when drain'd near dry Thus our Pharsalia England's Tragedy Was Acted in a bloody Scene till Death With slaughter tir'd was almost out of breath What Lands what Kingdoms might our men have â—ane With that Bloods loss which Civil hands have drawn Such Pow'rs united as our Fields distain'd By Conquering on vast Empires might have gain'd Have overset bold Ott'mans Rising Throne And seen his Conquests far beneath their own A Description of the Battel of Bosworth-field fought between Richard the Third King of England and Henry Earl of Richmond known afterward by the Title of King Henry the Seventh c. AFter the Death of Edward the Fourth Richard Plantagenet Duke of Glocester having caused his two Nephews to be murthered usurped the Throne endeavouring to establish himself therein as he had first acquired it viz. by blood so that greatly oppressing his Subjects and especially the Nobility as also causing Queen Ann his Wife secretly to be made away that he might marry Elizabeth his Neece Daughter to his Brother King Edward the Fourth divers conspired against him and amongst the rest the Duke of Buckingham who had been the main Instrument in helping him into the Throne but raising Forces and being unsuccessful in his attempt his men flying and leaving him to shift for himself he resorted to the House of one Banister who had been his Steward and had got a good Estate under him where for a time he secured himself in disguise to attend his better fortune though it proved otherwise for King Richard seting 1000 l. upon his head the same Banister in whom he confided discovered him to the Sherif of the County who seizing upon him in the Disguise or Habit of a Gardiner carried him to Salisbury where by the Command of the King without Arraignment or Tryal he was beheaded And now by a secret Contract the Earl of Richmond being betroth'd to the Lady Elizabeth Eldest Daughter to Edward the Fourth after having escaped many Dangers beyond the Scas and his Faction being strong in England prepares with such an Army as he could well gather by the favour of the Duke of Brittany and increased by such English as fled to him for fear of the Usurper for England and landed at Milford-Haven his Retinue not exceeding 2000 but was soon increased to a far greater number by those that daily came to joyn him which made King Richard advance with his Army to oppose him and pitched his Tents at Radmore near Bosworth in Leicestershire and both Armies being drawn up in Battalia the Lord Stanly with a great Detachment kept aloof on the Hills and the King suspecting he intended to revolt from him to his Enemy sent to him to advance but he refused saying he would do it when he saw his time whereupon King Richard in a great Rage commanded his Son whom he had in Hostage for the Fathers Fidelity instantly to be beheaded but was by some of his Favorites perswaded to defer it till the Battel was over by which means the young man escaped for both Armies joyning with great fury a bloody and doubtful fight ensued so that for a long time the Scale of Victory hung in an equal poise King Richard commanding and fighting courageously in all parts but the Lord Stanly when both Armies had tried their Strengths and were weary with fighting coming in with his fresh men bore down all before him so that King Richard perceiving the Fortune of the War to go against him like a man in despair resolving not to survive it charged with great fury amongst the thickest Squadrons and having killed and beaten down many was at length over-pow'red and himself slain falling upon heaps of his Enemies his Crown was afterward found in a Hawthorn-bush and himself stripped naked was carried all bloody upon a Horse to Leicester and there buried in the Grey-Friars with much Solemnity after its being exposed two days to the People In this Battel called the Battel of Bosworth-field 6000 men on either side were slain and amongst them divers of Note And now the Earl of Richmond being Crowned in the Field marched to London and soon after solemnly married the Lady Elizabeth joyning the Houses of Lancaster and York he being the Heir of the one and she the Heiress of the other And so the Discord to soft Concord yields That with the Bones o' th' slain made white the Fields Dividing Friends in an unfriendly Jar Rending the tor'ring State with Impious War Whilst Father against Son Brothers with Brothers fight Not caring who was wrong or who was right But smeer'd with Blood in Cruelty delight Being emulous who most cou'd vent his Rage Such is the fate when Civil Arms ingage A description of the Battel of Seminara fought in the Kingdom of Naples between King Ferdinand then intituled to that Kingdom and the Great Gonsalves Caâ—tain of the Spaniards on the one part and the Lords Obignny and Persive for Charles the French King on the other part Anno 1495. CHarles the French King victorious in Italy having won many strong Places and Countries and amongst the rest the Rich and Fertile Kingdom of Naples Ferdinand in whose right it was raising an Army of Spaniards Sicilians Italians c. and entred the Provinces the French had a little before brought to their Subjection in order to recover them advancing as far as the Country of Seminara to oppose whom the Lord Obignny Governour of Calabria for the French King and the Lord Persive Governour of Bosilicula marched with their united Forces from their appointed Rendezvous at Terranova to Seminara to fight the King or besiege him in the Town who knowing nothing of their Conjunction and ignorant of their number issued out of the Town upon news of their approach to give them Battel not staying for the Troops he expected from Puglia Campagnia and Arbuzzo though Gonsalves counted the expertest Captain of his Age laboured to disswade him from fight for being in the flower of Youth and height of his Spirit he rather strove to expose his Valour than hearken to good Counsel and so having made an excellent Speech or Oration to animate the Captains and Souldiers to do their utmost he marched towards Terranova three miles along the Hills and coming to the River lodged his Foot on the left Bank and his Horse-men he stretched on the right to serve for a Wing and so continued to expect the Enemy By this time the French and Switzers came in sight and Obignny cast the latter into a firm Battalion placing the Foot raised in Calabria behind them as a Battel of Succour dividing the Squadron of Horse between them being Men at Arms and in the same order the light Horse-men and so in a square Battel they pass d the River whereupon the Spanish Horse advanced to oppose them but being hotly charged by the thick Battalion of the French in the Advaunt-guard after many of them were beaten down and slain the rest were obliged to retire by
furiously together fell both of them grievously wounded one in the Eye and the other in the Cheek and thereupon the Souldiers rushing together to their rescue great slaughter ensued for Aliprandoe's Regiment that joyned as the Advance-guard was not so suddenly re-inforced as intended which in the end being over-matched by the men at Arms made them wheel off which did not a little discourage their Fellows who suddenly coming on had their flank left open to the shot of the main battel and those Horse that wheeled off being charged upon as flyers altho the Marquess laboured to make them face about finding no place amongst the Squadrons to make their retreat good entered amongst the Ranks of the German foot which put them into great Confusion for finding their battel was behind the Ensigns they brake quite through and the French likewise pressing on got in at the breach making great slaughter especially of the hindermost of those that fled and when the Switzers who stood over-against the Italians perceived this wavering as likewise the slaughter of the Germans they likewise fell upon them with great fury neglecting the Italians with whom it was expected they would have ingaged so that they who before were hard enough put to it by the Gascoins and old Switzers who fought in their front and weakned by the breaking in of their own Horse the French Horse likewise charging them in the Rear were not able to withstand the fresh charge but their Captains being most slain and their Ensigns thrown down turned their backs and fled yet being hotly pursued they were most or them slain and amongst them divers men of great Note viz. Vulcain Son to the Earl of Furstemberg Michael Preusinger Lieutenant to Brannor Scaliger Antonya Vrste a Captain of Great Fame Hildebrand Tunnie Balthasar Chaldese James Figero Matrice Bursea Adam Brall and the Baron of Grimstein and Aliprando near dead of his Wound was found amongst the dead bodies and taken Prisoner and when the Italian foot perceived the Germans broken and dispersed and that the Horsemen had left the Field they made good their retreat and with little loss got about Midnight to Asti whither the Horsemen were gotten before them and soon after came the Marquess with his Helmet much bruised and battered and shot with a Harquibus-shot into the Knee so that the Victory was intirely left to the French. And of the 40000 that were in the Field on both sides 12000 are acounted to be slain whereupon Carignanâ— surrendred