The Cauſes of the Publick Hatred of the King of Spain, and the Spaniſh Nation.
CHAP. I. The hatred of the Spaniards towards the Protestants, and their Religion.
TO ſhun the ſuſpition of fancying to write Iliads after Homer, I will not now make a large Martyrologie, which of it ſelf, were enough to fix a Title to this Chapter; nor will I compile Hiſtories of the Belgick, or Low-Country War, eſpecially of that which was waged by the Duke of Alva; for thoſe are both ſufficiently known, and there is ſtore of them to be had. This I ſhall only ſay, and this for their ſakes, who think the Spaniards will prove milder to them, becauſe they imagine to themſelves, that they are included in the Pacification2 of Religion (they who are commonly called by the envious name of Calviniſts being excluded) then to the Reformats, as they term them; that they are ſuperlatively miſtaken. For whoſoever they be that differ in opinion from the Spaniards, whether in matter of Religion, or in order to their long-dream'd of Monarchy, are all alike to them.
1. The cruelty which the Duke of Alva exerciſed upon them of the Reformed Religion in the Low-Countries, is notorious enough; yea, and himſelf, a little before his end, boaſted, that by his command above eighteen thouſand perſons paſſed through the hands of the Executioner, with different ſorts of puniſhments, for Religions ſake.
2. Philip the ſecond, freely and boldly anſwered the Emperor Maximilian, his Couſin-German by the Fathers-ſide (who, having ſent his Brother Charles into Spain) exhorted him to moderation in the buſineſs of Religion, That he had rather loſe all his Provinces, then ſeem to grant, or favour any thing, which might be prejudicial to the Catholick Religion. Thuan. lib. 133.
3. The Spaniards in the Pacification of Colein, 1580. were wont to ſay, That3 the Proteſtants would be well ſerved, if they were ſtript of all their goods, and forced to go ſeek new Countries, like Jews, Egyptians and Nubians, who wander up and down like Rogues and Vagabonds, without any place of abode.
4. The Citizens of Aquenſis had been much more mildely dealt with in the year, 1605 had it not been for the importunate flatteries of King Philips Embaſſadors, as Thuan. teſtifyes, lib. 133.
5. The Spaniards once took the French in the Iſle of Florida, and hanged them all with this title, This I do not as to French, but as to Lutherans. Camer. horis ſubceſſivis, c. 98.
6. In the year 1577. when by the Emperors demand, there was a Conference appointed between the Kings Miniſters, and the States of Holland, the ſaid Miniſters urged only this, That the liberty of any other Religion whatſoever might be excluded out of the Low-Countries, and the Catholick only admitted, which was the cauſe of diſſolving the Conference, re infectâ.
7. Ought the Count of Bructerons calamity to be ſilenced, whoſe Caſtle the Admiral unjuſtly, and violently ſeized upon, took his perſon priſoner, ejected his4 wife and children, plundred his goods, killed the Countrymen whom he found there, yea, and wickedly murthered the very Count himſelf, together with his Kinſman, and a Preacher, contrary to his word which he had given them; and this for no other colour, but out of hatred to the Reformed Religion, which he moſt conſtantly profeſt, and from which he would not be removed by any menaces whatſoever. See Speculum Arragonicum, as alſo Speculum Tragicum.
8. Philip King of Spain, in the year 1590. the 8. of March, made a Proclamation at Madrid, wherein he declared, that after France was cleared, he would make War upon all ſuch Provinces as were infected with any Sectarian Contagion. Ancellus apud Thuan. lib. 118. in oratione ad Principes Germaniae, 1570. where the words of the Proclamation are alſo recited.
9. If there were no other example to be found of the Spaniſh hatred againſt the Goſpel and Goſpellers, that moſt cruel Fact of Alphonſo Dias, a Spaniard, would ſuffice,The example of Dias. who cauſed his brother Juan Dias to be killed by his own Executioner, becauſe he embraced the Doctrine of the5 Goſpel, in the year 1546. and however the Law were proſecuted againſt the ſaid Fratricide, he yet obtained his Pardon by the intervention of the Emperours Letters.
10. The King of Spain, by his Duke of Parma, urged the Senate of Aquenſis, to baniſh them of the Reformed Religion out of the City, as Peter Beck a Canon of that City confeſſes, cap. 13. Comment. ſui de urbe Aquenſi.
11. Cardinal Granvellanus was often wont to boaſt, that he would reduce the Catholick Religion in all places, though a hundred thouſand men were to be burnt in an hour, and that he would begin with Saxony and Orange. See Gaſpar Grevinus, in ſua Inſtitutione, p. 192.
12. The Emperour Maximilian the ſecond, moſt faithfully adviſed, and intreated the King of Spain, to treat the Flemmings more gently in matter of Religion, but he could obtain nothing, as himſelf writes in a certain Letter of his to Lazarus Swendius, 1579. the 22. of February from Vienna. This Letter is to be read, lib. 16. Apoph. Baudartii. See alſo Speculum tyrannidis Hiſpanicae in Belgio per totum.
613. And who ever either ſaw, or heard of a greater fact of barbarous tyrannie, and hatred againſt Religion, then that which by the inſtinct of ſome ill Inſtruments, the Archduke Albert committed, in a certain Maid called Anne Vandenhoven at Bruſſels, whom he cauſed to be ſet quick in earth, and ſmothered? Martyrologium, Meteranus, Speculum Hiſp. Tyran. in Belgio. p. 91, 93.
14. It may alſo be a moſt ſufficient teſtimony of the hatred of the Spaniards againſt the Proteſtants and Lutherans (and chiefly the later) that when they have a mind to diſhonour any one very much, or call him by any injurious name, they call him, Vellaco Lutherano, i. e. Lutheran Knave; ſo that even by this reproach they who are willing, and glad to be ſtiled Lutherans, may be ſufficiently taught, what they are to hope for from the Spaniards, when the Proteſtants are ſuppreſt (who are as much oppugned by others, as by the Papiſts) to wit, that they ſhall be ſerved with the ſame ſawce.
15. When, after the Smalcaldick war, and the taking of John Frederick, Elector of Saxony, Wittenberg was yielded to Charles the fifth, the Spaniards petitioned7 the ſaid Charles, to give them leave to dig up the dead body of Luther, and burn it; but the Emperor refuſed it, ſaying, Let him rest; for if he hath done ill, God will revenge it: I am Emperor of the living, and not of the dead. He further added, Let him alone, I deſire to ſee him no more; for I ſaw him enough at Worms. Zingrefius p. 2. Apoph. p. 11.
16. Charles the fifth, preſently after the Dyet of Auxburgh, ought to have ſurprized and oppreſt the Hereticks, & Luther by Art, under ſome other pretext. See Thomas Campanella, a Spaniſh Fryar, Diſcurſu de Monarchia Hiſp. c. 16.
17. In the firſt place it was an extream error, to let Luther go off alive, from the Dyets of Wormes and Auxburgh: And then, it was indeed well done of Charles the fifth (I ſay) to keep his word with Luther, whileſt he was at the Dyet; but afterwards, in his going home, he ſhould have ſurprized him, and after having already ſuppreſt the Proteſtant Princes, have utterly extinguiſht them. The ſame Campanella, c. 27.
18. That Peace was to be granted for a time, and ſometimes the Hereticks (ſays Campanella) were to be flattered with8 magnificent banquets, c. 27. And beſides it was an error in Charles the fifth (ſays the ſame Campanella) that he did not ſuppreſs the Countreys of the Electors of Saxony, and Brandenburgh, and of the Landgrave of Haſſia, &c. by thruſting out the Inhabitants, and making them ſlaves, and planting new Colonies therein, and depriving the Free Cities of their Priviledges, c. 16. Theſe things may alſo be referred to the 22. chap. of the hatred of the Spaniards towards the Germans.
19. It is alſo ſhewed by the ſame Author, c. 1. to what end the Goths, Italians, and Spaniards together, ought to conſpire againſt them (i. e. the Protestants in Germany) utterly eradicate their Sects after having ſubdued them, and place new Colonies in their ſtead.
Thuanus, lib. 28 in his Hiſtory De Concilio Poſſiaceno in Gallia, ſhews, that the hatred of the Spaniards againſt the Reformed Religion, is more then Odium Vatinianum.
CHAP. II. The Praevarications of the Spaniards, in order to the Pope, and his Election.
IT may chance to ſeem ſtrange to thee Reader, that in the Catalogue of the Spaniſh Praevarications, amongſt all the Powers and Kingdoms of the world, the Pope of Rome ſhould alſo come into the number, yea, and that in the ſecond place, and as it were in the Front. But thou muſt know, that ſuch is the ambition of this Nation, and the conception of its Monarchy, that they cannot forbear their moſt Holy Father, when there is queſtion of their own ends, having no reſpect•o his Holineſs, nor conſidering at all, that he uſes to ſtile them, his moſt Catholick, moſt Beloved, and Firſt begotten ſons: And this is the very cauſe, why I thought fit to put, and ſhew the Spaniſh Praevarications againſt his Holineſs in this ſecond place.
Let my kinde Reader therefore know, that the Spaniards, at the chooſing of a new Pope, employ all their ſtudies and labours,10 that either a Spaniard by birth, or a Favourer of the Spaniſh Party, may be elected: This may be ſhewed by many examples, and firſt in the year 1591. when after the Death of Pope Ʋrban the 7th. there grew a great contention amongſt the Cardinals about a Pope; the Spaniards deſiring, forſooth, one who was a ſworn friend to their Party; yea, and they at length prevailed for the Election of Nicholas Sfondrato, a moſt ſworn Crony of theirs. Thuanus.
2. The ſame thing hapned in the year 1592. after the death of Innocent the 9th. when the Free Election was again hindred by the Spaniards, through the aſſiſtance of Ludovico Madrucus, who was of their party; and when Antonio de Columna, King Philips Embaſſador, went into the Conclave himſelf, with reſolution, that before the ſaid Conclave were ſhut, Antonio Sanctio ſhould be nominated, and created Pope; and yet he was ſtoutly oppoſed by Franciſco Sfortia, and Columnio Sfortia, who threatned and prepared force againſt force, and added, that before that ſhould be, blood ſhould be ſeen run out of the Conclave, down the ſtairs to St. Peters Church. Many reproaches were thrown11 upon Sanctio; and the Cardinals being divided, grew into a long diſpute, till yet at length, by the intervention of ſome pecuniary corruptions from the Spaniſh Faction, Hippolito Aldobrandino was elected Pope. Thuan. lib. 103.
3. The Spaniards at preſent, by their Factions, reign in the Popes Court; and however they make not what Popes they will (becauſe their too much greatneſs is much ſuſpected) yet do they hinder ſuch as they will not have by their ambitious Courtſhips, from riſing to that dignity: and they of the Houſe of Auſtria are in ſuch a degree of favour at Rome, that it is believed by the Senate of the Holy See, that the conſervation of Religion, and the dignity of the ſaid See, depends upon them. Thuan. lib. 134. Therefore, after the death of Clement the 5th. the Spaniards fearing leaſt Noble Cardinal Caeſar Baronius, the writer of the Eccleſiaſtical Annals, ſhould be choſen Pope, revoked a complaint, which was begun againſt him during the life of the ſaid Clement, by certain Letters ſuppoſed to be written by Lorenzo Suarez Figuera Duke of Feria, and Viceroy of Sicily, brought into the Congregation by Ptolemaeo Gallo Cardinal12 of Coma, and Dean of the Colledge, and recited by Don Franciſco Mexia Avila, a Spaniſh Cardinal, becauſe they were written in that language: at the reading whereof Baronius, who was preſent, was not a little troubled, and taking his grounds (after his faſhion) out of the holy Scripture, ſuddenly anſwered,
Now there was a place in the eleventh Book of his Annals, where he had written, that the Right, which the Kings of Spain claim to themſelves in the Monarchy of Sicilie, was grounded upon falſe and ſuſpected testimonies, &c. See Thuan. lib. 134. and though Baronius excuſed himſelf, yet afterwards, when his Works were Printed at Antwerp, the eleventh Tome was prohibited, and thoſe Copies which were ſet forth at Rome, were alſo prohibited in the King of Spains Territories.
