al o­ther thinges that anoyed their estate, might by the beames of his princely maiestie wise­dome and prowesse bee chaced away, and the [...]ightues of their former prosperitie hereto­fore knowne to all nations, be made to spring vp and shine foorth againe: In respect wher­of they gaue his highnes most humble thanks [Page] for the singuler loue and good wil, which he of his owne onely motion and princely dispositi­on, had voutsafed to continue towardes them vnto that instant, notwithstanding all y ^e crosse dealinges and practises that cunning heades coulde skill to put foorth to the hinderaunce of their affaires, forasmuch as they were not ig­noraunt that for their calamities and miseries sakes, nothing coulde haue fallen in, whiche coulde haue made more to the fauour and fur­therance of their case. Which thing they had esteemed & would esteeme for euer, as a peere­lesse president of his incomparable stayednesse and rare constancie: for the which, and for the great number of his other benefites and gra­cious dealings towardes them, they were and euer shoulde be bounde to acknowledge them­selues indetted to his highnesse with all faith­full obedience, and were ready that day (by Gods grace) to submit themselues to him, as his humble vassalles and subectes. And al­though they doubted not but that his highnes did well vnderstande, and was fully satisfied, not onely of the generall causes which had v­niuersally moued the states of the Prouinces of the Lowe Countreys together, to sewe to [Page] him for succour, and to put thē selues into his hands: but also of the particular causes, which the states of that Duchie and countrie of Bra­bande had, to renownce their obedience to the King of Spaine: Yet notwithstanding to the intent to put his highnesse in remembraunce thereof, and to confirme that sacred resolution and high interprise of his, builded therevpon: and moreouer to yeeld some reason of all their doings to the Princes and Noblemen, and to the rest of that whole company, who for the honour of his highnesse were come thither of courtes [...]e, to further the solemnity of his inter­teinment: to the intent y ^t at this his repaire thi­ther, (which alwayes was called ioyfull,) they might vtter the more good will and gladnesse of heart: they would say no more but this, that as long as the Dukes of Brabande, (specially since the falling of that duchy into the hands of the Dukes of Burgoyne, and other the famous Auncetours of his highnes) gaue themselues to the gouerning of their subiects by them selues, thereby making it to appeare that they loued them and were not carelesse of them: they reaped so great commodities and notable seruices at their handes, that their names & puissances became oftentimes [Page] renowmed, yea, and sometimes dreadfull to [...] the greatest Monarkes kings and common­weales of Christendome, whereof their wars and conquestes made proofe, howbeit that of those thinges as of matters familiarly known by the histories, it was not requisite to make discourse in that place and time, whiche were appointed to greater matters. But after that their Dukes and princes eyther by other al­luremēts, or being w ^theld in their other coūtry and Sentories, begā to leaue them for a time, and afterward at length to forget them, aban­doning them to the pleasure and willes, and sometimes also to the lust and couetousnes of their vnder officers, wherof the king of Spain had lastly finished and perfected vp the work, leauing them disdainefully as husbandlesse & fatherlesse vtterly destitute of his presence by the space of twentie yeres: It came to passe, that hauing altered & chaunged almost all the whole state of the countrye, & committed the offices to such as by the lawes and priuiledges of the country were not capable of them, or rather to such as would giue most for them, & yet the vnsatiable couetousnes, malice, and ex­ceeding tyrannical lordlines of the Spaniards being not contented therewith: in the ende, [Page] when they had abused the whole common­weale after theyr owne lust, they grewe intoo so great pride, that they fell to [...]natching of y ^• priuate goods and substance of the inhabitāts, to liuing vpon the labour and sweate of the poore. yea and to rauishing y ^• chastitie of mens wyues and daughters: and (to fill vp the mea­sure of al obhomination and crueltie) they fell to taking away the liues, and to sucking the blood of those which sought by all meanes to please them. Wherevppon in the end y ^• greate & rightuous God (who hath a care of his ser­uants,) being offended thereat, made that peo­ple (who had aforetimes been of great va­lor) to cal to mind their former state & liberte: & gaue them both will and courage to main­taine y ^• same, in such sort as they had receiued from their forefathers. Which thing they sa [...] could not be better done, than by the election which the sayd States of Braband, vnited w ^t the other prouinces, had made of his highnes person to be their prince and Lord, of purpose to bring all things backe to their former order hauing first sought (howbe it in vayne) for all remedies of their mischeefes & of y ^• disorders of y ^• estate, frō the causes & welsprings there of. Declaring y ^• the dukes in old time had bin [Page] of great valour prowesse and powre, and had made many renowmed voyages and exployts of warre, & that among others, they had chosē a duke of Aniow hertofore: who had bin equall with the rest in chiua [...]rie and feates of armes, as their conquests and dominions witnessed. That they had had their princes gentle, milde, gracious, familiar, & fauourable to their sub­iects: & that his highnes had in y ^• beha [...]fe alrea­die giuen such proofes of his gētlenes, truth, & [...], y ^• to their seeming, some ancient duke of Burgoyne was raysed vp againe vnto thē. Insomuch that in his onely h [...]hnesse, they firmely beleued themselues to haue recouered whatsoeuer good renowne the dukes of Bra­bande, [...] and Burgoine coulde haue left vnto them. Wherefore inasmuch as there re­mained no more, but to proceede to the accom­plishmēt of y ^• chief work, which it had pleased the soueraingod to put into y ^• hāds of his high­ues, & of the sayde states to performe y ^• day: they on their part were redy and resolute to do him the homage, fealtie, dewtie, and obedince, which loyall subiectes, & good vassalls ought to doe to their rightfull princes: of which sort they trusted in God without doubting, that his [...]hnes was, and that he woulde promise by solemne othe vnto God so to continue.

