muche manhode as could be shewed and the enemie driuen out of the village But for the auoydyng of suche daūger as ouer farre marchyng into a straunge Countrey as might haue brought our menne vnto Capitaine Read with fame and victorie retired in verie good order and maner of the feelde Now I praie you was not this a peece of seruice worthy the honoring and because many at home that neuer saw seruice abrode sittyng on soft cushons and feles no hard fortune doeth descāt of euery mans doyng yet neither knowes plainsong nor vnderstandeth measure I haue thought good to sette out plainly sutche a peece of seruice put in proofe at newe Hauen emong the reste of seruices as the ignoraunte babler shal be a shamed to speake againste and the manne of knowledge shall honour and hold in reputation whē he shall heare what trothe hath reported After Capitaine Rede and his valliant companions capitains and soldiours had giuē the Ringraues companie an ouerthrowe there befell a seconde and a third daies seruice sutche and so noblie maintained and followed as seldome hath been seen in any place of the worlde And for the better vnderstandyng of the same and in praise of our Englishe nation I will rehearse it vnto you orderly as it was or at the least wise as well as I cā The Frenche stomackyng the ouerthrowe lately spoken of and the Ringraue seekyng a reuenge drewe a draught to traine our men out of the toune whiche were readie enough either for skimishe or any other maner of enterprise and to this seruice on the sodaine wente out one maister Charles Leighton as leader of all our shot in the feeld that daie this Charles was Sir Thomas Leightons brother then there and now gouernour of Garnesey on whose good seruice I could speake in like maner But now to my former matter The Frenche side with as greate a brauerie and order of warre as might be came lustellie to prouoke the skirmishe hauyng certaine bandes of horse menne for their garde and greate aduauntage And our Englishe Soldiours desirous to encounter ranne in vpon their enemies so feercely and with suche a couragious charge that nothyng but smoke of shotte and flamyng fire was seen betweene the twoo powers And alwaies maister Charles Leighton who was a moste notable Soldiour kepte his companie in so warlike an order that the horse men durst not charge them albeeit thei made many an offer and ranne in vpon our men sondorie tymes but thei came so sparkled abroade and so daungerously without fastnesse of troupe and suretie of force that our armed Pikes had many of them at their pleasure And our shotte made greate hauocke emong their cheefest Soldiours But the maner of this fight was so Soldiourly handeled that those of the Frenche side beyng maisters of that arte were learned a Schoole poinct of skill and tooke out a lesson worthie the notyng For those whiche thei tooke for ignorant schollars taught a newe kinde of conuyng and shewed an Artificiall poincte of pollecie and practice of warre Whiche was sometymes to retire vpon fight to drawe the Frenche forwarde and there on to charge with the Pike in bothe the handes enterlarded with shotte sworde and Targette and came so gallauntly to the pushe of the Pike and blowe of the sworde a volley of Hargaboze shotte of before that the Frenche and Almains thought that our meinie had been rather dauncyng the Almaine Haye then trauessyng the grounde to forsake the feelde and retire into the Toune and albeeit it was in earnest for life and honour our Soldiours did striue yet thei made it but a sporte it was so lustely maintained and so noblie handeled In the beginnyng of this skirmiche and when the seruice grewe somwhat hotte and furious at whiche tyme diuers stoute gentlemen were come to the feelde sir Humfrey Gilbart was hurte with the shotte of a Hargaboze There were at this seruice sondrie of our gentlemen as maister Thomas Gorge now of the priuie Chamber maister Ihon Horssey maister Ihon Souch and to bee shorte diuers of good callyng and reputation whiche I must omitte for that an other daies ▪ seruice muste be remembred whche was vpon a Saterdaie not long after this Yea sutche a daies seruice it was as who so euer notes it well shall finde matter enough to talke or write of a long season the maner whereof a litle shall bee touched because suche valliauncie shall remaine as a spectacle to looke into while the siege of newe Hauen can be remembred Now as you haue vnderstoode the Frenche and Almaines desirous of honour and to bryng to passe that thei came for laied an ambushe of horsemen and footemen priuily for their purpose And so a fewe of theim aboute Dinner tyme approched a trenche that was fortified with barrelles because the grounde serued for no other fortification on the Peeble and there our menne withstoode theim to the vttermoste and issued out of the same trenche diuers tymes with the force thei had whiche was but small The enemie seeyng the Trenche not sufficiently manned waxed more bolder then thei were wont and so meant to driue our small power into the toune whiche was from the newe deuised Trenche a good distaunce and so determinyng and disbandyng certaine shotte and other apt Soldiours for sutche an exploite thei gallauntly came forwardes and in a little season yet with somwhat adoe thei enioyed the Trenche forcyng our men to retire to their better aduanntage and more suretie My Lorde of Warwicke beholdyng this broile and bold attempte not meanyng that our menne should either lose honour or grounde beganne to bee somewhat moued in minde and for that he would beard the enemie and knowe what his freendes and those good Soldiours vnder his charge would doe He called Capitaine Horssey now sir Edward Horssey Knight and Capitaine of the I le of Wight and asked his aduice in this matter who aunswered my Lorde that he and his power with the helpe and aide of maister Francis Somersettes bande would driue the Frenche out of the Trenches and that right soone if thei that issued out of the toune followed good direction and order My Lorde Lieutenant agréed to this deuice And so capitaine Horssey had the whole charge of this seruice who marched towardes the trenches with great courage and hope of victorie The enemie bothe at hande and farre of in the vewe of this attempte framed themselues to defende and resiste that came to defeite them and so on bothe the sides a hotte peece of seruice was put in proofe and no partie was well that might any waie occupie weapon in that present action But alwaie the Frenche side with their forces whiche were double or treble our nomber sought aduauntage how to giue a charge on our menne with little losse whiche Capitaine Horssey had a good eye vnto and sought to preuente For euen as the enemie came lustely on to doe mischeef by horsemen so our menne mette them a foote as stoutly and
sufficient power to annoye that Toune and for other greate causes then mouyng his Maiestie prepared anone after a small Nauie to moleste his enemies makyng Admirall of that fleete the noble Lorde Lyle after Duke of Northumberlande and with hym was sent the Lorde Clinton now Erle of Lincolne sir George Caro sir Peter Caro sir Gawine Caro sir Robert Stafforde maister Clement Parstons maister Willyam Winter now knight maister Biston a valliant Capitaine with whom was maister Biston the Pensioner that now is a liue And all these gentlemen vnder the leadyng of the Lorde Lyle encountred the Galleis in moste braueste and warrlike sorte vppon the Seas and fought with them halfe a daie daungerously and in greate perill our Shippes hauyng a greate disaduauntage because the porte holes were not so lowe as reason required by whiche meane our Shippes might not come to dooe the harme that was intended Notwithstandyng the greate Ordinaunce plaied on the enemie all the while and our gentlemen behaued them selues as noblie as might bee deuised not in no little hazard nor without greate courage For this fight was so sore and daungerous that euery mannes vallue and stoutnesse might be seen There was no hole nor caue for the cowarde to hide his hedde in For the Cannon could fetche theim vp that would creepe in the Cooke roume and sette them a woorke that would sitte doune and doe little good The barres and chaines of Iron flewe about so thicke and the smoke and smother of the pouder was so greate that one might scarce see an other for fume flame and the furie of the shotte And to bee plaine because I haue seen the like I take it to bee the moste terrible and cruell fight that can bee named or expressed with penne For it is rather if it bee rightly painted out a helle then any other thyng it