the ordinarie garrison mand with fiue hundred men which came from Alpen Graue and other townes nere adjoyning His Excellencie hauing exactly viewed the towne thought it necessarie to make two principall campes one aboue the towne before the gates called Rhynport and Casselport on the one side of the Rhyne where on the tenth of August hee lodged fifteene ensignes of the Frizons regiment vnder the commaund of Count William of Nassau with thirteene English ensigns vnder sir Horacio Veer brother to the General sir Francis and the regiment of West-Frizeland conducted by the Lord Aert of Duyvenvoord Lieutenant Colonel to prince Henrie Frederick of Nassau together with his Excellencies gard fiue cornets of horse quartered a little farther off towards Botberg Count Hohenlo Generall of the other quarter together with Count Solms were quartered on S. Annes hill before the Sautenport with eight ensignes of Count Solms regiment twelue companies of Scots vnder colonel Murray Count Hohenlos gard and twelue cornets of horse hard by them lay the Lord of Cloeting with eight ensigns of his owne regiment a little beneath the hill betwixt the two quarters Prince Maurice was lodged At their first arriuall before the towne Count Lodwick of Nassau was shot in the legge The eleuenth of August was spent in fortifying and entrenching the two campes which were conjoyned together with forts of retreat of which three were built to stop the enemies passage so as thereby the towne was enuironed from the one banke of the Rhyne to the other The same night they began to draw trenches from his Excellencies campe to the towne and the next day the quarters of counts Hohenlo and Solms were entrenched His Excellencie likewise caused a bridge to be made whereon to passe ouer from his own camp into a little Island and so from thence vnto the other side of the Rhyne the better to get forrage and prouision Three canon being afterward planted a great tower from whence the townesmen continually shot into the campe and trenches was fiercely battered as also another called the Toll-tower and the Rhyne Port that our men might worke safely in the trenches Two other pieces were likewise planted against the Bulwarke before Castle Port which played so fiercely on the fifteenth and sixteenth of August as those of the towne were enforced the same day to abandon the great Tower from whence they had done much mischiefe and shot through his Excellencies Tent. The sixteenth of August at night twentie foure canon were planted in sundrie places to batter the towne on all sides yet because the trenches were not so neere the towne as it was expected his Excellencie would not as then suffer the batterie to bee made but caused a gallerie from the East side of the bulwarke before the castle-port to bee made for the summe of one thousand two hundred florins which was promised to bee finished in foure dayes The nineteenth of August as the trenches began to approach the one side of the halfe moone which lay without the Bulwarke of the Toll-tower before the Rhyne Port they did let forth the water of a small riuer called the Niep which was kept in before the halfe moone by a sluce And because the gallerie stood farre in vpon the dike which was not verie broad nor deepe his Excellencie and the chiefest commaunders of the armie determined to begin the batterie which was likewise resolued hoping thereby to come into the bulwarke It was begun about tenne of the clocke with fiue and thirtie pieces of ordnance viz. nine and twentie great canon and sixe field pieces of which tenne were planted before the Rhyne Port 11 before the bulwarke of castle-port fiue vpon the Island of Rhyn against the Tol-tower and foure somewhat lower before the towne wals and others in other places After the 3 volley his Excellencie according to the vsual maner summaned the town to yeeld the Burghers hauing parolyed with our men stood vpon 3 daies respit which they earnestly craued Some houre after the parley the batterie was renewed it was verie furious and lasted till fiue of the clocke in the euening hauing in all made aboue two thousand shot in which meane space Count Williams men by fauour of the canon gained the halfe Moone and his Excellencie the better to win time notwithstanding that some thought it fit to tarrie the townesmens leisure did againe summon the towne which now began to be somewhat terrified for the souldiers on euerie side approached it and stood in order of battaile Whereupon they within it sent 4 commissioners viz. captaine Benting old captaine Dulken the Admerall Pasman and the Quarter-Master of Count Hermen of Berguens regiment and in counterchange of them the captaines Schaef Ingelhauen Waddell were sent into the towne After long contestation and earnest entreaties his Excellencie was content to let them depart with their ensignes armes and baggage leauing out the article of not seruing on this side the Mase for the space of three moneths promising that the Burghers shold enjoy their priuiledges and vpon the 21 of August they departed vnder the conduct of the Gouernour captaine Snatere with 5 ensigns being in all some nine hundred men vnto whom his Excellencie lent seuentie or eightie wagons for which Captaine Bentings sonne remayned hostage The same day they went to the towne of Guelders where they could not be suffered to enter and there tarryed with their conuoy But on the two and twentieth of August because those within it would not furnish them with victuals or else for selling them at too hight rate they thereupon quarrelled with them that had the gard of the gates and forced their entrance into the towne where they began a mutinie crying out for money money notwithstanding that Count Henrie of Berguen lay there The garrison of the towne tooke their part and expulsed Count Henrie and all the captaines The Lords of Gileyn Vtenham Grammay offered them 2 moneths pay which satisfied them not but they kept Vtenham Grammay as prisoners After that Count Herman came to appease them but in vaine whereupon he departed with his forces to Arsen where he assembled some 3000 men In this manner did the towne of Rhynberck yeeld to Prince Maurice being besieged tenne dayes and hauing receiued 2870 shot Great store of ordnance was found in it viz. 44 cast pieces among which were seuen for batterie together with a great quantity of course cloth brought thither to cloath the garrison which was thought to be worth 170000 florins there were fiue ships of war sunke and two great Ferrie-boats which were made at Coloigne with which they hoped to haue done some notable exploit besides other prouisions His Excellencie did forthwith repaire the ruined places and caused the trenches to be leuelled and because Captain Schaef had valiantly behaued himselfe in that siege he made him gouernor of the towne and gaue him six ensignes of foot well furnished with munition and victuals The
for then it will be no hard matter for your Excellencies and vs to cause the Spaniards and other straungers to follow them and to enforce the greatest parts of their adherents to become true Patriots and Countriemen If any shall herein propound some impossibilitie how that your Excellencies cannot safely take this course let it please you to beleeue the contrarie videlicet that if your Excellencies for sixe moneths will assist vs with as much money as the moytie of the auntient and ordinarie taxation of Brabant Flaunders Artois Haynault Valenciennes Lislie Douay Orches Tournesis Tournay and Mâ—lines amounts vnto and to lie still your selues respecting theiâ— Highnesses or else to joyne with vs which we leaue to your Excellencies choice and pleasure we hope by Gods helpe to briâ—g things to such passe as your Excellencies shall judge that there is likelihood of good successe And seeing that many honest people dare not set themselues forward but are in diuers points irresolute your Excellencies shal giue such directions both for gouernment and matters of Religion as ye shall thinke fit and most expedient and yee are not to suppose but to bee well assured that we will not attempt to doe any thing to the contrarie Your Excellencies may likewise be assured that in an action so necessarie laudable and honorable neither your selues or vs shall want the ayd and assistance of our neighbours Kings Princes and common wealthes In which regard wee once againe entreat your Excellencies to forget all passion suspition and bad conceits and with vs to embrace this present occasion as the onely meanes to settle the Low-Countries in their auntient glorie prosperitie peace and quiet not depending on pretended new forces which cannot but cause great ruine and miserie If otherwise we foresee that miseries and mischiefes will grow greater than euer heretofore from which before the whole world wee will cleare our selues Whereupon we beseech God high illustrious honorable noble magnificent learned wise and discreet Lords friends and neighbours to inspire your Excellencies with a desire tending to the common good of the Netherland Prouinces and prosperity of the true and honest Inhabitants thereof From the Hague in hast this seuenth of Iulie 1602 signed by Hero de Hottinga and vnderneath The true freinds and neighbours of your Excellencies The generall States of the vnited Netherland Prouinces By their appointment signed by C. Aerssens So soone as all things which were thought necessarie for this armie were speedily prepared and that certaine Lords of the Generall States and councell of State were appointed to bee present with his Excellencie to assist him in all matters which might happen in the armie videlicet from Holland the Burgomaster of Alcmaer whose name was Gerard Coorn from Zealand Albertus Ioachimi counsellor and pentioner of Tergoes from Vtrecht Gerard de Renesse Lord of Vander Aa from Frizeland Iulius Essinga and from Ouer-yssell Otto Roeck The armie was diuided into three troops The first was that of his Excellencie conducted by Count Ernest of Nassau which commonly marched in the left wing the second by Count William of Nassau gouernour of Frizeland and Groeningue with whom was Count Henry of Nassau his Excellencies brother who vsually marched in the middle or battaile The third by Sir Francis Vere Generall of the English Regiments who led the right wing The horsemen were conducted by Count Lodwick of Nassau Generall of the cauallery and with him the Lord Gray who were likewise diuided into three troops each of which neere to one of the foot troops The wagons and carts were also diuided into three parts the ordnance excepted being twelue demy canons and three field peeces The three and twentieth of Iune the Campe departed from a place called Little Linden and marched in the foresaid order not one behind an other but close together being sometime seperated halfe an houres iourney from one an other and sometimes lesse and was quartered the same day at Sambeer Mullem and Oploo The foure and twentieth at Bleyterwick Meerle and Venroy the fiue and twentieth at Baecken neere to Venlo Brey and Zeuenum the sixe and twentieth at Bingenum neere to Remunde Baxen and Heilhuyse the seuen and twentieth at Aldeneyck neere to Masieres Gestinghen and Ophouen The Reader may consider that by the first mentioned places are meant the quarters of his Excellencies troop the second of Count William and the third of Generall Vere The eight and twentieth nine and twentieth and thirtieth of Iune and first of Iuly the whole campe remained in the said places setting vp mills to grind and ouens to bake and making other prouision in the towne of Masieres The second of Iuly the armie marched in the same order and quartred at Lent and thereabout The 3 day leauing Mastricht on the left hand at Gellick Moperdingen and Eygenbilsen The fourth at S. Heeren-Elderen Heins and neere to Tongren where it staied The fift and sixt at Gelmen Hopperdingen and Rijckel neere S. Torns the seuenth all the troops lodged together at Halmael neere S. Trons The Archduke hauing assembled his armie beyond the towne of Thyenen vnder conduct of the Admerall of Arragon at a place called Hackelduyuel entrenched and fortified his campe with Rampiers and Bulwarks well fenced with ordnance His Excellencie on the eight of Iuly with a great part of his horse and foot leauing the rest in armes together with the wagons and baggage at Halmael crossed a small riuer called Dormaele and a village in Brabant called Nerelant leauing Louayn on the right hand and went euen in sight of the enemies campe sending some of his horsemen to a little riuer called the Gete not far from the enemies Campe to view and to trie whether there were any likelyhood to draw him from his place of aduantage to battaile But perceiuing that hee did not stir his Excellencie and men after some stay on an high place hauing shewed themselues to the enemie returned to his Campe at Halmaell where hee continued the ninth day the enemie not once comming abroad and want of victualls enforcing his Excel to abide there no longer and perceiuing that the enemie was strongly intrenched hauing with them certaine Italian troops newly arriued amounting in all to the number of 20 thousand men together with 18 peece of ordnance he resolued to do that which should be most commodious for himselfe the difficulties of the passages and bad waies were propounded the number of wagons beeing verie great and the labour to iourney greater with such a cariage They found the townes and villages of the countrie of Liege verie vnwilling to giue them bread for money and there were so many men and horse in the armie as sufficient forrage could not bee found for them corne could not bee ripe in a fortnight or three weeks they came likewise too late to hinder the Italians from ioining with the Admerall whereupon they resolued to besiege some towne of importance some propounded Antuerpe but their necessarie prouisions
send them from Sluce to Sea or else through the channell of Iperlee into other Hauens of Flanders He had likewise prepared seuentie flat bottomed vessels in the little Riuer at Waten each of them beeing able to carrie thirtie horse with Bridges fit to ship them he had likewise two hundred more of these Boates though not so big readie in the Hauen of Newport He had rigd two and thirtie ships of warre at Dunkirke wanting mariners he drew diuers from Hambourg Breme and Embden He had two thousand emptie vessels readie at Grauelin which in a short space might be soon fastened together in maner of a bridge with all prouision to make bridges to choake vp hauens and to found them and neere to the Hauen of Newport hee had prepared great heapes of Fagots and other substance to make Gabions in many of his Boates were two Ouens to bake bread he had likewise great numbers of Saddles Bridles and furniture for horse with all sorts of ordnance and munition necessarie thereunto Beside he had a Campe readie not farre from Newport commaunded by Camillo the Campe-Master and thirtie Ensignes of Italians tenne of Walons eight of Scots eight of Burgonians in all fiftie sixe Ensignes euerie Ensigne an hundred men compleat Neere to Dixmuyde hee had sixtie Spanish Ensignes sixtie of Almans and seuen of reuolted English vnder the commaund of of Sir William Stanley The Earle of Westmerland and the Lord Paget English fugitiues were there likewise readie to imbarke In the suburbs of Courtray he had foure thousand horse 900 horse at Watene with the Marquesse of Guastos Cornet who was Generall of the horse Pope Sixtus the fist the better to strengthen the sayd Armie and weaken the Queene of Englands power did for his part doe all he could imploying his spirituall armes as they terme it published his Croizades and Bulls for the aduancement of this enterprise and gaue great pardons which were printed and distributed abroad He had likewise as it is reported giuen the Realme of England to the King of Spaine with this Title of Defender of the Christian faith commaunding him to surprise it on condition that if he should win it he should enioy it as a seodatarie to the See of Rome and to this end the Pope contributed a million of gold or ten ne hundred thousand ducats the one halfe in hand and the other when eyther England or some famous Hauen should bee woon And for the better furtherance thereof the Pope sent an English Doctor called Allen into the Low-countries who should haue had the managing of all Ecclesiasticall affaires He caused a declaration of the Popes to be Printed at Antuerpe confirming his predecessors sentence of excommunication deposing and degrading the Queen of England from all her titles and dignities as an vsurper which for the aduauncement of the enterprise he would haue published in England The Spanyard the better to couer and conceale his practises or else peraduenture to make the world beleeue that his designe was rather for the vnited Prouinces than for England made a solemne treatie of peace with the Queen at Bourbourg in Flanders But the Prouinces Towns and Forts neere to the Sea gaue aduertisements protested and sought all meanes to hinder and breake off this treatie of peace aduising the English rather to stand upon their Gard Yet some in England stood fast for peace or truce as most necessarie profitable for the State of their countrie as well for their traffique nauigation as to cut off the great expence of a long tedious war others by this meanes thought to diuert the fleet from them so to auoid the tempest In a word Parma hereby did lull full diuers Englishmen a sleep who were desirous of peace in the Low countries himselfe thinking on nothing lesse than peace studying how he might conquer England which he had alreadie promised to himselfe Whereupon the English the vnited prouinces were in some sort prepared for defence against the force of this fleet but not according to the greatnesse of the danger for it was giuen out that this great Armada was onely to conuey the Spanish fleet to the Indies and bring it safe home againe which was the rather belieued because the ships being so great some thought that the Spaniards would not hazard them in the narrow seas nere to England In May the French King sent a message to the Queene of England by which hee aduised her to prepare for defence for that he was truly enformed that this tempest wold light vpon her Wherupon the Queene speedily prepared a fleet of her owne ships and that of her subjects sent part thereof to Plimmouth in the West parts vnder the commaund of the Lord Admirall Charles Lord Howard of Effingham now Earle of Nottingham together with Sir Francis Drake Vice-Admirall to the number of 100 saile An other fleet lay betwixt Douer and Calais vnder the commaund of the Lord Henrie Seymer sonne to the Duke of Somerset to the number of 40 or 50 saile All England was in Armes vnder valiant and trusty Captaines And because it was reported that the Spanyards conjoyned with Parma would come vp into the Riuer of Thames a Campe was made nere Grauesend with forts on both sides the Riuer by Frederic Ienibelli an excellent Ingeneir The Queene came in person to the Campe like a second Tomyris or Pallas other Camps were likewise placed in other parts As for the vnited Prouinces of Holland Zeland c. they by a mutuall consent resolued to doe the like But because they vnderstood that the Spanish ships were too bigge to come nere their shallow shoares they were more afraid of Parma and his flat bottomed Boats notwithstanding their own incessiue broiles they made readie a fleet of ninetie vessels which they sent to gard al the Hauens of Flaunders euen from the Scheld and Lillo as farre as Grauelin and had placed strong Garrisons in all their Sea Townes And to make some opposition against the Spanish fleet they sent Captaine Cornelis Lonck of Rosendael with fiue and twentie or thirtie vessels to joyne with the Lord Henrie Seymer and to lye betwixt Calais and Antuerpe But the ships were by Tempest and Northerlie winds enforced to quit the coast of Flanders and to returne into England yet when the tempest ceased they returned with Iustinus of Nassau who was there in person with George le More Vice-Admirall of Zeland being in number fiftie fiue vessels great and small of 80 and two hundred and fiftie tunne excellently well mand with souldiers and mariners beside one thousand two hundred old choyce musquetiers drawne from all the Regiments who were resolute and skilfull in Sea fight This was dore to keepe Parmas fleet from comming forth of the Hauens which was a matter of most importance In the meane time on the nine and twentieth day of May 1588 the aforesaid mightie Nauie sayled forth of the Hauen of Lisbone vnder
