Antonio Olivera and Ferdinando Acosta with some Horse and Foot to discover the Wood-land Countrey and possesse himself of advantageous places Part of his Army he left behind at the bank of Mose under Charles Mansfeldt the greater and stronger part followed him in this order In the Van where he had put the strength of his Cavalry first marched the Light-horse with Pistols then the Lanciers at a distance for defence to both came on the whole body of the Curaciers with their Officers in the head of every Troop some Vantcurrers advancing a little before the Army with small bodies of the fleetest Horse The main Battel was a Square consisting of two Regiments Musketteirs and Pikemen most them Spaniards and Germans their Colonels likewise leading up their men The Rere contained a Square Battalion of Wallons safely flanked with their Carriages and Baggage the Burgundian Carabines riding mingled with them The Van-guard was commanded by Octavio Gonzaga the Rere-guard by Ernest Count Mansfeldt this Camp-master he General of the Horse In the midst was the Generall himself Don Iohn of Austria with the Prince of Parma attended by the Life-guard whence appeared the Royall Standard in which Don Iohn as he had conceived an extraordinary confidence in the Divine Assistance under the triumphall Crosse of Christ had caused these words to be written In this signe I did vanquish the Turks and shall the Hereticks He had not marched farre but he came within sight of the enemy and learning the Confederates designe from a couple of Prisoners taken in some light skirmishes by Olivera presently drew out near six hundred horse Lanceirs and Carabines and intermixing with them one thousand foot Pikemen and Musketteers gave them in two divisions to Octavio Gonzaga and Christophero Mondragonio ordering Gonzaga to charge the enemy in the Rere but so as not to engage their whole Forces till he with the Prince of Parma and the rest of the Army were come up At first he obeyed and skirmishing onely galled their last Troops till Gonzaga saw Perotto of Sassofferrata who that day commanded the Troop of Camillo Montio so farre advanced that he feared the enemies whole Army would be rashly drawn upon him before Don Iohn could advance He therefore presently sent one upon the spur with command that Perotto should immediately retire without ingaging himself and his horse But he for the command was proudly delivered resenting it with indignation as if he were held a coward bad the man with his imperious importunity be gon and tell Gonzaga that Perotto never yet turned his back in a battell nor could now if he would There was upon the flank of the Forces wherewith they skirmished a high way deep in mine and water more like a Bog then a Road which the enemy declining march'd in a way that would receive fewer a breast Thither Prince Alexander had galloped up to see how things went for Don Iohn kept the Prince from fighting as if he had use of him to order the battell and to send in supplies and observing that the enemies horse either by reason of the ill way or out of their hast to reach Gemblac marched in no little disorder which he conjectured by the waving of their pikes tangling and crossing one another he resolved to exspect no longer but catching a Lance from the Gentleman of his horse and getting upon one of Camillo a Monte's charging-horses better managed then his own his eyes and face speaking the language of a Battel and looking upon the Gentlemen Go said he to the Generall and tell him that Alexander Farneze remembring the old Romane will cast himself into the gulph and hopes by Gods grace and the fortune of the House of Austria to bring out of it this day a certain and a glorious victorie Then shewing those about him how advantageous it would be if advancing a little they would plunge through and charge the enemie in the flank his fervour and example with the same violence drew along the valiantest Hors-commanders Bernardino Mendoza Giovanni Baptista Camillo a Monte Ferdinando Toledo Martinengo Viennius Mondragonio and many more And he himself riding among the Horse of Mutio Pagano Captain-Lieutenant to Mondragonio entred the bog followed by all those gallant Cavaleers and when a few of them yet tugging the rest had fortunately passed over and got field room to ease their horses encouraging one another they made a little stand till they ranked themselves in one equall front Then riding full speed Alexander Farneze in the head of them they charged the enemie so home with their Lances Gonzaga seconding with the rest of the Cavalry and Don Iohn still sending in fresh men that the Confederates Horse this division being amazed had presently wheeled off if their Commanders perswasions and threats and the example of their betters had not stopâ— them for a while But having once taken a thorow-fright their minds being conquered at last they turned their backs and flying precipitately fell foul upon their Foot that stood behind breaking their Ranks riding over some and leaving the rest to the furie of the sword So as their Foot forsaken by their Cavalry especially those in the middle that were first broke by the flight of their own men and the impression of the enemy charged in the Rere and Flanks by the Kings horse that fiercely now pursued their Victorie Goigny labouring but in vain to rally them were all miserably cut to pieces Seldome was known more bloud spilt and a battel sooner won by fewer men and with so little losse Seldome was better experience made how much the strength of either side consists in hoâ—se For by six hundred Horse they were no more that began and but twelve hundred when they won the battel full ten thousand Foot were part slain part taken prisoners and the rest of the Armie no lesse then eight thousand Horse in the space of an hour and an half with the losse of onely nine of the Kings men were routed thirty four Colours taken with their field-pieces and almost all their Carriages and Baggage Their Generall himself and some persons of qualitie came into the enemies power the rest with the greatest part of their Horse that ran at first got basely off flying so me to Gemblac most to Bruxels Nor secure at Gemblac though it was fortified upon the approach of the victorious Army diverse before the assault fled further into Brabant the rest promised to render upon certain conditions But Don Iohn refusing to give any they yielded themselves and the Town to mercy Nor was this a contemptible addition to the Victorie For the enemie determining to make Gemblac the seat of the Warre had victâ—alled it for many moneths and laid in Arms and store of Ammunition which came all into the Conquerours hands The Town destined for a prey to the souldiers by a
men to defend our Remainder of the Low-countreys against the Conquerour But they will not be so much indangered by the losse of a Battaile For if that Army we march against be routed they can recruit assisted on the one part by Duke Alencon and his French-men on the other by Prince Casimir and the still increasing German Succours But in case which is to be hoped from God's goodnesse and our Souldiers Courage the Catholique Army shall with a better Cause likewise have the better Fortune with how much bloud with what exchange of Gold for Drosse must we buy the victory fighting before their Campe with their fresh and intire Forces But when we have thus weakned our selves by conquering if the French that watch all occasions fall upon us how I feare our Conquest will be followed with a farre greater misfortune we indeed shall have the Honour of the Day but others reape the profit In summe we may be victorious in the Battaile and vanquished in the Warre Wherefore since in this our voluntary expedition we may in reason feare almost the same Disaster whether conquered or conquering my opinion is that we should give off the attempt and at present check this Courage rather great then fruitfull Don Iohn thought this speech of the the Prince of Parma's more true then gallant and therefore besides Gabriel Serbellonio one that Don Iohn used to call Father and to preferre his judgement before the rest none of all the Councell of Warre was of Prince Alexander's mind And the Generall carried it for assaulting of the confederates Campe before they should be reinforced with new supplies Count Mansfeldt the Campe-master held it a point of Honour for the Royall Army to rouse the enemy within covert that trusted more to the place then either to their Armes or Valour The Generall of the Horse Octavio said the Souldiers Alacrity must be used before Delay had dulled it and that they were to follow the happy presage of victory expressed in their unanimous consent to fight and a successe was to be hoped especially at this time by reason of the enemi's Discord For Federick Perenot Lord of Campin by the Prince of Orange's Command was sent Prisoner to Gant and his House at Bruxells plundred because he was reported to be making his Peace with the King by meanes of his Brother Cardinall Granvell and indeed he was discontented that the Prince of Orange slighted him in Comparison of Aldegund The like was by the Prince of Orange attempted upon Hese and Glimè both which they say upon a rumour of the Prince of Oranges Murder Spread by his owne Ministers and Direction very ominously for himselfe only to try the faith of others expressed no dubious signes of Ioy. And therefore in imitation of the Battaile at Gemblac they having now intelligence of like divisions among the Confederates their Arm factious and destitute of these Commanders should be forthwith assaulted and no doubt but the like Successe would follow as Don Iohn concluded The Battaile therefore being now resolved on Mutio Pagano and Amator of Abadien Officers of Horse sent Spyes to discover the Enemyes Campe and to Chuse the ground where they should fight brought back word That the Confederates Army was intrenched not farre from Machlin the Rere guarded by the Village of Rimenant the Flanks with a Wood and a Fen their Front with a Trench and a Line drawne betweene both the Flanks Before that Trench was an open Plaine very commodious for drawing out the Enemy to Battaile but they found no Avenue to the Village but one neare the Wood on the left hand a way that would only hold six or seven men a breast Vpon this Discovery Don Iohn sending back some Companyes to garrison the Frontire-Townes for keeping out the French moved from Tienen and passing over his Army at Areschott-Bridge the second dayes March he came within sight of the Enemy and knowing the Plaine by the Description his Scouts had made he presently imbattailed his Army consisting of 12000 Foote and 5000 Horse Then the Prince of Parma whilst Don Iohn put his men into Battalia was a very earnest Suiter in case they fought that day that he might lead up the Spanish Infantry ordered to begin the Battaile to demonstrate as I conceive that his Courage to advance the Expedition was no lesse active then his Counsell formerly to retard it Don Iohn admiring the Greatnesse of his Spirit and Contempt of Danger at first put him off at length consented because he knew it would be of great Concernement under whose conduct that Battalion should march which must give the Omen to the Victory But till they joyned Battaile he would have Prince Alexander's Company to ride about the Field with him In the interim his Army was drawne out in the entrance of the Plaine and by the ordinary sound of Drums and Trumpets challenged the Enemy to fight Where expecting for three houres and the Enemy not moved with any kinde of Invitation to the Field still keeping within their Trenches Don Iohn called Alphonso Leva that commanded an extraordinary Regiment of Musketters said to him GoAlphonso put thy selfe and thy men into that narrow way betweene the Wood and Trench as if thou hadst a designe to enter the Village in despight of their Army no doubt but they will oppose thee when they come on do thou retire to draw them into the Field Withall he commands the Marquesse a Monte with three Troops of Curassiers and Lanciers to bend that way and be in the Rere of Leva's Foote The Enemyes whole Army under the Arch-duke and the States was commanded by Maximilian Hennin Count of Bolduc an experienced and wary Souldier He intending to frustrate Don Iohn's indeavours either by sitting still or acting with some Stratagem commanded Iohns Norreys an English Colonell who defended that Post to meete the Enemy but so as not to fight at too great a distance from the place The Battaile was therefore begun betwene the Spanish and English very gently at first for neither Leva nor Norreys meant to ingage very farre till to relieve the English because many of them were slaine Count Egmont coming in with his Reserve of Horse A Monte likewise immediately advanced with His. Against Robert Stuart also bringing up with him some Scotch Foote Don Iohn sent Ferdinando de Toledo with the rest of those active Foote under his Command and Camillo a Monte in the Rere of them with two Cornets of Horse he himselfe moving forward in Battalia with the whole Army in hope of a generall Battaile with the now irritated Enemy The Prince of Parma also leaping off his Horse tooke the place which he had so earnestly desired among the Spanish Infantry and appeared in in the head of them with his Pike in his hand And now the Forlornes of both Armyes fell on not like