Herevnto his highnes answered in effect, [Page] That intending not to holde the States with long talke, but onely to bee mindefull of the honour and good will which they had vowtsa­fed to yeeld vnto him, in that among so many other great Princes, they had chozen him cut to do deliuer them from the oppression and ty­rānie of the Spantard, & to rule thē according to their customes lawes & priuiledges: he thā ­ked them hartily for it, assuring them that the iustnesse and equitie of their case, their honora­ble dealings in his behalfe, and the loue which they had▪ shewed him, had made him to resolue w ^t himself to take vpon him their protection, & the restablishing of their auncient libertie, and to hazard therein whatsoeuer abilitie God had put into his handes, & whatsoeuer els it should please the king his Lorde and brother, and the Queene of England of their fauour to bestow vpon him, yea euen to the sheading of his own blood and the spending of his life.

This done, the foresaid Mounsieur [...] told his highnes, howe it was y ^• custome there, to proclame openly before the people in y ^t duch tongue, y ^• points & articles of the ioyfull inte­rance, which y ^• dukes of Braband are bound to promise & sweare at their admission. Hereup­on, when as one hild the said articles translated into Frenche, ready to rehearse them poynte by poynte after the proclayming of them in [Page] Duch: for asmuch as the day was farre spent, and communicatiō had bin had therof alredy, the Mounsire to win time thought it expediēt, by y ^• aduice of y ^• prince of Orēdg, y ^• they should be read but only in duch. Which thing was done by the sayd Mounsire Hassells, with a newe preface added too the articles, contey­ning breefly the reasons and causes of y ^• dea­ling.

After the reading of the sayde articles, it was demaunded of his highnesse whither hee lyked of them, and whither he were conte [...]ted to be sworne to them, or whether it were his pleasure to be further satisfied of them. Wher vppon he sayde to the prince of Orendge, that forasmuch as he had seene the articles & con­ferred of thē wi [...]h him as they came by shippe out of Zeland, he held him selfe well satis [...]ed with them, and was well contented to sweare vnto thē. Which speech of his was for [...]hwith proclaymed, & with further declaration, that for their better contentation his highnes was desirous to haue them al knowne, y ^• although the sayd articles were read but ouely in duch, yet woulde hee of his owne good minde, with aduized deliveration and certaine knowledge be sworne vnto them.

[Page]Then did the said Monsieur Hesselles re­cite vnto the people in the duch tongue, the first othe which the Dukes of Brabande were of olde time accustomed and bound to take, for the obseruing of the saide Articles. Which doone, deliuering the booke wherein it was conteyned, to Messire Thierrey de Leiesfield Chauncellor of Braband, he read the same oth ageine openly in French, and the Mounsire spake it after him woord for woord.

