and peaceable And set a side the staine of his brothers death he was doubtlesse a most excellent Prince and worthy of the Crowne and kingdome and although there were many times iarres betwixt him and his brother Duke Charles yet alwaies the matter was so handled that they were soone reconcilde againe By which were cut off all occasions of Ciuill warre In the twelfth yeare of his raigne his father in law the King of Poland dies for whose death the Quéene his daughter mourned heauily The young Prince Sigismond her Sonne was elected King of Poland and with an honourable conuoy being guarded thither was with all solemnity in all Princely manner Crowne King of Poland Shortly after Marries honourably into the house of Austria and in the twelth yeare of his raigne in Poland King Iohn his Father dies whose death being much bewailed of his subiects he was with appertaining solemnitie buried in the Chappell of the Kings in the Castle of Vpsale Duke Charles of Estergutland after the death of his brother sends into Poland for his Nephew Sigismond to come to receaue the Crowne of Swethland Sigismond takes heauily the death of his Father and deuines before hand of the troubles that followed in that kingdome Great preparation is made for his iourney into Swethland and doubting of his vnckles minde proiectes carrieth a great power of Poles with him to preuent all daungers The king arriues safely in Sweathland is with all honor and signe of loue receaued by his vnckle Duke Charles and the rest of the Nobilitie of Swethland He is honorably conueyed to Vpsale Castle where hee was louingly receaued of the Quéene his Mother whom he comforteth being a sorrowfull widdow for the death of King Iohn her husband Shortly after he was crowned K. of Swethland without any disturbance A Rex-day was held in the castle of Vpsale where all things being established Duke Charles is made vicegerent of the kingdome hauing with him ioynd in Comission foure Noblemen of the Rexen-road whose names were Hergusten Bonner Hersten Bonner his brother Herrerick Spare and Hartor Belk These fower Noble men being great in the kingdome but not very great with the Uicegerent were of purpose ioynd by the King in commission with the Duke to curbe or Controule all ouer haughty and headstrong attempts that the Duke might happely Commit by the greatnesse of his place and power in the absence of the King who was then ready to returne to Poland The Duke perceaues the drift but dissembles it before the Kings departure order was set downe by the King with the Duke and the Commissioners for the payment of certaine sommes of money which King Iohn his Father did owe vnto many Souldiours that were yet vnpaide since the time of expedition into Russia and vnto many Merchants of England Scotland and other Nations for the prosecuting of that warre After all things were thus setled and ordered the King returnes to Poland leauing behinde him that fire that afterward consumed the peace of the whole Kingdome for the Noblemen the Commissioners being commanded by the King that was euer iealous of his Unckle Charles to obserue and enforme his Maiestie of the manner of his gouernment did so oppose themselues against him in all his procéedinges and especially in the payment of this money that the Duke plainely perceiued that this new gouernment was but laide as a trap to ensnare his life A Rex-day was holden at Vpsale no order Concluded nor money paide and much adoe there was to kéepe them from factions the Commissioners would haue these summes paid out of the Subiectes purses the Duke out of the Common Treasury which the commissioners refuse alleaging the Kings want of money The Duke writes faithfully The Lords falsly to the King To whom they intimate feare of innouation and that the Duke by all likelyhoods aimed at the Crowne that he had paid parte of the money due to the Souldiours out of the Reuenues of the Dukedome to draw their affections to him that he sought to further the State and wealth of the Commons more then stood with the loyall nature of a Subiect that he kept the Porte and State of a King rather then a Deputie and that it was not like he would long yeeld his honors vnto Uassalage whose fortunes in such a minde and State as his might attaine to Soueraignty if preuention were not spéedily made The Duke intercepts these letters and sends them inclosed in his own vnto the King to whom he writes very humbly and with all protestations of duty and alleagance the king receaues the letters but beleeues the Lords and distâ—usteth the Duke sendeth secretly to the Commissioners that they should sodainely surprise him depose him from his gouernement and to that end he sent his authority and finally to kéepe him prisoner his wise and children during