for the succours which were daily expected out of England Wherefore Prince Alexander using him otherwise with great courtesie dismist him to Antwerp who promised that receiving authority from the Magistrates people hee would forthwith return to treat only of the delivery of Antwerp But hee delaying his Excellency suspected that hee craftily protracted the treaty that the besieged might gather the harvest which now began to be ripe from about the Suburbs of Antwerp and Mechlin and And withall commands the enemies corne to be brought to the Camp therefore determined to frustrate them of that hope also and commanded Ambrose Landriano with his garrison of Viluord together with a company of Boores and Vastius with a party of horse the one to harrasse and plunder the suburbs of Antwerp and the other of Mechlin and to transport the corne hay and what other thing was of any use into the Camp Then hee himselfe with a select And he himselfe takes the Castles about Antwerp company of horse and foot marched into the Countrey about Antwerp and took Burgerhout a strong sconce of the Antwerpians and with the like violence took Bercheme and other Castles and Forts and bereaved And takes the very Suburbs Antwerp of all that part of the countrey even to their Orchards and gardens by that means shutting up both the City and famine together within Famine forceth the Citizens to mutiny the City And indeed the people were ready to have broken out into open sedition the generall clamour in the City being meat and peace When the Magistrates sent divers into the streets who in severall assemblies should divulge that letters were newly come out of France assuring them that reliefe Yet they are encouraged with hopes of succour and succour was at hand from thence Besides some Citizens of Aldegunds favorites said they had certaine intelligence that the Prince of Parma would indeed offer conditions not unreasonable but had covertly covenanted with the Spaniards to And feare of plundering give them the plunder of the City in place of their pay Wherefore they should not by the impatience of a little delay both lose their reputation and the honour of holding the siege untill that day and all their goods and fortunes besides their wives and children exposed to abuse together with the losse of their City and lives But these outward voyces were not heard for the loud barking of their hungry stomachs within and most of the people suspected these French letters to be written in Antwerp and to come only from Aldegunds cabinett For of the Prince of Parma they harboured a more worthy conceit And in the interim there happned a sleight accident but OPPORTUNITY in the least things is of great consequence There was a Noble Matrone lay dangerously sick at Antwerp and for her recovery had present need oâ— But Alexanders courtesie upon occasion exhibited Asses milke there being none to bâ— found in the City a yong man therefore offered himselfe couragiously tâ— fetch an Asse from the Suburbs although in the enemies possession anâ— had already taken one but apprehended by the Spaniards hee was carrieâ— to his Excellency being as yet at Burgerhout Who understanding whaâ— the matter was used the youth wiâ— great respect and commending hiâ— charity commanded the beast to be loaden with Partridges Capons oâ— Bruges and other fowle of that sorâ— Then delivering them to the youtâ— for the sick Gentlewoman commanded him that hee should in his namâ— friendly salute her and testify that hâ— not onely wished her health and recovery of strength but pray'd alâ— from his heart for the prosperity anâ— happinesse of the Senate and peoplâ— And indeed that unexpected civilitâ— of the Prince to whom the Antwerpians sending a gallant Horse witâ— some juncates and choyce wine gavâ— publick thanks wonderfully reconcil'd together with the yong maâ— Altered their opinion relation the Citizens good will towards him For doubtlesse THE wisest Commanders of Warre have that weapon call'd Courtesie layd up in their warlike Armory But the delivery of Mechlin concluded the THE TAKING OF MECHLIN businesse In that City after the overthrow at Covenstene Causey there rose a contest between the Garrison The Citizens oppressed with famine are affraid of the garrison souldiers souldiers and Citizens which after the losse of their corne encreased the Citizens greatly fearing lest they should plunder and forsake the City and then retyre to Block-huse a Castle plac't neere to Mechlin which they had already fortified with Artillery and provision Which as soon as Prince Alexander had notice of hee thought it the most convenient time to attacque the City And forthwith hee ordered Marquesse Renthiacus whom hee made Generall for that expedition with Hicquius and Mottaeus to hast to Block-huse and prevent the enemies designes Renthiacus drawing his forces thither and causing the Artillery speedily to follow after not onely took Block-huse the Presidiaries being not yet entered but Necherspole also besides other sconces places about Mechlin and pitching his tents demanded the rendiâ— Whereupon after the losse of their adjacent â—orts they yeeld themselves to his mercy on of the City it selfe Which upâ— agreement concluded with Famusâ— Governour thereof was yielded tâ— the Prince of Parmas's will and meâ—cy The garrison souldiers being sâ— away without their colours whicâ— were sent to his Excellency who having compassion of the City by reason Receiving from him favourable conditions most part of it were Catholickâ— agreed with the Mechlinians on veâ— gentle conditions For in place of seven hundred Presidiaries which departed the City hee but substituteâ— two hundred Walloones under Provâ— nus commanding the Citizens tâ— have care of their City together witâ— the Garrison and imposing no tribute on them liberally in his Majesties name gave pardon to the Cityâ— being glad that within few days witâ— no losse of men hee had restored thâ— Arch-Bishop of Mechlin after a long exile againe into his owne seat theâ— being not any Diocesse in all the Netherlands of so great esteem and reduced a City the Flower of the Belgick Cities and with it the Seigniory of one of the seventeene Provinceâ— to their true and lawfull Soveraigne at that time when having received letters from his Majesty of the restitution For the restitution of the Castle of Piazenza he renders thanks to the King with Mechlin of the Castle of Piazenza which had beene kept by a Spanish garrison he was in condition to render him thanks for his royall liberality with the welcome newes of the Victory But ere long having at last subdued Antwerp hee sent farre more acceptable The agents treats with Alex about the delivery of Antwerp tydings to the King for Aldegund when hee saw the publick affaires in despaire thought privately to provide for himself and hastened forward the Commission intended to the Prince of Parma from the Magistrates and people The agents or commissioners were twenty one
destitute of the Prince of Orange's counsells out of hope of succour from the French and having lost so many Townes and Castles nere adjoyning to Antwerp And surely when the walls being battered do tremble and shake then with greater certainty may the assault be pursued And from thence had he greater encouragement to assail the affrighted enemies even in their chiefest fortresse of war and to carry that terrour through the strong holds of Brabant not with vain hope that they will for fear of losing Antwerp either slight other places or for fear of losing other places will not be able to defend it Indeed he had but few forces to set upon so many things with but they were skilfull in war accustomed to victory and which is above all conducted by great commanders For unto which of your hands here present might not one safely deliver the charge of an Army FOR by the skill of Captains and prowesse of Souldiers an Army is doubled And be they never so many those be but few who conclude the victory As of a spear how long soever the palm only of the cuspe doth all the execution GREAT forces are not alwaies to be wished for in war no more then great bodies being for the most part subject to many infirmities us'd to be more pamper'd move flowlier and are but fairer marks to be levelled at Nor had he cast over with himselfe so to win Antwerp that it was needfull to imploy many Souldiers about it fith that by land a few troopes of Horse making inroades into the territories of Antwerp between Liere Hochstrate and Breda Townes of the Kings party might easily hinder traffick And by the River towards the Ocean from whence the greatest force of the enemy was to be feared he had determined either to take the Castles on both sides the River or to build new ones and from thence with Canon shot to restrain the Ships passage if not all at least so much as that the Merchants might perceive their losse and the City full of Inhabitants might be wearied out for want of provision Nor seemed those forces which for the present he had with him unable to perform these things Nor did he doubt of their obedience in the work having try'd that his Souldiers were more couragious in battle then mutinous in their quarters But lest they should be discouraged he had lately received a summe of mony from the King which he would divide amongst his Veterans for those that were newly come out of Spain had already received pay Although it was not to be feared but that his Souldiers would willingly undergo the siege of Antwerp from which so great booty might be expected There were many yet in the Army who about eight years since had sufficient experience of the riches of that Empory the yet memory whereof inciting them they will doubtlesse enkindle in their fellowes the desire of like plunder Lastly for security of the Army he had provided that provision might safely from the territories of Wasia be conveyed unto the Camp Nor had he so left Gaunt and Dendermund behinde that the Kings Army had any cause to fear for they would have enough to do to defend themselves from our Souldiers plac'd in Castles newly rais'd thereabout Wherefore seeing that many things for the present invited him no reasons appeared sufficient to withdraw him from it let them leave that only determination to him and with great and constant courages begin the Siege of Antwerp and from whence he forsaw the accesse of all Brabant would follow And they might be confident that the Mother of God patronesse of Antwerp having been wickedly banished from her own City by Heresie they now refusing no perill to restore her to her antient possession would not forsake them in their so pious attempts The Siege of Antwerp once decreed The Siege is decreed rather by Alexander's authority then his Oration command was forthwith given to provide things necessary for it which by reason theywere many and in severall places For Antwerp Gaunt Bruxells Dendermund and Mechlin were all at once attempted I thought it worth my labour to prescribe the sites of these places Antwerp by Reason of the River How Antwerp is defended by the River Scheldt By the Castles placed on the River banks Scheldt sufficiently strong of it selfe by the many Forts and Sconces plac't thereon especially towards the Ocean is yet far stronger chiefly by two about nine miles from Antwerp the one called Lillo taking its name from a neighbouring Village Mondragonius by the Duke of Alva's appointment had erected on the coast of Brabant The other called Liefkenâ—koeck the confederate Provinces possessed of Antwerpe built on the other side of the River over against Lillo and not long after took Lillo also By commerce of the same River By commerce of the same River with Gaunt Antwerp is joyned to Gaunt distant about thirty miles Dendermund with Dendermund strengthens the traffick in the mid-way between Antwerp and Gaunt placed also on the River Scheldt But neerer about twelve miles from Antwerp is seated Mechlin And by the