It is usuall in the state of Warre to suspect all men and oft-times a misprision surpriseth friends in stead of foes either by accident or providence of the all directing power I shall conclude with the Spanish proceedings against some Noble personages formerly trusted in the managing of the affaires of State and now suspected of disloyalty and either mercifully pardoned or meritoriously punished The first is the Duke of Arschot a Brahantine for so his title speakes him who was imprisoned at Pinto kept under a strict watch accused of speaking lavishly convicted upon his owne Examination and condemned by the Commissaries appointed thereunto which were in number twelue amongst whom was the President of Castile Italy and Arragon the Secretarie Rocas and the Father Confessour to his Catholike Majestie yet afterward mercifully pardoned by the King and so had not the sentence of condemnation brought to execution The next is Don Bona-fides which lost the Plate fleet about foure years since and is now condemned and executed The third the Marquesse De Catarita who as some say being Admirall of the Indian Fleete is imprisoned because hee fought with the Hollanders men of Warre without order notwithstanding that hee had the victory but as others more probably for imbeazâ—lling or concealing the Kings part there being found in his Navie foure hundred thousand Crownes worth of uncustomed goods which were thereupon confiscated And now in this Story I am come to the Pillars of Hercules where I finde a Nil ultrà Hereafter wee may perhaps adventure upon a further discovery and eraze that inscription which now forewarnes us to passe no further CHAP. XII The Magnificent Interment of the King of Sweden IF the death of Gustavusses were frequent to wit the triumphant Angustusses of the North their foot in the stirrop their Sword in their hand and in gaining of Battells I might then expect some other occasion might present it selfe to demonstrate unto the world the manner of their Interment and from the vanity wherewith the greatest part in these times are infected who affect not to heare one thing twice easily furnish my selfe with an execuse But intruth all that hath yet been written concerning the Interment of this great King of Sweden were but the preparatives to the true Pompe the Reader therefore that desireth an exact Relation of the affaires of these times may one day justly accuse me of negligence if by forgetting the last act of his tragedy I rather apply my selfe to please some particular persons then by the recitall thereof satisfie the just curiosity of all others The 34. Provinces of the State of Sweden not thinking it enough to have undergone the extremity of griefe for this yeare and an halfe since the dolefull newes of their Kings death having decreed by the common consent of their three Estates to render unto him their last devotions assembled for that purpose the 15. of Iune last at Meoping either in person or by their Deputies that great Citie being farre too small to receive the multitude which from all parts flocked thither The Ceremony was first disclosed in the great Regall Hall of the Pallace where the Lord Iohn Skite Governour generall of Livonia with a masculine eloquence opened againe the wounds which time seemed to have salved up whose powerfull Oration was seconded by the Exposition of the History of King Iosias made by the Bishop of Westeras the people often with their heavie sighes making dolefull periods But all this was nothing in comparison of the mournfull and not studied accents which the whole multitude made when they heard the pitifull rumbling of the Coffin being shooke as they conveyed it down the staires of the Hall into the great street The Coffin was made of Silver and covered with blacke Velvet which trayled on the ground with a great Crosse of white Satin charged with Scutchions of all the Provinces richly imbrodered in gold silver and silke from the Hall it was carried to the Gate of the Citie tending towards Stockholme by 24. Gentlemen and there put into a Chariot a 100. other Gentlemen marching before each one bearing in his hand a Table wherein all the Victories of this Prince were most accurately represented as well those by him obtained against the Danes Polanders and Muscovite as his other great Feats of Armes in Germany the Forts Cities and Castles by him conquered and the Battailes by him gained two Regiments of Foote and as many of Horse made the Van and Reare-gard and in the front of the traine were 8. great Cannons taken from the Enemy each being drawne by 20. Horses Before and on each side of the Chariot wherein the Corpes lay being drawne by sixe white horses covered with blacke cloth hanging to the ground then marched a 100. Gentlemen in mourning and mounted on Horse-back next followed the Counsellours of Estate and company of the Guards and last of all the Count Palatine with the two Queenes both Mother and Daughter bathing their cheekes in unfained teares From Meoping this Convoy went to Sitrosta distant but two Leagues from thence and in the Church thereof was the Corps layd and guarded by the Souldiers and a 100. Gentlemen The next day about noone they parted from thence and lodged two leagues further continuing this order and time in their daily marches Vntill the 20. of Iune when they arrived at the Towne of Brewkyekya distant but halfe a mile from Stock-holme then began the great preparation for the Funerall show which on the two and twentieth day of the said moneth entered in this manner into Stockholme The Colonell Claz Horn marched in the head of a Regiment of Swedish Horse and two Regiments Nobility and Gentry all in Armour and their horses in mourning being followed by two Regiments of foot lead by the Lords Axel Lillie and Otho Sparling likewise in blacke their armes and trayling their Pikes Next followed two hundred Gentlemen which were Officers of Warre and had assisted the defunct King in his Battailes every one bearing an Ensigne gained in Germany After them came the eight Cannons And next came Gabriell Gabrielson Oxensterne Rector and eight hundred Schollers of the Vniuersitie of Vpsall with all the Officers of the Citie both Bishops Doctors Iudges Ministers and then came the great red Ensigne borne by Frederick Stenbock Colonell of the Cavalry Then 34. Ensignes of the severall Provinces borne by as many Gentlemen Next followed a Horse led by two Pages and covered with blacke Taffaty hanging to the ground each of them trayling after them an Ensigne then came the Barron Charles Horne clad in the gilt Armes of the dead King mounted upon a lame Horse covered with blacke Velvet holding in his hand the Kings Sword as yet all bloody since the Battell of Lutzen attended by his Pages and Lackies Next followed the Generall Tortenson trayling along the streets the great mourning Ensigne Then came the Kings horse for battel covered with black Velvet and crossed with white Sattin and the
