of our army Yesterday the Duke Beruh caused a young Gentleman of Shonefeldt to be hanged who was sent by the Enemy to view our army and yesterday the Swedish Commander at Wallerstein slew 60. Imperialists and the Commander in Giengen 50. and tooke many other prisoners Thus much speakes this letter which shewes the confederate princes in these attempts to have been till then if not victorious yet not unhappy THE CONTINVANCE of the King of HUNGARIES Storie to bee annexed to the former BUt the fairest morning is quickly overcast the wheele soone turneth about and this fortune which smiled thus at the first aspect almost in a moment changed his visage to teach us may it be lawfull for a Christian historian to make this application not to trust to the arme of flesh in these and the like occurrences but refer all to his discretion and ordinance which changeth the times and seasons at his pleasure suffereth the brittle vessels of clay to be dashed in pieces when they presume too much of their owne temper The outrages done by the Imperialists at Hochstatt in Swaben if there had beene nothing else could not but move the Protestant Generalls to engage themselves in fight with the Kings army that either by victorie they might secure their friends from the like cruelties afterwards or by the adventure they might give a testimony of their zeale to the Countrey of which they had undertaken the protection The bloody dealing of the Polakes and Crabats sent by the Imperiall Commander Isolani to Heckstat to summon the Citie is scarse credible yet it is thus reported by letters from thence July 21.31 The 12.22 of this moneth when this Citie was first summoned by some troopes of Polakes and Crabats the inhabitants in generall both Protestants and Catholikes ranne to the Gates immediately to set them open to the commanding souldiers But the Crabats not staying the time while this might bee done cut downe the gates and furiously plundered the City from 9 in the morning to 6. in the evening torturing many of the inhabitants most barbarously They ravished of the women even to death powred dunghill water and vineger into the thrâ—atâ— of seven men and women tyed chaines and cords about their heads and twisted them so hard that they fell downe dead upon the ground some they hanged up by the privy members sawed off the legs of some rubbed off the flesh from the legs of others to the very bones tyed the armes of others backwards and so hanged them up by those distorted parts drew many through the streetes of the City starke naked beate and wounded them with axes and hammers and generally used them with such barbarous cruelty that every man begged to bee shot or slaine instantly rather then to live and be partaker of such misery The Master of the Hospitall they roasted alive and sacked the City so miserably that they spoiled what they could not cary away as if their intention was only for waste and devastation All the corne and provision of victuals they tooke away with them and left the place so bare that many of the best ranke for the space of 8. dayes after saw not one bit of bread but were glad to feede upon unripe fruit and water and yet as if all this had been too little they spoiled the inhabitants of their garments also and exposed them to that nakednesse that neither man woman nor childe had clothes to put on but all went up and downe in their shirts and smocks having nothing else to cover them Thus writeth our discoverer But this was not all the Fieldmarshall Horne had given his word to the Commander in Nordlingen to succour him the King played fiercely upon the City and it could not hold out the Swedes must put forward if they intend to stay the conquest and on they went though unfortunately as will be more particularly discovered by what followeth I finde the battell expressed diversly as the relators stood affected the best relation is ful of horror both in the present fact and consequents and have here set them downe that the readers may be fully informed of each particular The first of these is set out by a German Catholike and is titled Victory c. A True Relation and as the same is delivered unto the Elector and Archbishop of Mainâ—z by his Noble Counsellor and Governor of Priâ—…lar Christoph Heinrich of Griesheim Sept. 2.12 Concerning The great and glorious Victory which was obtained by His Majesty the King of Hungarie and Sohemia against the Swedes and their adherents neer Nordlingen the 26 of Aug. the 6. of Sept. An. 1634. where the afore mentioned Governor himselfe was present Illustrious Archbishop and Elector my Gracious Lord THough both the Lieutenant Generall Earle of Gallas and the Field-marshall Altringer proâ—…ed to gratifie my desire in sending some auxiliary Regiments with me yet I was forced to wait all this summer from one week to another till the day of the happy surrendring of the City of Regensburg after the â—…ng whereof I againe desiring the afore 〈◊〉 iâ—ned Lieutenant Gen eâ—all Gallas â—o 〈…〉 â—ee answered that at the comming of the Italian forces sufficient meanâ— would be to succour us I therefore conferred about it with the Imperiall Commissary Ossa who desired me to go down with all speed and 〈◊〉 sten the comming of some of our Regiments towards the Pâ—ontiers of Alsaâ—ia and then we could be succoured again by the Italians Now in respect of the long and dangerous journey through Burgundie and Lorraine I sent from Lindaw with consent and knowledge of the Colonell Viâ—…thâ—mb a Trumpeter to Ravenspurg to the Swedish General Major Colonel Shafflitzky my neare kinsman and desired of him a Passe to travail into Thâ—ringen to mine owne which hee not onely granted but likewise suffered me to goe first to Ulm and Goppingen But when the aforesaid Colonell Shaffelitzkie came to the Duke Bernâ—ard of Saxon Weymar and had there made mention of me the Duke was some what displeased at it and commanded him that he should bring mee back againe to him Hee came to me just at that time when I was taking Poste and called me back but promised me by the faith of a Cavallier that no harme should be done unto me and the licence of â—asse which he had given me should be faithfully observed which was done according to his promise 〈◊〉 was not as it was here rumored held as a pilsoâ—… Aâ—…oone as I came into the Swedish Campe about â—opssingen the Field marshall Horne sent for mâ—t◠〈◊〉 and dine with him and entertained me very honourably but amongst other discourses he said that we did long very much to come into the Country of Wirtemberge and wee had beene about 〈◊〉 thâ—se â— yeares we should be patient onely for the Children of Israel had wandred 40 yeares in the wildernesse before they came into Canaan The next evening I was called againe to supper where the Duke
