waters demandes the rest of that which was promised but was yet vnpaid He ioyfull of the getting of a faithfull messenger promiseth to pay more liberally if now her husband would carry one letter for him into the cittie as he had done many of his brothers The womā alleadgeth hir huslands sicknes and the danger At last the woman consents not vnwillingly and yet as it were against her will promises to do her best to perswade him The wife departs the husband returnes halfe lame as though his feete had bin spoiled with the winter frost Henrie of Nassau agrees with the man as he thought faithfull and deliuers him his letters to carry into the cittie to Iustinus The messenger said that he promised to performe a very difficult matter and receiuing the letters with a reward he so departs Hauing receiued them he presently bringes them into the campe to Spinola and rewarded with a perpetuall stipend he departs Henrie in those letters aduised Iustinus of the late ouerthrow he had receiued whilst he set vpon the fortificiones of heyden From that day he saw vs also entrenched on euery side with a stronger trenche which could not possibly be broken thorough That he remembred for how few dayes the besieged now had victualls left them wherfore lest by delaying of time he should at last be compelled to receiue some disgrace with his companions he should prouide betimes nor would he by his ouergreat pertinacitie ouerthrow the fortunes of all That hauing receiued these letters he should giue a signe by discharging at midnight three canons and by the signification of fires made frō the Tower an hower after how many dayes prouision the besieged yet had left thē Assuring him in the meane space that if any occasion of bringing helpe offered it selfe that it should be embraced of him and of the whole armie There came first into the cittie another copie of the same letter before ether Spinola had receiued his or had vnderstood it by reason of the difficultie to explicat the notes wherwith it was written A certaine horsman of the Count of Styres very skilfull in all the wayes in open day escaped by our armie into the cittie whom those of Breda seing coming receiued him ioyfully with the discharging of nine canons That nightly signe therfore of the sound of the three premised canons was first made before we could certainly know what it signified albeit we suspected They alighted fire eleuen times shewing that they had victualls left only for so many dayes At that time his Excellencie VVilliam wolfangus Duke of Bauiaria Iuliers Cleue and Montz returning from Spaine came into our Campes with desire to see the same Spinola went before to meete him coming far from the campe and departing from his owne Tent he receiued so Excellent a man with as much shew of loue as he possibly could He congratulated him with a festiuall sound of all the canons and with the other applauses of militarie ioy After on other dayes being led about all the workes he much admired the greatnes and strenght of the siege He related that the Kinge of France said vnto him by whom he passed as he returned he could not beleeue that Breda would be taken by Spinola by that siege yet at that time many thinges promised vs a fortunat successe of that siege as the continuall flight of the french from Mansfeld the delay in releeuing the enimie the scarcetie of victualls within the cittie the conflicts of the beseeged with sicknesses so great a dearth of medicaments that of the Tobacco that was brought although else where it cost but four crownes a pound was sould in the cittie for twentie pounds which remedy they vsed against the scuruey besides that space of dayes aboue six hundred horse were driuen from the enimies campes being ill looked vnto as they grased This bootie when Monsieur of Marquet leftenant of the horse had hoped to requite he prepares in number sixty eight companies of horse to set vpon our conuoyes with all at vnawares Sending therefore Captaine Randwick before with six companies the rest lying hid in ambushe set vpon the carriages who without conuoyes contrary to Count Bergues commandment tooke another way draue away the horses ransackt the charrets and the pacques and poured oute the prouision Henrie of Bergues warie of perils albeit he were ignorant of this voyage had al ready commanded some companies of horse to watch all the passages of the wayes lest the enimies should breake thorough by some places at vnawares which that it might be done the more assuredly first he charged very straitly that no Captaine when the watch was should be absent from his companie Moreouer that he should place very far off from the campe the standing place of the centeries Next that some watchers should goe a good space from the standing place before the companie Lastly that some standing horsman should watch before the other watchmen to take notice of the enimies coming which hearing he should giue a signe and should retire vnto the watch They seeing a greater troupe retyred back to the standing place of the rest of the companie The companie prepared their armes and had fought had not the number bene vnequall but at last returned to the campe By this meanes both the coming of the enimie was hindred and the watches though placed a far off retyred them selues without danger and it seemed the whole campe had time enough to arme it selfe By chance that day the enemy met with the Count Hermanus of Bergues sonne to Henrie of Bergues a young man of a great spirit and a patterne of his countries valor He hearing as he was nere at hand a noise and gathering together a smale companie he had bouldly flies into the midest of the troupes of the despoilers passing once and againe thorough the midst of them some he layes vpon the ground and both troubles and terrifies the others These he puts to flight those admonish others of the coming of all our horse and so were their mindes preoccupated with the feare and flight of the first as that they thought nothing of resisting They forsake their horses they throwe downe their burthens and leauing the prey they depart The enimies gathering so many companies together in so long a time of the siege in so wicked and long iorneis yet could neuer intercept so much as one conuoye Henrie of Nassau not slow in his affaires lest he should pretermit as he had promised any industry to raise the sige sent some boores and contry clownes corrupted with mony and with promises to set a fire if they could our campes and store house wherin our warlike furniture was kept Spinola catching some in cendiaries prouideth that his compes receiue no detriment Henrie of Nassau attempting all thinges in vaine and setting the tentes of fire in the village of Dungens the sixt of the calends of Iune retyred by night
tvvelfmonthes before vve couled come to besiedge the tovvne soo that there might be no necessitie to deminish the prouision made for the soilders For the vvinnenge of this tovvne vvhen many thenges did incorage the Marques Ambrosio Spinolas minde many thinges also did vvithdravv itt First the oportunitie of the place did great lie enduce him bothe for the hindring of the frequent enuations of the enemies horsmen into Brabant whiche from thence they moste comodiously desingned to whate parte they pleased As also for the hindereng of al nauegasion betwext the adioyning townes of Breda And the borderinge townes of the confines of Holand and Zeland VVhich is tought to haue beene don with no smale dificultie by reason of some townes that were taken neere at hand with encredible losh to the enemy Further more many other comodities did allure him to attempt to take this towne rather then any other to witt the Zoile of the suburbs fitt for making his trinches and fortificationes eyther to make assault or to entrench Hauing a riuer fit to pass ouer and easili to be damned up whiche being don they who were besiged might easilie be kept from prouition They had woodes nere at hande the fildes were fertile for feedinge Lastly this was considered that Breda being taken Bergen up Som and other townes neere at hand might be taken the more easily On the contrarie the strenght of the towne that was so fortified both be endustrie and nature did discorage him But espesially the great dificultie of transportinge vituales a far of when eyther the enemies was to be a voided with a greate convoy for al oure citties were distant great days Iurneyes on foote or that they might want vituales nor was there behinde them any commoditie of riuer whiche coulde be sayled with shipes to beare prouision vnlesh Breda beinge neere at hand as it were the theator of the enemies citties could be bloked up It was doupted whether that with a great number of VVagones vvith longe and combersom vvayes be reason of the winter prouision and vitualles might be broght vnto us which was manifest coulde nether be don without adoble garde of soilders nor withoute greate danger This was the state of the lowe contries at this time and of oure affaires Filip the fourth King of Spaine did forbid that any peace shoulde be made withe the confederated states Iudgenge that truce to be more hurtful then warr The Archduces Isabela Clara Eugenia Infanta of Spaine wife of Albertus that excelent Prince deceased thought it a disgraseful thinge that the army wherwith the Kinge florisheth in the lowe contries should be Idel and withoute Implomient the repulce of Bergenop some was not reuenged whiche being retained after the sidge the enemies gloried Germanie being quiet from warres rested The strenght of the bastard Mansfelt yea and his verie name was almost extent There was intire pease betwext the Kinges of France and Ingland with the onely enemies of the confedrated prouences there was Iuste cause of hatred Herupon warr was intended against them not for desire of rule but for desire of reestablissinge of religion and recoueringe of there owne Spinola in the 21. of the monthe of Iuly in the yeare athousande six hondereth twentie foure goinge from Bruxeles the time of the yeare beinge proper for warr he corne being reepe gathered an army But he kept him self so reserued in this affaire that although he fulli resolued to besiedge Breda yet if he perceiued it hard to be effected perhapes with a greater army a sit fel oute sent oute by the enemy he oute of euerie place wherin he lay might be able As he iudged fit for the present good to vndertake the same turninge his armye whiche way soeuer it shoulde please him The armie was deuided into thre pattes making a sheow to goe into diuers places of set purpose to deceiue the enemie Spinola goinge oute of his Iourney be montague where that sacred tēpel is of the moother Virgin renoumed troughout the worlde with so many miracles the misteries of the cristian religion being dulie performed and his deuosions beinge made at oure ladie is aulter for the army led the foote men one way and Lodouicus Velascus Count of Zalazarius General of the horse led the horsmen an other way Iohn brauius de laguna gouernor of the castel of Anwourpe with those that came frō markland Ioyned with thies trupes not far from turnehoute whiche Gonzalus de Cordoua master de campe general had gouerned The army beinge hire mustered by Spinola and being founde lesh then it was supposed neuerthelesh he had greate hope of there valor for beinge all chosen men There were in the whole fiftine regimentes consisteng of ahondereth foure score and eightine companies of horse thirtie nine troopes Breeflie eightine thousand in the whole Number II. Num. 2. SPECIMEN OPERIS CORNVTI A. Frons operis cornuti B. Fossa lata passus xxx C. Receptaculum D. Murulus terreus E. Fossa altera F. Lorica decliuis G. Vrbis mocnia H. Fossa moenium I. Opus nouum post aduentum nostrum in Gilsam externis munitionibus circumductum a Bredanis interna allo passuum CXL K. Lorica seu brachia tria fronti et cornibus munitionum praestructa L. Fossa M. Seps sudium in decliui Lorica circum fossam And thies vvere the firste vvoorkes added to Graue Maurish force vverby those of Breda began to doupt the siedge Spinola came to Gilsh a villadge distant from Breda tvvo houres iourney vvith his army Here he consulted vvith many masters de campe touchinge the beseeging of this tovvne asked the opinion of euery one vvhat they tought of the siedge of Breda eche one dissuadeth the assault they afirmed the tovvne to be fortified vvith most strōge vvourkes That the standing vvater as often the tovvn esmen listeth ouerflovveth al the suburburbs the tovvne to be deuided into many partes by the riuer The garison to be increased vvith tvventie eight companies of foote oure armies for ther smale number vvas scarce correspondent to so great an assault vvherunto number vvas no lesh needfull then valor And if the enemy should come behinde to assaulte the army before vve had vvon so stronge atovvne vve muste of necessitie eyther goe a vvay vvith disgrace or so smale an army be exposed to adoble perill both before and behinde The Marques Spinola hauing heard the opinion of the masteres de campe knovving that some stoode for the comanders and others for Inferior officeres and that him selfe vvas freely to dispose vvhat vvas principalli to be don and was to do al thinges according to direction remained in the same place and Informed Isabella the Archiduces whate the opinion of the masteres de campe were She hauinge vnderstoode of so great augmentasion of the garison of Breda made answer that she vvould not tempt fortune with the danger of so many valiāt men that she should be much to blame if shee
