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
c. with the rehearsall of his death and funeralls BEfore we set downe the great and valorous actions of the most illustrious Prince Maurice of Nassau vve will briefely in manner of an introduction speake somewhat of the Genealogie descent birth life and death of my Lord his father William of Nassau of happie memorie William by the grace of God Prince of Orange Earle of Nassau Catzenelbogen Dietz Vianda c. Marquis of Veer and Flushing Vicount of Antuerpe and Bezanson Baron of Breda Diest Grimberg Arley Nozeroy c. Lord of Castelbelin Lieutenant generall in the Low-countries and Gouernour of Brabant Holland Zeland Vtrecht and Frize-land Admirall of the Belgick Seas was sonne to William of Nassau brother to Count Henrie of Nassau both of them sonnes to Iohn who was brother to Engelbert to whom Iohn of Nassau was Father and Marie of Loon their mother This William married Iulian Countesse of Stolberg a verie wise and vertuous Ladie by whom hee had fiue sonnes namely William of Nassau Prince of Orange c. Iohn of Nassau Lodwicke Adolph and Henrie three of them vvere slayne in the Low-countrie vvarres and seuen daughters all excellently well married to Earles and haue had many children so that the sayd Ladie mother to my Lord of happie memorie being 75 yeares old did in anno 1578 see of her owne issue 123 persons both Earles and Countesses her children and childrens children how the number is since encreased to me is vnknowne The late Prince of Orange of happie memorie was borne at Dillenbourg in anno 1533 the foureteenth of Aprill old stile He was of more than middle stature the colour of his beard browne more leaue than fat What his inward parts were his heroicke actions testifie Being come to mans state he married first the onely daughter and heire of Maximillian of Egmont Earle of Buren Leerdam c. on whom he begat Philip of Nassau Count of Buren now Prince of Orange and a daughter called Marie married to Graue Hohenlo His second wife was Anne sole daughter to the Elector Maurice Duke of Saxonie by whom he had a sonne called Maurice of Nassau borne of Dillenbourg in the Countie of Nassau the thirteenth of Nouember anno 1567 by whose discreet and valorous conduct it pleased God to blesse these Low-countries before extreamely afflicted He had moreouer two daughters by her the one named Anne the other Emillia His third choice was the Ladie Charlotta of Bourbon daughter to Duke Mompensier of Fraunce by whom he had sixe daughters namely Louisa Iuliana Elizabeth Catherina Belgica Flandrina Charlotta Brabantina and Emillia Secunda His fourth and last wife was Louisa of Colligni daughter to the Admirall of Fraunce and widow to the Lord Telligni both her father and husband were slaine in the masacre at Paris by whom he had a sonne borne in the Towne of Delft called Henrie Frederick a Prince worthie such a father I vvill not vvrite the life and actions of this valorous Prince For it is not my meaning or intent to make a long discourse of all his victories and defeatures by sea and land taking of towns sieges difficulties trauels miseries vvhereunto this life is subiect especially that of Princes and great men nor likewise how often and by sundrie wayes his enemies haue sought to murther him Onely I vvill briefely set downe how he was treacherously slayne in the Towne of Delft And if any be desirous to see a more ample description thereof let him read the Histories of things done in the Netherlands written by Emanuell Demetrus Iohn Petit and others In the yeare 1584 in the beginning of May there came to the Princes Court in the Towne of Delft a young man of the age of seuen and twentie yeares of a middle stature simple countenance and euell aspect his name vvas Baltazar Gerard borne at Villesans in Burgondie he had changed his name and termed himselfe Francis Guyon of Besançon sonne to Peter Guyon of Lyons vvho had beene put to death for his Religion and for enterprising somewhat in behalfe of those of the reformed Religion This fellow deliuered a letter to the sayd Prince shewing vnto him the zeale he did beare to the reformed Religion and how desirous he was to serue him and withall how that passing through Luxembourg he had visited a Cosin of his called Iohn du Prè Secetarie to Count Mansfelt vvith whom he had continued for a time till at last he resolued for the quiet of his conscience to leaue him The vvhich he was the sooner enforced to do because the Iesuits began to suspect him He told him besides how that he had gotten from his Cosen diuers blanks signed by Count Mansfelt whereof hee thought good vse might be made for enterprising vpon certaine towns of Luxembourg elsewhere with many other such like discourses circumstances tending to this end to insinuat himselfe into the Princes fauour and to enter into his seruice He grew likewise familliar vnder colour of Religion vvith certaine of the Princes houshold seruants and vvas present at Sermons and vsuall Prayers carrying eyther a Psalme Booke Bible or Testament still in his hand The Prince acquainted vvith all this answered that he thought those signed blankes would doe small good in any enterprise but onely serue to safe-conduct messengers from Bruxels to Cambray and therefore vvilled him to leaue some of them And at vvhat time the Lord of Schoonwall vvent into Fraunce his Excellencie thought good to send the sayd Baltazar vvith him to the Marshall Byron who men thought should haue beene Gouernour of Cambray that he might make vse of these signed blankes And vvith him he vvent into Fraunce After that he returned from Fraunce with Letters both to the Prince and States mentioning the death of the Duke of Brabant A njou in vvhich regard the Prince sent for him into his Chamber as he lay in his bed that he might particularly informe him of the Dukes death He hath confest since that if his dagger had beene then about him hee vvould haue killed him in his bed Within a vvhile after he was commaunded to returne into Fraunce whereupon he craued some money shewing how his hose and shooes vvere broken the Prince commaunded his Secretarie to giue him some on the eight day of Iulie with this money he bought two Pistols of one of the Gard therewith to execute his diuelish enterprise The tenth of Iulie about dinner time he came to the Prince of whom with a fearefull and trembling voice he craued a passe-port which the Princesse there present did well obserue who asked the Prince what he was because shee saw he had a bad countenance his Excellencie told her that he vvas a fellow that sued for a passeport and so gaue order for his dispatch Whilest they were at dinner he was seene to walke neere the stables behind the house towards the Towne Rampiers After dinner as the Prince was
Nordam 119 Medenblick yeeded to his Excellencie 27 Meurs and the Castle there taken 207 Meurs againe taken 293 VVIlliam of Nassau Prince of Orange his genealogie death and funerals 14.15.16 c. Prince Maurice of Nassau receiueth the gouernement of the Netherlands 25. 27 Netherlands described 1 The Netherlands set forth ships towards Noua Zemla and the East Indies 174 The enterprises of the Netherlanders on Spaine and the Canaries 233 The Netherlanders in Luxembourg with an armie 351 The Netherlanders at truce with the Archduke for 1â— yeres 383 The battaile of Niewport woon by his Excelleâ—câ—e 270 Nimmeguen besieged and taken 134 Nordam fort battered and assaulted in vaine by Mansfelt 119 OAtmaersen taken 142 The same taken againe 213 Oldenbourg burnt and sackt 122 Oldenzeel besieged and taken 213 The fort of Opslach woon 128 The prince of Orange 〈◊〉 gâ—â—â—alogie death and funerals 14.15 c. Ostend besieged by the Archduke Albert to his great losse 302 The same fiercely assaulted 7. Ianuar. 1602. 317 The same againe assaulted 13. of April 1603 327 PArma defeated in the Betuwe 129 RHinberg besieged and taken 201 Rhinberg a second time besieged and taken 265 Rosendall taken 122 A Sea fight between the States men of war and the Spanish gallies 353 A Sea fight betweene the king of Spaines armada and the States men of war 372 Generall Senoy his articles presented to the councell of State 45 The gallies of Sluce put to flight by the Admerall of Holland 281 Sluce besieged and yeelded vp 359 Spaine inuaded by the Netherlanders 233 Spinolas gallies fought with by the States men of war 357 Steenberghen taken 122 Steenwijke besieged and taken 137 TErheyden taken 122 Tilemont taken and sackt 110 Turnholt taken 123 Truce for 12. yeares betweene the Archduke of Austria and the States 383 VIctorie got by his Excellencie on Tielsche-Heyde plaine 197 THe towne and castle of Wachtendonck taken 250 Westerloo taken 123 The strong castle of Woud taken 370 YSendike taken 359 ZVtphen besieged and taken 123 FINIS The originall name of the Low Countries Her situation It is diuided into 17. Prouinces and their names Why they aâ—e â—alled 17. Prouinces Her circuit The number of townes and villages How many Towâ—es and Villages there are in euerie Prouince Vnder what countries the Romans comprehended the 17. Prouinces wherefore they were called Belgia How highly the Romans esteemed this Nation and their ancient names The forme of the Countrie and fertillity thereof The originall of some Riuers which runne through the Countrey Holland and Zeland surpasse all other Prouinces in shipping Commendation of the Netherland women Commendation of the Dutch Tongue The