lord Willoughby General of the English came to Berghen and had made Sir William Drury knight gouernor of the towne The next day they mustered had in all 12 ensignes of foot 9 of which lay in the towne the other 3 in the forts besides 4 cornets of horse The Dutch captaines were Paul Marcelis Bacx brethren the English were commaunded by captain Parker captain Pooly who was cornet to my lord Willoughby From Holland they receiued a certaine quantitie of powder The Forts whereof we now spake are vpon the hauen which being too farre off from the townes defence sundrie Forts were made to secure it For the hauens mouth lieth 532 foot from the towne from S. Iames his gate it extends 535 foot towards the North and from thence falleth into the Scheld In this turning stands the first which is called the little Fort because it is lesser than any of the rest The other Fort lieth 3320 foot from the head and is called Valkenbourg by the first Captaines name that kept it from thence ye goe to the North Fort distant from the Houdt-port two thousand nine hundred and sixtie foot In Southland nere to Valkenbourg stands the new Fort diuided onely from Valkenbourg by the Dike and this Fort lies open behind By a conduit they can emptie the water of the Dike into the hauen or keepe it in at their pleasure From the new Fort they haue made a new dike as farre as the towne which is commonly called the new hauen Right ouer against the lesser Fort the sluces of the hauen of Northland were opened to keepe the enemie from accesse to the North for t The Lord Willoughby went into Holland to my Lords the States to take order for al necessarie prouisions for the town But before his departure he conferred with the Magistrat and appointed the towne to be diuided into eight quarters and euerie quarter to be commanded by a sherife to ouersee the Burghers and to looke that they laboured in the fortifying of those parts of the towne that were weakest The Burgomasters for that yeare were Frauncis Manteau and Peter Suidlants the Sherifes were William Frauncis the old Burgomaster Cornelius Iohn Cornelius Denis Marke Martin Adrian Iohn Iohn Clarke and Cornelius of Heusden The receiuers were Marin Nicholas the old Burgomaster Nicholas de Ranst When the sherifs vpon important businesse could not ouersee the workmen then some of the chiefe Burghers of euerie quarter supplied their places Foure dayes after the Lord Willoughbies departure the Burghers began at S. Iames his gate as ye go from the head to the new worke making first a trench vpon the bank or causey which leads from the same gate to the new hauen All along the hedge which is planted from the powder tower to the woodden gate fortifications were likewise made in manner of trenches they did also labor verie diligently in other places On the high way from Wouwe some of the enemies horse were descried wherupon the sentinel on the watch tower rang the alarm bell Sir William Drury the gouernour made a sallie and caused the enemie to retire All the horse troopes in the towne followed the gouernour who with those forces that sailled with him pursued the enemie euen to Wouwe part of the horse and foot made a stand at the entring of the heath of Wouwe and the Downes of Berghen In the meane time the gouernour returned hauing lost one of his horsemen and two horse for he went as farre as the Churchyard of Wouwe where he skirmished with many of the enemies Diuers condemned this his attempt saying that he had greatly endaungered himselfe and the towne by his too greedie desire of fight For the enemie was superiour to him in strength and he had too farre engaged himselfe to returne with safetie to the towne if the enemie should haue assailed him Returning from this sallie he caused the bridge at the Bulwarke of Helstede to be broken down for they that had vndertaken the works had made a bridge ouer the dike to fetch earth from the hill of Varij-Bogaert to make an end of their worke Cornelius Iohn the cities sherife sent messengers from the comminaltie of the towne into Zeland to aduertize my Lords the States that the enemie threatned to besiege the towne of Berghen and to that end lay with his campe at Wouwe and that the towne was badly prouided of necessaries for maintenance of a siege and that therefore the magistrats of Berghen besought them of aid and assistance in their necessitie as their neighbours and confederats that the cause was common for if Berghen should bee lost the Islands of Zeland would bee mightily endaungered The next day which was the 14 a boat came from Zeland loden with plankes and other necessaries And because the States of Holland Zeland those of the town of Dort did during the siege carefully send prouision of all necessaries to the towne In that regard I will truly say that it was wel prouided of corne butter cheese salt herring salt fish hay straw oates powder plankes nayles lead bullets match pike oziertwigs to make gabions c. The Zelanders sent fiue Culuerins of Portugal each of them carrying a bullet of 26 pound weight they were of those which Peter Vander Does Vice-Admirall of Holland found in the Gallion of D. Diego Pimentell which he tooke nere to Blankenberg and brought to Flushing The enemies horse shewing themselues againe on the high way of Wouwe were soone put to flight by our men because their number was not great About the same time diuers fires were seene betwixt Rosendael Calmthout made by such as went from Calmthout towards Steenberghen to assemble all their forces to go and inuade the land of Tertholen as it afterwards appeared For the night before the 17 of September great numbers of the enemie vnder the conduct of the Lord of Montigni went along the bank called Matreben to a place called Eendrecht meaning to surprise the Island All the causey of Tertholen especially where the water is so low as the riuer may be crossed is fortified with a trench and forts well mand with soldiers are made in many needfull places The Count of Solms was gouernour of the Island There where the enemie thought to passe is a large extent of ground where on Tertholens side are 3 forts the one Southward towards Tholen called the Botshoost that in the middest is called Papen-mutse or priests cap because it is square and the third stretching Northward is stiled the new Weer or passage The water being low certaine ensignes attempted to passe ouer to the Fort of Papen-mutse But the water was not so shallow as they imagined and the current was verie strong so that diuers of them were drowned and slaine by our mens shot some of them notwithstanding passed ouer and being protected by the banke made signes to their fellowes to come ouer But all this beeing to no purpose because the rest
his soldiers to another Corps du gard nere to the Castles great plat-forme where sixteene souldiers more made some resistance who were all slaine This done and a signall giuen Count Hohenlo two houres after came to the Castle with his Excellencies vangard but because the vttermost gate of the Castle could not be opened by reason of the yce his suoldiers entred nere to the Sluce by breaking down a pallisado Hohenlo being entred young Lansauecia made an accord with him to go his way himself soldiers with their liues Within a while after Prince Maurice and his souldiers both horse and foot arriued and with him the Earles Philip of Nassau and Solms Sir Fraucis Veer who commanded the English the Admiral Iustinus of Nassau the Lords of Famas Verdoes and other Captaines And as Count Hohenlo had exhorted the Burghers to returne to the obedience of their auncient Lord and Prince Maurice had giuen order to enter the towne at two gates they sent a drumme who craued leaue that some of the Burgomasters might come and parley who in lesse than an houres space made an accord that the Burghers should redeeme themselues from spoile by paying two moneths wages to the souldiers the summe amounting to 97074 florins In this manner their armes being throwne downe Prince Maurice sent the Lord Vander-Noot Captaine of his gard to seaze vpon the State-house and other places The same night that the first alarme was giuen in the Castle the Marquis of Guasto his horse companie and fiue other ensignes of Italians being affrighted did in disorder breake downe a gate and basely fled forth of the towne notwithstanding that the Burghers who feared the spoile of their goods promised them all ayd and assistance if they would tarrie and defend it but in vaine This was a great disgrace to so noble a Nation which the Prince of Parma reuenged by reproaching the Spaniards some of whom he imprisoned and beheaded certaine captaines among others Caesar Guitra Iulio Gratiauo Guastos Lieutenant whose name was Turlantino and the corporall who had so slenderly searcht the boat The towne and castle of Breda were miraculously taken without any great losse of bloud one onely man being lost who by reason of the darkenesse fell into the water and was drowned of the garrison in the castle fortie were slaine For this victorie all the vnited prouinces and townes gaue publique thankes vnto God in their Churches made bonefires and in memorie thereof coyned pieces of gold siluer and copper with this superscription on the one side how that the towne of Breda had beene on the fourth of March 1590 freed from the Spanish bondage by the conduct of Prince Maurice of Nassau and on the other side was the Dike with the turfe boat which carried the souldiers with this circumscription Readie to win or die and then The reward of an inuincible courage Prince Maurice by the consent of my Lords the States gaue the gouernement of the Towne Castle and Countrie of Breda to captaine Herauguieres with ample commaund to Captaine Lambert Charles the office of Serjeant Major and to other particular Captains and soldiers some of the sayd pieces or medâ—ls in pure gold with sums of money with promise of aduauncement according to euerie mans qualitie and merit the shippers were likewise aduanced and well rewarded The towne was forthwith prouided for according to the Lord of Oldenbbarvelts direction with all kind of muniâ—ion and victuals from Holland for a yeare and a halfe and before ten dayes were expired foure hundred horse and twelue ensignes of foot were sent to lie in Garrison in the towne the Burghers were likewise diuided into fiue companies to keepe good watch And in this manner by Gods assistance the towne is till now preserued from the enemie ¶ Count Mansfelt batters and assaults the Fort of Nordam and is brauely beaten thence on the 14 of May 1590. THe Duke of Parma perceiuing that his Excellencie of Nassau had by a cunning surprisall taken the Towne of Breda from him did for auoyding a greater mischiefe before March was expired said Count Charles of Mansfelt with 40000 men towards Breda to hinder their incursions and secure the Countrie who presently seazed on all the places round about it as Oosterhout Tering and other townes wherein he placed souldiers hee likewise tooke Seuenberghen and other towns where he vsed great crueltie At Terheyden which is a village betwixt Seuenberghen and Breda seated on a little riuer called the Mercke he caused a great Fort to be built with a bridge ouer the riuer thereby to keep victuals from Breda and lay there encamped till the worke was ended thinking thereby to oppresse Breda In May following he besiged the fort of Nordam which my lords the States hold nere to Seuenberghen seated nere the water commaunded by Captaine Mathew Helt who was in the Turfe boat at the taking of Breda And the thirteenth and foureteenth of May the sayd Count Mansfelt battered it with seuen canon made 1200 shot vpon it and gaue a furious assault They did likewise at ful Sea bring a great barke before the Fort mand with good musketiers to anoy the defendants they had bridges likewise wheron to martch to the assault They twice assaulted it and were still repulsed with the losse of two Italian Captaines the one named Horacio Fontano of Modena and the other Giouan Francisco Pageno a Neapolitan with diuers others of name and marke Six or seauen hundred of the enemie died there for by often shooting they fired the barke and as many as were in her were burnt whereupon they were enforced to retire to the great commendation of Captaine Mathew Helt who thereby purchased much honour The vnited Prouinces in the meane time had sent a small Armie into the field vnder the conduct of Prince Maurice and Count Hohenlo with which in May they went to a place called Ouer-Betuwe or High-Betuwe encamping right ouer against NimmegueÌ„ where they built a strong Fort on the banke of the Riuer Waell the better to auoy the Towne they did it likewise to diuert Count Mansfelt from Nordam and to draw him forth of Brabant But Mansfelt not thinking himselfe stong enough came nere to Nimmeguen and hauing intelligence that Prince Maurice his forces began to make a Fort on the further side of the Waell nere to the State-house he marched towards them with his canon beating them thence and ouerthrew the worke new begun an afterwards the better to prouide his armie of victuals he went and encamped on the Mase in the Land of Cuyck So as Prince Maurice tarried there all the Summer to finish his Fort in view danger of the canon of Nimmeguen which with the help of Count Mansfelt plaid furiously vpon the towne Notwithstanding all these difficulties the Fort was made defensiue towards the later end of Iulie and was called Knodsenbourg or Maces-bourg in disdaine of those of Nimmeguen called Knodsendrages which
take the Towne of Hulst in the view of Mondragon and those of Antuerpe And now in winter Nimmeguen the chiefe Towne of Guelderland making the Waell her frontier He had another enterprise vpon Geertrudenberg in December and departing secretly from the Hague with one thousand sixe hundred men they mounted the wall by Scalado but they were repulsed with losse of two Captaines A certain place called Alpen was likewise surprized by the garrison of Nimmeguen the same yere 1591. My Lords the States made gold siluer and brasse coyne in perpetuall memorie of these victories and taking of Zutphen Deuenter Hulst Nimmeguen and other Forts attributing the whole honour and glorie vnto God The towne of Steenwijck is besieged and taken in anno 1592. HIs Excellencie of Nassau hauing woon the towne and fort of Nimmeguen reducing them vnder the States obedience after that he had rested all winter did again march into the field departed from the Hague on the 10 of May 1592 accompanied with the Earles Hohenlo and Solms his Councell of war were the Lord of Barchon as Marshall of the campe Count Philip of Nassau Generall of the horse the Lord of Famas master of the ordnance Captaine Craiessonier Serjeant Major with other commanders and Colonels as Sir Frauncis Veer Floris of Brederode Morney Dorp Groenevelt and other Captains of great experience The Lord of Gryse was Prouidator generall There were beside certaine counsellors of State and commissiones of the prouinces whether the armie was to march all seruing for direction and ordering of al necessaries belonging to the ordnance ammunition treasure and victuals with their dependants The armie consisted of 6000 foot and 2000 horse with which his Excellencie departed towards Steenwijck with all his prouisions where he encamped on the 28 of May. Steenwijck is a towne in the prouince of Ouer-Yssell standing vpon a small riuer called Blockziell which nere to Meppell a mile from Steenwijck emptieth it selfe into Zuidersea it is a passage into Frizeland seruing for defence to a great extent of ground being verie strong in rampiers it was verie well manned for there were 16 ensignes of foot certaine troopes of horse in it The gouernour was a braue and well experienced Captaine his name was Antonio de Quocquelle there were diuers other Lords and Earles in it as Count Lodwick yonger brother to Count Berguen the Lord of Waterdijke with omen of note The towne was well prouided and wanted nothing but powder whereof a great quantitie was sent forth of Germanie which passing through the Countrie of Munster was seazed on by the inhabitants in recompence of a certaine bootie which the Duke of Parmas souldiers had taked from them Before we come to the siege of Steenwijck we will speake of a certaine enterprise which was intended vnder colour of this siege The Spaniards and those of Steenwijck thought to haue surprized the towne of Enchuysen by meanes of a certain mariner that dwelt there who was lately come from Spaine where he had spoken with the king and had receiued a good summe of money both of his Majestie and Duke of Parma as well for his owne seruice which he was to doe as to win other Captaines and souldiers to embrace the enterprise But this Burgher bewrayed all to my Lords the States and to his Excellencie of whom he receiued such instructions as he persuaded the Spaniards that the best way was to attempt the Hauen and to that end they should send a thousand men from Steenwijck which was not farre off which should be shipt in a night in the beginning of May whom he without any suspition would conduct hauing alreadie woon the captaines and chiefe of the towne who wrote v pon their credits all things were sure And the better to colour it and to blind those of Steenwijck this Burgher offered to remaine as hostage among them and to vndergoe all manner of punishment if he should deale otherwise than faithfully with them or if matters succeeded not well according to his direction And in the meane space Prince Maurice should be at the same time in Enchuysen to surprise the surprisers which might easily be done because that the Hauen is drie at low water and hauing taken them all prisoners he should presently send his armie before Steenwijck to besiege it and threaten them that vnlesse they would presently deliuer this Burgher he would hang vp all his prisoners but somewhat croft this businesse so as the enterprise went not forward yet Prince Maurice went on with his armie to besiege Steenwijck From the thirteenth of May till the ninth of Iune his Excellencie was busied in making of trenches and finding out solid and fast ground whereon to plant his canon he made a Cauallier of 19 foot high on which he layd three pieces wherewith to beat down their defences and lay them open fortie fiue pieces being planted on the thirteenth of Iune the towne was battered yet at that time they did no great matter for they could hardly batter the curtains notwithstanding they discarged many thousand shot They shot wild fire into the towne which at first did terrifie them but it was soone quenched His Excellencie perceiuing that the canon was to smal purpose and that those in the towne did not greatly regard it resolued to shoot no more but made two mynes towards the Counter-scarp which likewise did no great matter they digged till they came vnder the Counter-scarp which he woon from them and in a certain place at the foot of the pallisado discouered how they within laboured in the dikes so as to giue an assault wold be but lost labor vnesse those within were beaten from thence and therefore they brought certain pieces into sundrie places in the dike to beat down the fortification at the foot of the pallizado being protected by their canon they came into the dike where they shadowed themselues so well as the townesmen could not hurt them so as by that means they possest the foot of the rampier of the principal Bulwark on the East side where they digged 23 foot vnder the ground ere they came to make any chambers they spent to daies in this work du ring which time the besieged made 2 sallies in the first they tooke an ensigne defeated certaine Englishmen in the 2 they slew captaine Olthof who in the former siege had bin in the towne defēded it with certain others of note part of those which had the gard in that place Our mē cold neuer take any of the besieged prisoners On the 23 of Iune the besigers batered one of the towns rauelins when those within perceiued the battery they forsooke it From the 24 till the 27 of Iune our men were busied in making a woodden tower on wheeles which in Dutch is called Lijmstang in English discouer Pot it was inuented by captain Iohn Corput of Breda This Tower was square and made of Mastes fastened together by yron vices there were nine
