more Glorious Rise Englands Pharsalia or the bloody Civil War between King Henry the Sixth of the House of Lancaster Richard Duke of York and Edward the Fourth of the House of York describing the several Fights and pitch'd Battels wherein 100000 Men on both sides are accounted to be slain c. RIchard Duke of York taking distaste at the Release of the Duke of Somerset by King Henry the Sixth he with the Earl of Warwick and divers others his Accomplices fell to open Force and levied an Army about the Marches of Wales with which they marched towards London under pretence of redressing Grievances and removing evil Counsellors to oppose whom King Henry drew out and both Armies meeting at St. Albans in the County of Hertford the Duke sent to the King to demand divers Lords that were about him and such as he should name or prescribe but being rejected with disdain the charge was sounded and both Armies joyned Battel furiously and maintained a doubtful fight till at length Victory began to declare for the King but the Scale was soon turned for Warwick breaking through the Gardens with about 2000 men and his approach not being there suspected the Kings Army many of the chief Nobility being slain was broken yet would he not fly but stood the shot of the Archers till wounded in the Neck he was taken Prisoner and being carried to London and a Reconciliation made on both parts the Duke being shortly constituted Governour of Ireland In this fatal Batal of St. Albans between the Houses of York and Lancaster fell forty eight Noble-men Knights and Esquires and amongst them the Earls of Somerset Northumberland and Stafford together with 5000 of the meaner sort and many were wounded amongst whom was the King. Long did not the seeming Reconciliation last but the Duke of York raising new Troubles was together with the Earls of March Rutland Warwick and Salisbury with others of less Note attainted of High Treason in Parliament but it so little discouraged them that drawing out from the several places where they were retired with their Army consisting of 25000 men they took the Field against whom the Kings Army advanced with great speed so that meeting at Northampton a cruel and bloody fight ensued but in the end the King being unfortunate in War his Army was worsted and himself a second time made Prisoner there being on both sides not less than ten thousand men slain and of Note Humphry Duke of Buckingham the Earl of Shrewsbury and the Lord Egremont and a Parliament being called the Duke laid claim to the Crown deriving his Pedigree from Leonel the Third Son of Edward the Third elder Brother to John of Gaunt the Father of Henry the Fourth Grandfather to the King so that after a great debate at length it was concluded on all parts that King Henry during his natural Life should quietly possess and enjoy the Crowns and Kingdoms and afterwards they to remain in general Tail to the Duke of York and his Heirs But the Queen a Woman of a Masculine Spirit not approving that her Son Prince Edward a Youth of great hope should be so excluded withdrew her self into the North and there without the consent of the King raised Forces to secure his Right against whom the Duke advanced with an Army but unadvisedly giving her Battel near Sands Castle before his whole Forces were come up and falling into several Ambushes laid for the purpose he himself after a bloody and doubtful fight being slain together with the Earl of Rutland his Son and the Earl of Salisbury with three thousand more of lesser Note and his Head being cut off was crowned with a Paper Crown and in derision carried through the Queens Victorious Army The Duke slain many hoped that this Calamitous War would have an end but failed in their Expectations for Edward Earl of March having raised an Army of 23000 men in the Marches of Wales and hearing of his Fathers Death advanced with great speed overthrowing in a great Battel the Earls of Pembrook and Ormond who endeavoured near Ludlow to oppose his passage in which Battel were slain 3800 men and several Prisoners of Note taken and amongst them Owen Tuder Father-in-Law to the King whose Head by the Command of the Earl was cut off and so he continued his March to fight the Army that yet remained with the Queen who was advanced as far as St. Albans and had overthrown the Londoners who came to oppose her entering their City with the slaughter of 2000 of them and took the King whom they had brought along with them to countenance their undertaking But Edward Earl of March approaching her with his Army which was much increased by the way she thought it not convenient to give battel but suffering him to enter London retired into Scotland Whilst he taking upon him the Title of King was Crowned at Westminster but was not setled in his Throne before News was brought that King Henry with divers Lords were in the North with a great Army whereupon he drew out his Forces to give them battel marching directly to Pomfract in York-shire sending the Lord Fitz-Walter before to take the Charge of the Passage of Ferry Bridge where that Lord with many others were slain and King Henry's Forces gaining the Pass the Armies came in sight of each other and drew up in Battalia being the greatest that had been seen in England since the Conquest Edwards consisting of 48660 and Henry's of 60000 fighting Men when after some pause the Trumpets sounded the Charge and the Army moved furiously when Warwick who lead the Vaunt-guard to incourage his men put from his Horse by whose Example many did the like resolving to win the Field or dye in the Battel so that after It had continued with great slaughter for the space of ten hours and most of theCommanders on King Henry's part slain his Battel swerved nor could the Courage and Skill of those that survived restore it but a fearful flight ensued while the Victors following the Execution covered all the Field with dead Bodies whilst the Blood streamed in Channels for in this Battel fought between the Towns of Towton and Saxton on the twenty ninth of March fell Persons of Quality to the number of 375 amongst which were Henry Piercy Earl of Northumberland and John Lord Nevel Brother to the Earl of Warwick John Lord Clifford and John Lord Wells and of the meaner sort 35091 whereupon King Henry with his Son and Queen fled into Scotland and Edward returned to London This fatal blow though it put a damp to their Spirits did not altogether discourage the Lancastrians for Queen Margaret going into France raised new Supplies in that Kingdom but making towards England her Fleet was scattered by a Tempest and she driven upon the Coast of Scotland with the smaller part of it yet finding her Husband in the Scotish Court highly entertained by James their King she took heart and soon after the