assaultes out of the towne which had they bene deuided into many partes without dout being exposed to the iniurie and peril of the enemy they had finished the workes nothing the sooner which maner of intrincheng although it gaue respit to the adioyning boores to bringe corne and cattel in to the towne wherwith being besieged they might afterwardes in dure hunger so muche the longer yet wer we of necessitie so to do for the causes which we spoke of the prudent consel of the master de campe Don Iuan de medicis touching thies affaires was of no smale emportance to the Marques The besieged perceiumg this set on fire the rest of the buildinges belonging to the suburbs on euery side lest they should be left fitt for us for the wourking of treacheries or be a let vnto theÌ„ for there shooting it being generalli obserued that there were burnt to the number of foure hondered and fortie houses The 16. of Sept. 1624 Iustinus de Nasaw Gouernor of Breda with the aduise and consulte of certaine of his chefe leaders and other Captaines resolued to make a salli oute of the towne of Breda whiche was the greatest he made during the siege consisting of all choice men and of great hopes and expectation all which he appointed vnder the command and conduct of the Captaine of the garde of Graue Morish a man of great valor and presumtion This Captaine at the very breake of day issued fourth of Breda with intent to hinder the begineng of the fortificacions of the quarter of the Earle of Isimburque wherof Captaine Barri irishman one of the Earle of tirones regiment by his turne had chardge of the watche close to the enemie in open fielde The dutch Captaine issuing oute so earlie in the morning thought verely to defeate the Irish by setting on them as they were asleepe at vnawares and vnprouided but it was the will of God before he came to the place of his pretended execution the faitfull and vigilant Captaine Barri discouered ther coming by a sintinel which he had prudentlie placed on a high three to looke aboute on euery side who espeing them coming presently called to his Captaine aduertising him that the filde was full of the enemie and began to frame asquadron of there pikes Captaine Barri with great expedition prepared him self and dreow on towardes the enemie begining to order and to deuide his shot into troupes to inconter them giuing his officers and soilders the instructiones necessarie for the fight animating them and presenting first of all his owne person wherupon they al resolued with greate valor and mangnanimitie eyther there to die or to get the victorie Then began that bloody skirmish on both sides which lasted for the space of three houres knowen and notorius to the whole armie in which rare act and braue encounter the Irish manifested the valor expected of them slaying the Captaine of the garde of Graue Morish with an enginer togither with many other braue gallantes and valiant soilders cleauing a sunder and cutting off theire pikes with his braue experimeÌ„ted and coragious shot so that at leÌ„ght the furious enemy was constrained to retire with great grife and no redress other then rufully behoulding the field full of dutch frenche and German blood And which is particularly to be noted and to be wholy asscribed to the prouidence and goodnes of almighty God that wheras thos who issued oute of the cittie were of so great number as asoresaied and Captaine Barri with his companies and the shott of Captaine dalahoid and Captaine morri his contrimen and appointed comarads to ioyne and assiste with their forces in all occasiones against the enemy being in all not aboue three hoÌ„dred not as much as one man were killed nor but two or three but slightly hurte Although during those two or three houres space the bulletes flew aboute their eares as thick as hayle and in open filde withoute any shelter or defence Captaine delahoid and Captaine morri seeing that Captaine Barri began the skirmish a distance of towardes the enemy whete his appointed place happned to be that day on the watch with his companie presently delahoid and morri with greare speede framed a squadron of the pikes of the saied three companies with a resolute and magnanimous minde to receiue Captaine Barri and his shott vnder the shelter of their pikes if neede did require and fall togither with their full force on the enemy being prepared and ready for that purpose with final resolution to liue and dye en defence of that place wherunto their soilders coÌ„desceÌ„ded with are solute minde and great courage The valerouse and prudent Earle of Isimburque uppon the firste aduice of Captaine Barri touching the quantitie and presumtion of the enemy drew on vnto the field and with great expedition brauelie ordered and deuided his almain and vallon Infanterie into two squadrons in forme of broad front with amostualerous determintion to incounter and giue battel to the enemy if need did require And prudent lie preuenting that if by chance the Irish shoulde happen to be dispearsed to receiue them in the midest of his two squadrones and order them aneow and fall with the full force of all on the presumed enemy This noble prudent and mangnanimouse Prince of Isimburque with aforecast and câ—siderate resolution comaunded Capt. preston and Capt. gerat whiche were of two Irish coÌ„panies to fall on towardes the enemy to defende a passadge wher he spied soccor comming from the enemy to thos that were recomended to the chardge of the Capt. of the garde of the Prince of Orenge and Capt. prestoÌ„ spienge theÌ„ approchinge neer with great expedition ordered his men and fell on the enemy and begoÌ„ to skirmish and like abraue coÌ„ductor deuided his shott giumg theÌ„ the necessarie instructiones to fight animating them during the skirmish which did continue almost thre houres that at lenght by his braue conduction valor and resolut determination of his soilders the enemy of force were constrained to retire with the loss of many of theires not able to preuent any kinde of redress which to Iustinus de Nasaw then Gouernor of Breda was no smale greef so that this greatest sallie that came out of Breda sence the first day till the last were defeated by onely the ualor and braue condution of the fiue Irish companies before spoken of next under godes diuine assistaÌ„ce which the whole leager admiring woundered much of the victorie considering the great multitude of the enemy against so feow of oures The prudeÌ„t care and great vigilance of the sargeÌ„t mayor GoÌ„mar de furdiÌ„ of the regimeÌ„t of couÌ„de Isimburque as also the Sargent Maior of the Duke de Burnauill truly deserued praise and renoome for ther continual and extraordinarie care and vigilance day and night which was of notable emportance for many respectes which here is
some costly sadled horses acompanied almost with all the nobilitie rode from the campe two houres iourney and receiued him coming with many congratulations and with great sheow of loue There was atent prepared in ahouse wherin though nothing belonging to kinglie glorie and maiestie was yet was ther more militarie ornamentes then cleanlines and cittilik ciuilitie Hither when the Prince came about night hauing discharged all the canons once twice and the third time and the drumes and trumpetes sounding the moone was depriued of the sight of the sun by asudaine interpositioÌ„ of the earth Betokeninge if it may be lawfull to foretel that that Prince most expert in armes shoulde one day become the tamer of the turkish moone Breda hitherto had not bene touched with our cannon nor was the more hurt with so many shott of togither for that our soilders were commanded to shut more for mirth then for destruction and muche shott went ouer the cittie without doing any hurt yea the besieged also had more profitt then hurt by that shooting who from that tyme wer exempted from the paiment of all tributes according to the former custome the next day the prince led about with sundry gardes of Spinola where the enemy saw the people stand togither shott as thick as haile to salute them The day after he rode alone with Spinola to take auiew of the other side of the camp the reste being commanded to stay behinde for feare of danger At that verie time eight yong frencemen of noble houses intending secretly to slip by us from Breda to Graue Mauris is caÌ„pe were apprehended vppon the fenues and were liberallie intertained not as enemyes but as frindly guestes Spinola inuited the more noble of them to his table amoÌ„gst whome was Marques Gringnol vicoÌ„t serius with his broother and Barron blianuill youthes of an excellent to wardnes and after denieng them whate they demanded tould them that it was not his custome to suffer any to pass through his army to the enemies gaue them chois of returning to france or to Breda from whence they came of which last offer when they made election least they shoulde seeme to haue beene more readie to undertaek the labors of the siege then to indure them being carried to Spinolaes tent in acoache led with atrumpet they were sent back to Breda VValdislaus Prince of Poland hauing viewed the workes which vntil that day were not fully finished is reported to haue saied that the dice were cast betwext two great Captaines Spinola ad maurish and that one of them must nedes loose his credit Spinola accompanying him going out of the camp and hauing finished the compliments of curteous salutations recommended hym to count salasarius to be conducted to Antwerp Number VII The next day after the Baron of beauoix coronel of the burgondian regiment was sent with aleauen honderd foote and fiue hondered horse to fortifie osterhaut which the enemy might haue taken to the great in commoditie of oure men The next day when he heard from thence the enemyes drom beath sending out some that might vnderstand it he admonished Spinola of thier coming the scoutes related that maurish disembarked his army at Gintenberge of which his neow iourney nothing could for along tyme be found oute by enquirie many thought that he would take oudenbosk and rosendal it was thought fitt that those places shoulde be taken afore hand least we shoulde haue any enemy behind us fearing otherwise that vitualles coulde not fitly be transported vnto us and also we be kept from free fothering