Duke Denamoures courteoussie asked hym if any thing were amisse in his armour in purpose to amende it yet the Duke was a greate freende to Petro Strose for Strose was his Lieutenaunt Ambrose Digbie aunswered that all was well and gaue the Duke and the gentlemen greate thankes for their courtesie and so gallowped to the other side at his pleasure Petro Strose in like sorte went backe againe to his owne coÌ„panie For capitain Tother was not so fortunate that daie as couragious for he ranne thre courses one after an other and could not breake and the Frenchman that ran against hym brake euery course his lance the reasons was why capitain Tother brake not alwaies at the couchyng of the Launce his horse flang out whiche moued the geÌ„tleman very muche and for whiche foule condition he gaue the horse immediately awaie The Portugall beyng brauely horsed vpon a baye courser had not worse happe then courage For he brake full in the face of the â—eueâ— it was thought that he that ranne against hym was the Barron of Burnasell who brake in like maner alwaies vpon the Portugall In the meane tyme there was diuerse bandes that had gotten a greate bootie and spoile in the Countrey whiche contented muche the Almaines who with their spoile and bootie were retired to the campe whereof intelligence beyng giuen to the Duke he caused a retraite to bee sounded and euery man marched forward to the Campe. But the Frenche waited on them and skirmished all the waie where good seruice was to bee seen on bothe sides so thei departed the one side to the Campe and the other side to Muttrell When thei were in the campe and the Duke in his Pauillion at supper there was greate commendation giuen to the Portugall for the beste dooer that daie he hearyng his owne praise replied and saied he should but flatter hymself to beleeue that reporte to be true since all men might see the Englishe gentleman ranne with the greatest Launce and brake moste fairest and especially because he ranne againste Petro Strose who was counted to be one of the valliauntest gentlemen of Fraunce so with this and suche like talke thei rose from the table When this Toune called newe Heddyng was finished there was lefte in the same a verie greate Garrison bothe of Burgonions and Almaines and then the Campe was dispersed and many soldiours cashed and put out of wages Wherevppon the twoo brothers thought to make their repaire into Englande to whiche place the Duke of Sauoye was goyng and so with hym thei came ouer and attended on hym three Monethes and came againe to the seruice of the Emperour where thei remained vntill an Armie was appointed to goe to Sainct Quintaines The noble Erle of Penbroke being Lorde lieutenaunt for that seruice ouer the Englishe Armie in whiche regiment M. Nocholas Malbie had charge of fiftie light horsemen The Armie liyng betwene Gynes and Arde the garrison of Arde beyng strong issued out and gaue our Campe Alarum and our Englishe menne vnacquainted with that kinde of noyes and order of warre were in a maner a mased some ronnyng one waie and some an other and one George Broughton hauyng the leadyng of fiftie horsemen went out of the Campe and was immediatly encountred with a bande of Frenchemen who charged so furiouslie that thei wanne the Gydon of George Broughtons bande and carried it awaie Nicholas Malbie commyng from the scoute with his bande and hearyng the Larum without the Campe made his repaire with certain of his companie where he mette with Broughton who said he had loste his Gydon vppon that newes maister Malbie caused all his companie to retourne and make haste to ouertake the Frenche whiche thei ouertooke at the tournepike and so sharpely dealt with them that the Gydon was recouered againe by maister Malbies owne hande who brought it hym self and deliuered it vnto George Broughton that gaue hym greate thankes therefore Maister Broughton caused the Lorde Lieutenaunte to promise maister Malbie a recompence for this bolde attempte and diuerse noble men commended the seruice vpon the report of suche as sawe it The next daie the Campe remoued to Samedeboyes and so toward Sainct Quintaines where kyng Phillip was besiegyng the toune with a mightie Armie whiche had ouerthrowen moste of the nobilitie of Fraunce that came to succour sainct Quintaines and the Englishe Campe beyng before the toune was appointed to set out certaine bandes for the goyng to the assault emong whiche was one Capitaine Vaughan who came to a freende of his and desired of all freendshipp and for old acquaintaunce sake to light of his horse and goe with hym to the saulte Now in good faithe saied Nicholas Malbie though horsemen neuer come to the breache with my freende I will either winne the Spurres or loose the Saddle and so a lighted and went with maister Vaughan hauyng firste procured licence of the Lorde lieutenaunt to the assault where the enemies were readie to defende their Toune and their liues yet as God would the