Netherlanders louers of Liberty The Princes of the Low Couâ—tries haue done many valiant deedes How the Low Countries haue beene reduced vnder one Lord Margaret daughter to Lewis de Male marieth Philip the Hardie on whom he begat Iohn sans peur He marieth the Eâ—rle of Hollands daughter and begets Phillip le Bon. How Phillip le Bon obtained the possession of the whole Low-countries He that first instituted the order of the golden fleece marrieth Isabell of Portugall by whom he had a sonne called Charles the Warrior who is acknowledged for lord of the Low-countries and makes a purchase He goes about to make the Low-countries a kingdome How and where he dyed His daughter Marie of Valois marrieth Maximillian of Austria by whom she had two children Maximillian goes about to reduce some of the Low-countrie Prouinces vnder the Roman Empire Philip his sonne is acknowledged Prince and marrieth D. Ioan of Spaine How the Prouinces are at this day diuided and who possesse them Countries vnder the Archdukes Brabant Malines Limbourg Valckenbourg and Namur Luxembourg Haynault Artois Flanders Countries vnder the States gouernement Holland Zealand Frizeland Vtrecht Ouer-yssell Gronninguen The vnited prouinces flourish more than any other Conclusion Description of the Hague Her beautie number of houses Description of the Court of Holland By whom and when it was built The princes court A place dedicated to Law and iustice By whom the 〈◊〉 councel was transseâ— to the Hague The Councell of Brabant Description of the Parke at the Hague The Prince of Orange his Titles 〈…〉 Where when he was borne His first wife daughter to Count â—â—ren His second wife daughter to the Elector of Saxonie His third wife daughter to Duke Mompensier His fourth wife daughter to Count Colligni The manner of the Princes death The Prince of Orange slayne by Baltazar Gerard who nanamed himselfe Francis Guyon The Prince of Orange his last words He died on the 10 of Iulie 1584. 〈…〉 The murderers 〈◊〉 confession 〈…〉 in writing Parma by Assonuille encourageth him to this diuelish enterprise Senâ—ence pronounced against Baltazar Gerard the 14 of Iulie The execution and death of Baltazar Gerard A description of the Prince of Orange his funeral 's What moued my Lords the States to make Prince Maurice Gouernour His Excellencie goeâ—h into Flanders His Excellencie takes the towne of Axel The Earle of Leycester goes forth of the Low Countries into England The generall States make Prince Maurice Gouernour Generall Article Answer Artic. Ans. Ans. Ans. Artic. Ans. Artic. Ans. Artic. Ans. Artic. Ans. Artic. Ans. Artic. Ans. Artic. Ans. Disorder in Medenblick The States send Commissioners thither who doe no good Medenblick is besieged It yeelds to his Excellencie through the intercessioÌ„ of some English Lords Senoy goes into England to com plaine to the Queene Parma makes preparations to ayde the Spanyards The Queene of of England prepares a fleet The Spanish fleet set sayle on the 29 of May. The Spanish Armies proiect The fleet abandons D. Pedro Valdez his ship which bad spent her most on the 31 of Iune The 3 of August The 4 of August The 5 of August The sixt of August they came to an anker before Calais The stratagem of the English on the 7 of August to driue the Spaniards from an anker The Galleasse of D. Hago de Moncada vppon the sands before Calice Fight before Graueling on â— the 8. of August The English receiue smal losse Peter Vander Does takes D. Diego Fimentell prisoner carries his ship into Zeland The 8 of August the Spanish fleâ—◠〈◊〉 on fight The English on the 12 of August giue ouer pursuing the Spanish fleet The Spâ—nish fleet in dessaire Montigni attempts to enter the land of Tertholen An officer so named for which we in English can giue no proper name Those of the towne make a sallie vpon the enemie Certaine of the enemies musketiers are defeated The Queene of England makes Morgan gouernor of Berghen The strength of Parmas Campe. Eight of Bacx his horsemen take three captaines prisoners The enemie attempteth to surprise the North Fort. The enemie enâ—eth the Fort but to his small aduantage Grimston the victualler escape The enemie flieth Those of Berghen gâ—ue God thankes for the dissiâ—ation of the Spanish fleet The enemie forsakes the
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
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
of them fled away they were enforced to take the water where they were all drowned And as those which were in the water striued to passe ouer their fellowes who stood vpon the causey on Brabant side shot furiously vpon those of the Island yet they slew but one of our men which was a common soldier of Berchens companie but the enemie lost 200 men When the enemie first offered to passe ouer there were scarce fortie of our men to oppose them but within a while after Captaine Lagro of Tholen came thither with his companie And though those of the Island had fortunatly repelled the enemie yet they thought not themselues free from daunger knowing that he had not idlely made that attempt but that he intended to surprise the Isle of Tholen thereby to molest those of Berghen together with all Zeland assuring themselues that it would not bee long ere he returned againe and perhaps the next night following And because they wanted men to furnish all places they requested those of Berghen to send Adrian Guillaume and George Brissaulx with three hundred men vnder their commaund to them This Adrian Guillaume had in the first wars of Zeland beene Admirall of Ziericzee and was then Lieutenant General to Count Solms ouer al the forces of Zeland Brissaulx was son to Iames Brissaulx a verie good religious man who in former time had bin Burgomaster of Bruges These two were sent from the States of Zeland to Berghen so soone as they vnderstood that the enemie meant to march towards the Towne The nineteenth of September the Drossart returned from Amsterdam where he had bought great store of planks and other necessaries fit for fortification For besides his place of Drossart which next to the Marquis is the highest degree in Berghen the fortifying of the towne and sorts was committed to him His name was Elias Lion sonne to Doctor Albert Lion a verie learned man who for the space of foure and twentie yeares had beene chiefe professor of the ciuile law at Louayne and was at that time Chauncellor of Guelderland and chiefe Counsellor to my Lords the generall States of the vnited Prouinces The night following being the 20 of September the enemie came to Raberch and about noone returned to Wouwe Nothing at that time was done on either side for it rayned all that night and likewise at noone after the enemies departure The Magistrats sent certaine commissioners into Holland and Zeland to my Lords the States to acquaint them with the state of the Towne and to craue aid Cornelius Iohn the Townes sherife went to Zeland and Adrian Guillaume the Secretarie into Holland The two and twentieth of the said moneth by day break there was an alarme the trumpets sounded drums were beaten and the alarme bell was rung For the gouernour had assembled a troope of souldiers to reenforce the morning gard because the enemie was wont to make his attempts about that time when the gard is most drowsie wherewith hee had not acquainted the horsemen who had the gard vpon the market place Some of them going through the streets met with these souldiers and demanded who they were and whether they went but one among them giuing a discourteous aunswer they returned to their officers acquainting them therewith they not knowing the matter and thinking all was not well did presently giue the alarm The gouernor tooke this in bad part and complained to the Captaines of the wrong done vnto him therein seeing his soldiers were assembled by his commaundement The Captaines of the horse answered they were ignorant that it was done by his commaund and that they ought to haue beene made acquainted therewith in regard of the state of the Towne Thereupon proclamation was made that none should dare to ring the alarme bell without expresse charge from the gouernour The next day the souldiers spoiled Generall Fremins baggage He had beene gouernour of Wouwe Castle and about a certaine quarrell that arose betwixt him and a Merchant of the same Castle came into Holland to complaine to my Lords the States to haue him cassierd and likewise to make prouision of all necessaries for keeping of the sayd Fort. The States had giuen him great store of musket and faulconet bullets match and barrels of powder But before the said Fremins returne the Merchant had alreadie driuen all those sorth of the Castle which tooke Fremins part and had secretly made an accord with the enemie Within a while after about the seuenteenth of Ianuarie 1589 he sold the castle to the enemie for 20000 crownes and himselfe retired into Fraunce Vntill then Fremin had carefully kept all these things But as he was readie to depart and had shipt all the souldiers who had an inckling thereof thinking they had found a just cause of excuse because it was against the law of Armes to carrie away such things forth of townes besieged seised on all the munition together with his owne goods and made bootie of it beeing neuerthelesse enforced to restore backe the greatest and best part thereof The next day after the enemie was discouered vpon the highway from Wouwe marching directly towards the towne Our horse and foot made a sallie