ciuill Warres there vnder the Prince of Parma and the Erle of Leicester AFter the said Ambassade sent by the Estates of the Netherlands vnto the Quéenes Maiestie of England Anno 1585. as before by composition in 31. seuerall Articles contained which for breuitie I omit And also after the memorable enterprise by the noble Generall Norice and the English forces happily atchieued against the Enemie at Arnhem and Nemeghem last before recited in the same yéere it pleased her gracious Highnes to send now ouer into the Netherlands the most nobly renowmed Lord Robert Dudley Erle of Leicester Baron of Denbigh and one of her Maiesties most honourable priuie Councell c. with a magnificen◠and worthie traine of Noblemen and Gentlemen attending vpō 〈◊〉 into those Netherlands where he ariuing at Flushing in Zeland the 19. of December Anno 1585. was of the Magistrates and Townesmen most honourably entertained and also with him the Lord Robert Deuoreux Erle of Essex and other English Nobles and Gentlemen to the number of seuen hundred horse From thence out of Zeland they sailed into Holland where in all Cities and places as they passed they were ioyfully receiued vntill they came vnto the Haghe in Holland in the moneth of Ianuary 1585 and there the Estates generall and Prouinciall came vnto his Excellencie friendly embraced him and honourably intertained him and all his traine with surpassing ioy and welcome and on the Calends of February following surrendred vnto him as to her Highnes Lieutenant Generall of all her forces there the gouernment of those vnited Prouinces vz. of the Duthcie of Gelders Counties of Zutphen Holland and Zeland the Seigniouries of Vtrecht Frizland and Ouerissel and of other Townes and places which as yet they possessed in Flanders and Brabant Promising and binding themselues by vertue of their oth in all and euery degrée from the highest to the lowest by land and by sea to yéeld and performe al diligence obedience and fidelitie for their and our generall good of peace and warres from time to time during his gouernment His Excellencie making like promise of his part for the defence of the said Estates people and Prouinces accordingly Actum Hagae in Hollandia Cal. Februarij 1585. Subscripsit Aersius According to the rule and forme of these ordenances the said Erle Generall taketh vpon him the said gouernment confirmed in full and absolute authoritie thereunto by common consent of the said Estates in generall there bearing publike offices with the seuerall Gouernours of those Prouinces Colonels Captaines souldiers vnder their charge for whom and in whose name especially Countie Maurice of Nassaw and Countie Hoghenloe with other Martiall Gouernours doe promise to performe all possible endeuours assistance defence and supportation in all points The Quéenes Maiestie of England receiuing newes hereof was moued in minde and thinking these things chiefly done to the end she should be more bounden or tyed to inconuenience then she determined sendeth foorthwith thither Sir Thomas Hennage Knight her Vizechamberlaine with letters the 13. of February Anno 1585. aforesaid wherein she signified her selfe hardly to allow the absolute gouernment of those Countries so surrendred vnto the Erle of Leicester and that it seemed very absurb vnto her for as much as her Highnes had refused such proffer to be made vnto her and to lay the burthen of that gouernment vpon her Minister or Officer before refused of her Maiestie without her Counsell seemed indéede to be a great signe of manifest ignominie or iniurie done vnto her Highnes as though her Maiesties wisedome and iudgement were wanting and could not discerne what were to be receiued nor what to be refused So as that thing was quite contrarie and repugnant especially to the Declaration published in print as touching these affaires wherein was openly testified that her Highnes gaue only succour vnto the Netherlands and vnto her Neighbours and not indéede to intrude or thrust her selfe into absolute protection or supreme gouernment of those people and Prouinces For these things being so done now would euery man take occasion to thinke and iudge otherwise then her Highnes meant herein especially such persons would doe that who thinke they may lawfully censure and iudge vpon Princes doings as they list and after their sensualitie so as thereby her Maiesties fame and honour might chiefly be detracted And therefore that all the world might know how iustly and vprightly in this behalfe she determined to procoode her Highnes pleasure is and she commaundeth the said authoritie to be reuoked and forbiddeth that the Erle shall not vse any other authoritie then is contained in the mutuall Contract made and published And that thing being so obserued no doubt it would be profitable to the Common-wealth in time to come And her Maiestie further addeth she made not refusall for that cause that she had not any care of the welfare of those Prouinces but for that she had prouident care of her owne Honour and how to stop the mouthes of the malignant and such as were her enemies The residue which were to be spoken herein were expressed in her Highnes letters so written The Estates seeing these letters were in much doubt and doe send answere vnto her Maiestie touching the same on the 25. of March 1586. out of the Citie of Amsterdam and excuse the same authoritie so giuen to be with all humilitie and commoditie for both parts and affirme that these things were not done to burthen or binde her Maiestie more then the Contract contained but as cause of necessitie so required they were thus done and passed They alleage how that authoritie must especially be necessarie and better it was the Prouinces to haue but one then two Gouernours and it seemed farre safer for them to entertaine her Maiesties subiect and Deputie then to chuse and authorize another and such a one as they had before and such authoritie to giue him as the same might be reuoked at any time But for the word Absolute they alleage that was only added to distinguish the gouernment that the same might be discerned from others that they by a Prouiso might be ordered and by commaundements and instructions might be bounden and tyed the better to performe their duties and for better execution of Martiall discipline and not that sole and soueraigne rule might be giuen him That it was by example of the Romanes and other people Salua dignitate Principatus Dominij quae remansit penes populū sauing the dignitie of the Principalitie and soueraigntie which remained in the power of the people and moreouer to the end they might more easily withstand and resist the enemies practises and enterprises and that the peoples hearts troubled and altogether brokē with feare and furious outrage might be the better succoured and comforted And so they beseech her Maiestie not to forsake them now in their distresse and promising all dutie answerable to her Maiesties most royall expectation
wherewith we recouered the Haigue Thursday about ten of the clocke at night we anchored before the Castle of Gernsey and my Lord Generall and some other Gentlemen with him lay at the Castle that night Friday morning we set saile from thence and about fiue of the clocke in the euening we put into the road of Iarsey Monday my Lord Generall expecting the Companies out of the Low Countries were this daye ariued with Captaine Anthonie Wingfield Sergeant Maior of the Campe his Lordship went abord and lay at anchor in the road all that night Tuesday in the morning we loosed from thence and hauing a fine winde at North and by West about eight at night we anchored in the road of Pimpowle ariuing in the road called Lemoys de Guelle neere Pimpoule Wednesday y e 5. of May we discouered diuers shippings and botes that came from Brehake and made towards S. Malowes whereof we tooke one laden with salt and fish It is to be remembred that those of Brehake and of the Castle taking knowledge of our approch abandoned the Castle and yeelded themselues to the kings authoritie Not long after the enimie fled from the Castle of Lantegard which was fortified for the king by the Prince Dumbeez now Duke Mountpenser at this day My Lord dispatched letters into England from the Abbey of Beauport Thursday the 6. of May was spent in vnshipping the horses munition and souldiers This day also the Prince Dombeez sent 20. Moyles laden with bread to the Abbey for prouision of the souldiers Wednesday the army marched towardes Guyngamp and lodged in a small village in