enemies gaue place with muche a doe to those that valiauntly entered the breache And the firste that entered as diuerse did beholde was these twoo freendes whiche vpon their enterie ranne to saincte Quintaines Churche and gatte there sainct Quintaines hedde a riche iewell and were commyng awaie with this greate treasure but the Almaines had entered at the other breache and mette maister Malbie and Capitaine Vaughan and beeyng a strong companie together tooke awaie the gained bootie from them and put theÌ„ in hazarde of their liues so that thei were faine and glad to escape and leaue sainct Quintaines hedde behinde them Vaughan was hurte in the face and therefore desired to goe to the Campe to be cured And at this assault there wer many made riche though these twoo freendes had but euill Fortune and founde enemies where thei should haue had freendes The toune was spoiled and ransackte and the Admirall of Fraunce with many others were taken there and so kyng Phillip fortified it againe and lefte therein a greate Garrison and retired towardes the Burgonion Paile takyng certaine tounes and fortresses in his waie Not verie long after a peace was concluded and the Englishe Armie beeyng well paied and in Englande maister Nicholas Malbie went to the Irishe warres and kept capitaine Girtton companie not in paie but vppon pleasure The Erle of Sussex then Lorde Deputie and Capitaine Girtton hauyng somewhat to take with the Lorde Deputie desired maister Malbie to see that his charge and countrey should be well gouerned till his retourne and gaue M. Malbie power to doe what he pleased in that behalfe There was one in those partes named Mighell Patrick that was a tickell Subiecte and did many wronges to his neighbours and namely to Capitaine Girttons menne against whom maister Malbie went and had diuerse tymes the vpper hand of hym and put hym and his Kerne to flight In this season there was a Proclamation made by the Lorde Deputie that whosoeuer
see the vttermoste of Fortune called me backe againe and fell to questions and argumentes with me suche as I liked not But other aunswere did I not make then before you haue heard wherewith he called for some meate and made me to sitte doune and after I had a little refreshed my self I demaunded to knowe his pleasure Who straight waies tolde me there was no helpe to be had but to become all captiues and prisoners to the French kyng Not so sir I aunswered and that should the nexte assault make triall thereof Then he went to talke with the noble men and there thei concluded that the soldiours should marche awaie with bagge and baggage and the capitaines and officers should remaine prisoners whiche I knewe would not bee liked and so desired to bee sente to my Lorde Graie But when I came into the Castell and the soldiours had gotten woorde that thei might marche awaie at their will Thei came to me and threatened me with greate wordes commaundyng to make dispatche and yeelde vp the Forte For saied thei since the matter is in talke and likelie to be brought to a good purpose thei would cutte my throte if I made not hastely an ende of the cace And thereon had thei made a greate hole in a walle and so thei thruste me out emong the Almaines who rudely handeled me But my Lorde Graie at my departure badde me tell the Duke that the Almaines were aboute to breake into the Castell and to sette the gate a fire and my Lorde saied he would shoote of his greate Ordinaunce emong theim if the lawe of Armes wer not better obserued But in the meane tyme at an other place was entered Mounsire de Tre maister of the Ordinaunce and the Lorde Graie that now is was sent into the Campe for the paune of Mounsire De Tre. But I was come to Mounsire Degwise before those thynges were finished and had tolde hym my message And he like a noble Prince and faithfull Capitaine roade to the gate causyng me to mounte behynde maister Harry Dudley where the Almaines were busily occupied aboute some naughtie practise and with a greate trontchon he strake diuers of the Almaines and others to make them retire and laiyng loade about hym he made suche waie that the gate was free And the capitulation was at laysure talked of but I was not suffred to enter no more into the Castell and so staied as a prisoner notwithstandyng looke what promesse Mounsire Degwise made it was so well kepte and obserued that our soldiours marched awaie with all their wealthe money or weapons And greate wealth was by them borne from Gines in so muche that diuers poore Soldiours were made thereby all their life daies after And this was to bee noted there was greate honour in the Duke of Gwise for the bandes that parted either sicke or sounde hurte or whole were honestly conueighed and truely dealte withall euen as long as thei were in any daunger albeit thei had greate sommes of money and Threasure with theim and the Generall his Capitaines and Officers were courteouslie vsed so long as we were in the Duke of