life in a castle built of purpose for that stratageme within the dukedome of Litto Oh that the nature of fortune should be so fickle and vncertaine neuer singular either in her frownes or fauours but that commonly in the height of any hope it produceth some crosse accident of vnhappy misfortune The Duke notwithstanding hauing intelligence of this plot beganne to looke about him hasted into his owne dukedome and raised a great power of men Some say that if hee had but staide one hower longer in Vpsale the plot had beene effected and the Duke vtterly vndone The Lords were in a maze vpon the Dukes departure knowing that their deuise was discouered they now perceaued their owne weakenesse to resist the Duke being in power place and opinion and farre aboue them And though they had the Kings authority yet was he farre from them and they néer vnto their danger they knew not well what course to take sometimes they purposed to flie to the King and then they feared the waies were forelayd To stay in the Castle of Vpsale were no safety it being a place of pleasure not of defence whereupon they determined to depart from thence Thrée of them vnto the Castle of VVasten in the Dukedome of Finland and Hartourbelk to Calmer Castle Hauing theis Castles deliuered vnto them they purposed to stay there to vnderstand the Dukes procéedings and in the meane time dispatcht letters vnto the King of the particulars of these troubles The Duke as I sayd before hauing raised a great power of men marcheth spéedily towardes the castle of Vpsale but vnderstanding of the Lords departure towards Wasten bends his course thither It is a world to sée what numbers of men came vnto the Duke from all parts proffeting their seruice to him All which hee gently welcomed Some he entertained and the rest sent home againe with speciall charge to looke vnto the Kinges peace signifying further that the cause why hee was now vp in Armes was but to right himselfe of such wronges done by those Lords who neither loued the King nor him The Lords that were in the Castle of Wasten vnderstanding of the
Souldiers But in this perplexed face of flight where nothing but the Caracters of feare and despaire could be séene no words could suffice nor any commanders tongue be regarded but in this confused manner they ran vpon their deaths whilst the enemy stood ready to receaue them And in this horrour of blood and massacre the Dukes horse was slain vnder him he himselfe hurt and perceiuing no hope either by fight or flight hee fell downe as dead among the dead Carcasses reteyning a hope that way happely to saue himselfe Of fifteene thousand men fourtéen thousand and odde were put to the sword the rest fled to their shippes Euery man supposing the Duke to be slaine The sad newes of this fatall ouerthrow and of the Dukes supposed death was soone brought into Swethland which vpon the hearing thereof shewed such a general face of sorrow as if the whole land had put on one entire mourning garment to attend his sad and vntimely funerals They now saw their Prince sodeÌ„ly snatcht from them in the spring time of their hopes in the prime of all his glory they found themselues naked and open to the Polish Tyranny They feared their Religion and gouernment would now be forced and adulterated by the tyrannous command and superstitious customes of Poland wherewithall they knew their King was wholly corrupted No heart so Noble no head so circumspect no hande so victorious to order the state manage the affaires and fight the battailes of their Countrey Now he was dead all hope was buried and all their happines and fréedom should be laid in the graue with him and last but not least of their sorrow they wanted his body to giue it honorable funerall But as this false newes made them true mourners so this passion of sorrow for his supposed death was afterward turned into the contrary passioÌ„ of ioy for the Dukes strange and vnknowne deliuery to whome wee will now returne hauing left him before among the dead carkases of his Souldiers There was a young Gentleman of Swethland attendant to the Duke whose name I could not learne that saw the Duke when he fell thinking him with the rest to haue beene slaine and desirous to doe the last seruice to his Prince kept close hauing a place fitte for his purpose hoping to recouer the body of the Duke and finding in the darke of the night a certain Gentleman of Poland newly slaine shifteth armour and apparrell with him and hauing the Polish tongue vndertooke as one of Fernsbecks souldiers to rifle the dead bodies and hauing found the place where the Duke lay all imbrued with the bloud of his Souldiers and comming neere to raise the body the Duke beganne to striue The Gentleman amased askt in fayre termes if he were