the water was ebbed from the walls the enemie would with all his forces make his attempt both at the â—…ld Hauen and at yâ— works without the 〈◊〉 with ten Thouâ—…and men and that he was â—…ed thither to 〈◊〉 his life as is before â—…ayd declaring farther that it was resolued to renue the assault the two next â—…aies following affirmed that if they were the first day valiantly replused there was no doubt to be had that the 〈◊〉 would bee brought to the like banquet theother two daies Sir 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 iudging â—…fore that the enemie had some such intent by reason that he did all the same day as in yâ— night before continue shooting against the Sand-hill and porâ—… Dupied had alredie giuen order to the Captaines for the â—…ing of the walls trenches and Counterscarps and caused péeces of Ordinance to be remoued and planted 7 great 〈◊〉 péeces vpon the â—…ance of the Hauen which were well laden with square and 〈◊〉 shot not omitting any things that a wise and vigilant Commander ought in so waightie a cause to â—…esée incouraging his people to play the parts of good soldiers and to bestow their shot well and among the thickest of the enemies when they should make their approach When the houre appointed was come and the water fallen as is before written the enemie marched towardes the ould Hauen 40 men abreâ—… the formost rancks carried Shouels Spades and Pick-axes the next carried Ladders after them â—…wed Targets armed men and Muskets all marched 〈◊〉 with such resolution as if they had made accompt to haue 〈◊〉 no resistance at all but they were as gallaÌ„tly with like corâ—… reâ—…ed at al places answered with losse of their best bloâ—…d as well without the towne as at the old 〈◊〉 where the murthering 〈◊〉 caused the enemies to fall as rotten ripe apples from the trées in a mighty storme And although they could not enter the hauen but they must goe in water vp to the knees they pressed forward and those which came behind put forward the formost But sodenly as sir Frauncis Veere had before ordained twoo sluces were opened the one giuing way to the land waters and the other to the waters of the ditches about the towne by reason whereof many of the enemies not able to kéepe their footing were drowned and the others stoode in water vp to their Nauels so that their shot serued to no vse for yâ— their â—…der 〈◊〉 hereby wet but were forced to fight with their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the fight continued on both sides with great furie and â—…esolution vntill the darknes of the euening forced them to retire whereof they were not a little glad for the slaughter was verie great on the enemies side most 〈◊〉 Dutches and other Nations to the number of 1500 besides many that were wounded Many of the enemies had made 〈◊〉 of bread and chéese tyed behind them to their girdles with a péece of match thinking therwith to help themselues for a day or two if néede should so require after they had gotten the sand hill as they made full accompt and there to secure themselues from the shot of the towne for a time vntill they might with greater force and opportunitie obtaine the ould towne In this assault at all places there were not aboue 40 of the towne souldiers staine and hurt the Lords name be blessed therefore In this assanlt the enemies horsemen were appointed to follow the footmen at the héeles and were commanded by the Duke not to suffâ—…r them to retire but to force theÌ„ still forward on their enterprise which they forgot not to accomplish but as it should seeme not altogither with their owne securitie for some of the horses with their saddells and bridels haue â—…ince 〈◊〉 taken vp at Sluce Flushing West cappell and other places of Zeland as it pleased the winde and 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 them The Lord Generall slept little the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but was busied in 〈◊〉 and repairing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ding to the tâ—…e was reâ—…e doubting 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 would the next day renue his attempt 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 â—…ted not any good will 〈◊〉 could not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 so vnkinde an 〈◊〉 Yet such as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Flaâ—…ders report that y◠〈◊〉 had appointed 〈◊〉 â—…day laâ—…â—…ast being the xij day of this moneth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vpon 〈◊〉 towne withall his forces and to that end had prouided 2000 〈◊〉 of proofe 〈◊〉 the enemies souldiers vnwilling to come 〈◊〉 desperate 〈◊〉 haue denyed there seruice so that a mutinie is 〈◊〉 in the enemies Campe 200 and 〈◊〉 are 〈◊〉 apprehended 〈◊〉 of the ring-leaders 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whereof wee shall shortly 〈◊〉 further In the meane time let all good Christians prayse God for these his wonderfull victories and with humble and heartie prayer without ceasing deâ—…re him to continue these his louing fauours towardes his 〈◊〉 afflicted Church And contrarywise to confound and ouerthrowe all the deseings of this obstinate and bloud-thirstie Archduke with all others his adherents and partakers who séek and practise all meanes possible as â—…es both by day and night to 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 the bloud of the little flocke of Iesus Christ Amen FINIS He 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 himselfe at table