Gwise his Campe. And to saie the truth I thinke our peace was not so dishonourable as some reporte For succour had wee no hope of The nexte assaulte had ouerthrowen vs The whole members of the Castell were cutte of from vs There remained but the bare bodie of the Castell in our custodie The enemies Cannons did beate vs from the breache on the in side The Castell was subiect to euery shotte bothe from the Keepe the Catte and Mary Bulwarke The Frēche possessed all the speciall places of our strength and comforte The beste and cheefest of our soldiours were slaine or laye maimed in moste miserable estate And we had loste eight hundreth men in these assaultes and seruices whiche did their duetie so well that the enemie confessed that thei had loste fower thousande before wee could bee brought to any parley and composition But some of our Officers by crafte and cunnyng escaped home out of the Frenche mennes handes came to the Court and made vp their bandes againe to the greate reproche of those that ment no suche matter and so by that subteltie and shift thei that escaped gatte a paye or some reward of the prince And those that abode out the bronte and hazarde of the bloodie broile were lefte in prison and the worlde thought by seyng so many come home we had loste but a fewe at the siege of Gynes Whiche is otherwise to be proued and affirmed for a trothe when true triall shal be made Callice was loste before I can not declare how but well I wotte Sir Anthonie Ager a stoute gentleman and a valliaunte knight there loste his life and one Capitaine Saule was terrible burnte with pouder in makyng a traine to destroye the enemie Now leauyng of these vncomfortable discourses I will shewe what gentlemen of ours after serued in sondrie soiles where many greate Princes were in daiely exercises of warre and many greate victories and exploites were to be seen and though I write not the iourneis in right order as one that writes a Chronicle maie dooe yet the matter I write of shal be so true that it shal be needlesse to shewe what season the causes were put in practise or make mention in due order of the date and tyme of suche noble enterprises for your common Chronicles can sufficiently satiffie you in those poinctes The seruices on the Sea I doe sette aparte by them selues and so here I proceede in some matter whiche toucheth a peece of the businesse of Flaunders and Fraūce where diuers of our gētlemen wer and beheld many great exploites Now is to be noted that M. Henry Champernowne of Deuonshire after his returne from the warres of Hungarie serued in the cause of the Protestantes of Fraūce of his own proper charges in the second Ciuile warres with xij gentlemen or more And in the thirde Ciuile warres after the battaile of Iarnag he serued with an hundred men of his owne proper costes Likewise accompanied and followed these gentlemenne Edward Barkley Phillip Budsed Gawine Champernowne Richard Kirkam Walter Rawley Carro Rawley Ranoldes Hugh Vdall Thomas Courtney Willyam Fonte Richard Keyes Willyam Walwyng Thomas Atkins and others whereof some retourned after the death of the olde Prince of Conde But maister Henry Champernowne as one desirous of renowme and greedie of glorie gotten by seruice remained till his death where liuely fame was to be wonne and serued so nobly and so gallantly as the whole Campe where he was in sounded of his valliantnesse and many of those gentlemen that he brought with hym augmented so muche his fame that to this daie his deedes and theirs are moste noblie spoken of greatly to the honour of all our Englishe Nation For his gentlemen or the moste parte of them loste their liues with their Capitaine muche is to be saied in this matter But I must
sufficient power to annoye that Toune and for other greate causes then mouyng his Maiestie prepared anone after a small Nauie to moleste his enemies makyng Admirall of that fleete the noble Lorde Lyle after Duke of Northumberlande and with hym was sent the Lorde Clinton now Erle of Lincolne sir George Caro sir Peter Caro sir Gawine Caro sir Robert Stafforde maister Clement Parstons maister Willyam Winter now knight maister Biston a valliant Capitaine with whom was maister Biston the Pensioner that now is a liue And all these gentlemen vnder the leadyng of the Lorde Lyle encountred the Galleis in moste braueste and warrlike sorte vppon the Seas and fought with them halfe a daie daungerously and in greate perill our Shippes hauyng a greate disaduauntage because the porte holes were not so lowe as reason required by whiche meane our Shippes might not come to dooe the harme that was intended Notwithstandyng the greate Ordinaunce plaied on the enemie all the while and our gentlemen behaued them selues as noblie as might bee deuised not in no little hazard nor without greate courage For this fight was so sore and daungerous that euery mannes vallue and stoutnesse might be seen There was no hole nor caue for the cowarde