twentie vessels Whilest the fleet lay there the Duke of Medina sent aduertizement to Parma diuers Gentlemen went on shore to refresh theÌ„selues among others the Prince of Ascoli a braue young Lord who as some say was base sonne to King Philip who went to land in a happie houre because the ship wherein he came from Spaine did within a while after perish in Ireland with all her men The Duke of Parma hauing intelligence that the fleet lay vpon the coast of England made great hast to make one in person in that enterprise resigning the gouernement generall of the Countrie to old Count Mansfelt Himselfe went on Pilgrimage into Haynault to our Ladie of Halles and from thence returned towards Bruges where hee arriued on the seuenth of August The next day riding towards Dunkirke where his ship tarried for him he heard the report of the Canon betwixt the two fleets and the same night comming to Dixmuyde he had intelligence of the successe On Tewsday the ninth of August about noone he came to Dunkirke euen when the fleet was alreadie past none of his Ships daring to goe forth to giue them the least hope of aide because they were afraid of the thirtie fiue Hollanders that lay in gard vnder the conduct of the Admirall Iustine of Nassau which were excellently prouided of good mariners and beside the ordinarie souldiers with 1200 braue musquetiers and lay only there to keepe Parmas fleet from issuing out of the Hauen which was a matter of greatest importance As for the great ships they feared them not because the Sea was too shallow in those parts Beside all Parmas forces were not readie nor imbarked onely 700 reuolted English vnder Sir William Stanleys commaund were shipt and thought to get the aduantage by landing first in England His other souldiers were male content and vnwilling especially the mariners who were few in number the prouision likewise of Beere Bread and victuals was not yet readie nor imbarked The mariners were so afraid of the Hollanders as they ran away dayly fearing least the soldiers would enforce them to doe that which they knew could not be done Then they wanted Gallies from Spaine which might haue beaten the Hollanders from the coasts of Flaunders The Spanish fleet lying thus at anker before Calice the better to consult with the Duke of Parma concerning their enterprise they concluded to execute their designe on Friday the twelfth of August the night being darke The Admiral of England with the chief of his Councell determined to enforce them to weigh anker and to be gone or else to burne their fleet whereupon they appointed eight of their vnseruiceablest vessels to bee filled with wild fire and other combustious matter charging the ordnance in them vp to the mouth with small shot nayles and stone which on Sunday the seuenth of August in the afternoone they sent with the wind and tyde after that the men that were in them had forsaken and fired them directly vpon the Spanish fleet which fire did in the night so terrifie them supposing them to be some of those internall ships full of powder and wild fire with the Ingeueer Frederic Ionibelli had made vse of some three yeares before at Antuerpe against the Prince of Parmas bridge ouer the Scheld as crying out The fire of Antuerpe the fire of Antuerpe they presently cut their cables and in confusion did put to Sea In this amazement the Captaine of the great Galleasse fell soule of the cables of another ship and lost her tudder and beeing not able to saile without it was carried by the force of the Sea vpon the sands just before Calice whether it was pursued by certayne English Pinnaces which plaid vpon her vvith their ordnance but durst not boord her which the Lord Admirall perceiuing sent his great Pionace with two hundred souldiers vnder the commaund of Captaine Preston who all of them together boorded the Galleasse where the Generall D. Hugo de Moncada made braue defence for a while hoping of some succour from land but at last he was shot in the head and slaine and diuers other Spaniards with him part of whom leapt into the Sea thinking to escape by swimming who were all drowned The visitor Generall D. Antonio de Manriques with some others escaped and carried the first newes home into Spaine This great Galleasse wherein vvere three hundred slaues and foure hundred souldiers was for three houres pillaged wherein fiftie thousand Duckets of the Kings vvere found The English would at last haue burnt her but Gorâ—â—n the Gouernour of Calice would not permit it as a matter tending to the hurt and prejudice of his Towne and Hauen and with his canon plaid vpon the English The same day being the eight of August as the Spanish fleet sell againe into order it was again fiercely assailed by the English right ouer against Graueling where they voluntarily lost their aduauntage of the wind chosing rather to let the wind driue them before Dunkirke than to open themselues or change their order resoluing onely on defence Though the English had gallant tall ships yet but 22 or 23 of them were comparable to the Spanish which were ninetie But the English had the aduantage by being lighter better of saile so as they came oftentimes within a pikes length of them and discharged their whole tyre of ordnance vpon them and then their smal shot continuing it the whole day till their powder and shot began to faile and then they held it no discretion to boord the Spaniards who still kept themselues together in close order the English beeing satisfied with chasing them from before Calice and Dunkirke and keeping them from joyning with the Duke of Parma The Spaniards the same day receiued much hurt losing many men and had diuers of their ships shot through They likewise with their ordnance plaid fiercely vpon the English but did them no great hurt for they lost few men and neuer a Shippe or man of note and in all that time and in the whole journey they lost but an hundred men and yet Sir Frauncis Drakes ship had beene shot aboue fourtie times and his Cabbin twice shot through And towards the end of the fight a Gentlemans bed whereupon hee rested himselfe beeing weatie was taken from vnder him by a great shot And as the Earle of Northumberland and Sir Charles Blunt afterwards Lord Mountioy and Master Henrie Nowell sat at meate a demie Culuerins shot flew through the cabbin and ouerthrew 2 men The like accidents happened in other ships which wold be tedious to recite yet it appears that God did wonderfully assist the English For as the Lord Admirall wrote to the Queene there was no likelihood that the English in mans judgement and according to the apparance of the circumstances should haue dared to approch the Spaniards but that God had an admirable hand therein vnto whom they willingly ascribed all the honour of their
lord Willoughby General of the English came to Berghen and had made Sir William Drury knight gouernor of the towne The next day they mustered had in all 12 ensignes of foot 9 of which lay in the towne the other 3 in the forts besides 4 cornets of horse The Dutch captaines were Paul Marcelis Bacx brethren the English were commaunded by captain Parker captain Pooly who was cornet to my lord Willoughby From Holland they receiued a certaine quantitie of powder The Forts whereof we now spake are vpon the hauen which being too farre off from the townes defence sundrie Forts were made to secure it For the hauens mouth lieth 532 foot from the towne from S. Iames his gate it extends 535 foot towards the North and from thence falleth into the Scheld In this turning stands the first which is called the little Fort because it is lesser than any of the rest The other Fort lieth 3320 foot from the head and is called Valkenbourg by the first Captaines name that kept it from thence ye goe to the North Fort distant from the Houdt-port two thousand nine hundred and sixtie foot In Southland nere to Valkenbourg stands the new Fort diuided onely from Valkenbourg by the Dike and this Fort lies open behind By a conduit they can emptie the water of the Dike into the hauen or keepe it in at their pleasure From the new Fort they haue made a new dike as farre as the towne which is commonly called the new hauen Right ouer against the lesser Fort the sluces of the hauen of Northland were opened to keepe the enemie from accesse to the North for t The Lord Willoughby went into Holland to my Lords the States to take order for al necessarie prouisions for the town But before his departure he conferred with the Magistrat and appointed the towne to be diuided into eight quarters and euerie quarter to be commanded by a sherife to ouersee the Burghers and to looke that they laboured in the fortifying of those parts of the towne that were weakest The Burgomasters for that yeare were Frauncis Manteau and Peter Suidlants the Sherifes were William Frauncis the old Burgomaster Cornelius Iohn Cornelius Denis Marke Martin Adrian Iohn Iohn Clarke and Cornelius of Heusden The receiuers were Marin Nicholas the old Burgomaster Nicholas de Ranst When the sherifs vpon important businesse could not ouersee the workmen then some of the chiefe Burghers of euerie quarter supplied their places Foure dayes after the Lord Willoughbies departure the Burghers began at S. Iames his gate as ye go from the head to the new worke making first a trench vpon the bank or causey which leads from the same gate to the new hauen All along the hedge which is planted from the powder tower to the woodden gate fortifications were likewise made in manner of trenches they did also labor verie diligently in other places On the high way from Wouwe some of the enemies horse were descried wherupon the sentinel on the watch tower rang the alarm bell Sir William Drury the gouernour made a sallie and caused the enemie to retire All the horse troopes in the towne followed the gouernour who with those forces that sailled with him pursued the enemie euen to Wouwe part of the horse and foot made a stand at the entring of the heath of Wouwe and the Downes of Berghen In the meane time the gouernour returned hauing lost one of his horsemen and two horse for he went as farre as the Churchyard of Wouwe where he skirmished with many of the enemies Diuers condemned this his attempt saying that he had greatly endaungered himselfe and the towne by his too greedie desire of fight For the enemie was superiour to him in strength and he had too farre engaged himselfe to returne with safetie to the towne if the enemie should haue assailed him Returning from this sallie he caused the bridge at the Bulwarke of Helstede to be broken down for they that had vndertaken the works had made a bridge ouer the dike to fetch earth from the hill of Varij-Bogaert to make an end of their worke Cornelius Iohn the cities sherife sent messengers from the comminaltie of the towne into Zeland to aduertize my Lords the States that the enemie threatned to besiege the towne of Berghen and to that end lay with his campe at Wouwe and that the towne was badly prouided of necessaries for maintenance of a siege and that therefore the magistrats of Berghen besought them of aid and assistance in their necessitie as their neighbours and confederats that the cause was common for if Berghen should bee lost the Islands of Zeland would bee mightily endaungered The next day which was the 14 a boat came from Zeland loden with plankes and other necessaries And because the States of Holland Zeland those of the town of Dort did during the siege carefully send prouision of all necessaries to the towne In that regard I will truly say that it was wel prouided of corne butter cheese salt herring salt fish hay straw oates powder plankes nayles lead bullets match pike oziertwigs to make gabions c. The Zelanders sent fiue Culuerins of Portugal each of them carrying a bullet of 26 pound weight they were of those which Peter Vander Does Vice-Admirall of Holland found in the Gallion of D. Diego Pimentell which he tooke nere to Blankenberg and brought to Flushing The enemies horse shewing themselues againe on the high way of Wouwe were soone put to flight by our men because their number was not great About the same time diuers fires were seene betwixt Rosendael Calmthout made by such as went from Calmthout towards Steenberghen to assemble all their forces to go and inuade the land of Tertholen as it afterwards appeared For the night before the 17 of September great numbers of the enemie vnder the conduct of the Lord of Montigni went along the bank called Matreben to a place called Eendrecht meaning to surprise the Island All the causey of Tertholen especially where the water is so low as the riuer may be crossed is fortified with a trench and forts well mand with soldiers are made in many needfull places The Count of Solms was gouernour of the Island There where the enemie thought to passe is a large extent of ground where on Tertholens side are 3 forts the one Southward towards Tholen called the Botshoost that in the middest is called Papen-mutse or priests cap because it is square and the third stretching Northward is stiled the new Weer or passage The water being low certaine ensignes attempted to passe ouer to the Fort of Papen-mutse But the water was not so shallow as they imagined and the current was verie strong so that diuers of them were drowned and slaine by our mens shot some of them notwithstanding passed ouer and being protected by the banke made signes to their fellowes to come ouer But all this beeing to no purpose because the rest
of the preseruation of so braue a souldier than of any gaine bootie or prisoners so that seuentie prisoners who had been taken at the beginning of the fight and were not yet carried into the towne were in all hast slayne yet some escaped The arriuall of our men opened Parker a large way to escape from the enemie whilest they were busied in fight the Lord Willoughby and the Generall Wilford came from Holland who without entring into any house sallied forth with great numbers of foot to reskew the horse who after they had brauely executed their enterprise returned towards the towne in good order being pursued by the enemies who were extreamely grieued that Parker escaped from them Parker had receiued certaine musket shot on his armour but was not hurt because it was of proofe Where the heat of the fight had been great heapes of dead men and horse lay Of our horsemen some foure or fiue were slaine but many were hurt and the losse of horse was great It is reported that two hundred of the enemie were slayne This was done on the fiue twentieth of September after dinner Whilest the horsemen fought with the enemie the masons broke downe a certaine wall of the remainder of the Abbie because the enemie should not make vse of it against the towne Presently after this fight the enemie shortned and tooke in his campe which he had at first much amplified and enlarged forsooke the high Northgeest strongly fortifying and entrenching himselfe both to the South and Northward of the towne to defend himselfe from our sallies for he expected no such dealing and neuer thought that there had bin so great courage and valor in those of the town Towards euening the Drossart Burgomasters sherifs assembled themselues with whom joyned the captaines Vere Scot Baskeruile Salisburie to consult together what was necessarie for the preseruation of the town And euer after they obserued this order that the gouernour and chiefe of the Councell of war did once a day meet at the state house to conferre of matters concerning the present estate of the town which was a matter verie commendable especially in a town besieged For by this means all difficulties were at first easily remoued that did arise at such a time betwixt the souldiers and Burghers when any thing is done by mischaunce on one part or other to the prejudice of either Euer since then the Magistrat to shew his diligence did daily meet twice namely at eight of the clocke in the morning and two of the clocke after noone The lord Willoughby requested the magistrat that the Burghers might arme keep Corps du gard in the streets and the matter was brought so far forward as captaines officers were chosen but by reason diuers excused thēselues through want of armor which the mutinous French had taken from them in former time nothing ensued thereof On the 28 of this moneth Sir Tho Morgan who had bin gouernor of the town returned from England The Queen and my lords the states had sent him to be gouernor in Sir William Druries place The states had a while before sent Lancelot Parisijs commistarie of the musters enjoining him to tel the Councel of war magistrats that it had pleased her Ma. to write vnto them of late as likewise to the lord Willoughby that it was her expresse wil pleasure that Morgan shold be gouernor and to this end they likewise sent her Ma. letters by the said Lancelot And in this respect they wold herein doe nothing contrary to her Ma. command The contents of whose letters was that hauing intelligence how the Duke of Parma had attempted to besiege Berghen-op-Zoom in that regard she thought it fit to giue the gouernement of the town to Sir Thom. Morgan the better to assure it against the enemies power and that her pleasure was to haue him forthwith installed in Druries stead who had lately bin recōmended to her by the states not that she in any sfsort doubted of Druries loyaltie and valour but Morgans long experience in war together with the peoples loue towards him had caused that alteration The cause why the Queene spake thus of the peoples loue towards Morgan and the recommending of him to my lords the states was because my lord Willoughby did not greatly affect Morgan Sir Thom. perceiuing this that he could not build vpon Willoughbies fauor for the gouernement of Berghen that there were diuers that sued for it found means to get the fauor of the magistrats and Burghers by whose means he obtained letters of recommendation to her Ma. both from the states and comminalty of Berghen The Lord Willoughby in the meane time had by sundrie practises established Drurie in the gouernement but because it was done without the States consent they therefore wrote vnto the Queene that no opposition might be made against her highnesse commaund After Morgans arriuall sundrie quarrels arose not onely betwixt the two Gouernours but among the Captaines and souldiers The English held more with Drurie than Morgan the Low-countrie men and Scots tooke Morgans part Willoughby fauoured Drurie against Morgan and therefore he gaue the gouernement of the towne to Morgan but made Drurie captaine of the Forts saying he did so because her Majestie spake onely of the towne and not of the Forts Morgan on the contrarie maintained it to be a verie absurd matter because the towne and forts depended one vpon an other and neuer had different gouernours Count Solms and Generall Villers came opportunely from Zeland whilest the gouernors contested about the gouernement and exhorted them to peace and concord Yet for all that Drurie commaunded the Forts of the Hauen and Morgan the Towne Those of Druries faction were likewise placed in the Forts Drurie came not often into the towne and spake seldome to Morgan but there was still some quarrell or other he did also highly complaine of the Magistrats and my Lords the States who were much displeased with this discord especially because their authoritie and command was directly contemned euery man feared that some inconuenience would ensue The nine and twentieth of this moneth the imposition vpon wine beere was let to ferme which was payed during the siege as in time before The next day Willoughby made an other sallie vpon the North side of the Campe and though he vsed the same order and meanes as at the first sallie yet he did no great matter for the enemie behaued himselfe more wisely and would no more be surprised from behind the hill of Varibogart as at first the footmen kept within the trenches of their Campe or behind the bushes not farre off and did no more assaile our men as before Our footmen stood in battaile vvithin musquet shot of the Towne yet the Cauallery incountred one an other and the fight was sharp on both sides our men gaue a braue charge and the enemie made gallant resistance each did their best Poolies