if the enemy should first posessit Spinola supposed that this thing was needles to be preuented Knowing wel that neyther thos places could be fit for them for anambushe nor so daÌ„gerous for our prouision when it should be fetcht the farther of whiche being so far from theire campe woulde be dangerous vnto them in so graeat adistance we being to auoide apassage not vnsecure to us Num. 7. A. Breda B. Custra Mauritij in pago Medoe C. Castra noua Spinoloe D. Niger agger E. Noua Castella Spinoloe F. Stagna ingentia arte facta G. Statio Balionij et Caroli Romoe H. Statio Baronis Balanconij For doutles if eyther Spinola had lost one day by delaying or maurish had so much preuented him by making haste Breda might haue been saued by the commoditie of so smale atyme for betwext derhaid and hage their lay open verie large spaces of land and of wateres wher by with litle labor victualls might haue beene carried into the cittie be wagons vnto the riuer and with litle boates ouer the riuer if those places had first been taken by maurish which might haue bene Don VVithout any difficultie when at that tyme there were no fortes of emportance betwext his army and the cittie except foure litle redutes which were built on the black dike But Spinola now with many soilders tooke the wayes and all the passages betwext thies fortes and the campe of maurish and preuerâ—ed him all hope of passing forward So much doth the celâ—â—itie and the wisdom of the generalls preuaile in warâ—â—â— which wee haue had this victorie Here was agreat plaine filde of shrubbs in which he might haue extended his army at lardge if any fight had hapened This he caused to be taken and posessed with certain troupes of horse the rest of the horse bying placed further of in the fore front of the army Behinde them there was atrinch formed as it were by nature betwext Breda and the shrubbs upon this he planted seauen canons and placed the Infanterie behind it comaunding to cut down the fright of the meadow and of the riuers and with great expedition fild the ditches Vpon the right side he left agreater for t to be defended of the burgondianes which Baron of Beauoix had now almost finished That fort of afoure square forme and of that greatnes that the canons might be planted upon The walles were stronge against the shott of the artillerie six score foote longe in the flank twentie eight foote broad and fiftine foote high There were longe stakes on euerie side streaching out of the woorck to hinder the ascending within there was abanket and aparapet and one step vnder the banket for the comoditie of the shotthe parapet was fiue foote heigh ten foote thick compassed about on the outside with a ditch of two and twentie foote broade so that from the bottome of the ditch to the top of the walle it was twentie fiue foote highe Num. 8. VARIAE MAIORVM CASTEI LLORVM FIGVRAE Dimensiones maiorum Castellorum Not long after a certaine master of the artillerie asked Spinola why he went not of him selfe to prouoke Maurices army not strenghtned with any great fortes shooting of six or seauen canons To whom Spinola answered that it stood not with his honor more lightly to insult ouer the enimie then to carrie him selfe
Antwerp together with her litle childe now lately of her owne heade departed out of the cittie commanding the rest that came with her to returne back but afterwards he dispenced more liberally with his owne law sending back none of the fugitiues in to the towne when but few and very seldome any of them issued out He hanged up two boores in the sight of the cittie which in the dead of the night endeuoured to carry thither victualls This fact proued prositable and better then mercie others afterwards being made afraide by this exemple Graue Maurice thinking with a greater number to send victualls to the besieged bringing great quantitie of corne and other prouision to the hauens of the cittie nere at hand he prepares eighteene great boates with flat bottomes which in a calme might goe vnto them which freed from the surging of the seas feared the sandes nothing at all and lye safely at ancre in shallow places To these he makes sides and fore-deckes raised up on ether side and high of thick oake to resist all kind of force and batterie Euery one made after this maner he armeth with four or six brasen and iron peeces furnisheth with many balles of wilde-fire afterwards he loades them with corne barreled vp with great quantitie of cheese bacon and porke All were set with most expert shooters He aduertiseth those of Breda at the same time that with some of their best soldiars they vpon the day appointed should breake out of the towne and should plant them vpon our bridge Those of Breda obeynig this commandment make ready fourteene ferrieboates six wherof they furnish with so many canons and withe balles of wilde fire and appoint three hundred soldiars to stand vpon the shipps they prouide six hundred which might sallie out from the lande neere the riuer VVhich thinge Spinola vnderstanding doth fortifie a bulwarke which he made in the village of heyden with greater garrison by which way the enimie was to passe planteing agreat hedge made of trees furthermore he determined to plant another roe or hedge with greater stakes bound together two thousand foure hondred paces longe betwixt was fair litle forts which he built ouer the blackdik as they call it lest by that water which during all the winter did flowe into the cittie the enemies might passe their prouision for such was the nature of those meadowes that as often as the swelling of thesea raged which alwayes happened euery twelue houres ouer flowing also with land waters they might easily enter into the cittie with flat bottome boates and also made a passage for footemen after the sea was gone out But behoulde the windes which at the first were very prosperous for Graue Maurice to our vnspeakable happines turned contrary the raging also of the sea contrary to its custome did scarce so much as moue the waters and so once againe the diuine power did ouerthrow the enimies designe In the meane while whilst the ships loaden with victuals and soldiars were stopt with the weather the number of cheese and bacon was so diminished by the pilfering of the soldiars that litle store of this his prouision could haue come vnto the besieged although it had hapened that the ships had passed by vs. But a few dayes after the corne which was barreld vp wet with the moysture of the rayne and of the ship began to growe thorough the chinkes of the barrells after it was taken out of the ships and thus the enimies alwayes endured one losse vpon another Afterwards when our men were sent out of the campe to fetch wood and forraige that nere at hand being spent the enimies supposed that our soldiars being dispersed to gather forraige and wood might easily be distroyed by their horsemen and for this cause noted the more dilligently our gathering of wood and forraige They laboured by all meanes possibile about this matter that our men might be depriued of both this seemed easie vnto them because their strenght of horse was greater when as our horse were almost all employed partly in defending the campe partly in bringing prouision and that it was all one ether to put them to the sword or hinder them of their cariage which being lost the siege could not be mayantained hence it hapned by oure daylie foraginges which was needfull when foraige was fetcht from vnuseall and dispersed houses that few forraigers could goe about in to those dispersed and dangerous places which though it did not doe great hurt vnto vs yet it did great hurt to the soldiars to the beastes and to the carriars Spinola least he should leaue any long time so litle a spirt of ioye to the enimie afterwards as often as he was to fetche forraige he expected the returne of the companies whom for Sauegard sake the Count of Bergues brought back within three leages of the campe by whose Saueguard he sent the forraigers from the campe on euery side vnto the fildes neere adioyning Furthermore he so disposed of his conuoyes that when the wagons at Lyre were loaded with corne diuiding the number of horse and foote the wagons being loaden with oates they should speedely transport forriage into the campe which being afterwards vnloaden the soldiars as soone as might be returned back to Lyre to gard the other conuoyes In the meane while the other horses which were in a maner become vn profitable to doe any worke by reason of their labor and leannes were sent into more fertile places in winter to fetch forrage whilst others returned to whom their owne quarters were assigned for their repose So the iorneys being dubled with freshe horses and well fed he prouided forraige and prouision in a short time ouer which officie Alexander Hesius leftenamt of the Artillerie was appointed who vsed continuall diligence and expedition in loading and transporting therof But after the prouinces on whom of their owne willes the cariage of corne and forraige was imposed perceiued the siege shoulde longe indure and alwayes new requestes to be added to the former being wearied with the charge of so many wagons continually sent and seemed after to refuse a new meanes of getting prouision was inuented Ther were hired in all those villages wagons with two wheeles which for their greater compasse one horse commonly but two at the most do draw with greater speede then three do draw those which goe vpon four wheeles although they be lesser The price agreed vpon for euery one which at the first was much greater by reason of the difficultie of the wayes afterwards in better times was halfe diminished So corne was prouided with far lesse charges of horse and wagons with lesse forraige with like expedition equall number and easier price This new industrie conseued Graue Maurice who trusting to the season of the time beleeued that by reason of so deare and so long cariages we should neuer ouercome so great difficulties of corne
bordering prouinces next vnto France The Infanta Isabella albeit she could not suspect that any Prince would entangle her florishing affaires with those forlorne affaires of Māsfield yet because she was not ignorant that the willes of Kinges as they ar violent so to be mouable and vncertaine she according to the greatnes of the perill prepared for war howsoeuer and resolued to resiste strōgly if it were offered she therfore appointed garisons about henault and Artois for the defēce of the confines To those of henault she sent the Count of Emden for their comander Artois she commended to the Count of hoogstrat who was chiefe gouernor therof to be defended She sent the Count of sforza to hasten the Captaines and the Duke of Bauarias companies against the coming of Mansfeld She commanded the corne and cattel to be driuen into the remoter citties she forbid horse to be transported out of the low contries into France as the french had then forbid corne to be carried into the low contries Spinola likewise suspecting that Mansfeld seconded with the french English and German aydes would deflect towards the lower Palatinat commandes VVilliam Verdugius Gouernor of those places to gather in garison a hundred and eleuen free companies of Germans with two companies of horse besides the companie of Captaine Gratfreus admitted into pay with fiue hundred horse In the meane space the soldiars in the wallon prouinces armed them selues with three thousand horse and with almost fifteene thousand foote the companies gathered a new towards the end of sommer were also ready The companies of the Count of Anholt of three thousand foote came with a winge of a thousand horse Baron of Ainsi hastining them the Marques Spinella armed on the borderes withe the emperores socorres who resolued with a willing minde and great desire to encounter Mansfeld with four thousand two hūdred horse and three thousand foote All the Prouinces companies