weighty reasons for so doing nor did they stop here but on the seventh of January 1681. Sâ—â—lo novo it was resolved Tâ—at whosoever should lend or advance Money on any branch of the Kings Revenue or whosoever should buy any tally upon any part of the Revenue And prohabite lending money on â—e Revenue or pay such a lâ—ally hereafter to be struck should be Adjudged a hinderer of the Sittings of Parliament and should he Responsible therefore in Parliament Eaâ—l of Ossory's death Oo the thirty of July 1680. Dyed the Gererous and truely Noble Thomas Earl of Ossory at White Hâ—â— to whom the Author gives a large and deserved Eulogie Deaâ—h of the Duke of 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 Paâ—â—â—â—â—â— of the Rhine On the second of September after dyed John George Duke of Saxoâ—â—e at Fâ—â—burg the sixty eight year of his age And on the seventh of September dyed Châ—rles Lovis Count Pelatine of the Rhine sixty three years old About the midle of November appeared a Comet with a prodigious light towards the West the stâ—r was but smâ—l whence it proceeded and low at first A Comet appâ—aâ—s but arose higher and higher CHAP. VI. SECT 1. Sect. 1 An. 1681. The King being netled at the Parliaments harsh usage of him on tâ—e tenth of January 1681 he prorogue them to the twentyeth And on the eighteenth he dissâ—lvâ—d them Parliament dissolved another called to sit at Oxford And summonds anotâ—eâ—â—o meet at Oxford on the twenty first of March following tâ—is filled all thinking Men with Astonishment and â—errour and a great many of the pâ—â—me Nobility being utterly dissatisfied with the Kings Resolution in this point meet and frame a Petition to hiâ— Mâ—jâ—sty the Nobles Petiton the King not to to order sitting at Oxford full of most weighty and unanswerable Arguments bâ—sâ—eching him to let the Parliamenâ— sit at the usual plâ—ce in Westminster which Petition was â—â—esented to him by the Earl of Essâ—x who tendâ—red it with a pithy and pertinent Speach to the same purpose The Petâ—tion was Subscribed by these Noblemen following Monmouth Kent Huntington Bedford Salisbury Clare Stanâ—ford Essex Shaâ—tsbury Mordant Evers â—aget Gray Herbert Howard Delamere The Kings Answer to this Petition is recorded no where The Petition rejected All that can be fâ—und is that he expressâ—d his displeasure at it by a froune However he continues firm and unmoveable for the Parliaments siting at Oxford and withall sets a mark on the main contryvers of this Petition as ye shall find afterward SECT 2. Sect. 2 After tâ—e dissolution of the last Parliament one Edward Fuzharris a Papist prompted by the Dutchess of Portsmouth and the French Embassador tampers with one Everara an old Commerad of his Meal-tub Plot. a Papist also and an engenious fellow to write an invective Pamphlet against the Kings proceedings which Everard undertook and having perfited it gave a fair Copy of it to Fuzharris the design being lay'd to fasten it on the Non Conformists But Everard having made Sir Wilâ—am Waller Privy to the Intrigue all along the mischievous fallacy came to be discovered wnereupon Fuzharris is apprehended and committed and after two or three Moneths Imprisonment is arraigned and found guilty of high Treason Fitzharris Executed and the pretended Primate of Ireland for which on the first â—f â—nâ—y he is Executed at Tiburn together with Oliver Plunket the pretended Primate of Ireland convicted of high Treason also Parliament meets at Oxford In the mean time The 21. of March came and the Parliament mett at Oxford the Commons being generally the same as the last Parliament or at least of the same Judgement and Humour So as they began in their proccedings just where the last Parliament lest off The first thing they fell upon was preparing a Bill to prevent the Duke of Yorks suceession Parliament at Oxford dissolved and for prosecuting the Pâ—pish Lords in the Tower these were the two main points handled But on the â—7th of March the 7th day of their fisting the King came suddenly and uâ—exepectedly into the House of Peâ—rs and dissolved the Parliament and taking Coach immediatly drove as hard as he could to Wâ—nsor leaving both the Houses in great Amazement And on the 8th of Apâ—â—l published a Declaration of his Reasons for dissolving the Parliament which satisfied but very few On this brisk Act of the King the Papists begin to look big and to think on revenge against some of those who had prosecuted them Stephen Colledge tryeâ— Condemned and Ecuted And the first they spit their Venom at was one Stephen Colledge a mean Man but a great talker against the Popish Plot. Against whom they frame an Indictment of high Treason but the Grand Jury being too honest to find it they transfer the case and the Prisoner to be tryed at Oxford where by a strange and illegal proceeding Sir Franceâ— North being the chief Judge the innocent poor Man is sentenced and Executed accordingly on the 30th of August 168â— Earl of Shaftsbury Committed The next attempt was on the Earl of Shaftsbury who is apprehended and committed the 2d of July and being kept in the Tower to the 24th of November he is brought to Tryal where notwithstanding all the deep and wicked contrivances laid for taking away his Life the Grand-Jury whereof Sir Samuel Bernardiston was Foreman returned Ignoramus upon the Bill is tryed and acquitted whereat the People discovered their great satisfaction not only by a general shout but by making several Bonâ—fires that night in the City SECT 3. Sect. 3 All this while The Duke of York is carrying on his designs in Scotland under a Protestant Mask for secureing himself in succession to the Crown the Parliament complying with him Duke of York makes the Test in Scotlana and to that end the Test is made and some other Acts with which many of the Members were not well satisfied and desired that some other additional Acts might be made Earl of Argyle Impeached and sound guilty of high Treason The E. of Argyle insisting on this and proposing that all other Acts against Popery might be added for this his freedom and under pretence of his putting his own sense and â—nterpretation upon the Test when he took it as was allowed to many others he is prosecuted with the greatest Cruelty and Injustice imaginable and on this trivia Act he is arraigned and found guilty of high Treason An. 1682. However this brave Man made a shilt to escape his destiny at this time makes his Escape by getting privatly out of Edinburgh Castle and flying beyond Seas tho he could not do it afterwards but a last fell a Sacrifice to the same Revenge that thus made him first Miscrable SECT 4. Sect. 4 Let us now step over and take aview of Affairs in France In September the French King draws his Troops towards Strasburg Strasburg surrendered to the
French under the Command of Monsieur Louvois who it is believed had before this time secretly corrupted severals of the Inhabitants of that City He using great diligence and secrecy appears before the Town with a great number of Troops On the 28th of September seizes on the Fort of Kieâ— that guards the Bridge of the City and presently summonds the Magistrates to render the Oath of Fidelity and obedience to the King his Master Whereupon the Magistrates make no hesitation to submit only for formes sake they propose some Conditions which were agreed to and Signed the 30th of September 1681. And tho this sudden and strange Act. Allarum'd both the Empire and the Emporour himself yet the former was so intent on keeping up a suffiâ—ient force against the Incroachments of France And the Latter having all his thoughts busied how to defend himself and the Empire against the Invasion of the Turks which threatned him and came on next year that this business of Strarburg was little minded or regarded at this time CHAP. VII Anno 1682. We return again to England The Ignoramus Bill of my Lord Sâ—astsbury stuck so deep in the Stomachs of the Court faction The Charter of London questioned as they set all their Wits on the Tenter hooks how to take the Election of Sherisls out of the power of the City for doing which no expedient could be found An. 1683. but by taking away their Charter to which end in Hillary Term 1682 they bring a quo warranto against the City Judgement against the City and so the King and the City enter the Lists which occasioned strife Debeats and hard Struglings on both sides for a long time but in Conclusion the Court party prevailing in Trinity-term following Judgement is given against the City to the general astonishment of the whole Nation Prince Ruperts Death On the 29th of November 1692 Dyed Prince Rupert in his House in Spring-Garden in the sixty three years of his Age Beloved generally of all England and his Death bewailed CHAP. VIII Anno 1683. SECT I. Sect. 1 Now the Court frames a new Plot and father it on the Presbyterians of surprizing the Guards Presbyterian Plot of Murdering the King and his Brother on their return from New-mercat and of raising the People at Blackheath on a pretended Foot-Ball match The main design being against the Earl of Essex and the Lord Russel who are presently apprehended and confined in the Tower where in a few days after it was given out Essex murdered in the Tower that the Earl of Essex had cut his own Throat but by many remarkable circumstances and especially the odd proceedings at the Coroners inquest the certainty of this lyes under great suspition and is much doubted of by all impartial and uninterested persons That very day on which Essex Murder happened the Lord Russel was on his Tryal Lord Russel Executed July 21th 1683 and being Condemned was Executed in Lincolnes Inn fieilds a few days after protesting his innocence at his last Hour and leaving a Paper in the Sheriffs Hands to declare the same to the World dated July 21. 