4. The ſtupidity of ſome Catholicks is to be wondred at, who refuſe to do nothing in favour of the Spaniards, when in the mean while, nothing is more familiar to the Spaniards, then to make a ſtalking horſe of the very Pope himſelf, as it clearly13 appears in the Controverſie of Portugal, An. 1579. when the Pope, by Philippo Sega, his then Embaſſador with King Philip, willing to interpoſe his Authority, and deſiring that the compoſure of the buſineſs between him and Henry might be referred to his arbitration; King Philip, at firſt, by the advice of Juan de Sylva, made a ſhew of reliſhing the Popes kindneſs very well; and till he had tranſacted with Henry, baffled Sega with various ſhifts and protractions, Thuan. lib. 69.
6. But was not Rome it ſelf taken, pillaged, and vext the Pope, and Clergy forced to yield themſelves in the Capitol, and then to ranſom themſelves with a huge ſumm of money, (viz. Four hundred thouſand Ducats in gold) beſides a certain gratulatory coyn, which was made with this Motto, In ſpem priſci honoris? Luckius, p. 64. And this was the fourteenth ſeizure of that City. Eraſmus in his Epiſt. 26. lib. 22. ſays, that Pope Clement was moſt inclemently treated. The Emperour indeed excuſed himſelf, that it was done without his knowledge; but it is ordinary with the Spaniſh Nation, either to deny their wicked actions, or to ſtuff and palliate them with ſpecious pretences.
147. That the Spaniards do not much value the Pope of Romes authority, if by any means they could work their ends otherwiſe, it is apparent by that war, which the Duke of Alva in his Kings name, waged againſt his Holineſs in Italy, 1556. of which, Thuan. lib. 17. & 18. where it is related, how the ſaid Duke had a deſigne to take Rome it ſelf.
8: When the Spaniards had pulled Perez out of the Church wherein he had taken Sanctuary, the Popes Nuncio, for the maintenance of the Priviledges of the Church, urged that the ſaid Perez might be reſtored to the Church from whence he was taken, but could effect nothing. See In relatione rerum Perezii, p. 31.
8. The Vice King of Sicily or Naples, put to death a certain Nobleman of that Kingdom, a Kinſman of the Popes, notwithſtanding the Popes interceſſion.
9. How the Spaniards gulled the Cenſure of Pope Ʋrban the 8th. againſt Poza the Jeſuit, Alphonſo de Vergas in his relation teaches at large. See alſo the Appendix to that relation.
10. Thomas Campanella a Spaniſh Dominican Fryer, in his Diſcourſe of the Spaniſh Monarchy, cap. 6. ſays, We muſt15 labour to get a Spaniſh Pope, or rather one of the houſe of Auſtria.
11. That the Spaniards bear not that reverence, and reſpect which they pretend, to the Biſhop of Rome, but abuſe his Authority for their own Intereſt, is clear enough out of Ancellus, in his Speech which he made to the Princes of the Empire, 1597. Thuan. lib. 118.
12. What ſtone did the Spaniards leave unmoved, in the Election of Clement the 8th. to wit, that by the excluſion of him, a more Hiſpaniolized Pope might be choſen, and chiefly Sanctorio; though yet for all that, Clement were elected, who after he had abſolved Henry the fourth, King of France from his Excommunication, the Spaniards ſaid openly, That the Pope was worſe, and more an Heretick, then he whom he had abſolved. Perionius in his Epiſtle to Henry the fourth, Thuan.
13. When Leo was choſen Pope, the Spaniards reclaimed much againſt it, eſpecially Cardinal de Avila, who, when Pope Leo was nominated, cryed out as loud as he could, Treaſon, Treaſon! I proteſt, I proteſt! He is an enemy to the Catholick King! See Perionius in his Epiſtle to the King. And Hulſius in Leon. ii. 16They had a deſign to poyſon the Pope, nor was it far ſhort of truth, for he lived but 25. days, and the Spaniſh Arts are known.
14. In like manner did the Spaniards behave themſelves, at the Election of Ʋrban the 8th. which when they were not able to hinder, they ſet forth a Libel at Rome, wherein they asked, Whether the Pope were a Catholick, or no? To which Paſquil anſwered, Peace, peace, He is most Chriſtian; And at the Popes Arms, they jeered thus,
But another anſwered,
CHAP. III. The Praevarications, and exceſſes of the Spaniards, towards the rest of the Catholicks.
THE rule whereby I have purpoſed to my ſelf, briefly, and as it were, by Indexes, to ſhew the Praevarications of the Spaniards, permits me not to recount whole Hiſtories, of their exceſſes, and Praevarications towards the reſt of the Catholicks themſelvs for the confirmation of the Argument of this Chapter: it will ſuffice, ſlightly, and curſorily to hint ſuch Hiſtories, and Authors, as have written them more at large.
2. In the year 1580. when the war was hot in Portugal, beſides other extraordinary cruelties committed by the Spaniards againſt the Catholicks and Clergy, they came to the Church of St. Roch, neer the Almeda (which is the Jeſuits Colledge, and whither many people, out of reſpect to the Jeſuits, and for ſafety ſake, had tranſported their goods of moſt18 value) and thruſting out the Italians, under colour of Friendſhip, and as if they had been ſent by their Commanders to guard the Place, partly by force, and partly by theft, they plundered the ſaid goods, and carried them to the Navy, then neer at hand. Thuan. lib. 70. And many of the Clergy, who would not adhere to the Spaniards in their Invaſion of Portugal, were killed, and deſtroyed by them, as is delivered by the Hiſtorians who wrote that War.
3. When Charles the 5th. ſent his Spaniſh Souldiers againſt the Turk, under the conduct of Antonio de Leva, the ſaid Souldiers uſed all kinds of baſeneſs, coveteouſneſs, and libidiouſneſs, towards the Catholicks in Austria, plundring, and firing of Towns, as if they had been amongſt their open enemies.
4. Who can chooſe but be ſtrucken with extream horror, to read the ſacking of the City of Antwerp 1576. as it is deſcribed by Thuan. lib. 62. when it began to be a vulgar ſaying amongſt the Spaniards, to them of the ſame Religion, (when they begged them to ſpare them for Religions ſake) If you have a good faith, that is for your ſouls; but if you have much19 money, that is for us, and our Trunks.
5. The fine Latine Speech, and the form of condemning men, which Vargas the Spaniſh Inquiſitor was wont to uſe, when, being drunk and drowzy, he pronounced the ſame Sentence upon all ſuch as were accuſed, unſeen, and unheard; viz. Haeretici franxerunt templa & ſimulachra, Catholici nihil fecerunt contra, ergo utrique debent patibulari: The Hereticks have broken the Churches, and Images; the Catholicks have done nothing to the contrary; therefore they muſt both be hanged.
6. Nor is that uſual ſcoff of the Duke of Alva, related by Thuan. lib. 42. to be ſilenced, viz. That one Salmons head was more worth then fifty Frogs heads: for the ſaid Duke fulfilled this verſe, Tros Tyriuſque fuat, nullo diſcrimine habendi: Be they Proteſtants, or Catholicks, if they be not Hispaniolized, &c. away with them. Hereof the Counts of Egmond, Horn, Montigni, and other Noblemen had ſad experience; yea, and all the Catholick part of the Low-Countries likewiſe. Witneſs ſo many Towns taken, ſackt, and diſpeopled. Witneſs thoſe Towns, which even yet, being loaded with Spaniſh Garriſons, are brought almoſt to the utmoſt20 calamity, by various exactions, preſſures, and burthens. Witneſs the Clergy of Portugal heretofore; and at preſent, the Kingdom of Catalonia, omitting that of Arragon, Sicilie and Naples. Witneſs ſome Biſhops of the Empire, one whereof, to another great man, brake out into theſe words: I ſee, and foreſee, that the Spaniards ſeek nothing more, then that we, and other Biſhops, may ſpeedily die, and bequeath our Biſhopricks, and habits to them by Will. But what do we read? Yea, even whileſt we are yet living, they are plotting and ſtruggling, to pull them from us, and put them upon themſelves. And further, ſays he, It is not enough for them, to have invaded the Electoral Land, but they will needs mount up to our Altars, and place themſelves neer the Virgin and her childe. We need not (ſays he) go far; for the Archbiſhop of Trevirs, and the Abbot of Maximinus can teſtifie by experience, &c.
13. Philip the ſecond, King of Spain, in his Pardon which he granted them who had reſiſted him in Portugal, ever excepted ſacred Perſons, ſo that he gave leave to all people, either to kill, or ſeverely puniſh them. For when that War of Portugal was ended, it is known, that21 two thouſand Religious men, in the Iſlands and in Portugal, either by the ſword, or ſome other miſchief, loſt their lives for the ſaid Wars ſake. Thuan. lib. 75. anno 1582.
Philip the ſecond, ſon to Charles the fifth, confiſcated all the goods of the Archbiſhop of Toledo, and cauſed him to be poyſoned, becauſe he had ſaid (and that conſtantly indeed) that the ſaid Charles laſt Confeſſion was, that he confided only in the merit of Chriſt. See Baudartius, lib. 16. Apoph. where alſo is rehearſed that contemptible Epitaph made upon Charles the fifth.
15. Anno 1576. in that fury, and direption of Antwerp, raiſed by the Spaniards, wherein they ſpared none of what Religion ſoever, they ran up and down the Markets, and ſtreets, crying out as loud as they could, Todo, todo, todo; All, all, all; Dineros y no palabras; Moneys and not words. They brake open gates22 and windows with their guns, and weapons, crying, Fuora, fuora, vellacos, Out Knaves, out; and one of the chief of them, cauſed theſe words to be wrought upon his pillow, Caſtigador de los Flamengos; The Chastiſer of the Flemings.
16. At Mechlin, they plundred all the Archbiſhops of that Town, and all the Biſhops of Namurs, his Church-ſtuff; the dammage whereof was valued at ſome millions of gold. See Speculum Hiſp. Tyran. in Belgio, p. 41.
17. At Owdenard, they threw ſome of the Clergy into the water. Ibid.
18. The Spaniards likewiſe ſufficiently teſtifyed their cruelty towards the Catholicks, when the Admiral of Arragon invaded Weſtphalia, the Biſhoprick of Munſter and Paterborn, nor ſpared ſo much as the Biſhoprick of Colein. See Speculum Arragonicum, & Specul. Hiſp. tyran. in Belgio, p. 99, 100, 101, &c.
19. The Spaniards did more hurt in the Indies by their cruelty, then good by their Religion; yea, they were often cauſe, that the Religious men were murthered and ill uſed by the Indians, as Bartholomè de la Caſa teaches in his ſpec. Hiſp. tyran. in India. And the ſame moreover23 ſays, that the Spaniards could not endure, that the ſaid Religious men ſhould be there, and teach, in regard that thereby the Indians were not ſo much their ſlaves, as being better informed; yea, and they took it ill, that any of them ſhould be converted to the Chriſtian Faith. The ſame Barthol.