Skirmishers but as if the Summe of Affaires were in dispute When Leva having happily lined the thickets with his Musketiers possessed himselfe of the Wood on the left hand and Toledo entring the Passe which had few left to defend it both with great Violence backed by the Horse assailed the Trenches at last beat the Enemy sometimes retiring somtimes facing about fighting even into the Village Nor did their Flight seeme to be ended there but forasmuch as they fired the Hutts they left behinde them it was undoubtedly believed they meant not only to leave their Campe but the Village too But then Toledo and A Monte sending Comes Caesio to Don Iohn beseeched him presently to dispatch away fresh men for the Victory was his own But Prince Alexander because he had observed that the Enemyes without much Dispute quitted their Campe fled orderly as if it were upon Designe began to suspect it was not done by Necessity but on Purpose He therefore instantly mett Don Iohn and finding him unresolved about sending in Supplies increased the Generalls Doubts professing his owne Opinion was that the Campe which the Enemy had so easily parted with and not formerly secured as the custome is with Field-Pieces was only chosen by way of Stratagem to deceive the Royall Army with vaine hopes of Victory and under colour of Flight to bring them into the danger of an Ambuscado Wherefore it would be good till the Place were discovered to call off his men that pursued the Enemy And Caesio went from Don Iohn with whom the Iealously wrought very much to command them to make a Stand. But they had already past the Towne chasing the Enemy that fled scatteringly were entred the Plaine towards Machlin hemmed in with the River Demera on the one side and on the other with a thick Wood and such a military heat transported them that being blinded with a Cloud of dust before they understood the Mysâ—ery they saw themselves come to the Enemye's true Campe lying between the River and the wood intrenched round and strongly guarded on the Front with Cannon There the Enemy had pitched being no fewer then 12000 Foote and 7000 Horse distributed into severall Divisions so as they reached as farr as Machlin All this daunted not the Royalists but making a Halt for Norreys now supplyed from the Neighbouring Campe had rallyed his flying men they put themselves as well they could in order suddainly imbattailed and with new Ardour began the fight These were 5000 Foote all Muskettiers and most of them Spaniards the Horse were Italians Spaniards and Low-countreymen about 600 armed with Lances and Pistols The Enemy was equall in Foote superiour in Cavalry Yet both Armyes fought with strength above their numbers and with Courage aboue their Strength those the Successe of their plott and nearenesse to their Campe these the shame of being cozned and a kind of Desperation precipitated to a Battaile and made them joyne with farre more animosity Some Companyes of Scots made themselves remarkable who either in bravery or not able to indure the heate of their Running and the Day the Sun putting the whole Sky into a Flame stript themselves contented only with their Shirts some casting off those too and tying them about their middles came on naked among the armed men Yet many of them were no lesse safe then others that wore Armes which made them unweldier not so nimble to avoid a hurt slower to rise when they were down last in a Retreate and often either slaine by the Enemy trod under their horses feete or taken Prisoners But the Enemy's Cannon often and safely thundering from their Trenches cruelly shattered the Kings men from which destruction not able to defend themselves because no part of the Plaine was free from the Shott they found but one Remedy which was with their last indeavours to assault their Trenches But those were likewise fortified and they themselves hardly could stand a Charge much lesse assaile others So that Caesio returning to Don Iohn with a true account of their Condition beseeched him since they could not retire without being pursued and ruined nor yet much longer sustaine the fury of the Cannon that he would send Ayde which might incourage them with assurance of Successe to invade the Postes of the Enemy Don Iohn transported with Griefe and Anger though he denyed to send so much as one man to those that ingaging beyond the limits of his expresse Command had brought themselves into those Straites and Intricacyes yet he was pleased briefely to heare the Iudgment of Alexander Farneze Octavio Gonzaga and Count Mansfeldt All which concurred in opinion that it was not safe to send others who rather would partake their danger then come to their reliefe yet that such men ought not to be deserted with so great a losse both of Souldiers and Reputation but that the place at a nearer distance should be viewed and a Resolution taken according to the present Exigence and Expedient This Charge was committed to Prince Alexanders Care who galloping thither and taking a strickt Survey both of the Danger of the party that fought and of all the Advantages of the Field for their Retreate observed that in the hollow of the Plaine betweene certaine hedges and well-planted Orchards lay a Passe by which he despaired not to bring off the Foote He advised about it with Don Iohn and Gonzaga not denying but it was a dubious and almost a rash Attempt yet he said that in acute Diseases somtimes desperate Remedyes are not unskilfully applyed by the Phisicians His designe being approved he himselfe undertooke it the rest easily giving way that he should fetch them off which he did in this manner At the Avenues of the hedges planting Muskettiers he ordered them with a suddaine haile of Shott to stop the Advance of the Enemy and commanded Gonzaga that rallying and animating the Horse he should bring them to guard the Rere whilst they retreated and when the Foote were safe among the hedges give the Enemy a hot Charge and by the way they first entred betwene the Village and the Wood narrow indeed but faire and commodious for horse retire to his Poste Nor with lesse care the Austrian Generall in the meane time riding about the Army exhorted the Colonells and Captaines that keeping their men firme in ranke and file they should receive their fellowes returning from the fight without Disorder which was destructive to the enemy at the battaile of Gemblac where their Horse fled scatteringly and routed their owne Foote which very misfortune might befall the Royall Army if upon the Approach of their fellowes amazed and distracted the Enemy animated by others Feare should then invade them Things thus disposed Prince Alexander before he called off those that fought commaned the foote partly as if they gave ground partly as if they meant to wheele
on to discover the Enemy that lay three miles from the Towne At his returne leaving the Duke of Brunswick to keep the City by day-breake for it was time to be quick he marched against the Enemy His Foot were almost 12000 his Horse 3000 most of his Captaines and Officers old Souldiers and Commanders Nassau had as many Foot but was weaker in Horse and hearing of the Duke's Approach had retreated six miles and intrenched himselfe with suddaine workes cast up in a watrish Ground The Duke followed him and commanded Gaspar Robbley Lord of Bill to take 1200 Spanish and Wallon Musketteers and Dragoones and fall upon the Campe at two severall Quarters not so much in hope to beate them out of their Trenches as to try their Strength and hold them play till Cressonerius brought up the Cannon But such was the Fury of the Musketteers or rather such was the Cowardice of the Enemy especially being puzzled with a Mutiny of the Germans that running away on both sides from their Cannon they stroue who should fly fastest The rest firing their Carriages retired and many while they retreated observing no Order nor Command either sunke with their Horses in the Bogges and ditches or basely casting away their Armes were trampled upon by such as followed the Chase. Above 300 of them were slaine of the King's men but nine and doubtlesse the Execution had been greater if the Duke had not sounded a Retreat fearing lest in that darke weather his Souldiers by an errour not to be repaired might be ingaged in blind cosening holes and pits which the Countrey was every where full of But five dayes after his Excellence compleated his Victory For commanding Caesar Davalo Brother to the Marquesse of Piscario and Curtius Comes Martinengo with some Horse to chase the Fugitives he himselfe with his Army returned to the Groine about one a clock at night and before it was day the Duke that could not sleepe out an opportunity marched againe into the Field and on the 21. of Iuly pursued the Enemy Nassau made a halt in the entrance of West Friezland at the Village of Geming between the Bay of Dullart and the River Ems at his back he had Embden a City that tooke part with him from whence by the River Ems he might expect provisions and his Brother the Prince of Orange coming out of Germany About him were many Marshes and the way so confused by reason of the water that it frighted the pursuers Only on his Front amidst the low and sinking mudd there was one passage upon the top of a strong Banke that over looked the swelling Billowes and ran directly into the Campe and Village which a venue was made inaccessible by ten pieces of Cannon planted in the mouth of it Thus had he chosen and guarded the place where he incamped But feare can never be sufficiently intrenched Their feare was increased by a second Mutiny of the Germans that began to be seditious before their former losse For when divers Companies of theirs because they were not payed came about Nassau's Tent railing and crying that some of their Countrey-men were ready to die for hunger having in two dayes space not eaten a bit of bread and therefore threatned to go over to the enemy Iustus Schouwenberg promising that next day they should have foure French-crownes a man the mutiny was quieted but this money the Duke as I said falling so suddainly upon them could not be paied the Souldiers therefore in their stand at Geming after their flight claimed promise and mutined more fiercely which the Duke understanding from the Prisoners taken and the newes being purposely divulged through the Army so inflamed the Souldiers courages that almost all the Captaines with great contest which Nation should be honoured with the Service begged leave to fall upon their Cannon the greatest danger of the Warre The Company of Lopez Figueroa that Marched on the Duke 's left hand when he led the Army along the River Banke was commanded to try their Fortune the most whereof were armed with those huge Muskets that hardly could be managed upon Rests which as we said formerly were first brought in use for Field-Service by the Duke of Alva And whilst the Duke made shew as if he would charge the Enemy in the Front covering his men from their Cannon with Gabions or baskets filled with earth in the meane time keeping them in play with some light Assaults they that were to attempt the Cannon falling upon their knees and powring out their prayers to God which they repeated after Figueroa remarkeable for his devotion to the Mother of God waded through the Mud and Water and came upon the Flane of the sleep hill where the Cannon was planted Few at first guarded the place as that which secured it selfe presently fresh men coming in to help their Fellowes after a sharpe conflict they tooke the Cannon and opened the only Avenue by which the Spanish Army could march up to Nassau This advantage being close followed by the Duke he sent men that not only tooke their Campe and beat them out of their Workes and Trenches but that in their Flight along the higher and lower grounds as farre as the River Ems for six houres together did execution upon them for as Hubert a Valle that was present at the Battaile wrote to Margaret of Austria never men fought either with greater Cowardice or stubbornesse if it were a Fight and not rather a meere Slaughter Many of the Germans throwing their Armes to the Ground as if they meant to strike were killed so much the sooner Many were swallowed in the Bogges and Fennes into which they crowded and thrust one another as they ran Many were cut to pieces offering their backs to the Sword as guilty slaves doe to the Whippe But the greatest part were drowned in the River Ems whereinto they leaped though they could not swim and were loaded with their Armes which immediately sunke them Onely a few good Swimmers made sport to the Spanish Army that from the banke-side shot them with their Muskets like so many Ducks They say those that accidentally sailed in the Bay of Dullart seeing such abundance of Montero's swimming downe the water for the Sea that ebbes and flowes at certaine houres when it was low water drew away from the River the Spoiles of the dead bodies knew that a Battaile had been fought and great execution done in the adjoyning Fields and by the fashion of the Montero's much differing from other mens hatts and worne by the German Souldiers instead of Helmets they supposed the Spaniard to be Master of the Field By which meanes when the messenger presently dispatched from the Duke of Alva came to the Groine beyond all expectation and Faith he found the Towne already acquainted with the newes the Merchants and Mariners having told them of the victory
