base birth what for stomacking and furiously fretting at his euill successe in gouernment tooke such extreame thought that it shortened his life so much the sooner This Don Iohn as my Author saith was a lustie young man of thirtie yéeres of age of meane stature hastle rash and proud yet at length manifesting his malicious minde and furious fierce outrage in vndeserued troubles which he brought vpon the inhabitants of those Low Countries because he saw he was despised of them for his base and vnlawfull birth For indeed the high and low Germanes doe most of all others despise and disdaine bastards and the rather for that his mother which bare him was a Germane at that time dwelling in the Low Countries whose report being not so good the Emperour Charles the 5. father bruited of this Don Iohn caused her to be the sooner conueyed thence into Spaine that she might there leade a new life and appointed her a Nurse there to attend vpon her and the childe where notwithstanding perhaps the mother afterwards growing malecontent would rather name another man to be Don Iohns father then that he was begotten by the said Emperour In the yéere following 1579. the said Colonell Norice with other English Captaines and their forces had many small skirmishes with the enemie in Brabant and Holland but neither part attempted any notable exploite for game or losse of that which they had hitherto gotten but watching their oportunitie from time to time passed forth this yéere without any memorable thing done In the winter of this yéere the before named Duke Iohn Cassimire for a certaine time before retained by the States as a worthie warriour came with his forces to Teene and Areschot and lay there in campe all that winter and now and then skirmished with the said Prince of Parmaes other forces But the Prince being too strong for him driue him to the worse so that with very little or no great glorie the Duke departed againe into high Germanie and left his owne souldiers in the Netherlands some vnder one Captaine some vnder another but in the end they followed their first Captaine with better contentment to goe then to stay any longer Anno Dom. 1580. when the Lord George Lelain Erle of Renenbergh so commōly called in times past a faithfull consort of the States and a valiant Leader but afterwards his fates so framing or rather frowning being taken prisoner by this Alexander Prince of Parma became a Reuolt or Apostata he thenceforth made Lieutenant generall vnder the same Duke of Parma when I say he should take his iourney on the 18. day of October this yéere 1580. towards the citie of Steenwick to besiege it then being vnder the States comming with his forces against the same he found the Citie of very little abilitie or strength to resist him and very slenderly manned with one small companie in garrison yet as he thought if he might winne this he perswaded himselfe it would be for his speciall aduantage seruing to strengthen Drent and so in his passage to Frizland fit him for the defence of Vallenhoue Therefore this Countie Renenbergh laid siege to Steenwick bringing to the field 28. Ensignes or companies of souldiers euery one hauing two hundred footemen seuered in this manner that is foureteene bands of Frizlanders nine bands of new Gelders and fiue bands of his owne prouince of Renenbergh all which 28. Ensignes or bands contained sixe thousand footmen and moe and he had moreouer of horsemen twelue hundred speciall chosen Lansiers There was for the States within this citie a man of good valour named Olthoff as chiefe gouernour hauing but one Ensigne or band of men lying there in the garrison There was also another worthie man and a notable good Leader named Corruput with his band or companie and with these were also two companies of Germanes vnder conduct of the Lord Hohenlo commonly called Countie Hollock whose vnder Captaines were Plat and Stuper with their Leader Iohn Berenbrooke gouernour of Gelders but the souldiers of these two last companies were in manner Nouices and vntrained to the warres There were ouer and besides these about thrée hundred citizens but yet amongst them scarse fiftie persons which a man might well trust vnto They had not as yet any Generall sent vnto them neither had they any great Ordenance nor any horse only the officers of the bands had some twelue or foureteene horses for thēselues All these adiuments or helpes thus here recited were the besieged citizens vtterly voide and destitute of wherewith they might the better resist and repulse their approching enemies Wherefore in this present distresse the Gouernours Captaines and Burghers sending spéedely Letters vnto the States doe humbly and earnestly entreate them to send them spéedie succour and rescue But yet onely the said couragious Corruput and prudent Leader before named was after a sort against this intendement for he conceiuing and pondring with himselfe another thing with great héede and foresight sheweth and seeketh other meanes otherwise how to defend the citie whose opinion the foresaid Captaine Plat and his souldiers doe also well allow of In the meane time notwithstanding while the Noblemen of Frizland sent thither for succour and rescue foure Ensignes or companies of footemen and a few horsemen Countie Renenbergh addresseth certaine of his souldiers against them They which were sent for rescue defending themselues what they could were by the way set vpon and slaine of the Renenbergers few or none escaping Once againe the graue counsell and aduice of the said Corruput the second time giuen in presence of the Gouernours Captaines and Burghers touching the cities safetie as aforesaid being still contemned or neglected certaine of the chiefest personages in the citie by writing make and dispatch another motion to the States to haue yet againe more helpe sent vnto them and that the citie with all possible spéede might be deliuered from the enemies siege But now Corruput and the said Berenbrook by their letters perswade the States to deale more aduisedly least they afterwards repent themselues againe as they had done once erst before The States then willing to satisfie the citizens expectation yet for all this send another fresh supplie of sixe Ensignes of footemen vnder Heighmans conduct and appoint them for S. Iohns Campe a place so called not farre from Stenwick But or euer these came thither they also were set vpon by the Renenbergers and although they manfully defended themselues yet were they by the enemies taken slaine and put to flight Hereupon the enemie seeing his aduantage marcheth with great courage to the citie fireth the suburbs and scaleth the walles The citizens seeing the fire fiercely flaming in diuers places as men out of their wits be stir them by all meanes yet little enough to quench the same and the souldiers resist the enemie here and there what they can and with their Ordenance beate the enemie backe from
Sidney Master George Cary and Master Iohn and Master Robert Cary his brethren with many other Gentlemen who ariued at Flushing in Zeland where he withall these Nobles of England and his owne and their traine in princely and friendly manner was receiued by the aforesaid noble Prince William Countie of Nassaw and the other Nobles of the Low Countries conducting them from thence to Midleborow and so to Antwerpe in Brabant where on the 19. of February Anno 1581. the said Duke of Aniow was created Duke of Lothier and Brabant with great solemnitie which being ended the Nobilitie of England returned home againe and left him there Gouernour of those Countries he repaired with his traine of French Noblemen and Gentlemen into France where the King his brother Henry the 3. of that name furnished him with men money and munition for the better supportation and countenancing of his princely port and new attained authoritie in the Low Countries aforesaid And so on the 27. day of August in the yéere following 1583. for greater securitie of himselfe and his charge now taken vpon him he returned into Brabant with those forces containing in all companies foure thousand fighting men These being placed in a certaine Village neere vnto the citie of Gaunt straightway the Duke of Parma hereof vnderstanding and hauing in a readines a great number of his most valiant souldiers with their cariages and furniture maketh all haste possible to encounter him Again his cōming being no sooner perceiued by the Duke of Brabants espials but aduertised vnto him the Lord Pierri a noble Frenchman Campe-master of the Duke of Brabant commandeth his companies quickly to arme and encounter and with all carefull diligence and skilfull experience he aduiseth them of due obseruations in their warlike order of fight and how to march softly and fight slowly with the enemie Martialling his men on this manner first in the front of his battell next vnto the enemies were the band of English souldiers and to them were ioyned the troupes of Germanes next these were the bands led by Bouquoy and after these marcheth the worthie Generall Norice in the Rereward with thrée troupes of English horse foure troupes of French horsemen after these followed thrée troupes of French horsemen with certaine footebands of Flemmings and of Scots and last of all in the Rereward marched a band of English footemen and a great companie of pikemen Contrariwise againe the Duke of Parma had in his Vaward or front all Spaniards a great multitude whereof were very many footmen and more then a thousand horsemen for whom euery where by the way the Duke of Aniowes espials lay in ambush so as not a few enemies were slaine with the shot of the Ambush only of the Duke of Aniowes companie amongst others were wanting thrée or foure Captaines of hundreds After this welcōming made by the Duke of Aniowes souldiers vnto the Prince of Parmaes and his forces thus approching towards him which was short of Gaunt two Dutch miles being sixe of our English miles the Duke of Aniow and the Prince of Orange thought good to send Sir Iohn Norice to the Campe where the forces lay and thither he came with the thrée troupes of English horsemen and foure troupes of French horsemen as aforesaid for his conuoy into the Campe