the deluge and the litle boates wherwith they brought the turffes and other materialls beaten one against another and cast on the shore and all nauigation vtterly hindered But afterwards by those tēpests they gayned this by the change of the weather and continuation of the windes that the work of the ondertaken dāme they supposed necessarily to be deferred vntill the next march These thinges vnderstood the Senat lest ether by the continuance of the siege they should want victualls or for want of mony should be vnable to pay the soldiars wages resolued by two wayes to prouide a remedie First to lenghten out their prouision by measuring out and distributing of it sparingly for after that they had once in the month of September taken acount from house to house of the corne they againe in October calculate all the graine in the whole cittie and againe in the same October in two dayes space all that was noted was againe measured setting watchmen from street to street writinge downe the number of people in each familie And when the cittisens were found to haue twelue thousand measures of wheate in the publicque store-house fiue thousand ad fiue hundred head of cattell it was decreed that there should be measured for so many weekes to the soldiar out of the common store-house a hundred and fiftie measures to the cittisens out of their owne heape a-thousand measures eighteene head of cattell to be slaine wherof the pound should be sold for three penns Num. 11. Then they began after this maner to cure the discease of the want of mony The Gouernor of the cittie the Coronells and Captaines and all the Officers swearing how much mony euery one had affirmed that what euery one was able to lend should be coyned a new Number XI Then were four sorts of monie of brasse and siluer made of a four square forme the thre that were of siluer were of two foure and six shilinges those of brasse of a penny halfpeny and a farthing Then was it published by a Cryar that that sort of money should passe currant for so much and be of such a valew as they were declared by their prices In the meane while vnwelcome newes were brought vnto vs of Brocheme a towne of Cleeue Lambertus Charlesius of Newmehe Gouernor of the confederated States vnderstanding of the smale number of the garison and of the fall of the walles gathering men forth of the adioyning confederated places he endeuoreth to breake into Gogh on what side he may and doth attempt it Of nine hundred of ours who were left in garison only fiue hundred were esteemed fit to beare armes the rest being worne out with sicknes or with wearines The fortresses being weakned with the moisture where the ditches of the walles were full of foordes gaue passage to the troopes nor were on that side planted with stakes or with piles Iacobus Tourlandus Gouernor of Grocheme aduertised of the issu of the soldiars of Newmege aduiseth the neighbouring Gouernors of the Kinges townes that they should looke to them selues being him selfe as he thought secure Euer now and then he made the round about the walles and the day before they besieged the towne he doubleth the number of the watche He commanded four-score to gard that place where the walles were broken where it seemed by reason of the ruines a more easie passage did lye open Also what he had vnderstood of the enemies issue whate he had a duised his neighbours what him selfe had done of al these thinges he giues account by writing vnto Spinola which letters of Ioānes Gonsales Gōuernor of VVesel of the vncertaine state of thinges togheter with the letter of Tourland being receiued he checkes Tourland that ether forgetfull or careles of him selfe he vndertooke the care of others when he could not by reason of so great distance of place send succour from the campe in due time The enimie going forth in the dead of the night early in the morning stood vnder the fallen walle of the towne There were four thousand foote and four hundred horse These whilest they laboured to get to the top by the ruines our fourscore watch-men assricted on a sodaine at the presence and number of the enimie forsaking their leader with shamefull feare betaking them to slight gaue way to the enimie to entre in by that place which they had vndertooke to defend They posessing the walles with their weapons a while after sease upon two gates and upon the market The most part of Tour-lands owne forsaking him hardly able to withstand the assault the enimie being now come to the gates gathering together some soldiars of those that fled endeauoreth to defend the Castle and the other Gate of the cittie He sendes to VVesel to Ioannes Gonsales to craue helpe promising both he and his in the meane time to keepe the place Gonsales writ back vnto him that he should still retayne his former courage and auoweth that he should soone receiue succour from him only that he should stand faithfull with much a doe was that day sustained By night when ours couragiously opposed the forces of the enimie at lenght there were beaten out of the gates only the Castle did remaine The next day after perceiuing the succour of a thousand foote who contrary to that which Tourland had aduertised to be done entring by the posterne gate of the Castle by hastning to breake the bridge leauing three hundred on the other-side of the riuer all which were ether slaine by the enimie or came aliue in to their subiection Tourland hauing mended with lathers and boordes that bridge which led out of the castle into the towne and which him selfe had broken about to make a sallie forth into the cittie being shot in the bellie was greuously wounded and so at last in the sight of all the Captaines upon honorable conditions rendred it up Lambertus Charlesius author of that expedition got the victorie but enioyed not the benefit therof very long For after certaine houses sacked Churches robbed Altars subuerted Images burned all thinges diuine and humaine quite disordered lastly nether weighing nor moderating nothing but to doe iniurie at last had this victorie dying of the palsie he receiued worthie punishment for his wickednes It appeared even by the iudgment of the enimie that we lost no great matter by loosing Grocheme nether it was so much intercepted for desire of retayning it but thinking to diuert Spinola from Breda For Breda being now rendred they aggreed with us without any condition asked on the other side that that towne should be reputed for neutral and free Those of Breda notwistanding hearing of that victorie talking with our watche from the walles with a wittie soldiar like wipe bid them be packing to Grocheme About that time it was reported that the troupes which Mansfield had gathered ran vp and downe in the borders of henault and Artois the