20. The Noblemen of Catalonia diſcover remarkable examples of the Spaniſh Praevarications againſt the Catholicks, and Clergy, in their Catholick Complaint, eſpecially p. 4.10, 12. See below, Cap. de Cataloniae regno relata noſtra.
21. Nojo Moncata, who firſt prophaned the Church in the Vatican at Rome (never violated before, and dedicated from the times of the very Goths and Vandals, to St. Peter and Paul, the Saints Guardian of the City,) was a Spaniard. Jovius in ejus Elogio.
22. The Spaniards uſe Churches for their ſafe••, as Sanctuaries; and yet if others flie thither for refuge, they violently pull them out and carry them away, without any reſpect to the Sacredneſs of the place, or priviledge; whereof the Reader hath an example in Perez, in the Kingdom of Arragon. And24 Anno 1640. the Vice-King of Naples drew a certain Grandee of Naples out of the Church, and put him to death.
CHAP. IV. The Spaniſh Inquiſition.
THat all miſchiefs were brought into the world by this Pandora, the more ſincere, and more prudent Catholicks themſelves cannot deny, how much ſoever the Fathers of the Council of Trent defend it, and how much ſoever the Spaniards, like ſome Divine Palladium (as without which their Religion can hardly ſtand) adore it. Whereof Thuan. lib. 104. ſays thus.
1. The Inquiſition is a Benc•••r Tribunal) in Arragon, to enervate or weaken the Rights of their Countrey-Liberty, invented by the Kings againſt ſuch as bore publick Offices. The Inquiſitors, a kinde of men, of a more then Scythick, or barbarous nature, ingenious for the invention of moſt25 unheard of torments, thought nothing ſharp and bitter enough to torture mens bodies, without ſparing either ſex or age. Robertus Abbatius. The Citizens of Lisbone offered King Philip five and twenty hundred M, as the Author of the Book of the Inquiſition ſayes: not that the ſaid Inquiſition might be taken away; but that, in the terrible juriſdiction thereof, this temperament might be kept, That no body might be impriſoned, without firſt knowing his accuſers name, and expreſſing the heads of his Crime; that ſo the accuſed, by the knowledge thereof, might be able to prepare his anſwer before his condemnation: And in ſhort, that the priſoners might be heard, according to cuſtome in other Trials, before ſentence were pronounced againſt him. But the Inquiſitors would not endure to have their terrible power ſo circumſcribed; for it rambles up and down to expreſs its juriſdiction at pleaſure, and hath this priviledge in it, to give credit to the teſtimonies of baſe and perfidious fellows, of whom no account is had in other cauſes. By this trick was weakned the liberty of26 Lumbardy, and the Kingdom of Naples; the Arragoneſes priviledges broken; the Lisbonezes and Portuguezes by degrees diſarmed. Author anonymus ad ordines Belgicos An, 1605. apud Thuan. lib. 133.
2. It was the Duke of Alva's deſigne having reduced the Low Countries to a hard ſervitude, and deſtroyed the Noblemen, to build a Caſtle for the Spaniſh Inquiſition, or Tyranny, from whence he might ſend Armies, to deſtroy the Germans, Engliſh and French, under colour of eſtabliſhing Religion; but the truth is, to impoſe their Monarchy upon the whole Chriſtian World, which the Spaniards have long had in their thoughts; and for the atchievement whereof, there is nothing ſo deteſtable in counſell, nothing ſo horrible in fact, nor nothing ſo diſhoneſt in iſſue, but they hold it lawful for them; witneſs Mounts and Berghs, ſeat upon the publick truſt, with leave of Margaret, Dutches of Parma, into Spain, and unworthily put to death, ſo many Noblemen beheaded, and more then 20000 innocent perſons butchered by the Hangman. The States in their anſwer to the King of Denmark, 1597. Thuan. lib. 11.9.
273. The perverſe and prepoſterous form of the Tryals of the Inquiſition, againſt all naturall equity, and lawfull order, is obſerved in the explication of that juriſdiction, as alſo the barbarouſneſſe of the torments, wherewith (contrary to truth) whatſoever the Deputies ſhould think fit to fancie, they extorted confeſſion from the wretched and innocent priſoners; whereby it hapned, that they ſaid, that it was not invented ſo much for the maintaining of piety, (for which there was another way ſhewed by the ancient Diſcipline of the Church) as for that, by ruining the fortunes of all, freemen might by this means be brought into danger. Thuan. lib. 3. where he likewiſe recounts how the Dominican Inquiſitors being ejected by the Neapolitans, there aroſe tumults about it. Anno 1542.
4. How much the Dominican Inquiſitors were alſo hated by the people at Rome, and how odious the Inquiſition grew to the Romans after the death of Pope Paul 4 Thuanus teaches, lib. 23. Anno 1559.
5. Charles 5. An. 1550. granted the Inquiſitors power to queſtion not only28 the common people, but the Magiſtrates alſo, and make them ſwear to anſwer to their Interrogatories, and diſcover their knowledge; beſides, that part of the goods of the accuſed, was propoſed to the Informers for a reward: and ſo a large gate was opened to calumnies and vexations both againſt all the ſubjects of the Low-Countreys, and all ſuch ſtrangers alſo, as for any reſpect of buſineſs betook themſelves thither, whereof the number was very great. Thuan. lib. 6. where it is alſo related, how the people of Antwerp, by the interceſſion of the Emperours ſiſter Mary, got this Decree to be mitigated, and the hatefull name of Inquiſition to be aboliſhed.
6. The Spaniſh Inquiſition, in the ſpace of hardly thirty years, hath moſt cruelly conſumed, by various afflictions, and ſundry kinds of deaths, a hundred and fifty thouſand perſons of the reformed Religion. Balaeus de Act. Pont.
7. The Spaniſh Inquiſition ſpares not ſo much as the blood of Kings; many are ready to ſhew from hence, that they affirm, that Charles, ſon to King Philip29 the ſecond was queſtioned by the Inquiſition for ſaying, That the Flemings were to be more mildly handled, which ſaying is reported to have haſtened his death; yea, it is held for certain, that the Inquiſitors diſputed, Whether the bones of Charles 5, were not to be digged up and burned, becauſe he ſeem'd before his death, to be inclined to the opinion, that man is onely ſaved by Faith through Chriſt.
8. A certain Spaniſh Inquiſitor called Diego Heſſelio, in the Low Countries, was wont in the afternoon when he was drunk and drowzie, to exerciſe his bloody Tryals; and when he was askt his ſentence, rubbing his eyes for ſleep, he would ſay, To the gallows, to the gallows; and ſo the wretched priſoners were carried to the gallows. See Speculum Hispan. Tyran. in Belgio, p. 70.
9. The bloody Judge Vergas was alſo bold to ſay, That the over-much connivency of the King, and the Duke of Alva, loſt the Low Countries. Ibid.
10. The Spaniſh Inquiſition, againſt the Rights and Priviledges of the Kingdom of Arragon, unjuſtly forc'd Antonio Perez out of priſon at Saragoza, whither30 he fled for ſafety, and clapt him up in their own Jayl, out of which he was nevertheleſs again delivered by a concourſe of the people, See the Relation of Perez, p. 57, &c.
11. Poza the Jeſuit congeſted various erroneous opinions in his Book, and diſperſed them amongſt his Countreymen the Spaniards: the Pope prohibited the Book. But the Ieſuits deſpiſing the Popes cenſure, publiſht it at Lyons, and wrought ſo far with the Spaniſh Inquiſition, as not to confirm the ſaid cenſure, as it hath not done hitherto. Alonzo Vargas of Toledo, cap. 17. Relationis ſuae Anno 1641.
CHAP. V. The Praevarications of the Spaniards againſt the Empire.
THe Emperour Charles 5. though by nature a moſt mild Prince, and moſt conſtant in his word, was like notwithſtanding, by the continual whiſperings of the Spaniards, whom he had about him, to be carried away to the31 contrary, as it appears in the cauſe of Luther, in the cauſe of Frederick Elector of Saxony, and of Philip Landgrave of Heſſia. For what endeavour did they not uſe to make him deprive Luther of his Paſs, and the publick faith, and abandon him to their diſpoſall. But he generouſly bid them be gone, ſaying, Though there were no faith in the world, yet ſhall it be found in me.
2. The kindlers of that war which he waged againſt the Proteſtants, were certainly no other but his Spaniſh Counſellors.
3. And that the Landgrave was not faithfully dealt with, was not ſo much to•e imputed to the Emperour, as to the Duke of Alva, and the Archbiſhop of Arra•, who interpreted the word of Captivity not to be ſo underſtood, as if he were not to be detained at all, but that he was not to be perpetually detained. And it is alſo to be aſcribed to the bloody counſels of the Spaniards, that John Frederick Duke of Saxony, fell into hazard of his life, by a ſentence already pronounced againſt him by the Emperour, N•r was it any bodies work but theirs (for they could do all things with32 Caeſar) that the Religion and form of Government was changed, in many free Cities of the Empire; and that thoſe captive Princes, for five years together, to the huge diſhonour of the German Nation, were carried up and down by the Emperour as it were in triumph. Theſe and the like enormities exerciſed by the Spaniards through the whole Empire in Charles his time, the Reader may find in Sleidens Commentaries.
6. An. 1597. Franciſco de Mendoza very earneſtly urged the Emperour in K. Philips name, that the Vice-County of Vezonſon, (which being hereditary in the Family of the Cabillers, was tranſferred by lawfull ſucceſſion upon the Naſſaws) being now devolv'd upon the Empire by the preſcription of Willi••Prince of Orange, might be tranferred upon the ſaid Philip, with the Title of Deputy.
7. The Emperour being deſired to conſtitute a Governour and a Senate in the Territory of Cleve, and Gulick: he anſwered, that he muſt conſult thereof with the Princes of the Empire; & for the reſt that he would take care that a man very well affected to the Reformed33 Religion, ſhould be ſent into thoſe Dutchies; but that King Philip muſt have a ſtrict eye over all by his officers, though ſtill with this caution, not to raiſe ſuſpition in the breaſts of them to whom that ſucceſſion belonged. Thuan. lib. 9. c. 118,
8. The ſame Mendoza treated with the inhabitants of Newburgh, Franckfurt, and others, about appointing a Church for the Catholicks. Ibid. &c.
9. The Spaniards had long ſince (in hope) devoured the Dutchy of Cleve; which afterwards by their Hiſpaniolized Councellors, after the deceaſe of the Prince, they in part obtained. Acta Principum.
10. The ſame Franciſco de Mendoza, anno 1598. invaded the ſaid Dutchy of Cleve and Gulick, with 20000 men of various nations, took Orſo, and other Towns, and made incurſions into Weſtphalia, and the neighbouring places, and ſeized upon Alpen, though it were declared Neutral. In the ſame manner ſerved he the Counteſs of Moerſen, who, though ſhe made her complaint to the Archduke Albert, got nothing but words for her labour. He likewiſe attempted34 the Citie of Cleve, which is the Princes ſeat, and he perfidiouſly kild and burnt Wirich, Count of Bruchen, after he had ſurrendred himſelf and his Caſtle to him upon Quarter. He alſo took other Towns Buderick, Dinſlack, Holt, Reſe, and Weſal, he ſufficiently oppreſt and afflicted; the Counties of Swartzenburgh, and Benthemien he devaſted, nor ſpared he the County of Altenburgh, or the Biſhoprick of Paterburn, &c. To omit other inſolencies & exceſſes ſurpaſſing all meaſure, which were done and committed in the Empire, whereof Thuan. lib. 121. Metteranus, and the Author Speculi Tyran. Hiſp. in Belgio, p. 94, 95, 96, 97, &c.