about twelue of the clock at night aforesaid where there were of all nations English French Dutch and Scottish some sixe thousand men And comming into the English quarter he enquired where his quarter was and where Capaine Edward Strange lay who had the commaund of all his house and his horses where finding him lying in a little cabbin hard by his Tent he asked him how he had bestowed all things for the enemie was hard at hand To whom Captaine Strange answered he had deliuered all vnto Captaine Peter Cripse to send it away to Gaunt Then said the General We haue the Vauntgard to day but I thinke the French are fled from vs and wee must then haue the Rereward in spight of our hearts So he hauing a squadron of horse lay from the Camp a quarter of an English mile where one William Winter a tall souldier being one of the Corporals and commanding the squadron sent out a very good watch so as the enemie must of force come by them and by no other way Two houres before day there came from the Prince of Parma certaine troupes of horse Albanoyses and Italians talking together and being within hearing of y e watch those which stood Sentinell discouered them and presently sent word to their guard lying in a house hard by to certifie the Generall that the enemies forces were at hand The word comming to the Generall he presently commaunded that euery companie should be ready to answere the alarme but it was found that as well others as the French were marched and retired towards Gaunt There the Generall stood fast vntill his owne companie came vnto him and presently thrée companies of Albanoyses came thither and offered to charge him he being accompanied with Master Henry Knowles a most worthie and gallant Gentleman all that day So the Generall marched from the quarter downe the hill and at the foote of the hill by the counsell of the said Master Knowles he armed himselfe asking Captaine Strange where the Turney horse was for he would ride vpon him that day hauing thrée other horses led euery one by two groomes a péece to serue for that day and being first mounted vpon the Turney horse the said Albanoyses durst not come downe themselues but sent against him those English Rebels which a little before ranne away from before Bridges They being both Targatiers and Musquetiers came downe the hill as the Generall made his retreit towards his owne battell of Pikes the English Rebels very hardly assaulted him amongst whom one of them calling to the Generall as he was in retreit which he could not long endure but turning vpon that Rebell with his Rapier he strooke the Rebell on the head with such a force that his Rapier bowed to his very hand vpon this came downe the troupes of the enemies horse and charged the Generall thrée waies vz. vpon the Rereward so that he and Master William Knowles were both faine to put their horses among their pikes for their safegard and so marching at the push of the pikes foure English mile they continued the fight still and none but this Generals Regiment consisting of seuen Ensignes which might be in number some one thousand strong vntill they came to the very walles of Gaunt The enemie forcing them so néere that they came and attempted to pill the waggons putting the whole force of the Campe so néere as the very towne ditch vntill such time as the Ordenance plaied so fast out of Gaunt that thereby the enemies were enforced to retire from those places Where the English forces vz. Colonell Thomas Morgan Colonell Cotton and Colonell North
they met with their enemies in like manner almost euery houre fighting with them continually for nine daies space with Swords Targets and Harquebuziers so long vntill of the 1600. which were at the first there placed for garrison there were in fiue but seuen hundred left aliue in the garrison as hereafter more plainly shall appeare When the towne had thus béen besieged now full seuen weeks the Erle Generall hauing gathered his forces euery where by sea and by land he entreth into conference with the Estates taking counsell of his Leaders how to relieue Sluce with all possible speed A great Nauie was then prepared furnished with souldiers by the said Estates To him came Iustine or Nassaw Admirall of Zeland and other Netherlandish Gouernours by sea The Erle Generall with 31. companies of footmen and sixe troupes of horsemen passeth out of Zeland vnto Ostend where the Right Honourable Lord Charles Howard Lord high Admirall of England and the Right Honourable George Erle of Cumberland with certaine shippes wherein went a great part of the Nobilitie of England sailed into Zeland purposely as well to helpe his Excellencie as to see how he did His Excellencie had determined to inuade the Port or Hauen of Sluce in the very entrance thereof with certaine shippes well and strongly furnished at a certaine déepe place vnder the towne where the ships might ride safely But the Sea-gouernours Shipmasters and others experienced in marine affaires especially they of Zeland were of a contrarie opinion thinking it not so conuenient a thing to attempt that which they could not accomplish but in so doing should rather bring their ships into assured danger Touching this enterprise diuers were the opinions which with great dislike troubled their mindes Therefore the Erle Generall séeing he could not so do any good with his ships by sea séeketh now by what deuice he can to trie the enterprise by land Wherefore when he ariued at Ostend on the 30. day of Iuly 1587. and vnto him were come many English Nobles besides fiue thousand men which he brought ouer with him this later time though he had not so great a power with him as néedfull it was for him to haue yet with those which he had going out of Ostend he giues assault to the Fort of Blanckberg in Flanders and with determination to haue taken Blankenburgh he sent from Ostend some fiue thousand foote and certaine troupes of horse with two small field péeces vnder the commaund of the Lord Willoughby Colonell general and Sir William Pelham Lord Marshall his Excellencie went in a Pinnasse by sea where when they came they found the Sconce too well manned and prouided to be assailed but with great losse wherefore his Excellencie commaunded them to retire to Ostend where the next day they embarked and sailed to the entrance into Sluce where they lay seuen daies In the meane time the besieged towne of Sluce which had so valiantly endured with so little helpe such and so great stormes with the Enemie as before is said now also still for two moneths space fully continuing and saw not any man come to help them but two only Englishman named Captaine Allen and Captaine Hart which twice or thrice swam ouer from Sluce to make relation vnto the Erle Generall and the Estates of the present estate of the towne They I say now halfe despairing of any helpe by reason the Erle Generall was at some iarre with the Estates began to waxe faint and féeble both in courage and power For the enemie was now lodged in the Counterscarfe and had sapped into the Rampart daily vndermining further into the town so as there went a noise amongst them that he was alreadie come into the citie Besides these things of twentie péeces of Ordenance which they had at first in the towne they had now but foure only left which the Enemie with his vehement shot had not yet broken neither had they so much powder left them wherwith they were able to hold out fight euen for halfe a day Wherefore by all mens iudgements they were not able to endure the enemies assault twelue houres longer together no not by all meanes they could possibly deuise Therefore incontinently after hereupon they receiued compositions from Parma worthie of their valours vz. That with their bagge and baggage with their Ensignes flying the match in cocke and bullet in mouth they should also presently depart out of Sluce and march away downe to the ships in Zeland And all these were in number only but seuen hundred as I said before residue of that sixtéene hundred which so left the towne of Sluce yéelded vp vnto Parma and his forces on the 4. day of August Anno 1587. aforesaid So the Erle departing on the 17. of August 1587. out of Zeland by ship he came the next day vnto Bergen where foorth with he sent away all the forces which hée brought with him to take the Castle of Hochstrate in Brabant But that enterprise had no successe On the 24. of August he passeth from Bergen to Dordrecht in Holland where the Estates doe méete him and take their leaue of him The 14. of Nouember returning into Zeland to visit the Cities there and so at Vere in Zeland reconciling vnto him certaine Captaines of the Garrison in secret manner he departeth thence the 21. of Nouember and at length taking ship at Flushing the 17. of December Anno 1587. he returneth the second and last time into England The Erle of Leycester late Gouernour Generall as before remembred returning into England liued vntill September following 1588. in which time the Estates were about once more to entertaine him as Gouernour Generall againe amongst them But he dying on the 14. of that moneth Anno 1588. within a homely house in a certaine wood néere Langley in Oxfordshire at 63. yéeres of age was buried the 20. day of October Anno 1588. at Killingworth trying all fortunes In the meane time from the Erles said departure out of the Netherlands let vs leaue him so dead and buried and returne to the gouernment of those Prouinces againe by Countie Maurice against Alexander Prince of Parma And concerning the remedie of those euils in the Netherlands her Highnes sendeth her expresse Letters vnto the Lord Willoughby c. who had then béen in the Netherlands her Maiesties Lieutenant generall vnder Countie Maurice since the Erle of Leycesters first returne into England of whose seruice from time to time I haue here fit place occasion and time now offered me to set downe all occurrents as the order of the present historie requireth This noble Gentleman by birth and vertuous Lord by his life Lord Peregine Bartu by his title Lord of Willoughby Eresby and Beck the only sonne and heire apparant of the Right Worshipfull or rather Right Honourable for his birth vertue and learning Master Richard Bartu descended of the Noble house aforesaid who maried the Right noble and vertuous Ladie Katherin
