1,010 _The Merchant Adventurers to the Privy Council._
From Antwerp, [10] November 1576.
Right Honourable our good and gracious Lords, &c. In all humbleness
these are showing to your Honours that in respect of the troubles all
over this country, and especially the danger in this town of Antwerp;
such of our Society as are here remaining did purpose, and some
attempted, to have, in due time, removed from this place both their
persons and goods; some by water and some by land, as well towards
England as for Duchland [_Germany_.] And being letted [_hindered_] of
their purpose and attempts both the ways, and not suffered to pass
their goods out of this town; whereupon [they] sought to have had
free passage and passport here, according to the Intercourse and Safe
Conduct.
But after many delays, from time to time; the 3rd day of this month,
our requests were plainly denied, either to be granted, or by writing
answered.
So as, the 4th day, we are fallen into great peril of our lives; divers
of our Company being hurt, and some slain. And by sacking of this town
ever since, we are not only spoiled of our money and goods that were in
private houses thereof; but also we are further forced, for ransom and
safeguard of our persons and goods within the principal House of our
residence here, to answer and content the Spanish soldiers and others
who, in the Fury, entered our said House, accounting charges, above the
sum of £5,000 Flemish.
Towards furniture [_furnishing_] whereof, we have been constrained to
give them all the money and plate that was in our said House; and also
to use our credit for so much as we could get besides. And yet all
accounted and delivered to them doth not discharge the one half of the
sum; and for the rest we have given them Bills payable at a month, and
some part at two months: so as now we have not money to provide for our
needful sustentation.
Wherefore we most humbly beseech your good Lordships and Honours, of
your accustomed clemencies, to have compassion upon us; and to be means
to our most gracious Sovereign Lady, the Queen's Majesty, that speedy
order may be given for our relief, and release out of this place: where
presently [_at present_] we are void of money and credit; and shortly
are like[ly] to be void of sustenance, and not able to get it for money.
The discourse of these tragedies we omit, and refer the same to be
reported to your Lordships by this bringer, Master GEORGE GASCON; whose
humanity, in this time of trouble, we, for our parts, have experimented.
And so leaving the further and due consideration of our case unto your
Right Honourable wisdoms and clemencies; we beseech Almighty GOD to
preserve your good Lordships and Honours in long health and felicity.
Written at Antwerp, this [10th] day of November 1576,
By your Lordships' and Honours'
Most bound and obedient.
The Governor and Fellowship of the
English Merchant Adventurers in Antwerp,
THOMAS HETON.
7. In 1602, an anonymously written Play, based on this
Narrative, was published in London, under the title, _A
larum for London, or the Siege of Antwerp_, in 4to.
8. Five days after GASCOIGNE got out of Antwerp; the
English Ambassador was there. No doubt he helped our
Merchant Adventurers in their dire extremity.
JERONIMO DE RODAS, or RODA, was the supreme villain in
command of the troops that had sacked the town; as SANCHO
D'AVILA was in charge of Antwerp Castle. Doctor WILSON
thus reports a conversation that he had with RODAS on
the 17th November 1576, thirteen days after the massacre
began. This gives us the Spanish view of the matter; and
also such miserable excuse as they could possibly offer
for their villany, which however is no excuse at all.
We must remember that it would be the Ambassador's policy
to keep fair with RODAS, who was master of the situation
for the moment.
S. P. _Foreign. Eliz._ Vol. 140.
1,021. _Dr THOMAS WILSON to the Privy Council._
19 November 1576.
And now, if it please your Honours, I am to declare my coming to RODAS,
who did send unto me a Safe Conduct for me and mine, upon a letter that
I did write to him from Ghent the 10th of this month: and the 17th of
the same, I did speak with him; immediately after my coming to Antwerp.
And, delivering my Letters of Credit, [I] made him acquainted with all
that I did at Brussels; and that my coming [to Flanders] was for the
King's benefit and honour: assuring him that if either the Estates
would alienate this country [of Flanders] to any foreign Prince, or
would convert it to themselves in prejudice of the King [PHILIP II.];
Her Majesty would employ all her force to withstand such attempts.
These speeches he liked very well: and was persuaded, even by plain
demonstration before my departure, that my coming was to none other
end; as it was not indeed.
Hereupon he declared unto me at large, the whole doings at Brussels,
the Mutinies made by the Spaniards at Alost and elsewhere after their
victory had at Zierikzee; and blamed greatly the young heads at
Brussels, and the fury of the people to use the King's Council, and to
break up the door of his Palace, in such sort as they did: [_RODAS was
very nearly made prisoner in the Palace at Brussels_ _on 5th September
1576, by the Seigneur DE HÈZE:_] clearing the Council from all
intention of evil to the town, or people, of Brussels; making a very
great discourse unto me of this matter.
"Well," quoth I, "you are well revenged of the people by your late
victory here in Antwerp; which hath been very bloody."
"Can you blame us?" quoth he. "Is it not natural to withstand force
with force; and to kill rather than to be killed? and not to lose the
King's piece committed to our charge?"
All this I granted: and praised the Spaniards for their valiant
courage; that, being so few, could, with policy and manhood, overcome
so many.
"But now," quoth I, "I pray you give me leave to speak a little. After
you were lords of the town--which you got wholly and quietly within two
hours after your issuing forth--what did you mean, to continue still
killing, without mercy, people of all sorts that did bear no armour
at all; and to murder them in their houses? to fire the chiefest and
fairest part of the city, after you were in full and quiet possession
of all? And not contented to spoil the whole town, but to ransom those
that were spoiled? And to spare no Nation: although they did bear no
arms at all; nor yet were dealers in any practice at all against the
King's Ministers, or the Spaniards?"
His answer was, That the fury of the soldiers could not be stayed: and
that it grieved him much when the city was on fire; and [that there]
was no sparing to kill, when all were conquered. The soldiers of Alost
were adventurers, had no Captains, desperate persons: and would not be
ruled by any Proclamation or commandment that could be given or made.
"Well," quoth I, "if the Fury could not be stayed; yet the Ransoming
might be forbidden; which is an act against the Law of all Nations."
And therefore I required him, in the name of the Queen's Majesty, to
command restitution to be made to the English Nation....
To conclude, he told me, That he would be glad to do what he might for
restitution; but he thought it would be hard. For that which is to be
paid with Bills, which for the Company amounteth to 5,000 crowns, at
the month's end: the same [Bills], he saith, shall be discharged; and
the bonds cancelled. Further he hath promised to grant a Safe Conduct
for all English Merchants to go (with their goods remaining, ships, and
merchandizes), without danger, withersoever they will: not aiding, or
abetting, the King's enemies.
9. We next give the opinion of the Sieur DE CHAMPAGNEY as
to how the massacre came about.
In the following January, he was in England: and then
presented a long Memorial in French, to our Privy
Council; in which occurs the following reference to the
Spanish Fury.
S. P. _Foreign. Eliz._ Vol. 142.