Then Mounsieur Hesselles taking the book ageine, told the people that y ^• Dukes of Bra­band made another second othe to the Barōs, Noblemen, Cities, Boroughes, and all y ^• In­habitantes and subiectes of the countrey, too bee to them a good and iust Prince, and not to deale with them after his owne will, nor by way of rigor, but by law and iustice, and according too their priuiledges. Which othe was lyke wise rehearsed in the duch tong, & the booke deliuered ageine to the saide Chaū ­cellor, and the Mounsire repeated the othe after him as he had doone the first.

Then were the mantle and Bonnet of the Duchie b [...]ought vnto him, whiche were of Crimzen veluet: the mantle was tra [...]ed on the grounde, and both of them were furred [Page] with powdred ermine turned vp very broade. The Prince of Orendge tolde his highnesse, that it behooued him too bee apparel­led in those Robes. And when hee aske [...] whither he must weare them intoo the citie, it was answeared yea: and that it was the so­lemne attyre of the Princes and Dukes of Braband of olde time. Wherevntoo when his highnesse had agreed: the Prince did first put vpon him the sayde mantle, and fastening the button thereof, sayd theis wordes: My Lord, you must keepe this button fast clozed, that no man may pull your mantle from you. And then he set the bonnet vppon his head, and sayde vnto him: Sir, I pray God you may well keepe this attyre, for nowe you may well assure your selfe that you be Duke of Braband.

Then the saide Hesselles tolde him howe the custome required, that the States shoulde presentlie bee sworne too him a­geine, to yeelde him fealtie. Wherevppon he vttered to the people the forme of the othe: and then the saide Chauncelor required it of the Barons, noblemen and deputies: and they pronounced it after him according too [Page] the manner of the former othes, reuerently doing againe their homage, & promising their fealtie and obedience.

After the taking of the othes on both sides, as well by the Mounsire as by the States of Brabande, whyle his highnesse was yet still in his robes of estate, the Magistrates of Antwerpe commaunded their Recorder and Counseller Master Uan­derwerck too come vp vpon the stage, to make him an offer of the Marqueshipp of the sacred Empyre, in the name of the citie of Antwerp. Which thing he did as followeth:

Most gracious Lord and Prince, the Mark­graue, Amptman, Boroughmaisters & Ske­pons, the Treasurers, and Receiuers, y ^• cheefe Burgesses and Quartermaisters, the War­dens and auncientes of the Handycraftes; to­gither with the Colonelles, Wardens of [...]wyldes, and captaines of the Citie, were very glad when they vnderstood of your high­nesses happy arriuall in the yle of Walcke­ren, as they haue caused too bee very large­ly and with all humilitie and reuerence shewed vnto you, by their deputies sent vn­too your highnesse for the same purpose. [Page] But now, forasmuch as they see your high­nesse not onely arriued in the countrie of Bra­band, but also receiued for Duke, and for their prince & lord: their forecōceiued ioy is greatly increased and made fully perfect: trusting y ^• by this your comming, there will once ensue an end of the desolations, calamities and mise­ries, whereinto the Country hath bin brought by the vniust gouernment past, & by the more vniust and wrongfull warre which the ene­mies hold yet still, to bring the whole country too destruction, with all manner of calami­ties and oppressions, which they are able to deuise. And therefore they giue your highnes most humble thankes, for the peynes and tra­uell which you haue voutsafed too take too come intoo this countrie: yeelding infinitely like thankes vntoo God, for that he hath gi­uen and sent them such a Prince, as not onelie is of abilitie and power, but also is willing, and well disposed to defend them from all eni­mies, and to rule and gouerne them with all good pollicie and iustice, according to the pri­uiledges lawes and customes of the coū ­trie. For although they be ioyned in league with the rest of the [...]tates of Braband, and ge­nerally with all the states of the low coūtries, [Page] a [...]d that they haue all entered intoo armes ioyntly togither: yet their so dooing hath not bin to exempt and withdraw themselues from the iust go [...]ernment of their Lorde & Prince: but onelie too mainteyne their auncient liber­ties, lawes, and priuiledges: that being go­uerned according to the same, they might liue w ^t all duetifull obediēce, in good rest, peace, & tranquillitie: The full accomplishment of which their desires, they thinke themselues too haue most happily obteined, [...]ith it hath pleased God of his infinite grace and mercie, to put into your highnesses heart, to take vpō you the souereintie of these lowe countries, the Dukedome of Braband, the citie of Ant­werp, and the Marqueship of the sacred Em­pyre. For seeyng that God hath stirred them vp so great a Prince, the brother of a mighty king: they haue no doubt at all, but that your highnesse will (by Gods grace) soone finde meanes to deliuer these Countries, from the wretched wars wherin they haue bin so long plunged. The Markegraue, Amptman, Boroughmasters, Skepons, and other mem­bers of this citie, thinke it not expedient too repeate the causes of the warre, and the equi­ [...]ie of the cace whereon they stande, forasmuch­as [Page] it hath diuers times heeretofore beene discussed largely ynough by the generall e­states, and moreouer beene notably knowen too the worlde, and manie wayes allowed by your highnesse: Yet againe therefore, with all humble submission and reuerence, they thanke your highnesse that it hath pleased you too a­gree vnto them, and to promise the mainte­naunce of their priuiledges, Lawes and cu­stomes, yea and of the articles comprised in the principall composition and in the ioyfull enteraunce intoo the Duchie of Brabande. Assuring your highnesse, that the people of the citie of Antwerp and of the Marqueship of the holye Empyre, shalbee and continew right humble subiectes too you, euen too the spending of their bodies and goods, & whatso­euer else they bee able to make, for the increa­sing of your honour and glorie.

