the commissioners of the illustrious Lords the States of the vnited Netherland Prouinces made in anno 1609. TO conclude the description of all the aboue mentioned victories which almightie God the author of all goodnesse hath granted to these vnited Prouinces vnder the valorous conduct of his Excellencie of Nassau I haue likewise thought it fit to adde hereunto the articles of truce and cessation of armes agreed vpon and concluded at Antuerp on the 9 of Aprill 1609 for the terme of twelue yeares for if I should set downe at large the beginning and progression of this treatie viz. how the Archdukes themselues sued for it by meanes of the Lord Vander Horst Father Ney and other deputies and commissioners what propositions were made and reasons alledged both to my Lords the States his Excellencie and others to moue and persuade them thereunto and the States answers thereupon and then afterward what was done on either part the articles deliuered on both sides the reasons and difficulties which ensued together with all the dependances therof it would be a labour long and tedious and if any bee desirous to see these things at large wee refer them to the Chronicles of Emanuell Demetrius and other bookes and will onely here set downe the articles agreed vpon and concluded by the commissioners on either side THe illustrious Princes Archduke Albert and Isabella Clara Eugenia hauing on the 24 of April in aâ—no 1607 made truce and cessation of armes for 8 moneths with the noble Lords States of the vnited Netherland Prouinces in qualitie and reputing them for States Prouinces and free countries to which they pretend no claime this truce was to bee ratified with like declaration by the Catholike Kings Maiestie so farre forth as it might concerne him and the said ratification and declaration was to be deliuered to my Lords the States within three moneths after the said Truce which was done by letters patents of the eighteenth of September in the same yeare and speciall procuration was moerouer graunted to the sayd Archdukes the tenth of Ianuarie 1608 as well in his Maiesties name as theirs to doe whatsoeuer they should thinke fit for procuring a firme peace or truce for many yeares By vertue of the said procuration the Archdukes by their letters of Commission bearing date the seuen and twentieth of the said moneth had named and appointed deputies and Commissioners to treat in name and qualitie as abouesaid consenting and agreeing that the said Truce should be prolonged and continued at sundrie times as namely on the twentieth of May till the end of the yeare 1608. And hauing often met with the Commissioners of my Lords the States who had also Commission and Procuration from them dated on the fifth of Februarie the same yeare yet for sundrie great difficulties which arose they could not agree on peace Hereupon the Embassadours of the most Christian Kings of Fraunce and great Britaine of the Princes and Palatines of Brandenbourg Marquis of Ausbach and Lands-grave of Hesse sent into these parts from the said Kings and Princes to further so holie a work perceiuing that they were readie to depart and dissolue the treatie had on certaine conditions propounded a peace for many yeares which conditions were set downe in writing and giuen from them to either partie requesting and admonishing them to conforme themselues thereunto And as other difficulties arose hereupon in that regard the Lords whose names hereafter follow did on the 9 of April 1609 meet together The Lord Ambrose Spinola Marquis of Benaffro knight of the order of the Golden fleece Councellor of State and warre to his Catholike Majestie Campe-Master and Generall of his armies c. The Lord Iohn Richardot knight Lord of Barli Councellor of State and first President of his Highnesses priuie Councel c. Iohn Mancicidor Councellor of warre and Secretarie to his Catholike Majestie The reuerend Father Frier Iohn Ney Generall Commissarie of the order of Saint Francis in the Netherlands and the Lord Lodwick Verreycken knight Audiencer and chiefe Secretarie to their Highnesses by vertue of Letters Procuratories from the said Lords Archdukes on the one side to treat aswell in their own names as in that of his Catholike maiestie with William Lodwick Earle of Nassau Catzenellenboghe Vianden Dietz c. Lord of Bilsteyn gouernor and captaine generall of Frizland of the towne of Groninghen the Ommelands and Drenth c. The Lord Walrauen lord of Brederode Vianen Castellain of Vâ—recht lord of Ameyde Cloetinge c. The lord Cornellis de Gent lord of Loenen Meynerwick Castellain and Iusticer of the Empire and town of Nimmeghen The lord Iohn Oldenbarneuelt Knight lord of Temple Rondentijs c. Aduocate and keeper of the great seale charters and registers of Holland and East Frizland The lord Iames Maldere knight lord of Heyes c. the chiefe man representing the Nobility in the States and Councell of the Countie of Zeland The lord Gerard de Renesse lord Vander Aa Streefkerck Nieuleckerland c. Gellius Hillama Doctor of the laws ordinarie Councellor in the councell of Frizland Iohn Sloeth lord of Sallick Drossart of the Countrie of Vallenho and Castellain of the lordship of Cuynder and Abell Coenders of Helpen lord in Faen and Cantes in names of the said lords States in vertue likewise of their letters of commission on the other part These by the mediation and aduice of Peter Ieannin knight Baron of Chagni and Montheâ— Councellor to the most Christian King in his Councel of State and his extraordinarie Ambassador with the said lords States and the lord Elie de la Place knight lord of Russy Castellain of Machault Councellor likewise in the said Councell of State and ordinarie gentleman of the kings chamber baylie and captaine of Vitrie le Francois and his ordinarie Ambassador resident with the said lords States Sir Richard Spencer knight ordinarie gentleman of the king of Englands priuie chamber and his extraordinarie Ambassador with the said lords States and Sir Ralph Winwood knight the same kings ordinarie Ambassador and Councellor of State to the said vnited Prouinces all these made an agreement in manner and forme following I FIrst the said Lords Archdukes doe declare as well in their owne names as in that of the king of Spaine that they are content to treat with the said Lords generall States of the vnited Prouinces in qualitie and reputing them for free Countries Prouinces and States to which they pretend no claime and to make with them in the names and qualities aboue said as by these presents they doe truce on these conditions hereafter mentioned II. Namely that the said truce shall bee of force firme and inuiolable for the terme of twelue yeares during which time there shall bee a cessation from all hostile actions in what manner soeuer betwixt the said Lords King Archdukes and generall States both by Sea and land and fresh riuers in all their kingdomes countries territories and dominions and for all their
