A Declaration of the Causes
AnonymousWhereas it is a thing out of controuersie, that certaine Marchaunts resiant and inhabiting within and neere vnto the Sownde in the kingdome of Denmarke, commonly called the Marchants of the Hanse townes, wil grieuously exclaime among forreine Nations, against the chiefe Commanders of the Fleete of the most excellent Queene of England, as infringers of the law of Nations, and of the ancient contracts made betwixt the Kings of England, and the Hanse marchants, and as contemners of the Newtralitie which the said Hanse marchants doe chalenge to themselues, whereby they thinke and hold it lawfull for them to exercise the trafique of all marchandises whatsoeuer, with all people whosoeuer, euen in the times of greatest hostilitie betweene whatsoeuer kings and Princes, by reason of the intercepting &arresting of certaine of their ships, passing to the ayde and furnishing of the king of Spaine with corne, and prouisions of warre: it seemed good vnto her foresaid excellent Maiestie, in respect of her good will, together with singular affection and loue to the sacred Empire, the Emperours Maiestie himselfe, the noble Princes of Germanie, and to all &singular the Estates of the Empire, in this publike sort to make it manifest for what causes the aforesaid Hanse ships were stayed by the officers of her Fleete, and as lawfull prises taken and confiscated. Which is done to no other end or purpose, but to make it euident that the s
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