ar committed to the commād of Don Carolus Coloma late Embassador for the Kinge The Prouinces horse were cōmitted to Albertus Arenbergue Prince of Barbancone Master de campe who was for that purpose lately called from the commandrie of the horse These were first wiled to stay at Namure to the end to stop Mansfelds passage if as of late he should come to inuade the borders but vnderstanding a while after that he went about to ioyne him selfe with Graue Maurices companies both of them with the Prouinces companies planted them selfes not far from Antwerp Spinola reioycing to haue so great an armie as the wallons scarce remember euer to haue seene the like for they were censured besides the garisons of the bordering citties to be thirtie thousand foote eight thousand horse yet ommitted no time without solicitude of the siege but that he endeuored by letters intercepted to vnderstand the councells of Maurice and of the besieged For this respect he was not wearied nether with watchinges nor with labor He setteth many in standing and watching places promising thē great rewardes if they could intercept any such letters Three were seene to enter into the cittie our watch being ether careles or deceiued by their celeritie Almost in that place whence thiese were seene to slip by by those that sought a few dayes after a litle purse was found wherin two letters smeared round about with wax against the damage of the water if they were to be caried in by meanes of water Both were Maurices one written to Iustinus Naslauius the other to teState of Breda written with characters abbreuiations al most inexplicable In these when many had trauelled to interpret them only the good fortune of Michaele Rōtartius Secretarij to the Kinge and to the Marques preuayled He by continuall studie both day and night pickt out their meaning This was the substance of one of them written to Iustinus with a shorter discourse Num. 12. Specimen posterioris circumuallationis circulo passuum LII millium Number XII These letters being receiued and Maurices designes made knowen vnto vs calling and requiring so great forces of forraine soldiars Spinola vnderstanding that al that war was intended against him and that he was yet to retaine in the field full three monthes space when Maurice had vndertaken with so great obstinacie to deliuer Breda as though he esteemed the whole good of the common welthe to be placed in the losse of that one cittie breaking downe first those forts which lately being built at mede Maurice had forsaken he resolued to encompasse his armie with incredibile labor with a trenche of wonderfull greatnes in the most wicked time of winter least so great an armie of the enimie should break in behinde him at vnawares as they had appointed at the beginning of the springe That trenche when it was finished in the whole compasse contayned fiftie two thousand paces so much greater was this then that former made on the sodaine contayning no more then thirtie thousand six hundred paces Posteritij will wonder nether would Pompey him selfe or Cesar beleeue it if they were aliue of whom the one cut a trench at the most of fifteene thousand paces the other one of eighteen thousand to goe to Dyracchius And lest any man should thinke that the count should be mistaken it is thought good that the number of the paces thorough euery campe being found out by his owne care and fidelitie should be committed to writing The quarter of Spinola in the village of Genik with that which Salazarius generall of the horse defended at his back were inclosed with a trenche of two and twentie thousand six hundred thirtee three paces That of Balancon with eight thousand six hundred That of Isenburgue with a leuen thousand fiue hundred fiftie four That of Ballion with nine thousand eight hundred thirtiene Now Spinola had begun to compasse within with an other trenche but of a lesser space against the irruptions of the besieged That because the cittie was first rendred was neuerfully finished yet contayned with his imperfect circle sixteene thousand paces But doth of these were ten foote highe the walles arising not vpright but step by step Below fifteene foote thick with abanket and parapet with in for the vse of the shooters below ten foote thicke raised vp fiue foote highe with a ditch depressed without side seauen foote Depe in breadth fifteene from side to side the bottome lyeng open no more then eight foote These two trenches had so much more strenght then the former which in height exceeded not fiue foote in thicknes seauen foote with a ditch nothing broader Vnto both of these greater trenches were built new redutes and batteries to plant canons vpon furthermore were at euery entrie a haulf moone Diuers redutes were also adioyned by reason of the perill and dangerous cituation of the place They were so fortified with new receptacles and with many other workes that none but he who saw them could hardly conceiue the frame of so great
Captain of Graue Maâ—rish is gard vvith maine others vvere slayne The enemy vvas forced to retire The victorie vvon be the prouidence of the almightie The skirmish dedan dâ—cre for the space if three hours Captain de lahoid and Captaine morrisp dilie framed asquadrous of their pikes To receiue Captain Barri if need did require The resolution of Captaine de la hoid and morri togither vvith their soilders Count Isimburque 〈…〉 Infanterie into ivvosquadâ—ons vvith great expedition VVith intentâ— to giue bbattell Cattaine preston and 〈…〉 tovvards the enemy Cattaine preston spiâ—ng the enemy vvith great corage and expedition did in contâ—r them And 〈…〉 The enemy put to 〈◊〉 vvhich 〈…〉 de Nasavv vvas 〈…〉 The extraordinarie care and vigileâ—ce of the tvvo sargent 〈…〉 Isimburqueâ— and of dâ—le de burnaâ—â—d The constant zâ—le valor and fidelitie of the Irish to his Catholick Maiestie VVhich to the Marques and others his Maiesties minicters is manifestly knovven And specially at Breda An euident proof of the affection and fidelitie of the Irish to his Catholicke Maiestie Another skirmish betvvext Captaine Barri and the enemy The enemy constrayned to retire and some of them taken prisoners Captain Barri sent vvith the ingener kocke to break the dam. The cause vvhere fore the dike vvas made The di'igence and care infinishinge the vvourck A remedy for the necessities of the souldiours A remedie ours had for not to full in anie disease as those of the tovvne Arthâ—ns vvas permittâ—d to 〈◊〉 in councell of vvarr Eachone declared by his oath havvâ— much manâ—e he had The principall persons first tooke their oath The soom of many vvhiâ—h vvas ioyned Victualls vve are 〈…〉 cut of the publique munition house The Marques vnderstanding of the coming of the hastard Mansfelt caused nevv 〈…〉 to be made The Daron of Grimberge vvas sent to the Duke of Bauaria and Count â—illy Graue Maurâ— tooke posession of Morâ—d â— Bergues Genip and Cleues Count Hendrick follovve a him Brion the French man resolued to state in Breda to see the occasions They sought for prouision of 〈…〉 The Audâ—tor 〈…〉 vvas 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 The vinted statâ—s did forbed that no vitualls or munition shoulde be sent The Marques vvould not receiue the mâ—ny offered The assistance of the â—â—theres of the societâ—e of Iesus vvas to the Inhabâ—tance And in particular to a minister of the 〈…〉 The Prince of Poland arriued to the campe The Marques vvent to receiue him And vvithe great mangnificencie he receiued him The eclipse The artillerie begon to shut of Ours tooke eight frentz gentle men The Marques inuited them The Marques gaue them thar choâ—â—â— either to go to Ereda crâ— to France The Prince departing the camp vâ—â—vved all the fortifications Beron the Bavoix vveÌ„t to take posesâ—sion of a certayne poct. vvhich Graue Morsh migâ—haue taken Of vvhose comnig headuertised The Marques the Marques Ansvvered vvel to the purposet The 〈…〉 And haueing vven the other in the morning 〈…〉 The forme of the greate forte He ansvvered prudenly Graue Maurice kept his armie together close seeing that the Marques preuented him in time He comanded fiue forts to bemade To hinder his passage Graue Morish did not lettour vvorkes The French nobilitie desired to try ther valor And Graue Iohn de Nasavv vvas no less desirous to 〈◊〉 nuter them VVith three seconds He procured 〈◊〉 The Court 〈◊〉 the danger Skirmish 〈…〉 Baron of 〈◊〉 and baron of Boutevill And he returâ—â—d vvounded And Graue Maurice determined is sett vpon the Castle of Antvverpe In vvhich vvere but feovve people Giueing charg to Bronchene The furie of the cuimie Their presumption and successe The tempest fauoured their cause A contrie discouered their arriueing The Gouernor and the rest of his cause to asist Andreas Câ—a vvas 〈…〉 his vigilance Grifes of Graue Maurice Panger of his horse The prudence of the Marques The retire of the Prince of Orenge Ours fallovved them They tooke greate bootie out of the quarters And to effect the â—ame vvith greater securitie He fortified him self He marched vvith his armâ— to â—ondal He 〈◊〉 of Nasavv to oâ—ranga The Marques returned to his first quarter Graue Maurice fell side in Rosendal And he vvent sick to haya VVith 〈…〉 He sent for the bastard Mansfeild He vvent for succour to England and Fraunce A great sterme The king of England promised assistaÌ„ce And the vnited prouinces promiâ—ed to augment his army The Marques aduersited the Infanta Andi that other troupes may be raisâ—â—â—yms The Infanta gouerned all the troups Count Octauâ—us vvas sent to duke of Bauaria The emperor and the duke promised succour The Marques prudenly di posed the conuoyâ—s They vvere comended to Count Hendrick Count hening vvas sent to the State of â—rabant to procure vvagons The other prouinces vvere moued by this example Amunition house vvas at Lyre ordeyned The care and dingens of Count Hendricken conducting the conuoyâ—s The order of his marchiâ—ge And his preuention against the treachâ—rie of the enemie Their spies The vigilanci he obserued in his iourni by night Punishisment for disorders The fruit vvhich of all resulted The crâ—aces called him God of the boores The Marques had greate care of the horse and forage Fortifieng the vvayes in diuers places For the securitie of the convvay Graue morish once again turned to tempt the castel of Antvvorp A conspiracis â—f treacherie vvas 〈◊〉 in the â—itie Some 〈…〉 and prâ—â—erâ—ly forgiven The enimie 〈…〉 The enimie apprehendâ—d tho it that brought to the Marques prouiâ—ion The complaints vvere ansvvered All thinges became deer Som vvere of necessitie constrained to eate horse flashe Prudence of the senat of Breda The price of vituales in the tovvne of Breda The Marques preuented a good remedi for the necessitie of his soâ—ders And also the Infanta Reportes amonst our coâ—arartes that cure army dayly decaâ—â—d The enemy bâ—sted of the 〈◊〉 of thâ—r prouition Preuension of the enemy that thâ—re prouisiâ—â— might long indure Other fortificaâ—iones Some of the 〈…〉 them selues 〈…〉 made be the knoker of dâ—gges The enemie began to run avvoy And the Marques comaâ—aâ—d that the 〈◊〉 thou 〈…〉 Decompence for 〈…〉 Spinola comaundâ—d to â—â— boores to be hanged 〈◊〉 of the cittie The saied proued fact 〈…〉 Nâ—ovv 〈◊〉 of graue Maurice to 〈◊〉 the cittie Nâ—ovv in 〈…〉 In vvhich vvas sent 〈◊〉 and a 〈◊〉 The bâ—siged 〈…〉 The Marques 〈…〉 〈…〉 VVich prouision vvaâ— for the 〈…〉 Great dangeres in â—â—â—châ—nge of vvood and fâ—rradge to to our campe The Marques prouented â—â— enemies 〈…〉 The sollicitied and di â—aching of prouisiones vvas refered to the â—harge of Aâ—â—cander Hâ—se Other vvas gons vvere taken up for The conducting of vituales Graue Morish deceiued in his conceâ—â— God prospered our affaires The fideliti of the provinces vvas admirable Aâ— in vnâ—â—â— to 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 The zele of the Count of â—senburge Hopes of good succes Count Manâ—felt 〈…〉 This inuented art of Manifelt vvas found profitable Another inuension of count Manifelt to drâ—â—â—