likewise taken in Scotland that small aide should be giuen them there and that Norway could yeeld them but bad assistance they tooke certaine fisher boats in Scotland and carried away the men to serue them for pilots and fearing to want water they threw all their horse and mules into the Sea so sayling with a faire wind they passed on betwixt the Orcades the farthest part of Scotland landing in no place bent their course Northward to the height of 62 degrees still keeping 80 leagues from land There the Duke of Medina the Generall gaue commaundement that euerie ship should direct her course towards Biscay and himselfe with twentie or fiue and twentie of the best ships prouided with all necessaries sayled more to Sea ward and so arriued in Spaine but the others to the number of fortie saile or more with the Vice-Admirall bent their course towards Ireland hoping there to take in water and to refresh themselues But the God of Armies who abateth the pride of great ones raiseth vp the humble and hath all authoritie ouer his creatures who commaundeth the Seas windes and tempests caused the Sea to swell and a terrible tempest to arise on the first of September from the South-West which dispersed them for the most part into sundrie places of Ireland where many of them perished and among others the Gallion of Michaell of Oquendo one of the great Galleasses two great Venetian Argozies the Ratta and the Balanrara with diuers others to the number of 38 saile and all their men Some of them with a Westerlie wind came againe into the English Seas some others into England and other some were taken by the Rochellers One great Galleasse the tempest carried into Fraunce to Newhauen where they found ships full of women who had followed the fleet There remained two likewise in Norwey but the men escaped To conclude of one hundred foure and thirtie saile that came from Spaine some three and fiftie of all sorts returned home to wit of foure Galleasses and as many Gallies there returned of each one of ninetie one great Gallions eight and fiftie were lost and thirtie three returned of Pinnaces seuenteene were lost and eighteene returned So that in all fourescore and one Galleasses Gallies and other Ships great and small perished Two of those Gallions that returned home lying in the Hauen were by casualtie set on fire and burnt and others since then met with the like mischiefe Of 30000 men that were in the fleet the greatest part of them were slaine or drowned and most of those that returned home died by reason of the miseries they had indured The Duke of Medina Sydonia being a braue Lord and well experienced vpon whom they had imposed that burthen much against his will laid the fault vpon his Pilots and on want of the Duke of Parmas forces which were not readie He was suffered to goe home to his own house but not to come to Court where it was thought he had much to doe to purge him selfe from the calumnious accusation of his enemies Many other noble men died soone after as D. Iuan Martines de Ricaldo D. Diego de Valdez Michel Oquendo D. Alonso de Lieua D. Diego de Maldonado D. Francisco Bouadillo D. Georgio Manriques all of the Councell of warre Diuers were drowned as among other Thomas Perenot of Granuell of Cauteroy nephew to Cardinall Granuell D. Diego Pimentel Campe-master and Colonell of thirtie two Ensignes remayned prisoner in Zeland with diuers others taken in the same ship D. Pedro Valdez a man much respected in his Countrie was prisoner in England with D. Vasco de Sylua and D. Alonzo de Sayas Many Gentlemen were drowned in Ireland and many slaine by the Irish. Sir Richard Bingham Gouernour of Conach had receiued two hundred of them to mercie but vnderstanding that a troope of 800 of them were landed and in armes he thought it fit for his owne better safety to kill the 200 of whom some escaping carried tidings to the 800 who were likewise going to craue mercie as they sayd but thereby despairing they returned and made readie an old decayed vessell in which they put to Sea where they were all drowned and many Gentlemen with them Yet D. Alonso de Luson Colonel of thirtie two ensignes of the Tertios of Naples with D. Rodrigo de Lasso and two noble men of the house of Corduba were from thence sent into England who were deliuered to Sir Horace Paluicin by them to set the Lord Odet of Teligin at libertie who had beene taken nere to Antuepe and lay in prison in the Castle of Tournay In a word therere was no noble house in Spain which in this fleet lost not either a son brother or kinsman There were aboue 1200 souldiers and mariners prisoners in sundrie places in England with 30 Gentlemen and commaunders whom the Queene released for meane ransome Those ships which escaped from the English and Hollanders and from the Irish rockes and tempests of the Ocean being few in number did after much labour miserie and daunger returne into Spaine leauing behind them as hath beene alreadie sayd so many ships of sundrie sorts so many Lords of note Gentlemen braue souldiers good mariners and others such store of ordnance and warlike munition money plate jewels and other wealth which if it should be seuerally reckoned would amount to an incredible summe of money But by how much this fleet was great strong and potent by so much more likewise was the victorie great and greater occasions haue these two countries to be thankefull to that great and inuincible God to honor and serue him all the dayes of their life for preseruing and defending them from so great daunger In this regard the Queene of England and my Lords the States of the vnited Prouinces did whilest the fleet houered vpon their coasts appoint sundrie dayes of prayer and fasting beseeching God to turne away so great imminent danger from them and their countrie and not to looke vpon their sinnes which had deserued such a punishment but to aide and assist them for the glorie of his name and for or Iesus Christs sa ke seeing it was his owne cause which the Pope and King of Spaine sought to exterminat And because these praiers were made to Gods glorie and in praise of his inuincible power he therefore heard them and graunted their requests And a good while after the fleet was gone namely vpon the 19 of Nouember the Queene in England and my Lords the States in the Low-countries appointed a solemne day for thanksgiuing which was spent in preaching praying and hearing the word of God The Queene of England for so great a deliuerance made a Christian triumph in the citie of London and went with all the Lords and officers of her Kingdome in solemne manner vpon a triumphant Charriot from her Palace to the Cathedrall Church of Saint Paule where the Spanish ensignes and banners were hung vp The
of the preseruation of so braue a souldier than of any gaine bootie or prisoners so that seuentie prisoners who had been taken at the beginning of the fight and were not yet carried into the towne were in all hast slayne yet some escaped The arriuall of our men opened Parker a large way to escape from the enemie whilest they were busied in fight the Lord Willoughby and the Generall Wilford came from Holland who without entring into any house sallied forth with great numbers of foot to reskew the horse who after they had brauely executed their enterprise returned towards the towne in good order being pursued by the enemies who were extreamely grieued that Parker escaped from them Parker had receiued certaine musket shot on his armour but was not hurt because it was of proofe Where the heat of the fight had been great heapes of dead men and horse lay Of our horsemen some foure or fiue were slaine but many were hurt and the losse of horse was great It is reported that two hundred of the enemie were slayne This was done on the fiue twentieth of September after dinner Whilest the horsemen fought with the enemie the masons broke downe a certaine wall of the remainder of the Abbie because the enemie should not make vse of it against the towne Presently after this fight the enemie shortned and tooke in his campe which he had at first much amplified and enlarged forsooke the high Northgeest strongly fortifying and entrenching himselfe both to the South and Northward of the towne to defend himselfe from our sallies for he expected no such dealing and neuer thought that there had bin so great courage and valor in those of the town Towards euening the Drossart