the way neere the Abbey and this night the Guyngampiers hearing of our approches set fire on their suburbes which we might plainelie discerne This night likewise my Lord Generall rode before to the Towne to take view and to saue as much as might be of the suburbs for the lodging of the troupes Thursday our troupes being with the French accompanied were lodged in such houses and other places of the suburbs as were left vnburned the same day the enimie sallyed out of the towne in pursuyng vs Captaine Wolfe an Englishmans colours were taken which we recouered againe at the winning of the towne and deliuered to him Fridaie those within the towne not beleeuing that we had any Cannon with vs sent out diuers spies to discouer which we tooke This day our Artillerie being a Cannon and two Culuerings came to vs. Saturday it pleased my Lord Generall to put them within the Towne out of doubt for the Artillerie being planted our first shot was so exceeding well made as that it dismounted a peece which the enimie played withall from a steeple the Prince Dombeez beeing present Sonday Monday and Tuesday were spent in drawing plat-formes and in planting the Ordinances Wednesday the Canons were readie to play being plāted in a Cloyster in the French quarter on the north side of the towne Thursday morning we hauing expected certaine Artillerie of the Princes to haue come from Brest which came not to vs we began the batterie with our owne 4. peeces continuing the same all that day and the next vntill three of the clocke in the afternoone to the number of 400. shot at which time notwithstanding that the breach was verie vnassaultable and small the wall being passing strong yet the French humour vrged my Lord Generall verie hotlie to an assault Which vpon so small a possibilitie of doing anie good his Lordship was hardlie drawne vnto onelie in regard of the honour of our nation he made choise of certaine out of diuers companies wherof Captaine Iackson Captaine Heron and Captaine Hayes to haue the leading and afterwards the dice being cast the chaunce fell to Captaine Iackson and Captaine Heron to haue the point of the assault and to be seconded by Captaine Hayes as occasion should serue who being accompanied with Captaine Catesby and manie other English gentlemen although the breach was very vnassaultable as before and exceeding troublesome by reason of the height thereof and the light falling of the moulder of the wall and the great number of the fetherbeds and such like which the Cannon had beaten downe yet a great part of our men perforce obtained the verie top of the breach where they endured a hot and long assault Captaine Heron receiuing a push with a pike vnder his gorget was there slaine and about some tenne or twelue of the common souldiers and besides thirtie hurt with stones the residue not being able to maintaine the assault any longer for the causes before remembred were driuen to retire The Baron Monluc hauing in this seruice the conduct of certaine French shewed himselfe verie couragious and gayned at that time vnto himselfe great reputation but the residue for the most part came forwards verie coldlie It was thought good that Captaine Hayes and his companie should not at this time come forwards but be reserued vntill the next day at what time the finishing of a Myne then in hand was appointed during this assault Captaine Dennis an English man offering a Scalado on the other side of the towne was shot with a Musket in the bellie whereof he died shortlie after Sonday next following being Whitsonday beginning againe to play after a three or foure tyer the enimie summoned a Parley which in fine grew to a capitulation in this sort viz. That the next day the horsemen in the towne should depart with their horses and Harquebusses leauing the Cornet behinde the footemen with their swords and the Townesmen to Fine 40000. crownes to the Prince Monday they came forth accordinglie to the number of 200. horse and 260. foote and the towne possest Mounsier de Cargamart being appointed Gouernour of the same There was found in the towne being yéelded vp foure Ensignes one Cornet one Cannon perier one demy Culuering sixe Sacres and of Mynions 2000. weight The towne was found to be verie strong defensible and sufficient able to haue kept the same for a far longer time if they within had bin honest men my Lord General doubted not but to haue drawen them of the towne to far strickter conditions then is said had not the Prince Dombeez seemed to be verie glad of this and that his hap sorted to so good successe and therefore would not further stand vpon it Wednesday then next following my Lord Generall dispatched letters to certaine the Lords of her Maiesties most Honourable priuie Counsell to my Lord Norice his father and to my Ladie his mother and other his friends in England Thursday the 27. dicto a Muster was taken of the Armie Tuesday the first of Iune anno dicto vpon the taking of Guyngamp it was purposed that we should haue gone for Morlayx but by certaine after Counsels that intent was altered for that it was said that the Duke Mercoeur was remoued from Pontiny where he ioyned with 4000. Spaniards vnder the
leading of Don Iohn de Laguna who was marching towards Morlayx by the way of Corlay Monday next following the Duke Mercoeur ariued at Corlay a Castle pretending to hold for the King but in the possession of Madam de Guyneny whose brother Mounsier de Bodolphin is the Dukes Lieuetenant so the partie being made before hand the Castle was rendered without one shot of the Cannon Tuesday we dislodged towards the enimie and lay at Chateau Lodune To this place the Duke sent a Trumpeter to the Prince with letters whereunto he answered vt patet per copias here likewise the Prince sent an other Sartell to the Duke wherewith he seemed so moued that he vowed to offer battell to the Prince Wednesday the Duke dislodged and encamped at Queremen a village distant a league and a halfe from Chateau Lodune scituate on the foote of a hill which by deepe ditches enclosures and hedges confronted a little heath of two miles compasse To which heath vpon discouerie of the approch of the enimie by my Lord Generall who then with the Prince was ridden to take view of a place conuenient our battell was drawen Thursday the enimie within one quarter of a league of the heath sheweth his whole Armie in order of battell vpon the top of a hill whereupon my Lord Generall disposed the troupes into three battailions whereof the infantry English made two and the Launce Knights the third This day was spent in some sleight skermishes Friday the enimie drew his Armie to the foote of the hill and placed his Artillerie vpon he sight of the heath in a place of such aduantage as it commaunded in the nature of a Caualier the whole heath where he bordered all the hedge with shot Now my Lord Generall sent out 200. footmen to see the countenance of the enimie who droue them to their strengths put them to their hedges and Baricadoes and slew diuers of them vpon the retreit to these the Duke put forth 500. French and 300. Spaniards to repossesse the place whom he followed with the Armie Which being perceiued by the Prince remouing in the heath with Mounsier de la Hunnaday commaunding the auantgard and hauing his regiment of horse in battell my L. Generall with Mounsier de Pogny de Pruneanx Momartin Bastinay order was giuen to put forward 300. foot commaunded by Captaine Anthony Wingfield Captaine Moreton the English horse led by Captaine Anthony Sherley this direction was valiantlie prosecuted by ours but speciallie by the English so as the enimies horse and foot which were in the playne were enforced to flee manie slaine and the rest driuen to saue themselues within their Artillery being taken in this charge Mounsier de Guybreun Colonell of the foot of the Armie and slaine Don Rodrigo chiefe Marshall of the Spaniards one Spanish Captaine also the number of 200. French and 60. Spaniards This resolute charge so amated the enimie as that they suffered within 200. paces of their Cannon to disarme the dead and to retire at their ease In this charge Captaine Anthonie Sherley gaue such an example to the French horse as was admired and the Companies on foote performed their parts with no lesse valour namelie the Sergeant Maior and Lieuetenant Long who receiued in his bodie fiue Harquebuz shot the rest of the day was spent in skirmishes Saturday the enimie made a great shew to come forth and sent out some number of shot against whom Captaine