to the Duke of Haghein Thus Peimont sees the blood of Foreign Lands Reeking in Streams upon her thirsty Sands Such is the Fate where cruel War Commands A Description of the Battel of Lochen fought in Saxony between Charles the Fifth Emperour of Germany and John Fredrick Dake of Saxony on the twenty fourth of April Anno Dom. 1547. THE Emperour Charles the Fifth being displeased with divers Princes of the Empire and the mis-understanding growing daily greater they thought it the surest way to arm on all parts and stand upon their Guard which making the Emperour suppose it the best way to fight them separate he pursued John Fredrick Duke of Saxony upon his return into his own Country by such speedy marches that the Advaunt-guard of his Army attacked the Saxons before they expected they were arrived in those parts which created much Fear and Consternation yet maintaining only a kind of a flying fight till the gross battalions came up the Duke had leisure to put his Troops in Order and formed his Battel in this wise viz. He commanded the Foot-men of the Earl of Bichenlinghen in whom he reposed the greatest trust and the Horse-men of John Ponecan and Gaugulph of Eslenhen to take their Stations in the front ordering them that if they charged they should retire and avoid as much as in them lay entering into a hot dispute till the signal was given to assure them the other Battels were in a readiness then he cast 6000 foot-men into two Squadrons and supported them with 500 Horse-men riding himself from Rank to Rank to give necessary Orders and Directions for what was wanting placing another 2000 Horse as a Wing to cover the Foot on the Right side and so closing his Battel to prevent the Enemies breaking in he stood in array to expect the Event whilst the Emperour with whom was the King of Romans and the Great duke of Alva placed in the Vaunt-guard of his Army 600 Launces with 600 Hungarian Horse-men 700 Italian Horse-men and 100 Harquibusiers on Horse-back then he divided them into three Troops the Hungarians he placed on the Right wing the Germans on the left and the Italians in the middle and of the rest of the Forces he made his battel dividing it into three Squadrons of whom he committed one to the charge of the King of Romans but the others he led himself the one consisting of 700 Horse-men and the other of 1000 part Lances and part Harquibuses commanding the whole Army to advance in such order that the front might be broad and extended that so they might prevent being inclosed and thus-both Armies being in array and the Duke not perceiving it commodious to retire proceeded with a moving Oration to incourage his Men by putting them in mind of the Prowess and Valour of their Ancestors and exhorting them to fight like men for their Liberties Lives Wives Children and Country and that for his part he would not be wanting to fight or succour as occasion should require it Nor was the Emperour wanting to incourage his Souldiers to the like effect so that now there being nothing wanting but the Signal to joyn battel that was not long delayed for the Trumpets suddenly sounding the Imperial Battel moved with great swiftness but the Horse coming into dirty and slippery Ground were so mired that the Ear-guard was forced to give back till the Advaunt guard had passed it lest by pressing on they should have broken the Array and caused Confusion and Disorder to have ensued which gave the Saxons Opportunity to charge the Front before the Rear could come up insomuch that a hot and desperate fight ensued for the battel being begun in the Right-wing the Saxons poured in their shot like Hail and had made great slaughter had not the Italian and Hungarian Light-Horse-men come in and charged them in another part which for a time allay'd their fury whilst in another part the men at Arms of Naples and the German Harquibusiers sorely pressed their main battel so that the Advaunt-guard became open and began to scatter although the Duke laboured all that in him lay to keep his men in their Ranks and to admonish them with Words and Actions to do their utmost to support his Honour yet fear had so possessed them that they could not be kept in their Battels but began incontinently to disrank so that the Imperialists thrusting into their Array brought them in a short time into great Distress and Confusion whereupon
Mantua Vasey Courtain and Roche du Maine the Rhinegrave the Count Rochfocault the Lords Obigney the two Birons Montbrun and Merne and about 4000 taken Prisoners with all the Bagage and Ammunition whilst on the part of the Spaniards not above 1000 were slain the chief being the Sieur Binecourt Master de Camp and two Noblemen of Germany Count Mansfield was wounded in the thigh and Count Monbrey in the knee After this Battel the strong Town of St. Quintines fell into the hands of the Spaniard as likewise did Haron and Chastellet they ranging freely in those parts for that Summer without any interruption Out of Notalis Comes c. Thus VVars sad Chance we see in blood is writ And Vict'ry flies to whom she thinks most fit VVhilst mighty Realms contend for Soveraignty By the devouring Sword brave Heroes dy Mix't with Plebean deaths the Nobles ly A Relation of the great Sea-fight fought off the Coast of England between the English and Spaniards in the year 1588. vulgarly called the fight of the Spanish Invasion KIng Philip of Spain fretting in his mind at the prosperous success of Elizabeth Queen of England both abroad and at home and more especially resenting her assisting the Flemings in their Wars held against him in the Low-Countries as also the depredations made by Sir Francis Drake and others in the West-Indias he at the Instigation of Pope Sixtus V. and some English Fugitives prepared a great Navy to Invade England for whose vastness and seeming strength it was named by the Spaniards the Invincible Armado though in the sequel it proved otherwise This great Fleet at its setting out consisted of 130 Galleoons Gallies-men of War and Tenders containing 57808 Tuns where in were 8405 Marriners 19295 Souldiers or Landmen and 2088 Gally-slaves furnished with 220000 great shot 4200 Kintaâ—s of Powder 1000 Kintals of Lead for small bullets 1200 Kintals of Match 7000 Musquets and 10000 Halberts with Partisam Field-Pieces and other Provisions requisite for such an undertaking of which the Duke of Medina Sidona was Admiral and was to be joyned by the Prince of Parma Governour of Flanders and to be supplied with further necessaries which accordingly he provided and prepared in all parts of those Provinces upon notice of which and the other preparations the Queen whom they thought by reason of the close carrying on of their design to surprize unprovided for so important a defence caused her Navy Royal immediately to be fitted out under the command of Charles Lord Howard of Effingham whom she constituted Lord Admiral and Sir Francis Drake Vice-Admiral with a Squadron was dispatched to the West of England there to cruze and observe the motion of the Enemies Fleet whilst Henry Lord Seymour second Son to the Duke of Somerset stood with Forty Sail to the Coast of Flanders to prevent Parma's joyning with Medina and thereupon mustered an Army of Land-Forces consisting of 10000 Horse and 32000 Foot with part of which she not only Encamped at Tilbury in Essex but with the rest secured the Places that seemed to Render the Enemy the easiest Access of Landing though through many distresses and disappointments the Spaniards had met withall it was confidently reported and believed by some that they could not in any convenient time make their intended attempt or enterprize yet contrary to the expectation of the English they on the 11. of July cast Anchor in the Chanel and from thence sent a Dispatch to Parma in the King's name to joyn his Forces with them and send such necessaries as were convenient to further the Expedition but on the 20th following about noon being discried by the English they hasted out of the Harbours and on the 21. of the same instant viz. the Lord Admiral Howard Drake Hawkins and Forbisher the most expert in Maritime Affairs that Europe then afforded played furiously in the Rear of the Enemy who were drawn up in the form of a half Moon and so battered Rechalde who commanded a Gally of great force that he his Squadron being put to the worst was so disabled that he had fell into their hands had he not been Received shatter'd as he was into the middle of the Armado as likewise was the Catharine of Spain a Ship of great burthen although the Spanish Admiral declined fighting as much as was possible bulwarking the smaller Vessels with those of greater force bearing from the Coast of England towards Calais so that a great Ship of Biscay commanded by Don Oquendo being fired on the 22. of June a great Gally commanded by Pedro Valdez fell into the hands of Sir Francis Drake in which beside the Commander Don Pedro de Valdez were Vasques de Sylvas and Alanzo de Saijs and other Noblemen the whole number of Men on Board according to their own computation being 430 which were made Prisoners and disposed of in divers places till they were afterward Ransomed nor fared the Vice Admiral De Oquendo better for his Ship having