Burgomasters sherifs assembled themselues with whom joyned the captaines Vere Scot Baskeruile Salisburie to consult together what was necessarie for the preseruation of the town And euer after they obserued this order that the gouernour and chiefe of the Councell of war did once a day meet at the state house to conferre of matters concerning the present estate of the town which was a matter verie commendable especially in a town besieged For by this means all difficulties were at first easily remoued that did arise at such a time betwixt the souldiers and Burghers when any thing is done by mischaunce on one part or other to the prejudice of either Euer since then the Magistrat to shew his diligence did daily meet twice namely at eight of the clocke in the morning and two of the clocke after noone The lord Willoughby requested the magistrat that the Burghers might arme keep Corps du gard in the streets and the matter was brought so far forward as captaines officers were chosen but by reason diuers excused thēselues through want of armor which the mutinous French had taken from them in former time nothing ensued thereof On the 28 of this moneth Sir Tho Morgan who had bin gouernor of the town returned from England The Queen and my lords the states had sent him to be gouernor in Sir William Druries place The states had a while before sent Lancelot Parisijs commistarie of the musters enjoining him to tel the Councel of war magistrats that it had pleased her Ma. to write vnto them of late as likewise to the lord Willoughby that it was her expresse wil pleasure that Morgan shold be gouernor and to this end they likewise sent her Ma. letters by the said Lancelot And in this respect they wold herein doe nothing contrary to her Ma. command The contents of whose letters was that hauing intelligence how the Duke of Parma had attempted to besiege Berghen-op-Zoom in that regard she thought it fit to giue the gouernement of the town to Sir Thom. Morgan the better to assure it against the enemies power and that her pleasure was to haue him forthwith installed in Druries stead who had lately bin recōmended to her by the states not that she in any sfsort doubted of Druries loyaltie and valour but Morgans long experience in war together with the peoples loue towards him had caused that alteration The cause why the Queene spake thus of the peoples loue towards Morgan and the recommending of him to my lords the states was because my lord Willoughby did not greatly affect Morgan Sir Thom. perceiuing this that he could not build vpon Willoughbies fauor for the gouernement of Berghen that there were diuers that sued for it found means to get the fauor of the magistrats and Burghers by whose means he obtained letters of recommendation to her Ma. both from the states and comminalty of Berghen The Lord Willoughby in the meane time had by sundrie practises established Drurie in the gouernement but because it was done without the States consent they therefore wrote vnto the Queene that no opposition might be made against her highnesse commaund After Morgans arriuall sundrie quarrels arose not onely betwixt the two Gouernours but among the Captaines and souldiers The English held more with Drurie than Morgan the Low-countrie men and Scots tooke Morgans part Willoughby fauoured Drurie against Morgan and therefore he gaue the gouernement of the towne to Morgan but made Drurie captaine of the Forts saying he did so because her Majestie spake onely of the towne and not of the Forts Morgan on the contrarie maintained it to be a verie absurd matter because the towne and forts depended one vpon an other and neuer had different gouernours Count Solms and Generall Villers came opportunely from Zeland whilest the gouernors contested about the gouernement and exhorted them to peace and concord Yet for all that Drurie commaunded the Forts of the Hauen and Morgan the Towne Those of Druries faction were likewise placed in the Forts Drurie came not often into the towne and spake seldome to Morgan but there was still some quarrell or other he did also highly complaine of the Magistrats and my Lords the States who were much displeased with this discord especially because their authoritie and command was directly contemned euery man feared that some inconuenience would ensue The nine and twentieth of this moneth the imposition vpon wine beere was let to ferme which was payed during the siege as in time before The next day Willoughby made an other sallie vpon the North side of the Campe and though he vsed the same order and meanes as at the first sallie yet he did no great matter for the enemie behaued himselfe more wisely and would no more be surprised from behind the hill of Varibogart as at first the footmen kept within the trenches of their Campe or behind the bushes not farre off and did no more assaile our men as before Our footmen stood in battaile vvithin musquet shot of the Towne yet the Cauallery incountred one an other and the fight was sharp on both sides our men gaue a braue charge and the enemie made gallant resistance each did their best Poolies
of Grutere Lord of Direxland The second was conducted by the Lord vander Delft and the Lord N. de Roules And the Lord Iohn of Egmont carried the banner with the Armes of the Marquisat of Terueer and Flushing The third by the Lord of Sprangen and the Lord Iohn of Oestrum Captaine of the Castle of Woerden And the Lord of Rosuè carried the banner with the Armes of Chalon The fourth was conducted by the Lord Floris Serclays and the Lord Peter of Roon baylie of Putte and the Lord Iasper of Poelgeest carried the banner with the Armes of Diest The fist by the Lord Iacob of Almond and the Lord N. of Raephorst and the Lord Gerard vâ—nder Aa bore the banner with the Armes of Vianden The sixt was led by the Lord of Wijngaerd and the Lord of Linden and the Lord Lancelot carried the banner with the armes of Catzenelbogen The seuenth was borne by Philip vander Aa and the Lord Harman of Outenhorst and the Lord Cornelius de Swete carried the banner with the armes of Nassau The eight was conducted by the Lord Iohn Baex Captain of the Castle of Heusden the Lord Dieric of Dvuenuoord baylie of the Briell and the Lord of Marquet carried the banner with the armes of Orange All these Lords were clad in blacke with long Clokes downe to the foot Next followed the Lord of Mansardt bearing the Cornet the Lord of Rihouen the Guidon and the Lord of Naeltwijck the banner in euerie of which was the Princes Embleme After them followed foure Scutcheons of the Princes foure Signiories viz. Nassau Stolbourg Hessen and Conningstein borne by the Barons of Peterschen and Deure the Lord Wencelij of Botselaer and Iohn of Assendelst Lord of Cralingen The lord Iohn of Egmond lord of Kenensbourg followed bearing his armes with his crest and colors After him followed the Lord Daniell of Botselaer Lord of Mervve bearing the Helme the Lord Duits Captaine of the Gard bearing the sword and the Lord Wolfart of Brederode with the Coat-armor Next the Lord of Brecht and the Sr. of Malderè led the mourning Horse trapped with black Veluet down to the ground The Earle of Ouerstein followed carrying a drawne sword and the Baron of Creange a Coronet of Gold these were attended by three Stewards or masters of houshold to witt the Lords vander Aa Audenfort and Viry with white staues in their hands after them followed twelue men carrying the Beere wherein was the Princes bodie hung with the Princes armes On each side of the bodie went the Lord Iohn of Burgondie Lord of Froymont the Lord Walraue Lord of Brederode the Lord of Merode and the Signior de Soeterwoude After the bodie and Heraulds