Extremities Vrging the Lord Generall Sir Fra Ueare to the Anti-parle with the Archduke Albertus Written by an English Gentleman of verie good account from Ostend to a worshipfull Gentleman his friend heere in England Imprinted Verbatim according to the Originall With a declaration of the despe Archdukes forces for the winning of the ould Towne Printed for Thomas Pauyer 1602. Extremities pressing the Lord Gene rall sir Frauncis Veare to offer the late Antiparle to the Archduke Albertus NOt doubting but your Worship hath heard of our late anti-parle with the Archduke Albertus heare in Ostend which I assure â—…y â—…lfe is of many woÌ„dred at and againe knowing that no small number will iudge there of some according to their vnderstandinges and other some as they are carried with affection I haue thought good to aduertise you of the verie truth thereof for your worships satisfaction and better contentment of all Gentlemen to whome it shall please your worship to impart the same wherein I assure you I haue plainely and faithfully set downe the truth without all fauour or affection as hereafter followeth HIs Lordship hauing by many Letters for the space of two Moneths togither solicited the States to reenforce him with fresh supplies of men was still answered again with hopefull promises meane time his troupes in towne were generally harrazed worne out especially yâ— English by guarding watching in the workes without the Towne euery second night for the space of sixe Moneths togither their durtie passage thither and their myrie guardâ—… there inseâ—…ing them dayly with increase of sicknesse so as by diseases and other accidents of warre he had not remaining at the time of the Parley begâ—… being on Sonday night the 1â—… of December after the old stile of 8000 soldiers and 〈◊〉 2150 and such as know Ostend as it is now and haue withal any iudgment in martiall 〈◊〉 can discerne that the Towne alâ—…ne cannot bee suâ—…tiently guarded with 〈◊〉 men leauing out of this computation the outward workes and most part of the Counterscarps which are inâ—…d principall pillars of safâ—…tie to this place Againe the fury of the sea had so demolished the Rampart of the â—…owne that the same lay very weake and open iâ—… many places for the Enemies passage And notwithstanding that good indeauours had 〈◊〉 vsed 〈◊〉 much cost 〈◊〉 to secure vs against both those dangers by store of long 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wood lodged in â—…ile at the North-west â—…nd of the 〈◊〉 bray the support of the foot of the bulwarke called the Sand-hill and of like wood platted along the foote of the Sandhill to the sea-ward fastned besides the workmans arte with great stones and well lined with sundry ranks of Pallizadâ—…s armed with long and strong nailes of Iron yet did the Enemy in the darknes of a boystrous night at a low water so arteficially and wiâ—…h such expedition put fire to the same pile entertaining our guards a good distance from thence towards the North-east part of the old Towne with an alarâ—…m in the meane time that few enclined their eyes to this fiery 〈◊〉 vntill the fire had fully embraced the same pile This alarum being to say truth coldly taken the enemie 〈◊〉 his point till they came to the place of our new 〈◊〉 being neare the North-east rauelling and there finding the passage to enter open and no apparante of râ—…ance they entred and comming to a Corps du guaâ—…d they found one onely drowsey bird in the 〈◊〉 whom they killed the rest being 〈◊〉 â—…ed after their â—…onted manneâ—… yet I forbeare to name my Nation Euphoâ—… gratia In the heate of this busines his Lordship slenderly accompanied fell vpon the skirt of all the place where the enemies were and being with much â—…ifficultie perswadâ—…d to stay his further 〈◊〉 till discouerie might be 〈◊〉 before 〈◊〉 much troubled with feare of treasâ—…n hee sent away Captaâ—… Studdeâ—… Commander of his owne companie with one 〈◊〉 Greuill 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and some one or two priuate men besides These stumbled vpon the 〈◊〉 against whome making a countenance of a charge by their voyces Sa 〈◊〉 c. 〈◊〉 them to retire to the sands by the same way they entred â—…by it may â—…e concâ—…ed they had full view of our new 〈◊〉 there they perceiuing the 〈◊〉 of those that pursued them turned head and with a Musket shot Captaine Studdâ—…r thorough the arme and then made away none of ours in case to follow theÌ„ by reason of their Cauallary wherof we haue none in towne had this error been committed by any English Commander I durst haue aduentured to haue made an Almanack of his end This fire burned outragiously for the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dayes nights without ceasing viz. froÌ„ Thursday night till Sonday night neyther could our soldiers come well to quench it the enemies Cannon still giuing against them when they offred theÌ„selues thereto neither could the â—…lowes of the sea waâ—…ing at euery tide