can bee compared vnto But how so euer it is or was at that present tyme our fleete abode the brunte thereof and tried it out to the vttermoste as the Frenche theim selues did afterward reporte and affirme And so bothe the sides beeyng wearied with roaryng of Cannons and murtheryng of menne were driuen at the length to leaue of and saile seuerall waies but the Frēche had the worste and were glad to departe to their losse and mischeef But in the necke of this the Frenche Nauie came gallauntly to Portchmouthe and in the vewe of Kyng Henry thei made a stoute showe and signe of some shrewde intent Againste the whiche Nauie went out sir George Caro in a noble vessell and with a greate nomber of valliaunt gentlemenne but by mischaunce and ouersight of some reachlesse persones the Shippe and all was caste awaie and drouned full before the vewe and face of Kyng Henry the eight And yet our other Shippes made out and sette so lustely vppon the Frenche fleete that thei made them retourne homeward to their small contentatiō so that little or nothyng was doen worthie the notyng a good tyme after An other seruice there was where maister Clementte Parston and Capitaine Wolffe was in Kyng Edwardes daies where thei had a Galley in chace and ouercame the same Galley For maister Parston brought it awaie and had in signe of that victorie a Iewell thereof made in maner like a Snake of golde In Queene Maries raigne the Lorde Admirall that now is with sir Willyam Woodhouse sir Thomas Cotton sir Willyam Winter maister Gonstone maister Holstocke maister Morley Sir Richard Brooke Capitaine Poole a knight of the Rodes as sir Richard Brooke was sir Richard Winkfeeld sir Robert Conestable that now is Maister Willyam Gorge and Maister George Biston bothe Pentioners went to the burnyng of Conkquette and did there a greate exploite and made muche spoile and hauocke in that countrey and retiryng to our Shippes tooke good order for the saffetie of our menne But the Almaines beyng greedie of gaine and ouercome with wine could not bee brought a Shipboarde in no due season and so through their owne follie and lewde behauioure thei were entrapped and ouerthrowne and yet was there as greate regarde for their preseruation as might bee but their reatchlesse maner was suche that no deuise could recouer them and so thei perished When our people did prospere and came awaie with honour and commoditie From Concquet there was appoincted seuen Sailes of Shippes to goe to my Lorde of Sussex then Lorde Deputie of Irelande The names of whiche Shippes followeth the Hue Willoughbie in whiche was sir Thomas Cotton Admirall for that seruice The Gearfaucon in whiche was maister Tornar of the Garde The Newbarke where was Southerwicke of Douer The Saker at the commaundement of M. Peter Killegrey The Barcke Caree vnder the charge of M. Gregorie Carie. The Ihon of Plimmouthe in the whiche was maister Richard Bingham And all these attended my Lorde of Sussex at Daukkith who noblie sett forwarde and bornte Kynteer Iames Mackono beeyng in the countrey and raized twoo of Mackonoes cheef Castles tooke diuers of thei Galleis and executed many of their mē My Lorde also burnt the I le of Butte the I le of Combra and the I le of Amilashe with diuers other places in that iourney And at this seruice was sir Willyam Fitz Willyams maister George Delues Capitaine Colliar maister Thomas Masterson Capitaine Warren Capitaine Peers sir George Stanley maister Edward Stāley who was there made knight And a nomber of other lustie gentlemen that presently I make no mention of Sir Willyam Winter did a greate peece of seruice with other Englishe gentlemen and Soldiours at a place called Alderneye For the Frenche to the nomber of mene hundred had taken that Ilande and were in the Castell in a marueilous triumphe But sir Willyam Winter hauyng but fower hundreth soldiours and Marriners whiche Marriners who so markes shall see greate worthinesse in landed in Alderneye with his small companie and handeled the Frenche so hardly that he draue them into the Castell and would not leaue theim till he had dispatched the Ilande of theim And so in his countreys honour retourned into Englande againe There was an other peece of seruice by Sea when Mounsire Determes loste a battaill by Grauelin and as I dooe remember maister Nicholas Gorge was at this seruice But be there who might it happened well on Mounsire Degmondes side that the shotte of our Shippes had any meane to annoy his enemies For euen as at Mosseborough feelde our Galleye did greate seruice that flancked a long the Scottes Campe and slue many stoute menne So our shippes at this battaill made suche waie emong the French that the Borgonions gatte good passege by that bargaine and went awaie with victorie In the raigne of our Soueraigne Ladie Queene Elizabeth there was sente the Hope the Lyon the Harte the Swallowe and the Phenix verie goodly Shippes to newe Hauen sir Willyam Woodhous beyng Admirall who fallyng sicke at Deepe wente home againe with maister Holstocke And then remained maister George Biston Admirall hauyng but three
could take a Rimar which were a kinde of Supersticious Prophesiers of Irelande should spoile hym and haue his gooddes without daunger of Lawe Maister Malbie maister Anthonie Poore maister Robart Hartpole maister Thomas Masterson beyng all at Kilkennie heard of certaine blinde Prophesiers called Rimars that had been abroad with gentlemen and others and gotten their beste horses Plate and Iewelles for tellyng them fables and lyes whiche Iewelles and treasure came to the value of twoo hundreth markes These Rimars goyng home were followed by these gētlemen and brought backe to Kilkennie and there spoiled and whipped and banished the toune which Rimars swore to Rime these gentlemen to death but as yet God bee thanked thei haue taken no hurte for punishyng suche disordered people In a little while after maister Malbie went to my lorde of Warwicke his maister who was Lorde Lieutenaunt of Newe Hauen where maister Malbie was not onely my Lordes Secretarie but also was readie in all seruices and had good and greate entertainement at my Lordes handes and Ihon Malbie serued there at his owne charges on horse backe and Capitaine Horssey can tell what good seruice he did at a skirmishe by Harfflue master Thomas Horde is a good witnesse in like sorte of the same seruice For Horde was striken through the hippes with a shotte and laye on the grounde at the mercie of the enemies sworde whē Ihon Malbie flang in emong the thickest and recouered his coūtrie man who yet is liuyng and able to doe good seruice At this seruice maister Ihon Malbies horse receiued two shotte and yet carried his maister to Newe Hauen after At Newe Hauen was diuerse times greate an noble seruices to be seen The Ryngraue and all his regimente could well shewe you the same For thei thought and founde that our Soldiours were of greate vallue and worthinesse For many of the Ryngraues bande passed vnder the misericorde of our Englishe blacke Billes And the Ryngraue a moste worthie and noble warriour confessed hym self that Englishe soldiors ought to be honoured But the Plague beyng so sore and so terrible in Newe Hauen the value of our men could not be seen but a little season and so the toune of necessitie was yelded wherein was lefte Capitaine Randall and Capitaine Malbie to see the hurte menne conuayed awaie and the greate ordinaunce carried into Englande that was agreed vppon betweene the Frenche and the Erle of Warwicke by whiche meanes and to see the condicions performed Capitaine Randall and Capitaine Malbie were the last of our Englishe nation that came out of Newe Hauen These thynges brought to passe and all thinges in quiet here at home The twoo brethren heard of warres betweene kyng Phillippe and the greate Turke and tariyng a small tyme here thei sailed vnto Spaine and came to the Courte where by the meanes of the Count de Ferrey the king gaue them a gracious welcome and commended theim in his letters to Dom Ihon de Tholethoe then Viceroye of Cisill and Capitaine generall of his Armie againste the Turkes and Admirall of the Leuaunt sea The kyng also gaue them letters vnto the Viceroye of Kateloniea who was Duke of Langgiuill for their passyng into Cisill whiche Duke vsed theim verie courteously and appoincted theim a Frigette whiche was rowed with fower and twentie Oers and had appoincted for their safe conduite fiftie Soldiours with victualles for all the whole companie Thei arriued in a Citie called Guarthelagare and walkyng abroad vp and doune the streates till their menne had prouided their supper There