of Armes followed Prince Maurice of Nassau sonne to the Prince in a mourning robe the trayne whereof was borne by the Lord of Sonsfelt his Tutor On his right hand went the Elector Truxses of Cologne on the left Count Hohenlo After them followed Count William of Nassau Count Philip of Nassau and the Earle of Solms each of them going alone They were followed by my Lords the generall States the Councell of State the States of Holland the Presidents and Councellors of the great Councell and of the prouinciall Councell of Holland with their Secretaries Next them the Pretor Burgomasters and all the Magistrats of Delft after them followed ministers the Princes Captaines and Officers confusedly attended by multitudes of people These funerals were solemnised with incredible sorrow of the whole towne of Delft There was nothing seen heard that day ouer the whole citie but sighs teares and lamentations for the death of this good and vertuous Prince the people beseeching God to preserue and defend these Countries from greater daungers and difficulties which by this Princes death seemed to threaten them At what time Prince Maurice of Nassau receiued the gouernment of these Countries MY Lords the States of Holland Zeland Friseland and Vtrecht well weighing the good faithful seruice which my Lord the Prince of Orange had done to these Countries both by his counsell and actions in no sort sparing his owne person but had alwayes beene present at sundrie daungers and difficulties the better to effect his designes considering besides that the sayd Prince had not onely spent all his substance in those bloudie wars but all his brethrens wealth and not alone lost his owne life therein but also three of his brethren viz. Counts Lodwicke Adolph and Henrie gaue the gouernment of these countries with the Admiraltie of the sea to his sonne Prince Maurice of Nassau in recompence and acknowledgement of all his merits appointing Philip Earle of Hohenlo for his Lieutenant So as in the yeare 1584 my Lord Prince Maurice of Nassau of the age of seuenteene yeares succeeded my Lord his father in the gouernement a Prince whom God haâ—h made an instrument to reuenge his fathers cruell death vpon the bloudie Spaniards and their adherents and to let the world see that it is he alone who with the father lie eye of mercie beholding these wretched and oppressed Prouinces hath freed and set them at libertie and that it is he which derideth all our enemies enterprises and determinations who thought that when this illustrious and valiant Prince was dead they should easily subdue these poore afflicted countries being then as they supposed without a Head and with their bloudie hands ruine it But their hope was vaine for from this goodlie tree which was cut downe God hath raised a plant which as a man may say is sprouted vp to heauen so as the accessaries to this murther haue by experience seene the contrarie of their vaine imaginations For the whole world knowes and I hope to shew it in this description what victorious blessings God hath giuen and granted to these countries by meanes of this Gedeon Before the Earle of Leycesters arriuall whom the Queene of England sent to be Gouernour my Lords the generall States gaue an instruction to his Excellencie Maurice of Nassau concerning the gouernement of Captaine-Generall and Admirall of Holland Zeland and Frizeland but on condition to carie all respect to the Gouernour Generall whom the Queene of England should send which hauing accepted he honourably discharged In anno 1586 vnder the commaund of the sayd Gouernour he went accompanied by Sir Philip Sidney Gouernour of Flessigue with two or three thousand men into Flanders to Ter-Neusen as well to diuert the Prince of Parma from the siege of Nuys as because la Motte did sore oppresse the towne of Ostend hauing made a sort in S. Katherines churchyard vsing meanes by secret intelligence to make himselfe master thereof which by corrupting and drawing diuers by money to his partie he had almost effected But his Excellencie made another attempt vpon the towne of Axel in this maner The taking of the towne of Axel in Flaunders THe sixteenth of Iulie anno 1586 his Excellencie and Sir Philip Sidney with their souldiers and prouisions did
secretly in the night depart from the sort of Ter-Neuse towards the towne of Axel in Flanders a mile and halfe distant from Hulst and foure miles from Gaunt It is a small towne and not altogether encompassed with walls which by passing secretly oner a wall they tooke without any great slaughter there were foure companies of souldiers in it Within a few dayes after they tooke all the forts round about it and for the safer keeping of the sayd towne they broke downe the causies so as the whole towne was enuironed with water The taking of Axel did somewhat trouble them of Flanders and Brabant fearing some greater mischiefe would ensue so as they forthwith wrot to the Prince of Parma lying before Nuys entreating him to come from thence to ayd them sending him vvord That it vvas more honourable and necessarie to preserue their own countrey than to besiege and vvin an Imperiall citie forth of the jurisdiction and limits of the Low Countries The Prince notwithstanding would not quit the siege but sent la Motte Gouernour of Graueling to besiege and recouer the sayd towne of Axel but his labour was lost the towne being as hath beene said all enuironed with water The Earle of Leycester leaues the Low Countries and goes into England Maurice of Nassau is made Gouernour Generall AFter that Robert Dudley Earle of Leycester in the later end of the yere 1587 was gone into England leauing the Netherlands in great troubles and dissention and that Sir William Stanley had on the nine and twentieth of Ianuarie deliuered vp the towne of Deuenter to Taxis and Rowland Yorke the fort of Zutphen the generall States were much perplexed fearing that the English which lay in other townes and forts would doe the like following the example of the French in Brabant in the Duke of Anjous time did in an assembly at the Hague on the sixt of Februarie establish and declare by prouiso by vertue and according to the Soueraigntie belonging vnto them Prince Maurice besides his Admiraltie in generall and place of Gouernour of Holland Zeland and Frizeland Gouernour generall in the sayd Earle of Leycesters absence with charge and instruction of the preheminences rights and priuiledges for the profit and conseruation of the countries townes and inhabitants to maintaine and defend the exercise of the reformed Religion to administer justice by aduice of the Counsellors and Presidents with authoritie to change Magistrats to chuse Burgomasters and Sherifes according to the auncient custome in a word to doe whatsoeuer a Gouernour Generall might doe and all this by prouiso c. joyning with him because of his youth Count Hohenlo as his Lieutenant Hitherto we haue briefely set downe how and when his Excellencie attained the gouernment of these Prouinces wee will now come to the description of the victories which it hath pleased God to grant him The towne of Medenblicke is enforced to submit it selfe to his Excellencie and to my Lords the States ALthough the Earle of Leycester had resigned and deposed himselfe from the gouernement of these vnited Prouinces according to an Act granted at London on the 17 of December 1587 to my Lords the generall States yet they likewise caused it to bee published and proclaimed in forme following The Estates generall of the vnited Prouinces of the Low Countries to all those to whom these presents shall come greeting As it hath pleased her Maiestie of England to conferre with the