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
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
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
fetching a compass in wheeling off to their main strength which much discouraged the Arragonian Footmen who at first supposed they were discomfited fled the Field leaving them to the fury of the French c. The Horse-men thus forced to retreat Obignny advanced with great speed and charged the Foot-men on the right whilst Persive did the like on the lest disordering their Horse before the Switzers came to the fight who no sooner came on but gave a furious Charge with their Pikes so that the main Batte◠of King Ferdinand being broken and disordered his Men were slain on all parts nor did the Spanish Horse come timely to their Succour nor could the King though he laboured all eh could restore the battel notwithstanding with a Troop of select Horse being his Guard he charged desperately amongst the thickest Ranks and after having broken his Launce drew his Sword and fought till he saw all manner of hopes to prevail were vain and finding in his Army nothing but flight and fearful Confusion he at the perswasion of his Favorites got clear of the Battel and fled upon a swift Horse yet by the way fell into a deep Pit with his Horse upon him but was soon relieved by John Attavillia who mounting the King upon his own Horse he thereupon escaped and himself on foot not capable of escaping was slain by the Pursuers so that he pay'd his Life to the safety of his Prince Obignny having thus with much slaughter defeated the Kings Forces and some being slain in the pursuit called back his Souldiers and encamped not far from 〈◊〉 Place of Battel upon which he was 〈…〉 by many as a Captain who 〈…〉 how to get a Victory than to 〈…〉 obtained for if the pursuit 〈…〉 few of the Kings Forces 〈…〉 had the Towns upon the Terror of this defeat failed to have surrendred upon summons but staying here the King with many of his Nobles got safe to their Ships and Gonsalves with his rallied Troops found means ot retreat to Rezo Thus by Neglect a Battel when 't was gain'd Not being unprov'd the Gen'rals Honour stain'd A Description of the Battel of Vaila or Giardda fought in Lumbardy between Lewis the Eleventh of France and the Seignory of Venice Anno 1509. UPon the Venetians making their Incroachments in Italy and other Places to impower and enrich themselves upon what appertained to others Lewis the French King aided by divers Princes marched from Millan with an Army to hinder their Proceedings and oblige them 〈◊〉 Restitution who likewise prepared to 〈…〉 him with a great Army encamp◠〈…〉 the River Adda under the 〈…〉 the Earl of Petillia their Gene◠〈…〉 D Alvina Master of the 〈…〉 were joyned George Cor◠〈…〉 Grittie Providitors who 〈…〉 the French kept in a strong Lodgment till they might find an advantageous Opportunity to draw out or decamp which made the King seize upon Vaila and Pandino that by the help of those Garrisons he might cut off their Provision and by that means the sooner to oblige them to fight nor did that Stratagem fail of its desired end for the Venetian General knowing that by that means he must come to a Battel drew out his Army on the right Bank of the River consisting of 2000 men at Arms and 20000 Foot-men besides about 4000 Light-Horsemen mostly Italians and Greeks whilst over-against them on the other Bank marched the French Army consisting of 2000 men at Arms 6000 Switzers 12000 Gascones and Italian Foot men with a considerable number of Pioneers and many Field-pieces and the Venetians being incumbred with the Bushes and Shrubs that grew on their side were forced to march slowly so that the French out-marched them placing in their Avaunt-guard 500 men at Arms and a Regiment of Switzers under the leading of Charles de' Ambroise and John James de Trivulzi which Vaunt-guard finding means to pass the River before the Venetians expected it attack'd the Rear of the Venetian Army commanded by Alvia consisting of 8000 men at Arms and almost all the best foot-men which made him to send to the Earl of Petillia who led the Vaunt-guard to inform him of the Necessity there was to fight but he returned answer that he ought to march on and shun the Enemy as much as in him lay for such was the order of the Senate yet Alvian carried away with the desire of Glory resolved with such Forces as he had to bear the brunt of the Battel rather than to be out-braved or so meanly suffer his Honour to be eclipsed whereupon placing his Foot-men with six pieces of Cannon on a little Bay made by a certain winding of a Brook which was then dry he with his great shot having disordered the French Foot furiously broke in upon them and put them into great Confusion their Horse by reason of the Vines that grew in that Place not being well able to support them so that the King seeing his men put to the worst and ready to fly hasted to their Succour with fresh Troops and by degrees drew Alvian into the Plain so that the Avaunt-guard and middle Battel had Opportunity to charge him though he wanted not Courage to