severall skirmishes above 2000 of the Impeâ—…alists party did run over and partly were slaine or taken prisoners The Earle of Cratz being also arrived about â—at time in the Camp The both the Generalls advanced the 26. day of Aug. 6 of Sep. with their Armie to takeâ— hill which commanded the Imperiall Campe and about evening they routed the Spanish and Italian troupes and obtained 12 Standards and doubtlesse they would have obtained a great victory had not the night overtaken them The next day following they begun on both sides to skirmish againe till at last the Feeld-Marshall Horn with the foot forces got a part of the Hill and brought upon it 6 Pieces of Ordnance and begun to play with them against the enemies Campe and at the same time some Swedish foot-forces got over the trenches into the campe and tooke of the Imperialists some Ensignes which they brought backe along with them But at last the charges being often renewed the Imperialists drew all their forces together and assayled their enemies foot-forces so that after a long fight they put them into a confusion and overthrew them But the most part of the horsemen retired in reasonable order the Ordnance being taken away by some runneawayes was lost and the baggage was most part plundred and taken away by the Swedes themselves A. The Citie of Nordlingen B. The Church upon the Hill where two Batteries were raised C. S. Leonhardt where 1. Regiment had approached already into the Garden D. The Hill where the Gallows stood E. The whole Imperiall Campe upon the Steffel hill F. Two Demicanons G. Three field-peeces H. Three Regiments and some peeces of Ordnance I. The Head quarter Emerling K. One companie of Currassiers that keepe the watch L. One Regiment of foot M. The Tent of the King of Hungarie N. Crabats O. Germane horsemen P. Foot forces Which presented themselues in battel-array when D. Bernhard of Weymar arrived Q. The River of Eger R. The Lhoe-mill S. Vndermeiningen T. Hollzheim V. Ertlingen W. Baldingen X. Topffingen Y. Eringen Z. Bintzenzimmer a. Blaumloh b. Kraulhausen c. Trohtelfingen d. Wallerstein e. Kirchheim f. Osterholtz g. An Imperiall Watch. In these Villages and thereabouts were the Quarters of the Imperiall horsemer 1. Bopffingen 2. The Ipff. 3. Flohe hill 4. Oberduffe 5. In the 8. Mill on the River of Eger 6. Auff Haysen 7. The beginning of the River of Eger 8. The Breitwangel 9. The Swedish Campe. 10. The Ordnances 11. The House of Hohenberg 12. The way to Vlm. 13. The Forrest 14. Keckingen The Actions of the King of Hungaria Generall of the Imperiall Army and the opposition made against him by the D. Bernhard Weymar Gustavus Horne and Otho the Rhinegrave prinâ—…all Commanders for the Princes and Swedes CAP. 1. THe siege of Ratisbone by the Imperiall and Bavarian Armies with some preparations made by Duke Bernhard of Saxon Weymar for the defence thereof concluded our last discourse of his proceedings wee must now alter the scene and follow him into another Province where he falls upon the Enemie burning and wasting his Country whilest his power is imployed in this offensive forraigne war It is an Aphorisme among Physitians whose study only tends to the preservation of the Naturall body that if a fluxe of sharp humours fall upon the eye or any such tender part that if by fit purgative medicines they cannot carry it away the stream must be turned and the matter transported to the coÌ„mon ordinary neighbour Emunctories And many wise Commanders whose care extends it selfe to the preservation of the body politique in peace have followed this Rule That when the Armies of aliens in hostile manner shall invade their territories the only expeditious way of securing their own is to fall upon the Enemies land that so hee may be called home and diverted from his former counsels Thus Pericles in the Peloponnesian war twice and both times speedily and happily delivered the Athenians countrey from the formidable Hoste of the Lacedemonians Thus Agathocles the King opposing feare to feare and force to force conveighing his Army by sea into Africa suddenly raised the Siege of Syracusa when Amilcar was set down before it the Carthagenians being constrainedly willing to purchase their safety with the quiet of their Enemies Thus Hannibal when the Romanes had so strongly planted themselves before Capua that hee esteemed it a matter of extream difficultie if not impossibility to remove them by force brought his Army to the gates of Rome deeming this the surest way to quit his friends from imminent danger and this device was so successeful that Fulvius Flaccus one of the Consuls was instantly sent for home from Capua for the reliefe of the Citie And the D. attempted about May 27. Iune 6. to deliver the Citie of Regensburg from the fury of the besiegers by an inroade into Bavaria pillaging and spoiling the enemies countrey blocking up one place besieging another and doing him what dammage they could in every place And this course of his was the cause that about Iune 11 1 some Imperiall Regiments were sent back into Bohemia to assure that Country against the Protestants some of the Bavarians Army marched downwards by Strawbingen into Bavaria to secure those coasts from invasion The Fort of Roâ—…berg besieged by D. Bâ—… And yet the D. Weymar at his first going from Rhegensburg looked not towards Bavaria but Franconia and therefore marched by Newmarck a towne in the upper Palatinat towards Altorff where wee finde him in his head quarter May 31 Iune 10. But hence hee straight dislodged marching towards the river of Pegnitz and thence hee first applyed himselfe to the strong Fort of Rottenberge where hee left the Lieutenant Colonel Laverwaldt with 1500 Musquetiers and sufficient ammunition to besiege it who so well discharged his office there that by Iune 5 15 he had made his approaches to the very walls neere the Shiniger steeple secured his Army from the danger of the Canon and much discouraged them within the Fort who were not onely hemm'd in by Enemies without but pincht and ready to faint for want of water within Thence hee marched with the rest of his Army to Forchaim a Citie which had not onely formerly supplyed the Castle of Wilsburg when it was besieged by the Swedish Colonell Sperreuter and Landgrave Iohn of Hessen but now also is a nest of trouble some guests to their Neighbours daily doing much harme about Megeldorff Gleishammer and the places thereabouts by pillaging 〈…〉 act of a Swedish Sâ—… We cannot here passe over a memorable adventure of a Swedish Serjeant whose name though it be not discovered to us is worthy to be recorded for his valour and wisedome Some ordinary men have done strange things casually but few by praeelection and judgement but this man shewed as much discretion in the prosecution of his designe as boldnesse in the first undertaking The story is briefly thus About Iune 1 11. 400 foot and 80 Horse