was engaged by the enemie captaine Cloet knowing the Earle by his Orange coloured plume charged vpon a companie of Lanciers that were comming to charge the Earle who by this meanes escaped our cauallerie retired to his Excellencie who encouraged the souldiers re-enforcing them with two companies that were with him who constrained the enemie to giue backe His Excellencie sent two cornets of horse to the shore viz. his owne commaunded by Captaine Bael and Generall Veers companie commaunded by Captaine Pembrooke These two companies beeing come to the shoare stayed neere the batterie expecting the enemie Our ordnance charged with musket bullets played vpon the enemie who lost many men and horse and were enforced to quit the Downes and yet they returned againe to the shore and came before the batterie Then the companies of Baell and Generall Veer charged fiercely vpon the enemie who fled and then charged the fanterie likewise so as Baell tooke Sapena prisoner on the Downes and Generall Veers companie D. Lewis de Villar His Excellencies cauallerie on the plaine repulsed the enemie for he did continually put them in order and caused them to charge there where hee saw most need so as in the end our men perceiuing that the enemie began to flie both on the shore and Downes tooke courage and on euerie side charged him who at first began to giue backe and afterward betook himselfe to open flight and thereby our men woon the place of battaile and obtained the victorie diuers pursued the enemie into the Marshes and to the new Dam taking many of them prisoners this battaile was sharpe and bloudie on both sides The Archduke who hardly escaped did in this battaile both of such as were slayne and taken prisoners lose the greatest part of all his commaunders chiefe Lords Noblemen and household seruants together with most of the captaines and officers of his armie videlicet D. Francesco de Mendoza Admerall of Arragon Count Salines D. Lewis de Villar Campe-Master D. Lewis d'Avila D. Pedro de Mendoza Doctour Andrew N. one of his highnesse phisitians Count Charles Rezin one of his Pages D. Gaspar Moragon fiue and thirtie Captaines both of horse and foot two hundred and three Lieutenants ensignes Sergeants Dons Caualiers and others of name to the number of thirtie And beside these we got 8 pieces of ordnance all the munition much baggage and the verie furniture of the Archdukes own Chamber and Cabinet and among other things his Signet and aboue 100 ensignes with certaine cornets and Trumpets The number of the dead on the Archdukes side was 7000 beside those that were afterwards slaine and died of their hurts and his Excellencie lost betwixt two or three thousand accounting those which had beene defeated in the Morning Among other ensignes there was presented to my Lords the generall States a Standerd belonging to 1600 Spanish mutineers made of blew Damaske hauing on the one side in middest of a field the figure of our Ladie in a Sun before whom a Moncke kneeled ouer his head these words in golden letters Aue gratia plena ouer the virgins head was a great golden star and neere to it in golden letters Stella Maris in the middest on her right hand was the figure of a Sun and neere it these letters Electa vt Sol on the left hand the Moone with this inscription Pulchra vt Luna at her feet stood a Turret with these words Turris Dauidis and beneath vpon the hem of the Standard Benedicta tu in mulieribus On the other side was the represention of our Lord Iesus Christ vpon the Crosse ouer his head were these words in golden letters Adoramus te Christe benedicimus tibi in the middest Recordare nouissimatua in aeternum non peccabis and beneath Quia per crucem tuam redemisti mundum All these figures were cunningly wrought euen to the life In this battaile the greatest losse fell to the Spaniards and Italians who were the chiefe strength and glorie of the Spaniards armie who in the Morning did assure themselues of the victorie and that with such confidence as they made no doubt of it but marched on before hoping alone to gain the honour of the day It was a magnificent and gallant victorie for my Lords the generall States his Excellencie and for all the vnited Prouinces but obtayned with much labour and bloud for on his Excellencies side 1000 men were slaine among whom were three Captaines of horse thirteene of foot viz. six English Captaines two Frizons three French one Walon and one Alman with many Lieutenants ensignes and other officers beside some 700 hurt men among whom was the noble sir Frauncis Veer and many other Captaines and officers both of horse and foot As the enemie fleed the Cauallerie came forth of Ostend and slew many of them But his Excellencie who in the battaile had shewed himself valiant discreet for better encouragement to his souldiers had himselfe together with his brother and other Lords there present charged the enemie did in the end reassēble certaine cornets of horse and some foot regiments setting them in order in the place of battaile keeping them for reseruation and seconds if any disorder should arise The enemie being wholly put to rout and night drawing on his Ex. marched to the Church of Westend where with his whole armie he remained that night vpon the plain where the battail was fought and in his Tent supt with the Admerall of Arragon and others who were requested to deliuer their opinions what they thought of these exploits of these new vnexperienced soldiers whom they had so tearmed who could doe nothing but win townes and skonces not daring to shew themselues in open field and whether they thought that they would one day proue tal souldiers with such other like discourses But the Admerall grauely and discreetly knew verie well how to answer and among other discourses at Table concerning the battaile he complained of their owne cauallerie taxing them for not doing their duetie for had not they retreated there was some likelihood that their footmen would haue become Masters of the ordnance with which they might haue obtayned the victorie He complained likewise of their charging all at once and for that they had not reserued some to second the squadrons here and there who should haue put them in order againe when they retreated and with them haue giuen a fresh charge as Prince Maurice had done husbanding his horse and foot not hazarding all his forces at once He highly commended his Excellencie likewise for planting his ordnance but he chiefely praised him for that he had so brauely presented his forces to his enemie sending away all his boats and thereby enforced all his souldiers to fight if they meant to saue their liues and for that himselfe and other commaunders had no more aduauntage than the meanest souldier His Excellencie perceiuing the next day that his souldiers were much burthened with the enemies
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
yet to my Lords the States as chiefe Lords Whereupon they were constrained to vse force because that to reduce him to obedience did greatly import the countries And for that we wil set downe euerie thing according to truth we will adde in this place in manner of an introduction the reasons which moued my Lords the States and his Excellencie so to do euen as it was printed by their owne Printer in anno 1588. It is knowne to all men that the most illustrious high and mightie Lord the Prince of Orange of happie memorie was so affectionat to the wealth and commoditie of the Netherlands and especially of Holland Zeland and West Frizeland vnder his owne gouernement as he hath for the conseruation of those Prouinces offered and exposed not onely his own substance and that of his kinsmen but euen his owne person and those of my Lords his brethren and others of his kindred so that the said Lord Prince being pursued by the King of Spaine by all hostile meanes for the cause abouesaid and by the Duke of Alua during his tyrannie in the Low Countries perceiuing the state of these countries to be wonderfully opprest he hath shewed so many honourable commendable and heroicke markes and testimonies of his affection to the good of these Prouinces as during his absence from thence the inhabitants thereof and namely the countries of Holland Zeland and West Frizeland did mutually determin to free themselues from the tyrannie of the said Duke of Alua to embrace the Christian and reformed Religion and to liue free vnder the lawfull gouernement of the abouesaid Lord Prince And for the maintenance of the sayd resolution he did at the beginning of the warre appoint and send into sundrie parts and townes of the afore mentioned countries vnder his gouernement such persons as himselfe thought fit for the seruice of the countrey with such Commission as the affaires of the time then required and among others sent the Generall Senoy into North Holland and West Frizeland who vpon his Excellencies commission was willingly without any contradiction receiued there the inhabitants of the said countries hauing no respect to the person of the man who was a stranger vnknowne and borne forth of the countrey but onely for loue which they bare to the said Lord Prince and for that they were there desirous to shew what honour and respect they did beare to his commaundements It is a matter likewise knowne that euer since that time the sayd Generall hath beene verie honourably respected by his Excellence of happie memorie and by the countrey as also that after the lamentable death of his said Excellencie the States of Holland and West Frizeland and the high and mightie Lord Maurice Prince of Orange Earle of Nassau and Marquesse of Vere Fiessingue c. son to the aboue named Prince after that he had receiued the gouernement of Captaine Generall of the countries of Holland Zeland and West Frizeland haue continued and maintained the said Generall in the same office and authoritie in the sayd place as he had before his Excellencies lamentable death And although the sayd General ought to haue acknowledged these benefits receiued from the countrey at the least not to enterprise anything contrarie to the lawes thereof or to his Excellencies Commission as Gouernor general of Holland Zeland and West Frizeland especially seeing that the sayd gouernement was solemnely giuen to his Excellencie vpon sound consideration partly in signe of acknowledgement of the good and commendable seruices done by the late Lord Prince his father Neuerthelesse meanes hath bin made by some men for the most part borne forth of the countries badly affected to them and vngratefull to the house of Nassau that the said Generall hath obtained a certaine ample Commission from the Earle of Leycester whom the generall States had made Gouernour Generall of the Low Countries vnknowne to the States of Holland and West Frizeland or to his Excellencie of Nassau absolutely to commaund in all matters concerning the state and gouernement of the countries and townes of North Holland and West Frizeland as Gouernour and Lieutenant to the sayd Earle of Leycester And besides this hath likewise obtained other Commissions directly contrarie to the priuiledges and lawes of the sayd countries and authoritie of the Gouernour thereof By vertue whereof hee hath likewise begun to appoynt new Receiuors of the reuenewes of the countrey vsing forcible meanes to commit them into the possession of their pretended Commissioners Of which the States of Holland West Frizeland being aduertised they haue according to the charge of their calling for the defence and confirmation of the vnion and lawes of the said countries as also of the gouernment and authority of his said Excellency written to the sayd Generall to acquaint them with the sayd Commissions and not in vertue therof attempt any thing without the knowledge of his Excellencie and States But all this being to no purpose with him the States of Holland Zeland and West Frizeland complained to the Earle of Leicester concerning the graunt of the sayd Commissions as hurtfull to the lawes and customes of the said countries and to his Excellencies authoritie and by consequence repugnant to the oath made by the said Earle of Leycester crauing a reuocation thereof Whereupon the said Lord Earle at his first departure into England on the foure twentieth of Nouember 1586 did vpon mature deliberation and knowledge of the matter declare That he was content if the Commissions of the sayd Generall were preiudicious to the countrey and to the authoritie of his Excellencie of Nassau that the States should take order therein Which Declaration be subsigned with his owne hand Hereupon within a while after the States and his Excellencie of Nassau wrot to the sayd Generall to come and bring those Commissions to the Hague that order might be taken therein for the conseruation and vnion of the customes and priuiledges of the countrey as also for his Excellencies gouernement and authoritie Vpon this commaundement the sayd Generall in Ianuarie 1587 came to the Hague to his Excellencie and my Lords the States and deliuered his Commissions aswell concerning the sayd gouernement as Captaineship of the Castle of Medenblick into the hands of his Excellencie Which Commissions being well perused were directly found to be contrarie to the customes of the sayd countries and townes tending to dissention and disunion and likewise contrarie to the authoritie of the Gouernour and Captaine generall of Holland and West Frizeland His Excellencie and certaine chiefe Lords appointed to administer iustice in the sayd countries and verie zealous in the true Christian and reformed Religion together with many Noblemen of the countrey and townes of Holland did acquaint him with the loue and affection which his Excellencie of Nassau and my Lords the States did beare vnto him and that they were desirous to continue him in the same authoritie and commaund which he had had ouer the troupes now
imagination on no sure ground his Excellencie did againe send some of the most eminent persons of the countrey men verie zealous to the reformed Christian Religion louers of their countrey to bring him to some reason and to persuade him to doe whatsoeuer was needfull for the good of the countrey and maintenance of the true reformed Religion together with the rights priuiledges franchises and laudible customes of the said Prouinces and to diuert him from any sinister conceit of his Excellencies true meaning who desired to perfect the worke begun in these countries by my Lord his father of happie memorie and to proceed no otherwise with the Generall but in louing iust and friendlie manner promising to forget all former vnkindnesses And though the said Generall vpon the remonstrance of these Commissioners did not absolutely condescend to that which his Excellencie required of him for the seruice of the country because he said that he had aduertised the Earle of Leycester thereof whose answer he daily expected yet in regard hee had by prouiso both by word of mouth and writing declared that he was sorie for denying entrance to his Excellencie of Nassau into Medenblick vnto whom and to the States of Holland and West Frizeland he confest himselfe to be much obliged and that therefore he would not deliuer the towne of Medenblick to any without commaundement from his Excellencie and my Lords the States But concerning the acceptance of his Commission and taking the oath which his Excellencie commaunded hee therein craued delay for a time So that his Excellencie and my Lords the States wrot vnto him That they did relye vpon his aboue mentioned Declaration and were willing for a time to deferre that which they had required of him so that vpon mature deliberation he would make a more ample Declaration thereupon He was moreouer requested to continue his loyall seruice and not to charge the townes and citizens of Medenblick with too great garrisons which would breed confusion in the state of the countrey Two monethes after this the Generall made no farther Declaration and in the meane space the truth of that came to light which his Excellencie of Nassau and my Lords the States had long before doubted namely that the good of those countries by the apparent losse of the true Christian and Reformed Religion together with the rights and franchises were in great hazard by a determination held to treat with the enemie Whereupon his Excellencie and my Lords the States thought good being well and amply informed of the said apparent danger to aduertise the sayd Generall thereof by a man verie trustie and zealous of true religion and verie inward with him and to intreat him That he would weigh the sayd dangers and at last resolue vpon that which they hadso often craued of him for the good of the countrey or else that he would come to the Hague to his Excellenie to conferre with him concerning these affaires to the end the said dangers might be preuented The Generall vpon his Excellencies word and promise being come to the Hague was by him so louingly entertained and respected as if none of all this had euer beene And being fully instructed concerning all matters and of his Excellencies intention he continued his former Declaration and promise requiring for the rest that they would delay it for a while longer promising that he would make suit so soone as the Earle of Leycester should returne to be discharged of the Commission which he had giuen him And thereupon his Excellencie of Nassau and my Lords the States gaue him free leaue to returne wishing him to haue a care for the good of the countrey and not to ouerburthen the towne and citizens of Medenblick and that in so doing he should be well assured of his Excellencie and my Lords the States affection as well to the common good of those countries as particularly to himselfe The Earle of Leycester returning afterwards into these countries his Excellencie and my Lords the States did for many monethes expect the true performance of the Generals promise but as nothing ensued thereupon but on the contrarie diuers things so handled as there was great likelihood that misprisions breaches and diuisions would ensue and so by consequent the ruine of those countries rather than the preseruation of them The States and his Excellencie did at last request the Councell of State and the Earle of Leycester as he from whom be had receiued his Commission openly to declare what they were to expect of that which for an whole yeare had been held doubtfull and vncertaine Whereupon the sayd Councell declared That the Commission granted by the Earle of Leycester to the said Generall was repugnant to the authoritie and Commission of his Excellencie of Nassau and contrarie to the vnion and customes of the countrey Whereof they likewise hauing written to the Earle of Leycester they thought good to send for the said Generall to conferre with him thereupon and to that end gaue him all assurance But the Generall making a slight excuse to the Councell would not come himselfe but sent William Mostaert in his stead vnto whom the said Councell declared That they vnderstood that the Generalls Commission was contrarie to his Excellencie of Nassaus authoritie and that he was alreadie discharged thereof by his Excellencie the Earle of Leycesters owne Declaration dated the foure and twentieth of Nouember That the said Generall was likewise bound to receiue his Commission from his Excellencie of Nassau and to respect and obey him Whereupon the said Mostaert made a Declaration in the Generalls bebalse how that he doubted not but that the Generall would be well pleased so to doe prouided that the Commission might be made to his own content And as the Councell commaunded the said Mostaert to set downe in writing vpon what points the Generall would haue his Commission made he deliuered them as they are hereafter inserted wherein as likewise by that which hath beene added to it may be seene how vnreasonable a matter it was In the meane time the generall States the Councell of State his Excellencie of Nassau as Gouernor and Captain Generall of Holland Zeland and West Frizeland together with the Gouernours and Commaunders of other chiefe Prouinces for the assurance of the state of the countries had giuen order for the munition of the frontire townes and forts wherein to preuent all outward confusion it was among other matters thought fit that the towne of Medenblick should be ordinarily manned with an hundred and fiftie souldiers and no more And because the Generall kept fiue or six hundred souldiers there contrarie or at least without the commaundement of his Excellencie and Councell of State and that the Councell of State had oftentimes commaunded him from the Earle of Leycester his Excellencie to send the souldiers ouer aboue the two hundred that were there forth of the towne for the countries seruice hee thereupon made an impertinent answer how that