Anthonie Sherley with fifteene horse and some few foote made them quicklie take their heeles pursuing them to their Baricadoes where his horse was shot in the head and some small hurt done Sonday little was performed that day Monday being S. Iohns day as they write after the Roman Kalender with them it was thought somewhat would haue bin done in the honour of the day but in deed nothing at all for the Duke vsed it rather as a colour whereby to runne away hauing that night withdrawen his Cannon and retired himselfe to Queremen Wednesday the 16. of Iune Mounsier de la Noë with the troupe of the Counte Mongomery consisting of 100. Curaces and the Counte de Comburg came vnto Chateau Laudra whose ariuall promised some good successe to the kings affaires Thursday being Midsomer day the Natiuitie of S. Iohn Baptist we dislodged to Quintine This night the enimie being lodged at Corlay within 3 smal leagues of vs an enterprise was made vpon some of their light horse that lay wide of their Campe which for that it was not attempted by footmen as my Lord Generall earnestlie perswaded them vnto it tooke no great effect sauing that there were killed some 16. of a Corps du Guarde and their horse taken The rest might easily haue bin had as good cheape if the horsemen would haue lighted and forced their Baricadoes the French thought they had done wonderous well and so that seruice ended Mounsier Tremblay who had the commaund of the French Light horse was now sleightlie shot in the thigh other hurt we receiued none Friday the 25. day the Enemie attempted a reuenge and came forth with some horse and foote and gaue vs an alarme which was performed so fauourably as they neither hurt man nor beast Tuesday being S. Peters day my Lord Generall dispatcheth certaine letters by Peter Browne to certaine the Lords of her Maiesties most Honourable priuie Councell to my Lord Norice his father and to other his friends in England Friday the second of July Anno 1591. the armie dislodged to Pleu or Plessue Tuesday the sixt day we marched towards Lamball and lay in a small Village in the way Wednesday about ten of the clocke in the morning the towne of Lamball was entred at the West Southwest and by Captaine Symmes and Captaine Richard Wingfields Ensigne who led two hundred shot The Southside of the towne was entred by Captaine Hall and Captaine Guest with other two hundred shot Both these were seconded by Captaine Dolphin with one hundred Pikes whom Captaine Mayne was appointed to haue followed if occasion had so serued But the aforesaid Captaines Symmes and Hall with their troupes came so resolutely vpon the Baricadoes of the Towne that the enemie was forced to abandon the same and to make a hastie retreit into the Castle From whence Captaine Baynton and Barbar Lieutenant to Captaine Symmes were both shot and died that day Captaine Richard Wingfields Ensigne bearer hauing receiued from the walles of the Castle a shot through both his thighes at that time Thursday there were two of our Cannons mounted on the Southwest side of the Castle and that day the Enemie made some proffer of a sallie vpon Captaine Halles quarter Friday a Spurre which couered the Gate of the Castle was made assaultable by two of the clock in the afternoone two Frenchmen were sent to discouer the breach and it was appointed that other French should haue entred the same who should haue been
his deaths wound whereof the said Frier died presently Confirmed also by Captaine Cripse that after the said Generall Norice with his forces had lien there fiftéene daies sacked the towne and taken the spoyle they were commanded by the States to deliuer the towne to Monsieur Famoise who then to take the charge of the towne with his Dutch souldiers and Monsieur Temples Wallons perceiuing the English forces to depart away very rich out of the towne fell vpon them suddenly for the spoyle where they killed moe of the English then were killed at the winning of the towne where Generall Norice himselfe was shot thorow the buttocke and had his horse killed vnder him and euen then Captaine Price a braue souldier forsooke his owne horse and mounted him vpon the same and so altogether they marched out of the towne toward Antwerpe The States againe send the Lord Nienort with his companie thither he in his owne person with the same companie of souldiers boldly assaileth Renenberg with often skirmishing he killeth a great number of the enemies putteth them to flight and as they were flying pursueth them hard at the héeles euen to the very walles of Groning giuing them a great ouerthrow where hée slew aboue sixe hundred of the Renenbergers so as there was left for the said General Norice foure of the enemies Brasse péeces of Ordenance a great number of fardels and very many horses This victorie by the Lord Nienort thus gotten the 9. of Iuly 1580. he pitcheth his Tents not farre from the towne of Groning there resting in better securitie for a season And so the citie of Stenwick after foure moneths siege was in this manner at length by Gods good prouidence deliuered And within a little while after namely on the 23. of the said moneth of Iuly Countie Renenberg himselfe after he had béen certaine daies sick deceased in his Campe as some suspect by poyson After all this on the 17. of September this yéere 1580. a consultation was had at Lewarden in Frizland where it was decréed on the behalfe of the States to send the said Generall Norice to resist the enemie Spéedie dispatch herein was made and an armie was furnished out against a Spanish Generall named Verdugo They I meane the States hauing leuied and armed certaine bands of horsemen and footemen also mustering their companies and paying them one moneths pay aforehand doe make the said Generall Norice chiefe Gouernour of them He with conuenient spéede hauing these his forces well fortified with sixe Brasse peeces marcheth manfully to méete the said enemie But it fell out so that in both armies the plague was very contagious whereby many officers of this armie died in their Tents Here for a certaine space while both armies were thus setled afterwards Verdugo pitcheth his Tents at Northorne Him pursueth hard the said Generall Norice vnto whom came eleuen Ensignes of Englishmen vnder the conduct of the valiant Colonell Sir Thomas Morgan he himselfe hauing vnder his charge ninetéene Ensignes of all these countries vz. foure of Nassawes Regiment nine of Monsieur Sannoy and sixe of Nienorts Regiment so being vnder them thirtie Ensignes which made in all scarsely thrée thousand footemen To these were ioyned the troupes of horsemen vnder their seuerall Captaines as the Colonell Gore Captaine Elenborne and Henry van Eky who were in number scarse fiue hundred So then with such a braue armie marcheth forwards the said worthy General Norice on the 30. day of September that yéere 1580. towards Newziel a place in Frizland Now Verdugo setting his forces in order and battell aray had got to his greatest aduantage for his station the vpper ground néere the ditches where the valiant worthie souldier Captaine Roger Williams before named with the English horsemen vnder his charge together also with Elenbornes horsemen aforesaid doe set vpon one great band of Verdugoes footemen of whom they killed many and put many to flight But as euen then one Wingard a Captaine companion of Verdugo made towards them with certaine especiall troupes while the horsemen of the States had the enemie in chace Verdugo with two troupes of Lansiers by maine force charged into the armie of the States and so assailing them not only found Munition prouision wagons and other necessaries but also caried them quite away and tooke also from them many Ensignes where many of the States souldiers were slaine and taken prisoners but few of Verdugoes company of any reputation were then either slaine or taken And so afterwards Verdugo himselfe confessed that if this armie of the States had forborne and prolonged a few daies more from this fight a great number of these enemies had departed determinately and would otherwise haue prouided for their safetie elsewhere without any field there fought at that time Here in this conflict had the said Generall Norice his right hand hurt with a bullet and many of his souldiers which escaped the enemies hands were for the most part spoyled of their armour and weapons very many of them leauing their armour in those places where necessitie compelled them either to leape or swimme ouer those ditches This also confirmed by