set upon them instantly slew 40. of them tooke 16. prisoners and got 50. faire horses with their sadles and pistols The first defeat of the Brissackers had not so much disheartned them but that within few dayes after having peeced againe their scattered forces they renewed their former attempt but how unhappily they proceeded let this following letter of Iohn Philip to his brother Otho Lodowicke the Rhinegrave speake whose tenor is as followeth A Letter sent by Iohn Philip to his brother Otho c. Noble c. VVHereas I perceived that the Enemy did strengthen himselfe more and more with an intention to releeve Rhinefelden I consulted with my selfe your Excellency by letters having first advised me thereunto how I might defeat his counsell and prevent his designe To this end after I had sent abroad many Spies at last intelligence was brought me that they lay on an hill which though it was steepe and not to be passed without difficulty yet then the passage was more open then it had been formerly when besides the acclivitie of the place the way was stopped up by trees which were cut downe purposely and laid athwart it to make it unpasseable Wherefore I dislodged the last wednesday night July 11.21 with sixe companies of your Life Regiment the 5. Meckelburghish troops the 12. companies of Strasborough musketiers some freÌ„chmen 60. Benfeldish Musketiers in all about 4000. men and tooke my way directly against the mountaine Here while the Margyraffish Boores who were the first which discovered to me the place of the Enemies abode and the Lackeyes fired some houses opened the passage and chased away the watch which kept it the Enemie who lay but 2. houres march from thence got notice of our comming and as well as time permitted fortified himselfe against us Hereupon I commanded the Count of Nassaw with 6. Companies to advance against him but hee perceiving our forces left his Quarters and went to the cloister of S. Blasius cutting downe the trees in the Forrest as hee went to impeach our speedy passage after him This action of his much hindered but made us not give over our course our hard labour undid what hee had done and we followed him which thought none had pursued him At the Cloister our Horsemen first appeared which when the Enemy saw alone thinking them to bee unbackt and not succoured with foot he made towards them so furiously that he caused them to retire with the losse of 4. of their companie The foot were by this come and brought in whom assoone as he had descryed hee left the Cloyster againe and betooke himselfe to an hill thinking verily so to escape and retire to Villenguen and in his flight to surprise the Colonell Gassion who was quartered in a small Dorp by the way I suspected his meaning and followed him at the heeles but by climbing up the hills our forces as well as his especially the Horsemen a thing to be wondered at so wearied themselves that neither man nor Horse of which many were killed by hard riding were able to goe a step farther I know not how it came to passe nor can I ascribe it to any other cause but his providence which disposeth all things at last the Enemy craved Quarter which being granted by us as willingly as begged by them humbly the Lieutenant Colonell of Shonaw Commander of all the forces althe Officers which came from Bryssack whose names are under written and above 300. common souldiers were by us taken prisoners And thus God be thanked this Army which intended the succour of Rhinefelden is totally ruined and dispersed and no offices escaped except 2. Lieutenants which still were foremost in the flight and I think would have beene last in battell The Villinguenieres were pursued by the wearied horse and men as fast as they could and some of them put to the sword many of them leaped from their horses and hid themselves in the hedges and ditches the rest as the Lantgrave of Stulingen certifieth fled as fast as ever they could towards Villinguen without so much as looking backe The Forrest and the Hills were the refuges of them which escaped for could we have brought them into the open field few either of horse or foot had escaped our hands though by those Coverts and flight some have for the present avoided us I shall certifie you upon the first occasion how the Abbot of S. Blâ—sius hath hitherto held correspondence with the Enemie and how the Rhinfelders hereafter shall be have themselves Dated before Rhinefelden June 16.26 1634. P. Script I have immediately advised the Commander Gassion to have an eye at Villinguen whether hee hath yet done any thing I long to heare To the 3. Zillhartish coÌ„panies I have given order to march immediately downewards that none of the Runa wayes might get into Pryssack The names of the officers which were take prisoners are these 1. Lieutenant Colonell Shonaw which commanded as Generall 2. Fybues a Rittmaster and a Lieutenant of the Horse 3. The Captaine Hydeek who had formerly beene prisoner at Ruffach 4. William Bergher Captaine of the Commander Mercye his Regiment 5. Iohn George Reich of Plats Captaine of the Ascanish Regiment 6. Sebal Meyer of Nieren Lieutenant of the old Shamburghish Regiment 7. Iohn Michel Haller a Cornet 8. Wolff Christoph of Reinach a Captaine of the new Shamburghish Regiment 9. Nicolas Horneker a Captaine of Colonell Mercyes Regiment Thus he expresseth his victorie modestly and religiously neither extolling his owne wisdome in fore-seeing the danger nor valour in conquering the Enemie but imputing the first to his Brothers care and ascribing the last to him who might challenge it justly and doubtlesse herein hee speakes truely for it was not his owne sword and his bow but the hand of God which gave him the victory This defeature hath not onely much discouraged them at Rhinefelden but at Bryssack also for so they write from Colmar an Imperiall citie in the upper Alsatia distant from Bryssack about 8. English miles They at Rhinefelden during the absence of the Swedish Army had gotten-in two small boates loaden with provision and because it was perceived by the Generall at his returne that this might make them not come in therefore about June 24. sâ—ilo nâ—vâ— he intended to assault the towne on both sides and had done it if he had not beene that morning assured by some which escaped out of the Citie of the great want and penurie therein that they already were glad of Horse-flesh and had devoured at least 26. Horses and that the officers had rigged a Ship and intended to escape by the River this information diverted him from his first advise and instead of attempting any thing upon the towne he put forth many vessels well manned to the Rhine to attend there if happily they should attempt that way to evade him The Bryssackers though they have a strong garrison yet knowing that the activity of the Souldiers dependeth upon their