with Mechlin River Dele running into the Scheldt under the name of Rupel gives and takes mutuall assistance A little further distant from Antwerp is Bruxells and with Bruxels 24 miles but having opened themselves a ditch or channell fit for navigation they can sail into Rupel and thence sliding into the Scheldt enter Antwerp Prince Alexander well apprehending all these things determined not with severall Armies to lay siege to every City for that by a hundred and fiftie thousand souldiers could not be effected but as he had begun at Gaunt erecting Sconces and Forts Alexander begins to cut off this entercourse a distance off and blocking up the Rivers by which the Cities had their relief by little and little meant to make them feel the miseries of a Siege without the noise of a Siege Therefore sending Plato his Enginere with a band of Souldiers to Wettera he commanded Anthony Olivera who kept the bridge lately built there on the Scheldt against Gaunt to raise from Gaunt from Dendermund a new Fort towards Dendermund thereby to cut off all hopes of commerce between Gaunt Antwerp and Dendermund He dispatched part of Igniquesius regiment to the Village of Willebroeck which is between Mechlin and Antwerp to besiege the from Mechlin Castle erected there on the bank of the River and stop the passage of Bruxells and from Bruxels channell whose chiefest defence is Willebroeck Then applying himselfe Then sets upon the Siege both by land and water He commits the land to George Basta unto Antwerp he thus distributed the Siege amongst the chiefest Commanders of his Army He commanded George Basta Commissarie of the Horse a wise and valiant man with some troops of Epirots and Italians to guard the country about Antwerp in Brabant and so to provide that in time of need calling for
aid from the next Forts he might see that no provision should be carried into the City out of Brabant As for the banks of the River Scheldt The banks of the Scheldt Flanders side to Rubasius That of Brabant to Mansfield Flanders side where the Army then lay he committed to Marquesse Rubasius Generall of the Horse and that of Brabant to Peter Ernest Count Mansfield Camp-Master-Generall To Mansfield he added Christopher Mondragonius and part of the Army viz. four thousand and five hundred foot and eight Troops of horse To Rubasius he joyned Gasper Billius and Peter Pacins with three thousand foot and four troops of Horse and commanded that as well they that stay'd on this side as those that were to passe over the Scheldt with all celerity should assault and take the enemies Forts and Castles plac'd on both sides the River towards the Ocean And from thence to oppose themselves against the enemies sailing from Holland and Zealand to Antwerp Wherefore he commanded Mondragonius Before whom Mondragonius goes on his side with his Regiment consisting of twenty one colours to go before Count Mansfield who was soon after to follow with the rest of his forces and at Rupelmund and Borcht to passe over his Souldiers into Brabant in boats Which he did and puts to flight the enemies shipcoming to oppose him prosperously execute putting to flight hy Canon shot the Admirall's ship of Antwerp which came to hinder his passage after it had received some hurt The City being highly Antwerp offended at the negligence of the Garison Souldiers but when they saw the Kings Army spread on both sides the River and their tents so suddenly pitch'd their anger was turned into care For now Alexander moving with his Court from Tourney Alexander pitcheth in a Village of Flanders Not far from him Rubasius came to Bevera a Village of Flanders about seven miles from Antwerp and there fortified himselfe not far from his pavillions Rubasius with all his warlick Magazine sat down in the Village of â—alloo on the Scheldt having first ejected the Garison Souldiers hence Between both Between both Charles Mansfield but neerer to Alexander Charles Count Mansfield son to Earnest Master of the Artillerie those for seat of his military Engines the Village of Melsen But on Brabant side On Brabant side Mansfield the Father Count Mansfield Camp-master Generall following Mondragonius over the Scheldt plac'd his tents in the Village of Straboeck about four miles distant from Lillo which because Alexander design'd that seat for himselfe he diligently fortified A distance off in the Village of Berendrecht and Mondragonius was the station of Mondragonius with whom afterwards neer Stanflict Camillus à Monte and with Montitius and Capisuccus Capisuccus joyned theirs Assoon as it was perceived that Antwerp was by the Kings Army attacqued on every side the Antwerpians although at first knowing both theirs and the enemies forces had jeered at the enterprise The Antwerpians prepare for their defence Phil Marnixius of Mont Saint Aldegund yet notwithstanding fearing Alexanders fortune they couragiously prepared for their defence Aldegund governed the City as Consul the Prince of Orange's most intimate friend and next after him was out-topped in authority by none of the States By his advice especiall Especially on both banks of the Scheldt care was taken of fortifying the Castles on either side the River The chiefest were Lillo on Brabant side Liesken shoeck on Flanders coast and the Forts standing in the Isle of Doele Odettus Tilinius son to Lanoy The Isle of Doele with a fresh cohort of French took upon him to defend Lillo John Pettin an old Colonell was commanded to fortifie Lieskenshoeck with a new mud-wall The like care was taken of the other forts The bank at Safting and other places being cut and a way opened for the Scheldt to overflow the fields of Wasia even unto Antwerp They sent some also to Bergen-Zom to gather Souldiers and others to demand aid from Zeland and Holland and also to sollicite William Blosse de Treslong Admirall of Zealand sea But now as they had orders And Alexander's Commanders invade both sides of the River Mondrag Rubas Mondragonius advanced against Lillo Rubasius against the Isle of Doele but with contrary successe for the one by aged caution making delay lost opportunity the other burning with youthfull celerity set upon the enemy unprovided both of counsell and defence The Isle of Doele which is made by a Rampyre or Dyke The Isle of Doele and its Castles drawn about against deluges is defended by foure Castles and there endeth the territory of Wasia Thither Rubasius sending before Pacius Regiment came sooner then could be expected therefore the Castle of Antonia yieded it selfe forthwith to The Castles of Antonia and Teruent Rubasius and the Garison of Teruent not expecting the enemy fled away But it fell out far otherwise at Lief-kenshoeck It was kept by about eight Liefkenshoeck hundred Souldiers who fiercely rejected Rubasius's Trumpeter demanding the render of their Castle for three daies most valiantly maintained their defence untill by Canon shot the Rampire being beaten down in severall places and Prince Alexander advancing from Bevera and offering them in vain kinde conditions he commanded Rubasius not any longer to deferr the assault who sending thither Hernandus de Isla and Gasparine Lucensis Captaines of select companies commanded them not to admit any to mercy who although at the first assault they were repulsed yet venturing again they took the Castle put about foure hundred of the enemies to the sword drowned almost two hundred and Rubasius takes it brought away seven Colours Pettin Governour of the Castle being slain by Rubasius own hand who the same night marched to Noort the last Fort of the Isle scituate on the Scheldt but Ferâ—mius Governour of that place having conveyed all his Artillery into Ships kill'd all his Cattle and set fire on the Fort retired to Antwerp From thence the Army retired to Safting which only held remained untaken but finding it void of defendants they began to make up the cleft of the bank against the waters bursting forth from the left side of the River And thus by Rubasius's expedition Antwerp was and wins all Flanders bank disarmed of the Forts on Flanders coast and of all the Country of Wasia lying along the Scheldt when in the interim on Brabant side Mondragonius marched against Lillo Mondragonius sets upon Lillo knowing how strong a Castle both by scituation and fortification he was to attempt as having built it himselfe and for that he was too cautious of the enemies strength as conscious of it he gave time to admit a Garison into Lillo It HELPS to wit sometimes not to know dangers which if known would be a hinderance to victory For two thousand souldiers under Balfurius a Scotch The Garrison encreased Colonell were received into the Castle
against part of whom sallying out under Tillinius Mondragonius He fights with them sallying out advanced with his Regiment and giving them battle it was with equall losse a long time disputed untill the Cataracts which were within the Castle being drawn and the River Scheldt then swelling with the tyde let out amongst the Spaniards the Mondragonians not being able any longer to endure both the vehemency without success of the Canons thundring from the Castle and the tempest of the water and having lost Aloysius Toletanus and Peter Padilla two valiant Captains by little and little retired and were compelled to move their station into a safer place with great constancy chiefly of the Spaniards But with great constancy of the Spaniards carrying away in the fight of the enemies their wheel-pieces on their shoulders and wading in the water up to the breasts Nor were they so dismaid when they could not by reason of the deluge assail the enemies on the front on the right side climbing up the banks of the Scheldt upon which the Castle stands they obstinately again attempted the assault and having taken a little Sconce they fiercely stormed the Castle but the Rampire being cut in many places hindred their entrance Therefore being out of hope of winning the Castle they were by his excellency commanded Whom Alex. calls off to retreat to Stabroeck and there to prohibit the excursions of the Garison souldiers from Lillo Whilst the confederates defended Lillo they lost Herentalls For the Antwerpians solicitous of Lillo called thence the Scotch Garison and Herentals by Caesius means trusted Herentals to the Townsmen Wherefore Caesius the Horse being divided between him and George Basta making inroads into those places did not let slip so fit an opportunity Count Nicol. Caes for having sojourned there as a Prisoner he had contracted great familiarity with the chiefest Townsmen and therefore easily perswaded them that not expecting the Victorious Army they should deliver the Town to the Prince of Parma which was scarcely effected when the Townsmen having first admitted Caesius into the Town the Garison Souldiers being by the Antwerpians too late repenting them of Submits to the Kin. their rash counsell commanded to returne shut their Gates turned their Cannons against them and beat them off For that service Caesius obtained of the Prince the Government of that place But Alexander for the present having lost opportunity of taking Lillo thought it not convenient to spend any longer time about that siege which if it were taken together with Liefkenshoeck on the opposite bank which he already had the enemies ships could not by them be sufficiently prohibited from passage by reason of the rivers breadth and the daring enemies in the dead of the night waiting for the help of the tyde violently rushing in from the sea might easily delude both Castles endeavours Wherefore Alexander thinks of a Bridge to block up the Scheldt seeing the Rivers passage could not be obstructed unlesse by the interposition of a bridge he judged it all one whether to erect it there between Lillo and Liefkenshoeck or else-where raising Castles in some other places Wherefore measuring as it were the Channell Alexander to whose opinion the most antient and skilfull