Commissioners and Embassadors of the said Prouinces and in the end to make a certaine Treatie bearing date the tenth of August 1585 Whereby on either side it was concluded That during the warre against the enemies of the said countries as strangers malecontents and their adherents her Maiestie will at her owne cost entertaine beside the garrisons of the townes and forts promised to her Maiestie for assurance of repaiment of such summes of money as she shall disburse to releeue and succour the sayd Prouinces and maintaine them in the true christian religion their franchises priuiledges laws the number of six thousand foot and one thousand horse conducted by a Gouernour Generall being a Lord of name and qualitie and of the reformed Religion together with other good Captaines on condition that the sayd Prouinces generally and euerie of them in particular shall be bound and obliged to repay vnto her Maiestie the sayd summes by a certaine limited time after the warre and for assurance of the said perfect and entire paiment the townes forts of Briell Flessingue the castle of Rammekens should be consigned to her sayd Maiestie the which by her or her successors the said payment once made should without any difficultie or claime to them be restored to the aboue mentioned States and Prouinces without deliuering them to the King of Spain or other enemies of the said countries or to any other Prince or Lord but should in the meane time be kept for her Maiesties assurance and profit of the States of the said countries The which Gouernour with two other men of note sent from her Maiestie and being her subiects should haue place in the Councell of State of the vnited Prouinces together with it to manage the affaires concerning the common defence vnion of the said countries According to this Treatie the foresayd towns forts being consigned to her Maiestie it hath pleased her to send hither with Commission of Gouernor Generall of her troupes the illustrious and mightie Lord Robert Earle of Leycester Baron of Denbigh c. And we haue besides thought good to require accept and make him Gouernour and Captaine Generall ouer all the vnited Prouinces townes and associated members thereof which place his aboue named Excellency hauing accepted with reseruation of his homage and fealtie due vnto her Maiestie all Gouernours of Prouinces townes and members thereof likewise all Officers Iustices and Souldiers were by oath bound vnto his Excellencie as Gouernour and Captaine Generall of the Low Countries both in generall and particular But as it hath pleased her Maiestie to call home his said Excellencie to imploy him for other seruices in her owne kingdome so as vpon this occasion he being no longer able to gouerne these countries or accomplish the tenor of his Commission according as the present necessitie of these countries doe require hath discharged and vnburthened himselfe of the said office of Gouernour and Captaine Generall of these vnited Prouinces and from the Commission which we gaue him and deliuered it vp againe to vs as appeares by an Act signed and sealed with his owne hand made in the citie of London and dated the seuenteenth of December 1587. That it hath likewise pleased her Maiestie by Commission dated the foure and twentieth of the said month to appoint Peregrin Lord Willoughbie c. Gouernor Generall of her troupes in these countries And considering that in the present state and necessitie of these countries they cannot but be greatly endangered wanting a Gouernour Generall
Earle perceiuing the enemie to be too strong for him and that he had taken the towne of Ootmarsen and fearing if he should go to encounter Verdugo the enemie might inuade Frizeland he marched with his forces towards the Lecke and knowing that the forces of Slochteren Wintschoten and Wedde with other small Skonses in the vaert or passage could not long hold out against the canon hee sent them word on paine of death not to yeeld the sayd places till the canon were planted against them this he did to win time and to be the better able to finish his chiefe fort vpon the Bourtagne which he had begun to master and oppresse those of Grouninguen and he had alreadie brought it so forward as by the situation thereof no canon could be brought to batter it The rampiers were of the hight of a pike the Dike was at least fourescore foot broad full of water and verie deepe It had fiue bulwarks two of them faced the enemie the storehouse was built and the souldiers cabins made and it was prouided of all necessaries for two moneths and beside they might fetch whatsoeuer they needed from the countrie of Westphalia in despite of the enemie There lay fiue ensignes of foot in it commaunded by the Gouernor Gerard the yonger and if this fort could be kept they made no doubt but in time to take the towne of Groninguen Therefore Count William perceiuing Verdugo to be master of the field and that he expected greater forces vnder the conduct of Count Herman of Berghen he durst in no sort stir abroad but stood on his defence looking for more ayd vnder the comaund of Sir Frauncis Veer and others and his Excellencie had promised him if need were to come himselfe thither with an armie The Grouninguers requested Verdugo to diuide his forces into two troopes and to besiege Reyden and Bellingwoderzile thereby to cut off victuals from the fort of Bourtange and to that end they were readie to send him sixe double canon But he allowed not thereof fearing least Count William comming to Slochteren Skonse would cut off his passage betwixt that and Grouninguen and hinder the comming of his canon and though he should besiege those towns he was in doubt to be daily assailed by him And because Verdugo in that place could not make vse of his horsemen he resolued to goe and besiege the Fort of Bourtange where in a short space he wanted victuals and was enforced on a sodaine to raise his siege causing a report to be made that he ment to besiege Coevoerden and so matched on Groeninguens side from thence craftily taking his way in October towards Count Williams campe to assaile him on the sodaine and vnlookt for which he might easily haue done had not a souldier stollen forth of a little Skonse by which Verdugo passed and giuen th' alarme by which meanes the campe arriued which the same day began to fortifie and intrench and had almost made it defensible the enemie could come no nearer it than within musket shot and onely made some skirmish which continued sixe or seuen houres till night in which time Verdugo sought to draw them forth into the field but Count William would not come forth of his fortifications so as Verdugo was enforced to retire towards Groeninguen with great losse by reason of his long skirmishes Count William lost one Captaine and many braue souldiers the Scottish colonel Balfour was hurt in the foot with diuers others Verdugo perceiuing his attempts on Count Williams campe to be vaine and that winter would driue him forth of the field and finding but small store of victuals in the countrie because that the boores of the Ommelands and countrie of Drent were retired into the forts and townes he marched towards Coevoerden and seeing that the countrie on one side of the towne was high he caused a way to be made within canon shot of it with hurdles and fagots couering them with grauell taken from vnder the mudd in the marshes and on this way he caused two or three forts to be built as farre as the Drossarts house and that of Steenwijck and by that meanes did shut vp the towne passages from those of Coevoerden in that maner besieging them But these forts being wet and muddie many souldiers died in them that winter