THE SEIGE OF BREDA BY THE ARMES OF PHILLIP THE FOVRT VNDER THE GOVERNMENT OF ISABELLA ATCHIVED BY THE CONDVCT OF AMBR. SPINOLA Louanii ex officina Hastenii M. DC XXVII TO THE MOSTE EXCELLENT LORDE AMBROSIO SPINOLA MARQVES OF THE BALBASES KNIGHT OF THE MOSTE NOBLE ORDER OF THE GOVLDENFLECE One of his Maiesties consell of State Captaine general of his Army vvhiche intered in Germanie Master de Campe General of theis States and Captaine General of the sea Army of the same Moste Renowmed Glorious and Victorious PRINCE MAny vvere the reasons and motiues vvhich moued me to set forth in the Inglish tongue the illustrious seege and vvorthy regayning of the tovvne of Breda by thy so prosperous and potent arme and to dedicate the same vnto thy Excellencie First so to diuulge vnto the vvorld as much as I vvas able the inuincible povver of that Great and Mightie Monarche the Catholique Kinge of Spaine Secondly to spread abroade and to proclaime the fame and pietie of that Pearle of the vvorld the most Excellent Isabella Clara Eugenia Infanta of Spaine such and so vvorthyà Princesse vvhose very ēnimies approue of her iust deserued and undeniable praises being such indeed as hardly any mortall pen canset them forth as they deserue Thirdly that both friendes and foes might vnderstand the true vndanted valor and inuincible courage of such an incomparable Generall as thy selfe vvho for thy ardent zeale and feruour to the Catholique cause I may for a briefe and summary abridgment of thy vertues rightly call the Captaine of Captaines the triumphant Palme of all those vvho beare armes the scourage of rebelles Terror of Heretiques suppresser of seditions succour of Religious Protector of virgins safegard of Monasteries Bulwork of the lowcontries and inuincible Champion of the Catholique Church oneill and odonel those famous warriers of great renoome prudent and braue conductors their notorius actes so redouted that their enemies so feared them ey and as I haue heard say mootheres to cause there children to houlde there peace when they cried feared and affricted them withe this very name resultinge of the renoome of there rare victories sore and blooddy encounters and notorius executions But the name of Spinola danteth and maketh to tremble not babes or children but euen the proodest hautiest and most insulting enimie of the greatest Monarche of all Europe the King of Spaine vvho as he is the greatest and most incomparablest of all the rest and vvhose only name al other Kinges of Christendome enemies vnto him do redout so of all the Captaines and Commanders of this most Catholique Kinge no Captaine nor no Commanders name is more redouted then that of Spinola For this is that right worthy Spinola which no Scipio no Pompeo no Cesar did euer surpasse in prudence valor vigilance fidelitie and all other vertus This is that Spinola vvho by his Heroicall facts manifested to the world by so many most famous victories hath accquired to him selfe euerlasting glorie and left to all posteritie perpetuall memorie This is that Spinola vvhome the hand of the highest asisting conquered and subdued that almost impregnable towne of Breda notwithstanding almost all the Princes of Europe conspired with their vttermost force to oppose him This is that glorious flower of all Italie which contry as it hath brought forth many rare and incomparable warriers in former ages so hath it now brought vs forth a Spinola no way inferior to his worthy predecessors but rather such an one in whom alone all their former virtues seeme to be reuiued This is that Spinola or rather to speake more properly that thrice renowmed Spine or pricking Thorne which hath pricked the harts of all warlike Nobilitie vvith the Spine or prick of emulation of his incomparable vertues But principally this is that Spinola or right vvorthie Spine vvho hath pricked the harts of the present rebells and enimies of the Church of God vvith such a prick and deadly dart as hath vvounded them all euen to the hart Fourthly and lastly I vvas moued hereto that in relating the inuincible povver of that mightie Monarch the King of Spaine the vnspeakable pietie zeale and deuotion of the most Excellent Infanta the incomparable vertue valor prudence and braue conduction of this their so noble Generall togither with the vnited loue vnspotted loayltie and rare iudgment of other his Maiesties Nobles and faithfull subiects in these executions in all occasions I might with thy Excellencies leaue both enlighten my beloueded contrymen with thehonor of thy Heroicall Acts with the rarieties of that famous siege and with the innumerable plots and stratagemes of war practised as well on Thine as thy enimies side And the rather for that not only my selfe but other Captaines of my nation with many of our contrymen serued in this siege vnder thy colors euen from the first to the last of the same receiuing at thy Noble handes such infinit honor for our seruice as hath and euershall iustly oblige our liues vnto thee whence I douted not but that as by publishing the same I should as both my dutie and desire was perpetuat thy excellent praises to all posteritie amongst my nation so they would reape to them selues much frute therby in contemplation of thy vertues and would with as willing mindes receiue the same as I willingly employed my paines in setting it forth principally for thy honor secondarily for their vtilities such in particular as ar more inclined to warres and ar desirous to learne some curiosities in the profession of armes Raigne Conquer and euer Ouercome inuincible Prince which thy Excellencies seruant and moste loyal Captaine and humble Orator shall euer pray for during life CAPTAINE GERRAT BARRY IRISH. THE SIEDGE OF BREDA MAny thinges with theare greatnes haue made the siedge of Breda famouse aboue the memorie of forepassed warres first the suplies of greate socoures that were on euery side gathered toghiter by the enemye as though the contention had beene not for the sauegard of one towne but for the principalitie of the whole empire the endeauoures of foraine nationes so much augmented the fame therof as that emulation it selfe encreased the renoume of the victorie Next the wonderful and vnheard greatnes of the fortificaciones whiche was made by the enuironinge of a double trinche against bothe an enwarde and an outeward enemy suche a one as hardlie anye forepassed histories haue left in writhinge moreouer an incredible multitude of batteries trinches redutes and fortes and other fortificasiones of like Kinde whiche bothe were perfected in that cruel time of the yeare and in auerie short space there greatnes considered Furthermore the greate dificultie of transportinge prouision Safely in so longe a iourney bothe in winter time and also in deepe VVayes the space of aleauen monthes when in respect of the costly cariadge by wagones imposed vpon the willing prouinces the deuastation of viladges and plases of defence the prices of all marchandise were very
the elementes were confounded and the verie heauen it self woulde faule to the grounde Very obscure darknes acontinual flash of lightning fire acontinual noise of thunderes rayne fauleng not by dropes but like vnto ariuer and violent whirle windes Lastly all thinges were full of terror as if it had bene the laste day That night Hinrie Fredrik of Nasaw had designed with his whole army to assaulte the tentes of Hinrie of Bergues not yet fortified had not the tēpest aforesaid diuerted it Thre dayes after the soilders of Graue being comanded to goe fourth they returned againe to ouerthrow the campe of count bergues with greater forces but when neither the people of Graue were come in due time and Cōde Hindrique was fortified and better prepared al the controuersie was ended with a litle squirmisch Iohn of Nasaw as it was prescribed pitched his tentes not far from Graue haueng possesed so goode aplace that they were enclosed with the riuer of the right side before and on the left with abrook flowing from the riuer Not with standing he made atrence before and on ether side in that distance against the passage of the enemies for the fore front of the tentes the woodes were fit for ambuscados next the hills ariseng vpon the towne with agentel ascent whiche beinge posessed be day time by acompanie of horsmen and be night retired for feare of suddaine opression of the enemy Hence there was dayly ocasion giuen of smale Skirmishes of horsmen when in the morning by reason of the trinches that were set vpon by the enemie in the night oure soilders fought to beate them backe Stakenbrook Gouernor of the towne of Graue to terrifie oures hauing made anoice with his army approaching by night as though he were readie to breack in to the campe comaundad them to sound aretreate next day after being asked of Nasaw in discourse wherfore he had disturbed his and his soilders sleepe withe suche anoice of en signes made answer that he wondered more why he came to take those citties by force of armes the enheritance wherof he was one day by right to take posession of To whome contrarie wise Nasaw answered that he let pass that In heritance for the present Because it was incertaine but with all à spired after his owne gouerment of graue VVhich the gouernor hearinge saied Ireturne home And hauinge sayed this departed and presently began to shut into the tentes of Nassaw as to exact punishment for his ambition After this Aubermontius went from Hinrie of Bergues to Gils whose answer beinge heard Spinola wondered why bergus by his consel obiected so many difficulties wherof he professed him self to by the chife man But yet because he reuoked that which was proposed by him touching rauestin for feare of the euent and desired to goe to Graue if he shoulde be comanded he shoulde do the same of his owne head and therupon goe on spidilie VVith thies comaundès he sent back againe Franciscus Medina with Auber montius to Hinrie of Berguis In the meane while he him felf doth fortifie Giles with twelf redutes built about on ouerie side least the enemy by that way shoulde sodainely break foorth vnto the campe They of Breda perceiuinge this supposing the purpose of beseedging the towne was altered by us comanded all the househould stuff which they had transported into the townes adioyninge for feare of siedge as being now oute of feare of warr to by recaried by boates Neither did they prouide for vituales for aine lōger time but supposing they should haue had prouision enogh of that which they had got for winter permitted thos hondered oxen whiche were latelie caried into the towne to be broght back againe and also two shippes loaden with cheese refusing for to buy it furthermor all the boores and ther wiues and children who had before flyen into the towne and whome as mise and deuoorers of corne they comanded to goe fourth to get victuales if any sidge had hapened they receiued againe thos that were retired from the fildes which oure soilders spoiled with no litle loshe of victuales as men giuen wholy to there belli Furthermore it hapened by that pitching of tentes by Marques Spinola that neyther Graue morish coulde vnderstand whate we seriousely entended nor yet whate we fayned to wit whether we were fullie resolued to set vpon Graue or Breda or vpon both togither or on any other cittie and therefore was diuers waies so troubled aboute the matter not daringe eyther to draw any garison fourth of anie one cittie to socor another neyter there vvere sufficient forces to socor both He also feared not to be able to furnish them in due time of suche prouitions befitteng At lenght departinge fourth of Hage his garden of recreation vnto Hinrie Fredrick broother of Nasaw vnto the campes of nemegam he comaunded artillerie and many engines and furniture of warr to by carried into Bomble and the places