came one vnto them that was the Algusie Magore and crossyng the streate before them offered them his varge as in a maner of a reste whiche thei yelded vnto and with that he drewe out their Rapiers to se if thei were accordyng to the sise of that Countrey and findyng one of them about the breadth of a strawe longer then his measure he carried bothe the twoo brethren to prison thei mistrustyng his dealyng requested hym to bryng theim to the Corige doore Who answered thei should goe to hym but straight waies he clapped theim vp in a strong prison where thei were faine to woorke for their libertie and sendyng a greate iourney backe againe to the kyng of Spaine that laye at Madriell by meanes of maister Shelley and the Count de Ferrye thei receiued letters againe from the king that he whiche did them wrong should bee put out of office and should paie their charges that was the Corigedoore and the other that did areste them first should haue his necke broken and should be caste into a Well except thei that had the wrong would pardon hym Whiche thei did pardon but he loste his office and paied for their charges whiche was thought a greate matter in a straunge Countrey and taken to be a greate Iustice in a kyng So thei passed towardes Palarma through many daungers and perillous passages beeyng sonderie tymes in hazarde to fall in the lappes of the Turkes Galleyes and yet through good happe and conducte of the Frigette thei were in whiche was well furnished thei escaped all perilles and came to Palarma From thence thei helde companie with the Galleyes of Cisill that went to Messiney where beyng arriued thei presented their letters to the Viceroye who vsed theim courteouslie and presented theim to diuerse noble men and furnished them with all suche necessaries as thei needed There was a gentleman that came frō Sardinia where the brethren had been and brought letters of commendatiō from kyng Phillip and Dom Ihon de Austria in his behalfe who the Viceroye examined gentely and findyng hym not meete to take charge in suche a greate seruice as was then intended gaue hym good entertainment and told hym that other auncient soldiours muste bee firste preferred because the greatest seruice of Christendome was presently to be followed with men of moste experience And so placyng this gentleman in a Capitaines wages and at his owne table he gaue the twoo brethren the charge of a Galley whiche was vnder the leadyng of a gentleman whose name was Giles Andratha one of the order of the white Crosse. And within fiue daie the whole power pasfed from Messina to Seragosa where thei remained seuen daies and from thence thei passed to Malta euery man bearyng on his backe twoo and thirtie pound weight of bisket whiche burthen bothe noble and simple were willyng to carie at the least fower Italian miles For thei landed at S. Paules rode and marched to the aunciente Citie named Ciuerauegia Sir Ihon Smithe that now is a valliaunte graue gentleman shewed hym self there so honourable that he aduaunced the fame of his countrey by the noblenesse of his minde The Turkes vppon the arriuall of the Christians plucked backe their Batterie and embarked their greate Ordinaunce and retired their men of warre a Shipborde but in their retire thei loste fifteene hundred Turkes and those soldiours that were before penned vp issued out and recouered twoo greate Cannons Dom Garsia
were so fine that thei could not bee easely perceiued nor preuented because so many tales were brought and so many flatters tooke sir Bryans parte Yet alwaies the Erle did that whiche he thought for the beste and was lothe to seeke blood but vpon a greate occasion and yet in the ende true woorde was brought that Mackefellyn was stollen awaie by this meanes as I shall tell you Capitaine Malbie and his brother hearyng of this dispute and hauyng greate businesse to repaire vnto Lakaill tooke their iourney and as thei were ridyng thei espied a freende of theirs commyng galloppyng whose name was Marke Hoult Who brought newes of Bryans goyng awaie whiche messenger thei sent in all haste to the Erle and thei appointed a place where thei would meete the Earle But in the meane while thei hasted to staie Bryan and thei might or to holde hym plaie till the Earle came But that was in vaine for all the Creete had take a strength before the daie Yet the Earle marched apace and came within twoo miles of the enemie where he mette Capitaine Malbie but of necessitie the Earle retired to Carryckefargus for this matter could not be recouered Yet in a fewe daies after the Earle made a rode against Bryan and by meane of a Spaniell in the companie their entent was eskried and wantyng Kerne to enter the wood the Earle retired homeward againe The Earle sent for the Barron of Dongarren and maister Edwarde Moore and one Thomas Flemmyng but Bryan had gotten intelligence thereof and laye in waite for to entrappe theim The Barron came to Bellfaste and passed the Foorde and sent to Hollyngburne Abbey for maister Moore so passyng a softe pace towardes the Earle Bryans horsemen brake and so the Barron retired backe to the forde again where by chaunce maister Malbie was and gaue the Barron succours and caused theim to passe ouer the Foord for their better suertie But those horsemen that thei had sent for maister More did light in the lappes of their enemies in commyng backe againe yet some of theim were well horssed and so escaped to Hollyngburne Abbay and those that were nerest mischeef were slaine This hazarde beeyng paste Capitaine Malbie sente in poste to the Earle to come closely with as many horsemen and footemen as he might make and to come in the night followyng the Earle made speede and came as secretly as he might three howers before daie to the place appoincted where he laye in couerte till it was tyme to passe ouer the Foorde Now the Barron with maister Moore and their companie passed ouer and had not gone but a little ground but thei were sharpely set vpon and sent backe againe Bryans foote men were so nere them with that Capitain Malbie and his brother hastened to the skirmishe whiche grewe very hott and as thei were almoste ouer the water maister Richard Blunt commyng with them cried a charge a charge and so settyng his staffe againste his thigh he ranne emong theâ—m whiche were footemen whiche had quickely killed his horse and had hym doune laiyng loade vppon hym whiche was a wonder of the worlde he had not been slaine capitain Malbie and his brother with fiue or sixe more gaue a charge to rescue him and so put his enemies backe where at a man of the Barrons and an other called Thomas Flemmyng tooke hym vp and haled hym awaie At this skirmishe many of Bryans men were slaine and the Englishemen did retire ouer the water in tyme for the tide was commyng And the very same night the enemies came ouer the water and encamped them selues by the Englishe power And in the mornyng betymes thei prouoked the skirmishe bothe cunnyngly and manfully For at the firste beginnyng thei killed maister Willyam Norrises horse vnder hym who valliauntly behaued hymself and in lesse then an hower capitaine Malbies horse was striken doune and if Sir Willyam Morgan with greate courage and one maister Egerton had not dooen verie well Capitaine Malbie had been slaine for his horse laye vppon hym The noble Earle beholding this broile with his footemen came fliyng in and gaue a charge on the rebelles and put them to flight and did it in suche order that many of the enemies loste their liues thereby And after that charge thei retired into the wooddes where sondrie of them were ouerthrowne and those that escaped went to their Creete As tyme did passe and the Erle laie at Karrickefargus newes was brought that one Noall Macke Bryan Artho had deuised a draught for the killyng of Maister Thomas Smithe who was slaine by that deuise My Lorde of Essex was muche moued at that deede and Capitaine Malbie and his brother were marueilous sorie for the losse of suche a neighbour and good companion And swore to reuenge his death ere it should be long as thei did when occasion serued therefore In processe of tyme the twoo brethren desired leaue to repaire into Lakaell meanyng to practise a reueÌ„ge for maister Smithes death the Earle not knowyng their myndes gaue Ihon Malbie leaue to goe but kept the other Capitaine about his owne persone Maister Ihon Malbie commyng into Lakaell mustered all the menne he might make and hauyng a good power sufficiente as neede required practised with one called Donny Sallowe for the catcheyng of Neall Bryan Artho at some aduantage and promised at the least an hundred