Captaine Cripse who being there an actor was in eight seuerall places hurt at the least Thus much my author mentioneth of the conflict at Northorne and thus farre he writeth of the warres managed betwéene Alexander Prince of Parma for and in the behalfe of the Spanish King and the Archduke Matthias for and in the behalfe of the States of the Netherlands which Archduke by occasion of displeasure of the King departed shortly after towards Austrich leauing the gouernment of those Low Countries and the ordering of the warres vnto the Prince of Orange who by generall consent of all the States ordering all things with wisedome and prouident foresight held the enemie at the sword point for one whole yéere from the end of 1580. to the beginning of the second yéere after 1582. at what time Monsieur the Duke of Aniow and brother to Henry the 3. King of France was sent for and chosen to succéed in gouernment of those Countries and ordering of the warres in manner and forme following The Warres in the Netherlands vnder Francis Duke of Aniow against Alexander Pr. of Parma AFter that the said Monsieur with other Noblemen of France ariuing in Kent on the first of Nouember 1581. had beene honourably receiued at London and intertained at her Maiesties Court at Whitehall with princely feastings and banquettings all that Christmas and being accompanied with the Quéenes Maiestie of England she with her Nobles brought him on his way to Canterbury feasted him there also and each of them tooke leaue of other And after that the Quéenes Maiestie had sent with him in fiftéene shippes the Right Honourable Robert Erle of Leicester Henry Lord Hunsdon Charles Lord Howard Baron of Essingham Knights of the Garter the Lord Willowby the Lord Windsor the Lord Sheffield Master Philip
would forsake his trecherous course and become a faithfull obedient subiect He answered with great protestations that he was sorie for his offence and that there was no Prince in the world whom he did or would more honour and reuerence then her Maiestie neuer naming her Highnes but with his hat off all which shewes of obedience in him made many beléeue that he meant to become otherwise then since he hath proued himselfe But those that haue liued long in that countrey amongst them know by experience that they are a people full of malecontentment inconstancie rebellion and treason desiring no other gouernment but their owne rude barbarous and disordered kinde of life and manners most horrible and odious to all that feare God obey their Prince and loue their Countrey It was euer doubted by Sir Iohn Norice and to be beleeued of euery one that know the Rebell Tyrone that he neuer meant to be faithfull in his word wherefore his trecherous delaies could not be imputed to any remisse course held by Sir Iohn Norice towards Tyrone But there is no question had Sir Iohn Norice liued he would haue made it appeared vnto the world as he hath done heretofore that the zeale he did beare to doe her Maiestie and his Countrey seruice was such as that priuate malice in crossing him shuld neuer haue had power either to make him faile in the least point of his alleageance or to burie any of his honourable intended enterprises I haue heard him say my self and so haue others which now liue in Ireland that if he could but hope that the Rebel Tyrone would vnfainedly accept of her Maiesties grace and mercie towards him and that he the said Sir Iohn Norice might haue béen the instrument to haue perswaded him to become a faithfull subiect he would not haue cared what labour or paines he endured to be assured thereof It was thought that the prosecuting of Feugh Mac Hugh was contrary to the Articles agreed vpon betweene the Commissioners and the Rebell Tyrone and it should appeare that he disliked thereof For after his pardon was sent him by Sir Edward Moore and he in all things to the shew of the world readie to haue accepted thereof on the sudden his pardon was brought backe and he returned excéedingly discontented After the time of this last treatie with Tyrone which was in the latter end of Ianuary aforesaid he remained vpon the borders of the North still expecting direction how to procéed in those Northerne affaires which continued from the moneth of Ianuary aforesaid 1596. vntill the moneth of May in the yéere 1597. following for the space of foure moneths At which time he the said Generall Norice receiued aduertisement out of England that the Lord Borowes should come ouer Deputie into Ireland So vntil his comming the Generall kept himselfe vpon the borders of the North. It was thought at the Lord Borowes comming ouer the old grudge would be renewed but I think that matter was carried into England before the Lord Borowes departed thence For that after their méeting contrarie to the expectation of many Sir Iohn Norice caried himselfe very discréetly and respectiuely towards him besides that he made knowne vnto him the state of the countrey at that present together with his best counsell and aduice for the reforming of the desperate estate that then the kingdome was left in In so much as it was thought before Sir Iohn Norice his going into his gouernment of Munster that they were both good friends But now vpon the Lord Borowes his receiuing of the Sword Sir Iohn Norice was absolutely sequestred from all commaund except that of the Prouince and so sent downe into Munster with an opinion to get leaue to passe into England But that fell out contrary to his expectation So he hast ouer three moneths with a shew of his health although inwardly he felt his owne griefe And thus the cause of his conceiued griefe was the hastening of his death and so iudged of by most men which knew the same The manner of his death was answerable to his honourable life and knowne to some of his seruants and followers who now with great griefe must rew it He died the third day of September 1597. at his Brother Sir Thomas Norices house in the towne of Mayallo in the Prouince of Munster within the kingdome of Ireland at the 50. yéere of his age hauing spent 26. of them being the most flourishing time of his life in her Maiesties seruice against her enemies in the Netherlands Spayne Portugall France Britaine and Ireland as particularly before and here finally is mentioned The Honourable Lord Henry Norice Baron of Rycot father of the said Lord Generall had fiue sons moe all Martiall men vz. Master William his eldest sonne seruing in Ireland and there deceased Sir Edward his third sonne seruing lastly at Ostend now liuing Sir Henry Norice his fourth sonne and Sir Thomas his fift sonne both seruing lastly in Ireland hurt and died there but buried in England and Master Maximilian his sixt and youngest sonne died in France The honorable Ladie Margerie Mother to all these died at London 1599. The said honourable Lord Henry their father died at Rycot Anno 1601. Thus being intreated to set downe what I knew that passed vpon Sir Iohn Norices side at his latter daies in Ireland I haue although not iournally yet of my certaine knowledge truly and duly described all the notable occurrents that passed from his last comming out of Britaine to the time of his death in Ireland as before is said All this seruice in Ireland was set down by Daniel Gyles sometime Page and after lately seruant to the said Generall Norice at his death as aforesaid FINIS 1547. 1. Edw. 6. Exordium de quatuor circumstantijs The first circumstance Historia Belgica lib. 1. The second circumstance Historia Belgica lib. 1. The third circumstance Historia Belgica lib. 1. The fourth circumstance Historia Belgica lib. 1. Historia Belgica lib. 2. Anno 1566. The States finding thēselues greatly iniuried and grieued by y e Spanish Inquisitiō do exhibit vnto the Regent a iust protestation of their cause The keyes and custodie of Antwerpe in Churchyards hands at this vprore witnes Master Ioseph and his brother Master Richard Candeler Churchyard Captaine of 30. thousand in this time at Antwerpe The Prince of Orange and Counte Nassaw departeth out of the troubled Low Countries in happie time Churchyard then fled to England in a Priests apparell and came to y e Queene The Protestants chuse Churchyard their Captaine The Duke of Alua sent as Gouernour ouer the Low Countries vnder King Philip Lib. 3. He made a general restraint of Englishmēs ships goods Historia Belgica lib. 4. Anno 1569. Certain Christian Princes assist y e Prince of Orange to fortifie the Low Countries Historia Belgica lib. 3. King Philip imprisoneth his owne son The Duchesse of Parma departeth into Italy