to hide his hedde in For the Cannon could fetche theim vp that would creepe in the Cooke roume and sette them a woorke that would sitte doune and doe little good The barres and chaines of Iron flewe about so thicke and the smoke and smother of the pouder was so greate that one might scarce see an other for fume flame and the furie of the shotte And to bee plaine because I haue seen the like I take it to bee the moste terrible and cruell fight that can bee named or expressed with penne For it is rather if it bee rightly painted out a helle then any other thyng it can bee compared vnto But how so euer it is or was at that present tyme our fleete abode the brunte thereof and tried it out to the vttermoste as the Frenche theim selues did afterward reporte and affirme And so bothe the sides beeyng wearied with roaryng of Cannons and murtheryng of menne were driuen at the length to leaue of and saile seuerall waies but the Frēche had the worste and were glad to departe to their losse and mischeef But in the necke of this the Frenche Nauie came gallauntly to Portchmouthe and in the vewe of Kyng Henry thei made a stoute showe and signe of some shrewde intent Againste the whiche Nauie went out sir George Caro in a noble vessell and with a greate nomber of valliaunt gentlemenne but by mischaunce and ouersight of some reachlesse persones the Shippe and all was caste awaie and drouned full before the vewe and face of Kyng Henry the eight And yet our other Shippes made out and sette so lustely vppon the Frenche fleete that thei made them retourne homeward to their small contentatiō so that little or nothyng was doen worthie the notyng a good tyme after An other seruice there was where maister Clementte Parston and Capitaine Wolffe was in Kyng Edwardes daies where thei had a Galley in chace and ouercame the same Galley For maister Parston brought it awaie and had in signe of that victorie a Iewell thereof made in maner like a Snake of golde In Queene Maries raigne the Lorde Admirall that now is with sir Willyam Woodhouse sir Thomas Cotton sir Willyam Winter maister Gonstone maister Holstocke maister Morley Sir Richard Brooke Capitaine Poole a knight of the Rodes as sir Richard Brooke was sir Richard Winkfeeld sir Robert Conestable that now is Maister Willyam Gorge and Maister George Biston bothe Pentioners went to the burnyng of Conkquette and did there a greate exploite and made muche spoile and hauocke in that countrey and retiryng to our Shippes tooke good order for the saffetie of our menne But the Almaines beyng greedie of gaine and ouercome with wine could not bee brought a Shipboarde in no due season and so through their owne follie and lewde behauioure thei were entrapped and ouerthrowne and yet was there as greate regarde for their preseruation as might bee but their reatchlesse maner was suche that no deuise could recouer them and so thei perished When our people did prospere and came awaie with honour and commoditie From Concquet there was appoincted seuen Sailes of Shippes to goe to my Lorde of Sussex then Lorde Deputie of Irelande The names of whiche Shippes followeth the Hue Willoughbie in whiche was sir Thomas Cotton Admirall for that seruice The Gearfaucon in whiche was maister Tornar of the Garde The Newbarke where was Southerwicke of Douer The Saker at the commaundement of M. Peter Killegrey The Barcke Caree vnder the charge of M. Gregorie Carie. The Ihon of Plimmouthe in the whiche was maister Richard Bingham And all these attended my Lorde of Sussex at Daukkith who noblie sett forwarde and bornte Kynteer Iames Mackono beeyng in the countrey and raized twoo of Mackonoes cheef Castles tooke diuers of thei Galleis and executed many of their mē My Lorde also burnt the I le of Butte the I le of Combra and the I le of Amilashe with diuers other places in that iourney And at this seruice was sir Willyam Fitz Willyams maister George Delues Capitaine Colliar maister Thomas Masterson Capitaine Warren Capitaine Peers sir George Stanley maister Edward Stāley who was there made knight And a nomber of other lustie gentlemen that presently I make no mention of Sir Willyam Winter did a greate peece of seruice with other Englishe gentlemen and Soldiours at a place called Alderneye For the Frenche to the nomber of mene hundred had taken that Ilande and were in the Castell in a marueilous triumphe But sir Willyam Winter hauyng but fower hundreth soldiours and Marriners whiche Marriners who so markes shall see greate worthinesse in landed in Alderneye with his small companie and handeled the Frenche so hardly that he draue them into the Castell and would not leaue theim till he had dispatched the Ilande of theim And so in his countreys honour retourned into Englande againe There was an other peece of seruice by Sea when Mounsire Determes loste a battaill by Grauelin and as I dooe remember maister Nicholas Gorge was at this seruice But be there who might it happened well on Mounsire Degmondes side that the shotte of our Shippes had any meane to annoy his enemies For euen as at Mosseborough feelde our Galleye did greate seruice that flancked a long the Scottes Campe and slue many stoute menne So our shippes at this battaill made suche waie emong the French that the Borgonions gatte good passege by that bargaine and went awaie with victorie In the raigne of our Soueraigne Ladie Queene Elizabeth there was sente the Hope the Lyon the Harte the Swallowe and the Phenix verie goodly Shippes to newe Hauen sir Willyam Woodhous beyng Admirall who fallyng sicke at Deepe wente home againe with maister Holstocke And then remained maister George Biston Admirall hauyng but three