Duchesse of Suffolke widow of that nobly renowmed Souldier Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke being borne at Wesell in Duchland in Quéene Maries time his parents making their iourney out of England for the profession of the Gospell by the tender care and good education of his parents being named Peregrine as borne in a strange countrie in processe of time from his youth forwards to his manhood proued pregnant in wit prompt in knowledge and practised especially in Martiall or Militarie actions whereby he became the most rare and surpassing ornament of his noble progenie and a most honourable and worthie Instrument for the seruice of his Prince and Countrie In somuch as his first seruice wherein the Queenes Maiestie employed him was when in his Adolescencie he was sent her Ambassadour vnto Fridericke the second of that name king of Denmark towards whom he so wisely behaued himselfe from whom he so discreetly demeaned himselfe towards her Highnes in his returne and answer that seldome a better or the like Ambassade hath beene in the like case found in one of so young yeeres for her Royall Maiestie vnto any forraine parts either before or since his time Next after that his Heroicall spirit yet further affecting Militarie affaires as one more desirous to serue his Prince and Countrie it pleased her Highnes with the aduise of her most Honourable priuie Counsell vpon the great good opinion and liking they had conceiued of his dexteritie when the Erle of Leycester was the first time returned into England to send him ouer to the Netherlands as Lieutenant Generall of the English forces there Anno 1586. where his noble courage so conioyned with dexteritie and his forwardnes with such fortune that he himselfe was formost in all attempts and enterprises of his forces fiercelie like a Lyon he assayled the enimies fought with them spoyled them and foyled them wheresoeuer he came So verilie and in such sort as the Duke of Parma then himselfe confessed of this worthie Lord Willoughbie and his seruice for foure yeers space in those Countries neuer anie English man enterprised more boldlie to meete his enimies in the face more brauelie encountered them nor more painefullie pursued and sought them out neere and farre off to their disgrace spoile and foyle wheresoeuer he found them At Sutphen as before is mentioned when the Prince of Parma came thither to releeue that Town this worthy Lord Lieuetenant Willoughbie vnder the Erle of Leycester who came not into the fight being in place more forward then the rest marched well mounted met the enimies couragiouslie brake his Launce in the middest of them made way with his sword euerie where and so forciblie aduentured his noble person through the thickest of them that all his men nearest him much feared when his bases were bereued from his bodie his plumes pluckt awaie from his head his Armes be battered with blowes except God would then mightilie preserue and protect him aboue all expectation he should vtterlie haue beene foyled in the fight and spoyled both of life and all things els about him he was so desperately endaungered euery way Yet so mightilie God himselfe doubtles preuailed with him and for him in the instant hazard of his life that hee pressed through the thickest of them without any bodilie harme and in this hot broile with his owne hands caught hold of Seignior George Cresâ—yonyer Albanoys before mentioned page 88. one of Parmaes châ—efâ— Commaunders of his horse carried him away prisoner perforce and maugre all resisting force of the enimies sent him to the Estates to be kept their Captiue No Conuoy could at anie time escape his victorious hands neyther durst anie enimie approch the Towne of Berghen where and while he was then Gouernour Such by the fauour of God was his vertue ioyned with his fortune in his said gouernment that he was highlie honoured of his owne garrison and also greatlie feared of his enimies when he often times made chalenge of the brauest of them as namelie the Marquesse of Guasto a Nobleman of chiefest account with the Duke of Parma who yet for all that refused to encounter with him hand to hand After the returne of the Erle of Leycester Generall of her Maiesties forces in the Netherlands this worthie Lord Willoughbie as Leiutenant with great wisedome circumspection diligence fidelitie discharged his dutie so honourablie and vprightly in all points and at al times that he withstood the enimies attempt gained the good will of the people of those Prouinces appeased their troubles and ended all controuersies in the Townes of Medenblick and Narden in Holland and also of Camphere and Armude in Zeland to the great peace and common quiet of the same Townes and Countries For when Counte Maurice and the Estates had with their forces ensconced the Towne of Medenblick aforesaid and had opposed their forces against the souldiers in that Towne they did what they could to surprise and take the spoile of the Towne from Mounsier Snoy Gouernour thereof but little therein did they and their forces preuaile vntill by her Maiesties most Princelie care and chargeable expences this worthie Lord Willoughbie treated a reconciliation betweene the States and those townes so as those townes were rendred into the States hands againe without bloodshed After all this the Enemies hauing vainly inuaded the Isle of Thole lost foure hundred of their men They then marched with their forces towards Berghen opt Zome néere the Riuer of Schalde which citie they prepared to besiege seeing they could not obtaine the Isle of Thole being therein hindred by the watchfulnes vertue and valour of the Count Solme who in his owne person watched night and day in the Fortresse all the time that the Duke of Parmaes souldiers besieged Berghen This citie or Marquisate of Berghen opt Zome hath a dignitie which after the death of the last Marques of that house named Iohn being poysoned in Spaine Anno 1567. descendeth vnto his Sisters daughter begotten by the Lord of Merode and Peterson who is maried to the Lord of Bersole Baron of Brabant a follower of the Spanish Kings warres and his adherents yea though he dwelt at Leyden This citie is situate in Brabant by the Riuer of Schalde and is very large and commodious builded at the flood Zoma now by ouerflowings somewhat distant from Schalde but with a fit Hauen stretching toward Schalde where it hath a certaine head or foreland which being inuironed with strong Ramparts and munitions a Garrison did vse to kéepe the same sometime There was the same time Gouernour of that Citie a certaine Colonell named Sir Thomas Morgan since for his valour knighted a Welshman borne he succéeded that worthie Knight Sir William Drury in that gouernment The Garrison in that Citie were Englishmen vnto whom were adioyned some few Netherlandish horsemen amongst all these certaine aduenturers which made great spoyle and tooke many booties from the enemie and
succoured and made somewhat in strength and in hope of good fortune the armie meant to passe ouer a little riuer néere Tielmount but by the way were sharply encountred with the whole power of the Duke of Alua where in hazard the Count de Hostraet was shot in the legge of which wound he died andn after The Duke likewise a politike souldier and great gouernour bearded the Prince a while with hot and cruell countenance and so sent Iulian Romero to lie in ambush betwéene a bridge and passage full in the face of the Princes Campe marching to passe the water which Romero most like a rare great souldier in a fine warlike sort couched his force flat on the earth behinde the Forlorne hope sent from the Prince to view and make place for his armies passage Romero came before as one that knew the aduantage of time couching close as flat as they might and so the day consuming all was in rest and both parties in a great wood lay as close as they could The Duke maintaining skirmish followed still after the Réergard of the Prince Romero suffered both the Carriage Vaungard and Battell to passe the bridge and as the Reergard aduaunced themselues to march ouer the passage Romero descried his power of sixe thousand shot and so put al the Forlorne hope to flight or slew the most of them A noble Frenchman called Monsieur de Malberg and all his companie of foure thousand braue souldiers were there defeated with others to the number of eight thousand men which fight and slaughter endured in great and bloodie broyle till the very night approched and compelled both the Camps to lodge within Cannon shot one of another and in the night the Duke priuily stole away for some hidden cause and policie for the next morning Monsieur Ianlis and seuen thousand footemen with fiftéene hundred horse marched ful vpon the Dukes power in a faire plaine néere vnto Namur The Duke dreading Ianlis boldnes and the Princes Camp not farre off turned him backe another way and made his march very fast for feare of a blow then Ianlis and all his noble troupe ioyned with great ioy with the Princes power Immediatly the Prince prepared to besiege a towne called Chasteau Cambresi and marching thitherwards the Duke waited at hand but the towne was strongly besieged notwithstanding the Duke as the Prince had intelligence minded to disturbe him the espials of the Dukes Campe were by the Prince taken which declared in what disorder the Dukes Campe lay whereon without sound of Drumme most secretly the Prince marched to méete the Duke and the barking of dogs vnder the Ruitters waggons gaue warning how both the armies were almost mingled together the night being dark whereat a great alarme arose on both sides but the Dukes Campe within two houres was intrenched and so a great encounter of horsemen a long time passed out the morning in skirmishing with many slaine and hurt The Prince then departing from Flaunders came into France néere Guise and S. Quintins and marched after to disperse his armie towards Strasborogh in the which way Churchyard departing frō the Prince to England so leaues this true testimonie for a witnes that the author which wrote the other historie