send them from Sluce to Sea or else through the channell of Iperlee into other Hauens of Flanders He had likewise prepared seuentie flat bottomed vessels in the little Riuer at Waten each of them beeing able to carrie thirtie horse with Bridges fit to ship them he had likewise two hundred more of these Boates though not so big readie in the Hauen of Newport He had rigd two and thirtie ships of warre at Dunkirke wanting mariners he drew diuers from Hambourg Breme and Embden He had two thousand emptie vessels readie at Grauelin which in a short space might be soon fastened together in maner of a bridge with all prouision to make bridges to choake vp hauens and to found them and neere to the Hauen of Newport hee had prepared great heapes of Fagots and other substance to make Gabions in many of his Boates were two Ouens to bake bread he had likewise great numbers of Saddles Bridles and furniture for horse with all sorts of ordnance and munition necessarie thereunto Beside he had a Campe readie not farre from Newport commaunded by Camillo the Campe-Master and thirtie Ensignes of Italians tenne of Walons eight of Scots eight of Burgonians in all fiftie sixe Ensignes euerie Ensigne an hundred men compleat Neere to Dixmuyde hee had sixtie Spanish Ensignes sixtie of Almans and seuen of reuolted English vnder the commaund of of Sir William Stanley The Earle of Westmerland and the Lord Paget English fugitiues were there likewise readie to imbarke In the suburbs of Courtray he had foure thousand horse 900 horse at Watene with the Marquesse of Guastos Cornet who was Generall of the horse Pope Sixtus the fist the better to strengthen the sayd Armie and weaken the Queene of Englands power did for his part doe all he could imploying his spirituall armes as they terme it published his Croizades and Bulls for the aduancement of this enterprise and gaue great pardons which were printed and distributed abroad He had likewise as it is reported giuen the Realme of England to the King of Spaine with this Title of Defender of the Christian faith commaunding him to surprise it on condition that if he should win it he should enioy it as a seodatarie to the See of Rome and to this end the Pope contributed a million of gold or ten ne hundred thousand ducats the one halfe in hand and the other when eyther England or some famous Hauen should bee woon And for the better furtherance thereof the Pope sent an English Doctor called Allen into the Low-countries who should haue had the managing of all Ecclesiasticall affaires He caused a declaration of the Popes to be Printed at Antuerpe confirming his predecessors sentence of excommunication deposing and degrading the Queen of England from all her titles and dignities as an vsurper which for the aduauncement of the enterprise he would haue published in England The Spanyard the better to couer and conceale his practises or else peraduenture to make the world beleeue that his designe was rather for the vnited Prouinces than for England made a solemne treatie of peace with the Queen at Bourbourg in Flanders But the Prouinces Towns and Forts neere to the Sea gaue aduertisements protested and sought all meanes to hinder and breake off this treatie of peace aduising the English rather to stand upon their Gard Yet some in England stood fast for peace or truce as most necessarie profitable for the State of their countrie as well for their traffique nauigation as to cut off the great expence of a long tedious war others by this meanes thought to diuert the fleet from them so to auoid the tempest In a word Parma hereby did lull full diuers Englishmen a sleep who were desirous of peace in the Low countries himselfe thinking on nothing lesse than peace studying how he might conquer England which he had alreadie promised to himselfe Whereupon the English the vnited prouinces were in some sort prepared for defence against the force of this fleet but not according to the greatnesse of the danger for it was giuen out that this great Armada was onely to conuey the Spanish fleet to the Indies and bring it safe home againe which was the rather belieued because the ships being so great some thought that the Spaniards would not hazard them in the narrow seas nere to England In May the French King sent a message to the Queene of England by which hee aduised her to prepare for defence for that he was truly enformed that this tempest wold light vpon her Wherupon the Queene speedily prepared a fleet of her owne ships and that of her subjects sent part thereof to Plimmouth in the West parts vnder the commaund of the Lord Admirall Charles Lord Howard of Effingham now Earle of Nottingham together with Sir Francis Drake Vice-Admirall to the number of 100 saile An other fleet lay betwixt Douer and Calais vnder the commaund of the Lord Henrie Seymer sonne to the Duke of Somerset to the number of 40 or 50 saile All England was in Armes vnder valiant and trusty Captaines And because it was reported that the Spanyards conjoyned with Parma would come vp into the Riuer of Thames a Campe was made nere Grauesend with forts on both sides the Riuer by Frederic Ienibelli an excellent Ingeneir The Queene came in person to the Campe like a second Tomyris or Pallas other Camps were likewise placed in other parts As for the vnited Prouinces of Holland Zeland c. they by a mutuall consent resolued to doe the like But because they vnderstood that the Spanish ships were too bigge to come nere their shallow shoares they were more afraid of Parma and his flat bottomed Boats notwithstanding their own incessiue broiles they made readie a fleet of ninetie vessels which they sent to gard al the Hauens of Flaunders euen from the Scheld and Lillo as farre as Grauelin and had placed strong Garrisons in all their Sea Townes And to make some opposition against the Spanish fleet they sent Captaine Cornelis Lonck of Rosendael with fiue and twentie or thirtie vessels to joyne with the Lord Henrie Seymer and to lye betwixt Calais and Antuerpe But the ships were by Tempest and Northerlie winds enforced to quit the coast of Flanders and to returne into England yet when the tempest ceased they returned with Iustinus of Nassau who was there in person with George le More Vice-Admirall of Zeland being in number fiftie fiue vessels great and small of 80 and two hundred and fiftie tunne excellently well mand with souldiers and mariners beside one thousand two hundred old choyce musquetiers drawne from all the Regiments who were resolute and skilfull in Sea fight This was dore to keepe Parmas fleet from comming forth of the Hauens which was a matter of most importance In the meane time on the nine and twentieth day of May 1588 the aforesaid mightie Nauie sayled forth of the Hauen of Lisbone vnder
some fortie or fiftie followers went aboord Drake and the rest were carried to Plimmouth where they remayned a yeare and halfe till they had payed their ransome or were exchanged for others Valdez comming into Drakes presence kissed his hands told him that they had all resolued to die if they had not bin so happie to fall into his hands whom hee knew to bee noble and curteous and famous for dealing well with his vanquished enemie so as he doubted vvhether his enemies had more cause to loue him for his valour or feare him for his fortunate exploits which had alreadie attained to the highest degree Sir Francis Drake did curteously imbrace him and caused him to eat at his owne Table and sleepe in his owne Cabbin where Valdez reported vnto him their strength how that the four Gallies were dispersed that they had thought to haue entred the hauen of Plimmouth without feare of the English Nauie which they supposed durst not haue made resistance and so haue become masters at sea They likewise admired the valor of the English who durst with so few small vessels approch their inuincible Nauie get the wind of it with other such like discourses Valdez and his followers were afterward carried into England he was a man much respected in his countrie kinsman to the same Valdez who in an 1573 had besieged Leyden in Holland In his ship some of the kings treasure was amounting to the summe of 55000 Ducats in siluer which was all pillaged The same day the Vice-Admirall Oquendo his ship was fired where was great store of powder and munition all the vpper deck was burnt with all the men of whom few were saued It was taken and carried into England with many men in her halfe burnt and yet all the powder which was in hold was saued which was a matter to be admired In the meane time the English Lord Admiral in his ship called the Arke had that night so far followed the Spanyards as in the morning he found himselfe in a manner alone in the middest of his enemies so as it was foure a clocke after noone ere all his fleet came vp to him Some say that D. Hugo de Moncada Generall of the foure Galleasses did at the same time with great earnestnesse intreat the Duke of Medina to giue him leaue to boord the Lord Admirall which the Duke would in no sort permit being loth to passe the bounds of his Commission Tewsday the second of August the fleet being before Portland the wind turned to the North so as the Spanyards had a prosperous gale but the English did againe get the wind of them their ships being lighter and of better saile By this meanes the Spaniards then seemed more to incline to fight than before to speake truth that dayes fight was most fierce and bloudie In the middest of the fight the English Admirall cried out aloud to Captaine George Semmer saying ô George what dost thou wilt thou now forsake me or wilt thou deceiue my opinion of thy valour which words did so inflame him as hee assayled the enemie so furiously as that day he woon greatest commendation But the English hauing with all sorts of ordnance sought with them from morning yet ceased not the Spanyards did againe inclose themselues in order of battaile whereby their enemies perceyued that they onely sought meanes to defend themselues and to goe to their appointed place nere to Dunkirke there to joȳne with the Duke of Parma who vnder protection of those great vessels might execute his designe with more safety In this fight a great Venetian Argozey perished The English fleet in the meane time did dayly encrease grew strong by ships and men that came to it forth of all hauens seeking to win honour and to doe good seruice to their Countrie among whom were diuers noble men and others of great note as the Earles of Oxford Cumberland Northumberland of Knights Sir Thomas Cecill William Hatton Walter Raleigh Horacio Palauicino Gentlemen Henrie Brooke Robert Carie Charles Blunt Ambrose Willoughbie Henrie Nowell Thomas Gerard Robert Dudley Edward Darcy Arthur Gorges Thomas Wood William Haruey many other noble gentlemen so as they were in number some hundred saile being come nere to Douer they were increased to an 120 which for the most part were too small to boord the Spanyards except some twentie two of the Queenes great ships The mariners and souldiers amounted to the number of eleuen thousand men The third of August the Sea being calme and without wind the fight was onely betwixt the English the Galleasses which were rowed with oares therin had the vauntage but it did them small good The English were busied in making Chain shot wherwith to cut a sunder their oates tackings they likewise sent a shoare for more powder which they extreamely wanted hauing at the beginning spent much in vayne of which they afterwards complained The same day a Councell was held wherein was resolued That the English fleet should be diuided into foure squadrons the one vnder my Lord Admirals conduct the other vnder Sir Frauncis Drakes the third vnder Hawkins the fourth vnder Captaine Frobiser The Spanish ships in sayling kept a close order of 3 or 4 ships in ranke not farre one from another and the greater vessels enclosed them The fourth of August the fleet beeing come before the Isle of Wight the English Lord Admirall did fiercely assaile the Spaniards with his best ships as the Lyon wherein was the Lord Thomas Howard now Earle of Suffolke the Elizabeth Ionas wherein were the Lord Sheffield and Sir Robert Southwell the Lord Admirals sonne in law the Beare and Victorie commaunded by Iohn Hawkins and the Gallion Leycester by Captaine George Fenner All these made vp directly towards the Spanish Admirall who with the greatest part of his ships lay in the middest of the fleet where a fierce fight was begun for beeing within 3 or 400 paces nere to one another they gaue each other their broad sides and discharged all their ordnance at last the Spaniards got the wind and once againe joyned themselues together In the meane time Martin Frobiser Captaine of the Triumph with some few others had brauely performed a daungerous fight with the Spanyards the Admirall came to reskew him and found that he had valiantly behaued himselfe and made a discreet retreat without any great losse So as the next day being the fist of August the Admiral knighted him and diuers others Saturday the 6 of August towards night the Spanyards came to an anker before Calais it seemed they resolued to stay there to joyne with the Duke of Parmas forces The next day being the seuenth of August the moone was at full so that at twelue a clocke it was full sea at Calais and at eleuen at Dunkirke The English likewise ankored within Canon shot of them whether the Lord Henrie Seymer brought his fleet of
stood which was burnt by the French as hath been said Those of Tholen had placed thirtie men in the castle of Halteten which tooke it name from the village not that they thought them strong enough to resist the enemie but onely to serue for Sentinels to those of the Island and to giue them notice of the enemies approch The souldiers being threatned by the enemie yeelded vp the castle on safety of their liues and goods The same day two horsemen were slaine with the canon from Reigers-tower one of them was a man of note and was afterwards buried at Antuerpe with 800 torches About the same time we receiued supplies from all parts My Lords the States notwithstanding that the Isle of Tholen was to be prouided for sent vs great numbers of Hollanders and Scots Those of Flushing Briell and Ostend sent vs store of choice souldiers There came likewise fourescore men from Gertrudenbergh conducted by an English captain called Brock these men had forsaken the States pay and serued among the English Besides all this sixe ensignes of foot came to vs from England about the first of Nouember So that the number of soldiers which at the beginning of the siege were in all both horse and foot but one thousand fiue hundred as appeared by the muster rolls did before the enemies departure amount to fiue thousand The Captaines of the horsemen perceiuing the enemie to be encamped thought it necessarie to make some sallie forth vpon him whilest they might doe it telling the gouernor Sir William Drurie that it behoued them now at first to giue the enemie some affront and that it would greatly disgrace them if they should not make some proofe of their valour But others of a contrarie opinion sayd that euerie victorie was vncertaine and that if they should chance to be vanquished by the enemie it would greatly endaunger the Towne and that if themselues should ouercome the enemie might easily beare that losse that they had to doe with a mightie and victorious enemie that it was true that sallies are commonly thought prejudicious to the besieged but it was only in such places where the enemies were few in number and where the besiege might in such sort be shut in by the enemie as he could not easily receiue new supplies but our numbers were great enough and we might daily receiue fresh supplies from the vnited Prouinces by meanes of the commodiousnesse of our hauen Captaine Paule Bacx made answere We likewise are not ignorant quoth he how it behoues vs to deale wisely therein we know verie well that the enemie hath a mightie and victorious campe and many men we likewise haue often made triall what souldiers they are But if it shall not please the gouernour to graunt the demaunds of the Captaines of the horse for my part let this mightie and victorious enemie make his approches and at last for I will vse his owne words come and draw vs by the eares one by one forth of the towne into his campe This speech being not allowed of by many he went his way without any further talke But the gouernour called him backe together with the rest that were there present and said seeing your request tends to the good and preseruation of the Towne I will no longer denie it Then euerie man went and armed himselfe no drum was beaten nor trumpet sounded to call the troopes together but each man gaue notice to his fellow of the sallie and forthwith at the houre appointed they were all readie together A Gentleman of Holland whose name was Vchtenbreck cornet to captaine Paule Bacx was sent forth to draw the enemie into the field betwixt the camp towne he was seconded by 14 or 15 harquebuziers who went altogether towards the campe Nere to the towne dikes there is a low way which stretcheth from Steenberghen gate as far as Helst point and it is ouerlookt by the hill of Varigobart which ends nere to this point and there makes a vallie The Lanciers went this way towards the sayd vallie holding downe their lances keeping them from the enemies sight who was encamped on the Rijsselberg and Northgeest The Harquebuziers of Marcelis Bacx kept themselues close to the Lanciers Captaine Paule Bacx and his brother led the vantgard being followed by the lord Willoughbies cornet captain Parker The enemie hauing descried this small troope comming with Vchtenbroeck sent certaine musketiers to encounter them In the field where Vchtenbroeck and his soldiers lay there were many hedges which diuided one field from another these did the sayd musketiers make good and whilest they skirmished with Vchtenbroeck our men which were behind Varibogart hil perceiued it being verie glad of so faire an occasion rod a full galop vpon the enemie sound their trumpets and with their swords and lances euery man did his best The musketiers were beaten from their shelter and were enforced to quit their armes and to craue that they might be taken prisoners many of them were slaine and many taken for they were so encompassed by our men as they could not escape The enemie taking pitie on his people sent three cornets of horse to rescue them who were soone put to rout by the two brethren Bacx that led the vantgard and enforced to retire to Rijsselberg from whence they saw their musketiers slain and taken prisoners During the fight certain prisoners were sent into the towne among whom was a young gentleman Nephew to that Groesbeke who in former time had beene bishop of Liege surnamed Amsterode and was Lieutenant generall to a Regiment of Almans who had receiued a great wound in the face Our men determined to returne backe to the towne so soone as they should haue executed some notable enterprise vpon the enemie not meaning to tarrie till the whole force of the campe shold fall vpon them being too weak to resist and to speake truely they had woon honour enough and might freely haue returned with their prisoners in triumph which they had done but for captain Parkers couragious resolution who could not be satisfied with the flight of the enemies horse which at their ease beheld the vsage of their owne men so as charging them in a place where they had great aduantage he repulsed them once or twice but as himselfe was likewise constrained to retreat to the hil where the enemie stood to driue them thence where the whole campe was by this time in armes and the enemies cauallerie receyuing both new aid and courage making a fierce charge vpon him he and his troope were in danger either to haue bin oppressed with multitude or to haue been taken prisoners thrice did the enemie lay hold on Parker and thrice did he free himselfe from them and brauely defended himselfe with his sword The brethren Bacx and captaine Poolie perceiuing the daunger wherein captaine Parker was and being spurd forward by a desire of honour galoped into the thickest throng of the enemies making more account
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