he could find no place of retreat amongst the squadrons but rushing through the Ranks of the Germans some part of the Horse entring amongst the foot created no small confusion on the other side of the Army where yet the Standard Royal remained the Troops of Horse there placed made great slaughter of the Moors pursuing them even to their Artillery but being succoured by the squadrons that were sent to support them they returned afresh to the fight so that in a short time it fell out worse with these Horse than those commanded by the Duke the King not being there but gone to the Vaunt-guard for being home charged by the Moors they sell in amongst and greatly disordered their own foot so that both Horse and Foot being in disorder and no place of retreat left flight and Confusion ensued for although this part of the Horse consisted most of Nobility and Gentry yet many of them being young men sent by their Friends to wait upon the King and little expecting to come to so sharp a Conflict were raw and unexperienced in the Trains of War so that whilst some were fighting valiantly others even in the same Troop were flying unpursued of the Enemy yet where the Italians and Spaniards fought the King being then in the Vaunt-guard a looker on great resistance was made insomuch that above 2000 Moors were killed in the place but not being succoured they were in the end overcome rather weary with killing hand to hand than by the force or Valour of the Enemy who pressed them with their Multitude yet the first charge of the African Horse of the Portugal Army commanded by Edward de Menesses struck no small terror to Moluc for seeing his men fly sick as he was he left his Litter and mounting on Horsâ—back notwithstanding the Christians shot approached he in a great Choller advanced to restrain their flight or dye in the place but being seized with a fit of his Disease in the midst of his fury he sunk from his Horse into the Arms of his Favorites who came about him to perswade him to return and being carried to his Litter he there instantly dyed yet was his Death kept secret by the Rhenegados that attended him lest upon the bruit thereof the Moors should leave the Field and consequently the Victory to the Portugals which no doubt they would have done had they at that time known it and although the Portugals had notice of it some hours afterwards by several Rhenegados that deserted the Moorish Camp and it was published to incourage them to maintain the fight yet it proved too late for by this time the greatest part of the Army was in Confusion losing continually ground and shrinking together notwithstanding the squadrons of the main battel did not move but unfurnished of shot stood lookers on urging it was the Kings command till charged by the Moors on Horseback they most of them miserably perished their Commanders in that Consternation not being able to draw thâ—m into any proper Posture of resistance or defence and now Francis de Tavora having long by his Valour withstood the Moorish charge of Horse and Foot was slain by a Harquibus shot whereupon his men were so discouraged that many of them threw down their Arms and fled and soon after the Duke D' Avero having rallyed some Troops of Horse and charged desperately upon the Moorish squadron that attempted to force the Ranks of the Germans had his battel overborn and was himself unhorsed and slain and on the other side were Christopher de Tavora and Alphonso de Norogna with divers others of account slain And the Arabian Adventurers who came rather to spoil the conquered than to fight having a little before fallen upon the Moors Baggage when they supposed they were in the rout with a full carreer charging the foot that stood firm brake their Ranks and put them into great Confusion so that Victory now declaring against the Christians in favour of the Moors and the chief Commanders being unhorsed and their Magazin blown up by an accidental fire nothing but flight and slaughter ensued though the King with some of his trusty Friends about him endeavoured by Words and Example of true Valour to restrain them and restore the Battel though in vain for after he had acted the part of a valiant Souldier killing many of the Enemies with his own hand and having three Horses slain under him in vain being required to yield he expired fighting couragiously on the heaps of the slain after which every one shifted for himself King Mulei Mahomet escaped out of the battel but hastily attempting to pass the River Mucazan now swelled by the Moons increase he was there drowned as were many hundreds who were deceived in the Foards the River being swelled to a greater height than when they passed it so that as the Plainâ— were covered with the slain the River was no less pregnant with the floting Carcasses of those that were drowned therein The battel thus intirely won by the Moors Hamet hasted to his Brother Molucâ— Tent to rejoyce with him for the succesâ— of his Arms but finding him dead and it being further made known himself by the general consent of the Captains and Souldery was in the Field saluted King and many Presents made him of the rich Plunder found in the Christian Camp as also of sundry noble Prisoners amongst whom of chiefest Note were Anthony Prior of Crato and the young Duke of Barsellos nor was the day less famous for the Death of three Kings viz. Don Sebastian King of Portugal Mulei Moluc King of Morocco and Mulei Mahomet the cherif or expulsed King and by the imprisonment of the greatest part of the vanquished Nobility of a Realm and so many Souldiers the Prisoners being more than the slain for of all that landed not above one hundred returned to the Fleet to tell the News and though the number of the slain on either side is uncertain yet next to the Kings mentioned there fell of the Christian Nobility the Duke of Avero Alphons Earl of Vimiosa Lewis Contingo Earl of Rodondo Vasco d' Gama Earl of Vidignera Alphons de Norogna Earl of Mira John Lobo Barron of Alvito Alvara de Mello Son to the Marquess of Ferrara Rhocterick de Mello Son to the Earl Tentugvel Jamie Brother to the Duke of Bragance John de Sylveria Son to the Earl of Sorteglia Christopher de Tavora the Lord Tomberg Arias de Sylva Bishop of Conionbra with many others of account so that some Noble Families by this means were quite extinct and sew in the Kingdom of Portugal but had a Son Brother Nephew or some other Relation that fell in this unfortunate battel sought the fourth of August Anno 1578. Portugal Hist Lib. 2. The Christian Arms thus Fate in Asrick crush'd In Royal Deaths her killing fury blush'd Whilst Crimson Streaâ—ns from mixtures of the slain Manur'd with Blood Tamista's thiâ—sty Plain A Relation of the last glorious Victory