received great damage by fire she was taken with much treasure and carried into Plymouth and although hitherto it had been a kind of a moving Fight the Spaniards shewing an unwillingness to Ingage before they Received their Succours and supply from the Prince of Parma who was indeed blocked up at the same time by the Hollanders who stood upon their guard on the Coast yet now the English Admiral pressed their towring Castles with his shot so furiously that many of them were miserably rent and torn with small damage to the English for that the Spaniards being high built could not well bear their Canon upon the English Ships whose hulls were much lower and when at any time they did the Commanders with their nimble Ships shifted and tacked to a better and more commodious station of anoying the Enemy and so incessantly the Batteries were made that nothing was heard but the thundring of the Canons and the cries of Men whilst ascending smoke made dark the Skies But the Lord Admiral not thinking it convenient to graple with such strength who had a strong Army on board After he had taken and sunk Twelve of their Ships and Gallies and killed them above 5000 men whilst they lay at Anchor before Calais in vain expecting the Prince of Parma A stratagem was found out to break and disperse them which took more effectually than what had before been put in practice viz. into Eight of the oldest and least serviceable English Vessels were put Pitch Tarr Rosin Hemp Flax and other combustible matter their Guns charged and rammed higher than usual with stones crossbar-shot pieces of Iron and the like when in the Night time the wind standing fair they were sent amongst the thick Squadrons of the Spaniards under the Conduct of two expert Sea-Captains viz. Mr. Young and Mr. Prowess with a command to fire them so soon as they were within Musquet-shot of the Enemy and let them drive which by Trains lay'd for that purpose they accordingly did with
Bisballus Horatius and Virginius Orsini Noble Romans and of the Venetian Nobility Agustinus Barbadicus Benedictus Superantius Vincentius Quirinus Johanes Lauretanus Marinus Contarenus Catharinus Maleperta Georgius Andreas Barbadious Marcus Antonius Landus Francisous Bonus Hieronemas Contarenus Antonius Poscaligus and Hierom Venerius all of the Order of the Senators with many of the Spanish Nobility not mentioned by Name The wounded of Note were Venerius the Venetian Admiral John de Austrae Paulus Forano the Count de San Fiora Marcus Molini Thomasius de Medici Martello Reverio Biffoli Marteuno Guicardini Spina Mazingi Juliâ— Maldini Guianovo Magnali Johanes Marea Pucci Toraboni Figliazi Fredricus Eâ—ecello and Gerardo but not many of them dyed of their Wounds they being mostly given with Arrows After this Renowned Victory was obtained and the account thereof taken the Generals and great Commanders assembled in Council to consider what was further to be done and ended in this Determination viz. That Don John of Austria with the Spanish Fleet and Collumnius or as some call him Gollonia with the Popes Gallies should return to Mesina in Sicily by reason Winter approaching it was no fit Season to besiege any Place of Importance But Venerius the Venetian Admiral repairing his Navy kept the Mediteranean and won many strong Holds from the Turks both on the European and Asian shores and so vexed was Selymus upon the news of this Defeat that in a sullen Humor he shut himself up for three days not admitting any to speak with him but those that brought him Necessaries and then in a Rage passed a bloody Decree to Massacre all the Christians in his Dominions which had been wickedly put in Execution had not the Grand Visier laid many Reasons before him to divert him from it nor have the Turks to this Day repaired the Loss but remain inconsiderable to what they formerly were at Sea saying That God has divided the World by giving to the Christians the Sea. and to the Turks the Land. Turkish Hist in the Life of Selymus the Second Thus were the Proud Insulting Turks subdu'd Who had so many Lands with Slaughter strew'd Whilst Grecian shoars beheld the woful Wrack And trembl'd at so great a Ruin's crack Toe Sea too Blush'd with an unwonted stain Shrinking to see her self the shambles of the slain A Relation of the Battel of St. Quintines fought in France between Aeneas Montmorency High Constable of France and General for Henry the Second French King and Philbert Duke of Savoy Lieutenant-General for Philip King of Spain Anno 1577. THE War being proclaimed between France and Spain Philbert Duke of Savoy with an Army of 13000 Horse an 40000 Foot and 8000 Pioneers laid Siege to the Important Town of St. Quintines in Vermandois to the Relief of which the French King sent Montmorency High Constable of France with an Army consisting of 4000 Horse and 20000 Foot with all the flower of the French Nobility who served as Volunteers in this Enterprize and with him he drew a Train of twenty pieces of Ordnance when being come within fifteen Miles of the Place he detached 2000 Horse causing them to advance and find out the Foard oâ— the River which they must pass about three Miles on this side the Town which they accordingly did but found it so narrow that only six Horse a Breast could pass it not was it abandoned bnt defended on the other Bank by a Regiment of Spanish Harquibusiers who upon the approach of the gross of the French Army were reinforced with some Troops of Horse who kept their station notwithstanding the Canon plaid against them with great Fury but it was not long e'r the Duke of Savoy understanding the French Army was much Inferior to his in number calling a Council it was after some Debate resolved therein that the French should not give themselves the trouble oâ— passing the River as they intended and for that purpose were laving over Bridges But that leaving a sufficient number to block up the Town the rest of the Army should immediately pass over and give them Battel whereupon Count Egmont was commanded to lead the way with a 1000 Horse Burgundians and Spaniards seconded by Ernesâ—â—â— and Ericus Dukes of Brunswick with 2500 Horse after whom followed Count Mansfield with 800 Dragoons and Count Horne with a 1000 Men at Arms seconded by a 1000 Horse detach'd from divers Troops and in this manner they forced the Passage without much Resistance and ranged themselves in Battel array for Montmorency rather desiring to put a Supply into the Town than come to a Battel only kept them busie with light Skirmishes whilst the Parties he had appointed for that purpose passed the River at greater Distances nor did he altogether fail herein for 300 resolute Frenchmen did enter but finding the gross of the Spanish Army press upon him he by little and little began to retire towards the Hills Skirmishing in the mean time to retard their March especially with the Light house who sought to delay him till the gross of the Army came up But finding in the end that his Retreat might prove disadvantageous to him as not having any means of escaping a Battel if the Spanish General would oblige him to it he put his Army in Array resolving to try the Fortune of War which he had scarce done before the Count of Egmont gave a furious Charge upon the advanced Parties of French Horse and being seconded by the Dukes of Brunswick Count Home Count Mansfield and Collonel Horckstrate after a sharp dispute wherein the French behav'd themselves with much Resolution and Bravery fresh Troops of Spanish Horse still coming in and much slaughter made Montmorency was obliged to suffer his Horse men to Retreat to the Body of Foot who casting themselves close together in a thick Squadron stood firm and strongly sustained the Charge making it a bloody and doubtful Fight which the Duke of Savoy perceiving poured in fresh Troops to prevent the retreat of those that were almost wearied out commanding Count Egmont to renue the Charge upon the Foot men with greater fury sending other Troops at the same time to charge the Horse that they might not have leisure to put themselves into Array so that the French-men continually having fresh Forces to contend withall overpowred with number and wearied especially the Horsemen betook themselves to flight abandoning the Foot to the mercy of the Enemy so that a great slaughter ensued the Fight being maintained in a flying manner over the Plains so that on the part of the French there were slain to the number of 6000 and of note John Duke of Anguen Brother to the King of Navar Vicecount Touraine Nephew to the Constable the Lords Campodenary Eyrrie Galan Plenot and Gelot with many others the Horse consisting mostly of Nobility the wounded were about 2000 and of note Montmorency Constable of France the Dukes of Longeville and Montpensire the Marshal of St. Andrews Lewis Brother to the Duke of