pounds for his labour that should drawe suche a drifte This Donny Sallowe as muche for the money as glad to please his freende went closely about this matter and brought suche certaine newes of Neall Bryan Arttoes haunt and order of life that it was an easie thyng either to compasse hym in some daunger or laye handes vppon his followers And by a good occasion maister Ihon Malbie with three score and fower horsemen and a fewe footemen he made suche a slaughter that fiue and thirtie of his beste men that followed Neall Bryan Artto were licked vp and slaine and a greate preye and bootie taken from hym and brought awaie he beeyng twoo hundreth footemen and fourtie horsemen in the feelde Emong those menne that was slaine was one Con Mackmeloeg who before caused maister Smithe to be eaten vp with Dogges after he had been boiled and this same Con Mackmeloeg beyng slaine was lefte emong wolues v. daies and was had into a house where his freendes howled and cried ouer his dedde bodie so long that by mischaunce a greate deale of pouder caught fire and sett the house in a flame the Dogges in the toune smellyng this ded bodie ranne in and tooke it out of the house and so tore it in peeces and fedde vppon his carraine fleshe openly Whiche was a thyng to bee muche marueiled at and thought to bee sent from God for a terrour to all tyrauntes hereafter Now here is to be noted that the Erle so long as he had power left no occasion to trouble Bryan Mackefellyn and to make hym knowe he had offended the Queenes highnesse and for that cause
that his cunnyng failed him his force was but ill and his fortune worse For in the middell of his traiterous triumphyng he tasted the right recompence of rebellion and was slain in the feeld his hedde brought into Corke Toune and his bodie and reputation buried in the graue of reproche and infamie The Lorde Iustice had by this tyme or in shorte tyme after receiued some succour and aide out of Englande And sir Ihon Parret as Admirall of fower of the Quenes Shippes maister Willyam Gorge maister Nicholas Gorge maister Gilbart Yorke Capitaine Peers Capitaine Awdley Capitaine Hinde accompaniyng hym as Capitaines appointed for that seruice Sir Willyam Morgan maister Pellam maister Bousser maister Broncker maister Willyam Norrice maister Crofttes maister Ihon Soutche and many other lustie Capitaines and Gentlemen of good regarde were in like sorte appoincted for the seruice of Irelande But what was dooen and the rehearsall thereof I committe to those that liueth to Regester and keepe in memorie mennes labours and seruices hereafter Whiche writers in giuyng life to matters that tyme maie weare out of mynde are not onely well occupied but likewise makes good Soldiours imitate and followe the noble footesteppes of those that wente before them by whiche meanes Goddes glorie is aduaunced and our Countries honoure is vpholden and worthely defended Finis ¶ A small rehersall of some speciall seruices in Flaunders of late part whereof were in the tyme of Don Ihons gouernment and the reste beyng doen in the present seruice of the Prince of Parma now gouernour of Flaunders THE remembraunce of a booke dedicated to the right honourable Sir Frances Walsyngham touchyng the troubles of Flanders moues me againe to putte penne to Paper in that dehalfe Breefly to beginne where I left whiche was a matter of Don Ihon and procede a little in the dooynges of the Prince of Parma presentely in action and place of greate matter exspected And because my moste desire is to aduaunce the Soldiours of Englande as well as to publishe the seruices of forraine countreys I omitte many thinges that straunge Nations haue been exercised withall And declare somwhat in the fauour of myne owne countreymen that serue and haue serued vnder the Prince of Orange and States of the Lowe Countrey meanyng not to meddell with matter of State that passeth my reache and capacitie but familiarely to treate of suche thynges as the common sorte of people doe carpe vpon and is sufferable to bee written of As muche to delite the reader that searcheth for noueltie as any other cause that moues me to this labor and rehearsall of seruice The houge and greate armies the long continuaunce of troubles the passages and and discourses of manyfolde miseries and the open Plague and disturbaunce of poore afflicted Flaunders I referre to the vnsearcheable wisedome of the Almightie and the graue iudgement of the worlde And hearyng the certaintie of some scirmouches and seruices of late I followe the trothe of newe matter that falles nexte into my memorie You haue heard and the worlde can witnesse that Don Ihon before his death being desirours of fame and victorie sought and practised all meanes possible to come to his purpose and knowyng where and in what order the states laye and what straites were kept by the pollecie of Mounsire de Bussie Generall of the Campe for the States He determined with a full resolute mynde manfullie to attempte some exploite that might amase the Prince of Orranges side and plucke vp the courages of his owne people that laye a longe season idelly from dooyng of any greate enterprise And so therevppon Don Ihon in a maner gaue to vnderstande as by the sequel was perceiued that he would visite the campe of the States or winne suche straites from them as should be muche to their discontent and his greate aduauntage In the yere of our Lorde 1578. the warres beyng then at the hottest betwixt the estates and the Kyng the estates hauyng a greate puissant armie in the feelde vnder the conduicte of the Graue of Busie The Kyng hauyng also an other vnder the leadyng of Don Ihon his base brother It happened the firste of August the enemie to visite the armie of the states who laye then intrenched in the feelde nere vnto a Toune called Reminant The Armie beeyng composed of diuers nations bothe horsemen and footemen there was one regimente of Englishe of twelue hundred vnder the leadyng of the Collonell Candishe and in his absence his Lieutenaunte Collonell Richard Bingham The saied Lieutenaunt and no other Generall officer of that Nation beeyng commaunded to the feelde by the Generall of the states led forthe the whole nomber of shotte that was vnder his charge viz. sixe hundred The leaders vnder hym of the regimente were Capitaine Laukynges Capitaine Fitz Willyams Capitaine Edwardes the Lieutenant Paddon the Lieutenante Dalton the Liutenante Chubbe well accompanied with diuers other worthie gentlemen and officers Beeyng thus appointed with direction to leaue in a sure garde vpon the nexte Mounte to the trenche and with the reste to make hedde to the enemie and to entertaine hym as he should see cause offered at sight of the eye keepyng euermore the streight on the right hande and Steward with the Scottes on the lefte hande hauyng now placed a sufficient garde vppon the Mounte and sent Capitaine Fitz Willyams farther forthe by a quarter of a mile to assure theim of an other grounde and strength of aduauntage He receiues commaūdemente againe from the Generall that he should leaue the Mount and drawe his forces to the Churche whiche stoode aboute an Englishe Mile from the Mounte and vppon the saied streight wherevpon he presently lefte the Mounte leauyng behinde Capitaine Fitz Willyam to garde the place of aduauntage where he firste lefte hym beeyng a place of greate importaunce And with the reste he maketh waie to the Bridge where he lefte the Lieutenaunte Paddon with Chubbe and their companies in garde of the place and to stande faste for a releef to those that he ledde more foreward to the Churche Beeyng now arriued at the Churche with Capitaine Liggins his Lieutenant Dalton And Capitaine Edwardes with a three hundred shotte he sendeth vp to the Steeple twoo of his Soldiours to discouer the enemie who presently shewed that thei might see the faire Hethe whiche was yet halfe an Englishe Mile further and vppon it the whole power of the enemie in battaillions bothe horsemen and footemen and further that thei marched in for bothe the streightes The Lieutenante not reposing to muche truste in the twoo priuate Soldiours leaped of from his horse and went vp the Steeple hym self where as soone as he had discouered the enemie and perceiued hym to make in for bothe the streigtes he presentely at his commyng doune commaunded Capitaine Liggins to stande fast with twoo hundred shotte at the Churche and takyng with hym the Lieutenaunt Dalton Edwardes Finche and Straubrige with diuers other gentlemen officers with twoo hundred shotte He maketh hedde