courage and trust wrote to Don Iohn speedily to dispatch away relief for his men were grown so seditious he could hold â—ut no longer But the messenger either taken by Holach or else playing the knave was with his letters detained in the Leaguer till such time as they might think he had been with Don Iohn that a probable delay might give more credit to the jugling Then another in stead of the first was dispatched to the Town that excusing the stay of him they sent who he said was fallen sick brought a formall answer as from the hand of Don Iohn bidding them upon good conditions render the Town and that shortly when supplies came to him he would send but yet he could not forces to recover it The messenger and letter was believed and the Town yielded To the Colonell's errour was added the villany of his Souldiers which during the time of the Treaty either corrupted with money or discontent furiously laid hands upon him and perfidiously delivered him bound to Holach and Campin that made it one of their conditions In the interim whilst they march out finding themselves cheated by the enemy and seeing the supplies sent by Don Iohn at hand they repented both their haste and perjury The Diceran not so merrily on Holach's side at Ruremund which he with great forces going to assault found Garrison'd by Don Iohn with 4000 men commanded by Aegidius Barlamont Lord of Hierg and likewise by a Sally of Polvillerius Colonel of the Germans in the Town beaten from the Siege with the losse of his Carriages and many of his men he fled Yet the Treaty of Peace went on continual messengers posting from both sides as if it were out of hope and desire of successe and not rather to give words for words that one might seem to take up Arms justlier then the other Nothing else was intended by the Queen of England at that time moving Don Iohn for a Cessation of Arms save onely that upon the denyal of her request she would be thought in a manner necessitated to assist the Estates her Majesty threatning Don Iohn and the King to whom she sent an expresse Messenger that if they refused to do it she would never more pleasure them in any thing whatsover But her threats being understood she was desired by the King and Done Iohn to move the other side whom she might with a great deal more justice perswade to lay down Arms rendring obedience to their Prince Wherefore both parties with the conditions likewise rejecting the messengers that brought them all Treaties of Accomodation now cut off no hope was left of quieting the Low-countreys but by Arms. And about that time a blazing Star rose with such a fatall Aspect as Mathematicians laboured to demonstrate that a more horrid one never had appeared which mindes prone warr looked at as a Standard set up in heaven The first and memorable Battel was fought at Gemblac nine miles from Namure in the entry of Brabant both Armies being a whâ—le before mustered the Catholick at Marcha a Town in the Province of Luxemburg the enemy at Temple a Village not far from Namure and those were found less these more then was supposed For it was reported that Don Iohn had 22000 Foot whereas upon the Musters appeared not 18000 as Alexander Farneze that was present with Don Iohn set down in his account On the contrary the States Mustered about 20000 that were a while before not thought to be 17000. For the number of these was daily increased by Souldiers of Fortune that came in hope of Pillage which they could not have from Don Iohn that raised men onely with money And yet his Army though fewer weaker in Horse as not full two thousand because they had the advantage of being the older and the better Souldiers were a great deal more desirous of a Battel The Catholick Souldiers were likewise much encouraged by the Letters of Gregory the thirteenth wishing happinesse to them and by the Christian custome freely granting them a general pardon of their sins Which the Commanders making use of the Army when they were all absolved with much more cheerfulnesse marched against the enemy The Spyes likewise brought in news which made Don Iohn eâ—spect no longer that Philip Count Lalin and Robert Melodune Viscount Gant this commanding the Horse he the Foot and Valentine Pardieu Generall of the Artillery were absent from the enemies Campe pretending an invitation to a Marriage celebrated with great Pompe in Bruxels but indeed as it was reported out of distaste taken at the Prince of Orange besides many others that could not away with the sharpnesse of the Winter being Summer Captaines had left the field and withdrawn into the City He that now commanded in chief for the Confederates was Anthony Goigny Lord of Vendege in the Wood an old Souldier trained up in his youth under Charles the fifth then a Captain of Lanceirs at the Battel of Saint Quintin afterwards Leivtenant General of the Auxiliaries sent by King Philip to Charles the ninth of France under the command of Count Aremberg But two years before the differences between the Spaniards and Low-countreymen had alienated his endeavours rather then affections from the Kings Service The enemy intended to surprise Don Iohn in Namure and to this purpose were now upon their march but understanding that he had a far stronger Army then was imagined and meant to draw out of Namure and give them Battel altering their determination they were retiring to Gemblac there upon certain knowledg of the enemies strength maturely to order their affaires The States Army quartered that night in the Village of St. Martin almost five miles distant from the Forces of Don Iohn lying at Namure Thence before break of day firing their Huts they retreated towards Gemblac in this manner First marched Emmanuel Montin and William Hese with their Regiments flanked with Carabines of the Colonels Villers and Fresnoi The main Battel consisting of the German and Wallon Regiments three of French thirteen of Scots and English was led by Maximilian Heâ—â—n Count of Boluc a while since revolted from the King and by Federick Perenot Lord of Campin The Rere in which was their strength of Horse being commanded by the Counts Philip Egmont son to Lamoral and Lamè a Marcha Marquesse of Havre Duke Arescot's Brother and the Camp-master Goigny Lievtenant-General of the Army riding up and down with some select wings of Horse In the Forlorn they had placed the Pioners and Workmen intermixed with a Company of Foot The Battel was enclosed with their Baggage and flanked with some Feild-pieces They had likewise secured their backs fearing the enemy would follow with their best Musketteirs and stoutest Souldiers Nor was Don Iohn less active but a good while before day moved from Namure sending before
him l. 10. p. 18 Alice Mother to Francis the first of France l. 1. p. 12 Alphonso Este Duke of Ferrara l. 1. p. 21 Alphonso Count de Sommai designed Colonell of the Italians at Milain l. 10. p. 7 Alphonso Leva sonne to Sancho Vice-roy of Navarre l. 10. p. 6. by orders from Don Iâ—hm fights the enemy p. 9. worsts him p. 10. brings off the Foot p. 12 Alphonse Lopes l. 5. p. 142 Alphonso Vlloa Colonel of the Spanish Foot in the Nâ—apolitan Regiment l. 6. p. 30 Alphonso Vargas commanding the Spanish Horse l. 8. p. 18. Rouâ—s the Glimâ—â—ens p. 21. Recovers Maâ—stricht ibid. marches to Antwerp takes and plunders it p. 22 23. he and the Spaniards leave the Low-countreys l. 9. p. 32 Altapen vide Charles Altempse vide Hannibal Alvarez Pacecho a Colonell l. 7. p. 72 Alava vide Francisco Alva vide Ferdinand Toledo Duke of Alva and Garçias Ambition Of the Belgick Lords in arms and at Court l. 2. p. 37 38 41 42. Of Granvell ibid. Of Egmont l. 2. p. 38. Of the Prince of Orange naturall to him ibid. and l. 2. p 45. l. 5. p. 121. l. 7. p. 40. reprehended in Senate l. 3. p. 67. Of Robert Brederod to be Archbishop of Cambray l. 2. p. 41. Vide Emulation Ambois vide Conspiracy Amity of neighbour Princes to be wished for l. 4. p. 91 Amida King of Tunis l. 10. p. 19. 21 Amâ—rsfort l. 7. p. 75 Amsterdam in Holland threatens to revolt from the King l. 6. p. 1. The wickednesse of the Hereticks there l. 5. p. 131. A Convention of the Convenanters p. 137. Pious courage of the women p. 131. The Covenanters would have surprized the Town l. 6. p. 19. are beat back ibid. the Citie receives a Garrison p. 20. is faithfull to the Spaniard l. 7. p. 72. begins to wayer l. 9. p. 41. is assaulted by the Prince of Orange l. 10. p. 5. resists wherein the women do speciall service ibid. It is rendred and deceived ibid. the destruction of all things sacred in the Town ibid. Anabaptists l. 2. p. 36 Andelott a Low-countrey man one of the Covenanters l. 6. p. 19 Andelott Coliny Generall of the French Foot l. 3. p. 56 Anderlech Steward to Count Megan l 5. p. 101 Andrew Salazar a Captain l. 6. p. 33 Andreas Vesaliâ—s Physician to Charles the fifth l. 1. p. 10 Anguisiola vide Iuan. Aniâ— a River l. 7. p. 56 Anne of Austria daughter to the Emperour Maximilian is designed for wife to Charles Prince of Spain l. 7. p. 68. after whose death his Father King Philip marries her ibid. She comes into the Low-countreys ibid. is conducted into Spain ibid. dies l. 7. p. 82 Anne Egmont first wife to the Prince of Orange l. 3. p. 53 Anne daughter to Don Iohn of Austria l. 10. p. 23 Anne daughter of Mourice Duke of Saxony wife to the Prince of Orange l. 3. p. 53. her marriage ibid. She is divorced and sent back into Germany p. 54 Annâ—â—s Mâ—morancy Constable of France l. 3. p. 61. his death l. 6. p. 35. he and the Duke of Alva compared l. 7. p. 83. Th' Ancibarian Generall his Vow against the 〈◊〉 l. 3. p. 51 Antonio Alâ—â—yda Anthony Bombâ—rg of Antwerp l. 6. p. 1. 2 Anthony Bourbon King of Navarre brother to the Prince of Caâ—da l. 3. p. 56. his various fortune ibid. he treats with King Philip about the restitution oâ— commutation of the Kingdome of Navarre p. 58. he withdraws his protection from the Hereticks p. 59. whereupon he hopes to marry Mary Stuart Queen of Scots ibid. he takes Roan p. 61. enters it triumphantly ibid. dies of a shot received at the Siege ibid. Anthony Gâ—igâ—y Lord of Vendege trailed a pike under Charles the fifth l. 9. p. 50. was a Commander of horse at the battel of St. Quintin ibid. Lieutenant Generall to Count Aremberg in France ibid. The discord of the Spaniards and Low-countrey men makes him leave the Kings Service ibid. he is Generall of the Confederates army p. 50. sent to Antwerp by the Deputies of the Estates l. 8. p. 22. taken prisoner p. 23. exchanged l. 9. p. 31. took again at the batâ—el of Gemblac l. 9. p. 52. Committed to the Fort at Mamure ibid. Antonio Gusman Marquesse of Ayamont Governour of Milain l. 9. p. 32. 47 Anthony Lalin Count Hochstras Captain of a troop of Low-countrey Horse l. 1. p. 17. made Knight of the Golden-Fleece by the endeavours of the Prince of Orange l. 2. p. 46. Governour of Mechlin l. 5. p. 1â—1 one of the Gentlemen Covenanters p. 101. he acts for the Hereticks l. 6. p. 1. meets the Covenanters at Cuilemburg house l. 5. p. â—109 assignes the Hereticks Churches in Mechlin l. 5. p. 131. gives reasons for it to the Governesse ibid. comes with the rest of the Lords to the Convention at Dendermond b. 5. p. 134. He is Lieutenant Governour of Antwerp for the Prince of Orange l. 5. p. 139. sends the Petition of the Hereticks at Antwerp to the Gouerness ibid. endeavours to draw Count Egmont to the new League p. 142. He and the Prince of Orange oppose the furious Calvinists at Antwerp l. 6. p. 4. refuseth to take the Oath of fidelitie to the King l. 6. p. 12. looseth his Government of Mechlin ibid. answers Count Mansfeldt jeeringly ibid. he and Count Egmont fall out l. 6. p. 14. 15. he promiseth before the Governess to take the Oath l. 6. p. 15. is sent for to Bruxels with the rest of the Lords by the Duke of Alva to set the State in Order l. 6. p. 32. hearing of their imprisonment he flies p. 33. he is impeached before the Councel of twelve l. 7. p. 41. pronounced guilty of High Treason by the Duke of Alva p. 42. his forces beyond the Mose routed by Avila p. 46. he is carâ—ied off the field sick l. 7. p. 56. his baggage taken by the Spaniard ibid. he is Generall at the battel by the Bank of Geta l. 7. p. 62. dies of a musket shot ibid. Antonio Mendosa l. 6. p. 26 Antonio Olivera first Commissary of Horse that ever was in the Low-countreys l. 6. p. 30. at the battel of Mâ—och l. 8. p. 4. at the sack of Antwerp l. 8. p. 22. at the battel of Gemblac l. 9. p. 50. brings his Prisoners to Don Iohn p. 51. hath a Pension assigned him by the â—ing l. 10. p. 7. Anthony Percâ—ot Granvell his birth l. 2. p. 39. Wit Languages and Elocution ibid. his emulation with Regnard l. 3. p. 67. from the Bishoprick of Arras first translated to the Archbishoprick of Mechlin l. 1. p. 18. commended by the Emperour to his sonne Philip the second l. 2. p. 40. His arts to ingratiate himself with the King ibid. he answers Charles the fifth for King Philip l. 1. p. 4. speaks for the King of the Estates l. 1. p. 25. his power with the King l. 3. p. 67 68. he stands for
