Euerard Count of Solms by his lieutenant that of Aeneas de Treston de Trebourg de l'Amovillerie de Langevelt de Ruisse and de Floris de Wijngaerden In the third Battaillon was the regiment of Colonell Huchtenbroeke with his owne companie conducted by Marlin that of the lord of Tempell by Belin his lieutenant that of the sayd Marlin of Dierick de Ionghe de Ruyssenbourg of Iohn de Loon and de Caluart these 26 ensignes made vp the rereward together with 3 cornets of horse His Excellencie stood fast in Battaile vpon the shoare expecting the enemies comming he had sent the gards to the Downes and had drawne some fiftie musketiers forth of the battaile placing them on the shoare and foure troopes of Frizeland musketiers for second with these to flanke the enemies troupes if he had come along the shoare and the better to diuert their approach he had planted fixe demie canon there About eleuen of the clocke the enemies cauallerie approached who were saluted by our canon which made them retire to the Downes when they tarried for their owne ordnance and fanterie that came on verie slowly His Excellencie had enjoyned the lords of Warmont and Duyvenvoord to commaund the ships to shoot into the enemies battailes which was effected the Vice-Admerall of Zeland whose name was Ioostle Moore and Captaine Knoopes made some shot into the enemies battaile who on his part answered them with two demie canon His Excellencie in the meane time abandoned the towne of Newport and caused the bridge to be broken commaunding the rereward to follow him and to place themselues in order he caused two demie canon to be brought vpon the Downes and planted them vpon a little rising meaning with them to scoure the plaines His Excellencie still had the wind and Sun which is no small aduauntage especially on the Downes when the wind blowes somewhat hard as it did all the time of the battaile The enemie being come betwixt the parishes of Westeynde and Willekins Kerck within a small mile of Niewport and two miles from Ostend did likewise plant fiue demie canon and one field piece vpon the shoare then his Excellencie shot into the enemies battaile who answered him presently with the like but the enemie receiuing much hurt by our canon was enforced to retire farther vp into the Downes in regard the Tyde did rise by reason whereof the shoare was so narrow as few men could stand vpon it and then al the boats which lay drie before Niewport began to float and sayled towards Ostend fiue excepted together with the greatest number of those boats that made the bridge which could not be loossened those of Niewport tooke a Carvell and carried it into the towne To defend these boats from the sallies of those of Niewport his Excellencie left certaine troupes of souldiers to skirmish with the Townesmen Then the Archduke began to march athwart the Downes towards the plaine behind them the like did his Excellencie causing his troupes to march against the enemie sir Frauncis Veer led the English pikes and muskets as also the Gards and Frizons and himselfe marched in the formost ranke and was the first man that charged the musketiers of two Spanish regiments he was seconded by Count George Euerard of Solms who led the battaile the French musketiers being diuided into foure troupes he did with three of them charge the musketiers of two Spanish and Italian regiments the said French shot were led by Captaine du Puy Captaine Bruill lieutenant to the Lord la Noüe Captaine Pommared lieutenant to Dommerville and captain Vander-Burch lieutenant to Captaine du Fort. His Excellencie perceiuing that he must needs fight and that he could not auoyd it did valiantly resolue thereon trusting to the equitie of his cause and to God and thereupon commaunded Count Lodwick to charge the enemie with 6 cornets of horse viz. that of his Excellencie Count Henrie and his owne appointing Marcelis Bacx Paule Bacx and Captaine la Sale to second them who brake the enemies horse and put them to rout this done the battaile began on euerie side with a furious batterie which was terrible to behold on the Downes they fought continually from the beginning to the end but in the plaine beyond the Downes by sundrie charges his Excellencie hauing diuided his men into diuers troupes vnwilling to haue them fight all at once The General Veer fought with a battaillon of pikes of two Spanish regiments after that he had repulsed the enemies shot The sayd battaillon was conducted by D. Lewis de Villar and D. Hieronimo de Monroy on the right side the enemie had a wing of horse with which he did much anoy our Vantgard Generall Veer being sore wounded did notwithstanding fight along time leading the English and the 2 Gards but at last retired being seconded by his brother sir Horatio Veer and Captaine Quirin de Blau The enemie charging furiously vpon vs certaine of our souldiers began to flie but it was soone redrest Presently after the first charge these Captaines of horse viz. Coutelor Peter Panier and Batenburch charged the enemies fanterie they were seconded by count Lodwick with six companies of Cuirasses with whom Count Frederic of Solms serued Count George Euerart of Solms with the French did by his Excellencies command charge marching formost in the battaile and diuided into two troupes of which that on the right hand was conducted by Monsr Dommervile lieutenant Colonell of the French and the other on the left hand by Captaine du Sau. This was the second charge of the French fighting with a battaillon of pikes of two regiments the one Spaniards and the other Italians conducted by D. Alonzo d'Aualos and Sapena the Campe Master Count George Euerart retired with the French and brought vp Count Henrie of Nassaus regiment videlicet the Walons of whom Monsr Marquet was Lieutenant Colonell to charge the enemie againe and also the regiment of Suisse by Hans Krijc these two regiments fought with la Bourlotte and the Earle of Bucquoy who commaunded the enemies rereward consisting of three regiments of Walons and Irish. Then his Excellencie commaunded Monsr de Gystelles who conducted the rereward to charge with his owne regiment and that of Huchtenbroeke And the regiment of Count Ernest vnder the conduct of Heusman his Lieutenant Colonell did likewise charge The fight continued doubtfull for three houres space for now one side preuailed and anon another and yet his Excellencies Cauallerie had still the aduauntage of the enemies which gaue backe by little and little and some of them fled towards Niewport and were pursued by our men The enemies Fanterie fought with better vantage on the Downes where they tooke one hill after another from his Excellencies footmen and did mightily endaunger the ordnance Behind the Downes Sir Horatio Veer charged with sixe English ensignes with Captaine Henrie Sutton his Lieutenant Colonell Captaine Louell Captaine Ogle and Captaine Farfax Count Lodwick with tenne horse