and at the requeste of the Soldiours in Mottrell those prisoners were giuen to Mounsire Bilboe to purchace his fauour because he seemed to bee angrie for the burnyng of the Abbey of S. Poule and the Frier house there Now at the same tyme when this bootie was gotten and brought into Motterell thei made open sale of the preye in the Market place and the soldiours beeyng of the old garrison in the Toune bloshyng at the boldnesse of the Englishemen and disdainyng their well dooyng that were not of their owne nation immediatlie beganne to spoile the bootie Maisters and by force thought to haue reaped the laboures of others that better deserued Whereupon the Scottishemen of Armes assembled in the Markette place and takyng the Englishe mennes parte demaunded wherefore that outrage was committed and saied thei would not suffer suche a follie to goe vnreuenged For the whiche cause and encouraging of good men Mounsire Bilboe tooke order in the matter committyng one of them that made the spoile to passe the shotte of the Hargaboes without mercie notwithstandyng the twoo brethren seeyng that Mounsire Bilbowe fauoured so muche lawe of Armes and dissipline of warre made sute for the pardon of the offendour by whiche sute and courtesie of theirs thei conquered and obtained the loue of al the Frenche soldiours whiche amitie after did thē as greate pleasure as their present pitie was a thyng to be liked For when the Englishemen wente to any seruice the Frenche would striue to see who could bee fauoured moste to goe in their companie Suche force and vertue hath mercie and gentilnesse to leade the hartes of people euery where either toward seruice or any other hazarde or worthie accion that the remembrance of mercie maie reche into and consider of The Englishe beeyng commaunded then to lye in the borders of Picardie of season at their owne discretion and the Countries charge were after sent to Bohayn and putte there in garrison where was a Capitaine called Capitaine Hearyng with a valiaunt bande of Gascoins whiche ioyned with the Englishmen and made many iournies and roades together into the Burgonion Pale spoilyng the Countrie and puttyng the Burgonions sondrie tymes to the worse and endamaged the countrie so muche and so often that the poore people complained to the Emperour of their Burgonion capitaines beyng many in nomber did suffer a fewe of their aduersaries to distresse the whole Frontiers Wherevpon Mounsire de Fammey then capitain of Laundersey seyng the Emperour moued with this incurssion beganne to practise by all the meanes he might to ouerthrowe the Englishe bande either by pollicie or Treason and findyng a guide that alwaies had the leading of the English when thei wēt about a bootie Moūsire de Fammey infected this guide with a fewe Crounes to betraie his companie and in the meane while againste the daie appoincted Defammey had prepared and made readie a thousande horse and diuerse bandes of footemen to entrappe the Englishe soldiours of Bohain The daie of this practise and murther approchyng and all thyng in readinesse the Burgonions to lye in waite and the Englishe to issue there fell a debate and quarrell betwene twoo Englishemen the one called Tuttell and the other Cheaston whiche faulyng out hindered their goyng to horse and detracted tyme in so muche this traitorous guide could not at the hower appoincted bryng foorthe the Englishemen nor answere the expectation of the Burgonions and so the Capitaine of Laundersey mistrustyng the guide had deceiued hym brake sodainly into the countrey and fell to spoile and to followe their moste aduauntage for the season and beeyng many in nomber did muche hurte aboute Gwyes before the small power there might make any head towardes their enemies but in conclusion the Englishe bande though but a fewe of them were at that presente at Bohayn with the helpe of capitain Hearyng a valiant man and leader of the Gascoins sette vpon the Burgonions and at the first encounter ouerthrew so many Burgonions that the residue fledde and made shifte for them selues at whiche on sette and couragious charge maister Nicholas Maelbie was sore hurte through bothe the sides and one Ihon Daie and he beeyng by seruice drawen from their companie in a daungerous place and plight thei tooke greate care how to recouer their people and in the ende to escape the hazarde Ihon Daie carried maister Malbie on his backe till a horsemanne by chaunce happened to come and comforte theim both Mounsire Deffammey by meanes of a blowe that Ned Driuer had giuen him on the hedde peece was faine to kepe his Beauer doune a long season and taried al a whole night in a woodde the meane while A none after this bickeryng the Frenche kyng made a Proclamation that all his Garrisons should repaire vnto Reins in Schampanie at whiche tyme there was a secrete speache of battaile betwene the Emperour and the Frenche kyng for the whiche cause all the bandes and garrisons that might be made with greate expedition repaired to the place appoincted for the fight And beyng assembled together thei encamped and so the Frenche kyng marched towardes Meattes in Lorraine where he vsed suche pollicie and faire speache that he wanne the toune without bloodshed tooke the Duke of Lorraine and sente hym safely into Fraunce And from Meattes the kyng marched vnto Speeres in Almaignie where he had a certaine masse of money And so to Stroseborough the kyng giuyng order that the Englishe horsemen and others that serued as vaunt currours should ride about the countrey and spoile what thei thought good Maister Nicholas Malbie beyng left at sainct Quintaines to bee healed of his hurte as you haue heard had his brother Ihon Malbie in the campe with the Frenche king who ioyned an other gentleman vnto hym called George Liell and thei twoo seekyng aduentures mette twoo gentlemen Almaines well mounted and appointed but the twoo English men charged them and tooke them prisoners and possessed their Borespeares and other weapōs of warre But George Liell hauyng somewhat to amende deliuered his prisonar his Borespeare to hold because he could not hymself amende his thinges and holde his Borespeare at that instaunte the prisoner seyng his aduauntage thruste the Borespeare vnder the armour of George Lyell and so slue hym he giuyng his laste gaspe and wofull crie made maister Ihon Malbie looke behinde hym who findyng his fellowe dedde ran hastely on the Almaine and in that charge slewe hym and so forthwith set vppon the other prisoner with like determination the other Almaine fell on his knees and asked mercie vppon whiche submission he was saued and ledde awaie by Ihon Malbie where other Englishemen attended to heare some newes And hearyng of this straunge cace thei altogether repaired where the twoo dedde bodies were and buried them bothe as the tyme and place did permit The Frenche Kyng marchyng from Stroseborough came to a strong toune called Domuiell whiche the Kyng besieged and the assaulte beyng readie to be giuen the capitaine
Capitaines minded not to giue ouer the matter for a bragge And determined couragiously to set vpon their enemies whiche in deede thei did and gaue so lustie a charge that thei ranne cleane through theim and slue at the least fower hundred of them puttyng the rest to flight and followyng the chace draue them into a woodd whiche beyng nere saued many of their liues Sir Peter Caroe saied muche of this victorie rested in Capitaine Malbies manhoode and conducte The Lorde Deputie sente Sir Peter Caroe for to take possession of a certaine Castell in whiche Castell was a coÌ„panie of stoute men And to the seruice was Capitaine Collyer Capitaine Furres and others sent Thei within shotte and slue our people whiche encreased the hatred and malice Muche businesse was aboute this Castell and at length it came to a parley and whiles the capitaines were at the parley the soldiours wer made drinke and a siluer boule sent theÌ„ to drinke in out of the Castell But the parley could not take vp the matter so thei called for their siluer boule again but a soldiour with one legge whose name was haltyng Dick hauyng the siluer boule in his hande made aunswere that he would keepe that till the reckenyng were made of the reste And the parley beyng doen thei put in the Conestable of the Castell at a grate and sodainly withall thei thrust in a great peece of Timber whiche kepte the grate open wherein the Soldiours entered and so wonne the Castell where after was a pitifull murther for man woman and child were put to the sworde And the soldiours found therein greate riches especially Tapestrie and Plate and muche good housholde stuffe It was not long after but the Lorde Deputie