with any more skill handle his Armes then he used to do his Text. For at the very first Charge being frighted relinquishing his men this hare in a Helmet fled out of the Field Two hundred and thirty of his Disciples were slaine and presently stripped of their armes leaving Rassinghem Victorious without bloud Who with his Triumphant Souldiers laded with the Spoiles of the enemy entering into Lisle the newes of that sudden execution made the feare of the City greater then his honour by the Defeat of such an inconsiderable Enemy Their consistoriall Counsell was therefore now at their witts end and the Souldiers of Tournay hearing of the Armentarians Overthrow retreated from Lisle to Lanoy which shutting their Gates against them their Generall Sorean indeavouring to take the Towne gave Norcarmius time to overtake him But before Norcarmius came vp Rassinghem vnderstanding by the Armenterian Prisoners that the Gheuses of Tournay were marching towards him raising as many of the Country as he could upon the suddaine resolved instantly to fall upon them not imagining that Norcarmius besieging Valenciens had the same Designe And it fortuned that Rassinghem sending out some Scouts as the manner is to discover the strength and motion of the enemy they fell vpon the like number of Horse sent by Norcarmius to the same intent and as night and suspicion doses the mind either Partly mistaking their fellowes for the enemy fired upon one another and one or two being shot retired frighting and affrighted While this Accident held Rassinghem in suspense Norcarmius by other meanes understanding the Enemy to be neere Lanoy presently marched thither and going to order his men for a Bataille her perceiued the Gheuses too weake for the open Feild by little and little fell backe into the lanes trenched with Ditches and bulwarkt with Woods Wherefore he sent thither three Companyes of musketteers with some Pikes mixed among them which he him selfe followed with the Horse The Gheuses stood the first Charge indifferent stoutly and shot off some small Field-Pieces that guarded the mouth of the Lanes Nay thought many fel they filled vp their places with fresh men without much Difficulty taking the Advantage of those Straits beat back the Norcarmians But at last the Avenue being opened by the Pikes the Horse and Foote breaking in they gaue back were routed fled and in the Flight more Dangerous then in the Battaile were killed like sacrificed Beasts A few with their Generall Sorean but dividing themselues escaped through the woods Norcarmius with the Losse of only six men having taken nine of the Enemyes Colours twentie Field-Pieces and two Barrells of Powder though it best to follow the Opportunity and to march with his men now fleshed and desirous of Victory up to the Walls of Tournay and sending a Trumpet to the Towne commanded them in the name of the Governesse to receive a Garrison of his men if they denyed or paused he would use his Victorious Armes The Townsmen hearing by such as fled out of the Battaile that their Army was defeated being struck with the suddaine and armed Summons of Norcarmius the Conquerour at their Gates and Feare within their hearts depriving them both of time and reason for consulting they yielded to mercy He entered the Towne triumphantly and forthwith disarmed the people sending Souldiers from House to House which he did afterwards through all the Signiory of Tournay that tooke away their Armes and carryed them to the Magazine Then he imprisoned the Incendiaryes and restored the Bishop and Clergy to their Honour and Authority Lastly he put downe the Consistoryes and prohibited all such kind of Meetings the common Forges of Sedition thereby absolutely disinabling the Hereticall Faction in that City This done by Command from the Governesse he made Iohn Croy Count of Reuse Leiutenant-Governour of Tournay for Montiny who was yet in Spaine soe leaving eight Foot Companyes in the Towne besides 450 Garrison Souldiers in the Fort he returned to the Siege of Valenciens and was ready to storme it when the Governesse should command But she being to consult the King presently after the render of Tournay with the Newes of the Victory writt to his Maiesty her Resolution to take Valenciens by assault because the beseiged adding Obstinacy to Rebellion had made diverse Sallyes out of the Towne and beate vp the Quarters of his Maiestyes men as in Contempt of the King His Maiesty though he disliked not the Siege yet intimated that he should have better liked noe Siege now since it was gone soe farre it concerned his Honour to continue it but it likewise concerned his clemency and Affection to his Subjects to forbeare the Battery of the Towne aâ—d putting them to the Sword lest the fury of the Souldiers should destroy the Innocent together with the guilty The Governesse should therefore try all wayes to win the besieged to yield without fighting which was feizible witnesse the example of Tournay But if the Rebells stubbornesse could not be broken but only by Armes his Majesty would not have the Town stormed before his pleasure was known and two Regiments come out of Germany But these cautions were given to no purpose the besieged growing every day more obstinat Therfore the Governesse commanded Norcarmius to make his approches neerer to look more narrowly unto the cutting off all Victuaâ—l and commerce and to present his Cannon and Army as prepared for a generall Assault so by frighting and wearying the Enemy to spinne out time till the German Regiments should arrive commanded by Oberstein and Scouwenberg She likewise writ to the King that Mercy was fruitlesse that she and the Senate thought it necessary before they were better fortified or relieved to take the Towne which Norcarmius was of Opinion might be effected in eight dayes and that Delay would be dangerous lest the Gheuses being inraged all over the Low-Countryes and upon the Borders of France might have time to raise an Army But all this moved not the KING who dispatched back his Adviso with more then ordinary speed that they should hold off and rather take the Towne by Feare then by the Sword perhaps starved and wearyed they might yield yet if there was no remedy but to force them which he must leave to their Iudgement that were upon the Place then he would have these commands principally observed First that raising their Batteries and planting their Cannon they should prove them with theâ—â— Preparations and Fore-runners of a Storme leaving them in the meane time some space of Repentance Then if they yielded not they should storme the Towne and do the Duty of Souldiers but yet forbeare to do execution not only upon Children Old-men and Women but that no Citizen whatsoever should be killed in cold bloud The Governesse well weighing this letter though she knew it was more mercifull then
Thus long ago when the Romans fought with the Sabines by the River of Anio they at Rome seeing the Sabines Armes floating upon Tiber into which the River Anio falls prevented the Messengers by their fore-knowledge of the joyfull Tidings Touching the number of the slaine the Reports of those present in the Fight were diverse The most credible is that there fell six Thousand of the Enemy and no more then Seventy of the King's men Though twelve miles in length being strewed with Carkasses of men and Horses presented it as a huge and horrid Slaughter to the eye The Spoile was likewise great twenty of the Enemies Ensignes taken ten great Cannon and those six musicall Field-pieces lost by Count Aremberg with a vast quantity of furniture belonging to Nassau Hochstrat and Schouwenberg in a word all their Carriages and Baggage came into the Spaniard's hands Hochstrat the day before the Battaile was carryed sick out of the Field Schouwenberg fled in the begining of the Fight Of Nassau the Rumour was at first uncertaine for his Armes and the Suite he wore that day were brought to the Duke of Alva afterwards it was knowne that changeing his Cloathes he swam the River and left those he put off purposely in the Field that they might imagine him slaine In this Province of Friezland Germanicus Caesar conquered Arminius by the banck of Visurgus another River of Friezland the memory of which overthrow was now revived Iust so the Romans for their Sport killed the barbarous people swimming the River till they were weary with the Sport so Arminius fled disguised so the Battaile continued till darke night so the Fieldes for as many miles were covered with dead bodies Nor was the Monument lesse proportionable which either Generall out of the Enemies spoyles erected for Posterity to behold Only when the Roman set up a Trophy his modesty omitted to name himselfe the Spaniard boldly put in his owne Title Fame therefore in that Inscription inserted the title of Germanicus but envy in this soone blotted out the name of Alva I know some that accompt this victory a miracle wrought by the Prayers of Pius the fifth who both by Letters and Supplies of money had animated the Duke of Alva against the Gheuses Indeed Christopher Assonvill an intimate Counsellour of the Duke's describing the Battaile writes that when he considered the place chosen by Nassau on the one part to be so fortified by nature and Art as might well have contemned a greater Army on the other part to be taken by so suddaine a storme and so few men he could not thinke this victory lesse then a Miracle And the Duke of Alva after he had won the Field the first think he did dispatched away a Messenger that very night with the newes to Pope Pius who as he had devoutly prayed to God for good Successe so now having obtained his desire commanded three Thankesgiving-Dayes to be solemnly kept in three of the greatest Churches of Rome which was accordingly performed with great Solemnity and the addition of Cannon-shot and Bonefires But though I will not say this was miraculous in regard a farre lesse mutiny and consternation uses every day to worke stranger effects yet when I looke upon the attempt of the Spanish Forlorne-Hope how they being to run the apparent hazzard of their Lives when Lopez Figueroa advised them to call the Communion of Saints to their Assistance falling on their faces and imploring after an extraordinary manner and with many zealous Prayers the Patronage of the Blessed Virgin and the Tutelar Saint of Spaine fearlessely and fortuâ—nately among the enemies Cannon began their Conquest truly out of these premises I may boldly conclude that if at this Battaile there was more then humane help the Devotion of the Spaniards called downe Victory from Heaven and their heroicall courage merited such a Day In the Returne of the conquering Army a bold and wicked fact was committed that greatly tooke off the Generalls and his Officers Ioy. The Sardinian Brigade marching in the Reare when they came within sight of the place where awhile before many of their fellow Souldiers were lost vnfortunately together with Count Aremberg their Bloud rising they resolved to be revenged and leave a memorable example of their fury For before day-breake they fired they fired the next Villages beginning at the Towne where they heard the Spaniards in their flight were by the Countreymen betrayed to the Victorious Nassavians From thence dividing themselves they dispersed the fire among the Townes adjoyning which so kindled the Houses being built of combustible materialls especially the wind conspiring with their Wickednesse that from the Bay of Dullart to the farthest prospect of West-Friezland nothing was presented to the eye but dreadfull Flames The Duke of Alva amazed to see the Countrey burne and suspecting it to be a Stratagem of the enemy when he sound that it was the Villany of his owne men commanded the whole Army to stop the Brigade that had fired the Countrey and calling before him their Colonell Gonsalvo Bracamonte reproved him for suffering at the present that Mischiefe to Friezland and the King for they had burnt some Townes that were his Majestyes Patrimony and for their former Contumacy whereby they had importunely forced their valiant Generall Aremberg to fight Some of the Souldiers which began it he commanded to be hanged upon the place others especially the Supernumeraryes of the Brigade which seemed to be accidentally involved in the Fault and Colonell Bracamonte himselfe he adjudged to change their Militia for this was a kind of warlike penalty still retained out of the Discipline of the Antients that often degraded their Souldiers a Horseman to a Footman and a Footman into an Archer to make them sensible of their Errours by disgrace But this was no great Punishment to the ordinary sort that were received into other Regiments with little or noe disadvantage The Captaines Lievetenants Ensignes and above all the Colonell was aflicted with the Ignoâ—iny who were all to be reduced into the Ranke of Common Souldiers Therefore some of them particularly the Colonell resolved rather to leaue the Warre then fight with such dishonour But the Duke of Alva satifyed with what they already suffered a while after restored the Colonell to his Command The Brigade being in this manner punished but the Losses of the province unrepaired which were rated at no lesse then a Million of Crounes Victorious Alva entred the Groine upon Saint Iames his Eue whose assistance he had found in the day of Battaile and commanding the Townsmen to receive Gniffius long since designed Bishop of the place and Count Megen Successour to Aremberg in the Government of their province for defence of both by the directions of Vitelli and Paciotto the Duke began to build a Fort like that of Antwerp Things thus ordered in Holland he was met