which Robinson translated left partially out of his booke whereas these matters at that season were worthie of memorie Written fom pag. 5. hitherto by Thomas Churchyard The ciuill Warres proceeding in the Netherlands vnder Don Ferdinando Aluares de Toledo Duke of Alua sent thither by the King of Spaine as Commander Generall AFter all this King Philip still prosecuting his former purpose with further extremities in the yeere of our Lorde 1567. sent thither Don Ferdinando Aluares Duke of Alua by the title of the Kings Commaunder Generall a noble personage no doubt but a notable cruell Tyrant tall of personage leane of bodie like vnto Brutus or Cassius whom Caesar censured to be feared strong of members vpright in stature long and leane faced hollow eyed of fierce and grim countenance with a long and gray beard haughtie of minde stoute of courage and as my Author saith Magnus Aulicus Insignis Dissimulator yet of surpassing skill and knowledge in feates and policies of warre excéeding therein all Spaniards of his time who as he exercised most seuere martiall discipline in his warres so vsed hee great iudgement in leading foorth his armies pitching his Tents and pointing out harbours for his souldiers because he was of long time a continuall practitioner in warres defensiue and offensiue and so bold he was and of such stout selfe-conceit as one fearing no daunger that he would take vpon him no charge of any armie except he might haue the chiefe place and prerogatiue of Commendator Generall as the Spaniards call it As certainly he serued both the father Charles the 5. Emperour before remembred and Philip the sonne now mentioned in chiefest place or calling of Martiall affaires and that in most important and difficult enterprises managing their warres in Italy Spaine France Hungary Germany Africk and the Netherlands who now entring there in person all armed found all things in peaceable state But within a yéere after he began to be stirre him in the ininoyned Inquisition afresh euery where grieuously vexing and persecuting the inhabitants with new impositions mutinies confiscation of goods imprisonment ciuill warres and vnmercifull death daily inueighing against them that they had broken their alleageance to the King and his supreame authoritie and that they had lost all priuiledge of libertie life and possessions therefore he calleth a generall new Councell of the States abrogating old and establishing new lawes quite contrarie to the ancient former customes of those countries vrging daily the new Bishops to be diligent in executing the said Inquisition Summo iure or rather Summa iniuria according to that saying Sic volo sic iubeo stet pro ratione voluntas he himselfe setting all things in order for ciuill wars fortifieth old and erecteth new fortresses Castles and muniments making prouision for prisons and other such preparations This being in the yéere 1569. our English Merchants and Marriners amongst whom my selfe a poore Clerke trauailing towards Antwerpe for my preferment they some in one place some in another I at Flushing vpon Christmas éeue were taken out of our beds and our ships and goods by the Kings commaundement imbargued so carried to the Geuarghen huise as they called it The cause whereof was that certaine ships with the Kings treasure driuen néere the coast of England by tempest of weather were taken by the Quéenes Maiesties ships brought into the Themes by meanes whereof both English Merchants and Marriners were detained in prison and their ships and goods restrained as well in all the Spanish Kings dominions as also on the other partie the King of Spaines subiects and goods were arested in the Quéenes Maiesties kingdomes of England Wales and Ireland which continued for the space of two yéeres following
went the Prince Elector of Colen by name Truckses on the left hand of him went the Erle of Hoghenlo There followed these personages thrée other Lords vz. William Erle of Nassaw Philip Erle of Nassaw and the Erle of Solmes which were the last of the chiefe Mourners for this deceased Prince 13 Then came after these the Generall States 14 After them the Councell of those States 15 Next vnto them the States of Holland 16. and their Councell 17 Then followed the Prouinciall Councell 18 The President of Holland 19 Then the high Councell and the President 20 The Secretaries of the States 21 The Consuls and Senatours of Delft 22 The learned Preachers 23 The Captaines of the Guard 24 The Captaines of the warres 25 The chiefe officers of publike authoritie in the Common wealth whom last of all followed a multitude of common people innumerable With this solemne sorrowfull and mournfull funerall was the good Prince of Orange buried in the chiefe Church of the citie of Delft on Friday the third of August 1584. as aforesaid He liued almost 52. yéeres vz. 51. yéers 11. moneths and 25. daies accompted from his birth He was of bodie well compact of stature little more then meane of good complexion aburne beard somewhat full faced Who so will desire to know his sharpnes of wit and disposition of minde may best discerne them by his honourable actions and godly gouernment so many yéeres 26 His title was this William by the grace of God Prince of Orange Earle of Nassau Catzenelenburg Dietst Viand c. Marquesse of Der Vere and Flushing Burgraue of Antwerpe Barron of Brede Dyest Grymberg Arkize Nozeroy c. Lord of Castebelyne c. Gouernour Generall of the Low Countries viz. of Brabant Holland Zealand Vtrecht and Frizland Admirall of the seas in the lower Germanie 27 His matrimoniall state was first ioyned with the onlie daughter and heire of Maximilian of Egmond and Erle of Buren and Leerdam c. of whom he begot Phillip Erle of Buren which in the yeere 1577. was captiued by Duke de Alua sent into Spaine who is now Prince of Orange Also by the same wife he had one onlie daughter named Marie married to the Erle of Hohenlo He had to his second wife the Ladie Anne onelie daughter of Maurice Duke of Saxonie Prince Elector by her he had one onelie sonne named Maurice at this present Generall of the vnited Prouinces and Admiral of their seas and by his said second wife he had also two daughters the one named Anne and the other Emilia He had to his third wife Charlot of Burbon daughter to the Duke of Montpensyer of whom he begat six daughters namelie Ludouica Iuliana Elizabetha Flandrina Katherina Belgora Charlot Brabantina Aurelia Antwerpiana And he had to his fourth and last wife the Lady Loyse daughter of Iaspar de Coligni Lord Chastillion and high Admiral of Fraunce slaine at Paris in the yéere 1572 of her he begat two sonnes the one named Frederick the other Henry of Nassau and he left begotten of an vnknowne woman his base sonne named Iustine of Nassau at this day Admirall of Zealand These twelue sonnes and daughters left the said deceased Prince of Orange behind him as aforesaid 28 His progenie was this he was the sonne of William of Nassau the brother of Henry of Nassau who had both to father Iohn brother of Enghelbert both which had for their father also Iohn Earle of Nassau and the Ladie Leona his wife to their mother 29 His brethren were these This Prince William of Nassau was the eldest of fiue brethren with himselfe namelie the foure other were Lodwicke Adolphe and Henrie which three were slaine in these wars of the Low Countries the fourth being Iohn the second sonne of Nassau as yet liuing at Dilemberge This Lord hath liuing also manie sonnes and daughters of which sonnes the two eldest Earle William and Earle Phillip did beare armes in the Low Countries stoutlie against the Spanish forces 30 His sisters were many married to many mighty personages full of issues so as Iulian mother of this Prince William Countesse of Sheerenbergh a chaste wife and painefull Ladie when she had liued seauentie fiue yeeres in the yeere of Christ 1578. saw which came of her and her issue Earles Sonnes and Nephewes to the number of 123. personages A goodlie great and most rare blessing of God no doubt and a token of Gods great louing fauour and comfort vnto those noble Parents in their life time and a singular great comfort and mutuall consolation vnto the posteritie after their death vpon which Princes death the authour of this Belgicke historie hath written both this title Epitaph and verses in Latine following ILLVSTRISS MEMO GVLIELMI PRINCIPIS AVRAIci Comitis Nassouiae Cattorum Dietzii Viandae Marchionis Verae Vlissingae Burgraui Antwerpiae Vicecomitis Bisontij Baronis Bredae Diestij Grinbergae Arlei Nozereij c. Domini Castrobellini c. Propraesidis Generalis per vniuersam Belgiam Praesidis Brabantiae Hollandiae Zelandiae Vltraiectini Frisiorum c. Admiralij HEROIS FORTISSIMI ORTHODOXAE Ecclesiae propugnatoris literatorum maecenatis Patris Patriae Belgarum Assertoris pro quibus nec sibi nec suis pepercit Delphis sclopi ictu transuerberati Ioh. Esychius Quod habuit extremum in Dominum suum Clementiss Honoris Monumentum cum luctu posuit Vixit Annos LI. Menses II. Dies XXV obijt Anno Christi M. D.XXCIV Sexto Idus Iulij CARMEN EPITAPHIVM QVem non Hispani imperiosa potentia Regis Dirùm tot annos fulminantis impulit Quem non insidiae scelerum noxâ ante reclusae Terruere non tot Principum inconstantia Princeps Auraicus Belgarum assertor vltor Ecclesiae Ille terror inquirentium Horrisonis praesente Deo Tranquillus in Vndis Burgundio superatur à Falsario Oppetit Quartus pulchram per vulnera mortem Nassouiorum qui iacent pro Belgica Vah Satan ad facinus quem Auri sitis alta coêgit Os dum latice Proscriptionis proluis Infaelix de morte Ducis modò nuntius atra Nox tequé Auctorem premant oblivia Sicut agit penna solvi metuente superstes Rumpatur Invidens Iberus Gloria Auraicum summis certantem Heroibus iam Dijs fidelium Triumphis institum Vnum hoc O Proceres advertite quemlibet ista Scelesto ab vno posse tolli machina Infestam Hispanus capitis septemplicis Hydram Quo iure quáve iniuria dum promo vet AD MAVRITIVM NASSOVIVM G. F. VLturus Patrem Patruum Virtutibus annos Olim Africanus antevenit Scipio Mauriti Patrias si vis vlciscier Vmbras Paterna stringe Scipio Vestigia FINIS The Ciuill Warres there vnder the Prince of Parma and the States MAnifestlie thus it appeareth in the sight of God and all the world what impietie malice mischiefe and crueltie the Pope and Spanish king hath with foxlike subtiltie