1683. But too long to be inserted hero These Tragical Acts were followed with the Execution of Bateman And three more soon after Walcot and Rouse And though some escaped with Life yet they were oppressed with exorbitant Fines from Ten thousand to an hundered Thousand Pounds for Scandalous Words against the Duke of York The next person of quality brought on the Stage was the Honourable Collonel Sidney a Man inferior to few for his Noble Extract Algernoon Siâ—ney Impeached Condemned and Executed but for his excellent vertues hardly to be matcht by any who being ranked in the same Categorie with Essex and Râ—ssâ—â— Conâ—piring to depose the King and stirring up Rebellion is Impeached convicted and Condemned for High Treason and Executed on Tower-hill the 7th of December 1683 making such an excellent Speech on the Scaffold as makes the name and Memory of Algernoon Sidney Savory and famous SECT 2. Sect. 2 Notwithstanding these Bloody proceedings somewhat more was requisite to making the King an absolute Despotical Prince The Charters of all Corporations questioned and that was to ingross the Charters of all the Corporations in England and get them wholly in the Kings Hands as they had that of London knowing that this would quite subvert and alter the constitution of the Parliament For the House of Commons consisting of Five hundered and Thirteen Membâ—rs whereof only Ninety two are Knights of Shires near five parts of six must consist of Burgesses and Citizens and all those if this project take effect must doubtless be of the Kings chusing and must have their dependency on the Court favour and so it may be easily judged where the plurality of Votes would run when matters fell in debate between the Court and its opponents So all the Wits about Court are actively employed in carrying on of this important Affair which by many strange and irregular methods at last they accomplished A farther step the Court made by demolishing and quirting the Garison of Tangier Tangier quitted and demolished and the Forces brought over to Enland the keeping whereof for above twenty years had cost the King an Hundered thousand pound per annum and by bringing over the Forces being most part Papists both Officers and Souldiers and quartering them in the most considerable parts of England In this pitiful state we shall leave England for a while and take a view of the terrible War ensueing betwixt the Emperour of Germany and the Turks The French Kings pretensions in Germany Flanders c. In the mean time take notice that the French King not only Seizes the Towns of Homburg and Bissul the only two places remaining to the Duke of Lor rain of all his Dutchy but ripping up all the old Monuments and Records of the Parliament of Metz he indeavours by them to prove a Title to many Countries and Villages both in Germany and Flanders and actually claymes them This did so allarme all the potentats on the Continent as the Emperour Swâ—dland and the States of Holland Franconia and several other free and Imperial Cities enter into a Mutual League of Defence The league of Ausburg which was called the League of Ausburg In bringing which to pass the Prince of Orarge was Eminently active But the King of England was not at all concerned in this grand affaires on which my Author makes a-severe re-mark SECT 3. Sect. 3 But tó returne to Germany and Hungary take notice of the ground of this War which was occasioned by a discontented party in Hungary of whom Count Teckeley became the sole Head after the fall of Serins several Expedients being proposed for accommodating matters between them and taking no effect nothing would satisfie the mal-contents but the calling in of the Turks to assist them The Emperour finding them resolved on this thought
the Gulf of Prevesa And Landing some Forces raised two Batteries on the East and West sides of the Town which after some resistance He takes Sancta Maura surrendered on Articles about the latter end of July wherein they found Eighty peices of Brass-Cannon and great quantity of Ammunition and Provisions From thence the Captain General Steers towards Prevesa and lays Seige to it the 20th of September And plying it briskly with Cannons and Bombs by Sea and Land till the twenty eight And Prevesa the Enemy desired to Capitulate and Articles being agreed on they Matched out on the 30th of September leaving behind them Fourty four Cannon eighteen whereof shot a fifty pound Ball with a great quantity of Ammunition and Provisions After which the Venetians went to their Winter Quaters at Corsu The Venetian Troops were successful in Dalmatia also this Campaign Venetians successful in Dalmatia for they beat the Turks in several small Rencounters making Incursisions into their Quarters An. 1685. and still returning with Victory and Booty They took in the Isle of Narenta and the Castle of Narim and then retired to their Winter Quarters And so we conclud this year 1684. CHAP. X. Anno 1685 Death of King Ch the 2d The first thing remarkable in the year 1685. is The Death of Charles the 2d King of great Brittain who dyed of an Appoplexy on Saturnday the 7th of February in the 37. year of his Reign after he had lived 54 years 8. Moneths and 8 days passing over the the first part of the Character my Author gives of him I take notice only of the latter part His Character which says he was a Prince the most fit to govern of any other and applyed himself the least to it which was great pity since he had such an insight into Men and things that no Monarch of his Age could pretend to compare with him besides a mild Disposition which made him at his Death be so universally Lamented by all sorts of his Protestant Subjects especially by the Dissenters and that more out of fear of his Successor then any great kindness to him A witty Quaker appearing very jovial and all about him seeming sad was asked his reason for being so who Answered They had two to deal with before and now GOD he thanked they had but one Now the Duke of York ascends the Throne and the same day his Brother dyed King James Speech to the Privy Council Assembled the Council and declared that he intended to follow his Brothers example in clemency and tenderness to his People That he would make it his business to preserve the Government both in Church and State as established by Law he commended the Church of Englands Pâ—inciples and Members and that as he would never depart from the just Prerogatives of the Crown so he would never invade any Mans Property King James being solemnly Crowned at Westminster the twenty third of April 1685 King James Crowned He appoints a Parliament to meet the Twenty second of May after to whom Repeating much of what he had said to the Council His Speech to the Privy Council repeated to the Parliament and his demand of Money he proceeded to the demanding a large supply of Money laying before them many plausible Reasons and Arguments for moving them thereto The Parliament being in a manner fashioned and moulded before to his Inclinations not only settled the Customs and temporary Excise upon him as they were before upon his Brother but laid a new Imposition upon Wines Vinegar Sugar Tobacco and other Commodities so as in short his revenue with the hereditary Excise and other Revenues of the Crown amounted to Two Millions four hundered thousand Pounds per annum Which is granted to which add an Hundered and fifty thousand Pounds per annum which he had when Duke of York the whole amounted to Two Millions and five hundered and fifty thousand Pounds per annum SECT 2. Sect. 2 The King then acquainted the Parliament That he had News from Scotland of the Earl of Argyles Landing in the Highlands Argyle lands in Scotland That he had put out two Declarations one of which he presently communicated to them Which is so generally known in Scotland and elsewhere as saves me the Labour of repeating it here To be short in a few dayes after the Earl's small Forces were dissipated and each Man shifted for himself And he himself falling unhappily into the hands of a Country-man was soon after brought to Edinburgh He is taken and Executed at Edinburgh he dyed very piously where for his former unpardonable Crime reqâ—ireing care should be taken for the Protestant Religion and for explaining himself on taking the Test this brave tho unfortunate Man was beheaded June the 30. But a blacker Cloud appeared about this time in the West of England Monmouth lands in England by the Duke of Monmouths Landing at Lyme in Dorset-shire on the 12. of June where he presently put out an ample Declaration in his own name and the rest of his followers Which Declaration being very large and being generally known all Brittain over I shall now overpass The Prince of Orange hearing of Monmouths Landing in England Prince of Orange offer to King James presently sends over the Six English Regiments in the Dutch Service and Pay and by Monsieur Benting not only offers King James the loan of his Troops but to come in person and command his Army if his Majesty pleased But before Benting reached London Skelton King James Envoy at the Hague had sent the King so bad a Character of the Prince Rejected as he told Benting that their common Interest required the Princes stay in Holland and hinted as much to him as he thought his Zeal for his Service was not seasonable at that time and this was the thanks the Prince had for his Service offered Providence so favoured King James at this time as the Duke of Monmouths Forces are defeated at Sedgemore Monmouth Executed and he being taken soon after was brought to London and Beheaded on the 15. of July Jessereys Bloody Work in the West Hereupon followed the Tragical proceedings in the West The Lord chief Justice Jessereys being cloathed with a Commission of Oyer and Terminer to try and prosecute all who had any way appeared or concurred with Monmouth At Dorchester 30. being Impeached he hang'd Twenty nine of them and again of two hundered and fourty three eighty suffered and almost as many at Exeter at last he finished his Bloody Assizes at Tauntoun and Wells where above 500. were Condemned and of them 239. were Executed Yet for all his Bloody Humour Covetousness put in for a share For he had the Conscience to take Fourteen thousand and Five hundered Pounds for saving the Life of one Man And Kirks also Nor was Collonel Kirk much short of him in Cruelty for at Taunton he caused Ninety