the Commander Aldobrundini together with foure Captains was slaine and obtayned likewise 7. Standards But because the Swedish foot forces with the Ordnances by reason of the scituation of the place and the inconvenience of the narrow passage could not march forward so speedily the evening drew night the same day nothing more was attempted against the Imperialists by the Swedes which stayed behinde in a village and put their forces in battell array yet at night they mastered one of the enemies workes in which lay 300 musquâ—tiers which they put to the sword many likewise of the enemies souldiers which were hidden here and therein the Forrest they chased out of the same and put them to the sword In the mean time the enemy on the right hand of the Hill planted his Ordnances and put his foot forces in his entrenched campe in Battell array Now when the next morning following at the dawning of the day the Swedes laboured to get up the Hill they at last mastered an high ground on the left side although somwhat lower than the enemies ground was Whereupon they could plant the Ordnances and thus they visited one another with the Canons the horsemen likewise making divers encounters In the meane time a part of the Swedish foot forces laboured to master a Sconce in which the enemy had planted three Demicanons together with some small pieces and did with them more harme to the Swedes than the Swedes could do vnto them by reason they had the lower ground after many sharpe and bloudy skirmishes the Swedish forces did beat the enemy out of the said sconce But being by reason of their improvidence the powder that was present there happened on fire against al hope the Swedish souldiers receiued not a small hurt by it yea such a harme that they were forced to abandon the same againe and upon the fierce assaulting of the enemie to retire againe to the Swedlish armie that stood in battell array Whereupon the enemy with his continuall shooting out of his ordnances from his batteries put the Swedes so hard to it that after that they had lost a great many of their officers and souldiers it was thought best of all to retire in good order a little way off from the hill downe into the valley where they might bee free a little of the force of the ememies Canons In the meane time 100 men of every Brigade or Regiment of foot with a good Officer and horsemen adioyning on both sides were commanded to maitaine the place where the Swedish stood till under the favor of the same they had gained a firm ground in the vnlley and then these that were left behinde to maintaine the place might the better retire towards them But the enemy perceiving their intent commanded on the right side some Regiments of Crabats and on the left side the Spanish forces to out off the passage from them which assaulted them who were left to maintaine the place so furiously that by reason of the situation of the place none could second the other but fell into a confusion and every one began to save himselfe as well as he could and retire towards the woods By which confusion they lost together with the Ordnances the most part of the Ensignes and Baggages The enemy pursued after the fleeing Swedes with some 1000 Crabats but because his Excellence the Rhinegrave Otto Ludwig with his forces was nigh at hand to conioyne with the Swedish forces the Crabats retired and put up the pursuit of the Swedish forces What and how many of the Commanders Officers and Souldiers on the Swedish side were slaine we have not yet any certainty of it except what wee heare by the relation of some Officers and others that were taken prisoners by the enemy and now released againe and by other intelligences we understand that the Field-Marshall Horne together with the Field-Marshall Crâ—tz the Generall Maior Rostein the Generall Maior Shaffelitztry and other high and under Officers are taken prisoners The young Maronesse Fredericke the Lord of Cherolin the Commander Shneidwind which commanded as Generall Maior Colonell Wettverger and divers other Officers were slaine The Lord of Hoff Kirchen and many others were wounded and hurt After this unhappy accident Duke Bernhard retired first to Constate from thence to Heylbronne to recollect againe the dispersed troupes where the Rhinegrave yet continueth and formeth an Armie to keepe the enemy a little backe till the Swedish forces are rallyed and then they will oppose the enemy with all their power After the battell was ended the enemy turned againe towards Nordlingeâ— and after that hee had battered the same againe very hard the said Towne was surrendred the next day following Thus this battell is related diversly and wherein the more probability of truth is set downe we can onely discerne by consequents doubtlesse a great blow was then given to the Swedes After so great a letting of bloud we have reason here to conclude this part of our History and to give time and leave anâ—o the weakened party to recollect strength againe Therefore hoping to get both matters and encouragement for the continuation of these relations of Germane affaires and to begin againe here where now we breake off we will but slightly touch such actions as being befallen since the battell may require the first place in the next booke They are contained in a letter written from Mentz the â—… of Novemb. 1634. which saith thus much Nordlingen being yeelded unto the King of Hungarie he turned with the best part of his Armie towards Vlm and summoned or rather commanded the same to yeeld But upon an answer whereby these of Vlm declared faithfully to stand to their word given to the united Princes and States The King tooke his march into the Dukedome of Wirtemberg There Lieutenant Collonel Gronway of Generall Hornes Regiment having beene left to command the garrison in Geppingen he with foure Companies being the garrison entred into the Kings service and delivering that Towne was in recompence made Collonel There was a Garrison also in Kircheiâ—… an other reasonable strong Army which the Commander there named Liâ—ck did likewise surrender to the King This example was followed by all other Townes of that Country they being though wailed not fortified and especially by the two Imperiall Cities Eslingen and Reutlingen But Shorndorf Ashberg Aurach and other strong places and Castles being well provided with Garrisons and necessaries doth both hold out and much annoy the enemy All the open Country of that Dukedome hath beene put under contribution notwithstanding that all such goods especially Corne and Wine as was sound hath beene transported to Ingolstat Brissach Lindaw and other places And to expresse the cruelties there committed without respect of sexe or condition would require a whole Booke The Imperiall Armie came from thence before Heilbronne and troubled the same with no ordnance but onely with granadoes in such manner that at once there were put on fire
