breach in the walles nor then neither but upon these honourable conditions That the Captaine and the Souldiers should march out with the armes and baggage which they brought into the towne and bee conducted with a safe convoy to their army which being granted Weslaus Kaye governour there for the Emperour surrendred one of the Ports that night and the towne next morning The Souldiers had their conditions truely kept but the Magistrate of the place being a new created one and one that received his place from the Spaniards was hanged the 10. 20. of the same moneth and some other of the inhabitants accused and arrested for having had correspondence with the enemy This was the first advantage the French had gotten against the Cardinall Infant since his first entry into the kingdome which though it was not glorious in respect of the place yet was of good consequence in respect of the issue For there was found corne enough to supply the whole Armie for many dayes and the Spaniards were deprived of that sustenance which might have relieved their pressing necessities The King who during the short time of his retirement from the army had given order by a counsell of state to his Mint-masters to enhaunce the price of moneyes after the rate of gold The price of money raysed in France from 320 livers to 384 and silver from 23 livers and ten souses to 25 livers for the better paiment of his Souldiers Being certified of the successe at Roy by Poitrincourt an esquire of his body September 10.20 within two dayes following returned to his Army at Roy where having given direction for the establishing of all things there himselfe and the Monsieur marched toward Corby to bring that place againe to his obedience Corby being now in the Infants power was strongly fortified as being reserved for a winter quarter for such Spanish Souldiers who were both able and willing to sally abroad sometimes for pillage and molest the inhabitants of Picardie One thing onely was wanting convenient hand-mills for grinding of their corne which neither the Garrison could make for want of materials nor their friends abroad supply them with by reason of the circumvallations made about it though yet farre off by the Kings forces The onely helpe the Garrison and towne had was the Mill at Fovilloy upon the side of the Moorasse neere the Citie Hereupon Beaufort a Dauphinois a Gentleman belonging to the Cardinall Duke then imployed upon the Kings service at Amiens A bold and prosperous adventure upon the Mill at Corby September 16. intending to deprive his Maiesties enemies of that advantage with a chosen company of an hundred men about nine at night tooke sixe Boats and therein imbarqued his friends who about two in the morning arrived at Dours a village upon the Soame a league and halfe from Corby where they landed and leaving eighteene of their company to guard the Barkes the rest were conducted by three Peasants over a great plaine on the right hand whereof in a Village named Vigni were lodged seven hundred of the enemies horse and on the left hand in an hamlet neere Dours the Corps du guard of his Infantery The beginning of the adventure was full of hazard yet the issue was prosperous They passed on over the two bridges at Corby and came to the halfe Moone without any encounter by the enemy Good fortune attended the hardy Gentleman the Spaniards were then upon their watch and the French Souldiers espying the severall fires made by the enemy upon their Corps du guards grew timorous and would have retired had not the valour of their commander and forwardnesse of seven voluntiers which ingaged themselves with him in the action beene a whetstone to sharpen those spirits which feare had dulled But he enjoyning the rest to follow his example in a discreet silence led on to the Barricadoe at the head of Caus-way where he broke the chaine with Axes fell furiously upon the Corps du guard and put them all to the sword and thence marched to the Mill where they found another Corps du guard the Commissary for provisions and sixtie Souldiers which were come to bring meale to the Armie all which in one quarter of an houre they out in peeces and then burnt the Mill and wagons provided for the Portage of the grists with foure thousand crownes worth of corne and meale and then making a bravado before the towne of Corby distant from the Mill about two hundred paces returned safe to Amiens The Duke de Chaunes Commander for the King in Amiens before the designe of Beaufort had conceived a like project for the recovery of the Fort at Morevill from the Spaniards fingers a place strong for situation and a convenient hold for the invaders who sallying from thence plundred the circumjacent countrey even to Cleremont and hindred the trafficke up the River of Morevel to Amiens The Fort of Morevil taken by Onslat and now esteeming it more feasible by the successe of Beaufort at Corby then he had done formerly resolved to put it in execution The Trophees of Miltiades rowsed up the sluggish spirits of Themistocles and Previl a young gentleman and Captaine in Amiens not envying the former Cavilaries glory but desirous to share in his honour with 120 musquetiers selected out of the Garrison and commanded by chosen officers and one company of light horse and another of the Dukes Carabins Sept. 7. 17. undertooke the adventure The speech concerning the enterprize and the prosecution were almost contemporaries the Embryo was not long in forming but as soone produced almost as conceived Preüil had his desire and the 8.18 he arrived with his followers at the Mill neare the Fort where he encontred a Corps du guard of the enemy and put them all to the Sword Thence the forlorn hope conducted by a Serjeant who was slaine by a Musquet shot from the Castle passed the Ditches though in water up to the Arme-pits and a Petardior amongst them fixed his engine of devastation to one of the gates which being fired made no bigger a breach than for two men to enter in Front The Garrison who had discovered the French using their best art and meanes to abate the force if they could not altogether prevent and hinder its opperation But the rest of the adventurers perceiving now this small gap open for their admittance ran through the waters to assist their companions Bel-castle and Souland 2 Gentlemen and Captaines the first of De Breze his regiment the other of Vigans being the first that entred met happily with the Lorraine Captain the prime commander there who demanding Quarter had it given him but Preüil entring immediately with the rest of the forces fell upon the Garrison slew 50 of the 120 Souldiers which kept the place for the Spaniard and tooke the rest prisoners not refusing to give Quarter to any that begged it Thus farre he went by commission which could not limit him who
upon their companion which was onely busied in discharging her burden of Sea-men and Souldiers into the other bottomes fearing lest they should perish with the vessell And now the fight began betwixt the two Navies The first those in the Baye though unable to stirre were not altogether unserviceable to their confederates abroad at Sea the Spanish Fleete was betwixt both and did both gall them both and was galled on both sides Three hours the combate lasted doubtfull till at the last the Patron of Florence a galley of 1200 tunne being sunke by the French Artillery the Spanish Navy in an orderly retreat made way towards Genoa the French by reason they wanted those Daedalian wings oares being for the present unable to pursue them The Spanish losse was not great by this battell nor the French atchievements of much consequence yet the newes thereof being speedily brought to Naples the Viceroy sent the Prince D'Ascoli to fortine Gaeta and Baia who at the last place because it might the more easily command the Sea levelled a great hill which interposed it selfe betwixt the City and the sait water and with the earth choaked up the Harbour called Mari-Morto that so he might hinder the French from comming thither And for the security of the other coasts built sundry Forts from the Baye of Saint Mary Magdalene till the Tower of the Annuntiate and the Castell à Mare Two houres after the fight neere Monaco was ended a faire gale of wind blew from West-South-West and then the French hoysed up sayles to follow the Duke of Ferandina Admirall of the Spanish Gallyes who rowed by the shoare towards Genoa often sounding for feare of splitting the crazed vessels Towards evening the wind fell and the Spanish Gallyes ancred at Saint Rheme perceiving the French Fleete which was seven leagues from them was not able to reach them for lacke of wind A councell was then held by the Earle The second the Archbishop and the chiefe Captaines what was to be done they considered that they were unable to bring up the whole Navy against the enemy some part of the Fleete being carried backward towards Monaco by violence of the current yet unwilling to give the Spanish Seamen time to breath they concluded to make up to them with 24 Gallyes which they had in the Navy from Marselles and Villa-Franca and with those to play with them whilest the rest of the Fleete might conveniently come in to give them battell It was speedily put in practise and their intent as soone discovered by the Spanish Generall who to welcome the French placed some of his bigger Gallyes behinding the Cape de Bordiguere out of the sight of the French-men intending by force of his oares to overrunne some of their smaller vessels and so facilitate his victory But the devise tooke not the Alarme was given to the whole French Fleete too suddenly and at his first appearance they so saluted him with their shot that they severed his Gallyes the Captaine of Sicilie being forced to take the Baye of Savona for safeguard and the Royall of Spaine in danger to have beene surprised had not the brawne of the Rowers beene better then the force of the Souldiers and Marriners This victorie though it was not very honourable as being got without much opposition was of good consequence to the French The Levant was cleered of their enemies and the Navy was as still and quiet as the becalmed sea till the 27. of September old stile at which time 14. of the best ships were commanded to attend the enemy who at that time lay in Vado with 35. Gallyes That night they loosed from Arasse The third where they had rode at Anchor all day 11 launching into the maine and the other 3. making up towards the Vay to discover the posture of the enemy These 3 were the Reere-Admirall of the Squadron of Bretaigne commanded by Poincy the Vice-Admirall of the Squadron of Gwienne commanded by Mantye and the Lewis of Saint Iohn de Luz commanded by Gyron The sentinell upon the tower of Genoa perceived their sayles and to give a signall to the Gallyes kindled 3 fires and discharged 3 severall Canonadoes The Gallyes mistaking the signall prepared not to fight but flye thinking that the whole power of the French Navy was comming upon them and flye they did so confusedly to the very walls of Savona to save themselves and their shipping under the protection of that Canon that the French overreached