far aboue the height of the fire extinguish the same For it had gotten passage into the ground and there found matter of continuall nourishment by such timber posts as were lodged there for yâ— support of the 〈◊〉 of the piece though it had been quenched sundâ—…y tiâ—…es yet doth it burst out again â—… on Tewsday last I saw it burne againe my selfe Our chiefest enginors are of opinion that the sand heated with such extremity by furie of the fire in the pile of Rise is the chiefest cause of the long continuance thereof by this fire the Faurbray and the side of the Sandhill lying towards the sea were both 〈◊〉 open again to the mercy of all weathers and violence of the enemies in far worse sort then it was before and this was another instance of 〈◊〉 c. Another is that not y◠〈◊〉 passage to alow for his â—… was we were are stil many contrary na ioÌ„s in town English â—…rench Scots Wallons Duch and therby a hotch-pot of coÌ„trary disâ—…nant humors A natural instinct as yâ— world knoweth hauing disioyntment of affections yet hitherto wee haue had good 〈◊〉 by his Lordships well tempered command all humors well tuned neuerthelesse since the 〈◊〉 had formerly béen practising by sowing of factions amongst vs his L. to prâ—…uent the worst layd these reasons as one step to his proiect Further his Lordship had 4 little fortresses called â—…eddotts in hand at the same time vpon the Rampart of the old towne for the better securing thereof with few men if the enemy shold attempt vs for those little skonses would haue been their scourges vpon their entrie ech on flanking other one guardable against their furie with few men for besides their Ramparts they now are fenced about with heighty and very strong pallizadoes these begun workes lay open and nothing neare â—…shed and this was another branch of his Lordships â—…eares After al these coÌ„meth the maine which was as his Lordship was certainly enformed that the Archduke was
thereby he enforced to mâ—…ke ose of his wiâ—… to helâ—…e â—…imselfe bâ—… winning of time till his turne was otherwise sorâ—…ed and that now since the states had béene mindfull of him the winde prospicious and his necessitie supplied he could not in honour procéede to trafique with them any further neither had more to saye to them vntill a newe extremitie if any might happily lay new hold on him should occasion him thereto hoping his highnes as a vertuous and worthie Prince would nâ—…t take it ill that as a martiall man he had practised and compassed the best meanes for the preseruation of his honour and safetie by the ordinarie and vsuall course of men of warre The Spaniards hauing the faire hopes of his fruitfull haruest thus quite blasted with this cold nipping answere did neuerthelesse in the most temperate manner he could smother suppresse his almost choaking discontent for hee dreamed by yâ— negotiating of this busines to haue made himselfe famous to ensuing ages and so with this cold breake-fast in stead of his Christmasse pie he foorthwith departed leauing his companion behind him till our Captaine should be returned homehis passage backe was by boate at South-west from the Polder Rauelling where he could sée almost no part of our fortification vpon his repaire into their trenches Capt. Fairfax was sent home and the Lieutenant staied so as they held the more worthy person About 4 of the clock the same day Captaine Ogle came to yâ— sands at west against the porte Dupied accompanied with the great Marshall of the enemies Campe and with one Owen an Englâ—…h fugâ—…tiue staying for the Spanish Seriant Maior here in â—…owne He hauing dined with my L. after the duch entertaiâ—…ment was conducted out of towne by Capt. Studder to yâ— same place where Serano had been formerly imboated There was a little straining coursie who should be passed first But the â—…utenant Collonell stoode not much thereupon although the worthiâ—…r person and the subiect of a farre more absolute and greater Prince the reason as I learned being because we had been the petitioners and so the Spaniard carried it This I especiâ—…ly obserued being prese 〈◊〉 and seeing the acting thereof â—…s I 〈◊〉 also that his L. although hee speaketh Spanish very redily did notwithstanding vse onely yâ— French tongue with the twoo Spaniardes which all the Duch Captaines vnderstanding theâ—… knewe of all that passed and therby all 〈◊〉 preuented The truth is the boate layâ—… on our side where the Spanyaâ—…d was and the water then ebbing caried it with a swift course to the enemies side so that as it then appearâ—…d when they had giuen the adâ—…we on both sâ—…des and Capt. Ogle entred into the boate the shâ—…ps could not returne against the streame but driuing with the same landed him on our counterscaâ—…p where he thought best and here ceased our Jubilie I call it a Jubilie for during this cessation of hostilitie I thinke there issued out of the neighbour enemie townes aboue â—…coo Burgers with their wiues c. to come to the Archdukes campe walking vppe and dâ—…wne the sandes and trenches of the enemie verie neere the towne as though we had béen all good friends and so did their soldiers likewise but ours kept within of purpose to conceale our weaknes and notwithstanding faith enterchangably giuen