11. With what right, and to what end the Spaniards thruſt themſelves into the buſineſs and cauſe of Aquenſis, Gulick and Mulhemien, even a blind man may ſee, to wit, with the ſelf ſame right, and to the ſelf ſame end, that the Duke of Parma in his Kings name, ſeized upon the County of Moerſen: and the like aim had the Spaniards, in ſeizing upon Rheinbergh, and other Towns in the Empire.
12. With no better ſeaſons did they35 invade the lower Palatinat, the Dutchy of Simmeren, and the Biſhoprick of Trevirs, there they committed the former exceſſes and prevarications in the Empire; and indeed it is but like them, to keep Frankental againſt the expreſs Articles, and their promiſe made to King James of England, to reſtore it to his daughter the King of Bohemiah's Widow: But they think it a piece of policie to cheat Kings with oathes, as men do children with nut•.
13. Anno 1598. a Citizen of Gro•ninghen being taken, Letters were found about him to Ezard Earl of Eaſt Freezland, wherein he was bid by a Courtier of the Archduke Alberts, to fly ſpeedily to King Philips protection, which was offered him. Thuan, lib. 122.
14. At the ſame time, by the inſtigation of King Philips Embaſſadour, and Mendoza, a ſentence was pronounced againſt the Citizens of Aquenſis. Ibid.
15. Anno 1584. when there aroſe a war between Gebhard Archbiſhop of Colein, and the Colledge, the Spaniards inſtantly thruſt themſelves into the36 buſineſs, however the Emperour and Princes often admoniſht the Duke of Parma to withdraw his Souldiers out of the Empire, Thuan. lib. 78.
16. Ancellus the French Embaſſadour in his ſpeech to the Princes of Germany, Anno 1597. ſayes; In Italy there are few Countries which turn from the Empire under pretext of protection, do not groan under the cruel yoak of the Spaniards: Nor is Germany to hope better, in which the Town of Berk upon the Rheine, is already, againſt all right and equity, held by a forraign Garriſon; and the Caſtle of Starkenburgh in Weſtphalia is daily fortified with all expedition. The excurſions of the Spaniards as far as into Haſſia theſe former years, are notorious, &c. Thuan. lib. 118. Germany hath two potent enemies hanging over her head; the one, the Turk, a plundering, indefatigable, terrible, and inſuperable Prince, the other the Spaniard, who craftily, and by the ruine of the Princes his Ally's, opens his way to the Empire. It muſt be warily conſidered whether of theſe two is to be thought the more formidable, by comparing the Alcoran with the Spaniſh Inquiſition: and whether it be better to have to do with the Eaſtern or Weſtern Turks. The Author of37 the Exequies of the Pacification of Prague, printed at Roterdam, 1593. writes, that the Spaniſh Embaſſador at Ratisbon, viſited the Electors, houſe by houſe only, like a perpetual Dictator, and dictated to their pens what his Kings pleaſure was. p. 32. and a while after he adds, Unleſſe the Electors ſhake off the Lethargy, and the Lords of the Chapters in the principal Churches, look more attentively to their buſineſſe, it will ſhortly come to that paſſe, That upon the Eccleſiaſticall Electors•ill be obtruded the Albani, Farneſii, Leopoldi, and upon the very Chapters themſelves, and Collegiat Churches, the proud Leirae, Vergoſii, and others of that ſtuff, (whoſe character is ſufficiently known in the Belgick History) who value as much the Nobility of Germany, as Bethleem Gabor did Priſcians Rules, who having often made the Aſſembly laugh with his Latine, handſomly anſwered, Quid curaremus Priſcianum Grammaticum, qui non metuimus Imperatorem Romanorum? Why ſhould we care for Priſcian the Grammarian, when we fear not the Emperour of the Romans? Idem ibidem, p. 33.
17. The Spaniſh Embaſſador was wont to brag at the Dyet of Ratisbone,38 that his King maintained three Electors there, a•d fed th•m amongſt his Flocks; ye•, and th••his King Ferdinand ruled the then King of Kings. In Exeq. Pacif. Pra•. p. 66.
18. Anno 154•. The Spaniards, who marcht under the conduct of Charles 5. aſſ•ulting partly by force, and partly by cunning, the Citie of Conſtance, had already ſeized upon the Suburbs; where, after they had committed many outrages, being repulſt by the inhabitants, they fired it and retreated. Sleid. lib. 21. Com ſui.
16. The States of the Empire aſſembled at Norimbergh 1640, amongſt other things, earneſtly petitioned the Emperour, that he would command the Spaniards (as diſaffected to the Empire) to depart from his Councel, and aſſembly of Princes, as very well underſtanding, that that Nation uſes to fiſh in other mens Pools, the better to obtain their own ends.
19. The Princes of Germany did not without ground ſuſpect Charles the fifth; as if, under pretext of Religion and eſtabliſhing the Empire, he lookt upon his own private advantage, and39 the tranſlation of the Empire by right of inheritance, upon his own family. Thuan. lib. 107.
20. The Spaniſh faction highly threatned Matthias K. of Hungary, to deter him for giving free exerciſe of Religion to the Auſtrians & Hungarians, whereby it clearly enough appears, how much the Spaniards eſteem the houſe of Auſtria, with the reſt of the Catholicks, and how much they hate them of the Reformed Religion. By the ſame way they over-ruled the Emperour Rodolph, for granting liberty of Religion to the Bohemians and Sileſians. Metteranus lib. 30. Anno 1608, 1609.
21. Thomas Campanella, a Spaniſh Fryer, in his Diſcourſe of the Spaniſh Monarchy, c. 5. ſpeaks thus, of adding the Empire to the Spaniſh Kingdomes, The Pope muſt make it his buſineſs to excommunicate the three Proteſtant Electors, threatning them, that unleſſe they return to the Roman Church, he will deprive them of their Electoral dignity: And then, it were better, if the King of Spain would get himſelf choſen Emperour, and ſo invade Germany with a great Hoſt, and ſubdue it; but he muſt do it under pretext of going into Hungary.
CHAP. VI. The Praevarications of the Spaniards, againſt the Kings and Kingdoms of France.
AS France is neereſt to the Empire in limits, ſo is it alſo neereſt to the plots and tricks which are framed againſt it by the Spaniſh Nation. For, in regard that no kingdom is a greater Remora to the Spaniſh Monarchy then France: therfore do the Spaniards bend all their forces and ſtudies, to the conqueſt thereof; inſomuch as I could diſcover the whole Magazine of their plots, deſigns, and prevarications againſt it, were I not hindred by other reaſons: but amongſt many it may ſuffice for the preſent to bring ſome few. I will ſilence the warres between Charles & Francis, becauſe they were publick, as alſo other Martiall differences, and will onely touch upon ſome clancular attempts, and ſuch as were exerciſed ſecretly, and under colour, if not of true friendſhip, yet certainly with no ſhew of open hoſtility.
411. In the firſt place, we meet with the League of the Henotickes, who affected to be called Zelots; in which action, not onely and ſingly of the Spaniards, but a manifold prevarication might be obſerved, of which conſpiracy, or Holy League, (as they would needs have it ſtyled) the Noble Hiſtorian Thuan ſayes thus, lib. 90. Never was there Portent in France, to be compared with that pernitious faction, who fancied to be called Zelots: for having ſeduced the hearts of the common people, the Towns and Cities throughout the whole kingdom revolted from their lawfull King and Magiſtrate, and letting the Spaniards into the kingdome, laid all France open to forraigne & pernitious enemies to the French name; inſomuch as that a certain learned man, not unpleaſantly ſaid, That though the Prodigie which appeared in Nero's time, (when, in the Agro Marruccino, the whole Olivet of Vectius Mercellus was carried over the high way, and plowed lands inſtantly brought in its ſtead) were very great, yet the French were a greater miracle to us in our dayes, namely to ſee Spain come into France, and Frenchmen to behold Spaniards ſtrutting in the middle of Paris. Thua. Lib. 90.
422. That King Philip of Spain entred into league with the Guiſians, to the diſadvantage of the kingdom of France, may be read as well elſwhere as in Thuan, lib. 81. where the conditions of the league are alſo expreſt.
The crown of France is deſired for Iſabel.3. An 1593. the Duke of Feria, Embaſſador to the King of Spain, moſt highly extol'd Clara Eugenia Iſabella, the Spaniſh Infanta, in an Aſſembly of the Noble men in France, deſiring at laſt, that in the choyce of a King, (though Henry the fourth were already King) the ſaid Infanta might be remembred, Thuan. lib. 106. which was manfully oppoſed by, &c.
The Petition for Iſabel iterated by the Spaniards.4. The ſame petition was likewiſe afterwards renewed with the States, and moſt vehemently urged by John Baptiſt Taxis, and Inigo Mendoza. Idem Thuan. lib. 16. But theſe men were refuted by ſome who poſted up papers in certain places; wherein, amongſt other things were found theſe: If the French ſhould do this, they would not onely be condemned of high treaſon for betraying their Countrey to their enemy (and nominatively the Spaniard) but alſo ſhew themſelves meer madmen, by truſting the ſecurity of their Religion43 with that faithleſs Nation, (the greateſt part of them being Marianiſts, and ſuch as held it a common crime, not to know God) and render their wives, children, and whatſoever is dear and good to them, to the luſt and cruelty of thoſe white Mores, (whoſe ways were not to be endured even by their own ſubjects) to be greedily and cruelly dealt with, and thereby ſtir up the moſt juſt hatred, revenge, and armes of the neighbouring people and Princes againſt themſelves, to whom the Spaniſh ambition is (with good reaſon) both extreamly ſuſpect, and hateful, in regard they ſeek nothing elſe, but that under pretence of Religion they may every where uſurp a tyrannicall Rule, thereby to deceive the ſimple, and ſuffer the wicked to tranſgreſs with impunity, &c.
5. The Spaniards obſerving that this buſineſs of the Infanta would not ſucceed,The crown of France deſired for Ernestus. propound Erneſtus (to whom Iſabella was to be married) to the Confederates, but finding a rub alſo there, they propoſed,The D. of Lorrain is propounded to the French for their king, by the Spaniards that the Noble men would chooſe ſome one of the Princes of France, as aiming at the Duke of Lorrain, to whom Iſabel was afterwards to marry. But at length they nominated the Duke of Guize, promiſing to give him the Infanta44 to wife, and asking Low Britany for her Joynture. They preſcribed alſo other inſolent conditions to the French, as if, forſooth, they had been ſent into the full poſſeſſion of France, and had treated with conquered people; which yet was underſtood by Meduan and Baſſompierre, and therefore they rejected their propoſitions. See Thuan lib. 106. & lib. 107.
7. The Spaniards under the pretext of ſuccouring their Allyes and Confederates, ſeaze upon ſome Towns, vvhereof the Citizens of Lyons being ſenſible 1594, ſecured themſelves betimes, and agreed with Henry the fourth. Thuan. lib. 108.
A plot againſt the life of the King of France, framed by the Spaniards. The attempts againſt Henry 4. 8. Fontano and Steven Ibarra, Miniſters of the King of Spains, ſuborned Emanuel Andrada, with huge promiſes, to poyſon the King of France with a Noſe-gay, Thuan. lib. 109.
9. The high endeavours of the Spaniards to alienate the Pope from Henry the fourth, are deſcribed by Thuan. lib. 107.
10. Philip the ſecond, at firſt, by privat plots, but afterwards by open force, brake into France, and fiſht as it vvere vvith a golden hook, for the ill affected perſons. Thuan. lib. 110.