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
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
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
were not so easie as it was supposed but yet that it both might and ought to be hoped for by the Count of Bergas relation a man most skilfull in warr and verie conuersant in those places Many dayes beinge spent in this doubt the army in the villadge of Gilse began to loose courage the riuer which is a water nere to the campe was two miles of the welles whiche were few did eyther wax dry with heat or were exhausted by ouer muche Vse or the water beinge drawen fourth was so foule that it woulde not but in alōge space of time be cleere and setled Hince the empapatiēce of thirst in the extreame heate of the yeare compelled many to drinck vnholsome water or to drawe it oute of ditches or oute of the traces in the ground cutt by the cart whiles which caused disseases Spinola informed of this discomoditie leaste he shoulde slighly giue credit to this reporte to the ende that al thinges might be the more certaine vnto him enquireth of some of the masters de campe that were called whether the soilders were in so great wante of water as he was informed They fearinge eyther to sheow the fault of the campe because they woulde please his eares or measuringe other mens pouertie by there plentie afirmed that ther soilders had water enoghe The enformer herof beinge sent for by Marques Spinola the Captaines being present whilst he proceedes to make goode whate he saied Iohn Cont of Nasaw Coronel of two german regimentes arriued in goode time whow hauinge heard of the miserie of his owne soilders uphelde the informer in whate he sayde Andone of those who had denyed it priuilie whispered in the informers eares sayinge that he was behouldinge to him for that relation which he him self was afrayed to make Spinola hauinge founde oute the trueth of the matter comanded VVells to be digged euery wheare and so aremedy was founde against this euell fortie thousand loaues of bread wer consumed by that bad ayer in the campe of Giles VVithal there were at that tyme the tentes of two Italian companies burnt with a sudin fire by meanes of al whiche discommodities no wages being payed before that day and the price of vituales beinge greate many by flight for sooke the campe VVhich example Spinola fearinge leaste it shoulde be imitated of more sought aremedy by seueritie and caused foure of the fugitiues that had fled to drawe lottes which of thos foure shoulde suffer death In the meane while the free voyces of manie men were heard in the army The time of action was spent in consultation the spreading and publication wherof lost bothe the soilder and his reputation Many thinges were don moste malepertlie by the enemy against the Kinge of Spaine and Marques Spinola with shame and ignominie amonghst the Holanders there were sportes sheowed by certaine Iesters in maner of merie enterludes which they called the spanish figth There was in like maner aridiculus picture of the Kinges spread abroad amonge the common people sekinge Breda with alitle lanterne Marques Spinola standing by with both his handes scratchinge his head hauing vnderwriten a verie spitefull and tantinge vearse Graue Maurish seeminge to be secure in all thinges and lyenge Idely at Hage as it were by comptempt is reported to haue said merilie that it had beene beter for Spinola to haue gon to Geel where mad men are deliuered from there madnes then to Gilsh But thies thinges beinge slighted ouer were forgotten nether did they moue them to any signe of anger Spinola aprouing the counsel of the Infanta touchinge the besechinge of Graue hauing sent Ion of Medices with comaunde willeth Hinri the count of Bergus to goe withe his army which he had at Rhene vnto Graue promishinge to send him the day apointed the troupes whiche he required where was sent presentlie Iohn Count of Nasaw who refused the gouernment of an army latelie offered vnto him by the comon wealth of Venishe with fiue thousand foote and foure companies of horse and three canons with eightine boates and other warlike engines He comandes Iohanes Conradus abermont Captaine of horse of Balduke to acompanie him by reason of his skilfulnes of the places The next day he sendes priuily hiacentus Velascus Marques of Belueder with other ten companies of horse to the number of athousand with chardge that he shoulde posess far and neere all the catel aboute graue and so defend the places at his pleasure wherin after wardes the tentes were to be placed by the Count of Bergues The Count of Bergues goinge to Graue hauinge soone asaulted the Castel of mondelberge the towne and castel of cleaues and the towne of Genep as he was in his Iorney tooke it by force and by there rinderinge placed garisones ouer itt But the auctoritie of Count Hindrik admonishinge the soilders did so profit thos of the towne and so terrifie the soilders from makinge piladge that neyther was any mans name brought in question who might be found to haue taken away anie thinge by theft oute of the houses though wel adorned oute of whose windowes and houses he comanded the castel to be beaten til they yealded VVhiche thinge when the Burgermaster of cleaues informed Graue Morish de Nasaw did admire boath at so great ciuilitie of the soilders and at so great vertue of the conductor no lesh then at the integritie of another scaurus as also the not touchinge the fruites of the trees whiche many was wondered at He fortified on the other side of the