aliue to whome the Duke replyed Art thou my friend the Gentleman told him his name and purpose and sith he was aliue he should horse him selfe vpon the Gentlemans horse and flie vnto his ships vsing the benefite of the night for his escape while hee himselfe would make what shift he could to follow after The Duke being thus raysed from this graue of bloud worse then Golgotha embracced him thankt him and spake these words God prosper thee whome if it please that thou shalt liue to out liue the fortunes of this night there was neuer man so deare as thou shalt be to thy Lord wherevpon the Duke mounted and with all speed hasted to his shippes where the ioy of his comming was so much the greater by how much the feare before of his death was the stronger The Gentleman whom hee left behind being vnluckely discouered was vnfortunately slaine which though the last was not the least honour he atchieued to die in the safegard of his Prince The Duke stayed long for his returne but at length suspecting that which had happened hoyst saile and safely arriued in Swethland It is a world to heare the concourse of people that from all parts came to sée him Upon the newes of his landing they strewd flowers in the way as thinking the Earth vnworthy to beare him they shewed all signes and tokens of ioy as now holding themselues free from those feares which the report of his death had before possest them with Now as men newly reuiued they beganne to entertaine new hopes and to flatter themselues with a perpetuall stability of their estates The Sunne which they supposed had made an eternall Set from their Horizon did now shine againe in the middest of their Hâ—mispheare and this glad day after their sad night they made a generall vow sor euer to consecrate Thus as in a triumphant manner the Duke helde on his course to Stockeholland where the triumphes for his deliuery he found doubled with the Dutches his wife his kindred and his neerest friends that in ioy of his returne feasted many dayes together Duke Fernsbecke proud of the late victory let slippe no time but hauing the seconds of his power safely landed out of Poland recouered many of his townes and Castles which hee before had lost and which he holdeth at this day Duke Charles did little that Summer but that hee sent certaine forces to strengthen those principall townes and 〈◊〉 in Liefland which he yet holdeth And in this Summer not from any ambitions desire of his owne but the policy of the time in the state of the Kingdome so requiâ—â—â—â— at the speciall instigation of his friends for the counâ—â—â—â—s good but principally vpon respect of the churches peace 〈◊〉 tooke vppon him the Crowne and Scepter of Swethland in the yeare of our Lord God 1604. which hee doth still noâ—ly and peaceably gouerne as the state of the Time doth suffer The wars being for the most part transferred into the Dukedome of Leifland And thus as I 〈◊〉 enformed standeth the condition of the affaires of that kingdome at this time FINIS
THE WARRES OF SWETHLAND WITH THE GROVND AND Originall of the said VVarres begun and continued betwixt SIGISMOND King of Poland and Duke CHARLES his Vnkle lately Crowned King of Swethland As also the State and condition of that Kingdome as it standeth to this day LONDON Printed for Nathaniel Butter dwelling in Pauls Church-yard by Saint Austins Gate 1609. TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE AND Most Noble minded louer of Learning PHILIP Earle of Mongomerie SVch Right Honourable as haue purposed to please Hector haue still presented him with Horse and Armour because his chiefest delight was in Martiall Discipline and such oblations best fitted his humour For by this and the like presidents is noted how all haue sought in their presents to keepe a Decorum Hauing therefore composed this little Treatise that concernes the dessignes of two Kingdoms I haue thought good aduenturing the Pardon of your Lordships discretion to passe the same vnder your Honourable Nâ—me as well for that your Expeâ—ience is already knowne to be sufficiently instructed in the affaires of our owne Countrey Being descended of most Honourable Parents educated in the most liberal Sciences and mannaged in one of the most Royall and famous Courts of Europe As also for that the custome of Honorable dispositions hath alwayes next after that labored the knowledge and insight of forraine Estates and coÌ„ditions That they may not only deserue well of their owne Countrey by this their industrie but also spread their owne fame as farre as their Countrey is knowen Your owne worth is the principall motiue that emboldens me to shroude it vnder your Patronage as one that is a fautor and fauourer of vertuous Actions and whose Honourable loues growne from the generall