raised a greate power to go to the West against the rebelles whose leader was Iames Fitz Moris whiche was reported to bee of greate force And the Lorde deputie marchyng forwarde toward Clammell the newes was brought that Fitz Morris was so strong that the Lorde Deputie was to weake to deale withall So counsaill was giueÌ„ him to retire The lord Deputie seeyng the cowardies of some and hauyng good courage hym self called Capitaine Malbie and asked his aduise who aunswered if good guides could bryng my lorde through the plaine Countrey his fiue hundreth horse would marche in despite through all Irelande The Lorde Deputie thereon saied he neuer bare the George that daie that he gaue place to any rebelles and so the Deputie commaunded them to marche and his power came that night and lodged at a Castell of his enemies as the reporte wente There was a stoute Kerne seyng the Deputies campe commyng ranne out of the Castell and sett many houses a fire because the Lorde Deputies power should haue no succour thereof and be in soâ—â— daunger by their approche To whiche Kern Ihon Malbie galloped apace and so dispatched hym which was a good peece of seruice The nexte daie the Castell was yelded so the lorde Deputie marched to the White Knightes Countrey and besieged a strong Castell of his and because thei did withstande the siege thei were all put vnto the sworde From thence he marched towarde a Castell in the Desmondes Countrey called Bally Marten where thei withstode the siege so it was battered And there was one called the Seneshall who founde meane in the night to steale awaie with all his companie and so thei tooke the bogge and escaped to Iames Fitz Morrice who made many wordes and threateninges but he performed no peece of those promises So after this the Lorde Deputie came vnto Corke and froÌ„ thence to Lymbrick takyng all the Castelles in his waie that he founde till he came to Gallawaye And after he returned towardes Dublin in whiche iourney his enemies did neuer shewe their faces Shortly after this Capitaine Malbie tooke in farme the countrey of Lakaell at the handes of the Erle of Kildare whiche Lakaell had lyen waiste three yeres before and after that came sir Thomas Smithes base sonne with his horsemen and footmen to a place called the Ardes nere neighbor to Capitaine Malbie who furnished maister Smithe with diuerse thynges and did bestowe on hym and his soldiours a good rounde soÌ„me of money but maister Smithes fortune was not good and so at the length he was slaine as after you shall heare Now the noble and moste bountifull gentleman of Englande came ouer as Gouernour of Vlster I meane the Erle of Essex whose praises no manne in the worlde can ecclips Whiche Erle was accompanied with a goodly bande of horsemen and footemen he arriued at Karrickefargus And there came with hym the Lorde Ritche Maister Henrie Knowlles and his fower brethren maister Mighell Carie and maister Ihon Carie soonnes to the Lorde of Honsdon and maister William Norrice and maister Ihon Norrice twoo of the eldest soonnes of the Lorde Norrice whose courages and deedes did shewe their noble race as in deede the other gentlemen named before theim by their owne actes aparte did often tymes expresse their honourable birthe There was likewise one maister Blunt a valliaunt gentleman brother to the Lorde Mongie and sonderie others whose names I haue forgotten Within a prettie space after this noble Earles arriuall sir Bryan Mackefellin who was accounted then a rebell did sue to come in To whom the Earle gaue protection and yeldyng hym self simplie vnto the Queene the Earle not onely graunted hym a pardon but also gaue him greate giftes and vsed hym so courteously as he could not imagine how to be better entertained But Bryans follower beeyng wearie of well doyng and peraduenture by Bryans consent the soldiours horses could not bee in saffetie and the followers of Bryan fell to open thefte and priuie filchyng The Earle willed Bryan to giue correction to the malefectours who promised from tyme to tyme but no redresse could be had The Earle lettyng those offences passe and conceiued that he had not his people in suche obedience as was reason and so bore with little faultes in hope amendemente would followe but all this while the soldiours were robbed and as the poore menne them selues were caught alone thei were murthered For whiche outrage the Erle shaped a reuenge and so to crie quittaunce but Bryan hearyng thereof desired to come in and make his aunswere the Erle graunted that and so sir Bryan came and made his submission declaryng he could not rule his naughtie people and was sorie for their follies and foule factes committed So the Erle badde hym bryng them all into an Ilande called Mahair and offered Bryans menne an aide to bryng them that would refuse to come promisyng thei should be all well vsed and all former faultes shoud be forgotten Sir Bryan so departed and in fine wrought cunnyngly to deceiue the Erle and departe with all his Creett of Kye whiche amounted to twentie thousande into the wooddes or where he thought beste but my Lorde of Essex had good espiall on Bryan by meane of Capitaine Malbie notwithstandyng the sleightes of the enemies
seemed by runnyng vppon the Frenche rather to giue an onsette then receiue a charge by whiche pollecie and manhood the enemie was mutche amased and suffered some losse of horses whiche could not bee auoided the pusshe of the Pike was so well offered and the feight so couragiously maintained Yet the Frenche foote menne so applied the seruice with shotte that our people neded more handes and helpe in the feelde To the whiche aide my Lorde sent sondrie stoute gentlemen who did verie valliantly and continued the skirmiche a long season wherein one maister Chidley and some other of our side were slaine And the enemie seeyng some aduauntage sente diuerse horse menne to cutte of our menne from the Toune and were likely to haue dooen greate hurte by meane that many of our Pikes were broken and but a verie fewe lefte whole to defende our Shotte and withstandyng a charge Maister Thomas Gorge with a small companie of gentle menne on horsebacke beholdyng these thynges came gallopyng into the feelde and without any delaiyng of the matter gaue a charge on the enemie and runnyng in emong the thickest of them passed and persed the whole troupe and returned backe againe in feight through the same power with no little hazarde nor honoure Yet in the necke of this the Frenche charged our Pikes a freashe who mette theim in the faces and made them retire albeeit the furie of the skirmiche continued and the enemies all this while gaue not ouer the feelde though thei had loste the Trenche thei had possessed nor shewed no signe that thei were wearie and would marche awaie Thus with muche a dooe and with greate exercise of Armes and Marciall attemptes a greate parte of the after noone was consumed our menne alwaies keepyng the feelde till at length when our companies were come together and were out of the daunger of the greate Shotte whiche before could not bee shotte of because our menne were pelle melle the Ordinaunce of the Toune beganne to thonder and rattell in the ayre and the Armed men of the enemies either on horsebacke or a foote beganne to shrinke and drawe from the daunger notwithstandyng many of them were slaine at that season And wee had loste in the fight some gentlemen and good Soldiours emong the whiche was one maister Treimain who at many seruices was verie forward before this tyme and now with his forewardnesse and misfortune loste his life So this seruice brought on by the Ryngraue maintained by the Frenche and performed by the Englishe was then to bee taken vp for want of better tyme to execute the thynges that all these nations exspected And here is to bee noted that the Ryngraue did what he could the Frenche did attēpt that thei might the English left no one thyng vndoen that was answerable to the tyme. For from the beginnyng that newe Hauen was possessed to the verie laste daie it was giuen vp our Soldiours neuer laye idell but did alwaies what became men of warre with as greate manhood forecaste iudgement pollecie and honour to Englande as could be deuised Neuer out of feare suspition hazarde and doubt to bee betraied for the whiche occasion and to bee in some certaintie thei were faine to remoue the inhabitauntes out of the Toune whiche albeeit it seemed a kinde of hard dealyng straite order in good faith it could not bee auoided except our Nation should haue put their neckes into the yoke and haue been taught to drawe contrarie to their mindes in