Mosa the dorpe cauled mouck fit for prouision of vituales and in the same place he pitched his tentes From thence he goes to discouer Batimburg and Rauestene and to deceiue the enemies he goes with fiftine troupes of horse and thre hondered shott The Marques of Beluedere hauinge goten agreate bootie of cattel driueng away all whatesoeuer he founde from Graue to Rauestene and sending them to Balduke caused muche terror aborad Hinrie of Bergues hauing diligently viewed Batenbergue and Rauestene sent for Iohn of Nasaw and Conradus Aubermont to come vnto him He sendes him Conradus with comaund to declare vnto the Marques Spinola that Rauesten coulde not be so Easilie won as it was suposed but if he woulde let Rauesten alone he woulde atempt to get graue if Spinola so comaunded him and was in goode hope to attaine if So he woulde sende vnto him some great forces He comaundes Iohn of Nasaw to pitche his tentes on the other side of the mase not far from Graue and that he him self woulde abide at mouck til Spinola had declared whate his pleasure was and singnified Vnto him that he woulde in the meane time make away ouer the mase with abridge for passinge the armie and ioyning it togither if need required At that time there fell so horible atempeste in one night with raine winde lightninge and thunder raging togither alonge time as if
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
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
first the sea was calme a while after a smoking shower of rayne poured forth from the black cloudes together with turbulent stormes of dangerous vaues which made him that he knew not where he was Hence all the heauens and the whole sea were conuerted into stormes which carried the ships violently vpon the rockes or rune them a ground They could not lye at ancre nor could they pompe forth the waters that beate in vpon them their loading and their armour were cast ouer boord to lighten their barkes swimming by the shore side the waues enforcing rhem Atlast the cruelty of the heauens and of the seas being augmented made shiproack drowning many of his soldiars he scarcely saued by the helpe of a litle boate so that he was thought for a long time to be as dead The Kinge of England promised fourteene thousand foote There were some companies appointed for Mansfeld out of Liege and else where supplies were gathered thorough Germanie to the number of two thousand foot but the vnited Lords resolued to augment their old companies with great troupes of horse and foote called out of England France and Germanie Spinola perceiuing the enimies drift admonisheth the Archdutches that she should request of the Emperour against Mansfeld like companies both of horse and foote And that shee should request of the Duke of Bauaria helpe of the confederat Princes of Germanie against Mansfelds designes Moreouer that she should commande the Prouinces to defend their quarters whith fifteene thousand foote which they call curlinges or selected men and with three thousand horse which they call companies of the Ordinance which troupes partly the Prouinces partly the collectors of the Kinges mony might pay their wages to these foote men only during the time of war to the horsmen alwayes after that it might belong to their charge as often as any war should happen presently to be readie and being offered ether to defend or offend The Archdutches Isabella waing all thinges with a maruellous princely prouidēce with continuall labor and consulting both by night and day as she did order the whole busines and did vndergoe so great a waight which two thinges she did most easily bring to passe which no other could attaine vnto by the auctoritie of her name and by the fauor she had amongstst the people By her authoritie with strangers by her fauor and grace amongst her owne The succours therfore which Spinola requested she obtained of the Emperour by letters She sent the Count Octauius Sforzan to the Duke of Bauaria The Emperour promised three thousand foote and two thosand and fiue hundred horse The Duke of Bauaria a thousand horse and three thousand foote The rest of the foote and horse were sent by the Prouinces at the time appointed according to the nūber that was ordayned Then Spinola on whom dependeth the waight of this affaire wholie attēded to this one thinge that to so great acompanie according to the continuation of the war which he forsaw prouision should be brought both in great plentie and safetie And to this end vnderstanding two thinges to be most necessaire first wagons by which he might supply victuals next by some perpetuall guide which might serue the campe in hard times and difficult wayes he made Henrie of Bergues chefe of that transportation retayning in the campe Orchoa Gomeretio Comissarie generall as they call him whom hitherto he had vsed in transporting of victuals but nowe most of all had neede of him with the rest of the horsemē to make excursiōs about Breda and about the cāpe He sent the Count of Henning to the States of Brabant to procure wagons that hauing perswaded them first the other prouinces should also follow their example the Count of henninge proposing the matter to those who were to giue their suffrage he easily obtayned of thē that they should all afterwards agree vnto it in the State house when they both knew the present necessitie and were glad of the remedy for the publique good Those therefore of Brabant condescending those of Flanders Henault Artois and the rest did not vn willingly condescend that so many wagons should be appointed At lyre there was a publique barne of corne ordayned hither first was the prouision brought and from thence to the leager The greatest part of the horsmen were committed to the charge of the Count of Bergues which were to take care of the prouision for the companies of Breda need almost no other defence then the fortification already made This leaders name although it was fearfull to the enimie yet he chose rather with his owne act then with his fame to deter them from all irruptiō wherfore this way he acquitted himselfe of his office It was his custome early in the morning before