loaded with Glory and Triumphes having made himselfe knowne to be a King worthy of so valiant a People Then making a little pause and finding the affection of all the standers by by the cheerefulnesse of their Aspect for as if they had been immoveable they could not sufficiently shew their approbabation of what he had so well said hee invited them to follow him promising that he would not onely be their Lord and King but their Brother and Companion Dismissing the Councell he employed the ensuing days in hastening the provisions of Victualls Munition and Artillerie till such time as answer being returned from my Lords the States of Holland by whose Intelligence all these Machinations were made and encouraged every day more by that Common-wealth which of all other Principalities as well in respect of the Interest of State as also of Religion was desirous of this noveltie and invited thereunto and heartned therein by Letters from France and England having recommended the leavying of eight thousand other Souldiers to Auxilius Oxasterne Lord Chancellour of that Kingdome and taken order for all things that concerned the good government of the Kingdome which in his absence he left under the protection of the Queen his Wife with the unspeakable applause of all the Nobility and People who in great numbers floct to bid him farewell He imbarqued himselfe and all his Army on the thirteenth of June 1630. in 70 Men of Warre and 200 lesser Barques and directing his course Southward he sailed toward Rugen with intention to surprize it Rugen is an Island in the Baltique Sea bounding upon Pomerania from which it is divided by a Gulfe some few miles broad and is seated just over against Stralshond a Haunce Towne situated upon the Sea side which hath in it a good and much frequented Haven and is environed with strong Rampards and Bulwarks with the chief Magistrates whereof though surrounded with Austrians the King held good Intelligence He sayled from the said thirteenth of June till the foure and twentieth of the same and being happily come to Stralshond hee and his Army came to shore at Rugen they set upon the Imperialists who were placed there in certaine little Forts rather for Guard then for Defence they soon made themselves Masters of it sacking it and plundring it which much pleased the Souldiers as if this so happy a beginning did presage their greater Conquests The King leaving 500 Foot in this Island and two men of War for the safeguard of the Passage and having made it a Store house for his owne Militarie Provisions he took Ship againe on St. Peters day the 29. of the same Moneth and with a good Winde came to Vsedon an Island dis-joyned from the firme Land of Pomerania by two Armes of a Lake or Moorish ground called Frish Haffe into which the Odor bisburthens it selfe where there not being Foot able to withstand the on-set of a strong and fresh Enemy the Imperialists who were there in Garrison resolved to abandon it that they might not come to triall with the Swedish Forces leaving onely two hundred Foot for the defence of certaine Sconces They got to Wolghast a City not contemptible for its situation and fortifications standing upon that Arme of the Channell which divides the said City or Island on the West side from Pomerania called the River Pene by the making good whereof it had been no hard matter to have driven away the Swedes from Vsedon and the adjacent Sconces weakly situated and not well fortified But the King let slip no time wherein the Roman Catholiques found themselves much straightned and by consequence their Forces were weak and their Counsells confused their hope of succour uncertaine and the effects of so suddaine an Incursion full of fears and frights For at this very time at the Diet which was held at Ratisbone for the affaires of the Empire instead of providing for this new Warre with the King of Swethland whom they esteemed a petty Prince the aime of all the Electors tended onely to the disarming of the Emperour and the putting the hatefull and insufferable Walestein out of his charge which they did effect For about this very time the Emperour was unadvisedly perswaded to write to Walestein that having considered that the Generall was in the power of the Souldier and that he himself was in the power of the Generall his pleasure was that he should 〈◊〉 himselfe into his owne Countrey Walesteine being thus dismiss'd readyly laid aside his staffe of Command and writ back a respectfull Letter to the Emperour wherein hee told him that his Imperiall Majestie was not in the power of his Generall but in the hands of his treacherous Ministers of State and so foretelling all the ruine just as it fell out he betook himselfe to a private life in Bohemia The King being minded to make himselfe Master of some Fort which might serve for a Retreat for his Army in case of need before Resolutions and Counsells should bee taken for the defence of their Provinces by fresh Forces having advanced some of his Forces towards Vsedon he without any manner of contestation took almost all the Townes thereof which were plundered by the souldiers and the people that were therein were without respect put to the sword The King at the beginning used much severity to his Enemies for that well knowing of what force punishment is with those that are unable to defend themselves it was not to bee doubted but that the souldiers despairing of all hope of succour and affrighted by their owne danger would lay aside all stubbornnesse which flattered by good usage doth oft-times grow the greater Leaving a thousand Foot there for a Guard and for the recruiting of some weakned places he forth-with re-imbarqued and came into the River of Pand where unshipping his Armie he instantly sate downe before the Walls of Wolghast against the which he planted foure Batteries hee invested it on three sides by speedy Approaches and caus'd so much feare in the Defendants as forsaking the City at the first on-set which being full of Protestants made the Imperialists jealous of the defence thereof and retiring themselves into the Castle wherein for six dayes they resisted the Swedes Assaults at last despairing of succour they yeelded upon Condition of comming forth with their Armes and Baggadge these souldiers were so well pleased with the Kings dealing with them who used much Clemency towards them that as benefits where unexpected are most welcome they thought they got more by losing then they did by overcomming and therefore resolved rather to try the acts of Clemency then blowes of Adversity many of them invited by the Kings new fortune forsook the Imperiall Banners and listed themselves under the Swedish The taking of Wolghast did so dishearten the Austrians that overcome more by their owne beliefe then the Enemies Armes and wanting the necessaries of Warre they were in great confusion so as the King in six dayes more without