in the daie should bee cutte of from their bodies and brought to the place where he incamped at night and should there bee laied on the ground by eche side of the waie leadyng into his owne Tente so that none could come into his Tente for any cause but commonly he muste passe through a lane of heddes whiche he vsed ad terrorem the dedde feelyng nothyng the more paines thereby and yet did it bryng greate terrour to the people when thei sawe the heddes of their dedde fathers brothers children kinsfolke and freendes lye on the grounde before their faces as thei came to speake with the saied Collonell Whiche course of gouernemente maie by some bee thought to cruell in excuse whereof it is to bee aunswered That he did but then beginne that order with theim whiche thei had in effecte euer tofore vsed toward the Englishe And further he was out of doubte that the dedde felte no paines by cuttyng of their heddes accordyng to the example of Diogenes who beyng asked by his freendes what should be doen with hym when he died aunswered in this sorte Caste me on a dunghill ê™ he where vnto his freendes replied saiyng The Dogges will then eate you his aunswere thereto was thus why then sette a staffe by me Wherevnto thei aunswered you shall not feele them to whom he again replied with these woordes what neede I then to care But certainly by this course of gouernemente although to some it maie seeme otherwise there was muche blood saued and greate peace ensued in haste For through the terrour whiche the people conceiued therby it made short warres For he reformed the whole Countrey of Munster and brought it into an vniuersall peace and subiection within six weekes leauyng at his commyng froÌ„ thence Iames Mack Morres as a woode Kerne accompanied onely at the moste not with aboue seuentene menne who at his first commyng thether commaunded many a thousande Whiche reformation and establishemente of the Countries peace there performed presently came from thence and so lefte his charge there with sufficiente pledge bonde and paune for the good behauioure of euery Lorde and Capitaine for theim selues and their followers refusyng no duetifull seruice euer since An abstracte of some of his perticular seruices EMongeste many others these perticulare seruices followyng he did in persone of whiche onely I haue thought good to make rehearsall of these fewe omittyng the reste Firste with 150. footemen he seruyng then a priuate capitaine vnder the leadyng of maister Edward Randolphe then his Collonell at Knockfargus he stoode firmely in the plaine feelde charged with fower thousande footemen and sixe hundred horsemen of Onyles companie and there killed and hurte of the enemie about twoo hundred hauyng of his companie in all not aboue thirtie hurte and slaine This seruice was doen for the rescuyng of Capitaine Wilforde and Capitaine Warde who although thei ventered them selues farther then reason would to cause certaine disordered Soldiours to retire stirred therevnto through the tender care of the Soldiours safeties Thei did so valiauntly behaue theim selues therein as that thei worthely deserued greate commendation The seconde seruice was doen by Kylkennie the third of Iulie a thousande fiue hundred sixtie and nine where he beyng accompanied with maister Henry Dauels a noble and valiant gentleman now slain by Ihon of Desmond and xij others went from sir Peter Carewe knight with pretrnce but to vewe the Rebelles And yet with that small nomber charged he them at the leaste fourtie score before all the rest of his companie the rebelles beeyng then in nomber aboute twelue hundred as it was reported and standyng then in battaill raye The saied sir Peter Carewe and one Appesley Lieutenaunt to the saied Collonell commyng nexte after hym accompanied with the horsebande of the saied Collonell and a certaine of maister Capitaine Wingefeeldes soldiours who were that daie in the vauntegard amountyng in the whole to the nomber of a hundreth and twentie horse Capitaine Malbe and Capitaine Bassenet followyng in the rereward either of them hauyng vnder their leadynges fiftie horsemen In this charge the saied Collonelles blacke Curtall horse whervpon he then serued was verie sore hurt vnder hym in eight places The thirde