some of the slowest ships with their Ordnance and slew above 300 men This is the last passage betwixt these two great Armadoes winter grew on and the Seas being unfit to ride longer in both the Navyes were recalled home by their severall Princes the Spaniards thinking themselves honoured enough by releeving the Ilands and the French by preserving Provence from invasion Both Navies hovered about the Levant till towards the end of October without attempting any further upon one another and then they seemed to repaire to their winter roads The Navyes leave the Sea and retire to Harbour those of Naples to Naples those of Genoa to Savona those belonging to the great Duke to Ligorne and the French to Marseilles where they reported the retirement of the Spanish Fleete to the great joy of the Maritine townes and the neighbourhood of Provence who with alacritie of the Nobility and peasants considering the weakenesse of the enemies in the Iles joyned themselves to tenne Regiments which the Christian King had sent to recover Honoria and Margarita promising an happy issue to their designe but how it prospered it is not to be expected in this 4. moneths History The Confederate Armies by land found more trouble in their enterprises then the sea-men did in their expeditions Famine and pestilence diminished their forces daily and dis-heartned their souldiers to the advantage of the Caesarean and Spanish Armies which were better supplied both with men and necessaries then their enemies The Duke of Rohan who should have come in to their succours was first stopped in his passage at the River of Ticino about the beginning of August in returning into the Veltoline fell sicke himselfe of a double Tertian which though it kept the ordinary paroxysmes The Duke of Rohan desperately sicke recovereth unexpectedly by the violence of the fits caused a kind of Lethargie and not himselfe onely but the prime Commanders of his Army to wit Laniere intendant to the Iustice and Policie the Marshalls of the Campe and many other Officers were affected in like manner to the discouragement of the French forces both in the Veltoline and in Millanois The Imperiall and Spanish Armies received the newes of his sicknesse speedily and soone after of his death which though false was not improbable nor incredible the same relation being brought to the French Court at Paris by an ordinarie Carrier and prepared for the winning of the Fort of Riva And frustrates the designe upon Riva
bsieegers to a confused flight releeved the Fort and that they might neither lose time nor opportunity marched speedily into the Camporemotto in the territory of Piacenza and there tooke the Forts of Fircuzola Borgo Saint Domino Buseto Monticella Divers Forts taken from the Parmesan Rivalgar and the salt pannes of Sassio some by asfault and some by composition the country paying downe 50000. Rixe-dollers to be spared from pillage The Parmesan was now reduced to a wonderfull streight his territory wasted his Forts surprised and Piacenza the onely Citie he had of note upon the Poè first blockt up and then straightly besieged by the enemy Had that place yeelded slightly nothing almost had been left him but Parma and that too had beene exposed to the mercy or fury of the adverse party The Prince to adde Spirit to the Citizens and presidiarie souldiets there whilest the Spanish Army was in Campo remoto The Citie of Piaceusa is besieged knowing it to be a pleasing morsell and that Leganez would not spare either labour or cost to get it went thither in person and not concealing the danger which might and was to be expected to ensue desired the Souldiers and Citizens to stand firme and to follow his example in withstanding the assaylants assuring them that succours would come from the King of France and timely too to deliver both that Citie and the adjacent territory from the Eagles talons His words gave some comfort to the Citizens and his exemplarie actions in his owne person more it was resolved to attend the good houre of reliefe and to endure all extremities before they would surrender The Spanish Generall knowing the strength of the place to be such as either he must take it by famine or not at all and how easily it might be releeved from Parma at least by the benefit of the Poe if not by land at once caused a royall Fort to be built at Longina upon the River and fortifièd the Castle of Sartanino betwixt the two sister Cities that no sūpplies either of men or victuals might be brought from Parma thither by land or water and in the space of five or sixe weekes reduced it to such want that though the Magazin within was sufficiently stored with corne yet there wanted milles to grinde it and the besieged could get no other meale than what the hand-mils could afford them yet still remained they constant to the Duke expecting the French succours which came up happily Septem 21. Octob. 1. though not to their present delivery yet to the qualification of their misery Besides the 8000 auxiliaries landed at Nissa as is before related Sundry auxiliaries sent to the Duke of Parma the Christian King dispatched some thousands of men by the way of the Dolphinate and Provenze and made over a good summe of money to the Marshall Crequy for the paiment of his Souldiers and these new Souldiers added to the small forces the Duke of Parma had abroad made an invasion into Montferat forced Fontanetto and Percerola two strong Forts belonging to the King of Spaine to yeeld and tooke up the winter Quarter for their horse in that dominion The Generalissimo of the confederate Army about the same time being advertised that the Fort of Breme was much annoyed by 200 Spanish presidiaries which lay in the Towne and Fort of Castell-novetto Make an inroade into Montferrat three leagues distant from Mortara gave order to Montgalliard Commander of the royall Fort of Breme to attempt if he could take it by onslat and he attended with 150. Muskettiers drawne out of his owne regiment and 100 others selected out Ferons 50. Corflets 2 companies of horse and one of Dragoons undertaking the adventure Octob. 12. two houres before day marched thither applyed his Petards to the gates which answering his entendments entred immediately put 80. of the Garison Souldiers to the sword took some prisoners constrained the rest to flye and giving his souldiers first time to pillage it soone after burnt it to the ground and returned to Breme the same day with his prisoners and booty And these two fortunate attempts and the sacking of the Fort Ottobiano soone after by the same Montgalliard meeting together mooved the Spanish Generall to rise with a good part of his Army from the siege and to leave the City slenderly blocked up taking his head Quarter at Pavye neerer home least the French and Parmesan forces should make a fresh in-roade into Millanez to the joy of the Piacenzans who conceived that they themselves alone were then able to hew out a way for their liberty though their friends abroad should not come in to assist them But whether their hopes grew up to fruit or were nipt in the blossome it is yet unknowne and we must referre it to our next discovery Whether it was the jealousie of the Genoois a people suspicious by nature and more by reason of their treasure which is commonly kept with feare and lost with sorrow or the thing endeavoured truely by the Spaniards it is not worth the dispute yet soone after the Spanish Generall was remooved to Pavye he rose from thence and went to Noni Icalousie betwixt the Genoeses and Spaniards with 4000. Foote and 2000. Dragoons and the Duke of Ferandina at the same time viz. Novemb. 2 12. would have brought in the Spanish Fleete into the harbour of Genoa Curriers sent from Venice and other parts to the same intent certified the Genoeses that the Generalls by Land and Sea meant to surprize the City that Leganez intended to lay these souldiers in the towne whilest the Admirall having made all sure by sea might secure him of holding it to the use of the Catholike King his Master and the state taking notice first of the Land-Armies secret march thither-ward and afterwards of the arrivall of the Fleete at the same time chained up their Haven mustered up their Land-men and to the old traine band added 49. new Companies consisting each of 90. souldiers and 10. Gentlemen under severall Captaines to defend the City from the violence of the Spanish Armadoes which they concluded must speedily be effected The Admirall was the first and onely Commander which appeared and he finding the Haven barred against his Gallyes went in person to the States assembled in their Towne-house The Spanish Fleete forbid den the harbour of Genoa desired them to give entrance for the Fleete into the Harbour it being driven thither by contrary winds and if forced to abide at Sea in danger to be re-encountred by the French who had not yet left the coast of Italy His Oratory could not prevaile but in stead of an expected grant they gave him an absolute deniall yet seasoned with this cold excuse that it was not the custome of that Common-wealth to admit any armed vessels into their Harbour Ferrandina not taking this for a full answer began to be instant and urgent shewing the affection of the King his
Letter from Duke Bernhards Camp at Monsavion the contents whereof follow thus briefly The two Generals having framed a designe for the raysing of the Crabats Quarter at Lessons the Cardinall de Valette attended with the Count of Guiche conducted thitherwards one thousand five hundred horse and as many Musquetiers all which were layd in an Ambuscado by the way The D. of Weymar who had that afternoon been skirmishing with the Enemy to no other end but to make him not suspect the designe returned at Evening and marched in the head of 3000 horse of his own on the side of the French which were layd in Ambuscado and the Field marshall Ranzaw with the Prince of Conde his Cavallary marched on the other the Ambush then rising and putting forward toward Lessons the three French partees marched severall wayes yet all met about one minute at the Enemies Quarter October 10 new style at the point of day and charged upon it at once in three severall places The Crabats were then on horseback having had some notice of the French designe gave an alarm to Gallas his Camp and were answered thence with three Canon shot as a signall to the whole Army to stand upon their guard and keepe good order But the French prosecuting this beginning charged the Crabats againe more roughly than before forced them to a disorderly flight pursued them to the gates of Champelite which being kept shut against the fag-end of these run-awaies for feare lest the French should enter pell-mell with them exposed above 100 of them to the sword and many to the mercy of the pursuers who by this time were ingaged with the Avantguard of the Imperiall Army consisting of eight hundred horse and beat these Caesareans to their very Palizadoes with some slaughter but more affrightment many of the Cavaliers leaving their horses to save themselves upon the Mountain where the Infantery and Ordinance was placed others posting to their