had commanded his agents to divide his pensions onely to the Protestants the other to the Catholick K. who as it is remēbred formerly in the larger history had made a speciall league with them Otho Lodowicke was not yet called to the assistance of the Protestants but ingaged by order from the director General to stay at home and ioyne with the Duke of Saxon Weymar and the Feeld-marshall Horne to oppose the Imperialists in the confines of Swaben and Franconia for the victorious proceeding of the King of Hungarie troubled the Peeres and Estates assembled at Francfordt who as they write from Franckeford August 28. September 7. willing to have the French their friend concluded that the fort of Philipsburg should be surrendred to the King of France upon these conditions 1. That the Governour therein should bee a Prince of the Empire 2. That the Garrison should make their oath of fealtie to the King of France the Crowne of Sweden and the Estates of Germanie 3. The Christian King should have possession of it during his life time onely and that at his death it should returne againe to the Estates of the Empire and in lew thereof the King of France should maintaine to the advantage and use of the Princes 10000. men yet this was not all Otho was presently injoyned to assist the other two forenamed Generals but how he sped there it is not here to be repeated it is set down in the King of Hungaries history For conclusion of this Chapter we have here set down the list of the Princes assembled in the Diet either in person or by proxie they are thus marshalled by a French Discoverer The Princes Fredericke Marquesse of Baden William Lant-grave of Hessen and Christian Count Palatine of Berken field And Oxenstiern Rixe-Chancelcellour of the Crowne of Sweden Philip Maurice of Hanaw Minsberg William of Solius Henry Volrad of Stolberg Iohn of Nassaw Sarbrug and his brethren Wolfgang Henry of Isamburg and Philip Earnest of Isamburg The Deputies of the Electorall Houses those of the Electorall House of the Prince Palatine of the Palatine of the two Bridges The Palatine of Lautreich Those of the Electorall house of Saxony of the Dukes of Cobourgh and Isenach of Sax-VVeymar and Sax-Altenbourgh Those of the Electorall house of Brandenburg of the Dukes of Brandenbourg Culmach and Brandenburg Onolshack The Agents of the other Princes which have place in this honourable assembly the Agents of D. Fredericke Vlrich of Brunswicke D. Augustus of Luneburg of the D. of Wirtenberg the Lantgrave of Hessen Cassell the Marquesse of Baden the Duke of Pomerania the Bishop of Breme the D. of Mechlinburg Gustraw Schuerin Christian and George Ariberth of Auhault the Deputies of Silesia of the Counts George Fredericke of Hohenloe and his brother Of the Counts of Hanaw Dillembourg and Hanaw Lichtenbourg of Iohn and Iames Counts of Eberstein Philip and Lewes Emich Counts of Leningben Lewes Wolfgang Earnest and Fredericke Lewes Counts of Levenstein and Verten and of Lewes Count of Erbach The Deputies of the Nobilitie of Franconia Swaben the Rhine and VVeteraw and to conclude the Agents or Burgesses of the confederate Cities of the foure Circles of Swaben Franconia the Higher and Lower Rhine to wit the Burgesses of Strawsbourg Norimberg Spire Franckford Wormes Vlme Sweinford and Ratis-bone though it is conceived that the last had not now any sufferage at this meeting CHAP. 6. The actions of the Lantgrave of Hessen and D. of Lunenburgh AFter the Battel with the army of the Catholicke Leaguers under the command of Boninghausen the Lieutenant Generall and the Field-Marshall Gehlen and the taking of Hamme these two Princes May. 27 27 marched directly towards Munster the chiefe citie of Westphalia scituate upon the Amisis or River of Eems and distant from Hamme Northward about sixteene English miles to prosecute their victory The estate of the Catholicke armie at that time the distractions of the Commanders the hope of succors from the D. of Newburg who was then mustering of Forces about VVermes-Kircken Linnep and other places the distresse of Munster and the summons thereof with the propositions made by the D. of Lunenburg and the request of the Elector of Collen to the Lords estates of Holland to take the Bishopricke of Munster into their possession to continue the Neutrality and to send no succors to the Lantgrave and Duke put a full point to the discourse of these two Princes proceedings in the supplement The issue of the Leaguish hopes the effects of the Embassage the Military actions on both parts and the Fortunes attending them as farre as they have gone and we have understood of them since must be the subiect of this relation Philip of Mansfield Generalissimo of the leaguish army being come in person to Boone May 25 Iune 4 was sent for thence with a strong convoy to come to Collen to conferre with the Elector about relieving the army which being hemmed in at Munster by the Hassians and Luneburghers were as much necessitated by famin as threatned by their enemies sword And here was no time for a long consultation an expeditious action was the onely meanes to rescue them and to doe this affectually more power was required than could be levied by the Leaguers instantly Therefore the Earle who had a generall Imperiall Commission to leavie Forces if occasion required to oppose the Princes and to cal to the Catholickes to assist him with their auxiliary powers having given order to his Commissaries to muster up the souldiers enquartered about Hauff upper Cassell and the places adioyning Philip Earle Mansfield soliciteth the D. of Newburg to transmit his forces to the Catholicke League Himselfe went in person to the Duke of Newburg then at Dusseldorp to desire him to transmit his armie which hee had now readie into Westphalia where beeing seconded by Augustine Spinola a neere Kinsman to the Arch-dutchesse her late Generall who was come thither from Bruxels to the same purpose hee spake to the Duke to this effect I come not to complement it neither suits with my vocation a rough souldier brought up in the campe not in the Court nor can it bee suffered by mine occasion which requires my quicke explication and your speedy resolution Your Highnesse cannot bee ignorant of the miserable condition not of Westphalia only but all Germany and the sacred Roman Empire I cannot thinke of it my selfe without a sorrowfull passion nor can I conceive that any other who hath not put on the Stoicks stupidity can heare it without compassion The enemies of the Romane Church and Empire having made a confederation against his Imperiall Maiesty his Catholicke friends and Allies doe not onely make their inrodes into our territories but strive to lay our dwellings waste and deprive us of our inheritance and whether it was through our feare and sluggishnesse or their courage and forwardnesse I know not their attempts against us have been so unfortunate to us that our armies have