make great resistance exciting them in all parts with his Hands Voice and Actions to fight courageously nor did the French when they saw their King in the Battel charge with less fury so that a bloody and doubtful fight continued though the Earl was not come up with the rest of the Forces but the Venetians having fought with singular Valour for the space of three hours and not being succoured were in the end over-powered by the number of the French Horse-men who breaking in amongst the ranks of the Foot wearied already by a stout resistance having done all that could be expected from true Valour and lost rather Strength than Courage they yet for the most part never turned their backs but either died or were taken Prisoners fighting in the Place so that had the other part of the Army succoured them they had been victorious In this Battel 8000 are reputed to be slain and 2000 taken Prisoners amongst which was Alvian and soon after most of the Places the Venetians had won surrendered the Generals Excuse was that he had Command from the Senate not to fight Thus by Neglect or a bad tim'd Command Battels are gone that ne'r can be regain'd And that which Years with Blood and Labour cost In one Ill-faughten Field few hour's hast lost A Description of the Battel of Ginghat fought in Picardy between Henry the Eighth King of England and Monsieur de Piennes General for Lewis the French King Anno 1513. KIng Henry the Eighth lying at the Siege of Turwin which he beleagured with three Camps the first commanded by himself the second by the Earl of Shrewsbury and the third by the Lord Herbert upon notice that the French Army was coming to its relief he passed over the River with a considerable part of his Army detached for
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
defeated near Stow and Dening surrendred to the Parliament yet the great blow that caused the Royal Cause so much to decline was the unfortunate battel of Naseby fought near the Town of that name and so as it was the saddest I shall conclude with the description of it this unfortunate War. The Armies meeting near Naseby and the King in a Council of War resolving to give battel to Fairfax who had for some time followed him in the Rear he so ordered it that himself commanded the main Body and Prince Rupert assisted by his brother Prince Maurice the right Wing and the Lest was committed to Sir Marmaduke Langdale there were likewise two Reserves the one commanded by the Earl of Lindsey and the Lord Ashley and the other by the Lord Bards and Sir George Lisle of the Rebels Army Fairfax and Skippon commanded the main Body the Right Wing was committed to Cromwell and Collonel Rossiter and the left to Ireton there were in the Army likewise two Reserves under the charge of Collonel Pride Rainsborrough and Hammond The Armies being in array the Charge was sounded whereupon Prince Rupert advanced with great Resolution charging the Left Wing commanded by Ireton which after some Resistance was forced to give ground in this conflict Ireton was wounded in the face and thigh and had his Horse shot under him and was taken Prisoner so that the Prince pursuing this advantage followed the chace even to the Town of Naseby and upon his return summoned the Baggage and Artillery to surrender but without success in the main for by reason of the Prince his not timely returning to the battel Cromwel had the best opportunity to charge the King 's Left Wing which he did with such fury that he soon broke and disordered it whereupon that Wing fled leaving the main battel wherein was the Person of the King open and unguarded in either flank so-that the Reserves not being able to make it good and Cromwel returning with his victorious party before the Prince charging in the flank whilst the battel of the Enemy did the like in the Front notwithstanding the great Resistance that was made the King's battel of Footmen became broken and disordered so that although it came to handy-strokes with much Resolution and obstinacy on either part yet fresh Supplies of the Parliament foot coming in and the Royal-Army considering the safety of the King who was pressed on all parts finding it self unable to make longer resistance retreated out of the Field as the Prince was advancing who perceiving the bad fortune of the King's Army since his absence and despairing to restore the battel retired likewise Fairfax pursuing the King till within two miles of Leicester though in the way a Retreating-fight was maintained on the part of the Royalists so that the King not thinking himself safe in Leicester marched without staying directly to Litchfield In this Fight about twenty Collonels and Officers of lesser note together with 600 common Souldiers were slain of the King's Party and many wounded amongst whom of note the Earl of Lindsey Lord Ashby Collonel Rastol c. but almost all the Foot together with their Officers were taken Prisoners and in all six Collonels eight Lieutenant Collonels eighteen Majors seventy Captains 4500 private Soldiers 200 Ensigns one of the King's Coaches with part of his Treasure and almost