Marriners with his Captains Baroccius and Plato easily assented thought it best to block up the River not far from Lillo towards Antwerp between Calloo a He chooseth the place between â—alloo and Ordam for three reasons village of Flanders and Ordam a village of Brabant The motives as he writ to the King why he chiefly chose that place were these Because the Scheldt there is not so very broad and a hillock of earth like to a bed of sand which they call a bank stretching it selfe out from the shore straitneth the channell Besides in that place the river bending it selfe a little towards the right hand the shipps have therefore almost need of another winde so that they cannot so directly and with like violence keep on their course Lastly he had try'd that the earth there was full of gravell and solid and most commodious both for raising and upholding the work Moreover He commands Castles to be built on either side the River at the ends of the bridge he had committed the charge of building the Castles on both sides the River which should be the heads of the bridge viz. Flanders side to Rubasius and Brabant to Mondragonius That for reverence to the Mother of God to whom he had dedicated the whole work from the beginning was called Saint Maries this in the honour of the King Saint Philips Besides he erected other Castles in other places some for defence and others elsewhere of his Army others against the enemies Forts and those that were placed against Antwerp were called of Saint Peter and Saint Barbara those against Lillo of the Blessed Trinity Whilst Alexander was continually busied in earnest labours on both THE SIEGE OF DENDERMUND sides the River and was thought there to have his whole care employed secretly with Pacius's Regiment and a band of Italians he sets upon the Siege of Dendermund Dendermund is situated at the mouth of the River Dender from It s site whence it takes its name which River runneth into the Scheldt wherefore by reason of its site and fabrick it was reckoned amongst the strongest Cities in Flanders and in regard it is seated in the mid-way between Gaunt and Antwerp is very commodious to them Commodious to the bordering enemies both Alexander determined long since to bring it under subjection as well to enterpose it as a bar to cut off all passage and commerce between both Cities as to exonerate himselfe of the trouble of dividing his forces for he was forc'â— continually to keep a guard in the Country about Gaunt and Dendermund Thither he sent before John Gamboa with Augustine Forces are sent thither before Igniquesius Regiment commanding him to take the sluces of Dender which the enemies with a Mill neer the City had fortified and from whence they might easily overwhelm the places neer adjacent Which he had scarce effected having killed about fiftie of the defendants and put First the sluce is taken the rest to flight when from Bruxells side appeared Charles Count Mansfield with five troopes of Horse and some Companies of Walloones and from the other side at Waestmuster Alexander with Pacius's Regiment who forthwith setting guards on the river Scheldt both above and below and environing the City planted his Cannons against the Fort before Bruxels gate Mortagnus Then the city is besieged viz. The gate towards Bruxels The Governour had carefully fortified it with eight hundred souldiers besides armed townsmen instead of Rihovius their Governour who then was absent commanded the City he fortified all places industriously but especially Bruxels fortification strengthening it with most of his Veterans especially the fort before the City against the force
of the enemy and from thence they continually shot and not in vain against the Royalists but weakly fenced The first terrour they struck was by the death of Peter Pacius a Spanish Colonell who behinde a gabion or From whence shooting they kill Pacius wicker basket directing a Cannon against the enemy was suddenly slain with a Musquet-bullet piercing his head The same day a little after Peter Tassius overseer of the Army was slain being shot also into the and Tassius head with a Musquet-bullet At the first with great griefe of the Spaniards especially for the losse of Peter Pacius a man conspicuous for his piety and valour who because he had a care of his souldiers necessities as if he had been their Father was commonly called Peter de Pan but afterwards with so great rage against The Spaniards are thereby incensed the enemy and desire of revenge that the Cannons having not as yet made a sufficient breach in the Fort they all contentiously desire the assault ANGER to wit sometimes addeth more force then losse doth diminish They have yet another motive to whet their fury The Garison souldiers brought into the especially seeing the Saints injured Fort with a mimick kinde of state a great Image of a Saint and setting it upon the battlements after they had abused it with derisions and stripes furiously tumbled it down At which spectacle all their hearts were incensed with indignation yea the Captains could scarcely contain the fury of their souldiers threatningly demanding the signe of the onset Whereupon Alexander thinking it best to make use of their heat seeing the front of the Fort to be beaten down and part of the back also Alexander gives order for the assault he chose three souldiers out of every Spanish company which amounted not to above fifty and commanded them being conducted by two Captains of Pacius's Regiment to assail the back he also chose as many of the same Regiment led also by two Captains to follow after he attributed the front to the Italians and Germans and commanded the Walloones to assault the side with scaling Ladders Notwithstanding he deferred the assault untill the next day which was the Eve of the assumption of our Blessed Lady because on that Feast as he advertised the Captains the Queen of heaven assisting them he Trusting in the help of the E. Virgin doubted not but to revenge the Injuries of the Saints Nor was he deceived in his piety And now they begun the assault on all sides with great animosity and contempt of death but especially the Spaniards And for two houres it was gallantly fought on both sides but at length the Royalists prevailed and with the losse of fifteen only of their souldiers took the Fort but the defendants The Fort is taken lost above eightie and the rest fled into the City which although the Spaniards from the higher place commanded yet notwithstanding the strength of the Walls the interiour Bulwarks and especially the Ditch which being very deep and full of water hindred their accesse to the Walls seem'd to retard the conquest Besides the City on a suddain by a sleight occasion but made greater by conceit was much animated There were some Carriages loaden Provision sent unto the Farnesian Camp with provision sent from the Village of Gaure to Alexanders Army when about two hundred and fiftie souldiers issuing out of Gaunt from whence Dendermund had requested ayde and putting to flight the convoy Intercepted by these of Gaunt neer to Alst joyfully brought away the booty But short was the joy of both Cities for Olivera having notice thereof drew forth from the Fort of Wettera some troopes of Horse and meeting them not farre from Gaunt unawares set upon the conquerors and either killing or taking but recovered with their overthrow was sent back to the Army them prisoners for there did not one escape by flight sent back the Carriages to Alexander But the Dendermundians had yet a farr greater affliction for when the River was turn'd and drawn another way which they never expected and thereby the Ditch their chiefest defence drained they were daunted with that unheard of celerity for within five daies with admirable expedition they had seen Bridges built Rivers blockt up Tents pitched the City besieged the Walls deprived of their Trâ—nch of water their Fort taken nor any rest either night or day allowed them fearing any longer to provoke the Conquerour they sent a Trumpeter to demand a parley and Dendermund delivered to Alex 17. Aug. delivered up the City the Citizens being fined in sixty thousand Florens the Souldiers which were about five hundred sent away without either horse or armes and the City commanded to receive what Garrison it pleased the Prince of Parma Wherefore three companies of Spaniards of Pacius's Regiment and two of Italians entred the Town Alexander creating John de Rivas an old Captain Iohn de Rivas made Governour of the same Regiment for a noble act performed at that expedition Governour of the City For he committing some Carts made ready in the night-time loaden with Faggots to the forwardest of his Captains to be conveyed into the ditch of the Fort thereby to defend the assailants Rivius was the first that drove the Cart forward against the enemy who having notice of the design had prepared themselves to shoot from the Fort and he was the first and soon after the only man that adventured to advance against a storm of leaden hailstones for two of his fellowes were shot and he also a little after wounded in the shoulder notwithstanding he with a couragious spirit and a threatning look stood to for his gallant exploit his work nor did he desist before he had driven his Cart to the place intended and in defiance of his enemies with all his might did drive the next Cart forsaken by his wounded souldiers even unto the front of the Fortresse Then by Alexander's appointment he was carried into his Tent and in reward of his approved valour made Governour of the City But Prince Alexander although in the beginning the Siege of Dendermund was by Mondragonius judged to be a tedious businesse and would not as he said be dispatched before the earth was covered over with snow yet the eleventh day after he departed from Bevera the City being very strong of it selfe and within short And the expedition dispatched sooner then was expected time like to draw Gaunt the same way was by his counsell authority help and especially fame which was Alexanders chiefest favourite brought under subjection and then he Returnes to Antwerp returned to the siege of Antwerp where the summe of his cares resided Alexander together with Plato and Baroccius whose judgments next to his Councell of War he chiefly made use of contrived of what form the work should be to block up the River and commanded that He prepares timber for building the bridge the