this five dayes he travailed undiscovered and was gone as farre'as Rietti a Village within two Italian or English miles from Naples 100 miles from Rome when presently hee returned to Folegni where he had a familiar friend in whom he reposed much confidence and from whom he had received many kinde letters and presents during the time of his late imprisonment The acquaintance betweene the Friar and the Folignian was not unknowne to one Martinengoe a Commissarie of the Inquisition who suspecting what the Friar intended tooke Post and came to Foligni about the same time this Fryar entered into the gates of that Citie At his first arrivall he published the Proclamation made at Rome against the Minorites set a strong Watch at all the gates of the Citie which artested the Friar as hee would have fled from thence upon the markes which he was set out by and there hee was lately in prison loaden with irons and watched narrowly for they proceeded against him saith the French relation from whence I had this story leutement not speedily but softly as in matter extraordinary and of great importance I know not whether this Franciscan was more wicked or unfortunate more wretched by his execrable mischiefe or last apprehension if yet that may bee any way ascribed to fortune which is done by the providence and finger of God the powers of Heaven appeared to bee offended at his former escape a sudden tempest of thunder and hayle falling at the same minute of time when hee broke loose so furiously that it beate downe foure houses at Bracciano to the astonishment of the people The crime whereof hee was accused is this Hee and certaine others amongst whom was the Nephew of the Cardicall d' Alcoli having plotted the death of the present Pope conspired by Necromantie and Witch-craft to take away his life intending to have the Cardinall of Alcoly Elected to the Papacy whom this shaveling affected especially as being one of his Order and supposed would easily attaine to that dignitie by his faction in the Consistory of Cardinals To effect this cursed designe the Conspirators made a sacrifice to the Divell and offered that some one of them upon whom the lotte should fall should emancipate himselfe to the service of the prince of darknesse and make him Lord both of his body and soule The Lots were drawne and hee to whose lot it fell to hee thus made a vassall to Satan trembling at the horror either of the fact or his owne mishap fled presently discovered the practise to the Inquisition who thereupon apprehended these malefactors clapt up the Nephew of the Cardinall for his safer custody in the Castle Saint Angelo and the rest in severall prisons There leaving them let us looke upon the preparations for warre made in Italy by the Catholike King and the progresse of his brother the Cardinall Infanta Marquess Spinola made Viceroy of Sicilie The Catholike King whose dominions in Italy are governed by Vice-royes and Deputies having deputed the government of Sicilie to Marquesse Spinola for the space of sixe yeares upon condition that hee should relinquish his Generalate of the Horse in the Dukedome of Millaine Don Carlo de Collonna Governour of Millain and appointed the Government of Millaine to Don Carlo de Coloma in the absence of his brother the Cardinall Infanta about the beginning of May began to rayse an Army of Italians who being joyned with some Spanish forces were to bee commanded by the said Infant Cardinall as their Generall Whether these forces should be bound the neighbour Princes which had heard of the preparation knew not the Rhingrave as it is related formerly attended their comming in the higher Germany the States provided for them in the Neatherlands and the French King mistrusting which way they would rake Piguarola fortified caused Pignarola a towne in the East part of Piemont upon the river Poe and Cassall another strong Towne there to be fortified with five new Regiments The time of their stay about Millain and Naples increased the Princes suspitions for the Army was sixe weekes in readinesse before it set forward the Catholike King having commanded that they should not goe forward till hee had taken order with the Catholike Cantons in Swisserland with whom he was to make an offensive and defensive league for the safeguard of the Dukedome of Milan The consederation betwixt the King of Spaine the Catholike Cantons To this purpose the Catholike Cantons sent their Embassadours to Millan 24 in number who arrived there Iune 21. old style where they tooke an oath to continue firme friends to the Crowne of Spayne during the life of the King and the Cardinall Infant his brother promised to furnish out an army of 12000. foote for the securing of the Dukedome of Millaine against all forraine invasion and were Princely feasted and entertained sutably to the Dignitie of so great a King and the weightinesse of the negotiation The relation of the particulars is thus The Confederation betwixt his Majestie of Spaine and the Cantons being ratified with much solemnitie in the great Church a magnificent Banquet was made for the Embassadours in the Infanta's Pallace where the Cardinall first began and the Swizzers afterwards pledged the health of the King of Spaine in a large bowle of wine and after the feast was ended the silver plates were given as a token of Princely bounty to the Wayters every one of them being permitted to catch what he could and to appropriate it to himselfe Nothing was omitted here which did but relish of royalty the walls of the Pallace were as much beautified with Symbols and artificiall inventions to give the Helvetians delight and contentation as the Table was stored with rarities to please the palate Vpon the porch of the Pallace stood the Armes of the Catholike King as in a center the circle whereof was made of divers Scutcheons of the atchievements of the Catholike Cantons which there was drawne the picture of two hands joyned with these words Sic Concordia stringit the Eyes and palates of the Embassadors being thus pleased with these severall objects the Cardinall did also delight their eares with the promise of the full paiment of the remainder of their private and common pensions within the space of five yeares and the organ of feeling with the delivery of some duccats in ready money the free gift of a chaine of gold worth 300 crownes and 100 crownes in coine to each Embassadour for their expence in their journey and of a lesser chaine of gold and five Pistolets to each of their servants Monsieur betaketh himselfe to the protection of the K. of Spaine About the time of this League thus confirmed the Monsieur of France made an agreement at Bruxells in the Netherlands with the same King of Spaine upon these Articles following 1. Monsieur doth betake himselfe wholly to the protection of the King of Spaine and will not enter into any treaty with the King