forbore not to spend part of what they had gotten which being ventur'd upon the banke of Plunder was to bring them in double advantage Count Merodes went into Flanders to solicite the Spaniards to raise an Army to oppose Bawdis the Swedes Generall and William Landgrave of Hesse Isolani went into Croatia and Hungary to raise horse and that he might the better intend the service he was honoured with the title of Generall of the Nation all the rest of the Commanders that had Commissions to raise men went some into Moravia some into Slecia Austria Stiria Carinthia and other Provinces where they understood men were least imployed and were given to warres so as every where the Drums were heard to beat the Trumpets to sound and monyes were disburst whereby according to custome the Emperors health being cheerfully drunke and every one providing himselfe with good armes and other acoutrements the people seemed by their discourse to presage the ruine of the Swedes The greatest part of the horse wanted Curasses by the losse of Armes in the late routes and particularly in the battaile of Leypzik where they were either left in the field with their dead owners or elswhere thrown away by such as fled there being therefore great want of armes and artificers some great men of Italy were by Walesteine sent into Lombardi to make a considerable provision of them and other Colonels sent Officers of their owne to the like purpose sparing no money in this behalfe not caring for expence for the Generals intention was to come into the field not onely rich in fame but furnished with whatsoever was requisite to a glorious Army continuing therefore his diligence he treated with the King of Poland to have men from that nation and in this he imployed his Cosen-german Tersica for they had each of them married a daughter of Charles of Arrach the Emperours chiefe Counsellour This man being one of the richest Gentlemen in all Bohemia was not much troubled to finde money to raise 3000. Horse and 4000. Foot of sundry nations Walsteine after this made the Counts Galasse Mansfeild Aldringer and Montecucully Generalls of the Artillery all of them chiefe Commanders of the Army to these he recommended the care of recruting their old companies and the raising of new ones which he allotted unto them and they overcome with the Generals gratitude did their utmost to obey him He moreover appointed eight Serjeant Majors Generals of the Army who have the command over the rest of the Colonels and whose place is to order the Army in the day of Battaile and to these he gave new Commissions to raise men They for the honour they had received and that they might preserve their Generals good will which was ambitiously coveted by all little waying the difficulty of raising men in dispeopled Provinces and full of troubles where the poorest companion could be had under 25. Dollers He gave Commissions to any one that desired imployment and disburst much money by the way of loane that the whole might be made up neither did he make any distinction as then of any that proffered their service for holding it the best counsell that can be given to a Prince who is desirous to inlarge his dominions and to secure himselfe in the faith of his friends and from the injuries of his adversaries to have copious Armies that so he might do that in some moneths which otherwise would require some yeares to effect his intention was to gather together great quantities of armed men who if they should afterwards want experienced Commanders he wanted not old Captaines under whose Colours he might put these new men and casheer those that were uncapable of such imployment before he was to march against the enemy and to this purpose he had wont to say if the Emperour will raise an Army of 30000. Souldiers the Elector of Saxony or some other Prince by the assistance of friends will doe the like that to fight with equall forces was to have the victory to be decided by fortune and not to secure ones owne selfe by power that time would be lost their Territories would be oppressed the subject would be weakened by keeping forces in their own Country businesse would be precipitated and finally peace would ensue the end whereof would be misery and ruine to the vassals that a numerous Army lords it over the fields goes whither it lists meets with no obstacle and being able to scoure the Country at pleasure loses not Contribution nor the meanes to maintaine it selfe and though this be contrary to some experience where a few men have been known to beat a great many he said that this little number must be pick't out of a gallant and well reputed nation and that the execution was easie when the Commander in chiefe had wonne the name of generous and magnanimous towards his Souldiers He would not forbeare to let fall in his discourses that the Imperiall Crowne would be but weake if it were not secured by 100000. Souldiers kept continually in pay for the Empire being a body of many members dissonant in Religion it fals out that by the liberty which many Cities professe and by the power of the Electors and other Princes the Caesarian authority being by them lessened sickens and wanting forces languishes as if Crusht to death by her owne fewdatories in briefe he so handsomely chid the errors of late successes as all such as were dejected by reason of their past terrors were seene suddainly to be clad with new hopes Hee moreover sent expresses to Charles Duke of Lorrayne as well to keep him in good correspondency with the Emperour as to perswade him to raise men in the assistance of the common interest and that he would permit the Austrian officers to raise men in his Country This Prince being of high thoughts and inclyning to warre a lover of novelty counselled by that vivacity which sparkles in the hearts of sprightly Princes and seconded by advice of others which useth not to differ from the inclination and genious of the Master did not onely yield to Walesteines request but declared that he would hazard his life and fortune with him arming and behaving himselfe as the chiefe of this league of which 't is said he aspired to be Generall this was the first beginning of the jealousies between him and France and the reason why he drew upon him the enmity of the King of Sweden These affaires past not without some knowledge of the Queene mother of France mother to the most Christian King and to the Duke of Orleans for at this instant a gentleman of hers came to Zenam who having had some discourse with Walesteine was dismist with appearances that he was well apaid with his negotiation And the Austrians building much upon the troubles of France whose union did not a little disturbe their designes they more seriously applyed themselves to invent meanes and wayes how to hinder the increase of that flourishing Kingdome
the neighbouring parts he should drive the Spaniards from those Frontiers and should open the way to the winning of the Townes upon the Mosel belonging to the jurisdiction of Triers and thereby not onely keep those people under but fortifying himselfe on that side from being injured by the Spaniard he should bring his Forces there into a good condition for it was a place invironed with good Ditches and strong Wals he forthwith beset it and planted three great Batteries against it and without delay began to assault those fortifications from the which he by the Defendants was by reciprocall resolution kept off they exercising the utmost of Military art as being the most of them Spaniards a faithfull Nation much adicted to the service of their Prince and in the sufferings of warre of all others the most resolute and constant The King in his owne person came before this place not without danger of his life for approching according to his custome neere the Wals that hee might more inhearten his Souldiers and know what was requisite to the enterprise being much grieved for the reputation of his Armes and for his owne interest sake to linger so long before such a Towne a Page who at that instant presented him with a letter was slaine by a Musket-shot upon which accident Mounseir de Pauch Embassadour from the States of Hâ—lland who was then with him could not forbeare entreating his Majesty to have more care of his Royall Person the preservation whereof like that of the soule in the body was the maintaining of the publique liberty to the which he smilingly replied My Lord Embassadour Cities are not taken by keeping in Tents the Scholler when his Master is a farre of shuts