he could find no place of retreat amongst the squadrons but rushing through the Ranks of the Germans some part of the Horse entring amongst the foot created no small confusion on the other side of the Army where yet the Standard Royal remained the Troops of Horse there placed made great slaughter of the Moors pursuing them even to their Artillery but being succoured by the squadrons that were sent to support them they returned afresh to the fight so that in a short time it fell out worse with these Horse than those commanded by the Duke the King not being there but gone to the Vaunt-guard for being home charged by the Moors they sell in amongst and greatly disordered their own foot so that both Horse and Foot being in disorder and no place of retreat left flight and Confusion ensued for although this part of the Horse consisted most of Nobility and Gentry yet many of them being young men sent by their Friends to wait upon the King and little expecting to come to so sharp a Conflict were raw and unexperienced in the Trains of War so that whilst some were fighting valiantly others even in the same Troop were flying unpursued of the Enemy yet where the Italians and Spaniards fought the King being then in the Vaunt-guard a looker on great resistance was made insomuch that above 2000 Moors were killed in the place but not being succoured they were in the end overcome rather weary with killing hand to hand than by the force or Valour of the Enemy who pressed them with their Multitude yet the first charge of the African Horse of the Portugal Army commanded by Edward de Menesses struck no small terror to Moluc for seeing his men fly sick as he was he left his Litter and mounting on Horsâ—back notwithstanding the Christians shot approached he in a great Choller advanced to restrain their flight or dye in the place but being seized with a fit of his Disease in the midst of his fury he sunk from his Horse into the Arms of his Favorites who came about him to perswade him to return and being carried to his Litter he there instantly dyed yet was his Death kept secret by the Rhenegados that attended him lest upon the bruit thereof the Moors should leave the Field and consequently the Victory to the Portugals which no doubt they would have done had they at that time known it and although the Portugals had notice of it some hours afterwards by several Rhenegados that deserted the Moorish Camp and it was published to incourage them to maintain the fight yet it proved too late for by this time the greatest part of the Army was in Confusion losing continually ground and shrinking together notwithstanding the squadrons of the main battel did not move but unfurnished of shot stood lookers on urging it was the Kings command till charged by the Moors on Horseback they most of them miserably perished their Commanders in that Consternation not being able to draw thâ—m into any proper Posture of resistance or defence and now Francis de Tavora having long by his Valour withstood the Moorish charge of Horse and Foot was slain by a Harquibus shot whereupon his men were so discouraged that many of them threw down their Arms and fled and soon after the Duke D' Avero having rallyed some Troops of Horse and charged desperately upon the Moorish squadron that attempted to force the Ranks of the Germans had his battel overborn and was himself unhorsed and slain and on the other side were Christopher de Tavora and Alphonso de Norogna with divers others of account slain And the Arabian Adventurers who came rather to spoil the conquered than to fight having a little before fallen upon the Moors Baggage when they supposed they were in the rout with a full carreer charging the foot that stood firm brake their Ranks and put them into great Confusion so that Victory now declaring against the Christians in favour of the Moors and the chief Commanders being unhorsed and their Magazin blown up by an accidental fire nothing but flight and slaughter ensued though the King with some of his trusty Friends about him endeavoured by Words and Example of true Valour to restrain them and restore the Battel though in vain for after he had acted the part of a valiant Souldier killing many of the Enemies with his own hand and having three Horses slain under him in vain being required to yield he expired fighting couragiously on the heaps of the slain after which every one shifted for himself King Mulei Mahomet escaped out of the battel but hastily attempting to pass the River Mucazan now swelled by the Moons increase he was there drowned as were many hundreds who were deceived in the Foards the River being swelled to a greater height than when they passed it so that as the Plainâ— were covered with the slain the River was no less pregnant with the floting Carcasses of those that were drowned therein The battel thus intirely won by the Moors Hamet hasted to his Brother Molucâ— Tent to rejoyce with him for the succesâ— of his Arms but finding him dead and it being further made known himself by the general consent of the Captains and Souldery was in the Field saluted King and many Presents made him of the rich Plunder found in the Christian Camp as also of sundry noble Prisoners amongst whom of chiefest Note were Anthony Prior of Crato and the young Duke of Barsellos nor was the day less famous for the Death of three Kings viz. Don Sebastian King of Portugal Mulei Moluc King of Morocco and Mulei Mahomet the cherif or expulsed King and by the imprisonment of the greatest part of the vanquished Nobility of a Realm and so many Souldiers the Prisoners being more than the slain for of all that landed not above one hundred returned to the Fleet to tell the News and though the number of the slain on either side is uncertain yet next to the Kings mentioned there fell of the Christian Nobility the Duke of Avero Alphons Earl of Vimiosa Lewis Contingo Earl of Rodondo Vasco d' Gama Earl of Vidignera Alphons de Norogna Earl of Mira John Lobo Barron of Alvito Alvara de Mello Son to the Marquess of Ferrara Rhocterick de Mello Son to the Earl Tentugvel Jamie Brother to the Duke of Bragance John de Sylveria Son to the Earl of Sorteglia Christopher de Tavora the Lord Tomberg Arias de Sylva Bishop of Conionbra with many others of account so that some Noble Families by this means were quite extinct and sew in the Kingdom of Portugal but had a Son Brother Nephew or some other Relation that fell in this unfortunate battel sought the fourth of August Anno 1578. Portugal Hist Lib. 2. The Christian Arms thus Fate in Asrick crush'd In Royal Deaths her killing fury blush'd Whilst Crimson Streaâ—ns from mixtures of the slain Manur'd with Blood Tamista's thiâ—sty Plain A Relation of the last glorious Victory
Alexander Vitteli who lay with their Regiments in the Territories of Pisa to haste to the Camp yet take such a way that they might follow in the Ear of Franaio's Troops and fall upon him as they found their Advantage whilst himself with a detached Power would oppose him in the Front which accordingly hapned after some skirmishing by the way in the Town of Gabiniano so that there the fury of the battel increasing they fought on all parts with great Fury especially in the Market-place where Franaio leaping from his Horse and taking a Pike in his Hand greatly incouraged his Souldiers nor failed Marmaldo to do the like who casting his men in a thick wedge sustained the charge valiantly whilst a part of Franaio's Foot sheltring amongst the Chesnut Trees that grow thick towards the Wall of the Town poured in their shot like Hail and as they saw it convenient advanced in parties and having camisado'd the Enemy as soon retired which the Prince of Orange who fought on Horseback perceiving pressed on to dislodge them to whose Relief with a Troop of Horse came Nicholas Mussio a Greek of great strength with whom the Prince fought hand to hand and although Mussu with his Battel-Ax had bruised his Helmet the Prince still pursued him with his Sword but entering too far amongst the Trees he received two mortal Wounds by Harquibuss shot and fell from his Horse and instantly died being stripped by the Souldiers of his Cloth of Siver-Coat and guilt Armour whereupon his Men were so discouraged that many of them fled away fearfully and unpursued of which Advantage Franaio laying hold cried Victory the better to hearten his own Souldiers and drawing his Troops close together made a desperate charge on those that yet stood firm so that the Streets were covered with dead Bodies and the Channels murmur'd with Streams of Blood nor had Victory failed to have declared on his part had not the Lansquenets of German Foot who were placed without the Town as a Battel of Succour advanced and restored the fight for upon the flying of Rusales a Collonel of Horse with those under his Command the News was carried to the Camp before Florence that the Prince was slain and his Army routed but these fresh Forces coming on and renewing the fight with great fury the Florentines after they had disputed Street by Street and House by House with the Imperials found themselves too weak to make any further resistance so that Franaio and Paul his Lieutenant after they had for many hours defended a strong House and from thence with their shot and Wild-fire overthrown many of their Enemies finding the battel inevitably lost yielded themselves to Marmaldo when being brought into his Presence armed as they were taken he said to Franaio in a great Rage And did you think when you hanged up my Drummer against the Law of Arms it would have been my Fortune to have had you in my Power To which Franaio without the least shew of fear