vpon him but as they approched the Downes of Berghen the enemie turned vpon the right hand and went along the sandie way towards Riselberg and Nortgeest where he incamped And because the water of the channell which some did improperly terme the riuer of Zoom was kept in by the sluces of the womens gate and that of Steenberghen all the fields betwixt Wouwes gate and that of the women were drowned so as none could goe from Wouwes gate to the North quarter Our men returned againe to the towne and fallied sorth at Steenberghen gate with displayed ensignes alluring the enemie to fight who had enclosed himselfe in his campe The morrow after he encamped towards the South extending his camp from S. Gertrudes hill as farre as the vale therein comprehending Burghvliet Zudgeest the Raberg and part of Berghens wood which lies Eastward from the towne The Raberg is so termed because that Rat in the Dutch tongue signifieth a wheele whereon malefactors are broken and executed and vpon that hill execution was commonly done The enemie within a day or two alter his arriuall burnt the gallowes vpon the hil Southward from the towne as yee goe towards Antuerpe S. Gertrude is worshipt by superstitious people because as they say she preserues them from rats and mice In former times she was patronesse of the town and it is said that she was Ladie of the whole countrie of Berghen Her chappell which in time past stood vpon the hill nere to the drowned countrie of Southland gaue it that name The vale is part of the arable grounds which lie betwixt the wood towne and champaine countrie extending it selfe partly towards the West and in part towards Wouwes gate The Southgeest is an high place and Burghvliet was a village where a castle
them returned into Spaine For which vpon the one and twentieth of October the people by tolling of a Bell were called to Church to giue thankes vnto God Sermons were made both morning and euening At night all the ordnance in the town and forts were discharged and the souldiers vpon the rampiers thundred forth many volleys of small shot so that nothing could bee heard in the towne for the noice of trumpets drums and bels They which had no harquebuzes fastened wispes of straw to the end of their pikes which they did set on fire holding them vp into the aire so as the towne and forts seemed to burne for beside the fire which the souldiers made others were kindled on the Rampiers and in the towne The souldiers cried out to the Spaniards how that the Spanish fleet was comming to helpe them to win the North for t euer after the enemie began to lose his courage A certaine boat laden with corne thinking to enter the Hauen was by the wind driuen vpon the North head the enemie shot at this boat and toucht it thrice yet no man was hurt and at last by the mariners diligence it was brought into the towne Euerie day there were skirmishes and euerie houre some new matter or other was performed in the plaine betwixt the town and enemies camp But the Burghers being tired with continuall labour complained saying that they could doe no more whereupon gouernor Morgan aduised the magistrats to impose some tax vpon euery Burgher and with the money hire labourers to end the worke The Burgomaster Manteau assembled the great Councell and propounded to them the gouernours demaund This great Councell is composed of the new Councell viz. of the Magistrats then in authoritie and of the old namely of such as haue beene Burgomasters Sherifes receiuers and counsellers chosen out of euery companie who haue a place in this great Councell The Gouernours demand was allowed and the Burghers were discharged from their labour and the worke which was imperfect was within a while finished There was great want of planks so as they were enforced to teare vp diuers new floares to serue for the workes which after the siege the towne paid for But this want together with that of other necessaries being not fully supplied the Burghomaster Sudland was on the sixe and twentieth of October sent into Holland not onely to my Lords the States but to the magistrats of the town of Dort who during the siege shewed themselues verie affectionat to the good of the towne Certaine Scots lay in a Burghers house called Iohn Dyalle who among other things fit to burne pluckt vp a piece of timber called a summer which supported the whole frame whereupon the whole house fell downe vpon them and slew 3 of them thereupon proclamation was made on paine of life that no souldier should breake vp any timber in any house On the Rampiers of the towne and forts pitch barrels full of chips and straw were placed to giue light if the enemie should in the night make any attempt vpon the towne The seuen and twentieth of October the great bell was rung to publish the Faire or free Mart not in hope that many people would come to it but because the towne is bound so to doe for feare of loosing the priuiledge of the Mart. During this time which continued sixe weekes all fugitiues may boldly come thither traitors theeues and banished men excepted and no man is called in question for debt but onely for that which he shall fall into during the Mart. The day following his Excellencie came into the towne by his presence to encourage the souldiers and Burghers to view the fortifications and to take order for all necessaries belonging to the siege The same day the imposition heretofore mentioned was much raised which did in no sort please the Burghers who vnderstanding that my Lords the States were come into the Isle of Tholen sent the Burgomaster Manteau and William Frauncis the old Burgomaster to them these at tenne of clocke at night went in the companie of his Excellencies seruants to Venusdam and preuailed so farre with my Lords the States as they promised to giue them three thousand florins towards the fortification of Berghen and they receyued one thousand eight hundred in hand The morrow after the Burgomasters departure the enemie forsooke the causie of Matteberg Those of the Island perceiuing it did without any noyce set fire on the enemies campe The time was not long ere the enemie would be enforced with great disgrace and losse to retire For despairing to take the towne he could expect no lesse but to haue his campe ruined by little and little with continuall sallies canon shot from the towne raine foule weather and sicknesse which ensued whereupon on the thirtieth of October hee forsooke the Northland causie Those of the Gueux Gullet were the first that perceiued his departure and came with their boats to their causie where they found none but one Alman who was fast a sleepe who beeing awaked and perceiuing his fellowes to be gone fell vpon his knees and sued for his life then did our men presently breake the bridge ouer the Gullet of Dryanneland Vpon the thirtieth or one and thirtieth of October at night the enemie with fourteene great shalops went to Sea-ward to see if they could take any bootie yet they took nothing but a poore fisherman of Romerswael about noone returned from whence they came our men of warre though they were vndersaile could not ouertake them for they still kept in the shallowest waters His Excellencie Count Solms my Lords Barneâ—velt Egmont Valck Vosbergue and diuers others did the same day come to the Towne The souldiers that they might shew their valours to the sayd Lords made a fallie forth of the North side of the Towne but in vayne because the enemie would not come forth The Burghers Fort was not yet ended The mony before mentioned being graunted by my Lords the States the imposition was lessened and certaine Boores hired to end the worke Our men planted two canons on a certaine place called Boeten-verdriet with which they scoured the valley betwixt the high and nether Northgeest and shot into the enemies Campe so as sometimes with one shot they ouerthrew tents barrels of wineâ— tunnes of Beere and men all at once The enemie to redresse this inconuenience made many Gabions in the valley but to small purpose In the meane time a rumour was spred that the enemie had made a Mine from Holweghen as farre as the towne Dike to blow vp part thereof and though most men thought it a vaine and idle reeport yet because the water in the South Dike was on the sixt of Nouember fallen one foot this fable was receiued for truth The Lord Willoughby with two or three other went directly to Holweghen this way is so low as a man from thence can scarce discerne the top of a pike notwithstanding that