some fortie or fiftie followers went aboord Drake and the rest were carried to Plimmouth where they remayned a yeare and halfe till they had payed their ransome or were exchanged for others Valdez comming into Drakes presence kissed his hands told him that they had all resolued to die if they had not bin so happie to fall into his hands whom hee knew to bee noble and curteous and famous for dealing well with his vanquished enemie so as he doubted vvhether his enemies had more cause to loue him for his valour or feare him for his fortunate exploits which had alreadie attained to the highest degree Sir Francis Drake did curteously imbrace him and caused him to eat at his owne Table and sleepe in his owne Cabbin where Valdez reported vnto him their strength how that the four Gallies were dispersed that they had thought to haue entred the hauen of Plimmouth without feare of the English Nauie which they supposed durst not haue made resistance and so haue become masters at sea They likewise admired the valor of the English who durst with so few small vessels approch their inuincible Nauie get the wind of it with other such like discourses Valdez and his followers were afterward carried into England he was a man much respected in his countrie kinsman to the same Valdez who in an 1573 had besieged Leyden in Holland In his ship some of the kings treasure was amounting to the summe of 55000 Ducats in siluer which was all pillaged The same day the Vice-Admirall Oquendo his ship was fired where was great store of powder and munition all the vpper deck was burnt with all the men of whom few were saued It was taken and carried into England with many men in her halfe burnt and yet all the powder which was in hold was saued which was a matter to be admired In the meane time the English Lord Admiral in his ship called the Arke had that night so far followed the Spanyards as in the morning he found himselfe in a manner alone in the middest of his enemies so as it was foure a clocke after noone ere all his fleet came vp to him Some say that D. Hugo de Moncada Generall of the foure Galleasses did at the same time with great earnestnesse intreat the Duke of Medina to giue him leaue to boord the Lord Admirall which the Duke would in no sort permit being loth to passe the bounds of his Commission Tewsday the second of August the fleet being before Portland the wind turned to the North so as the Spanyards had a prosperous gale but the English did againe get the wind of them their ships being lighter and of better saile By this meanes the Spaniards then seemed more to incline to fight than before to speake truth that dayes fight was most fierce and bloudie In the middest of the fight the English Admirall cried out aloud to Captaine George Semmer saying ô George what dost thou wilt thou now forsake me or wilt thou deceiue my opinion of thy valour which words did so inflame him as hee assayled the enemie so furiously as that day he woon greatest commendation But the English hauing with all sorts of ordnance sought with them from morning yet ceased not the Spanyards did againe inclose themselues in order of battaile whereby their enemies perceyued that they onely sought meanes to defend themselues and to goe to their appointed place nere to Dunkirke there to joȳne with the Duke of Parma who vnder protection of those great vessels might execute his designe with more safety In this fight a great Venetian Argozey perished The English fleet in the meane time did dayly encrease grew strong by ships and men that came to it forth of all hauens seeking to win honour and to doe good seruice to their Countrie among whom were diuers noble men and others of great note as the Earles of Oxford Cumberland Northumberland of Knights Sir Thomas Cecill William Hatton Walter Raleigh Horacio Palauicino Gentlemen Henrie Brooke Robert Carie Charles Blunt Ambrose Willoughbie Henrie Nowell Thomas Gerard Robert Dudley Edward Darcy Arthur Gorges Thomas Wood William Haruey many other noble gentlemen so as they were in number some hundred saile being come nere to Douer they were increased to an 120 which for the most part were too small to boord the Spanyards except some twentie two of the Queenes great ships The mariners and souldiers amounted to the number of eleuen thousand men The third of August the Sea being calme and without wind the fight was onely betwixt the English the Galleasses which were rowed with oares therin had the vauntage but it did them small good The English were busied in making Chain shot wherwith to cut a sunder their oates tackings they likewise sent a shoare for more powder which they extreamely wanted hauing at the beginning spent much in vayne of which they afterwards complained The same day a Councell was held wherein was resolued That the English fleet should be diuided into foure squadrons the one vnder my Lord Admirals conduct the other vnder Sir Frauncis Drakes the third vnder Hawkins the fourth vnder Captaine Frobiser The Spanish ships in sayling kept a close order of 3 or 4 ships in ranke not farre one from another and the greater vessels enclosed them The fourth of August the fleet beeing come before the Isle of Wight the English Lord Admirall did fiercely assaile the Spaniards with his best ships as the Lyon wherein was the Lord Thomas Howard now Earle of Suffolke the Elizabeth Ionas wherein were the Lord Sheffield and Sir Robert Southwell the Lord Admirals sonne in law the Beare and Victorie commaunded by Iohn Hawkins and the Gallion Leycester by Captaine George Fenner All these made vp directly towards the Spanish Admirall who with the greatest part of his ships lay in the middest of the fleet where a fierce fight was begun for beeing within 3 or 400 paces nere to one another they gaue each other their broad sides and discharged all their ordnance at last the Spaniards got the wind and once againe joyned themselues together In the meane time Martin Frobiser Captaine of the Triumph with some few others had brauely performed a daungerous fight with the Spanyards the Admirall came to reskew him and found that he had valiantly behaued himselfe and made a discreet retreat without any great losse So as the next day being the fist of August the Admiral knighted him and diuers others Saturday the 6 of August towards night the Spanyards came to an anker before Calais it seemed they resolued to stay there to joyne with the Duke of Parmas forces The next day being the seuenth of August the moone was at full so that at twelue a clocke it was full sea at Calais and at eleuen at Dunkirke The English likewise ankored within Canon shot of them whether the Lord Henrie Seymer brought his fleet of