possible besides the batteries with which hee played continually upon the Citie hee prepared then three Mines to blow up the Walls thereof which being hindered of their worke by fortune want of skill in the Miners and the industrie of the besieged for the first was filled up by a violent showre of Raine and so made uselesse the second when it was sprung recoyled backward and slew foure hundred Poles in the Leaguer without endamaging the Citie the last though it wrought it's effect was prevented by the Byelthers who had raysed some other workes within just-against the place where the breach was made and the King after wards assaulting the Citie being repulsed by the valour of the Souldiers who in the fight became Masters of the Colonell Weyers baggage the Waggon appointed for the carriage of the Silver plates and some Standards which they carryed into Byala A Peace concluded betwixt the Pole and Muscovite His Majesty offered conditions of peace to the Russians which they accepted in the Name of the great Duke and are here set downe as followeth First that the Citie and Territory of Smolenskoshouk remaine for ever to the kingdome of Poland 2. The King of Poland should have free libertie to passe with his Armies and repasse at all times through the Dukedome of Muscovi◠into Swedland 3. Because his Majestie the King of Poland doth relinquish the title of the Duke of Mosco the said Duke shall pay unto him two hundred thousand Rubells every of these is about a Marke English and one hundred Zimmer-zobels 4. His Majesty the King of Poland and the great Duke of Muscovia shall aide and assist each other at all times when necessity requireth it Lastly all the souldiours which are willing to serve his Maiestie of Poland shall have freelibertie to bee in pay underhim and fight for him The newes of this Treaty and conclusion was welcome to the neighbour Countries the Townes of trade especially Dantzick in Prussia and Lubeck In Holst gave tokens of joy for the friendly amitie of these two Princes by singing Te Doum Bonfires and discharging their Ordnance But the Duke himselfe was not so well pleased the relinquishing of Smolensko a Citie upon the Boristhenes or Nieper a place of importance and the payment of so much money upon so small a consideration so distasted him that it is said hee beheaded the Field-Marshall for descending and yeelding to such dishonourable conditions The execution of this souldier begot by consequence another mischiefe Hee had a Nephew of a rash fiery spirit who in revenge of his Vncles death hired some lewd fellowes made for nothing but evill to set the Citie of Mosco on fire in divers places which complying with his wicked desire kindled that flame which could not bee extinguished untill the greatest part of that great Citie was burned to ashes An horred fact and it so incensed the great Duke to anger that hee now threatened vengeance upon all the tribe imprisoned the Field-Marshalls sonne Nephew and all the kindred and if our intelligence bee true hath already executed many of them so procreative is mischiefe that it seldome is without issue and though the first Parent be pernitious yet the child is commonly worse This conclusion was farre more gratefull to the King of Poland who besides the benefit of dis-ingagement from this War had now time and it was high time so to doe to look homeward for the securitie of his owne Countrey The Turkish and Poles preparations which was threatened with an invasion of Turkes and Tartars a more populous Army then could be found in Russia and a more formidable Enemie Preparing therefore all possible opposition the King sent the Grand Seignieur an Ambassadour to whom though there was at first a fayre tale told that these forces were not leavied to bee imployed against the Pole but the Persian who had taken Ierusalem from the Grand Seignieur yet in the end it proved a tale indeed for the Turkish Vant-guard by the beginning of Iuly New Stile were come over the Nepper but were hindered of their present purpose by the Pollack Field-Marshall and Cossacks which surprized them before they were aware put two thousand of them to the sword and going further entered the Turkes Dominions pillaging and wasting the Countrey upon hope of present supplies from his Maiestie whereby they might be the better inabled to encounter so potent an adversary This fortune of the poles so inraged the Grand-Seigneur that he presently sent out his whole Army to oppose them 60000. Tartarians and 30000. Wallachians were appointed to invade Polonia whom the Field-Marshall againe encountred but not with like fortune as formerly his Vantguard was then cut off by the Mahometanes and himselfe hardly escaped from being made if not their slave their prisoner This newes put a quicknesse to the dispatch of businesse at home The Dyet at Warshaw A Diet was called before this at Warshaw and the Peeres assembled where the King hastening the businesse propounded only three generall things to this assembly and inioyned them to give a speedy answer 1. Granting of Subsidies for payment of his Maiesties debts which were occasioned by the Muscovian War 2. the managing and preparation for this Turkish Warre both with men and money Lastly a treaty of peace with the Swedes with whom the time of a former Truce was shortly to be expired and these three were as quickly answered Subsidies were granted the managing of the Warre referred to his Meiestie and promise made to furnish him with the sinewes thereof money and Commissioners appointed to Treate with the Crowne of Swedland about setling of peace betwixt these two warlike Kingdomes And by the last Letters From Danzike arrived here the 16. of this Moneth of November 1634. it is assured that that brave King Vladislaus came no sooner with a great Army towards the Swedeners but he made and concluded a Treatie of peace wholly to his owne advantage and honour with the Turke and thereupon caused his Army to march backwards towards Persia there to make as glorious Peace with the Swedes CHAP. 14. The Siege of La Motta in Lorraine THe great preparation made by the Christian King for his own expeditions and help of his friends is mentioned formerly but advise without execution is frivolous Consultations must be produced into Actions the Hand must second the Heart that is the Instrument of Instruments which worketh effectually what else but notionall and concluded in the Fantasie The King upon his first determination was resolved to proceed accordingly and unwilling to omit any occasion having formerly given liberty to the Captaines and Officers of his army to retire themselves upon their owne private occasions Iuly 4 new stile A proclamatiō that al captains should repaire to their severall charges by a publicke proclamation hee gave warning to all the Campe Masters Captaines and Officers of his troupes of Horse and Foot in his Army and Garrisons in Picardie the