trenches to avoyd the blowes which they met withall in open field The greatest losse fell upon the Crabats of whom three hundred were slain as many taken prisons which lost all their baggage even to their very Tents and Huts and two thousand horses to the great advantage of the French Army and damage of theirs who living ordinarily by roving and pillaging were deprived of their horses which were of principall use in those expeditions The whole losse was valued at more than one hundred thousand crownes befides the ransomes of the Women amongst which was Isolani's Mistresse who with her Caroach and six horses and Plate became a prize to the Ritmaster Schomborn This was a glorious designe being against an Enemy in open field A Convoy of 25 Waggons taken by Manicamp Governour of Colmar and Manicamps happy adventure about the same time against a Convoy carrying twenty five Waggons loaden with Powder and Bullets and fifty Cowes to an Enemy-Garrison at Brissack was not despicable A Company of light horse belonging to the Baron of Reinack Governour of Brissack and sixty Musquetiers drawn out of the Garrison at Ensisheim were appointed to guard this carriage from the Abby of Lure the siege whereof was left by the Imperialists about tenne dayes before to Brissack To surprise this booty six Companies of light horse and Dragoons a Company of Carabins and foure hundred and fity foot were drawn out of Colmar by this French Commander who ordered the light horse and twenty Masters with some sew others to assault the Conduct and they behaved themselves so bravely that after the slaughter of six and captivating tenne others they chased the rest into a Wood betwixt Solse and Ensisheim upon Manicamp and his souldiers which lay in Ambush for them who beat them pursued them to the gates of Ensisheim and carried the booty to Colmar Gallas the Imperiall Generall thus provoked to action and his Army strengthned by a new retreat under the Irish Colonell Butler resolved to repaire his honour and to put somthing in practice against the confederate Armies and some places under the Kings obedience And yet like a wise Commander that would not adventure desperately hee watched his time causing divers reports of his returne to Alsatia to bee scattered abroad loading withall some Waggons with baggage as if he was instantly dismarching to amuse the Duke and Cardinall and intending to fall upon such places as were least able to hold out that he might do something before his departure out of the Dukedome The united Commanders supposing his purpose did not suit with the pretence commanded the Armies to double the guards and to have speciall eye upon the Imperials progresse Gallas seeming to be about to dismarch The Officers followed the supreme directors instructions kept a carefull and strong watch and the first night Oct. 19. new stile encountred with some of Duke Bernhards Almans whom the French taking for Enemies because of their language The French army doubleth their watch mistake some of their friends for enemies assaulted and slew fifteen of them upon the place as many others of the company not escaping unwounded The conflict indured the space of halfe an houre and might have lasted longer if they had not then happily discovered them to bee their friends but then the fight ended with sorrow to both parties for their mistakes and mutuall complements for their at last successefull meeting This misadventure was paraleld with another in Alsatia about the same time The Swedes of Benefeld mistaken for enemies by the French Garrison in Schlestadt a party of the Swedes in the Fort of Benefeld had beene abroad for Salt which they having gotten in a great quantity at their returne lodged in Ketenholt a Village neere Schlestadt whither some malitious peasants ran presently telling the French presidiaries there that an Imperiall Convoy lodged in that Village with good Booty hereupon the French souldiers betook them to their Armes surprized their friends for enemies flew some wounded the Ritmaster and carried away some horses But in the morning perceiving their error sent to excuse the fact and restored the Booty not omitting to enquire out those false informers that they might punish them according to their merit The Imperiall Generall perceiving the warinesse of the Duke and Cardinall Mirchaw a weak place in the County of Burgoyne taken by Gallas being neither able to surprize them in their severall Quarters nor draw out any part of the Armies to an unequall fight Octob. 23.13 pursued his second designe and brought his Army before Mirebeau a Town a little fortified by the Inhabitants and two companies of the Ttrain-band of the County then in the Town since his first appearing in those parts but not of strength to make any resistance having no ditch nor draw-Bridge nor Parapet to the Wals which in sight were rather like the Mound to a Garden than defenced Wals of a City this place hee at once besieged and assaulted and the defendants trusting more to their swords
Gallas his disorderly retreat and great losse gave the signall to his army to prepare for a generall assault but Ranzaw entering in the meane time about ten aclock at night and his comming made known to the Imperiall Generall altered the designe The French Colonell the same night sallyed forth and slew as many more of the besiegers as the Garrison had done in the day and then the Caesarean Generall either doubting of a long winter siege or recalled by the Emperour to attend the Swedes which began to triumph in Pomerania and lower Saxony since their victory at Wistock or both for both these reasons are assigned the same night raysed his siege and retreating disorderly incouraged the besieged and the confederate Armies who were soon informed thereof to pursue him which fell upon his reere-guard and in divers conflicts especially at the passage of Vigenne cut off six hundred of his men took from him some Ordnance and so much baggage that his losse since his first encamping at Champlite being summed up amounted to nine Peeces of Canon foure hundred wagons loaden with ammunition eight thousand men slaine and drowned besides the defection of eight hundred of his Horse who forsook the service and inrolled themselves under Duke Benrhard The passages in the Netherlands this last Summer betwixt the Infanta and the States Vnited THe State of the Vnited Provinces Chap. 5. was almost brought ad Triarios by the losse of Skenken-sconce the last Summer but that being regained from the Cardinall Infant upon Easter Tuesday last by the vigilancy and great expence of this industrious people which endured all injurie of weather the frosts snowes and raines of Winter to that intent they found more rest this last yeare then they expected being usually ingaged in warre with the Catholike King and the Lieutenant Governours under him No banke was raysed against any of their townes no spoyling bands of enemies invaded their Countrey The Duke of Feria only appeared with a flying Army in Brabant and Flanders to secure those parts in the absence or the Cardinall Infanta raysed divers Sconces upon sundry passages and blocked up the wayes with timber by which the Armies of the States might come upon him intending more the preservation of the people under the Spanish Government then the disturbance of the people under the Aristocratie of the Siates and the Prince of Orenge Generall for the States mustered up a like number of souldiers to the same intent both the Commanders rather by starts and parties sent abroad upon severall occasions seeking an advantage of petty gaine then by battell in the open field or beleaguering any place of strength or note getting the glory of a victorie August 20. the Prince of Orange marched with his land forces 122. Companies of foot from Heusden to the Hecken-sea and thence Aug. 28. Sept. 8. removed his Campe towards the Long-straten the Horsemen under the Generall Stacken-brocke being already met at their Randevouz in the Hog-straten The order of his March was this The Princes Life-guard marched in the front his Excellencie himselfe following attended with the English Scots and French the Frieslanders High-Germans and Switzers which made up the Avant-guard the Reare consisting of English and Wallons was followed first by the Waggons which carried ammunition then by the Victuallers and Subtlers of the Campe and their carriages and lastly by the Gunners and the field-peeces the greater Guns being still aboard the shipping before Heusden Alburgh and below Hemmert The Count de Feria was in the field above a fortnight before Aug. 6.16 with his Army of about 8000. horse and foot departed from Antwerpen toward Lyer and thence tooke their way by Geel Voorst and Merhault plundered by the Count de Feria Bael and Moll where he mustered his Army called a Counsell of warre and thence advanced to Voorst and Merhault two small townes belonging to the Prince of Orange which though Iohn de Nassaw desired him to spare yet were plundered by the Spaniards who had the absolute command in that expedition The day was somewhat omminous to both sides a selected Company of the States garrison in Bergen-op-zome made out toward Herentals for pillage and without an encounter of an armed enemy tooke 90. great beasts and drove them towards Bergen when suddenly the cry of the Boores whose livelyhood depended upon the profit of their cattell overtooke them and then the souldiers which more respected their coine then their beasts suffered the poore people to redeeme them for a summe of money This was but a small thing and of no comparison with the better fortunes with which 15. souldiers of the Sconse Fredericke Henry were crowned the same day To get a purchase by boote-haling may bee profitable but it cannot bee glorious especially when the bootie is rather stollen surreptitiously then gotten manfully But to encounter an armed Enemie to deale with him upon unequall tearmes and vanquish him this is honourable true valour being seene most apparantly where danger sheweth it selfe most hideously Such was the happy fate of these 15. adventurors Mecheln a Captaine of one Companie of Presidiarie souldiers in Sant-vliat Mecheln a Spanish Captaine taken by the Garrison of Fred. Henry had a designe upon the little Sconse of Sluisken and to effect it drew out 20. Musquetiers out of his Garrison and conveyed them thitherward with as much secresie and silence as was possible but by the way the fifteene mentioned souldiers met with him and his retinew fought with them in plaine field and by the slaughter of five of his souldiers by the first volley of their shot and the wounding of some others forced him to yeeld and brought him his Sergeant and fifteene of his men prisoners to the Fort. Honour admits a magis minus and private undertakings how fortunate soever the issues bee come not off with such a luster as those which are commenced by publike authoritie The Ritmaster Anthony Crock Sept. 3 11 had order from the Prince of Orange to take some troopes of expert and valiant Horsemen to discover the posture of the Spanish Campe to cleare the Countrey of such rovers as he should find abroad A Spanish Convoy of 600 Horse defeated and if it might stand with probabilitie of successe to make head against such troopes of the Enemie as hee should meete withall vpon the way An opportunitie to declare both his loyaltie and valour offered it selfe before it was sought for A Spanish Convoy of 600. Horsemen under the commaund of foure severall Leaders men of qualitie and ranke by birth and note in the Armie by their places the Earle and Colonell Ritzbergen Sonne to the Earle of East Vrieslands the Baron of Wesmaell Sonne to Grobendonck who once commanded in the Bosch the Cornet Beest and the revolted Captaine Herwerden who had lately served under the States And 4 Commanders of note taken by the States Rit-master Crook and upon the discovery of a traiterous practice he