of the preseruation of so braue a souldier than of any gaine bootie or prisoners so that seuentie prisoners who had been taken at the beginning of the fight and were not yet carried into the towne were in all hast slayne yet some escaped The arriuall of our men opened Parker a large way to escape from the enemie whilest they were busied in fight the Lord Willoughby and the Generall Wilford came from Holland who without entring into any house sallied forth with great numbers of foot to reskew the horse who after they had brauely executed their enterprise returned towards the towne in good order being pursued by the enemies who were extreamely grieued that Parker escaped from them Parker had receiued certaine musket shot on his armour but was not hurt because it was of proofe Where the heat of the fight had been great heapes of dead men and horse lay Of our horsemen some foure or fiue were slaine but many were hurt and the losse of horse was great It is reported that two hundred of the enemie were slayne This was done on the fiue twentieth of September after dinner Whilest the horsemen fought with the enemie the masons broke downe a certaine wall of the remainder of the Abbie because the enemie should not make vse of it against the towne Presently after this fight the enemie shortned and tooke in his campe which he had at first much amplified and enlarged forsooke the high Northgeest strongly fortifying and entrenching himselfe both to the South and Northward of the towne to defend himselfe from our sallies for he expected no such dealing and neuer thought that there had bin so great courage and valor in those of the town Towards euening the Drossart Burgomasters sherifs assembled themselues with whom joyned the captaines Vere Scot Baskeruile Salisburie to consult together what was necessarie for the preseruation of the town And euer after they obserued this order that the gouernour and chiefe of the Councell of war did once a day meet at the state house to conferre of matters concerning the present estate of the town which was a matter verie commendable especially in a town besieged For by this means all difficulties were at first easily remoued that did arise at such a time betwixt the souldiers and Burghers when any thing is done by mischaunce on one part or other to the prejudice of either Euer since then the Magistrat to shew his diligence did daily meet twice namely at eight of the clocke in the morning and two of the clocke after noone The lord Willoughby requested the magistrat that the Burghers might arme keep Corps du gard in the streets and the matter was brought so far forward as captaines officers were chosen but by reason diuers excused thēselues through want of armor which the mutinous French had taken from them in former time nothing ensued thereof On the 28 of this moneth Sir Tho Morgan who had bin gouernor of the town returned from England The Queen and my lords the states had sent him to be gouernor in Sir William Druries place The states had a while before sent Lancelot Parisijs commistarie of the musters enjoining him to tel the Councel of war magistrats that it had pleased her Ma. to write vnto them of late as likewise to the lord Willoughby that it was her expresse wil pleasure that Morgan shold be gouernor and to this end they likewise sent her Ma. letters by the said Lancelot And in this respect they wold herein doe nothing contrary to her Ma. command The contents of whose letters was that hauing intelligence how the Duke of Parma had attempted to besiege Berghen-op-Zoom in that regard she thought it fit to giue the gouernement of the town to Sir Thom. Morgan the better to assure it against the enemies power and that her pleasure was to haue him forthwith installed in Druries stead who had lately bin recōmended to her by the states not that she in any sfsort doubted of Druries loyaltie and valour but Morgans long experience in war together with the peoples loue towards him had caused that alteration The cause why the Queene spake thus of the peoples loue towards Morgan and the recommending of him to my lords the states was because my lord Willoughby did not greatly affect Morgan Sir Thom. perceiuing this that he could not build vpon Willoughbies fauor for the gouernement of Berghen that there were diuers that sued for it found means to get the fauor of the magistrats and Burghers by whose means he obtained letters of recommendation to her Ma. both from the states and comminalty of Berghen The Lord Willoughby in the meane time had by sundrie practises established Drurie in the gouernement but because it was done without the States consent they therefore wrote vnto the Queene that no opposition might be made against her highnesse commaund After Morgans arriuall sundrie quarrels arose not onely betwixt the two Gouernours but among the Captaines and souldiers The English held more with Drurie than Morgan the Low-countrie men and Scots tooke Morgans part Willoughby fauoured Drurie against Morgan and therefore he gaue the gouernement of the towne to Morgan but made Drurie captaine of the Forts saying he did so because her Majestie spake onely of the towne and not of the Forts Morgan on the contrarie maintained it to be a verie absurd matter because the towne and forts depended one vpon an other and neuer had different gouernours Count Solms and Generall Villers came opportunely from Zeland whilest the gouernors contested about the gouernement and exhorted them to peace and concord Yet for all that Drurie commaunded the Forts of the Hauen and Morgan the Towne Those of Druries faction were likewise placed in the Forts Drurie came not often into the towne and spake seldome to Morgan but there was still some quarrell or other he did also highly complaine of the Magistrats and my Lords the States who were much displeased with this discord especially because their authoritie and command was directly contemned euery man feared that some inconuenience would ensue The nine and twentieth of this moneth the imposition vpon wine beere was let to ferme which was payed during the siege as in time before The next day Willoughby made an other sallie vpon the North side of the Campe and though he vsed the same order and meanes as at the first sallie yet he did no great matter for the enemie behaued himselfe more wisely and would no more be surprised from behind the hill of Varibogart as at first the footmen kept within the trenches of their Campe or behind the bushes not farre off and did no more assaile our men as before Our footmen stood in battaile vvithin musquet shot of the Towne yet the Cauallery incountred one an other and the fight was sharp on both sides our men gaue a braue charge and the enemie made gallant resistance each did their best Poolies
