Catalogue description JOHN SPARHAUK to LORD WILLOUGHBY.

--On my repair to Utrecht, I found the cause of the late trouble to be in this sort:- Burgomaster Deventer, with the captains of the town and garrison, using means to continue their authority, the Graf of Moeurs, with the contrary faction, procured their displace, and have imprisoned Deventer, Captain Garretson and a captain of the burghers, Clarehaughe, his lieutenant and the scout. Others were committed, but are now at liberty; Colonel Baxe and other captains of the town are fled. The burghers and papes [papists] banished by the Earl of Leicester are called back, received with honour, and in possession of their former places and privileges. Most of the captains and other officers newly made are papists (as is commonly reported) and "many rich burghers of the religion use means to depart the town, fearing a mischief, for that the papists having gotten the staff in hand will use the same at their pleasures, neither receiving garrison from Holland, by whom they might be bridled, or performing any matter otherwise than pleasing their own honours. . . . Many of the papists have been in the night in arms in a cloister three weeks before anything was effected. Brakeheell [Brackel], one of the States of Utrecht is, the 6th of this present, put out of the town.

Count Meuers hath commission to erect an ancient [ensign or company] three-hundred strong, within the town. Alter the broil, the watch being set in Count Meure's name, an ancient of the burghers spake to it, whereupon it was presently set in her Majesty's name again, and so continueth. The 2nd of this present, the Count, by the consent of the States and burghers, sent letters to her Majesty touching Deventer &c. The enemy lieth entrenched by Wackendowne, and are, by the same and within two miles thereof, seven thousand strong. These parts fear their too soon approach.