to the season of the weather The beginning of this Summer was attended with a cleare sky no clouds appeared to promise an after raine yet suddenly the surface of the Aiery element was changed and water distilled more plentifully from above than was expected and sometimes so impetuously that the people made it a question whether was more prejudiciall to the fruites of the earth the late long drought or those violent currents of water which fell from above His Majesty of Denmarke had laboured much to establish a peace in the Empire and no enemy appearing so openly against the Imperiall party as the Crown of Sweden by consent of Caesar a supposed Commission was delivered to the Elector of Saxony to treate with that Nation at Lubeck in the particular The opening of the sealed Escript discovered what the Swedes had before conjectured Iuly 5 15. The agents for both parties met and the Letters then broken up restrained the Electour from attempting any thing which might prejudice the Empire or the Imperiall dignity but to search out all wayes and meanes how by force the Swedes might be compelled to depart from Germany Oxenstierne the Grand Chancellor of Sweden stood awhile aghast at this unlooked for amazement Oxensterne embarkes for Sweden and first complayning to his Majesty of Denmarke of the affront offered to the Queene his Lady their Soveraigne resolved in the end to post homeward that he might advise with the Diet then assembled at Stockholme for a farther course of pursuing or ceasing from the warre leaving order in the interim with the Generall Banniere to maintaine the glory of the Swedish Nation and to stand in defierce of Cesar and his adherents It is no small advantage to be aforehand the gaining of a place of importance from a professed foe may stumble him in the way though not divert him from his dissigne Vltzen a City of no great compasse Vltzen taken by the General Banniere but of some consequence did first present it selfe to his fancy the Imperiall Allyes held it and the Swedes intending to take it in the beginning of August sate downe before it and upon the 9 10 of the same month brought it to yeeld upon composition Thence hee marched to Lumenburg accompanied and re-enforced by the Field-Marshall Lesle summoned it and his conditions being rejected by the Senate and the same night made his aproaches to the very Moate of the city though with some losse of his officers and souldiers and constrained it to an unwelcome Composition the tearmes were these That the Gattenberg should bee delivered to the Swedes and that the City should receive a garrison and Commander Both which particulars were obtained and the Swedish Goetz was accepted the next day after for their Governour Thence the Generall Banniere conducted his Armies to the Fort of Winsen seated upon the Elve and tooke it the next day by a stratagem And the Fort at Winsen intending first to cleere the river as being more convenient for his de signes then the firme land this Relation is written from Lunenberg the Sceane of this designe and the particulars expressed so precisely make the story credible and this Fort he being master of immediately rather by policy then power marched thence toward Havelberg and Werben to prevent the Saxon and Imperiall Armies which were then laying of Bridges over the Elve intending to make an invasion into the Dukedome of Meckleburg The time to decide the controversie betwixt them with the sword was not yet come Neere Werben the Swedish Army was encamped where not expecting an Enemy so suddenly the Swedes kept not the strict watch they used to doe the Generall himselfe taking his recreation and his absence though not authorizing the Officers to leave their places of charge yet ministring occasion of a perfunctory care was neere to have brought the Swedes to confusion The Duke of Saxony having received a Commission from the Emperour though limited was many Conditions the 13. 23. of the same month was at Magdenburg in person taking an oath of allegiance from the Magistrate there to himselfe as to the Generalissimo at which time being certified by his spies of the Swedes posture he immediately sent the Collonel Vnger against them with two Regiments One of the Swedes quarters raised at Werben by the Col. Vngar and Banniere like to haue beene surprized who arriving at the Campe before the Swedes could well Arme raised one of the quarters slew some few of the Souldiers and had neare surprised Banniere himselfe who was abroad at hunting with his late marryed wife But the Swedes were soone armed and in the end chased away the Saxon Commander and the same day encountried with a company of Imperiall Bragoones whom they tooke prisoners and convayed them to Brandenburg Goetz the Caesarean Field-Marshall in the time of this preparation had leasure to pursue his Conquests in Hessen-land and marched thence into Westphalia where Paderborn a City yerst in the Imperial now in the Hasseans hands presented it selfe as an object either of his Conquest or disgrace if he tooke it not in It was a Bishops See and a good one too the King of Sweden gloried that he had brought it under his government and the Imperiall Commander in fine esteemed it as a piece worthy of a siege He summoned it and the Hassean Garrison fifteene companies strong returned shot for words to the great vexation of the Field-Marshall who instantly rounded it with his Army and after nine hundred Canons shot and foure assaults compelled the Garrison to yeeld upon his mercy Paderborne surrendred to Goetz And the Garrison consisted of eight hundred men under the command of the Collonel Girse Collonel of the white Regiment who was detained Prisoner the Captaines set at liberty and the inferiour Officers and Souldiers compelled to attend the victorious Field-Marshals colours Melander and Generall major Beckerman were then at Hamme with eight hundred Horse but unable to relieve their confederates stood rather as spectators and attendants upon the issue than forward assistants to relieve them and hearing of the fate of the City dismarched thence to Dorstmund in Westphalia giving way to their enemies to march on toward Osnabrug where they expected but found not the like successe Osnabrug was both well manned and fortified and Goetz fearing that if he should besiege it Goetz onely appearing before Osnabrugge and dis-marcheth presently to Zoest which is fired and surrendred he should lose time and waste his Army onely looked upon it and returned toward Hessen-land and in the beginning of September summoned Zoest a small City upon the River Lippe which refusing to yeeld to his words the eighth of the same moneth by his Army was besieged and the 9.19 almost hurnt to the ground by the Granadoes cast out of the Campe the Wilde fire taking hold of some thatched houses whereof there were many in the towne and their contiguity to the others dispersing the devouring
then naving left the way strewed with dead Corps from Witstocke even to Werben almost as many being slaine upon the way of the flight as upon the place of battell he came backe to the Campe with 1500 prisoners and 30 Coronets and 5 Ensignes of Dragoones which being added to the Ensignes gamed in the field made up the number of 143 Coronets and Enngnes besides those which still remained in the hands of private men and were not then brought in to the Generall who proclaimed a reward to every one that should bring in his private attchievement to make his conquest more ilustrious The Elector Hasfeldt and they which escaped saved their persons onely but left their Canon The spoyles taken from the Saxons by the Swedes 41 in number and their baggage to the Conquerour the Electors owne Waggons loaden with the glorious title and rich moveables of his Chancery the titles not recorded by the quill in partehment buting raven in rich mettals his instruments of hunting his plate in generall and that famous great silver Bowle wherein he used to carouse to his best friends and the baggage of the whole army became lawfull prize to the Swedes with 8000 Waggons whereon it was mounted to the enuching not of the souldiers onely but the very boyes of the Swedish army Three dayes were spent by the Swede after hisvictory partly in piety partly in polity yet piety proceeded and polity followedas the Hand-maid First hee assembled his companies to give thankes to him who had covered their heads in the day of battell Thanksgiving for the victory and blessed the enterprize with so good and great successe singing te Deum after their manner and supplying the want of Organs other Church musicke with Drums Fifes Trumpets Canonadoes and Musqutadoes intermingled not to the disturbing of the fouldiers devotion but the raysing of their spirits who reioyced that they had now oportunity to spend their powder in triumph not in an uncertaine fight against the enemy Thanksgiving done The dead buryed hee tooke order for the buriall of the dead as well for foes as friends a worke of difficultie their bodies being scattered in sundry places in great multitudes and the Boores which should have assisted to their interment being fled for feare not knowing how either party if he proved victor might deale with them yet this taske was performed too And then the Generall taking a view of his Army not so much decreased in number by the fight as increased by thousands of prisoners who offered themselves to his service he found 1500 yet which were not come in to his party amongst which were 170 Officers And a new muster made of the Army with some expressions of Court-ship to the prisoners and 146 women of quality wives to the Caeserean and Saxon Colonels and their officers The deiected countenances of the women expressing sorrow partly in regard of their present estates and partly for the losse or imprisonment of their bosome friends moved him to compassion and he to sweeten their captivite and the rigour of his Armes and to cheare up these disconsolate spirits made them a feast neere Witstock in the middle of a great plaine for the distinction of the services intermitting three severall vollies of Canonadoes from the great Artillery which hee had gotten in the battell And the feast ended he first disposed of his prisoners males and females sent the gained artillery down the Elve by shipping Bannier taketh Werben upon discretioÌ„ with the Electors plate