them returned into Spaine For which vpon the one and twentieth of October the people by tolling of a Bell were called to Church to giue thankes vnto God Sermons were made both morning and euening At night all the ordnance in the town and forts were discharged and the souldiers vpon the rampiers thundred forth many volleys of small shot so that nothing could bee heard in the towne for the noice of trumpets drums and bels They which had no harquebuzes fastened wispes of straw to the end of their pikes which they did set on fire holding them vp into the aire so as the towne and forts seemed to burne for beside the fire which the souldiers made others were kindled on the Rampiers and in the towne The souldiers cried out to the Spaniards how that the Spanish fleet was comming to helpe them to win the North for t euer after the enemie began to lose his courage A certaine boat laden with corne thinking to enter the Hauen was by the wind driuen vpon the North head the enemie shot at this boat and toucht it thrice yet no man was hurt and at last by the mariners diligence it was brought into the towne Euerie day there were skirmishes and euerie houre some new matter or other was performed in the plaine betwixt the town and enemies camp But the Burghers being tired with continuall labour complained saying that they could doe no more whereupon gouernor Morgan aduised the magistrats to impose some tax vpon euery Burgher and with the money hire labourers to end the worke The Burgomaster Manteau assembled the great Councell and propounded to them the gouernours demaund This great Councell is composed of the new Councell viz. of the Magistrats then in authoritie and of the old namely of such as haue beene Burgomasters Sherifes receiuers and counsellers chosen out of euery companie who haue a place in this great Councell The Gouernours demand was allowed and the Burghers were discharged from their labour and the worke which was imperfect was within a while finished There was great want of planks so as they were enforced to teare vp diuers new floares to serue for the workes which after the siege the towne paid for But this want together with that of other necessaries being not fully supplied the Burghomaster Sudland was on the sixe and twentieth of October sent into Holland not onely to my Lords the States but to the magistrats of the town of Dort who during the siege shewed themselues verie affectionat to the good of the towne Certaine Scots lay in a Burghers house called Iohn Dyalle who among other things fit to burne pluckt vp a piece of timber called a summer which supported the whole frame whereupon the whole house fell downe vpon them and slew 3 of them thereupon proclamation was made on paine of life that no souldier should breake vp any timber in any house On the Rampiers of the towne and forts pitch barrels full of chips and straw were placed to giue light if the enemie should in the night make any attempt vpon the towne The seuen and twentieth of October the great bell was rung to publish the Faire or free Mart not in hope that many people would come to it but because the towne is bound so to doe for feare of loosing the priuiledge of the Mart. During this time which continued sixe weekes all fugitiues may boldly come thither traitors theeues and banished men excepted and no man is called in question for debt but onely for that which he shall fall into during the Mart. The day following his Excellencie came into the towne by his presence to encourage the souldiers and Burghers to view the fortifications and to take order for all necessaries belonging to the siege The same day the imposition heretofore mentioned was much raised which did in no sort please the Burghers who vnderstanding that my Lords the States were come into the Isle of Tholen sent the Burgomaster Manteau and William Frauncis the old Burgomaster to them these at tenne of clocke at night went in the companie of his Excellencies seruants to Venusdam and preuailed so farre with my Lords the States as they promised to giue them three thousand florins towards the fortification of Berghen and they receyued one thousand eight hundred in hand The morrow after the Burgomasters departure the enemie forsooke the causie of Matteberg Those of the Island perceiuing it did without any noyce set fire on the enemies campe The time was not long ere the enemie would be enforced with great disgrace and losse to retire For despairing to take the towne he could expect no lesse but to haue his campe ruined by little and little with continuall sallies canon shot from the towne raine foule weather and sicknesse which ensued whereupon on the thirtieth of October hee forsooke the Northland causie Those of the Gueux Gullet were the first that perceiued his departure and came with their boats to their causie where they found none but one Alman who was fast a sleepe who beeing awaked and perceiuing his fellowes to be gone fell vpon his knees and sued for his life then did our men presently breake the bridge ouer the Gullet of Dryanneland Vpon the thirtieth or one and thirtieth of October at night the enemie with fourteene great shalops went to Sea-ward to see if they could take any bootie yet they took nothing but a poore fisherman of Romerswael about noone returned from whence they came our men of warre though they were vndersaile could not ouertake them for they still kept in the shallowest waters His Excellencie Count Solms my Lords Barneâ—velt Egmont Valck Vosbergue and diuers others did the same day come to the Towne The souldiers that they might shew their valours to the sayd Lords made a fallie forth of the North side of the Towne but in vayne because the enemie would not come forth The Burghers Fort was not yet ended The mony before mentioned being graunted by my Lords the States the imposition was lessened and certaine Boores hired to end the worke Our men planted two canons on a certaine place called Boeten-verdriet with which they scoured the valley betwixt the high and nether Northgeest and shot into the enemies Campe so as sometimes with one shot they ouerthrew tents barrels of wineâ— tunnes of Beere and men all at once The enemie to redresse this inconuenience made many Gabions in the valley but to small purpose In the meane time a rumour was spred that the enemie had made a Mine from Holweghen as farre as the towne Dike to blow vp part thereof and though most men thought it a vaine and idle reeport yet because the water in the South Dike was on the sixt of Nouember fallen one foot this fable was receiued for truth The Lord Willoughby with two or three other went directly to Holweghen this way is so low as a man from thence can scarce discerne the top of a pike notwithstanding that
take the Towne of Hulst in the view of Mondragon and those of Antuerpe And now in winter Nimmeguen the chiefe Towne of Guelderland making the Waell her frontier He had another enterprise vpon Geertrudenberg in December and departing secretly from the Hague with one thousand sixe hundred men they mounted the wall by Scalado but they were repulsed with losse of two Captaines A certain place called Alpen was likewise surprized by the garrison of Nimmeguen the same yere 1591. My Lords the States made gold siluer and brasse coyne in perpetuall memorie of these victories and taking of Zutphen Deuenter Hulst Nimmeguen and other Forts attributing the whole honour and glorie vnto God The towne of Steenwijck is besieged and taken in anno 1592. HIs Excellencie of Nassau hauing woon the towne and fort of Nimmeguen reducing them vnder the States obedience after that he had rested all winter did again march into the field departed from the Hague on the 10 of May 1592 accompanied with the Earles Hohenlo and Solms his Councell of war were the Lord of Barchon as Marshall of the campe Count Philip of Nassau Generall of the horse the Lord of Famas master of the ordnance Captaine Craiessonier Serjeant Major with other commanders and Colonels as Sir Frauncis Veer Floris of Brederode Morney Dorp Groenevelt and other Captains of great experience The Lord of Gryse was Prouidator generall There were beside certaine counsellors of State and commissiones of the prouinces whether the armie was to march all seruing for direction and ordering of al necessaries belonging to the ordnance ammunition treasure and victuals with their dependants The armie consisted of 6000 foot and 2000 horse with which his Excellencie departed towards Steenwijck with all his prouisions where he encamped on the 28 of May. Steenwijck is a towne in the prouince of Ouer-Yssell standing vpon a small riuer called Blockziell which nere to Meppell a mile from Steenwijck emptieth it selfe into Zuidersea it is a passage into Frizeland seruing for defence to a great extent of ground being verie strong in rampiers it was verie well manned for there were 16 ensignes of foot certaine troopes of horse in it The gouernour was a braue and well experienced Captaine his name was Antonio de Quocquelle there were diuers other Lords and Earles in it as Count Lodwick yonger brother to Count Berguen the Lord of Waterdijke with omen of note The towne was well prouided and wanted nothing but powder whereof a great quantitie was sent forth of Germanie which passing through the Countrie of Munster was seazed on by the inhabitants in recompence of a certaine bootie which the Duke of Parmas souldiers had taked from them Before we come to the siege of Steenwijck we will speake of a certaine enterprise which was intended vnder colour of this siege The Spaniards and those of Steenwijck thought to haue surprized the towne of Enchuysen by meanes of a certain mariner that dwelt there who was lately come from Spaine where he had spoken with the king and had receiued a good summe of money both of his Majestie and Duke of Parma as well for his owne seruice which he was to doe as to win other Captaines and souldiers to embrace the enterprise But this Burgher bewrayed all to my Lords the States and to his Excellencie of whom he receiued such instructions as he persuaded the Spaniards that the best way was to attempt the Hauen and to that end they should send a thousand men from Steenwijck which was not farre off which should be shipt in a night in the beginning of May whom he without any suspition would conduct hauing alreadie woon the captaines and chiefe of the towne who wrote v pon their credits all things were sure And the better to colour it and to blind those of Steenwijck this Burgher offered to remaine as hostage among them and to vndergoe all manner of punishment if he should deale otherwise than faithfully with them or if matters succeeded not well according to his direction And in the meane space Prince Maurice should be at the same time in Enchuysen to surprise the surprisers which might easily be done because that the Hauen is drie at low water and hauing taken them all prisoners he should presently send his armie before Steenwijck to besiege it and threaten them that vnlesse they would presently deliuer this Burgher he would hang vp all his prisoners but somewhat croft this businesse so as the enterprise went not forward yet Prince Maurice went on with his armie to besiege Steenwijck From the thirteenth of May till the ninth of Iune his Excellencie was busied in making of trenches and finding out solid and fast ground whereon to plant his canon he made a Cauallier of 19 foot high on which he layd three pieces wherewith to beat down their defences and lay them open fortie fiue pieces being planted on the thirteenth of Iune the towne was battered yet at that time they did no great matter for they could hardly batter the curtains notwithstanding they discarged many thousand shot They shot wild fire into the towne which at first did terrifie them but it was soone quenched His Excellencie perceiuing that the canon was to smal purpose and that those in the towne did not greatly regard it resolued to shoot no more but made two mynes towards the Counter-scarp which likewise did no great matter they digged till they came vnder the Counter-scarp which he woon from them and in a certain place at the foot of the pallisado discouered how they within laboured in the dikes so as to giue an assault wold be but lost labor vnesse those within were beaten from thence and therefore they brought certain pieces into sundrie places in the dike to beat down the fortification at the foot of the pallizado being protected by their canon they came into the dike where they shadowed themselues so well as the townesmen could not hurt them so as by that means they possest the foot of the rampier of the principal Bulwark on the East side where they digged 23 foot vnder the ground ere they came to make any chambers they spent to daies in this work du ring which time the besieged made 2 sallies in the first they tooke an ensigne defeated certaine Englishmen in the 2 they slew captaine Olthof who in the former siege had bin in the towne defēded it with certain others of note part of those which had the gard in that place Our mē cold neuer take any of the besieged prisoners On the 23 of Iune the besigers batered one of the towns rauelins when those within perceiued the battery they forsooke it From the 24 till the 27 of Iune our men were busied in making a woodden tower on wheeles which in Dutch is called Lijmstang in English discouer Pot it was inuented by captain Iohn Corput of Breda This Tower was square and made of Mastes fastened together by yron vices there were nine
to be vnder command of the English Many voluntaries were likewise in this fleet as count Lodwick of Nassau son to count Iohn others An armie of land souldiers was likewise in this fleet of whom the Earle of Sussex was generall In this armie were sundrie regiments commanded by the Earle of Sussex sir Edward Conway Sir Conihurst Clifford Sir Christopher Blunt Sir Thomas Gerard Sir Iohn Winckfield and others The number of the souldiers amounted to 6000 able men among whom were two thousand two hundred old English souldiers brought forth of the low-countries by sir Frauncis Veer chosen forth of euerie companie There were likewise certaine Dutch companies vnder captaine Metkerke and aboue one thousand voluntarie gentlemen among whom was D. Christophero of Portugal sonne to the king D. Antonio Count Lodwick of Nassau commaunded these voluntaries Sir Frauncis Veer was Lord Marshall of the field Sir George Carow Master of the ordnance and sir Conihurst Clifford Serjeant Major This fleet departed from Plimmouth in England on the thirteenth of Iune there were in it one hundred and fortie saile great and small Being come neere to the Spanish coast they had intelligence by a small barke that came from Ireland that in the Bay of Cales in Andeluzia whether they were going fiftie seuen great ships and twentie gallies lay foure great gallions each of them carrying fortie or fiftie pieces of ordnance and in euerie of them six or seuen hundred men two great galleasses of Andeluzia foure great ships of Biscay foure Easterlings certaine great Argozies loden for the most part with ordnance and munition being bound for Lisbone in Portugal where another fleet of thirtie ships was prepared for Bretayne and Calais and money readie for that purpose Beside these there were three great Fregats of two hundred tunne a piece which came from Porto Ricco with the money Besides these ships of warre and gallies there was another fleet of fiue and thirtie ships verie richly loden which were bound for the West Indies readie to set saile in which vessels were aboue sixe thousand pipes of Spanish wines two thousand pipes of oyle fiue thousand weight of wax and all manner of pretious merchandize as cloth silke cloth of gold lace quick-siluer c. And it was reported by the king of Spaines officers this fleet was thought to be worth eleauen or twelue millions of ducats The English fleet hauing notice hereof made towards the Bay of Cales where it arriued on the thirtieth of Iune in the Morning and came to an anker nere to S. Sebastians point from whence they might easily see the Spanish ships and gallies that lay before Cales vnder the two castles The Vice-Admerrall the Lord Thomas Howard and sir Walter Raleigh being sent for by the Councell of warre Raleigh was commaunded to goe before with certaine ships to set vpon some great vessels which as they heard were readie to set saile forth of the Bay of S. Lucars comming thither they found them to lye so nere the shore as they could not approch them and were hindred from doing it by a certaine mist that arose in which the sayd vessels escaped and were by Raleigh so nerely chased to the land as his owne ships were in great daunger to haue runne on ground From thence Raleigh made towards the great fleet which in the meane time had ankored on the thirtieth of Iune in the Morning without the Bay of Cales into which all men especially the Low-countrie fleet thought they would haue directly entred seeing the ships and gallies to lye before the towne vnder the two castles but the English Admerall would not suffer it to be so because he thought the entrance would haue beene verie daungerous as also the assayling of the kings fleet before the towne were woonâ—which if they had done they must haue fought both with the gallions and gallies and beene opposed to the shot from the Towne and castles Thereupon sir Walter Raleigh came to the fleet and went aboord the General the Earle of Essex who was busied in landing his men on the West side of Cales where the Sea was so rough by reason of a West wind as the boats began to sinke neere the ships Raleigh told him it was verie daungerous to land his men because that betwixt them and shore foure gallies lâ—y to keepe them from landing saying That he was verie sorie that he had not first entred the hauen where the Spanish ships gallies lay which by their delay were now encouraged of this the general likewise complayned at whose entreatie Raleigh vndertooke to go and persuade the Admerall to enter which by many forcible reasons he did and cried out Let vs enter Let vs enter wherupon al the ships weighed ankor sailed towards the hauen But night preuented them the sun being alreadie set so as it was then too late to assaile the Spanish fleet that lay aboue a mile and halfe within the riuer as also for that it was a dangerous matter to fight by night in a strait On this consideration they came to an ankor where the canon presently saluted them from the towne and castle The English went to Councel to consult after what maner it were best to assaile the Spaniards the next Morning euerie commaunder striued to haue the vantgard yet they resolued not to hazard the Queenes great ships but vpon vrgent necessitie so as it was thought fit that sir Walter Raleigh with eight of the Queenes leslesser ships six Hollanders and twelue English Merchants ships should haue the vantguard this resolution was oppugned by the Lord Thomas Howard who said that honour belonged vnto him whereupon it was concluded that both of them should goe together So soone as it was day Raleigh would not loose time in weighing ankor but did let them slip and thereby had the aduauntage to let saile first the Spanish gallies discharged all their ordnance vpon him but he made not one shot leauing it to those that followed him and so went directly towards the gallions which lay in the deepest part of the riuer viz. the S. Philip S. Mathew S. Andrew and S. Thomas with two other verie great ships which together tooke vp all the bredth of the riuer Behind these gallions lay 6 others and behind them the gallies nerer the shore where the water was shal lowest and vpon the land stood the castle Puntall which flanked the riuer the lesser English ships assailed the gallies who thundred one vpon another In the mean time the Vice-Admeral the L. Thomas Howard came vp to sir Walter Raleigh with 6 of the Queens ships as nere to the gallions as they could possible discharging all their ordnance and fighting from six of the clocke in the Morning till none with as many ships as the channel could beare During the fight an vnfortunat euent happened in a ship of Rotterdam called the Dolphin where Guillaum Henrick was captaine the powder was by mischaunce set on fire whereby