of Turnholt where his Excellencie caused his souldiers to rest a while Count Varax and the lord of Bolanson with 4 regiments of foot and 5 companies of horse had intrenched themselues in Turnholt he hauing intelligence that his Excellencie was so neere did by the aduice of his Councell cause the baggage to be laden by night and sent it away before intending by breake of day to follow with his whole armie and to retire safely to Herentals His Excellencie in like manner on the 24 of the said moneth early in the Morning did set forward marching still in his order when the waies would permit him The cauallerie bearing long Pistols made the vaunt-gard and was diuided into sixe troopes The two first in each of which were foure cornets were somewhat seperated and yet still flanked one another that on the right hand was conducted by the Earles Hohenlo and Solms After them followed two other troopes each of them consisting of three Cornets marching likewise somewhat diuided from the rest to bee the better able vpon any occasion to receiue the former into their rankes or else they to bee by them receyued in like manner His Excellencie followed the Cauallerie with two other troopes marching as the rest did somewhat diuided The footmen were diuided into eight troops viz. presently after the horsemen followed two squadrons verie neere to one another after them three and then two all of them marching in like manner as the former After them followed two demie canon with other field pieces placed betwixt the munition wagons and drawne by those that ordinarily had charge thereof together with certaine mariners Next them followed the rest of the foot troops enclosing the battel still marching in this order when the ground would permit them otherwise they troopt closely together fitting thēselues to the waies waters bridges that lay betwixt Rauels Turnholt His Excellencie being come before Turnhoult which was abandoned thought good by the aduice of the sayd earles other captaines to set forward speedily towards the enemie onely with the horse and to let the foot troopes follow to leaue the canon nere to the mill of Turnhoult guarded by part of the footmen This did his Excellencie presently put in execution but meeting with a little narrow way full of water beneath Turnhoult where the enemie had left forces to defend the passage he forthwith sent certain musketiers thither vnder the conduct of sir Francis Veer and the lord Vander Aa Lieutenant of his guard These enforced the enemie to quit the passage whereupon his Excellencie went forward and presently came to a plain champaine where he descried followed the enemie that fled in this manner Their baggage went before towards Herentals garded by certain souldiers next followed the battell The caualerie for the most part was gone before viz. Nicholo Basta D. Iuan de Cordoua Alonzo Dragon Guzman and Grobbendonck After them followed foure regiments diuided one from another the first was the regiment of Almans vnder Count Sultz the second La Mott his old regiment commaunded at that time by the lord of Achicourt the third was the regiment of La Barlotte the fourth of Neapolitans vnder the Marquesse of Treuick On the right hand sometime two cornets of horse marched and sometime on the left on the left hand were trees neere which was a small riuer running from Turnhoult It was not long ere they were ouertaken but by reason of the bad wayes and a valley ful of water which lay betweene the enemie and the States forces our men had no fit opportunitie as yet to assaile them Sir Francis Veer with a few horse certain musketiers entertained the enemies rereward with skirmish therby hindring him from his intended flight till they came to the farther end of that valley of water then the earles Hohenlo and Solms as first at the battaile perceiuing a certaine place of aduantage betwixt them and Count Varax fearing likewise least the enemie would entangle a narrow passage wherein his baggage was alreadie entred told his Excellencie That it was more than time to assaile the enemie whereupon a signal being giuen they charged him The earles Hohenlo and Solms with 4 cornets of Breda gaue in on the enemies right side those of Berghen-op-Zoom vpon the enemies hindmost regimēt so as the Neapolitans being last were the first that were assailed by Marcelis Bacx and his brother accompanied by Du Bois Done two captaines Count Hohenlo and Solms with the 4 cornets of Breda charging directly the enemies first regiment to which their cauallerie was alreadie turned backe meaning to charge those of Berghen in flanke did verie opportunely preuent them and putting them to rout went on and fell vpon Count Sults regiment with such furie as the enemies were onely content to make slight triall of their valour and betaking themselues to flight left Alonzo Dragon his cornet behind them His Excellencie perceiuing that the charge was alreadie giuen sent sir Robert Sidney and sir Frauncis Veer who till then had entertayned the enemie with continuall skirmish with certaine horse to cut off the enemies rereward The rest of the cauallerie stayed neere to his Excellencie to succour and releeue the first if need should be till at last perceiuing a manifest aduantage all of them in a manner fell into the battell Count Varax Generall of the enemies armie was slaine vpon the place and all his men beeing on euerie side fiercely assailed fell to open flight which was to no purpose as beeing on the one side incompassed by our cauallerie on a plaine ground and on the other with a riuer and trees so as few of them could escape to the narrow way and aboue two thousand of them lay dead vpon the playne and foure hundred were taken prisoners all this was done in so short a space as the States footmen notwithstanding all their hast could not come in in time but before their ariual the horsemen had gotten the victorie The enemies cauallerie perceiuing they could not well escape some of the brauest and most resolute among them to the number of 40 caused a trumpet to sound a charge and fel vpon those whom in disorder they saw busied in pillage making shew as if they intended to giue a fresh charge vpon our men whereupon some of our timerous cowards fled towards the footmen who were comming forward Prince Maurice lookt after his troopes of horse which he had reserued for succours but in vayne whereupon he commanded the prisoners to alight from their horses who earnestly begged for mercie saying That there was alreadie sufficient bloud spilt to finish the victorie yet diuers of them were slaine and then we perceiued the want of our troopes of succours but euerie man making hast towards his Excellencie especially Marcelis Bacx and Edmunds the enemie was so amazed as he againe betooke himselfe to flight Eight and thirtie ensignes were taken there together with D. Alonzo de Mondragons cornet