4511. Henry the fourth complains grievouſly of the Noblemen of France upon the diſcovery of the new plot, Anno 1604. That the Spaniard would want no matter for his crimes, for that he could not reduce his mind from the vice it got on the other ſide of the Pyreneans, nor ceaſe to draw his ſubjects to wicked actions, &c. Which letter is exhibited by Matthaeo in Hiſtoria Franciae, lib. 7.
12. By vvhat means the Spaniards attempted to intercept Maſſeilles, Anno 1596, and how Menargus vvas puniſht for it, is taught by Matthaeus, lib. 1. tom. 3. Hiſt. Fran. & Thuan. lib. 116.
13. The King of Spains various prevarications againſt France, are deduced by Henry 4. in denunciatione belli Provinciis Philippi, Thuan. lib. 3.
14. The Spaniards incited Peter Owen, a Carthuſian Monk, to murther Henry the fourth; but the King pardoned him, notvvithſtanding he vvere condemned, Thuan ſub finem, lib. 118.
15. The Spaniards, however there were peace on both ſides, complotted vvith Biron, Anno 1610. by Fontano Parario, Thuan, lib. 125.
16 What was their deſign Anno 1602.46 when it was agreed between the King of Spain and Biron, to ſeize upon King Henry when he was a hunting, and ſend him into Spain, Thuan. lib. 128.
17. Fontano, Anno 1600, (at which time there was peace between France & Spain) had forty thouſand men, and forty pieces of Ordnance ready, wherewith he intended to invade. France, becauſe King Henry was then buſie with the war of Savoy, Thuan. lib. 128.
18. What pernicious counſels Taxis and Sunica, King Philips Embaſſadors took in France againſt the kingdom of France, is manifeſt out of the confeſſion of Balſack, Count of Eutrage, Thuan. lib. 134. As alſo out of another, with other Noblemen at the ſame time; as out of another with Merargus Governor of Marſeilles, where King Henries ſpeech is likewiſe related, wherein he both freely and largely upbraids Sunica King Philips Embaſſador, with the Spaniards plots, Thuan lib. 134.
20. Santa Cruz King Philips General, after his victory againſt the French neer the Tercera Iſland, condemned and executed 28 Noblemen, about 50 Gentlemen, and 300 common men, Thua. lib. 75.
4721. In like manner Valemundo, General of the Spaniſh Army in Florida, perfidiouſly broke his word with Ribald, and Otigni, and moſt cruelly murthered above 600 French men after Quarter given, and cauſed their eyes to be pluckt out after they were dead, and to be ſtuck upon the points of their pikes, as Thuan amply deſcribes, lib. 41, Anno 1568.
22. The Spaniards, howbeit they had made peace and league with Charles the eighth, yet by privat diſpatches of letters and Agents to all parts (and eſpecially to Venice) they brake it, and inſtantly made war upon the French, as Comines teſtifies, lib. 5. belli Neapolitani, p. 926.
23. An. 1614. Franciſco Suarez, a Spaniſh Jeſuit, ſet forth a ſcandalous Book againſt the State of the kingdomes of England & France, which was publickly burnt at Paris, by order of Parliament; howbeit the ſaid Book was ſet forth by the approbation of Joan Alvarez, Provincial of that Society.
CHAP. VII. The Praevarications of the Spaniards againſt the Kings and Kingdom of England.
VVE have ſtaid long enough in a continent, let us now paſſe the Sea, and ſee whether the King of Spain have ſhewn himſelf more faithfull to the Engliſh then to the French, and others. Not a whit. Read what follows, and you will find with me, that a Wolf is every where a Wolf,Attempts againſt Q Elizabeth. and would as well take and devour the markt as unmarkt ſheep. And to begin with Queen Elizabeth, it cannot be denied, but that the Spaniard uſed all poſſible means to deprive her both of her kingdom and of her life. Thuan teſtifies, lib. 44. Anno 1569. that Mary Queen of Scots, by the inſtigation of the Spaniards, and others, endeavoured to innovate things in England; and to that end Rudolphus Robertus came into England, to ſolicite the Engliſh to diſloyalty, and promiſe them great matters from the Pope, and the King of Spain, and he was49 employed by the Queen, as her chief Miniſter and Aſſiſtant.
2. That the Spaniſh Miniſters by their Emiſſaries the Jeſuits, induced the Duke of Norfolk, Anno 1572. to undertake dangerous deſignes againſt Queen Elizabeth, was not doubted of by the wiſer ſort of thoſe times; yea, and he was brought to loſe his head for it. Hiſt. Belg.
3. In the year 1601. the King of Spain, by the inſtigation of Garnet Robert, a Jeſuit, endeavoured to trouble affairs in England; but that enterprize being detected, vaniſht into ſmoak. Metteranus lib. 27.
4. That the King of Spain did direct all his enterpriſes, that by the Jeſuits he might moleſt the affairs, and innovate Religion in England, ſo many reiterated deſignes, but moſt of them being fruſtrated, the writing made againſt the Jeſuits in England 1602. in which among other titles they have this name that they are the King of Spains Trumpeters.
I cannot forbear to ſpeak of that ſtupendious Fleet which was ſent againſt England and the Queen, Anno. 1588.
5. The King of Spain trecherouſly50 thinking to deſtroy Queen Elizabeth, and to poſſeſſe himſelf of the Engliſh Nation, provided a mighty Navy, conſiſting of one hundred and thirty ſhips, where of Galeaſſes and Galleons ſeventy two goodly ſhips like to floating Towers, in which were Souldiers 19290. Mariners 8350. Gally ſlaves 2080. great Ordnance 2630. On the twentieth of May they weighed Anchor from the River Trigas, but were by tempeſt ſo miſerably diſperſt, that it was long ere they met again: But they ſent before to the Prince of Parma, that he with his Forces conſiſting of fifty thouſand old Souldiers, ſhould be ready to joyn with them, and with his ſhipping to conduct them into England, and to land his Army at the Thames mouth. But God ſo ordered, that partly by diſtreſſe of weather, and partly by the valour of the Engliſh, they were driven back with infinite loſs and diſgrace.
6 Fontano, a Spaniard, with a vaſt ſum of money (to wit, 50000 Piſtols) corrupted Doctor Lopez, to poyſon Queen Elizabeth, as the ſaid Lopez himſelf; together with Emanuel Ludovicus Tinotius, & Stephanus Errera, freely confeſt. Thuan. lib. 109.
517. Ibarra attempted the ſame plot upon the ſaid Queen, by Edmond of York, Couſin german to him who perfidiouſly betrayed the Fort of Zutphan to the enemy: as alſo by Richard Williams, beſides another youth, and other complices, for which he promiſed them 40000 Piſtols.
8. Anno 1601. the Spaniards were brought into Ireland by Hugh Earle of Tiron, but were but ſcurvily entertained there. Thuan. lib. 125.
9. When, in the year 1603. certain Enggliſh were taken and executed for a conſpiracy againſt the King, Carolus Ligneus, Count of Aremberg, who was then Embaſſador there from the Archduke Albert, was ſuſpected to have conſpired with them, Thuan. lib. 129.
10. The King of Spain, not long after the death of Mary Queen of Scots, ordered the Duke of Parma, then Governor of the Low Countries, to promiſe in his name, the King of Scotland, both men and mony, againſt the Queen of England, thereby the more eaſily to revenge his mothers death. And to that end the ſaid Duke ſent Robert Bruſs, a Scotch Gentleman, into Scotland, with a great deal52 of money. Beſides, that the Scotch King was put in hope to marry the Infanta of Spain, provided that he embrac'd the Roman Religion, which was propoſed by one William Crich•on, who then belonged to the Popes Nuntio, and had formerly been Rector ſometime of the Jeſuits Colledge at Lyons, and he endeavoured to perſwade Bruſs, either by force or fraud to kill John Metelan, High Chancelor of Scotland; and becauſe Bruſs abhorred ſo wicked a fact, Crichton accuſed him to Fontano, who clapt him up in priſon for fourteen moneths together. See Hoſpinian.
11. How cunningly ſome of the Spaniſh Emiſſaries endeavoured to perſwade James (then King of Scotland, and afterwards of England too) that it was neceſſary for him to have a league and friendſhip with the King of Spain, ſaying that it would much advantage him to have the favour of the Spaniards. Thuan. lib. 83.
12. The dangerous deſignes of the Spaniards, by the Jeſuits and their Emiſſaries, to deſtroy both the Queen and Kingdom of England, Anno 1596. is deſcribed by Thuan and others in the53 Engliſh Complaint to Pope Clement the eighth.
13. Divers outrages and Acts of hoſtility have been committed by the Spaniards againſt the ſubjects of England in their Colonies of the Weſt Indies.
14 Anno 1605. Certain Engliſh men being on the North ſide of Hiſpaniola, were enticed a ſhore by a Prieſt named Father John, on promiſe of ſecure trading, were inhumanly and barbarouſly murthered by the Spaniards. The Maſter was tied naked to a tree, and moſt cruelly pinched and ſtung to death.
15. An. 1608. The Richard of Plimouth trading to Virginia, was aſſaulted by the King of Spains ſhips, and notwithſtandding the Maſter produced the Broad Seal of England, he with all the men were condemned to the Gallies, where ſome were with much cruelty, beaten to death.
16. With what tricks and juggles the Match in Spain, between the late King Charles, and the King of Spains daughter, was treated, prolonged, and at laſt quite eluded, is ſufficiently known to ſuch as were employed in that buſineſs. So that Spaniards are every where Spaniards,
CHAP. VIII. The Praevarications of the Spaniards against the King and Kingdom of Portugall.
WHen Sebaſtian King of Portugall, Anno 1578. reſolved to undertake that Expedition into Africa, (fatall both to him and his Kingdom) Philip King of Spain, ſeemed, forſooth, at firſt, to diſapprove, and diſſwade it; but it was obſerved by the wiſer ſort, that he was not reall in the buſineſs, as promiſing much, and performing little; yea, and ſomtimes inſtantly denying his promiſes, Thuan. lib. 65.
2. King Philip of Spain by his Emiſſaries the Jeſuits, deterred Henry ſucceſſor to Sebaſtian aforeſaid, as well by menaces as other perſwaſions, from his purpoſe of ſubrogating John Duke of Braganzia in his place, in reſpect of his age, howbeit all the Nobility of Portugall favoured the ſaid Duke; yea, and he alſo wrote Letters to the common people of Lisbon, to debauch them, and gain them to himſelf, which he at length, in his Npehew,55 Anno 1640 atchieved. Thuan. lib. 65. ſub finem.
3. None have ever more ſharply reſiſted free election for want of Maleiſſue, and in a dubious right of ſucceſſion to the Crown of Portugall, then King Philip and his adherents, Thuan. lib. 69.
4. Philip, by Ferdinand of Caſtile, deterred Henry, King of Portugall, from marriage, that by his dying a Batchelour, he might more eaſily come to the Crown of Portugal. Thuan, lib. 69.
5. Thuanus ſaith, that Philip intended to proſecute his right to the Kingdom of Portugall by way of Arms, as putting more confidence in his might then in his right, or in the opinions of his Lawyers.
6. Philip made many large promiſes to King Henry, and the Portuguezes, by the Duke of Oſſuma his Embaſſadour, to make him King; which afterwards were not half performed. Thuan. lib. 69.