THE GERMAN HISTORY CONTINVED THE SEVENTH PART Wherein is conteyned the principall passages of the last Summer Methodically digested into times places and actions and brought down to this present With the siege and taking of Regenspurg as also the Siege and Battell of Norlingen with an exact Mappe thereof Lastly is added certaine Misselanies of Stories of most parts of Christendome All which is done not by the former but another Author Quid suecus vel Cimber agit vis forte videre I fuge sed poteris doctier esse domi LONDON Printed for Nathaniel Butter and Nicholas Bourne 1634. To the Reader HEe that shall adventure to set forth a Story is as sure to meet with scoffes as a souldier is with knocks The best Historians hath not scaped uncensured Livie so much commended by Quintilian was condemned by one of too much verbositie by another of affected Patavinity I am ready to undergoe the common fate armed against ill Language with that innocency which accompanieth Truth and my desire of communicating that Intelligence which at first was private to the publick benefit Hee that ingrosseth all to himselfe may thinke himselfe wise but will scarce prove himselfe honest and they which censure the labors of them who intend a common good give evidence against themselves of a snarling Cynicisme not Scholasticall ingenuitie I dare boldly say I have deliuered truth unpartially and although collected with much labour out of scattered papers yet it is set downe so methodically that a meane capacity may runne along with the History apprehend by Jmagination what was don by Action I wish it may in the reading work as well upon the generous English spirits as Xenophons Cyropaedia upon the African Scipio that all may bee inflamed with a desire of honourable actions and able to undergoe the charge of Commanders if thereunto required by their King and Countrey so hee wisheth who hath exposed himselfe to your censure and this worke for your information N.C. The Contents of the whole Booke Chapter 1. The Actions of the King of Hungary Generall of the Imperiall Army and the opposition made against him by the Duke Bernhard Weymar Gustavus Horne and Otho the Rhinegrave principall Commanders for the Princes and Swedes Chap. 2. Duke Bernhard Weymar Gustavus Horne and Otho the Rhinegrave Chap. 3. The Actions of the King of Hungary and Duke of Bavaria in Franconia and Bavaria with the proceedings of Duke Bernhard Weymar and Gustavus Horne two principall Commanders for the Princes of the Vnion there or a relation of what hath beene done on both sides since Iuly the 20. Chap. 4. The continuance of the King of Hungaries Storie wherein you have the severall Relations of the siege and battell of Nordlingen Chap. 5. The Actions of Otho Lodowicke the Rhinegrave Chap. 6. The Actions of the Landtgrave of Hessen and the Duke of Lunenburgh in Westfalia Paderborne and Brunswickland and elsewhere Chap. 7. Further Actions of proceeding of the Landtgrave of Hessen and the Duke of Lunenburgh Chap. 8. The Actions of the Electors of Saxony and Brandenburgh Chap. 9. Saxon and Brandenburghs proceedings continued Chap. 10. Further proceedings of the Dukes of Saxony and Brandenburgh Certaine Missellany Relations The great Deluge in Holsatia Chap. 11. The Actions of France Italy Spaine and the Low-Countries Chap. 12. The magnificent interment of the King of Sweden Chap. 13. Certaine passages of Russia Poland and Turkey Chap. 14. The siege of La Motta in Lorraine Chap. 15. The returne of Monsieur into France Paris the 12. of Octob. 1634. Chap. 16. An Edict of the French King concerning the Duke of Lorraine In the Misselanies fol. 32. for Persia reade Prussia A true Delineation of the Swedish and Imperiall Campe neare Nordlingen and in what this Citie was 〈…〉 AFter that the King of Hungarie after the taking of the Imperiall Citie of Regenspurg had likewise brought under his power the Citie of Donawerth and other places thereabout Hee thereupon tooke a resolution to march into the Country of Wirttenberg and to refresh there againe his halfe starved Armie And that the easier hee might performe it he marched first of all directly against the City of Nordlingen and begun to assault the said Towne in a hostile manner But Duke Bernhard of Weymar and the Field Marshall Horn having few dayes before conjoyned their forces perceived betimes the King of Hungarie his intent wherefore all their care was how they might hinder and divert it To which end they marched the 9.19 day of August at Leypheimb over the Danubie from thence they marched towards Giengen Heydenhem Aalen and Bopffingen where they after that they had afore cut off and put to the sword about 1000 of the Imperialists and some 100 taken prisoners pitched their Camp upon a Hil near a Forrest over against the Imperial camp to expect there the Rhinegravish Wirtenbergish Franconian and D. William of Saxon Weymar his forces which were commanded to joyne with them and then if occasion would serve to give battell unto the enemy But that in the mean time the Citie of Nordlingen might not be mastered by the enemy Duke Bernhard of Weymar and the Feeld-Marshall Horne resolved to strengthen the Garrison in the towne with more forces and to impart to the Citie their intention For the effecting of this and if possibly occasion would serve to give battaile unto the enemy being by the prisoners certified that the enemy was much disperced and had sent many troupes abroad they the 14.24 of this moneth put their forces in battaile array and perceiving the enemy to lay over a passage neare a little River that flowes through the Citie of Nordlingen and downe from the Hill they could not well discerne how the passage was Duke Bernhard with the right wing advanced till unto the passage and all the Imperialists which he found on this side He chased over the River and thereupon made a stand at the passage seeing he could not well get over the same in the presence of the enemy till the Feeld-Marshall Horn had brought the succour into the Citie Whes this was successefully performed the Duke intended to retire again But as soone as hee was gone a little way from the passage the enemy with all his Regiâ—ents of Crabats Hungarians and German horsemen sell upon the Arriere-guard with whom they ingaged themselves so much that it was impossible to part agaiâ—e wherefore Duke Bernhard was forced to turne baâ—e againe and assault them with all his strength and puâ— all the Regiments into a confusion and to flight so thâ—t many of them were slaine had not the night so suddâ—nly fallen upon them the slaughter would have beene mâ—ch greater Thereupon the Duke held all that night neaâ—e the said passage till the morning and then he made hâ—re treat againe to the rest of the Armie upon the aforemâ—ntioned Hill Meane while Colonell Iohn de Werth beâ—â—an likewise to pursue the Duke but was quickly beaten â—…cke In these