And letting the River into it channell to a place where by reason of the former inundation the Waters were sufficiently deepe five miles distant from Steken Thence bending its course through the fields that were ebber of waters to the Village of Gillis hee brought it between Verbock and the Fort of Devera to Calloo and so to the Army and in fine cutting the bank of the Scheldt disburdened it into the river and built there a Sconce call'd Perla for the defence of this new Port and Haven which in that place hee determined for his shipping And thus though the passage through the Scheldt was obstructed by the enemies yet having opened a new and much shorter cut into which the shipping from Gaunt through the River Drawes it even to the camp Moere might enter and so be conveyed to the Army hee sufficiently provided plenty of Timber for the bridge and provision for the Army with great admiration of the enemies seeing so huge a work so speedily perfected and rejoycing of his souldiers highly and not sparingly extolling the Prince of Parma to whose honour they call'd this new Fosse Parma The length of it measuring both the dry land and the over-whelmed fields The length of it was fourteen miles and first there came from Gaunt that way seaventeen Barks but afterwards as the greatest The commodiousnesse of it Rivers of all Flanders do meet at Gaunt so from all places of Flanders all kind of Merchandize began to bee brought to the Camps with no little gaine to the Townes and Villages safely conveying thither and uttering their vendible commodities with the greatest benefit to the souldiers whom all the time of the siege this one channell abundantly supplyed with victualls so as they needed not to leave their Posts and Enfignes But the principall Shippes are brought through it to perfect the bridge profit of Parma then was to bring in shippes to finish the bridge Yet by reason of the frost they were some dayes retarded for the River Scheldt which was almost all frozen up being broken huge pieces of Ice were heaped together which if perhaps with the violence of the Tyde had been dash't against the bridge doubtlesse had dissipated and overthrowne the shippes standing in the midst of the River where it runs with greater violence Certainly some huge fragments of the congealed River forcibly being dash't against the bridge and sticking into the substance of the piles almost half a palme were a sufficient proofe of what strength and firmnesse it was standing immoveable and stable against such sharp darts violently hurl'd by the raging billowes of the Ocean But as soon as the Winter began to dissolve and lesse And the violence of the congealed River ceasing they are made use of 1585. feare of the Ice they returned to their work The middle part of the River as is before signifyed between the Castles lay open little lesse then one thousand three hundred foot To block up which there were thirty two Those shippes were chiefly two shippes of sixty six foot long a piece and twelve foot broad interposed with their sides together evenly placed Nor were they joyned close together Thus ordered but distant one from another twenty two foot and tyed together in foure places at the Fore-deck middle and sterne by Cable-ropes and chaines Besides every shipp from the Fore-deck and sterne was stayed by Anchors so cast that the river swelling up and the Cables loosned by the Marriners helpe the rank of shippes might be raised unhurt But the distance between every ship was made up by beames and boarded by overthwart planks fastned unto the hatches Over these the passage is made whereby there was made a continuall bridge between the Castles of one thousand three hundred foot long flancked also with battlements of firme plancks as was observed in both parts of the Steccada to which this middle bridge was connected To every ship for their defence were attributed thirty souldiers fenced with hurdles and gabions foure Marriners and two double Cannons But for the Fortified with souldiers Marriners and Cannons Castles there were farre more defendants and to every corner of them so many Cannons two whereof were plac't for the defence of the Steccada and two for the shippes And for the For the defence of the whole work there were 97. Cannons protection of all the whole bridge there were ninety seven great Gunns Nor was this work sooner perfected but another was dispatched which might be to this a munition and fortification And as before City gates A double defence placed before the Bridge some Forts or bulwarks a little distant from the Walls are wont to be rais'd aginst the enemies by opposition of which they may be retarded and dull'd that they cannot assault the City it selfe but first tyred and diminished so this new Bulwark as Baroccius the inventor of it reasoned would be a tuition to the bridge upon which the enemies shippes must of necessity run and be intangled before they could freely and in full force assail the bridge And after this manner was the structure of this Machine Before the Navall bridge but about a Of the kinde of structure darts cast off there were thirty three boats placed three and three together their sides somewhat distant one from another fastned together with huge beames layd over and shippes Mafts Then three others connected after the same manner but separated from the first three a little distance so againe others succeeded with equall distance even unto the eleventh Ternall Besides from every one of these Ternalls stood out forty beames in a forked order being very long round and their points sharpned with iron which like Pike-men in the front of an Army might terrify with their points set and turned against the enemy those that advanced against them These Boats were fill'd with empty Hogs-heads left they should be swallowed up either by the streame or tyde these were on either side stayed with Anchors but their Cables long and slack that the River rising with the tyde they might also rise with it therefore they call'd them Floates The one of these Engines for there were two were plac't towards Antwerp the other towards the Ocean either of these being one thousand two hundred and fifty two foot long were so farre extended into the breadth of the River that they might by their opposition and hinderance defend all the Navall bridge and part of the Castles Lastly his Excellency adding a Navy of forty sayle of shippes and galleys twenty on Flanders fide and as many on the coast of Brabant for the safeguard of the Bridge after the seaventh moneth of the siege brought this work to a happy end And built a bridge over the Scheldt two thousand four hundred foot long of that And the bridge 2400 foot long being finished firmnesse that both horse and foot with Carriages and Wheel-pieces might safely passe to and fro
as occasion required between Flanders and The passage from Antwerp to the sea is wholly cut off Brabant block't up the river and took away all hopes of commerce between the Sea and the Antwerpians That day on which the bridge and its fortifications were finished being That day the work was finished the souldiers celebrate with great joy the feast of St. Matthias the Apostle which Prince Alexander divined to be to him as he writ to the King luckie for the memory of his Grand-father Charles the fifth to whom that day often proved fortunate all the Army celebrated it with military triumph A great part of the souldiery were placed on the new bridge as if having subjugated and trampled on the Scheldt they were already Victors part from the Castles and Forts built on both sides the River some from the ships many from their stations and tents all with joyful Volleys of their Artillery and exulting shouts wish't life and Victory to their noble Generall the Prince of Parma Whilst Alexander likewise gives thanks to God he who knew the designe to be begun by the singular Will of God and by him protected amongst the continuall conflicts both of the enemies and elements rendring with a submissive minde thanks and praises to the Divine Majesty pray'd that the worke might continue and be defended by his most omnipotent hand But as soon as it was known at Antwerp The Antwerpians admire to see the work finished the passage of the Scheldt to be stop't by a bridge and many afar off beheld the Machine it is scarce credible with what admiration and consternation the people were taken Yea there were of opinion that this could not be invented by humane Art but the modell of it by some demonicall inspiration demonstrated to the Prince of Parma and accomplished by Artificers and Tooles sent from Pluto Indeed Aldegund all thought then hee dissembled his feare was mightily dejected and in a Book which after the delivery of Antwerp he set forth affirmed to be above humane judgement that a River of that Aldegunds judgement of it nature could by mortall hands be obstructed And verily amongst all the Ancients one can hardly read of a more exquisite and rare piece of work I know Caesars bridge a little beyond the Belgick boundes built over the Rheine to be by Historians Compared to Caesars Bridge made famous But Caesars bridge on the Rheine was erected on a far straiter and by reason of the Summer time more shallow place Alexanders bridled a river broader almost by the halfe hard by the Ocean yea mixt with it and tossed by the fury of that Element Besides he had every thing Caesar ready brought from confederate Provinces offering shippes and Timber Alexandâ—r had few necessaries at hand most things to fetch afar off now surprized by the English then by the Hollanders alwayes in danger of the enemies And that Caesars bridge was but for a short time to be used to wit for once transporting of an army and therefore did not need to be of that stability as of necessity Alexanders must to hold out a siege of many moneths continuance Lastly Caesar stood in no dread of enemies who as soon as the bridge began to be erected fled away Alexander in sight of an hostile and most potent City erected a Bridge amongst Waters restlesse by the Tyde of the restlesse Ocean betwixt Antwerp and the Antwerp Sea both held by the enemies now thence then from Antwerp often from both sides at once assailed by dangerous invasions of the enemies shipps So as if the Name of Caesar were but taken from Rheine and added to this bridge of Antwerp our age I believe needed not to be ashamed of their Caesar's But a spy sent by Aldegund to the Camp to take notice of the fabrick of the Bridge and the enemies designes aggravated the besieged Cities cares who being known and apprehended but treated by the Prince of Parma otherwise A Scoâ—t from Antwerp taken then he feard to wit in imitation of Scipio who with like security of himselfe and contempt of the enemy admitted Anniballs scouts was commanded to walke about the Army diligently to take notice of the bridg to number the shippes Artillery and Forts and then without feare to return to him Being returned go quoth he to those that sent thee and And is sent back from Alex with these words after thou hast related all things thou hast with thy eyes beheld add that Alexander Farneze with a constant resolution hath determined with himselfe not to depart from the siege till under that and points to the Bridge he bury himselfe or by it force a way into the City But the newes of the unfortunate attempt of Bolduc was to Antwerp a The attemps of Bolduc farre greater terrour then the relation they had from the Scout at his return The States confederate amongst What was decreed by the states at their meeting other things agitated at their meeting at Middleburg had thus divided their Forces Whilst Tresland Admirall of Zealand was drawing his fleet to Lillo Count Holack should attempt Bolduck which if the Prince of Parma should releeve for so they disputed doubtlesse the bridge and the Castles would be left destitute of their accustomed defence and so their fleet might have a more facile accesse and onset upon the bridge but if hee neglected Bolduck and chose rather to attend to the head of the Warr it could not hold out long especially when some of the Citizens had promised their indeavours and if Bolduc were taken they might convey succours to Antwerp by land not needing the sea And now by Holacks command fifty foot souldiers Iulians charge under Claragius lay in ambush before the City gate which tends towards Antwerp and as soon in the morning as the Citizens opened that gate and let down the draw-bridge on a sudden they shewed themselves and putting to flight the Citizens took that gate And forthwith three hundred horse and seven hundred foot not farre off listening to the successe commanded by Holach himselfe enter the City and being divided some march Holach and his forces enter the City into the market-place some lay hand on the Magazine and Artillery many now as secure of the Victory furiously Who fall to plunder spread themselves all over in pillaging this rich City And a Corporall The keeper of the gate joynes himselfe to the plunderers with three souldiers appointed by Holack to look to the gate now supposing the City to be taken lest hee should bee defrauded of the fruits of the Victory basely forsook his station and joyned himselfe to his plundering companions At that time by chance Altapen newly recovered of his sicknesse was at Bolduc and hearing the noyse of the enemies arm'd himselfe and drawing with him forty Lanciers of Elmont his Italian Troop who then was Governour of the City advanced to the Market-place