7. Whilſt the ſuit was ſtill depending, and King Henry yet living, King Philip armed himſelf againſt Portugal; which Henry perceiving, began to boggle, as being perſwaded by Leo Euric, a Jeſuit, that he would merit heaven, if he would56 appoint Philip for his Succeſſour. Thuan. lib. 69.
8. The matter being come to blowes, Philip referred the buſineſſe to the Divines, (the Jeſuits and the Franciſcans) to be diſcuſt at leaſure: A fine way of proceeding, and proving his cauſe! For they, excluding the Popes authority, becauſe it was a meer earthly buſineſs, &c. gave their votes for Philip. Thuan. lib. 69. And howbeit the Pope indeed firſt by Sega his Nuntio, and afterwards by Alexander Riario, were urgent with Philip to deſiſt from war, til the buſineſs were compoſed, yet could he effect nothing at all with him. See Thuan. lib. 70. Anno 1580. but put off the Conference with various reaſons, delayes, and excuſes.
10. The Duke of Alva took Caſcaio by force; and although before it were done, the beſieged put forth a white Colour, and deſired a Parley, the Spaniards, notwithſtanding in hope of prey, ſtormed the Town ▪ and put Diego de Meneſes, whom they found there, together with Enric Perei ra Governour of the Caſtle, with ſome others, to death, Thuan. lib. 70.
5711. An. 1581. King Philip of Spain at his coronation, gave the Nobility of Portugal a general pardon for what was paſt; but the event anſwered not their expectation: for not onely Antonio Prior, Franciſco Portugallo, Count of Vimioſo, and Biſhop Juan Garda, brother to the ſaid Count, together with fifty more principal men of the contrary faction, and all religious men, were excluded from it. Thuan. lib. 73.
12. Philip readily granted the Portuguezes all ſuch of their requeſts as were of almoſt no moment; but ſuch as were of any concernment, he either flatly denied, or anſwering them ambiguouſly in the margine eluded. Thuan. lib. 73. In the ſame manner he alſo denied the requeſts of the Nobility.
13. How Philip gul'd the demands of ſuch of the Portuguezes as had rendred him faithfull ſervice in the acqueſt of the Crown, Thuan teaches, lib. 75. ſaying, That either the Kingdom of Portugal, in right, belonged to him, and then they were bound in juſtice to help him get it, or not; and ſo they were traytors to their own Countrey: but whetherſoever it were of both, he owed them nothing,58 and that it ought to ſuffice them that he had given them their lives.
14. How inexorable and ſevere Philip ſhewed himſelf to ſome ſacred perſons, who were againſt him in his acquiſition of Portugal, ſee by the Letters above, Chap. 2. for two thouſand of them periſht in that war. Thuan. lib. 72.
15. Immediatly after Philip got the Kingdome of Portugall, he utterly outed the Portuguezes, and preferred Spaniards in the government thereof; Whereupon Thuan. lib. 78. Anno 1583. It troubled the Portuguezes, that Franciſco Villefanga, a Caſtilian, and not a Portuguez, was made high Treaſurer of Portugall.
16. Michael de Vaſconcellis, the Spaniſh Kings Secretary, ſhewed himſelf ſo proud and inſolent in the ſaid Kings Councell at Lisbon, that he forbore not to ſtrike ſome prime perſons, who came to him upon buſineſſe. Others of the chiefe Nobility, he condemned, and ſent to the Gallies, and uſed other inſolencies Ex Relationibus Portugalliae. Anno 1640.
5917. Comines neer the end of his fifth Book of the Neapolitan warre, ſayes, that the Spaniards do naturally hate and contemn he Portuguezes.
CHAP. IX. The Praevarications of the Spaniards againſt the Low Countreys.
TIme, & the greedy Readers expectation require me now to return out of forraign parts, into our Low Countreys, and ſhew what things have been cruelly, perfidiouſly, trecherouſly, and lecherouſly, both done & ſuffered then by the Spaniards, before and, after this war, which hath already been begun, (and with no leſſe variety, then heat, and courage of the parties contending) continued ſince the year 1566. But in regard there is ſo great a cloud and bulk of them, that one my ſooner graſp the sky in ones hand, then relate them either with tongue or pen: Beſides, that there be many other Authors extant, of both60 Religions, who have collected them with as much faith as care, and have inſerted them in their Hiſtories according to the ſeries of years; I will forbear to tire my pen with ſetting them down. There are few who have not ſeen the Hiſtory of Emanuel Metterano, together with the continuation of William Baudert, written in Low-Dutch; as alſo the Relations of P. Boorn, of the ſame War: beſides the Hiſtory of Eberhard Raid; to be ſilent of the noble Hiſtorian Jacobo Auguſto Thuano, the Livies of the French Kingdom, by whom both the beginning and ſucceſſe of the Low-Countrey-war, are written with great elegancy, and integrity; where we may alſo ſee what plots were contrived againſt the Noblemen, and eſpecially againſt them of the houſe of Orange, both Father & Son, how many Towns taken, and miſerably plundred, and the Inhabitants more then barbarouſly treated: how many rebellions rayſed by the Spaniſh Souldiers; and how miſerably the ſubjects and Citizens (eſpecially they of Antwerp and Mecklin) were abuſed and pillaged: yea, how many thouſands died by the Hangmans hands, excluding61 ſuch as periſht in the warres. To which may alſo be added the Martyrology of Corvinus, and the Apologie of the Prince of Orange, beſides the ſpeech of Anſellus to the German Princes, together with other Apologetick writings, ſet forth by the Noblemen of the Low Countreys; likewiſe Speculum Hiſpan. Tyran. In which book the Reader will find ſuch things as will amaze him, principally pag. 35, 36, 37. at Bruſſels, Mounts in Hennault upon the Moze, Lile, Tornay, Roterdam, Mechlin, Zutphan, Nard, Harlem, Antwerp, (the ſacking whereof exceeded all the reſt, above 8000 Citizens, and Souldiers being maſſacred in it) beſides that they extorted and took from the Inhabitants above forty Tuns of gold, excluding Jewels, and other things of price, &c.
For theſe, and other cauſes, I ſhall not weary my own hands with writing, nor the Readers eyes with reading of theſe things; but will make a leap over rhe ſea into Catalonia.
That excellent book of Thomas Camponella, a Spaniſh Fryer, muſt not be left out of this Catalogue, wherein be ſhews above thirty wayes, for the King of62 Spain to ſubjugate the Low Countreys: as firſt, by ſowing the ſeeds of diſcord amongſt the Inhabitants, Secondly, by throwing them out of their Countrey; to which he adds this advantage, that the King ſhould fly to Jaſons Arts, and procure ſome Medaea, that is, ſome promiſcuous marriages.
CHAP. X. The Praevarications and Exceſſes of the Spaniards againſt the Kingdom or Principal of Catalonia.
THe States and Noblemen, chiefly the Magiſtrates of Barcelona, Anno 1640. publiſht a Book called, A Catholick Complaint to King Philip; wherein firſt, they demonſtrated their fidelity and conſtancy in his ſervice, freeneſſe, zeal, ſubmiſſion, and other deſerts towards him, whereby they juſtly deſerved and ought to be more gently, and better uſed by the Spaniards; for, as they write, chap. 7. whilſt the war laſted between him and the King of France in the63 County of Roſſillion, Anno 1640. they maintained 30000 men for ſeven moneths together. Gathered and preſented him an infinite ſum of money at ſeveral times, for his neceſſary uſes, without order, inſomuch that ſcarce any Province hath deſerved more & better. But what thanks received they? Thoſe, which in their Preface, or Epiſtle to the King, they complain of, to wit, that they had been bitterly treated by his Souldiers, who (as they write c. 4.) had extorted a great deal of money from the Husbandmen; that they had committed various ſacrileges in Monaſteries, Churches, and other ſacred places, plundred Churches, and fired ▪ them, broken Fonts, burnt conſecrated Hoſts, violated the Images of Chriſt and the Virgin. In the ſeventh chapter they ſhew how the favour which they had merited, was beſtowed upon the Spaniards, for that they bad been traduced by them to the King, to have run out of the field; and afterwards they accuſe the Spaniards of envy and falſhood, and purge themſelves to the King, of the crimes objected againſt them, ſaying, that the Spaniards make other mens merits and honour64 their own, & by all means extenuate, obliterate, and forget the praiſes of others. They recount the various Arts of the Spaniards, adding, that ſince the year 1620, the Spaniards had done nothing in Catalonia but vex, torture, and ſuppreſs the Catalonians in manifold manners, infringed their ancient priviledges and immunities, and took them quite from them, traduced and accuſed them to the King, ſowed differences and diſcords betweeen the King and the States of the kingdome, utterly averting his Majeſties heart from them, impoſed unneceſſary charges upon the King and kingdom, exhauſted the Countrey with exactions and expeditions, and brought it even to beggery: Adding moreover, that now they were worſe, and more cruelly uſed by their Aſſociates, and Auxiliaries the Spaniards, then they formerly were by their profeſt and open enemies the Mores: that the Count of Fonteclaro, ſqueezed a great ſum of money out of the Company of Merchants, violated their wives and daughters, kild their husbands, and others, plundered their goods and eſtates, fired their villages, many whereof they expreſs by65 their names, That Leonardo Mala, the kings Captain, ſeized upon the Gates of Villa Franca, extorted money from the inhabitants for going in and out; and that adulteries, rapes, murthers, plunders, houſe-breakings, and firings, were but ſport and pleaſure to the Spaniards. That Baron Liſaga took away their goods, and ſold them by out-cry, fired their houſes, and committed an infinity of other tyrannicall facts and inſolencies againſt the Catalonians. And although they complained of theſe exceſſes to the kings Officers, and Miniſters, they had effected nothing but to be ſent back with ſcorn; which irritated the Souldiers to commit ſtill greater outrages. They complain likewiſe, that the kings Officers were ſtill deſirous of warres, and to prolong them; yea, and to ſow warres out of warres, thereby to gain time and opportunity to vex and burthen the people, and enrich themſelves and theirs; as finding that it was better to be rich Souldiers in war, then poor and contemptible Fellows in peace, chap. 8. They often complain that one (and he no rich Countreyman neither) was forced to quarter66 and maintain above a dozen Souldiers, which was enough to devour them to the very bones: and when there was no more left to give them, that they pluckt them by the Beards, drag'd them about the floor, beat them and crippled them with their ſwords, abuſing them moreover with moſt bitter ſcoffs, ſaying, Go now, and ſell thy wife and children, and give us meat and drink. They beſieged the Caſtle of Antonio de Fulvia (a man of prime Nobility, and beloved by all for his integrity of life) burnt the gates, pillaged the Countrey peoples goods, brought thither to be ſecured, and moſt cruelly maſſacred the ſaid Antonio, with ſome others, in the very Church, with a ſacred Image in his hand, and left him naked on the ground.
Cap. 10. They relate how in a certain village called Gava, the Spaniards proceeded, by killing, raviſhing of wives in the preſence of their husbands, hanging men by the arms to extort their money from them, & beating of a Prieſt in the Church, ſaying, Though it were the Apoſtle Paul himſelf, and had the Sacrament of the Altar in his hands, he ſhould not be better uſed. And in another67 place, they ſtole all the ornaments out of the Church, raviſht young women, and murthered their parents who came to help them; and all this without puniſhment; nay, they ſay, that the Spaniſh Officers and Miniſters ſeverely forbad the Lawyers to undertake the cauſe or defence of the Catalonians: Their petitions were derided, and the Inhabitants prohibited under pain of death, to complain of the injuries done them; ſo that the Spaniards do often more cruelly and hainouſly handle their Friends and Aſſociate•then open Enemies.