might be published which was done At St. James's about Sixty Peers Sign'd an Association and meeting with the Commons at Westminster on the 25. of December they Sign and present an Address to the Prince desiring him to take upon him the Administration of Affairs both Civil and Military till the Meeting of a Convention the 22d of January which he agreed to And so we conclude this Year with the Death of one of the most generous and bravest Princes in Europe An. 1689 Elector of Brandenburg his Death the Elector of Brandenburg who dyed the 10. of May the Sixty Ninth Year of his Age. CHAP. XIV Anno 1689 SECT 1. Sect. 1 The Convention of Parliament meeting the 22d of January fall presently to their work The Commons Vote the Throne Vacant and the first Vote passed in the House of Commons is as followeth Resolved That King Jame the 2d having endeavoured to subvert the Constitution of this Kingdom by breaking the Original Contract between King and People and by the Advice of Jesuites and other wicked persons having violated tho Foundamental Laws and having withdrawn himself out of this Kingdom hath Abdicated the Government and that the Throne is thereby Vacant Debeat about the word Abdicate This was sent up to the House of Lords who not liking the word Abdicated Erazed it and put in the word Deserted This alteration the Commons would on no terms allow This occasioned a stiffe debate between the Two Houses for several days at last on a inutnal conference held on the 5th of February the Lords agreed to the Vote in the first Terms Voted by the Commons The next thing taken into consideration WILLIAM and MARY Voted and Declared King and Queen was the Form of Government to be established and after Mature deliberation a Declaration is drawn up wherein all King James's Enormities and Miscarriages in Government are fully held forth for which Reasons and because of his Abdicating the Government the Throne is Vacant And finally It is resolved and finally declared that WILLIAM and MARY Prince and Princess of Orange shall be King and Queen of England with the Dominions thereto belonging dureing Their Lives and the Life of the Surviver of them And after their Deceases the Crown and Royal Dignity to be succeeded to by the Heirs of the Body of the said Princesse And for default of such â—ssue by the Princess Ann of Denmark and the Heirs of her Body And for default of such Issue to the Heirs of the Body of the said Prince of Orange And the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons do Pray the said Prince and Princess of Orange to accept of the same accordingly And that the Oaths hereafter mentioned be taken by all persons of whom the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy might be taken in Law in stead of them And that the said Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy be abrogated The Oath of Allegiance I A. B. Do sincerely Promise and Swear That I will bear Faith and true Allegiance to Their Majâ—sties King WILLIAM and Queen MARY So help Me GOD. Oath of Abjuration I do Swear That I do from my Heart Abhor Detest and Abjure as Impious and Heretical this Damnable Doctrine and Position that Princes Excommunicated or deprived by the Pope or any Authority of the See of Rome may be deposed or Murthered by their Subjects or any other whatsoever And I do declare that no Forreign Prince Person Prelate State or Potentate hath or ought to have any Jurisdiction Power Superiority Preheminence or Authority Ecclesiastical or Spiritual within this Realm Soon after the King and Queen are proclaimed and so take peaceable possession of the English Crown SECT 2. Sect. 2 A Convention of the States of Scotland met about this time and the Throne is declared Vacant there also Act of Recognition in Scotland and an Act of Recognition is drawn up which is so generally known as I need nor here repeat it Only the substance of it was to declare the now King and Queen of England c. to be King and Queen of Scotland also And the same Oath of Allegiance as was Sworn in England to be Sworn in Scotland also William and Mary declared King and Queen of Scotland This Act being past The Earl of Argyle Sir John Dâ—lrymple and Sir Robert Montgomery of Skermurly are sent up Commissionâ—rs and on the 11 of May tendered the Coronâ—tion Oath to Their Majesties who holding up their Right Hands repeated it word by word after the Earl And immediatly the Convention was turned into a Parliament Castle of Edinburgh surrendered On the 13. of June the Duke of Gordon Sur rendered the Castle of Edinburgh And on the 16 of July there was an Engagement between Major General Mckay Dundee killed and the Lord Dundee at Kiâ—licrankie where the former was defeated and the latter killed in the Field After whose Death King James's party dwindeled away doing nothing considerable thenceforth For soon after Leivtenent Collonel Cleland with the Earl of Augus's single Regiment engaged with near Four thousand of them at Dunkel and gave them an entire overthrow where the Leivtenent Collonel a very brave Man was unfortunatly killed SECT 3. Sect. 3 Tho matters went backward with King James's party in Scotland Tirconel was Active in Ireland Tirconel Active its Ireland leaving a great many Regiments of the Irish and with all possible Diligâ—nâ—e Arming them and training them up in Martial Exercise to make them capable of Service when ever the late King should hâ—ve use for them The late King bemoaning his Caâ—amity to the Emperour Craved his Assistance Who Answers him with many pertinent and reasonable Exâ—uses Emperors Letter to the late King why he could not be serviceable to him at that time his circumstances being considered and withal gives him a modest but sharp Reprimand for the bad measures he had taken in putting his whole confidence in France and rejecting the offers of such Allies as would have been more freindly and faithfull to him But though the late King had small encouragement from the Emperour Ireland or any other Prince except the French King being informed of Tirconnels diligent endeavours in Ireland The late King goes to Ireland thither he goes with about a Thousand eight hundred French Auxiliaries and landed the 12 of March 1689. and found a great number in Armes for him and almost all the Countrey at his Devotion save a fâ—w in the North who for want of Encouragement and Aid from England were unable to make any considerable debeat and on the 14 of March were defeated by Livetenant General Hamilton at Drumore most of them flying to Londonderry and Inneskillin where they defended themselves with great Bravery till relieved by Collonel Kirks Arrival in the Lough where he lay seven or eight Weeks before he gave any relief to Londonderry being hindered as he alledged by cross Winds though a worse cause was
suspected and talked off by severals little to his Commendation The defending of Londonderry so long by a meer Rable of undisciplin'd Men a few Gentlemen and Officers exceepted against a powerful Army of Train'd Men well furnished with all Warlike Engines Seige of Derry and other Provisions needful for such an undertaking and under the Command of skilful Generals and other Officers both French and Irish as it was matter of Admiration in this Age so it will seem altogether incredible by our posterity However it was resolutly defended by the good conduct of Collonel Henry Baker and after his Death by Collonel Mitchâ—iburn assisted by Mr. Walker a Minister who had the oversight and distribution of the Stores and who was afterward killed at the Battle of Boyn closs by the Duke of Shomberg and who before his death wrote a narrative of the Seige of Darry but there was onâ— written after by one Mr. John Mckeâ—zie a Mimster Six thousand Irish beaten by two thousand Iâ—â—skilliners Major General Maeharty taken Prisoner allowed generally to be more true and impartial that the other On the 30 of July the very day before the relief of Darâ—y about two thousand of the Iniskillineâ—s encountered Six thousand of the Irish commanded by Major General Mâ—kartie at a place called Newtounbutler routed them killed and drowned near three thousand of them and took Mekarty priâ—oner losing only twenty Men and about fifty wounded SECT 4. Sect. 4 This Summer the King ordered the raising of Eigâ—teen Regiments of Foot and Five of Horse for the Irish Service Duke of Shomberg Lands in Ireland And on the 13. of August The Dâ—ke of Shomberg Landed at Carrickfergus with those Men being about Ten thousand Horse and Foot On the 20. the Duke marched several Regiments towards Carrickfergus from Belfast to which place he had marched next day after his Landing and presently drawing the Trenches and raising some Batteries Takes Câ—â— rick serguâ— he played furiously upon the Town which so terrisied Mackarty-more the Governour as on the 26 he parlyed and agreed to march out with Arms and some Baggage Presently after this The Duke began his March to wards Dundalk Matches to Dundalk ordering the Train to be shipped and carryed about to the Bay of Carlinsoâ—ra eight Miles from Dundalk He Eucamped at Dundalk the 3. of September the Irish Army being Twenty thousand lay at Drogheda King James offers Battle On the 20th of September The Irish Army drew near Dundalk and on the 21. they drew all out Horse and Foot advanced the Standart Royal and approached toward the Dukes out-works Whereupon he ordered all to stand to their Arms but kept his Camp and made no advance towards the Enemy Reteirs who after a bravado for three or four Hours drew off and reteired towards Ardoe eight Miles off A Conspiracy is found out in the Army one Duâ—plâ—ssey a French Man being the cheif who with six more is hang'd and above 200 in the French Regiments being found Papists were disarmed and sent under a Guard to England Five thousand Iriâ—h defeated On the 27. of Sâ—ptember Collonel Lloyd with a thousand Iniâ—killâ—ners defeated five thousand Irish