day to discouer the disorder of the confused troupes then sending before some troope of light horsmē to goe after To the first cōpanies and last he ioyned artilleric to giue notice of the enimies coming whose signe by so great asound might be carried a far off that by that signe which was giuen the soldiars might be gathered together and hasten to that place which stood most in neede Both sides of the way against Rosendal and Langestrate where the enemies army lay to be set with troupes of horse on both sides and to set betwixt the horsmen light footemen and with the rest of the horse to enclose with the reste of the foote so to goe forward in their iorney and yet in fight That they should seeke as much as was possible the safest passages to preuēt treacheries disposing the wayes that the passages might be the more easie If there were any dāger that he should be wary not to bid battell vpon the enimies ground and for that cause ether to expect in a fitter place or kepe him self from disaduantage and to set the wagons insteed of a trench if they were to fight bringing the shooters with in side As oftē as they were to march that the Captaines shoulde goe before till the last had passed both to veew and hasten their companies and then fallow after all and then in the marche to before most and finally to come in time To prouide places of lodging for the soldiar before night then the gardes to be apointed before night To call the boores to enquiri of the enimie of the wayes and to setwatch as the custome was Ether to sease vpon the bridges or to breake them downe to take away passage from the enimie To set the soldiars ready in their standing places with their horses bridled if neede were That they should send others out on euery side to take some by whom they might know the enemies designe Furthermore to haue certaine spies who should discouer vnto them all their councels and attempts whom he should reward liberally In the night he should beset all passages with watchmen and lest
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
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
two hundred barrell of heringes two hundred barrells of salted biefe two hundred sacks of salt three and twentie thousand cheese a great quantitie of flower syrope and honny VVith these fables related at the heighest the hollanders went about to maintaine their owne hope and to spread abroad our pouertie Spinola admonished by letters of the danger of the store house which the enimies went about to set afire as lately they had done the Church dubling the watch and cutting about another ditch he caused it to be kept more cautiously hauing transported almost halfe the quantie of the poudre into another new store-house lest if any danger hapned all should be burnt at once and the armie stand in want To prosecute that which rested of the war when the vnited States vnderstood that the treasure house was especially to be prouided for wherof they sought to finde some pretext iudging this to be enough to exact monie besides the tribute that long agoe was set vpon the head of euery one they exacted of all the citties and villages the hundred part of all the prices and marchandise Furthermore the confederates and their companions asked to be numbred by representation six hundred thousand crownes and six hundred for letters of exchance by the treasures which kept the counting hou-houses to be sent to be counted to the States That quantitie of mony being gathered there was enough for the enimie against that time we on the contrary began to fall short of mony in our treasure house for when for the setting vpon Genua the very same time in which the Kinge of Spaines armies were drawen forth were before Breda nor could be with-drawen from thence without disgrace the french armie passed the montaines like as conquerors the fidelitie of many negotiators began to be incertaine among forreiners whom the terror of beseeching Genua did afright and so that which the enemies long a goe had plotted which were at that time oppressed with great penurie of mony Diuers meanes therfore were proposed for collecting monie They commanded the mony of the yeare ensuing to be borrowed of all the Kinges commons The common impositions vpon the citties to be lent afore hand To bargaine with the Captaines of the soldiars that euery one for euery second month should pay their companies their wages as from the Kinge If that should be a heauie burthen atleast the Captaines them selues and their Coronells which did excell in their owne riches contented for two monthes without pay should susfer them to goe forth with their troupes which last thinge many of the Captaines seemed to promise but was thought fit to be omitted for the present least the noueltie should denote pouertee At last it pleased to lay in gage the Kinges reuenues vpon condition of a rent and by this meanes the soldiar was asisted About those dayes the King of Spaine to compose the new combustions of Italie created Gonsalus Cordua Generall of his armie Gonsalus had now bene from the first beginning of the expedition in the campe of Breda and with him and with Count Salazarius Spinola consulted all his councells to others reserued to these two vncouered He although most expert in warlike affaires and famous for the victorie against Mansfeld lately defeated and put to flight yet he here shewed him selfe to be of such behauiour such as vellerius neuer painted for their modestie in act like to those that did nothinge attributing nothing to him selfe and by the same attayning all thinges euer esteeming him selfe inferior to others quiete in countenance and in life and minde alwayes watchfull Newes being brought at this time of the death of the Kinge of England did not a litle hinder the Hollanders and Mansfelds enterprises The English runing from their colours daylie in great nombers fled vnto vs. Mansfeld catching any of ours by his soldiars sent them back without exacting any ransome affirming that he had no enimitie with the Kinge of Spaine VVhich thing Henrie of Nassau noting calling his companies from Rosen dale and gathering together