that purpose whilst the remainder continued the siege furnished with Ordinance and all other Necessaries to impeach or hinder their march their Army consisting of 15000 effectual men part of which were sent over the River â—ar below the Town to relieve it whilst the rest intended only to skirmish with the Kings Army and so to make their retreat as well as they could when the Business was effected for the besieged were indeed in a great Straight for want of Provision when the King to shew the little dread he had of the French not so much as taking down his Tents but leaving the Lord Darcy with a small Train to guard them advanced his Standard the Horse marching a mile before the Foot which the Germans that were in the Kings Army perceiving on a sudden imbattelled by themselves on the Right which gave some suspition that they intended to revolt though it proved otherwise yet by this means they left the front of the Kings Battel unguarded but that undaunted Monarch not to be amuzed nor in the least doubting the Victory which never yet had failed him kept on his way and before he came within sight of the French was met by Maximilian Emperour of Germany who had for his Guard 30 men at Arms well appointed and wearing Red Crosses when a Council being called it was agreed that divers pieces of Ordnance being commodiously planted to incommode the Enemy in their approach the Horse in the head of which the King would have marched but at the intreaty of his Nobles was perswaded to remain with the Foot as safest with him stayed the Emperour and amongst the Avaunt-guard were mounted divers Archers which Resolves of the Council were scarce put in Execution before the French Army appeared marching in three long or extended battels whereupon the Earl of Essex who commanded the greater part of the English Horse and Sir John Pechey with another Squadron of English and Burgundian Horse marched in the Valley with Banners display'd whilst the Lords Wallon and Ligney with the Burgundian Horse made a squadron seperate and the foot moved in a gross battel and so ascending from the lower to the higher Ground Sir Henry Guilford under whose charge the Archers on Horse-back were to the number of an 100 drew out as the forlorn hope and skirmished with the Avaunt-guard of the French till the rest of the Horse came up at what time they alighted and strongly intrenching served as part of a Wing to flank the Foot and the Battel joyning with great fury so that the English Horse-men crying St. George charging in the Front and the Archers continually pouring in their shot of Arrows the French battel was in a manner over-set at the first charge for many of their Standards being overthrown and some that commanded slain they in great Confusion began to shrink together and such as could conveniently disrank at that time fled throwing away their Weapons and cuting off the Barbs of their Horses to fly the lighter whilst the English who were far inferior to them in number of Horse viz. scarce one to ten had little to do but follow the Execution and take prisoners for though the Burgundian Horse came not in till the Battel was in a manner won yet such was the fear of the French that those who were in the Rear perceiving the Vaunt-guard in rout fled without striking a stroke as likewise did divers Troops who were not come to the Battel for having notice of what had hapned by some that fled they faced about and fled foremost so that the chace being hotly made for the space of three miles the Earl of Essex upon such an easie Victory fearing some Ambush caused the retreat to be sounded and returned to the Kings Battel which had not fought bringing many Prisoners of Note and much Riches for in this Battel fought on the sixth of August were taken the Duke of Longuvile the Lord Cleremont and other Noble-men and Gentle-men to the number of 242 besides what the Burgundians took and concealed in order to release them at lesser Ransomes than otherwise would have been taken As for the slain they were not above 800 wherefore in consideration of the small resistance and cowardly flight the French-men have nam'd it the Battel of Spurs Nor did those that were appointed to attack the Earl of Shrewsbury's Camp succeed better for being no sooner skirmished with by Sir Rice ap Thomas but they faced about and fled and though the besieged sallied yet were they valiantly repulsed by the Lord Herbert who with considerable slaughter pursued them to the Gates of the Town so that despairing of Relief they yielded up the Place to the King as likewise did the famous City of Tournay Thus fail'd French Valour thus the English sought By Gallick Pow'rs the Dastard Nation fought And they soon Conquer Nations that the Field Will leave for threats or un-try'd Battels yield That th' English are not such Fames Scroles make good Oft writ in France like Draco's Laws in Blood. A Description of the Great and Memorable Battel fought on the Banks of the River Boristhenes between Bassilius the Great Duke of Moscovy and Constantine General of Sigismund King of Poland Anno 1514. BAssilius the Great Duke of Muscovy having taken Smolensco from the Poles by surprize not contented therewith advanced with an Army of 40000 Horse to waste Lithuania to oppose whose Progress King Sigismund sent Constantine his General a Man of great Experience in Martial Affairs and under his Command 2000 men at Arms 12000 Lithuanians mostly Archers and 3000 Foot-men Pikes intermixed with Harquibusiers nor did the Great Duke hinder their passing the River Boristhenes supposing by that means to have them the surer in his Power but making a moving Oration to incourage his Souldiers he detached about 7000 Horse-men whom he commanded by a great compass fetched about to place themselves at the Rereward of the Poles that when the Battel was joyned and hot on all parts they might break in upon them with strict order to cover themselves till an Opportunity offered in a Neighbouring Valley overshadowed with Woods and the rest of his Army he divided into three squadrons placing a Wing of 12000 Horse-men on the Right commanded by Michael Golujza the second he placed as a left Wing but somewhat at a distance under the Hills that it might be as a reserve or Battel of Succour and the middle Battel himself commanded where was his Baggage and therein he placed the Strength of his Army Whilst this was doing Constantine was not Idle but proposing to himself that the unarmed Moscovites would be much Inferior to him in Prowess though Superior in number if he could bring his Men into such Order that they might without any great damage sustain the first shock of the Archers and suddenly bring the Battel to be tried by the Sword wherefore he placed the men at Arms in the front ranging them in wedged Battel making two