in his returne to Bruxells by his eldest Son Federico Duke of Oscha great Commander of the Order of Calatrava who brought him from the King 2500 Foote and a good summe of money a necessary Supply against the Preparations of the prince of Orange For now the Prince of Orange was upon his March with a vast Army raised in Germany diverse of the hereticall Princes willingly associating in hatred to the Spanish House of Austria This League was advanced by by a generall indignation upon the newes of Count Egmont's and Count Horne's death the Envy to Alva thereupon increasing and much aggravated by a Booke against His Tyranny written and published by the Prince of Orange There was in his Army when he mustered it at Aquis-Grane 28000 men that is 16000 German Foot and 8000 Horse French and Low Dutch 2000 Horse and very neare as many Foot To the Germans the Prince Elector Count Palatine the Duke of Wirtemberg and the City of Strasburg had promised foure Months Pay to the French and the Low-countreymen a Spanish Merchant at Antwerp had ingaged for 1800 French Crownes a month during the said terme To maintaine the Horse was undertaken partly by the Prince of Orange and his Brother partly by the very Commanders of Horse Casimire Son to the Palsgraue Count Suarzemburg two of the Dukes of Saxony Count Hocâ—strat and William Lumè one of the Counts de Marca the last of these a deadly Enemy to the Catholiques is said to have made such a barbarous Vow as once Cl. Civilis who likewise commanded the Hollanders that he would never cut his haire till he had revenged the Deaths of Egmont and Horne With these Forces the Prince of Orange sooner then could be imagined passed the Rhyne and incamping along the banke of the Mose not farre from Maestricht filled the Low Countries with strange Reports and Terrour Indeed the Duke of Alva in appearance extreamely slighted such Rumours being a notable Dissembler of military Dangers and one that feared nothing more then to be thought to feare So that when a Captaine with very much Trouble in his Face amplifyed the Newes and told him how many Princes and Kings had entred into League against Spaine among whom he numbered Denmarke and England the Duke answered merrily he knew what accompt to make of that League nor was such a conspiracy of Rebells any way formidable the King having more Princes that tooke part with him For with the King of Spaine was confederated the Kings of Naples Sicily and Sardinia the Duke of Millaine Prince of Burgundy and the Low-countreys besides the King 's of Peru Mexico and New Spaine but herein the Confederations differed that in theirs the dissimilitude of Nations and dispositions and if no other obstacle their severall Intersts must needs cause disagreement and in a little time dissolve the union Whereas in this what pleased one pleased all and consequently it would be eternall And truly Alva was not so jealous of a forreigne Enemy as of the Natives knowing himselfe hated by a great sort of them nor could he thinke the Prince of Orange durst ever have attempted to bring a Warre into the Lowcountreys if he had not beene invited and assisted by the Low-countreymen Especially when so many Robberies and Murthers had been done upon the high way by the banished Gheuses Which because they sheltred in the Forests were called Wood-Gheuses The common Terrour was increased by a fearfull apparition in the Aire of two Armyes in Battalia seen on a cleare night to brandish their glittering Pikes as if they were ready for a charge The Prodigy because seen in diverse places was beleived and therefore more such stories were dayly told which made Alva looke to himselfe So that fortifying the Froatier Townes and those he most doubted he hastened with his Army to Maestricht that from thence he might incounter the Prince of Orange's Designes and by keeping the banke of Mose hinder him from passing the River But the Prince's subtilty and boldnesse carryed it And this was his first Stratagem in the Low-countrey-Warre wherein he plainly shewed how great an Enemy declared himselfe against the King For his Horse finding the River foardable between Rurimond and Maestricht the Mose being then accidentally at a low Ebbe the Prince helped his Fortune with Art in this manner He tied his Horse together and made them stand crosse the River to breake the Streame as Iulius Caesar did when he passed Ligeris and Cicoris and some others of late time have done by this meanes the force of the Current being abated and repelled he commanded his Foote to wade over silently in the Evening and that night with inobserveable speed or rather by an incredible Attempt he deceived the Kings Guards and safely arrived on the father Shore with his Army which was so suddaine and unexpected newes to Alva that when Barlamont told him the Enemy was come over the Duke asked him if he thought them to be an Army of Birds that had flowne over the Mose But the Prince of Orange entring Brabant and confidently incamping within six Miles of the Spanish Army the next day drew out his men and with Drummes beating and Trumpets sounding faced and offered Battaile to the Duke of Alva whose Campe-Master Chiapino Vitelli was of opinion that the Enemy wet with the River and weary with their March should have beene fought before they had incamped nor did he as yet thinke the fight was wholly to be declined but that it concerned the Spaniards in point of honour to make some Attempt upon the now insâ—lting Germans and let them know the Valour of the Royall Army But the Duke foreseeing that money could not long hold out to pay so great an Army which would therefore moulder away especially upon the approach of winter resolved with the least hazard to himselfe to elude the enemy His principall designe was to keep them from getting into any strong Towne lest they should make their Pay out of the Plunder of the Countrey yet scarce any day passed but as the Armies lay close tother they had some Skirmishes and Fights commonly about victuall the Prince of Orange's men being still the Challengers Which Fights how they were managed and with what daily successe I could particularize For Raphael Barberino Knight of Saint Steven an eminent Commander a very great Mathematician sent to Rome Diaries of all Actions in the Campe directed to his Brothers Francesco Barberino Proto-Notary Aposticall and Anthonio Barberino Father to Pope Vrban the Eight under which Prince no lesse supreame in Learning then Religion it is my happinesse to write this History But out of those Letters whereof I have Copies I hold it best to give you only some choice Passages omitting the rest that were either of the same kind or not so remarkable The third day after he had passed
the Mose the Prince of Orange advanced to Tongeren thither presently marched the Duke of Alva to defend the Towne neither incountring nor declining him only having an eye upon his Motion and Designes It fortuned that Vitelli with two Troopes of Horse about Sun-set going to discover the Enemy fell upon an Ambuscado and with a rout and the losse of some men returned safe to the Army only the Mare he rode upon had a slight hurt and because he loved her above all the Horse in his Stables she being an excellent galloper that night when he was set at Supper with his old Friend and Companion Raphael Barberino telling him with much vexation how fearefull he was to lose her he threatned if he liued one day longer to make the Enemy repent that ever they hurt his Mare Nor was it a vaine bragge for next morning by breake of day drawing out some horse most of them Spaniards and Burgundians when he observed the Prince's Rere to March at a distance from the Army dividing his Forces and giving halfe to Camillo Gonzaga Count de Novellaria he fell upon the Enemy with such a suddaine violence that he killed about 400. of their men lost only fifteene of his and tooke besides diverse Waggons loaden with Armes and Ammuniton 150. of their Horse and bringing in triumph to to the Duke of Alva said Looke you Sir how many Horses my Mare hath foaled Notwithstanding the Prince of Orange the very next day offered battaile to the Duke but he assuring himselfe the enemy would sooner want meate mony then confidence held it his safest course to break them with delaies which inraging the Prince sometimes with Crosse-Marches he turned upon the Duke sometimes to draw him on sounded a Retreate as if he were affrayd his men had gone too farre and a while after fired the Townes and Villages in sight of the Enemy to bring the demurring Spaniard to a battaile But this Hannibal found a Fabius Cunctator one that could be moved neither by the desperate fury of the Enemie nor by his own men's impatience and almost downe right Railing for this Dictator had likewise his Master of the Horse that was eager to fight nor lastly by the invitation of any prosperous fortune But as a prudent man looking upon the Future he preferred not Rumour before safety and would rather have the victory which he promised himselfe slow and secure then dubious and bloudy Especially after he had intelligence that shrew'd signes of discord appeared in the Prince of Orang's Army Nor was the Duke of Alva deceived in his conjecture For the Prince of Orange having but to no purpose sounded the affections of many Cities from whence he hoped for Money and Ammunition had not been a full Moneth in Brabant before his Souldiers mutined Captaine Malburg being slaine in a heate by his own Company and the Prince himselfe had a Pistoll discharged upon him but the bullet lighting upon the Scabberd of his Sword escaped the Danger The rage increased in the Campe and would not easily have found a stop but that newes of Succour out of France gave hope to the Prince of Orange and struck feare into the Mutineers His Army therefore moved with all possible speed to receive the French Forces conducted by Francis Hangest Lord of Ienlis consisting of 500. Horse and 3000. Foot In his March the Prince of Orange tooke Centron in the Territory of Liege where he found plenty of victuall besides the great summes of money for Fine and Ransome paid him by the Abbot of that Monastery and diverse other persons of quality From thence he went directly to Tienen to joyne with Ieâ—lis that was come within three miles of the place But because the River Geta ran between them to secure the passe he placed some light horse upon the banke mixt with Musketteers The Duke of Alva that never left the Enemy was at his back with an Army of neare upon 16000. Vitelli led the Van and finding the Prince of Orange his Designe sent Barberino on the spur to the Duke who brought up the Rere to let him know in what condition the Enemy was and how easily he might be routed as he passed the River The Duke commanded him not to fight till he had more certaine intelligence But the Enemie wading over with part of his Army was now possessed of the farther banke and had left behind under the command of Colonell Philip Marbet Lord of Lovervall two thousand Fire-locks and 500. Horse most of them Gascoignes and Wallons men chosen out of his whole Army to keep the King's men in play with continuall skirmishes till their fellowes were got to the other side the River Vitelli angry to see the Victory slip out of his hands by the Generall 's Delay with a great part of his men fell upon the Regiment lest commanding Barberino to gallop to the Duke and acquaint him with his Resolution The Duke of Alva disliked it not rather because it was already then that he wished to have it done and turning to his Son Federick said thou seest that Hill made good by their Horse thither thou must fire upon them from this opposite Hill with six Field-Peices and with some commanded men chosen out of that Wing of Spanish-Horse and Foot beat them from their Post. Federico did more than his Father bad him for he drave them from their Vantage-ground and joyning with Vitelli turned his Cannon upon them which very much contributed to the Victory For now they fought with like but not with equall Forces because such of the Princes men as had not yet passed the water terrified with the charge and fearing Alva had come on with his whole Army sometimes resolved to take the River and fly sometimes incouraged by better men returned and fought that between the irresolution of fighting and flying so many were slaine as Vitelli doubted not but if all the Spanish Army might passe the River the Enemy that day would be totally destroyed and therefore tooke great care to let the Duke of Alva know so much who standing on a higher ground very sparingly sent downe his men Nor was Barberino that of himselfe as well as on Vitelli's Command desired to fight lesse carefull to deliver his Message and use his best perswasions to the Duke for the taking of that opportunity He told him the valiantest of the Enemy were slaine and the rest apparently conquered for their hearts were gone therefore if the whole body of the Army advanced before they were reincouraged by joyning with the French no doubt they would be clearly routed But Alva angry at the hast made by Vitelli as if he meant to force him to a battile like one that loved his owne wayes and therefore brooked not another man's Advise said to him you will not then let me dispose of the Warre