In Catalonia there is nothing ſeen or heard, but women bewailing the murtherings of their husbands, and husbands the raviſhing of their wives, and abuſing of their marriage beds: old men complaining of the violating of their daughters, and the daughters lamenting the loſſe of their chaſtity: Orphans howling for the violent death of their parents, & both Citizens and Countrey-men invocating the help of Heaven in theſe calamities, &c.
Chap. 12. They recount how the Citie of Perpinian was vext, beſieged,68 and fifty two Fire-balls thrown into it, and five hundred ſixty four houſes conſumed with fire, and 1115. pillaged; not ſo much as the very Churches ſpared, and the Monaſtery of the Carmelites, together with other ſacred places plundered by the Spaniards, who took above eight thouſand Ducats, in deſpight of the interceſſion of the Biſhop, and the Religious. The Inhabitants of Perpinian diſarmed; no body permitted to go out of the Town, and the Townſmen impriſoned. The complaints which were made hereof to the Spaniards, were either not accepted, or plainly rejected, or elſe put off till other times. Many of the prime Citizen were taken and caſt in priſon without cauſe, and there retained for ſome moneths, before they could know why; no juſtice adminiſtred, the rents of the Biſhop, and Clergy of Barcellona taken away; all Juriſdiction, both Temporal and Spiritual transferred upon the Spaniards, &c.
They alſo complain of the Spaniſh Kings ingratitude, concluding thereby, that they were forced to take arms69 againſt their wills, &c. But I will ſtay here, and remit my Reader to their Catholick complaint, out of which I have taken this.
CHAP. XI. The Praevarications of the Spaniards againſt Arragon.
VVHat I have written elſwhere, that the Spaniards endeavour to diminiſh the ancient liberties and immunities of other Kingdomes and Provinces, thereby to give the inhabitants an occaſion to rebell, and themſelves a fair pretence to chaſtiſe them (as they call it) and to invade, depreſs and plunder others, and do all things according to their luſt, is teſtified by the proceſs, and ſuit of Antonio Perez, which I wil briefly relate here.
Philip the ſecond, reſolved for ſome ſuſpitions, to deſtroy Eſcovedo, Secretary to Don Juan de Auſtria his brother, and that by ſome clancular Art not to70 offend his ſaid brother, to whom Eſcovedo was chief Favorite; which thing he brought to paſſe by Antonio Perez, his own Secretary, and aemulator of Eſcovedo. But Eſcovedo's friends and kindred, petitioned the King, that this murther might be revenged upon the murtherers employed by Antonio Perez. The King who had incited Perez to this fact, and promiſed him protection and ſafety under his hand, craftily, after a thouſand tergiverſations, and as many ſharp inſtances of the Eſcovedo's, at laſt impriſoned Perez to ſatisfie them, and by this means ſecure his life, whom they plotted to deſtroy. After a long impriſonment, wherein Perez was ſometimes proclaimed free, and then inſtantly clapt up again, and at length alſo rackt; the Letters, wherein the King had commanded him to do this act, were, the greateſt part of them, extorted from his wife, by the fraud of her Confeſſor, or Ghoſtly Father, and ſhe, together with her children, alſo taken, and all their goods ſold by an out cry; ſo that poor Perez had nothing left him but his life, and even that in imminent danger too. But he made his eſcape to Saragoſa71 in Arragon; whither the Kings Officers purſuing him, took him out of Sanctuary, and threw him in Jayl, from whence he was freed, and taken again, and delivered to the Kings Governor. The Saragoſians angry hereat, as a thing againſt their priviledges, making a concourſe of the people, forced him out of that Inquiſition, and kild ſome of the Kings Officers in the tumult, and ſo Perez being freed, & abſolved by a publick ſentence of Juſtice, evaded. After he had been three years in this miſery, ſometimes a priſoner, and ſometimes a freeman, ſometimes condemned, and ſometimes abſolved, the king by the inſtigation of the Spaniards, to revenge this injury done them by the Saragoſians, ſent an Army into Arragon, under the conduct of Antonia Vergas, which that State by vigor of their priviledges, oppoſed. But the king wrote kind Letters to ſuch of them, as whom, afterwards by the diſſembling of Vergas, he chiefly puniſh•; for as ſoon as Vergas was admitted, he firſt laid hold of them, to whom the king had written ſo kindly, and afterwards of the reſt of the principall Officers of the kingdom; reſtoring72 them who had formerly been thrown out of their places by the Deputies, as traytors to their Countrey, and ſubverters of the Lawes. He confiſcated the eſtates of moſt of them; he alſo ſeized upon the Lord chief Juſtice of Arragon. whoſe name was Juan de Nuzza, and twenty hours after admitting of no excuſe, or defence, cauſed him to be beheaded, and his eſtate to be confiſcated. The Citizens were deprived of their priviledges; ſo that that murther of Eſcevedo proved highly damageable to Perez, deſtructive to the kingdome of Arragon, reproachfull to the King, diſhonorable to the Spaniards, and ſcandalous to the whole world. Ex relatione Hiſtoriae de Perezzio.
The Catholick Kings Governor in Arragon, ſent once for the Advocate Miſero Sarces, who conceiving that the Governour wanted his advice, came ſpeedily to him; and as ſoon as he came, the Governour cauſed him to be ſtrangled, without any lawfull proceeding at all. Ex eadem relatione.
Perez, whilſt he was in priſon, was fain to live upon almes, amongſt the kings Miniſters in Arragon, his Majeſties73 Officers having taken away all his goods; yea, and puld off his very child•ens ſhirts. Ibidem.
The Spaniards alſo moſt injuriouſly treated the Religious, becauſe out of compaſſion they had undertaken to protect and mediate for Perez; as ſeizing upon them, and plundering them, and caſting them in priſon; inſomuch as a certain Canon died of grief. Ibid.
In which relation many things are deſcribed of the attempts of the Spaniards againſt that kingdom and their priviledges.
CHAP. XII. The Praevarications againſt the kingdom of Naples.
IN the deſcription of the kingdome of Naples, which is in Theſauro Politico apoteleſmate 62. the Author ſayes thus.
1. That the Spaniards have extenuated this Body (i. e. Naples) monſtrouſly, and yet they hold it with ſuch ſuſpition,74 that not content to have duld the heart of it, and broken all its members, they labour ſtill by all means, to hinder it from gathering ſtrength, leſt it ſhould afterwards abhor phyſick, and with great loſſe of reputation, and diſadvantage, extrude the Phyſitian.
2. King Ferdinand of Spain, after the death of Queen Joan (howbeit ſhe by her Will transferred the kingdome of Naples upon Rene, brother to the Duke of Anjou) took it, and made himſelf free Lord thereof, pretending that it was reverted to the Church, &c.
3. The Spaniards alwayes take a courſe to have the Popes favourable to them, in the cauſe of the kingdome of Naples, and to leſſen and depreſs all ſuch as maintain the report of any other power in the ſaid kingdom.
4. The Spaniards ſomtimes grant the Neapolitan Noblemen ſome Offices, eſpecially in the Court, but publick adminiſtrations to none, or very ſeldome, and with great limitations.
5. Whilſt the King of Spain committed the government of all things in the kingdom of Naples to the Spaniards, and ſuffered no complaints to be75 made of his Miniſters, the inſolencie and licentiouſneſs of the ſaid Spaniards ſweld ſo big, that abuſing the kings deſign, they tyannically ſatiated their intollerable pride by the depreſſion of others.
6. That the Vice-kings Officers and Governors have ingroſt all the riches of all the Provinces. Ibid.
7. By how much the ſeverer an Officer profeſſes himfelf in the kingdome of Naples, eſpecially towards the Nobility, in ſo much the more favour and eſteem is he with the Spaniards, by whom he is advanced in Court, and exalted to higher degrees and titles.
8. The aforementioned Author alſo complains of other burthens impoſed and daily to be impoſed upon that kingdome; as of an extraordinary Donative, of certain * Granos,Granos (is as I remember) about an Engliſh penny, or ſomwhat more in value. which every Fire or Family is bound to pay for the quartering of Souldiers, and for ſalaries to the Vice-kings Train, of ſeven Granos for the guard of the Towers, of five Granos for the Field-Sergeants, of nine Granos for the reparation of the wayes; of the tax for five foot Souldiers, upon a hundred fires; of yearly penſions, of the new tribute put upon wrought and unwrought76 ſilk; of the tax upon Cards, which is farmed at 20000 Crowns a year, and other emunctions of this kind.
9. He complains that the King of Spains Vice king commanded the Neapolitans once to make and eat the bread of a certain root called Panis porcinus, or Hoggs bread; which proclamation was nevertheleſs forthwith ſuſpended under pretext, that it was commanded onely to try, whether in time of need that bread would ſuffice.
10. He complains that the Vice-king would needs crown a certain fellow called Catinario, who was rich indeed, but not conſiderable otherwiſe, in deſpight of the Order of Knighthood.
11. He complains, that he took the Princes daughter out of a Monaſtery by force, under pretext to try, whether ſhe had a mind to marry, or no, when the true reaſon of it was, becauſe he reſolved to match her to his own ſon.
12. He complains that when the States of the kingdom intended to ſend the Donative of the kingdome to the King by their own men, the Vice-king would needs ſend it by his men, and forced them to deliver it to him.
7714. He complains, that he got in a ſhort time, ſeven thouſand piſtols a year for his wife, and as much for his ſon Bernardino, out of the Church Revenewes, &c. That Diſpute was written An. 1579. in the beginning of April. and it is to be ſeen in Theſauro Politico Caſp. Enſi. part. 3. Apothegmate 62.
CHAP. XIII. The Praevarications of the Spaniards againſt Italy and the Common-wealths thereof.
IT would be a buſineſs of too much length for me, by going through a ſeries of Hiſtories, to pick out all the prevarications of the Spaniards againſt Italy, and the Princes and Republicks thereof, and inſert them into this Narration; eſpecially ſince ſome of them againſt the Pope, are already alledged, and other are to be alledged, Cap. de Praevaricationibus, &c. And yet in regard that though there be ſo various78 Principates, and ſo various Common-wealths, there is yet ſcarce any, which complains not of the Spaniſh domination and ambition, it ſeems fit to alledge at leaſt ſome of them, and omit the reſt, to avoid prolixity.
1. What monuments of their ambition they have expreſt towards the Pope and his dominions, is ſaid above. What intention they have towards the Republick of Venice, is very well known to the ſaid common-wealth, though ſhe think fit to diſſemble it; and yet ſhe hath not forgotten how craftily they carried themſelves in the Confederation, or vvar againſt the Turk; and in the Controverſie between Paul the fifth and Her. Nor do I think the Genuezes have alſo forgotten what their deſigns were againſt them, both in and after the time of Dory. How they ſeized upon the Dutchy of Milan, Sleiden ſhewes. In the Countreys of Piemont and Savoy, and other territories, they have erected very many monuments of their prevarications, and are daily erecting more. What the Sienneſes and Florentines have ſuffered by the Spaniards, is taught by the Hiſtorians both of this and the former Age. I willingly paſs79 by the Dutchys of Mantua, Montferat, Ferrara, Appulia, and Calabria, nor will I touch the kingdoms of Naples and Sicily. becauſe every body knows by what tricks they got thoſe, & how unworthily the Spaniſh Miniſters treat the Noblemen and ſubjects thereof, inſomuch as that, according to Hiſtories and Relations, for never ſo ſlight a cauſe, as ſometimes for an inconſiderate word, their lives and fortunes are in danger.