A TRVE DISCOVRSE HISTORICALL OF THE SVCCEEDING GOVERNOVRS IN THE NETHERLANDS AND THE Ciuill warres there begun in the yeere 1565. with the memorable seruices of our Honourable English Generals Captaines and Souldiers especially vnder Sir IOHN NORICE Knight there performed from the yeere 1577. vntill the yeere 1589. and afterwards in Portugale France Britaine and Ireland vntill the yeere 1598. TRANSLATED AND COLLECTED BY T. C. ESQVIRE AND RIC. RO. OVT of the Reuerend E. M. of Antwerp his fifteene bookes Historiae Belgicae and other collections added altogether manifesting all martiall actions meete for euery good subiect to reade for defence of Prince and Countrey AT LONDON Imprinted for Matthew Lownes and are to be sold at his shop vnder S. Dunstons Church in the West 1602. TO THE RIGHT NOBLE AND RIGHT HONORABLE SIR EDVVARD SEYMOVR KNIGHT BARON Beauchamp Erle of Hartford and Lord Lieutenant generall for the Queenes most excellent Maiestie in the Counties of Somerset and Wiltshire Thomas Churchyard Esquire wisheth long life happie health with increase of Honour temporall and the fruition of heauenly beatitude in Christ Iesus eternall IN CALLING TO minde Right Honourable the manifold fauours of your most noble father shewed me in the raigne of the rare Imp of grace King Edward the sixt and weighing I serued vnder him at the battel of Muscleborough your father then Lord Lieuetenant Generall of the English Armie I found my selfe for sundrie causes much bound to all his most noble house and familie And so a long season watching opportunitie to doe some acceptable seruice to his noble children I could not happen on any matter touching my pen worthie acceptation Then reading of a booke in Latine written by a graue writer called Emanuell Meteranus who wrote fifteene bookes de Historia Belgica I found so great profunditie in the man and matter chieflie because hee exactlie without adulation wrote of martiall affaires and exployts done by mightie Gouernours and valiant souldiers that not onlie attained honour in the field some of them honourablie borne but also wanne euerlasting fame by their prowesse and seruice A while considering the consequence and worth thereof I thought God would be offended my countrie dishonored and worthie men should be in time to come forgotten and discouraged whereon I took in hand to reuiue dead men and their actions for fames sake which all men shoote at that time past and time present should be so remembred as time to come and all ages should admire on and meruaile at the most manlie enterprises make Sir Frauncis Vere and the true Captaines of Ostend an example that couragious souldiers dare aduenture take in hand and accomplish I being pricked on with their incredible valour diuine vertue of mind manly resolution considering mine own professiō long that way I took it as an iniurie done to all Souldiers if I a poore plaine writer should not as much honor them with my pen as they haue honored God Prince with their sword So in my great age I clapped on a youthfull corage imagining I saw all the worthines of men and stoutly stept into the translation of Meteranus workes of Historia Belgica but often falling sick and like to passe from world I called vnto me one Richard Robinson a man more debased by many then he merits of any so good parts are there in the man one whom I might commanud and keepe a long while for this purpose and who tooke great paines I being sicke in the translation and in writing the other Collections of this booke but my studie knowledge experience and eye witnes for all or most actions in this book perfected euerie point and peece of matter pertaining to the truth of al here in this volume printed my selfe beholding herein a world for a great personage to patronage bethought me of your honorable Lordship So aduisedly somewhat fearefully to presume I haue humbly presented my paines to the wel liking of your honor accepting my good wil boldnes as far as my honest regard leads me I protest neither matter of State nor vaine inuentions drew my muse to this hard attēpt and presumption but the loue and laudation of Lordlie minded souldiers loyall subiects vnconquered courages and aspiring mindes that dare fight with fortune flie in the face of all forraine enimies and daunt the pride of all false harted people of the whole world whatsoever So for the commendation of an infinite number of Lyonlike champions this work was compiled printed presented hoping it shal purchase fauour of your Lordship and of all noble minded personages that prefer euerie excellent exercise aboue al slouthfull dronish idlenes Your good Lordships in all at commandment THOMAS CHVRCHYARD STRENVO FORTI SPLENDIDO GENEROSO atque Illustri D. D. IOHANNI NORICEO Equiti Aurato Anglorum Militum in Inferiori Germania Colonello Generali in absentia Illustriss Comitis Leycestriae Supremi Gubernatoris ibidem Praefecto fidelissimo Vigilantissimo Viro ex veteri Prosapia oriundo summa quadam Integritate Iustitia Prudentia Temperantia rei bellicae gloria in eaque quod minimè in multis reperiri est faelici ac fortunato admodum Insigni atque conspicuo In quo sunt omnes Imperatoriae Virtutes nempe labor in negotijs fortitudo in Periculis Industria in agendo celeritas in conficiendo Consilium in prouidendo PETRVS BIZARVS cum nihil aliud in praesentiarum habeat in quo suam erga Ipsius Illustrem Dominationem obseruantiam summissi animi promptitudinem testetur hoc breue Carmen dedicauit VT primum Genitrix hanc te produxit in aurā Lactauit tenero casta Minerua sinu Mox solido victu pauit mensaque Deorum Atque instillauit iussa Verenda Iouis Addidit pectus sapiens plenumque decoro Facundum eloquium Consiliumque graue Mars verò vt vidit quanta sapientia arte Formasset Pallas qui sibi Alumnus erat In Natum accepit Diua rogitata amorem Indidit armorum ac bella subire dedit Et simul ostendit quo pacto Castra locanda Quidque etiam prosit Vel nocuisse queat Bellica quid ratio seu disciplina requirat Sedulus vt perstet Miles in officio Quinam acies media Cornu dextrum atque sinistrum Instrui aptari legitimè deceat Vtque acie instructa procedere longius ausit Incensisque animis totus in Armaruat Quo tormenta loco disponi quid faciendum Vt Polyorcetes quis queat esse breui Quando itidem Fabij exemplo cunctandum inani Spepugnae facta continuisse iuuat Infectis donec rebus in Peste prematur Vel Fame dissoluit Castra domumque redit Num dolus an metus potior sit quidue petiri Successu efficiat commodiori Via Quando Equite aut Pedite est vtendum quidue moretur Euentum Induciae an Pax sit habenda magis Num pugnare die Nocturnoue tempore quidque Multos an paucos praestat habere
lyonlike force practised against the nobles and States of the Low Countries infringing their ancient priuiledges breaking fidelitie in contracts violating the bonds of amitie and violentlie oppressing al integritie of loyal subiects and faithfull seruants of God seeking to make hauocke of high and low rich and poore young and old with more then Turkish tyrrany in those dominions most vntollerable Neither rest these two there contented with the great effusion of innocent blood like conquerours preying on or spoyling euery sillie shéepe with their iawes imbrued waxing euer more hungrie neuer rest raging hither and thither casting down Bulles threatning silly lambs swift of foote and gréedie of tooth to teare in péeces the christian members and to quaffe vp their blood in their vnquenchable thirst in those Countries but this Anti-Christ and his adherent vniustlie without cause giuen them as the iust God iudge and reuenger of all wrongs knoweth doe now also bend all their forces euen in this yéere against the most lawfull naturall christian and religious Phenix of feminine sexe and the most peerelesse Paragon of true professing Princes Elizabeth Quéene of England her gratious Royall person her noble lawfull kingdomes naturall faithfull subiects and happie peaceable estate and gouernment This Antichrist I say this Romish seauen headed tenne horned and triple crowned Dragon whose taile draweth the third part of the starres from heauen and casteth them to the earth presumeth to approch néere the woman the Church of God the defender of the faith and watcheth wililie with inward and outward Serpentine malice to deuour the innocent harmelesse child whereupon although this Dragon send forth his angels to war with the woman though he send forth his Iesuits the English fugitiues whom he hath