his booke so the Souldier without my presence slaken their handy blowes my houre is written in Heaven it cannot be altered on earth then turning himselfe to a Colonell who being somewhat deteyned under the Barbers hands came to receive his Commands he said unto him I marry this is a gallant Cavalier and by my faith a valiant one in womans warres he is longer in trimming of his Beard then I am in taking in a Towne Having said these things pleasantly he advanced yet more forward giving order to streighten the Towne yet a little more the which was done with such diligence as upon like occasions is requisite in execution of the orders of their Lord and Master whence it is to be observed how available the presence of a Prince is in Military affairs After it had indured three fierce Assaults and had been pelted with above 1700 Cannon-shot at fourteen dayes end he inforced the Defendants to beg Articles of him which were granted unto them no lesse favourable then those of Mentz and thus he made himselfe Master of the Towne to the admiration of many who knowing how the Towne was seated what number of men it had in it and how it was provided thought it not a worke to be effected with foot in stirrup He then dispatch't away Horne and Duke William of Waymar Elder Brother to Duke Bernard into the Bishopricke of Bamâ—berg which is a space of ground in Franconia lying between Bohemia and the Mayne appertaining to the Bishop thereof who is aswell a Temporall as a Spirituall Lord that they might set upon that City and by the taking thereof divert Tilly and Count Aldringer who were diligent in recruiting their Forces in those parts Hee himselfe with the rest of his Army having provided themselves with all things requisite for Victuals with a great Trayne of Artillery and Ammunition having left fitting order for the maintaining of the Townes along the Rhene tooke his way towards Steinham and Ascheburg entring thereby into Franconia being come to Schewinfurt and from thence to Gelterseym hee againe recalled the Forces of Gustavus Horne designing to go himselfe in Person with the grosse of his Army against the Army of the Roman Catholiques and indeavour to bring them to a new Battaile the Victory whereof was the bounds of his vast desires turning therefore upon the right hand he bent towards Kitzing betwixt Erbipoli and Bamberg a Randezvouz for Tillyes Forces but found that he being diffident of his strength as both in number and in courage much inferiour to the Swedes had retreated into the upper Palatinat that he had re-inforced the Garrisons of Forcheim and Granach two of the best Townes in Franconia by the preservation whereof hee hoped not onely to make good the Imperiall Forces in that Province but thereby retarding the Swedes proceedings he thought he should be able when his Army should be recruited from all parts that appertained to Caesar to face his enemy againe and regaine his losse in the Battaile of Leipsick The King incouraged hereupon believed that as it is usually he that flies feares and hoping to drive him quite beyond the Danube and beat him in the field he sent Gustavus Horne towards Winsheim which lyes between Nurenberg and Erbipoli and from thence to Habersdorfe and Shennabach places of that Country who marched with such diligence as though the enemy in their retreate had broken downe the bridges burnt and destroyed all that might be serviceable to the Kings Army that they might streighten him in Victuals incommodate him and stop him till such time as the Forces which they expected from Bavaria and Walesteine were come unto them the King notwithstanding arived about the midst of February in the fields of Nurenberg beyond the expectation of the Imperialists Hee there mustered his Army and found it to consist of 130 Cornets of Horse 86 Foot Ensignes and 28 pieces of great Cannon which having againe ordered he pursued his way towards Dunawert upon the Danube where there is a Bridge over that River which makes it a place of great Consequence for by the getting thereof the way was opened to the Swedes for their entrance into Bavaria one of the chiefe Provinces of Germany between the Danube and Inn an open Country not having any place of strength within it unlesse it be Ingolstat He came before Vitsborg a Fort belonging to the Marquisat of Anspach he sent to the Governour to Surrender the Towne otherwise he denounced his anger against him and therewithall the losse of his life but such threates did no wayes trouble the undaunted Commander who preparing for defence the Kings threates were of no availe for it made not for the King to stay there since thereby he should have given time to the Roman Catholiques as was desired by Tilly to provide for the defence of Danube hee therefore marched forward in the beginning of March and with his Army drew nigh to Dunawert where the Imperialists had built a Fort upon the hill which hee set upon and finding nothing to withstand him in those yet imperfect workes hee forced the defendants to retire into the Towne which being played upon by the Kings Cannon which thundred on all sides and assaulted round about the Wals not
the Souldiers being changed the Guards were doubled But the King who upon all occasions did ever desire to advance was minded to passe over the Lech and remove Tilly from thence who kept the maine body of his Army along that River and although the enterprise was some-what hard yet observing the course of the River and the Bankes thereof he suddainly raised thereupon a good Trench and planting his Artillery began to play upon the enemy who keeping themselves close within their Trenches did valiantly reply upon him and withstood his Passage the bickering began to grow very hot where whil'st both sides were busied and plyed the Battaile a pace the King being advertised by Duke Bernard Waymar how that he had discovered a Foord a little lower by a little Island by the one side whereof he might easily wade hee presently sent back the said Duke thither with certaine Boates carried to such like purpose upon Carts Whil'st the King-indeavoured by all meanes he could to passe over Waymar past over some select Souldiers by the benefit of those Boates into the said Island to the end that if need should be they might make good the Passage till such time as a Bridge might be prepared and he so well placed his Cannon and Muskets upon the Flankes of the enemy that Tilly who marched thitherward in Person to hinder the Passage had not the fortune either to beat the Swedes out of the Island or to hinder them for making their Bridge for his shot did little availe him the Swedes being fenced by the point of the Island Whereupon Tilly knowing the importance of the affaire and the great difficulty made a fierce and bloudy skirmish amidst the waters which on the other side of the River might easily be waded over for it came not to above a mans middle but at last the Swedes prevailing who incouraged by the comming of their King strove who should first throw themselves upon the Bridge they got unto the other Banke notwithstanding all the enemy could doe there were slaine of the Romane Catholiques side about 2000 and Tilly himselfe being hurt with a shot from a Sachar dyed within three dayes Count Aldringer was likewise here hurt in the head whereof he was afterwards healed and the Imperialists after a long and bloudy Battaile were forced to retreat this Battaile continued for the space of six whole houres and so great was the hail of Cannon and Musket-shot as many Souldiers who had been in divers other well fought actions affirmed that this in their opinion was to be numbred amongst the bloudiest that they ever saw it happened on the Twenty second