Emanuel’s parents sent him to school early in youth to be instructed in languages and all good learning, taking these to be the most useful and safest possessions. His first school was at Antwerpen, his second at Doornick, the third at Deiffeln, where, to the joy of his parents, he made great progress in Latin. They summoned him home to see this gratifying improvement in 1549. His father, having gone to England on business, called his son thither in 1550, and made him understand that since he was now fifteen years old, it was befitting that he should consider what he would like best to engage in, commerce or study. He answered his father that he was inclined to be apprenticed to a merchant to learn commerce, and in this way, make a living in the course of time.

Thus, he was turned over for a period of ten years to the business house of Sebatian Daukkearts, of Antwerp, who, in 1552 (the year of King Edward’s death), moved from London to Antwerpen. [a year later, in 1553 his parents would die at sea.] Emanuel, having lost his parents, settled down faithfully to his tedious service. His patience was rewarded. During his time of service, he went on two voyages, viz., in 1556 and 1558, to England, and saw there the great cruelty which, under the reign of Mary, was used against the reform church. When he was in London his master died in Antwerp; then he gave the remaining years of his bond-service to his master’s widow, after which he settled in London, received commissions of many excellent merchants, and behaved with great prudence.

He married in 1562, at age twenty-six to a miss Van Loobroeck, age, twenty-two. This lady had been a prisoner in Antwerpen because she had attended the sermon at Hoboken. She was miraculously

rescued through a hole bored in the wall. She died in London December 13, 1563 (from pestilence, along with about twenty-three thousand seven hundred and sixty persons).

Several months later, he had gone to Antwerpen on business, he was introduced to the society of Miss Esther van den Corput, daughter of Nicolaus van den Corput, secretary of Breda, son of Johann ( John) van den Corput, formerly mayor of the same place. After a certain time, with the consent and congratulations of the parents, the marriage came to pass. He returned to London together with his wife in 1564. Emanuel and Esther had thirteen children. At the time of this writing [could not find date, but was after his death in 1612 and before Simeon Ruytincks death in 1621], three sons and six daughters were still living, as was his wife Esther.

One of the main difficulties which befell him during his married life was his imprisonment at Antwerpen, where he had gone on business in 1565. He describes it at length, while we only briefly mention it. On the 2nd of May, at noon, coming from the Exchange, he writes:

“… and going to my cousin’s (Abraham Ortel’s), where I was lodging, I was arrested by a Spaniard, Julian de la Sierna by name, lieutenant in the service of Comergo, the Provost. He came in company with six or eight helbardiers [a man armed with a halberd (spear or battle-ax)], and arrested in the name of the Governor-General of the country. They took hold of me as though I were a disorderly person (disturber of the peace), binding together my arms. No questioning or parleying availed, but I was taken to the Backers gate prison between two helbardiers, the Spaniard preceding us.

I was much dismayed. They took from me my letters and keys, and asked if my home was not at Mr. Andreas’ in Gallicia. I told them that they had the wrong man before them. Nevertheless, they went straightway to my house and took all of my writings, books, and letters. I was much afraid, expecting the worst, viz: that they would torture me and put me to death. At night, they locked us up in a small house, in which there were but three little holes as big as a fist that we got light through. On the next day, an old woman came to us doing charity to the prisoners, and, seeing me, asked if I were Emanuel. I said yes, and found out then how she came to know me. She told me to have good courage, since many good friends, such as the Hoefuagets, Hufman, etc., were exerting themselves in my behalf (soliciting favor for me). This gave me some courage, and I took so much the more earnestly to praying.

Two or three days I sat in perplexity, hearing and seeing nothing, only praying to God, and after considering how I could best make my defense, I was unable to make up my mind whether to defend myself as a citizen of Antwerpen or as an Englishman. While these thoughts were troubling me, the daughter of the assistant jailer came to my door stealthily and called through the key- hole: “Englishman! ⁄ Englishman!” I asked what she wanted. She said I was to defend myself as an Englishman; that I was to be tried that day by Councilor Boone, but it would be all right, etc. This was good doings and gave me courage. I thanked God for this assistance.

On the 7th of May in the afternoon Councilor Boone came, took me separately to the chamber where oaths were administered, had me sit down, had all my papers before him, charged me on my oath that I was to tell the truth in answering all questions. I remarked at length, highly commending at the same time his honesty and uprightness. But he asked me to follow his advice and I should do well. Thus, perceiving that he favored me and had consulted with my friends, I yielded to him. He began taking down name, date of birth, and names of my friends; asked me if I knew certain people in London and Antwerp. Peter Luis, John Rademaker, John Niket, and others; also, what I was doing with Eobanns Hess’ psalms in Latin verse, and with a German pamphlet on the Dutch treaty of peace, and whether I did not know something concerning the last (recent) treason of Antwerp.

He also asked what contributions were made by the Secret Council and the City of London to the Prince of Orange; whether I had persuaded any one from giving the King the assessed; what letters Daniel Rogers, Secretary of the English Ambassador, had handed me, etc. To all of this I gave brief and cautious answer, referring him to Messrs. John Boyschot and Van Swevigem, who knew well how I had been employed in England in matters pertaining to international(?) communications and in making out general decrees. All this he put down, and made me sign the statement.

In the meantime, the news of my imprisonment reached London, to the great afflictions of my wife and friends. Martin de la Faille received letters in my favor from Mr. Boyschot, Ambassador in England. John Rademaker obtained letters from Secretary Wasinghan to the English Court- Maser(?) at Antwerp that I was to be treated as English. My good friend in Antwerp, in my name, submitted a petition to the Grand Commander; so that at last (after I had often thought of preparing for death), unexpectedly, Councilor Boone came again to see me, exactly when I had finished reading “De Immortalitate Anime,” by Lewis Vivis, which Al. Ortels had found a way of sending to me. The Councilor said that he had requested His Excellency to dismiss me, although he had great cause to proceed against me with rigor. He advised me to leave by the first ship, without, however, having any order to require me to do so or exile me. Hereupon I got ready my belongings in the prison and left on May 20, 1575, which day will ever be sacred to me. I thanked the Lord with all my heart, took leave of my good friend, who rejoiced with me, and reached London on May 30th, to the joy of my family and friends.”