nuâ—led vp in Popish abhomination manie yéeres and though he againe likewise infect and enforce the Locusts and Scorpions of the bottomlesse pit with his infernall furie such as Francis Throgmorton and manie other vipers which would haue wrought intestine warres and ciuill bloodshed against their naturall most gracious Prince their countrie and friends by forraine confederacies of the Pope and Spanish King their abbetters subborners and supporters yet to the perpetuall glorie of God these wicked Angels Locusts and Scorpions hauing no power to hurt anie good or godlie member but such as themselues which haue not the seale of God in their forehead were ouertaken by Gods power and prouidence and cast out into the earth and so the Lord of hosts fought for our Quéene and vs in peace mercie to our comforts but in his iustice and iudgement against our inward and outward enimies for which God make vs thankefull to his glorie for euer After the death so sought for and procured of the aforesaid noble Prince of Orange by the said Pope and Spanish king as afore mentioned the ordering of the affaires both ciuill and politike rested in the wisedome of the Nobilitie and States of the Low Countries who seeing themselues like sheepe left without a Shepheard a nation without a Gouernour and a bodie without a head plucking vp their spirits vnto them taking heart and christian courage vnto them in their godlie iust and lawfull cause for defence of Gods true religion of their auncient priuiledges themselues their wiues children and countrie and for eschewing the horrible tyranny of the forraine vsurping Pope and Spaniard their Idolatrie vniust exactions oppressions vnmercifull vexations and horrible desolations doe with most carefull consideration take oportunitie of time and with mature deliberation to consult vpon some peculiar and speciall protection of themselues and their countries thus grieuouslie distressed Whereupon in the next yéere following 1585. after conference had amongst themselues in the month of May that yeere they dispacht into England an honourable Embassade which ariued at London on the 26. day of Iune being personages of great account in the Netherlands Namelie the Lord Iames Gryse the Lord Roger Harsellus in the behalfe of Gelderland Maister Noelus Caronus Lord of Schonwall who at this day is resiant in England Agent for the Estates and Iohn Dousta Lord of Nortwich for the south part of Holland with eight others men of great account which for breuitie I doe here omit whom they substitute as their deputies to sollicite their cause vnto the Queenes Maiestie of England these were lodged about the Tower street and had their diet in worshipfull manner appointed at Clothworkers hall in London vpon her Maiesties owne charges On the 29. of Iune they repaired to the Court at Greenewich where they presented vnto her Maiestie the Soueraignetie of those Countries which being ratified contained at large 31. seuerall Articles as to the Duch historie I referre the Reader With godlie and neighbourlie commiseration whereof her Maiestie being pittifullie moued to put forth her helping hand to saue that which was in extreme perill considering well by former accidents how sinister a minde the Spanish king by the Popes instigation had of long time vniustlie borne of late put in practise and would now likelie proceed further if God and good regard in due time were not her best friends her excellent Highnes therefore to preuent the worst prouideth first for her own safetie and her subiects at home trayning and mustering of able men in all places of the realme for necessarie domesticall defence whatsoeuer might befall and afterwardes in the month of Iulie presseth out of the Citie of London certaine conuenient companies of Souldiers furnished for the warres at the charges of the Fraternities or Societies of the same Citie and on the 13. of August following with certaine special braue Knights approued Captains and worthie Seruitors ouer them transporteth all these into Holland Zeland Brabant c. as other the like Souldiers had beene before time sent out of other parts and places of the realme Of these seuerall Companies at this time was sent the before named valorous Generall Norice chiefe Commaunder who comming from thence for that purpose a little before taking his leaue of her Maiestie and her Nobilitie embarked himselfe and his retinue on the 24. of August this yeere 1585. and with a prosperous winde ariued in Holland about the 26. of the same where his forces being before ariued he disposed of them as was most conuenient till time and opportunitie serued for their purpose About this time the Right noble by birth and for vertue renowmed Knight Sir Philip Sidney sonne and heire of that most noble Sir Henry Sidney Knight sometime Lord Deputie of Ireland and then Lord President of Wales was by her Maiestie sent ouer after the said Generall Norice on the tenth day of October in the yéere aforesaid who ariuing in safetie at Flushing was on the ninetéenth of that moneth by the States established Lord Gouernour of Flushing in Zeland where by his valour wisedome and great diligence he surprised the towne of Axel in Flaunders and at Doesburgh in Gelderland made manifest proofe of
ouerthrowne and hée himselfe by a deadly wound there slaine So the victors pressing through the thickest of the Harquebuziers there the third troupe being a troupe of the Enemies horse séemed as if they would resist them but by and by they turne their backes runne away and so depart the field after two victorious troupes of the English forces had slaine and sore wounded 180. of the enemies themselues hauing of theirs onely but thirtie persons of all their companies slaine and wounded amongst whom was that right nobly renowmed Knight Sir Philip Sidney before remembred of whose action and manner of death at large I haue thought good here according to the report of George Whetston and others actors and eye-witnesses there thus to declare the same I haue before by occasion ministred vnto me made mention of the vertuous life and valorous seruice of that renowmed Knight Sir Philip Sidney the last yéere in the Low Countries spent to the aduancement of Gods glorie honour of his Prince and benefit of Gods Church and of the kingdome of Christ now is occasion giuen me to set downe his honourable enterprise a little before his death and so thereby to make his vertuous life valorous seruice and honourable death more rightly renowmed vnto the posteritie Thus it happened in the latter end of the next yéere following 1586. the English Nobles vz. the Right Honourable Robert Erle of Essex by his valour reuiuing his fathers fame the Lord Willoughby the Lord Generall Norice Sir William Russell and Sir Thomas Parrot Sir Henry Norice with diuers others both Knights and Gentlemen of good accompt seruing then on horsebacke this famous worthy Knight Sir Philip Sidney as forward as the best all these being mounted against the enemie and his power approching on the 22. of September 1586. vnto the towne of Zutphen in Gelderland This noble Knight like Caesar charged the enemie so sore that first an enuious Musquetier from the spitefull Spaniards espying his oportunitie slew his horse vnder him who getting to horse againe was with a poysoned bullet from the enemie shot in the thigh wanting his Cuisses which might haue defended him The wound being déepe and shiuering the bone yet his heart was good and his courage little abated one Vdal a gentleman alighted and led his horse softly to whom he thus spake Let goe let goe till I fall to the ground The foe shall misse the glorie of my wound And so riding out of the field with a rare and constant courage his wound was searched no salue too deare but was sought no skill so curious but was tried to cure ease and recouer this noble Souldier languishing in paine all remediles Who féeling death drawing on desired yet were it Gods will so to be that he might liue to doe his Countrie more good seruice alleaging that he feared not death but lamented that his yéeres as yet being but gréene brought foorth but leaues the bloomes being faire no fruite yet appearing his life could not be lengthened for the enlargement of that good which both in heart he wished and in power he would haue performed towards his Prince and countrie had he liued here longer who being demaunded if he feared not any whit to dye answered No whit because I liue thereby Touching the honour of the field there fought as all our English Lords