Heerevntoo his highnesse answered verye graciously, that hee thanked those noblemen for their good wil and affect [...]n towards him, and that he ment to shew them by his doings, how desirous hee was too gouerne and rule the countrie with good policie & iustice. And all this hee did at large and with very great grace.

[Page]This doone, the sayde Uanderwercke tur­ning himself to the people, cryed with a lowd voyce: that his highnesse as Duke of Bra­bande, Alaunson, Aniow, Berrey &c. woulde bee sworne to the citie of Antwerp and the Marqueshippe of the sacred Em­pyre: desiring them to praye vntoo God, that by that so good and solemne deede, Gods name might bee sanctified, the safetie and prosperitie of the countrie procured, and the honor and glorie of the sayde Duke in­creased.

Then was the othe which his high­ [...]esse shoulde take, read openly too the peo­ple in the flemishe toong by the same Uander­werck. Which beeing doone, Mounsieur the Amptman read the same othe too his high­nesse in French, and his highnesse made and perfourmed the same in his handes, whiche the Borowghmayster of the Towne of Antwerpe hild vp, because the receiuing of the othe at his hande belonged vntoo him. Also the sayde Borowghmaister whose name was Syr Philip of Schoon­houen, kneeling downe before the Dukes highnesse, at the same tyme, gaue him a [...]ilte key, in token of subiection, and that [Page] he might dispose of the citie as of his owne: which Key was deliuered againe by his high­nesse too the Borowghmaister, too whom he saide very graciously, that he assured himself, that the saide Borowghmaister, and all the Burgesses and Inhabitāts of the citie, would keepe the citie faithfully for him, as they had doone vnto that instant.

After the finishing and accomplishment of all the saide Solemnities, the Herawltes of Braband and Lotrick, (or in the vulgar Bra­band Wallon, Lothyer, that is too say Lo­tharing, or the true Lorraine,) cryed with a Iowd voyce, God saue the Duke of Braband. And then sownding the trumpets, they made a Largesse, casting a greate sorte of peeces of goold & siluer among the standers by. Theis peeces were of two sortes: the one sort had on the one side the image of the Mounsire then Duke of Braband: the other sort had on the one side the armes of Aniow and Brabande, and about the verges was written Frauncis of Fraunce Duke of Braband. On the other side of thē all was a deuice of y ^c Sonne, with the Mounsires owne inscription, Cheriseth and Chaseth, which is the Mounsires ordi­nary poesie. Without the Towne were three [Page] Regimentes of the Citizens, too the number of a three thousand men in order of battell, who made a goodlie shewe with their faire ar­mours and their antesignes displayed. And they neuer went out of their place, vntill all the Ceremonies were dispatched, and that his highnesse was gone intoo the citie. Besides theis, there was an infinite number of people in the citie, whereof many were Straungers: who marueiled greatly at theis sightes, and especially the Frenchmen, who woondered to see their maister in that apparell, and spake diuersly of it, as is woont too bee doone in matters that are new and erst vnseene. But when they vnderstood howe it was the Duke­ly apparell, and that he wore it as a represen­tation of antiquitie, the like whereof is worne yet still by the Electors of the sacred Empire in their greate ceremonies: they were asto­nished, and thought him to bee a Prince of more stately countenance and maiestie then afore: insomuch that it was sayd alowd amōg them, that seeing it was y ^e mantle of the Du­chie, it should cost the liues of fiftie thousande Frenchmen, before it should bee plucked frō him againe.