applause of the Common-wealth for your high desert may keepe it from the malice of bitter tongues Commaunded thus with this consideration I presume to present my Booke vnto your Lordship And humbly intreate your Honour will bee pleased to vouch of my Labors and fauour a Schollers penne with your gracious acceptation who answeres in affection what hee wants in eloquence So shall I rest deuoted vnto you and bestow my future Studies to effect matter of better deseruing Euer remaining Your Honours most humble affectionate ANTH. NIXON The true Copie of a Letter Certificatorie written in commendation of Captaine King of Ratcliffe M. VVilliam Bardwell and Alexander Child of Redriffe Masters of three Shipps of London for their memorable seruice against the Swethens being thereto compelled in Summer last 1608. IOhannes Carolus Chodkiewich Earle of Seckloro Bychor and of Misra Captaine of Samogitia and Porpatie Generall Commissioner of Lyffeland and chiefe Generall of the Army of the great Dukedome of Lytawe To all and singular to whome it may appertaine or that shall reade these Presents I doe let to weet that whereas VVilliam Bardwell VVilliam King and Alexander Childe English Gentlemen came with three Shippes at Riga when the Earle of Mansfielde Generall of the Army of Duke Charles Suderman periniuriously breaking the Truce made warre in Lyffeland I helde them there and employed them in the seruice of Warre for the most excellent King of Poland my most gratious Lord and they vndertooke to defend the Dunn wherein they did behaue themselues very faithfully manfully and valiantly so that the said Earle of Mansfield was often by them driuen backe againe to his great losse and shame and likewise hee was often assaulted by them so that hee lost not onely his strength of men and his courage but also lost some Shippes with many men and goods which the saide Englishmen with a memorable courage and to the notable glory of the English Nation did set on fire and burne And therefore I haue thought good to grant vnto them this Testimoniall to the end that they may haue great thanks for their deserts purchased by their good renowne and name and that others may see that as fame immortality belongeth chiefly to noble minds so also it is gotten by vertuous and valiant deedes Written in the Campe at the new Mill in Lyffeland the seauenteenth of Nouember Anno Domini 1608. And is subscribed by Iohannes Carolus Chodkiewicke manu propria and sealed with a Seale in Redde waxe Printed thereupon Ita testatur Carolus Demetrius Notarius Publicus THE ORIGINALL GROVND OF The present Warres of Swethen Chap. I. The daungerous plots laid against Gustovus in the life time of his Father His flight to Lubeck in Germanie in the habite of a slaue His strange entertainment there c. THis is like a briefe Cronicle that comprehends in it much matter in few lines and various businesse in little circumstance It presents to your reading the dessignes and affaires of a spatious kingdome and reacheth to the beginning of many yéeres past Understand therefore that the Countrey of Swethen before if was aduanc'd to the dignitie of a kingdome by the allowance of theÌ„ Empire and generall consent of their owne State was a long time gouerned by the authority of foure Dukes bearing the Titles of the foure Prouinces into which the Country is deuided The first is the Dukedome of Doland hauing in it a Regall Castle called Vpsale where the kings of Swethland be Crowned and buried The second is the Dukedome of Newland where the Castle of Newkeeping stands The third is the Dukedome of Finland where the Dukes seat is called Oua Castle The fourth is Warmland where stands the Castle of Wasten vpon the Mediterrenian Sea being the strength and Bulwarke of the kingdome The Countrey being as I say a long time ruled by these foure Dukes in the kind of an Aristocratie that is The gouerment of the Nobilitie as was the gouernement of the first and former Romane Peeres and Consuls was in the end of the Raigne of Henrie 7. King of England made a Monarchie or kingly gouernment The first Monarke or King hereof was called Gismond whose Sonne named Gustovus succéeded his Father in the Kingdome This Gustovus being in the life time of his Father Duke of Doland was a Prince very absolute both in the perfections of his body and his mind excellently composed in the one and honorably disposed in the other Of an indifferent stature neither too high nor too low His complexion sanguine his haire bright his countenance chéerefull and pleasant to looke vpon full of grace and Maiestie In warre stout and industrious in Counsell wise and full of respect in the Court he carried such a Port and State as attracted all eyes to gaze vpon him In priuate places full of affabilitie and delightsome recreation To conclude it seemed that Nature and vertue had both ioynd together to frame in him the most absolute patterne of a Prince in his time But as no excellency whatsoeuer is without malignant opposites so this Prince found that olde saying to bee true Virtutis comes inuidia plerunque bonos insectatur For the Dukes of the other Thrée Prouinces being ioynd with him in Commission for you must vnderstand