day of March. The Duke of Bavaria was no lesse troubled at this misfortune then at the death of Tilly a Commander of tride valour and of great experience nor was his death any whit lesse lamented by the Emperous selfe and those other temporall Princes who well knew his wisedome constancy watchfull diligence and choice wit His descent was not great amongst the Wallones In his youth with continued patience persevering in the duties of a private Souldier and by his peculiar valour working himselfe by degrees from one preferment to another he at last to his great glory to the satisfaction of his Princes and to the great advantage of the Roman Religion arived at the honour of being supreme Commander of the Armies of the Roman Catholique League wherein he behaved himselfe so wisely and with such courage as being victour in many field Battailes and vanquisher of many people he deservedly merits to be numbred in the first ranke of the famous Commanders of our time he was of a middle stature of a strong complexion and of a martiall-like agillity preserving even in his gray headed yeares a youth-like bodily strength he was zealous in the service of his Princes and a very great defender of the Roman Catholicke Religion for he was often heard to say he would rather run hazard of his life then shun the occasion of well doing his devotion in all his actions was admirable he never went about any action before he had humbly on his knees begged of God that the event might be answerable to his divine will 't is said that if a man may live a Religious life in warre he did so All the workes of this Generall were commended by the Souldier and admired by the people his very enemies not undervalluing him The only thing that might fully his pious fame was the cruelty and barbarousnesse committed by his Souldiers at the taking of Newbrandeburg and Magdeburg which was such as the Romanists themselves were scandalised at the report thereof many were of opinion that this his want of compassion cryed for vengeance from God Almighty who is not pleased with cruelty though exercised against Infidels and Barbarians and that the chastisement which useth to fall upon wise men to wit the infatuation of their wisedome happened unto him for that moderation for which in all his other actions he was admired being suffocated by his too great daring he came presumptuously to the Battaile of Leipsick which was the break neck of all his glories for had he therein carryed himselfe according to his wonted warinesse many are of opinion he could not have missed the glory of happy successe and for that one misfortune treads in the heels of an other as though he had beene unwilling to out live this losse he ended his life in the bosome of glory writing in Characters of his owne bloud to posterity his eternity of merits from the Duke of Bavaria and pointing out unto them the way which leades generous mindes to immortallity In Walesteines Court his death seemed rather to cause joy then sorrow and this for that all Courtiers fawning or frowning as do their Lords their Masters knew that Walestein envying this warriers good conditions and the renowne which by the Victories in so many Battailes he had wonne loved not to see this great tree over-shadow the branches of his ambition and the occasion hereof was for that 't is impossible for him to love the Servant that hates the Master so Walesteine not caring for the Duke of Bavaria as suspecting that it was he who had perswaded the Emperour to take from him his former place and make use of Tilly who was thought to be fitter then he for so great an employment did no lesse despise and emulate the actions of the servant then those of the Master The Duke of Bavaria not thinking himselfe safe now in Monaco the place of his residence which was only walled about with old wals conveyed speedily all his most pretious movables to Saltsborg belonging to the Archbishop thereof an Ecclesiasticall Prince and one of the most potent and richest of all Germany this City is seated in a pleasant Country upon the River Zalza a Towne lately fortifyed with two Castles upon two hils which command the River on both sides hee with the remainder of his Army did wisely retire himselfe
to Ratisbone or Regenspurg intending to secure that place and to keep himselfe there for the losse thereof would not be a little prejudiciall to him it standing in the heart of his territories but this being a free City and no lesse priviledged then the other Hauns Townes and a good part of the Garrison thereof being Protestants was by reason of the Swedes so many victories very unwilling to declare it selfe it did not therefore condiscend to the entertaining of the Bavarians who had declared themselves enemies to the King lest thereby they might pull the warre upon them and by declaring themselves friends to Bavaria publish themselves enemies to the Swedes who were not farre off with their conquering Army they therefore in a faire manner desired to be excused by the Duke if they did not what he required of them and that he might not be jealous of their loyalty they promise to stand newters and not to furnish the King with any thing save what they could not chuse but grant him But the Duke knew that if the Swedes should possesse themselves of that City which they might easily doe they would not onely hinder the joyning of the lower Palatinate with Walesteine but would againe open the passage for their inrodes into the rest of Bavaria to the no little prejudice of Ingolstat the which being in the midst of the enemies Forts ran danger of either being surprised by treachery or enforced by some on-set to leane towards the Swedes which would be the totall ruine of Bavaria since it was the strongest key which shuts and opens the way to all forraigne invasions so as since neither by his perswasions nor by his promises he could get them to open their gates he resolved to try his wit to which purpose holding intelligence by the meanes of a Lieutenant of Lorreyne called Monseiur D'Erbois with some Citizens and other Chiefes of the Country people of those parts who had withdrawne themselves thither for feare of the Swedes he agreed with them that the Court de Guard of the Gates being often-times by these men doubled they should upon a night concluded on betweene them and at which time they should have the custody of the Gate that opens towards Monaco open the Gate and let him in The bargaine was made and the desired end had for the Count de Gratz who then commanded in Chiefe all the Dukes Forces sent 500 Horse and 2000 Foot thither in May who being let in forced the Magistrates thereof though much against their will to receive the Dukes Lawes This was the condition of the warre and these were the proceedings of the one and the other party the King not failing to prosecute his good fortune nor the Austrians to fence those blowes which thundred upon them When the foure moneths time being expired wherein Walesteine had in some good sort re-inforced the Army and put all things in order for his going into the field the Court at Vienna seemed to be much appaid with the proceedings of so gallant a Commander who had given so good a beginning to the resolutions which was conceived and hoped for from his being Generall but having some whimsie were it either that he desired to be intreated and to sell his service at a deere rate or the more to advantage his imployment or out of some other extravagant and Capricious opinion whereof he wanted not good store hee was heard to say that not accepting of the Generals place he was content to enjoy the repute of being a good Servant to his Caesarian Majesty and that he had made himselfe knowne to be so 'T