Februarie goe to the Hague to Prince Maurice where they resolued with a certain fellow called Adrian of Berghen that was woont to carie turfes into the castle to vndertake the matter Hereupon Herauguieres was sent to the Lord Iohn Oldenbarneveldt Aduocat of Holland who conferred with him not onely concerning mony and things necessarie for the enterprise but how to prouide for and keep the town being once taken Herauguieres gaue order to the shipper to make readie his boat which was deep flat lay in a Dorp called Leure a mile from Breda that he might conuey 70 men into her Round about and on the vpper part of the boat rewes of Turfe like bricke were orderly placed of a good height Being thus prepared they resolued to execute the enterprise on the 25 of Februarie but the frost hindred them certaine daies not without great daunger of being discouered For the execution of this enterprise Herauguieres had chosen sixteene of Count Philips souldiers vnder the commaund of Captaine Iohn Logier of Mons. de Famas souldiers that lay at Heusden commaunded by Captaine Iohn Fernet sixteene two and twentie souldiers of Mons. de Liers which lay at Klundert commaunded by his Lieutenant Mathew Helt and 24 of his own companie commanded by Gerard Preys all yong men bold and resolute Herauguieres thought to haue imbarked himselfe and men the same night but he could not meet with the shipper whereupon in despaire he would haue burnt the boat for feare of being discouered But at last withdrawing himselfe he returned the next night hauing aduertised Prince Maurice thereof who with his souldiers in boats lay at Klundert On Monday the 26 of Februarie at night they entred the Boat and remayned in it till Thursday Morning not beeing able to goe backward or forward by reason of the frost and a contrary wind enduring extreame cold and wanting victuals not being prouided for any long time so as they were enforced in the night to leaue the boat and to retire to Nordam Herauguieres was enforced to endure many murmuring speeches of his souldiers but by faire words and his owne example he appeased them propounding daunger and shame profit and honor to them and thereby caused them to resolue to vndergoe all daunger with him Hauing well refresht themselues one whole day in the Fort of Nordam on Thursday the first of March at night they returned to the boat staying within a quarter of a mile of Breda and in this manner continued from Friday till Saturday Morning at tenne of the clocke before the Herons wood nere to the Castle where the boat went on ground so as they were enforced to tarrie till an high water During their abode there the boat tooke in a leake through which the water entred in such abundance as the souldiers stood vp to the knees in it which had like to haue killed them all being come into the enclosure of the Castle the which so soone as the boat entred was shut after them the leake miraculously stopt of it selfe Whilest they lay there a Corporall came to search the boat where finding nothing he went his way and by Gods special prouidence the souldiers coughed not and yet many of them were so hoarse as they could hardly refraine from it Among others Lieutenant Mathew Helt was so tormented with the cough as fearing thereby least the enterprise would be discouered he drew forth his ponyard intending to haue slaine himselfe The third of March in the afternoone at high water the castles sluce was opened so as the boat entred and because the yce hindred and stopt it the Italian souldiers did helpe to draw it as the Troyans did the Greekes woodden horse Beeing thus entred the Serjeant Major about euening commaunded that turfes should be distributed to the Courts of gard which was done so as in a short space so great a quantitie of them was carried away as the decke began to lie bare this did greatly aflict them in the boat But the shipper being a craftie fellow perceiuing that all the Corps du gard were furnished and pretending wearinesse gaue money to his mate to goe and drinke with the porters not meaning to vnlade any more till the next day and in deed the Serjeant Major had commaunded him hauing some suspition that his Excellencie was about some enterprise to go lie in the towne whereupon he went forth and aduertised Prince Maurice thereof Some cunning spies had made the gouernor Lansavecia beleeue that Prince Maurice determined to make an attempt vpon Geertrudenberg and thereupon he went thither with corne and other prouisions Night being come the watch set and all things quiet the other shipper to drowne the noyce which the souldiers made in the boat did often plie the pumpe as though it had receiued a great leake by reason of the yce thus beguiling them till towards midnight Now the time being come namely about eleuen of the clocke at night Herauguieres in Gods name exhorted his souldiers to begin their enterprise commaunding the shipper still to plie the pumpe whilest he vnshipt his men whom he diuided into two troopes the one vnder the conduct of Captaines Lambert and Frenet commaunding them to march to the South-West part of the Hauen and himselfe with the rest went along by the store-house towards the Gard that were at the gate which openeth into the Towne Marching in this manner before his people he met with an Italian souldier vnto whose demaunds he gaue none aunswer but tooke him by the throat willing him to hold his peace dâ—maunding of him how strong the Garrison was who told him that there were three hundred and fiftie men in all but he perceiuing his deceit told him that he knew verie well that there were but fiftie men in it and though there should be many moe it now behoued them to fight and so marched towards the Sentinell who askt Qui vala but Herauguieres making no answer struck him through the body with an half pike whereupon the alarm was giuen for those of the gard and round began to make resistance and to defend themselues in the Corps du gard only an ensigne came forth and assayled Herauguieres whom he hurt in the arme yet was by him beaten downe to the ground he commaunded his soldiers to shoot at the gate and windowes so as they that were within begged their liues which in so important and dangerous a season was denied The alarme by this time was come to Paulo Antonio Lansavecia Lieutenant to his father the enemie was beaten into the middle part of the Castle which was strongly garded from whence they sallied where sixe and thirtie of Paulo Antonio his men were slaine so as they were enforced to reenter Fernet was likewise hurt Th' alarme was likewise giuen in the towne and some began to set fire on the Castle gate notwithstanding that Herauguieres played vpon them with his shot The place being made good he went with
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
the Captaine and his two sonnes were burnt and blowne vp Expecting the tide the two Admerals sent for six great vessels each of them manned with foure hundred musketiers to boord the Spanish gallions being not willing to hazard the Queenes ships Six ships of Lubeck and Dansk were sent from the fleet but they fell foule of the others and peraduenture willingly so as the earle of Essex about noone did set saile the like did the Lord Admerall but the Earles ship drawing too much water he went aboord sir Robert Dudleis who was base sonne to the earle of Leycester All the commaunders being aboord the generall they resolued to assaile the gallions commaunding the Lord Howard and sir Walter Raleigh to begin and they would follow So soone as these began to hoist saile the Spaniards fled towards the shore and sands on Puerto Reals side where their ships ran on ground and themselues leaped into small boats the better to get on shore and those which could not get into the boats aduentured to swimme and beeing many in number most of them perished The S. Mathew and S. Andrew were saued from running on ground and were carried away each of them were of one thousand tunne The two Easterlings ran on shore and were burnt As Raleigh thought to haue boorded the great gallion S. Philip a Negro gaue fire to the powder and escaped by swimming It gaue so great a cracke as the mast was blowne vp into the aire as if it had beene an arrow a Pinnace that lay neere it was likewise burnt but the men escaped in boats The other Gallion called S. Thomas was likewise blowne vp but did no harme to the English The Gallies fled towards the bridge of the Isle del Suazzo The Indian fleet lay about two leagues higher vp in the Riuer neere to Medina This fleet thus broken burnt and scattered the Generall began to land his men and to assault the towne of Cales The Hollanders and Zelanders tooke the Fort of Puntall by force and in it presently displaied and erected the Lord of Warmonts ensigne this discouraged those of Cales and encouraged the rest which landed neere the Fort who began to put themselues in order The earle of Essex led the vantguard the Lord Admerall commanded the battell and sir Iohn Winckfield led the rereward Vpon news of the Englishmens approach the gallants and nobilitie neere to Cales who are called Los Cauallieros de Xeres had armed themselues and were for the most part better furnished with braue horse than valour These with 600 foot drawne from Cales did presently offer skirmish Count Lodwick of Nassau whom the earle of Essex had honoured with the conduct of the voluntarie gentlemen went forward to encounter them and neere to him Melchior Leben one of Prince Maurice his Gentlemen and with them the General and sir Francis Veer with some foure hundred armed pikes and a braue companie of musketiers which stood behind a sand hil these men did put the Cauallieros to rout killing many of them some of whom for sooke their horse and fled towards the towne which was shut against them others fled to a bulwarke without the towne but perceiuing that Count Lodwick began to assaile and mount it they presently fled through the Dikes into the Towne at a place which was scarce made vp leading their enemies the way who presently pursued them and slid downe by their pikes into the towne running to open the gates for the Generall The earle of Sussex his companie was the first that entred who verie valiantly behaued himselfe the like did captaine Sauadge Bagnall Euants and others Captaine Nicholas Metkerck was hurt there and died within a while after yet before he died the General knighted him he was a braue and well