would be offended if a warre without his knowledge should be raised against his men It is not to be imagined with what animositie and almost down-right railing this suffrage was resented by the people of Bruxels And being likewise by the Senate cunningly made believe that some of the house conspired with the Spaniards and treated about the Surrender of the town they all cryed to Arms with such fury as they instantly required to have William Horn Lord of Hese that mortally hated a Spaniard declared Governour of Bruxels and Commander in chief of the Militia And he under colour of pacifying the multitude but indeed to strengthen his partie commanded Glimè Governour of the Wallon-Brabant with a band of souldiers to seiz upon the Court who breaking open the gates took out of the Senate the Counts of Mansfeldt and Barlamont the President Viglius Iohn Baptista Boischot Christopher Assonvill Aloysio Delrio and many other Senatours which they commonly called Spaniards and committed them all prisoners lest they should as he said promote Councels pernitious to the publick Peace Which being injuriously and imperiously acted not onely against the greatest persons but even against the Senate it self and consequently against the Prince whose Person that Order represented the authoritie of Senate absolutely fell and that day was the last wherein the Royall Senate governed the foundation of that power being then first laid which ever since hath remained in the States of the Low-countreys revolted from the King For though others chosen in their places that were removed seemed to carry the face of a Senate yet all the power was in the Burgesses at whose pleasure they were nominated and moved like wooden Puppets with a Vice Henceforth most matters were ordered in a hostile manner the decree of Senate furiously passed for turning the Spaniards out of the Low-countreys the Estates Generall summoned the People commanded to take arms and every one taxed at a Crown that should refuse But though all this was done not onely without consulting his Majestie but likewise as they well knew against his will for he had often forbid the summoning of the Estates and therefore seemed to be no obscure beginning of Rebellion Yet it was concluded with so universall a consent of the Provinces that within a few dayes Brabant Haynolt Artois and Flanders sending their Commissioners about it to Bruxels agreed among themselves and took an oath mutually to assist each other against the Spaniards That done they sent divers noble Persons to entreat assistance of the neighbour-Princes against the tyrannie as they called it of the Spaniards in the first place to the King of France and the Queen of England then to Cleveland lastly to the Prince of Orange in Holland with whom they were to make a League if he would joyn his forces with theirs to besiege the Castle of Gant held by the Spaniards The Prince without delay furnishing them to their desires the Castle was taken for which they delivered into his hands the Town of Newport lying upon the Sea-coast of Flanders With the said Catholick Province Holland and Zeland that were of the Hereticall faction associated and in all the severall Articles of their League begun at Gant there was not the least mention of their Sovereign Into this City invited by the Royall Senate came not onely Embassadours from the Princes their neighbours and Commissioners for the Provinces but the Deputies of the Low-countrey Prelates Who though of divers factions and Religions but a while since at deadly feud among themselves and besprinkled with the yet fresh bloud drawn in the warres of Holland and Zeland all this notwithstanding to that Head which of twenty five was the principall That the Spanish Souldiers and all forreiners should be forthwith expelled from the rest of the Provinces for ever confederated with Holland and Zeland they so unanimously consented and so much the desire of Liberty thereby hoped for prevailed that all of them among whom were diverse Royallists and many Clergy-men more eagerly then advisedly swore and signed this agreement So as one would think the Low-countrey men at this day to be the same that inhabited the place in Cesars time which calling a Councel about ejecting the Romanes the consent of the Provinces was so universall to vindicate their Libertie as they were neither moved with the remembrance of Benefits nor Friendship but every man followed the war with the utmost abilities of his purse and courage The Conspiratours were much daunted at the event of the first battel wherein Glimè Generall for the States boldly encountring the Spaniards betwixt Lovain and Tienen was routed by Alphonso Vargah's horse with so much greater disgrace then losse for not above three hundred of the Glimeians were slain by how much they had confidently promised themselves victorie inviting their neighbours no doubt to see the show But they were yet more astonished at the news which a while after came to Gant That the Spaniards had recovered Maestriecht put the citizens to the sword and plundred the Town For they of Maestriecht had no sooner corrupted and drawn to their party the Germane Garrison turning out the Spanish having by a trick seized and imprisoned their Colonell Francisco Montesdocha but Martin Ayala Montesdocha's Lieutenant-Colonell Governour of Wiccha which is the other part of the Town beyond the Mose joyned to Maestriecht by a Bridge sent word how things went with the Spaniards to Ferdinand Toledo who by accident was coming thitherward with some Foot from Dalem and timously arriving at Wiccha with united forces they marched up to the Bridge But preceiving Canon planted in the front of it they pitched upon this sudden resolution As many women of the Town as they could lay hold of they took and placed before them for a breast-work and so faced the Bridge with their Muskets couched under the womens arm-pits readie to fire upon the enemy And whilst the Citizens were afraid to shoot lest they might kill their kinswomen and friends before they should hurt the Spaniards they heard that on the other part of the Town Alphonso Vargah having burned down Bruxels-Port had entred with his Horse Whereupon most part of the men running to defend their houses the Spaniards took the Bridge the Germanes yielded and Maestriecht was recovered When this news came to Gant for fear the like should happen at Antwerp setting aside the business of the League for a while the Deputies of the Estates speedily repaired to Bruxells and with consent of the Senate ordered new Levies to be made And at the same time just as they could have wished Count Egmont sonne to Lamorall with great joy and gratulation of the Estates of Brabant arrived at Bruxells To him therefore as one that would be sure to revenge his Fathers death they committed the greatest charge of the Army the rest part
description of other Generals by how much he will be oftner in the Readers eye filling up a great part of our future Annals Nor will it be unpleasing to know Alexander Farneze before his Low-countrey expedition and to compare him in his former life to Himself in the Government of the Low-countreys like Members of a great Bodie every where great Alexander Farneze Prince of Parma Piacenza Governour of the Low countreys But in the interim a nobler cause of war was offered him a generall peace being concluded among Christian Princes against the common enemie Divers considerations incited him to that voyage the ground of the Warre the confluence of noble persons that ingaged and above all the Generall Don Iohn of Austria equally near to him in love and bloud Nor was his Father unwilling to let him go in hope that his sons military inclination would produce great effects howsoever that his fiercenesse would be tamed But his Mother that was powerfull with her husband being against it the Duke said nothing could be done till they knew the pleasure of the King his Uncle In the mean time Margaret of Austria received Letters as she had ordered it from the King wherein he wished Prince Alexander should not go as yet But he beyond measure inflamed with Don Iohns invitation at last prevailing with his Mother and the King furnished himself for the Warrs as young souldiers ever do magnificently Fourty two Gentlemen of Parma and Piacenza followed him and he had three hundred that were a king of Pretorians for his Life-guard men chosen with more then ordinary care by Paulo Vitelli a great Commander most of them having been Captains Lieutenants or Ensignes or at least above the rank of common souldiers With this train Prince Alexander offered himself as a Volunteer to his Uncle the Generall Who then by chance being at the Musters of his Army affectionately embraced him and when he had with the Generalls leave selected four hundred sea-men of the Kings he put them in two Gallyes sent from the Common-wealth of Genoa to be commanded by Comes Carolo Scotto and Pedro Francisco Nicello he himself with his Lieutenant Vitelli and part of his Gentlemen and Souldiers going aboard the Admirall of Genoa Though in the voyage especially before the battel Don Iohn would never let him be out of the Imperiall Galley where he was himself which turned to the benefit of the whole Navie For a verie bitter difference ensuing between Don Iohn and Venerio the Admirall of Venice likely to embroyl the forces of Christendome in a Civil Warre when Don Iohn in his first heat was about to revenge the wrong offered to the Majestie of the Supream Admirall onely Prince Alexander though some failed not to bring fuell to the fire that burned sufficiently in the young Generalls nature had so much power with his Uncle that he kept him from striking the first stroke Till Mark Antonio Columna the Pope's Admiral and the Venetian Embassadour Augustino Barbaricâ— by their wisdom joyned to Prince Alexander's endeavours swifter then imagination dispersed this Tempest threatning destruction to the Fleet. For which service when Prince Alexander came next to Rome Pope Pius commended him before some of the Cardinalls acknowledging both himself and Christendom much obliged to him But when they were upon the place of Battel formerly famed for the victory of Actium won by Octavius Cesar and the ships on both sides put in Battalia Prince Alexander being aboard Columna's Gally in the midst of the Fleet passed into his own the two other Genoa-Gallyes lying to the wind-ward and after aâ—showr of Arrows and Bullets from afarr the ships encounting Alexander Farneze having an eye upon Mustapha Treasurer of the Turkish Fleet with all his force stem'd his Gally and grappling found her a great deal stronger then he imagined She carryed the money and therefore was manned with above three hundred Ianizaries all old and valient Souldiers When they had fought long upon equall termes sometimes one of them setting up their Colours sometimes another Prince Alexander at once inflamed with shame and anger flourishing as he used to do a huge great sword leaped into the Bashaw's Gally and laying about him on both sides like a mad-man by the flaughter of the enemy opened a way to his Souldiers that were so nettled with the example and danger of their General as now all the boldest Turkes being slain the rest would presently have yeiled if the Bashaw of Alexandria had not come in with a strong Gally whereby the Turks both strengthened and encouraged for a while renewed the fight But one of Alexander's Farneze's Gallyes sending in fresh supplies when the Turks could no longer stand the fury of the conquerours Mustapha being in many places run through the body the Bashaw of Alexandria hurt and soon after taken Prince Alexander made himselfe master not only of the Treasurer's Gally but likewise of the Auxiliary ship with so great pillage for his men that some of them got 2000 Sultanies it is a Coin of little lesse value then the Venetian Chechine of gold others 3000 onely out of this Gally of the Treasurers besides what his two other Gallies found in three of the enemies Galliouns and as many of their Galliasses They say that Don Iohn of Austria after the Battel when he heard his Nephew Alexander highly extolled received him with great expressions of joy and love yet praised him with this exception that he boarded the enemy with better successe then judgment they being yet in their full strength and able to have hindred his retreat Which fault he took for an honour and said the reason of his confidence was built upon the sanctitie of his wife by whose prayers to God for him he conceived himself protected and secured so merrily passing over his uncles reprehension Nor was the gallantry of Prince Alexander's minde lesse manifested the year following though with lesse fortune or rather lesse concord of the Christian Nations For the league being renewed and the Christian Fleet somewhat too late after the Battel of Lepanto returned to prosecute their victory in Peâ—oponnesus the new Turkish Admiral Uluciall had now repaired his ships and to avoide the encounter of the League having many times changed his Road now lay at Anchor near the strong Port of Methone And whilst Don Iohn with many offers to fight endeavoured to draw the Turks into the Main he resolved to send Alexander Farneze to besiege Navarinum not far off by land Who with 6000 in two divisions began to batter the Fort with more industrie then successe For the place being all rock or craggy his men could hardly get earth to raise their batteries nor could their tubbs and Gabions filled with earth and stone opposed in stead of a curtain be defence sufficient against the enemies Cannon The Seige was neverthelesse continued