baggage which lagged behind And because the Englishmens commission imported that they should visit all Sea Ports and destroy all ships and warlike prouisions they did in their returne homewards saile to the hauen of Faroo where they landed part of their men and most of the Hollanders from whom the countrie people fled whereupon they tooke and brought away with them whatsoeuer they could Being come nere to S. Vincents cape and hauing committed two notable errors first because they did not in time assaile the Spanish fleet before it was burnt The second for that they had thus abandoned Cales the earle of Essex requested the Lord Admerall not to fall into a third but to saile towards the Azores to meet with the East West Indian fleet which at that time was readie to arriue but by reason of a contrary wind this likewise was rejected Yet afterwards when the earle came neere to Lisbone he propoundeth this matter againe offering to send home those ships that had taken leakes and wanted victuals with the hurt and sicke men But the Lord Admeral and sir Walter Raleigh contradicted it both by writing word of mouth and when they came to view what ships were willing fit there were none that would vndertake the matter but that of the Earle of Essex and the Lord Thomas Howard together with sir Frauncis Veer and the Low-countrie fleet which offered it selfe and had beene by the earle of Essex accepted if the Lord Admeral wold haue giuen leaue to those two ships and some eight or tenne English vessels more but his Lordship thought it not fit so sleightly to aduenture the Queenes ships These various opinions set downe in writing the Noble earle propounded them in England for his owne excuse and in this maner was the third gallant occasion lost for if they had gone to the said Islands and made some small stay they had met with a most rich Indian fleet which arriued there 12 or 14 daies after Passing along the coast of Portugal they would not meddle with the citie of Lisbone hauing no such commission but onely to visit the hauens and Sea Ports whereupon they went to Cornua and Ferol where they found few ships and small prouision After that they held their last Councell namely Whether they should likewise visit the hauens of S. Andrew and S. Sebastian with others neere adjoyning where certaine Spanish men of warre were reported to lye but the Admerall and Sea Captaines flatly gaine-said it complaining of want of victuals saying That the Queenes ships might be in daunger to runne on ground in those places so as the earle of Essex could not herein preuaile who would willingly haue assaulted the towne of Cornua but euerie man cried out to returne home taking vpon them to excuse the said earle and so sailed towards England leauing the earle and the two gallions behind which were scattered by tempest together with the Low-countrie fleet which stayed with him to the end Beeing thus arriued in England about mid-August they gaue vp an account of their voyage and being taxed for letting slip those faire occasions they excused themselues by the forementioned reasons and it was found by experience That two Generals hauing equall power and commaund doe commonly hinder many gallant and noble enterprises The Admerall of the Low-countries returned home with his fleet and brought backe the English souldiers that had beene chosen forth of euerie companie together with some bootie and threescore pieces of ordnance hauing lost the Fliboat of Rotterdam called the Dolphin with all her ordnance The preparations of this fleet stood the vnited Prouinces in more than fiue hundred thousand florins The Queene of England in signe of acknowledgement did on the 14 of August in anno 1598 send a letter to the Admerall of Holland in forme following MY Lord of Duvenuord the report of the Generalls of our armie who are safely returned from the coasts of Spaine concerning their seruice who haue obtayned so notable a victorie doth attribute a great part thereof to the valour industrie and good will which your seâ—fe and our other friends of the Low-countries vnder your conduct haue showne in the whole course of this action This hauing filled our heart with exceeding ioy content hath likewise begotten a desire in vs to communicate vnto you by writing that which we conceiue therof and hauing none other meanes at this present to expresse our good will we haue thought good to make vse thereof till some fitter occasion be offered And for our better discharge herein wee know not where to begin for that the greatnesse of each partie surmounteth the others merit The loue and diligence which my Lords the States haue vsed in this action doth witnesse vnto vs That the sincere affection we haue euer borne to the vnited Prouinces and benefits bestowed vpon them haue not bin ill imployed Your valour skill and good conduct manifested in this seruice are so many euident signes that your selfe and whole Nation deserue all fauour and defence of Christian Princes against those that would tyrannize ouer you But the honour and faithfull friendship which you my Lord Admerall haue shewed to our louing cosen the Earle of Essex in his home returne at such time as hee was by night scattered from the fleet and destitute of all ayd and assistance your selfe tarrying with him conducting him to our Hauen of Plimmouth doth declare your wisedome and loyaltie preuenting by your owne patience and labour all mischiefe that by falling on one of the Generals of our fleet might haue spoyled and disgraced the whole victorie Moreouer your zeale and affection to vs ward doth encrease our debt towards you the knowledgement whereof is so deepely imprinted in our heart as we thought good by these Letters to make some part of satisfaction the which wee entreat you to impart to the whole companie of our friends vnder your command letting them vnderstand beside that they may be well assured that as heretofore we haue giuen sufficient testimonie of our sincere affection towards their countrey we are now by their valour and merit more incited to augment and encrease our loue in euerie part as it becommeth a Princesse who acknowledgeth the vertue and desert of so worthie a Nation as yours and so we will continue your verie louing friend Signed Elizabetha Regina ¶ A description and rehersall of the victorie which his Excellencie obtayned of the enemie on a plaine called Tielsche-Heyde neere to Turnholt in an 1597. AFter the departure of the illustrious high and mightie lord Prince Maurice of Nassau c. from the Hague on the one and twentieth of Ianuarie 1597 he arriued on the two and twentieth of the same at Geertrudenberg there finding his armie readie consisting of 6000 both horse and foot with all things necessarie for his enterprise he went speedily and without rumour the next day to a village called Rauels some league distant from the jurisdiction
of Turnholt where his Excellencie caused his souldiers to rest a while Count Varax and the lord of Bolanson with 4 regiments of foot and 5 companies of horse had intrenched themselues in Turnholt he hauing intelligence that his Excellencie was so neere did by the aduice of his Councell cause the baggage to be laden by night and sent it away before intending by breake of day to follow with his whole armie and to retire safely to Herentals His Excellencie in like manner on the 24 of the said moneth early in the Morning did set forward marching still in his order when the waies would permit him The cauallerie bearing long Pistols made the vaunt-gard and was diuided into sixe troopes The two first in each of which were foure cornets were somewhat seperated and yet still flanked one another that on the right hand was conducted by the Earles Hohenlo and Solms After them followed two other troopes each of them consisting of three Cornets marching likewise somewhat diuided from the rest to bee the better able vpon any occasion to receiue the former into their rankes or else they to bee by them receyued in like manner His Excellencie followed the Cauallerie with two other troopes marching as the rest did somewhat diuided The footmen were diuided into eight troops viz. presently after the horsemen followed two squadrons verie neere to one another after them three and then two all of them marching in like manner as the former After them followed two demie canon with other field pieces placed betwixt the munition wagons and drawne by those that ordinarily had charge thereof together with certaine mariners Next them followed the rest of the foot troops enclosing the battel still marching in this order when the ground would permit them otherwise they troopt closely together fitting thēselues to the waies waters bridges that lay betwixt Rauels Turnholt His Excellencie being come before Turnhoult which was abandoned thought good by the aduice of the sayd earles other captaines to set forward speedily towards the enemie onely with the horse and to let the foot troopes follow to leaue the canon nere to the mill of Turnhoult guarded by part of the footmen This did his Excellencie presently put in execution but meeting with a little narrow way full of water beneath Turnhoult where the enemie had left forces to defend the passage he forthwith sent certain musketiers thither vnder the conduct of sir Francis Veer and the lord Vander Aa Lieutenant of his guard These enforced the enemie to quit the passage whereupon his Excellencie went forward and presently came to a plain champaine where he descried followed the enemie that fled in this manner Their baggage went before towards Herentals garded by certain souldiers next followed the battell The caualerie for the most part was gone before viz. Nicholo Basta D. Iuan de Cordoua Alonzo Dragon Guzman and Grobbendonck After them followed foure regiments diuided one from another the first was the regiment of Almans vnder Count Sultz the second La Mott his old regiment commaunded at that time by the lord of Achicourt the third was the regiment of La Barlotte the fourth of Neapolitans vnder the Marquesse of Treuick On the right hand sometime two cornets of horse marched and sometime on the left on the left hand were trees neere which was a small riuer running from Turnhoult It was not long ere they were ouertaken but by reason of the bad wayes and a valley ful of water which lay betweene the enemie and the States forces our men had no fit opportunitie as yet to assaile them Sir Francis Veer with a few horse certain musketiers entertained the enemies rereward with skirmish therby hindring him from his intended flight till they came to the farther end of that valley of water then the earles Hohenlo and Solms as first at the battaile perceiuing a certaine place of aduantage betwixt them and Count Varax fearing likewise least the enemie would entangle a narrow passage wherein his baggage was alreadie entred told his Excellencie That it was more than time to assaile the enemie whereupon a signal being giuen they charged him The earles Hohenlo and Solms with 4 cornets of Breda gaue in on the enemies right side those of Berghen-op-Zoom vpon the enemies hindmost regimēt so as the Neapolitans being last were the first that were assailed by Marcelis Bacx and his brother accompanied by Du Bois Done two captaines Count Hohenlo and Solms with the 4 cornets of Breda charging directly the enemies first regiment to which their cauallerie was alreadie turned backe meaning to charge those of Berghen in flanke did verie opportunely preuent them and putting them to rout went on and fell vpon Count Sults regiment with such furie as the enemies were onely content to make slight triall of their valour and betaking themselues to flight left Alonzo Dragon his cornet behind them His Excellencie perceiuing that the charge was alreadie giuen sent sir Robert Sidney and sir Frauncis Veer who till then had entertayned the enemie with continuall skirmish with certaine horse to cut off the enemies rereward The rest of the cauallerie stayed neere to his Excellencie to succour and releeue the first if need should be till at last perceiuing a manifest aduantage all of them in a manner fell into the battell Count Varax Generall of the enemies armie was slaine vpon the place and all his men beeing on euerie side fiercely assailed fell to open flight which was to no purpose as beeing on the one side incompassed by our cauallerie on a plaine ground and on the other with a riuer and trees so as few of them could escape to the narrow way and aboue two thousand of them lay dead vpon the playne and foure hundred were taken prisoners all this was done in so short a space as the States footmen notwithstanding all their hast could not come in in time but before their ariual the horsemen had gotten the victorie The enemies cauallerie perceiuing they could not well escape some of the brauest and most resolute among them to the number of 40 caused a trumpet to sound a charge and fel vpon those whom in disorder they saw busied in pillage making shew as if they intended to giue a fresh charge vpon our men whereupon some of our timerous cowards fled towards the footmen who were comming forward Prince Maurice lookt after his troopes of horse which he had reserued for succours but in vayne whereupon he commanded the prisoners to alight from their horses who earnestly begged for mercie saying That there was alreadie sufficient bloud spilt to finish the victorie yet diuers of them were slaine and then we perceiued the want of our troopes of succours but euerie man making hast towards his Excellencie especially Marcelis Bacx and Edmunds the enemie was so amazed as he againe betooke himselfe to flight Eight and thirtie ensignes were taken there together with D. Alonzo de Mondragons cornet
to faile there is no better remedie than to haue recourse to the Lord of hosts Therefore my Lords the States with their followers and many others there present together with the Minister prayed vnto God for preseruation of his Excellencies person and those of the other Lords and Captaines and the whole Armie recommending the rest to God hoping for fortunate successe The Archduke being puft vp with his good fortune went in all post hast to Niewport verily supposing that he should find his Excellencie and whole Armie daunted with this losse and so be able easily to disorder them But God would not haue it so but in his mercie prouided for the preseruation of the State of these Countries and by consqeuent for defence of his Church giuing his Excellencie such fore-sight as he had caused all the ships and boats to withdraw themselues from before Niewport to Ostend and had moreouer caused his troups which lay on the one side of the Hauen of Niewport to passe ouer at a low watel to the other shore intending with a couragious resolution to fight with the enemie whereupon his Excellencie rode thorow all the troupes animating and exhorting them That seeing they were on euerie side encompassed with the Sea and enemie there was no meanes in the world to escape but by giuing battaile And for that his Excellencies reputation and all their owne honors liues and wealth of the Countrie depended thereon he intreated them to fight valiantly assuring them that God wold giue them good and happie successe Count Henrie Frederick of Nassau did likewise encourage the Walons or new Gueux of his owne Regiment the like did other Captaines and Commanders His Excellencie caused his Armie before Niewport to crosse the hauen after this manner Cont Lodwick passed ouer first with fiue Cornets of horse two of which being Carabines passed on towards the enemie and about ten of the clock skirmished with two companies of the enemies horse and then the rest followed who were scarce come on shore when they perceiued the enemie comming on from Ostend ward who if he had then come forward might haue preuented his Excellencie ere his fanterie could haue past the Hauen but the enemie being ignorant how many passed it stayed a long time vpon the shore and gaue his Excellencie time to send ouer his English and Frison Regiments which were in the vantgard together with the gards of his Excellencie and Count Hohenlo commaunded by Sir Francis Vere and also the Regiments of French Walons and Suisses that made vp the bataile commanded by Count George Euerat of Solmes and in a manner all the rest of the Cauallerie the two Regiments of Count Ernest Gistels Huchtenbroeck were left to shut in the town of Niewport and commanded to stand still in good order and to passe a bridge vpon his Excellencies first command which was made on boats ouerthwart the hauen of Niewport For a more ample declaration of this fight we will hereunto adde his Excellencies order who aranged his battailes after this manner His Excellencies vantgard Count Lodwick of Nassau brother to Count Ernest had charge of the vantgard of horse as their Lieutenant generall and had with him his owne Companie of horse that of his Excellencies commanded by the Lord Walrauen of Gend that of Count Henry Frederick the Princes brother conducted by Captaine Bernard all in one troupe The second troupe was commanded by Marcelis Bacx with his owne Cornet that of Paule Bacx conducted by his Lieutenant Hans Sixen and that of Captaine La Salle behinde these were the Carabins of Couteler Peter Panny and Batenborch Neere to this vantgard were the foot Companies of his Excellencies gard commanded by Captaine Vander Aa and that of Count Hohenlo conducted by Lieutenant Stridthorst with the English Regiments consisting of thirteene Conpanies vnder the Generall Sir Francis Veer viz his owne Companie thaâ— of Captaine Iapley his Sergeant Major those of Denis Daniel Veer Hamond Ogley Tyrrill Farfax Sir Calistines Brook Foster Garnet and Holcroft Nere to these was Sir Horatio Veer his Regiment viz his owne Companie with those of Sutton Sir Thomas Knollis Cicil Morgan Meetkerck Scot Vauasour c. making vp together eleuen Ensignes Next them were the Frisons commanded by the Lieutenant Generall Taco Hottinga with his Companie that of the Baron of Sidenische conducted by his Lieutenant that of Gaspar Eussem by his Lieutenant and others amounting to seuenteene companies These one and fortie Ensignes made the foot vantgard ad were all commanded by the Generall Sir Francis Veer His Excellencies Battaile Count George Euerard of Solmes led the battaile with his horse Companie those of Count Frederick of Solmes Ioos Wierich Clout and Iean Bacx in an other troup was the Cornet of Godard de Balen that of Sir Francis Veere conducted by his Lieutenant that of Sir Edward Citill making vp together seuen Cornets The footmen in middest of the Cauallerie were the Regiment of Count Henerie Frederick of Nassau commanded by Daniell de Hertain Lord of Marquette his Lieutenant Colonell and in this Regiment was his owne companie those of Iean du Bont Antonie de Sauoy Francis Marli c. amounting in all to nine Ensignes vnto which was added the Regiment of Suisses wherein were foure Ensignes viz that of Hans Kriegh of Ballichom of Hans Sas of Vnderwald of Hans Meyer of Zurichland of Guillam de Puis Moreouer two French Battaillons commanded by the Lord of Dommeruill Lieutenant Colonell to the Lord la Noue his companie that of la Rocques by his Lieutenant that of du Sault commanding the second Battaillon that of la Simendri de Mareschot de Hamelet de Brusse de Corimeres conducted by his Lieutenant himselfe being shot before Albertus â—ort de Formentiere de Verneuill and du Pont Aubert to the number of twelue companies In middest of whom was his Excellencie to giue directions for all matters accompanied with his brother Count Henrie Frederick and other Lords as Iean Adolph Duke of Holsteyn Iean Ernest Prince of Anhalt three Earles of Solms the Earle of Coligni lord of Chastillon Nephew to that renowned Admerall of Fraunce and the lord Iustine of Nassau the lord Gray sir Robert Drewry and many other English Erench and Alman gentlemen who without any commaund accompanied his Excellencie the battaile consisted of fiue and twentie ensignes of foot and seuen cornets of horse His Excellencies Rereward THe rereward was conducted by Oliuer Vander Tempel lord of Corbecke wherein were three cornets of horse commaunded by Wernhard du Bois viz. his owne that of Hammelton and that of George Couteler which Couteler was set formost in the battaile There were likewise three battaillons of foot the regiment of Count Ernest of Nassau wherein was his owne companie conducted by his lieutenant the companie of Heusman lieutenant Colonell that of Massau Imbise de Corwis c. in all thirteene ensignes The regiment of the lord of Gystelles his owne companie that of George