marching to Sligo Killed Seven hundred took Killie the Commander and Fourty other officers and eight thousand Cattle and all with the loss of fourteen Men. But within a short while after both Stiâ—o and Jamestoun fell into the hands of the Irish which loss was inconsiderable to the English being compared with the great Mortality that ensued in the Camp There dyed Sir Edward Deering Collonel Herry Wharton Sir Thomas Gower Captain Hungersooâ—a Mortality in â—he English Army and a great many moe brave Officers and of the Souldiers a thousand seven hundred dyed at Dunâ—alk 1970 Sick were shipt off to Belfast most of whom dyed on Shipboard and in short near one half of the Army which came from England Flanders dyed before February SECT 5. Sect. 5 The Confederaâ—e Army this Year in Flanders was commanded by â—rince Waâ—deck as was the French Army by Mareshal de Humtere between whom happened no considerable Action this Campaign French defeated at Forge Only on the 25. of August the Armies lying near to one another the Mareshal sent out a party to attack the â—rinces Foragers near the Village of Forge hereon ensued a sharp skirmish which lasted for some Hours Recruits coming in on both sides to the parties engaged at first at last the French râ—teired in great haste leaving their Cannon and near two thousand Killed and Wounded on the other side were Slain about three hundred and Leivtennent Collonel Grahame Keyseâ—wart taken by Brandenburg In Germany the Armies were early in the Feild on both sides In June Keyserwart in the Dutchy of Cleve is beseiged by Brandenburg and on the 29. it was surrendered on Honourable Conditions leaving in the Town Fifty eight peices of Cannon and Two Mortars Menta taken be the Duke of Lorrain In June the Duke of Lorrain with Twenty thousand Men. layes Seige to Menâ—z which was carryed on with a great deal of Courage and Slaughter of many Men on both sides till the 11. of September on which day the French marched out of it with Drums beating Cullors flying Six peices of Cannon and Two Mortars The modest computation of loss to the Germans make it above Six thousand amongst whom were Four Princes and the French lost Five thousand besides the Wounded about Six thousand marching out of the Town That Summer the French miserably ravaged the Palatinate and on the 4th of August Mareshal de Duras laid seidge to Hesà elberg and making one attack only wherein he lost 400 Men he retreated toward Philipsburg and a little while after he attackt Brushal and carryed it On the 25th of July the Marquess de Bouslers Cocheim taken by Bousleâ— sell in into the Electorate of Trâ—ves with Fire and Sword and marching to Cocheim he attackt it with great sury where being stoutly resisted for a while at last took it by Storm putting to the Sword Man Woman and Child but the fury being a little over Quarters was given to about three hundred Bonne taken by Brandenburg In July the Elector of Brandenburg laid seidge to Bonne but several things interveening retarded his progress till the 27. of September on which day the Dake of Lorrun came to him after which the Town was so hotly plyed as Baron de Hasstield the Governour fearing taking of the Town by Storm he Capitulate and on the 12 of October Surrendered leaving all his Cannon and Provisions as also all Count Mainard of Shombergs Baggage which the French had basely seized on a little before SECT 6. Sect. 6 The Emperour having employed the Duke of Lorrain Germany this Year in service on the Rhine he give the chief command of the Army in Hungary to Prince Lewis of Baden who well deserved it and as well managed
in several places and almost ruined all the Houses but which was worse the sire took in other Magazins of Powder so as the whole Town was all in one blaze which caused such a consusion and desolation as cannot be imagined nothing to be seen but the sad spectacle of dead or dying Men The Turks took hold of the Occasion made a furious Assault and tho they were repulsed several times yet Belgrade taken by Storm over powering the Beseiged by numbers they entered and took the Town where six Thousand Gallant Men perished The Duke of Croy the Counts of Asperment and Archinto and some Officers with about six Hundred Men saved themselves and got over the Danube in Saiks yet one of them being over loaded sunk and thus was the Famous City of Belgrade lost on the 18th day of October 1690. Esseck beseiged From Belgrad the Grand Visier sent Mustipha Basha of Bosina to Beseige Esseck who sat dowâ— before it on the 30th of September the Duke of Croy and Count Staâ—emberg haveing got into it a little before who perceiving the Basha's confidence or ignorance proceeding against the common Rules of Military Policy on the 3d of Novemâ—er made a Sally with three Hundred Foot and aâ— Thousand Horse Attacked the Enemy killed three Hundred and took five Cullors which he sent â—o the Emperour yet the Turks continued the Seige till the Duke of Croy out witted them by a stratagem The Seige broak up causing a great noise of Trumpets and Kettle-drums to be made in the night a little distance from the Toun which the Turks apprehended to be a Body of Men come to releive the Town and so they fled that same night in great terror and confusion leaving their Cannon and Baggage behind them Prince of Baden beats Teckeley out of Transilvaâ—ta To make the Turks some ammends for this disaster they took Lippa in upper Hungary and reinforced the Garisons of great Waradin and Tames-Ware with Men and Provisions which had been Blocked up by the Imperialists for a long time before We left the Prince of Baden on his March to Transilvanta wherein he made so great expedition and â—ith so much secrecy as he was up closs with Teckely e'r he was aware who finding himself too weak to engage with the Prince retreated to Moldavia but in so great haste as he left a part of his Baggage behind him and had near three hundered of his Reer Guard cut off So as in a Trice the Prince cleared all Transilvanta And leaving a good Body to secure the Province under the Command of Veterani on the 1st of November he separated his Army and went himself to Vienna where he received abundance of Honour for that and other his good Services Foland This Year the Turks and Tartars attempted hard to disunite the King of Poland from the Confederacy The King makes an inroad into Moldavia â—ut without success And in the mean time their Forces committed a Thousand disorders on the Fronters of Poland The Pols being nettled at this drew a Body hastily together pursued and overtook the Enemy and charged them so vigorously that they were forced to repass the Borâ—â—â—henes when being got over and rallying again and observing the Pols marching in disorder and carelessly they suddenly repass the River attack them and cut off Seventeen Companies of them and making a second inroad in the Countrey did a great deal of more mischief than at the former this roused up the Polish Courage once more so as raising an Army of Five thousand Horse Two thousand four hundred Dragoons and Twelve thousand Foot the first oâ— September they past the Neister with their Artillery and march in to Moldavia where the King taking Sockow the chief City of that Province he furnished it with a Garison of Eight hundred Men And returns home under the Command of General Halstar and all needful Provisions and so returned home The Sâ—eur Cornarâ— Venice being made Captain General of the Venetian Forces Napoli ai Malvesia surrendered to the Vnettanse in the place of Morosini now Doge he is ordered by the Re-publick to attack Napoli di Malvesia which they had blocked up of a long time before thither he goes and pursues the matter with that industrious Application that though the beseiged made a resolute defence for a while he forced them to Surrender on the 12 of August and with it the enteir conquest of the Morea to the Republick In it he found Seventy three peice of Cannon and a Hundred and thirty Christian Slaves now happily released Vallona taken by the Venetians The Season being fair The Captain General bends his course towards Vallona which is a strong City in the Kingdom of Macedon and arrived at it the 12 of September where the Turks made some opposition at their Landâ—ng but were soon put to flight The Turks to the Number of Six thousand Foot and a Thousand five hundred Horse were encamped before Vallona but on the approach of General Spaar with four thousand Foot and four hundred Horse they fled And so they began to Batter the Town with Cannon and Bombs from their Ships and withal sent a Summonds to the Governour to Surrender who desired time to consider of it till the next day and on the Morrow one being sent with a second Summonds he found the Gates open the Turks having quitted the Town in the Night and so the Captain General took possession of it that Day being the 19 of September And in this place Death of Captain General Carnaro this brave Man dyed on the 1st of October following which the Senate being informed of they appoint Seigmor Mocenigo to succeed him Turks beaten at Sea The Venetians were not Victorious at Land only this year but at Sea also for General Delphino being ordered to convoy the Garison of Napolâ— dâ— Malvesia to Cands on the 18. of August he was joined with Captain Contarâ—nt who had Twelve Mon of War and Two Fireships with him And on the 29th he understood that the Admiral Basha who had with him 27 Gallies 32 Ships and 6 Galleons was resolved to attack him On the 7th of September he had a sight of the Ottoman Fleet and on the 8th he bore directly upon them and engageing a sharp Fight was maintain'd for a good while in which Action General Delphinos hand was shot off which did not hinder him to keep his Station till the Fight was over and at last the Turkish Vessels being fore shattered they were forced to flee to Meteans And General Delphino being unable to overtake them steered away for the Morea This year the differences about the Franchises and other things done by the French Clergy as was esteemed in prejudice of the Holy Sea are amicably composed between the two Courts of France and Rome The French King making great Concessions on his part to effect it And the Old Dad to make him