seruice was doen by Kylmallocke the xxiiij daie of September 1569. wherewith his owne horsebande he scirmouched with three thousande rebells at the least the Erle of Glanckar beyng then there emongest theÌ„ in persone with diuers other Lordes and Capitaines of countreis In this scirmouche all his companie were beaten from hym sauyng one Tadcastell a Soldiour of his owne bande who standyng with hym in defendyng of a Forde was in th ende slaine And he hym self beyng lefte alone and enforced to defende the same kepte it a greate while againste verie neere thirtie horsemen Iames Macke Morres Râ—wrey Macke Shee the cheef Capitaine of the Desmondes Galliglasses the Lorde of the greate Wood Pursell Suppell Edmonde Sites Dani with diuers other gentlemen emongst them Also in this scirmouche his blacke Curtall horse of whom I spake of before was hurte in diuers places of the bodie and was shotte through the necke with a Harcabushe And the saied Collonelles Targatte was stricken throughe with diuers dartes besides many blowes on his Armoure but in persone not hurte Whereat the Irishe wondered so muche thei made sondrie songes and Rimes of hym and his blacke Curtall horse imaginyng hym self to haue been an enchaunter that no man could hurte ridyng on a Deuill And here is to bee specially noted that in all the seruices before spoken of and at moste of suche other seruices as wer doen by the saied Collonell in Munster Capitaine Ward and maister Crues shewed them selues verie foreward and valiaunte And therefore in that respecte thei haue deserued commendation whiche in nowise is to bee forgotten The saied sir Henry Sidney Lorde Deputie inuested the saied Collonell with the title and honour of knighthoode for his good seruice on Neweyeres daie 1569 and so came he into England where he hath remained a while the moste parte in Courte Since that he serued the Prince of Orrange in the cause of Religion in Zelande and Flaunders where beyng geneall of twoo thousande Englishe he had for the entertainement of his owne persone in wages and other allowaunces verie neere tenne thousande Markes per Annum besides verie large allowaunces for all the Officers Capitaines and Soldiours vnder his regimente At an other time sir Ihon Parret beyng as lorde Iustice in a Prouince of Irelande behaued himself so nobly and vsed suche seuere Iustice that no one Lorde nor other vnder his charge durst any waie offende hym For he nether graunted pardoÌ„ but vpoÌ„ merueilous great cause nor would giue eare to a parley But alwaies proceded in suche a manly maner and stoute resolution of minde that he was bothe feared and beloued And so muche desired of good menne to tarry in the countrey that the badde sorte to this daie are aferd to heare his name rehearsed He
that his cunnyng failed him his force was but ill and his fortune worse For in the middell of his traiterous triumphyng he tasted the right recompence of rebellion and was slain in the feeld his hedde brought into Corke Toune and his bodie and reputation buried in the graue of reproche and infamie The Lorde Iustice had by this tyme or in shorte tyme after receiued some succour and aide out of Englande And sir Ihon Parret as Admirall of fower of the Quenes Shippes maister Willyam Gorge maister Nicholas Gorge maister Gilbart Yorke Capitaine Peers Capitaine Awdley Capitaine Hinde accompaniyng hym as Capitaines appointed for that seruice Sir Willyam Morgan maister Pellam maister Bousser maister Broncker maister Willyam Norrice maister Crofttes maister Ihon Soutche and many other lustie Capitaines and Gentlemen of good regarde were in like sorte appoincted for the seruice of Irelande But what was dooen and the rehearsall thereof I committe to those that liueth to Regester and keepe in memorie mennes labours and seruices hereafter Whiche writers in giuyng life to matters that tyme maie weare out of mynde are not onely well occupied but likewise makes good Soldiours imitate and followe the noble footesteppes of those that wente before them by whiche meanes Goddes glorie is aduaunced and our Countries honoure is vpholden and worthely defended Finis ¶ A small rehersall of some speciall seruices in Flaunders of late part whereof were in the tyme of Don Ihons gouernment and the reste beyng doen in the present seruice of the Prince of Parma now gouernour of Flaunders THE remembraunce of a booke dedicated to the right honourable Sir Frances Walsyngham touchyng the troubles of Flanders moues me againe to putte penne to Paper in that dehalfe Breefly to beginne where I left whiche was a matter of Don Ihon and procede a little in the dooynges of the Prince of Parma presentely in action and place of greate matter exspected And because my moste desire is to aduaunce the Soldiours of Englande as well as to publishe the seruices of forraine countreys I omitte many thinges that straunge Nations haue been exercised withall And declare somwhat in the fauour of myne owne