Scots entered England as far as Durham when King Edward preparing to meet them marched to York and there making a halt sent the Lord Montacute to oppose and hinder their further Progress but being encountered on Hedgly Moor by the Lords Hungerford and Ross together with Sir Ralph Peircey he after a sharp dispute took Sir Ralph Prisoner which success incouraged him to pass on and give battel to King Henry who lay encamped at Hexam where both Armies striving to do their utmost devoir a bloody conflict ensued but many being slain and much blood spilt divers of the Commanders wounded and disabled and taken Prisoners Victory declared against King Henry who finding himself unfortunate in War fled into Scotland in this battel 5600 were slain and the Duke of Somerset with three other Lords and one Knight taken Prisoners who were all beheaded And now King Henry returning privately into England in disguise was taken Prisoner and carried to the Tower so that Edward seem'd established in his Throne yet Fate not satisfied with English Blood though the wounded Nation had bled such Streams as made her faint and languish another cruel War arose and the Factions began again to bandy as fierce as ever for Warwick who was called afterwards the make King of those Times being sent to solicite a Marriage between King Edward and the Lady Bona Daughter to Lewis Duke of Savoy and having finished his Negotiation to the liking of the Lady and her Father found upon his return thaâ— the King was married to Elizabeth the Widdow of Sir John Gray slain in upholding the Cause of King Henry at which the Eatâ— supposing his Honour that had been ingaged in the Savoiards Court greatly to suffer grew much inraged and finding mean to withdraw himself joyned with diver Nobles raised a Power and proclaimeâ— King Henry declaring for him and epousing his Interest growing on a suddeâ— so strong that King Edward was forced tâ— draw out his Army and march against him pitching his Camp at Wolney four Milâ— from the Plain on which Warwick was encamped but his Guards being negligent and the Earl having notice thereof entereâ— the Kings Camp and took him Prisoner yeâ— used him very courteously allowing him for his Keeper his Brother George Nevilâ— Arch-Bishop of York who suffering him tâ— ride abroad a hunting and to follow otheâ— Recreations till one day being with a slender Guard far from the Castle and meeting a great Troop of his own Men those thaâ— were with him durst not speak to him 〈◊〉 returning to his Confinement but were glaâ— to leave him behind them and escape for their Lives so that being again at Liberty he was received by his Army with great Joy and passed to London to the great discontent and dislike of the Earl of Warwick Things being at this pass Sir Robert Wells Son to the Lord Wells raised an Army of 30000 consisting mostly of the Commons of Lincolnshire on the behalf of King Henry in revenge of which King Edward caused the Lord Wells and Sir Thomas Dimmock his Kinsman to be beheaded and so marched to fight Sir Robert when charging furiously upon the unexperienced Plebeans they scarcely sustained the second shock but throwing away their Coats and Weapons fled for their Lives from whence it was called the Battel of Loose-Coat-Field and the Execution â—eing hotly pursued by the inraged Soulâ—iers 10000 of them are accounted to be â—ain As for Sir Robert Wells and Sir Thomas Deland who commanded under him â—hey were taken Prisoners Upon the News of this Defeat the Earl of Warwick and the Duke of Clarence Brother to King Edward â—ed to Callais but being denied entrance â—hey departed thence to the Court of France where they found Queen Margaret where gathering great Forces they returned to England every where proclaiming King Henry so that the People from all parts hasted to their Standart as well the Nobles as the Commons viz. the Earl of Pembrook the Lord Faulconberg and others so that marching towards London and King Edward finding his Mandates in many places disobey'd thought it not convenient in that juncture to attend the Sequel but with divers of his trusty Friends leâ—â— England and fled to his Brother-in-Law the Duke of Burgundy who had a little before married his Sister so that King Henry waâ— Re-in-throned but continued not long iâ— that Estate before King Edward returned landing in the North with a small Army proclaiming King Henry as he passed and pretending he came only as a private maâ— to possess himself of his Inheritance bâ— which means deceiving the People hâ— surprized the City of York and having garrisoned it pulled off the Vizor and marched towards London reconciling himself by the way thro' the means of a Maiâ— who had been brought up by the old Dutches of York to his Brother the Duke of Clâ—rence whereupon the Citizens opening their Gates and every where proclaiming him King Henry was again taken Prisoner anâ— send to the Tower and now the whole weight of the War lying upon Warwicks shoulders he desperately resolved to carry the day or fighting courageously dye in the Bed of Honour and thereupon directed his March towards London out of which King Edward drew his Forces to meet him and on Easter Day joyned Battel near Barnet since known by the Battel of Barnet-field where either of the Generals impatient of so tedious a War drew on their Forces with great force and fury Warwick charging upon the Kings Squadron broke in with his Sword and made such Distruction that they fled on that part and the Battel had gone on his side had there not been a mistake in part of his Men who by mistaking their Cognizances charged upon their fellows which making them suspect some Treason or sudden Revolt they threw down their Weapons and fled which Warwick perceiving and not finding it in his power to retain them or restore the Battel though he laboured by Example and Perswasion to do it resolving not to out-live the day â—he rushed furiously amongst the Squadrons of the Enemy and there fighting valiantly fell upon the heaps of the slain and with him died his Brother the Lord Montacute and three other Lords were slain on the part of King Edward and of the meaner sort on both sides 20000. The News of this defeat made known to Queen Margaret and Prince Edward her Son by such as fled the field she took Sanctuary in the Abby of Ceerne but the Lords that escaped the Battel of Barnet rallying their scattered Forces gave King Edward another Battel at Tewxbury in which they were overthrown with the loss of 3000 men and of Note the Earl of Devonshire and the Duke of Somerset's Brother there likewise Prince Edward was taken and soon after stabbed by Crook-back'd Richard Duke of Glocester in the Presence of King Edward and soon after King Henry was murthered and his Queen taken from Sanctuary and put to a great Ransom Thus stop'd the Stream of Blood