seize and secure him Montmelian yeilded to the French By this time the Duke of Bavaria with Eight thousand Germans comes up on which Catinat repasses the Po and sends the Marquess de Hoquincourt to beseige Montinelian who took it a trice but the Castle held out still The Dukes of Savoy and Bavaria did what they could to draw Catinat to a Battle which he altogether declin'd And passing the Po Carmagnola taken by Prince Eugina Prince Eugine invested Carmagnola on the 27 of September and on the 8 of October the Garison Capitulat and surrendered on Honourable Terms Montmelian Fortress yeilded to Catinate Not withstanding this Catinat has orders to attack the Fortress of Mountmelian which he did on the 16 of November wherein conflicting both with the rigour of the Season and a desperat Enemy he overcame all with that patience and constancy as the Fortress was Surrendered to him on the 22d of December upon Honourable Terms by which place the French became entire Masters of all the Dutchy of Savoy SECT 4. Sect. 4 In Hungary Hungary Prince Lewis of Baden headed the Imperial Army near Peter Waradin from thence Prince of Paden worsted by the French in August he marched towards the Enemy who encamped at Semom on the Save where he used all means to draw them out of that fastness wherein they were so securely Encamped with a hundred and fifty peices of Cannon all mounted on Batteries which seing he could not effect he retreated towards Salankemen The Turks thinking he fled pursue him which pleased him very well On the 18. of August he posted his Army on all the rising Hills about Salankemen By this time the Turkish Army was come pretty near and in the mean time Buquo's Regiment of Dragoons being detacht to secure two hundred Wagoons who were coming from Peter Waradin was surrounded by the Enemy and after a valiant resistance were all killed and taken and the same day the Recruits of Hoffkirken and Caprara's Regiments fell under the same misfortune all the Women Baggage Waggons and Led-horses were lost with two hundred Waggon load of Provisions and twelve hundred Oxen that drew them In the mean time the Prince observed that the Enemy were posted on much more advantagious Ground than his own Army and finding a necessity either of hazarding to attack them in their Camp or starving in the place his Provisisions being almost exhausted he generously resolved on the former nnd on the next day being the 19 of August he put all things in order to the best advantage The great battle at Salankemen The Prince draws out his Army and with undaunted Courage marches on and attacks the Enemy who received him with great resolution It was near 3 in the afternoon before the Armies were fully Engaged but once Engaged there was Bloody work on all sides till night came on about which time the Turks being over powered with downright force and fury fell in disorder and in short betook themselves to flight the Christians pursued them till it fell dark and all next day killing a great many who had hid themselves in the Boggs and amongst the rushes and then possessed themselves of the feild of Battale and of all their Tents Cannon Baggage Amunition and all other Provisions The Tinks routed The loss on both sides was very great the Conquerors themselves owning that they had near seven thousand killed and wounded and among them many good Officers But of the Turks they reckoned no less then eighteen thousand killed in the Battle and almost all their Officers were killed wounded and taken Prisoners And to compleat the Victory The Grand Visier killed and eighteen thousand Turk not only the Serasquer Basha and the Capital Aga of the samsaries were found amongst the slain but the Grand-Visier Cupergh also who was the most accomplisht person in all the Ottoman Empire Several towns taken all Sclavonia reduced to the Emperours obedience After this General Capraâ—a took Lippa And in Sclavonia The Duke of Croy took Broâ—a Grandisca Possega and Baâ—aros so as all â—clavonia became intirely reduced under the Emperours obedience Yet at great Wâ—raâ—in Seige they had not so good successe for tho the imperial Troops attackt it with much Vigour yet they could not prevail against it so as after all they were forced to turn the Seige into a Blockade with which ended the Campaign in Hungary During which time Sir William Hussey the King of Englands Embassador at the Ottoman Fort was Negotrating a Peace betwen the two Empires tho with little appearance of Successe We do not find any thing dono this year by the Venetians worth mentioning King of Poland marches into Moldavia The King of Poland marched his Army twenty thousand strong once more into Moldavia designing to march that way as far as Budziack But he had not marched far into Moldavia till he heard a great body of Taâ—tars were not far from him against whom ho marched but they retreated so fast as he could not overtake them so he marched to Jassi which the Hospodar had quitted and took possession of it He took also Roman Nimick and Novacran And the â—eâ—son being now far spent retreated homeward with his whole Army On the first of February this year dyed Alexander the 8th Pope of Rome Remarkables on this year 1691. Pope Alexander the 8th Monsieur Louvois after he had sit in the Holy Chaire 15 Months and 21 Dayes To whom succeded Pignatelli the Cardinal being then 76. years and 4 moneths old taking on him the Name of Innocent the 12. On the 16th of July dyed the Cheif Minister and Secretary of State in France Monsieus Louvois Duke of Saxonie all die And on the 2â—d of September dyed at Tubing John George Elector of Saxony he had by Anna Sophia daughter of Fredrick the 3d. King of Denmark John George the 4th who was born on the 17th of October 1668. And Fredrick Augustus who by his Brothers death without Heirs became Elector of Saxony and now chosen King of Poland CHAP. XVII Anno 1692 SECT 1. Sect. 1 We begin this year 1692. conform to our former method with our Affairs at home The King having setled all matters with the Farliament according to his own mind The King goes to Holland on the 5th of March he Adjourn'd them to the 12th of Aprile and so he went to Holland where he Landed the 16th of March and after some stay at the Hague he went to Loo and thence to the Army After the Kings departure the Queen had some notice of an invasion intended from France on which she ordered the hasâ—ning out of the Fleet stopt the Forces designed for Flanders with whom and some other Troops she ordered a Camp to be formed near Portsmouth The late King had at that time a considerable Army posted on the Coast of Normandy ready to be Embarked so soon as the French Fleet could come up
the Sword Which so terrified the Spaniards as they abandoned the Garisons of S' Felix Quinola and the Castle of St Elme On the 19 Noailles laid Seige to Gironue which tho they made a shew of resistance at first they surrendered on the 29. and on Ignominious Terms â—oo And presently after he took in the Towns of Ostralick and Castle Folet making all the Souldiers therein Prisoners of War SECT 3. Sect. 3 By this time Admiral Russel is gâ—t on the Coasts of Spain and down the Meattervanean couping up Tourvilie in his Harbour of Tholoun Admiral Russel in the Straitâ— from whence he attempted once to make his Escape but Russel watched him so narrowly as he drove him in to his Harbour again and leave we him there in souce for the rest of Winter till we see what is a doing in Germany where we find no great Matters Tourvills couped up in Thoulon by him for the Prince of Baden Commanding the Imperial Army and de Lorge the French the Latter passed the Rhine in Jure and marched towards Haiâ—bâ—on near which the Prince was encampâ—d who went out to meet him but at Lorg considering of it declined Fighting and marched towards Wilâ—â—ock the Prince pursues him and near â—â—â—s loâ—k a sharp skirmish happened between the French and Germanâ— wherein the former lost near three hundred and the latter half as many Both Armies moved again and marched towards Landau where there was great expectation of a full engagement but heavy Rains falling frustrated the design And so the Prince with his Army repassed the Rhine carrying away Fourteen thousand Cattle and destroying a vast quantity of Forrage in the Country and some Magazines of the French and herewith ended the Campaign on this side In Savoy there was nothing done this year worthy of Relation And as little in Hurgary for though the Turks were considerably stronger than the Imperialisls yet the Grand Visier could find no means to force Caprara the General to Fight nor durst he attack him in his Cump at Carlowitz So as on the 1st and 2d of October he drew off his Army and sent them into Winter Quarters and published Eight Causes very reasonable for so doing As to Affairs in Venice Venice Their Captain General and Doge Morosini dyed the 6th of January at Napoli de Romama Death of Morosini Doge of Venice and they made choice of Seigmor Zeno for Captain General in his place About the beginning of June General Delsino with Twelve thousand Foot and a thousand Horse landed on the 15 within a Mile of Ciclut General Delsino takes Ciclut and plying the Town horly with Cannon and Mortar and many sharp Assaults he made himself Master of the Town by the 21. of that Month. The Turks were so vexed at the loss of this place as they presently beseige it with Sixteen thousand men but the Garison Delsino left in it made so stout a defence as the Turkâ— after the loss of Two thousand Men were forced to raise the â—eige Cobluch yeilded to Delphino Soon after this Delphino took Cobluch after a Seige of 9 dayes only And on the 7th of September General Steinau Landed with an Army in the Island of Scio Scio yeilded to General Steinau and on the 9. he seised on the Suburbs of the City the next day he played on the Castle with