As soone as the Ceremonies were ended, [Page] his highnes came downe from the Theatre, and mounted vpō a whyte courser of Naples, couered with a coperison of veluet richly im­broydered with gold. And so hee be gan too take his way towardes the right re nowmed and rich citie of Antwerp, and was conueyed along by the counterscarfe, vntoo the sump­tuous and stately gate called Keizars gate or Sainct Georgis gate, whereat he entred into the good citie of Antwerpe,

THe Chariot of the May­den of Antwerp could not goe out of the citie for wāt of roome too turne in: and therefore it tarried for his highnesse at the gate with­in the citie. This Chariot [Page] was called the Chariot of Alyance: wherein sate a damosell apparelled in Satin red and white, which are y ^• colours of Antwerp: who had in her left hand a branch of Baytree, and on her heade a garlande of Laurell, in token of victorie against the tyrannies of the king of Spayne, & in token of the deliuerance whiche the people hoped for by meanes of their new prince, through his gracious goodnes, faith­fulnesse, victoriousnes, and defence: too whom with her other hand shee presented the keyes of the Towne, according to the ver­ses written ouer her head, which shall bee set downe hereafter. Before her were the armes of the Marquiship of the holy Empyre. On her ryght hand was Religion apparelled like one of the Sibylles, holding in her one hande an open booke, named The Law and the Gos­pell: and in her other hande a swoorde: named Gods word: & on her left hand was [...]ustice hol­ding a balāce & a sword in her hād, & ouer the Balaunce was written, Yea and Nay. Before the Damosel sate Concord, clothed in white, yellow, and Orengetawny, bearing a target vppon her arme, wherein was paynted a crowned Scepter, with two little snakes, [Page] and vnder them two dooues, all closed in with a garlande of Olif, betokening commenda­ble gouernement with prouidence. Upon her head shee had a helmet, betokening Wis­dome. In her hande shee caried a Launce, with a penon vpon it, on the one side where­of were the armes of Aniowe crowned with Olif, and on the other side a Lambe with a Woolfe, and a Lyon with an Oxe, to betoken the great peacefulnesse that is looked for vn­der this Prince, as wel in Religion as in mat­ters of State. At Concordes right hande satte Wisdome, and at her lefte hande Force. In the middes of the Chariot was a Pyller richly made of Corinthian worke, vpon the toppe whereof was a Harte hilde betweene two armed hands, which hart had two wings, betokening Vnion, Fayth and Force: and a Sworde w ^t two serpents writhing aboute it, & holding their tayles to their eares; signifiyng discreete gouernement, and eares stopped a­gainst flatterers. At the foote of the pyller, was a compartement with the armes of An­iow and Brabande. On the brest of the Ly­on of Brabande, were the armes of the Mar­quiship of the sacred Empyre, and of the Ci­tie of Antwerpe, Upon the Armes was writ­ten [Page] Attonement. Upon the corners of the Chariot, were two armed Images, with mor­ions on their heades, attyred in Orendge, white and blewe. The one of them was na­med Faithfulnesse, and the other Watchfulnes. In their hands they had eche of them a shield, wherein were paynted two swoordes a crosse, and two Dooues with a sheafe of arrowes, be­tokening Vnion. Uppon one of the Shieldes was written, Defence: and vpon the other, Of­fence. Ech of the images had a penon of azure silke: in one of the whiche there was a Pelli­cane killing herselfe for her yong birdes: and in the other a Hen a brooding her Chickens. Ouer the Maidens head were these verses.

Sixe Gentlemen of the citie wayted at the gate with a Canapie of cloth of golde fryzed, which they afterwarde vnfoulded and carried it ouer the Dukes head, who went vnder it in­to the towne in the forementioned order.