the commissioners of the illustrious Lords the States of the vnited Netherland Prouinces made in anno 1609. TO conclude the description of all the aboue mentioned victories which almightie God the author of all goodnesse hath granted to these vnited Prouinces vnder the valorous conduct of his Excellencie of Nassau I haue likewise thought it fit to adde hereunto the articles of truce and cessation of armes agreed vpon and concluded at Antuerp on the 9 of Aprill 1609 for the terme of twelue yeares for if I should set downe at large the beginning and progression of this treatie viz. how the Archdukes themselues sued for it by meanes of the Lord Vander Horst Father Ney and other deputies and commissioners what propositions were made and reasons alledged both to my Lords the States his Excellencie and others to moue and persuade them thereunto and the States answers thereupon and then afterward what was done on either part the articles deliuered on both sides the reasons and difficulties which ensued together with all the dependances therof it would be a labour long and tedious and if any bee desirous to see these things at large wee refer them to the Chronicles of Emanuell Demetrius and other bookes and will onely here set downe the articles agreed vpon and concluded by the commissioners on either side THe illustrious Princes Archduke Albert and Isabella Clara Eugenia hauing on the 24 of April in aâ—no 1607 made truce and cessation of armes for 8 moneths with the noble Lords States of the vnited Netherland Prouinces in qualitie and reputing them for States Prouinces and free countries to which they pretend no claime this truce was to bee ratified with like declaration by the Catholike Kings Maiestie so farre forth as it might concerne him and the said ratification and declaration was to be deliuered to my Lords the States within three moneths after the said Truce which was done by letters patents of the eighteenth of September in the same yeare and speciall procuration was moerouer graunted to the sayd Archdukes the tenth of Ianuarie 1608 as well in his Maiesties name as theirs to doe whatsoeuer they should thinke fit for procuring a firme peace or truce for many yeares By vertue of the said procuration the Archdukes by their letters of Commission bearing date the seuen and twentieth of the said moneth had named and appointed deputies and Commissioners to treat in name and qualitie as abouesaid consenting and agreeing that the said Truce should be prolonged and continued at sundrie times as namely on the twentieth of May till the end of the yeare 1608. And hauing often met with the Commissioners of my Lords the States who had also Commission and Procuration from them dated on the fifth of Februarie the same yeare yet for sundrie great difficulties which arose they could not agree on peace Hereupon the Embassadours of the most Christian Kings of Fraunce and great Britaine of the Princes and Palatines of Brandenbourg Marquis of Ausbach and Lands-grave of Hesse sent into these parts from the said Kings and Princes to further so holie a work perceiuing that they were readie to depart and dissolue the treatie had on certaine conditions propounded a peace for many yeares which conditions were set downe in writing and giuen from them to either partie requesting and admonishing them to conforme themselues thereunto And as other difficulties arose hereupon in that regard the Lords whose names hereafter follow did on the 9 of April 1609 meet together The Lord Ambrose Spinola Marquis of Benaffro knight of the order of the Golden fleece Councellor of State and warre to his Catholike Majestie Campe-Master and Generall of his armies c. The Lord Iohn Richardot knight Lord of Barli Councellor of State and first President of his Highnesses priuie Councel c. Iohn Mancicidor Councellor of warre and Secretarie to his Catholike Majestie The reuerend Father Frier Iohn Ney Generall Commissarie of the order of Saint Francis in the Netherlands and the Lord Lodwick Verreycken knight Audiencer and chiefe Secretarie to their Highnesses by vertue of Letters Procuratories from the said Lords Archdukes on the one side to treat aswell in their own names as in that of his Catholike maiestie with William Lodwick Earle of Nassau Catzenellenboghe Vianden Dietz c. Lord of Bilsteyn gouernor and captaine generall of Frizland of the towne of Groninghen the Ommelands and Drenth c. The Lord Walrauen lord of Brederode Vianen Castellain of Vâ—recht lord of Ameyde Cloetinge c. The lord Cornellis de Gent lord of Loenen Meynerwick Castellain and Iusticer of the Empire and town of Nimmeghen The lord Iohn Oldenbarneuelt Knight lord of Temple Rondentijs c. Aduocate and keeper of the great seale charters and registers of Holland and East Frizland The lord Iames Maldere knight lord of Heyes c. the chiefe man representing the Nobility in the States and Councell of the Countie of Zeland The lord Gerard de Renesse lord Vander Aa Streefkerck Nieuleckerland c. Gellius Hillama Doctor of the laws ordinarie Councellor in the councell of Frizland Iohn Sloeth lord of Sallick Drossart of the Countrie of Vallenho and Castellain of the lordship of Cuynder and Abell Coenders of Helpen lord in Faen and Cantes in names of the said lords States in vertue likewise of their letters of commission on the other part These by the mediation and aduice of Peter Ieannin knight Baron of Chagni and Montheâ— Councellor to the most Christian King in his Councel of State and his extraordinarie Ambassador with the said lords States and the lord Elie de la Place knight lord of Russy Castellain of Machault Councellor likewise in the said Councell of State and ordinarie gentleman of the kings chamber baylie and captaine of Vitrie le Francois and his ordinarie Ambassador resident with the said lords States Sir Richard Spencer knight ordinarie gentleman of the king of Englands priuie chamber and his extraordinarie Ambassador with the said lords States and Sir Ralph Winwood knight the same kings ordinarie Ambassador and Councellor of State to the said vnited Prouinces all these made an agreement in manner and forme following I FIrst the said Lords Archdukes doe declare as well in their owne names as in that of the king of Spaine that they are content to treat with the said Lords generall States of the vnited Prouinces in qualitie and reputing them for free Countries Prouinces and States to which they pretend no claime and to make with them in the names and qualities aboue said as by these presents they doe truce on these conditions hereafter mentioned II. Namely that the said truce shall bee of force firme and inuiolable for the terme of twelue yeares during which time there shall bee a cessation from all hostile actions in what manner soeuer betwixt the said Lords King Archdukes and generall States both by Sea and land and fresh riuers in all their kingdomes countries territories and dominions and for all their
North land causie and prepares to be gone A skirmish with the enemie The Duke of Parma raiseth his siege from before Berghen Willoughbie pursues the enemie The Lord Willoughbie honoureth the Captaines with the order of knighthood The townesmen giue thankes to God for their deliuerance The situation of the towne of Tilemont By whom how and after what manner Tilemont was surprised The garrisons of Heâ—sden and Geertrudenberg beat â—â— enemie were to Tilbourg Certain souldiers of Zeland defeat a country in Flaunders The Lord Gerard of Rassingem â—old the Lordship of Breda to the Duke of Brabant in anno 1326. The Lord of Polanen buyes Breda in anno 13â—1 on the first of Aprill A piece of coine so called The Priuiledges of the â—ountrie of Breda Engelbrecht Count of Nassau marrie◠〈◊〉 heirâ— bâ—â—anâ—n 〈…〉 Breda 〈◊〉 141◠〈◊〉 of the lands of 〈◊〉 house of Nassau An attempt propounded vpon Breda The enterprise is resolued A generous act of Math Helt The souldiers imitating the Troyans drew in their owne ruine After what maner they assailed the Castle The Castle is taken His Excellencie entreth the Castle The town yeelds to his Excellencie The Duke of Parma sends Count Mansfelt against Breda Count Mansfelt makes a Fort at Terheyden Count Mansfelt doth in vavâ—â— bâ—â—â—â— and assault the Fort of Nordam Why the Foâ— termed Knoâ—senbourg The Castle of Turnholt taken on the second of Aprill Westerloo taken in May. The Fort of Zutphen taken on the 24. of May by counterfeit Boores. Count Philip of Ouersteyn slaine before Zutphen A variant act of Captaine Metkerks ensigne A single combat betwixt the Lord of Ryhoue and an Albanese before Deuenter Those of Deuenter craue parley The bodie of Rowland Yorke is hung upon the gallowes His Excellencie departs from Deuenter He takes Delfzyll Skonse the 12. of Julie The Fort of Opslach woon The Fort of Imitill woon Parma makes preparations to encounter Prince Maurice Parma besiegeth Knodsenbourg on the 13 of Julie The sort of Auwarder â—â—jâ—l taken the last of May. Contentâ—â— beâ—â—â—t tâ—ose of Groeniâ—gâ—â—n The great 〈…〉 Those of Graninguen capitulate The strait of Nassau found out to the North-Eastward in anno 1595. People of the Eastern Indies throwne in former time by tempest vpon the coast of Germanie Perpetual night in Noua Zemla all winter till the 27 of Ianuarie The Hollanders trade to the Indies and to Iana in anno 1â—96 The Hollanders returne home the 11 of August 1597. The Rhyne and other riuers ouerflow the bankes in Februarie and March The Queene of England sets forth a fleet vnder the conduct of the Lord Admirall and Earle of Essex The vnited prouinces send 24. ships of warre to serue the Queen of England vnder the conduct of the Lord of Warmont The English fleet comes before Caâ—es on 30 of Iune The English fleet letteth slip of faire occasion to haue taken the ships loden for the Indies The Spanish fleet runneth on ground The earle of Essex landeth his men and the Hollanders take the castle of Puntall The Earle of Essex winneth Cales on the second of Iulie Two millions of Gold offered for the ransome of the fleet but too late The Spaniards burne their rich fleet The Citizens of Cales ranjome themselues for one hundred twentie thousand ducats The towne of Cales is sackt The Admeral of Holland offereth the English at Cales victuals for a month and with his fleet to stay with them Cales is abandoned and burnt on the 15 of Iulie The English doe againe loose the oportunitie of meeting with the IndiaÌ„ fleet notwithstandding that the Hollanders offered their seruice The Queene of Englands letter to the Lord of Duvenuord than king him for his good seruice The manner of the enemies march Count Varax slaine A Roman called Septimius Fabius was found wounded and halfe dead among the dead bodies and yet by carefull looking to recouered his life The States resolue to set forth an armie His Excellencie takes Alpen on the 8 of August The towne of Berck is battered with 35. pieces of ordnance on the 19 of August Berck yeeldeth vpon the 21 of August A mutinie in the towne of Gâ—lder on the 22 of August Tâ—â—se of Coloign demaund the towne of Rhynberck Camillos Fort is abandoned 〈…〉 Groll is yeelded upon the 2â— of September The great and famous grandson of Groll de paris theaâ—e on the 28. of September Brevoort seated in a moorish place is assaulted on the 8. of October Those of Brevoort are put to ransome Enschede yeeldeth on the 18. of October Oldenzeel besieged Oâ—denzeel is battered and yeeldeth on the 21 of October A description of the towne of Lingen Count Frederick of Berguen yeeldeth vp Lingen on the 12 of Nomember * A piece of ordnance so called I hardly in this beeleue my Authour The expence of his Excellencies campe at Bommell A description of the Groyne Description of the Canaries Those of Allagona forsake the town which is taken by the Admerall Vander Does Generall Vander-Does dyeth in the fleet Supplies sent to Creuecoeur are defeated Those of Sertoghenbusk seeke to releeue Saint Andrewes fort Saint Andrews fort capitulateth and agrees with Prince Maurice on the sixt of May. The greatest part of the garrison of saint Andrewes fort serue Prince Maurice The excuse of the Garrison of Saint Andrews fort An vnfit comparrison betwixt those of S. Andrewes fort the garrison of Gertrudenberg The cause why the armie went into Flanders Count Solmes is before Niewport They fight for three houres space vncertain of victorie The enemie is put to rout Articles in regard whereof those of Rhynberck yeelded on the 30. of Iulie His Excellâ—ncie takes the towne of Meurs and fortifies it Venice in time past the staple for merchandâ—se broâ—ght from the Eastern Iudies From thence the trade is remoued to Lisbone The Portugals by force seeke to keepe the Hollanders from comming to the East Indies Fâ—r what cause the Portugals rieged forth a fleet in the Indies Captaine Sylua slaâ—ne The pirâ—te Cunall and his Castle are taken The Hollanders resolue to assaile the fleet and to relieue Bantam A particular rehersall of the strength of the Portugal fleet Sir Frauncis Vere entreth Ostend on the 15. of Iuly Thâ—se of â—â—ten◠〈…〉 by 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 dâ—â— Nâ—â—t Description of â—â—â—waâ—ke called Sâ—andâ—â—ll Many men and much prouision are sent to Ostend The Lord Chastillon Colonell Huchtâ—nbroâ—ck and others slain in Ostend The Garrison of Ostend changed The States letters for contributions
THE TRIVMPHS OF NASSAV OR A DESCRIPTION AND REpresentation of all the Victories both by Land and Sea granted by God to the noble high and mightie Lords the Estates generall of the vnited Netherland Prouinces VNDER THE CONDVCT and command of his Excellencie Prince MAVRICE of NASSAV Translated out of French by W. SHVTE Gent. LONDON Printed by Adam Islip Anno Dom. 1613. TO THE TRVLY NOBLE and iustly honoured Lords WILLIAM Earle of Pembroke and PHILIP Earle of Montgomerie RIght Hono. That which slender iudgements call greatnesse because themselues cannot compasse it is not so but a bumbast of titles and other shreds of fortune wherwith the least mynds are often stuft out But a mind well grown then best shewes it owne hight when it stands downe and puts off the slippers of fortune Heauen resist that this should euer befall your Lordships because your vertues put them on and they sit cleane on you Yet when I sought first of what size I might make my respect my imagination stript you of all honour till I found your worths so well set and limbd that I could not make your estimation too great I shall bee much bound to your noble apprehension if out of all this circumlocution it extract this meaning That not your fortunes but vertues begat my loue so happily you will tollerat the troublesomnesse of it for the parents sake Yet I hope it wil not be altogether a fruitlesse trouble for you to admit these plaine relations as a Parenthesis in your more serious considerations I held them belonging in some sort to your Lordships many of these actions being performed by your noble vnckles whose honours you are to inherit though without need And though much hereof bee beyond your time yet is it not beyond your knowledge for hee whose vnderstanding is not elder than himselfe loseth the noblest inheritance of his auncestors and sticks in the worst kind of minoritie You haue a most exact commentarie of your owne vpon this work the all sufficient and most vnderstanding viscount Liste your noble vnckle who hath scarce bin euer absent in any seruice where honour hath bin present among them Thus humbly dedicating my selfe and best labors to your gracious protection I wish all honour and happinesse euer to attend you Vnchangeably remaining your Lordships humbly deuoted W. SHVTE To the Reader HIs errors and blots who transcribes the actions of an Age past-by out of sight are almost indiscernable at least incorrigible Antiquitie of whom and posteritie to whom he speakes lye at his mercie the same of the one and faith of the other often suffering miserably vnder him But he that speakes to the face of a Time present must either speake truely or make roome in his patience to receiue the lie and vndergoe a shamefull detection Of this second kind is mine Author who tells thee little but what perhaps thou hast alreadie heard from the mouth of the canon or if the crampe of feare benumb'd not thy spirits hadst an hand in So that thou mayest securely hearken to him since thy knowledge will not be so vnkind as looke on and see thy beleefe abused Let not any mans ignorance persuade thee that it is superfluous to read ouer this Copie hauing the originall in thy memorie thou must lay it neerer to thee than thy memorie in thine vnderstanding Againe not to endure the rehersall of thine owne actions is an argument of their deformitie else thou wouldst asmuch delight to looke in this booke as a faire woman in her glasse or on her picture This I can safely promise That if thy judgement can reach them among these leaues thou mayest find much fruit worth the tasting In the noble and prosperous familie of Nassau thou mayest obserue That a vertuous sonne makes an immortall father in despite of treacherie and death In the whole course of the warre how that deluge of bloud wherewith her enemies hoped to haue drowned the Netherlands did like the inundation of Nile but fatten and inrich them By the basseling and coudgelling that proud Armada that vnlesse the Lord of Hosts be the Godfather the name of inuincible is improper and ridiculous to any humane armie By the Hollanders marine expeditions that vertue like the heauenlie Spheares must neuer stand still and that whiles shee goes not forward she becommeth retrograde In the English who brake the ice of Nauigation to them and had the wind of same of them in that art idlenesse striking the sailes of their industrie are fallen much to Leeward in reputation perhaps in sufficiencie In the late treatie of peace that they who beat the furnace for Innocents are oftentimes so ouer-reacht by their owne flames that they are faine to quench them in their derided tâ—ares In all that art and discipline are more potent than multitude but a iust cause than both Those escapes either of mine owne or the printers which thou shalt meet with all furnish thee with good occasion to requite my paines taken for thee by fauourably correcting them Farewell W. SHVTE A RELATION OF ALL THE VICTORIES BOTH BY SEA AND LAND ATchieued for the States of the vnited Prouinces vnder the conduct and gouernement of Prince MAVRICE of Nassau ¶ A true and briefe description of the Netherland Prouinces THE Low-countries are so named because their situation is low in comparison of high Germanie There are diuers Riuers in them as the Rhyne Meuse Scheld Waell and many others which springing forth of the high mountaines runne through the Countrie and emptie themselues into the great Northerne Ocean where the said Countries are situated The Countie of Embden and the Riuer Amisa the Countries of Benthem Westphalia Cleues and Iuliers the Bishopricks of Cologne and Treues and the countries of Lorayne and France are their limits The Low Countrey is commonly diuided into seuenteene Prouinces viz. into foure Duchies Brabant Limbourg Luxembourg and Guelders eight Counties Holland Zeland Flanders Artois Haynault Namur Zutphen and the Marquisat of the sacred Empire And into fiue Seignories viz. Malines Vtrecht frise Ouer-Ysell and Gronninghe They are termed seuenteene Prouinces by reason of the seuenteene seuerall titles giuen to their Princes we can giue no other sound reason for it At any generall Assemblie al the Prouinces are not called or summoned nor haue voyâ—â—s or doe orderly contribute to generall impositions for the Marquisat of the sacred Empire of Antuerpe is not reckoned among the Prouinces the Duchie of Limbourgh with Valckenbourgh and Dalem belong to Brabant Tournay and Tournesis with Lille Douay and Orchies are not vsually numbred among the seuenteene Prouinces yet both of them contribute each of them as a Prouince The like doe Valenciennes and Drent This Low Countrey about the yeare 1550 in the time of the Emperour Charles the fist did graunt his demaund in a summe of 300000 Florins to be payd monethly which was called Nouentale or Nouenaire We find that Limbourgh Luxembourgh Guelders and Gronninghe being