was engaged by the enemie captaine Cloet knowing the Earle by his Orange coloured plume charged vpon a companie of Lanciers that were comming to charge the Earle who by this meanes escaped our cauallerie retired to his Excellencie who encouraged the souldiers re-enforcing them with two companies that were with him who constrained the enemie to giue backe His Excellencie sent two cornets of horse to the shore viz. his owne commaunded by Captaine Bael and Generall Veers companie commaunded by Captaine Pembrooke These two companies beeing come to the shoare stayed neere the batterie expecting the enemie Our ordnance charged with musket bullets played vpon the enemie who lost many men and horse and were enforced to quit the Downes and yet they returned againe to the shore and came before the batterie Then the companies of Baell and Generall Veer charged fiercely vpon the enemie who fled and then charged the fanterie likewise so as Baell tooke Sapena prisoner on the Downes and Generall Veers companie D. Lewis de Villar His Excellencies cauallerie on the plaine repulsed the enemie for he did continually put them in order and caused them to charge there where hee saw most need so as in the end our men perceiuing that the enemie began to flie both on the shore and Downes tooke courage and on euerie side charged him who at first began to giue backe and afterward betook himselfe to open flight and thereby our men woon the place of battaile and obtained the victorie diuers pursued the enemie into the Marshes and to the new Dam taking many of them prisoners this battaile was sharpe and bloudie on both sides The Archduke who hardly escaped did in this battaile both of such as were slayne and taken prisoners lose the greatest part of all his commaunders chiefe Lords Noblemen and household seruants together with most of the captaines and officers of his armie videlicet D. Francesco de Mendoza Admerall of Arragon Count Salines D. Lewis de Villar Campe-Master D. Lewis d'Avila D. Pedro de Mendoza Doctour Andrew N. one of his highnesse phisitians Count Charles Rezin one of his Pages D. Gaspar Moragon fiue and thirtie Captaines both of horse and foot two hundred and three Lieutenants ensignes Sergeants Dons Caualiers and others of name to the number of thirtie And beside these we got 8 pieces of ordnance all the munition much baggage and the verie furniture of the Archdukes own Chamber and Cabinet and among other things his Signet and aboue 100 ensignes with certaine cornets and Trumpets The number of the dead on the Archdukes side was 7000 beside those that were afterwards slaine and died of their hurts and his Excellencie lost betwixt two or three thousand accounting those which had beene defeated in the Morning Among other ensignes there was presented to my Lords the generall States a Standerd belonging to 1600 Spanish mutineers made of blew Damaske hauing on the one side in middest of a field the figure of our Ladie in a Sun before whom a Moncke kneeled ouer his head these words in golden letters Aue gratia plena ouer the virgins head was a great golden star and neere to it in golden letters Stella Maris in the middest on her right hand was the figure of a Sun and neere it these letters Electa vt Sol on the left hand the Moone with this inscription Pulchra vt Luna at her feet stood a Turret with these words Turris Dauidis and beneath vpon the hem of the Standard Benedicta tu in mulieribus On the other side was the represention of our Lord Iesus Christ vpon the Crosse ouer his head were these words in golden letters Adoramus te Christe benedicimus tibi in the middest Recordare nouissimatua in aeternum non peccabis and beneath Quia per crucem tuam redemisti mundum All these figures were cunningly wrought euen to the life In this battaile the greatest losse fell to the Spaniards and Italians who were the chiefe strength and glorie of the Spaniards armie who in the Morning did assure themselues of the victorie and that with such confidence as they made no doubt of it but marched on before hoping alone to gain the honour of the day It was a magnificent and gallant victorie for my Lords the generall States his Excellencie and for all the vnited Prouinces but obtayned with much labour and bloud for on his Excellencies side 1000 men were slaine among whom were three Captaines of horse thirteene of foot viz. six English Captaines two Frizons three French one Walon and one Alman with many Lieutenants ensignes and other officers beside some 700 hurt men among whom was the noble sir Frauncis Veer and many other Captaines and officers both of horse and foot As the enemie fleed the Cauallerie came forth of Ostend and slew many of them But his Excellencie who in the battaile had shewed himself valiant discreet for better encouragement to his souldiers had himselfe together with his brother and other Lords there present charged the enemie did in the end reassēble certaine cornets of horse and some foot regiments setting them in order in the place of battaile keeping them for reseruation and seconds if any disorder should arise The enemie being wholly put to rout and night drawing on his Ex. marched to the Church of Westend where with his whole armie he remained that night vpon the plain where the battail was fought and in his Tent supt with the Admerall of Arragon and others who were requested to deliuer their opinions what they thought of these exploits of these new vnexperienced soldiers whom they had so tearmed who could doe nothing but win townes and skonces not daring to shew themselues in open field and whether they thought that they would one day proue tal souldiers with such other like discourses But the Admerall grauely and discreetly knew verie well how to answer and among other discourses at Table concerning the battaile he complained of their owne cauallerie taxing them for not doing their duetie for had not they retreated there was some likelihood that their footmen would haue become Masters of the ordnance with which they might haue obtayned the victorie He complained likewise of their charging all at once and for that they had not reserued some to second the squadrons here and there who should haue put them in order againe when they retreated and with them haue giuen a fresh charge as Prince Maurice had done husbanding his horse and foot not hazarding all his forces at once He highly commended his Excellencie likewise for planting his ordnance but he chiefely praised him for that he had so brauely presented his forces to his enemie sending away all his boats and thereby enforced all his souldiers to fight if they meant to saue their liues and for that himselfe and other commaunders had no more aduauntage than the meanest souldier His Excellencie perceiuing the next day that his souldiers were much burthened with the enemies