which fell to his share as the baggage lately belonging to Hazfeld was then in Lisles possession and Maracinies in the hands of Stalhanse as a present to the Queen of Sweden and afterwards marched first with his Armie against the Fort at Werben intending to go forward but first to have all safe behinde him And this Fort he took October 13.23 forcing the Garrison to submit upon discretion And after having fortified it for the Crowne of Sweden drew his Army over the Elve on that side towards Halberstadt amusing for a short time the Saxons and their confederates sometimes seeming to looke towards Saltzwedell as if he intended towards the countrey of Lunengburgh Sometimes towards the Earldome of Mansfieldt alwayes intending to goe to Misuda and Thuringen which in fine he did and thither though the history now cannot it shall follow him hereafter The Sconce at Werben being thus possessed againe by the Swedes the Saxon Garrisons at Ratenaw and Brandenburg seeing their late co-partners forced to serve under Bannier Brandenburgh and Ratenaw forsaken by the Saxons Garrisond by the Swedes knowing themselves too weak to make any resistance if he should cast a bank against them and without hope of succour though they might be able to hold out for a season willingly forsooke the places of which they were appoynted guardians and left them to the Swedes administration who furnished Brandenburg with 600 presidiaries and Ratenaw with 250. whilst the Swedish Colonel Geyse marched towards Berlin happened first upon three hundred Brandenburgish souldiers on the way surprized them and put as many of them as would not serue the Swede to the sword At Wolgast and Gripstald in the meane time arived 3500 fresh men out of Sweden able men to the eye and yet they proved better souldiers than was expected being joyned to Wrangels flying army which with this accrewt supplyed from Sweden with Armour Canon Wrangel souldereth the Vekker-marke Powder Match and the like materials of War being now growne 12000 strong by the end of October cleered the Oder from Frankford downeward to the joy of the Stetineers who saw the adjacent Countrey incumbred no more with the Imperialists and found the wayes open againe to Daâ—tzick and Rostocke the chiefest Cities of their Commerce invaded the marke Brandenburg inforced the Towne of Barlen to a contribution of 30000. Rix-Dollers which was payed part in ready money part in merchants wares brought the whole Veker-mark to the Swedes obedience and drew from thence 26000 Rix-dollers to preserve it from pillage confiscated lands the goods belonging to the Count of Stwarzenburgh tooke an oath of fealty of the subjects in his owne name affirming the Countrey to be given him by the Crowne of Sweden and thence marched against Land bergen to surround it with his army projecting a future designe in Silesia where some of the peeres falling off from the Saxon and weary of the Caesareans waited for his comming not as enemies to oppose him but friends to assist him so fearefull were the neighbouring principalities of the Swedes power and ready to comply with the Conqueror The Elector of Saxony who October 7.17 was come to Lipsech and Hazfeld who arrived about the same time at Halsberstadt prepared in the meane time to rally their forces but were not so quicke it as they supposed they might have beene Of all their late army 3000 men onely The Elector prepares to
judging the designe to be easily feasible by reason of the Dukes weakenesse But his recovery frustrated that attempt that happening upon the 17th day of his sickenesse by a Fortunate Crisis which put a period to his maladie and inabled him to hold what he had got in the Veltoline though not to joyne with the confederate Armies in Italy The Sceane of warre by land had divers changes The forces under the Duke of Savoy and Crequi by the end of Iune had gotten sundry places of strength in Lombardie and the third of Iuly old stile Varese taken by assault by the Confederate Armies having taken by assault the City of Varese in the Signiory of Genoa betwixt Savona and Volti and put the German garrison in it to the sword by reason of the infection left those parts and marched towards Castelleto and Sesto where they demolished Trino the house of pleasure to the Count Cerbellone But then the dye turned and it was enough for them to keep what they had gotten no time to adventure upon further Conquests The Spanish Army had received no small losse the moneth passed in the battell at Navile but then was reenforced by some Regiments newly come out of Germany the Neapolitane forces and many Milanois for the Marquesse of Leganez Governour of Milan Leganez ralli eth his forces and Generalissimo of that Army Iuly 16 26 had mustered up the Inhabitants of that great City from 20. yeeres old to 60. and drawen out as many as he thought necessary for the present service under the command of 6. Field Marshalls viz the Prince Triultio the Marq Gro. Maria Visconti Don Philip Sfondrato Alessandro and Marcellino Visconti and Giacomo Fugani and the Generalate of Don Francisco Mautiques with this Army confisting of 14000. Foote and 5000. Horse made head against the French forces which then consisted onely of 8000. Foote at most and 2000. Cavalliers the pestilence having destroyed almost the one halfe of the confederate Hoste he marched towards them The combined Armies were at that present enquartered by Bourguemenier upō the river of Ticino intending there to unite their troopes part whereof were lodged upon the way by which their victualls were brought from Piemont to secure the convoy upon their passage The Confederate Army enquartereth at Romagnano and the Spanish Army marched directly towards Romagnano to seize of that quarter and intending to cut off the provisions from the French Armies lodged themselves betwixt that and Piemont Though money be the Sinewes yet victualls are the vitall spirits of warre and the Duke of Savoy the Generall with the Lieutenant Generall Crequy understanding the Spanish designe to prevent it rose speedily and by a quicke march arrived at Romagnano where they entrenched themselues to waite upon the enemies proceedings The Spanish at Carpignano who lay from them about 8 English miles upon the bankes of Sesia in a place called Carpignano The French expected that the Spanish forces would advance towards them and set upon them in their Quarter and to that purpose kept a carefull watch sometime shewing themselves before theenemy which stirred not from his Quarter as if they meant to outbrave him but moved not thence till they were certified that the Field-Marshall The French remove to the Lomeline the Count du Plessis Praslin whom the Generall had sent to the Castle de Fontana with 1000. horse and as many Muskettiers to fetch soure great Canons which be had left there for his more speedy march was returned to Romagnano and then because the whole territory thereabouts was wasted by the pressure of his and the Spanish Armies himselfe resolved to take up his Quarter in the Lomeline by Candy neer the Fort of Breme and the Spanish Commander for want of forrage removed his Campe into the centre of Millanez all the Country thereabouts to wit that part from Alexandria to the principality of Piemont on both sides the River Taner the Lomeline onely excepted whether the French Army was marching all the Novarois from the valley of Sesia The Spanish to Millanez and the river of Ticino till within foure leagues of Milan and all the high Country betwixt Ticino and the River of Ada being already forrag'd by the means of this warre which like a Basiliske burnt up the grasse and corne where it crawled and like an Army of Locusts devoured all the fruit of the earth Three severall inducements moved the Duke of Savoy to entrench himselfe in the Lomeline the first was the vicinitie of the royall Fort of Breme which was built by him at that place The royall Fort of Breme built by the Duke of Savoy where the river of Sesia disgorgeth himselfe into Poe betwixt Casall and Valentia and the security he received thereby for his Army the Fort commanding both the Rivers generally and the Poe particularly and more especially and so yeelding the Army a liberty of free commerce upon both the streames maugre the forces of the enemy the second was to hinder the inroades of the Spaniards upon the Villages and Frontier Townes of Piemont where they had formerly practised all manner of hostility burning the Townes putting to the sword both old and yong women and infants especially at Gatinara where neither the professed orders of religion nor the Sanctuaries could secure such as retired to those places of refuge from the enemies fury and lastly the vicinity of Piemont from whence hee might speedily and conveniently be relieved with men and victuals upon all occasions So now the French and Savoyards Armies were rather imployed in a defensive then offensive warre The Caesarian and Spanish forces perceiving how things stood omitted no opportunity nor left any stone unmoved which might serve to advance their designes A treasonable purpose upon Villa-Franca discovered and prevented It was not questioned by the enemy whether was more lawfull power or policy open warre or private practises to attaine their ends Both were practised and the last though most dishonourable was not refused yet the issue was fatall to the instrument and no way advantagious to the abetters or approvers A male-contented traiterous heart forgetting the duty and loyaltie which he ought his naturall Lord and seduced by the golden promises of the Spanish Generall undertooke to deliver him Villa Francha a Sea port where there stands a Towne and Castle appertaining to his highnesse of Savoy in his Estate of Nissa chalked him out the way by which his forces might come privately and without suspition if discovered and promised an easie admittance into the Towne and Citadell But his treason being discovered and confessed by himselfe upon the wracke the Marquesse of Bagnasck Governour of that state assisted with some French Souldiers made good the passage first to prevent the dangerous consequences of that enterprise and afterwards by a Court of justice put the perfidious traytour to a deserved shamefull death Hee was a gangrenated member of the Common-wealth and