four Cannon and four Mortars and set it on Fire in several parts and on the 14 they sprung a Mine the hideous noise whereof together with the havock the Bombs had made so terrified the defendents as presently they capitulate and surrendered on condition they should be transported safe into lesser Asia which was done accordingly SECT 4. Sect. 4 The Poles seemed still to be the faintest and slowest of the Allies Pole and tho they had Blockaded Camimeck last year Ta tars routed by the Poles at Caminice they could not find themselves strong enough to hinder the Tartars this year from releiving it with no less than Three hundred Waggons laden with all manner of provisions and guarded with Twenty thousand Tartartan Horse most of whom carryed a Sack of Corn behind them and ravaging all the Country about The Poles being enraged herewith fell upon them Killed Three thousand and drove the rest out of the Country and this was all they did this Summer Death of the Elector of Saxony This year on the 7th of May dyed the Elector of Saxony a young Prince and in the full vigour of his Age he dyed of the small Pox at Dresaan The King at his return from Flanders told his Parliament on the 20th of November that all Affairs both by Sea and Land were in a much better posture than when they parted last as in truth they were which gave a great satisfaction to all Queen Mary's Death But Alas That which happened soon after imbittered all our sweet Morsels for this fatal year made a Mournful conclusion by the Death of our most Gracious Soveraign Lady MARY Queen of great Britain France and Ireland who dyed of the small Pox at her Palace of Kinsungton on the 28 of December Many learned Pens have attemped a Character of Her though all came very short of Her Merit But very remarkable was that Answer of the Kings who knew Her best to the Bishop of Canterbury who went to Comfort Him on that great Loss Who saâ—d He could not chuse but Greive seing She had been His Wife for 17. years and yet He never knew Her guilty of an Indiscretion A general Greif for the Queens Death Hereon followed the Parliaments and the whole Nations Condolence of the King upon this great Loss and their Protestations to stand by Him against all opponents whatsoever both at Home and Abroad And if ever Addresses were unseigned and affectionat they were those made upon this occasion since it has been obvious to any Man of observation that that sad Providence did very much heighten Mens Affections to His Majestys Person which being before as it were divided between Him and that Beloved Princess were now entirely cemented into one and all concentered in Him CHAP. XX. An. 1695. SECT 1. Sect. 1 Notwithstanding the universal Sorrow occasioned by the Death of Our excellent Queen the Parliament went on effectually with their Work tending to the publick well and safety passing several Acts to that end and all agreeable to His Majesties Will and Desire Affairs in Flanders reqâ—iring the Kings speedy repair thither He was pleased before His Departure to appoint Lords Justices for the Administration of the Government during His Absence viz. The Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Lord Justices of England The Lord Keeper The Earl of Pembâ—ook The Duke of Devonshire The Duke of Shrew bury The Farl of Dorset and the Lord Godolphine And so on the 12 of May He departed for Holland Villeroy General of the French Armies after Luxemburgs Death The Famous Luxemburg Dying
the beginning of this Year The French King gave the Command of his Army to the Duke de Villeroy The Confederate Army outnumbering the French this Year by Twenty thousand The King formed his Army into Two Camps one commanded by himself and under him by the Old Prince de Vaudemont And the other by the Dukes of Bavaria and Holstein Plâ—en On the 27 of May the King went from Breda to Ghent and his main design being upon Namure he detached the Earl of Athlone with 40 Squadrons of of Horse thitherward And finding he could not draw the Duke of Villeroy to a Battle he concluded on the Seige of Namure and on the 19 of June he marched to Rosclair where he lest the Army with Prince Vaudemont and went himself towards the Muse And in the mean time sent orders to the Earl of Athione Encamped then at Tilmont to march and invest Namure which accordingly he did but wanting Troops to surround the Town entirely Bousslers took an opportunity to throw himself into the Town with Eight Regiments of his choise Dragoons but sent away most of the Horses Namure beseiged The Duke of Bavaria's Forces coming up all the Posts about Namure were taken and the Seige was compleatly formed by the 23d of June So we reckon from this day the Seige begun And here In the First place My Author gives a particular account of all the defects of the Fortifications of Namure of its Weakness and the disadvantages it ley under when the French took it and of the admirable Enfor ements and improvements they had made in it since to that height as not only themselves but others look't upon it now as impregnable Which gave them the confidence to set up this Inscription over one of the Gates Reddi non vinci potest And all this he Writes in proper military Terms as if he had been an expert profest Engenier In the 2d place Prince Vaudemounts brave Retreat He gives an account of Villeroys design of attacking Prince Vaudemonts Army on the 4th of July which he delayed till the next day but that Night the Prince gave him the Slip marching his Army entirely away with that wonderful secrecy and celerity as by his excellent conduct he made a safe retreat to Ghent by six a clock next morning This was so fine a peice of the art of War as can hardly be parallel'd in History to which the King now the greatest Captain known gave His Testimony by his Letter to the Prince so soon as he heard of his safe Escape And in the 3d. place He goes on with the full narration of the admirable proceedings at this Famous Seige in which truly there are many remarkable Exploits very well worth the Observation and memory of all such as have a Maretal Genius The particulars whereof I hope the Render will not expect from me my proper work being in effect nothing else but as the large Contents of a Chapter so as he must be content at present with this breif accumulative account The Seige beginning on the 23d of June as a foresaid it was carried on with incessant application till the 2d of August whereon The Town of Namure yeilded all things being ready for a General Assault Count Guiscard the Governour gave the sign for a Parley whereon Hostages being exchanged and Honourable Conditions being granted he surrendered the Town on the 4th of August but the Castle held out still SECT 2. Sect. 2 And here we shall allow those Warlike Litigants a little breathing time before the attacking of the Castle and take notice of somethings elswhere The French having no Fleet in our Channel the English and Dutch Fleets had the more liberty to insult them in their own ports St Malo's Bom'd by the Lord Berkeley And first they began with St Malo's Into which the Lord Berkely threw no less then nine hundred Bombs which by the Frenches own confession reduced it almost into ashes But to return to Villeroy Having fail'd of his design on Prince Vandemont he chose rather to play at smal game than ly out and therefore he attacks Dixmude Dixmude and Deixse yeelded to the French and takes it making all the Garison Prisoners of War the sillie defence whereof cost Major General Ellenburg his Head The same fate befel the Garison of Dense From hence Villeroy marches to Brussells where after a Compliment premised of sparing that Lodging wherein the Electress of Bavaria was on the 13 of August he Bombarded the Town seyerely reducing a great part of it to ashes Brussels Bomed by Villeroy After which reinforceing his Army which amounted now to a hundred thousand Men he marches towards Namure in order to raise the Seige whereof he fail'd to his great greife and dishonour However he advanced as far as Flerus He marches to the releife of Namur which obliged the King to leave the care of the Seige to the Dukes of Bavaria and Holstein-Pâ—oen and to repair to his Army to oppose Villeroy who seemed now fully resolved to Fight and in order thereto drew out his Army in formal array Retreats reâ—insectr and attacked the advance Guard of the Confederats Horse but being repulsed by the Hessian Horse he retiered that night sine â—editu The Seige of the Castle was carried on vigorously all this while there being no fewer than a hundred and ninty Cannon and Mortars playing continually upon the Fort and Castle The King finding scarcity to creep into the Camp on the 19 of August Consults Bavaria Vaudemont and other General Officers and a general Assault is resolved on next morning and so the disposition of the several Officers with their Detachments to attack at such and such places is concerted and appointed which I pass over Namur Castle attack't Next morning early the dreadful Assault begins in comparison with which the former Actions about taking the Town were but like pickeiring or skirmishing before a feirce Battle The Fight continued all day and was carried on with incredible valour on both sides till the evening by which time the Confederat Forces had made themselves Masters of several important Lodgements but it cost them dear for besides many Officers some being of eminent Quality they lost near two thousand Men. All this notwithstanding the work goes on next day the Cannon thundering continually against the Castle On the 23d the Beseiged beat a Parly craving a Cessation till they buried their dead which was granted and a little before it ended Count Guiscard came upon the breach and desired to speak with the Elector of Bavaria who coming to him â—e proposed a Capitulation the King coming at that very time from the Camp into the Town consented and so an agreement was made on Honourable Termâ—s and was Signed that night by the Mareschal De Bâ—uffâ—ers And perhaps this was the first Capitulaâ—ion that â—ver was Signed by a Mareschal of France and so much the more to the Honour