All the streets from the gate to his lodging, were set on eyther side with armed men vnder their ensignes with their [...]iffes and dro [...]es. The officers caried gilt targets and swordes in their hands: and all the rest were armed af­ter the best & goodliest maner y ^• could be seen. His highnes proceeded forth on to the corner of the street called Gasthouse street, y ^t is to say, the Spittlehouse street, nere vnto S. Georges Churche, where was a showe made in the liknes of a table, very great & high: which was made by one of the companies of their tragical & comicall poets, commonly called among thē Rhetoricians. The company was called Care, or as some others terme it, the Follow sun, after y ^• name of a floure w ^t followeth y ^• sonne, & the spee [...]h of y ^• deuice was, Growing vp in vertue. The Showe or table had three compartimēts [Page] or pertitions. The first was the first booke of Samuel y ^• fifteenth chap. where Samuel char­geth Saul w ^t his disobedience, & hath a peece of his garmēt rent of by him, in token that the kingdome should be plucked frō Sauls house & giuen to a better. Whereby was ment, y ^• the souerainetie of those low Coūtreys, was takē from the king of Spaine for his abhominable periuries, tyrannies, & extorttons. In y ^• second compartiment was set forth, how Samuel cō ­manded I say y ^e father of Dauid to bring forth his sonnes: of whō God woulde make one the prince of his people, y ^t is to wit the yongest, w ^t was Dauid. In y ^• third was shewed how Da­uid being anointed fought with Golias & ouer­came him. The title or superscription was a Pl [...]igian worke, wherein were written these verses:

The frunt and krest being garnished with banners, skutchions of armes, Cressettes and [Page] torches, carried the Dukes deuice Cherisheth and chaceth. And at the foote of the Table lay Discorde closed vp in a prison of Lattisworke, where shee was tormented with Helhoundes and Serpentes: and there were these verses.

His highnesse passing forth still beyond the place called the Threewayleete, came to the streete named Hwyuetterstreete, that is to say, the Chaunlers streete, where was another stately Pageant with armes, torches, and cres­sets, made by another company of the Rheto­ricians, called Peynters or Uiolers, who had for their deuice, Knit together by singlenesse. In this Pageant was paynted the neere aliaunce of Dauid and Ionathas: to betoken the firme­nesse of the othe mutually made by his high­nes and the States of Braband, and the Ma­gistrates, Members, Colonelles, and Cap­taynes of the Citie of Antwerpe. In this table was written in a compartiment of Phrygien woorke.

Then went hee further to the ende of the streete where the Upholsters shops are, which part was full of burning torches & barrels of burning pitch, and so came to the Merebridge. At the entering therof stood an Oliphant bea­ring a castle of stone with souldiers and artil­lerie. Before [...]e Olyphant were paynted the armes of [...] Marquesdome and of the Citie: and [...], a speare with a banner of Taffa­ta, with the armes of Aniow in a wreathe of Lawrel, and foure other bannerets of Crimo­sen taffata, pulled out, wherein were paynted the Handes of Antwerpe, with this posie: Che­risheth and Chaceth. And vpon his side of his belly were these verses.

[Page]From the Merebridge hee went along the Mere streete, till he came to the warde, where were foure companies raūged in order of bat­tell. Frō thence he passed to y ^e corner of Clare streete, where was a stage made by a company of Rhetoricians called y ^e Olifbranche, who had for their posie, Behold grace. Upon this stage sate a Damsell named Antwerp, bearing in her bozom a pretie daughter called The know­ledge of God: who hild a cofer wherein were priuiledges, lawes, fraunchizes & truth: which were kept by the grace of God, & by prouidēce, wisdome, faithfulnes, diligence, loyaltie, perseue­raunce, vnitie, good heede, and order. And aloft was a compartiment of Phrygian woorke, wherein were these verses.

Somewhat lower towardes the middes, [Page] was Neptune with his threetymed mace, ri­ding ouer the waues vpon a Dolphin: and on his left hand were these verses:

He passed from Clarestreete through long newe streete vnto S. Catherins bridge, right ouer against Cros streete, where was a trium­phall arche cunningly paynted and builded of white stone: whiche was garnished with his highnesses armes, and with torches and cres­fettes, and with Musicke of Holboyes and Clarions, And on the top of it was written:

To the happy cōming hitherof Fraūcis, only bro­ther to Henrie the third, sonne to Henry the se­conde, [Page] graundchilde to Frauncis the first, nowe inuested Duke of Brabande, the prince that hath most deepely deserued of this their Coun­trey, as a Father of the same.

The Senate and people of Antwerp.

Underneath this in another compartiment of Phrygian woorke, was written this:

At length yet hinder not this Impe to bring thee wrooping world, againe to some redresse.