or dejection replyed This is the chance of War and the like may also befall you serving in the War but if you take my Life you shall gain by my Death neither Profit Honour or Praise yet Marmaldo having caused him to be disarmed wounded him with his Sword in the Throat and left him to the Souldiers to be dispatched who incontinently slew him Nor fell there in this Encounter less than 2000 men being the more memorable for that the two Generals were slain with many more of Note upon News of which defeat of their Forces the Florentines yielded up the City having defended it to the last Extremity leaving no unclean thing un-eaten whereupon the Emperour deprived them of their Francises and made Alexander d' Medicis base Son of Lawrence d' Medicis Duke of Florence and of all the Countries depending thereon Thus one Succesless Battel Florence lost And a free State with servile Bondage cro'st Made Italy's chief Garden droop her Head As if her sragrant Flowers had all been dead A Description of the Memorable Battel of Cheresoles fought in Peimont between Alphons Marquess of Guisto General for Charles the Fifth Emperour and France Duke of Anghien General for Francis the French King Anno 1544. FRancis Duke of Anghien with a grea◠Power laving Siege to Carignano 〈◊〉 strong Town in Peimont Alphons Marque◠of Guisto Governour of that Province fo◠Charles the fifth Emperour of Germany◠thought it highly concerned him to hinde◠so important a Place from falling into th◠Hands of the French and thereupon drawing his Forces into a Body he resolved to raise the Siege at the hazard of a battel no◠was not many days before the Armies confronted each other and began the fight after they were arranged in battel array with their Cannon and thereupōn the Squardrons of Horse moved with great Courage the first that charged being the Horsemen of Thermes and Balleone which charge they maintained with so much Valour that many were slain on either part and a great many borne to the Ground with their Lances who for the most part were troden to death by the Horses so that they soon came to use their Swords and Battel-Axes but Thermes at length bending his Forces upon the Italian Foot-men was beaten from his Horse and taken Prisoner by a common Souldier nor could Baleone's Wing by reason of its being much inferior in number long resist the French men at Arms so that many in that sharp conflict were slain and amongst them Julio Azzo Son to the Prince of Tuderto and Baleone having his Horse slain under him himself at the same time wounded hardly escaped being taken Prisoner but the battel under the Command of Raimond de Cordona and Seisneich had better fortune for charging upon the Grevers a sort of Souldiers brought up in the Territories of Geneva they so plied them with Harquibuss-shot that they put their Battel into much disorder and won from them the Ground they had a long time maintained as likewise a Cottage that sheltered them from the shot of the other Wing with some pieces of Ordnance nor was it effected without great slaughter on either side so that a Troop of Horsemen were immediately sent to succour them lest they should be all cut off In this Encounter Monsiew Destro and Charles Drosse Collonels of Horse were slain as also Monsieur de Assier a young Gentleman of great hope for the Spaniard desirous to revenge old Wrongs pressed furiously upon the French-men in this part of the battel insomuch that they obliged them to retire with great slaughter even to the Gates of Carmagnola and at the same time the German Foot who had lain upon the Ground to avoid the shot o◠the great Ordnance rose up and set forward to the battel and Aliprando their Commander going some paces before them challenged out Monsieur de Mole a Captain of the French to fight him i◠single Combat which after being accepted both Captains mounted and running
the Duke finding the Day lost used what Industry he could to make an orderly retreat into the Neighbouring Wood but by reason his Array was broken the Imperialists entered with him making great slaughter of his men and pressed so furiously upon him that although he stoutly defended himself yet at length he was taken Prisoner by Hippalito a Venetian and disarmed as likewise were a great number of his men and some prime Commanders In this Battel 2000 foot were slain as likewise 800 Horsemen and 700 wounded on the part of the Saxons but of the Germans the slain exceeded not 500 there were likewise taken 42 Ensigns with all the Plate Jewels Baggage and Furniture of the Camp though the Saxons made a kind of a marching or running fight for the space of fifteen miles in all continuing about eight hours and after this Victory all the Country of Saxony submitted to the Emperours Pleasure as soon after did most of the other Estates and Principalities that combined to withstand and oppose him Thus Saxony in her own Confines prest Through one great loss is many years distrest Labâ—ring with War till Peace at last gave rest A Description of the Memorable battel of Muscle-borough-field fought in Scotland between Edward Seimour Duke of Somerset and James Hamilton Earl of Arran Regents of England and Scotland Anno 1547. A Great difference arising between the two Nations upon the Scots refusing as it had been agreed upon in the days of Henry the Eighth to give their young Queen Mary sole Heiress to the Crown of Scotland to Edward the Sixth King of England c. The English under the leading of the Duke of Somerset and other Nobles entered that Kingdom resolving by War to prosecute them for their Obstinacy and oblige them if possible to the performance of what they without any Colour or Reason had refused whereupon on the third of September Anno 1547 the Lord Regent passed the Tweed with an Army consisting of 10000 foot of which 600 were Harquibuses 4000 men at Arms and Demilances with 2000 light Horse-men of whom 200 were Harquibusiers mounted and 1300 Pioneers the Train of Artillery consisting of fifteen great pieces besides a Fleet of sixty five Vessels whereof a great Gally and thirty four Ships were well appointed for War the rest being Victuallers and Tenders and on the ninth of September incamped within two Miles of the Scotish Army under the command of the Earl of Arran who the next Morning dislodged as likewise did the English and advanced towards each other though the former had but a bad welcome for some of the English Ships riding at Anchor in the River let flye so soon as they came within reach of their shot and killed a Captain together with twenty five Souldiers which made the Battalion of Archers commanded by the Earl of Argyle retreat nor could they be perswaded to advance which made the whole Army change the intended course by marching more Southwardly nor stayed they till they had possessed themselves of the Hill called Fauxside-Bray which made the duke of Somerset the English General send some Troops thither to secure the Hill it being of great advantage to those that possessed it and so successful was he therein that he procured in a short time several pieces of Cannon to be mounted thereon which afterward proved very serviceable in battering the Enemies Ranks and in the Emergency the Council debated on Horse-back what was to be done as not having liesure otherways to do it and came to result this viz. that the Lord Grey of Wilton Marshal of the Army and Captain General of all the Horse-men should with his band of Bulloiners and other Troops to the number of 1800 Horse-men advance to charge the Enemy in the Front whilst Sir Ralph Vane and Sir Thomas Darcy Captains of the Pentioners and Men at Arms together with the Lord Fitz-Walter and his band of Demilances to the number of 1600 should be ready to support him that so by a furious charge they might break or disorder the thick front of the Enemies Pikes and although this was a hazardous undertaking yet the Captains disputed not the Order only the Lord Grey desired the General that if he should miscarry in the Enterprize he would be good to his Wife and Children and so taking leave he advanced to meet the Scots who with no less speed came on in so thick a Wedge that it appeared very difficult if not impossible to pierce their Array for the Earl of Angues who commanded the Vaunt-guard had in his Battel 8000 Men and four or five pieces of Cannon which served as a flank on his Right and on his Left he had 400 Horse men and was supported with 10000 Highlanders and in the Rear-ward was the Earl of Huntly with 8000 Scots and 4000 Irish Archers who served as a Wing unto them both being furnished likewise with Ordnance as in the other battel nor was this all for the English had the difficulty of a great Slough or miry Ditch to struggle with in their Passage which not only obliged them to break their Ranks but mited divers of them that were not skilled in leaping yet surmounting these they came to a furious charge insomuch that although at the first onset the battel was not broken yet it swaied and gave back to Admiration so that the English gained Ground apace but the Lord Marshal finding he was not at that time capable of forcing their Ranks he made a softly retreat towards the Hill that they might disrank to follow him and he thereby have an opportunity to give a second charge before they could fall into order in which retreat he lost twenty five of his men and had divers wounded many of them Persons of Quality as the Lord Generals Son and Sir Thomas Darcy c. Nor did they fail to lay hold on the Kings Standard borne by Sir Andrew Flammock but it was so well defended that they only broke the Staff and carried away the nether end but the English Commanders having rallied their Troops and by moving Orations dissipated the fear the late slaughter occasioned and being re-inforced Peter Meucasa Captain of a Company of Harquibusiers on foot drew up in the front of the Enemies battel and was seconded by Peter Gamboa a Spanish Captain who commanded 200 Harquibusiers on Horseback who with their shot made such slaughter that the Scots durst not advance and by that means the English Archers had time to march on the Right-hand of our foot-men and feather them with their flights of Arrows and the great Ordnance playing transverse within Musquet-shot and the foot-men who had been obscured by the Horse advancing in good array the Scots began to shrink together though they were far superior to the English in number and quickly losing all Courage betook themselves to open flight their General the Earl of Arran flying foremost nor did Angues stand to it but followed with great Celerity so that the