2. How the king of Spain invited Charles the eighth king of France, to make vvar upon Italy. Comines 5. lib. Belli Neopolitani neer the end.
3. Anno 1617. Whilſt the vvarres yet laſted between Ferdinand of Auſtria, and the Common-vvealth of Venice, the Vice-king of Naples invited and encouraged the Turks to make vvarre upon the Venetians; but the Turks made an impreſſion into Sicily, and carried away great booty. Baudart. lib. 38. Ʋt etiam Epiſtola ipſa.
4. It is written alſo in the ſame book, how the Embaſſador of Savoy complained to the Princes of Germany, at the Dyet at Hailbrun, of the breach of Articles.
805. Anno 1618. in the beginning of May, vvas diſcovered a dangerous plot and treaſon of the Spaniards againſt Italy and the Republicks thereof, vvhen they intended by their Emiſſaries, to ſet Venice in many places on fire, and kill the Senators; but the buſineſs being detected, many of the Conjurators were hanged, many ſtifled, and many executed other wayes. Baudart. lib. 38.
6. At the ſame time the Spaniards attempted to ſurprize Cremona; but the buſineſs had the ſame iſſue vvhich the plot upon Venice had. Ibid.
CHAP. XIV. The Praevarications of the Spaniards againſt other Kingdoms.
THe King of Sweden ſmelling the Catholick Kings deſigns, howbeit he could hope for nothing from the houſe of Orange, yet he deſpiſed all the ſaid Kings great promiſes, and refuſed him the uſe and loan of his great Veſſels, whereof he81 hath good ſtore; and for that reaſon the Poles ſeveral times rejected the Auſtrians, leſt by the addition of ſo vaſt a kingdom to Bohemia and Hungary, the City of Dantz, by the benefit thereof, ſhould forbid commerce, and force the Hollanders to ſubmit. Thuan. lib. 107.
2. Nor was it without ſome remorſe of conſcience, that when Philip the ſecond, and his Father were a dying, they deſired that the buſineſs of the kingdom of Navarre might be looked into by Lawyers and learned men; to wit, becauſe they were convinced that they held it unjuſtly, by the excluſion of the right heir. Thuan. lib. 120.
3. The reaſon why the Spaniards gape for the poſſeſſion of Saluces, and the Territories adjoyning, is, becauſe they can moſt conveniently ſend Souldiers from thence into the Low-Countreys; and therefore Fontano, Anno 1600. earneſtly urged the Popes Nuntio, that the King of France might yeeld up the County of Breſs. Thuan. 125
Anno 1605. Don Pedro Guzman Fontano, Vice-King of Lumbardy, ſummoned moſt of the Princes of Italy, by the Preſident and Treaſurers of the Extraordinary82 Revenews of the Dutchy of Milan, and for that cauſe a proclamation was made by the ſaid Fontano's authority, in King Philips name, which was ſmartly anſwered and oppoſed by the Family of the Malaſpines, and had almoſt given an Alarm amongſt the ſaid Princes, had not moſt of the Embaſſador•in King Philips Court interceded with him, and at length obtained that the proſecution of the buſineſſe might be protracted, and ſuffered to vaniſh. Thuan lib. 134.
5. Anno 1606. there aroſe a controverſie between Pope Paul the fifth, and the State of Venice, about certain Priviledges; vvhich when it was almoſt brought to a friendly compoſition, by the endeavour of Henry the fourth of France, the Spaniſh faction, (the chief vvhereof were Cardinall Pompeio Arrigovio, Paulo Sfondrato, and Ferdinando Pacero Duke of Aſcalonia) by the pravalency of King Philips Embaſſador with the Pope, the buſineſſe was not onely fruſtrated, but alſo brought to open war, and the Pope excommunicated the Venetians; and Philip forthwith by lettters artificiouſly pen'd, offered his ſervice to the Pope, & to that end Fontano83 liſted Souldiers apace; and yet nevertheleſs he ſent Franciſco de Caſtro, as Extraordinary, to Venice, with intention, that if the matter inclined to a peace, (which he having kindled the war at firſt, began already to ſuſpect) he might praecept the honor of the pacification from the King of France, or at leaſt have a great ſhare in it, by his intervention. But the common report in the Court of Rome was, that Philip, according to the Rule of his Anceſtors, was glad to hear of ſuch Diſputes amongſt other Princes, concerning the Popes Supremacy, as in relation to Civil Government, yea and to have them agitated up and down in Spain it ſelf by connivencie, as conceiving them not to belong to him at all, he being very potent, and uſing to quaſh the Popes attempts in all his dominions with a word, well knowing that his Holineſſe dares not ſo much as hiſs againſt him; which was ſufficiently demonſtrated afterwards in the buſineſſe of Sicily; yea, and the Spaniards boyling with the heat of ambition, convert ſuch wars and feditions as ſpring from thence, to their own privat advantage; as lying in84 ambuſh in the mean while, to ſee if any of the weaker Princes be preſcribed, that ſo they have an occaſion to invade their Dominions, as it hapned in the ſeizure of the kingdom of Navarre, even in our parents dayes. Thuan. lib. 137.
7. When Ferdinand, King of Spain and Arragon, Anno 1501. attempted the Kingdom of Naples, and took the Citie of Tarento, with Ferdinand ſon to Frederick King of Naples in it, he ſwore to him by Gonſalvo, before the Altar, that he would leave him the liberty of a King; but yet he ſlighted his oath, ſent him priſoner into Spain, and reſerved the kingdom for himſelf.
8. By the exhortation of Ferdinand, called the Catholick, Henry the eighth, King of England, ſent 6000 Engliſh into Spain to joyn with the Spaniards in the invaſion of the Dutchy of Chira: but Ferdinand, who had a quite other deſigne, ſent them againſt John Albert, King of Navarre by the right of Catherine de la Foſſe, who being wholly unprovided (for Ferdinand carried his buſineſs with high diſſimulation towards85 him) fled into France; and ſo Ferdinand ſeized the kingdom of Navarre without any coſt or pains. Speculum Tragicum. Anno 1612.
9. It is no newes for the Spaniards to ſow ſedition in divers kingdoms at one and the ſame time, as they did Anno 158•. in France and England. Thuan. lib. 179.
10. Anno 1581. The Spaniards ſowed diſcord amongſt the Knights of Maltha, by ſetting Matuirno Scuto Romaegaſſio, againſt John Biſhop of Caſſerio Avernio, chief of that Order, and caſting him in priſon; from whence he was cited to Rome to his triall; whither he came, and ſtoutly acquitted himſelf, howbeit he dyed during his abode there. Thuan. lib. 74.
12. The Spaniards raiſed ſeditions in Scotland, and ſollicited with vain promiſes ſome Noblemen to a revolt, ſome of whom were beheaded for it. The States to the Letters of Erneſtus. Anno 1594. Thuan. lib. 109.
13. Antonio de Laeva, a Spaniard, and Governor of Lumbardy for Charles the fifth, being beſieged at Milan, thought fit to ſpare neither things Humane nor86 Divine, for the maintenance of his own honor and Caeſars dignity; and in ſtead of pay, granted every Citie, and every Citizen thereof to be moſt inhumanly plundred by the Souldiers, that by the ejection of the Duke of Milan, Sforſa might enjoy the command of ſo great a Principate. Paulus Jovius, lib. 6. Elogiorum.
14. Hugo de Moncada governed Sicily after ſuch a faſhion, that he left many monuments of avarice and cruelty behind him; for he put many Sicilian Gentlemen to death, and amongſt the reſt, the Lord of Camerata, for that he lived ſomewhat ſeditiouſly, according to the ancient looſneſs of that Nation. Paul. Jov. lib. 6. Elog.
15. How cruelly did they uſe the Huſſites in Bohemia, as beating them, dragging them, cutting children in two, and throwing them to their mothers, ſaying, Jam habes ſub utraqueNow thou hast it under both, alluding to the ceremony of the Huſſites, who took the Sacrament under both ſpecies.
16. Thomas Campanella in his Diſcourſe of the Spaniſh Monarchy. Chap. 26. faith, That the King of Spain muſt87 take care that none but a Catholick king be elected to the Crown of Poland. And therefore wiſe & noble Embaſſadors muſt be ſent to C•achoven to give weight and authority to the Spaniſh union amongſt the Electors, and prevail to have one of the King of Spains younger ſons choſen King of Poland. And the people of Scandinaven and Dantzick muſt alſo be moved to ſet forth a Fleet to ſea againſt the Engliſh, &c.
CHAP. XV. The Spaniards ardent deſire of Monarchy and Rule.
IF that old ſaying, Semper imperare, & ſuperiorem eſſe aliis, Alwayes to command, and be ſuperior to others, be innate to any Nation, it is certainly ſo, more to the Spaniards then to any other; ſince all their actions, cogitations, and conſultations tend to that end, and therefore they may moſt clearly conſent and ſay with Caeſar, Si violandum eſt jus,88 regnandi cauſa violandum. If right muſt be wrong'd, it muſt be wrong'd for Powers ſake. For this reaſon they are not afraid, by publick writings, to admoniſh and exhort their king; yea, and to ſhew him the wayes and means how he may arrive to the univerſall Monarchy, amongſt whom Thomas Campanella is the Ring-leader. Nor did Charles the fifth ſeem to have laid ſlight foundations for this Monarchy, when beſides thoſe kingdoms which he poſſeſt by right of ſucceſſion in the Weſt, and elſewere, he was alſo made Emperour of the Romans, to which were yet added other titles afterwards; and it hath been hitherto the onely buſineſs of the Spaniards, to be alwayes in warres, that ſo they may be ready upon all occaſions to produce that Monarchy of the whole Chriſtian world, which they have long ſince conceived. For to this end were there ſo many matches propoſed for the Infanta Iſabel, and the Crown of France ſo impudently as it were put to ſale: to this end were the ſeditions rayſed in Scotland, &c. The ſame craft was uſed in the Biſhop of Strasburghs cauſe, and in the Dutchy of Cleve, Gulick,89 and the Imperial Citie of Aquiſgrane. Ordines ad Erneſti Lit. anno 1594. apud Thuan. lib. 109.
5. The Spaniards hold this as a Delphick Oracle, and moſt infallible propheſie, That the laſt Monarchy ſhall be fixt in Spain, and that for this reaſon, that in regard it came in order, from the Eaſt to the Weſt out of Aſia into Greece, and returned for a few years into Aſia again, under Alexander and his ſucceſſors, at length out of Greece to Rome, therefore it neceſſarily followes, that it muſt be eſtabliſht in Spain, as being the moſt Weſtward of all other Countreys. Thuan. lib. 133.
6. The Spaniards for the ſetling of their Monarchy by warres, fraud, and other plots, deſtroy as many as are able to oppoſe them; as Anno 1584. when Andino (according to moſt mens opinions) was poyſoned, whereof he being dead, the Prince of Orange was alſo forthwith killed, by one hired of the Duke of Parma; and the Queen of England aimd at by the ſame Arts, at the ſame time, lib. 79.
7. That the kings of Spain labour for nothing more, then by ſubduing all90 other Kings and Princes, to make themſelves Monarchs of the whole Chriſtian world, Ancellus teaches in his ſpeech to the Princes of Germany, Anno 1597. apud Thuan. lib. 118.
8. At the election of Charles the fifth, Anno 1519. one of the Epiſcopall Electors ſaid, That the Spaniards having once gotten the Empire, would hardly reſtore it again to its liberty. Sleidanus.
9. The Spaniards for the better ſecurity of their Monarchy, do not only permit,<