to the number of two thousand Verdugo with the remainder of his forces went towards Oldenzell where most of his souldiers afflicted with pouertie and sicknesse ran from him both horse and foot Of 2000 Lorraines onely foure hundred were left seuen ensignes of Walons were brought to so small a number as they durst not for verie shame vnfold their colours Verdugo went to Lingen to meet with a new regiment of foot leuied by the young Duke of Saxonie whose Lieutenant Colonel was by the garrison of Deuticum and others taken prisoner and an hundred of his men slaine the rest fled In the meane time Verdugo and Count Herman sent consolatorie letters to the Groeninguers which were intercepted whereby they intreated them to take courage for they were going into Brabant to craue more ayd of Ernestus Count William thus freed from his enemie sent part of his forces to garrison and placed another part at Visflit to keepe the passage of Vrijse against the enemie and himselfe with three thousand men embarked at Zoltcampe and went towards Bellingwolderzill to recouer the Fort of Wedde which they tooke and wholly finished the new Fort of Bourtange making prouisions to send to those of Coevoerden during the frost The Grouninguers in the mean time made readie a conuoy to send to Verdugos forces before Coevoerden but Count Philip of Nassau lay in wait for it with 500 horse and his enterprise being discouered hee tooke but fiftie wagons Coevoerden by reason of Verdugos forts hauing beene oppressed by 300 foot and foure hundred horse the vnited Prouinces did in Germanie leuie a regiment of Almans vnder the conduct of count Euerard of Solms cousin german to prince Maurice together with certaine horse the Queene of England likewise permitted them to raise a regiment of English in her realme who were commaunded by Sir Frauncis Veer Verdugo and Count Herman were busied at Bruxels crauing more ayd of Ernestus The Grouninguers sent a present of siluer plate and twentie goodly horse to count Ernest of Mansfelt which were taken by the States souldiers That done his Excellencie with his whole Cauallerie and two and fiftie ensignes of foot went towards Arnham there to receiue his cousen count Euerard of Solms the regiment of Almaus and certaine horse but their arriuall was delayed by reason of the high waters and bad wayes so as they were enforced to come by boat Verdugo had likewise done his best to assaile them nere to Lippe at a narrow passage He went from Coevoerden with eleuen cornets of horse and certaine foot companies but he came too late because they were alreadie gone These forces beeing come nere to Ysseloort consisting
losse fell to the Merchants the king had some wealth in it as quicke siluer warlike munition his Imposts and Alcaualles which together with all his ordnance he lost The English and Dutch mariners saued certaine goods and canons which they tooke forth of the ships bottoms The earle of Essex had appointed the colonels sir Coniers Clifford Sir Christopher Blunt and sir Thomas Gerard with their regiments to march towards the East side of the Island where was a bridge called Ponte del Suazzo ouer which men passed forth of the Isle into the firme Land to guard that passage and to keepe out those of the terra firma from entring that way not farre from whence the people were assembled in great troopes but when they perceiued the English to be there and knew the town was already lost they fled These English regiments perceiuing none to be on the other side and knowing that Cales was taken returned to the town without any order or commaundement so to doe leauing no guard at the bridge leauing the castle neere to the bridge vntaken which the Hollanders call Herods house For want of a guard at the said bridge the gallies in that place passed on to Seaward The Dutch mariners before their departure went and assailed that fort from whence the Spaniards flying they tooke and sackt it and brought thence diuers pieces of ordnance The two companies of Spanish souldiers that with some Citizens were retired to the castle hoping for ayd from Andeluzia and the firme land being aduertized that the English had taken and made good that bridge and passage which was vntrue did by night send the Corrigidor and other Magistrats to sir Edward Conway who summoned them to yeeld and agreed to pay one hundred and twentie thousand ducats for their ransome besides losse of all their goods and to this end gaue fortie of the principall among them for hostages who were afterwards carried into England those that retired from the towne into the castle with those that were in it before were in number eight or nine thousand persons both men and women The best and noblest sort of women were courteously vsed and suffered to depart thence with their children and baggage the like was done to the Clergie and Nuns The wealthy towne was wholly sackt and the bootie great which was carried to the ships It is thought that the king lost at the same time 1200 pieces of ordnance besides armour sufficient for fiue or six hundred men which was taken forth of his Arsenall there The Spaniards perceiuing what the English intended by spoyling the towne which was not to keepe the towne long began to take courage to shake off the feare which had seazed the prouinces neere adjoyning especially the great citie of Ciuill which was in an vproare so as if an armie well conducted had marched thither and to other townes and places likewise as S. Lucars S. Marie Porte Puerto Reale c. it would haue found small resistance But they saw that the bootie and spoile of Cales was to the English as a great and sauorie morcell to glut their hunger who continuing tenne or twelue dayes in the towne and hauing carried the bootie to their ships did hourely expect when the Generals would commaund them to hoist sailes and depart homewards A Councell was held whether it were conuenient still to keepe the towne and Island the earle of Essex the Marshall Veer and most of the gentlemen were of opinion to tarrie there with three thousand men and thought that the Island might be easily kept which would proue a sharpe thorne not onely in the foot of so great a Monarke but euen in his side and thereby diuert all the warres of Europe thither where the English might daily receiue prouisions from the Leuant Italie and Barbarie and if the worst should happen they might easily procure a good and honourable composition and with that towne make an easie exchange for Calice in Fraunce But thereupon various opinions were vttered for the Sea Captaines and the lord Admerals Councell oppugned it shewing their want of victuals and if they should remaine there they must be enforced to fetch prouision from England and the Low-countries which is too farre off or else from Barbarie where the king dwelt an hundred leagues vp in the countrie Hereunto the Admerall added that he would not aduenture and engage his Princes honour and reputation so sleightly Sir Frauncis Veer said That by tarrying there they should doe a pleasing and acceptable seruice to the Queene and that victuals would soone be brought from Holland that the towne and Island were strong and might easily be made stronger that the towne stood well to receiue supplies from Barbarie and to that end they would make vse of and employ D. Christophero of Portugal c. but all this was to no purpose Thereupon a generall search was made through the whole fleet to see what store of victuals was left wherewith to furnish the garrison till more could be brought but they found a small quantitie for euerie ship had imbezeled hid as much as it could fearing want and in the towne through bad husbanding of