severall skirmishes above 2000 of the Impeâ—…alists party did run over and partly were slaine or taken prisoners The Earle of Cratz being also arrived about â—at time in the Camp The both the Generalls advanced the 26. day of Aug. 6 of Sep. with their Armie to takeâ— hill which commanded the Imperiall Campe and about evening they routed the Spanish and Italian troupes and obtained 12 Standards and doubtlesse they would have obtained a great victory had not the night overtaken them The next day following they begun on both sides to skirmish againe till at last the Feeld-Marshall Horn with the foot forces got a part of the Hill and brought upon it 6 Pieces of Ordnance and begun to play with them against the enemies Campe and at the same time some Swedish foot-forces got over the trenches into the campe and tooke of the Imperialists some Ensignes which they brought backe along with them But at last the charges being often renewed the Imperialists drew all their forces together and assayled their enemies foot-forces so that after a long fight they put them into a confusion and overthrew them But the most part of the horsemen retired in reasonable order the Ordnance being taken away by some runneawayes was lost and the baggage was most part plundred and taken away by the Swedes themselves A. The Citie of Nordlingen B. The Church upon the Hill where two Batteries were raised C. S. Leonhardt where 1. Regiment had approached already into the Garden D. The Hill where the Gallows stood E. The whole Imperiall Campe upon the Steffel hill F. Two Demicanons G. Three field-peeces H. Three Regiments and some peeces of Ordnance I. The Head quarter Emerling K. One companie of Currassiers that keepe the watch L. One Regiment of foot M. The Tent of the King of Hungarie N. Crabats O. Germane horsemen P. Foot forces Which presented themselues in battel-array when D. Bernhard of Weymar arrived Q. The River of Eger R. The Lhoe-mill S. Vndermeiningen T. Hollzheim V. Ertlingen W. Baldingen X. Topffingen Y. Eringen Z. Bintzenzimmer a. Blaumloh b. Kraulhausen c. Trohtelfingen d. Wallerstein e. Kirchheim f. Osterholtz g. An Imperiall Watch. In these Villages and thereabouts were the Quarters of the Imperiall horsemer 1. Bopffingen 2. The Ipff. 3. Flohe hill 4. Oberduffe 5. In the 8. Mill on the River of Eger 6. Auff Haysen 7. The beginning of the River of Eger 8. The Breitwangel 9. The Swedish Campe. 10. The Ordnances 11. The House of Hohenberg 12. The way to Vlm. 13. The Forrest 14. Keckingen The Actions of the King of Hungaria Generall of the Imperiall Army and the opposition made against him by the D. Bernhard Weymar Gustavus Horne and Otho the Rhinegrave prinâ—…all Commanders for the Princes and Swedes CAP. 1. THe siege of Ratisbone by the Imperiall and Bavarian Armies with some preparations made by Duke Bernhard of Saxon Weymar for the defence thereof concluded our last discourse of his proceedings wee must now alter the scene and follow him into another Province where he falls upon the Enemie burning and wasting his Country whilest his power is imployed in this offensive forraigne war It is an Aphorisme among Physitians whose study only tends to the preservation of the Naturall body that if a fluxe of sharp humours fall upon the eye or any such tender part that if by fit purgative medicines they cannot carry it away the stream must be turned and the matter transported to the coÌ„mon ordinary neighbour Emunctories And many wise Commanders whose care extends it selfe to the preservation of the body politique in peace have followed this Rule That when the Armies of aliens in hostile manner shall invade their territories the only expeditious way of securing their own is to fall upon the Enemies land that so hee may be called home and diverted from his former counsels Thus Pericles in the Peloponnesian war twice and both times speedily and happily delivered the Athenians countrey from the formidable Hoste of the Lacedemonians Thus Agathocles the King opposing feare to feare and force to force conveighing his Army by sea into Africa suddenly raised the Siege of Syracusa when Amilcar was set down before it the Carthagenians being constrainedly willing to purchase their safety with the quiet of their Enemies Thus Hannibal when the Romanes had so strongly planted themselves before Capua that hee esteemed it a matter of extream difficultie if not impossibility to remove them by force brought his Army to the gates of Rome deeming this the surest way to quit his friends from imminent danger and this device was so successeful that Fulvius Flaccus one of the Consuls was instantly sent for home from Capua for the reliefe of the Citie And the D. attempted about May 27. Iune 6. to deliver the Citie of Regensburg from the fury of the besiegers by an inroade into Bavaria pillaging and spoiling the enemies countrey blocking up one place besieging another and doing him what dammage they could in every place And this course of his was the cause that about Iune 11 1 some Imperiall Regiments were sent back into Bohemia to assure that Country against the Protestants some of the Bavarians Army marched downwards by Strawbingen into Bavaria to secure those coasts from invasion The Fort of Roâ—…berg besieged by D. Bâ—… And yet the D. Weymar at his first going from Rhegensburg looked not towards Bavaria but Franconia and therefore marched by Newmarck a towne in the upper Palatinat towards Altorff where wee finde him in his head quarter May 31 Iune 10. But hence hee straight dislodged marching towards the river of Pegnitz and thence hee first applyed himselfe to the strong Fort of Rottenberge where hee left the Lieutenant Colonel Laverwaldt with 1500 Musquetiers and sufficient ammunition to besiege it who so well discharged his office there that by Iune 5 15 he had made his approaches to the very walls neere the Shiniger steeple secured his Army from the danger of the Canon and much discouraged them within the Fort who were not onely hemm'd in by Enemies without but pincht and ready to faint for want of water within Thence hee marched with the rest of his Army to Forchaim a Citie which had not onely formerly supplyed the Castle of Wilsburg when it was besieged by the Swedish Colonell Sperreuter and Landgrave Iohn of Hessen but now also is a nest of trouble some guests to their Neighbours daily doing much harme about Megeldorff Gleishammer and the places thereabouts by pillaging 〈…〉 act of a Swedish Sâ—… We cannot here passe over a memorable adventure of a Swedish Serjeant whose name though it be not discovered to us is worthy to be recorded for his valour and wisedome Some ordinary men have done strange things casually but few by praeelection and judgement but this man shewed as much discretion in the prosecution of his designe as boldnesse in the first undertaking The story is briefly thus About Iune 1 11. 400 foot and 80 Horse