all the Waggons Ammunition and Baggage together with his Letters and Furniture with twelve Pieces of Ordnance 8000 Arms and the KING's Standard which quite broke the strength o◠the Royalists insomuch that they could no◠bring any formidable Army into the field afterward nor was it long before the King◠being besieged in Oxford made His escap◠thence and cast himself upon the Scotch Army who for a Summ of Money delivered Him up to the Parliament whose usage towards Him was so Inhumane that it cannot be mentioned without a deep sence of sorrow by any good Christian Wherefore in silence let us mourn His fate Who dy'd a Martyr for the Church and State. A Brief Description of the second Battel of Worcester fought on the Fatal Third of September Anno 1651. KIng Charles the Second of blessed memory being crowned at Scone in Scotland entred England with an Army for the Recovery of his Right in August 1651 and by easy Marches with little difficulty entered Worcester on the 22 of August being Joyfully received by the Town 's men who were glad of that opportunity to Return to their Allegiance and there it was solemnly debated whether he should stay there and expect the event or immediately march to London but in the end the former was concluded at least so long till the Soldiers had well Refreshed themselves which gave the Enemy advantage to gather about that City from all parts yet care was taken for fortifying the place and securing the advantageous Passages to which purpose a Line and several Mounts were raised yet Major-General Lambert who commanded for the Parliament sending suddenly a Party of Horse to discover the difficulty of the passage at Vpton where Major General Massey commanded 300 Horse and Dragoons for the King about fifty of them venturéd over on a piece of Timber accidentally left cross that part of the Bridge that was broken down and although the Royal party immediately took the alarum and beat them into a Church where they defended themselves yet so speedy was Lambert in sending over a greater number of men that after a hot dispute Massey having his Horse killed under him and himself shot through the Arm was obliged to Retreat and now Cromwell's Army that had followed the King in the Rear out of Scotland began to joyn with those Parties that were already gathered out of divers Counties making in all between 50 and 60000 Men when as the King 's whole Power exceeded not above 10000 so that with these numerous Forces he was in a manner encompassed and there being no hopes left of marching away without coming to a battel after divers Sallies with various success the fatal day drew nigh for Cromwell Fleetwood and others after the gaining the pass at Vpton endeavoured to make themselves a clear passage to the City that their Army might joyn in the Leaguer to which end two Bridges were ordered to be made the one over the Severn and the other over Thame over the last of which Fleetwood advanced to attaque the City on the West part which so Alarum'd the Royal Army that then lay within their Leaguer at St. Jones that to hinder the approach they sallied out with the greatest part of the Horse and Foot so that a hot dispute ensued till overpowred by number more than by true valour they were obliged to Retire again into their Leaguer But whilst this encounter was on the West side Cromwell passed his Army over Severn and marched directly towards the Wall which the King perceiving sallied at the head of the Horse and charged with so much courage and bravery that
Cromwell's own Guard and the best of his old Soldiers were forced to Retire whilst seconded by those numerous Supplies of fresh Soldiers who served like the Turkish Asapi to blunt the Royal Swords so that their wearied Arms no longer able to hold out they were forced to Retreat notwithstanding the Generous Example of the King who performed things worthy of wonder executing at once the part of a brave Commander and a valiant Captain in which he had his Horse twice shot under him yet could he not bring them to rally for being pressed and overpowred by numbers they had not time or space to do it in so that in the end the retreat turned into a disorderly flight whilst the Enemy following close at their heels entred Pell mel with them into the City And now notwithstanding the flight and confusion the cry went through the field to save the King who although he was pressed by Duke Hamilton and others to reserve his fortune to a better day yet scarcely could he be induced to quit the field nor would he till he perceived it impossible to rally his men and too plainly found the battel was irreparably lost and that Cromwel had entred and possessed himself of a part of the City and soon after took the Fort Royal by assault putting all he found therein to the Sword but not without considerable loss especially of the Cheshire men 1600 of which fell in the attempt and now when it was almost too late the King left the field and by the Aid of divers Loyal Souls after a considerable while concealing himself found means to escape beyond the Seas In this fatal battel fought on