countreymen that serue and haue serued vnder the Prince of Orange and States of the Lowe Countrey meanyng not to meddell with matter of State that passeth my reache and capacitie but familiarely to treate of suche thynges as the common sorte of people doe carpe vpon and is sufferable to bee written of As muche to delite the reader that searcheth for noueltie as any other cause that moues me to this labor and rehearsall of seruice The houge and greate armies the long continuaunce of troubles the passages and and discourses of manyfolde miseries and the open Plague and disturbaunce of poore afflicted Flaunders I referre to the vnsearcheable wisedome of the Almightie and the graue iudgement of the worlde And hearyng the certaintie of some scirmouches and seruices of late I followe the trothe of newe matter that falles nexte into my memorie You haue heard and the worlde can witnesse that Don Ihon before his death being desirours of fame and victorie sought and practised all meanes possible to come to his purpose and knowyng where and in what order the states laye and what straites were kept by the pollecie of Mounsire de Bussie Generall of the Campe for the States He determined with a full resolute mynde manfullie to attempte some exploite that might amase the Prince of Orranges side and plucke vp the courages of his owne people that laye a longe season idelly from dooyng of any greate enterprise And so therevppon Don Ihon in a maner gaue to vnderstande as by the sequel was perceiued that he would visite the campe of the States or winne suche straites from them as should be muche to their discontent and his greate aduauntage In the yere of our Lorde 1578. the warres beyng then at the hottest betwixt the estates and the Kyng the estates hauyng a greate puissant armie in the feelde vnder the conduicte of the Graue of Busie The Kyng hauyng also an other vnder the leadyng of Don Ihon his base brother It happened the firste of August the enemie to visite the armie of the states who laye then intrenched in the feelde nere vnto a Toune called Reminant The Armie beeyng composed of diuers nations bothe horsemen and footemen there was one regimente of Englishe of twelue hundred vnder the leadyng of the Collonell Candishe and in his absence his Lieutenaunte Collonell Richard Bingham The saied Lieutenaunt and no other Generall officer of that Nation beeyng commaunded to the feelde by the Generall of the states led forthe the whole nomber of shotte that was vnder his charge viz. sixe hundred The leaders vnder hym of the regimente were Capitaine Laukynges Capitaine Fitz Willyams Capitaine Edwardes the Lieutenant Paddon the Lieutenante Dalton the Liutenante Chubbe well accompanied with diuers other worthie gentlemen and officers Beeyng thus appointed with direction to leaue in a sure garde vpon the nexte Mounte to the trenche and with the reste to make hedde to the enemie and to entertaine hym as he should see cause offered at sight of the eye keepyng euermore the streight on the right hande and Steward with the Scottes on the lefte hande hauyng now placed a sufficient garde vppon the Mounte and sent Capitaine Fitz Willyams farther forthe by a quarter of a mile to assure theim of an other grounde and strength of aduauntage He receiues commaūdemente againe from the Generall that he should leaue the Mount and drawe his forces to the Churche whiche stoode aboute an Englishe Mile from the Mounte and vppon the saied streight wherevpon he presently lefte the Mounte leauyng behinde Capitaine Fitz Willyam to garde the place of aduauntage where he firste lefte hym beeyng a place of greate importaunce And with the reste he maketh waie to the Bridge where he lefte the Lieutenaunte Paddon with Chubbe and their companies in garde of the place and to stande faste for a releef to those that he ledde more foreward to the Churche Beeyng now arriued at the Churche with Capitaine Liggins his Lieutenant Dalton And Capitaine Edwardes with a three hundred shotte he sendeth vp to the Steeple twoo of his Soldiours to discouer the enemie who presently shewed that thei might see the faire Hethe whiche was yet halfe an Englishe Mile further and vppon it the whole power of the enemie in battaillions bothe horsemen and footemen and further that thei marched in for bothe the streightes The Lieutenante not reposing to muche truste in the twoo priuate Soldiours leaped of from his horse and went vp the Steeple hym self where as soone as he had discouered the enemie and perceiued hym to make in for bothe the streigtes he presentely at his commyng doune commaunded Capitaine Liggins to stande fast with twoo hundred shotte at the Churche and takyng with hym the Lieutenaunt Dalton Edwardes Finche and Straubrige with diuers other gentlemen officers with twoo hundred shotte He maketh hedde