and Knights by their valours much diminished the enemies force and daunted his courage so amongst them Sir Thomas Parrot stroake downe Gonzaga at a blow Countie Hannibal was left for dead in the field and Captaine George one of the enemies commanders was by the worthie Lord Willoughby taken prisoner onely Captaine Thomas and Captaine Martin amongst our English were slaine in that fight and not any moe of accompt missing So by this honour ensued the vntimely death of this renowmed noble Knight on the 17. day of October 1586. liuing iust 25. daies after his receiued hurt in hope by death to inherit with Christ the Crowne of life and glorie Whose mortall death how greatly it was lamented of all sorts from the highest to the lowest who so please may looke and reade in the Reportarie of this action afterwards penned by George Whetston Gentleman where he declareth how the corps of this noble deceased Knight being brought ouer in the Blacke Pinnis so called was shrined in a Hearse within the Mynories in London and his funerall day being appointed vpon Tuesday the 16. of February next after following in that yéere 1586. The solemne order of the same was thus martialled in honourable manner vz. hauing thrée Erles and other Lords of the States his chiefe mourners with all their traine as they followed the Corps After them went Sir Wolston Dixi Knight then Lord Maior of London and the Aldermen mourning in their purple robes And last of al a warlike band of worthy Citizens his welwillers with weapons trailed in solemne wise brought the Corps from out of the Quier of the Cathedrall Church of S. Paul in London after a learned Sermon there made to the vpper Northeast end of the Isle aboue the Quier by the second piller where with solemne honourable ceremonie vsuall the corps was laid to his rest in Christ Iesus which done the said souldierlike Citizens bestowed for their last farewell of their beloued noble friend and Captaine two volleys of shot and so returned home euery man to his house heauie mournfull and sad for the losse of so vertuous honourable and true renowmed personage vpon whose death the aforesaid George Whetston made this Epitaph HEre vnder lyes Phillip Sydney Knight True to his Prince learned staid and wise Who lost his life in honourable fight Who vanquisht death in that he did despise To liue in pompe by others brought to passe Which oft he tearm'd a Dyamond set in Brasse There is another Epitaph vsuallie pendant at the said piller vnder his Crest Cote Armour and colours there fixed ENgland Netherland the Heauens and the Arts The Souldiers and the World haue made six parts Of the Noble Sydney for none will suppose That a small heape of stones can Sydney inclose His bodie hath England for she it fed Netherland his blood in her defence shed The Heauens haue his soule the Arts haue his Fame All Souldiers the griefe the World his good Name After the death of this noblie renoumed Knight Sir Philip Sydney so greatlie lamented as well in the Netherlands as in England the Erle Generall maketh attempt to take the Fort on the other side of Zutphen placing his Tents in che Velawe there is a little Iland before the Towne of Zutphen whereunto out of the Citie there is an open passage almost on drie foote by a Ford which now and then hath beene kept by a garrison of thirtie souldiers onlie this he battereth with his Ordinance and taketh it The Prince of Parma seeing this Iland taken marcheth to the said Citie of Zutphen on the fourteenth of October following Anno dicto
they met with their enemies in like manner almost euery houre fighting with them continually for nine daies space with Swords Targets and Harquebuziers so long vntill of the 1600. which were at the first there placed for garrison there were in fiue but seuen hundred left aliue in the garrison as hereafter more plainly shall appeare When the towne had thus béen besieged now full seuen weeks the Erle Generall hauing gathered his forces euery where by sea and by land he entreth into conference with the Estates taking counsell of his Leaders how to relieue Sluce with all possible speed A great Nauie was then prepared furnished with souldiers by the said Estates To him came Iustine or Nassaw Admirall of Zeland and other Netherlandish Gouernours by sea The Erle Generall with 31. companies of footmen and sixe troupes of horsemen passeth out of Zeland vnto Ostend where the Right Honourable Lord Charles Howard Lord high Admirall of England and the Right Honourable George Erle of Cumberland with certaine shippes wherein went a great part of the Nobilitie of England sailed into Zeland purposely as well to helpe his Excellencie as to see how he did His Excellencie had determined to inuade the Port or Hauen of Sluce in the very entrance thereof with certaine shippes well and strongly furnished at a certaine déepe place vnder the towne where the ships might ride safely But the Sea-gouernours Shipmasters and others experienced in marine affaires especially they of Zeland were of a contrarie opinion thinking it not so conuenient a thing to attempt that which they could not accomplish but in so doing should rather bring their ships into assured danger Touching this enterprise diuers were the opinions which with great dislike troubled their mindes Therefore the Erle Generall séeing he could not so do any good with his ships by sea séeketh now by what deuice he can to trie the enterprise by land Wherefore when he ariued at Ostend on the 30. day of Iuly 1587. and vnto him were come many English Nobles besides fiue thousand men which he brought ouer with him this later time though he had not so great a power with him as néedfull it was for him to haue yet with those which he had going out of Ostend he giues assault to the Fort of Blanckberg in Flanders and with determination to haue taken Blankenburgh he sent from Ostend some fiue thousand foote and certaine troupes of horse with two small field péeces vnder the commaund of the Lord Willoughby Colonell general and Sir William Pelham Lord Marshall his Excellencie went in a Pinnasse by sea where when they came they found the Sconce too well manned and prouided to be assailed but with great losse wherefore his Excellencie commaunded them to retire to Ostend where the next day they embarked and sailed to the entrance into Sluce where they lay seuen daies In the meane time the besieged towne of Sluce which had so valiantly endured with so little helpe such and so great stormes with the Enemie as before is said now also still for two moneths space fully continuing and saw not any man come to help them but two only Englishman named Captaine Allen and Captaine Hart which twice or thrice swam ouer from Sluce to make relation vnto the Erle Generall and the Estates of the present estate of the towne They I say now halfe despairing of any helpe by reason the Erle Generall was at some iarre with the Estates began to waxe faint and féeble both in courage and power For the enemie was now lodged in the Counterscarfe and had sapped into the Rampart daily vndermining further into the town so as there went a noise amongst them that he was alreadie come into the citie Besides these things of twentie péeces of Ordenance which they had at first in the towne they had now but foure only left which the Enemie with his vehement shot had not yet broken neither had they so much powder left them wherwith they were able to hold out fight euen for halfe a day Wherefore by all mens iudgements they were not able to endure the enemies assault twelue houres longer together no not by all meanes they could possibly deuise Therefore incontinently after hereupon they receiued compositions from Parma worthie of their valours vz. That with their bagge and baggage with their Ensignes flying the match in cocke and bullet in mouth they should also presently depart out of Sluce and march away downe to the ships in Zeland And all these were in number only but seuen hundred as I said before residue of that sixtéene hundred which so left the towne of Sluce yéelded vp vnto Parma and his forces on the 4. day of August Anno 1587. aforesaid So the Erle departing on the 17. of August 1587. out of Zeland by ship he came the next day vnto Bergen where foorth with he sent away all the forces which hée brought with him to take the Castle of Hochstrate in Brabant But that enterprise had no successe On the 24. of August he passeth from Bergen to Dordrecht in Holland where the Estates doe méete him and take their leaue of him The 14. of