the third of September most of the Kings foot were either killed or taken Prisoners but of the Horse about three thousand escaped out of the Field those that account the least recon 3000 that were slain though none of note amongst them and the chief of the Prisoners were the Earls of Derby Lauderdale Cleveland Shrewsbury and the Lord Wentworth and of the Scots the Earls of Cranworth and Kelly and the Lord Sincler with divers Knights and Gentlemen and soon after Duke Hamilton and Major General Massey and others were taken This strange and wonderful Victory as the Juncto then sitting at Westminster gave it out though they had ten to one in the field made the Sectarian party greatly rejoyce and to appoint publick days of Thanksgiving as if God were the Patronizer of Villanies But since they miss'd of what was most their Aim We won't their further wicked Acts proclaim Lest by such Monsters we the Nation shame A Description of the Great and Memorable Battel fought before the City of Vienna in Austria on the 11. of September Anno 1683. between the King of Poland the Elector of Bavaria the Duke of Lorain c. and the Grand Visier Cara Mustapha c. VIENNA being pressed by the Turkish Power and the Garrison therein under Ernestus Count of Staremberg greatly weakned by sickness and the loss sustained in divers Sallies the Duke of Lorain having joyned the King of Poland they thought not convenient any longer to hazard a place of such Importance but to attempt the Relieving of it at the Price of a Battel and so on the 10 of September 1683. about eight in the Evening the Armies marched in order to it making together between 70 and 80000 fighting men the King of Poland commanding the Right Wing the Dukes of Lorain and Bavaria the Left and the Elector of Saxony and Prince Waldeck the main Body and in this order with what speed and silence they could they marched through a great Forrest the which had the Enemy taken care to have fortified would have proved a work of much difficulty Cara Mustapha the Grand Visier trusting to his number of men expected not to be attaqued in his Camp he being at his sitting down before the place 120000 strong but finding himself mistaken he thought it best to Rouse out of that Security and upon the Approach of the Christian Army detached 10000 Horse with an express command to possess themselves of the Passes c. but the Christians before that had passed them yet they advanced to Charge the Front of the Army but being gauled by a Regiment of Foot lodged in a Vineyard for that purpose which was supported by three other Battalions they only fired and wheeled off with great Cries whereupon the King of Poland and the other Commanders drew the Army up in three Lines all closed without any Interval and in that firmness they encroached upon the Enemy at what time the Turkish Horse advanced with great shouts hoping to break the Array of the Battel but perceiving the Christians stood firm to expect them they made a halt and discharging their Harquibusses at a distance wheeled off whereupon the first Line fired upon them and the whole Army advanced by a slow March still gaining upon the Infidels and making of them a considerable slaughter who Returning charged as before at a convenient distance and so wheeled off continuing often to do the like and as often the Christians fired upon them and so proceeded till within two Furlongs of their Camp at what time a Body of Foot and Dragoons were detached to Attaque their Canon of which they soon became Masters without any considerable loss the Enemy wanting Foot in a readiness to defend them nor did their Horse make any great resistance yet they made a shew to charge the Right wing in the Flank to prevent which the King of Poland commanded the second Line to advance and make a Front on that side whilst in Person he charged their Front with the first Line making them continually to give ground and whilst the Fight was hot on both sides the Turks in the Trenches made a furious Assault upon the City strugling even at the utmost hazard to carry it and so resolute they were in throwing themselves into the Ditches and Breach that great slaughter ensued which obliged Count Steremberg the Governour to send with all speed to the Duke of Lorain for assistance least the Turks at that juncture should enter and mix the ruine of the Citizens and Garrison-Soldiers with their own when immediately the Margrave of Baden was detached with 5000 Horse and 3000 Dragoons who entering the Trenches at the time the Garrison sally'd the Turks that were in them were cut in pieces and trodden down on all hands to the number of 6000 which unexpected bad success made known to the Visier and finding that now his hopes were altogether frustrated of entering the City in the time of the confusion he gave ground towards the Evening with the Gross of his Army in hopes to make an orderly retreat to the Camp but being furiously charged by the Christians he fled beyond it yet the Generals suspecting they might Rally and fall upon them under the favour of the Night would not enter the Camp by reason it might be