c. with the rehearsall of his death and funeralls BEfore we set downe the great and valorous actions of the most illustrious Prince Maurice of Nassau vve will briefely in manner of an introduction speake somewhat of the Genealogie descent birth life and death of my Lord his father William of Nassau of happie memorie William by the grace of God Prince of Orange Earle of Nassau Catzenelbogen Dietz Vianda c. Marquis of Veer and Flushing Vicount of Antuerpe and Bezanson Baron of Breda Diest Grimberg Arley Nozeroy c. Lord of Castelbelin Lieutenant generall in the Low-countries and Gouernour of Brabant Holland Zeland Vtrecht and Frize-land Admirall of the Belgick Seas was sonne to William of Nassau brother to Count Henrie of Nassau both of them sonnes to Iohn who was brother to Engelbert to whom Iohn of Nassau was Father and Marie of Loon their mother This William married Iulian Countesse of Stolberg a verie wise and vertuous Ladie by whom hee had fiue sonnes namely William of Nassau Prince of Orange c. Iohn of Nassau Lodwicke Adolph and Henrie three of them vvere slayne in the Low-countrie vvarres and seuen daughters all excellently well married to Earles and haue had many children so that the sayd Ladie mother to my Lord of happie memorie being 75 yeares old did in anno 1578 see of her owne issue 123 persons both Earles and Countesses her children and childrens children how the number is since encreased to me is vnknowne The late Prince of Orange of happie memorie was borne at Dillenbourg in anno 1533 the foureteenth of Aprill old stile He was of more than middle stature the colour of his beard browne more leaue than fat What his inward parts were his heroicke actions testifie Being come to mans state he married first the onely daughter and heire of Maximillian of Egmont Earle of Buren Leerdam c. on whom he begat Philip of Nassau Count of Buren now Prince of Orange and a daughter called Marie married to Graue Hohenlo His second wife was Anne sole daughter to the Elector Maurice Duke of Saxonie by whom he had a sonne called Maurice of Nassau borne of Dillenbourg in the Countie of Nassau the thirteenth of Nouember anno 1567 by whose discreet and valorous conduct it pleased God to blesse these Low-countries before extreamely afflicted He had moreouer two daughters by her the one named Anne the other Emillia His third choice was the Ladie Charlotta of Bourbon daughter to Duke Mompensier of Fraunce by whom he had sixe daughters namely Louisa Iuliana Elizabeth Catherina Belgica Flandrina Charlotta Brabantina and Emillia Secunda His fourth and last wife was Louisa of Colligni daughter to the Admirall of Fraunce and widow to the Lord Telligni both her father and husband were slaine in the masacre at Paris by whom he had a sonne borne in the Towne of Delft called Henrie Frederick a Prince worthie such a father I vvill not vvrite the life and actions of this valorous Prince For it is not my meaning or intent to make a long discourse of all his victories and defeatures by sea and land taking of towns sieges difficulties trauels miseries vvhereunto this life is subiect especially that of Princes and great men nor likewise how often and by sundrie wayes his enemies haue sought to murther him Onely I vvill briefely set downe how he was treacherously slayne in the Towne of Delft And if any be desirous to see a more ample description thereof let him read the Histories of things done in the Netherlands written by Emanuell Demetrus Iohn Petit and others In the yeare 1584 in the beginning of May there came to the Princes Court in the Towne of Delft a young man of the age of seuen and twentie yeares of a middle stature simple countenance and euell aspect his name vvas Baltazar Gerard borne at Villesans in Burgondie he had changed his name and termed himselfe Francis Guyon of Besançon sonne to Peter Guyon of Lyons vvho had beene put to death for his Religion and for enterprising somewhat in behalfe of those of the reformed Religion This fellow deliuered a letter to the sayd Prince shewing vnto him the zeale he did beare to the reformed Religion and how desirous he was to serue him and withall how that passing through Luxembourg he had visited a Cosin of his called Iohn du Prè Secetarie to Count Mansfelt vvith whom he had continued for a time till at last he resolued for the quiet of his conscience to leaue him The vvhich he was the sooner enforced to do because the Iesuits began to suspect him He told him besides how that he had gotten from his Cosen diuers blanks signed by Count Mansfelt whereof hee thought good vse might be made for enterprising vpon certaine towns of Luxembourg elsewhere with many other such like discourses circumstances tending to this end to insinuat himselfe into the Princes fauour and to enter into his seruice He grew likewise familliar vnder colour of Religion vvith certaine of the Princes houshold seruants and vvas present at Sermons and vsuall Prayers carrying eyther a Psalme Booke Bible or Testament still in his hand The Prince acquainted vvith all this answered that he thought those signed blankes would doe small good in any enterprise but onely serue to safe-conduct messengers from Bruxels to Cambray and therefore vvilled him to leaue some of them And at vvhat time the Lord of Schoonwall vvent into Fraunce his Excellencie thought good to send the sayd Baltazar vvith him to the Marshall Byron who men thought should haue beene Gouernour of Cambray that he might make vse of these signed blankes And vvith him he vvent into Fraunce After that he returned from Fraunce with Letters both to the Prince and States mentioning the death of the Duke of Brabant A njou in vvhich regard the Prince sent for him into his Chamber as he lay in his bed that he might particularly informe him of the Dukes death He hath confest since that if his dagger had beene then about him hee vvould haue killed him in his bed Within a vvhile after he was commaunded to returne into Fraunce whereupon he craued some money shewing how his hose and shooes vvere broken the Prince commaunded his Secretarie to giue him some on the eight day of Iulie with this money he bought two Pistols of one of the Gard therewith to execute his diuelish enterprise The tenth of Iulie about dinner time he came to the Prince of whom with a fearefull and trembling voice he craued a passe-port which the Princesse there present did well obserue who asked the Prince what he was because shee saw he had a bad countenance his Excellencie told her that he vvas a fellow that sued for a passeport and so gaue order for his dispatch Whilest they were at dinner he was seene to walke neere the stables behind the house towards the Towne Rampiers After dinner as the Prince was
purpose his meaning was to haue returned into Fraunce and to haue become one of the reformed religion in some Congregation or other and to haue so delt with the Consistorie as he would haue obtayned letters of recommendation to get him accesse to the Prince and by that meanes to perform the deed Being tortured likewise before he confest that he had acquainted Doctor Gery Warden of the Friers at Tournay with his purpose After his torture he confessed that the sayd Frier had incouraged him and giuen him his blessing promising to pray to God for him That the Iesuit of Treues had likewise assured him that if he died in the attempt he should be reckoned in the number of martyrs He had likewise imparted the same to 3 other Iesuits Being againe tortured he sayd that he was a poore fellow seeking some means to aduance himselfe That he had acquainted the Prince of Parma with his plot who appointed the Counsellor Assonuille to conferre with him who vpon the difficultie of the matter told him that he should doe great good seruice to the King of Spayne and that the Prince of Parma allowed thereof so as if he performed it he should receiue the recompence proposed in the proscription but if he shold be taken he aduised him by no means to make any mention of the Prince of Parma He told Assonuille that he would change his name and call himselfe Francis Guyon son to Peter Guyon put to death for Religion and his goods confiscat and so being a poore fellow and wanting meanes but yet affectionat to Religion he would goe to the Princes Court and the better to insinuat hee would present him his seruice and those sealed Blankes all this did Assonuille consent to and vehemently exhorted him to performe it intreating him againe not to make any mention of the Prince of Parma for diuers respects and perceiuing him resolute in the attempt he sayd vnto him Goe my sonne if thou performe this the King will keepe his promise with thee and thou shalt purchase immortall fame He should beside haue the Prince of Parma for his friend that the sayd Prince had seene those blankes and was content they should be vsed but Count Mansfeldt should change and alter his seale and haue it no more engrauen in the forme of a Lozenge with diuers other instructions which Assonuille gaue him Whereupon the sayd Baltazar aunswered that he hoped so well to counterfeit himselfe to be of the reformed Religion as to get into the seruice of some Secretarie thereby to find some oportunitie to present letters to the Prince to signe and in the meane time to kill him with his ponyard After his torture he still continued in one mind that he was not sorie for the fact but if it were againe to be done he would attempt it though it should cost him a thousand liues All these confessions both those that he had voluntarily set down in writing and those that he made vpon the torture seen heard my Lords of the great Councell those of the Prouinciall appointed to examin and judge the prisoner together with the magistrats of Delft pronoūced sentence against the said Baltazar as followeth Baltazar Gerard borne at Villesans in the franche county of Burgondie hauing confest to haue attempted to kill the illustrious and mightie Lord the Prince of Orange and to this end obtayned certaine Blankes from Count Mansfeldt and conferred with the Counsellour Assonuille in Tournay sent to him by the Prince of Parma who had promised him that if the Prisoner should execute the sentence of proscripion against the Prince of Orange the King of Spayne should pay him the recompence proposed in the sayd proscription together vvith the summe of fiue and twentie thousand Ducats that the sayd prisoner should call himselfe Frauncis Guyon and make shew of beeing affectionat to the reformed Religion to haue the better accesse to the Princes Court That the sayd Prisoner according to this resolution came thither vnder the name of Frauncis Guyon and on the ninth of Iulie bought two Pistols which on the tenth day he charged whilest my Lord the Prince was at dinner and returning hung them at his girdle and hid them vnder his Cloke And as the sayd Prince after dinner was going forth of the Hall to ascend the staires leading to his Chamber he discharged one of the Pistols wherewith he slew the sayd Lord Prince This being an execrable deed and abhominable treacherie perpetrated against the person of so illustrious a Prince of happie memorie the offendor ought not to escape vnpunished but is to be seuerely chastised to serue for an example to all others In this regard my Lords aboue named hauing well and maturely weighed the confession of the sayd prisoner and considered euerie circumstance thereof haue by these presents condemned and doe condemne the sayd Baltazar Gerard to be led to a scaffold erected before the State-house of the sayd Citie there first to haue his right hand wherewith he committed this so execrable fact burned betwixt two burning yrons and afterwards his flesh to be burnt and torne off with burning pincers in sixe seueral parts of his bodie as legges armes and other fleshie places and lastly to be quar ered aliue his bowels and heart to be taken forth and throwne in his face his head cut off and his quarters to be set vpon the foure Bulwarkes and his head vpon a pole to stand vpon the Schoole-Tower behind the Princes house and all his goods to be confiscat This sentence was pronounced in the State-house of the Citie of Delft the 14 of Iulie anno 1584. Signed A vander Moer On Saturday the foureteenth of Iulie hee was publikely brought to a scaffold set vp in the Market place of Delft where he was executed according to the sentence with admirable patience shewing the same courage and resolution he had at first he would not conferre with any Minister when his hand and flesh was burnt and torne off he made no noyse nor seemed at all to be moued and in this manner was quartered and his head set vpon a pole which was afterward secretly stollen away After this illustrious Prince was thus slayne by the hand of this wretched Bourguignon his bodie by the commaundement of my Lords the States of Holland Zealand Frize land Vtrecht was magnificently buried in the new Church of Delft where his tombe is now to be seene His funerals were solemnized after this maner First the Burguers of Delft armed went before next them the Trumpets after them followed eight horse trapped with black downe to the ground behind euerie horse went a Gentleman bearing a banner representing the Armes of the sayd Lord Princes Signiories with Scutchions on euerie Horse The first Horse was led by two Gentlemen the one called Gerard de Schoten and the other Paule Wijts representing the Citie of Breda The banner with the Armes of Breda was borne by Philip
of Grutere Lord of Direxland The second was conducted by the Lord vander Delft and the Lord N. de Roules And the Lord Iohn of Egmont carried the banner with the Armes of the Marquisat of Terueer and Flushing The third by the Lord of Sprangen and the Lord Iohn of Oestrum Captaine of the Castle of Woerden And the Lord of Rosuè carried the banner with the Armes of Chalon The fourth was conducted by the Lord Floris Serclays and the Lord Peter of Roon baylie of Putte and the Lord Iasper of Poelgeest carried the banner with the Armes of Diest The fist by the Lord Iacob of Almond and the Lord N. of Raephorst and the Lord Gerard vâ—nder Aa bore the banner with the Armes of Vianden The sixt was led by the Lord of Wijngaerd and the Lord of Linden and the Lord Lancelot carried the banner with the armes of Catzenelbogen The seuenth was borne by Philip vander Aa and the Lord Harman of Outenhorst and the Lord Cornelius de Swete carried the banner with the armes of Nassau The eight was conducted by the Lord Iohn Baex Captain of the Castle of Heusden the Lord Dieric of Dvuenuoord baylie of the Briell and the Lord of Marquet carried the banner with the armes of Orange All these Lords were clad in blacke with long Clokes downe to the foot Next followed the Lord of Mansardt bearing the Cornet the Lord of Rihouen the Guidon and the Lord of Naeltwijck the banner in euerie of which was the Princes Embleme After them followed foure Scutcheons of the Princes foure Signiories viz. Nassau Stolbourg Hessen and Conningstein borne by the Barons of Peterschen and Deure the Lord Wencelij of Botselaer and Iohn of Assendelst Lord of Cralingen The lord Iohn of Egmond lord of Kenensbourg followed bearing his armes with his crest and colors After him followed the Lord Daniell of Botselaer Lord of Mervve bearing the Helme the Lord Duits Captaine of the Gard bearing the sword and the Lord Wolfart of Brederode with the Coat-armor Next the Lord of Brecht and the Sr. of Malderè led the mourning Horse trapped with black Veluet down to the ground The Earle of Ouerstein followed carrying a drawne sword and the Baron of Creange a Coronet of Gold these were attended by three Stewards or masters of houshold to witt the Lords vander Aa Audenfort and Viry with white staues in their hands after them followed twelue men carrying the Beere wherein was the Princes bodie hung with the Princes armes On each side of the bodie went the Lord Iohn of Burgondie Lord of Froymont the Lord Walraue Lord of Brederode the Lord of Merode and the Signior de Soeterwoude After the bodie and Heraulds of Armes followed Prince Maurice of Nassau sonne to the Prince in a mourning robe the trayne whereof was borne by the Lord of Sonsfelt his Tutor On his right hand went the Elector Truxses of Cologne on the left Count Hohenlo After them followed Count William of Nassau Count Philip of Nassau and the Earle of Solms each of them going alone They were followed by my Lords the generall States the Councell of State the States of Holland the Presidents and Councellors of the great Councell and of the prouinciall Councell of Holland with their Secretaries Next them the Pretor Burgomasters and all the Magistrats of Delft after them followed ministers the Princes Captaines and Officers confusedly attended by multitudes of people These funerals were solemnised with incredible sorrow of the whole towne of Delft There was nothing seen heard that day ouer the whole citie but sighs teares and lamentations for the death of this good and vertuous Prince the people beseeching God to preserue and defend these Countries from greater daungers and difficulties which by this Princes death seemed to threaten them At what time Prince Maurice of Nassau receiued the gouernment of these Countries MY Lords the States of Holland Zeland Friseland and Vtrecht well weighing the good faithful seruice which my Lord the Prince of Orange had done to these Countries both by his counsell and actions in no sort sparing his owne person but had alwayes beene present at sundrie daungers and difficulties the better to effect his designes considering besides that the sayd Prince had not onely spent all his substance in those bloudie wars but all his brethrens wealth and not alone lost his owne life therein but also three of his brethren viz. Counts Lodwicke Adolph and Henrie gaue the gouernment of these countries with the Admiraltie of the sea to his sonne Prince Maurice of Nassau in recompence and acknowledgement of all his merits appointing Philip Earle of Hohenlo for his Lieutenant So as in the yeare 1584 my Lord Prince Maurice of Nassau of the age of seuenteene yeares succeeded my Lord his father in the gouernement a Prince whom God haâ—h made an instrument to reuenge his fathers cruell death vpon the bloudie Spaniards and their adherents and to let the world see that it is he alone who with the father lie eye of mercie beholding these wretched and oppressed Prouinces hath freed and set them at libertie and that it is he which derideth all our enemies enterprises and determinations who thought that when this illustrious and valiant Prince was dead they should easily subdue these poore afflicted countries being then as they supposed without a Head and with their bloudie hands ruine it But their hope was vaine for from this goodlie tree which was cut downe God hath raised a plant which as a man may say is sprouted vp to heauen so as the accessaries to this murther haue by experience seene the contrarie of their vaine imaginations For the whole world knowes and I hope to shew it in this description what victorious blessings God hath giuen and granted to these countries by meanes of this Gedeon Before the Earle of Leycesters arriuall whom the Queene of England sent to be Gouernour my Lords the generall States gaue an instruction to his Excellencie Maurice of Nassau concerning the gouernement of Captaine-Generall and Admirall of Holland Zeland and Frizeland but on condition to carie all respect to the Gouernour Generall whom the Queene of England should send which hauing accepted he honourably discharged In anno 1586 vnder the commaund of the sayd Gouernour he went accompanied by Sir Philip Sidney Gouernour of Flessigue with two or three thousand men into Flanders to Ter-Neusen as well to diuert the Prince of Parma from the siege of Nuys as because la Motte did sore oppresse the towne of Ostend hauing made a sort in S. Katherines churchyard vsing meanes by secret intelligence to make himselfe master thereof which by corrupting and drawing diuers by money to his partie he had almost effected But his Excellencie made another attempt vpon the towne of Axel in this maner The taking of the towne of Axel in Flaunders THe sixteenth of Iulie anno 1586 his Excellencie and Sir Philip Sidney with their souldiers and prouisions did