of the Confederate Arms And surrendâ—ed who took this almost Imâ—regnable place from an Army within it of fourteen thousand choice Men headed by a Mareschal of France in sight of an hundred thousand Men without who came to releive it but could only stand spectators of the brave Action But none can pretend to so much Glory from tâ—is Conquest as the King of Great Bâ—â—taâ—â— under whose conduct and direction all was happily Aâ—chieved the Confederats lost at the Seige between fifteen and twenty thousand And the French about two thirds of that numbâ—r The Arâ—iâ—lâ—s being Signed and the Confederats having takâ—n Possâ—ssion of the Câ—â—orne all things were prepared for a Triumphant volley of Cannon and smal shot A Triumphant â—ol lay of shot the Mâ—n being all disperst to their several posts along their Retrenchments The confusion of the 〈◊〉 anâ— noise from so many different places was very agreeable and delightful and the Triple discharge of the smal shot seemed to be but one of a long continuâ—nce On the 2â— of August Mareschal de Boufflers and his Men marched out of the Castle in very decent order The King and the Duke of Bavaria on Horse back stood before the breach and viewed them passing by Boufflers arrested whom Bâ—ufflers and Guiscard saluted with their Swords But Boufflers had not marched far till he was arrested in the Kings name by â—â—etang a Briggâ—dier of the life Guard at which he stormed extremely but Monsieur Dickvelt told him tho reason was his Masters infraction of the Capitulations made at Dixmude and Deimse and that the King was resolved to detaine him as a pledge till his Men were released by the French King conform to that Treaty Boufflers giving his Master an account of this And released the Prisoners are enlarged soon after by the French and so Boufflers is released And with this we concludâ— the Campaign in Flanders for this year SECT 3 Sect. 3 In the beginning of this Campaign the Spaniards handled the French pretty roughly for first The Spaniards worst the French in 2 or 3 reincounters they attacked a Detachment of French marching from Bagnoles to Gironne and routed them And soon after hearing that St. Sylvester was on his march with eight thousand Men and three or four hundred mules loaden with provisions for the releif of Castle Follet they attacked him with so much courage as they routed him killed above two thousand and took above five or six hundred Prisoners and all the mules but about thirty who got into the Castle during the heat of the Fight which lasted about 6 hours And presently after this they routed another Detachment of French marching from Pras de Melo to joyn Sylvester and his eight thousand lately beaten Yet for all this they could not carry Castle Follet which they had blockaded so long No nor Palamos either tho invested by Sea by Admiral Russel at the same time they Beseiged it at Land for hearing that Vendosme was on his march to releive it they withdrew their Forces and left it On the Rhine nothing considerable hapned this Campaign About the middle of June Savoy the Confederat Forces Beseiged Casal Casal Beseiged by the Duke of Savoy being Blocked up by them for a long time before and carried on the Seige with great industrie till the 10 of July and the Beseiged finding then that they had all things prepared for a general assault which they durst not abide they beat a Parly and so making the best conditions they could Anâ— surrendered to the Confederats surrendered it the next day The Duke of Savoy valued himself much upon the Reduction of this place and gave account of the same to the States of Holland by his Letter In the conclusion whereof he gives them new assurance of his adherence to the Confederacy which how he performed ye will find in the Occurrences of the next year Sect. 4 The death of Sultan Ackmet This year on the 27 of Janiuary dyed Sultan Ackmet at Adrianople To whom Succeded Mustapha Son to Mahomet the 4th who had been deposed Mustapha made Sultan This Mustapha proved to be a more active Prince than any who had swayed the Ottoman Scepter of a long time The Imperial Court hearing of this began to consider of a fit person to oppose to this sprightly young Prince Hungary and condescended on the Elector of Saxony Saxony made General of the Emperours Army The Emperour gives him the Sole command of his Army in Hungary as the Elector of Bavaria formerly had Saxony obliging himself to bring eight thousand of his own Troops into the Feild In the beginning of July the Grand Signior comes in person to Bâ—lgrade together with his whole Army Saxony being Encamped near Peter Waradin The Sultan thought it not safe to attack Saxony in his Camp Lippa taken by the Turks And Titul But rather than be idle he Beseiges Lippa which held out stoutly for a while but being over powered by numbers it was taken by Storm and all the Garison put to the Sword Then he attacked the Fortresse of Titull which being not Tenable was surrendred upon Articles which were not truely performed to them the Commandâ—r of the Garison and Palsies Batalion being sent Prisoners to Belgrade The Duke of Saxony finding the Turks main aime to be on Transilvania took his march with the main Body of his Army thitherward intending to joyn General Veterans then in Transilvania with eight thousand Men only but the Suâ—tan prevented his design by sending a Body of near forty thousand Men to attack Veterans before Saxony could joyn him which they did on the 21 of September and engaging Veterans's smal partie near Lugos after a sharp conflict for 5 hours defeated him killed himself and three thousand of his Men Battle of Lugos the rest making their retreat into Caraâ—sâ—hes But this Victory coast the Turks dear for they lost above six thousand in that Fight General Veterani killed and 3000 Germans And the Grand Signior judging of the Lion by his paw had no great stomach to venture a Battle with the Imperial Army when he saw a handful of them make such havock of a great Body of his And so contenting himself with this dear bought Victory and the taking of Lippa he resolved on reteiring into Winter Quarters as did the Germans also where we leave them SECT 5. Sect. 5 The Venetians were proud of their Conquest of Scio the last year Venice but the Turks recovered it this Year without any loss or opposition Scio regain'd by the Turks by the ill Conduct of Zeno the Venetian General for which he is degraded with disgrace and the Noble Alexander Molino put in his place But the Turks had not so good success in the Morea for Ibrahim Serasquier of Negropont entering that Country with Twenty thousand Men and advanceing as far as Argos General Steinau Battle
of Argos 3000 Turks â—illed and the new General Molino joining their Forces making Ten thousand Foot and Two thousand Horse encountered him and after a Bloody fight for 3 Hours forced him from the feild of Battle with the loss of Three thousand of his Men. And that night he fled out of the Morea with so much haste as he left in his Camp 14 peices of Cannon 2 Mortars mary Bombs and much Provision with 700 Oxen and 320 Camels and Horse as a Booty to the Conquerours who in this Action lost not above Five hundred Men. The King of Poland did nothing considerable this Campaign most of his time bâ—ing taken up in reconciling a Feud between the Bishop of Vilna Pole and the General of Lathuama both his own Subjects this being the bad fate of a Prince who holds a precarious Crown Nor did the Muscovites any thing against the Tartars England but the blocking up of Asoph The King comes to England Parliament dissolved and a new one called We come home now to England The King returning from Flanders in October was received with universal Joy for His great Success that Can paign and on the 11 of October He â—â—sued a Proclamation for dissolving the then Parliament and calling a new one to meet on the 22d of November following At this time came an Envoy from the great Duke of Tuscany to Congratulate His Majestys happy accession to the Throne On which my Author has a pretty drolling remark taken out of Suâ—tonâ—us who sayes the Iâ—â—â—enâ—es coming too late to condole with the Emperour Tibertus for the lose of his Son Diusus who Answered them and I also condole with you the Death of Your great Country-man Hector The Kings Speech to the Parâ—â—ament At the meeting of the Parliament The King made an excellent Speech wherein he highly extol'd the valour of the English in the great Actions of the last Campaign And withal laid before them the necessity of considerable Supplys for carrying on the War and for other indispensable needful uses cautioned them against Heaâ—s and Divisions and exhorted them to that quick dispatch of business as the importance of Affairs required And a little after he ordered Admiral Rooâ— to go into the Straits in room of Admiral Russel An. 1696 now come home with our great Ships Death of the Bâ—shâ—p of Mentz This year on the 30 of March dyed Auselm Francis Frencrick de Angetherm Bishop of Mentz And was succeeded in the Bishoprick and Electorat by Lethaer Francis de Schonborn his Coadjator and â—ishop of Bemberg CHAP. XXI Anno 1696. SECT 1 Sect. 1 England This year began with a great deal of Murmuring and Complaint about reforming the Coin Aâ—dâ—â—â—bâ—e Piâ—t discovered but that Affair was so prudently managed by the Parliament as the querulous humour lasted not so long as the Mal contents desired and endeavoured For the happy and seasonable discovery of their double hellish â—lot of assasinating the King and the Invasion of England from France gave all thinking Men somewhat of greater importance to employ their thoughts on than the inconveniency attending the rectifying of the Coin This wicked project had its first contrivance in the latter end of the year 1694. bâ—t by several turns of a favourable Providence to us was Embarrassed till this time My Author having fully traced this Affair with all its circumstances from first and last