a seruile bande of bondage And this is to bee spoken of and mutche to the commendation of men that loue their owne countrey that so sone as thei sawe and found we went about to enioye their Toune their Shippes their Landes and suche like thynges as thei had before in their owne possession Thei forgatte all kynde of amitie freendshipp fauoure promes and obedience vnto vs and stucke so faste together in one league of loue emong them selues that the Papist and the Protestant were bothe become our enemies and although in Religion thei differed farre and had committed many offences one againste an other in Toune in Churche and open feelde Yet to driue vs out of their kyngdome thei were knitt in one vnion And albeeit that the remembraunce of old quarrells might breede some harte burne and be an occasion that thei should not cōtinue in freendshippe and fidelitie yet the hatered that thei bore vnto straungers that thei sawe were maisters of their goodes made them forgette any former iniurie and wronges emong them selues and fall into one opinion for the remediyng of their presente mischeefe Whiche agremente of theirs and neighbourly loue in that necessitie maie bee lefte for an euerlastyng example to all posteritie and ages to procure euery Nation to haue in admiration and reuerence the liberties and honour of the soile thei are borne in Now as I haue shewed the ouerthrowe that Capitaine Read and his company gaue the seruice that maister Charles Leighton was the leader of and the victorie that sir Edward Horssey was at So I must report and make mention of the good speeches that the Frenche them selues let fall openly in the commendation of our Englishe Soldiours by which good wordes it appereth that suche as thinke not the beste of the seruice at newe Hauen doe their Countrey men wrong For as I haue written a little somewhat in their praise so could I rehearse mutche more to their commendation But I must make excuse presently of a fault that folowes ten lines after whiche the printer should haue placed at the ouerthrowe the Ryngraue had And yet I retourne to my matter and saie that newe Hauen menne were worthie to be spoken of and should suche Capitaines and Soldiors escape the praise of the world and the recitall of my pen no sure in verie deede and for that I haue gone so farre in their behalfe in this poinct of well doyng I meane as commes to my memorie to shewe sonderie of their other seruices and feattes of warre Not onely because euery manne ought to reape their due renowne for the painfull labours thei haue takē but also to animate and encourage others to seeke by dewe desarte the like good meane and noble commendation a thyng more precious emong menne of warre then any other riches or worldly pleasure The Count de Ryngraue standyng emong a great troup of horsemen a good waie of beholdyng this ouerthrowe beganne to muse at the matter and albeit he had loste many of his men and his expectation beyng frustrate he gaue great commendation to the Englishe Soldiours and tolde the Frenche that thei should them selues attempt the nexte approche For he helde the Englishe nation other maner of men then thei were accounted and saied withall he thought but to haue dealt against Soldiours but he had to doe with the Furies of helle or Spirites of the ayre Suche was the noblenesse and good disposition of the Ryngraue that he would giue his enemies fame and ecclipps no
It must be likewise that the enemie did hold and possesse the place that same daie that the Romaine Citezen was rescued in It is necessarie that the manne whiche hath been succoured should confesse the same before the people For a Soldioures owne witnesse in that behalfe serues to no purpose And furthermore it is required that he whiche was rescued be knowen to be a Burgois of Rome For if one dooe rescue a Kyng that commeth to serue the Romains he dooeth not merite for the same the Croune Ciuique In like sort if one doe rescue a generall of an armie he gettes no more honor therefore then though he had rescued a simple Citezen For thei whiche established this ordinaunce had no regard but to the conseruation of the Citezens of Rome who so euer thei were The Priuilege of this Croune shall be to giue power to weare a Hatte of broad leaues as ofte as he pleased that had been once Crouned for his well dooyng Further all the Senate had a custome to rise out of their places and to doe honour to them that haue had this croune when thei goe to see the common plaies and pastymes And it is sufferable and permitted that thei shall sitte in a seate neere the Senatours And thei shal be exempt from all Ciuill charges not onely theim selues but their naturall Fathers and Graundfathers and now beholde touchyng their Priuileges there was one Cicinius Dentatus accordyng as wee haue saied Crouned fowerteene tymes And one Capitolinus had sixe tymes been Crouned for he rescued Seruilius then generall of the armie not withstandyng Scipio Affrican would not suffer them to giue hym the croune Ciuique for succouryng his Father in the iourney of Trebia O ordinaunce worthie of immortalitie saieth Plinie that assigneth no other praise for suche greate workes then this greate honor whiche surpasseth all other warlike crounes This farre goes the verie woordes of Plinie and many other auncient aucthors that I could rehearse in the commendation of menne of warre whiche neither in Tholomeus tyme Artaxerses daies nor any of the mightie Monarkes long raignyng before could bee forgotten but were so honoured that lawes and orders was onely deuised for the enlargyng of their lande and stirryng vp their noble myndes Yea Soldiours and Herrauldes had power to denounce warres in so muche as the aunciente Romains who were the Fathers of all Marshall affaires and conquerours of the worlde helde this for a moste certaine rule Nullum bellum iustum esse nisi pro rebus iniuste ablatis quod fecialis Romani antea denunciabant Whiche rule and order of the Romains for the power and honour of soldiours and Herrauldes declareth thei are of greate dignitie and callyng and maie compare by this their authoritie to be no whit inferiour to the beste sorte of gentlemen You maie reade in like maner that there was a manne emong the Romains that merrelie or paraduenture in contempte putte a Croune Cinique vppon his owne hedde and loking out at a greate windowe into the streate was espied And thervpon apprehended and brought before the Senate where he was iudged presently to bee putte to death for touchyng and abusyng that Croune Ciuique Whiche was ordained for the wearyng onely of an honourable Soldiour and for suche a one as had been by deserte Crouned with triumphe and solempnitie in open audience So this foolishe manne albeit he might meane but little harme was had to the place of execution and there loste his life to the greate terrour of those that rashely meddle with thynges that becomes theim not and to the greate honour of those that are aduaunced by vertue and winneth with courage the wearyng of this Croune called the Croune Ciuique Nowe commyng doune to this presente age in the tyme of our peace where Soldioures haue nothyng to dooe there is enough spoken and peraduenture to muche for the Soldiours commendation yet let me leade you a little further in that cace For now is to bee proued what degrees of Soldious hauyng serued long or borne any office of credite are gentilmen and maie vnrebukeable be bolde to take that name and title vpō them First you haue heard that seruyng tenne yeres honestly and truely he is not onely paste his prentishippe but also aboue a iourney manne and ought from all iourneis to bee spared As a man might saie though vnproperly compared a good free horse after his long labour and many greate iourneies is to bee ridden but seldome and kepte in the stable till extreme necessitie requireth and then is to bee vsed gentillie least his stiffe limmes and old bodie deceiue the riders expectation So a soldiour commyng to this age and perfection or beyng paste the iollitie of youth and youthfull actions ought to be prouided for and maie without presumption pleade for armes albeeit he neuer gaue none before and can bryng no greate proofe of his house gentrie or dissent and though he be the first of that house stocke and name that gaue Armes his beginnyng is allowed of all our aunciente writers and Princes and shall put his aduersaries to silence when in that poinct thei seeke to deface hym I remember once I sawe and heard an Italian vceyng in the Emperour Charles the fifth his Campe so stande on his reputation that when a meane Gentleman quarrelled