ouerthrowne and hée himselfe by a deadly wound there slaine So the victors pressing through the thickest of the Harquebuziers there the third troupe being a troupe of the Enemies horse séemed as if they would resist them but by and by they turne their backes runne away and so depart the field after two victorious troupes of the English forces had slaine and sore wounded 180. of the enemies themselues hauing of theirs onely but thirtie persons of all their companies slaine and wounded amongst whom was that right nobly renowmed Knight Sir Philip Sidney before remembred of whose action and manner of death at large I haue thought good here according to the report of George Whetston and others actors and eye-witnesses there thus to declare the same I haue before by occasion ministred vnto me made mention of the vertuous life and valorous seruice of that renowmed Knight Sir Philip Sidney the last yéere in the Low Countries spent to the aduancement of Gods glorie honour of his Prince and benefit of Gods Church and of the kingdome of Christ now is occasion giuen me to set downe his honourable enterprise a little before his death and so thereby to make his vertuous life valorous seruice and honourable death more rightly renowmed vnto the posteritie Thus it happened in the latter end of the next yéere following 1586. the English Nobles vz. the Right Honourable Robert Erle of Essex by his valour reuiuing his fathers fame the Lord Willoughby the Lord Generall Norice Sir William Russell and Sir Thomas Parrot Sir Henry Norice with diuers others both Knights and Gentlemen of good accompt seruing then on horsebacke this famous worthy Knight Sir Philip Sidney as forward as the best all these being mounted against the enemie and his power approching on the 22. of September 1586. vnto the towne of Zutphen in Gelderland This noble Knight like Caesar charged the enemie so sore that first an enuious Musquetier from the spitefull Spaniards espying his oportunitie slew his horse vnder him who getting to horse againe was with a poysoned bullet from the enemie shot in the thigh wanting his Cuisses which might haue defended him The wound being déepe and shiuering the bone yet his heart was good and his courage little abated one Vdal a gentleman alighted and led his horse softly to whom he thus spake Let goe let goe till I fall to the ground The foe shall misse the glorie of my wound And so riding out of the field with a rare and constant courage his wound was searched no salue too deare but was sought no skill so curious but was tried to cure ease and recouer this noble Souldier languishing in paine all remediles Who féeling death drawing on desired yet were it Gods will so to be that he might liue to doe his Countrie more good seruice alleaging that he feared not death but lamented that his yéeres as yet being but gréene brought foorth but leaues the bloomes being faire no fruite yet appearing his life could not be lengthened for the enlargement of that good which both in heart he wished and in power he would haue performed towards his Prince and countrie had he liued here longer who being demaunded if he feared not any whit to dye answered No whit because I liue thereby Touching the honour of the field there fought as all our English Lords and Knights by their valours much diminished the enemies force and daunted his courage so amongst them Sir Thomas Parrot stroake downe Gonzaga at a blow Countie Hannibal was left for dead in the field and Captaine George one of the enemies commanders was by the worthie Lord Willoughby taken prisoner onely Captaine Thomas and Captaine Martin amongst our English were slaine in that fight and not any moe of accompt missing So by this honour ensued the vntimely death of this renowmed noble Knight on the 17. day of October 1586. liuing iust 25. daies after his receiued hurt in hope by death to inherit with Christ the Crowne of life and glorie Whose mortall death how greatly it was lamented of all sorts from the highest to the lowest who so please may looke and reade in the Reportarie of this action afterwards penned by George Whetston Gentleman where he declareth how the corps of this noble deceased Knight being brought ouer in the Blacke Pinnis so called was shrined in a Hearse within the Mynories in London and his funerall day being appointed vpon Tuesday the 16. of February next after following in that yéere 1586. The solemne order of the same was thus martialled in honourable manner vz. hauing thrée Erles and other Lords of the States his chiefe mourners with all their traine as they followed the Corps After them went Sir Wolston Dixi Knight then Lord Maior of London and the Aldermen mourning in their purple robes And last of al a warlike band of worthy Citizens his welwillers with weapons trailed in solemne wise brought the Corps from out of the Quier of the Cathedrall Church of S. Paul in London after a learned Sermon there made to the vpper Northeast end of the Isle aboue the Quier by the second piller where with solemne honourable ceremonie vsuall the corps was laid to his rest in Christ Iesus which done the said souldierlike Citizens bestowed for their last farewell of their beloued noble friend and Captaine two volleys of shot and so returned home euery man to his house heauie mournfull and sad for the losse of so vertuous honourable and true renowmed personage vpon whose death the aforesaid George Whetston made this Epitaph HEre vnder lyes Phillip Sydney Knight True to his Prince learned staid and wise Who lost his life in honourable fight Who vanquisht death in that he did despise To liue in pompe by others brought to passe Which oft he tearm'd a Dyamond set in Brasse There is another Epitaph vsuallie pendant at the said piller vnder his Crest Cote Armour and colours there fixed ENgland Netherland the Heauens and the Arts The Souldiers and the World haue made six parts Of the Noble Sydney for none will suppose That a small heape of stones can Sydney inclose His bodie hath England for she it fed Netherland his blood in her defence shed The Heauens haue his soule the Arts haue his Fame All Souldiers the griefe the World his good Name After the death of this noblie renoumed Knight Sir Philip Sydney so greatlie lamented as well in the Netherlands as in England the Erle Generall maketh attempt to take the Fort on the other side of Zutphen placing his Tents in che Velawe there is a little Iland before the Towne of Zutphen whereunto out of the Citie there is an open passage almost on drie foote by a Ford which now and then hath beene kept by a garrison of thirtie souldiers onlie this he battereth with his Ordinance and taketh it The Prince of Parma seeing this Iland taken marcheth to the said Citie of Zutphen on the fourteenth of October following Anno dicto
wherewith we recouered the Haigue Thursday about ten of the clocke at night we anchored before the Castle of Gernsey and my Lord Generall and some other Gentlemen with him lay at the Castle that night Friday morning we set saile from thence and about fiue of the clocke in the euening we put into the road of Iarsey Monday my Lord Generall expecting the Companies out of the Low Countries were this daye ariued with Captaine Anthonie Wingfield Sergeant Maior of the Campe his Lordship went abord and lay at anchor in the road all that night Tuesday in the morning we loosed from thence and hauing a fine winde at North and by West about eight at night we anchored in the road of Pimpowle ariuing in the road called Lemoys de Guelle neere Pimpoule Wednesday y e 5. of May we discouered diuers shippings and botes that came from Brehake and made towards S. Malowes whereof we tooke one laden with salt and fish It is to be remembred that those of Brehake and of the Castle taking knowledge of our approch abandoned the Castle and yeelded themselues to the kings authoritie Not long after the enimie fled from the Castle of Lantegard which was fortified for the king by the Prince Dumbeez now Duke Mountpenser at this day My Lord dispatched letters into England from the Abbey of Beauport Thursday the 6. of May was spent in vnshipping the horses munition and souldiers This day also the Prince Dombeez sent 20. Moyles laden with bread to the Abbey for prouision of the souldiers Wednesday the army marched towardes Guyngamp and lodged in a small village in the way neere the Abbey and this night the Guyngampiers hearing of our approches set fire on their suburbes which we might plainelie discerne This night likewise my Lord Generall rode before to the Towne to take view and to saue as much as might be of the suburbs for the lodging of the troupes Thursday our troupes being with the French accompanied were lodged in such houses and other places of the suburbs as were left vnburned the same day the enimie sallyed out of the towne in pursuyng vs Captaine Wolfe an Englishmans colours were taken which we recouered againe at the winning of the towne and deliuered to him Fridaie those within the towne not beleeuing that we had any Cannon with vs sent out diuers spies to discouer which we tooke This day our Artillerie being a Cannon and two Culuerings came to vs. Saturday it pleased my Lord Generall to put them within the Towne out of doubt for the Artillerie being planted our first shot was so exceeding well made as that it dismounted a peece which the enimie played withall from a steeple the Prince Dombeez beeing present Sonday Monday and Tuesday were spent in drawing plat-formes and in planting the Ordinances Wednesday the Canons were readie to play being plāted in a Cloyster in the French quarter on the north side of the towne Thursday morning we hauing expected certaine Artillerie of the Princes to haue come from Brest which came not to vs we began the batterie with our owne 4. peeces continuing the same all that day and the next vntill three of the clocke in the afternoone to the number of 400. shot at which time notwithstanding that the breach was verie vnassaultable and small the wall being passing strong yet the