Texts concerning the Revolt of the Netherlands

60 A missive from the States General to the towns of Ghent and Bruges, 15 March 1584 ¹

The States General, then at Delft, react in this letter to the news from the Flemish towns of Ghent and Bruges. Both these towns-hard pressed by the advancing Spanish troops - had contacted Parma, in particular through Hembyze and the prince of Chimay, the duke of Aerschot's son.

Is it probable that what the king was unwilling and unable to do in solemn peace negotiations² through the intercession of His Imperial Majesty and the kings of France and of England, when the provinces still formed a more powerful unity than at present and had not yet taken another lord, he will now do for the towns of Ghent and Bruges especially in their present situation? It may be that some agreement has been put on paper but it will be as little respected as the conditions agreed upon in the year 1566,³ or even less so, for the king has now occupied many more

1 Sendtbrief van de Generaele Staten aen die van Gendt ende Brugghe (Knuttel, no. 683).

2 In the years 1578-9.

3 The agreement concluded on 23 August 1566 by Margaret of Parma and the confederate nobles about public Protestant services.

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places and because of the war has so many more means at his disposal to strengthen himself and to oppress the provinces. The exiles and refugees, who in spite of what is being suggested will take good care that they are not excluded from the treaty which you intend to make with the king, will obtain nearly all power and will bring everything back to its former state. They will ensure that their own security is guaranteed and that those who sent them into exile are oppressed. This happens in all civil wars when exiles and refugees return. It is bound to happen on this occasion too, for there are in your towns very many people who have always wanted to make peace with the king and who are not at all pleased with the present state of affairs, that you were obliged to garrison your towns. Your Honours yourselves were even forced to surrender the town of Menin because you needed the soldiers to strengthen yourselves with a larger garrison ...⁴

Your Honours need not fear [to continue the war] if you still possess the courage of your brave ancestors, who often waged long wars, even for small matters, and took very great risks. This is especially true of the town of Ghent, which was prepared to fight even when all other towns were its enemies. This, however, is not the case now; they are your friends and render every possible aid and assistance. But it seems that instead of wishing to persevere staunchly in a good and righteous cause, you want to decree to God Almighty a time and a way in which the country can be liberated and to surrender to the enemy. Do you think that because the hearts of kings and princes are in the hands of the Lord who directs them according to His wishes the king of Spain has changed his mind completely? First you must have proof that the king's heart has indeed changed for the better. The reverse seems to be the case. In all the provinces and towns, which have fallen into his hands, he has had the true religion exterminated and what is worse, he gives the newly appointed bishops authority contrary to the privileges of the country: he has the children rebaptised, the married people remarried, and in general no one under his power would dare to declare that he is friendly disposed towards the true religion. Idolatry has more adherents than ever before and a vast number of the inhabitants of the provinces and towns which came to an agreement with the Spaniards have been driven away or killed, strangled or burned...

And therefore we beg Your Honours to cut off the negotiations entirely or to suspend them temporarily both on your own behalf and on that of

4 Menin yielded to Parma's troops in July 1583.

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your neighbours and allies. They could only bring about a general and immediate change and ruin, as Your Honours will realise if you consider the orders and instructions of those who seem to act on behalf of the enemy, and the other reasons given above.