the Duke finding the Day lost used what Industry he could to make an orderly retreat into the Neighbouring Wood but by reason his Array was broken the Imperialists entered with him making great slaughter of his men and pressed so furiously upon him that although he stoutly defended himself yet at length he was taken Prisoner by Hippalito a Venetian and disarmed as likewise were a great number of his men and some prime Commanders In this Battel 2000 foot were slain as likewise 800 Horsemen and 700 wounded on the part of the Saxons but of the Germans the slain exceeded not 500 there were likewise taken 42 Ensigns with all the Plate Jewels Baggage and Furniture of the Camp though the Saxons made a kind of a marching or running fight for the space of fifteen miles in all continuing about eight hours and after this Victory all the Country of Saxony submitted to the Emperours Pleasure as soon after did most of the other Estates and Principalities that combined to withstand and oppose him Thus Saxony in her own Confines prest Through one great loss is many years distrest Labâ—ring with War till Peace at last gave rest A Description of the Memorable battel of Muscle-borough-field fought in Scotland between Edward Seimour Duke of Somerset and James Hamilton Earl of Arran Regents of England and Scotland Anno 1547. A Great difference arising between the two Nations upon the Scots refusing as it had been agreed upon in the days of Henry the Eighth to give their young Queen Mary sole Heiress to the Crown of Scotland to Edward the Sixth King of England c. The English under the leading of the Duke of Somerset and other Nobles entered that Kingdom resolving by War to prosecute them for their Obstinacy and oblige them if possible to the performance of what they without any Colour or Reason had refused whereupon on the third of September Anno 1547 the Lord Regent passed the Tweed with an Army consisting of 10000 foot of which 600 were Harquibuses 4000 men at Arms and Demilances with 2000 light Horse-men of whom 200 were Harquibusiers mounted and 1300 Pioneers the Train of Artillery consisting of fifteen great pieces besides a Fleet of sixty five Vessels whereof a great Gally and thirty four Ships were well appointed for War the rest being Victuallers and Tenders and on the ninth of September incamped within two Miles of the Scotish Army under the command of the Earl of Arran who the next Morning dislodged as likewise did the English and advanced towards each other though the former had but a bad welcome for some of the English Ships riding at Anchor in the River let flye so soon as they came within reach of their shot and killed a Captain together with twenty five Souldiers which made the Battalion of Archers commanded by the Earl of Argyle retreat nor could they be perswaded to advance which made the whole Army change the intended course by marching more Southwardly nor stayed they till they had possessed themselves of the Hill called Fauxside-Bray which made the duke of Somerset the English General send some Troops thither to secure the Hill it being of great advantage to those that possessed it and so successful was he therein that he procured in a short time several pieces of Cannon to be mounted thereon which afterward proved very serviceable in battering the Enemies Ranks and in the Emergency the Council debated on Horse-back what was to be done as not having liesure otherways to do it and came to result this viz. that the Lord Grey of Wilton Marshal of the Army and Captain General of all the Horse-men should with his band of Bulloiners and other Troops to the number of 1800 Horse-men advance to charge the Enemy in the Front whilst Sir Ralph Vane and Sir Thomas Darcy Captains of the Pentioners and Men at Arms together with the Lord Fitz-Walter and his band of Demilances to the number of 1600 should be ready to support him that so by a furious charge they might break or disorder the thick front of the Enemies Pikes and although this was a hazardous undertaking yet the Captains disputed not the Order only the Lord Grey desired the General that if he should miscarry in the Enterprize he would be good to his Wife and Children and so taking leave he advanced to meet the Scots who with no less speed came on in so thick a Wedge that it appeared very difficult if not impossible to pierce their Array for the Earl of Angues who commanded the Vaunt-guard had in his Battel 8000 Men and four or five pieces of Cannon which served as a flank on his Right and on his Left he had 400 Horse men and was supported with 10000 Highlanders and in the Rear-ward was the Earl of Huntly with 8000 Scots and 4000 Irish Archers who served as a Wing unto them both being furnished likewise with Ordnance as in the other battel nor was this all for the English had the difficulty of a great Slough or miry Ditch to struggle with in their Passage which not only obliged them to break their Ranks but mited divers of them that were not skilled in leaping yet surmounting these they came to a furious charge insomuch that although at the first onset the battel was not broken yet it swaied and gave back to Admiration so that the English gained Ground apace but the Lord Marshal finding he was not at that time capable of forcing their Ranks he made a softly retreat towards the Hill that they might disrank to follow him and he thereby have an opportunity to give a second charge before they could fall into order in which retreat he lost twenty five of his men and had divers wounded many of them Persons of Quality as the Lord Generals Son and Sir Thomas Darcy c. Nor did they fail to lay hold on the Kings Standard borne by Sir Andrew Flammock but it was so well defended that they only broke the Staff and carried away the nether end but the English Commanders having rallied their Troops and by moving Orations dissipated the fear the late slaughter occasioned and being re-inforced Peter Meucasa Captain of a Company of Harquibusiers on foot drew up in the front of the Enemies battel and was seconded by Peter Gamboa a Spanish Captain who commanded 200 Harquibusiers on Horseback who with their shot made such slaughter that the Scots durst not advance and by that means the English Archers had time to march on the Right-hand of our foot-men and feather them with their flights of Arrows and the great Ordnance playing transverse within Musquet-shot and the foot-men who had been obscured by the Horse advancing in good array the Scots began to shrink together though they were far superior to the English in number and quickly losing all Courage betook themselves to open flight their General the Earl of Arran flying foremost nor did Angues stand to it but followed with great Celerity so that the