experienced gentleman The English being thus within the town two companies of soldiers that lay there in garrison with many of the townesmen fled to the castle others with stones defended themselues in their houses But the Market place and town-house once taken euerie man yeelded without any great effusion of bloud Sir Iohn Winckfield who in former time had beene Gouernor of Geertrudenberg when it was sold and betrayed to the Duke of Parma being wounded rode vp and downe the Market place with his sword in hand being disarmed who not regarding the Marshal Veers good counsell that wished him either to arme himself or else to returne was shot into the head The Generals being busied in taking of the town forgat to pursue the Indian fleet Sir Edward Conway sir Christopher Blunt and sir Thomas Gerard offered with their souldiers in small boats to assaile and take it but Raleigh would not haue that honour taken from the Sea-men notwithstanding that the Earle of Essex and the Lord Admerall wold haue had it so and whilest they contested about it time passed away and they thought themselues sure enough of the fleet yet therein they were deceiued The towne taken and night being come the two Generals entreated sir Walter Raleigh to returne to the fleet to his ship fearing least the Galleis should the same night at a low water set fire on the ships promising to keepe his share of the bootie and to giue him a good quarter in the towne He craued leaue to goe and take the Indian fleet desiring no more than his owneship and twelue merchant men of London but the Generals entreated him to giue them time to consider of it till the next morning at which time sir Walter sent his brother in law Throgmorton Henrie Leonard and Iohn Gilbert knights to know their resolution but the Generals sent him word to come a shore to the towne In the meane time the committee of the contractation house with the purueior Pedro Herrera the Corrigidor other the kings officers in the town offered 2 millions of ducats or 600000 pound sterling for ransome of the fleet this did Raleigh oppugne saying that they ought first to be masters of the fleet and then ransome it afterwards for if alreadie they offered two millions they would giuefoure when it was taken whilest the English spent time in consultation the Spaniards day and night vnloded all the richest wares because that the Duke of Medina gouernour of S Lucars and those parts for the king had commaunded to burn the ships which was done vpon the third day before the ransome could be agreed vpon the men saued themselues and escaped so as the contractors that were onward on their way to negociat for the ransome perceiued the ships to be all on fire this was a sharpe and rigorous resolution for which the Duke was greatly contemned by those that had a share in this losse but he knew the king his Masters mind Three and thirtie great ships laden for the Indies were burnt beside fiue ships which came from S. Lucars three of which ran on ground it was the greatest and welthiest fleet that euer went to the Indies The most
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
of the enemie wanting all necessaries as money garments c. so that necessities had enforced them to reuolt besides they had done their dutie in holding out six weeks expecting aid and other necessaries and yeelded not so long as there was any hope of reliefe and in recompence of their good loyal seruice were to looke for nothing but losse of their pay and arrerages wanting money and meanes to cloth themselues and because the losse of the place should not be imputed to their mutinie nor themselues reproached for it they therefore resolued to serue the States of the vnited Prouinces Neither had they done as they said like to those of Geertrudenberg who sold the towne to their enemie for tenne moneths pretended arrerages and fiue moneths present pay being in no want of money nor apparell for they caused boats vpon the Riuer and the Champaine Country to pay contribution being neither besieged nor pressed by the enemie nay their Lords vnto whom they were sworne would haue maintained and defended their honour and loyaltie giuen them pardon and pasport yea whatsoeuer in equitie they would haue demanded yet all this was to no purpose with them but prouoked by their enemies they did in hatred enuy and couetousnes sell the towne to them whereupon they were in derision termed merchants and banished both by name and surname rewards being proposed to such as could take them and were euery where punished by the gallowes to serue for an example to others In this manner Saint Andrewes great fort which had cost so much money and before with so great an armie had layen a long time encamped fell into the hands of his Excellencie and vnder commaund of the States of the vnited Prouinces a fort which had put the enemie in great hope to haue bin able from thence in winter time vpon the yce to conquer Holland The cause why it was so easily taken proceeded from the Spaniards too much profuse large expence of money who vndertooke more than their treasure could performe and in making a bad account did in that Prouince build a mightie fort to command and bridle their own countrey so as the Archdukes reteined nothing of all their two yeares conquest but only Berck and the vnited Prouinces on the contrary had taken Emmerick which was more profitable to them than Berck to the Archduke yet these two townes belonged to neither of them his Excellencie and my Lords the States did within a while after restore Emmerick to the Duke of Cleues ¶ A Description of whatsoeuer was done from day to day in Flanders in the army of the most Illustriuos Prince Maurice of Nassau Accompanied by the noble high and mightie Lords my Lords the States of the vnited Netherland Prouinces in An. 1600. the 17 of Iuly THe enemie of the vnited Netherland Prouinces with sundry forts hauing blockt vp the Towne of Ostend being master of all the sea coasts of Flanders and thereby for the space of certaine yeares done incredible hurt to the loyall inhabitants of the said Prouinnes and other neighbor Realmes trading by sea my Lords the generall States after the yeelding vp of this great mightie fort of Saint Andrews neere to Rossem in the Isle of Bommell being desirous to pursue the victorie which God had so fauourably giuen them there and elsewhere in the beginning of this yere after mature consultation therupon with the Illustrious Lord Prince Maurice of Orange Count of Nassau Catzenelboge Marquis of Vere and Flushing c. thought it fit by common consent to transport their whole Armie and power into Flanders there to trie their good fortune vpon the enemeie and if it were possible to execute their determined proiects for freeing the sea Coasts with this resolution that the said Lords for the better aduancement of their affaires would in person assist his Eccellencie in this Armie and new expedition The 17 of Iune after that 2000 great and small vessells were rigd forth of diuers places and Hauens of Holland and Zeeland to transport the Armie with victualls warlike munition wagons Horse for draught and all other necessaries His Excellencie went from the Hague to Rotterdam so to Dort from whence he caused all the fleet to saile to Rammekins in Zeeland which was the Rendezvous The 18 of Iune my Lords the Generall States viz. The Lord Iames of Egmont Lord of Kennebourg Schipluy and Maeslant Iohn Oldenbarneuelt Lord of Tempel and Groynenelt Aduocate and keeper of the seale of Holland and West-Frizeland Iacob Huygens Vander Dussen Bourgomaster of the towne of Delft Master Nicasius Sille Doctor of the Lawes Councellor and Pentioner to the towne of Amsterdam M. Geraert Coren Bourgomaster of the Towne of Alkmaer M. Iacob Boellenssz Burgomaster of Amsterdam and Counsellor of State M. Iean de Santen Counsellor and Pentioner of the towne of Middelbourg M. Ferdinand Alleman Counsellor of State M. Nicolas Hubert Burgomaster of the towne of Ziriczee M. Gerart de Renesse Lord of Vander Aa M. Abell Franckena Doctor of the Lawes M. Egbert Alberda Burgomaster of the towne of Gronningue M. Cornellis Aerssen Register to my Lords the Generall States of the vnited Netherland Prouinces All these with their traine departed from the Hague about fiue of the clock in the morning and came to Rotterdam where they imbarked themselues and sailed the same day to Saint Annes-Lant where they came to an anchor tarrying for the tide The 19 day because the wind was contrarie they could that night but reach to Armuyde and because the tide was spent they were therefore enforced to cast anchor there likewise The twentieth about fiue of the clocke in the morning the said Lords landed at Armuyde and from thence went to Flissingue to visit his Excellencie who lay at anchor before Rammekins where so great an armie and such numbers of boats lay as no man liuing euer saw the like together at one time The same day a consultation was had before Rammekin how to transport the army safely into Flanders for execution of the determined proiect and all things being well maturely considered after that sundry matters were propounded in regard the wind was contrarie and for other difficulties which might arise at sea they at last resolued because they would not long bee idle nor put the countrie to vnnecessarie expence nor yet giue the enemie time to fortifie himselfe in those quarters to land the whole armie at Philippine and from thence to march thorough the Countrie betwixt Gaunt and Bruges towards Ostend According to which resolution his Excellencie on the 21 day departed with the armie towards Philippine a fort which the enemie yeelded vpon the first summons to Count Ernestus of Nassau who commanded the fleets vantgard The two and twentieth of Iune about noone his Excellencie ariued with his Armie at Philippine the vantgard hauing alreadie taken the fort from whence the garrison to the number of thirty or fortie were departed without