prisoners and wounded men that all the victuals were lost in the battaile and that they could get none by reason that the boats were gone marched with his whole armie towards Ostend to refresh it sending the wounded to places where they might be cured discharging his souldiers of the enemies prisoners He brought his armie to S. Maries Church neere to Alberts fort and himselfe went into Ostend where he presently caused publike thankes to be giuen to God for this notable victorie himselfe and whole Court being present at it He remayned certaine daies at Ostend to order matters and to prouide for the better execution of his enterprises He caused all the prisoners to be brought together viz. the Admerall of Arragon D. Lewis de Villars with many other Captaines and officers whom for the most part he shipt for Holland he kept some one hundred and fiftie prisoners still in Ostend and among them diuers hurt men to exchange them for his owne souldiers whom the enemie had taken The glorie of this victorie belongs to God alone who hath not onely beene pleased thereby to maintaine as he hath wonderfully hitherunto done the just and lawfull cause of the vnited Prouinces for the conseruation of his Church but hath likewise pleased to abase the hautie and insolent courage of the Spaniards learning them to feele his mightie arme and letting them know how daungerous it is to kicke against the pricke To this onely God the Lord of hosts who in the battaile hath taught his Excellencies hands to fight and so admirably exalted his countenance that day be honour praise and glorie for euer To conclude we must of necessitie hereunto add that which certaine Historians mention how that justly vpon the same day the second of Iulie 1600 some three hundred and two yeares before viz. in anno 1298 one of the Archduke Alberts predecessours called Albert of Austria like him had with his power defeated one of Prince Maurice of Nassaus predecessours called Adolfe of Nassau Emperour of the Romans whereby we may see how that by this meanes the house of Nassau hath reuenged the wrong done to it by that of Austria This is a matter worthie of note and we may be well assured that though God deferre for a time yet he can and will aid and assist those that put their trust in him ¶ The Lord Iohn of Duyuenvoord Admerall of Holland fighteth with the Gallies of Sluce and puts them to flight WHilest Prince Maurice his armie marched in Flaunders there were some fortie or fiftie flat bottomed boats and and other vessels loden with munition and victuals which on the fiue and twentieth of Iune did set saile from Zeland toward Ostend these had a man of warre for their conuoy whose Captaine was called Adrian Baucker he being come before Blauckenbourg was becalmed the gallies of Sluce perceiuing it foure of them came forth and assailed the fleet and tooke twentie of the boats but most of the men escaped some of these vessels they burnt and carried the rest away with them The man of warre made what resistance he could but the calme made him like an vnplumed bird The Gallies approached the ship but did not boord her thinking to sinke her with their shot or else enforce her to yeeld she was in sundrie places shot thorow and began to leake and without the helpe of men and women that came aboord her from other boats and with scuppets tubs and their verie hats emptied forth the water she would haue beene in danger of sinking by this meanes she was kept aboue water and when the gallies came neere her she plaied so terribly vpon them with her ordnance as they were enforced to giue backe The ship hauing at last lost three and twentie men among whom was Captaine Baucker and most of the rest wounded the men cried out desperatly saying That rather than they would yeeld to the enemie they would blow themselues vp and set the ship on fire Hereupon the gallies left her and with great harme and losse of men returned to Sluce with a good bootie and the ship went backe to Flushing The next day being the sixe and twentieth of Iune the Lord Iohn of Duyvenvoord Admerall of Holland with sixe ships of warre called Cromstevens or Smackseylen all well prouided sailed from Zeland towards Flaunders to conuoy one hundred and fiftie vessels laden with ordnance and warlike munition for the armie This fleet being come before Sluce and the wind verie calme foure gallies came forth and presently the wind rising the men of warre came so neere them as they did not onely anoy them with their ordnance but with their small shot whereupon they were constrayned by force of oares to returne backe againe against the wind one of the gallies was shot vnder water and did for a long time lye vpon one side till the leake was stopt A certaine Turke of Constantinople a verie valiant and skilfull man being a slaue in one of the gallies had his chaine wherewith he was fastened broken a sunder by a canon shot himselfe not hurt and perceiuing that he was loosse leapt into the Sea with a piece of his chaine and with great daunger of his life for they shot terribly at him swam to the Zelanders ships and in swimming shewed his chaine whereupon the ships tooke him in being aboord he acquainted them with the gallies intent and losse They afterwards clothed him and presented him to prince Maurice who askt him if he would serue but he hauing great meanes at Constantinople craued a passeport vnlesse they would make vse of him for a Patron of a gallie to command the Spanish slaues which charge he had in former time taken vpon him But the Netherlanders hauing neuer vsed to imploy any infidell would not then begin but gaue him a passeport for England whither he went and from thence to Barbarie and so by land to Constantinople where by the way he acquainted Princes and Kings and the great Turke his Lord with the wars of the Christians ¶ The Admeralls ship of Antuerpe and seuen other ships are taken by the Captaine of the Blacke Gallie on the 29 of Nouember 1â—00 MY Lords the States and his Excellencie perceiuing the great losse they sustained by the gallies of Frederick Spinola which lay at Sluce resolued likewise to build and set forth certain gallies and with them to anoy their enemies Whilest they were making readie the gallies of Sluce came not abroad wanting slaues to row for the Zeland ships had slaine most of them many of them likewise were dead in winter with extremitie of cold and those prisoners of the vnited prouinces whom they had taken and made slaues could not suddenly be brought to handle the oare They likewise sent into Hungarie to buy Turkish prisoners but they knew not by what meanes to transport them into the Low-Countries Whereupon the foure Estates of Flaunders were about to buy the sayd Gallies and slaues of Spinola and to build