first gave a fierce charge upon his Muskettiers who attending till the storme had spent it selfe and getting a little advantage by their enemies carelesnesse returned their pellets amongst them like an Hayle-storme the fury whereof dis-ranked the horse and brought them to a confused flight The Hassian Horse as well instructed to use as to get a victory slipt not this advantage they made after them with all speede and in the flight of the Enemy tooke 22 prisoners amongst whom was one Lievetenant Colonell two Serjeant majors and one Captaine slew about 30 men out-right wounded many others themselves all this while having but one mortally hurt and that with a shot an invisible dart not to be discovered till it be felt and so not to bee avoyded Gods blessing questionlesse protected them for had not he covered their heads in the day of this battell the issue had beene desperate which by his assistance was thus fortunate Here I would stay my pen for I meane not yet to follow the Lantgrave who went from the Diet to his Army Iuly 7 17 and the duke of Lunenburgh towards the Rhine but that Hildesheim in Brunswicke-land not so famous either for antiquitie or the famous Temple there the Tower whereof if Hondius his report be truth is covered with gold or the Episcopall Sea or that it was the native Countrey of Ludulphus Coloniensis that excellent Mathematician as the great opposition these sixe moneths made against the Swedes deserves and requireth not to be forgotten They which know the miseries of warre can better conceive than I can expresse what extremities this place during the time of this siege hath indured The time for ever since it first began hath beene a time of anguish and sorrow affrightes from without and feares within have still prosecuted the Inhabitants that their time of repose hath bin nothing else but a tumultuary dreame if they found any rest it was afearefull one the rest from their trades and occupations whereby they should get their living They which had any relation to them in this distresse could not but shew some tokens of their commiseration and their Allies about Iune 1â— 21 in this consideration did their best to succour them The event of that attempt shall conclude this Chapter The Imperialists attempring to relieve Hilde sheim defeated The Campe before the Citie was conceived to be much weakened as well because it was thought to be much wasted before this citie as also because of the absence of the Commissary Generall Anderson who was reputed then not to have returned to the Armie because hee had lately gone from thence Hereupon the Imperialists which were about the River of Weser conioyned their forces intending to surprise the Brunswickers in their quarters before they were aware But the Commissarie who was no Carpet Knight and went from the Leaguer not to follow his pleasures but had an eye to the maine still had alreadie brought to the Armiefoure fresh Regiments and was himselfe in person present at that time though they supposed him absent To his Quarter their Fortune and way led them where they shewed as much bravery in their losse as he in his Victory The assault was so furious and their sudden comming so terrible that the Bruswickers hopes had failed them had not the Courage of their Leader something quickened them But he breaking out like sire coped up in a watery cloud with more imperiousnesse at that time againe re-animated his men to fight And now behold another storme falleth violently upon the besiegers the Garrison sallied out to the succour of their friends and renewed a Combate that was not ended but with the deaths of many of both parties The Brunswicke Generall Maior was here in danger to have been taken a Lieutenant Colonell had caught him in his armes and was carrying him into the City when his souldiers inraged at that disaster and scorning this affront as they conceived not prising their lives as their Glorie sell upon them so desperatly as if their own liver had been too small a ransom for his liberty Armed with this resolution they recovered the Commander with a grâ—… sâ—…ughter of the besieged drove them backe into their Citie The Candle blazeth most when it burneth in the socket the Rivers there are greatest where they loose their names and their glorie is buried and this was then supposed by the assaylants the last attempt which the besieged would make upon the Leaguer Hostages given a treaty of Agreement for within two daies after they desired a conference and exchange of Hostages till by conference they might make their composition But the conclusions of souldiers in warre are only conjecturall not demonstrative there was good probability of agreement and yet the successe answered not the expectation of the Camp punctually and vpon the instant the Hostages were kept on both parties and the treaty continued till Iuly 5 1â— the campe and the Citie herein onely differing That the Leaguer would exclude the Iesuites and Friars whom they conceived perhaps not without cause to have bin abbettors of the souldiers obstinacy the Garrison unwilling to have them forgotten in the treaty and left to the mercy of the Conquerors the Swedes would have proceeded against them as they thought they had deserved in justice the Garrison protected them against their displeasure in a religious observancy and respect of pierie But their respective reverence to their Order of Priesthood was not the only thing which prolonged the Treaties the souldiers were as loath to loose the opiâ—ion which the World had of their Valour in so long with standing the Sweadish army as to forsake their sooting in Hâ—ldesheim they wanted power and provision to keepe is longer by force and because they could fish no longer in the troubled wat â—us they would cast one hooke in â—ou theâ—eleare streame Some relieâ—e they expected from the in friends abroad and till that came they subtilly delayed the time by propositions of Articles of peace which would otherwise haveâ—…in too lavishly spent in wan and their confederates Iuly 7 17 again indeauored to have delivered them by making a suddenassault upon the Sweads in the trenches though as apppeareth by the sequell it could not be done either so secretly or so fortunatly as they imagined the Story is thus Three Imperial Garrisons one at Neustatt upon the river of Glein two other at Nyâ—nbourg and Mynden both upon the Weser conioyning with two Spanish Regiments which came from Munster under the command of the Colonels Waldecken and Shelhamer A second attempt of the Imperialists upoÌ„ the Army brought together about 4000 horse and foot to Neustatt the place for their Rendevouz the day above-named with a purpose to fall upon the Campe before Hildesheim before the Leaguers should know of their intention But the Swedish Commissarie Erich Anderson and the Generall Major Albrecht of Vstar being informed the same day by their scouts of their meeting