the people saw the verie captains send away their wiues children and goods Some of those who receiued no pay nor were vnder any command liuing only by bootie in all impious and voluptuous pleasures did in troopes forsake the towne and spared for no cost so they might be gone Toward the euening a boat came from Holland whereat the enemie made sundrie shot yet but one soldier was slaine who stood at the Helme The horsemen made complaint that they wanted hey prouender for their horse but that want was soone supplied from Holland About the same time the souldiers of Geertrudenberg tooke certaine ships laden with Delfts beere cheese butter herring and oyle which they brought into our hauen These boats were licenced by my Lords the States to goe to Antuerpe and Breda The merchants were imprisoned at Geertrudenberg and the souldiers hung vp their passeport vpon the gallowes Our men would haue imitated them and tooke certaine boats but my Lords the States commanded them to desist The goods were restored to the Merchants by the States commandement presently after the enemies departure and they sent supplies of horse and foot to those of Tholen which were landen at Venusdam opposit to Romerswael The enemie doing his best to take the Hauen from those of the Towne the townes-men in like manner did their vttermost to keepe it and made sundrie new workes the first vpon the North causie some sixe hundred foot from the North Fort called the Priests cap extending it selfe towards the Towne On the Hauens banke nere to Helst they made a trench The fort called Stauast was begun the foureteenth of October vpon the Northland causie is a place called Barlabas one thousand one hundred fiue foot from the North for t where the causie was pierced through in two seuerall places These two holes hindred the enemie from bringing his canon to batter the North for t Our men fearing that the enemie in the end would doe that there which hee had done at the causie of Dryanneland did themselues make good the place built a fort there which the people called Stauast because they were to stay there to free the Hauen from the enemie and for the sooner building of it they tooke away the Burghers fagots especially from bakers and potters And because the sandie bank of Romerswael stretched as farre as our Hauen and that it was verie daungerous for such boats as would at that place enter into it because they were to hold on their course too nere the enemies Canon to preuent this the shippers or saylers tooke an other way behind Romerswael and so by the South entred the hauen where was lesse danger For betwixt the sandie banke the causie where the enemie had planted his canon the Scheld runs so as the boats could not auoid the enemies canon which lay within 2000 foot of the fort of Stauast by reason whereof they could bring their canon no nearer the hauens mouth for notwithstanding he discharged his ordnance vpon the boats which entred the Hauen yet could he neuer touch any of them which was a manifest worke of God Nere to the gullet of Tholen lies a drownd land called Broeloose the which confines vpon the causie called Steendijke There did the States of Zeland make a new hauen verie nere to the causie of Tholen opposit to Molsgat a Fort so named on the riuer of Eendrecht By this meanes the Isle was fortified and a commodious passage found to goe to Tholen for the Gullet of Tholen was verie dangerous because of the enemies canon who since that time had small vse for his ordnance Eight horsemen of Bacx his companie embarked themselues on the 13 of October to go towards Lillo landing in a certaine place where they tooke their way as though they had come from Antuerpe by which deuise they tooke 3 of the enemies captaines with their baggage who came from Antuerpe towards the campe and with their bootie returned to their boat The strife betwixt Morgan and Drurie was not yet ended Vpon the 14 of October at night prince Maurice General Villers came to Berghen The Lord Willoughby had threatned to imprison Morgan and great harme was likely to ensue about this contention But his Excellencies arriuall pacified the matter after this manner That Willoughbie so long as hee remayned in the Towne should commaund all men as her Majesties Lieutenant and in his absence Morgan and that Drurie should get him gone who neuerthelesse remayned there till the end of the siege It was reported that the enemie had an intent to seaze on the remainder of the causie of Southland by passing through the drownd lands at a low water thereby to keepe boats from entring the hauen at that place And nere to Burghvliet the footsteps of those who had beene sent by night to view the place were discerned Gabions and three piece of ordnance were planted vpon the head the greatest of which carried a bullet of 44 pound and the other two of sixteene pound The canons in euerie Fort did likewise play vpon the enemie when any boat arriued The causie whereon the enemie lay was by the continuall raine and souldiers treading become so deepe and slipperie as they could hardly stand vpon it They had neither plankes nor straw and the souldiers were enforced to stand in the raine in the trenches without any shelter vp to the knees in water There was daily great tempests of wind and raine and it seemed though the enemie besieged Berghen that they themselues were besieged by raine wind and sundrie other grieuous discommodities Those of the towne began to leuell the causie of Southland but perceiuing their labour to be vaine they gaue ouer that resolution At the causies end was a verie broad dike all men thought it fit there to build a Fort because that nere to the said dike there was a great piece of ground which was commonly drie so as the same dike might serue to defend the Fort against the enemie the Scheld likewise is not verie broad in that place by reason of the great dike opposit to Southland where in former time the toll house of Zeland stood There diuers men of warre lay at anker but if the enemie with his Shalops had brought his ordnanceto the Southland causie he might easily haue driuen them thence as hee had done before Barlabas and the Gullet of Tholen George More Vice-Admirall of Zeland hauing viewed the place said as much they onely wanted workemen Willoughby would haue had the Burghers to make the Fort but they tired with labour and trauaile and afraid of the enemie who lay not farre from thence on the firme land refused to doe it saying that he did them wrong to cause them to labour so farre from the towne and in daunger of the enemie For this dike was distant three thousand one hundred and thirtie foot from Valckenbourg and Valckenbourg foure thousand foot from the towne which together amount to
he that carries it should aduaunce it as high as he could and although the enemie was not far from them vpon S. Gertrudes mount yet the lord Willoughbie wold not return ere he had from aboue wel viewed and considered the depth of that way where he found no markes or signes of any Mine The ninth of Nouember the Earle of Northumberland and generall Norris came from England with a gallant traine of gentlemen At their arriuall all the ordnance great and small was discharged and the great Bell was rung The Earle came to see the Low-countries and Berghen-op-Zoom Generall Norris was by her Majestie sent to my Lords the States to procure some aid for D. Antonio King of Portugal for the Queene prepared a mightie fleet to re-establish D. Antonio in his kingdome from whence he had beene expulsed by the Spaniards Vchtenbroeck with fiue or sixe horse galoped forth of the gates towards the Sautwech before the enemies campe and there tooke two horsemen prisoners and a victualler with a waggon laden with beere who in despite of the enemie and before his face they brought to the Towne And to giue some delight to the Earle the English did the next day determine to make a sallie the footmen sallied vpon the enemies campe by the Mine at the powder gate for in hast they had made a Bridge ouer the Dike These at Holweghen did skirmish with the Italians that lay vpon Saint Gertrudes mount the horse sallied at Wouwe gate Parker stayed vpon Wijngaert hill and Poolie in the plaine towards Bourghvliet The brethren Bacx were not there for they had no warning of the sallie The Almans which were encamped on the Rabergh came downe into the plaine at the foot of the hill and made a stand not farre from Wijngaerts hill many retired behind the hedges and bushes others allured our men to come forward Captaine Veer with some thirtie souldiers driues away the Almans from their place of aduauntage Parker assailes and pursues them as farre as the Rabergh and suffereth few of them to escape A young Gentleman Captaine of a foot companie beeing on horsebacke and charging together with Parker was taken prisoner being carried by the furie of his horse into the middest of the enemies campe and was afterwards exchanged for D. Iuan de Mendoza both of them being almost of one age All prisoners that were taken did constantly affirme that the Duke of Parma determined to raise the siege On the eleuenth of Nouember a generall sallie was made on Steenberghens side by all the horse and foot some few excepted who here and there garded the gates and the Rampiers Generall Balfort with sixe hundred choyce souldiers both Dutch Scotch came thither at the same time from Tholen Captain Veer conducted the free booters that were to begin the skirmish Captaine Marcelis Bacx with his harquebuziers marched directly towards the enemies camp Balfort embattailed his troops on the highway of Steenberghen Those of the towne stood in the plaine on the right hand of that highway towards the West The Lanciers went somewhat on the one side towards the Sand-Wegh The footmen which went before with captaine Veer shot furiously vpon the enemies who shewed himselfe open aboue from their fortifications Certaine of the enemies horse made a braue sallie and were as brauely saluted with small shot and forthwith enforced to returne to their campe with losse of some of their horse In this manner was the time spent the enemie still continuing himselfe in his trenches which were too strong for vs to breake into Our men returned into the Towne thinking they had woon honour enough in that for two houres space they had dared the enemie to fight and in a manner halfe assayled their Campe. Of Captaine Veers souldiers foure were slayne and 12 hurt with the enemies shot On the twelfth of Nouember the enemie did set fire on the North part of the campe he likewise burnt the castle of Halteren and the next day about tenne of the clocke before noone they depart from Riselberg and Northgeest where they stood a long time in battaile till their lodgings were burnt and their baggage carried away to the Southward In their march nothing was seen but their ensigns tops by reason of the said hils But comming nere the Ball on the high way called Habergue which leads into Berghen wood there they discouered themselues openly There were they grieuously tormented by the canon from the rampier of the woodden gate It was delightfull to behold how their battaile was broken at euerie shot our canon made so as at last they were enforced to breake their order and to diuide themselues All the night following nothing was heard but the noice of drummes and trumpets to fauour the retreat of the wagoners which brought away the baggage Before day breake the campe towards the South was likewise seene all on fire the enemie retired towards Calmthoudt placing sentinels on diuers hils to giue them intelligence if the townesmen sallied forth So soone as it was day the Lord Willoughbie went forth at Wouwe gate with one and twentie ensigne on foot and all the cauallerie taking two falconets along with him The enemies sentinels seeing this doe presently retire our men doe speedily seaze on the enemies trenches and campe the fanterie makes a stand on the Raberg the cauallerie galops after the enemie and fell in vpon the rereward mocking scoffing them to prouoke them to fight But al this being in vain they returned for it was enough for them to haue reproched the base retreat of so great a Kings campe which was no better than a manifest flight some straungers that were found in the campe were slain two or three women excepted whose liues were saued The Lord Willoughbie assembled all the horse and foot companies captaine Marcellis Bacx excepted who was absent pursuing the enemie with part of the cauallerie whom he sent to seeke intending to honour him among the rest for his valour But being not found and the intended ceremonie not to be delayed because he would performe it in the enemies view the Lord Generall turned towards Veer Knollis Parker and Poolie his countriemen and likewise towards captaine Paule Bacx a Dutchman speaking thus vnto them Seeing it is an auntient and laudable vse that those who haue behaued themselues valiantly in the warres should receiue some acknowledgement of their valour and for that mine owne eyes are witnesse of your prowesse whereof I take the enemie to witnesse who hath often to his great losse made triall what souldiers you are Our illustrious Ladie the Queenes Maiestie of England whose Lieutenant Generall I am and whose commaundement I will now performe doth honour each of you with the order of knighthood and touching all of them gently with his sword vpon their shoulders he sayd Receiue from her Maiestie this remembrance of her good will and affection which all of you by your valour haue deserued
valiant Lord he caused the towne to be fortified with large Rampiers and in anno 1534 both in the Castle and round about the towne he caused fiue great bulwarkes to be made which defended one another together with verie deepe dikes During these warres foure rauelins more haue beene made and before euerie gate an halfe moone so as this towne among those of the low or plaine Countrie is held one of the strongest in all the Netherlands In former time after the racing of the aboue mentioned Castle the Lords of Breda opposit thereunto nere to the Market place at this day called the Herons nest began to build a Palace and Castle where Count Henrie of Nassau afterwards suffering part of the old building to stand stil caused a new court and stately Palace to be built moated round about and without that a verie sumptuous edifice with a verie lordlie gallerie supported by pillers of blew stone with a gilded frontispice within the Court are many goodlie Chambers a large and stately Hall builded on Pillars with an artificiall winding staires of blew stone which cunning workemen hold for a master-piece in the Hall there is likewise a Chappell There is a verie goodlie Armorie stored with all sorts of Armour and much ordnance and among others diuers old cast pieces which a king of Hungarie had in time past giuen to the house of Nassau in recompence of their good seruice done to him against the Turke There were in it likewise 52 great canons and small field pieces which the Emperour Ferdinand gaue to the last prince and Lord of Breda which since then haue beene taken away by Duke d'Alua Among the most remarkable matters of Breda as well auntient as moderne these are much to be obserued How that the lord and countrie of Breda in time past a Lord and countrie diuided from the Duchie of Brabant hath beene joyned to the said Duchie in the time of Henrie of Lorraine c. And the Lord Godfrey of Breda who in an' 1212 hauing receiued of the said Duke the moitie of the custome of the Sheld in Fee together with Shakeloo and Ossendrecht did likewise promise to his Lord that himselfe and heires with their castles countrie and people shold faithfully serue the Duke and his heires In this manner the Monday after S. Valenties day the lord Gerard of Rassingem Liedekerk Lens hauing sold the Lordship possessions of the whole countrie of Breda with the appurtenances to Duke Iohn of Brabant the said duke Iohn by consent of his son Godeuart and his eldest daughter Ioan Countesse of Haynault and Holland did againe on the first day of Aprill 1351 sell the said countrie of Breda with the appurtenances to the Lord Iohn of Polanen the yonger Lord of la Lecke to enjoy it as his lawfull inheritance for the summe of 3400 Hallinghen Breda is the chiefest Towne of the Countrie and among other priuiledges and iurisdictions hath an Exchequer or Court fiscall which is common and vndiuided whereunto the towne of Steenberghen and the sixteene Villages of the Countrie of Breda with those of Eyckeren Mercxem Schoten Loehout and Oostmaell make their appeales And beside the sayd Court there is a seat of Iustice belonging to a Sherife before whom vpon the first summons the Burghers and inhabitants are to appeare together with those of Tettering Molongracht Sandberg Vijfhuyse and the Haegh-strate None may appeale from the sentence giuen in either of these Courts to any other Court of justice They haue held this priuiledge in our time For in the daies of the Emperor Charles the 5 the said emperor only in stead of this priuiledge granted to those of Breda the same priuiledge as other chief towns had viz that sentences giuen at Breda might be reformed but not appealed from How and when those of the house of Nassau obtained the lordship of Breda doth hereafter follow The aboue mentioned Lord Iohn of Polanen died in the yeare 1377 left a son named Iohn Lord of Lecke and Breda who left a daughter named Ioan married to Engelbrecht Count of Nassau in an̄ 1414 he died left a son called Iohn Count of Nassau Dietz and Vianden who was Lord of Breda died in the yere 1475 leauing by his wife Marie Countesse of Loon heire to Heinsberg to a 3 part of the Duchie of Iuliers Engelbrecht Iohn brethren who diuided the lands left thē by their parents so as the eldest son Count Engelbrecht had for his part all the lands which were in the Low-countries on this side the Rhyne viz. the countie of Vianden the Lordships of S. Vijts of Dudeldorp and Mijllen with all the lands in Brabant Holland in the country of Liege wherein were comprehended the Countrie and Towne of Breda and Earle Iohn had for his share all the countries and Lordships beyond the Rhyn the countries of Nassau and Dietz and by his wife Catsenelle boguen which was adiudged his in anno 1548. This diuision was made in this condition that the male children should be heires to both of them the better to vphold the house of Nassau from whence they were descended In this maner the town and countrie of Breda was peaceably gouerned by their Lords the Counts of Nassau for the space of 184 yeres flourishing in traffick vntill the 11 of Aprill 1567 when the Prince of Orange was enforced by the Duke of Aluas comming in great sorrow and perplexitie to abandon his subjects of Breda to retire into Germanie and after his departure the reuenues of Breda being seazed on by the duke d'Alua the said country town was brought vnder the wretched gouernement of the Spaniards and afflicted with sundrie garrisons till that in anno 1577 the town of Breda returned againe vnder the gouernement of his lawfull Lord and so continued for the space of 4 yeares and being afterwards taken by the prince of Parma 1581 he kept it til the yere 1590. We will now set downe after what maner by Gods assistance it was freed from the Spanish yoke The prince of Parma al the forces being in the yere 1590 busied in the French wars wherby his vnited Prouinces had some rest my Lords the States laid hold on this occasion and by valorous dexteritie tooke the towne and castle of Breda in manner following Count Philip of Nassau gouernor at that time of Worcum and Louvesteyn had by Prince Maurice his aduice conferred with a certaine Gentleman of Cambray called Charles Herauguieres Captain of a foot companie about an enterprise vpon the castle town of Breda telling him that diuers mariners vassals to the country of Breda and house of Nassau for loue affection to their lord had offered their seruice herein they being accustomed to carie turfe wood into the castle vnder that color fit to make some attempt This was propounded to Herauguieres who hauing well considered all daungers did towards the later end of
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
time felt the commoditie thereof notwithstanding they had much to doe both with the Indians and Portugals of which if any one desire to haue further knowledge I refer him to the descriptions thereof which haue beene written and published ¶ The taking of the towne of Huy in the countrie of Liege on the eighth of Februarie 1595. CHarles of Herauguier gouernor of Breda the better to aduance the enterprises on the countries of Luxembourg and Namur went forth of Breda on the last of Ianuarie with twelue ensignes of foot and foure cornets of horse and marched towards the towne of Huy which stands vpon the riuer Mase in the countrie of Liege it is a fine towne and hath a bridge ouer the Mase and a Castle and is the ordinarie aboad of the prince and bishop of Liege In the Castle was a weake garrison 24 or thirtie of our men were hid in a little house vnder the castle which stands high vpon a rock ouer this little house was one of the Castles windowes these thirtie men with a ladder made of ropes got vp to the window which they brake and entred some among them knew euerie corner of the castle so as in the Morning when the chiefe of the castle went forth of their houses thinking to goe to Masse they were on a sodaine taken by the throat bound and layd in a dungeon which done they tooke the castle and gate and some moued the towne to yeeld The Burghers ran to armes thinking to defend themselues but perceiuing Herauguier to come forwards with his troops they compounded and suffered him to enter with three ensignes of foot and two cornets of horse on the 8 of Februarie Herauguiere fortified the towne and castle reducing the enemies countries neere adjoyning vnder contribution The Towne was verie well seated for our men to make an offensiue warre it beeing a passage into the countries of Namur and Brabant neere to the confines of Luxembourg where they supposed to obtayne great victories vnder the conduct of the duke of Bouillon count Philip of Nassau Herauguieres troopes of horse did at the same time neere to Montmedy meete with seuen wagons laden with rich Italian Merchandize as veluets and silke stockings which were going towards Antuerpe and were worth three hundred thousand florins which they tooke and diuided amongst themselues But part of this Cauallerie belonging to the garrisons of Breda and Berghen in Brabant being desirous to returne home met with certaine of the enemies ordinarie bands conducted by generall Schets Lord of Grobbendonck who not farre off had tenne foot companies whereof our men hauing intelligence diuided themselues into 3 troopes one of which was assailed by the enemie and being ouerloden with bootie were beaten and 70 of them slain and taken prisoners among whom were two Lieutenants The taking of Huy belonging to the Bishop of Liege who liued as a Neuter was thus excused namely our men borrowed that towne but for a place of retreat without any hurt to the inhabitants which so soon as the war should be ended they would willingly surrender that the Bishop permitted the like to the townes of Berck and Bonne which were his and yet were detained by the Spaniards But the Bishop complained to the States of the wrongs done vnto him and of the breach of the neutrallitie crauing to haue his town redeliuered and therein imployed al his friends but because small regard was had of his complaints hee implored the ayd and assistance of the Archduke Ernestus who presently sent forces thither to free the countries of Namur and Brabant from incursion with