Cromwell's own Guard and the best of his old Soldiers were forced to Retire whilst seconded by those numerous Supplies of fresh Soldiers who served like the Turkish Asapi to blunt the Royal Swords so that their wearied Arms no longer able to hold out they were forced to Retreat notwithstanding the Generous Example of the King who performed things worthy of wonder executing at once the part of a brave Commander and a valiant Captain in which he had his Horse twice shot under him yet could he not bring them to rally for being pressed and overpowred by numbers they had not time or space to do it in so that in the end the retreat turned into a disorderly flight whilst the Enemy following close at their heels entred Pell mel with them into the City And now notwithstanding the flight and confusion the cry went through the field to save the King who although he was pressed by Duke Hamilton and others to reserve his fortune to a better day yet scarcely could he be induced to quit the field nor would he till he perceived it impossible to rally his men and too plainly found the battel was irreparably lost and that Cromwel had entred and possessed himself of a part of the City and soon after took the Fort Royal by assault putting all he found therein to the Sword but not without considerable loss especially of the Cheshire men 1600 of which fell in the attempt and now when it was almost too late the King left the field and by the Aid of divers Loyal Souls after a considerable while concealing himself found means to escape beyond the Seas In this fatal battel fought on the third of September most of the Kings foot were either killed or taken Prisoners but of the Horse about three thousand escaped out of the Field those that account the least recon 3000 that were slain though none of note amongst them and the chief of the Prisoners were the Earls of Derby Lauderdale Cleveland Shrewsbury and the Lord Wentworth and of the Scots the Earls of Cranworth and Kelly and the Lord Sincler with divers Knights and Gentlemen and soon after Duke Hamilton and Major General Massey and others were taken This strange and wonderful Victory as the Juncto then sitting at Westminster gave it out though they had ten to one in the field made the Sectarian party greatly rejoyce and to appoint publick days of Thanksgiving as if God were the Patronizer of Villanies But since they miss'd of what was most their Aim We won't their further wicked Acts proclaim Lest by such Monsters we the Nation shame A Description of the Great and Memorable Battel fought before the City of Vienna in Austria on the 11. of September Anno 1683. between the King of Poland the Elector of Bavaria the Duke of Lorain c. and the Grand Visier Cara Mustapha c. VIENNA being pressed by the Turkish Power and the Garrison therein under Ernestus Count of Staremberg greatly weakned by sickness and the loss sustained in divers Sallies the Duke of Lorain having joyned the King of Poland they thought not convenient any longer to hazard a place of such Importance but to attempt the Relieving of it at the Price of a Battel and so on the 10 of September 1683. about eight in the Evening the Armies marched in order to it making together between 70 and 80000 fighting men the King of Poland commanding the Right Wing the Dukes of Lorain and Bavaria the Left and the Elector of Saxony and Prince Waldeck the main Body and in this order with what speed and silence they could they marched through a great Forrest the which had the Enemy taken care to have fortified would have proved a work of much difficulty Cara Mustapha the Grand Visier trusting to his number of men expected not to be attaqued in his Camp he being at his sitting down before the place 120000 strong but finding himself mistaken he thought it best to Rouse out of that Security and upon the Approach of the Christian Army detached 10000 Horse with an express command to possess themselves of the Passes c. but the Christians before that had passed them yet they advanced to Charge the Front of the Army but being gauled by a Regiment of Foot lodged in a Vineyard for that purpose which was supported by three other Battalions they only fired and wheeled off with great Cries whereupon the King of Poland and the other Commanders drew the Army up in three Lines all closed without any Interval and in that firmness they encroached upon the Enemy at what time the Turkish Horse advanced with great shouts hoping to break the Array of the Battel but perceiving the Christians stood firm to expect them they made a halt and discharging their Harquibusses at a distance wheeled off whereupon the first Line fired upon them and the whole Army advanced by a slow March still gaining upon the Infidels and making of them a considerable slaughter who Returning charged as before at a convenient distance and so wheeled off continuing often to do the like and as often the Christians fired upon them and so proceeded till within two Furlongs of their Camp at what time a Body of Foot and Dragoons were detached to Attaque their Canon of which they soon became Masters without any considerable loss the Enemy wanting Foot in a readiness to defend them nor did their Horse make any great resistance yet they made a shew to charge the Right wing in the Flank to prevent which the King of Poland commanded the second Line to advance and make a Front on that side whilst in Person he charged their Front with the first Line making them continually to give ground and whilst the Fight was hot on both sides the Turks in the Trenches made a furious Assault upon the City strugling even at the utmost hazard to carry it and so resolute they were in throwing themselves into the Ditches and Breach that great slaughter ensued which obliged Count Steremberg the Governour to send with all speed to the Duke of Lorain for assistance least the Turks at that juncture should enter and mix the ruine of the Citizens and Garrison-Soldiers with their own when immediately the Margrave of Baden was detached with 5000 Horse and 3000 Dragoons who entering the Trenches at the time the Garrison sally'd the Turks that were in them were cut in pieces and trodden down on all hands to the number of 6000 which unexpected bad success made known to the Visier and finding that now his hopes were altogether frustrated of entering the City in the time of the confusion he gave ground towards the Evening with the Gross of his Army in hopes to make an orderly retreat to the Camp but being furiously charged by the Christians he fled beyond it yet the Generals suspecting they might Rally and fall upon them under the favour of the Night would not enter the Camp by reason it might be