providence called upon lustice to use her sword for his rescission who otherwise had exposed the whole body to putrifaction It is counted a master-piece in the Science of Defence to beate another at his owne weapon and in warre to blow up the Miner by his owne worke or to make use of a like project or stratagem to the ruine of the first deviser The Duke of Savoy received intelligence in the Camp of the Spanish designe and posted thence to Turin to give order for the defence of Nissa and the territory about The Garison of Spaniards in Crevecaeur driven out and no blow given where being informed of the arrivall of the French Fleete and conjecturing by probable arguments that the state of his Sea-townes was now secure hee returned with as much speed to the Campe at Candie for performance of his charge having stayed but two dayes onely at his Courtat Turin In the time of his neutrality he had laid a Spanish Garison in Crevecaeur a Towne in Gallia Cisalpina to defend it against all forraigne invadors but now not without cause jealous of the presidiarie Souldiers fidelity which at first were brought in to prevent a feared mischiefe which by this overture was taken away Hee sent to the Prince of Masseran to avoid them not by violence but subtiltie unwilling to expose his Subjects to the danger of intestine broyles if it might be effected otherwise The project was not trayterous but delusive the Spanish Souldiers were not amuzed to betray any of their Soveraignes Forts into the hand of a stranger but to relinquish their forcible possession and resigne it quietly to the right owner The Prince followed the Dukes directions and whilest one part of the Spanish Garison was abroad without the Castle sporting after the condition of mad yong blades the Prince privately brought in some hundreds of his men whom he prepared for his turne who caused the remainder of the old Garison to quit the place with a still silence glad that they could keepe in their tongues when noyse and clamour might have beene prejudiciall to their lives And thus the Duke of Savoy got an assurance of one of the principall Frontiers of his dominion Leganez the Spanish Generall to regaine the losse of Creuecaeur Rotofredi taken in by the Spanish Army or to equalize it with a parallell atchievement first attempted upon the Fort of Breme and failing thereupon the first adventure unwilling to spend the remainder of the summer without action turned toward the Fort of Rotofredi sited upon the Poe distant from Piacenza about 6 English or Italian miles under the Dominion of the Duke of Parma and tooke it by composition in the space of three dayes The Duke was then gone to Mantua to crave 4000. men of the Mantoese and sent to the state of Venice to desire as many voluntary auxiliaries to helpe him in his extremity His voyage was not altogether fruitlesse the Duke of Medina by mediation of friends laid down armes the Mantuan and the Venetians granted his desire and at his returne finding Rotofredi yeelded to the Spaniards Valditaro surrendred to the Prince Don Iohn d'Auria he first chopt of the heads off both the Governours and then divided his Army into two bands with the first intending to avenge himselfe of D'Auria by the siege of Saint Stephano Valditaro taken by Iohn d'Auria and with the latter to recover Rotofredi if it were possible out of the hand of the enemy the place being the Key of his Country and fit to yeeld no small succour to Piacenza if that City should happen to be attempted by the enemy Saint Stephano was taken in by his forces St. Stephano taken by the Du. of Parma and the Prince d'Auria and the Duke stood upon equall tearmes in point of martiall honour and military gaine yet not without an hostile emulation and to reconcile them the state of Genoa sent first Alessandro Santy a man of note in that City to mediate a peace the Prince being a Citizen and free Burgesse of Genoa and he not prevailing the Pope sent out a Patent Edict thereby commanding the Prince to restore Valditaro to the Duke and the Duke to restore Saint Stephano to the Prince but whether their swords were blunted by his Keyes it is yet uncertaine Rotofredi was well manned both for number of the men and resolution Rotofredi rebesieged by the Parmesans and though there wanted not remonstrances of difficulty and danger to disswade the Duke from besieging it yet he knowing of what perillous consequence it was to have the Spaniards to hold it resolved to beleaguer it and if possible to recover it The Garison within spared no cost to fortifie it and if art could doe it to make it impregnable The Army without resolved to relieve it and if their complices in the Fort were necessitated to succour the Garisons And yet the Duke changed not his first counsell on he went and about Iuly 17 27. sate downe before it planted his batteries blockt up the passages by which the Spanish succours should passe and played upon the Citadell with his Artillery hoping in the end to carry it The Garison answered him by their Canonadoes and the shot fayling to endammage his well entrenched Army the Souldiers tooke up their lesser Armes and frequently sallied out upon the Campe still returning with some tokens of gaine and though in one which happened August 4. new stile they were chased back to their very walles by the Marquesse Hannibal third sonne to the Count Fabiano Scoti an hopefull yong Gentleman not above 18. yeares of age yet they shot him then with a Spingarde a kinde of Musket charged with many bullets and slew him and in another fally afterwards killed the horse under one of the Marquesses brethren who desiring to avenge his brothers bloud was ranging his forces to encounter them and somewhat too boldly pressed upon the fleshed enemy Sixe weekes the Dukes Forces lay before the Fort enduring many shockes by the Spanish Garison which then beginning to be in extremity was fortunately relieved in the beginning of September by their confederates in the Campe of Leganez who first sent the Colonell Geldas with 2000. Relieved by the Spanish Army horse to discover the Parmesans posture and afterwards followed himselfe with the maine body of the Army to raise the siege and relieve the Citadell It was a piece of hot service and the Spanish Generall shew'd himself to be both a discreet and valiant Commander His way was to be cut out with the sword or he could get no passage The Parmesan however inferiour to him in number yet had the advantage of place and that notwithstanding Leganez assaulted him at once in all his Quarters and by the helpe of the presidiaries who acted their parts well in the prosecution of the adventure that they killed 600. of the Parmesans common men and sixe Commanders tooke 300. prisoners put the rest of the
our enemies more audacious and insolent and that the compassion which we have had towards France hath drawen on the ruine of those whom God hath put under the obedience of their Maiesties For those considerations according to the power which we have received from His Imperiall Maiesty we have commanded our ioyned Armies to enter into France for no other purpose then to obliege the King of France to enter into firme Covenants of a good and sure Peace and to remove those impediments which may hinder this so great a good And forasmuch as it principally concerneth France as weary of such tumults to hearken to this proposition we cannot but beleeve that all the States of that Kingdome will not onely set forth their demonstrance but also if neede be assist us with their Forces that the King convinced either by arguments or armes may be induced to chastise those which have beene the authors of all those warres which these 7 or 8 yeares past have beene in Christendome And which when they had provoked and assailed all their neighbours have brought upon France all these evills which she suffereth at this present and all those which doe at this time threaten her And although wee are well informed of the weaknesse and division into which those great disorders and evill councels have cast that Kingdome yet we declare that the intentions of their Maiesties are not to serve themselves of this occasion to ruine it or to draw from thence any other profit then by that meanes to worke a peace in Christendome which may be stable and perminent for these reasons and withall to shew what estimation their Maiesties doe make of the Prayers of the Queen-mother of the most Christian King we give them to understand that we will protect and use as friends all those of the French nation who either ioyntly or severally shall second these our designes and have given order that neutrallity shall be held with those of the Nobility and with the Townes that shall desire it and which shall refuse to resist them who shal oppose good of Christendome and their owne safety against whom shall be used all manner of hostility without giving quarter to their persons or sparing either their houses or goods And our further will is that all men should take notice that it is the resolution of their Maiesties not to lay down armes till the Queen e-Mother of the Most Christian King be satified and contented and till the Princes uniustly expulsed from their estates be restored and untill the peace be fully ratyfied that they may not feare to bee disturbed by him who hath violated the treaties of * * Onely a pretended treaty say the French wher in Father Ioseph the Capuchine being imployed by the Cardinal Richelew as agent for the Christian K. after a negotiation of 3. yeares to no purpose finding himselfe deluded by the Austrians and Spaniards returned into France revealed what he had discovered which caused the French King to take up Armes Ratisbon and others made before and since he hath had the mannagement of the affaires of France neither doe we pretend to draw any other dammage from the good successe which it shall please God to give unto our iust persecutions then to preserve and augment the Catholique Religion to pacifie Europe to relieve the oppressed and to restore unto every one that which of right belongeth unto him Given at Mentz this fifth of Iuly 1636. And then leaving a flying Armie with the Count de Feria for the safeguard of the Provinces under him immediatly as if hee would not give time to his Majestie to arme himselfe against his furie viz. about the end of Iuly appeared before Roy a small piece in Picardie with 14000 horse 10000 foot for service and 3000 others which were to bee imployed to bring in forrage for the Cattell and bread for the Armie A prodigious Comet never appeared more formidable a sudden feare of his power so surprized both the Citizens and Peasants generally that not onely the inhabitants of those Frontiers abandoned their habitations but some peeces of strength La Capella and Catelet delivered up trayterously as la Capelle a Catelet the Commanders more ready disloyally to take part with the forreigne Invader then to hazard a blow for their Liege Soveraigne yeelded to the Spanish Prince and so facilitated his enterprize against Corbie a Citie of some importance upon the river Soame which being commanded by as false a man as either of the other and followed their example and surrendred it before the French Armie could come to secure it His Majesty in this confusion knowing himselfe to be the man to whom the care of so many people was committed slept not but advising with his Councell in the beginning of August raysed a puissant Armie for the recovery of his Countrey and expulsion of his enemies His goodnesse to the inhabitants of his Frontiers in Picardie Champaigne and Burgundie in releasing so many from their taxes and contributions for the space of three yeares as should voluntarily serve in this expedition and his wisedome in commanding those Gallants which ruffled it in the streets of Paris when they should have beene before the face of the enemy whether Commanders or ordinary Gentlemen to repaire to their colours within foure and twenty houres the one upon the penaltie of the losse of their places the other upon forfeit of their Gentry and losse of their goods to bee employed to his Majesties necessary use and charging the superfluitie of unnecessarie Artificers to attend his service by his Edicts published August 15 5 speedily supplied him with a puissant Armie of fiftie thousand foote and fifteene thousand horse well mounted to hinder the Cardinals progresse And yet before the Army should march forth his Majesty not relying meerely upon the multitude of his host nor the strength of his horses proclaimed a solemne Fast wherupon the Romanists the Archbishop of Paris the Sorbonne and the Curates of the severall parishes made prayers for the good successe of his Majesties Armies in the Citie and the Protestants met together at Charenton in faithfull devotion for their Soveraigne Where after supplications made for his Majesty and the Kingdome Drelincourt the Protestant Preacher made a Sermon to admonish his auditors of their faithfulnesse and duty to their Soveraigne This being past Du Beck and S. Leger Governours of La Capelle and Catelet to strike terrour into all treacherous hearts which might by the impunity of perfidious disloyall men take courage in after time to conspire with the enemy against their Soveraigne and the publicke State his Majesty in a full Councell of warre proceeded against du Beck late Governour of la Capelle and St. Leger Commander in Catelet for their base Cowardise and treason a coward is seldome loyall in surrendring their places of charge to his Majesties and the kingdomes adversaries Their severall crimes were first published and upon examination Du Beck was