his garisons from all the confines as intending briefly to make an end of that busines lest by doing nothing they should dreame of a defection ordayned the bizonnos or young soldiars to be euery day trayned vp in certaine warlike exercices Spinola that he might haue in due time helpes and companies in a readines commits to the charge of hoogstraet Henrie of Bergues with his horse and with some of the Emperours people athousand hors of the duke of saxonie and 3000. foote of the Regiment of Collato He knowes very well both the Castle and the incorporated Towne and causeth it to be fortified From thence he buildes six greater fortes hard by the riuer of Hoogststrate with certaine spaces betwixt them euen to the campes of Breda In these interualles or spaces which met almost together he placed perpetuall companies of soldiars to the end that in a short time the whole armie might meet the enimie at Breda or at Hoogstrate as necessitie should require He places the Count of Anholt with the German helpes Carolus Coloma and the Prince of Barbancone with the prouinciall companies and with some other extraordinarie of 3000. foote and 1500. horse in the neighbouring villages of Antwerp Maclin and Lyre By reason of the greatnes of that armie and number of the horse so great necessitie began to grow of fodder that the horses were faine to eate hors-dunge or the dry leaues of the trees or of litle shrubbes Oathes enough could not be brought where with so many charrets and beastes of burthen besides the sadled horses of the soldiars might be sustained The sodaine arriuall of the soldiars accustomed to more freer libertie and vnaccustomed to our discipline not content with that former freedome of militarie theft of a peece of mony euery day butrobed the houses spoiled the villages and begā to dishoner our armie as if they were enemies afterwards more insolent to call for their pay that was behind as if otherwise they would refuse to serue us Our cōpanies then which none had euer behaued thē selues more innocently vntill that day instructed rather to hate the enimies then to hurt their owne frendes began also to play as the witts of soldiars ar allwayes prompt to vice the same pranckes which strangers did in mischieuous facts and to accommodate them selues to their libertie Spinola admonishing the Captaines supposing it meeter in such a time rather to pacifie thē to exaggerate the force of those fellowes ordained some few of their heades to be cut off but aduising secretly the Captaines that they should aske pardon of him forgaue them the punishment iudging that that was not a time to take notice therof VVhilst ours remayne dispersed in these places Maurice closed up the last day of his life at Hage happie in this respect that he lamented not a liue the rendring up of his Breda These ar reported to be
sooner after three dayes in the village of Dungens two leages from the cittie whence from the top of the Tower they might see them that he would doe and attempt all thinges for the raising of the siege That he only should itch out the victualls by measuring and diminishing of them and confirme their patience setting before their eyes the desire and good will of so great and so choice an armie and the excessiue expences of the States That he should also write vnto him on what side or by what meanes he thought Spinolaes campes might more easily be broken thorough for which purpose he should conioyne all his studies and his forces to his coming to him with his supplies The besieged who receiued letters brought priuilie to them of the same tenor with these newes conceiued ioy mingled with sorrow The newes of the supplies caused ioy the dead of Maurice that most prudent and vigilant Prince caused sorrow They looked far and nere abroad in the fieldes from the top of the Tower the succours being perceiued they rune together ioye was made amongst them and the mindes of all were raised up to hope VVith a horne they beginne to blow-forth our flight from the Tower they called vnto vs from the walles that we would gather vp our trinkets forgetting them selues and that their Breda was a prey for vs we not they being the hunters of this wilde beast After that the enimies armie was planted in the village of Dungense Henrie of Nassau going about to draw his armie nerer to ours came to assault the Tower of Oosterhaut which one and twentie Burgondions kept for the vse of discoueric sending before no smale troupe of foote and horse casting abroad some balles of wild fire The burgundiones refusing to yeld them selues vnto the enimie chose first to trie all fortune then to make a base rendrie vpon no conditions formerly made The enimies breaking the gates with apattarr casting fire into the Tower and into the Church when they could do nothing more effecting nothing did depart Fiue of the Borgondians were slaine and seauen were consumed with fire Of so great a number of the enimie many were wounded and many slaine whom ours kild with the throwing of stones when they for feare of burning wisely threw their poudre downe from the top of the Tower and so with a smale companie a great armie was withstood The burgondiones with their burnt faces anoynted with cerusa and with oyntment shewing their faire woundes were honored by Spinola with the representation of a pension to eche one and colours giuen to the Sardgent who was chiefe ouer them Num. 13. A. Agger Gertrudibergensis B. Agger Seuenberganus C. Statio Caroli Roma D. Castra Pauli Baglioni E. Castra nupera Mauritij in pago Medensi F. Agmen hostile G. Stagna palustria H. Flumen Merka I. Sepes ligneae quatuor in ipso flumine Num. 13. A. Agger Gertrudibergensis B. Agger Seuenberganus C. Statio Caroli Roma D. Castra Pauli Baglioni E. Castra nupera Maurity in pago Medensi F. Agmen hostile G. Stagna palus tria H. Flumen Merka I. Sepes ligneae quatuor in ipso flumine Number XIII In the Ides of May after midnight Henrie of Nassau to trie his fortune although with some detriment receiued yet the chiefe of his armie being safe caused the vtmost campe of the village of Heyden a place dificult to be paste throw be reason of the situation and