victuals they were verie skarce for the souldiers spoiled all and knockt out the heads of wine vessels which they found in cellers and warehouses making like wast of other prouision In this respect euerie man cried out to go home whereupon the lord of Warmont Admerall of Holland reuiewed his victuals and offered to bring as much from his fleet as would suffice the garrison and two thousand men for a moneth and that himselfe would likewise remaine there But the earle of Essex found neuer a ship of the Queens willing to stay there nor yet victuals for two moneths so as he was enforced much against his will to abandon Cales whereof at his comming into England he excused himselfe Before his departure he made aboue fiftie Knights among whom were the Lord of Warmont Admerall of the Hollanders Count Lodwick of Nassau Peter Regemortes Melchior Leben and likewise Captaine Metkerke before his death the rest were English Hauing thus continued some thirteene dayes in Cales in old time called Gades they departed on the fifteenth of Iulie Essex according to his commission commaunded the towne to bee burnt and especially whatsoeuer might any way serue for the furnishing forth of a fleet as masts poles cordage and cables whereof there was great store and in this manner they did set saile carrying with them two of the kings great gallions with certaine prisoners fortie hostages for the townesmens ransom which amounted to the summe of 120000 ducats It is heretofore mentioned how that the gallies fled to the bridge called Ponte del Suazzo where the English thought they could not haue passed yet by breaking the bridge they found a way into the Sea where they did set vpon the taile of the fleet and tooke a Fliboat of Holland loden with horse and
is as much to say as Mace-bearers because the Burghers when any sedition is among them carried a Mace before them in the strees The Fort was furnished with all sorts of munition ordnance and victuals for sixe moneths and mand with fiue hundred men vnder the command of Captaine Gerard the younger By this meanes they fortified themselues afterward in the Betuwe extending their bounds as farre as Waell intending to force Nimmeguen Prince Maurice placed Garrisons vpon the Riuer Waell from Bommell as farre as the Tol-house or Schenksskonce lodging them by quarters to hinder the enemies passage by the helpe of certaine boats of warre For Mansfelt did daily fortifie himselfe in the Land of Cuyck and seemed desirous to crosse the Waell beeing thereunto earnestly solicited by those of Nimmeguen who were much annoyed by the sayd Fort beeing vnwilling to subjâ—ct themselues to a strong Garrison which the Duke of Parma would haue giuen them The States did likewise cause a new strong causie to be made ouerthwart the lower Beâ—uwe from the Rhyne as farre as Waell beneath Nimmeguen and chiefely by the direction of the Amptman or Magistrat of Thyell called Diderich Vijch who was at the most charge notwithstanding that my Lords the States of Holland contributed many thousand florins thereby to preserue the lower Betuwe as farre as beyond Dort against the inundation of the Rhyne when it swelleth aboue the bankes In recompence of these exploits those of Guelderland as much of it as belongs to the vnited Prouinces gaue to his Excellencie Prince Maurice the gouernement of the said countrie and townes ¶ The taking of the Castle of Heel Hemert and the towne of Steenberguen c. in Anno 1590. AFter that Count Charles of Mansfelt with great losse was enforced to abandon the Fort of Nordam his Excellencie about the end of September came into the field with a sufficient Armie and on the 27 of the said moneth tooke the house or castle of Hemert the forts of Elshout Creuecaeur nere to a place called Engelen after some small batterie and resistance That done he went from thence into Bommeleerweert and on the 3 of October tooke he house or castle of Heel reducing it vnder the States obedience from thence he made hast to the new fort of Ter-heyden which Count Mansfelt had made to bridle those of Breda which notwithstanding the strength thereof was by the canon enforced to yeeld on the 11 of October On the 26 of the said moneth he went from thence towards Steenberghen which being badly prouided of all necessaries endured but 2 shot then yeelded 200 souldiers departing thence on coÌ„position 300 men were sent to raise the siege but Prince Maurice his cauallerie stopt their passage and enforced them to retire to Wouwe castle which was thereby much strengthened but his Excellencie in the meane time tooke the fort of Rosendall After these sodain exploits done in a moneths space prince Maurice embarked 3000 foot an 100 horse and went into Flanders intending some enterprise vpon Dunkirke which hee thought to haue taken in the night by Scalado The enterprise had bin wel coÌ„sidered by colonel Nicholas Metkerke sonne to Adolph president of Flanders but a contrarie wind putting theÌ„ backe twice the attempt was suspected then afterwards discouered hindred yet landing Metkerke shewed Count Solms Sir Francis Veer the place where they thought to haue assaulted the town which whilest they heedfully viewed all 3 of them were hurt this hapned on the 1 of Nouember whereupon they returned with a great bootie of cattel and other things The garrison of Ostend some weeke before had surprised the towne of Oldenbourg mand with 400 souldiers which they burnt and sackt but they could not get the Cloister Tower many other pettie exploits were done the same yere which for breuity I omit The siege and taking of the Towne and Fort of Zutphen done in May 1590. BEfore we come to set downe the siege and taking of the towne of Zutphen which is one of the chiefe townes of the Duchie of Guelderland and yet a countie a part seated nere the riuer Yssell a mile and a halfe from Doesbourg foure miles from Arnham and six from Nimmeguen we will briefely speake of the taking of the Castles of Turnholt and Westerloo which were woon a little before as a preparatiue to the sayd siege As also the equipage of boats and other warlike prouisions necessarie for a siege The second of Aprill the Garrison of Breda with others tooke the Castle of Turnholt therein making vse of a victualler who was wont to bring beere thither He as his cart stood vpon the bridge did thrust the Sentinel into the water and slew another in the meane time the souldiers which were hidden in an old burnt house stept forth killing the rest of the gard and so tooke the Castle In the beginning of May they likewise tooke the Castle of Westerloo notwithstanding it was vnder contribution The young Lord of Merode made his aboad there who beeing one day gone on hunting they layed hold on that occasion and by that meanes did easily become masters thereof finding it fit and commodious to reduce the rest of Brabant vnder contribution and there to busie their enemies whilest themselues should be employed elsewhere At the beginning of August they did cut off a rich Conuoy going from Brussels to Namur The States of the vnited Prouinces hauing now built their gouernement on a strong and sure foundation and so reckoned their contributions impositions and reuenues as they could for certaine moneths in the yeare encrease the number of their souldiers defray the charges and send them to the field prouided of all necessaries and were thereby able to assaile the enemies and to make an offensiue warre So as all the Summer they made their prouisions of Canon great numbers of Boats Gabions Bridges Powder Bullets Tents and other such like necessaries To attend vpon the canon they made choice of skilfull mariners finding those men fit to ship vnship the ordnance to plant and transport it and vpon necessitie and want of horse to draw it with their hands through marshes and ouer causeis and likewise to serue sometimes in stead of gunners The States did likwise send with their gouernor Generall prince Maurice as chiefe commaunder of the armie certaine of the Councell of State to assist him in all affaires as the Venetians make vse of those whom they call Prouidatori He had likewise a skilfull Councell of warre with all manner of officers requisit in an armie Their souldiers were voluntaries well paied skilfull and readie and though they were but few yet for that time they made vse of their old forces not raising new thereby to giue no cause of suspitioÌ„ but they were verie careful to haue their companies ful compleat and did earnestly intreat the Queene of England That her ayd according to the tenor of their contract might not bee wanting