In passing through the shorte Newstreete, and by the Marketsteed hee turned towardes the Coopers streete, in the street called Chee­slane to the great Market place, which was full of Torches of waxe, and of Barrelles of pitche vpon long poles vp to the highest win­dowes, which commonly are fiue stories high. In this Market place were inbattelled sixe en [...]ignes with the ensigne of the youth whiche was vnder a green standarde, all in the best ar­mor that was to bee seene in any place of the worlde. In the middes of the citizens was the great Giante the founder of the Citie of Ant­werpe, whose Curace was azure, and his ap­parell tawnie white and gray: He boore ban­ners of Azure with the armes of Aniow, and had these verses written before him:

Behinde the Giant were written these verses:

This Gyant was made by cunning to turne his face towardes the Duke as he passed by, & to let fall the armes of Spaine which he hilde in his hand, and to put vp the armes of Aniow.

Also there was a stage in the same Market­place before the Towne house, ful of nimphes and vertues. But forasmuch as it serued chief­ly [Page] for the day of his taking of his othe in the ci­tie of Antwerpe, which was the xxii. day of y ^• moneth: it shall bee spoken of more at large hereafter.

His highnes departing out of y ^e market place, tooke his way towards the street called y ^• high street, & when he came to the street called y ^• old cornmarket: there was a Whale carying nep­tune naked w ^t his threeforket mace in his hand, which betokened y ^e great cōmodities which y ^• citie of Antwerp receiued by the sea & by y ^e ri­uer Schelt. Before this monster was another naked man, & by him two other portratures, y ^• one of nauigation, & the other of marchandize, w ^t a baoke of accounts, & a purse, such as y ^• fac­tors do cary with thē when they go to receiue money. Before the Neptune in a comparti­ment were written these verses.

His highnes kept on his way through y ^• high streete, to a place where sometime was y ^• gate called S. Iohns gate, which was beatē down the yeere before: in steed [...] where of there was a [Page] tryumphall arch of Ionian worke. This arch was wholly applied to his highnes own posie Cherisheth and Chaceth. On high ouer it was strained a couering after the maner of a round vault, wherein was painted the Sonne: & vn­der the Sonne was painted the sea with ships, and the earth clad with her verdure. Also there appeared a cloude on both sides, so as the light of the Sonne did shine forth and yeelde out his force to the earth. On the outside of the bow­ing of the Arch, were painted three goddesses: namely Flora, who hilde her flowers in her hand: Ceres, who had her corne: and Pomona, who hilde a horne stored with abundance of all things. Likwise the earth was clad w ^t greene trees, fruites, and feeldes replenished with all fruitfulnes, which thing came to passe by the heate and operation of the Sonne, which was betokened by this word Cherisheth. On the o­ther side being the left hande, were drerie and barrē fields, the aire euery where lowri [...]g and clowdie, and the trees and plantes withered, which thing was done by the three Helhounds Discord, Uiolence & Tyranie, who fled away at y ^• sight of his highnes, according to y ^• signifi­cation of his other word, Chaceth. On another side stood the same po [...]e againe, Cherisheth & Chaceth, by another meane.

[Page]At the right hande ouer the worde Cherish­eth, was a great feelde well tilled, with a hus­bādmās house vpon it. The husbādmā himself being apparelled after y ^e frēch fashiō, was sow­ing of corne: & another by him was spreading of Mucke. At the left hande was written the word Chaceth, on which side also was painted a French Captaine in armor, following his allyes, confiderates and souldiers: to doe men to vnderstande, that by the treaties, leages and agreementes, made with the dukes highnes, all tyrannie, violence, and discorde shoulde bee chased a way: & that by y ^e beames of that sonne, the countrey should receiue al peace, prosperi­tie and abundance. Upon the forefrunt were these verses:

This Arch was impossed aloft with scutchi­ons of the armes of Aniowe, compassed about with braunches of Olif, all vpon Azure. Al­so [Page] there were diuers other s [...]utchions, whose field was gewles bordered with argent, and a great nomber of burning torches. And the said Arche was furnished with diuers instruments of Musicke, & the musicions themselues were clad in the colours of the citie.