woorkes and far vn fit to be assaulted be reason there was no way but to narowe dikes cominge from the bordering townes of Seuenbergue and Guittenbergue He cutting their riuer sliding betwixt and a litle trenche from without being cut betwixt two dry ditches was fortified with atrenche and with a fort the new generall of an ordinarie forme But desirous of obtayning fame and inflamed with the emulation of his brothers fortunatnes had conceiued all hard thinges to be easie By this dike therfore of Gittenbergue he sendes before the most expert English shott and two hundred pikemen of the rer-ward all armed with armes of proufes Coronell vere Englishman being their leader whom other English did a companie the French and Germans following after that so they might preserue the English al amounted almost to the number of six thousand There artillerie and bagadge came in the rergarde the hors-men stood on the side Henrie Nassau him selfe standing in the midest of his armie expected what would be the euent Spinola discouering that designe sent speedilie to admonish Paulus Ballionus and Carolus Roma whose troupes lay in those quarters that they should be by and by in armes They sodainly place the watches and the guardes in their standing places dispose the soldiars aduertise all the Captaines and Lieutenants and prepare all other thinges needfull to be vsed Before the breake of the day the companies of the enimie came and swiftly beat downe the soldiar that stood sentinell before the campe before he could aduertise his fellowes that were behinde him that error had bene remedied if but one horsman had watched in the Dike and perchance by so litle a solicitude that whole armie of the enimie might haue bene cut in peeces at least it cannot be douted but that the slaughter had bene greater then it was The English with excellent courage of minde and audacitie setting vpon the first litle redout by casting balles of wilde fire driue away the Standerd-bearer with a few Italians which were therin and sleying some got on the walles Then placing shot behinde the redout and being got downe into the ditches of the same for the defence of those that went before planting more force in the haulf moone did succeed with the like audacitee and felicitie and endeuor to inter in with their colours at the flāck of the forte and with hādes and feete to scale the walles The ladders and the graples were left by the fearfull carters in the rergard of the marche who when they durst not aduance the wagons they fled away for feare of the canons thus the successe of great attemprs litle thinges do often interrupt euen then we also found the defect of our litle reduts and of our ditches wherto if stoccadoes with a iust distance had bene prefixed as it was appointed but was ommitted ether by obliuion or by the difficultie of bringing materiales nether had the enimie so easily entred nor could haue cast those balles of wild-fire nor could haue lyen lurking in the ditches against the canons The Italians therfore who defended the trench of the dike of Seuenberg retyred admitting the enimie to approach nerer left that litle fort emptie vnto them when being open on that side they in no wise could defend it The English fought with this resolution that it seemed to them they should get no other time then this for their enterprise nor was any courage wanting in them Carolus Roma sardgent mayor of the Regiment
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
contayned in this couenant who soeuer shall be absent ether for their owne or the citties affaires that they may freely returne into the cittie and enioy the couenants that ar made The contry people also who fled into the cittie shall be suffered to retyre them safely into the contrie XIII He who being of another religion within the time of two yeares agreed vpon shall dye in this cittie that he be buried in some honorable place within an orchard in the cittie or else according to the will of his kinred that the corps be carried out of the cittie where pleased him XIV The decrees of the Senat and all the ordenances of the capitall seate not hitherto forbidden be estableshed and take effect XV. VVho soeuer heretofore hath lent mony to the cittie shall be suffered to receiue the rent and to make exchange And yearely that their reuenewes and their other affaires be assisted by the Senat by whom the reuenewes ar to be paid All these thinges whatsoeuer in this agreement ar decreed and written ar agreed vnto ratified and confirmed by the Marquis Spinola and ar subscribed vnto by the legats of the cittee the same Marquis promising that he will endeauor that it be also ratified by the most Excellent Infanta of Spaine sealed with her broade seale within fifteene dayes Giuen the second of Iune 1625. Many whose dispositions were bent to more sharper courses hearing of so good and so fauorable conditions admired the Clemencie of Spinola towards the enimie and some also blamed this pardon They said that this should haue bene handled more seriously and ether to haue put the besieged to the sword or not to haue receiued them to mercie but vpon rendring vp their armes who by their wilfull pertinacitie had brought them selues vnto that point that they had died of hungar if they had bene shut vp but two dayes longer And why should such fauorable conditions be offered them of our free accord to whom euen to giue them their liues was to grant them to great a benefit That at least Spinola shoulde haue expected a litle whilst that had hapned vnto them which ordinarie happens to men thorough their ouer-much partinacitie to make them seeke that and earnestly to beg it which at the first they contemned and that they should first haue craued a composition before of our owne accords it should haue bene offered to them Next why the vnhappie part of the cittisens should be suffered to goe forth safe with their houshould stuffe and their goods before that mony were paid by the Senat to the Catholiques remayning which was ex torted by publique and common oathe to make the workes and to pay the soldiars stipend So wisely seemed they to complaine who tied to their