which was commaunded by Sir Frauncis Veer a gentleman of a noble house a gallant souldier and more fauoured of the Low-countries than all other strangers whatsoeuer Prince Maurice thus prepared made shew as if he intended to besiege Sertoghenbusk or Geertrudenberg sending many souldiers to Breda and diuers boats vpon the Mase which caused the Duke of Parma to giue the more credit to it because as hath been sayd that the States had alreadie taken the Castles of Turneholt and Westerloo as places of retreat with diuers other signes which made him likewise to fortifie the garrison of Geertrudenberg and commaunded those of Sertoghenbusk to fortifie their towne but they refusing to receiue a garrison he fortified some waies nere adjoyning Prince Maurice in the meane time had secretly sent certain souldiers vnder the conduct of Sir Francis Veer towards Doesbourg commaunding him to begin the enterprise and himself went speedily to Vtrecht and from thence to Rhene and Arnham and there crossing the Veluwe towards Zutphen On the three and twentieth of May nine souldiers were sent on the further side of Yssell towards the Fort of Zutphen foure of them clad like Boores and the other fiue like countrie women with butter cheese and eggs These at the opening of the Ports stood before the Fort nere which a sufficient number of souldiers were hidden So soone as the gate was opened the greatest part of the souldiers who had watched that night came forth and crossed the water to goe to the towne These counterfeit Boores leaned vpon their staues and they which were disguised like women sat vpon the ground offering their commodities to the gard who beheld them without any suspition till one of the women drew forth a Pistoll and shot one of them which done these counterfeits threw off their disguise assailed the enemie and seazed on the gate The souldiers that were hid hauing heard the report of the Pistoll ran speedily to the rescue of their fellowes forced the gard and gate and so tooke the Fort taking twelue souldiers prisoners that remained behind this was done on the 24 of May in the Morning The Fort thus surprised his Excellencie did not faile the next day to enuiron and besiege the towne of Zutphen On the sixe and twentieth of the said moneth Count William of Nassau came thither and the seuen and twentieth they were busied in shutting in the towne intrenching themselues and making a bridge ouer the Yssell The eight and twentieth of May eighteene great canon were planted in three seuerall places with such speed and dexteritie as is almost incredible all these were discharged thrice which amounted to foure and fiftie shot Then they sent to summon the Towne the Burghers in their answer craued time to consult which was denied so as they sent two Captaines to craue three dayes respit to haue an aunswer from Verdugo the townes gouernour this was likewise denied and no time of consultation giuen them whereupon the same day beeing the 30 of May they made an accord viz. that the garrison should depart the same night with their ensignes armes and baggage together with all Ecclesiasticall persons and such Burghers as were willing to be gone had free libertie so to doe Those which would tarrie whether they were Clergie men or others should enjoy the same benefit as the other inhabitants of the vnited Prouinces did A Conuoy was giuen them as farre as Deuenter with certain horse wagon which their Lieutenant Colonel obliged himselfe to send backe Young Count Philip of Ouersteyn was slaine there at the beginning as he approched too nere the gate to take a prisoner Those of the towne were dragging away his bodie but it was taken from them by force and honourably buried in Arnham according to his degree He was a braue and gallant young Lord. This strong towne was taken on a sodaine vnprouided of strong garrison there being in all but sixe hundred men in it the circuit whereof is verie large For they thought themselues not able to defend so great a breach as so many canons would haue made they did likewise want powder and victuals Prince Maurice presently entred it at the verie same time as Count Solms brought the companies of Zeland to him So short a time was spent in taking the Towne and Fort as the news thereof was sooner heard than that of the siege The siege and taking of the Towne of Deuenter together with sundrie Forts and Castles in the Land of Groeninguen in Anno 1591. SO soone as his Excellencie had taken the towne of Zutphen stored it with all necessaries and giuen order for the gouernement thereof he made hast to pursue his victorie laying hold on so faire an occasion so as the verie same night he sent to begirt the towne of Deuenter seated two miles from Zutphen and foure from Zwoll on the right side of the riuer Yssell The Canon according to the vsuall celeritie was likewise shipt and carried to Deuenter the whole armie presently followed His Excellencie made two bridges ouer the Yssell and on both sides of the riuer planted eight and twentie canons and hauing made some shot he sent to summon the towne but they within would not heare tell of yeelding so as on the ninth of Iune the batterie began which in a short space had beaten downe a great quarter of the wall nere to the Key This wall was double and on the inside thereof was a thicke earthen Rampier It being thus beaten downe certain flat bottomed boats were sent into the Hauen on which a Bridge was made to goe to the assault for which the English Scots and Dutch were in readinesse euerie Nation vnder his commaund striuing who should march first All things beeing readie the Bridge proued too short so as they could not continue the assault Some that went forward gaue a furious assault to the breach on which Captaine Lamberts ensigne first leaped and was there shot Captaine Metkerks ensigne did the like and perceiuing that he was not followed leaped backe with his colors in his left hand and sword in the right and escaped with his owne ensigne and that of the other who was shot In the towne were seuen companies to defend the breach on whom the canon often plaied and did great hurt The gouernour Count Harman of Bergue lost an eye and Captaine Muller standing nere him had his head shot off Colonel Nicholas Metkerke sonne to the president of Flanders a braue and valiant gentleman was shot vpon the breach he was much lamented for the next day after the towne was taken he died together with another captaine There likewise happened a matter worthie of note viz. a single combat betwixt two braue souldiers one of them was Lewis of Cathulle Lord of Ryhoue borne in Gant and the other a Gallant Albanese horseman who comming forth of the towne made a braue and like Goliah dared any man to fight asking if none durst breake a launce