First edition of the Dutch translation by Jan Hughen van Linschoten (ca. 1563-1611) of a proclamation decreed on 9 April 1609 by King Philip III of Spain (1578-1621), ordering the Duke of Lerma, Francisco Gómez de Sandoval y Rojas (1552/53 - 1625), to expel the Moriscos (Spanish muslims who were forced by the Spanish crown and Roman Catholic church to convert into Christianity) from Spain.
The present decree, which was adopted gradually by several Spanish territories (first Valencia, then Aragon, Catalonia, Andalusia, et cetera), provided the Duke of Lerma free reign to carry out the expulsion of the Moriscos by whatever means they see fit, to confiscate all their lands and goods and to set an example for everyone who was sympathetic to the Moors. Expelling the Moriscos from Spain, however, was a real mistake and contributed to the decline of the Spanish reign. The expulsion of the Moriscos led to depopulation and therefore to economic collapse. The present proclamation was therefore of great importance for the Dutch as during the Twelve Years' Truce (1609-1621) the Dutch military war with Spain changed into an economic war. An important decree in the history of the Eight Years' War (1568-1648) between the Dutch Republic and Spain.
With some numbers in manuscript on the first two pages. Lacking the blank leaf [A]4. With a few very minor spots on the first two leaves, very slightly browned, but overall in good condition. Knuttel 1630; STCN 830501231; Tiele 790.