priuat opinions ar wont to measure with the selfe same measure euen the waightiest matters of gouerment not vnderstanding that princes ar to take another course whose principall endeuours ought to be to gaine renowne and the peoples good will But Spinola houlding them to be more wise who ar more gentle in crueltie and that the fame of clemencie was to be preferred before the name of seueritie not ignorant how much better it was for the common good spedely to release then longer to detayne the Kinges armie before Breda by reason of the sturres of French Italians Germans and Danes made more account of the gaining of a litle time then of the no great spoiles of all Breda or of so smale disgrace of the enimies who yet perhaps would haue defended them selues mindfull of that old prouerb That it is better to be at the latter end of a feast then at the beginning of afray And truly he iudged it more expedient to prefer the Maieste and clemencie of his Kinge whose person he bore in this place then ether his owne glorie or desire of reuenge That he held it for a dishonor of so great a number of prouision left behinde and but litle gon away for testimonie of his longe patience and approued vertues there remayned in the cittie fortie three pices of ordnance musquets four hundred fiftie wherof also a hundred and fiftie were suffered to be carried in the place of those that were ouercome hargubushes three hundred of poudre a thousand one hundred thirty fiue pounde matche thirtie four thousand pound of greater balles two thousand of lesser an exceeding number of balles of leade fortie thousand pounde mouldes to make balles of leade fifteene granados two thousand one hundred of greater which they call Bombars three hundred fortie four engines made to cast fire a hundred and fiftie thirtie barrells of pitche poudre brimstone bitumen six barrells of great nayles long forkes of iron eleuen thousand of stakes with double forkes an innumerable number shouells four thousand pickayes or iron pikes to open the earth sixteene hundred whele-barrowes which ar driuen by the hande to carry earth a thousand fiue boates four rolles of cable-ropes fortie graples horscollers a hundred and thirtie four score couple of cart-ropes instruments made of fire also innumerable one linnen bridge or made of canuas gabians of wood or hurdles behind which the canons ar placed very many nor fewer to dispatch the hastie bridge Of all which a written catalogue was giuen to Thomas VVingardius master of the Artillerie Now the detts of the cittisens remayning Spinola beleeued that the States ought to haue so great care of as of their owne credit and authoritie which should be vtterly lost in the common wealth if they but once deceiued any one of the beseeged cittisens and therfore he was not carefull hereof Vpon the fift of Iune the day was appointed for the coming forth of the enimies garrison VVherfore Spinola forbad that none by soldiarlike frumpes or gibes should vse any disgrace to those that departed so modestly did he suppose the victorie was to be vsed Aboundance of wagons and boates being prepared for that day our soldiars were set to watch at three gates of the cittie and of the castle Count Hermanus Bergues with fiue companies of horse went before the companyes of the garison departing vnto Gittenbergue Also betwixt euery ten wagons went a litle company of our horse for the sauegard of the bagage The troupes of horse of Bergaignius led another company of horse who inclosed them behinde In these two scarcely were there any horse besides the ensignes so greatly were the horse decayed The foote men went in the midst Amongst these Iustinus went on horsback one of the beseeged Carolus Philippus le Count accompayning him Euery Captaine had his owne company The Coronels went before the troupes The coulors wer borne displayed the Trumpets sounding before them The number of the foote were three thousand for the sick were carryed away in boates Truly they were a gallant companie whether one respect their persons or their weapons and of greater beautie then ours were to wit they were lodged more stately and more at
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
afire ball far longer then an Yrâ—n lact The besieged put to great terror And in particular be the artillerte of coâ—nt Isenburque The states complaining of Grane Maurich His ansvver to thâ—r complainth Neovve leuâ—es of horse A costly Dammad be the in my to eyther â—ocer Breda or drovvne oure campes They Ioyned aninumerable quantitie of barkes and other materiales The vigilance of the count dâ—â—sinburque preuented the presumtion of Stakenburke The Marques continually carefull in preuenting 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 Oure slouses hinderâ—d much the dam. Rare preuensiones and prudent care of the Marques The Marques preuented remedi to hinder the executions of their sluces and vvaters The Marques preuented the plâ—â—ts of the enemy The enuentions of the enimie preuailed nothing against the tempest The preuidence of the senat of Breda They visited the houses and barnes They haue coyned nevv money Lambertut Charles beseeged Gogh vvhose vvolles vveare broken The vvatch vvas dâ—ubled The enemie 〈◊〉 vnâ—vvares Turland defended the castle and one gate of that place Tourland vvas sore hurt Gogh vvas lest The imputie of Lambâ—rt Charlis And his reserued paine That the tovvne should be reputâ—d for neutrall Those of Bredaflouteth at oures The rumor and fame that paseth of Mansfelt The prudent preuentions of the Infanta 〈◊〉 Marques commanded the lovver 〈◊〉 to by reforced Sâ—cceris of the emperor and of the prouinces Don Carles clooma comanded this of the contrie The number of the vvhole army Letters of graue Maurish vvere found Michel rotard explicated â—her meaning Another trince vvas comaunded to be made Other fortificasiones of the quarteres Incredibile greatnes of the fortificationes Presumtion of Mansfeld The letter he vvrote to his aluza Extreame necessititie and victualls vvounder full deere Greate diseases Asistance of the cittisens The gouernor disembled vvith his souldiars The Captaines procured to