whereof there dyed daily tenne or twelve persons and the D. of Bavaria had laid the Regiment of the Colonell Comargo who was slaine before Regenspurgh into Strawbingen the King himselfe it is said from Auspurg July 28 went towards Passaw his Lieutenant Gen Gallas marched towards Bohemia with 11 Regiments and the rest of the Imperiall Army was conjoyned with the Bavarian And this report though it was at the first confirmed from divers places yet at last they all conclude generally that both the King himselfe and the Earle of Gallas returned speedily towards Bavaria intending to pursue their fortune which had beene so favourable to them in those parts His first designe was against Donawerth wherein the Lieutenant Colonell Termo lay and commanded The manner of the Kings march thitherward is thus expressed by Letters from Nordlingen a citie upon the borders of Wirtemberg in the mid way betwixt Donawerth and Bopffingen distant from each about German miles who had it by relation of two Souldiers which ranne away from the Imperialists and came to Nordlingen Aug. 5.15 two souldiers which were of the Field-Marshal Horns Life-Regiment and had beene taken prisoners by the Imperialists betwixt Moseburg and Landshut when they had beene kept in fetters by the space of certaine dayes unransomed and unexchanged were constrained to take pay under Colonell Fugger but yesterday morning when the Imperialists were measuring out the Camp for the foot forces neere the towne of Raine a place upon the Bavarian side of the Danubie upon the Lech almost opposite to Donawerth and distant thence about two German miles faining as if they went to fetch wood to build their tents came hither and reported that the Imperiall Horse 15000 strong and the Infantery consisting of 20 Regiments were within but little more than an houres journey from Donawerth that they had with them 60 pieces of Ordnance 2 fire morterers A true relation the like being reported from Auspurg Aug. 6.16 and made manifest by the consequence which was the taking in of Donawerth Aug. 7.17 by composition but afterwards pillaged From Donawerth the Imperiall Army marched against Nordlingen as appeares by these Letters under-written Weysenburg Aug. 12.22 THe Enemy before Nordlingen goeth very slow to worke it is in a manner only blocked up for the Imperialists cannot bring their Canons neere the towne they within the Citie wherein the blew Regiment is lodged so strenuously oppose them And this Story was confirmed by 2 Letters from Bopffingen and one from Franconia the first whereof bearing date Aug. 13.23 is thus THe Enemy assaulted the City of Nordlingen but few dayes since with some selected troopes thinking to surprize it unawares but the Commander there is a brave Soldier never had his eyes hurt with smoake and by watchfulnesse prevented them Hereupon the King of Hungarie with his whole Army marched before it and hath battered it without intermission the space of 3 whole dayes Now the besieged haue need of present succour and reliefe assoon as the Rhinegraves Army which is expected hourely some forces from the Bodensea which the Field-marshall Horne hath sent for and the Wirtembergers shal arrive all which may well be within these 2 dayes then Duke Bernhard who this day with the Foot-forces and Artillery is arrived here and the Field-marshal Horn who was come with the Avantgard yesterday are resolved to try their fortune and to relieve the City and to give battell to the Enemy The second is thus Assoone as the Enemy before Nordlingen heard of the comming of our forces he dislodged from before it and sent all his baggage towards Donawerth It is reported that he standeth in battel array within 1 hours march of this place that he hath called unto him the Commander Isolan that he hath sent for those troops which were left about the Danubie and the river of Lech the Commander Iohn de Werth with his Horsemen We never were so neere the Enemy as now The last bearing date Aug. 17.27 is thus Even now we receive Avisoes that Duke Bernhard and Gustavus Horne assaulted the Enemy upon Friday last Aug. 15.25 before Norlingen and in the fury out off 2000 Imperiall Curassiers The particulars we expect hereafter They wrote from Auspurg Iuly 30. Aug. 9. the D. Bern marched from thence over the Danubie and the Field-marshall towards Landsperg and Gongaw to have an eye upon the Enemy And yet this division of these Commanders exposed the Cities and Country of Franconia and about the Danubie to the spoile of the Imperiall Army 14 dayes the D. spent in strengthning his Army with new supplyes being forced for that purpose to raise the siege of Forcheim and recall the Field-marshall Cratz from thence to send for some other troopes which lay in the lower Palatinat the trained hands of Franconia and Wirtemberg all which required time and gave the Imperialists much advantage The siege of Forcheim raised The Field-marshall Cratz as it is written from Franconia Iuly 27. Aug. 6. had so insconced himselfe that hee was secure from danger by assault of the Enemy and brought the Garison to that extremity that they within were much scanted of victuals and in such want of ammunition especially that the Citizens were constrained to give them their Pewter dishes as some prisoners reported to make bullets and began to speak of yeelding by composition but the sudden rising of the Campe eased them of these necessities and brought much vexation to the neighbouring territory During the time of the siege as they of Norimberge not without joy delivered it the wayes were passable the Country delivered from Boot-halers and the price of food brought downe to a reasonable rate yet that siege was no sooner raised but the Garison stragled againe abroad pillaged the Country till with in halfe a German League of Norimberge burnt to ashes many Villages which had not payed contribution in that time as namely Cros-râ—…th Klein-reâ—th Loâ—e Malms-hoffe Crafts-hoffe Neun-hoffe Hewltzberg and Faâ—h omitting to doe nothing there which had a rellish of hostile insolency This was a time of sorrow and lamentation to all that Province which longed for deliverance but had not as yet strength to bring forth The Imperiall army ceased not from doing whatsoever might any way molest or offend their adversaries Hippolstein assaulted Upon Munday Aug. 3.13.130 Imperiall Horse suddenly assaulted Hippolstein beat downe one of the Ramparts broke open the outmost gate had thought to have plundered the towne Greding Dietfurd plundered as before they had done at Greding and Dietfurd but the Citizens quickly betaking themselves to their Arms and the hinderance by the draw-bridge which was then taken up did then frustrate that attempt which is reported to have been performed the Thursday following But that very Munday though the fortune of war smiled a little upon the Evangelicall there was more unfortunat to this party about Norimberge A Swedish company of 25 Horse surprised for theÌ„ 25