was therefore resolved that Prince Ecchenberg and the Abbot of Cremismister Bishop of Vienna should againe be sent unto him to worke him to accept of the absolute Command of the Emperours Forces together with these the Spaniards sent likewise Father Chiroga a Capuchen a great wit and who in his time was a wise Commander to offer him 50000 Dollars a moneth in the name of the King of Spaine for maintenance of the Army instead of the men that were promised and raised in the Low-Countryes which they now stood in need of in Flanders to oppose the great Army of the Hollanders which were upon their march to take Maestricht This mans proffers and the others prayers made him give way to their alleadged reasons which were used more to flatter him and to satisfy him then that the businesse required it for he much more desired the place then the Emperour did to conferre it upon him nay indeed he feared to be excluded from it by the well grounded reasons which the Spanish Ministers of State offered which were alwayes averse to such a resolution as to conferre that authority upon him the halfe whereof might have contented him but necessity which is the glasse that dasels the eyes of the interest of States shewed not the blurre that was in the forehead of this expedition And for that Walesteine knew that in former times the greatest part of what had beene wonne in warre and by the sweat of the Souldier had been conferred to the great dislike of the Souldier upon such as had never been of that profession pretending hereby to be favourable to the Souldier whose good liking he ambitiously coveted he stood not onely to be declared Generall Independent of all the Emperours and King of Spaines Forces in Germany but to have a great stroake in the disposing of such goods as should be gotten and therewithall at his pleasure to remunerate such as by their valour should have best deserved a thought which rather arose from his desire of obliging the Souldier unto him then out of any worthy cause which might incline him to it He likewise desired that no peace might be at any time treated of without his privity hee demanded to have these and some other articles subscribed which though by reason of the urgent necessity were granted unto him as likewise by the Counsels of some Lords who gloried much in declaring themselves to be partiall on his side upon whose greatnesse they grounded high hopes yet could not the faithfull Austrians and in particular the sincere Spaniards who are true lovers of their Masters greatnesse forbear to murmure at the conferring of so great a power and though they seemed outwardly to be pleased yet were they much troubled that they must confide in one whom formerly they had declared themselves to be diffident of and of whom they ceased not yet to be jealous as likewise that the Servant should be possest of the Masters authority They said that certainly Germany was very poor if it had none other fit for the managing of such an Army and what would become of them if he were not there many such things as these they muttered above all it was very hard to tollerate him who growing every houre more ambitious seemed to be offended with that imployment which of right he should have petitioned for and treated arrogantly with
the Table was the racke to wrest out secrets the net wherewithall to take affection and friendship hee no wayes coveted ceremonies nor complements and if any one not knowing his humour should use any such with him he would in a jesting manner bid them keep their Courtship for the Queens Ladyes for that he was in the field to teach to fight not to learne to dance he was very severe in punishing the Souldiers insolency very dilligent in providing for the safety of his owne men when he tooke any City belonging to any Roman-Catholique hee would answer such Commanders as would advise him to lay heavie taxes upon the Citizens and impose new lawes upon them This is now my City it belongs no more unto the Enemy I am come to unfetter every mans liberty not to imprison them let them live as best pleaseth them and as they have formerly done I change no lawes to such as know how to live in those lawes that Religion hath ingrafted in them new shooes doe often times pinch the foot too much He made no difference in his treatings between Protestants and Roman-Catholiques hee shewed himselfe equally affectionat to the one and to the orher affirming That they were all the workmanship of God that hee thought every one believed well that observed the Kings lawes that it was not the worke of a Prince to instruct his people how to keep out of hell but that it belonged to Ecclesiasticall persons and Ministers of Gods word to doe that whence it ensued that the Romanists losing nothing but their native Prince and that Protestants regaining their liberty of Conscience his Empire and dominion was desired by the one and by the other like a Philosophying Souldier to witnesse the greatnesse of his minde he never indeavoured the perfecting of any enterprise wherein his Souldiers might not run some hazard hee was angry with those who would advise him to be carefull of his life and person he thought the thought of death misbecame a Prince professing Armes that the fancies of saving ones selfe were Counsels proffered by feare he called them happy who dyed in their vocations said death was a Voluntier who tooke pay of those that feared him most Great were the designes of his taking up Armes but after the victory of Leypzig they grew very vast for he aspired at the Empire of Germany which when hee should have gotten he thought it too narrow a bounds to his Commands unlesse he should inlarge them over Italy and other regions of Europe yea peradventure over the Ottoman Empire The Lord Paule Tresborg who was his Leger Embassadour at Constantinople and in his returne homeward lay at my house told me the very Turkes began to apprehend the fortune and valour of this King he had wont oft times to say that our predecessors having had so valiant Commanders and effecting so great enterprises he wondered how now the world was impoverished of such men and that this was the reason why many undertakings failed of performance to which being answered that this was occasioned through the divers use of Armes and manner of waging warre and the goodnesse of strong holds hee replyed that the diversity of Armes was nothing to be esteemed but the diversity of hearts that all Alexanders enterprises might be effected Hanibals victories obteyned and Caesars progresses be made if the heart of Alexander the minde of Haniball and Caesars daring were to be found In two yeares space this valiant King drew over to side with him or else won two hundred ninty six Cities Fortresses and walled Townes which formerly obsequiously reverenced the Scepter of the Emperour Ferdinand the second Hee won many victories in the field but that of Leypzig crowned and immortalized his glory since therein he overcame the worthiest and most victorious Commander of this our age and an Army which growne gray-headed in Armes and sufferings knew not what it was to be worsted By how much the Protestant party was afflicted at this great losse and the rest who envyed the Austrian greatnesse so much were the Imperialists and Church-men consolated thereby for though many more curious then others listened with delight to the actions of the King applauding them rather as things unusuall the present times not having knowne a King who would himselfe in person fight in the first Files against his Enemy yet the feare of his proceedings the doubt of having their rest and riches turned into labour and misery the certainty of having great taxations and contributions laid