and with his presence greatly animated the dejected Citizens and Altapen charges the enemies fiercely charged the Van-guard of the enemies Then the Governour Elmont They fight By and by others also followes Altapens example and with both some Citizens joyn themselves others by their own conduct and with mutuall exhortation invade the enemies and taking up armes every where it was all the City over both in the streets and Market with different resolutions but equall obstinacy on both sides disputed These the love of their City care of their wives children and fortunes inflamed against the assailants and robbers these were encouraged with the glory of surprizing the City and the great booties which now were in their hands But whether EVERY one more carefully defends his owne then strives to take others or the armed croud of Citizens increasing for FOR THE most part a few begin high designes but are soon seconded by many the Hollachians were forc't to defist from plunder and fall to their own defence And were yet encouraged with hope of succours Holach being gone to call in more forces which for this purpose lay privately in a Neighbouring Village But an old man seeing the gate sleighted by the Holach departs to fetch in more forces Holachians privily crept down from an adjoyning Turret cutting in sunder the tyes and letting down the Port-cullis shut out and deluded the enemies being one thousand horse and Returnes with them But the gate being shut he is not admitted two thousand foot posting with all speed to the City and even then at the gates whereby it came to passe that the Holachians now fighting with unequall number and courage were all either shut up within the City and miserably cut off or voluntarily Then following the slaughter of the Holachians leaping from the Walls into the Ditch excepting a few were swallowed up by the Waters At which time it is reported that many also of the Citizens as yet ignorant of the delivery of their City in a precipitate flight and with vaine feare of them to whom they themselves were a terrour fell down headlong from the opposite part of the City Walls and so both the victours and conquered were alike drowned But it is more probable that they were not by ignorance of the Victory but guilty of Treason driven to flight that fate Amongst the dead were found Ferdinand Truchsesius brother to the deposed Imperiall Elector and the Prince of Oranges base sonne besides Count Holachs Lieftenant and some German Captaines of Pike-men Thus this City already taken was by one Corporall quitting his post lost and saved by the undaunted courage of Altapen And so accordingly the Corporall flying from the walls The keeper of the gate punished received his merited punishment who by Holachs command lost his head Altapen and Elmont Prince Alexander highly extolling them both were by the Kings letters as signals of his thanks honoured together with a Altapen rewarded gift sent to Altapen As the newes of this defeat entred Bruxels besieged is tormented with Famine Antwerp at the same time almost some horse and suddenly after foot also the reliques of the slaughter given by George Basta Commissary Generall of the horse confusedly fled into the City For Viluord a Towne neer adjoyning to Bruxels not long before being taken by the Royalists and Ambrose Landriano left there to defend it those of Bruxels were miserably tormented for lack of provision Wherefore the Mechlinians and the Antwerpians had thus agreed to releeve them that they should provide provision and these a Convoy But by They of Mechlin and Antwerp send them provision with a great Convoy chance this came to the Prince of Parma's knowledge who appointed George Basta from Tornhout and Edward Lanceavech from Liere Governour of that Garrison to joyne their forces and about Viluord to enambush them-selves And now at the close of the evening they saw nine But falling on an Ambuscado of the Royalists Troopes of Horse and almost thirteen â—oot companies to march before two hundred Carriages and but a slender guard on the Reer For by reason of the vicinity of Mechlin they suspected not any danger Whereupon the Royalists to make shew of greater forces with great and sudden sounding of Drummes and Trumpets charged the Van of the enemies horse then the foot and horse joining themselves whilst on both sides it was couragiously fought the Waggoneers conveyed away the carriages and drove most of them back to Mechlin from Are beaten and put to flight whence a little before they came whereby the Royalists with greater fury pursuing the fight slew at least two hundred and took many prisosoners but especially of Ragters horses With prey to the Victours for they brought away above four hundred kill'd and routed all the rest and thought it sufficient so to have disappointed the Antwerpians designe to their no small damage and to have dash't all hopes of releeving Bruxels now in great distresse for want of provision And indeed the The famine increaseth at Bruxels famine in that rich famous and most populous City grew almost intollerable although oftentimes many both men and women were sent out thereby to ease it But most of them by the Kings horse were either by shot forced back into the City or not returning were taken and hanged up but they commanded the women having their garments cut above their knees with that disgrace to return to be with their fellowes hunger-starv'd And truly every day there many miserably perish't for lack of meat yea it is reported that a mother of many children being inwardly tormented with their continuall lamentations A miserable example caused them to drink poyson and afterwards drunk it her selfe thereby to prevent the irksomnesse of a tedious death Then discord famines companion entred the City some of the Discord increaseth as the famine Citizens being in mind to surrender the City others still retaining their obstinacy with hope of help from France these with armed souldiers possess themselves of the Pallace those with like preparation of armes took the Market-place and Town-house Til at length in despair of the French succours and seeing all passages on every side the City to bee obstructed Viluord lost and Willebroeck the head of their chiefe Navigation together with the garrison taken by Igniquesius Regiment Templaeus Governour of the City the souldiery and They send to Alex to deliver up the City the Magistrates sent their severall Commissioners into the Camp to Alexander to render up the City to his mercy onely petitioning they might receive conditions not dishonourable to their City the seat of the Belgick Princesse adding that their constant fidelity to his mother the Dutchess of Parma deserved something at her sonnes hands Alexander after a short reprehension that that Faith to his mother and the King her Lord they By whom being reprehended had rashly changed and by a
but on either side within this higher vault he laid Iron and Marble balls chaines blocks nailes knives and whatsoever this wicked witty man thought most damageable Lastly as farre as lay open between the sides of the ship and the wall and roof of the mine he fill'd up with square stones close joined and beams fastened with Iron But covered and hid all these things with strong planks and a brick floore in the middle whereof hee set fire to a pyle of wood that the shippes might seeme to bee set out in that order to burne downe the bridge putting under the Wood pitch and brimstone not to bee extinguished before the mine should be fir'd with the prepared Timber hee fram'd two wayes to Two wayes of firing the mines fire the Mine In some of the shippes plac't matches besmear'd with gunpowder which being privily extended through part of the keele were stretched into the Mine of that length as by a certain measure he had before tryed would continue light untill the shippes should come to the bridge In other shippes hee used those kinde of clockes which are wont by an admirable and pleasant Art to be exhibited in stead of night-watchers to light lamps And so ordered the stratagem that it should continue with a gentle motion of the wheeles untill the ship arrived at the bridge and then with a sudden and violent meeting together of the wheeles and flint strike some sparcles which recived in the bruised gun-powder there scattered taking fire might inflame the train there layd and this reaching to the mouth of the Mine might speedily convey that creeping fire into it Jambell having finished foure shippes after this manner added to them thirteen lesser To these foure greater are added thirteen lesser having within them nothing hurtfull but the Hatches covered with huge fires Nor was this preparation unseene of the Royalists although The Royalists in the interim solicitous they were ignorant of the stratagem who imagined the fleet was in making ready in the City to the intent the bridge might at once be assailed on the one side by the Antwerpians and on the other by the Hollanders and Zealanders Wherefore his Excellency strengthening the Castles and Forts with greater guards and calling to the bridge the chiefe of his souldiers had a watchfull eye to the enemies designes who by how much hee seemed the better prepared to divert the slaughter was so much neerer The shippes appeare from the City 8. Aprill to receive it When behold from the City there appeared three shippes brightly shining with fire and a little after followed others and after those others Then all the noyse in the Camp was arme arme and the bridge was filled with souldiers The shipps were carried down the river two and three together in so orderly a course as if they were but to make a shew for they were then governed by Marrlners and the fire in every ship shined so clearly that they seemed not to carry Their fires made a wonderfull shew in the night fires but verily to burn themselves and so fire to saile and bee nourished amongst the Waters And truly that night was that Scene acted which might have been a pleasant spectacle if the spectatours had beene exempt from feare and care For the banks of the River and the Castles plac't thereon shined with continuall fires The Companies of armed men ranged along As also the souldiers along the banks the banks made a reflection of the shining light the fiery shippes amidst the Scheldt hurtlesly spitting their flames it was to bee doubted whether they came to be a sport or full of deceit a destruction Then the aspect and pomp of the Commanders and Souldiers shining in bright Armour their weapons drawne and colours displai'd all along the bridge augmented the Pageant Lastly all things composed to the uncertaine pleasure of this new Theater both struck terrour and yet were delightfull they feared and yet had pleasure in the cause of their feare And now these shippes were scarcely two miles off the bridge when the Marriners The shippes approach neerer that conducted them directing their helmes turned those four shipps that were made with Mines straight down the midst of the channell against the bridge not so greatly caring for the rest and forthwith setting fire to the match leap't into the boats to behold a farre off the successe But they wanting their Pilots did not at all keep one course most of the lesser The lesser having no success either dash't themselves against the opposite Machines that were fenced with sharp pykes or running on ground stuck to the banks But of the foure that carried within them ruine one leaking was swallowed up in the midst of the River vomiting onely smoake and Thunder Two others of Nor three of the greater the foure towards Caloo the River being deeper there and running swifter the Wind blowing hard out of Brabant forc't on Flanders coast and there grounded them Nor did the The fourth is stay'd by the floates fourth seeme to have any better fortune being almost cast on Flanders coast and