Bisballus Horatius and Virginius Orsini Noble Romans and of the Venetian Nobility Agustinus Barbadicus Benedictus Superantius Vincentius Quirinus Johanes Lauretanus Marinus Contarenus Catharinus Maleperta Georgius Andreas Barbadious Marcus Antonius Landus Francisous Bonus Hieronemas Contarenus Antonius Poscaligus and Hierom Venerius all of the Order of the Senators with many of the Spanish Nobility not mentioned by Name The wounded of Note were Venerius the Venetian Admiral John de Austrae Paulus Forano the Count de San Fiora Marcus Molini Thomasius de Medici Martello Reverio Biffoli Marteuno Guicardini Spina Mazingi Juliâ— Maldini Guianovo Magnali Johanes Marea Pucci Toraboni Figliazi Fredricus Eâ—ecello and Gerardo but not many of them dyed of their Wounds they being mostly given with Arrows After this Renowned Victory was obtained and the account thereof taken the Generals and great Commanders assembled in Council to consider what was further to be done and ended in this Determination viz. That Don John of Austria with the Spanish Fleet and Collumnius or as some call him Gollonia with the Popes Gallies should return to Mesina in Sicily by reason Winter approaching it was no fit Season to besiege any Place of Importance But Venerius the Venetian Admiral repairing his Navy kept the Mediteranean and won many strong Holds from the Turks both on the European and Asian shores and so vexed was Selymus upon the news of this Defeat that in a sullen Humor he shut himself up for three days not admitting any to speak with him but those that brought him Necessaries and then in a Rage passed a bloody Decree to Massacre all the Christians in his Dominions which had been wickedly put in Execution had not the Grand Visier laid many Reasons before him to divert him from it nor have the Turks to this Day repaired the Loss but remain inconsiderable to what they formerly were at Sea saying That God has divided the World by giving to the Christians the Sea. and to the Turks the Land. Turkish Hist in the Life of Selymus the Second Thus were the Proud Insulting Turks subdu'd Who had so many Lands with Slaughter strew'd Whilst Grecian shoars beheld the woful Wrack And trembl'd at so great a Ruin's crack Toe Sea too Blush'd with an unwonted stain Shrinking to see her self the shambles of the slain A Relation of the Battel of St. Quintines fought in France between Aeneas Montmorency High Constable of France and General for Henry the Second French King and Philbert Duke of Savoy Lieutenant-General for Philip King of Spain Anno 1577. THE War being proclaimed between France and Spain Philbert Duke of Savoy with an Army of 13000 Horse an 40000 Foot and 8000 Pioneers laid Siege to the Important Town of St. Quintines in Vermandois to the Relief of which the French King sent Montmorency High Constable of France with an Army consisting of 4000 Horse and 20000 Foot with all the flower of the French Nobility who served as Volunteers in this Enterprize and with him he drew a Train of twenty pieces of Ordnance when being come within fifteen Miles of the Place he detached 2000 Horse causing them to advance and find out the Foard oâ— the River which they must pass about three Miles on this side the Town which they accordingly did but found it so narrow that only six Horse a Breast could pass it not was it abandoned bnt defended on the other Bank by a Regiment of Spanish Harquibusiers who upon the approach of the gross of the French Army were reinforced with some Troops of Horse who kept their station notwithstanding the Canon plaid against them with great Fury but it was not long e'r the Duke of Savoy understanding the French Army was much Inferior to his in number calling a Council it was after some Debate resolved therein that the French should not give themselves the trouble oâ— passing the River as they intended and for that purpose were laving over Bridges But that leaving a sufficient number to block up the Town the rest of the Army should immediately pass over and give them Battel whereupon Count Egmont was commanded to lead the way with a 1000 Horse Burgundians and Spaniards seconded by Ernesâ—â—â— and Ericus Dukes of Brunswick with 2500 Horse after whom followed Count Mansfield with 800 Dragoons and Count Horne with a 1000 Men at Arms seconded by a 1000 Horse detach'd from divers Troops and in this manner they forced the Passage without much Resistance and ranged themselves in Battel array for Montmorency rather desiring to put a Supply into the Town than come to a Battel only kept them busie with light Skirmishes whilst the Parties he had appointed for that purpose passed the River at greater Distances nor did he altogether fail herein for 300 resolute Frenchmen did enter but finding the gross of the Spanish Army press upon him he by little and little began to retire towards the Hills Skirmishing in the mean time to retard their March especially with the Light house who sought to delay him till the gross of the Army came up But finding in the end that his Retreat might prove disadvantageous to him as not having any means of escaping a Battel if the Spanish General would oblige him to it he put his Army in Array resolving to try the Fortune of War which he had scarce done before the Count of Egmont gave a furious Charge upon the advanced Parties of French Horse and being seconded by the Dukes of Brunswick Count Home Count Mansfield and Collonel Horckstrate after a sharp dispute wherein the French behav'd themselves with much Resolution and Bravery fresh Troops of Spanish Horse still coming in and much slaughter made Montmorency was obliged to suffer his Horse men to Retreat to the Body of Foot who casting themselves close together in a thick Squadron stood firm and strongly sustained the Charge making it a bloody and doubtful Fight which the Duke of Savoy perceiving poured in fresh Troops to prevent the retreat of those that were almost wearied out commanding Count Egmont to renue the Charge upon the Foot men with greater fury sending other Troops at the same time to charge the Horse that they might not have leisure to put themselves into Array so that the French-men continually having fresh Forces to contend withall overpowred with number and wearied especially the Horsemen betook themselves to flight abandoning the Foot to the mercy of the Enemy so that a great slaughter ensued the Fight being maintained in a flying manner over the Plains so that on the part of the French there were slain to the number of 6000 and of note John Duke of Anguen Brother to the King of Navar Vicecount Touraine Nephew to the Constable the Lords Campodenary Eyrrie Galan Plenot and Gelot with many others the Horse consisting mostly of Nobility the wounded were about 2000 and of note Montmorency Constable of France the Dukes of Longeville and Montpensire the Marshal of St. Andrews Lewis Brother to the Duke of