commaundement to ayd the Bishop these troopes notwithstanding Ernestus death besieged the towne of Huy because they perceiued it could not easily be relieued Herauguieres with Captaine Balfort le Vos and others did shut themselues into the towne and yet the waters were risen ouer the whole countrie by reason of the great snow which was melted by a continuall raine so that they had small hope of aid for all the riuers and especially the Rhyne had so ouerflowed their bankes as in the memorie of man the like had not beene seene for all the countrie round about was drowned many thousands both men and cattell perished In Guelderland and Holland the Isle of Bommell and others were drowned as the Betuwe and the countrie neere to Vtrecht and Ammersfoort euen to the gates and suburbes of Vyane three thousand persons were drowned so as it was a great and just punishment of God Diuers skonses and Buâ—warke were borne away so as the souldiers had much to doe to secure the countrie and with great cost to repaire the forts Fuentes la Motte Barlaymont and other captaines considering that the States forces were cooped vp by water and that small reliefe could come to them did on the one side of the Mase besiege the towne of Huy and the bishops forces on the other side and at last on the thirteenth of March tooke the towne by force slew many of the garrison and tooke diuers of them prisoners the rest fled to the castle which was battered with two canon and vndermined by al the myners in the countrie so as in the end the castle was by composition deliuered to the Lord la Motte and vpon the twentieth of March our men departed with their armes and baggage At their departure the Spaniards would haue murthered them but la Motte and Grobbendonck sent them safely away Herauguieres by this meanes lost much credit being taxed for yeelding the castle so soone seeing that neere to Coloigne forces were readie to relieue him as also because the breach was not sufficient for the enemie to come to an assault but others judged the contrarie and said that he had done discreetly so this enterprise did smally profit the vnited Prouinces ¶ The taking of the Island and towne of Cales-Males in Andelusia in Spaine in the yeare 1596. IN the yeare 1596 the Queene of England did set forth a mightie fleet of sixteene or seuenteene of hir great ships royall in twelue or foureteene of which were three or foure hundred mariners in euerie ship beside fortie other English ships of warre with fiftie others which carried souldiers and prouisions The Lord Charles Howard Baron of Effingham and now Earle of Nottingham was Admerall generall of this fleet The Lord Thomas Howard now Earle of Suffolke was Vice-Admeral and sir Walter Raleigh knight and captaine of the Queenes guard was rere-Admerall My Lords the States of the vnited Prouinces did at her Majesties request set forth eighteen great ships of war each of them being manned with one hundred and thirtie men beside sixe others loden with victuals and ammunition and in each of them fortie men the Lord Iohn of Duvenvord Lord of Warmont Admerall of Holland was by the States made Admerall of this fleet Iohn Gerbrantsoon of Enchuysne was Vice-Admerall the rere-Admirall was Cornellis Lensen of Flushing but they were tied by agreement
to be vnder command of the English Many voluntaries were likewise in this fleet as count Lodwick of Nassau son to count Iohn others An armie of land souldiers was likewise in this fleet of whom the Earle of Sussex was generall In this armie were sundrie regiments commanded by the Earle of Sussex sir Edward Conway Sir Conihurst Clifford Sir Christopher Blunt Sir Thomas Gerard Sir Iohn Winckfield and others The number of the souldiers amounted to 6000 able men among whom were two thousand two hundred old English souldiers brought forth of the low-countries by sir Frauncis Veer chosen forth of euerie companie There were likewise certaine Dutch companies vnder captaine Metkerke and aboue one thousand voluntarie gentlemen among whom was D. Christophero of Portugal sonne to the king D. Antonio Count Lodwick of Nassau commaunded these voluntaries Sir Frauncis Veer was Lord Marshall of the field Sir George Carow Master of the ordnance and sir Conihurst Clifford Serjeant Major This fleet departed from Plimmouth in England on the thirteenth of Iune there were in it one hundred and fortie saile great and small Being come neere to the Spanish coast they had intelligence by a small barke that came from Ireland that in the Bay of Cales in Andeluzia whether they were going fiftie seuen great ships and twentie gallies lay foure great gallions each of them carrying fortie or fiftie pieces of ordnance and in euerie of them six or seuen hundred men two great galleasses of Andeluzia foure great ships of Biscay foure Easterlings certaine great Argozies loden for the most part with ordnance and munition being bound for Lisbone in Portugal where another fleet of thirtie ships was prepared for Bretayne and Calais and money readie for that purpose Beside these there were three great Fregats of two hundred tunne a piece which came from Porto Ricco with the money Besides these ships of warre and gallies there was another fleet of fiue and thirtie ships verie richly loden which were bound for the West Indies readie to set saile in which vessels were aboue sixe thousand pipes of Spanish wines two thousand pipes of oyle fiue thousand weight of wax and all manner of pretious merchandize as cloth silke cloth of gold lace quick-siluer c. And it was reported by the king of Spaines officers this fleet was thought to be worth eleauen or twelue millions of ducats The English fleet hauing notice hereof made towards the Bay of Cales where it arriued on the thirtieth of Iune in the Morning and came to an anker nere to S. Sebastians point from whence they might easily see the Spanish ships and gallies that lay before Cales vnder the two castles The Vice-Admerrall the Lord Thomas Howard and sir Walter Raleigh being sent for by the Councell of warre Raleigh was commaunded to goe before with certaine ships to set vpon some great vessels which as they heard were readie to set saile forth of the Bay of S. Lucars comming thither they found them to lye so nere the shore as they could not approch them and were hindred from doing it by a certaine mist that arose in which the sayd vessels escaped and were by Raleigh so nerely chased to the land as his owne ships were in great daunger to haue runne on ground From thence Raleigh made towards the great fleet which in the meane time had ankored on the thirtieth of Iune in the Morning without the Bay of Cales into which all men especially the Low-countrie fleet thought they would haue directly entred seeing the ships and gallies to lye before the towne vnder the two castles but the English Admerall would not suffer it to be so because he thought the entrance would haue beene verie daungerous as also the assayling of the kings fleet before the towne were woonâ—which if they had done they must haue fought both with the gallions and gallies and beene opposed to the shot from the Towne and castles Thereupon sir Walter Raleigh came to the fleet and went aboord the General the Earle of Essex who was busied in landing his men on the West side of Cales where the Sea was so rough by reason of a West wind as the boats began to sinke neere the ships Raleigh told him it was verie daungerous to land his men because that betwixt them and shore foure gallies lâ—y to keepe them from landing saying That he was verie sorie that he had not first entred the hauen where the Spanish ships gallies lay which by their delay were now encouraged of this the general likewise complayned at whose entreatie Raleigh vndertooke to go and persuade the Admerall to enter which by many forcible reasons he did and cried out Let vs enter Let vs enter wherupon al the ships weighed ankor sailed towards the hauen But night preuented them the sun being alreadie set so as it was then too late to assaile the Spanish fleet that lay aboue a mile and halfe within the riuer as also for that it was a dangerous matter to fight by night in a strait On this consideration they came to an ankor where the canon presently saluted them from the towne and castle The English went to Councel to consult after what maner it were best to assaile the Spaniards the next Morning euerie commaunder striued to haue the vantgard yet they resolued not to hazard the Queenes great ships but vpon vrgent necessitie so as it was thought fit that sir Walter Raleigh with eight of the Queenes leslesser ships six Hollanders and twelue English Merchants ships should haue the vantguard this resolution was oppugned by the Lord Thomas Howard who said that honour belonged vnto him whereupon it was concluded that both of them should goe together So soone as it was day Raleigh would not loose time in weighing ankor but did let them slip and thereby had the aduauntage to let saile first the Spanish gallies discharged all their ordnance vpon him but he made not one shot leauing it to those that followed him and so went directly towards the gallions which lay in the deepest part of the riuer viz. the S. Philip S. Mathew S. Andrew and S. Thomas with two other verie great ships which together tooke vp all the bredth of the riuer Behind these gallions lay 6 others and behind them the gallies nerer the shore where the water was shal lowest and vpon the land stood the castle Puntall which flanked the riuer the lesser English ships assailed the gallies who thundred one vpon another In the mean time the Vice-Admeral the L. Thomas Howard came vp to sir Walter Raleigh with 6 of the Queens ships as nere to the gallions as they could possible discharging all their ordnance and fighting from six of the clocke in the Morning till none with as many ships as the channel could beare During the fight an vnfortunat euent happened in a ship of Rotterdam called the Dolphin where Guillaum Henrick was captaine the powder was by mischaunce set on fire whereby
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
the ordinarie garrison mand with fiue hundred men which came from Alpen Graue and other townes nere adjoyning His Excellencie hauing exactly viewed the towne thought it necessarie to make two principall campes one aboue the towne before the gates called Rhynport and Casselport on the one side of the Rhyne where on the tenth of August hee lodged fifteene ensignes of the Frizons regiment vnder the commaund of Count William of Nassau with thirteene English ensigns vnder sir Horacio Veer brother to the General sir Francis and the regiment of West-Frizeland conducted by the Lord Aert of Duyvenvoord Lieutenant Colonel to prince Henrie Frederick of Nassau together with his Excellencies gard fiue cornets of horse quartered a little farther off towards Botberg Count Hohenlo Generall of the other quarter together with Count Solms were quartered on S. Annes hill before the Sautenport with eight ensignes of Count Solms regiment twelue companies of Scots vnder colonel Murray Count Hohenlos gard and twelue cornets of horse hard by them lay the Lord of Cloeting with eight ensigns of his owne regiment a little beneath the hill betwixt the two quarters Prince Maurice was lodged At their first arriuall before the towne Count Lodwick of Nassau was shot in the legge The eleuenth of August was spent in fortifying and entrenching the two campes which were conjoyned together with forts of retreat of which three were built to stop the enemies passage so as thereby the towne was enuironed from the one banke of the Rhyne to the other The same night they began to draw trenches from his Excellencies campe to the towne and the next day the quarters of counts Hohenlo and Solms were entrenched His Excellencie likewise caused a bridge to be made whereon to passe ouer from his own camp into a little Island and so from thence vnto the other side of the Rhyne the better to get forrage and prouision Three canon being afterward planted a great tower from whence the townesmen continually shot into the campe and trenches was fiercely battered as also another called the Toll-tower and the Rhyne Port that our men might worke safely in the trenches Two other pieces were likewise planted against the Bulwarke before Castle Port which played so fiercely on the fifteenth and sixteenth of August as those of the towne were enforced the same day to abandon the great Tower from whence they had done much mischiefe and shot through his Excellencies Tent. The sixteenth of August at night twentie foure canon were planted in sundrie places to batter the towne on all sides yet because the trenches were not so neere the towne as it was expected his Excellencie would not as then suffer the batterie to bee made but caused a gallerie from the East side of the bulwarke before the castle-port to bee made for the summe of one thousand two hundred florins which was promised to bee finished in foure dayes The nineteenth of August as the trenches began to approach the one side of the halfe moone which lay without the Bulwarke of the Toll-tower before the Rhyne Port they did let forth the water of a small riuer called the Niep which was kept in before the halfe moone by a sluce And because the gallerie stood farre in vpon the dike which was not verie broad nor deepe his Excellencie and the chiefest commaunders of the armie determined to begin the batterie which was likewise resolued hoping thereby to come into the bulwarke It was begun about tenne of the clocke with fiue and thirtie pieces of ordnance viz. nine and twentie great canon and sixe field pieces of which tenne were planted before the Rhyne Port 11 before the bulwarke of castle-port fiue vpon the Island of Rhyn against the Tol-tower and foure somewhat lower before the towne wals and others in other places After the 3 volley his Excellencie according to the vsual maner summaned the town to yeeld the Burghers hauing parolyed with our men stood vpon 3 daies respit which they earnestly craued Some houre after the parley the batterie was renewed it was verie furious and lasted till fiue of the clocke in the euening hauing in all made aboue two thousand shot in which meane space Count Williams men by fauour of the canon gained the halfe Moone and his Excellencie the better to win time notwithstanding that some thought it fit to tarrie the townesmens leisure did againe summon the towne which now began to be somewhat terrified for the souldiers on euerie side approached it and stood in order of battaile Whereupon they within it sent 4 commissioners viz. captaine Benting old captaine Dulken the Admerall Pasman and the Quarter-Master of Count Hermen of Berguens regiment and in counterchange of them the captaines Schaef Ingelhauen Waddell were sent into the towne After long contestation and earnest entreaties his Excellencie was content to let them depart with their ensignes armes and baggage leauing out the article of not seruing on this side the Mase for the space of three moneths promising that the Burghers shold enjoy their priuiledges and vpon the 21 of August they departed vnder the conduct of the Gouernour captaine Snatere with 5 ensigns being in all some nine hundred men vnto whom his Excellencie lent seuentie or eightie wagons for which Captaine Bentings sonne remayned hostage The same day they went to the towne of Guelders where they could not be suffered to enter and there tarryed with their conuoy But on the two and twentieth of August because those within it would not furnish them with victuals or else for selling them at too hight rate they thereupon quarrelled with them that had the gard of the gates and forced their entrance into the towne where they began a mutinie crying out for money money notwithstanding that Count Henrie of Berguen lay there The garrison of the towne tooke their part and expulsed Count Henrie and all the captaines The Lords of Gileyn Vtenham Grammay offered them 2 moneths pay which satisfied them not but they kept Vtenham Grammay as prisoners After that Count Herman came to appease them but in vaine whereupon he departed with his forces to Arsen where he assembled some 3000 men In this manner did the towne of Rhynberck yeeld to Prince Maurice being besieged tenne dayes and hauing receiued 2870 shot Great store of ordnance was found in it viz. 44 cast pieces among which were seuen for batterie together with a great quantity of course cloth brought thither to cloath the garrison which was thought to be worth 170000 florins there were fiue ships of war sunke and two great Ferrie-boats which were made at Coloigne with which they hoped to haue done some notable exploit besides other prouisions His Excellencie did forthwith repaire the ruined places and caused the trenches to be leuelled and because Captain Schaef had valiantly behaued himselfe in that siege he made him gouernor of the towne and gaue him six ensignes of foot well furnished with munition and victuals The
they had deserued death yet he saued their liues and ransomed them at 3900 florins the officers excepted and on the twelft of October suffered two hundred men to depart thence on promise no to beare armes on this side the Mase for the space of three moneths Two thousand and three hundred florins was demaunded for one hundred twentie three of Broeckbuyse souldiers himselfe excepted who payed one thousand fiue hundred florins for his daughters ransome beside that which he gaue for his ensigne Boetselaer For the ransome of Captaine Gardots officers and souldiers which were seuentie seuen one thousand sixe hundred florins were demaunded The Burghers ransome was forgiuen them at the entreatie of the Lord of Tempell in regard of their losse sustayned by fire and they in recompence gaue his Excellencie three tunne of Rhenish wine and yet the towne I know not by what meanes was all burnt fiue or six houses and certaine Cabins excepted The siege and taking of the Townes of Enschede Oldenzeel and Ootmaersen on the eighteenth one and twentieth and three and twentieth of October 1597. HIs Excellencie hauing in this manner by continuall labour and Gods helpe woon this impregnable towne in nine daies for it was supposed to be stronger than Berck Meurs or Groll and giuen order for repayring the rampiers at the Countries cost he did againe giue some little rest and refreshing to his souldiers in regard of a great and laborious journey he purposed to make towards Enschede Oldenzeel and Ootmaersen which would hardly be effected in foure dayes but by his great speed the armie arriued before Enschede on the 18 of October which was fortified with an earthen rampier and two dikes the one without the other within where the captaines Vasques and Grootvelt sent two men to his Excellencie to view his ordnance after that the towne had been summoned and afterwards treated with him whereupon he licenced them to depart beyond the Mase on condition not to serue the king of Spaine for three moneths next ensuing and granted them a Conuoy to the sayd riuer According to which agreement they departed thence on the 19 of October in the Morning and were in number one hundred and tenne men for a while before some 50 men that had gone forth a boot-haling had beene beaten and taken prisoners by his Excellencies souldiers on the 9 of October The next day his Excellencie brought his armie before Oldenzeel and presently sent two regiments viz. that of Count Solms and that of Count Henrie his brother with certaine horse and foure piece of ordnance to Ootmaersen which they summoned but Captaine Otho de Sande with some 30 of the towne of Oldenzeel that were there refused to yeeld it on the 21 of October the canon was planted before Oldenzeel and after three volleys had been discharged they surrendred the towne vpon the same agreement as those of Enschede and 130 men presently departed thence Two falconets 2 yron pieces 800 weight of powder 200 of match with 112 bullets some other prouisions were found in the town From thence he went to Ootmaersen which he presenâ—ly summoned but the towne being manned with sixe companies viz. Generall Billyes the Drossart Egmonts the gouernour Boymers Herman de Ens Borchgraue and Eylkema they aunswered That if they should on a sodaine yeeld the towne they knew not how to aunswer it Thereupon his Excellencie presently caused trenches and batteries to be made and discharged certaine volleis whilest the platformes were preparing for the batterie which being readie and the Burghers fearing some greater mischiefe certain men came forth of the towne on the 22 of October at night viz. Captaine Borchgraue Egmonts ensigne and the two Burghomasters of the Towne who after some parley compounded with Prince Maurice the same night at eleuen of the clocke according to the agreement of those of Euschede it was likewise concluded that all ecclesiastical persons might at their owne choyce either stay or depart The next day in the Morning the garrison left the towne which consisted of foure hundred men and laid the fault on the Burghers feare and euill will on their owne want of souldiers His Excellencie hauing vanquished these old captaines and soldiers did on the 23 of October make his entrie into the towne together with the Princesse of Orange who for certaine important affaires was come to the campe and count William of Nassau where he found three brasse pieces many of yron and about seuen thousand weight of powder and placed the companies of the Drossart Sallant Iaques de Meurs in garrison there making the said Meurs gouernour and sent Captaine Potters companie to Euschede so as his Excellencie in fiue daies manned three townes with garrison and woon the whole Countrie of Twente The foure and twentieth of October he sent to view the riuer called Dinckele and made a passage ouer it sending the Drossart Sallant with tenne Cornets of horse and sixe foot companies of Frizons to prepare the way toward Lingen and to enuiron the said towne The same day the three young Earles of Benthem together with Count Weda came to his Excellencie at Oldenzeel the like did the Commissioners of the gouernement of Munster His Excellencie likewise sent Captaine Euuoot de Bout with Letters to the officers neere adjoyning crauing their helpe in making a bridge ouer the riuer Amisa He resolued likewise by the aduice of the generall States deputies Councell of State and those of the countrie of Ouer-Yssel to raise the Rampiers of the Townes of Euschede and Otmaersen which within a while after was done ¶ The taking of the towne and castle of Lingen in Anno 1597. PRince Maurice on the six and twentieth of October led his armie from Odenzeel and comming with the vantgard to Northoorn he went to BentheÌ„ Castle with the Princesse of Orange accompanied with Brabantina of Orange who with other Nobilitie was come to take her leaue where they were verie honourably kindly entertained by the earle of Benthem the Countesse Palatine the dowager who remained there from whence the Princesse departed the next day and his Excellencie went neere to Emsbuere where his armie lay which on the 28 of October crossed the riuer Amisa and went before the towne and castle of Lingen Lingen is a frontier towne seated in the farthest part of the low-countries it is a Seignorie wherein is a towne castle and 4 villages which the Emperor Charles the fifth vsurped by confiscation in the yeare 1546 together with the Countie of Teckelenbourg and the Seigniorie of Reyden which he took from count Conrade of Teckelenbourg who had an hand in the league of Smalcald making war vpon him and was therefore condemned as a rebell Whereupon the emperour gaue the said countie and Seignorie to Maximilian of Egmond Count of Buren in recompence of his good seruice Afterward the earle was reconciled to the Emperour on this condition that Lingen should remaine to Count Buren