upon them to sustaine the Caesarian unsinew'd authority were very fitting occasions to cancell the affection they bore to the worth of this King and to rekindle their hatred and envy of him as was seen by the demonstrations they made in bonefires musicke and all other outward shewes of joy which gave the Protestants occasion of much murmurre who said thus to rejoyce for the death of a man was barbarous execrable and inhumane yet many there were that slighted these Jubilies saying that his glory was the greater by how much more estimation they put upon his losse Yet amongst these mirths and jollities the Imperialists were not free from paying tribute of some teares for they were very sensible of the death of Godfrey Count Pappenheime and more particularly the Ecclesiasticall Princes about Westfalia who had been by him and his worth defended against the imminent inevitable dangers that threatned them bewailing as it became them the losse of a benefactor more then rejoycing at the like of an Enemy were much afflicted thereat Their lamentation could not be held backe by their rejoycing for the Kings death which not being thereby allayd shewes the force of their affection to this Commander Godfrey Count Pappenheime was by birth an Alman of noble Parentage and excellent education he applyed himselfe from his first yeares to the warres and passing though all degrees of preferment he at last arrived to the Command of being one of Caesars Colonels a place of great esteem and no small consequence the first proofes he gave of his worth and valour was in the defence of Riva di Chianena in the Valtaline which was playd upon by the French where he raised his renowne and made men curious to inquire after his future actions behaving himselfe afterwards no lesse couragiously in Germany he appeared more worthy to command then to serve and therefore being advanced to the place of Lieutenant-generall of the Catholique League he did more then satisfie the expectation that was had of him In the most difficult actions he was couragious in advers fortune not moved in making of matches politique in deliberation bold in Counsell well advised modest in victory severe in execution in his dealings affable in fine he was in all things vigilant expert valiant mercifull and magnanimous the many scarres wherewith his face was adorned were the Characters wherin his good service was written the love and reverence the Souldiers bore him testified his civill and noble
the Enemies proceedings and intentions and for that by the good usage of such others may be invited to doe the same Crats who was a man of eminent place and much verst in the affaires of warre was in a small time preferred to be Marshall of that Army This new resolution of Crats who had alwayes been held to be of an uncorrupted faith seemed strange and afforded diversity of thoughts to many who deemed he might easily have delivered up unto the Swedes that City wherein he commanded in Chiefe and it did open the eyes of such and make them better advised who indeavouring to injure a man doe notwithstanding leave him meanes to revenge himselfe This plot not succeeding Holke marched towards Vilsbourg and Waymer that he might hinder him from taking of Neumarch sent Colonell Plat with 4000 Souldiers towards Wolfesteim some whereof met with the Crabats skirmisht with them and after a long fight with equall fortune there perished on both sides about 100 men The besieged in Brisach were not this meane while idle but made divers gallant Sallyes sometimes on this side sometimes on that side the Rhyn wherein they were still more couragious then fortunate The Duke of Lorayne having got together a Body of 8000 fighting men was ill advised by his Officers who had drawne him on with flourishing but fruitlesse hopes and was perswaded by that confidence which makes the greatest designes answerable to desire though hee was advertised by the Spaniards who were preparing in Lombardy to passe over into Alsatia not to take in hand any new designe till such time as they were come with their Forces to the Rhyn which being joyned with the Lorayners they did not onely thinke to drive the Swedes from thence but entering into Lorayne to defend that Dukedome from the Invasion of the French a businesse which tended much to their ends for by bringing their Forces into that state they did not onely thinke to hinder the French from breaking in thereinto which they should alwayes afterwards have feared in Alsatia and Luxemberg but putting Garrisons into Nancy Mota and other the best Townes of that State they should make themselves absolute arbitrators of that Princes will they should open the way to the Dutch Armies thorow this Country into France upon any occasion of breach they should make their journy more safe and short from Germany Italy and Burgundy into Flanders and assuring themselves that the French would not so easily bring their Forces upon the Rhyn nor set footing in Germany whilst Lorayne stood in defence of the Austrians who hardly quit those places they are once possest of and the Swedes being far from receiving assistance from that Crowne and invironed by the Imperialists they would make but small aboad in those Provinces which were slenderly inhabited uncultivated and already consumed by the misfortune of warre The Duke disquieted by the Counsell of those who were ambitious to shew their valour before the Spaniards should partake of their glory was perswaded to make his men advance into Alsatia and raise the Siege of Haghenaw Some are of opinion that the Duke was hereunto perswaded by some who depended upon France to the end that he breaking his promise made unto the King such an occasion might put the French upon the possessing themselves of that State before the Spaniards should come thither at which the French were not a litle troubled for that if the Spaniards should as they easily might nestle themselves here together with the re-inforcements which by the addition from Flanders Germany Burgunies and Italy they might receive and peradventure of some turbulent French these last the nature of whose nation it is to shew their â—icklenesse upon any the least pretence when they should have so secure a sanctuary to fly unto would have lesse respect to the duty they owe unto their King and openly manifest their ill intentions So as that France being on all sides invironed by the Spanish Forces injealousied by the Intelligence of Rebels kept by the Austrians from being succoured by their friends their Forces lessened by the Imperialists vast undertakings and warre being mantained in Lorayne Artois Alsatia and Burgondy might peradventure not be troubled with them Lorayne is oportunely situated upon Germany on the East side Burgondy on the South France on the West and Luxemberg on the North. the Lorayners being savoured by great windes and raine did on the tenth of August so bravely assault the Swedes who were advanced to â—faffen Hoven as at the very first encounter Roffawes Regiment of Horse being worsted by the Lorayne Horse faced about and by their retreat infusing fear into the rest occasioned no small harme unto themselves which might easily have been pursued had the Lorayne Commanders been more sufficient and not the Colonels Ransaw and Viston who were well experienced Gentlemen and commanded the Swedish Forces at this time Berchenfeild who had the charge of the field not being there used their valour and advisednesse for they instantly sent some horse into the Wood whether their Souldiers were fled who gave out that the grosse of the Enemies Body were on that side and that therefore there was no hope of escaping but by facing about to the other side which was made