of War was held a-new and as the falling back would have been the abandoning of Zyclos and the other Places on the Drave they agreed to pursue their march towards the former of those Places The Orders having accordingly been given the Duke of Lorrain put himself at the head of the Vanguard which was composed of the right Wing and that he might be under Covert from the Enemies that were in the Wood he left some Dragoons and Battalions to cover the flank of the Horse The Enemies lying at watch to take their Advantages made then a Movement which perplex'd the Duke of Lorrain He perceiv'd that they were going to fall upon the Duke of Bavaria wherefore he Detach'd Picolomìni with his Brigade to go and give him Succours And indeed they began to Skirmish with that Duke who advancing to encourage his Men by his presence a Turk slipt along under favour of the Bushes and seeing the Elector have a Red-Embroidered Coat on with a white feather in his Hat and thence presuming him to be a Person of Quality he fancy'd it would be a brave Exploit in him to kill him Whereupon he fired his Fusil at him but instead of hitting him in the Body he hit him in the left hand and this made so much noise that all those that were not far from his Person believed him to be dangerously wounded Without farther Enquiry this same rumour was immediately spread about his Troops and this might have been of ill Consequence had he not shewn himself immediately to them all In the mean while the Army being on its march and the Vanguard having pass'd a Bottom it mov'd up along a furrow at the upper End of which there was a Hedg that covered a Plain beyond this Hedge were some Turkish Horse which were to amuse the Duke of Lorrain while the main Body fell upon the Duke of Bavaria making a shew as if they meant to come to Blows with him but having avoided the Battel at the same time they seem'd to offer it the whole stress fell upon the Duke of Bavaria who having orders not to Engage contented himself with standing upon the Defensive part This did still the more Embolden the Infidels coming up very close and every other moment to try his Temper he sent to acquaint the Duke of Lorrain with the posture of his Affairs and to ask his leave to fight The Duke of Lorrdin sent him back word to follow the Orders they had agreed on in the Morning but his Electoral Highness seeing himself still more and more pressâ—d sent back to tell the Duke of Lorrain that when they were in a Council of War they might argue as they pleas'd but that when the Enemies were pouring upon them the case was very Different that every other minute there fell upon him new Batallions and new Squadrons which it was impossible for him to stand the Brunt of by meerly keeping upon the Defensive part that his Men being thereby Exposed began to murmur at so much prudence that it was to be feared that after their having suffer'd much they might take the Course of avoiding the Danger by flight since possibly they would imagine they might honourably do so since we led 'em not to fight During these Occurrences the Number of the Infidels did visibly multiply and having flipt along a Wood they wholly fac'd it insomuch that when the Imperialists came to pass they made a Discharge upon them which laid some of them upon the spot and compell'd the Rest to halt To perplex them the more they appeared at the same time at the Vauntguard but then Design being to make their utmost Onsets on the side of the Elector of Bavaria they proceeded no further than to Skirmish which hindred the Duke of Lorain from being able to send other Succours than that before-mentioned to the Reer In the mean while as every thing till then had promis'd them the Victory a Body that had not as yet fall'n on advanc'd upon the Duke of Bavaria with dismal screams and howlings insomuch that he saw himself thereby forcâ—d without staying for permission to fight to use his utmost Endeavours to free himself from so great a danger He made head against them with such Troops in whom he most Confided and having caus'd small Field-Pieces to be plac'd at the head of the Batallions they were put to so good a use that they kept the Enemies in great Respect In the mean while Picolomini who as has been said was sent to the Duke of Bavaria's Succours thinking him in great Danger ran to him with his Men and the Duke seeing him come Commanded him to drive the Turks from a Bottom which he had newly passed himself Picolomini executed this Order with great Courage and being seconded by good fortune he not only remained Master of the Bottom but also pursued the Enemies to the very Wood which they still possess'd and which was the place of their Retreat There they perceived that they had unaccountably given way since he had none to back him Insomuch that being ashamed of what they had done they returned to the Charge and made such havock of the Regiment of Commerci which was of that Brigade that in a trice they killed 200 of its men The rest seeing this betook themselves to flight and the sooner for that they were all terrified to see these Barbarians who had cut off the heads of the greater part which they carried before them howling at such a rate as was capable of daunting the most Resolute In this Occasion was it that the Prince of Commerci was wounded with a Launce and that the Count de Ligneville the Major of his Regiment was killed whose Head they cut off as well as the rest The rest of the Turkish Cavalry having this advantage on its side fell anew with extraordinary fury upon the Duke of Bavaria who was not a little put to it to stand the first Onset Nevertheless having with his own Person performed Wonders and thereby given an Example to others they all stood firm Insomuch that after a long and obstinate fight the Turks begat to Buckle but in such good order that in turning their backs they seem'd less to Fly then make a Retreat This induced the Elector to consider whether he ought to pursue them or not but that held him not long in suspence they of themselves return'd to the Charge and that with so much Resolution and Fury that had not the Elector commanded Cannon to be brought they had been Capable of routing him but having causâ—d it to be charg'd with Cartridges he dispersed the most daring An infinite number of Volleys were fired in a trice and this with so much success that we heard the Cries of those that were wounded by them which did so very much intimidate the rest that they betook themselves to flight They retired aside the Wood which made us halt for some time apprehending it might be lin'd and that insteâ—
Method Lay your budg-barrel or Cartrages of Powder to the Wind-ward and your Linstock with the fired Match to the Lee-ward placing your self on the right side of the Piece and having cleansed the Concave and the Touch-hole fill your Ladle but so as no Corns may scatter over then charge it into the piece as home as you can turning it by the end of the staff with your Thumb and Fingers being sure to keep your Body clear of the Muzzle and so drawing out your Ladle ram a wad by three or four quick stroaks of your Rammer to prevent the Powder from scatteâ—â—â—â— in the Chamber then put in the shot and after it a wad in like manner so that the Powder may be forced yet closer whereby it will deliver the shot with greater violence and prevent any Vacancy that may occasion the bursting of the piece and whilst this is doing you must cover the Touch-hole to prevent any accidental fire from falling into it then prime by drawing a Train to the base Ring and so give fire ever observing not to touch the Touch-hole with your Match-coal lest it blow both that and your Linstock out of your hand and disable it for some time of doing service especially if the Touch-hole be any thing large If you are required to shoot at a random mark or by Elevation you ought to understand that the Random of a piece is the intire distance from the place of discharge to the place where the Bullet first falls or grazes on the level Line or on the Ground by Artists termed the Horizential Plain and to obtain the true knowledge of this it must be practised in a level Ground where nothing may obstruct the level Line or leveling of the shot and therein observe the distances of the paces from the Piece to the fall then mount the Muzzle one degree and take again the like notice and in still mounting by degrees you will be capable of perceiving how far the piece will carry mounting or at the level with an equal proportion of Powder even to the tenth degree or so high as your piece is capable of mounting which will in a good piece advance thirty or forty paces of five feet to the pace through which means an experienced Gunner by his Map may be certain at what distance to make his shot whether into the Trenches or a Town or to dismount the Enemies Cannon or to batter a Wall Bulwark or the Ranks of an Army but if he would make a good shot at a party of moving Horse or Foot or at a Ship under sail Observe in the first place your length to know certainly whether or not you are within reach and if so it being in a straight Line in the second place consider the slowness or swiftness of the motion of the men or ship you intend to hit and thereupon lying upon an equal level neither too high nor too low fire at another mark some distance before it and beyond that so by the two motions the Bullet and the Mark you design to hit may meet for although the Bullet flys with incredible swiftness yet it requires some small time to accomplish its end But if you aim at any Light either on the Sea or on the Shoar in a dark Night then fix a piece of lighted Match or a bit of a Torch on the Muzzle of the piece and bringing that ánd the middle of the base Ring even with the light if it stand still or be passing on in a direct line and give fire by which means if your piece be steady and carry true you can hardly miss your aim If a shot by reason of over-rash charging with one above proportionable size stick in the piece whereby if it be fired hastily it indangers the breaking dissolve bay Salt in Vinegar and pour it in at the Touch-hole till it has melted the Powder then strike the piece where the Bullet sticks the piece being lowred with the muzzle downwards and it will fall out if not let the piece dry and then put Powder in at the Touch-hole till you find a small charge and so give fire having struck the Bullet before with your Rammer to loosen it It is