I shall only give you a summary account of what I think most material The preparations for the Invasion were carried on in France with that expedition as when the late King came to Catais on the 18 of February he found all in a readiness and immediatly ordered the Troops the Artillery and Stores to be put on board with all possible speed The French Invasion fidstratâ—â— Which the King having notice of ordered Admiral Russel to rendevouse the Fleet in the Downs with all haste in which their was so quick dispatch and celerity used as in 4. or 5 dayes the Admiral had a fleet of near Sixty Men of War in a Line of battle with which he stood over presently for the Coast of Catais and Dunkirk which laid an absolute Embergo on the French Fleet. Where I leave them and return to the Assasins who consulting and proposing several ways and means for accomplishing their Bloody and Villanons design at last concluded on attacking the King at a Bridge between â—rentâ—ord and Turnham-green by which place His Majesty used often to return from Hunting And had so fully conâ—erted and settled the matter in all points as they fixed on a day for putting this Hellish Enterprise in Execution which was to be on the 15 of February But that Providence which has so miraculously and so often preserved His Royal Person prevented His going Abroad that day as he had design'd This unexpected Cross-bite did so daunt 2 or 3 of the Villains as they broke off and abandon'd the design but the Devil was so predominant in the rest of the Desperadoes as they persisted still and on a new meeting and consultation appointed the 22d of February for prepetrating the horrid Fact at the place formentioned The Plot discovered But several days before this heaven had blown up their Plot for on the 14 of February one Mr. Pendergass who was invited into the Assasination but consented not came to the Earl of Portland tho an absolute stranger to him and breifly said My Lord I pray perswade the King to stay at home to Morrow for if he go Abroad he will be Murdered One Mr. De la Rue made the same Discovery a little after And that Night Pendergrass and he being introduced to the King gave a full relation of the whole Conspiracy yet all this while made no mention of the Conspirators Names but the King pressing this home to them his obligeing carriage and Expressions and the weighty reasons he gave for the necessity of that Discovery prevailed so with them as they gave him a List of all their Names whereon he presently issues a Proclamation for their apprehension promising 1000 pound for every one of the Offenders that should be taken and brought to Justice The King made a pertinent Speech to the Parliament on this occasion On which after congratulating His Majesties safety on the 25 of February they enter into an Association to defend His Person and to Revenge his Death and farther they made an Act that all persons who bare any Office of Profite and Trust should besides Swearing the Oath of Fidelity sign this Association otherways to be rendered uncapable of their Employments And in the mean time several of the Assasin's being apprehended Three of the Conspirators Executed Robert Charnock the most wicked and inveterat of them all Edward King and Thomas Keys were Brought to Tryal on the 11 of March And upon full evidence being all found guilty of High Treason were sentenced and upon the 18 of the
Battle which presently began very hot on both sides The Body of the Imperial Army advancing in 2 Columns the Turks detaches against them twelve thousand Scuderbeegâ—â—'s on Horsback being a sort of people who usually run upon the hottest of the fire and Fight like mad-men in hopes of great rewards which the Sultan is wont to give them after the Battle it over these Men after they had forced the Calthropt of the Imperialists broak into the first line 2. Batalions bein constrain'd to give way to their furie but they were soon repulsed by the Imperial Horse and so the line was closed again The Fight was very feirce and pushed on with various success on both sides somtimes the one and by and by the other party having the advantage and continued so till the evening at which time Caprara's and some other fresh Reâ—gments making a furious onset the Turks were driven back to their Trenches and behind their Barricadoes The Turks retire But night coming on the Elector thought not fit to attack them in their Trenches but kept his Army on the Field of Battle in their Armes all night and early next day offered the Grand-Signior Battle again which he declined And so ended this Battle which was fought with more resolution and bravery than any in this age and seemed to be like a drawn Battle A drawn Battle the loss on both sides differing little for the Imperialists computs the Enemies loss to be four thousand and their own three thousand so granting some smal deduction for partiality the difference will not be great General Heidersheim killed in this Battle The only person of note lost by the Imperialists was the brave General Heidersheim In Croatia Count Barthiant Governour there took the strong â—astle of Vranogratz and the Fort of Tinderaw which proved good Barriers against the Incursions of the Turks which often formerly they had made that way SECT 4. Sect. 4 Of the Venetiens Venice there is not much to relate this year of any great remark Only the Basha Laberachâ— borne in the old famous Leuctra and said to be descended of the ancient Kings of Sparta abandond'd the Turks and came over to the Venetian interest Delfino active in Dalmatia he takes Duleigno In Dalmatia General Delfino laied Seige in August to Duleigno routed five thousand Turks who came to releive it and at last took the Town but the Castle being very strong held out still and the Bashâ— of Scutart attempting thâ— releif of it was â—pulsâ—d with a great slaughter yâ—â— for all this the Castle stood out so resolutely as Delfino was forced to leave it and the Town also and ravaging all the Countrey about marched safe ofâ— General Molino beats the Turks at Sea And general Molino engaged Mezzomorto the Turkish Admiral and his Fleet near Castello-roflâ— fought him a whole day and at last forced him to bear away with all the Sail he could make to the port of Seto having severals of his Ships sore shattred and six hundred of his Men killed King of Poland dies 2. On June 17 died John Sobiesks King oâ— Poland being above 70. years old 3. We have heard little of the Moscovites actions hitherto But this Campaign the Czar Peter Alâ—xowitz marched in person on the Head of a vasâ— Army and lays Seige to Asoph a place of great strength and Importance on the mouth of the Riveâ— Tanats and having defeated at Sea some Turkisâ— Vesells coming to supplie the Town with provisions he carried on the Seige so vigorously An. 1321. that the Gariâ—on almost starved were forced to surrender on Articles the 28 of July Asoph taken by the Czar of Moscoâ—â—a And next day they marchâ—d out being three thousand Turks besides Tartars â—n the Town they found 90 peice of Cannon a great deal of Ammunition but very little other provisions which hastened the surrendry of the place On the Kings return to Englanâ— which this year was somewhat sooner then ordinar He gave the Parliament an account of the Negotiation set on foot towards a General Peace telling them withal that the proper and safe way to Treat was with Sword in hand which he desired them seriously to consider and make preparations accordingly Death of the Queen Mother of Spain This year on the 7 of May dyed Mary Anne of Austria Queen Mother of Spain CHAP. XXII Anno 1697. SECT 1. Sect. 1 Now we are come to the last of these one and twenty Remarkable years And the first thing Material is the concerting of the Preliminaries Preliminaries of the Peace Signed in order to the Peace which were agreed on in Holland and Signed the 10 of February The particulars whereof I omitt being only matters of formality Reswick is agreed on by all parties to be the place of Treaty and on the 9. of May the Conferences began in which there was but a slow progress made for a while The French having made a Peace with Savoy last year made their Forces more numerous and powerful this year both in Flanders and Catalonâ—a Aeth taken by the French so as they Beseiged and in a short time reduced Aeth in the former and Beseiged Barcelona in the latter which they did not with a design to retard but rather to quicken the Spaniards pace towards a Peace so that the Conferences between their Plenipotentiaries and the Allies went on under the Mediation of the young King of Sweden whose Father Charleâ— the 11 dyed on the â—7 of April by the intervention of the Baron de Lilliearot his Embassador An. 1697. who went between the one and the other for the said purpose King of Sweden Mediator in the Peace That which Embarrassed the proceedings of the Plenipotentiaries for a while was the expectation of news all of them had from divers parts which might favour their respective Interests and by which they might take their proper measures but more especially from Poland the French being very confident that the Prince of Conti would carry that Crown while the Confederats had all their eyes turned upon Prince James But in the mean time in comes a third person whom no body dreamt of and ran away with the bone Elector of Saxony chosen King of Poland The Elector of Saxony who having with great Celerity and Secrery Concerted that project with his Imperial Majesty and having privatly reconcealed himself to the Church of Rome all of a sudden Musters up his Troops and Marches towards Silesia and the Frontiers of Poland And the next news they hear at Reswick was his being chosen King of Poland on the 26 of June by a great majority of Voices above the Prince of Conti who was also Proclaimed King by the other party tho the Expedition he made into that Countrey proved little to his or the French Kings satisfaction Saxony having gained his point before Conti's arrival Tho this news was a great Mortification to the French