adioyninge to Balduke to be fortified And although the administrasion of warr seemed to many that it woulde by in vaine to delay it aine longer notwithstandinge wee optained by that delay that ther remained no tyme fit for the enemie when the fall of the leaf aproched the best time of remoouenge to whatsoeuer place and ours byenge now ready for whate ocasion soeuer The reporte of the preparation wherwith we seemed to be willing to set vpon graue being diuulged among the people Duck de bullon Frenceman whow tought that the warr which he expected at Breda was transported to Graue going thither to try his fortune and at his returning againe to Breda he founde all the circuites of the towne shut vp by oures Hinrie of Bergues knowenge the situation and condition of Graue hauing also vnderstood the ópinion of the Inhabitance did contrarie wise perceiue all thinges and releying vpon som mens iudgmentes perswaded Spinola He perceiued well that hardly in thre monthes space the matter coulde by executed And in the meane while by reason of the vallies whiche were aboute the towne wherin the tentes were to be pitched that he shoulde be assuredly remooued by the winter wateres The contrimen and others that kneow the nature of the place afirmed that the spring beinge paste it was to be aslaulted hopinge that at the end of summer it woulde be gotten for after the faule of the leafe al the places were ouerflowen and became inaccessibile Aboute that tyme there fitly ariued Don Francisco de Medina and monse de Aubermont sent by Spinola whow brought comand to count Bergues for the beseeging of Graue as he had bene charged Spinola much wondered at the dispaired hope of winenge Rauestē when he tought him self to be sure of tacking itt Notwitstanding if that could not be broght to pass he comanded him to go oute of hand to Graue Counte Bergues being oute of hope of subduenge Graue toulde both them
needles to relate but onely to remember the obligationes his maiestie oweth them for their prudence fidelitie great extraordinarie care and vigilance and prudent carriage day and night with great punctualitie Excellent moste renoomed and victorious Prince many are the reasones which constrained me to relate and make knowen in generall the incorrupted and constant Zele approoued valor and vndeniable fidelitie of the Irish nation to his Catholicke Maiestie VVherof their many forepassed rare actes made notorious their loue and approued loyaltie in all occasiones which to his maiestie togither with youre excellencie and others his faithfull ministers is dayly remembred For which I do not dout but ther fidelitie and faithfull seruice is and shall euer be correspondent to the expectations of your excellencie wherof there haue been many trialls and speciallie now of late in the leager of Breda that wheras many of all nationes there assisting did dayly run away ey and many to the enemy but none of this nation which to many is well knowen And be dayly experience we found that as many of them as did serue on our cōtrary side daylie came to our campe which not onely in this but in all other semblable occasiones they made notorious their inclined affection to his Catholick Maiestie in testimonie wherof your excellencie can beare witnes Also in another skirmis which the saied Captaine Barri had with the enemy the first of Ianuarij 1625. Issuing out of the citti of Breda to discouer the intrie of his quarter he fell uppon them and with so resolut and vndanted courage that first he broke them and next forced them to retire following them euen to the verie ditches of the towne till they caste them selues into the water to saue their liues where they were rescued by the artillerie of Breda Barri not withstanding bringing back with hem certene prisoners as a true testimony of his victorie After this by certayne order sent by the Marques Spinola to Count Isenbourge the first of February 1625. this Cap. Barri with a hundred of the choisest souldiours vnder his charge was commanded to goe with the expert engenier Cooke to breake vp a certaine dam of the enimie wherewith they pretended to succour the citty of Breda and to drowne all that quarter of the armie but gods diuine grace assisting ours the dam by the force of the high tide and blustering wind breakes of its owne accord iust as Barri came with his companie to the place to execute his purpose so that with much adoe they escaped the danger of that furious flood by their swift runing Cooke the ingenier being in greate danger of drowning whose life was saued by the assistance of the pikes that dam seruing the enimie to noe purpose but to put them to innumerable and extraordinary charges And whereas during the whole siege there were an incredible number of forts bulwarks and redouts errected by the most prudent Marques for the defence of the armie against the enimi and yet amongest them all but one fort royall alone placed within a canons shot of the citti this fort of soe greate importance with all the artillerie and a munision belonging there to was committed onely to the faithfull keeping and care of Cap. Barri who vntill that time had for foure monnethes togither serued before Breda in the openfield euen vntill the month of march without any kind of defence of forte euident arguments both of his valouer and fidelitie as also of the honnor don him and greate confidence reposed in him All which both the Marques him self and the Count of Isenbourg haue testified and confirmed vnder their publick hands and seals to his eternall praise And were not that the great sallie whiche issued oute of Breda the 16. of September into count Isinburques quarter were not beaten back by the Irish it woulde be hard for oure wourkes to goe forward if such sallies should beset us on euerie syde and so continue whiche iruptiones if they had made continually oute of sundry partes oures being weakned in the biginning for ther feones and burthen of ther labor and not being beaten back as they were it had bene apainefull thing at the self same time both to fortifie and defend them selues But trough that respite whiche they gaue us trough the great losh they receiued truly if thies sallies should continue anie time it were hard for ours to fortifie them selues So that after this at leasure we made up both the trinches of all the siege and wer by litle and litle finished Redutes and fortes were built in the forme wherof we represent in the precedent page Number VI. Num. 6. Murus prioris circumuallationis terreus Turres seu Redouttes è cespite Castella terrea seu Fortz Jurrium et Castellorum primorum aqualis altitudo et crassitudo The engineres and such as were skilfull of the places affirmed that this dike was to be planted in this place because the grounde in the winter being low and soft did so ouerflow with the fieldes that were wet of there owne nature and with the ouerflowing wateres of the riuer merka that the enemy might sayle this way and woulde haue their prouision brought with boates into the cittie but be meanes of this dike the passage was shutt and all soccor kept from them VVhileste all thes thinges were thus ordered Spinola went fourth euery day comanding the Coroneles and Captaines to call the ouerseers of the wourkmen and as nothing is to much hastned to alonginge minde so he comanded that the vnwearied should succede and succor the wearied so that they ceased not to labor in the night By which diligence it was brought to passe that two trinches of so great height so many redutes so many fortes were almost finished within seauintine dayes nor yet but with feow soilders But the great assemblie of the fleower of nobilitie being incited on euery side to learn militarie disipline and the example of many princes were agreat prouocation to expedition who among the comon sorte being mooued with the greatnes of this warr put them selues to task and cut thurfes of earth and carried fagotes with ther owne handes further more the extraordinarie profit of this labor turned principallie to ease the necessitie of the soilders with whiche the army was kept least it shoulde deboard for when as wages were seldom paied and thos also but haulf payes and the dearth of corne being great the price of the labor was daylie paied to the soilders who sets his labor to sale by sole example And as afterwardes neow workes that were to be made were disposed of in the continual time of the siege so the soilders labor turned alwayes to his owne profit some had rather liue by beginge then help ther necessitie with the gaine of that kind of labor which example seemed to many that the necessitie foght with honor and toght more fit to die then spot ther
ciuillie that he was not accustomed to make a bragging but a prudent war that it is a Commanders part to combat no lesse with councell then with sword and forces Number VIII Maurice hauing pitched his tents at mede kept him selfe in them nether gaue him selfe leaue nor any of his to depart farther of VVhich Spinola noting commanded fiue fortes in a maner all of the same bignes to be made on the left side euen to der Heyde for Barron Beauuoix Iohn Count of Nasau Phlilip Count of Fuggere to cut of all passage to Graue Maurice which space being mightie and great filled with continuated trinches betwixt the fortes was afterwards adioyned to that first sodainely cast vp trence To all these fortes the forme for their diuers situation was also diuers in ther forme but their strenght and height was equall with that other of Beauuoyes Maurice did assault our men who were busie about these workes with no irruptions nether by day nor by night during which dayes he lost by flight many raw Inglish soldiars whom he had called for to helpe him A certaine French Trumpetter by occasion of a thinge that was lost being set sent into our armie vnto Iohn Count of Nasaw in the name of the french Nobilitie inuited him to approache neerer vnto Maurices armie to trye their fortune with them The Count promised that he would come upon a certaine houre the next day after with three other ther of his companions prouided with there swordes and two pistoles a pice and vnarmed of other weapens The next day after as it was agreed at the houre appointed together with Coronel Steenhuse and two Lieutenants of two companies of horsemen Grobbendonck the younger and Botberge he stood before the enimies campe There came out of the enimies campe foure horsmen with others following a far off to the number of fixtine with three hundred of the enimies looking forth from the fore fronte of the armie amongst which Maurice him selfe is said to haue bene the chiefe There was amongst these four a young man called Briant his sonne who once the father of young Grobendonck had ouercome and slaine in a single combat hauing lost Lackerbec his Lieutenant He desiring to reuenge his fathers death sending a Trumpeter vnto Spinola craued leaue to be granted him to trie the combat with him that flew his father as if otherwise he should haue liued to longe which Spinola refusing him holding Grobbendonck sone least he should escape Briaut ayoung man of afierie spirit sought occasion of his owne accord Count Nassau hauing receiued a bullet of his aduersarie on the fore part of his sadle had his neck burnt with the fire of his pistol Briant hardy both of hand and voice said At me at me shoote at me who so euer thou art lo Briant this day this day will reuenge the wrong of his fathers slaughter which hauing said setting spurres to his horse in vaine prouoking the Lieutant of Grobbendonck the younger with a pistol he being pierced thorough with a bullet of his taking hould by the pomele of his sadle his hand being halfe dead felt presently to the ground so the vndaunted valor of the two Grobbendoncs the father and the sone vanquisted the two Briauts the father and the sonne Ther one captain Steenhuse hauing wounded another of the enimies there ran to helpe them those