the countrey and inhabitants thereof which had louingly receiued him and inriched him with their meanes had shewen so great obstinacy rebellion therein in continuing one whole yeare vttering proud and swelling speeches to the preiudice of the house of Nassaus Princelie reputation and against the state of these countries which he threatened with ruine and destruction making vse of the souldiers appointed to serue the countrey for defence of his owne person disarming the good citizens of Medenblick whom hee ought to haue defended afflicting them with seruitude and intollerable burthens The which Generall spurred forward by his owne auarice and ambition from one sinne to another shall by Gods assistance be brought to shame and confusion so that all good souldiers which loue Gods word and their countrey will detest the obstinacie rebellion rashnesse and malicious proceedings of the said Generall and for that cause will againe take vpon them the defence of their deere countrey as in former time and we verily hope that the souldiers of Medenblick being well informed That Generall Senoy by his proceedings hath none other intent but onely to shew vnder these two false pretences namely of an oath made to her Maiesty or to the Earle of Leycester in her name and that he would be a meanes to procure them the full paiment of all arrerages his hatred and ill grounded quarels against the countrey and house of Nassau by which from a poore estate he was made rich will not consent to any thing against their countrey and house of Nassau and will not hazard to their owne shame and dishonour of their friends the losse of their honour and reputation nay of their own liues Especially seeing that by quitting Generall Senoys priuat and vniust quarell they may be reconciled to their countrey and his Excellencie of Nassau and preserue their liues goods honour reputation and whatsoeuer be which hath nothing but what he hath gotten by these countries and the house of Nassau doth deceitfully promise them Generall Senoy likewise did on the one and twentieth of Ianuarie 1588 present certaine Articles to the Councell of State in forme following to euerie of which in particular my Lords the States added their answer Articles presented in behalfe of Generall Senoy to the Councell of State by his deputie William Mostaert FOr as much as General Senoy hath done many good trustie and notable seruices since the beginning of these warres vnder the commaund of his late Excellencie the Prince of Orange of happie memorie and likewise since his death to the aduancement of Christian Religion and libertie of the Countrie especially in the parts of North-Holland And that the sayd Generall Senoy for the aboue mentioned causes doth rather merit encreasement of his Commission and authoritie if need should bee than diminution thereof Generall Senoy for his seruice done hath beene as honourably and to his owne profit delt with as any other that hath done seruice to these Countries which is very well knowne to himselfe In vvhich regard it is just and reasonable that his Excellencie Count Maurice should by his Commission suffer the sayd Generall Senoy to vse the title and authoritie of his Excellencies Lieutenant and Gouernour Generall in the parts of North-Holland as my Lord his father had done In as much as my Lords the State of Holland Zeland and Westfrizeland did in anno 1577 make a Decree for the preseruation of the vnion and gouernement of the sayd Countries that there should be but one Gouernour in Holland Zeland and West-frizeland to wit my Lord the Prince of Orange of happie memorie and that all particular gouernements should cease which hath beene alreadie practised for the space of tenne yeares according to the auntient custome and manner of the Countries It is not reasonable that the sayd resolution for any loue to the Generall contrarie to the Laws and vnion of the Countrie should be altered That the sayd Senoy vvill keepe good correspondence with his Excellencie of Nassau concerning all difficulties which may arise and to preuent them in time as need shall be We vnderstand that the Generall ought to be bound to doe more than keepe correspondence with his Excellencie otherwise he must needes be his equall That he will remayne in those parts and take care for the vvell ordering preseruation defence and assurance thereof against the power secret practises and enterprises of the enemie We neuer meant to call the Generall away from those parts To this end he will still keepe the regiment of souldiers which he now hath and bestow them in the Townes and Forts which till now haue beene committed vnto him according as he shall thinke fit for the safe keeping of them and seruice of the Countrie Our meaning hath beene that the sayd Senoy should commaund all the souldiers in the Townes and Forts vnder his commaund in qualitie of Generall And concerning the changing of Garrisons the Generall is to behaue himselfe therein according to his Excellencies commaundements Retayning authoritie to change the Garrisons when and after what manner he shall see to be expedient And if the necessitie of the Countrie require to haue some companies drawn from thence for the Countries seruice that his Excellencie shall write to him thereof as hauing authoritie so to doe that he may leuie and send them according as opportunitie will permit him We meane herein to vse our owne discretion and not to graunt the Generall the prerogatiues belonging to the Gouernour and so by consequent to his Excellencie He will likewise vse all speciall care and diligence for the aduauncement of the reformed Religion ouer all his gouernement prohibiting all Popish false doctrine and will haue a care that no Ministers shall be brought in or suffered contrarie to the order of the reformed Churches or without permission admission of the Congregations from whence they come and will also prouide that the sayd Ministers shall be well and duely payd Because that according the resolution of my Lords the States the disposing of matters heretofore mentioned belongeth to his Excellencie as Gouernour to the States Commissioners to the President and prouinciall Councell and other ordinarie officers of the Countrie His Excellencie giues him to vnderstand that he will himselfe take order therein according to the necessitie of the affaires for the aduauncement of Gods word and good of the Countries He will likewise haue a warie eye on all Schole-masters that none be admitted or receiued but such as are of the reformed Religion who shall teach no other doctrine in their Scholes nor any Bookes contrarie thereunto He will in like manner as much as in him lyes prouide that in all townes Colledges and places of his gouernement good officers Magistrats and Regents be established who stand well affected to the reformed Religion and to the good of the publique affaires and to this end shall hereafter be appointed committed and
down to the ground Whilest the sayd Prince vndermined a great and strong rauelin before the East-gate on which the townesmen had planted foure canon these Mynes being readie to be fired they gaue a false alarme and assault to the rauelin from which being repulsed they retired on a sodaine and vpon a certaine signall gaue fire to the bigger myne which was blown vp together with whatsoeuer was vpon the rauelin as also 140 men who were cast into the camp of whom one was aliue wherupon our men leapt vpon the rauelin and there slew as many as were left aliue driuing the rest into the dikes and presently entrenched themselues they found a souldier vnder ground who was still aliue together with foure canons two of which the Burghers with cordes drew into the towne two hundred were slaine there The rauelin thus lost and fearing other mynes in other places might cause a greater daunger the Burghers that serued as souldiers and were called May Birds began likewise to be discouraged and were not so opposit to agreement as before So as the chiefe Burghers fearing that the towne would bee more vndermined did by mutual consent send their comissioners both from the clergie and magistracie of the towne as likewise from colonel Laukema together with hostages treating from the sixteenth to the two and twentieth of Iulie with his Excellencie and count William of Nassau who by aduice of the Councell of State did on honourable conditions graunt that they should liue in their rights and priuiledges as other Prouinces to whom they should bee vnited and concerning their contention with the Ommelands and countrie nere adjoyning the true motiue and beginning of the war they should therein referre themselues to my Lords the generall States and for matters of religion should conforme themselues like to other countries accepting Count William of Nassau gouernour of Frizeland for their gouernour together with fiue companies of souldiers The articles thereof we haue thought good to insert for better satisfaction of the curious Reader because it is a mightie towne and may well be termed a Prouince FIrst all wrongs iniuries and offences perpetrated since the beginning of these troubles late alterations as likewise whatsoeuer hath beene done during the present siege of Groeninguen in what place or manner soeuer either generall or particular as well within as without shal be pardoned and forgotten as things neuer done so as no more mention nor enquirie shall be made thereof to call any man to question on penaltie that the infractors and transgressors hereof shall be held accounted and punished as desturbers of the publique peace and quiet 2 Those of the Magistracie and inhabitants of Groeninguen shal promise accept as by these presents they do accept and promise to re-vnite themselues to the vnited Prouinces of the Netherlands as dependants thereof and to continue loyall to my Lords the general States of the said prouinces so consequently those of Groeninguen as a member joyned to other prouinces shall vnsaignedly like good confederats entertain firme and inuiolable friendship together and at all times and vpon all occasions shall ayd and assist one another and resist the Spaniards their adherents as those who contrarie to all right and reason haue gone about to oppresse the subjects and to depriue them of their goods keeping them in perpetuall miserie and bondage 3 Those of Groeninguen shall likewise liue in their rights priuiledges liberties franchises and immunities 4 Againe those of the towne and the Ommelanders or countrie nere adjoyning making appearance to giue their generall voyce shall rest satisfied and gouerne themselues according to the sentence pronounced declared by my lords the generall States vpon due consideration of the cause 5 That my Lord Count William of Nassau c. Gouernour of Groeninguen and the Ommelanders according to the tenure of my Lords the generall States commission shall be acknowledged receiued and so held and that the strife now present or which may hereafter arise betwixt the towne of Groeninguen and the Ommelanders shall be referred according to the decision and dispose of my Lords the States generall or their deputies 6 Moreouer none other Religion shall be vsed in the town and countrie of Groeninguen but the reformed in the same manner as it is publiquely in vse in the vnited Prouinces on condition that no man shall be enforced in his conscience That all Cloisters and ecclesiastical goods shal continue in the same estate they now stand till the state of the towne of the Ommelands shall be duely reformed by my Lords the generall States on condition that then the Prouinces themselues shall giue order for the bestowing of the goods and entertainement of the ecclesiasticall persons alwayes prouided that whatsoeuer belongs to the commanderies of Witwert Oosterbirum and others shall be held and disposed of according to the commaunderies which are in other of the vnited Prouinces 7 That for the generall safetie of the towne and likewise to preuent and hinder all tumults and diuision among the Burghers and inhabitants those of Groeninguen shal receiue fiue or six foot companies who by aduise of the Magistrat and to the least prejudice of the Burghers and inhabitants shall be prouided of lodging or money to prouide it according to the agreement which shall be made betwixt the Lord gouernour and those of the towne and countrie 8 As for certaine forts which are to be raced it shal be done according to the first conuenient occasion and as my Lords the generall States shall thinke fit 9 That the towne of Groeninguen together with the Ommelanders in that which concernes the generall meanes and contributions seruing for direction of the common cause shall hereafter conforme themselues like other contributorie Prouinces 10 Beside concerning rates and contributions which till now haue beene rated contributed and receiued as likewise demaines which haue beene accountable the accounts thereof shall be held for good And those which haue not been accounted the accounts shall be made before the old lords on condition they shall not meddle with the receipt of any remainders 11 Againe all those that were fled from the towne of Groeninguen and the Ommelands or their heires shall be againe restored to their goods it they be not yet alienated or sold wherein singular curtesie and modestie shall be vsed 12 And concerning goods immouable sold or alienated eyther for debts or morgage and likewise such as haue beene confiscat the said heires may recouer the sayd goods in redeeming them for themselues within the terme of foure yeares and by repaying the value of the principall mony together with the rent thereof wherupon the reuenewes which the buyer hath receiued shall be abated and if any contention shall arise thereupon it shall be referred to the deciding of an ordinarie and competent Iudge 13 Againe it shall be lawfull for all Burghers of the towne of Groeninguen whether they be ecclesiasticall persons or others freely
that gallant opportunitie His Excellencie in the meane time hauing intelligence of the enemies arriuall in the Isle of Bommell made hast thitherward with his Cauallerie and certaine foot companies where he arriued on the sixth of May and gaue order for all things necessarie in the towne commaunding the Burghers still to abide there who by his comming were so encouraged as they alone thought themselues strong enough to withstand the enemie The seuenth of May the Spaniards forsooke the town of Emmerick and joyned with the Admerall who was then marching towards the Isle of Bommell It was supposed that the Admerall had an intent to haue seazed on Heusden a verie strong Towne and seated within an houres journey of Bommell But his Excellencie like a prouident prince went thither on the 11 of May with tenne foot companies and caused the Isle of Hemert to be fortified and intrenched round about The Admerall perceiuing that Heusden was too well prouided did with all his force assault the Fort of Creuecoeur which by reason of the smalnesse was not able to hold out against him Whereupon the garrison yeelded it vp and departed thence with their ensignes and armes His Excellencie hauing intelligence thaâ— Creuecoeur was yeelded returned speedily to Bommell and caused it to be enuironed with many trenches halfe Moones and such like workes By these fortifications the Towne of Bommel in mans iudgement was made impregnable and as many as saw the height and bredth of those workes were amazed for it is almost incredible to see what they wrought in view of the king of Spaines mightie armie Beside these fortifications a farre off the bulwarkes of the Towne which had bin begun were finished and the walls closed vp the Towne being well furnished with ordnance and other prouision in places of most necessitie The Admeral in the meane time lay with his campe at Creuecoeur where he was busied in making a bridge ouer the Mase and a halfe Moone on Heels side thereby to secure the riuer The 13 of May the enemie made shew as if he would haue returned to Heusden whereupon his Excellencie sent 31 ensignes mo thither But he marched towards Rossem hoping to enter into the Isle of Tiell called Tielche-weert to enclose the Isle of Bommell on all sides but Prince Maurice sent ordnance thither and caused batteries to be made thereby hindering the enemies passage The 14 of May Count Frederick brought the most part of the armie before Bommell hauing first run vp and downe the Countrie and done nothing but warned those of Bommell and Voorn to fortifie themselues and giuen them time to doe it He came and sat downe on the West-side where the Towne had beene most open there beginning his skirmishes hoping to enter it but those within it did brauely repulse him During this skirmish the enemie thought to haue entred the Isle of Rossem but all things being there well ordered his attempt had no good successe Then he began to besiege the towne seating his campe at a place called Oensell aboue the Towne and made his trenches at the causey called Oensen-Dijke that he might lie safe from the Towne shot Prince Maurice perceiuing that the enemie meant to set vpon him with his whole power did likewise breake vp his campe which lay in the Betuwe and brought it to Bommell making all preparations for defence sending for all sorts of munition and making sundrie batteries His whole campe being assembled he diuided it verie skilfully and fortified all necessarie places He manned Bommel with eight ensignes belonging to the Lord Peter de Dorp eight ensignes of the Lord Vander-Noot foure ensignes of Suesse and the Lord de la Noiie with seuen French companies and himselfe with his youngest brother Count William and Count Lodwick retired thence He quartered the English at Haesten the Gards at Tuyll the residue of the French at Wardenbourg at Opinen the rest of the Frizons at Hessell Count Ernestus with the Almans the Scots with Edmonds regiment at Voorn and all the horse in the Isle of Tyell and so from thence as farre as Gorcum to keepe continuall watch along the Riuer The Admerall Duuenvoord likewise went vp the Riuer Waell with fifteene men of warre which lay from Opinen as farre as beneath Haeften On the sixteenth of May all things being thus ordered by the States armie the Admeral of Arragon came at last to his campe so as al the power on both sides was assembled nere to Bommel The Spaniards were in number 26000 foot and 4000 horse the States forces consisted of 16000 foot and three thousand horse most of them old souldiers and had a long time bin trayned vp in war and purchased great experience The same night that the Admeral came to his campe he made a furious assault vpon the townes furthest fortifications towards the gate called Oensche port which were scarce finished but he was brauely beaten backe with great losse of his men and among others La Motte was taken prisoner who died at Bommell of his hurt together with Alfonso D'Aualos who was grieuously wounded yet within a while after recouered his health Prince Maurice caused the causey called Oenschen-Dijke to be vndermined that he might blow vp the enemie if he returned to assaile the fortifications This was his last assault vpon Bommell for afterward he kept himselfe verie quiet standing rather on defence than offence His Excellencie on the contrarie was not satisfied in defending the towne of Bommell but did likewise with all his might assaile the enemie shooting on euerie side into his campe and visiting him often in his trenches The workes and fortifications did daily encrease round about Bommell and a bridge of boats was likewise made ouer the Waell before the Towne fiue pace in bredth and foure hundred and fiftie in length There were ten great boats and eight and twentie lesser ones a verie great Ferrie-boat seruing for an opening to the bridge when need was By his Excellencies commaund all mariners that were in the States fleet came into the towne of Bommell to ayd the souldiers to make a furious assault vpon the enemie who was aduertised thereof by two French-men that fled from our side whereupon the mariners were sent backe to their ships The 18 of May Count Lodwick with 8 cornets of horse was sent on Brabants side to surprise the enemies gards but returned without any effect On the one and twentieth at night our souldiers being for the most part English and French did fiercely assaile the enemie in his trenches and slew aboue six hundred men and would peraduenture haue troubled the whole armie had not a quarrell arose betwixt the two Nations whereupon they returned to the Towne bringing Captaine Aldeno prisoner with them with some other souldiers And on their side lost two Captaines and some others who for the most paâ—t were slayne by themselues The enemie at that time was verie busie in his fortifications making platformes and sundrie batteries from