violently driven upon the very farthest part of the floates Therefore the Royalists now shaking off feare especially when the fires began Then the Royalists fear is turned to mirth to diminish in many of the lesser shippes and were almost extinguished wondered at the enemies designes and scoffed with Military jeeres that so great preparation was to no purpose Yea they were so bold as from Flanders side to board one of those shippes that was gravel'd there and try with javelins what might bee within it When that shipp which I spake of last being greater and stronger But when it broke through the floates then the rest easily escaped those sharp pointed Engines broke downe the opposite Machine and came on fiercely against the bridge Then were the souldiers renewing their shoutes againe solicitous and fearfull And They were again solicitous Prince Alexander who having his thoughts bent severall wayes now had regard to the Navy lying at Lillo then nearer attending to the Antwerpians designe forthwith at those Alex. hastens to divert the shipp from the Bridge shoutes repaired thither where the fire-ship seemed to attempt and commanded some Marriners to board the ship disperse the wood and quench the fire others to keep off and prevent the danger with long poles and pikes He himselfe stood in the wooden Castle which is the furthest part of the Pile-work from Flanders side to which the navall bridge is connected There were with him Rubasius Cajatane Billius and Vastius with other chiefe Commanders besides the guard of the place Amongst whom a Spanish Ensigne an ancient servant to A Spanish Ensigne endeavours to remove him from the Bridge the Farnezes having some knowledg insuch like Engines was the preserver of Prince Alexanders life Whether he knew how excellent Jambell was in this Art and perhaps had heard how hee
strife from narrow and almost no ground-work or foundation and as it were hanging in the ayre When the bank of the And the enemy opening the River-bank Scheldt being slit above by the Antwerpians neer to the City and below at Lillo by their auxiliary Navy and the fields in Brabant covered with a huge deluge of Water like to another Let part of the River into the lower fields through which the shippes might be conveyed to Antwerp Scheldt then the enemies designe was plainly discovered of bringing their shippes against Covenstene Dyke and with their Pioneers of cutting that Barr to make a Navigable passage through this new Channell to Antwerp in despight of the Farnezian bridge And that the Spaniards might be dubious of this their intent or at least their forces distracted and consequently lesse potent The besieged Antwerpians promised the Hollanders and Zealanders who came to their reliefe that at the same time when they should invade Covenstene with their shippes from the sea and they from the City they also would set upon the Bridge with new stratagems For Jambell and the rest of his Sulphurean comrades had sworne they would not desist till with their various Engines and new battering Rams they had utterly demolished the bridge Therefore the confederates as they had agreed among themselves divided their fleet consisting of an At the same time the Navy appeareth from the sea puts part out into the fields against Covenstene Causey part into the River against the bridge May 7. hundred and fifty sayl into two squadrons one under Holach set out from Lâ—llo into the over-whelmed fields where Ship-masts more fully resembled Woods then the growing Trees had done before the other under Justin of Nassau tracing the Scheldt now threatning to land on Brabant side now on Flanders then fiercely alarming the bridge And with the same practises the Holachians sometimes plai'd their Artillery against the Castle of Sancta cruce often threatned to assault Covenstene causey then carried about the sound and terrour of the conflict in every place the Royalists standing alwayes ready armed and provided against them Prince Alexander himselfe being sometimes busied at the bridge sometimes at the causey not taking any rest either day or night But when they especially the Holachians had now spent some dayes in threatning to attempt the Causey and perceiving that the Royalists either deluded with their so often fained assayes or wearied out with continuall labour and watching came more slowly to their colours and seeing in the dead of the night a fire about Antwerp which was the signe appointed to both for the assault five hundred suddenly climbed They attempt Covenstene up the Causey with as great silence as was possible between the Castle of Palata and Saint Georges in which place Benett kept his station of Spaniards and killing the first guard which they found halfe asleep the Captaine himselfe being grievously wounded At first with prosperous successe of the Hollachians and the Sergeant slaine who stood on their own defence and the rest flying to the Castles on both hands they safely possest themselves of part of the Causey Whereupon more of the Holachians by their Generalls appointment came out of their shippes for there were above two thousand souldiers in the Navy when Ortizius and Verdugo two Spanish Captaines came with all speed from the next station and by and by Colonel Gamboa posting thither with a selecâ— company of Spaniards from the Castle of Palata re-inforcing the fighâ— not onely rejected them from the causey but pursued them to their shippes either pierced them at hand with their But are beaten off swords or shot them at distance swimming And turning the Artillery from Saint James's Castle against them sunk foure of the nearest shipps With their no small losse and the rest struck with terrour from the other Castles retyred with no small losse to the enemies there being flaine of them above three hundred besides those who as I said with the shippes were drown'd and others who either not skill'd in swimming or over-loaden with their armes were devoured by the Waters Yet greater And greater complaints against the Antwerpians then the losse was the complaint of Holach accusing the Antwerpians who by hanging forth light from a Towre gave the signe of the assault and yet as it were on set purpose came not to prosecute the Victory which hee had begun But they affirmed Their reply they set not forth any lights as a signall of battle but said hee was deceived by a fire by chance kindled in the Tolasian Sconce and so began too rashly to fight Although Prince Alexander in a Letter to his Majesty construed the matter another way thinking the Antwerpians not assured Not credited by Alexander May 20. that the Holachians would attempt the assault for some time deferred the expedition and purposely stayed to see what from that first successe might be expected But these were the first and but The preparation of the confederates sleight assayes of Covenstene neither side in full strength opposing each other Then the enemies stifly conspiring together began the fight which I will so much the more exactly describe because scarce at any time on Greater then ever the Low-countreys in a more dangerous place or with greater uncertainty of the Victory on either side or with braver testimony of daring souldiers or more present assistance from Heaven was it ever more couragiously disputed on the one side the confederates set forth a fleet stronger both in shippes and men and better appointed then ever before being the whole power and strength in a manner both which Antwerp the magazine of warlike Engines as well as of rich Merchandizes and the Hollanders and Zealanders could rayse the greatest part of the Presidâ—aries being drawne forth of their Cities and To set upon Covenstene both from Antwerp and the sea May 26. forts for this battle and determined day of their publick liberty appointed to be by the mutuall consent both of the auxiliaries and besieged the six and twentieth of May on which day they determined to set upon Covenstene Barr and breaking through it to open a way for provision and reliefe to the City On the other side his Excellency being assured the whole force and tryall of the Warre would be at this over-crosse Causey caused more Artillery to be carryed Nor had Alex. lesse care to defend it into the Castles plac't thereon and battlements to be raised on either side the Causey from the Castle of Sancta Cruce to Count Mansfields Castle neer Stabroeck which two Castles are the extreames of the Causey and a long row of stakes to be fastened in the Waters as it were an out-work to hinder the accesse of the shippes omitting nothing in the munition of the place whereby for the present hee might oppose the enemies designes and as hee had so often deluded their attempts against
Hogs-heads the better to support the huge weight that was to be laid thereon Moreover these beams and barrels were covered with thick boards pitched to make a plaine even bottom of the ship the sides were fenced with impregnable battlements and thick ranked with Wall-pieces But upon this shipp covered with strong planks there was raised another as it were a Castle built almost foure-square in which were carried above a thousand Musqueteers besides those that appeared not being in the lower ship and those that were exposed to the view in the top-Castles of the mast to shoot as it were a storme of leaden hail-stones from the clouds But it is scarce credible how great confidence the Antwerpians reposed in this ship than which there was never any built at Antwerp with greater industry or expences for it is reported it was seven moneths in building and cost at least one hundred thousand florens so much were they taken with this huge moveable Castle and all secure of its successe that proudly they named it the END OF THE WARR and were willing Which they called The end of the Warr. the enemies should take notice of that glorious Title they gave it yet never was there Engine or stratagem more vainer or to lesse purpose For launched into the Scheldt and steered But took no effect through the cleft of the River-bank at Ostervele into the drowned fields the Marriners could scarcely guide it and no sooner came it neer to Ordam which Fort it assaulted but it stuck fast to the ground and was so gravel'd that from thence it could not by any Art of Marriners any endeavour of other shippes be drawn or removed So THINGS that exceed custome and measure in greatnesse are rather for sight-sake then use and commodity of which the Antwerpians had a sufficient experience who Afterwards they termed it expences lost afterwards with a truer Title call'd this their Fabrick Money cast away and the Spaniards after the first sight and encounter in a military jeere call'd it CARANTAMAVLA viz. a great Bug-beare for children But And a Bugbear for children this was afterwards for then when they heard it was set out of the Port and supposed it to come against the bridge for so the Antwerpians gave In the interim it kept the Royalists solicitous at the bridge it out to detaine the Royalists on the bridge they expressed another front and earnestly prepared all their forces against this new monster which fame had divulged Whilst the Royalists were by the The confederates Navy invade Covenstene Causey many and sundry attempts of the enemies Engines busied at the River Covenstene Causey was suddenly assailed by both Navies at once which consisted of above two hundred sayle almost one hundred and sixty whereof were great shippes furnished with Veterans and Cannons and came partly from the City under Consul Aldegund James Jacobius Admirall Aldegund from Antwerp of Antwerp with Morgan and Balfurius two Colonells of English and Scots partly under Count Holach And Holach from the sea from the sea to whom were joyned Justin of Nassau Haulter Governour of Walcheren besides the chiefest of the Hollanders and Zealanders The rest of the lesser ships were some loaden with sacks of earth and wool many with faggots beames hurdles and