found to have delivered up La Capelle within seven dayes after it was first surrounded by the Spanish Army the Moates and Ditches about it being then full of water and himselfe not constrained thereunto by any private sedition as he had falsly rumoured it that on the contrary the Officers and inhabitants were zealous to preserve the Citie for the Kings use Arraigned and that he had compelled them to signe the written capitulation which hee had published for his owne justification threatning them that if they refused to subscribe hee would deliver them into the hands of the Spaniards without quartier That hee had not brought one handfull of earth to fortifie the Citie since the siege began and that hee kept two Flemings privately in the Citadell Catelet was found to have been delivered up within three dayes after the enemie appeared before it That the Governour kept but one Canonier in the Citie That hee was able and provided sufficiently having fiftie Carabins three hundred men in Garrison and sixtie payes in his hand to have maintained the place good for the King That he alone made the Capitulation and in fine both these Commanders being proved to have been negligent in walking their rounds and doing the other offices belonging to their charge and having sufficient Amunition for their defence and yet to have surrendred their Cities without a breach made in the walles had this horrid sentence pronounced against them following Sentenced That the bodies of the sayd Du Beck and S. Leger should bee bound to foure horses in the Grive and drawne into foure pieces that their quarters should be planted upon severall posts in the way to Picardie their heads set upon Poles upon the Port St. Denis All which they should suffer in person if they could be apprehended or otherwise in effigie And because the sayd Du Beck and S. Leger in stead of repairing to his Maiestie to give an account of their fact as finding themselves guiltie of so capitall a treason have absented themselves from the justice of the King His Maiestie ordered further that whosoever should bring in either of their heads should have for a reward sixtie thousand Livers That the sayd Du Beck and S. Leger and their posteritie should for ever be degraded from their Nobility That the Armes of their families should bee defaced their principall houses razed and for a perpetuall memory of their detestable treason And executed in effigie in the place where their principall houses stood a pillar should bee erected with a brazen table appendant thereunto wherein this sentence should bee ingraven That all their goods should be confiscate That not onely those which should after this sentence give them any reliefe should be accounted Traytors and so proceeded against But that whosoever should make any proposition for revocation of this Confiscation should bee held as a Conspirator against his royall Maiestie And in fine this iudgement was put in execution Munday Aug. 18. the Commanders being executed upon the place of the Grive in picture and their Armes razed This decree against these his disloyall subiects was seconded by another carefull Ordinance for the welfare of his faithfull people the Merchants the Merchants adventuring upon the Rivers of Aisne and Oyse who were enioyned under paine of the losse of their bottomes and merchandize to have their boats well manned and armed against the stragling enemies And that decree being past The Queen made Regent of France during the kings absence the King himselfe having left the politicke government to the Queen and some selected Counsellors during his absence September 15 marched with this Armie Royall toward the enemy the Avantguard being led by the Cardinall Duke and the Marshall Chastillion the Battell by his Maiestie and the Monsieur his brother The Kings Army marcheth forward herre apparant to the Crowne and the Rere-guard by the old Marquesse de la Force an old Souldier of singular experience and knowne fidelitie This somewhat abated the feare of the Natives who now began to gather heart upon discovery of the Kings care over them and inverted the designes of the Cardinall Infant who though he had taken Corby before with as much ease as he had done la Capella and Catelet by the corruption or cowardise of the Governour and inhabitants for though the Lord of Premi August 16. having got secretly into the towne omitted neither intreaties nor good Remonstrances to perswade him and the Burgesses from rendring it and the Souldiers both Swedes French therein vowed their constancie to the King yet neither of these could alter their resolution from giving up the place though the Prince had formerly dared the Count of Soissons to a set battell which hee wisely contrary to the fiery nature of the French avoyded expecting his Maiesties succours yet upon the appearance of his Maiesties Armies yet he now attempted no designes but fell to fortifying the townes hee had taken as intending onely to keep what he had gotten and not adventure further to enlarge his victories And yet now began the time of action for the Infant Prince Cardinall seeing himselfe in a strange Territory and his numbers unequal to those of the Christian King imployes his Crabats to spoyle the countrey sent for two new Regiments to the Duke of Feria imployed his spies to discover the woods passages how they were guarded and where the river was passable But the Crabats found it not so easie now as they had done formerly to rove about that Province the Garisons of Amiens Abiville and Peronne who before had enough to doe to defend themselves now secured by the Kings neere Army being at leasure to attend these voleurs and the spies being watched taken and hanged seldome returned to give an answere of their message The French Army incouraged by the Infant Cardinals not pressing forward began now to expect his retrait backward and in that confidence were divided the one part under the Monsieur whom his Majesty returning for a short space to Chantiley had made his Lieutenant Generall for the siege of Roy another for Corby under de la Force and the third under the command of the Count Soissons to attend the Infant whose numbers were now much abated partly by pest and famine and partly by their separation for the fortification of Roy La Capelle Catelet and Corby of which they were yet masters The Monsieur appeared before Roy September 8. 18. Roy taken by the Monsieur when and where the Gentry of the kingdome in an honourable emulation began first to shew their valour and to expresse that there was nothing they would not dare to doe for their Soveraigne in the view of the Sonne of France The place being but a little one could not long hold out yet such was the fidelitie of the Spanish Garrison to their Prince that they endured a whole dayes battery by a dozen Canons and would not surrender it till they perceived a
Cavallary and commanding twelve Trumpets to sound a charge fell so furiously upon the Caesareans that they put them to a disorderly flight slew many upon the place the number is uncertaine took 24 prisoners amonst whom was the Captain of the Crabats with his Commission and letters of instruction for this occasion But they gained more in the pursuit than in the fight the high wayes being strewed with Curasses which the flying Enemy had cast away in his haste and one hundred Barbed horses gained which were sent afterwards to his Excellency Duke Bernhard who was yet incamped at Brompt expecting that the Imperiall Generall would rise as a Monument of this victory The joynt Armies under the Generals Saxon Weymar The French armies march from Alsatia and Valette began their march from Alsatia Aug. 2 15 and put forward Marsar a Towne in the Frontiers of Lorrain whence the Cardinals Army foure dayes after under the conduct of the Vicount of Turenne marched towards Luneville the Cardinall himselfe going the same day to Metz the Army under Duke Bernhard abode at Marsar till Aug. 6 16 which day the Duke himselfe led one part of his forces towards Luneville and committed the charge of the other part to Colonell Ohem who according to the direction given him went went towards Blamont a small Citie manned only with sixty Snaphanses yet much troubling the French in Lorrain being commanded by a vowed Enemy to the Kings government being one of the retiring places for those Boutifeaus the Crabats after they had roved abroad to pillage plunder the Country The Colonel first summoned the place by a Trumpet but could obtain no fairer an answer than that he must expect nothing there but powder shot not staying to reply with words he charged them with the same materials battered the Town and Castle with the Canon made a breach in the wall by the afternoon to the terrour of the Governour who with his Garrison retired to the Castle leaving the Town not to the spoyle of the Dukes Army Blamond taken by D. Bernh and the Governour hanged himselfe a worse Enemie to the place than could bee expected from abroad having strowed the ground of the Citie with loose powder which taking fire according to his malitious desire destroyed a goodly Church devoured the goods of the Inhabitants and turned all the houses in the Citie which were generally stored with Corn provision six only being saved to heapes of Ashes The report of this wicked Act was by a nimble Currier carried to the D. at Luneville who incensed thereat took horse speedily posted to the Camp at Blamont and prepared to assault the Castle but changed his designe