would not harken to it notwithstanding they saw the whole Countrie from whence they might hope for any releefe to be ouerflowed like a sea and yet they wanted many necessaries as money the sinewes of warre clothes and other things but espetially wood to brew and bake with they likewise wanted medicines and drugs for sick and hurt men they had corne enough but wanted beere hauing no meanes to brew They were moe than 2000 mutinous souldiers and had no Commaunders and Captains but their Electo and necessarie officers Those of Sertoghenbusk were very carefull for them and did their best to releeue them making signes by fire and ordnance shot sending them messengers who promised them much yet the effect proued nothing On the twelueth of Aprill at night they attempted to send certaine flat bottomed boates ouer the drowned Country which came behind Maren where they were discouered and driuen thence in the boates were certaine commanders with some prouisions and money The Archdukes forces begun likewise to be assembled neere to Diest from whence they came to a place called Os vnder the conduct of Don Lewis de Valasco hoping to relieue the fort but finding the aboue named Villages vpon the Causey to be strongly fortified the whole Country drowned and no meanes to passe they returned back againe His Excellencie the better to put the beseeged in dispaire caused the Castle of Batenbourg seated betwixt Lit and the towne of Graue in the Countrie of Maâ—e-en-Waell to be taken because from thence releefe might be brought to the fort there were in it fiue and twentie men who by his Canon he enforced to yeeld Towards the end of Aprill as the waters of the Mase and Waell began to fall his Excellencie brought his ordnance on euery side â—eere to the fort and in a short space made his approaches euen to the dikes of the counterscarpe by reason that the water was wholly fallen There was likewise a bridge made from Alem to the causey of Rossem 360 paces in length in a word his Excellencie at last came so neere their counterscarpes as it was impossible they should be releuied whereupon the beseeged were enforced to crie out to the pioners telling them that they desired to capitulate diuers Wallons were persuaded by their Priests to hold out to the last man assuring them to win Heauen thereby but manie Almans being among them who on that promise were vnwilling to hazard their liues they sent two men from the fort to the Campe and his Excellencie likewise for his part sent two viz. the Lord Vander Aa Captaine of his gard and the Lord Iohn of Huchtenbroeck Colonell of the regiment of Vtrecht These men made a conclusion that the beseeged in lieu of the arerages of their whole pay due vnto them for many moneths should receiue the sum of 125000 florins The states of the vnited Prouinces thought it more profitable for themselues to giue the said sum than to continue their armie any longer before the fort or to hazard their mâ—n in the assaults After long consultation notwithstanding that the beseeged pretended moe arerages than the sum of 125000 florins amounted to yet they were content to deliuer vp the fort on condition that the said sum might be distributed among them Heereupon they condescended to keepe the fort for my Lords the States vntill the said sum were payed and swore to his Excellencies Commissioners in forme following We sweare that so long as we shall remaine in Saint Andrewes fort we will keepe it for the vse of my Lords the States of the vnited Prouinces and for his Excellencie till we haue receiued the money which he hath promised vs and will obey our Captaines and Officers which shall be appointed ouer vs renouncing the oath which we haue made to the King of Spaine or Archduke And these ensuing articles were graunted to them First that all sick and hurt men shall be caried to the next villages to be healed and shall haue their share of the said sum 2 Some gratuitie and recompence shall be giuen out of the said summe to their widowes that are dead according to the discretion of the officers 3 All souldiers who in former time haue serued the States quitted their partie shall be pardoned and payed their part out of the said sum 4 All such as hauing receiued their part are desirous to returne home into their Countries shall haue their passeports But those that will againe serue the Archduke shall receiue no one pennie of the said summe 5 All such as will serue the Lords States of the vnited Prouinces shall be as kindly delt with as any others 6 As many as came from Creuecoeur shall likewise receiue their share out of the said summe 7 Whatsoeuer they haue done or committed in former time shall not be imputed to them The Confirmation of this article was presently seen before their departure for the 19 of May a French souldier being denied entrance into the fort began to reuile the Garison calling them traytors and sellers of the fort who was forth with apprehended condemned to die and sent by his Excellencie into the fort to be shot to death but the Garison pardoned him 8 The souldiers by his Excellencies consent shall chuse eight Wallon Captaines out of the regiments of Achicourt and the Marquis together with three Almans 9 All Commissaries both for war and victualls all Prouosts Brewers Bakers Millers and others that are desirous to depart shall haue safe conduct passeport and conuoy 10 The Priest with the ornaments of the Church and other baggage shall likewise depart with passeport and conuoy 11 All Sergeants and Corporalls that will serue his Excellencie shall haue like vsage as the former 12 Such souldiers as will come forth of the fort and serue the States shall take the oath of Allegeance like vnto other souldiers that serue them and hauing passed a muster shall receiue a moneths pay before hand All these conditions were concluded on the sixt of May and performed on the eighth and ninth of the same foure great Canon as many demy three Culuerins and other peeces of ordnance to the number of eighteene eight barrells of pouder fortie thousand yron bullets sixtie or seuentie load of wheat with other armes and prouision were found in the fort These mutineers made vp a strong Regiment of eleuen Ensignes and were euerie where named the new Gueux they were all in a manner old souldiers and chose their owne Captains they were all ragged and poorly clad but so soone as they were distributed into good townes they all new clothed themselues and the most of them in sutes of buffe Count Henry Frederick of Nassau his Excellencies youngest brother was made their Colonel the Lord of Marquett his Lieutenant with expresse commandement not to reuile or taxe them for they excused their reuolt saying that the Archduke had not vsed them like souldiers but left them in a new fort in face
other armes than their swords The same day his Excellencie in fiue houres space landed all his forces which done he dismissed the boats willing them presently to be gon for feare least after the armies departure the enemie by fire or otherwise should endanger the vessells Then he mustered his Armie and found it to consist of twentie thousand strong and able men His Excellencie likewise rode throw the Armie and demaunded of the souldiers if any among them could complaine for waâ—â— of pay and if any one had not receiued money he willed him to speake because my Lords the States were there present to giue them all contentment They all answered that they were well satisfied saying that they would liue and dye for them and in their seruice The same day the States departed from Flushing towards Philippine and arriued there at the same time as the armie was landed Then they began to dispose the Regiments and to place them euerie one vnder his commaunder and the souldiers were furnished with six daies victualls which they were to carie along with them The three and twentieth day the Armie marched from Philippine towards Assenede a village not far from the t'Sasse of Gant where the vantgard before the arriuall of the whole Armie did by composition take a certaine Castle wherein were some fortie men Those of t'Sasse hauing laid an ambuscado tooke thirtie or fortie of our men prisoners our souldiers likewise towards the euening brought Priests Bailies and other prisoners to the army most of whom they had taken from before Gant The foure and twentieth in the morning the armie departed from Assenede towards Eeckeloo scituate on the passage betwixt Gant and Bruges where seuen hundred souldiers had gone ouer the same morning that we arriued there at night those souldiers were drawne forth of the forts before Ostend to man the t'Sasse because the enemie feared wee would haue besieged the same place The 25 we went from Eeckeloo to Male neere Bruges where our men brought away much cattel and many prisoners from before the towne The 26 we came within Canon shot of the Citie of Bruges and marched towards Iabbeke Those of Bruges with their ordnance plaied vpon our Armie all that day yet did no great harme but onely slew one of his Excellencies Muleters They shewed themselues likewise with certaine troups of horse but durst not come forward so as if our men had bin willing to haue fought with them they could not haue done it with any aduantage On the way betwixt Bruges and Iabbeke his Excellencie had intelligence that the Garrison was fled from Oudenbourg so as on the 27 day the armie marched from Iabbeke thither whither he sent two Companies of souldiers because the fort stood vpon the passage towards Ostend Those which liue in the forts of Plassendale Bredene were likewise fled those of Bredene left 4 peece of ordnance behind them burnt the houses cabbins munition and other necessaries hauing not once seene the enemie My Lords the Generall States with their traine accompanied by Count Solmes with 8 Cornets of horse and the Regiments of French Walons and Swisses together with the Colonells Gistels and Huchtenbroeck who that day marched in the vantgard went on and arriued the same afternoone at Ostend and his Excellencie in the meane time remayned with his armie at Oudenbourg In all our march we found the villages naked and forsaken diuers goodly houses ruyned not one boore to be seene but only the Sexten of Eeckeloo and his wife with two aged and sick persons vnapt for flight The Boores that were hidden in the woods shewed themselues very cruell to some of our souldiers that were scattered here and there vpon the wayes and were fallen into their hands so as our men displayed the bloudie Ensigne which did in no fort hinder their crueltie to vs ward Our souldiers tooke great store of cattell so as flesh was better cheap and more plentiful in the armie than either wine or beere The first night we lay at Assenede a pot of beere was worth six pence the second night at Eeckeloo twelue pence and the next night at Male and Iabbeke eighteene twentie and twentie six In this iourney three Cowes were offered for one pot of beere and yet it could not be gotten At Male a Cowe was sold for three groats and after she was milked he that sold it would haue giuen seuen pence for the milke Whilest we made this iourney by land it hapened on the 24 of Iune that some fortie boats laden with victualls and other prouision conuoyed onely by Captaine Adrian Banckerts man of war sayling from Flushing towards Ostend were set vpon by the Gallies of Sluce who on the fiue and twentieth day tooke aboue twentie of the said boats which being vnladed they burnt The said Captaine did what he could to free them from the enemie but himselfe and one and twentie of his men were slaine in the fight and his ship though much brused arriued at Ostend with some of the hurt men The six and twentieth day the Admeral the Lord of Warmont ariued safely in the Hauen of Ostend with the cheefe fleet wherein were victualls ordnance munition and other necessaries yet by taking of the aboue mentioned boats the Country receiued a great losse which fell for the most part vpon some particular persons who procured it to themselues by being so hastie and not tarrying for the cheefe fleet the which consisted of many braue ships of war To returne to that which was done on land Count Solmes on the eight and twentieth of Iune with eight Cornets of horse and fiue foot Regiments with which troups the day before he had led the vantgard went to beseege the fort called Albertus which stands vpon the Downes some houres iourney from Ostend on the passage towards Niewport it was not very great but well built and strong The nine and twentieth day hauing battered it with foure demy Canon and made a passable breach Captaine Neron that lay there in Garrison did beat his Drum and craued parley in which it was granted that the Garrison should depart thence with their armes and as much baggage as they could carrie away with them but on condition to leaue their Ensigne behind them promising not to serue in Flanders for six moneths The last of Iune the said Earle with the vantgard according to his Excellencies direction went to beseege the Hauen of Niewport and tooke the forts there his Excellencie earely in the morning the same day marched with his Campe from Oudenbourg towards Nieuwen-dam a fort not far from Niewport to take it But his iourney being stopt by reason of water he returned by an other way ouer the Downes towards Albertus fort and the next night tarried there with his Armie The first of Iuly early in the morning his Excellencie marched thence with his Camp towards Niewport and presently gaue directions as well as the situation of the place would
giue him leaue for inclosing and beseeging the towne After dinner my Lords the Generall states receiued news how that Archduke Albert had leuied tenne thousand foot and one thousand fiue hundred horse was come to Oudenbourg Hereupon foure of our Companies that lay in the forts of Bredene and Plessendale withdrew themselues not tarying his comming and the Garrison that was in Oudenbourg which consisted of six foot Companies and two Cornets of horse left there by his Excellencie were enforced to yeeld it vp on composition The like did two Companies that lay in a fort at Snaeskerck vnto which Garrison though the enemie had promised good quarter and that they should depart with their armes and baggage onely leauing their Ensignes behind and the capitulation signed by the Archdukes selfe yet they brake their promise for first diuers horse and foot of the Garrison of Oudenbourg breaking their rancks slew many of them hurt others and disarmed the rest and for a testimonie of their treacherous and bloudie nature did most villanously murder the two Companies that lay in Snaeskercke contrarie to their word and promise Some few souldiers that escaped hauing brought these newes to Ostend my Lords the States did in post aduertise his Excellencie thereof that he might be in readinesse and presently sent more men to Albertus fort which they furnished with victualls munition and other necessaries The second of Iuly the bloudie battaile neere to Niewport was fought whereof we will speake in the next description The third of Iuly about nine of the clock in the morning his Excellencie came in person to Ostend bringing Don Francisco de Mendoza Admeral of Arragon with him as his prisoner And after that my Lords the states had congratulated his Excellencies victorie he requested that generall thankes might be giuen to God which done himselfe with the Admerall dined with the states the armie remayning on the Downes beyond Albertus fort The same day and the day before diuers prisoners men of note brought from the Armie to Ostend were slaine both within and without the Towne by the remainder of the Scots and other souldiers in reuenge of the wrong and crueltie committed by the Enemie vpon our men contrarie to their promise and Law of armes The fourth and fift day whilest the armie refresht it selfe his Excellencie remained in Ostend in consultation with my Lords the states The same day we were busied in burying our dead looking to the hurt and sick souldiers sending them to places where they might be healed in deliuering prisoners Many horse armes and much bootie taken in the battaile were sold many Spanish cloakes cassocks with store of apparell were likewise taken which were not vnwelcome to our men The sixt day in the morning his Excellencie returned with his armie to Nâ—ewport and lay before the towne in the same quarter where he had formerly rested not being able that day nor the night following to doe any notable exploit by reason of the continuall rayne and foule weather After dinner order was taken for sending the prisoners into Holland and likewise the Admerall who by some of the States was conducted aboord the man of wâ—rs Brigantine His Excellencie on the seuenth day receiued letters from Count Frederick of Berguen wherein he craued libertie to send some to search among the dead bodies for some Captaines and chiefe Commanders and for buriall of the dead in the place of buriall Towards Euening the Admerall Iustine of Nassau came to the States with letters of credence from his Excellencie contayning certaine propositions wherein he craued their resolution but the said Lords thinking it necessarie to confer with his Excellencie sent for a conuoy About the seuenth day we tooke from the enemie a certaine halfe moone standing before the towne on the North side of the hauen which was taken with losse of six or eight men on either side The eight day in the morning a Conuoy of foure Cornets of horse ariued and the said Lords departed from Ostend to the Campe before Niewport where they consulted with his Excellencie concerning those propositions which the Admerall of Nassau had made vnto them the day before In the euening 25 souldiers with Lopestaues and halfe pikes were sent to leape the dikes carrying with them two Wagons each of them loden with one boat and other prouision to set on fire on some bridgâ—s on the Southeast side of the towne which in part was effected but not wholly The enemie the same day made great fires vpon the townes steeple and discharged many shot froâ— a Rauelin on the North-side of the towne to hinder the approach of our men wee afterwards vnderstood by prisoners and others that supplies were the same night brought into the towne and in that regard those fires were made The ninth day after that the States had dined with his Excellency they returned againe to Ostâ—nd crossing the hauen on foote ouer a bridge leauing their wagons and conuoy behind to follow them the enemie made many shot at them but did no harme to any man Whilest the wagons passed ouer the said Lords walked on foot for a while vpon the Downes where they saw such numbers of dead bodies as was lâ—mentable to behold His Excellencie hauing intelligence the same Euening that Colonell La Bourlotte was onward on his way with two thousand souldiers to trie if he could enter into Niewport did presently double all the gards and gaâ—e directions to hinder the enemies attempt if it were possible The 10 and 11 dayes no notable matter was done but onely our approaches were set forward as well as the bad and raynie weather would permit The 11 day at night the foot Regiment of the Marquis Varrabon entred the town and the next day they made three fires vpon the tower The twelueth the enemie made a salley vpon our trenches and with such fury as our souldiers were enforced to retire to the principall gards and then the alarme being giuen our men began to skirmish and did in such sort assarle the enemie as they draâ—e him in disorder to the towne gates and slew the Lieâ—tenant Colonell two Captaines and certaine souldiers of the same Regiment The Marquis his Regiment hauing entred the Towne and others likelie euerie day to enter in regard we could not inclose the towne on one side by reason of the broken lands and other inconueniences his Excellencie found many difficulties in continuing the seege and therefore on the 13 of the said moneth he went earlie in the morning to Ostend to propound these difficulties to the States and to craue their aduise After some conference it was thought fit seeing that Generall Wijngaerdens Regiment was newly arriued with fiue new Cornets of horse wherewith our Campe was strengthned to continue the siege and thereupon after that his Excellencie and my Lord his brother had dined they returned to the Campe. During his Excellencie abode in Ostend the enemie had made another sallie on Count Ernestus