good but by a few of the Enemies those who through feare were formerly imbased being possest with this conceipt as it is usuall for men to believe that which they most desire spurr'd on towards the grosse body of the Loreynes hoping there to finde a more easie escape and comforted hereby did so farre advance as that the feare wherewith these were first possest passing to their adversaries who were amazed to see so strange a resolution and thinking it to proceed from desperation which ought oft-times to be feared they betooke themselves to their heels where being pursued though timerously and in disorder by the Swedes many of them were taken Prisoners amongst which were Monsieur de Fiorville and the Lord Minâ—ourt men of great account In this action that I may not tearm it a Battaile since there was no incounter of Armies but onely retreats there dyed on the one and the other side about 800 men the Loreyners left behinde them 6 pieces of Cannon and 100 Carriages of Baggage and Ammunition to the greater resentment of the Austrians then of the Duke himselfe for hereby they saw how the King of France might take occasion to wage Warre with Lorayne and prevent their comming thither by which their designes being discomposed they could looke but for little advantage from the Forces of that Duke nay rather they were to expect much of mischiefe from this his unadvised resolution for every Atchievement of France is a losse to Spaine The flight of some of Rossawes Horse which got into Strasbourg was so direfull tydings and occasioned such feare in those people as that the newes thereof arriving at the Swedish Campe before Brisach it gave them an allarm and made them
his most Catholique Majestie had with just reasons tane up Armes against that Kingdome not out of any intention to bereave the King of what was his since the Spaniards who have enough of the world and abound in charitie never covet what belongs to another but onely thereby to reduce the King to an universall peace which was so much desired by the Austrians for the welfare of the poore people who are those that at the last are onely indammaged by Warre and to get the States restored which were taken from the Duke of Lorayne and others as also to have satisfaction given to the Queene Mother and to have those Nobles restored to their Estates who were banished the Kingdom not for any fault of theirs but onely for that they would not depend upon his Majesties Ministers of State whom they knew to be no friends to France and in particular upon the Cardinall of Richelieu whom they feared most of all the rest having a genious opposite to the Spaniards and one who knew how the affaires of that Crowne went wherein there would be charitie and no little merit at Gods hands and all the world if those people and Princes could perswade the King to punish those as Traytors who were the cause the Kingdome was so much weakened by assisting strangers This Manifesto being published in France and comming to the Court afforded occasion of laughter to the Lords there who were much taken with the expression of the Spaniards charitie in not coveting what belongs to another they found all this to be but an invention to throw seeds of diâ—â—idence betweene the great ones too much inclined to noveltie and to put them in mind how their fore-fathers had strugled with their Kings to doe the like amongst the people who were desirous of quiet and not willing to undergoe new Impositions and in fine that this was but a bait to draw some male-contents over to them by whose meanes they pretended to receive no small benefit Yet was it not of force enough to have any outward operation for the late example of Monmerancy and other great ones of the Conspiracy had sufficiently taught them that the Subject might hope to be borne withall and pardoned for any other fault save that of infidelitie And every one knew very well that if the Crowne of France had consumed sufficient treasure by the government of such Officers yet were they secure from intestine Warres whereby that flourishing Kingdome had so much suffered in former times and which were easie enough to be renewed againe for every little distaste taken by a French Prince was sufficient to subvert whole Provinces so as it was better to indure some Taxations then to be exposed to the insolencies of a friend and violence of an enemy Moreover they saw a Dukedome of Lorayne joyned unto the Crowne the reveneues whereof did farre exceed all the expences they had beene at together with so many other Cities in Alsatia and in Italy where formerly they had not one foot of ground the maintaining whereof did keepe the Enemies of the Crowne in continuall suspition and afforded them meanes of thinking upon other enterprises and of helping upon all occasions such as were friends to France when they should be incombred by their Enemies The French having possest themselves of the seat of Panperduto and made their Trenches there in the open Fields which gave them no small hopes of further advancement and knowing that without any more adoe they should bring Milan into great streights for want of Victualls if carrying their Forces aside the great Lake they should cut from them those Provisions which were thereby brought unto the Citie they resolved upon the taking of Arona a Towne upon the Tessine in the mouth of the said Lake which would make them to perfect their designe They therefore marched with part of their Forces thetherwards but were not proserous in the attempt for all the neighbouring people taking up Armes together with others under the command of Count Iulius Caesar Borromeo they were saluted with many Cannon shot from divers places which were held by the Milanois on those Hills so as it behoved them to retreat that they might not dis-joint their Army which kept about Panperduto expecting the event of that enterprise by the benefit whereof they designed to marke where they might have greatest hopes of advantage But these proceedings were not well interpreted by those of Milan which made them murmur and complaine of the Spaniards for that they had assembled so many men together kept them so long in that State to the so great incommoditie and losse of so many people whom they had not courage to defend now that they stood in need of their helpe At which the Spaniards being much galled who fore-saw the apparent danger that over-hung them if they should make any further delay they resolved to alter their determination of keeping themselves in strong holds so to reduce the French to a scarcitie of Victualls and into a condition of receiving some great overthrow and propounded that content might be given to the Milanois by their undertaking some generous action whereby the others minds which were so farre sunck in dispaire might be somewhat comforted Leganes therefore on the 22th of Iune went from Biagras where he mustred his Army which the Militia of the Countrey being therein comprehended consisted of 15000 Foot and about 4000 Horse he was accompanied by Don Francisco di Melo Marquis Spinola and many other chiefe Commanders and in a grave and sober march he advanced in good order towards the French Army which kept in battell array within their Trenches but it being somewhat late there onely past an ordinary skirmish betweene the Horse of both parties which lasted almost all the night with little losse to either side for the Spaniards went warily to worke that they might not be brought upon disadvantage and the French attended some fitting occasion to charge them upon advantage so as the meane while the night came on which stickled the businesse Leganes notwithstanding knowing very well the Enemies condition and finding in his Souldiers a great desire to fight appeared the next morning at Sun-rising in good order before the French who kept themselves in battell array within their Trenches and going boldly on with the Spaniish and Dutch Foot against the Trenches the French though they did valiantly defend themselves and withstand their Enemies who fought very couragiously yet could they not keep one of their Foot battaglions from being routed which was charged by the Neapolitan Horse for the French Horse which were on the left wing towards the Ditch of Panperduto being playd upon by 3 pieces of the Spaniards Ordnance which were placed upon the edge of the said Ditch and being thereby much indammaged were wheeled about towards La Cassina di Tornavento from whence these Foot receding and others by reason of their feare they retreated towards the River under the shelter of