to forbeare all violence during the treatie yet did out whole troupes hold continuall and generall guardes without relying vpon any promise at all All this while our workes in the old Towne were aduanced with all diligence and secresie possible and made defensible before our Mart ended Our newe forces landed also this day betwéene 12 and 2 of the clocke in the culde towne in despight of the enemies Cannon without anye more losse then the hurt of the two shippers as I can learne of two soldiers but none killed nor those mortally wounded And yet to giue the enemie his due by saying the full truth they were more then bountifull of powder and shot to hinder our mens landing All this while wee remayned quiet on both sides without shotte little or great but the next morning being Wednesday they first opened the windowes of their wonted displeasure it being my Lords pleasure that euerie man in towne should be quiet till the enemie shoulde giue occasion to the contrarie and then wee resaluted them with good Cannon and so all thinges stand on their former frame all our outward workes repâ—…ssessed and guarded as before and so wee liue dayly expecting more supplies from the States that our poore men maye nowe at last bee refreshed in Holland after their longe and miserable toyle Wee haue vnderstoode of late by an Italian gentleman one of their Centinells Perdues who was brought prisoner into towne that the Archduke is highly offended with his counsell of warre for diuerting him froÌ„ the execution of his resolution which was to haue attempted vs on the Sondaye night so often spoken of before with 6000 men c. that by reason of the extremitie of his passion fewe of them dare come in his presence for preuenting his oportunitie by their disswâ—…sions and besides that he is no lesse displeased to haue béen so mocked by his Lordship For the future if the Sâ—…tes finde themselues able and haue withali a will to continue the charge which the defence of this place hath already and will still drawe vppon them the Archduke continuing his siege by reliening it with competent numbers of well affected soldiers and other néedefull prouisions there is yet no appearance of daunger nor cause to feare the enemies preuayling but if they slacke saile and giue the Duke such an other oportunitie as hee had nowe of late they and all the world besides may bée assured hee will make his best vse thereof By Cannon there remaineth small hope for him if the States faile not to send Rise-wood to repaire therewith in the night what hee spoyleth in the day for with Rise and sande mingled we worke chiefly on both sides we haue alreâ—…dye endured abouâ—… 161500 Canonodoes and yet all ouâ—… bastions and defences stil firme and tenable hauing only their outward faces 〈◊〉 discountenanced by the furie of the mâ—…ny shot most of them haue endured especially the sand-hill which is so farced with bullets that our men labouring to driue in spiked pallizadoes doe often stumble vpon 6 or 8 in one hole togither aâ—…d their piles or pallizadoes often hindred in their entrance by the abundance of bullâ—…ts lodged in their way To vnderminevs it is not possible so loÌ„g as we can hold what wee haue for to the Landward lie our outworks to preuent their approches that way our other places of passage are washed verie high euery Tide and so the sea affordeth them little time to worke against vs where it challengeth passage Besides this all our Bulwarks looking towards their trenches are vnited and prepared for all such accidents Then eyther furie faction or famine
must open him way for furie here is little cause of feare if as I sayde before the States can and will furnish their towne with sufficient nuÌ„bers of men For faction the vigilancie and 〈◊〉 of the Commander being a man of sound vnderstanding trained in this occupation may easilie breake those impostumations as hetherto his Lordship hath done to the great increase of his honour and better approbation of the soundnes of his iudgement for the enemie made an English man one Simon Coâ—…bye an instrument to worke for him that way but I prâ—…sume that Conisbye by the rack and smart of the whip at the gallowes foot hath learned a lesson to séeke some other trade to thriue by and the fellowe was in my charge to kéepe and sounde by questioning and expostulations and thereby I knowe the managing of that busines And to be famished vnlesse both the states and England abandon vs were verie strange for notwithstanding all yâ— battries the enemie hath eyther at East or West on the sandes or piles of the ould Hauen or else where we haue when the winde serueth some nights 40 sailes of Hoyes and Smackes come in togither and scarse one man hurt We haue furthermore a new hauen almost 〈◊〉 where night and day Ships may passe at pleasure Besides if both these should faile the states may with long boates which they call sloupes land any thing in the old towne as they did their Zeland soldiers of late marie this place serueth only for such small open boates but for no Hoyes nor Boates of burthen And so 〈◊〉 for a Conclusion if the states stand vpon tearâ—… of honour and start not aside like a broken bowe it hauing â—…éen their fashion to grow wearie of such chargeable nurse