His highnesse passing vnder this triumphal arche, came to a place called the Owure, that is to say y ^• banke, where were two companies unbattelled, armed like all the residue. And so passing by the Ward there, he went to y ^• place that is right oueragainst the Mint: before the which there was a huge and monstruous sea­horse, of twentie foote high, vpon whom sate a Nimph called Concord, bearing a shield wher­in was painted a booke & a rod, which was na­med The rule of truth. In her hand shee bare a flag, wherin was writtē faithfull aliance. This monster of the sea was named Tyranny, and he had a brydle in his mouth with double Reynes of yron cheyned, called law & reasō. Whereby the dukes highnes was done to vnderstād, that he as a true Perseus, was to deliuer y ^t countrey from all tyrannie, and afterward to gouerne it by iustice & reason. Ouer against y ^e mintgate, where y ^e streete is narrowest, were two Obe­lisks or round Spires, & between thē a trium­pha [...] [Page] arch with his pillers of Corinthiā work, gilded & inriched w ^t his relief vnder him. Up­on y ^• forefront were his highnesses armes, and likewise on y ^e sides were other armes, w ^t ban­ners, torches, and cressets. Under the armes of his highnes, were these verses following:

From this tryumphall arch vnto the palace, y ^t is to wit, all along S. Mighels street, which is a mile in length, stoode on either side three­score & ten pillers, with a space of 22. foote be­tweene piller & piller. Euery piller was 12. foote high, & vpon the pillers was a continual Tarras, & on euery ech other piller was a cres­set: & on y ^e pillers between, were the armes of Braband, Aniow, & Antwerpe, deuided accor­ding to y ^e spaces between the said pillers. And y ^e pillers were crested about w ^t garlāds of iuy.

On the side of the street towards the palace, was a pageant with banners, torches and py­ramids. Upon the vppermost part of one of y ^• sides wherof was a Crane, and vpon the other [Page] side a Cocke. Giuing knowledge as well to y ^• heads as to y ^e members, y ^t watchfulnes is need­ful. A litle spaniel betokening faithfulnes, and a litle lambe betokening peace, were painted accompanied with y ^e Sibils, which represen­ted wisedome, loue, faithfulnes, obedience, ver­tue, & honor: without the which, no true peace can continue. And al these were guided by the light of the holy Ghost, which was resembled by a certaine brightnes that discouered y ^e chief instruments of discorde, namely Enuie & Slaū ­der, who peered out be hind, Enuy gnawing her own hart, & Slaūder hauing double heart, dou­ble tongue, & double face, howbeit with small effect. Foron y ^• two sides of this pageant, were two counterfets: on the one side, Hercules, & on the other Dauid as it were in Copper, ha­ning gotten the vpper hand of Golias, betoke­ning strēgth & stowtnes: and vnderneath was Concord, who hild discord in a cheine with col­lers about his necke: which discord offering w ^t his one hād an apple of gold, and w ^t his other hand threatning mē w ^t his force & tyrānie, was yet neuer theles driuē into the dungeon of sor­row, where he is kept prisoner by cōcord, who kepeth the dore fast shut: betokening the same thing which y ^e coūtrey looketh for at his high­nes hand, according to his posie, Cherisheth & Chaseth.

[Page]Upon the forefrunt of the compartiment made of Phrygian worke, were these verses:

Before the duke came at S. Mighels, where the palace was prepared for his highnes, y ^• day was so far spent, y ^• they were faine to light vp their cressets & torches, which cast so great and cleare a light through the whole towne: that y ^e dukes highnes, & the princes & lords which ac­companied him, & likewise the souldiers with their glistering armors, were seen more clere­ly then at any time of the day. And as the mul­titude of people was verie great in the citie, so the neerer y ^t his highnes drewe to his palace, y ^e greater still did the number grow. So at lēgth the Duke of Braband and Aniow entred into his palace in the order aforementioned, hauing moreouer a two or three hundred as well of of­fenders as of banished folke, w ^t followed him [...]are headed and fettered, crauing mercie.

[Page]The Herawlts did cast peeces of goolde and siluer abroade, as they had doone at the mee­tinges of all the Streetes as they passed through them.

At the entrie of the palace was an Arche of twentie foote high, resting vpon three pillers of Phrigian worke. Upō the top wherof was a cōpartiment, wherein were the three Gra­ces, that is to wit, Vertue, Glorie, and Honor, who offered vntoo his highnes an Olifbranch in token of peace, a Lawrelbowgh in token of victorie, & a Crowne which was sent him frō heauen. And vnder the compartiment were written theis verses.