Prisoners and a hot skirmish hapned between the Kings party and Essex's men near Causum Bridge wherein the former was worsted and obliged to retâ—â—â—t with some loss and in May divers sâ—â—â—mishes with various success hapned in the West between Sir Ralph Hopton who commanded there for the King and Sir Geo. Chudleige for the Parliament though the former for the most part had the advantage nor did Hostilities cease in other parts for in June divers skirmishes hapned between Prince Rupert and Essex the most material of which was in Chalgrave-field in Oxford-shire where the Prince furiously charging a body of the Parliament Horse routed it killing and wounding a great part of the Enemy and amongst the latter John Hambden who soon after dyed of his Wound as did some others and on the fifth of July Sir Ralph Hopton with a few Forces of the Kings under his Command engaged Sir William Waller who had double his number maintaining the fight from two in the Afternoon till about one the next Morning whereupon Waller perceiving him resolved to obtain the Victory or dye in the place left the field yet soon after being ashamed of the retreat he followed Sir Ralph to the Devises in Wilt-shire whither he was marched with a Resolution to set upon him of which the King having notice sent 1500 Horse from Oxford where he lay encamped to his assistance but upon the Comjunction Waller not thinking it convenient to try the event in that place drew off to Roundway-down but being hotly charged he was in a short time broken and disordered whereupon with his Horse he fled in great Confusion leaving his foot to the mercy of the Royallists who were most of them slain in the fight or taken Prisoners together with four pieces of Cannon all the Amunition and Baggage nine Cornets and 28 foot Colours so that by this fatal blow given on the 13th of July Waller having lost his Army most of the Horse deserting him in his flight he hasted to London with the lamentable story of his defeat Essex by this time with a powerful Army having relieved Glocester and surprized a Convoy of the Kings which fell into his hands through mistake marched to Newberry where the King remained as yet with his Army and had prepared to receive him in the best order the short time of notice would give leave or opportunity so that on the 20th of September 1643 both Armies confronting each other the charge was immediately sounded and seconded by the thundring of the Cannon and Vollies of small shot on either side whilst Prince Rupert with his Squadron forced the main battel and put it into great disorder but whilst he pursued his good fortune he found himself charged by two squadrons of Horse that descended from the Hill where till now they had been posted so that the fight was doubtful and bloody on all parts it being in many places brought to the Sword so that the Lord Jermin who commanded there a Regiment of horse for the King being over charged by number was obliged to force his way not without great hazard through the Battalions of foot yet was the fight maintained with considerable slaughter on either part till Night put an end to the fury both Armies keeping the field till the next day and then retired from each other as by consent The Persons of Note slain were the Earls of Carnarvan and Sunderland the Lord Viscount Faulkland and in all on both sides near six thousand In March Sir Thomas Fairfax and Mitton were set upon by Prince Rupert at Drayton in Shropshire and routed as likewise was Sir John Meldrum who had entred England with his Scotch Forces in favour of the Parliament forced to leave Newark which they had besieged with the loss of their Canon Ammunition and all their Baggage which was Relieved by Prince Rupert and only permitted to depart with their Lives But now Sir William Waller having gotten another Army Anno 1644 fell upon the Lord Hopton's Forces near Winchester at unawares and over-pow'ring him in number cut off divers of his men and obliged him to leave the field whereupon Winchester surrendred but Waller was soon after overthrown by the King's forces at Crop-ready Bridg and Essex with the gross of the Parliament Army blocked up in Cornwall and now the Earl of Newcastle being besieged in York Prince Rupert advanced with an Army of Horse and Foot to Relieve the City upon whose approach the Besiegers drew off and were upon their retreat hotly pressed and charged by a Sally from the Town when the Garrison under the command of the Earl joyning with the Prince they with conjunct Forces followed the Parliament forces to a place called Marston-Moor where both Armies drew up and with great sury joyned battel which continuing with much effusion of bloud for the space of four hours victory in the end declared against the Royalists and in this fight called by many the bloudy fight of Marston-Moor 9000 men on both sides are computed to be slain after which battel York surrendred and almost all the Towns in the North so that for a while nothing but Skirmishes happened But on the 27 of October both Armies meeting a second time near Newbury an obstinate fight ensued but the Royalists having done all that could be expected from true valour and still oppressed with fresh numbers of the Enemy were forced in the end to give way to necessity and leave the field in some disorder nor is it guessed that on both sides less than 4500 were slain after which nothing more happened in England this year but the skirmishing of Parties and taking of Towns and Castles but in Scotland the Marquess of Montross with inconsiderable forces raised by virtue of a Commission from the King routed divers Armies of the Covenanters putting all Scotland in fear of being Reduced to its obedience by his Prowess Anno 1645 Essex having laid down his Commission it was taken up by Sir Thomas Fairfax and Cromwel was made Lieutenant General most of the prime Officers of the Army being changed yet the King's party strugled strongly for the Royal cause though many finding things in a manner desperate had retired from the Army and passed the Seas for besides divers skirmishes Collonel Massey in April was routed by Prince Rupert at Lidbury with considerable loss But in June following the King's forces were defeated at Langport where about 200 were slain and 1400 taken Prisoners which occasioned soon after the surrender of Pomfret Scarborough Bath and Bridgwater yet in August the Parliaments Quarters with some slaughter on both parts were beaten up about Tame and the Scots defeated at Kielsieth in Scotland by Montross and in September Montross was defeated at Phillipphaugh in the said Kingdom and the King's forces in England were Routed on Routon heath near Chester and in October the Lord Digby was likewise defeated at Sherborn in the County of York and in March following the Lord Ashley was