with hym and desired the Combate he aunswered he had been Soldado Vetche an old Soldiour and had borne office and passed through sondrie offices by order and that the gentleman was but a yong man and but of twoo yeres experiēce in warre and farre vnmeete to make challenge with hym that had passed so many steppes of honour and places of credite But saied the Italian to his aduersarie goe and dooe that I haue dooen or passe through the like and when thou haste mounted vp and troden on euery steppe that I haue passed come to me and I will fight with thee the combate But to saie I will stoupe so lowe and base my self as a Lorde maie in fightyng with a Ruffian beyond the compasse of my callyng I will not nor no Lawe of Armes can commaunde me The matter came in question before the Prince of Orrange that now is and the Duke of Sauoye yet liuyng and the challenger had a foule disgrace in the audience of a multitude and the defendaunte had a rewarde of fiue hundreth Crounes allowed hym by the Emperour for preseruyng his honour and estimation so muche This was doen and openly seen a little before the siege of Renttie and standeth for a good recorde Then an old Soldiour is a gentleman bothe worthie to giue armes and collours and mete to be borne withall in causes of quarrell An other proofe for the maintenaunce of my matter I sawe at the siege of Leeth a gentlemant of greate courage and birthe called maister Ihon Soutch quarrell with Capitaine Randall then Maiour of the feelde And maister Soutche did vrge through ill woordes and stoute language Capitaine Randall verie farre whiche might haue
to the streight where he founde the enemie commyng faste on to enter the same Who forthwith disbanded certaine shotte ledde by the aforesaied Dalton and Edwardes and enterteined them with the scirmouch so sufficiently as he forced them to giue grounde and to retire towardes the streight whiche Steward had in garde so far that in the action he brought hym self betwixte the enemie and the Scottes who mistakyng the companie gaue theim from the Hedge where thei laye suche a volley of shotte as made them to lose more grounde then euer the enemie could haue doen. The enemie in the meane time perceiuyng that and fought vpon a retreate came on with great furie beeyng supplied with freshe nombers But could not for all he might doe force them to abādon the streight till suche tyme as certain Englishe menne that were within the Closses to discouer broughte woorde that the enemie had entered the streight vpon the Scottes whiche was very true For euen at the instant the fire was seen to arise in the village and the whole forces that were to enter betwixte the water and the Englishe companies to retire theim selues vnto the Hethe againe The Scottes makyng good their fight vpon the retreate the Lieutenant was likewise driuen to doe the same whiche if he had not the enemie had cutte betwixte hym his companie and the trenches This beeyng well perceiued by Capitaine Liggins who was as is saied left at the churche for a releef by the Lieutenaunte the Capitaine presently aduaunced hym self and was now come halfe the waie to the succour of the Lieutenaunte and to preuent the enemie and ioyne hym self with the forces of the Lieutenant Thei altogether retire vnto the Churche and perceiuyng that the enemie came on apace the Lieutenaunt leaueth Capitain Liggins and Dalton his Lieutenaunt at a reasonable grounde of strength to entertaine theim and he hymself rideth backe to the bridge to fetche the releef for Capitaine Liggyns his retreate whiche releef was ledde by the Lieutenantes Paddon and Chubbe where he founde it of more strength then he thought of For he found his brother Capitaine Bingham come forthe with al the shotte of his companie beyng so willed by Capitaine Palmer the Sergant Maior of that regiment who commaunded hym from his warde The enemie seeyng the streight of that waie and that their other forces preuailed more vppon the other streight forsooke any longer to attempte the same againste the Englishe and retired theim as thei might on the side ouer the Closes to ioyne theim with their other forces whiche had euen now passed the streighte whiche the Scottes had in garde Who all together made hedde vp to the hill and so to the burnt house then fired by the Scottes in their retreate who at that instaunte forsooke the feelde and retired theim all into the Campe. Not farre from whiche place was Capitaine Fitz Willyams to whose tourne it now came The Lieutenaunte perceiuyng the enemie to bee aduaunced as neere the Trenches as he hym self was Commaunded his troupes to marche with all speede towardes Fitz Willyās to bryng them selues altogether on the hedde of the enemie and betwixt them and the Trenches Where at his arriuall he sent the Lieutenant Dalton with fiftie shotte into a close to beate theim on the flancke and hym self with the others dealte with them on frunte Here was Dalton with his encountered and twoo or three of his slain and of the enemies as many At this tyme came in Capitaine Fludde one of maister Morgans companies and was the firste that came in of the eleuen Ensignes to the greate comfort and encouragement of the other power that were of maister Norris his Regimente From the tyme that the Lieutenaunte Generall of maister Candishes regimente first entered into scirmouche on the farre Hethe vntill this tyme were passed twoo howers and from his first goyng forthe three This Capitaine Fludd had his marche on the rereward of maister Norris his regimente whiche was euen now all entered into the Estates Campe and was their firste arriuyng to the same After that Capitaine Fludde had deliuered diuers volles of shotte thei retired to the hille hauyng spente their pouder In this scirmouche whiche was verie well maintained by the forces of maister Candishes Regimente as also now by some of the other was slaine the Capitaine Liggins and one maister Shilton and maister Sādes sore hurte whereof not long after he died and maister Wingfeelde who recouered with diuers others hurte and slaine Aboute this tyme came in Capitaine Gill Lieutenaunte of maister Norrisses priuate bande accompanied with certaine squadrons of shotte of the saied bande After this came in Capitaine Salesburie with diuers troupes of maister Ihon Cobhams and Capitaine Aumond with the shotte of his owne companie As also Capitaine Cromwell with some of his owne companie and diuers other gentlemen as master Frances Fourder master Anthonie Ellis Capitaine Erryngton all whiche Capitaines and gentlemen behaued them selues verie sufficiently and with greate valure and courage ioyned theim selues with the Capitaines and companies of maister Candishes Regimente who as you haue heard were there long before and neuer departed the feelde but had alwaies their releef of pouder brought vnto them into the feelde by Smithe the Prouost Marshall who receiued the same of Palmer thei Sergeaunte Maior who was lefte within the Campe to prouide suche necessaries as also to gouerne the Trenches of the Englishe quarter whiche Capitaine Markain had in charge with the armed menne of that Regimente where he remained and serued all that daie As tyme had passed a twoo howers more in sore scirmouche of bothe sides maister Yorke came into the feelde who had been busie within about the deuision of their quarter for the eleuen Ensignes whiche as you haue heard were that forenoone ariued To whom the Lieutenant maister Byngham shewed the abuse of Soldiours that were of that Regimente who would not bee retired nor obaye his commaundemente Maister Yorke aunswered that he had then little to doe with them vpon whiche maister Bingham demaūded for maister Norris to whom he ment to signifie their disorder and disobedience As these speeches passed betwixt them thei sawe the whole force and power of the enemies Armie that were within the straight to moue and alter their present state with sounde of Trompet and Drom presentyng and aduaunsyng them bothe horsemen and foote men towardes vs wherevpon the Lieutenante demaunded of maister Yorke what it might signifie either to charge vs in grosse or els to make their retraite beeyng doubtfull whiche of these twoo the enemie would forthwith putte in vse the saied twoo gentlemen to preuente the worste and to assure thē selues and the state of the whole Armie thought good to possesse them selues of a hille or grounde of aduauntage whiche lay verie neere the enemie For whiche ground these gentlemen forthewith made for and also maister Roger Willyams came in on their left hande to the same who had not long before in the feeld before