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
Excellencies and Count William of Nassaus quarters intending as it seemed there to breake in and attempt to put forces into the towne But considering that his Excellencie stood on his gard and that all his men were in armes hee presently retired in great feare and attempted nothing leauing certain ladders and tooles behind him which our men tooke and brought to their quarter This attempt beeing vayne the Admerall without sound of trumpet or drum departed thence in the night and marched towards Cuyck which his Excellencie perceiuing the next morning would presently haue followed him but was staied by a thick mist which arose whereby the enemie had sufficient time to get far enough After his departure a rumour was spred how that hee was gone to Rhynberck whereupon Count Ernest was sent thither againe the second time and yet nothing ensued for the enemie remained neere Venlo attempting to put a garrison into it which the townse men for a time refused in regard of the disorder which souldiers vsually doe commit where they once are masters The ninth of September the Generall States whose names here follow departed from the Hague and on the eleuenth day arriued at his Excellencies Campe before Graue The Lord Iohn of Renesse Lord of Wulp the Lord Iohn of Oldenbarneuelt Lord Temple Cornelis Frans Wittes Burgomaster of Dort Arent Meynertsz Burgomaster of Harlem Iacob Vander Dussen Burgomaster of Delft Gerart Keg eling Burgomaster of Ter Goude Bartholt de Vloswijck Burgomaster of Rotterdam Nicolas Iacob Simons Burgomaster of Horn Albertus Ioachimi of Zealand the Lord Hottinga of Frizeland Doctor Scherf of Ouer-yssell Iohn Reingers ten post of Gronningue and the Ommelands Corneillis Aerssens the Register And of the Councell of State Iacob Boelejz of Amsterdam Ferdinand Alleman of Zealand Ecko Everts Boners of Frizeland Lauwijck of Ouer-yssell George de Bie Tresorer and Christiern Huygens Secretarie After the enemies departure our men on euerie side approched the towne the counterscarp being euen with his Excellencies quarter so as our men partly by galleries made ouerthwart the dikes and partly by vndermining mounted the chiefe bulwark in Equall height with the towne Rampiers From Count Williams quarter the galleries stretched to the middest of the chiefe towne dike and the English were come as far as the enemies fortification on that side beeing readie to assaile it and make themselues masters of the chiefe dikes Those in the towne perceiuing this and considering that succours failed them did on the eighteenth day send a drum to craue a parley whereupon hostages were sent from both sides and on the 19 day an accord was made in forme following FIrst that the Gouernour Captaines officers and souldiers both horse and foot together with sick people shall come forth of the town with their horse armes baggage and goods Enseignes displaied drum beating match in cocke and bullets in their mouthes Secondly for better carying away of their baggage sick and wounded men his Excellencie shall lend them one hundred and fiftie wagons as farre as Diest 3 They shall leaue two Captaines as hostages for assurance of the returne of the said wagons horse and wagoners 4 His Excellencie will giue them passeport and conuoy to carrie them safely to Diest 5 Those souldiers which haue in former time serued the States shall enioy the benefit of this treatie like other souldiers of the sayd garrison 6 That all prisoners shall be released on both sides of what estate or condition soeuer in paying their charges 7 The Kings officers both of war and justice shall freely depart with their baggage such as cannot follow the troopes it shall be lawfull for them to tarrie longer in the Towne and at their departure boats shall be lent them to Mastricht Prouided that they giue caution for them 8 That all officers of victuals warlike munition and ordnance shal be bound to deliuer the sayd victuals munition and ordnance to such Commissioners as his Excellencie shall appoint to receiue them without diminishing or wasting any of them or else this treatie to be broken 9 The Gouernour shall promise to be a meanes to their Highnesses that what the Magistrates and Burghers of the sayd Towne haue lent to the sayd gouernour Captaines and Souldiers may be presently repaid 10 The said Gouernour Captaines officers and souldiers shall depart the next day which if it cannot be so soone the sayd Gouernour shall suffer two thousand men whom his Excellencie will appoint to enter the Castle and Bulwarke behind it Granted in the Campe before the Towne of Graue the nine twentieth of September 1602. According to this agreement the enemie on the twentieth of September went his way and gaue place to our men their number was eight hundred beside two hundred that were hurt The Church being clensed and purified from superstitious images diuine seruice and a Sermon was made there after the manner of the reformed Churches with Prayers and thankes giuing to God in the great Church in presence of his Excellencie the generall States and other Lords on the two and twentieth of September being Sunday Vpon the eight and twentieth of the sayd moneth a solemne Sermon and exhortation was made in the same Church about the inauguration and reception of his Excellencie as Lord of the towne of Graue and land of Cuyck the which after the sermon was presently solemnized in the market place before all the people And after that order was taken for keeping of the towne whereof the Baron of Sidnisky was made Gouernour and for the gouernment and fortifying thereof the Campe was dissolued on the last of September his Ex. returned to the Hague and the souldiers were sent to their garrisons A supplication together with the points and articles of reconciliation of the towne of Graue with his Excellencie Count Maurice of Nassau as Lord of the towne and generall of the army of the vnited Prouinces His Excellencie hauing wel viewed and considered these points together with the Lords generall States of the vnited Prouinces hath granted and disposed of them according as is here noted vpon euery article FIrst a generall Pardon of what soeuer is past from his Excellencie and the said Lords States in behalfe of the Burghers and inhabitants of this towne both those that are gone away from thence and those that remaine still as well for matters of religion administration of offices as otherwise without any exception no man to bee punished or taxed for any thing heretofore done And therfore his Excellencie in qualitie abouesaid shall take the burghers and inhabitants of this towne aswell ecclesiasticall as ciuill into his protection and as their Lord vse them with all loue and gentlenesse His Excellencie grants this demaund Secondly confirmation and continuation of the townes priuiledges in the same manner as before the troubles and afterwards during the life of my Lord the Prince of Orange of happy memorie his Excellencies father and Lord of the towne His Excellencie doth likewise grant his request
attempt vpon S. Vit the tenth all the troopes came before S. Vit and lodged at Meve-dorpe and the same night approached the Towne Colonel Marquet commaunding the troopes The eleuenth day those of S. Vit began to parley and an accord was made that the souldiers of the garrison both horse and foot should depart thence with their armes and baggage and should sweare not to beare armes for the space of two moneths in the Countrie of Luxembourg this was accomplished and the Burghers compounded for reasonable ransome The twelfth they marched forward and lodged at Iulligh the thirteenth they came before Bastoigne the 14 they still remained there and Captaine Marcelis Bacx was sent to S. Huberts burning the Countrie all along the fifteenth they went from Bastoigne and lodged at Housnegen or Hardengue the 16 at Pedro-dorf neere Dechery where Dommer vile the same night began his approaches and the next day the Burghers compounded for a reasonable ransome from whence certaine horse were sent to demaund contributions as far as Luxembourg being conducted by Captaine Cloet The 18 19 and 20 of Nouember they remayned at Vitterdorf Wolset or Walset and on the one and twentieth marched towards Dopwiell the 22 at Andanach in Iuliers the 23 at Gheldorp there rested the foure twentieth day whither the troopes which had been at S. Vit viz. 50 horse and 200 foot came to them The 25 and 26 they lodged at Korcum the seuen and twentieth at Nedertzier the eight and twentieth and nine and twentieth at Wanlor the thirtieth of Nouember the troopes of Brabant diuided themselues and went to Graue and the rest went to Couborch and the second of December to Nieumeghen Thus in a moneths space they ouerran the whole countrie without any resistance enforcing it to contribute because the Gouernour Count Peter Ernest of Mansfelt had commaunded that no contributions should bee paied whereupon our men