seeing a flag of treaty hung out being more willing to spare the lives of his Enemies in the Garrison than the Commander was to save the substance of his late friends the Citizens The Garrison at first began to stand upon termes of agreement as unwilling to submit themselves to the Duke or leave the Fort without an assurance of mercie signed by himselfe but the Duke perceiving the weaknesse of the place would not stand to indent with them and again prepared for the assault the conclusion whereof ministering just occasion of feare to the Enemy the Garrison yeelded upon discretion and the souldiers were permitted to depart with white staves but the Governour being a Major was justly hanged for his detestable treachery Thence the Duke himselfe Ramberville taken by Duke Bernhard with those forces marched to Ramberville where another of the Enemies Garrisons lay and having summoned it also uneffectually Aug. 21. September 1. he presently skaled it in foure severall places and by foure the next morning took it The Commander within and the Garrison retreated to the Castle and stayed not thereto expect a summons but yeelded presently upon discretion and had this mercy shewed them liberty to depart with their low weapons but sans baggage or any other accomodation The Town was given for pillage to the souldiers yet with this speciall charge given by the Generall that the religiours houses should bee spared and the honours of the Women be preserved the Queen of France intreating this respect to be given to those in Orders and the weaker sex at his departing thence and his promise being past to her Majesty to observe it The rising of the Confederate Armies from the Camp at Brompt The Imperiall Army reenforced marcheth towards Burgundy gave opportunity to the Imperiall forces under the Croatian Commanders Isolani and Forgats the Germans Lamboy and Muse the Spaniard the Marquesse of Grana and Charles Duke of Lorrain to repaire to Gallas his Army who expecting the Irish Butler but not waiting his comming marched speedily towards the Dukedome of Burgundy and the Frank County being followed close by the Cardinall and Duke Bernhard which reenforced their Armies with the forces of the Prince of Conde and six thousand fresh souldiers under the command of the Field-marshall Ranzaw all ready in battell aray to fight with the Caesareans upon the first opportunity The Imperiall Army made on to their journies end with all the haste they could they passed by Montbelyard and Beffort and yet but only summoned them threatning the Inhabitants as Gideon did Succoth and Penuell but not with the like successe upon their returne from France to visit them But their haste was not with that good speed it was pretended for the Count of Suze Governour of the Country thereabouts stopped the Crabats under Isolani which marched in the reare cutting off the Bridges by which they should passe and skirmishing with him by the space of foure dayes together though with the losse of his Sarjeant Rennovill and Montplaisier one of his Guard which were slaine by the Crabats yet with gaine of two hundred and fifty prisoners one hundred horse and many Waggons loaden with ammunition Whilest the Cardinall Valette was attending with his Army upon the designes of Gallas Marange a rich Town in Lorrain taken by Roquespine Lievetenat Generall to the Cardinall Valette Roquespine his Lievetenant Governour in the Town and Cittadell of Metz and the Country adjacent seeing that the Inhabitants of Marange a Town then subject to the Spaniards situate betwixt Metz and Theonvelle did not only much oppresse the neighbouring Villages but that also part of the Garrison of Theonvelle in a discontent were gone thither also intending to plunder the Country hee resolved to prevent them esteeming it better to deale with an Enemy at his own home than to expect his comming abroad To this purpose about the midst of September hee mustered up a convenient Army about nine hundred horse and foot consisting of one halfe of Bovillons and Bussy's whole Company which was left by the Cardinall for defence of the Country two companies of light-horse one drawn out of the Garrison and another raysed by the Citizens of Metz three hundred other foot part of his own souldiers and part
Citizens and with these hee appeared before the Towne at noone day striking such a terror into the presidiary souldiers that they instantly left their out-works and retreated into the Town the one part using the Church which was strongly built the other a strong house in the Town as Citadels to secure them from the Assailants Men in danger of drowning catch at every Bulrush and are like Beasts in a storme which runne to a rotten hedge for shelter yet finde none These timerous Soule apprehended some hope of safety by those stone Wals yet were plyed so close by the French souldiers that before the night in both places they hung out a white Flag and yeelded to the discretion of the Conquerour who sent the most part packing away without ransome but reserved twenty eight of the principall whom hee sent prisoners to Metz. It was an atcheivement though not of a glorious appearance yet of speciall consequence the Villages about it being secured from further spoyle by two French Companies which were layd in Garrison there immediatly after it was taken and the Town it selfe being a wealthy one affording to the Souldiers besides much rich pillage five hundred Hogsheads of Wine and great quantity of Corne for provision Culembach the Alman Colonell Two regiments of Crabats surprized by Col. Culembach whom Duke Bernhard left behinde him to guard the passages betwixt Saverne and Hagenaw about the same time surprized two Regiments of Crabats which Gallas had left neere Weissem-burg with Commission and charge to use all the meanes they could to disturbe the garrison and Inhabitants of Hagenaw Egger the Croatian Colonell commanded both the Regiments and to deale with him in plain field the Alman selected one thousand Musquetiers out of the Garrison which he joyned with his own Regiment and then gave him battell the issue whereof was crowned with conquest the gaine of seven hundred horses many Waggons laden with baggage and other good booties all which were transported by the Victor to Hagenaw Montalont Governour for the Christian King in Barroys about the same time as if that time had been fatall to the Grabats and fortunate to the French happened upon the like adventure 300 Crabats surprised by Montalont in Barroys Advice was brought him of three hundred Crabats which were met in a wood to strengthen their bands with such straglers as they should meet withall of their own nation and afterward were to have their Randevouz at Momplome a village two leagues from Bar. To surprize this crew himselfe attended with eighty foot partly French and partly Helvetians and fifty horsemen of his own band and accompanied with the Baron of Angluce Captaine of the Hungarian horse under the Regiment of the grand Master of the Artillery marched all night to discover the Enemy yet heard no newes of them till the next night these Reysters not using to continue above foure in place and then understanding that they were retired to Montior upon Saut thither he poasted caused his Infantery to enter the village and assault the Crabats in their lodgings himselfe with the horse-men guarding the back-lanes and outgoings of the village which they did so suddenly that their enemies being unarmed could not defend themselves and so furiously that as many as could betook them to their heeles thinking to save themselves by flight which did but bring them from the talons of the Hawk to the Vulture the French horsemen making slaughter upon all the fugitives whilst the footmen gave quarter to them which begged it submissively eighty of these Crabats were slaine by the Cavallary upon the place and besides the slaine ten made prisoners of warre by the Infantery amongst which was the Lievetenant and Cornet of the Company which were carried captives to Barr and esteemed as good prize as a hundred and od horses which were gained by the French at the same time from that Enemy In this attempt a French Ensigne was slaine from a window as he was pursuing the Captaine of the Company though he escaped for the present and got off with a kinde or victory carrying with him as a captive a yong gentleman of Barroys yet he was taken the next day by the Sieur de Mihell father to the youth whose former griefe for the losse of the child was sweetned with a double comfort the surprizall of such an Enemy as was rallying up the small number which escaped meaning with them to plunder the Country and the recovery of his darling son The Caesarean and French Armies about the same time The French Caesarians several Quarters had taken up their severall quarters about the Frank County and the County and Dutchy of Burgundy each about one league from the other Gallas and his retinue neere Champlite Duke Charles about Gray the Duke of Weymar at Monsavion the Cardinall Valette at Cussey and the Troops of the Prince of Conde commanded by the Feeld-Marshall Ranzaw were enquartered betwix the Quarters of Duke Bernhard and the Cardinall The Imperiall Generall in person lodged in the Priory of Champelite two leagues from Channite where Picolomint's horse were lodged his own foot being placed about the Mountaines betwixt Champelite and Montelot and his Cavallery at Rigin and thereabouts Isolani and Forgats with their Crabats lay at Leffons and Ponyssons Lamboy at Iussey Colonell Meuz at Mons and the Marquesse de Grana at Meure both the Armies observing their severall advantages for attempting upon the other either by surprizall or raysing of their Camps but neither of them putting any thing as yet to the hazard The Caesareans were expected to have made the first attempt as comming not only to secure the Dukedome of Burgundy and the Frank County from the French but to invade the Kingdome yet stirred not till hee was spurred to it by the confederate Generals who fell first foule upon and provoked him to seek revenge The Cardinall Valette October 9 new style fell upon Isolani's Quarter at Lessons a great Town in the Frank County choosing the silence and obscurity of the night to conceale his march thitherward and commanding the Fieldmarshall Ranzaw to charge the one part of the Crabats Quarter whilest himselfe did the like to the other Night was secret and their Guides expert and faithfull which brought them a little before day-light to the place designed Isolani's Quarter raysed by D. Berwh the Cardinall de Valette and then they gave such a furious Camisado to the whole Quarter that it was raysed speedily the tents burnt three hundred Crabats slaine upon the place and the most part which escaped were wounded and put to their heeles one thousand two hundred horses the Waggons for the Luggage and the Officers Caroaches being taken from them and amongst the rest Isolani his owne Caroach in which was found his chaine of gold and his Ladyes Monkey Thus I finde this History delivered in a French Extraordinary though nor with that probability of truth as is expressed in a