Euerard Count of Solms by his lieutenant that of Aeneas de Treston de Trebourg de l'Amovillerie de Langevelt de Ruisse and de Floris de Wijngaerden In the third Battaillon was the regiment of Colonell Huchtenbroeke with his owne companie conducted by Marlin that of the lord of Tempell by Belin his lieutenant that of the sayd Marlin of Dierick de Ionghe de Ruyssenbourg of Iohn de Loon and de Caluart these 26 ensignes made vp the rereward together with 3 cornets of horse His Excellencie stood fast in Battaile vpon the shoare expecting the enemies comming he had sent the gards to the Downes and had drawne some fiftie musketiers forth of the battaile placing them on the shoare and foure troopes of Frizeland musketiers for second with these to flanke the enemies troupes if he had come along the shoare and the better to diuert their approach he had planted fixe demie canon there About eleuen of the clocke the enemies cauallerie approached who were saluted by our canon which made them retire to the Downes when they tarried for their owne ordnance and fanterie that came on verie slowly His Excellencie had enjoyned the lords of Warmont and Duyvenvoord to commaund the ships to shoot into the enemies battailes which was effected the Vice-Admerall of Zeland whose name was Ioostle Moore and Captaine Knoopes made some shot into the enemies battaile who on his part answered them with two demie canon His Excellencie in the meane time abandoned the towne of Newport and caused the bridge to be broken commaunding the rereward to follow him and to place themselues in order he caused two demie canon to be brought vpon the Downes and planted them vpon a little rising meaning with them to scoure the plaines His Excellencie still had the wind and Sun which is no small aduauntage especially on the Downes when the wind blowes somewhat hard as it did all the time of the battaile The enemie being come betwixt the parishes of Westeynde and Willekins Kerck within a small mile of Niewport and two miles from Ostend did likewise plant fiue demie canon and one field piece vpon the shoare then his Excellencie shot into the enemies battaile who answered him presently with the like but the enemie receiuing much hurt by our canon was enforced to retire farther vp into the Downes in regard the Tyde did rise by reason whereof the shoare was so narrow as few men could stand vpon it and then al the boats which lay drie before Niewport began to float and sayled towards Ostend fiue excepted together with the greatest number of those boats that made the bridge which could not be loossened those of Niewport tooke a Carvell and carried it into the towne To defend these boats from the sallies of those of Niewport his Excellencie left certaine troupes of souldiers to skirmish with the Townesmen Then the Archduke began to march athwart the Downes towards the plaine behind them the like did his Excellencie causing his troupes to march against the enemie sir Frauncis Veer led the English pikes and muskets as also the Gards and Frizons and himselfe marched in the formost ranke and was the first man that charged the musketiers of two Spanish regiments he was seconded by Count George Euerard of Solms who led the battaile the French musketiers being diuided into foure troupes he did with three of them charge the musketiers of two Spanish and Italian regiments the said French shot were led by Captaine du Puy Captaine Bruill lieutenant to the Lord la Noüe Captaine Pommared lieutenant to Dommerville and captain Vander-Burch lieutenant to Captaine du Fort. His Excellencie perceiuing that he must needs fight and that he could not auoyd it did valiantly resolue thereon trusting to the equitie of his cause and to God and thereupon commaunded Count Lodwick to charge the enemie with 6 cornets of horse viz. that of his Excellencie Count Henrie and his owne appointing Marcelis Bacx Paule Bacx and Captaine la Sale to second them who brake the enemies horse and put them to rout this done the battaile began on euerie side with a furious batterie which was terrible to behold on the Downes they fought continually from the beginning to the end but in the plaine beyond the Downes by sundrie charges his Excellencie hauing diuided his men into diuers troupes vnwilling to haue them fight all at once The General Veer fought with a battaillon of pikes of two Spanish regiments after that he had repulsed the enemies shot The sayd battaillon was conducted by D. Lewis de Villar and D. Hieronimo de Monroy on the right side the enemie had a wing of horse with which he did much anoy our Vantgard Generall Veer being sore wounded did notwithstanding fight along time leading the English and the 2 Gards but at last retired being seconded by his brother sir Horatio Veer and Captaine Quirin de Blau The enemie charging furiously vpon vs certaine of our souldiers began to flie but it was soone redrest Presently after the first charge these Captaines of horse viz. Coutelor Peter Panier and Batenburch charged the enemies fanterie they were seconded by count Lodwick with six companies of Cuirasses with whom Count Frederic of Solms serued Count George Euerart of Solms with the French did by his Excellencies command charge marching formost in the battaile and diuided into two troupes of which that on the right hand was conducted by Monsr Dommervile lieutenant Colonell of the French and the other on the left hand by Captaine du Sau. This was the second charge of the French fighting with a battaillon of pikes of two regiments the one Spaniards and the other Italians conducted by D. Alonzo d'Aualos and Sapena the Campe Master Count George Euerart retired with the French and brought vp Count Henrie of Nassaus regiment videlicet the Walons of whom Monsr Marquet was Lieutenant Colonell to charge the enemie againe and also the regiment of Suisse by Hans Krijc these two regiments fought with la Bourlotte and the Earle of Bucquoy who commaunded the enemies rereward consisting of three regiments of Walons and Irish. Then his Excellencie commaunded Monsr de Gystelles who conducted the rereward to charge with his owne regiment and that of Huchtenbroeke And the regiment of Count Ernest vnder the conduct of Heusman his Lieutenant Colonell did likewise charge The fight continued doubtfull for three houres space for now one side preuailed and anon another and yet his Excellencies Cauallerie had still the aduauntage of the enemies which gaue backe by little and little and some of them fled towards Niewport and were pursued by our men The enemies Fanterie fought with better vantage on the Downes where they tooke one hill after another from his Excellencies footmen and did mightily endaunger the ordnance Behind the Downes Sir Horatio Veer charged with sixe English ensignes with Captaine Henrie Sutton his Lieutenant Colonell Captaine Louell Captaine Ogle and Captaine Farfax Count Lodwick with tenne horse
prisoners and wounded men that all the victuals were lost in the battaile and that they could get none by reason that the boats were gone marched with his whole armie towards Ostend to refresh it sending the wounded to places where they might be cured discharging his souldiers of the enemies prisoners He brought his armie to S. Maries Church neere to Alberts fort and himselfe went into Ostend where he presently caused publike thankes to be giuen to God for this notable victorie himselfe and whole Court being present at it He remayned certaine daies at Ostend to order matters and to prouide for the better execution of his enterprises He caused all the prisoners to be brought together viz. the Admerall of Arragon D. Lewis de Villars with many other Captaines and officers whom for the most part he shipt for Holland he kept some one hundred and fiftie prisoners still in Ostend and among them diuers hurt men to exchange them for his owne souldiers whom the enemie had taken The glorie of this victorie belongs to God alone who hath not onely beene pleased thereby to maintaine as he hath wonderfully hitherunto done the just and lawfull cause of the vnited Prouinces for the conseruation of his Church but hath likewise pleased to abase the hautie and insolent courage of the Spaniards learning them to feele his mightie arme and letting them know how daungerous it is to kicke against the pricke To this onely God the Lord of hosts who in the battaile hath taught his Excellencies hands to fight and so admirably exalted his countenance that day be honour praise and glorie for euer To conclude we must of necessitie hereunto add that which certaine Historians mention how that justly vpon the same day the second of Iulie 1600 some three hundred and two yeares before viz. in anno 1298 one of the Archduke Alberts predecessours called Albert of Austria like him had with his power defeated one of Prince Maurice of Nassaus predecessours called Adolfe of Nassau Emperour of the Romans whereby we may see how that by this meanes the house of Nassau hath reuenged the wrong done to it by that of Austria This is a matter worthie of note and we may be well assured that though God deferre for a time yet he can and will aid and assist those that put their trust in him ¶ The Lord Iohn of Duyuenvoord Admerall of Holland fighteth with the Gallies of Sluce and puts them to flight WHilest Prince Maurice his armie marched in Flaunders there were some fortie or fiftie flat bottomed boats and and other vessels loden with munition and victuals which on the fiue and twentieth of Iune did set saile from Zeland toward Ostend these had a man of warre for their conuoy whose Captaine was called Adrian Baucker he being come before Blauckenbourg was becalmed the gallies of Sluce perceiuing it foure of them came forth and assailed the fleet and tooke twentie of the boats but most of the men escaped some of these vessels they burnt and carried the rest away with them The man of warre made what resistance he could but the calme made him like an vnplumed bird The Gallies approached the ship but did not boord her thinking to sinke her with their shot or else enforce her to yeeld she was in sundrie places shot thorow and began to leake and without the helpe of men and women that came aboord her from other boats and with scuppets tubs and their verie hats emptied forth the water she would haue beene in danger of sinking by this meanes she was kept aboue water and when the gallies came neere her she plaied so terribly vpon them with her ordnance as they were enforced to giue backe The ship hauing at last lost three and twentie men among whom was Captaine Baucker and most of the rest wounded the men cried out desperatly saying That rather than they would yeeld to the enemie they would blow themselues vp and set the ship on fire Hereupon the gallies left her and with great harme and losse of men returned to Sluce with a good bootie and the ship went backe to Flushing The next day being the sixe and twentieth of Iune the Lord Iohn of Duyvenvoord Admerall of Holland with sixe ships of warre called Cromstevens or Smackseylen all well prouided sailed from Zeland towards Flaunders to conuoy one hundred and fiftie vessels laden with ordnance and warlike munition for the armie This fleet being come before Sluce and the wind verie calme foure gallies came forth and presently the wind rising the men of warre came so neere them as they did not onely anoy them with their ordnance but with their small shot whereupon they were constrayned by force of oares to returne backe againe against the wind one of the gallies was shot vnder water and did for a long time lye vpon one side till the leake was stopt A certaine Turke of Constantinople a verie valiant and skilfull man being a slaue in one of the gallies had his chaine wherewith he was fastened broken a sunder by a canon shot himselfe not hurt and perceiuing that he was loosse leapt into the Sea with a piece of his chaine and with great daunger of his life for they shot terribly at him swam to the Zelanders ships and in swimming shewed his chaine whereupon the ships tooke him in being aboord he acquainted them with the gallies intent and losse They afterwards clothed him and presented him to prince Maurice who askt him if he would serue but he hauing great meanes at Constantinople craued a passeport vnlesse they would make vse of him for a Patron of a gallie to command the Spanish slaues which charge he had in former time taken vpon him But the Netherlanders hauing neuer vsed to imploy any infidell would not then begin but gaue him a passeport for England whither he went and from thence to Barbarie and so by land to Constantinople where by the way he acquainted Princes and Kings and the great Turke his Lord with the wars of the Christians ¶ The Admeralls ship of Antuerpe and seuen other ships are taken by the Captaine of the Blacke Gallie on the 29 of Nouember 1â—00 MY Lords the States and his Excellencie perceiuing the great losse they sustained by the gallies of Frederick Spinola which lay at Sluce resolued likewise to build and set forth certain gallies and with them to anoy their enemies Whilest they were making readie the gallies of Sluce came not abroad wanting slaues to row for the Zeland ships had slaine most of them many of them likewise were dead in winter with extremitie of cold and those prisoners of the vnited prouinces whom they had taken and made slaues could not suddenly be brought to handle the oare They likewise sent into Hungarie to buy Turkish prisoners but they knew not by what meanes to transport them into the Low-Countries Whereupon the foure Estates of Flaunders were about to buy the sayd Gallies and slaues of Spinola and to build
quarter with some excuse promising to send back our hostages who returned not to the towne the same night Generall Vere the next day at one of the clocke after midnight in regard of the tumult among the Captaines and souldiers sent for all the Captaines French Scottish and Dutch and after long debating on the Garrisons weaknesse and great want of men to defend the old and newe towns with all the counter scarps rauelins South and East Quadrants together with the halfe moone beyond the Gullet standing towards the Southwest hee craued their aduice by what meanes all these places might bee defended from the enemies assaults demaunding whither the Captaines thought it not fit to race and abandon those workes which were alreadie forsaken vnknown to the Captaines together with the falce-bray or lesser Sand hill where they had alreadie planted one canon and a demy and caried fiue barrels of powder thither the same day All of them thought it fit to race the South Quadrant which was least hurtfull to the towne and to send the men to more needfull places and yet this was not effected because fiue companies came from Zealand on the fiue and twentieth of December The falce-bray which should haue beene abandoned was neuerthelesse by consent of certaine Captaines and in presence of Captaine Saint Clare the Scot vnknowne to the Generall mand with sixe musketâ—ers of Saint Clares companie two other companies beeing appointed to second them if the enemie should giue an assault The next day at nine of the clocke in the morning the Generall sent againe for the French Scottish and Dutch Captaines to his lodging where in presence of Colonell Loone hee made his Apologie in French declaring to what intent hee entred into communication with the enemie the Reader may see the excuses hee alledged in a letter hereafter ensuing which hee wrot to the States The same day and in the same assemblie it was concluded to demaund hostages and commissioners from the enemie for assurance of those which had beene sent from the towne whereupon two Captaines Iohn le Rijck and Charls Cassart with Captaine Saint Clare the Scot were sent to receiue the two aboue mentioned hostages and Commissioners viz. Serrano Gouernor of the Sluce and captaine Ottaigno the Sergeant Major who craued to hasten the businesse being sent into Ostend for none other purpose They were answered that in regard it was verie late and diuers Captaines alreadie vpon the gard they must haue patience till the next day The same night the fiue aboue mentioned companies from Zeland arriued and because it was Christmas day the Archduke sent a Spanish Captaine with a trumpet and a letter to his Commissioners wherein hee willed them to hasten the matter by all possible meanes Captaine Rijcks fetcht the letter and gaue it to Serrano who thereupon was verie earnest for dispatch hee was entreated to stay till eleuen of the clocke and then hee should receiue all content this answere he presently sent to the Archduke In the meane time the fiue companies which came from Zelland entred the towne viz. that of Captaine Iohn Pottey the companie of the Lord Iustine of Nassau those of the Lord Vandernoot Captaine Iohn Piron the younger and Captaine la Corde These fiue companies beeing come into the towne Generall Vere about noone gaue this aunswere to Serrano and Ottaigno how he could not denie but that being ouertaken by want of wind faire weather and other accidents hee had beene enforced to inuent meanes to helpe himselfe and men and through want enforced to come to some agreement But perceiuing that the States of the vnited Prouinces had so well reliued and furnished him with all necessarie prouisions hee could not as then proceed any farther in this treatie with his Highnesse and therefore had no more to say vnlesse some new necessitie should vnluckily surprize him and enforce him againe to craue parley hoping that his Highnesse as a vertuous Prince would not take this deniall to proceed any farther in the treat in bad part for beeing a souldier hee could doe no otherwise for maintenance of his owne honour and that this sleight was commonly vsed among souldiers Thereupon the Spanish commissiioners went their way The Archduke was much displeased with this warlike policie and grew exceeding angrie with some of his owne seruants who had counselled him thereunto By this sleight a rumor was bruted abroad how that Ostend capitulated and it was so confidently beliued as in the Courts of France England that of the States of Holland and Zealand nothing was knowne to the contrarie till such times as they receiued letters from Generall Vere The Burgers of Gant Bruges Dunkerke and Newport came with their wiues and children to the campe thinking that the towne would yeeld but they were all deceiued This did so incense the enemies as they resolued more by passion than reason to giue a generall assault The States of the vnited Prouinces were amased at this treatie and neuer thought that the English souldiers would haue so slipt away through the carelesenesse of their Captaines who gaue them passeport so as fortie fiftie sixtie and more at a time returned into England who were lustie and in health whereupon men and other necessarie prouisions were sent thither which did encourage the besieged The Archduke tired with lying so long before Ostend and deceiued in his vaine hope was persuaded by his Councell to giue a generall assault ere greater forces entred the towne and to this end hee did satisfie and pay manie of his mutiners and vnwilling souldiers making great preparation for an assault hoping to surprise the Sand hill there to entrench himselfe and become master of the old towne appointing the seuenth of Ianuarie 1602 in the afternoone at a low water the time for execution Colonell Gambiotta the Campe master was to assault the new towne and Count Ferneste with Captaine Ottaigno the Sand hill and falce-bray The gouernour of Dixmuide the Porcuspine an other the West and South Quadrants and the North Rauelin and Count Bucquoy with two thousand men was to assault on euerie side Count Triuulcio Alonzo d'Avalos and other troops were readie to helpe and second those that should stand in need the cauallier likewise hauing an eye euerie where The Archdukes felfe stood behinde the batterie of the key and the Infanta was in Isabellas fort This thus appointed a certaine Italian whose lot was to bee one of the first that should giue the assault fearing the daunger swam ouer the hauen by night with his sword in his mouth and declared to generall Vere the enemies resolution concerning the assault whereunto he gaue the more credit because the precedent day and night their ordnance had without intermission plaid vpon the towne so as he gaue order for defence fortifying all places transporting the ordnance and planting seuen great morters at the entrance of the hauen charged with stones and musket shot commaunding his men carefully to doe their