worth observing that if a piece by reason of its being often shot off be very hot it loses much of its force every time after the second or third time lessening something of its motion as to the distance wherefore if the occasion will permit it is best to let them cool between every shot but if not cool them as well as you can with your Spong diped in Water c. If at any time a Gunner for want of skill or by mistake has placed his piece amiss so that the shot flys wide of the mark to mend it he must observe how much wide he was if the shot has hit any part near the mark and if it be too high then must he bring the piece a degree lower or according to the distances he perceives he erred in but if on one side then must the piece be breeched about and if too low it must be better leaveled ever observing that in making a true shot it is requisite to bring the middle of the base Ring even with the middle of the muzzle Ring both which being exactly measured may be notified by sticking up a nail by the help of a piece of Wax or Clay and both those brought even with the mark only the top of the former to be seen give fire and your Expectation if the piece be a clever shooter will be answered Many it is true leavel their Ordnance by Rule and indeed it is the exactest way though somewhat tedious yet may it be done without any Rule by the help of a steady Eye especially if the piece be true and a far shooter only it requires the Gunner to be skilful in guessing at the distance of the mark whither it be in a right Line mounting or declining by bringing the mark even with the Muzzle and Base-ring exactly in the middle It is not the least of the Gunners care to procure good powder such as may easily take fire and retain its full strength for powder in long lying taking unseasonable wet or the like will lose so much of its strength that a pound and a half will not work the effect of one pound nay that which is at the bottom of the Barrel is much more forcible than that which is at the top and the reason is because the force of the Salt-peter if it be not moved or stired about tends downward now to know good powder from bad observe these Rules First feel whether the Corns are well dryed being of a dark blewish colour and taste much of the fire secondly take some of the Corns and lay them upon a sheet of white paper and if when you fire them they leave a black mark or yellow sindge behind them then is the powder gross and earthy and will neither endure
Andalouzia as well Horse as Foot under the conduct of Doali Algori and Osain who had passed into Africa from the Wars of Alpussares he had also 3000 foot and 25000 Horse with 1000 Harquibusiers on Horseback the most part of them Rhenegados and Turks and although these were the chief strength on which he rely'd yet over and above he had about 10000 Horse and 5000 foot raised in haste besides a great number of Arabians And in this case Moluc kept to himself the Title of Generalissimo and gave the Title of General of the Horse to his Brother Hamet protesting to strangle him with his own hands if he was found guilty of Cowardise he made likewise Osain Collonel of the Harquibusiers on Horseback Mahomet Faba of the Rhenegados and Musa Captain of his Guard. During the approach of the Moors in this manner the King of Portugal divided his Army in three squadrons almost united together that the one might the better succour the other that in the front being divided in a manner into three divisions for in the midst the Adventurers were commanded by Alvaro Pirez Brother and Lieutenant to Christopher D' Tavora on the left hand were the Castilians led by Alphonso D' Aguilar lined with Harquibusiers of the same Nation commanded by Lewis d' Godoji and the Germans on the left hand under the command of the Lord Tamberg mingled with Italian Harquibusiers and the Portugals of Tangier under the command of Captain Hercules Pisa every Nation being put in ranks with their Commanders in the front In the squadron that seconded this were the Portugals under the command of Michael d' Norogna and Vasco d' Sylveria flanked with Harquibusiers and in the other which served for the Rearward were the Portugals under the command of Diego Lopez de Sequeira and Francis de Tavora For the Guard of whom two wings of shot were formed in the Rearward were likewise 300 Harquibusiers and on both sides of the Army the Horse was placed in the form of Triangles The Right Wing commanded by George d' Alancastro Duke of Avero on the left was the Standard Royal Jean de Sylva the Spanish Kings Ambassador and Theodose Duke of Barcaellos eldest Son to the Duke of Bragance on the Right hand a little separated from these were about 200 called Africans which live on the Frontiers and near them the Moors of Mahomet and in this order they marched with their Baggage in the midst between their Horse and Foot on the Right Wing on both sides leaving a space between their Squadrons to Retire if need required it The Disposition of the Moorish Army further than what has been mentioned was as followeth viz. The Footmen who were all Harquibusiers were placed in the form of a Crescent or half Moon the first Rank being Andalusians the second Rhenegadoes and the third Africans so distinguished from others for their living on the Borders upon the two Horns of the Crescent he placed two Squadrons in each 10000 horse and behind towards the Rearward at equal distance followed the rest of the horse in small Troops with a design to extend and encompass the Portugal Army but whilst this was doing Moluc the Moorish King fell exceeding sick of a disease that had long afflâ—cted him yet put forth his strength to the utmost to give necessary orders in all places and having encouraged his Souldiers with a moving Oration to do their utmost for the preservation of themselves and the safety of their Country he retired into the main Body where his Litter stood as likewise his Guard and his Standard Whilst these things passed the Christians approached and in the Plains of Tamista both Armies confronted each other when by the command of Moluc whose sickness extreamly increased the Moorish Horsemen extending the horns of their Crescent joyned them at the back of the Christian Army invironing the whole Camp in the form of an Oval circle and then began to straiten it by drawing in their Ranks closer and firmer whilst their Footmen stood in the Front to oppose any further passage that way when as the Canon from the Moorish Army began to play but without any great Damage nor had the Christians upon the discharge of their Canon much better success but the Portugals being somewhat dismayed upon the second fire the King to prevent their further consternation of that kind gave the signal of Battel whereat the Squadrons of the Advantguard and of the Horse moved with wonderful force and valour the Footmen encountering the Moors with great fury so that a bloody and doubtful Fight began yet coming to handâ— strokes the Moors were thrice broken and put to flight with the loss of their Colours but fresh Troops being frequently sent to fill up the Gaps their Sword had made they wearied the Christians with slaughter In the Rearward Francis de Tavora with the Regiment of Sequiera was hotly charged where he made a stout Resistance killing many with his own hand those in the middle were the last that engaged but Moluc gave them no long time to consider e're he sent a Squadron of Horse to ingage Vasco de Sylveire and Michale de Norogna on either side so that now the Fight grew hot on all parts but these latter made weaker resistance than the rest many of them throwing away their Arms and falling on their knees yielded at discretion most of whose Heads the Moors cleft in sunder with their Scymiters they not being as yet at leisure to take Prisoners And now the Circles of the Moorish Horse and the Squadrons that were behind move furiously and charged the Avantguard where the Italians and Castilians had cut in pieces a great number of their best men so that the Christian Army being closely begirt and presled on all sides the Soldiers grew fearful especially the Portugals who began to loose their order by shrinking together whilst on the other hand the Enemies orders were open insomuch that they could approach without any disorder of their own nor could the King with all his Labour and Diligence prevent it though no Expression nor Action of Bravery was wanting in him to set them an Example of true Valour and much worse had been their Estate had not the Portugal Horse accustomed to live on the Frontiers with the Moors of King Mahomet and the Duke of Avero with his Triangle timely charged those Troops that were hasting to break in upon and disorder the foot and put them to the rout but this happy success lasted not long for whilst the Duke who commanded the greatest number fought hand to hand he discovered a squadron of Horse approaching to charge him who being far superior to him in number he durst not abide it but followed the chace of those that fled designing to return to the fight with greater advantage as indeed he did for turning his Horse he charged those that came to incounter him but being overpowred by ods of number and pressing violently by the Enemy