French humour vrged my Lord Generall verie hotlie to an assault Which vpon so small a possibilitie of doing anie good his Lordship was hardlie drawne vnto onelie in regard of the honour of our nation he made choise of certaine out of diuers companies wherof Captaine Iackson Captaine Heron and Captaine Hayes to haue the leading and afterwards the dice being cast the chaunce fell to Captaine Iackson and Captaine Heron to haue the point of the assault and to be seconded by Captaine Hayes as occasion should serue who being accompanied with Captaine Catesby and manie other English gentlemen although the breach was very vnassaultable as before and exceeding troublesome by reason of the height thereof and the light falling of the moulder of the wall and the great number of the fetherbeds and such like which the Cannon had beaten downe yet a great part of our men perforce obtained the verie top of the breach where they endured a hot and long assault Captaine Heron receiuing a push with a pike vnder his gorget was there slaine and about some tenne or twelue of the common souldiers and besides thirtie hurt with stones the residue not being able to maintaine the assault any longer for the causes before remembred were driuen to retire The Baron Monluc hauing in this seruice the conduct of certaine French shewed himselfe verie couragious and gayned at that time vnto himselfe great reputation but the residue for the most part came forwards verie coldlie It was thought good that Captaine Hayes and his companie should not at this time come forwards but be reserued vntill the next day at what time the finishing of a Myne then in hand was appointed during this assault Captaine Dennis an English man offering a Scalado on the other side of the towne was shot with a Musket in the bellie whereof he died shortlie after Sonday next following being Whitsonday beginning againe to play after a three or foure tyer the enimie summoned a Parley which in fine grew to a capitulation in this sort viz. That the next day the horsemen in the towne should depart with their horses and Harquebusses leauing the Cornet behinde the footemen with their swords and the Townesmen to Fine 40000. crownes to the Prince Monday they came forth accordinglie to the number of 200. horse and 260. foote and the towne possest Mounsier de Cargamart being appointed Gouernour of the same There was found in the towne being yéelded vp foure Ensignes one Cornet one Cannon perier one demy Culuering sixe Sacres and of Mynions 2000. weight The towne was found to be verie strong defensible and sufficient able to haue kept the same for a far longer time if they within had bin honest men my Lord General doubted not but to haue drawen them of the towne to far strickter conditions then is said had not the Prince Dombeez seemed to be verie glad of this and that his hap sorted to so good successe and therefore would not further stand vpon it Wednesday then next following my Lord Generall dispatched letters to certaine the Lords of her Maiesties most Honourable priuie Counsell to my Lord Norice his father and to my Ladie his mother and other his friends in England Thursday the 27. dicto a Muster was taken of the Armie Tuesday the first of Iune anno dicto vpon the taking of Guyngamp it was purposed that we should haue gone for Morlayx but by certaine after Counsels that intent was altered for that it was said that the Duke Mercoeur was remoued from Pontiny where he ioyned with 4000. Spaniards vnder the
leading of Don Iohn de Laguna who was marching towards Morlayx by the way of Corlay Monday next following the Duke Mercoeur ariued at Corlay a Castle pretending to hold for the King but in the possession of Madam de Guyneny whose brother Mounsier de Bodolphin is the Dukes Lieuetenant so the partie being made before hand the Castle was rendered without one shot of the Cannon Tuesday we dislodged towards the enimie and lay at Chateau Lodune To this place the Duke sent a Trumpeter to the Prince with letters whereunto he answered vt patet per copias here likewise the Prince sent an other Sartell to the Duke wherewith he seemed so moued that he vowed to offer battell to the Prince Wednesday the Duke dislodged and encamped at Queremen a village distant a league and a halfe from Chateau Lodune scituate on the foote of a hill which by deepe ditches enclosures and hedges confronted a little heath of two miles compasse To which heath vpon discouerie of the approch of the enimie by my Lord Generall who then with the Prince was ridden to take view of a place conuenient our battell was drawen Thursday the enimie within one quarter of a league of the heath sheweth his whole Armie in order of battell vpon the top of a hill whereupon my Lord Generall disposed the troupes into three battailions whereof the infantry English made two and the Launce Knights the third This day was spent in some sleight skermishes Friday the enimie drew his Armie to the foote of the hill and placed his Artillerie vpon he sight of the heath in a place of such aduantage as it commaunded in the nature of a Caualier the whole heath where he bordered all the hedge with shot Now my Lord Generall sent out 200. footmen to see the countenance of the enimie who droue them to their strengths put them to their hedges and Baricadoes and slew diuers of them vpon the retreit to these the Duke put forth 500. French and 300. Spaniards to repossesse the place whom he followed with the Armie Which being perceiued by the Prince remouing in the heath with Mounsier de la Hunnaday commaunding the auantgard and hauing his regiment of horse in battell my L. Generall with Mounsier de Pogny de Pruneanx Momartin Bastinay order was giuen to put forward 300. foot commaunded by Captaine Anthony Wingfield Captaine Moreton the English horse led by Captaine Anthony Sherley this direction was valiantlie prosecuted by ours but speciallie by the English so as the enimies horse and foot which were in the playne were enforced to flee manie slaine and the rest driuen to saue themselues within their Artillery being taken in this charge Mounsier de Guybreun Colonell of the foot of the Armie and slaine Don Rodrigo chiefe Marshall of the Spaniards one Spanish Captaine also the number of 200. French and 60. Spaniards This resolute charge so amated the enimie as that they suffered within 200. paces of their Cannon to disarme the dead and to retire at their ease In this charge Captaine Anthonie Sherley gaue such an example to the French horse as was admired and the Companies on foote performed their parts with no lesse valour namelie the Sergeant Maior and Lieuetenant Long who receiued in his bodie fiue Harquebuz shot the rest of the day was spent in skirmishes Saturday the enimie made a great shew to come forth and sent out some number of shot against whom Captaine Anthonie Sherley with fifteene horse and some few foote made them quicklie take their heeles pursuing them to their Baricadoes where his horse was shot in the head and some small hurt done Sonday little was performed that day Monday being S. Iohns day as they write after the Roman Kalender with them it was thought somewhat would haue bin done in the honour of the day but in deed nothing at all for the Duke vsed it rather as a colour whereby to runne away hauing that night withdrawen his Cannon and retired himselfe to Queremen Wednesday the 16. of Iune Mounsier de la Noë with the troupe of the Counte Mongomery consisting of 100. Curaces and the Counte de Comburg came vnto Chateau Laudra whose ariuall promised some good successe to the kings affaires Thursday being Midsomer day the Natiuitie of S. Iohn Baptist we dislodged to Quintine This night the enimie being lodged at Corlay within 3 smal leagues of vs an enterprise was made vpon some of their light horse that lay wide of their Campe which for that it was not attempted by footmen as my Lord Generall earnestlie perswaded them vnto it tooke no great effect sauing that there were killed some 16. of a Corps du Guarde and their horse taken The rest might easily haue bin had as good cheape if the horsemen would haue lighted and forced their Baricadoes the French thought they had done wonderous well and so that seruice ended Mounsier Tremblay who had the commaund of the French Light horse was now sleightlie shot in the thigh other hurt we receiued none Friday the 25. day the Enemie attempted a reuenge and came forth with some horse and foote and gaue vs an alarme which was performed so fauourably as they neither hurt man nor beast Tuesday being S. Peters day my Lord Generall dispatcheth certaine letters by Peter Browne to certaine the Lords of her Maiesties most Honourable priuie Councell to my Lord Norice his father and to other his friends in England Friday the second of July Anno 1591. the armie dislodged to Pleu or Plessue Tuesday the sixt day we marched towards Lamball and lay in a small Village in the way Wednesday about ten of the clocke in the morning the towne of Lamball was entred at the West Southwest and by Captaine Symmes and Captaine Richard Wingfields Ensigne who led two hundred shot The Southside of the towne was entred by Captaine Hall and Captaine Guest with other two hundred shot Both these were seconded by Captaine Dolphin with one hundred Pikes whom Captaine Mayne was appointed to haue followed if occasion had so serued But the aforesaid Captaines Symmes and Hall with their troupes came so resolutely vpon the Baricadoes of the Towne that the enemie was forced to abandon the same and to make a hastie retreit into the Castle From whence Captaine Baynton and Barbar Lieutenant to Captaine Symmes were both shot and died that day Captaine Richard Wingfields Ensigne bearer hauing receiued from the walles of the Castle a shot through both his thighes at that time Thursday there were two of our Cannons mounted on the Southwest side of the Castle and that day the Enemie made some proffer of a sallie vpon Captaine Halles quarter Friday a Spurre which couered the Gate of the Castle was made assaultable by two of the clock in the afternoone two Frenchmen were sent to discouer the breach and it was appointed that other French should haue entred the same who should haue been