and suspecting the cause of their banding thus together immediately called a Councell of Warre and concluded without delay the same night before these troopes of strangers could come thither to make an assault upon the Citie about midnight and so try whether they could prevent the enemies counsell in taking that by force which they had beene about by the space of almost a for tninghâ— by conference and composition All things against the houre appointed were provided for the businesse the forces were drawne out of all the three quarters before the Citie lodged covered and all things made ready for the assault save onely the watch-word was not given which a sudden raine fell so violently that the Souldiers could neither conveniently handle their â—…pons nor take firme footing upon the slippery ground which made the Commissarie give order to the Army to defist from that course and to conclude upon another which was thus put in practise the day againe appearing The Commanders first suspecting by the squibs and fire works within the Citie and hanging out of lanternes upon the steeples as a signe to their Imperiall friends and afterwards assured by the spies that their enemies were upon their march gave order immediately that the Souldiers should march forward speedily and meete together neere the Stier-waldt and so encounter the Enemie What the Commanders had injoyned the Souldiers of the Campe quickly performed no time was lost for early in the morning they were gone forward as farre as Sachstatt a Citie upon the River of Inder about five or sixe English myles from Hildesheim where hearing the Enemies Drummes beating a farre off the Generall major Vslar set the Army in battell aray planted the Ordnance upon the high ground neere Hilperbercke commended the protection of himselfe and his forces to God gave the Army the word IESVS and presently discovering the Imperialists neerer approaching began the battell with the Cannon the Ordnance of each side playing upon the opposite party and this manner of sight continued by the space of three houres The Evangelicall Commanders then perceiving that the Imperialists would not willingly move out of that posture commanded the Major of Shonaich with 400. Musketiers of the white Regiment and some troups of horse to wheele about and gall them in their flanckers that so he might either provoke them to joyne in a neerer battell or breake them of their order wherein they stood and were yet as well guarded by observation of their rankes as protected from the Cannon by conveniency of the place which they were possest of It was done accordingly and the first attempt made against them was performed so bravely that the warie Imperialists expecting that the maine body of the Evangelicall Army would second the first onset of the Major and suspecting their owne power to be disable to oppose their united force retyred suddenly but orderly to Heyfede a neighbouring Village in the Diocesse of Lawenburgh and fired the same thinking by the smoke to hide themselues from sight of their adversaries and so to avoide them But the Generall Major with the maine body of his Army was already advanced forward come so neere them that he had them in his eye and pursued them so fast that within an English mile or little more they were faine to make a stand and put it to triall whether they might save themselues by battell when they could not escape by flight The Avantguard of the Evangelicall had the first bout with the Imperiall Reare wherein though at first the Imperialists stood to it stoutly yet their power of resistance was soone so much weakened by the courage of the Swedes and Brunswickers and the divers charges made upon them that within one houre they fled in a disorderly confusion and the rest of the Army within as short a space was so utterly routed that of 2500. horse scarce 250. returned to Newstatt their foot forces being at the first 1500 were almost all slaine upon the place save some few which hid themselues in the Forrest the moorish ground and the corne About 1000. prisoners were taken and carried to Sachstatt Collenberge Pattensen and Hanoner three Cities upon the Gleine amongst which were two Lieutenant Collonels two Majors seven Ritemasters three Captaines eleven Lieutenants and nine Cornets and the Evangelicall carried away 13. Standards foure great peeces of Ordnance new cast and all their Ammunition This was a memorable victory as advantageous to the Swedes as pernitious to the Imperialists the Cities of Mynden and Nyenburg were hereby weakened and the state of Hildesheim which before was but languishing hereby grew desperately evill and out of hope of remedy was not to be passed over without an Hymne of thanksgiving in the publicke Congregation which was done so religiously by the whole Army in the great Church at Sach-stat the same evening whence as soone as they had performed this Christian Office they returned speedily and without stay to Hildesheim to end that worke which they had beene so long in doing The absence of the Campe this short space was some hinderance to the Brunswickers before the Citie and might have beene much more had not their returne bin speedy the garrison and Citizens within in this short vacation had burned some of the Leaguers works filled up their trenches againe and were indeavouring to have brought a new store of provision into the Citie but the industrie of the Swedes and Brunswickers quickly repaired the works and scowred the Trenches anew and their speedy returne prevented the victualling and new furnishing the Citie with Ammunition of both which when they within saw themselues deprived they quickly yeelded upon composition their agreement being in effect the same which was made at Hammelin when it was taken in subscribed to the Articles Iuly 13 23. being Sunday And upon Thursday Iuly 17 27 having first delivered up the Swedes and Brunswickers whom in the time of the siege they had taken prisoners and a Regiment of the Evangelicall horsemen and two Companies of their foot being first layed into the Citie marched forth and tooke their way towards Munster with a sufficient Convoy to guard them according as it was concluded upon in the Articles of agreement the tenour whereof was as followeth 1. The Commander in the Garrison shall next Thursday in the forenoone if the Trumpeters which are sent to Minden with the Evangelical hostages be by that time returned or upon the first returne of the Trumpets surrender the Citie to the Lord Generall Major Tylo Albert of Vsler to the use of the high and mighty Prince Fredericke Vlrich Duke of Brunswicke and then give up the keyes of the gates thereof should have no hidden fire or private mines to the danger of the Citie and that presently upon the subscription of the Articles before the Garrison departed the Ravelin before the East-gate shall be guarded by the Brunswicke Generall Major his forces 200 men onely being to be appointed to that service as few