with twelue cornets of horse yet the garrison would not giue place nor leaue the Towne Whereupon his Excellencie the next day came thither in person with fiue and twentie cornets of horse fiue and thirtie foot ensignes and foure demie canon which when they within it saw they deliuered vp the towne to the true Lord prince Maurice who placed a strong garrison in it gaue order for fortifying of the Castle causing fiue bulwarkes to be made there which cost more than 100000 florins The twelfth of August with great magnificence he was receiued into the towne as Lord of the Countrie with all due ceremonies he was afterwards receiued into the Castle of Cracow which he likewise caused to be fortified in which he spent eight and twentie thousand florins keeping aboue 2000 men at worke there so as these two places were made exceeding strong and cannot be taken but in Summer or in time of great drought ¶ A description of a long fight at Sea in the Eastern Indies neere to the Citie of Bantam betwixt fiue ships of Holland and the Portugals mightie fleet in Anno 1601. IT is notorious to the whole world that the Staple or principall Mart of Spices as Pepper Cinamon Cloues Nutmegs Macis Ginger and other medicinable drugs of pretious stones as Diamonds Rubies Turkois Emeralds Saphirs and others of Pearle and infinit other rich Merchandise which are only found in the East Indies and from thence brought into these parts hath chiefely beene for many hundred yeares in the famous and magnificent city of Venice where they were woont to be bought and sold and from thence sent abroad ouer all Europe so as the sayd citie and republike flourished and was euerie where famous in regard of the said traffique These Spices drugs and other strange things were transported by Sea from Alexandria to Venice but they were first brought by land to Alexandria with great and incredible cost and danger as well by reason of the long and tedious way as the great Conuoys which the Carauans vsually had to secure them from the incursions of the Arabians who lay in wait vpon the waies All these merchandises were burthened with these great costs and expence to the profit and aduantage of those who transported them from the Indies to Alexandria from theÌ„ce to Venice and from Venice to other parts of Europe where these things were much desired and could be brought hither by no neerer way nor by any other meanes but by land and by these Corâ—uans But within these few yeares by the resolution of certaine bold and valiant Sea men who contemned all the fearefull and tempestious dangers of the winds and seas and endured infinit miseries torments and aduersities a new way hath bin discouered altogether vnknowne to our predecessours by which we may goe to the said Indies by Sea viz. in sailing round about Afrike in view of the Cape of good hope and passing from thence to the other side of Afrike betwixt it the Isle of Madugascar in coasting sundrie Islands the red Sea Arabia foelix and the Persian Sea as farre as Calicut or Goa or else from the said Cape directly towards the strait of Sunda leauing the Isle of Madugascar with many moe on the left hand By this means the said spices druges and other costly merchandize haue beene brought into Europe with farre lesse charge and difficultie so as in Venice the trade hath begunne to decay and doth now flourish in Portugall in the Citie of Lisbone so as wee may say it is remoued from one towne to an other and that it is at this present wholy and alone in the said Citie for all other places must rate their wares according to the price made in Lisbone And because the Realme of Portugal and namely the citie of Lisbone hath for certaine yeares had the said traffique as it were proper to themselues both because they were the first which discouered and found out the said way as also for that their king gaue a certaine summe of mony to the Emperour Charles to buy this priuiledge that the Spaniards should in no sort goe that way by this meanes the said citie of Lisbone with the inhabitants of the whole kingdome are become so rich as perceiuing the great profit which their kingdome and people obtained by this trade haue sought all meanes to appropriat to themselues alone this traffique by sailing into those parts And to this end haue not onely subdued diuers townes prouinces and entier kingdomes in the Eastern Indies subiecting them by force of armes and continually bridling them on euerie side by forts and castles but haue likewise made leagues and alliance with other Kings Princes and Potentates of the Eastern Indies whom they could not subdue as it seemed according to the report which came from thence hither none should trade thither but themselues This notwithstanding some fewe yeares since certaine ships of the vnited Netherland Prouinces tracing the Portugals did likewise passe the Cape of good hope and arriued in the East Indies where by experience they found the contrarie of that report which the Portugals had caused to bee bruted how that none but themselues might trade into those Countries for diuers kings and Islands where the said spices and other costly merchandizes grew were either mortall enemies to the Portugals or else so inclined as they would not to satisfie them prohibit others from trading into those parts which the Portugals considering and being incensed with the Hollanders arriual did with great expence set forth the aboue mentioned mightie fleet to enforce the Kings of those Countries and free Islands where these spices growe not to giue them comfort to trade with any but themselues and on the other side to keepe the Hollanders from landing or taking in fresh water and in a word to assaile and incounter them in such sort as no newes might be caried home of them into Europe Now because this famous incounter and sea battaile happened but in the yeare 1601 and the said fleet was readie in anno 1599 wee will briefely set downe how this Armada was imploied in the interim of the two yeares because for the noueltie thereof it deserues it The king of Calicut beeing a mortall enemy to the Vice-Roy and Portugals of Goa and other places of the Eastern Indies they armed against each other both by land and sea The King had a certaine Indian in his seruice called Cunall a man so fortunat in all his enterprises and piracies as in a short space hee became so famous and wealthie by his continuall booties gotten from the Portugals as those who followed his partie seeing these happie beginnings made him King He had a castle and place of retreate on the coasts of Malauar called by his owne name Cunall or Cuchall where after hee had forsaken the king of Calicuts partie he did so continew his thefts and robberies for the space of 50 yeres with good successe as in