that the foure Dukes did still retaine their titles and authoritie vnder the King as the Senate of Rome did theirs vnder the Soueraintie of Caesar though it were subordinate The other thrée I say enuying that greatnesse loue and opinion which his vertues as well as the Nobilitiâ—e of his blood had got him sought by many deuises to betray him whom no honourable mind but would haue defended and to this end they bent all their courses A plot no doubt ful of honour and regard vnto the State the proiect whereof was either the murther or disinheritance of so lawfull a Prince Falshood and Enuie the accusers Suggession and Subornation the informers Thus was the plot laid The Quéene being mother in law of Gustovus and hauing a Sonne by the King and borne since the kingdome was erected as farre as she durst for she yet feared the greatnesse of Gustovus did many times buze matters of iealousie and suspition into the Kings eares of his sonnes cariage of himself in the kingdom which at first he did not either beleeue or dissemble The thrée Dukes knowing the Quéenes mind towards the Prince added fuell to her fire alledging that she should neuer finde a sure estabâ—ishment for her selfe and her sonne in the kingdome if Gustovus were not made away The heart that before began to burne with this desire was now more incensed hauing those thrée Noblemen the principall Counsellours of State in the kingdome to further her intendments The Quéene being throughly instructed by the Lords takes the aduantage of time in her complaint to the king Tels him that his sonne aspired and would shortly aspire against him that he affected popularitie receiued like Absolom his subiects Petitions not in loue but Ambition That he kept a Court and Port greater then the King and that all his actions did more sauour of Soueraigntie then subiection The Lords they second the Quéene in her vniust information alleadge matters probable to confirme it The King beleeues and in the error thereof hates Truth imbraceth Treason Thus all being inuerted Nature rebels in the Father but Loyaltie remaines in the Sonne The plot was hereupon laid for his apprehension Gustovus being then at Court who noting a straunge alteration in his Fathers countenance towards him began to suspect the drift of the Queene vpon the distrust of the Noblemen about her Himselfe being almost abandoned deuiseth with himselfe how to auoyd the daunger A Gentleman of the Kings comes secretly to Gustovus and tels him that the plot was laid that night for his Attainder The Prince being amazed at the suddaine immiuence of such a perill posteth presently from the Court with a few of his Retinew and the next day recouers his Dukedome of Doland where he meant to stay till he heard further of the Kings proceedings His departure was soone made knowne at which the Queene and the Lords though they mist of their purpose were not much sorry foreknowing that his suddaine flight from the Court in that manner would strongly confirme their accusation The King by them againe is incensed and messengers sent into Doland by whom the Prince was Summoned by a certaine day to make his appearance in Vpsale Castle which the Prince refuseth to doe affirming by his submissiue Letters to the King that though he knew his cause to bee iust and his heart loyall no probable suspition of any misdemenour from him either in act or intent that yet neuerthelesse he durst not hazard his life in the heat of the kings displeasure for that he knew his aduersaries were so great in power and in so gratious account that it would be an easie matter to haue his Maiesties grace and Nature her selfe peruerted to his vntimely and vniust destruction And that the onely cause why he retired himselfe into his owne Countrey was to stay the time vntill these mists of his Maiesties iealousie and suspition were blowen away that the Sunne of his alleagiance might shine cleere farre from the cloudes of all distrust or disloyaltie This answere being returned but not accepted the King by the Queenes continuall instigations was more and more prouokt insomuch that a great power was suddenly raised to fetch him by violence out of his Dukedome Which the Prince perceiuing and being neither able nor willing to resist his Fathers forces giues way to necessitie and in the habite of a slaue purposeth