proudly threatned to mutiny Don Iohn who had resolved to shew his clemency to the Town dismissed the messenger not without some hope Then to separate the rest of that Battalion from the seditious companies he commanded their faithfull and valiant Colonell Count Megan with that part which was not involved in the crime taking along divers companies besides them out of other Regiments instantly to march towerds Bruxells and Antwerp as if from thence the enemie was feared By which separation the Mutineers without their fellows help left naked were presently environed as enemies by the whole Army First they were commanded to lay down their arms then to deliver the Authours of the mutiny Twelve they delivered up out of those were chosen eight by lots of those eight four by the same chance were to die for so many Don Iohn resolved to punish Yet at the earnest suit of severall Nations petitioning for the particular men two were even at deaths door pardone and two onely remained to suffer But one of these an old souldier and ever untill that day faithfull going to die with one that never did service shewed his scarrs and alledging not falsely his deserts being generally pitied wars pardoned upon the humble desire of certain noble Spaniards One sacrifice finally expiating the offence of All and quieting the sedition That done he returned to the treaty with Nivel which was soon concluded in this manner The Citizens indemnified were received into grace The Garrison leaving except their swords all their arms ammunition and baggage were permitted to depart Which arms and baggage Don Iohn bestowed upon the French to make amends for their losse in the assault and some kind of satisfaction for the plunder of the Town which in their hopes they had devoured But the Bountie was to many of them fatall For the French breaking into the Palace of Justice where these Arms were kept and in despight of their Officers fighting for their shares not a few were wounded in the mean time a spark by chance falling from a souldiers match into a Flask of Pouder and with the flash firing the priming pans of the Muskets that lay on heaps and were by the enemie left charged almost an hundred and twenty were slain outright or miserably maimed and bloudying the Palace with an unexspected slaughterdearly paid for their rashness and precipitate avarice Renewing the memory of that misfortune which in this very Province befell their countrey-men who the while their Generall treated with the inhabitants of Cimace about the render of the Town scaling the walls in hope of plunder as they ran about the Castle which they had surprized the pouder taking fire almost two hundred of the plunderers were burnt But at Nivel the rest of the French on what motive is uncertain desired the Generalls leave to depart Whether angry with their own unfortunate miscarriage in the siege of Nivel so as they could not brook the sight of their fellow-souldiers or whether losing their hopes of pillage which drew them to it before the Army came up and therefore discontented that the Generall had been so quick in giving them conditions and had onely that his clemency might be famed spared a Town deserving to be sack'd or lastly whether as I rather think induced thereto by the States Emissaries which perswading them that the Kings brother the Duke of Alengon would come into the Low-countreys to oppose Don Iohn won them to his service I am sure the Spaniard found that most of them two moneths after returned enemies out of France Whatsoever their reasons were Don Iohn willingly dismissed them whom though gallant souldiers yet impatient of military Discipline especially under a Spanish Generall he could hardly govern withall being covetous and making high demands he as it often happens to avoid their ill opinions sometimes gave more lest he should be suspected to give lesse then they deserved But almost six hundred of these men that a while after came back from France to serve the enemie had as evil fortune as advice For surprizing some villages in the entrance of Haynolt whilst they feast and think themselves secure Camillo a Monte falling upon their quarters who for his speedier march brought three hundred Horse with every one a Musketteer behind him presenting death before battell killed above two hundred of them The rest valiantly fighting made good their retreat into the neighbouring Castle of Avena under the command of Randulpho Cenamio a Luccese To whom Camillo sent Laurentio Tuccio Cenamio's old friend for they were Comrades in the Wars of France with Sana Martinengo and Sacramono Birago in hope he might perswade him to surrender After a short parley broke off with some hot language Cenamio in a hostile manner though wounded and bleeding sent him away professing he would sooner part with his life then with the Castle Whereupon Camillo more enraged had now drawn out his men to the assault But not daring without Cannon to adventure upon the Castle new garrison'd by the French he marched back to the Army that was at the same time with strange celerity victorious over Haynolt For after the render of Nivel divers strong places of that Province within fifteen dayes yielded to the King Binch sometimes the delight of Mary Queen of Hungary and therefore exposed to the hatred of Henry the second of France It is reported a stone was there found engraven by King Henry in revenge of his House defaced by Queen Mary with these words Bedlam-Queen remember Foblembre Likewise Malbuge upon the river of Sambre Reux Beaumont Soigniac Barlamont and other towns though little yet verie commodious for quartering the Armie in Haynolt Cimace the Principality of Duke Areschot stormed and the Castle rendred upon these conditions That the Governour should march out safe on horseback with his sword and dagger the souldiers that were six hundred in the same manner onely the Foot were to leave the rest of their arms and baggage But at Philipvil a new city of Haynolt onely thirty three years old yet by the site and fortification very strong for keeping off the incursions of the French the Armie was more put to it then in any other place Philipvil stands in a great plain upon somwhat a rising ground its circumference is very narrow but defended with five sconces encompassed with high walls lined thick with earth to damp the Cannon-bullets and guarded with a marvellous broad ditch Don Iohn considering all this delivered his opinion that it was not to be assaulted with the Sword but with the Spade the old and faithfull instrument for taking places fortified all our great souldiers even at this day when we are grown so much more ingenuous then our Ancestours in multiplying the engins of death being not able to invent a surer way to ruine walls which are lesse endangered
about and fight againe by degrees to fall back till they came to that part of the plaine which he had shewed to Alphonso Leva then hee gave a private Signe for the Retreate and Gonzaga with his Horse stopped the enemy by renewing of the Fight Don Iohn still sending in fresh supplies Toledo lining the hedges with his Musketeers in the meane time Leva's men gave back so happily that at first they were too quick for the eye of the confederates But when they found the Spanish Foote to be upon their Retreate then the Battaile if ever any was a fierce one and it appeared both what courage and what necessity could do The Royaalists and they were but a very few most of them Foote being now without the danger of pursuite had the Cannon turn'd upon them from the Campe and were shot at both afarre off and neare at hand Yet their valour more then the place befriending them 700. Horse alone commanded by Giovanni Baptista à Monte and his brother Camillo not only stood against many thousands that charged them but sometimes beate them back and fought in their Rankes so firmly as they forced Colonell Norreys the stoutest enemy they had that day after three horses had been killed under him to fight afoote the rest of the confederate Cavalry not too much presuming upon themselves and tired with a Fight so long doubtfull at first all the Spanish Infantry and at last the Horse in face of the Enemi's Cannon were brought safely off Among which Horse no doubt but that Troope of Camillo's merited most Commendations that was last in the field commanded by Captaine Perott being a Troope of Reformados namely Hanniball Gonzaga Flamino Delphino Giovanni Mauriquio Lepido de Romanis Laurentio Tuccio Nicolao Caesio and others only Souldiers here else where Commanders The memory of all which men for example sake should be with their names extended to posterity if I could as readily know their persons as I doe admire their valours These lest the enemy should breake in opposing themselves and crowding together like a bulwarke covered the rest of the Cavalry with such constancy and contempt of Death that when any of them fell as if a piece of a worke were beaten downe the place was presently made good by a fresh man that stood behind That which befell Lepido killed with a shot and Dolphino who going to assist him was taken prisoner could not yet deterre Caesio from taking Delphino's place either by feare of Death or of captivity till at length they themselves when all the Horse were safe left the Field last and like excellent Actors in the Tragedy of Mars came off with infinite Applause So Generall Bolduc sounding a Retreate for feare his men might fall into a Counter-Ambuscado the Battaile ended begun with farre greater preparation then it was followed by either side with Execution For in all not above 400. men miscarried the losse of both parts being in a manner equall only more of the King's Army were hurt and taken more of their's slaine And the Generalls that day merited a quite contrary censure For Don Iohn redeemed the rashnesse of fighting with his judgement in ordering the Battaile Bolduc was cautious in the beginning but losing the opportunity of pursuing with all his Forces spoyled the conclusion of his Victory Wherefore in regard of his greater prudence and valour the Prince of Parma was famed through all the Royall Army who by a miraculous foreknowledge of Events premonished them of all that concerned the expedition and when the Army was so dangerously ingaged and the rest easie to be involved in the same Ruine with like Judgement and courage fetcht them off Insomuch that truely Alexander Farneze who ever till then wrote very sparingly in his own Commendations could no longer containe himselfe but in his Letters to his Mother Margaret of Austria inserted How he could not but thinke he had that day deserved more then ordinarily of the King whose Army the nearer it was to destruction the more be merited that saved it Indeed the oldest Commanders seeing their danger that were catched in a Trappe by the Enemy openly gave them for lost so as not one would undertake to make good their Retreat whose condition they accounted desperate Therefore he held it a greater Honour to himselfe by whom it was so willingly and fortunately attempted But this only her excellence might please to looke upon as the glorying of a Souldier to his Mother and he could not but thinke it fit to give her an account of those generous Spirits she had infused into him This while Don Iohn marched with his recovered Forces towards Areschott prepared if the enemy should follow him in the Rere to fight But when the confederaces either astonished at the extraordinary confidence of the Royalists or fearing to be answered with a stratagem appeared not Don Iohn free from further care returned to Thienen having won more glory among others with taking their Townes and Campe then among his owne that had run a hazzard and well knew their danger While these things were acted in the Low-countreys at the same time the Portugâ—ses fought unfortunately upon the Coast of Africa The newes of which overthrow Prince Alexander first received from Spaine accompanied with a Relation of what exceeded the Losse of that whole Army the King of Portugal's death and therefore sending Fabio Farneze to Henry Cardinall of Briganze Uncle to King Sebastian he condoled with him out of the private interest of Affinity the publique Misfortune and withall congratulated his Succession to the Crowne presenting him a change of Affections as suddaine as that of Cloathes in a Play But now the States having recruited their Army out of Germany and France Don Iohn alter'd his opinion and hearing that Areschot was betraied the Governour whereof Mutio Pagano a valiant and faithfull man sick a-bed rose notwithstanding to quiet the Tumult and was slaine upon the place Camillo Schiaffinate a Lieutenant of an undaunted Spirit in vaine resisting He began to feare that many other Townes would be guilty of like Treason which he could not yet relieve without weakning himselfe by dividing of his Army He therefore thought it his best to dismantle some Castles slight some Garrisons and calling away the Souldiers to bring into one place all his Forces till such time as money came from the King and Recruits from Italy and Germany But instead of men and money Don Iohn receiving Letters from Spaine that commanded him to try all wayes and meanes for an Accommodation Commissioners on both sides being chosen the businesse of Peace was set a foot againe But when they had delivered to Don Iohn three Heads which the States insisted on That he should surrender the Government of the Low countreys to the Arch-duke Matthias upon the same conditions which they had formerly sworne That Duke