for then it will be no hard matter for your Excellencies and vs to cause the Spaniards and other straungers to follow them and to enforce the greatest parts of their adherents to become true Patriots and Countriemen If any shall herein propound some impossibilitie how that your Excellencies cannot safely take this course let it please you to beleeue the contrarie videlicet that if your Excellencies for sixe moneths will assist vs with as much money as the moytie of the auntient and ordinarie taxation of Brabant Flaunders Artois Haynault Valenciennes Lislie Douay Orches Tournesis Tournay and Mâ—lines amounts vnto and to lie still your selues respecting theiâ— Highnesses or else to joyne with vs which we leaue to your Excellencies choice and pleasure we hope by Gods helpe to briâ—g things to such passe as your Excellencies shall judge that there is likelihood of good successe And seeing that many honest people dare not set themselues forward but are in diuers points irresolute your Excellencies shal giue such directions both for gouernment and matters of Religion as ye shall thinke fit and most expedient and yee are not to suppose but to bee well assured that we will not attempt to doe any thing to the contrarie Your Excellencies may likewise be assured that in an action so necessarie laudable and honorable neither your selues or vs shall want the ayd and assistance of our neighbours Kings Princes and common wealthes In which regard wee once againe entreat your Excellencies to forget all passion suspition and bad conceits and with vs to embrace this present occasion as the onely meanes to settle the Low-Countries in their auntient glorie prosperitie peace and quiet not depending on pretended new forces which cannot but cause great ruine and miserie If otherwise we foresee that miseries and mischiefes will grow greater than euer heretofore from which before the whole world wee will cleare our selues Whereupon we beseech God high illustrious honorable noble magnificent learned wise and discreet Lords friends and neighbours to inspire your Excellencies with a desire tending to the common good of the Netherland Prouinces and prosperity of the true and honest Inhabitants thereof From the Hague in hast this seuenth of Iulie 1602 signed by Hero de Hottinga and vnderneath The true freinds and neighbours of your Excellencies The generall States of the vnited Netherland Prouinces By their appointment signed by C. Aerssens So soone as all things which were thought necessarie for this armie were speedily prepared and that certaine Lords of the Generall States and councell of State were appointed to bee present with his Excellencie to assist him in all matters which might happen in the armie videlicet from Holland the Burgomaster of Alcmaer whose name was Gerard Coorn from Zealand Albertus Ioachimi counsellor and pentioner of Tergoes from Vtrecht Gerard de Renesse Lord of Vander Aa from Frizeland Iulius Essinga and from Ouer-yssell Otto Roeck The armie was diuided into three troops The first was that of his Excellencie conducted by Count Ernest of Nassau which commonly marched in the left wing the second by Count William of Nassau gouernour of Frizeland and Groeningue with whom was Count Henry of Nassau his Excellencies brother who vsually marched in the middle or battaile The third by Sir Francis Vere Generall of the English Regiments who led the right wing The horsemen were conducted by Count Lodwick of Nassau Generall of the cauallery and with him the Lord Gray who were likewise diuided into three troops each of which neere to one of the foot troops The wagons and carts were also diuided into three parts the ordnance excepted being twelue demy canons and three field peeces The three and twentieth of Iune the Campe departed from a place called Little Linden and marched in the foresaid order not one behind an other but close together being sometime seperated halfe an houres iourney from one an other and sometimes lesse and was quartered the same day at Sambeer Mullem and Oploo The foure and twentieth at Bleyterwick Meerle and Venroy the fiue and twentieth at Baecken neere to Venlo Brey and Zeuenum the sixe and twentieth at Bingenum neere to Remunde Baxen and Heilhuyse the seuen and twentieth at Aldeneyck neere to Masieres Gestinghen and Ophouen The Reader may consider that by the first mentioned places are meant the quarters of his Excellencies troop the second of Count William and the third of Generall Vere The eight and twentieth nine and twentieth and thirtieth of Iune and first of Iuly the whole campe remained in the said places setting vp mills to grind and ouens to bake and making other prouision in the towne of Masieres The second of Iuly the armie marched in the same order and quartred at Lent and thereabout The 3 day leauing Mastricht on the left hand at Gellick Moperdingen and Eygenbilsen The fourth at S. Heeren-Elderen Heins and neere to Tongren where it staied The fift and sixt at Gelmen Hopperdingen and Rijckel neere S. Torns the seuenth all the troops lodged together at Halmael neere S. Trons The Archduke hauing assembled his armie beyond the towne of Thyenen vnder conduct of the Admerall of Arragon at a place called Hackelduyuel entrenched and fortified his campe with Rampiers and Bulwarks well fenced with ordnance His Excellencie on the eight of Iuly with a great part of his horse and foot leauing the rest in armes together with the wagons and baggage at Halmael crossed a small riuer called Dormaele and a village in Brabant called Nerelant leauing Louayn on the right hand and went euen in sight of the enemies campe sending some of his horsemen to a little riuer called the Gete not far from the enemies Campe to view and to trie whether there were any likelyhood to draw him from his place of aduantage to battaile But perceiuing that hee did not stir his Excellencie and men after some stay on an high place hauing shewed themselues to the enemie returned to his Campe at Halmaell where hee continued the ninth day the enemie not once comming abroad and want of victualls enforcing his Excel to abide there no longer and perceiuing that the enemie was strongly intrenched hauing with them certaine Italian troops newly arriued amounting in all to the number of 20 thousand men together with 18 peece of ordnance he resolued to do that which should be most commodious for himselfe the difficulties of the passages and bad waies were propounded the number of wagons beeing verie great and the labour to iourney greater with such a cariage They found the townes and villages of the countrie of Liege verie vnwilling to giue them bread for money and there were so many men and horse in the armie as sufficient forrage could not bee found for them corne could not bee ripe in a fortnight or three weeks they came likewise too late to hinder the Italians from ioining with the Admerall whereupon they resolued to besiege some towne of importance some propounded Antuerpe but their necessarie prouisions