these men he being no less wise then valiant after having sailed some days without any news of them he at last discovered the enemies gallies making towards them who when they saw the Venetian fleet began to ply their Oars flye away he constrained them to forsake the sea to put into the haven of Vallona a Turkish Fort whither he pursued them and did there besiege them And the pirats not being able either by force or industry to get out they moored their gallies and came to land placing themselves under the shelter of some old wals hoping to receive some assistance from the Turks or else that the Venetian Fleet might by Tempest be inforced to be gone But Cappello who knew what the agreements were between the Venetians and Ottomans wherein it is declared that the Turkish Pirats must not enter the gulf nor harbor within the Forts or ports of the grand Seignieur which if they doe it is lawfull for the Venetian fleet to take them He therefore not failing in the duty of a gallant Captain to the honor of our christian faith boorded the great gallies beating down their fences with his Culverins he sent forth many souldiers in armed barques and Schifs to the assault The Pirats amazed hereat forsook their station and began to flye and to be brief on the 15. of August the Venetians made themselves Masters of all the aforesaid Gallies which were al presently sunk except 2 which by the grand Seignieurs arms were known to be come out of the Arsenall of Constantinople This victory being doubtlesly the greatest that hath been had since that of Lepanto as it was of great joy consolation to all Christians who could not sufficiently return thanks unto and praise the Commō-wealth of Venice which had obviated so much harm to Christendom so were the Turks as much displeased thereat for as it is usual with their cruelty who value nothing but their own greatness the news hereof comming to Constantinople and much exaggerated by the Pirats those barbarous people profest enemies to christianity exclaimed very much against the Venetians the Chaimecham for so they call the Visier Basha who in the Kings absence hath the command of the Port put a guard upon the Baiolo Veneto sent speedy news thereof to the grand Seignior who was at this time gone to warre against the Persians who when he heard thereof being highly incenst as wel for the loss of his fleet and the injury received in his owne Havens chiefly for that the fautors of these Pirats did by all meanes possible endeavour to trouble the peaceful correspodency between those two Potentates hee was ready to shew some great piece of barbarisme against the Baiola had not his Basha's dexterity diverted him telling him how that Princes in their treaties with Princes ought to be Prince-like and that to injure those who represent the publique was to violate the law of Nations yet were not the guards withdrawne nor the threats against the Venetians lessned For the Turks declaring they would wage war they gave some signs thereof by inhibiting commerce by imbargoing the Venetian ships in the Turkish Havens and did many other things which put all Christendome in no little jealousie This news arriving at Venice was not any wayes able to move the ground-work of that undanted constancy which abiding in the bosoms of those wise grave Senators hath alwais made it be known by effects they feared not the greatest combination of force the world could make against them To countervaile the Embargo of the Venetian Ships they presently sequestred the Turkish vessels the Turks themselves not failing in their publike wisedom to weigh the troubles of war the condition of the Christian Princes the formidable strength of the Ottoman the prejudice which by war only might redound to all Christendom which was at variance within it selfe full of troubles and much extenuated by continual wars they those two wayes as the best that were to be pitched upon in such an Emergency The one was to endeavour by treaty a confirmation of the peace with the Turks which was lawfull to be done the Turks being the parties offended that so they might shunne so chargeable and so bloody a warre The other willingly to goe in hand with the Warre if the Turkes should not listen to peace The Bailiffe and others that depended upon the Venetians had private commissions how they might behave themselves in their negotiations and in Venice preparation was had for war Thirty Gentlemen of the best Families in the Common-wealth were chosen to be Captains of smaller Gallies Signior Antonio Pisani a Gentleman of great esteem and worthy to be Generall was chosen Captaine of the Galliouns or great Gallies and to the two that were abroad were added 2 more newly built in the Arsenal of Venice of a strange structure the one of which was under Pisani the other was recommended to the charge of Sebastian Veniero an exquesitely wise and wonderfully valiant Senator All the Forts of the Kingdom of Candia of the other Islands under the Venetian Empire those of Dalmatia Schiavonia and Albania were furnished with new recruits of souldiery and provided of Commanders And the wise Venetian Senate considering that other Christian Princes were concerned in this war thankfully acknowledged the offers made by the Pope the King of Spaine the Knights of Malta and by other Princes and great men who were very forward in their exhibitions They sent Signieur Iavanni Nanni Procurator of Saint Marke a very worthy Gentleman and much esteemed of for his understanding in the mannaging of publique affaires Embassadour Extraordinary to the Pope and for the present they only provided some Foote under the Command of the Marquess Bentivoglio the Marquess Malatesta and some other Lords for not hearing that the Ottamans were likely as yet to have a Fleet at Sea able to encounter the Venetian Navy they did wisely to deferre those expences which being to be shunned were of great ease to the publique Treasury And the King being shortly expected in Constantinople they would make their preparations answerable to what they should see he would do But the grand Signior comming at last to his Court in great Triumph he presently declared himselfe that he would have warre with the Venetians He therefore called unto him the Bashaw of the Sea whom he commanded to get together all the shipping he could so as the appearing hope of accommodation suddenly vanished Whereupon those grave Fathers not failing in their requisite wisdome chose Luigi Sforzi Procurator of St. Marke one famous amongst the Captaines of that age who to his infinite glory had by all his actions spread abroad his fame to be their Proveditor Generall under the name of Capitan Generale But as Princes speake alwayes boldlyest when they have their weapons in their hand the Common-wealth being now in readinesse and no wayes inferiour in their power at Sea to