seconded by the Lieutenants one Guest and Braconbury But the first of the French performing but badly and the second flatly denying Monsieur de Mo Martin was enforced to aduance himselfe somewhat further then his place required whereby he receiued a Harquebuze shot in the thigh Being iudged by my Lord Generall and Monsieur de la Noë that the Spurre when it should haue beene taken was not assaultable it was thought good that certaine shot should be sent out in the smoke of the Cannon to lodge themselues directly vnder a Bulwarke vpon the right hand of the gate whereby the breach might in some sort be flanked Whiles Monsieur de la Noë stood behinde a Baricado to beholde how those that were sent performed this seruice he was shot in the head with a Musquet whereof he died soone after At the time of this seruice one Monsieur de Boa Captaine of a Companie of Light horse was slaine with a small shot My Lord well weighing the slow successe of this enterprise thought it best to deferre the seruice vpon the Spurre vntill the darknes of the night following His Lordships purpose was to assault with some thirtie shot and Pikes well armed if the height of the breach would haue béen taken whereof little doubt was made The leading of these men was committed to Lieutenant Guest it was further resolued that Captaine Hender with other thirtie shot and Pikes should lodge himselfe vnder the great Baricado on the right hand of the Gate and to assay by all meanes he could to worke himselfe further vnder the very foundation thereof In the darknes of the night my Lord Generall caused two with firelocke péeces and two Pikes to discouer the breach who made their way without any great difficultie Lieutenant Guest followed with two Pikes only and sixe Musquetiers who winding to the height of the breach besides many sore blowes with stones receiued two shot vpon his armour whereof one was a very daungerous wound and so retired from the place which was so flankered as it could not well be kept Sunday the 11. day of Iuly 1591. Master Danyel desirous to see out of the height of a Tower receiued a shot in the shoulder with a Harquebuz And in the same place one Master Pawlet was shot in the head whereof he died presently Vpon an assured intelligence that Duke Mercoeur with his whose force was come to Pleny Ingot with a resolution to raise our siege my Lord Generall at the instance of the Prince most of our French hauing at that time forsaken vs thought good to dislodge and to méete the Enemie We dislodged and that night the Armie came to Queymer where we continued vntill the last of Iuly present Monday fourtnight following my Lord Generall sent letters to the Lords of the Councell by Master Browning Tuesday the 27. Monsieur de la Verdune came to the Prince with 220. horse and 700. foote The Marques de Villeures did accompany him Friday the Armie dislodged and lay that night at Brehake Sunday the first of August the Prince Dombeez my Lord Generall Monsieur de la Verdune and the principall Commanders amongst the French being followed with twelue hundred shot whereof foure hundred were English twentie being taken out of euery Companie and all the Cauallerie did march from the armie at Brehake towards the Enemie encamped by Ingon The intention was to haue cut off thrée Cornets of the Enemies horse which lay at a little Village about a mile and a halfe off from the strength of the Armie But vpo an aduertisement taken it was found that they dislodged themselues that morning and had drawne themselues to another Village not fiue hundred paces from their Armie We comming to the first place and missing the Enemie sought them in the second from whence likewise vpon their alarme giuen by their Sentinels they had withdrawne themselues to the armie Yet in this second place some small resistance was made by French shot which being soone ouerthrowne and some 25. of the Enemies horse taken which in a hastie feare they left behinde Monsieur Tremblay seeing some thrée or foure score of the enemies horse begin to make a head and proffer to passe a Riuer determined to charge the first that would attempt the same In which charge being least of all the rest foure only excepted that charge with him his horse stumbling and so falling with him he was taken prisoner after a sleight hurt receiued in his face with the shot of a Pistoll Tuesday our Armie dislodged to Kerso Thursday to Monconter Saturday from thence to S. Brieux Sunday my Lord Generall dispatched letters into England by Peter Browne the Poste Saturday we remoued to Ville Rabel To this place place came Master Barker with my Lords horses out of the Low Countries At this place considerations were drawne by the Prince and his Councell which implied a necessitie for the marching of the Armie in the high parts of Britany whereunto my Lord Generall in writing answered his opinion Tuesday the 24. of August dicto the Armie came to Collinee Thursday the Armie dislodged and because the Prince was certainly enformed that Mounsier de Mercouer came to Benne it was certainly resolued that the Armie should that day march to S. Meyn but through the vnredines of all things apperteyning to the Cannon and distance of place that course was altered and for that night we lodged at Medrimak a reasonable faire village in the mid way betweene Collinee and S. Meyn Here the Prince Dombeez vnderstood that Mounsier de Mercoeur had in all secrecie dislodged that night before from Diuant and was come to Pleumalan with a resolution to preuent vs of our lodging at S. Meyn Pleumalan is two leagues from Diuant and foure from S. Meyn from Medrimak to S. Meyn but three leagues Whereupon it was concluded that Mounsier de la Verdune accompanied with 80. Curasses 300. Harquebuz a Cheuall and 400. English should dislodge about midnight and assay if by a speedie march towards S. Meyn they could before the enimie should inuest the towne with those forces Friday we dislodged verie timelie and in our march were certified that S. Meyn was inuested with those forces sent the night before with Mounsier de la Verdune and that it was not heard that the enimie had anie such intention as before Tuesday the thirty one and last of August we dislodged to Yfendit Here Mounsier de la Verdune left the Prince Thursday the second of September anno dict the Armie remoued to Breal Friday the third from thence to Moyal Saturday from Moyal to Chasteauieron Sonday my Lord Generall was inuited by the inhabitants of Rheyas to visite their Citie Thursday we dislodged to Chasteau burg Saturday from thence to S. Hulbin At this place lay the Armie when the Castle of Chastileon was taken in by assault Friday my Lord
Generall sent letters into England by Captaine Maxie Tuesday we remoued to Feynes Thursday the seauenth of October anno dict we dislodged to Bauongie Simples Fridaie from thence to S. Ouen Sonday from S. Ouen to Ferie Monday we remoued to Bauongie Monday from Bauongie to S. Hillarie Monday the eight of Nouember dict we dislodged to Tilyel Thursday the eleuenth day we dislodged from Tilyel to Fugeralles Wednesday to the Castell of Dorec This fort seemed of such strength vnto the Prince Dombeez and some of his Counsell as Mounsier la Verdune that they thought it not meet to be vndertaken without speciall meanes such as we wanted hauing neyther munition nor any other thing fit for seruice sauing two or three smal iron peeces for batterie Our men such as were reserued from the extremitie of the then late sicknesse amongst vs being verie weake and feeble hauing wanted of long time before both clothes and money yet it pleased God that by the most politicke and circumspect direction of my Lord Generall the enimy was drawen to abandon the same this present night to the great freeing of those parts there abouts and Captaine Latham was put in as Gouernour of the same The same Sonday at night my Lord Generall sent Mounsier Carmarak with letters to the Lords of the Counsell Friday the Armie dislodged to Pyboray Monday from thence to Ernye Thursday the second of December anno dict the Armie dislodged from Erny to Gorrone From this place my Lord sent letters into England by Captaine Richard Wingfield Captaine Moreton and Captaine Dennis who had licence to repaire thither Sunday our Armie dislodged to Ambrizer where my Lord Generall kept his Christmas Tuesday we dislodged from thence to S. Georges Wednesday and so from S. Georges to S. Germyns Saturday the eight day of Ianuarie anno dicto the Armie remoued to S. Iohn sur le Meyne Sonday from thence to Baconiere Monday from Baconiere to Bourne en le Forest Thursday the Lord Generall road to Viâ—terie where the Princes of Condy and Dombeez by commandement from the king met together for the determining of some present seruice against the league which was concluded and in fine Sir Henry Norice at the request of the Prince Dombeez was sent ouer with letters to the Lords of the Councell to my Lord his father and my Ladie his mother and others his friends in England and withall to know her Maiesties resolution whether for the reenforcing of the troupes in Britanie or for the disposing of them elswhere Monday Sir Henrie Norice departed from Laual to imbarque himselfe at Cane Monday the first of Februarie anno dicto at night M. Carmerek returned with letters to my Lord Generall wherein his Lordship had licence to come ouer Thursday the Lord Generall departed from Goron where the Campe at that time lay for England leauing Captaine Anthonie Wingfield Sergeant Maior sufficientlie authorised till his returne Sunday the Lord Generall came to Cane where for want of sufficient tyde he was driuen to stay vntill the last of this moneth Monday the first day of March anno dict his Lordship finding a Barque of M. Champerneyes hee imbarqued himselfe in the same whom Colonell Sherly and Captaine Lo with others also accompanying they had a verie good gale blowing full Southwest which continued vntill three of the clocke the next morning after which time we were very much becalmed vntill ten of the clocke When hauing a reasonable faire winde at west southwest we recouered the Iles of Wight where wee had very much foule weather So y