Infanta lay at Newport if she heard not the repot of the Canon shee was male-content and commaunded her Gunners to shoot continually The besieged were not much indebted to the enemy but in the first 20 moneths discharged 100000 shot 18000 of the enemies were slaine the first twentie moneths as well by the ordnance and extreame cold which they endured the first two winters as by sallies sicknesse and miserie And in the towne sixe or seuen thousand died though the number was not well knowne for sicke and wounded men were sent away the like did the enemie who sent his to the next townes and hospitals Notwithstanding all these batteries and that many in the town died of the plague and through want yet the besieged were visited by their freinds kinsfolks wiues and children which came forth of Holland and Zealand and went thither as to a festiuall Some Captaines brought their wiues and children thither Gentlemen and great Lords came thither from Fraunce and England to see the fortifications All the three yeares that the siege continued the besieged kept the fift of Iuly holieday beating their caudrons in steed of bels discharging all their ordnance and that day a solemne sermon was made wherein thankes was giuen to God for preseruing them so long a time from their enemies entreating him still to do the like Sundrie sallies and assaults were made store of fire-works were throwne into the enemies Campe and plat-formes which were made of sagots Among others a certaine Ingeneer called Pompey the Romain inuented sundrie meanes to choake the gullet but all his labour was to no purpose The besieged had made an halfe moone on the farther side of the Gullet to defend the going in and out of the boats and to keepe them safe in the towne dikes and the better to skale the said stalfe moone this Pompey had framed a bridge for assault mounted on foure great brasen wheels like to a Chariot on which this bridge was to bee drawne it bended in the middest and rested on a great mast one hundred and fiftie foot long whereon this bridge might bee drawne vp and let downe It was made of Cables and small cords twined together on small masts The fore part was drawne vp along the mast like a drawe bridge which being brought neere to the town they would haue let fall ouerthwart the dikes vpon the Rampires this bridge was drawne by forty horses With this bridge which they termed the luy-wagon or idle wagon they thought to haue assaulted the halfe moon beyond the gullet The besieged perceiuing it to come forwards did with their Canon shot break one of the wheels before it could be mended had erected masts vpon the counterscarp of the halfe moone that when their bridge should bee let fall it might rest vpon the said masts this being perceiued by the enemy he gaue ouer his inuention In Iune 1603 D. Rodrigo Lasso came from Spaine and brought newes that Marquis Ambrose Spinola brother to Ieronimo Spinola that was slaine in the Gallies before Sluce had after his brothers death couenanted with the king of Spaine to take vp great sums of money for his Majesties seruice on certain assurance and conditions viz. to haue the chiefe authoritie and soueraigne commaund at the siege of Ostend with ample power from the Archduke and not to bee enuied of the other commaunders in the armie of-what nation soeuer The said Marquis beeing come into the low Countries with this commission vndertooke the charge and presenly reformed many matters deposing sundrie officers placing others in their steds carefully prouiding monie and setting diuers skilful Ingeneers on work by whose help he hoped to take the towne for the besieged had long since lost all their fortifications and workes abroad The Marquis presently caused mynes to bee made and assaults to be giuen The Sea and high tides caused by a North-east wind which blew on the first day of March did great harme spoiling and carying away the mines trenches and conterscarps The besieged though they dayly receiued supplies of men and other necessaries yet the sixe last moneths they were mightily annoyed by the continuall batteries and sustained great losse for after Collonell Huchtenbroeck the Lord of Gystels the Gouernour beeing slaine in March who was a braue and valiant gentleman and much lamented Colonell Loon succeeded him who within a while after was likewise slaine and after him many other Captaines which had the chiefe commaund next Colonel Berendrecht whom Colonell Vtenhove succeeded and left the towne beeing hurt At last when the towne had been a long time without Gouernour the Lord of Marquet was sent thither on the tenth of Iune 1604 hee was the last Gouernour there Dauid of Orleance the Ingeneer was shot in the towne and went his way into Holland to bee healed But master Rafe Dexter the Englisman a valiant and skilfull person taried there still This change of gouernours hindred the prosperous successe of many matters their good Decrees being not well obserued some of which we will here set downe It was decreed for preuenting controuersies betwixt victuallers That no wares or victuals should be sold till they had first continued foure and twentie houres in the Market place All souldiers were likewise forbidden to play at Dice or Cardes on paine of eight daies imprisonment and fasting with bread and water No officer might come vpon the gard being drunke on payne of loosing his place and armes because that many souldiers went to the enemie the townesmen offered fiftie crownes to him that could bring in such an one either aliue or dead The enemies in regard diuers of their men came to our side caused their horsemen to keepe continuall gard yet it was to no purpose at all In Aprill May and Iune Marquis Spinola vsed all speedie meanes to take the Towne that he might goe and relieue Sluce sparing neither men nor money Among others Captaine Catrice was slaine he was a man of great experience in martiall affaires diuers other commaunders Colonels and Captaines were likewise slayne they also tooke the Porcuspine and approached daily by assaults and Mynes The twelfth of Iune Spinola blew vp a Myne neere to the Polder Bulwarke which buried many of his men aliue thereupon he gaue an assault wherein certaine hundreds of his men were slayne and some fortie or fiftie of the besieged The sixteenth of Iune the besieged made a fierce sallie vpon the Pioners draue them away Diuers other assaults Mynes and sallies were made that Summer by meanes whereof they came at last euen to the Dikes they likewise stopt vp the old hauen with Fagots In August they vndermyned the Sand hill and approached the other Bulwarkes by means of their platformes from whence they shot fiercely In the end Spinola resolued in September to assault the chiefe Bulwarke the Sand hill and finding the Spaniards and Italians vnwilling to march in regard of the daunger they had before beene in he resolued to make vse of
ordnance two of the foure Gallies which had boorded Captaine Logier did likewise set vpon the Gallie of Zeland then the other two forsooke Legiers ship and fought with the Gallie of Holland one of these two last forsooke the black Gallie and came to the reskew of the two others which boorded the vice-Admerall Ioost le More percing one an other with canon shot The other ship wherein was Crijn Henrick could not come vp to fight through want of wind but did her best in shoting at the Gallies which boorded the Vice-Admerall and the blacke gallie This fight of gallies continued a long time against ships not accustomed to such fight there beeing eight gallies and foure fregats of the enemies against two ships and two gallies of ours Yet Spinolas gallies fearing that the Zelanders might bee seconded and themselues hauing receiued much losse in their men slaues and oares disparing of the victorie did in great disorder retreat to the Sluce mouth Among their slaine men was generall Spinola hauing receiued many wounds hee was of the familie of Spinola in Genoa a man of great reach and meanes There were slain in this fight eight hundred musketeers souldiers mariners and slaues and manie were wounded yet the certaine number could not be knowne Of the Zelanders thirtie six were slain and 60 hurt their ships and gallies beeing of better proofe than the enemies Among the dead was Captaine Iacob Michiels of the black Gallie and his Lieutenaunt of the thirtie and sixe English musketeers eight were slaine and sixeteene hurt among the wounded was the Vice-Admerall Ioost le More hauing receiued three daungerous wounds the like besell Captaine Legier Peters but both of them were afterwards healed During the fight the report of the Canon was heard to Flushing the Admerall of Zeland the Lord of Haultain presently mand foure men of war and a Fregat making all possible hast to the Sluce mouth but the Spanish Gallies ere they could arriue were gotten in Whereupon our men gaue publike thanks to God attributing all praise to him For without all question this was a valiant act with so few vessels and men to beat eight Gallies and foure Fregats so well manned and prouided The Zelanders in memorie hereof stamped siluer and brasse coine hauing on the one side two ships and two Gallies with this circumspription Laedunt triremes nauibus 1603 and on the other side the Spanish Gallies with this circumscription victae perempto Spinola 16 Maij. Our ships beeing well mand will no more feare Gallies although the Sea be calme as well appeareth by this Sea fight ¶ The taking of Cadsand and Ysendike with the siege and yeelding vp of Sluce in anno 1604. AT the beginning of the yeare 1604 the States of the vnited Prouinces resolued to seeke out the enemie in his owne Countrie and to enter Flaunders hoping to raise the siege of Ostend Hereupon they commanded all Captaines to make their companies compleat giuing forth new commissions to leuy 1500 Suisses and 2000 other footmen His Excellencie of Nassau espying a fit time and occasion sent commaundment to all his forces to meet him at Willem-Stat on the twentieth of Aprill with such number of boats as should bee needfull for such an attempt Thither came Count William Count Ernest Cazimir and Count Lodwick Gunther brethren of the house of Nassau together with Count Henry Frederick generall of the horse The troopes beeing shipt departed on the day appointed from Willem-State towards Zeland whither on the foure and twentieth of Aprill his Excellencie likewise went accompanied by the Prince of Anhalt Count Adolph of Nassau together with the Commissioner of the generall States and Councell of State who were there present to farther the enterprise The fiue and twentieth of Aprill in the Morning the whole fleet consisting of infinit numbers of boats sailed from Zeland to Flaunders where at the passage or entrie called Het Swartegat they landed in Cadsand where in two daies they tooke all the Forts And if at their first arriuall they had entred the Sluce mouth they might with little labour haue taken the Towne and peraduenture by such speed raised the siege of Ostend for at their landing those of Bruges had no forces in their Towne but whilest his Excellencie landed his men and was busied in taking in the small forts of Cadsand those of Bruges made such hast as Spinola from the campe before Ostend sent one thousand footmen to a place called Swint and from Watervliet sent Triuulcio with fiue hundred horse to stop the passage at the Sluce mouth notwithstanding that on the sixe and twentieth and seuen and twentieth dayes we vsed a meanes to passe on chasing the gallies towards Sluce So as his Excellencie beeing out of hope to passe and determining onely to assure the Countrie of Cadsand a Boore told him that by fetching a compasse towards the East-side of the Sluce he might enter Flaunders and shewed him the same night a fit place to goe to Oostburch but there he met with the enemies horse and foot troopes which made him thinke that there was some passage whereupon on the 29 day he sent certaine bands thither which skirmished with the enemies putting them to rout who in the flight shewed our men the way to passe and on the thirtieth day in the Morning his Excellencie went thither and crossing the water took a piece of the causie neere to Coxie where certaine men of Sluce who meant to haue made a fort there were beaten some 30 of them taken prisoners the rest put to flight those of the fort of Coxie did likewise yeeld on cōposition opening by this means contrarie to our expectation away to enter into Flaunders putting vs in hope of good successe notwithstanding that the Countrie round about was much broken Prince Maurice on May day marched with a great part of his armie to Saint Catherins Fort and sent for ordnaunce to batter it but because there was a spring tide that day and the waters were verie high it was afternoon ere the Canon was brought so as all that day hee remained in battaile neere the fort In Saint Catherines fort beside certaine souldiers commaunded by Count Trivulcio were many burghers and boores surnamed Keurlingen these are voluntarie mercenaries leuyed about Gaunt who hauing no quarter nor promise to be ransomed if they were taken his Excellencie to terrifie them commanded that none of them should bee taken prisoners but all slaine and though this did daunt many of them yet they held out that day and one of their Ensigne bearers did passe too and fro on the Rampiers erecting his Ensigne on the breach to the great encouragement of his fellowes who were likewise hartened for that Count Trivulcio who had been at Watervliet with certaine troopes of horse came and encamped with them below the fort where he entrenched himselfe and planted two field peeces to play vpon his Excellencies troops But his Excellencie hauing the same after noone
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
North land causie and prepares to be gone A skirmish with the enemie The Duke of Parma raiseth his siege from before Berghen Willoughbie pursues the enemie The Lord Willoughbie honoureth the Captaines with the order of knighthood The townesmen giue thankes to God for their deliuerance The situation of the towne of Tilemont By whom how and after what manner Tilemont was surprised The garrisons of Heâ—sden and Geertrudenberg beat â—â— enemie were to Tilbourg Certain souldiers of Zeland defeat a country in Flaunders The Lord Gerard of Rassingem â—old the Lordship of Breda to the Duke of Brabant in anno 1326. The Lord of Polanen buyes Breda in anno 13â—1 on the first of Aprill A piece of coine so called The Priuiledges of the â—ountrie of Breda Engelbrecht Count of Nassau marrie◠〈◊〉 heirâ— bâ—â—anâ—n 〈…〉 Breda 〈◊〉 141◠〈◊〉 of the lands of 〈◊〉 house of Nassau An attempt propounded vpon Breda The enterprise is resolued A generous act of Math Helt The souldiers imitating the Troyans drew in their owne ruine After what maner they assailed the Castle The Castle is taken His Excellencie entreth the Castle The town yeelds to his Excellencie The Duke of Parma sends Count Mansfelt against Breda Count Mansfelt makes a Fort at Terheyden Count Mansfelt doth in vavâ—â— bâ—â—â—â— and assault the Fort of Nordam Why the Foâ— termed Knoâ—senbourg The Castle of Turnholt taken on the second of Aprill Westerloo taken in May. The Fort of Zutphen taken on the 24. of May by counterfeit Boores. Count Philip of Ouersteyn slaine before Zutphen A variant act of Captaine Metkerks ensigne A single combat betwixt the Lord of Ryhoue and an Albanese before Deuenter Those of Deuenter craue parley The bodie of Rowland Yorke is hung upon the gallowes His Excellencie departs from Deuenter He takes Delfzyll Skonse the 12. of Julie The Fort of Opslach woon The Fort of Imitill woon Parma makes preparations to encounter Prince Maurice Parma besiegeth Knodsenbourg on the 13 of Julie The sort of Auwarder â—â—jâ—l taken the last of May. Contentâ—â— beâ—â—â—t tâ—ose of Groeniâ—gâ—â—n The great 〈…〉 Those of Graninguen capitulate The strait of Nassau found out to the North-Eastward in anno 1595. People of the Eastern Indies throwne in former time by tempest vpon the coast of Germanie Perpetual night in Noua Zemla all winter till the 27 of Ianuarie The Hollanders trade to the Indies and to Iana in anno 1â—96 The Hollanders returne home the 11 of August 1597. The Rhyne and other riuers ouerflow the bankes in Februarie and March The Queene of England sets forth a fleet vnder the conduct of the Lord Admirall and Earle of Essex The vnited prouinces send 24. ships of warre to serue the Queen of England vnder the conduct of the Lord of Warmont The English fleet comes before Caâ—es on 30 of Iune The English fleet letteth slip of faire occasion to haue taken the ships loden for the Indies The Spanish fleet runneth on ground The earle of Essex landeth his men and the Hollanders take the castle of Puntall The Earle of Essex winneth Cales on the second of Iulie Two millions of Gold offered for the ransome of the fleet but too late The Spaniards burne their rich fleet The Citizens of Cales ranjome themselues for one hundred twentie thousand ducats The towne of Cales is sackt The Admeral of Holland offereth the English at Cales victuals for a month and with his fleet to stay with them Cales is abandoned and burnt on the 15 of Iulie The English doe againe loose the oportunitie of meeting with the IndiaÌ„ fleet notwithstandding that the Hollanders offered their seruice The Queene of Englands letter to the Lord of Duvenuord than king him for his good seruice The manner of the enemies march Count Varax slaine A Roman called Septimius Fabius was found wounded and halfe dead among the dead bodies and yet by carefull looking to recouered his life The States resolue to set forth an armie His Excellencie takes Alpen on the 8 of August The towne of Berck is battered with 35. pieces of ordnance on the 19 of August Berck yeeldeth vpon the 21 of August A mutinie in the towne of Gâ—lder on the 22 of August Tâ—â—se of Coloign demaund the towne of Rhynberck Camillos Fort is abandoned 〈…〉 Groll is yeelded upon the 2â— of September The great and famous grandson of Groll de paris theaâ—e on the 28. of September Brevoort seated in a moorish place is assaulted on the 8. of October Those of Brevoort are put to ransome Enschede yeeldeth on the 18. of October Oldenzeel besieged Oâ—denzeel is battered and yeeldeth on the 21 of October A description of the towne of Lingen Count Frederick of Berguen yeeldeth vp Lingen on the 12 of Nomember * A piece of ordnance so called I hardly in this beeleue my Authour The expence of his Excellencies campe at Bommell A description of the Groyne Description of the Canaries Those of Allagona forsake the town which is taken by the Admerall Vander Does Generall Vander-Does dyeth in the fleet Supplies sent to Creuecoeur are defeated Those of Sertoghenbusk seeke to releeue Saint Andrewes fort Saint Andrews fort capitulateth and agrees with Prince Maurice on the sixt of May. The greatest part of the garrison of saint Andrewes fort serue Prince Maurice The excuse of the Garrison of Saint Andrews fort An vnfit comparrison betwixt those of S. Andrewes fort the garrison of Gertrudenberg The cause why the armie went into Flanders Count Solmes is before Niewport They fight for three houres space vncertain of victorie The enemie is put to rout Articles in regard whereof those of Rhynberck yeelded on the 30. of Iulie His Excellâ—ncie takes the towne of Meurs and fortifies it Venice in time past the staple for merchandâ—se broâ—ght from the Eastern Iudies From thence the trade is remoued to Lisbone The Portugals by force seeke to keepe the Hollanders from comming to the East Indies Fâ—r what cause the Portugals rieged forth a fleet in the Indies Captaine Sylua slaâ—ne The pirâ—te Cunall and his Castle are taken The Hollanders resolue to assaile the fleet and to relieue Bantam A particular rehersall of the strength of the Portugal fleet Sir Frauncis Vere entreth Ostend on the 15. of Iuly Thâ—se of â—â—ten◠〈…〉 by 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 dâ—â— Nâ—â—t Description of â—â—â—waâ—ke called Sâ—andâ—â—ll Many men and much prouision are sent to Ostend The Lord Chastillon Colonell Huchtâ—nbroâ—ck and others slain in Ostend The Garrison of Ostend changed The States letters for contributions