him refused The state of the Provinces Breda besieged by the Genera's of the Confederates Cardinal Granvels Brother A Messenger with a Letter to Don John Discovered Another counterfeit Letter was sent The Town rendred The Perfidiousness of the Garrison Ruremond holds out against the Confâ—iderates Still the Treaty of Peace continues The Queen of England moves for a Cessation of Arms in a threatning way She is not listned to The hope of Peace vanisheth Aprodigious Comet In Novemb. Decemb. 1577. January 1578. Of the Battel of Gemblac Both Armies mustered January 20. Don John's is lesse The enemie's greater But his are better men And more confident for this respect 6. January Pardieu Lord de la Mot. Goigny Commander in chief for the Confederates from 18. 1567. 1576. The Order of his Army Goigny Lievtenant-General to the Arch-duke Matthias for this Expedition Scoutes sent out and an ambush laid by Don Iohn The Catholick Army thus marshalled The Standard Don Johns orders Parties of both sides first skirmish Perotto of Sassoferrata The place of battell Alex. Farneze's conjecture of the enemy His words to the Gentleman of his Horse Curtius He communicates his designe to the Officers about him Henr. Viennius Lord of Ceuravium And they following he first passeth over the Gulph They all together charge the enemies horse And rout them Execution done upon the Confederates army Ianuar. 31. The day won by the horse Christ. Assonv in Relatione sayes One Spaniard was too hard for ten Confederates How great the Victorie Mar. Delr sayes but two were slain Mich. ab Isselt Leo. Belg. Febr. 2. Gemblac besieged by the Conquerours Yielded Mercy shewed to the town And to the prisoners Don Iohn's words to General Goignie The Conquerours commended by Don Iohn Prince Alexander especially With some adâ—â—â—ition Alex. Farneze's Answer His letter to the King in praise of Don Iohn Fâ—br 5. The like Commâ—ndations inserted in many other letters from Prince Alexander to Anton. Perez Marc. Almazar and Marc. Ayemont Feb. 15. Feb. 13. wherein he writes nothing of himself The Deputies of the Estates ignorant of the Victory sit in Councell Their trepidation when they heard the news The Arch-duke and the Prince of Orange flie Lord of Hierg Lovain yields to Don Iohn Feb. 5. And Iudoigne And Tienen Feb. 7. And Areschot Feb. 17. And Bovines Sichem summoned Refuseth to treat Alex. Farneze makes ready for an assault Febr. 21. Ordering his Forces In this manner The fight The Royalists The Sichemers Peter Henriquez and Baraiaz The Town is taken They that flie are cut to pieces The Town plundered The Castle holds out But Alex. Farneze batters down their works And raises new of his own The Castle rendred The Prisoners executed Diestem terrified Feb. 24. Submits And are gratiouâ—â—y used The Garrison-souldiers take Pay of the King Levia reduced Febr. 27. C. Mansfeld attemps Nivel Is repulsed The Town treats with Don Iohn A mutinie in the Catholick Army Don Iohn severs the Mutineers Demands the Principall of them Makes them cast lots for their lives At last one is hanged March 11. The Nivellers render themselves The Garrison suffered to depart without their Arms which are bestowed upon the French A gift that ruins them Mar. Delr l. 5. Turb Belg. saith 200 were lost The like misfortune formerly happened to their Nation Anno 1552. Pont. Heuter l. 3. Thuan. lib. 10. The Frenchmen move for a discharge from the service Duke of Alen-Son Don Iohn easily grants their suit They return in arms against him Part of them slain by surprise Part retire to a Fort. And will take no conditions Towns surrendred to Don Iohn Binch 1554. Malbuge Reux Beanmont Soigniac Barlamont Cimace taken by Assault April 15. The Castle yields Philipvil besieged It 's site 'T is invaded As we read in Cesar Livie and others Don John performing the parts of a Generall and a common souldier It is rendred Upon these terms May 19. 1578. The expedition of Limburg by Don John in his sicknesse committed to Alexander Farneze Why he undertakes it Part of his Forces sent before Iune 7. The Suburbs taken The site of Limburg Vvest Woâ—kes in order to an Assault Prince Alexanders Letter to the Limburgers They defer the sending of their Answer Whereat enraged He hastens the finishing his workes Comes Nicolaus Caesius And begins to batter from the hill A large Breach made The besiegers come up to the City gates A Messenger from the Towne to Prince Alexander His Answer He grants them an houres time to consider The women Supplicate from the walles Iune 16. The Towne is rendred Thought fortified And in a condition to hold out The Conquerours give God thanks P. Alexander summons Dalhem His Trumpet not admitted The Castle batterred To no purpose The Burgundians scale it And take both Castle and Towne by storme Iune 10. With a great Slaughter of the Citizens The sad fortune of a Maid Two Souldiers strive for her and in their struggle use their prisoner most inhumanely Who wounded and halfe dead Is taken from them But immediatly dies The benefit that followed the taking of Limburg Thanks sent to Alex. Farneze by the Princes whose Estates lay neare the Towne To the confederates great griefe at first afterwards to their great joy Vpon a Report that Prince Alexander with diverse more was slaine Coyned by the Prince of Orange Why such kind of newes is often forged What truth was in this Rumour A Miraculous Accident Iune 30. The Deaths of Count Barlamont Count Megen C. Barlamont's Encomion Aegidius Lancelloâ— Charles Don John's prosperous fortune troubles the Enemy Amsterdam attempted by the P. of Orange 1577. November Beates out his men Mar. Del. l. 4. Turb Belg. For which the Women are to be commended February At last the Towne is rendered and deceived The Prince of Orange votes for a Truce March 10. Sellio in the Kings name Treates with the Deputies of the Estates But to no end The Prince of Orange will onely give eare to a Truce Which Prince Alexander likes not March 25. His Letter to his Father Octavio Duke of Parma Neither is it approved of by Don Iohn New Officers from Spaine Pedr. de To. ledo Lopez Figueroa Alphons-Leva Gabr. Serbellonio Iune 22. New supplies of money from the King to Don Iohn To Alexander Farneze To Octavio Gonzaga To Mondragonio To Verdugo To Ant. olivera To Count Mansfeldt New levies in Italy Vnder these Commanders Don Iohn troubled at it Stops their proceedings Three Armies of the Enemy The States Forces The Duke of Alencon's Iuly 19. â—ohn Casimir's Iuly 17. Don Iohn's Councell of Warre Alex. Farneze votes against fighting them August 18. Only Serbellonio concurres with Prince Alexander The rest viz. Gonzaga Mansfeldt Olivera Montin and Mondragonio were of Don John's opinion Especially hearing the Prince of Orange was falne out with Campin And with Hese and Glimè Mart. Delr l. 4 Turb Belg. Don Iohn resolve to fight The site of the Enemy's
and the Navarines sallying out but with losse beat back were thought to be upon the point of yielding When the Turks either by the connivence or ignorance of Prince Alexander's Souldiers put in men by night and relieved the Garrison Besides the Turkish horse and foot coming from al quarters Prince Alexander fearing they would block up his retreat and not hoping to take the Castle thought it enough in his enemies sight to retire with his Cannon to the Fleet. And Don Iohn since the Turkish Navy shunning a general Battell could by no affront be provoked to sea contented to have struct a terrour into the enemy and forced them to confesse themselves not able to appear upon the Main the mindes as well as the Fleet of the Christians being divided he went to Sicily the rest to other places Thus was Alexander Farneze initiated in war which as it begat an opinion both among those great Souldiers and Princes absent specially the successour to Pope Pius Gregory and King Philip of Spain that he would prove a gallant General so afterward it moved the King of his own accord to call him where the war was most dangerous into the Low-countreys For his Majesty pressed with the Low-countrey-mens daily complaints against Don Iohn of Austria and very desirous to quiet the Netherlands without Arms that weaken even the Conquerour himself he resolved to satisfie the desires of the Provinces and in his Brothers place to substitute his Sister Margaret of Austria with her Son Alexander Farneze Hoping either by her prudence and power with the Low-countrey-men to find out some expedient towards the concluding of a Peace or by his valour if there was use of Arms strongly to pursue the war Therefore he ordered it that Cardinall Granvell then at Rome should perswade his sister of Parma to return into the Low-countreys The Cardinall taking a journey to Aquila found there very opportunely the Dutchesse and Prince Alexander and read his letters containing the Kings desires to both together Though his Majesty had likewise commanded the Marquesse of Ayamont Governour of Millaine to treat with Prince Alexander apart The Dutchesse answered doubtfully she would advise upon it either fearing as she pretended to displease Don Iohn or by that delay and seeming refusal aym to put a higher value upon her journey But Alexander Farneze without the least demurring said he would obey the King with all his heart if it so pleased his mother He made yet a plainer answer to two letters delivered him by Raphael Manrique from Ayamont that was sick and kept his bed together with his Majesties letter wherein after expression of his grief for the death of Princesse Mary wife to Prince Alexander he signifies his resolution to imploy him in the Low-countreyes I am certain they are the Kings words now you know it with a ready and undaunted mind you will satisfie my exspectation of you and my love which highly esteems you and your virtue most illustrious Prince But when the King altered his determination of substituting the Dutchesse in his Brothers place by reason of Matthias the Arch-dukes coming into the Low-countreyes it was doubted at Parma whether it would be handsome for Prince Alexander to go and fight in the Low-countreyes commanded by another which consideration he out of duty to the King and desire of glory in the wars easily contemned especially incouraged by some dark words of Granvell promising great matters Besides Gregory the thirteenth interposed his Authority and exhortation who informed of the design by Cardinal Farneze highly praised it and bad the Cardinal write to the Prince of Parma in his name that the expedition would be pleasing to God and therefore under so mighty protection and upon encouragement from his Holiness he should willingly and speedily undertake it The Pope I suppose did not thus commend the warre onely for the King of Spain's sake and the common cause of Religion but for some peculiar benefit that might result to the Pontifician Empire For the Prince of Parma being a Feudatary and Homager to the See Apostolick his Holinesse thought himself concerned in sending the Prince to a Forein warre whence he might return an able General to defend the Church of Rome Wherefore Alexander Farneze having within a few dayes received three letters from Don Iohn of Austria which invited him with great entreaties and no lesse promises to the society of warre and glory making ready with all possible speed the twelvth day after he left Parma arrived at Luxemburg and there met Don Iohn who with expressions of incredible contentment received Prince Alexander that stood amazed to see his uncle no lesse impaired in his health then in the presence and Majestie of the most fortunate Generall So true it is that they are most sensible of adverse fortune which have been in most felicity It is therefore probable that Don Iohn not against his will or onely by the Kings command sent for the Prince of Parma nor did with dissembled joy welcome him from whose long approved fidelitie and valour he might promise safety to the publick and a particular preservation to himself whose life was sought by so many plots At their first meeting Don Iohn imparted the Kings commands that he should acquaint Prince Alexander with all businesse of Warre and Peace and reserve for his use 1000 Crownes a moneth Both which conditions pleased him very much especially the later usually given by the King to none but Viceroyes Governours of Provinces or Generalls of Armies For some dayes the Prince of Parma took the money till the Kings high estimation of his merit was thereby divulged among the people afterwards writing his humble thanks to his Majesty he as one more ambitious of honour then profit refused the pay adding that it was not fit he should be so remunerated who had yet done no service and he needed no encouragement But Alexander Farneze acting nothing without order from Don Iohn wholly applyed his minde and endeavours to inform himself of affaires at home and abroad which he found to be in a very bad condition For the King had but two Provinces that continued loyall in the rest the few Forts that held for his Majestie daily revolted to the States Nay even in Holland Amsterdam it self began to waver And in Brabant Bergen op Zoom where the Souldiers basely betraying their Colonell Charles Fugger yeilded to the States But the Garrison of Breda a while before deceived by a stratagem of the enemy carryed themselves yet more basely towards their Colonell For the Generalls of the Sates Arrmy Philip Count Holach and Frederick Perenot Lord of Campin that besieged Breda they were gallantly opposed by George Fronsberg Colonel of the Germans that served Don Iohn but the Garrison because they were some payes behind daily growing to mutiny Fronsberg by a man of know