party The beginning of these enterprises was prosperous for as it is written from Weysenburg Colonell Plato and the Lord of Hoff-Kirchen having dispersed 500 Imperiall Curiasseirs which were set to keep the passage to the City the Fieldm Horn brought in 300. Musquetiers conferred with the Governor the L. Ebrahed Dacbitz and the Citizens and returned back before the Imperiall Armâ— was aware this was done August 14.24 The Commander in the towne incouraged by this new supply the same night about 2. of the clock sallied forth to assault one of the Kings workes thinking to burne it but the baskets and wood being green would not take fire and so missed this designe yet the next day about 3. of the clocke in the afternoone he sallied forth againe betwixt the Rimlinger and Deininger gare assaulted another battery made of dry wood so large that 6. Canons might bee well planted upon it chased the Imperialists out of the trenches in which they lay insconsed thereabouts slew some and took 4. prisoners and burned the battery to the ground The Citie thus fortified the Evangelicall Commanders make preparation to assault the Imperiall army the more incouraged hereunto by their good successe in many skirmishes betwixt some Regiments of both Armies wherein the Swedes had alwayes the best the alacrity of their owne souldiers which expressed a cheerefull desire to fight the multitude of prisoners they had lately taken all which reported that there was such a famine in the Imperiall Camp that a little loafe of bread was sold for 2. Rixdollars that the sicknesse was very hot amongst them that the Enemie was so far retired from Nordlingen that hee could scarfe reach it with the Canon that though it was reported that the whole Imperiall Bavarian and Italian Armies were 40000. strong yet in truth they were not above 30000. for so it is written from Dunkelspiel Aug 20.30 that when the rowle of the Imperiall Army was lately examined it was found that above 3000. men had been lately lost that the Hungarians would not fight because Iohn de Werth had opprobriously called them scurvie dogs that they beleeved verily that if the Imperiall Army was put to it in earnest they would not stand to it because they wanted necessary provision and ammunition and the like the truth of which appeareth for the most part and the manner by the extract of a letter written in the swedish campe at the Imperiall City of Bopâ—inâ—en Aug. â—… â—0 as followeth When wee had passed by Keipheim over the Danubie the next day after in the afteâ—…onâ— we matched by Giengâ—n whoâ—e Duke Earâ—hands Life guard and the Chuâ—laâ—disâ— Regiment which had the Van Aug 10.20 defeated 6â—0 of the Imperiall Curiâ—ssiâ—rs and took many prisoners which related that the Kings Army was in great perplexity and that Iohn de Wâ—rth with 7. Regiments had made an invasion into Franconia Hereupon a Councell of war was called to advise whether it was â—ot beâ—t in the absence of this Commander to tâ—â—e the advantage and give present battell to the Enemy but it being resolved on that it was best first to secure the Countrey of Wiâ—tenberg and then to Attach the Enemy we marched the same evening to Heydeâ—heim a frontier City of the Dukedome and thence the next day Aug 11.21 Duke Bernh marched betimes with the horse men to Awâ—en where he eat off above 1000. stragling Imperialis and tooke 300. prisoners thither we also arrived at night and the next day the Avantguard under the Fieldmarshall Horn arrived here at Bopsingen tooke a passage which opened the way to the Imperiall Citie of Nordlingen from the Crabats Hungarians and Pollacks which kept it before the Duke Bernh could reach hither who came not to us till the next day with the maine body of the Army The report of the prisoners that Iohn de Werth with his 7. Regiments was not yet returned out of Franconiâ— and that the Imperiall Army was very weake incouraged us not a little to put some thing to an adventure and thereupon resolved to dislodge betimes the next morning Aug 14.24 that we might take the high ground which lay before us and as occasion did present it selfe fight with the Enemy The day following Aug 15.25 we stood betimes in the morning in battle array when the Duke Bernhard with the Avantguard and some selected Musqueâ—…rs beate off the Hungarianâ— and Crabats from their station upon the mentioned Hill and became master of it Hence we perceived that the Imperiall armie kept another passage neere a little river which runneth through the City of Nordlingen but could not well discerne how it stood and with what conveniency we might passe that way The Duke himselfe therfore advanced thitherward with the right wing of his army and chased the Imperialists headlong through the River and then perceiving it to be dangerous to attempt any further that way in the presence of the Enemie they all concluded with one generall vote onely how to succour the City of Nordlingen to furnish it with more souldiers and to advise the garrison citizens of their full intention and thereupon we stood armed upon the passage to hinder the Enemie from marching over it whiles the Fieldmarsh Horne might goe in safety to the City which he did without hinderance and aswell as could be wished Below the City some of the Enemies troopes attempted to goe over but were encountred by the Lord of Hoff-kirchen who beate them back and made them tuâ—ne headlong through the River By this the Fieldmarsh Horne had releeved the City and was upon his returne and then the Duke beginning to draw back his forces from the passage the Enemie with all his Regiments of Crabats Hungarian and Germane Horsemen fel upon his Excellencies Reare and forced the Duke himselfe to returne who thereupon assaulted them so furiously that he put them to a confused flight wherein many were slaine and more out of all question if the darknesse of night had not suddenly hid them had lost their lives The Duke then sounded the retreat and kept upon the passage till the dawning of the day at which time he repaired to the Army the which whilest he would have lodged securely Iohn de Werth set upon him with 2. Squadrons but was beaten backe by his Life Regiment whilest the rest of our Army were brought to their Quarter In these skirmishes there was slaine of the Imperiall Army and taken prisoners above 3000. and many revolted and came on our side The forces from Wirtenberg consisting of 500. men with the Ranzovish Regiment as also 600. horsemen and 400. Dragooners are arrived here with Colonell Shaffelitzkie wee onely expect the comming downe of the Rhinegrave with his troopes and then we intend to reassaile the Imperiall army with whom we are already so far ingaged that they must sight of necessity The Wirtembergers deale with us both faithfully and friendly they spare not to send us store of provision to the great encouragement