Nouember returning into Zeland to visit the Cities there and so at Vere in Zeland reconciling vnto him certaine Captaines of the Garrison in secret manner he departeth thence the 21. of Nouember and at length taking ship at Flushing the 17. of December Anno 1587. he returneth the second and last time into England The Erle of Leycester late Gouernour Generall as before remembred returning into England liued vntill September following 1588. in which time the Estates were about once more to entertaine him as Gouernour Generall againe amongst them But he dying on the 14. of that moneth Anno 1588. within a homely house in a certaine wood néere Langley in Oxfordshire at 63. yéeres of age was buried the 20. day of October Anno 1588. at Killingworth trying all fortunes In the meane time from the Erles said departure out of the Netherlands let vs leaue him so dead and buried and returne to the gouernment of those Prouinces againe by Countie Maurice against Alexander Prince of Parma And concerning the remedie of those euils in the Netherlands her Highnes sendeth her expresse Letters vnto the Lord Willoughby c. who had then béen in the Netherlands her Maiesties Lieutenant generall vnder Countie Maurice since the Erle of Leycesters first returne into England of whose seruice from time to time I haue here fit place occasion and time now offered me to set downe all occurrents as the order of the present historie requireth This noble Gentleman by birth and vertuous Lord by his life Lord Peregine Bartu by his title Lord of Willoughby Eresby and Beck the only sonne and heire apparant of the Right Worshipfull or rather Right Honourable for his birth vertue and learning Master Richard Bartu descended of the Noble house aforesaid who maried the Right noble and vertuous Ladie Katherin
wall There was slaine Captaine Spencer and some few others and Captaine Goodwin shot through the face The same day in parley time a Spaniard shot at an Englishman and was hanged therefore by the Enemie In this parley the Enemie desired to haue faire warres with vs. Saturday the fourth of May they made a breach in the West side of the Corunna foure of our men making an assault retired againe without hurt The same day Captaine Young being dangerously shot died soone after Sunday the fift of May they assaulted the breach filled vp by the Enemie to the hurt of some of our armed men Two Captaines shot thorow and Captaine Breyton hurt Captaine Sydenham slaine and one Cuckfoot an Ensigne to Sir Francis Drake Monday the sixt of May Iohn Kempston Marshall of the Ordenance was slaine with a shot from the high Tower Tuesday the 7. of May we marched foorth nine Regiments vpon the Enemie which had encamped themselues at a towne called Faro foure English miles from the Corunna our men charged on them being eight thousand and tooke their bridge there On either side the bridge our men entred the water draue them away killed some Colonels wanne their Towne victuals and prouisions fired the rest of their Villages néere draue them to retreite pursued them in chase thrée miles or more and slew of them in all thrée hundred at least of vs Captaine Cooper was slaine and not aboue thrée moe There were only hurt of our chiefe Commanders Sir Edward Norice and Captaine Hender who recouered both thereof and Captaine Fulford who died thereof Of those Spaniards at Faro was chiefe Don Iuan Pacheco Marques de Guasto and Gouernour of all Galizia who fled on horsebacke with the formost Wednesday the 8. of May our Sailers went on shore ranged the countrie burned and spoiled aboue fiue miles returning with some victuall and pillage without any resistance The same night the Non per illa was fired about fiue of the clocke by negligence in the harbour of Corunna and about twelue of the clocke that night the Merchant Royall was fired sixe men blowne vp with powder and some few hurt besides without more harme praised be God Thursday the 9. of May we raised our siege from the Corunna fired some of their ships in the harbour burnt and rased the base towne and Mils vp to the high towne and so embarked away thence that night Friday the 10. of May we set saile from the Corunna and that day about noone met with vs againe sixe saile of our Fléete which at our setting foorth parted from vs about the Coast of France Tuesday the 14. of May we doubled Cape finister the winde then at the East Saturday the 22. of Iune we departed from Vigo in Galizia to goe towards Peniche From Peniche the Armie came to Lisbon where they staied some two or thrée daies expecting the comming of the Fleete to Lisbon of which preparation and stay there Sir Anthony Wingfield writeth thus It may be demaunded saith Sir Anthony Wingfield writing vpon this voyage why a matter of so great moment should be so slenderly regarded as that the Generall should march with such an Armie against such an Enemie before he knew either the fulnes of his owne strength or certaine meanes how he should abide the place when he should come to it Wherein saith he I pray you remember the decrées made in the Councell at Peniche and confirmed by publike protestation the first day of our March That our Nauie should méete vs in the Riuer of Lisbon in the which was the store of all our prouision so the meane of our tariance in that place which came not though we continued till we had no munition left to entertaine a very small fight We are also to consider that the King of Portugall whether caried away with imagination by the aduertisements he receiued from the Portugals or willing by any promise to bring such an Armie into his countrey thereby to put his fortune once more in triall assured the Generall that vpon his first landing there would be a reuolt of his subiects whereof there was some hope giuen at our first entrie to Peniche by the manner of the yéelding of the Towne and Fort which made the Generall thinke it most conuenient speedely to march to the principall place thereby to giue courage to the rest of the Countrey The Friers also and the poore people that came vnto him promised that within two daies the Gentlemen and others of the countrey would come plentifully in within which two daies came many moe Priests some very few Gentlemen on horsebacke but not till we came to Torres Vedras where they that noted the course of things passed might somewhat discouer the weakenes of that people There they tooke two daies more and at the end thereof referred him till our comming to Lisbon with assurance that so soone as our Armie should be seene there all the inhabitants would be for the King and fall vpon the Spaniards After two nights tariance at Lisbon the King promised a supplie of thrée thousand foote and some horse but all his appointments being expired euen to the last of a night all his horse could not make a Cornet of 40. nor his foote furnish two Ensignes fully although they caried three or foure Colours and these were altogether such as thought to enrich themselues by the ruine of their neighbours for they committed more disorders in euery place where we came by spoyle then any of our owne So while wée staied at Lisbon wée both failed of the aide which the King Don Anthony promised vs and wée expected and also because our English Fléete came not vnto vs thither to Lisbon wée rose vp thence and went for Cascayes where méeting with our Fléete wée returned altogether into England where some of vs ariued at Plimmouth others at Portsmouth and others at London in the beginning of the moneth of Iuly Anno 1589. aforesaid Here endeth the Iournall of the Portugall Voyage A Iournall of the Honourable seruice by the renowmed Knight S. Iohn Norie Generall of the English and French forces performed against the French and Spanish Leaguers in Fraunce 1591. THis morning being Sonday my Lord Generall with Sir Henry Norice Captaine Anthonie Shirley Maister William Deuoreux c. tooke Post-horses at London to ride to South-hampton where in taking order for shipping for diuers considerations his Lordship staid vntill Sonday the 25. day Monday the 26. dict we embarked and fell downe with the shipping to Portesmouth where his Lordship staid that night at Captaine Richard Wingfields house Tuesday morning the 27. dict we set sayle being of vs in all 23. ships and other small vessels and hauing a scant shifting winde at north and north east we cast an anchor before Saint Helenes poynt in the Wight Wednesday morning about ten of the clocke being vntill then becalmed wee hapned of a small gale of wind blowing N. N. west