secretly to goe into Germanie And hauing past some daungers in his flight by the Kings pursuers at last he crossed the seas and holding on his course for Lubeck in Germany not many dayes safely arriued there All this while he kept his disguise for though he knew that the Lubeckers were heretofore beholding to him yet he doubted what minds they would put on in this chaunge of fortune Remembring Pompeyes vsage in his flight by Ptolomie King of Egypt and the like of Hanniball by Prusius king of Bithinia Chap. II. Gustovus is discouered in Lubecke The Lubeckers take his part The King his Father dies He recouers by their meanes the Kingdome of Swethland THe newes being arriued in Germany of Guâ—tovus his flight out of Swethland before his comming thither was diuersly intertained in Lubeck Some pittied the state and condition of the young Prince that so Noble a Gentleman so full of hope and expectation euen in the prime of his youth should in this vile manner suffer violence Others spake against him supposing that his owne naturall Father and others of his blood would not in this manner haue proceeded against him if he had not showne himselfe dangerous vnto the State as the mindes of the people are in this case diuersly distracted The Prince after his comming to Lubeck staied certaine dayes in a common Inne not daring to discouer himselfe and to auoid the suspition of a stranger in such common places found meanes to preferre himselfe vnto a rich Merchant of the Towne if such a place in the meanenesse of his fortune at that time may be called preferment Being there entertained he contented himselfe to doe any bodily labour in the house striuing to suite his minde vnto his misery yet could hee not so well counterfeit this part of his sinister fortune but that the Merchant did soone suppose him to be a better man then hee seemed to bee and perhaps the man hee was So hard a thing it is for Nature to learne to forget her custome Staying some few moneths in the Merchants house hee heard of a Gasant sent from the king to the State of Lubeck being supposed hee would bend his course thither The tenor of the Gasants message was to deliuer to the Lubeckers that the kings desire was that either they should not entertaine him at al or els send him backe to Swethland for that hee was knowen and proclaimed to bee an enemie But they being at that time ignorant of the Princes abiding answered for the time to those things that might stand with the Kings pleasure The Gasant being dispatcht Gustovus
the right and title was in the King but the power and authority in the Duke The king had the commaund of the Castle the Duke the possession of the City Their feare exceeded their distrust for both the Dukes Army that lay in the City committed many outrages notwithstanding the Dukes strict Proclamation and againe the ordinance of the Castle augmented their feare and if Hergusten Boner that commaunded the Castle had had his wil the Ordenance had béene bent against the Towne The Duke satisfying aswell as he could the feare of the Citizens beleaguers the Castle of Calmer there being a great mutiny within the Castle betwixt the Poles and the Swethians which serued excellently well for the Duke for Hergusten Boner that commaunded the Castle vnder the King agréede with the Poles to haue battered the City which the Swethean Souldiers resisted insomuch that from wordes they fell to blowes in which conflict the Swethens hauing the better tooke Hergusten Boner Prisoner together with all the Poles being to the number of thrée hundreth and knowing this Act to bee unanswerable to the King submitted themselues yeelded the Castle and gaue vp their Prisoners to Duke Charles The Duke gently entertaines al but Hergusten Boner his old enemy whome hee sent Prisoner to Greephollam where hee remaines to this day All the Poles hee sent new apparrelled with white staues in their hands fairely entreated to the King The Duke hauing thus fortunately recouered the City and Castle of Calmer did strongly Manne them both and comforting the Ditizens in the best manner he could with the rest of his Army marched into the Dukedome of Finland it being a part of Swethland bordering vpon Russia and there beleaguerd the Castle of Oua and in few dayes wanne it still fairely entreating the Kinges Souldiers which in all places wanne him great commendations hauing in short time quieted the Dukedome returned backe with his Army to Stockehollam where he rested the remainder of that winter Chap. VIII Duke Charles inuades the Dukedome of Liefland surpriseth most of the Townes and Castles of that country and is in a manner absolute possessor of the whole Dukedome DUke Charles knowing his principall aduersary with the King to bee Fernes beck Duke