Mantua Vasey Courtain and Roche du Maine the Rhinegrave the Count Rochfocault the Lords Obigney the two Birons Montbrun and Merne and about 4000 taken Prisoners with all the Bagage and Ammunition whilst on the part of the Spaniards not above 1000 were slain the chief being the Sieur Binecourt Master de Camp and two Noblemen of Germany Count Mansfield was wounded in the thigh and Count Monbrey in the knee After this Battel the strong Town of St. Quintines fell into the hands of the Spaniard as likewise did Haron and Chastellet they ranging freely in those parts for that Summer without any interruption Out of Notalis Comes c. Thus VVars sad Chance we see in blood is writ And Vict'ry flies to whom she thinks most fit VVhilst mighty Realms contend for Soveraignty By the devouring Sword brave Heroes dy Mix't with Plebean deaths the Nobles ly A Relation of the great Sea-fight fought off the Coast of England between the English and Spaniards in the year 1588. vulgarly called the fight of the Spanish Invasion KIng Philip of Spain fretting in his mind at the prosperous success of Elizabeth Queen of England both abroad and at home and more especially resenting her assisting the Flemings in their Wars held against him in the Low-Countries as also the depredations made by Sir Francis Drake and others in the West-Indias he at the Instigation of Pope Sixtus V. and some English Fugitives prepared a great Navy to Invade England for whose vastness and seeming strength it was named by the Spaniards the Invincible Armado though in the sequel it proved otherwise This great Fleet at its setting out consisted of 130 Galleoons Gallies-men of War and Tenders containing 57808 Tuns where in were 8405 Marriners 19295 Souldiers or Landmen and 2088 Gally-slaves furnished with 220000 great shot 4200 Kintaâ—s of Powder 1000 Kintals of Lead for small bullets 1200 Kintals of Match 7000 Musquets and 10000 Halberts with Partisam Field-Pieces and other Provisions requisite for such an undertaking of which the Duke of Medina Sidona was Admiral and was to be joyned by the Prince of Parma Governour of Flanders and to be supplied with further necessaries which accordingly he provided and prepared in all parts of those Provinces upon notice of which and the other preparations the Queen whom they thought by reason of the close carrying on of their design to surprize unprovided for so important a defence caused her Navy Royal immediately to be fitted out under the command of Charles Lord Howard of Effingham whom she constituted Lord Admiral and Sir Francis Drake Vice-Admiral with a Squadron was dispatched to the West of England there to cruze and observe the motion of the Enemies Fleet whilst Henry Lord Seymour second Son to the Duke of Somerset stood with Forty Sail to the Coast of Flanders to prevent Parma's joyning with Medina and thereupon mustered an Army of Land-Forces consisting of 10000 Horse and 32000 Foot with part of which she not only Encamped at Tilbury in Essex but with the rest secured the Places that seemed to Render the Enemy the easiest Access of Landing though through many distresses and disappointments the Spaniards had met withall it was confidently reported and believed by some that they could not in any convenient time make their intended attempt or enterprize yet contrary to the expectation of the English they on the 11. of July cast Anchor in the Chanel and from thence sent a Dispatch to Parma in the King's name to joyn his Forces with them and send such necessaries as were convenient to further the Expedition but on the 20th following about noon being discried by the English they hasted out of the Harbours and on the 21. of the same instant viz. the Lord Admiral Howard Drake Hawkins and Forbisher the most expert in Maritime Affairs that Europe then afforded played furiously in the Rear of the Enemy who were drawn up in the form of a half Moon and so battered Rechalde who commanded a Gally of great force that he his Squadron being put to the worst was so disabled that he had fell into their hands had he not been Received shatter'd as he was into the middle of the Armado as likewise was the Catharine of Spain a Ship of great burthen although the Spanish Admiral declined fighting as much as was possible bulwarking the smaller Vessels with those of greater force bearing from the Coast of England towards Calais so that a great Ship of Biscay commanded by Don Oquendo being fired on the 22. of June a great Gally commanded by Pedro Valdez fell into the hands of Sir Francis Drake in which beside the Commander Don Pedro de Valdez were Vasques de Sylvas and Alanzo de Saijs and other Noblemen the whole number of Men on Board according to their own computation being 430 which were made Prisoners and disposed of in divers places till they were afterward Ransomed nor fared the Vice Admiral De Oquendo better for his Ship having received great damage by fire she was taken with much treasure and carried into Plymouth and although hitherto it had been a kind of a moving Fight the Spaniards shewing an unwillingness to Ingage before they Received their Succours and supply from the Prince of Parma who was indeed blocked up at the same time by the Hollanders who stood upon their guard on the Coast yet now the English Admiral pressed their towring Castles with his shot so furiously that many of them were miserably rent and torn with small damage to the English for that the Spaniards being high built could not well bear their Canon upon the English Ships whose hulls were much lower and when at any time they did the Commanders with their nimble Ships shifted and tacked to a better and more commodious station of anoying the Enemy and so incessantly the Batteries were made that nothing was heard but the thundring of the Canons and the cries of Men whilst ascending smoke made dark the Skies But the Lord Admiral not thinking it convenient to graple with such strength who had a strong Army on board After he had taken and sunk Twelve of their Ships and Gallies and killed them above 5000 men whilst they lay at Anchor before Calais in vain expecting the Prince of Parma A stratagem was found out to break and disperse them which took more effectually than what had before been put in practice viz. into Eight of the oldest and least serviceable English Vessels were put Pitch Tarr Rosin Hemp Flax and other combustible matter their Guns charged and rammed higher than usual with stones crossbar-shot pieces of Iron and the like when in the Night time the wind standing fair they were sent amongst the thick Squadrons of the Spaniards under the Conduct of two expert Sea-Captains viz. Mr. Young and Mr. Prowess with a command to fire them so soon as they were within Musquet-shot of the Enemy and let them drive which by Trains lay'd for that purpose they accordingly did with