t his Lordships horses being in a smal Fleebote some doubt was here of the safetie of them which afterwards God be thanked obtained safelie the harbour we being within the point there anchored and the next morning his Lordship landed at Portes-mouth Here endeth the Iournall of the seruice in Fraunce against the Leaguers Anno. 1591. THE MEMORABLE SERVICE OF THE NOBLE Generall Sir Iohn Norice Knight performed Anno Dom. 1594. at Brest in Britaine THe first of September our worthie Generall Sir Iohn Norice landing with new forces out of England at Penpole receiued letters presently from Marshall D'Aumond and Sir Thomas Baskeruil who commanded in his absence the English troupes being then before the Castle of Morlayx in what termes they stood expecting euery day to be fought withall by the enemie Duke Mercoeur who was aduanced for the same purpose within thrée leagues of them and did but onely attend the comming of Monsieur Boisdolphin with some French horse to ioyne with them but this their temporizings in the end cost them the Castle for immediatly the very next day after the Generals landing with great expedition to wit the second of September he put himselfe vpon the way to Morlayx and vpon the fift of the same moneth ariued there being fourtéene leagues distant His comming was generally ioyed at by all the Britons but especially by the inhabitants of Morlayx whose good or ill estate depended on his comming for both the Castle a cruell neighbour held against them and the Duke Mercoeur was at hand to rescue the defendants who in assurance of reliefe from him acquitted themselues manfully namely the Gouernour himselfe Monsieur Rochempoul the Count Magnion and Monsieur Rostin with diuers other gallants But the Generall so amated the Enemie that the Duke Mercoeur not onely stayed from marching néerer vnto vs but the tenth of the same retired with all his forces both French Spanish assuring himselfe that he could expect of Sir Iohn Norice nothing but blowes They of the Castle acquainted therewith within two daies after the Dukes retreit yéelded vp the Castle So that only his presence without the hazard of any of her Maiesties subiects both enforced the Duke to retire and the Castle to yeeld This Castle thus rendred we staied there ten daies in respect that the Marshall wanted money for the satisfying of his people whereof at the last he was fournished by those of the towne of Morlayx Then Mounsieur de Lyscot a wonderfull braue man and the Baron of Molac were sent before with some Harquebuziers to the end they might blocke vp the Fort of Croyzon by Brest and preserue the quarters about who were further assisted with foure hundred men out of our ships by Sir Martin Fourbysher who commaunded the English shippings And presently the armie dislodged to a place called Iuez thence to a Village called La Fou next to Chastrau-lin the next day to Lacornan a village thrée leagues from Quinper-Corentin which was held hy the Enemie The same night the Marshall with foure hundred French and Sir Iohn Norice with as many English marched to Quinper-Corantin and on a sudden surprised the suburbs and possessed them with smal resistance The towne was willing to yéeld but that the Garrison would not suffer them But Sir Iohn Norice whose minde was still to doe some
his deaths wound whereof the said Frier died presently Confirmed also by Captaine Cripse that after the said Generall Norice with his forces had lien there fiftéene daies sacked the towne and taken the spoyle they were commanded by the States to deliuer the towne to Monsieur Famoise who then to take the charge of the towne with his Dutch souldiers and Monsieur Temples Wallons perceiuing the English forces to depart away very rich out of the towne fell vpon them suddenly for the spoyle where they killed moe of the English then were killed at the winning of the towne where Generall Norice himselfe was shot thorow the buttocke and had his horse killed vnder him and euen then Captaine Price a braue souldier forsooke his owne horse and mounted him vpon the same and so altogether they marched out of the towne toward Antwerpe The States againe send the Lord Nienort with his companie thither he in his owne person with the same companie of souldiers boldly assaileth Renenberg with often skirmishing he killeth a great number of the enemies putteth them to flight and as they were flying pursueth them hard at the héeles euen to the very walles of Groning giuing them a great ouerthrow where hée slew aboue sixe hundred of the Renenbergers so as there was left for the said General Norice foure of the enemies Brasse péeces of Ordenance a great number of fardels and very many horses This victorie by the Lord Nienort thus gotten the 9. of Iuly 1580. he pitcheth his Tents not farre from the towne of Groning there resting in better securitie for a season And so the citie of Stenwick after foure moneths siege was in this manner at length by Gods good prouidence deliuered And within a little while after namely on the 23. of the said moneth of Iuly Countie Renenberg himselfe after he had béen certaine daies sick deceased in his Campe as some suspect by poyson After all this on the 17. of September this yéere 1580. a consultation was had at Lewarden in Frizland where it was decréed on the behalfe of the States to send the said Generall Norice to resist the enemie Spéedie dispatch herein was made and an armie was furnished out against a Spanish Generall named Verdugo They I meane the States hauing leuied and armed certaine bands of horsemen and footemen also mustering their companies and paying them one moneths pay aforehand doe make the said Generall Norice chiefe Gouernour of them He with conuenient spéede hauing these his forces well fortified with sixe Brasse peeces marcheth manfully to méete the said enemie But it fell out so that in both armies the plague was very contagious whereby many officers of this armie died in their Tents Here for a certaine space while both armies were thus setled afterwards Verdugo pitcheth his Tents at Northorne Him pursueth hard the said Generall Norice vnto whom came eleuen Ensignes of Englishmen vnder the conduct of the valiant Colonell Sir Thomas Morgan he himselfe hauing vnder his charge ninetéene Ensignes of all these countries vz. foure of Nassawes Regiment nine of Monsieur Sannoy and sixe of Nienorts Regiment so being vnder them thirtie Ensignes which made in all scarsely thrée thousand footemen To these were ioyned the troupes of horsemen vnder their seuerall Captaines as the Colonell Gore Captaine Elenborne and Henry van Eky who were in number scarse fiue hundred So then with such a braue armie marcheth forwards the said worthy General Norice on the 30. day of September that yéere 1580. towards Newziel a place in Frizland Now Verdugo setting his forces in order and battell aray had got to his greatest aduantage for his station the vpper ground néere the ditches where the valiant worthie souldier Captaine Roger Williams before named with the English horsemen vnder his charge together also with Elenbornes horsemen aforesaid doe set vpon one great band of Verdugoes footemen of whom they killed many and put many to flight But as euen then one Wingard a Captaine companion of Verdugo made towards them with certaine especiall troupes while the horsemen of the States had the enemie in chace Verdugo with two troupes of Lansiers by maine force charged into the armie of the States and so assailing them not only found Munition prouision wagons and other necessaries but also caried them quite away and tooke also from them many Ensignes where many of the States souldiers were slaine and taken prisoners but few of Verdugoes company of any reputation were then either slaine or taken And so afterwards Verdugo himselfe confessed that if this armie of the States had forborne and prolonged a few daies more from this fight a great number of these enemies had departed determinately and would otherwise haue prouided for their safetie elsewhere without any field there fought at that time Here in this conflict had the said Generall Norice his right hand hurt with a bullet and many of his souldiers which escaped the enemies hands were for the most part spoyled of their armour and weapons very many of them leauing their armour in those places where necessitie compelled them either to leape or swimme ouer those ditches This also confirmed by Captaine Cripse who being there an actor was in eight seuerall places hurt at the least Thus much my author mentioneth of the conflict at Northorne and thus farre he writeth of the warres managed betwéene Alexander Prince of Parma for and in the behalfe of the Spanish King and the Archduke Matthias for and in the behalfe of the States of the Netherlands which Archduke by occasion of displeasure of the King departed shortly after towards Austrich leauing the gouernment of those Low Countries and the ordering of the warres vnto the Prince of Orange who by generall consent of all the States ordering all things with wisedome and prouident foresight held the enemie at the sword point for one whole yéere from the end of 1580. to the beginning of the second yéere after 1582. at what time Monsieur the Duke of Aniow and brother to Henry the 3. King of France was sent for and chosen to succéed in gouernment of those Countries and ordering of the warres in manner and forme following The Warres in the Netherlands vnder Francis Duke of Aniow against Alexander Pr. of Parma AFter that the said Monsieur with other Noblemen of France ariuing in Kent on the first of Nouember 1581. had beene honourably receiued at London and intertained at her Maiesties Court at Whitehall with princely feastings and banquettings all that Christmas and being accompanied with the Quéenes Maiestie of England she with her Nobles brought him on his way to Canterbury feasted him there also and each of them tooke leaue of other And after that the Quéenes Maiestie had sent with him in fiftéene shippes the Right Honourable Robert Erle of Leicester Henry Lord Hunsdon Charles Lord Howard Baron of Essingham Knights of the Garter the Lord Willowby the Lord Windsor the Lord Sheffield Master Philip