burnt diuers houses and villages none beeing found to ransome them The Archduke sent forces to stop their iourney but wanting money they staid by the way consuming and wasting the countrie as enemies Count Lodwick brought away manie prisoners gentlemen and boores and among others the Abbot of S. Haberts they all paied ransome This voiage ended euerie man returned to his winter Garrison ¶ A description of a fight at Sea betwixt seuen of the States men of war and six Spanish Gallies the third and fourth of October Anno 1602. THe States of the vnited Netherland Prouinces did vnder command of the Admerall Opdam send forth certaine warlike vessels to serue the Queene of England foure of them were commaunded to wait for six Gallies which D. Frederico Spinola brought from Spaine to ioyne with the rest that lay at Sluce in Flaunders These were the names of the Gallies vnder Spinola the first the Admerall S. Lewis whose Captaines name was Cardinalin and in her an other Captaine called Castalis d' Avila with a companie of souldiers The second S. Iohn in which Vergas was Vice-Admerall and in her two Captaines with companies of souldiers The third Padilla the Captaines name was Hasso and in her an other Captaine with a companie of Portugal souldiers The fourth la Lucera and the Captaines name Calliado with other companies of Portugal souldiers and Captaines The fift S. Philip and in her D. Rodrigo de Naroys Captaine of a companie The sixt S Iacento and in her Lewis de Camours with an other companie of souldiers so as there were in all nine ensignes videlicet two of Spaniards and seuen of Portugals to the number of nine hundred men beside one thousand and fiue hundred slaues euery Galley caried three brasse peeces and no more And notwithstanding that the Hollanders were aduertified of the comming of these Gallies yet the Lord of Opdam was vpon necessity constrained to goe for victuals into Holland leauing the vice-Admerall Iohn Adrian Cant for General in his ship called the moone accompaned with Gerbrant Iansz Saell of Horne in a ship of 4 hundred run called Bansome together with Captaine Henry Hartman in the Lionesse of Rotterdam and Gerbant Iansz in the hope of Enchuysen These were appointed by the Queene to goe towards the West parts but were staied to meete with these Gallies one of the Queenes ships called the Hope vnder the commaund of Sir Robert Mansell with her Pinnace called the Aduantage vnder Captaine Ionas were likewise commaunded to waite for these Gallies These concluded that the vice-Admerall Cant and Captaine Gerbrant Adriansz Sael should lie at anchor in the downes where an other of the Queenes ships lay called the Answere vnder Captaine Breadgate Sir Robert Mansell and his Pinnace lay at Sea betwixt Douer and Calaice and not far from them the other two Hollanders Lying thus in wait Sir Robert Mansell on the third of October about noone descried the Gallies and they him but the ayre being misty they sought to creepe along the coast of England or if the worst should come to passe perceiuing that the two Hollanders lay neere them they entended to boord and take them for the prisoners confessed afterward that they did not respect two or three men of war Yet it seemed that they were afraid of the Queenes ships for they turned backe hoping in the night to passe on along the coast of Dunkirke or Niewport Sir Robert perceiuing this sent his Pinnace towards Calaice and the coast of Flaunders to warne the Hollanders to stand vpon their gard and to stop the Gallies passage Hee likewise did his best skill to keep them in sight the like did the two Hollanders who were neerer betwixt him and the Gallies and thus they gaue them chase till sun set Then did the Gallies set saile againe so as the two Hollanders were behinde them Sir Robert Mansell obseruing their course and assured that they would fall into the hands of the other two Hollanders and the Queenes ships which lay in the downes hee shaped his course towards the coasts of France that hee might get before them ere they should recouer Flaunders still bending his course towards the Sands called Goeyingen to meet with them there The Queens ship and the two Hollanders Cant and Sael hauing discried the Gallies made vp towards them and fiercely began to shoot but the weather being calme the gallies out-stript the ships but within a while after a strong gale blew from the North-East and then the Hollanders with full saile gaue them chace two or three houres long The gallies were come so neere Douer rockes as diuers Turkish slaues found meanes to breake their chaines and leaping into the Sea escaped by swimming and so freed themselues from their bondage Sir Robert Mansel being neere to Goeyingen espied a gallie making away a pace and comming within musket shot of her he discharged thirtie piece of ordnance vpon it whose Masts he brake in pieces and heard a lamentable crie in her This done he saw the other fiue gallies comming vp towards him on whom
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
which hath beene bestowed on reparations and yet it shall not be lawfull for the sayd buyers to claim the law of retention thereby to be paied and satisfied for them XIX If any fortifications and publique workes haue beene made on either side with leaue and authoritie of superiours in places which are to bee restored by this present treatie the owners of them shall be bound to satisfie themselues with the estimat which the ordinarie Iudges shall make residing as well in the said places as in the iurisdiction thereof vnlesse the parties doe willingly agree among themselues XX. Concerning goods belonging to Churches colledges and other holie places in the vnited Prouinces which haue beene members depending on Churches benefices and colledges vnder the Archdukes obedience that which hath not beene sold before the first of Ianuarie 1607 shall be restored and surrendred vnto them and they shall make reentrie into them by their owne priuat authoritie without any minister of Iustice and shall enioy them during the truce but shall not dispose of them as it is heretofore mentioned And for those which haue beene sold before the said time or giuen in payment by the States of any of the Prouinces the reuenew of the price shall be paid vnto them euerie yeare by the Prouince which hath made the said sale or giuen and assigned the said goods The like shall bee done and obserued by the said lords Archdukes XXI Those vnto whom their goods confiscate are to bee restored shall not bee tied to pay the arrerages of the rents for the time they haue not enioyed them and if they be sued or molessed for it they shall be sent away acquited XXII No man shall likewise sue for goods sold or graunted to haue them ordered according to the debts whereunto the possessors are bound by treaties made thereupon with the interests of moneys for entrance if any haue bin giuen XXIII Iudgements giuen for goods confiscate together with such parties as haue acknowledged the Iudges and haue beene lawfully defended shall hold good and those that are condemned shall not bee suffered to contradict them vnlesse by ordinarie meanes XXIIII The said Lords Archdukes and States shall each of them for their parts appoint officers and magistrates for administration of Iustice and gouernment in townes and strong places which by the present treatie ought to bee restored to the owners to enioy them during the truce XXV Moueable goods confiscate before the conclusion of this present treatie shall not be subiect to restitution XXVI Moueable actions which haue beene set ouer by the said Lords Archdukes or States to the profit of particular debtors before the first of Ianuarie 1607 shall be of no force on either side XXVII The time which hath run on during the warre beginning since the yeare 1567 till this present shall not be reckoned to bring in prescription betwixt those which bee of sundrie sides XXVIII Those who during the war are retired into neutrall countries shall likewise enioy the fruit of this truce and may reside where they shall think good and returne home to their auntient dwellings there to remaine in all safetie obseruing the lawes of the countrie and not vpon occasion of residing in any place whatsoeuer shall they be endamaged in their goods or themselues depriued ef enioying them XXIX No new forts shall bee built in the Netherlands on either side during the truce xxx The Lords of the house of Nassan shall not during the said truce bee pursued or molested in their persons or goods either for debts owing by the late Prince of Orange since the yeare 1567 till the day of his death or for arrerages fallen during the seisure of goods therewith charged XXXI If any particular persons shall do aught against the truce by commaundment of the said Lords King Archdukes or States the harme shall be recompenced in the same place where the breach was made if they be taken there or else where they dwell and shall not be pursued elsewhere either in bodie or goods in any sort whatsoeuer neither shall it bee lawfull for them to take armes and breake the truce vpon this occasion yet they may vpon manifest denial of Iustice vse ordinarie meanes by letters of marque and reprisall XXXII All disingheritings made by occasion of the late hostilitie are declared void and of none effect XXXIII The subiects and such as dwell in the dominions of the said Lords Archdukes and States of what estate and condition soeuer they be