Generall considering sent Captaine Day thither who with great cries fiercely assailed them and with much effusion of bloud draue them thence so as the next day aboue three hundred dead bodies were found in the said halfe moone beside those that were hurt and drowned In this generall assault which continued two houres the Archduke lost in all aboue two thousand men for in the fury no man was spared notwithstanding hee cried out take me prisoner I am an Ensigne Lieutenant or Captaine one promising an hundred an other two three foure fiue yea sixe hundred crownes to haue their liues saued but it was to no purpose for none were spared during the fight but afterwards the heat beeing past many were taken prisoners and great numbers of them brought into Ostend Verie few of our men were slaine and in all but thirtie or fortie and some one hundred hurt these Captaines were slaine Captaine Haeften and Captaine Nicholas de Leur a lieutenant of Saint Andrews fort two English lieutenants one Ensigne two of Captaine Haeftens Sergeants one of Generall Vere his gentlemen and Sir Horatio Vere was shot in the leg There died of the enemies commaunders Count Imbec an Italian who was verie rich and had three hundred pistolets to spend euery day hee promised to giue as much gold for his ransome as his bodie weighed but a common souldier slew him with a poniard Don Durago campe master the Sergeant Major generall who had been hostage at Ostend the gouernor of Antuerps lieutenant Colonell Lewis Gambaliotta D. Alvaro Strugas knight of Malta Monsieur de la Tour lieutenant to Count Bucquoy D. Pedro de Velasco Lewis de la Villa verde were sore wounded His Highnes sent a Drum crauing leaue to suruey the dead who had foure hours granted him The commaunders which conducted the souldiers to the assault on the seuenth of Ianuarie 1602 were Count Ferneste an Italian commaunding 2000 of his countrie men who were to assault the Sand hill Count Bucquoy on the West side of the Gullet with two thousand men assailing the Eastern Rauelin but the tide being risen verie high hee assaulted the halfe moone beyond the Gullet from whence he was brauely repulsed The Gouernor of Dixmuide at the Porcuspine with two thousand men from whence hee was likewise repulsed besides an other Captaine with fiue hundred men on the West Rauelin who was also beaten thence An other Captain with fiue hundred men on the South Quadrant who did nothing The Sergeant Major with one thousand men on the West Quadrant who was likewise repulsed After this because the prisoners said that the enemie would the next day giue an other assault Generall Vere did euerie where fortifie and fence the weakest places He was likewise told that on the one and twentieth of Ianuarie the towne should bee againe assaulted by two thousand cuirasses armed at proofe but it seemeth because they could get no firme footing on the Sand hill that therefore it was deferred as also because the souldiers began euerie where to mutine especially the old Spaniards and Italians by reason of their bad vsage in being led so to the slaughter contrarie to all law of armes and driuen forward â—â—â—e bruit beasts by the horsemen after the Turkish manner against the opinion and consent of all the wise and discreet councell of warre so as it only seemed to be done in despight and brauerie But the Archduke presently caused part of these mutineers to be imprisoned and hanged vp fortie or fiftie of them of whom three were men of note and respect among the souldiers one of them being an old souldier said aloud at his execution that there were foure thousand who would reuenge their death an hundred and fiftie of them were likewise condemned to the Gallies The mutineers of Isabellas fort were sent to Winocxbergue without paye who reduced the whole countrie vnder contribution paying themselues Within a while after the States of the vnited prouinces sent more men to Ostend and furnished the towne with all necessaries notwithstanding the enemies continuall shooting so as wee can reckon that from the first day of the siege which was the fift of Iuly till Christmasse one hundred sixtie one thousand and fiue hundred shot had beene made vpon the towne and halfe as manie from thence The harme done by the enemies Canon was not onely repaired but the town thereby made more strong The Sand hill was so full of bullets as the workemen could not enter the pallizadoes which had iron points meeting many times with seuen or eight bullets in one hole It was a verie hard taske to vndermine the towne by reason that there were so manie trenches and fortifications abroade hindring the enemies approches the Sea did likewise keep them from any long worke To famish the towne was likewas impossible for though the enemie shot on euerie side yet in one day twentie thirtie yea ' fortie boats entred the towne and they had moreouer an other hauen readie by which they might at all times enter with lesse daunger and though all the hauens should faile them yet they might continually bring prouision into the old towne by shallops After this assault the vnited Prouinces resolued to change the Garrison of Ostend euerie foure or sixe moneths so as by little and little the Lord Frederick of Dorp entred the towne as Gouernour and Collonell together with William Edmonds the Scottish Colonell with thâ— Colonels Daniell de Hertaing Lord of Marquette Barendrecht the Lords of Dort and Domervile with their troops of sundrie nations These men so fortified the places of the Corps du gards as the enemie could no more doe such harme as hee was wont and in that regard shot not so often into the towne As these entred the old Garrison departed thence to refresh themselues Generall Vere went away likewise and made a journey into England The going out and in of these souldiers was seldome done without daunger and yet sometimes it was not daungerous as on the seuenteenth of March when fiue boats entred by night without any harme notwithstanding all the enemies shot The next morning at cleere day light nineteene boats richly loaden entred the enemie made one hundred twentie and two shot after them and those of the towne discharged aboue sixtie shot vpon the enemies Canon and Gabions Of these nineteene boats sixteene were touched but no great hurt done onely two men were slaine and seuen hurt In a word they entred sometime with daunger and sometimes without In lesse than sixe weekes one hundred thirtie and sixe boats loaden with all manner of prouision and munition entred the towne A Sea Captaine called Iohn Adrian Caut did on the tenth of Februarie bring 60000 pound weight of match and thirtie barrels of powder thither the like did diuers others so as the town was prouided for a long time Great quantitie of fagots and other stuffe was likewise sent thither to defend the towne from the Sea waues Souldiers were
he made many shot and suffered them to passe on thinking it rashnesse and indiscretion to suffer himselfe to be boorded with so many gallies at once The foure Hollanders followed them faire and softly and being come neere Graveling about tenne of the clocke at night Gerbrant Iansz-Sael of Horne with his ship of foure hundred tunne encountred one of the gallies called la Lucera which with full faile he boorded on the larboord side so as the poore slaues were in water vp to the middle crying out for mercie not making any resistance then the said Sael discharged two demie canon carrying bullets of foureteen pound weight with which he flew and hurt many A French Pilot being in the gallie whose name was Iohn Evout borne at Niew-Hauen did vnseene get aboord the Hollander and so saued his owne life In this incounter the gallie lost her sailes and oares and had her Helme broken in pieces whereby she became vnseruiceable Captaine Sael vsed all meanes to cleere himselfe from her fearing to be ouer prest with the multitudes that were in her and in the end came cleerely off hauing lost some of his saile Then did Captaine Hartmans ship boord the said gallie the second time thinking that he was the first and saued some fortie of the men and then fell off After this Captaine Sael boorded her againe sending fiue of his men aboord but perceiuing by the lamentable cries of those that were in her that she sanke he tooke in his owne men and for feare of farther daunger would saue no more of them this was about midnight and they continued neere the gallie till they could no longer see her mast aboue water Iohn Adriansz Cant the Vice-Admeral did likewise encounter the Gallie called Padilla which he ouerran and drowned and did great hurt to an other Captaine Gertsz Everts and Iacob Peters Niele with other ships that kept gard hearing the report of the Canon made vp towards them likewise and boorded this Gallie and the rest but fearing to bee endangered by them they onely saued some few to the number of two hundred and no more The rest of the Gallies beeing neere the shoare made no resistance but sought all meanes to escape The Admerall ran on ground neere to the land of Schouwe beeing pursued by a ship beyond West Cappell which gaue her ouer thinking it would perrish by foule weather But Generall Spinola that was in her behaued himselfe so courageously flinging many things ouerboord and promising freedome to the slaues as at last hee arriued with his Gallie at Dunkerke an other came safely to Calice whose men ran away two others that were fore brused by the canon ran on ground on the coasts of Flaunders and there perished Those two which were encountred by the Admerall Cant and Sael perished Cant made relation of what hee had done in Holland Gerbrant Sael of Enchuysen and Hartman did theirs in Zeland to Lord Iaques Maldre who examined the French Pilot and others sending them into Holland where honour was alreadie done to the Captaine that first brought the newes The English Captaines likewise were much discontented for that they had no share in the honor saying they were the first that had discouered and endaungered the Gallies chasing and bringing them vp to the Hollanders Of these eight gallies belonging to Spinola wherewith hee thought to haue tormented these Countries two of them were burnt in Portugall two were drowned and foure ran on ground Herein wee may consider Gods iudgements for these Gallies were the selfe same to which diuers mariners of the low Countries had beene condemned There is one thing among others worthie to be noted how that in Captaine Saels ship who first boorded the Gallie called Lucera the French Pilot saued himselfe who was a verie honest man and had beene three yeares a slaue in that Gallie and others in great miserie and wretchednesse comming with his ship into Spaine which together with his goods were confiscate and himselfe and men put into the Gallies and shauen like Turkish slaues This Pilot had here experience of Gods vengance for all the miserie he had endured seeing the gallie wherein hee had beene a slaue to sinke and Captaine Callido who had tirannized ouer him to haue both his leggs shot off of which hurt hee died in Captaine Hartmans ship This Pilot was a proper man tall and strong and could not bee set at libertie for any ransome till the accord made with the Admerall of Arragon to exchange prisoners on each side at which time hee was freed in companie of others D. Frederico Spinola saued the greatest part of his treasure which was thought to amount to two hundred thousand Ducats which hee presently caused to bee coined at Antuerp with the Archdukes stamp and with it paid the remainder of his souldiers ¶ A rehearsall of what passed betwixt Spinolas Gallies and certaine of the States men of war on the 25 of May 1603. Don Frederick Spinola Generall of the gallies hauing vndertaken to chase away the States men of war which garded the mouth of the Sluce came forth with eight gallies on the sixt and twentieth of May in the morning by day breake anno 1603 the wind beeing West and sailed Eastward betwixt the sand shelues called Pol Francis and the firme land and from thence Westward of the said mouth Certaine of the States men of war did vsually keepe gard thereabouts viz. the vice-Admerall of Zeland Ioost le More who commaunded vnder the Admerall the Lord of Holtain with his ship called the golden Lion and Captaine Logier Pieterzs with his his ship named the Sea Dogge there was likewise the black gallie of Holland commaunded by Iacob Machielz together with the gallie of Zeland called the Arrow commaunded by Cornellis Ians of Gordum A little further off vnder the wind lay an other ship whose master was Crijn Henrick of Ziriczee called the old Sea Dogge commaunding as Captaine In the vice-Admeralls ship and Gallie of Zeland and in either of them were 18 English musketeers of Flushing but in the 2 other ships black gallie of Holland were no musketeers but only their ordinary men Spinola in his 8 gallies and other Fregats besides his ordinarie men had great numbers of musketeers sent from the camp before Ostend These ships of Zeland with the two Gallies perceiuing that Spinola came forth did presently set saile bearing vp against the wind towards the West Spinolas men had a Westerlie wind and the sun for aduantage and passed on to the Northward athwart the Zelanders comming to Wieling where by fiue a clocke in the morning both sides diuide themselues and so the Gallies in good order and with great cries approached the Zealanders two Gallies in one of which Spinola was boorded the vice-Admerall Ioost le More foure other Gallies did the like to Captaine Logier Peters and the Gallie of Holland was set vpon by the rest of the Gallies Hauing thus for a while fought with their
which hath beene bestowed on reparations and yet it shall not be lawfull for the sayd buyers to claim the law of retention thereby to be paied and satisfied for them XIX If any fortifications and publique workes haue beene made on either side with leaue and authoritie of superiours in places which are to bee restored by this present treatie the owners of them shall be bound to satisfie themselues with the estimat which the ordinarie Iudges shall make residing as well in the said places as in the iurisdiction thereof vnlesse the parties doe willingly agree among themselues XX. Concerning goods belonging to Churches colledges and other holie places in the vnited Prouinces which haue beene members depending on Churches benefices and colledges vnder the Archdukes obedience that which hath not beene sold before the first of Ianuarie 1607 shall be restored and surrendred vnto them and they shall make reentrie into them by their owne priuat authoritie without any minister of Iustice and shall enioy them during the truce but shall not dispose of them as it is heretofore mentioned And for those which haue beene sold before the said time or giuen in payment by the States of any of the Prouinces the reuenew of the price shall be paid vnto them euerie yeare by the Prouince which hath made the said sale or giuen and assigned the said goods The like shall bee done and obserued by the said lords Archdukes XXI Those vnto whom their goods confiscate are to bee restored shall not bee tied to pay the arrerages of the rents for the time they haue not enioyed them and if they be sued or molessed for it they shall be sent away acquited XXII No man shall likewise sue for goods sold or graunted to haue them ordered according to the debts whereunto the possessors are bound by treaties made thereupon with the interests of moneys for entrance if any haue bin giuen XXIII Iudgements giuen for goods confiscate together with such parties as haue acknowledged the Iudges and haue beene lawfully defended shall hold good and those that are condemned shall not bee suffered to contradict them vnlesse by ordinarie meanes XXIIII The said Lords Archdukes and States shall each of them for their parts appoint officers and magistrates for administration of Iustice and gouernment in townes and strong places which by the present treatie ought to bee restored to the owners to enioy them during the truce XXV Moueable goods confiscate before the conclusion of this present treatie shall not be subiect to restitution XXVI Moueable actions which haue beene set ouer by the said Lords Archdukes or States to the profit of particular debtors before the first of Ianuarie 1607 shall be of no force on either side XXVII The time which hath run on during the warre beginning since the yeare 1567 till this present shall not be reckoned to bring in prescription betwixt those which bee of sundrie sides XXVIII Those who during the war are retired into neutrall countries shall likewise enioy the fruit of this truce and may reside where they shall think good and returne home to their auntient dwellings there to remaine in all safetie obseruing the lawes of the countrie and not vpon occasion of residing in any place whatsoeuer shall they be endamaged in their goods or themselues depriued ef enioying them XXIX No new forts shall bee built in the Netherlands on either side during the truce xxx The Lords of the house of Nassan shall not during the said truce bee pursued or molested in their persons or goods either for debts owing by the late Prince of Orange since the yeare 1567 till the day of his death or for arrerages fallen during the seisure of goods therewith charged XXXI If any particular persons shall do aught against the truce by commaundment of the said Lords King Archdukes or States the harme shall be recompenced in the same place where the breach was made if they be taken there or else where they dwell and shall not be pursued elsewhere either in bodie or goods in any sort whatsoeuer neither shall it bee lawfull for them to take armes and breake the truce vpon this occasion yet they may vpon manifest denial of Iustice vse ordinarie meanes by letters of marque and reprisall XXXII All disingheritings made by occasion of the late hostilitie are declared void and of none effect XXXIII The subiects and such as dwell in the dominions of the said Lords Archdukes and States of what estate and condition soeuer they be are declared capable of succeeding one an other as well by the testament as ab intestato according to the custome of the places And if any successions haue heretofore fallen to any of them they shal therein be defended and maintained XXXIIII All prisoners taken in warre shall be deliuered on either side without ransome XXXV And that this present treatie may be better obserued the said Lords King Archdukes and States doe interchangeably promise to imploy all their forceâ— and meanes to secure all passages seas and nauigable riuers from the incursions of Pirates theeues and robbers and if they shall apprehend any such then sharpely to chastice them XXXVI They doe moreouer promise to attempt or doe nothing nor suffer any thing to be done to the hurt of this preseut treatie directly or indirectly and if any be done to amend it without any difficultie or delay And for obseruing of all this aboue mentioned they doe mutually oblige themselues namely the said Lords King and Archdukes their successours and for validitie of the said obligation doe renounce all lawes customes and whatsoeuer is conâ—rarie thereunto XXXVII This present treatie shall be ratified and approued by the said Lords King Archdukes and States and their Letters of ratification deliuered to one another in due maner and forme within foure dayes And concerning the Catholike Kings ratification the said Lords Archdukes haue promised and shall be bound to deliuer it within 3 moneths in due manner and forme also to the end the said Lords States their subjects and people may effectually and in all safety reape the fruit of this present treatie XXXVIII The said Treatie shall be published in all places where it shall concerne presently after the ratification made by the said Lords Archdukes and States and from this time forth all hostilitie shall cease This made and concluded in the Citie of Antuerpe the ninth of Aprill 1609 and signed by my Lords the Embassadours of the most Christian Kings of Fraunce and â—â—at Brittaine as mediators and by the Commissioners of my Lords the Archdukes and States it was signed vnderneath by P Ieannin Elie de la Pluce Ric. Spencer Rafe Winwood Ambrose Spinola the President Richardot Iu. de Mancicidor Frier Iohn Ney L. Verreyckin William Lodwick Earle of Nassau W. Brodero de Cornellis de Gent Iohn de Ordenbarnevelt I. de Malderee G. de Renesse G. de Hillama Iohn Sloet Ab. Coenders And because within a while after certaine obscure difficulties were found