make sale of feathers in the winde And sell good cheape a drousie adell braine Yet Musicke not compares with merrie minde For that bryngs blood to eurie vitall vaine And heaues vp harte from dongeon of dispaire To be as blithe as birde in open aire If any glance of matter be in this Past merrie meane yet merrie muse it is That leades my penne I sweare by heauens blis Wherefore in mirthe I praie you take these lines My duetie maie excuse my boldnesse here I borrowd not my wordes of graue deuines Nor of fine wittes that holdes small dainties dere Thei came good cheape from merrie nourses papp Good chepe thei goe where muses fauour moste But dere thei are if writer finde mishapp Thereby and worlde account the labour loste God graunt the tyme be good when thei were sent And that eche worde be taken as I ment The best is sure and that is moste to praies Thei goe to one I honour all my daies FINIS The Epitaphe of the rare vertuous Prince and towardes Impe of grace Kyng Edward the sixte THe Lampe is out that lightned Englishe harts Whose liuely shoe and beautie shoen so bright And gaue suche ioye to all our inward smarts That well was hym that had thereon a sight Edward I meane whiche was our kyng by right The golden torche and candle matutine Did blase and burne within his Christalleyne But well awaie those lookes their life hath loste Full dimme and darcke Is now that sparke That whilome was the staie of Englandes boaste Now Death hath dried this pleasaunt princely plant And hent our happ an hye aboue the skyes Who knowes the losse but those that feele the want Wherefore the teares distilled from our eyes But since this babe hath made his sacrifies And yeelded vp his life and vitall breath What can ye blame but hastie cruell death Whiche pluckt the Rose before his leaues were spredde Yet shall his name Remaine with fame And florishe still although the flowre be dedde A face so fraught with fauour bloomyng still A cheere so chaste subduyng eche desire A hedde so ripe with grace and connyng skill A tong so deckt and cladd in trothes attire A harte so meeke and cleane deuoide of yre An eare so pure to heare the poore mannes cause A witte to iudge a zeale to make good lawes A hande so clere from blood looke well thereon Was seldome seene In Kyng ne Queene Helas the while our Lanterns light is gon His witte wanne praise as by his waies apperes His vertuous stepps wan fame emong the wice His tender youth did teache the aged yeres His sober life rebuked euery vice His woords and works did passe the pearle in price His gestures all if thei were grauen in gold A mirrour were to learne bothe yong and old Wherfore the vnfitte the yearth is for his graue His place of reast Is Abrams breast A worthie tombe for suche a Kyng to haue Finis The Epitaphe of the worthie Erle of Essex I Blushe to write in verse a matter of suche weight That makes the hearars shed some teares and moueth sorrowe streight In graue and statly stile this tale should sounded be Too base for suche greate cause I finde my slender muse and me My harte doeth bléede in breast my pen in hande doeth shake Mine inward sprits doe wepe for woe this sad discourse to make But though with heauie newes a while I fill your eares The fame I write of this great mā to ioy shall turne your tears Yea greate of birthe and minde and fewe so greate as he For daiely through desarts he grewe in greatnesse by degree A Caesars harte he boare that neuer shronke nor quaild A courage that against his foes in all attemptes preuaild A hedde that could conceiue as farre as cause was found A bodie apt for warlike broiles where bountie did abound Yea for his bountie greate a prince in very deede That made no more account of gold then of a rotten reede The noble giftes he gaue a worlde of worthies wan Was neuer seen in Britaine bred for bountie suche a man. An Erle and liuely Lorde as milde as is the Doue Whose courtuous speeche pleasant port did purchace peoples loue A freend to all good men as faste and true as steele That would not wagg with worlds abuse turn about like whéele A pearlesse subiect sure that Englandes honour sought And carde not with what losse of goods his countrey gaine was bought Full bent to Marciall feats a Mars in deede well tried Abroad in féeld where men are known and cowards easly spied The care of publique weale laie wakyng in his eyes A noble Soldiour framde by kinde in best and brauest gyes A house and houshold kept so frankly euery where That all the lookers on would saie some prince was placed there The Soldiours swarmd like Bées about his stately gate He was a Lanterne of this land and Mirrhour of the state In all thyngs that he did then what a losse had they That comes to sée his noble shrine and findes the sainct awey O fréends that honord hym and faithfull seruaunts bothe Come wéepe with me shew thereby some signe of your great trothe For I haue lost a fréend and for his sake I vowe To plant my penne vpon his tombe and rest from writyng now Till I his like maie finde whiche hardly shal be don O Essexe of renowmed fame thy race is nobly ron FINIS