are declared capable of succeeding one an other as well by the testament as ab intestato according to the custome of the places And if any successions haue heretofore fallen to any of them they shal therein be defended and maintained XXXIIII All prisoners taken in warre shall be deliuered on either side without ransome XXXV And that this present treatie may be better obserued the said Lords King Archdukes and States doe interchangeably promise to imploy all their forceâ— and meanes to secure all passages seas and nauigable riuers from the incursions of Pirates theeues and robbers and if they shall apprehend any such then sharpely to chastice them XXXVI They doe moreouer promise to attempt or doe nothing nor suffer any thing to be done to the hurt of this preseut treatie directly or indirectly and if any be done to amend it without any difficultie or delay And for obseruing of all this aboue mentioned they doe mutually oblige themselues namely the said Lords King and Archdukes their successours and for validitie of the said obligation doe renounce all lawes customes and whatsoeuer is conâ—rarie thereunto XXXVII This present treatie shall be ratified and approued by the said Lords King Archdukes and States and their Letters of ratification deliuered to one another in due maner and forme within foure dayes And concerning the Catholike Kings ratification the said Lords Archdukes haue promised and shall be bound to deliuer it within 3 moneths in due manner and forme also to the end the said Lords States their subjects and people may effectually and in all safety reape the fruit of this present treatie XXXVIII The said Treatie shall be published in all places where it shall concerne presently after the ratification made by the said Lords Archdukes and States and from this time forth all hostilitie shall cease This made and concluded in the Citie of Antuerpe the ninth of Aprill 1609 and signed by my Lords the Embassadours of the most Christian Kings of Fraunce and â—â—at Brittaine as mediators and by the Commissioners of my Lords the Archdukes and States it was signed vnderneath by P Ieannin Elie de la Pluce Ric. Spencer Rafe Winwood Ambrose Spinola the President Richardot Iu. de Mancicidor Frier Iohn Ney L. Verreyckin William Lodwick Earle of Nassau W. Brodero de Cornellis de Gent Iohn de Ordenbarnevelt I. de Malderee G. de Renesse G. de Hillama Iohn Sloet Ab. Coenders And because within a while after certaine obscure difficulties were found
in the precedent Articles the Commissioners of the Archdukes and my Lords the States did afterwards make this declaration and augmentation following as it is here set downe word for word The generall States of the vnited Netherland Prouinces to all those vnto whom these presents shall come greeting We giue yee to vnderstand that hauing seene the points and articles agreed vpon on the seuenth day of this moneth of Ianuarie here at the Hague betwixt the commissioners of the most illustrious Archdukes of Austria Albert and Isabella Clara Eugenia together with ours by vertue of procurations mutually giuen to the said commissioners concerning certaine difficulties and ambiguities proceeding from the treatie of truce concluded on the ninth of Aprill 1609 in the citie of Antuerp betwixt the said Archdukes and vs on the one part and on the other side propounded by the officers ' and subiects enter changeably for better consideration of the increase and more ample declaration of the points and articles whose contents doe hereafter follow word for word For as much as in the treatie of truce made the 9 of April 1609 in the citie of Antuerp betwixt the commissioners of my Lords the Archdukes of Austria c. and them of the generall States of the vnited Netherland Prouinces certaine difficulties and ambiguities haue beene propounded on either side by their officers and subiects for the more exact looking to of the encrease and more ample declaration of the said articles it was in the end thought fit that the commissioners on either side should consider of these difficulties and reconcile them After that the said commissioners did often meet to confer together according to their procuration and commission on both sides they did at last agree vpon these points and articles following And for effecting hereof on the seuenth of Ianuarie 1610 were assembled at the Hague in Holland Balthazar de Robiano treasurer generall of the demaines and receits of the said Lords Archdukes Lodwick Verreycken knight the Lord of Hamme Councellor of war audiencer and chiefe secretarie to their Highnesses and Iohn Baptist Maes Councellor and aduocat Fiscall in the councell of Brabant on the part of the said Lords Archdukes The Lord Henrie of Brieuen the elder Lord in Sinderen the Lord Iohn Oldenbarneuelt knight lord of Temple Rodenrijs c. aduocate and keeper of the great seale charters and registers of Holland and East Frizland the Lord Iames of Malderee knight Lord of Heyes c. chiefe man representing the nobilitie in the Estates and Councell of the Countie of Zealand the Lord Iustus of Rysenbourg chiefe Burgomaster of the Citie of Vtrecht Truco de Oennama Iustice of Shooterland the Lord Earnest of Ittersum Drossard of Twent and Abel Coenders of Helpen Lord of Faenand Cantes on the part of the said Lords general States FIrst that the inhabitants of the vnited Netherland Prouinces comming into the territories and Prouinces vnder the Archdukes obedience shall haue and enioy gouerning themselues according to the aboue mentioned treatie the same libertie as the king of great Britaines subiects haue and to this end the articles which dispose thereof shall bee sent by their Highnesses to all gouernours magistrates and officers of therespectiue Prouinces with commaundment to gouerne themselues according thereunto and the said inhabitants and subiects of the vnited Netherland Prouinces may in all places vnder their Highnesses gouernment vse such aduocates attornies notaries and solicitors as shall seeme good vnto themselues who likewise shall be appointed thereunto by ordinarie Iudges 2 Their Highnesses shall giue order for and appoint fit and honourable places to burie such as from the States side shall happen to die in places vnder their Highneâ—â— gouernment 3 The said Lords Archdukes and States may not receiue from either part forth of their limits goods passing vp and downe by land or water 4 The subiects of the said Lords Archdukes and States shall in eithers Countries reciprocally enioy their auntient franchises and rights of customes which they haue peaceably enioyed before the wars 5 Frequentation conuersation and commerce betwixt the subiects mutually shall not be hindered and all impediments to that purpose shal be taken away 6 All goods which according to the treatie haue beene or are to bee restored to the auntient owners their heires or others that may lay claime thereunto may bee sold by the same owners without any other particular consent notwithstanding the thirteenth article of the aboue mentioned treatie where it is otherwise said the propertie of rents excepted which shall bee acknowledged by the publike treasurie in steed of the sold goods 7 All concealed goods moueables and immoueable rents actions debts and other things not seased on by the publicke treasurie before the ninth of Aprill 1609 the owners their heires or those which lay claime thereunto may enioy all the fruits rents reuenewes and commodities freely and at their owne dispose and the concealers themselues and heires shall not vpon that occasion be called in question by the publique treasurie on either partie but the owners their heires or such as lay claime thereunto shall therein haue right done them against all men as if it were their owne goods 8 Those trees which haue been cut downe since the last of Ianuarie 1609 and which at the day of the conclusion of the said treatie are vncut and those which haue beene sold on the verie same day shall be graunted to the owners notwithstanding the sale thereof nor shall they bee tied to pay any thing for them 9 The fruits farmings and reuenewes of lordships territories tenths fishings houses rents and other reuenewes of lands which according to the treatie haue beene or are to bee restored fallen since the ninth of Aprill 1609 shall be granted for the whole yeare to the owners their heires or such as lay claime to them 10 For goods sold by the publick treasuries on either side letters shall bee giuen to the owners their heires or those that lay claime to them which shall serue them for a declaratorie proofe conformable to the treatie with assignation of yearely payment to a Receiuer in the Prouinces where they haue beene sold or bought which shall bee there appointed after the first publicke sale or otherwise together with the first yeares rent which shall arise and be paied on the 9 of April 1610. 11 The farmings of lands confiscate though for many yeares shall end with the yeare 1609 according to the custome of places where the lands lie and the said farmings fallen after the ninth of Aprill as hath beene said shall bee paid to the owners but on this condition that if hee which did enioy the said lands hath been at any costs and charge for haruest next ensuing that the said expence according to the custome or discretion of the Iudge of the place where the said lands lie shall be paid by the owner to him who hath had the profit thereof 12 Sale made of lands or goods confiscate