Douai printing.- Catholic massacre.- Estius (Gulielmus) Historiæ martyrum Gorcomiensium, maiori numero fratrum minorum; qui pro fide catholica a perduellibus interfecti sunt anno Domini M. D. LXXII, first edition, small woodcut ornament to title, woodcut head- and tail-pieces and decorative initials, lacking final blank, occasional spotting, lightly browned, 19th century half vellum over speckled yellow boards, spine little soiled, rubbed and scuffed, 8vo, Douai, Balthazar Bellère, 1603.

⁂ Account of the massacre of 19 Catholics at Gorkum in 1572 by the 'Watergeuzen' or 'Sea beggars' under the command of Willem II van der Marck, Lord of Lumey. 'After enduring much suffering and abuse in the prison at Gorkum (26 June-6 July) the first fifteen martyrs were transferred to Brielle. On their way to Dortrecht they were exhibited for money to the curious and arrived at Brielle 13 July. On the following day Lumey...caused the martyrs to be interrogated and ordered a sort of disputation. In the meantime, the four other martyrs also arrived. It was exacted of each that he abandon his belief in the Blessed Sacrement and in papal supremacy. All remained firm in their faith. Meanwhile there came a letter from William of Orange which enjoined all those in authority to leave priests and religious unmolested. Nevertheless, Lumey caused the martyrs to be hanged in the night of 9 July, in a turf shed amid cruel mutilations. Their beatification took place on 14 Nov., 1675, and their canonization on 29 June, 1865' (Catholic Encyclopedia).