assaulted them with all their force and within the space of two houres rather by the cleare assistance of GOD than by humaine hands obtained the victory on our side not many have beene slaine For as the Swedes themselues confesse although one of their Regiments presented it selfe to fight it was immediately assaulted by 6. Imperiall Regiments and ruinated As for the horsemen the Duke of Wirttenberg himselfe writes to his Officers that 2000. of them were slaine upon the very place of the Foot-forces few or none escaped except those that remained about the Baggage which tooke the horses from the waggons and saved themselues upon them the rest were either put to the sword or taken prisoners and besides the Swedes above 4000. Wirttenbergs of the trained band were put to the sword the enemies Ordnances ammunition and all their waggons together with Duke Bernhards best goods were apprehended about Neressen and they themselues confesse that they have lost above 4000. waggons loaden with Baggage provision and ammunition hence it may eastly be iudged how many 1000. horses our forces obtained The whole Swedish Armie together with the Wirttenbergs Boores was strong about 22000. men of which some 1000. horsemen fled to the Coppinger Valley where the Rhinegrave arrived and conioyned his troopes with them and made up an Armie of 5. or 6000. horsemen without Foot-forces ordnances Baggages or ammunition of which they nothing left which way the same turned and what end it tooke with the pursuite after them I do not know for when I saw all souldiers to betake themselues to flight I did the like and the same night I came to the Fort of Shorendorff in the Countrey of Wirttenberg where the General Commissaries Offenburgers servant and both the Commanders Tupadels and Obms wiues were yet the same night fetched and carried to Strasburg in so much that they are not confident to maintaine that strong Fort. On Thursday in the morning the relation was brought of those high officers that were slaine and wounded which I will relate not for certaine but as I have heard it Duke Bernard of Weymar was shot through one of his armes the Landtgrave John of Hessen was wounded in his face and in his necke and fled bloudy to Vlm Field-Marshall Horne is dead or taken prisoner because he is not found amongst them Field-Marshall Cratz is dead Generall Major Vitz dumb dead Generall Major Kagge dead Colonell Watchtmaister dead which was very famous amongst them Colonell Liebenstein dead Colonell Lievetenant Grun dead Colonell Lievetenant Willibardt dead When I rode forward on Thursday I found the high waies towards Stutgard full of fleeing souldiers and inhabitants The Duke of Wirttenberg posted yet the some day in all haste towards Strasburg all Noble and rich men followed him thither the inhabitants ranne out of the Cities carrying onely their children in their armes with great lamentation and crying and when I asked them whither they intended to goe they answered God knowes it we doe not know whither to runne in such a haste they cryed still woe and ever woe that the Swedes came into the Empire afore we could treate with composition now all goes to ruine the Imperialists had behaved themselves very well in Shorendorff but the Swedes now and the Counsell at Franckford had their monies and goods and would now depart and leave them in such a misery Our Armie doubtlesse possesseth now the most part of the Country of Wirttenberg they finde in it an incredible quantity of Corne and Wine of which they have now more to drinke than they had fresh water to drink 10 dayes agoe The Field-Marshall Horne himselfe spoke to me that in the Country of Wirttenberg 1500000 Commisse bread were baken for them which will doe now much good to the Imperiall Armie Nordlingen must now needs surrender on discretion in which are about 3000 horses which were brought thither from the Country to save them of which our souldiers will make good booty and the great quantity of corne that is in it will serve for the victualling of Ingolstatt In Augspurg is already great famine they eate dogs and cats The Granarie of the Citie of Vlm namely the Country of Wirttenberg is no so exhausted that those Cities will be forced to creepe to the Crosse all the Garrisons were taken out of all places about the Rhine except Philipsburg and the souldiers sent to the Swedish Armie and now they are massacred and they themselves confesse that they cannot bring together againe so many foot-forces to forme a new Army All this I have partly seene with mine owne eyes partly heard it of many chiefe men of their owne which I thought to relate accordingly Thus this Catholike Gallant with a large preface of himselfe writes gloriously of his owne adventure and the victory adding something peradventure to the tale which is delivered otherwise in the next discourse which is as followeth The Battell and bloudy Encounter which happened the 26. and 27. day of August before the Citie of Nordlingen WHereas by the long hoped surrendering of the Imperial Citie of Regenspurge and the taking of many other places on the Danubie the courage of the Imperialists was some what increased The King of Hungarie thereupon after that he had likewise brought under his power the City of Donawerth tooke an absolute resolution to march forward towards the country of Wittenberg and there to refresh his halse starved Army Now whereas he thereupon marched against Nordlingen pitched his campe before it assaulted the said towne with all his force and likewise drew all his Spanish and Italian forces together The Swedish forces in the meane time formed their Campe about Bopffingen expecting there the coniunction of the Rhinegravish and Cratzish troupes as also the trained band out of the Palatinate and Swaben But when in the meane time the Imperialists continued assaulting the aforesaid City more and more and putting the besieged daily harder to it and surrounded the city in such a manner that the Swedish forces feared that the Commander in it although he had beaten off manfully divers assaults and done great harm to the enemie in his workes with his continual sallying forth would not be able to hold out longer against so great force which the enemy used before it Here upon they after that the Cratzish troupes and some troups of the Swabish trained bands were arrived resolued in Gods name to approach neerer unto the enemy to try whether they could get any advantage of him or constraine him to abandon the siege And thereupon after a precedent deliâ—…ration advanced the 26. day of this moneth in the â—…r noone towards the enemy Where the Avanâ—gâ—aâ—d of our horsemen before the Forrest throrow wâ—iâ—h they must needs passe lighted upon five troâ—pes of the enemies Currassiers which they charged and put them to flight and afterwards assaulted three Regiments of the enemies horsemen in a valley which they dispersed put above a hundred to the Sword Amongst which