sixteene which came out of the enimies campe Oures by litle and letle retyring themselues whilst riding closer one to another one of them riding close to Nasau puls the bridle out of his hande entangled with the pomel of his sword so looseth his sword held by the bridle and pluckt forth of the scabbard so by two vne expected chances he exposed him selfe to the sodaine danger of two casualties But Nassauius horse other wise ardent and vnquiet stood as amased and gaue time to his master to take vp his bridle The other hauing left his sword exposed him selfe to danger Our Cornet who came to behould forbedden by the coming in of the enimie to kill Briaut smites him on the head yet brething and taking horse followes the rest A few dayes after whē our troupes of horsmē stood in sight before the enemies tents Bouteuille Frēchman with a conuoie of fiue companies of horse came to remoue them from their standing place Baron Beauuoix garded with a companie of Counts being by chance a walkinge came betwixt them and releeuing the gard drowe the enimie back into a wood neere adioyning Hēce Bouteuille going forward a litle boasting of his owne prouesse relyenig upon the promise of his frendes and on acoate of male which he wore vnder his cloake prouokes ours to a single combat The condition being accepted of ours besought to come further out from the wood not remouing from his place shot in the ranyes by one of ours leting fall for griefe of the wound the pistol which he had in his hand sled away In the meane space whilst they seemed to be idle in Graue Maurices campe nor none endeuoring to fire our forts nor to hinder our workes nor none attempted to prouoke vs with their assaulrs he of purpose concealing his designe because craft required deliberation nether was it safe to atchieue great exploits vppon the sodaine he resolued priuilie in the night to set vpon the Castle of Antwerp which accordingly he put in practise It is thought that he knew that a few soldiars were left for sauegard to defēd the Castle besides those who ether for their age or for their sicknes were dispenced with all The Castle seming worthie to him of his labor and the gaine greater then the losse of Breda Therfore he kept all his men in his campes at Bergenupsone and Rosendall with so great diligence vnder watch and ward within the walles that not so much as by any least signe was any attempt perceiued ether against Antwerp or against or armie The chardge of this expedition was committed to Bronchena Captaine of Bergenupson of a cōpanie of horse hauing called him to meda He drawes out a thousand foote and two hundred horse as it was reported with all kind of instruments laid vpon wagons to the places that were appointed He makes the soldiar belieue departing from the campe and from Rosendal that they should goe to Bergenupsone and those that went from Bergenupsone that they were to goe to the armie when he was come somwhat far of from the cittie and from the towne he commanded all the blue and yeallow coulered beltes which the States soldiars were wont to weare to be taken away and red ones such as the Kinges soldiars weare to be put on least they shoulde be knowen by the color of their belt for enimies they should be betrayed by the Boores stratagemes Being asked of those that met them who they were they were taught to Answer that they went to Antwerp for prouision whither it was
this short time of the winters departure had hapned in the former monthes as at other times it was wont to do out of dout we should haue bene forced to forsake the siege for no other cause then only for the sharpnes of the weather for in those few dayes wherein it freesed so seuerely the sinnewes of many were shrunke vp by the force of the cold and some amongst the watches were found dead Some had their handes and feete so stiff that they were faine to haue them sawed of Many carriars also and purweyors of corne who the crueltie of the wayes thorough rayne snow myre and windes had cast back in their voyages made by night were kild in the way by the frost The conuoyes also were so hindred that for the space of three weekes in which the snow and the frostes were dissolued with cōtinuall raynes scarce any victualls were brought besides that which the wiues of the German soldiars brought daylie almost setting their companies in array runing abroad into the incorporated townes brought into the campe vpon their shoulders Of which women who continually performed other duties towards their husbands by fetching wood a far off getting of forraige from all parts dressing their meate washing their linnen carrying their houshould-stuffe when the drummes were beaten such respect seemed to be had of them in the campes that they were not held for any hinderance but with honor were reputed to be mens mules The waters being diminished the enimies endeuours attempted againe with great solicitude of minde to finish the pretented damme Spinola caused the sluce of the riuer of Leure which reached vnto the riuer of Merka to be broken a sunder and commāded certaine riuers to be stopped and diuerted which poured them selues abroad into our campes He caused a trenche likewise which he had placed in the fennie groundes from Merka to hage to be raised higher by three foote lest the standing poole though ouer-flowing might be passed ouer with boates to the end they might breake back the force and swiftnes of the riuer returning from Breda by certaine letts set against it to receiue it from ether banke therof did make within here and there vpon the sides hilles lyingout like horned woorks next before that place where they intended to build that damme before Then they lay before that gaping or gulfe both which appeared in the medst betwixt the horned woorks of the riuer by which the force of the waters now more straitned were caried long beames after a triangle maner fastened in the riuer with a litle space betwixt which the riuer enclosed but a litle broaken Then they began behinde to make the damme secure as they supposed of the successe By their perpetuall labors both by day and night they had now brought the mater to that passe that hauing brought trenches along on both sides of the riuer besides the litle straites of the mouth it seemed almost nothing remayned to be stopped But so great was the force of the immense waters both augmented and inforced that now it disgorged like a most raging torrent which before alwayes passed thorough the loose riuer with such lenitie that scarcly could it be iudged by the eye on whether side it flowed Moreouer the bottom it selfe the sandes boyling vp of their owne accord thrust forth the beames rammed in so that the rāmed stoccadoes wholie slid away And so great a tempest fell at that time that whatsoeuer boates stones turffes fagots and trees were laied in the water to strengthen the damme was all ouerborne and the nauie in which the Duke of Brunswick carried the french horse was greuously torne in pieces euen in that passage not a few quite ouer whelmed many driuen hither and thither which hardely could hould their course So the enimie seeing his so manifould preparations to proue so ill at last iudged it best to giue quite ouer a thing attempted so oft in vaine In those daies with notable craft letters were sent from Iustinus to Maurice and likewise from Maurice and Mansfeld to Iustinus in which many thinges very necessarie to be knowen were discouered to Spinola A certaine person out of the care he had of the common good hauing gotten a countrie fellow skilfull of the places and of the passages and ready to vndertake any thinge agrees with him that loaden with Tobacco Butter and Cheese like to a runne away as though he had craftely cosoned our watch should get to the walles of Breda and should present his seruice to Iustinus to carry letters to Maurice if so he pleased The man being of a fickle minde and greedy of gayne posest at home of nothing but of pouertie sells his faith Being thus instructed as it was agreed got to the walles of the cittie the marchandise brought to those that were so hungrie made the stranger to be very welcome Iustinus greedy of newes enquires many thinges of the campe of the passage he had found out and of the common opinion He as one of a perfidious minde like to Sinonius and concealing his owne a cogger and dissembler of euery thinge telling somethinges truly and lying in others somwhat neere to truth gayned the opinion of an honestman for those thinges which like us we easilie beleeue Being asked whether he hoped by that way which he escaped to finde outsome passage to carry back letters answering at the first fearfully at last he set their affections on fire with faire wordes to vndertake the affaire which one thinge he most earnestly desired vnder the pretence of a refusall He therfore carieth letters from Iustinus to Maurice with a promised reward if he brought back answer from him into the cittie The dissembler promises all diligence but when he cāme into our campes he deliuers Iustinus letters vnto Spinola VVherof the contents were as follow That he reioyced much to haue receiued letters thrice from Maurice by which he vnderstood both that Mansfeld was safely arriued with German and English succours and so great warlike preparations to be made for the releeuing of Breda That he should be carefull as he had promised that there should be corne enough till the end of Aprill or begining of May vnles it should by chance be burnt by fire which the enimies often shot into the cittie That he would shortly finde out new inuentions for corne by searching the granaries of the cittisens That the workes of the enimies ar lately extended from the great trench which lay before the water mille to the campes of Balanconius and placed against the litle tree of Guittenbergue Those campes began to be fortified with workes by Spinola The garison of the ciitie was daylie very much diminished with the plague bloody-flux and with the scuruie That the sick could not be refreshed and cured For want of medicines and wholsome meates That the rest who were in health lost not their courage but looked earnestly for an occasion