pyles for the speedy raising of bulwarkes and fences Others with folded bridges for an assault fire-balls Granadoes Artificers and Pioneers besides those that were loaden with store of provision for Antwerp Count Holach was the first that by the helpe of the tyde set out from Lillo First the Hollachians sending fire-ships before and frighting away the guards who sent before foure ships with pitch brimstone and Gun-powder which the Ship-men privately setting fire to might have some resemblance of shippes with mines and as Bowmen in the Van of an Army might beat off and deterr the Royalists from their eentries which took effect For approaching to Covenstene betweene the Castles of Saint George and the Palata the pyles being cut before under the Water as soon as they were set on fire they went off with a horrid but hurtlesse noyse wherefore whilst those that kept guard in that place fearing a terrible storme of stones would ensue a little with-drew themselves the stoutest of the enemies came out of the other ships and in a trice took the Causey there being Ascend the Causey but few there to defend it cut through a passage and that gate being now opened in halfe an houres space amongst a continuall storm of the Artillery from Saint Georges Castle not without the losse of many about eight hundred Holachians possesse themselves of all that part of the Gausey And although a little after Colonell Gamboa and Captaine Padilla Simon Padil came in all speed from the next And seconded by the Aldegundians climbing up on the other side Castles with most of their souldiers to hinder the enemies from fortifying themselves yet at the same time Aldegund first charging with his fire-ships then with the Antwerpian fleet and sending fresh men to assist their fellowes the Spaniards endeavours were frustrated for Captaine Padilla and other undaunted souldiers being The chiefest of the Spaniards being slaine or wounded slaine Colonell Gamboa himselfe and many of his men ill wounded they thought it best to retreate and defend the Castles from the huge multitude â—ossess themselves of a great part of the Causey of the enemies And now the enemies being masters of all the Causey between the Castles of Saint George and the Palata contentiously fortifie themselves and speedily driving stakes into the ground and winding them with boughs of Trees casting to them sackes of earth suddenly rais'd a high bulwark and fortifyed it with select Musqueteers out of the And fortifyed it neerest shippes committing the charge of it to Colonell Morgan And at the same time almost an infinite number And withall the Pioneers open the Causey on either side of Pioneers applying themselves to the bottome and sides of the bank on either side cast downe and opened so much of it that both parts of the over-flowing waters were almost conjoyned Balfurius also with a cohort of Scots and the Governour of Walcheren with some select compaines of Auxiliaries fiercely assaulted the Castle Others assault the Castle of Saint George and doubtlesse had taken it for the souldiers that kept it were most of them grievously wounded if Camillus à Monte had not from his Castle of Saint James with a hardy band of Italians and Wallomes opposed and hindered the insulting enemy although many of But are repulst them were cut off by the continuall tempest of bullets without intermission shot from the shippes on both hands But the most grievous conflick was at the Pioneers who that The sharpest conflict was at the Pioneers they might safely prosecute their work were guarded by the Auxiliaries And especially the Merchants in the Corn-ships whom it
wisdome was a sufficient warrant for me to note it downe in this place for as to record things upon sleight grounds may be thought a blemish in a writer too boldly abusing the credulity of his Reader so by passing over with silence to diminish the authority of things seriously delivered and written may be thought anâ— injury both to those who have heretofore mentioned them whose credits are almost sentenced by our silence and to those that come after from whom the knowledge of such things are unreasonably concealed But the The Royalists continue their Victory over all the Causey Royalists Victory did not containe it selfe within that Fort but was speedily carryed all over the Causey the enemies now beginning to faint who a little before had come fresh from both Navies and frequently joyning their forces had renewed the battle in many places Prince Alexander Alex orderiâ—g and animating them run amongst his souldiers here setting these in order relieving those with new supplies in place of the wounded placing further asunder those that were too close prest together with his hand and voyce animating all that they should wound and kill that rebellious rout inclosed within the narrow precincts of the Causey and revenge the death of their valiant comrades that they should make that day the last of the Antwerpian Warr they might know that bank to be the very wall of Antwerp and if the enemies were once excluded thence they had but a step into the City As hee was thus calling on his men hee perceived the enemies shippes to remove and secretly to depart towards Lillo for feare lest after the backing of the Tyde they should be grounded Then shewing that to his souldiers he said the Victory is ours my fellow souldiers Their sea forsakes the impious desertours of their faith Cut off the passage to their shippes which onely last hope remains now to the fugitives Nor suffer them to escape your hands to return againe By his encouragement they more fiercely charge the now staggering enemy to wage a new Warr At whose words the Royalists fury increasing the fight grew every where more bloudy and though many of the Hollanders and Zealanders begun to waver their eyes sometimes glancing towards their shippes sometimes towards the enemy their courages now no more constant then the floating shippes yet the Antwerpians whom it neerer concerned did not of all this time abate any thing of their former The Antwerpians hold out longer obstinacy or gave back So long did the regard of their City and obligation of their Oath prevaile with them as the faith of the multitude and mutuall respect stayed the very timerous from flight But when a company of Hollanders which were hotly charged by Augustine Romanus a Spanish Captaine began to fly then all as if thereby freed from disgrace precipitately run to their ships the Royalists greedily pursuing them But soon after they and the rest also flye to the shippes and wounding so many more of them as they themselves in that croud were their owne greatest mischiefe for the multitude of the fugitives meeting and hindering one another and the presse increasing like blind men they tumbled one over another and as it falls out in such like events EVERY ones particular hast was a hinderance to all But the slaughter of the enemies was no where greater then at the auxiliary ships for when some were already arrived at them There was the greatest slaughter and ready to enter they were cast downe by the accurse of their fellows that were stronger into other shippes huge multitudes entered together and over-loading them were drowned some againe the passage being stop'p rather then to fall on the Spanish swords although heavy armed and wearied in the fight cast themselves headlong into the water and lesse valuing the danger of the water then of the enemies they exposed themselves to the more certaine ruine SOE nothing of all is so much feared as that from which our feare had its first origin Nor had the Antwerpians on the other side of the Causey a lesser conflict many whereof as they had approached neerer and with stubborne hope had deferred their retreat the last so being forsaken by the tyde and left moveable were miserably scattered by Cannon shot from the neere adjoyning bank with a huge slaughter of the Souldiers within them to avoyd which many cast themselves into the Waters as if by swimming they could overtake the former shippes nor did they also prevent their fate for some Spaniards with no lesse confidence of themselves then contempt of the enemy leapt also With great audacity of the Spaniards into the Waters and with their swords in their teeth swam after the flying shippes and boarded some carried them back with those that remained to the Causey the ship-men being even amazed at that daring boldnesse Lastly not a few of the enemies to avoyd the Cannon shot approached yet neerer to the sides of the Causey and were there kill'd by the Royalists whom they like blind men did flye for feare had not onely taken away the use of counsell but of sight also Notwithstanding there were some who for that they would dye honourably furiously ran against the enemy and fell not altogether unrevenged It is said there were slaine at this Covenstene battle which continued The number of the confederates slaine almost seven houres of the Antwerpians and Auxiliaries but chiefly of them about three thousand besides those that were devoured in the waters The losse of the Veterans and chiefest souldiers of the Army farre exceeding the number There were foure shippes cast away The booty besides twenty eight taken in which were found great brass Cannons sixty five of Iron and lesser ninty besides plenty of all warlike magazine and abundance of provision Of the Royalists Of the Royallists slaine there fell at least seven hundred and of them above four hundred Spaniards and about five hundred wounded The fatall Causey thus recovered his Excellency first gave thanks to Almighty God for the Victory and the next day caused the whole Clergy at Divine service to do Thanksgiving to God the like and also a Masse to bee said as his custome was for those that were slaine in the fight in the presence of the Army His next care after hee had provided for his wounded His care of the dead of the wounded and of the Causey souldiers was to amend the wounded Causey which being cast down and opened in at least thirteen places the incensed souldiers besides faggots earth and other stuffe repaired and made up with heapes of the enemies bodies Alexander that hee might give The fetching away of the huge ship no respite to the affrighted enemies hearing that monster of a ship to stay as yet at Ordam and that many Antwerpian shippes repaired thither sent Charles Count Mansfield with five Galleyes seven Frigots and twenty lesser Vessels furnished with Cannons and