children as they tearme it here you sée many apparant probabilities for their holding of this towne against the Archâ—…ke for a longer time then is expected he will wast himselfe before it yet all the charge of his armie and of all prouisions is borne by the country who haue and doe still furnish him verie plâ—…ntifull with all necessaries Besides the recouerie of this towne would be so beneficiall vnto him and such ease to his subiects as they haue good reason to trie their vttermost meanes to carrie it for besides that it would absolutely frée all yâ— sea coasts and country within of roads and incursions wherewith they are excéedingly infested by this towne and withall giue the Archduke good conâ—…eniencie for the lodging of his gallies and other shipping with little cost It would enable him to bring at the least 6000 men more into the field yearely then he now doth or can For hee is constrained to hold many guarrisons in skonses builded heere and there in the land to block vp this towne which require many men for their defence and draw on for their wages and by â—…ortification c. a mightie charge These men charges I say if he could preuaile here would bee conuerted to other vses and a spacious countrie of fertile ground now ouer-flowed and seruing to no vse in few yeares wholly recouered and made profitable and all contributions which the feare of this guarrison enforceth from the Boores quite cut off As I was about the shutting vpp of this tedious and ill digested discourse Newes came that the Archduke hath nowe at last pacified and reconciled all his mutinous soldiers which haue béen long time in Brabant as at Derst Herentalls and other places thereabouts holding for none but for themselues their discontent growing from want of pay which it séemeth the â—…ke hath not giuen them contentment of And that those forces being neere 5000 and marching this way to re-enforce the enemies Campe and to force vs if they can the issue time will bring foorth Meane time with moâ—… humble remembrance of dutie to your 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 euer to blesse and prospeâ—… you begging pardon for this â—…rtreame â—…ediousnes I take leaue From 〈◊〉 this Saint Stéenens day after the old stile 1601. scribed in hast for the most part by candle light His Lordship to leaue no stone of aduantage 〈◊〉 causeth euery soldier to come doubly armed to the watch euerie Musketier bringing withall a Pike and euery armed man carrying a musket to serue with eyther as néede shall 〈◊〉 His owne trauailes vnlesse he had a body of brasse being continued any long time must needes drawe him into sicknes for there passe fewe nights wherein hee walketh not abrâ—…ad or watcheth not the most part thereof and in the day time hâ—… is so continually possessed with busines that he hath no time to sleepe and fewe men féede more sparingly All these ballanced togither will confirme I doubt 〈◊〉 lessâ—… thâ—…n I say The declaration of the desparate 〈◊〉 made since by the sayde 〈◊〉 forces for winning of the â—…ld 〈◊〉 THe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of this parâ—… would be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his friends forgat not presently to write thereof into 〈◊〉 Spaiâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vnto 〈◊〉 hys great 〈◊〉 hope 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 the stronge towne of Oâ—…-end but 〈◊〉 he had 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with greater wrâ—…th against 〈◊〉 towne then at any 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 with his Collonels and Captaines what course 〈◊〉 might best take in this so waighty a cause and reuenge this 〈◊〉 done to him and his whole estate After much 〈◊〉 and debating contrarie to the opinion of some of his 〈◊〉 approoued Captaines and Councellors it was concluded that withall his forces a desperate attempt should be made at one inâ—…ant as well vpon the trenches and counterscarps without the â—…owne as vpon the 〈◊〉 Hauen for the winning of the 〈◊〉 â—…wne or at the least wise of the sand hill The order of which enterprise with the day and time being nowe resolued vpon 〈◊〉 Walloâ—… Germaines others as had before mutined in diuers places were with money paciâ—…ed and commaunded to the Campe Ladders Shouels Spades Pickaxes and all other necessaries were prouided In the meane time the Archduke to helpe the errour of his former writing perswading himselfe that the towne should not be able to withstaÌ„d yâ— furie of this forcible enterprise sent posts into all places as before advertising his friends againe of this resolution and that he made no doubt but within ten or fourtéen dayes to haue the towne at his commaund On Monday therefore being the 〈◊〉 day of December last An. 1601 being the day appointed for this great attempt An Italian who was among the rest appointed in yâ— first ranks to begin this charge at the â—…ld Hauen and knowing the action to be most desperate and therefore smale hope left him euer to returne with his life â—…ed from the enemies Campe and with his Rapier in his mouth swoome into the Hauen and being receaued into the towne declared vnto the Lord Generall that the same day about 3 of the clock in the after-noone when