their ease then ours were and had store of fire nether did their bread fayle till the day that they departed Spinola attended upon with a notable troupe of Nobilitie betwixt the inward circle of the cittie and the trenche the conqueror him selfe beheld the beautifull pompe of his glorious triumphe He curteously saluted all the Captaines at their going forth and first Naslauius the Gouernor venerable for his gray haires his wife and children the sonn of Emanuell of Portugal and two bastards of Prince Maurices and they againe with constant composed countenāces and voices and with a modest enclining of the banners saluted him No ignominious voice of prouoking one another was once heard but smiled with fauorable countenancs The companies being past all opprest with the congratulations of all the standers by and runing thick together admitted the duties of common curtesie no more cheerfully then modestly according to euery ones due praise for his labor assigned and industrie in so great and so long difficultie of the siege Iohanes Medices was sent to Isabella the Infanta of Spaine who related to her the ioyfull departure of the garison to whom Isabella gaue a rich collour of gould and adia mant being indeed a Princely reward Ferdinandus Guzmannus master de campe of a Spanis Regiment was sent with the same newes into Spaine to Philip the fourth Theodorus Camargius Coronell carried the first newes of the rendring of the cittie into Germanie to the Emperor Ferdinandus The Count of Anholt hearing of Mansfelds departure from the campe dismissed with his presently followed him The fame of the victorie diuulged into France England Italie and Germanie was scarcely beleeued euen by frendes A short fable was spread abroad by the enimies of the conuoyes of Breda and was cryed about by the voice of a common ballet-seller and sould in a printed pamphlet the same day wherein the newes was brought of the rendring therof yea euen from Spaine also letters were brought from the Kinge into the low-contries in which Isabella was admonished that she should consider againe and againe whether it were not more to the purpose to recall Spinola from so long and doutfull a siege so sharply did many write into Spaine to their acquaintance in high authoritie of the dispaire of getting the cittie Isabella the Archdutches resolued her selfe to goe in person to the cittie that was wonne and to visit the soldiars that had ouercome Spinola only keeping the gates of the citie command ther houses villages the tower and the church to be made cleane went to meete Isabella three leages from the cittie Almost all ther horse ether was sent before to Antwerp to bring her on her way or were placed in the midle way to receiue her and she was entertained coming with great ioy and with a triple discharging of the Canons as with a daunce of ioy The footemen diuided into diuers squadrons reioyced with no lesse signe of noice and of shouting upon the gate of Hage thorough which Isabella entred into Breda an Epigrame set upon the gate was reade that taking away the litle word of enuie it pleased him to soften PHILIPP VS HISPANIAE REX GVBERNAN TE ISABELLA CLARA EVGENIA OBSIDENTE SPINOLA HOSTIB VS FRVSTRA IN SVPPETIAS CONIVRANTIB VS BREDA VICTOR POTITVR All the greater ordinances of the cittie went off once twice and the third time The Archdutches forbid bon-fires or any other publique shew of ioy to be made in respect of the reuerence she bore to God till first she had caused Sacrifice to be offered vnto him the day following in the great Church as to the chiefe Author of the victorie The next day therfore Alphonsus Cardinall of Cueua Ambassador of the Kinge of Spaine first said Masse Isabella her wayting dames maides and all the people being present From Masse Isabella went about the Church to behould if any were left of the oulde monuments of religion She found here and there emptie places of the pictures of sepulchers steps of hereticall pietie against their Ancestors that were dead Yet found she whole the notable tombe of Englebert the secon dsomtimes Count of Nassau builded by Henrie his nephue of white and black marble Another which was of Engelbert the First and of Iohn of Nassau the picture of our blessed lady set theron being taken downe and defaced which was done by the instinct of a Sibell Henrie Boxhornes preacher of the word in Breda some times a Flamen priest of Iupiter amongst the high Priests She to wit by the oracle of Sibill after the sixt month of the siege of Breda prophecying that the cittie should yeld it selfe to the enimie vnlesse they would throw downe a picture of the virgin Marie kept at that time in that place which the religion of many of our very holie ancestors had worshiped so many yeares agoe in that cittie but others ignorant in religion durst not wronge it being at that time safe and sound In which thinge I know not what I may cēsure most to be reprehended whether the patience of the benumed Senat and people in suffering so great a wickednes as the treadding of antiquitie vnder foote or their stupiditie in beleeuing or the impudent boldnes of a meane woman against the picture of the blessed virgin consecrated by the noble predecessors of the Nassaues and set upon his tombe for memorie to posteritie An Epigrame or two of the fore-passed taking of Breda being written on the walles of the church iniurious to God and the Catholique Kinge were put out and these were set in their place to signifie the yeare wherin Breda was recouered AMBROSI SPINOLAE VIGILANTIA BREDA EXPVGNATA The sacred ceremonies being ended the tower of the church by night lighhtned almost with an innumerable number of lāternes and fires were seene to burne euen from Holland All the cittie shone with bon-fires and with barrells of pitch Then all the canons shot off againe And which was a more beautifull spectacle there was a circle of continuated shining fires for the compasse of two and thirtie miles thorough the circuit of the interior trenche which Spinola hauing set with stakes straw and fagots commanded the soldiars to gather together and to burne them perpetuall flashes of smale shott shining betwixt which like vnto starres a far off sodainly shining and vanishing made a most pleasant sight The liberalitie also fo Isahella that excellent Princesse shined towards the Church of Breda and towards two Religious orders of Capucins and priests of the Societie of IESVS no lesse then her pietie in sparing and praying to God to gaine that cittie It was the common voice of all that the Infanta by her perpetuall prayers and those of her court and of other places by there cōtinuall prayers in the fortie houre prayers to be made in all the Churches and by powring out her almes amongst the miserable wonne Breda and not with weapons And truly that the
and Bergues and Rodulphus Maximilianus Duke of Saxonie which three together the sport being ended of the vnbloody war ran together to the coache of the Infanta Isabella conqueresse to salute her with their humble swords Then Spinolaes tents being placed some three miles from Antwerp was brought into the cittie with the reioycing eyes and voices of all that looked for him together with the Archdutches Henrie of Bergues with his companies is lefte to Hooghstrate to carry the rest of the conuoye back to Breda In the last conuoye therefore which was brought into Breda before the enimie departed count Bergius about to haing by the riband of Spinolaes laurell studied to catch the enimie in a snare by the inticement of a few prouokers to battell the rest lying in ambushe which should then sodenly appeare and inuade them But the enimie whether out of prudence or out of feare not coming out of their tents Bergius departed doing nothing Isabella whilst she remayned at Antwerp was drawen with the pencill of rabens that excellent painter and being grauen with an instrument in brasse she saw her selfe crowned with a garland of oake in an imperiall table VVorthie so to be pictured after that noble triumphe nor by no other hand then by that of that Apelles The Conqueresse Dauid was shewed in a Scene by the schoole of the Societie of IESVS after a new kind of modell wherin after euery Act all the historie of the thinge performed was most delightfully exhibited in the liuelie Images of dumme persons VVith Isabella the rest of the Nobles of the Court beheld the same A few dayes after it being vnderstood that the enimie was retired into garison our armie also retired vnto garisones VVhen Spinola came to Bruxells with a few he was receiued with new congratulations albeit he auoided it by concealing his coming against his will and perforce all runing together to meete him Meffengers being sent in the meane space into Spaine Kinge Phillip ioyfull of a double victorie of the recouerie of Breda and of the Bay in Brasile gaue to the Marques Spinola for so many labors employed for so many enimies ouercome without slaughter for so impregnable cittie subiugated amost Royall gift as is the chiefe gouernment of the order of S. Iames for ether that was to be the reward of so great a victorie or the liberalitie of so great a Kinge giuing also greater then could be asked Pope Vrbanus moued with the greatnes of the thinges done at Breda first congratulated Isabella and then Spinola for his fortitude and felicitie with most excellent letters the copies wherof I haue iudged meet to be published both for their singular elegancie as also for the excellent authoritie of the most prudent Pontifice Pope Vrbans letter vnto the Archdukes Isabella Clara Eugenia Our Lord mightie in warre hath lifted up his arme ouer the nations which intended euill to his seruants and the right hand of the omnipotent is glorified in you Triumphing with ioy for the noble victorie of conquered Breda with the same Epitaph we speake to your Nobilitie who hauing surpassed the praises of a womans virtu prosperously turned the forces of the Austriacall power for the defence of the orthodox faith The band of the heauenlie armie fought in your campes and the constancie of warlike fortitude hath taught noble nations inhabiting by the spectacle of so singular a siege no hould in earth to be fortified with so strong helpes and defences which the power of acamp armed with celestiall helpes doth not vanquish You haue combatted with an enimie conteining of perils and with a cunning artificer of vnheard of terror he seemed to studie to send the very Ocean it selfe out of her prisons in to the Austriacall armie He shut vp the raging floods with sea sluces ouerflowed that as it were with a new sea he might swallow up the campes of your Nobilitie But the wicked haue fallen into the ditch which they digged and our Lord hath raigned The Ocean restrayned the surging waues in their ould seates and the floods with-drue them selues Into dry places VVe congratulate this victory to you wished hartely with the desires of the whole Church to which Rome the mother of all Nations applaudeth which the testimonies of histories in ensuing ages will proclaime And truly how well your Nobilitie doth vse them we haue vnderstood by the voice of the report and letters of our ministers Vnlesse our lord keepe the cittie in vaine do the statiōs of soldiars watch and he doth arme those citties with legions of Angels in which the Catholique faith doth prosper the keeper of publique tranquillitie doth predominate we know with what solicitous pietie and with what prudent actes you procure that heresie may be cast forth from the people of Breda the mother of perfidie and nurse of sedition wherefore seeing you leaue no place for Pontificall admonitions we worthely praise and extolle the glorie of your name and with our most exact prayers recommend vnto God your Nobilitie that of so healthfull a triumphe you may receiue those frutes which the Church wisheth and impietie feareth and we bestow upon you perpetually Apostolicall benediction Giuen at Rome at S. Maria Maior vnder the Fishers ringe the 9. of August 1625. the second yeare of our Pontificat Number XVI Pope Vrbanus to the Marques Spinola thus congratulating Heauen triumpheth in the victories of thy Nobilitie whose branches nourished with the blood of heretiques and the head of Catholique Religion crowneth The ouerthrow of Breda will remaine a monument to all Nations and ages of thy virtu Let the whole world know euen at this day those Captaines to be borne in Italie in whom the glorie of Cesar and of Scipio doth flowrish a new Thou hast tamed those enimies excelling in riches mad in anger and desying death The floods shut vp with sluces ar commanded to alter their course and the heapes of fuming waters to enter the campes of thy Nobilitie The fauor of heauen hath thoroughly asswaged them all and the constancie of thy courage Truly that cittie which treason had taken away from the power of Austria fearfull of the light and lying hid in skulking corners that cittie by thy Nobilitie valor and virtu was recouered The memorie of Bredaes siege will remaine for euer and from thence the Captaines of ensuing posteritie shall learne the art of warring and examples of fortitude Amongst the present stormes of tossed Italie and of Princes disscordinge the newes receiued from Breda so far did this ioyfull beame of the diuine clemencie shine to our Pontificall solicitude that we haue determined by the testimonie of our Apostolicall letters to extolle thee as the author of so great a good promising our patrocinie to they Nobilitie to whom we wishe the happines of long life and bestow vpon thee for euer our Apostolicall benediction Giuen at Rome at S. Maria Maior vnder the Fishers ringe the 9. of August 1625. the second yeare