souldiers And Mansfield forthwith Mansfield goeth against 〈◊〉 and other ships loosing from the Navall bridge slipt through the cleft of the bank at Saint Peters Fort into the drowned fields and compassed the enemy with that scelerity that unlesse an unexpected accident had happened in the very attempt it was thought not a ship could have escaped For in Mansfields Who is a little hindered by a fire which hapned in his ship owne galley in which were carried Count Aremberge Marquesse Bontivolio Count Bevilacque and divers other chiefe men of Note drawne with a desire of seeing that Navall Monster that Noah's Ark as they termed it by chance a barrell of gun-powder being set on fire fired also the ship Bevilacque who was neerest to the barrell being blown up and lighting in the water by swim ming got to the bank at Ordam almost dead some cast themselves into the waters some were burned to death Mansfield and the rest borâ— a long time the markes of the fire iâ— their hands and faces By this delay for many on every side came in to But soon after sets upon the enemy takes some shippes Then he comes to the huge ship helpe them most of the Antwerpiaâ— shippes escaped to the City excepâ— nine that were taken in the pursuit by the Mansfieldians With which prey returning Victours they came about the great ship admiring there appeared not one to defend it of the hugâ— company of sea-men not one not any Which the Antwerpians had left as uselesse inhabitant as in a desolate forsaken City And indeed the Antwerpians had left it as wholly deserted for the day before having taken most of the Cannons out of it when yet they could not remove it they departed and came againe the next day with their Navy to fetch away the souldiers and ammunition and with fire to demolish that heap of wood And the souldiers marriners and part of the ammunition they had removed into their ships but Mansfields sudden arrivall hindered the rest All which though truly related by the prisoners that were taken yet the Mansfieldians durst not give credit The assailants feare some treachery in it to them and by how much all things seemed more quiet and without danger by so much the more cautious and fearfull they were lest in that wooden Machine as in another Trojane horse some treachery might bee concealed Wherefore they agreed to discharge a Cannon against it to try that way what was within it But the bullet They try it was with silence received into the wooll which stuffed the sides of it and gave it no more motion then if a little wave had dash't against a huge Rock in the Sea At last one more adventurous then the rest as if by boarding it first hee should win the glory of scaling the walls of a Castle and by and by others that they might not bee thought lesse daring and then more in emulation of the former taking with them the prisoners instead of pledges intending to involve them in the same danger if Some enter there were any enter the ship view the severall rooms both above and below observe the hatches and cabines search all places exactly and not finding any signe of treachery now exempt And secure from danger from feare they advise with the Marriners how to draw it thence and bring it to the bridge to the Princes view Wherefore they took away from it what was more loose or fitter to bee removed and being so mangled and made lighter they drew it through the over-whelmed fields of They hale it into the River and in a military triumph they bring it to Alex. Ordam into the Scheldt and giving his Excellency notice thereof steered it towards the bridge not without pomp For the other captive shippes haled with ropes led the way then followed Mansfields Navy environning the great ship which came as if it had beene a whole Navy it selfe Then the shippes that met them from the bridge encreased the triumph and coming in Prince Alexanders presence they altogether discharged their Artillery with such exceeding joy of the Army as if in the triumph over that one ship Antwerp now subdued and taken had beene led prisoner in fetters And indeed not onely the common souldiers who as before at the report of this Engine apprehended the greatest feare so now having it present amongst them scoffed and jeered at it and scorned it as a Bugbeare for children but the chiefest Commanders also yea Prince Alexander himselfe admiring the vain structure of that huge Machine which the enemies had proudly threatned would be the end of the Warr made a truer construction of that title that With great hope of an end of their laboâ—rs it was the end of the War but to the enemies whose forces and strength were now exhausted utter overthrow and ruine Nor did they judge falsly for the Antwerpians as soon as they perceived their overthrow at Covenstene this their ship taken and so their hopes on all sides to be frustrated exclaimed The Antwerpians not willing to endure the inconvenience of a siege any longer they would not any longer be fool'd by Holach or encouraged by Aldegund with vaine hope of forraign ayde And it plainly appeared the City being divided into factions would not any longer endure the incommodities of a siege Nor did the Are punished by the Magistrates punishment of some of the more seditious prevaile any thing with the commonalty for some cast into prison were forcibly set at liberty by the people the Magistrates not daring for But in vaine the future to oppose them Whose counsell of expelling the Catholicks thereby to ease the City was not approved by Aldegunde fearing a farre greater and more certaine tumult of the multitude Besides the sudden flight of some of the richest Merchants The Merchants also earnestly desire peace from the City and the Ambassage of the Hanse Cities demanding that unlesse peace were concluded they should permit their Merchants with their goods peaceably to depart the City terrified the Magistrates of Antwerp and aggravated the mutiny of the people But Aldegund had not yet spent out the whole magazine of his shifts of soothing up and complying with the people in which kind hee had a rare gift he promised them to write to the Prince of Parma and soone after to go himselfe into the Camp and if the Spaniards would make peace upon indifferent terms he would omit nothing speedily to effect it And hee writ accordingly that he might have audience and being admitted Aldegund goeth to Alex. as soon as his Excellency had notice from Richardott with whom Aldegund had first conferred that hee was come to treat of peace both for Antwerp Holland and Zealand hee perceived that by the conjunction of so many Provinces which to witt would be a tedious and intricate businesse Aldegunds intent was to get Who perceiving his subtilty sent him back time
but fit that the exequies of this victorious Machine over the enemies should bee performed with triumph Most of the wood Iron were by his The materials were given to Baroc and Plato Excellency given to the Architects of it Baroccius and Plato But in Spaine for the joy of that successe contain'd not it selfe within the Low-countreys onely the newes of this victory was with generall gratulation of the Cities received certainly the King as His Majesties◠joy for the taking of Antwerp Granvell writes was so transported with joy that the ancient Courtiers who always had been in his company affirmed they never saw his Majesty either for the battle of St. Quintins or for the navall fight at Lepanto or at the conquest at the Tersera Islands to have exprest the like content as at the letters of taking Antwerp And I have heard from a person very intima 〈…〉 t Court that the King the same night he received Prince Alexanders letters could not containe himselfe but got out of bed and went privately to his daughter Isabellas's chamber whom Signified to his daughter hee dearly loved and knocking at the door uttered these two wordse ANTWERP IS OVRS and then departed And verily by those letters which I have seen written by his Majesties owne hand in exquisite high terms beyond his usuall custome to expresse his thanks to Prince Alexander it is very evident that his joy was excessive For he was of a setled opinion that Zealand and Holland would at last follow the example and fate of Antwerp and so all the Netherlands And it was the opinion of many that the Low-countreys would turn to the King would soon return to their own Princes obedience And when Idicquesius resident for the Low-countreyes in Spaine gave letters to Charles Coloma a famous warlike man then ready to depart for the Low-countreys it is reported that hee said to him hee might go though ere-long he would return for no doubt but the Low-countreys warr would soone be ended by the Prince of Parma But his Excellency in the mean while applied himselfe to settle the affaires of Antwerp And choosing new Magistrates Alex. takes care of the Governnment of the City both civill and sacred hee created Champine Governour of the City and Werp of the garrison He sent also for the Arch-Bishop of Mechlin to take care of the Church and Clergy and the fathers of the society of Jesus to instruct the youth in learning and true religion shutting up the schools of the Hereticks Then having ordered some other things for the good government of the City his next care was to reward his souldiers labours Going therefore to Stabroeck and mustering his men hee gave them their pay a great part of the army He gives pay to his souldiers having much arrears due to them But if Captain or Officer nay any of the common souldiers had performed any notable exploit such as hee thought they had merited a greater reward hee writ into Spaine and making a particular catalogue of their And requests of the King rewards for some of his chiefest souldiers by name names recommended them to his Majesties liberality to bee further honoured All their names whose famous acts victories Alexander proposed to the King with recitall of how many years they had served in the warrs what how many wounds they had received if I should in this part of my history insert it would no doubt bee gratefull to that warlike nation And verily were it not an immense labour those noble and military spirits deserved to have their valour and Alexanders affection towards them inrolled to posterity This I will say in briefe there was not any one of the chiefe Commanders whom the King did And prevailes not either advance to the order of the Golden Fleece or to some order of Spanish Knights or gave not some more honorable place in the Army or else made not Governour of some Castle in Italy or at least did not encrease his yearly revenue So farr did he condiscend to Prince Alexanders requests that when his Excellency had Nor permits any to be rewarded by the King under his deserts taken notice that in the donative catalogue sent into the Low-countreys Camillus à Monte Colonell and Nicholas Basta Captaine of a troop of horse were not remunerated proportionably to their deserts and had therfore acquainted the King of their daily and faithfull service and what for the one his Vncle Chiapino Vitelli and what for the other his father Demetrius had merited having both served in the Austrian warrs forty yeares his Majesty with new more satisfactory letters according to Prince Alexanders desire honoured them both according to their merits and worth Of such consequence it is to be a General of an Army who taking part with his souldiers in their labours can judge of their travells as he himselfe is by his Prince esteemed for the opinion of his valour But this muster at Stabroeck was not without some mutiny on the other THE Walloones do mutniy side the Scheldt occasioned by the distribution of the souldiers pay so MONEY whether had or wanting is still cause of sedition Those souldiers that staid in the forts at Caloo on Flanders side being most of 20. Octob. them walloones having intelligence that at Stabroeck the Spaniards and Italians had their pay out of the mony lately come into the Camp perswaded themselvs they should receive their debentures for all the time they For their pay not equally nor nor totally discharged had served in the Warres But when they saw but two payes two coats apiece only offered to every man at first they were much dejected then they begun to despise so vile a reward Nor wanted there incendiaries to exasperate the seditious And whereas And by one incendiary they requested but pay something proportionable to their labours was it fit at the conquest of so rich a City that in place of tenne or twenty payes they should silently sit downe with two only what other victory might bee expected for souldiers worne out with age in the warrs having their bodyes weakened with wounds in which they might yet place their latest hopes If for pretence of civility the souldiers were restrained from plunder of that hostile City having deserved it in the highest degree why is not justice the right of warr supplied otherwise To the Spaniards it was already who having received full pay only felt the fruits of the victory So it is now adaies the Belgians fight the Spaniards conquer and how ever the dy of warr run the Belgians still passe for conquered The seeds of sedition thus sown at Caloo furiously They are more provoked spread through the rest of their quarters on the bank of Scheldt but yet no further then to extrude the Kings treasurers and such of the commanders as stood averse from the fact for neither did they choose