of Liefland which countrey notwithstanding it ioyneth with Swethland in law and language had neuerthe lesse a kind of absolute power and authoritie within it selfe thought it best to beginne the warre in that countrey that the eye of his aduersaries looking into his actions there the Kinges forces might not be bent against his owne countrey the peace whereof hee much desired and to this end in the beginning of the Sommer following hauing reinforced his Army Marched into the dukedome of Liefland The chiefe Citie whereof called Rauell yelded vnto him into the which he triumphantly entered The Cittizens themselues whether for feare of his power or loue of his person shewed such tokens of submissiue dutie that there little letted a Contestation of their allegiance Hauing there rested certaine daies he rayseth his Army and marcheth towards the Castle of Whettensten which in short time was yeelded vnto him From thence he came to the City of Perno which he likewise tooke in placing there a strong garrison He marched from thence to another strong Citie called Durpe and in fiue daies forced the Towne fiue hundreth Polish Souldiours within the Towne submitted vnto him with tender of their seruice whom he gently intreated entertained They euer after seruing him in all his wars very faithully The Lieflanders themselues noting the gentle behauiour of Duke Charles wisht in their hearts all good successe vnto him though they durst not shew it outwardly forfeare of their Lordes displeasure who in his rule bare euer such a rough hand ouer them that hee séemed a Tirant or an vniust Usurper rather then an honorable gouernour or a naturall prince Duke Fernesbeck hauing some intelligence of the sodaine inuasion of his countrey raiseth with all the hast hee could all the powers hee could make being constituted by the King Generall of his warres and within a few daies landed in Liefland whereof Duke Charles hauing vnderstanding and fearing to be preuented sent very secretly and spéedily fifteene hundreth souldiours vnder the command of coronell Hill to surprise the citie of Venden but I know not how the plot being discouered and Ambuscadoes laide in the way by Fernesbeck they were sodainly charged and being weary and faint through a long marche were soone ouerthrowne and slame only the Coronell with seauenteene of his fellowers the poore remaine of so many hundreds making way with the sword through the fury of the Enemy did wounderously escape bringing this sadnewes backe to their Lord. The Duke though it somewhat troubled him yet shewed no signe either of feare or sorrow but hartned on his souldiours to the reuenge of their fellowes deaths There was nothing that aduantaged him more then his Celeritie in all his attempts for whensoeuer any aduantage was proffered hee would neuer pretermitte the least occasion Duke Charles vpon the newes of this ouerthrow vnderstanding of new succours shortly to come out of Poland in the aide of Fernesbeck sodainly raiseth his Army his Enimies supposing that the late ouerthrow had much quaild his courage and nothing lesse suspecting then what he intēded marcheth with all spéed to the Citie of Venden into which Duke Fernesbeck but two daies before had made his triumphant entrance The march was so speedily and secretly made that they of the Towne vnderstood not of his remooue from Durpe till they saw him with his Army before the walls of Venden Ferns-beck staying within the Towne euery hower looking for his new supplies when he saw himselfe thus vnlookt for confronted by the Duke and his Army stood so amazed that a long time he was in doubt what it were best to doe At last made a shew of resistance of the Enemy and defence of the Towne till the approach of the night following In which time he deuised such a plot that vtterly lost his honor and the Loue of all his friends within his Dukedome For in the beginning of the night hauing throughly instructed his Commanders and followers what hee meant to doe No Townesman supposing what he purposed made an absolute spoile of the Towne ransacking euery mans house and carying away their plate money and iewels flyes closely away and leaues the Towne abandoned Duke Charles had sodaine intelligence hereof and with all hast pursues him and in the way he takes certaine of Fernesbeckes Espials whome hauing threatened was by them conducted to the place where Duke Fernbecke that night encamped and hauing giuen the charge to Coronell Hill that was desirous to reuenge himselfe of his late ouerthrow sodainely set vpon them being at rest slew the most part of them recouers the goods taken a little before so violently and dishonourably out of the City Fernsbecke himselfe with a few of his followers hardly escaping Duke Charles hauing thus