any disparagement to their persons V. That they should deliuer all the prisoners they had in their custody and set them at liberty without any exception VI. That the Conuoy was returned safe againe to the Army they should leaue two sufficie â—e men for Hostages which afterwards should be carried to places of safety Lastly that the Capitulation being subscribed they should instantly surrendes their Ourworkes and the innermost gates to the Campe they should guard them that night with their owne men and early in the morning march forth All this was done accordingly and the next day Iune 3.13 900 of the Souldiers taking pay vnder the Swedes as they write from Leipsig Iune 13.23 the rest of the Garrison marched from thence according to the order of the first Article leauing behind them besides their Ordnance and Ammunition 10 Ensignes and tooke their way through Poland to goe into Mâ—rania This place thus happily taken in Glogaw besieged the Swedish Bauniore marched directly against the great Glogaw in Silefia there to ioyne his Forces with the Saxon Lieutenant Generall because this was a Towne of strength and had formerly done them much annoyance Here these two Commanders hauing enquartered their Armies one on the East side of the Oder and the other on the West Nothing was omitted by the which was either for their owne defence or offence of the enemie and the besieged shewed as much care in fortifying themselues to the measure of their meanes as courage in opposing their weake forces against such warlike preparations The besiegers planted their Batteries and made their approaches so neere the Citie and so speedily that within lesse then fiue dayes they were so nigh the walls that they might cast stones into the Towne and the beleaguered forcing the Lutheran citizens within to helpe them strengthening the walls with palizadoes to preuent the scaladoe threw many boards into the ditches through which they had driuen many nayles to lame the the feete of the Souldiers if they should attempt to assault them and shot fiercely from the Towne vpon the Campe as though they intended to pay them in their owne coyne fight it out to the last and neuer come to termes of composition But their resolutions altered with the occasion discretion commanded them to yeeld to necessitie which had broke them vtterly if they had not bowed of their owne accord and willingly succours they expected and that at the first incouraged them and foure regiments of Imperiall horse endeauoured to relieue them but sayling of their purpose the spirit of the Garrison drooped Glogaw yeelded to the Saxons and the Citie was giuen vp by composition Iune 7.17 vpon these Tearmes following I. That the Gouernour should march out of the City Castell and Thumb or Cathedrall Church in the Euening about 4 of the clocke and surrender the same to the Saxons II. The Commander should neither himselfe pillage doe any iniurie or violence to the poore Citizens nor permit any of the Souldiers at his departure to doe it A good proposition and well aduised of it sheweth that the Army came not against the City to oppresse it as an enemy but relieue it as a friend III. That if there were any priuate Mines or secret fires hidden in the earth the Commander before his going out should discouer and reueale them IIII. That all the Canons and Ammunition should be left in the City bee deliuered to the Saxon Lieutenant Colonell of the Artillery no Peece should be concealed from him if any were hidden in the earth or any other secret place the Commander should disclose it V That all the prisoners which heretofore had serued in the Saxon Brandenburgish or Swedish Army whether they were taken during the time of the Siege or before should be set at liberty VI. That all the Ensignes and Standards should bee deliuered to the Saxons VII That because it was sufficiently knowne that some Waggons loaden with Baggage and belonging to diuers Regiments which were beaten at Lignitz were brought into that City therefore the Commander should be bound to deliuer them to the Saxon forces VIII That none of the Garrison Souldiers should bee compelled to take pay vnder the Swede Saxon or Brandenburger but that as many as would willingly serue vnder these colours should not bee hindred Lastly that the Commander his Officers and Souldiers should march forth safely with high and low Armes their Drums beating their Bandeliers full of Powder Bullets in the mouth and burning Matches in the Cocke with all their owne Horses and Baggage and whatsoeuer else â—ppertained vnto them properlie and for their better securitie in the way should bee guarded with a sufficient conuoy to Glatz This is the summe of the Articles of agreement and it was an honourable composition on both sides the Euangelicall Generalls did hereby giue a good remonstrance of pietie neither thirsting after blood nor insulting ouer the enemie by propounding any thing which might be preiudiciall to his honour and reputation And the Imperiall Commander gaue a good testimony of his wisdome not being â—bstinate when his estate was desperate and courage in the two last Articles whereby hee kept his owne good name vntainted and the Souldiers credit vnviolated The Imperiall Boot-halers of Lignitz surprised During the time of this siege a troope of 500 Imperialists which came forth of Lignitz had plundered some Villages and little Townes the labours intending to returne with the spoyle to Lignitz these the Colonell Gersdorff Commander of the garrison as Gâ—rlitz surprised with his Regiment slâ—w most of them and recouered the booty againe The Generall Arnheim at Dresden acquaints the Elect. with his good successe And so fortunate haue the Saxons lately bin in Silesia that vpon Iune 11. when the Lieâ—…enant Generâ—ll Arnheim was come in person to Dresiden to acquaint the Elector with his good successe and the Generall major Dâ—…mer the same day had preâ—eâ—…ed to the Prince the Cornetâ— and Ensignes which were gotten in the battell or Lignitz The Elector straight gaue order to haue the some day both in his Chappell at the Court and in the City Church a Sermon of thankesgiuing for the former blessings which GOD had bestowed vpon him Publike prayers thankesgiuing and solemne prayers for continuation of his mercies hereafter A good euidence of a religious gratefull heart commâ—ndable in all sorts of men but especiall in a Prince whose example giues life to his actions A Treaty of Peace at Leuthmaritz May 20.30 in that very time when this Elector was so victorious with his Army in Silesia the King of Hungary sent him a kind Letter whereby hee gaâ—e him to vnderstand that his Imperiall Maiesty his father had giuen him full power and authority to Treate with him of a Peace that hee doubted not of the good issue of the Tâ—eaâ—y the propositions on the Emperours part being so reasonable and the meanes hee had to effect it so likely and