animate the soldiars Their hops vveare in vayne The mischance of Manifeld in his nauigation Their nevv and ravv souldiars endured gteate miseries Seueral interprises vvere propounded Thre reso'ut soilderes of fugeresri gimâ—â—t The Marques is vvont to giue credit to nothing vvithout good fundament Solemnitie in Breda in memorie of the daie it vvas taken by the hollandes by fraude The vvaters did ouerflovv the camps No smale dammage don vnto our quarters Greate fauour of god Delaying of the prouisions The almayne vvomen vveare of greate seruice The sraise they deserued The enimie begon nevv muented vvoorkes All vvhich vvas broken by the vvatâ—rs And the tâ—mpâ—st aftâ—rvvards Their ships vveare torne in pâ—eces Theyvvere novv out of â—â—p in going forvvâ—â—d vvith the dam. Letteres of Mauriâ—h and Iustinâ— â— cogging â—oore Faithfull to the Marques The garisen of Breda begon to deminishe The Marques came be the enimie is letters The Marques vvas informed of the necessitie of Ansvver of the gouernor of Breda Reforce the tovvne of Balaukt Graue Mauric caused to fire our munition house The constance of the Marques The care and asistance of the prouidor Lasanius The Marques gaue straight order to looke vvel to the ponder Tributs imposed by the Hollanders Asistance of he confederats Inuentions to collect money Den Gonzalo de Corduâ— vvas sent for Master de campe generall of Itallie The death of the King of England Henry of Nassavv ioyned all his forces And the Marques commanded his force to approach neerer to the occasion Disorder of strangers Graue morich ended his daies Hinrie Federtque of Nasavv his brooter vvas elected in his place Sedicion in the quarters of Mansfelt The centryes of Breda spoke vvith oures The besieged tooke a greate comfort at the election of their nevv generall The Marques escaped tvvo dangers The Marques fortified vvith the next adioyning troupe The valour vvhere vvith he proceded 〈◊〉 spiâ—s vvere taken The letter of Hinry de Nasâ—vv to â—ustino In vaine they reioysed Hinrie of Nasavve in vaine tentâ—d the to vvre of â—stâ—rhaut Not vvith standing the burgondianes being fâ—ovv in number they had the viciorte of the enemy They receiued apremiâ— for ther valor and vertue Hinry of Nassavve attempted oure quarteres The assaulting of the Inglesh The order vvher vvith they marched Of vvhich the Marques vvas aduertised Ariued to the forte The Inglish sought moste Valiâ—â—ly Valor of carlos Roma The enemy vver defeated There great destruction The retiringe of the enemy The constance and valour of Coronâ—l Very More fortifications vvere made The besieged did indure great hunger and miserie They begon aâ—alteration and great rumor 〈…〉 but very litle store of bread The Prince of orange vvas much troubled But the Mar quese vvas very vigilâ—nt Another fraud of aclvvne is vvife He also decey ued hinry of Nasavve A copie of the contentes of the letter to Iustino Iohn hanin a silder of stirub by day came to oure campe vvith letters From the to vvre by signes of fire they signified for vvho many daye they had victualls VVelfango Guillielmo Duke of bautar 〈…〉 and bergas came to our camp The Kinge of France is opinion touchinge this siedge Tobaco vvas vvounderfull dere The enemy set vppon oure conuoy Valor of count Herman son to count Hindrick The enemy put to flâ—ght The enemy all the time of the sage coul de not optaine victorie in breaking of any of our conuoyâ—s The Prince of Orange oute of hope Count Henry in the Marques name lought that they shoulde yeald â—rcome to composition Iustinus de Nassau is 〈…〉 The letters of Nassau bâ—ing prudenâ—y found out by the Marques vvere sent by Count Hendrick to lustino By vvhich he promised to render And the Marques the honorable conditions presented by Count Henrick to vvhome he gaue full auctoritis The vvorkes ceased And haueing read the letters of the Marques and of count Hendrick Tyme and place vvas ordayned for to treate of this matter Those of the tovvne presented certaine articles The Marquis and Count Hendrick agreed uppon the articles excepting tvvo The liberalitie of the Marques vvith the besieged Complements The agreement vvas brought to be singned The vvagones and ship pes demaunded vvere granted The condiciones the Gouernor and officeres of Breda demaunded Many acused the beaâ—n gnitie of the Marques And the complaintes they made The condition of preâ—ces and particular personos are diferent The 〈…〉 vvas vvel related The generall is bounde to take 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 of his Kinge more then of any particular glorie of his ovvne person The munitio nes vvhich vvere in Breda The Marques commanded that none of the souldiars should â— be the besieged The glorious triumphe of his victorie He vvas no less courtens in giuinge thankes Headuertised of the victory the Infanta and the Kinge of Spaine The success byinge so great many vvoulde hardly beliue â—â—t The Infanta came to visite the cittie This inscripcion vvas put vpt on the gates Hir alteza did forbid that thâ—ovve of mirth should be made til first sacrifice shoulde be made vnto god as the châ—se autor of the victorie The first 〈◊〉 vvas celebrated by the Cardenal de la Cuâ—ba ambasador of Spaine Bouldnes and impietie of sibilla vvife of Boxâ—orinck Thiâ—s vvritinges vver blottâ—d And otheres put in ther place Admirable fires of ioy Liberalitie of her alteza And her pietie and good life Liberalitie of hir alteza to the religâ—ouse A letter of the pope Vâ—bano to the Cardenall de la Cueua The particular care of the Infanta of the army The giftes and liberalitie of hir besovved Balancon trough his aproued vertues vvas 〈…〉 Gouernor of Brede by the Infanta The garison that vvas apointed for Breda All â—ertes of fortificasiones of the campe vvere comaunded to be broken dovvne Militarie sporte â— The ariâ—mg of hir alteza and of the Marques to an vâ—ourp Conde Hindrick remained inhooghstroâ—t to conduct the prouisiones to Breda The tragedie of Dauid vvas represented by the fatheres of the Societie of Iesus Amoste royal gift giuen be his maiestie to the Marques Letters of the Pope Vrbano And to Marques Spinola